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Providence Perfume: Exploring Citrus & Cologne Formulations

4/18/2016

"I have found a fragrance that reminds me of an Italian spring morning, of
mountain daffodils and orange blossoms after the rain."

- Perfumer,
Giovanni Maria Farina

Earlier this month, I had the great pleasure to study natural perfume with award winning perfumer, Charna Ethier. This is my third year working with her at her stunning perfumery -
Providence Perfume Co., located in Providence, Rhode Island.

The focus of the perfume intensive was formulating true colognes - citrus, green, fresh, unisex compositions.

Today, most people think of the word "cologne" as a term for a man's fragrance. However, there is another meaning to the word which describes a perfume that originated in Cologne, Germany. These scents are light and refreshing - perfect for the spring and summer.

Pictured below is an enormous jar of orange peel tincture that we used to make one of our perfumes.

The most famous Original Eau de Cologne is called 4711 - named after its location in Germany at Glockengasse No. 4711. We all got to pass around and smell a bottle of this famous perfume.
(Pictured below). The scent was just how I imagined it . . .

We also challenged ourselves to formulate five perfumes of various cologne styles:

The Florida Water Cologne
The Classic Cologne
The Citrus Cologne
The Green/Fresh/Herbaceous Cologne
The Floral Cologne

(The Florida Water Cologne was my favorite - think juicy citrus with a hint of spice).

After the workshop finished, I had a chance to check out Cellar Stories Books. I discovered a lovely vintage book on fragrant plants and flowers. A nice ending to a productive weekend of learning and blending!

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The Sense of Smell . . .

4/3/2016

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SMELLS by Christopher Morley

WHY is it that the poets tell
So little of the sense of smell?
These are the odours I love well:

The smell of coffee freshly ground;
Or rich plum pudding, holly crowned;
Or onions fried and deeply browned.

The fragrance of a fumy pipe;
The smell of apples, newly ripe;
And printers' ink on leaden type.

Woods by moonlight in September
Breathe most sweet; and I remember
Many a smoky camp-fire ember.

Camphor, turpentine, and tea,
The balsam of a Christmas tree,
These are whiffs of gramarye. . . .
A ship smells best of all to me!

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Dear Reader,

What are some of your favorite "smells"?

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Healthy Seasonal Living: Spring Renewal Rituals

3/18/2016

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Spring is the season of beginning and creation. After winter and lots of time spent indoors, our bodies (and spirits) can feel sluggish, depressed, and lethargic. Here are a few tips to increase your vitality and prepare for the new season ahead:

Take daily walks outside. Even 5-10 minutes makes a difference. Listen to the birds sing and notice all that is changing outdoors.
Open your windows and let in the fresh spring air.
Put plans into action. Spring is a wonderful time for new beginnings.
Cook a batch of Kitchari to promote healthy digestion. I like to serve Kitchari with a simple parsley salad. Rinse parsley, chop it up, and add a bit of lemon juice, olive oil, sea salt, and pepper.
Take a salt water bath. Add 3-4 cups of sea salt to a hot bath. At the end of your bath, add 5 drops of Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus radiata). Eucalyptus decongests and supports respiratory health. Not recommended for children and those with heart problems, high blood pressure, or diabetes.
Exfoliate your skin and improve circulation with natural salt scrubs, or try dry skin brushing.
Declutter your surroundings. Find one surface to clear off, or clean out one drawer. I find that cleaning off your nightstand is especially satisfying; it's typically the first and last thing you see every day.
Eat more fresh greens and less sugar.
Make parsley pesto. Simply substitute parsley for basil in your favorite pesto recipe. The mouth-watering aroma of fresh pesto is so invigorating. Parsley supports the immune system and flushes out excess fluids from the body.
Try replacing a few of your beauty/personal care products with natural alternatives.
Try spring cleaning with essential oils. For a multi-purpose cleaner, fill up a large spray bottle with half water and half white distilled vinegar. Add 30 drops of essential oils, shake, and spray. Lemon, lavender, and tea tree are a few great oils for multi-purpose cleaning.

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“Is the spring coming?" he said. "What is it like?"...
"It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine...”

― Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

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Favorite Essential Oil Diffusor Blends for Spring

2/15/2016

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I know we're not there yet, but I'm dreaming of spring and wanted to share a few of my favorite diffusor recipes. I invite you to take this time in winter to collect a few essential oils and your favorite candlelit diffusor. Notice your spirits lift as you transform an ordinary room into a sensuous, serene, healing space.

I hope you enjoy these diffusor blends!

Awakening of Spring
5 drops of lavender
2 drops of geranium
3 drops of clary sage

Refresh
3 drops of peppermint
7 drops of lavender

Move Kapha & Stimulate the Mind
3 drops of ginger
4 drops of lemon
3 drops of rosemary

Spring Slumber
5 drops of lavender
2 drops of Roman chamomile
3 drops mandarin

Happily Ever After
1 drop of neroli
3 drops of petitgrain
4 drops of sweet orange
2 drops of rosewood

Do you have a favorite essential oil or blend for Spring?
Feel free to share in the comments below!

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7 Luscious Essential Oils for Love

1/28/2016

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7 of My Favorite Essential Oils for Love:

Cardamom ~ Warm and gently spicy. Balances the autonomic nervous system. Its heavenly aroma reminds us of life's true abundance.
Jasmine ~ A euphoric oil that reawakens passion. Technically an absolute, not an essential oil. There are many varieties of jasmine - jasmine sambac is one of my favorites.
Mandarin ~ Opulent citrus with a floral undertone. Eases stress and moodiness. Restores optimism and enhances creativity.
Neroli ~ A precious and beloved scent also known as bitter orange flower. Promotes a lightness of being.
Patchouli ~ A rich, earthy, sensual oil that is emotionally balancing and has anti-depressant properties.
Rose - "Queen of Flowers." A gentle tonic for the heart. Beautifies the skin. Helps heal deep emotional wounds.
Sandalwood ~ Stills the mind. Connects us to the divinity deep within ourselves.

Is there someone special you'd like to pamper this Valentine's Day? (Including you)!

Warm Comforts Spritzer is a heavenly chocolate fix laced with warm spices and patchouli.

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A Dream of Light

1/11/2016

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Photography by Joni Brennan-Hazlett

As the moon
with splendor pierces
Through the dark
cloud-veil of night,
From my darksome Past
Emerges once again
a dream of light.

- Verse from Poems and Ballads
of Heinrich Heine

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Volatile! A Photo Journey Through A Poetry & Scent Exhibition

12/23/2015

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I was so excited when I heard about Volatile! - a local exhibit opening that is all about poetry and scent. (Two of my absolute favorite things)!

Here's a glimpse inside the event that took place in Chicago . . .

The first thing I noticed was this row of glass cloches. One starts at the far left, where you read the beginning of a story underneath the first cloche. You also smell the inside of the cloche;
the scent accompanies the story.

The first one was my favorite; it smelled like a mysterious forest filled with cedar trees.

The event soon became bustling and we listened to the opening talk by a panel of experts on scent and poetry.

I was pleasantly surprised by how many people were at the event - probably about 150. I had to duck away for a minute to get some air! I loved this decorative touch by the refreshments.

One of my favorite things about the event was the book of Aromapoetry (featured below). Through advanced nanotechnology, this book was created so that the scent will be forever imbedded into the pages.

Each page is one poem. You see the title of the poem, but there is no text. Instead of reading text with your eyes, you read the scent with your nose! It was interesting to notice that the scent varied throughout each area of the page . . .

If you live in Chicago, I highly recommend checking out this exhibit!
It stays open until February 19th, 2016.

I leave you with these words to consider:

“Poetry and perfume both utilize the power of suggestion and are capable of creating entire worlds through subtle illusion.”

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Natural Winter Skin Care

12/3/2015

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I'm so excited to introduce you to our newest guest blogger, Camille Leinbach.
Camille is an holistic skincare expert and owner of Autumn Moon Aesthetics.
I hope you enjoy her insights!

When the winter’s glorious chill sets in, it often brings about a new set of skin care concerns. When the temperature begins to drop, spending more time in indoor forced-air heat can quickly dehydrate your skin. Going outside into the cold causes skin to quickly lose moisture to the air. It is a recipe for dry, itchy, flaky, unhappy skin.

Here are a few tips to keep your skin naturally healthy and moisturized in cold weather:

Drink plenty of water, coconut water and herbal teas to help keep your skin hydrated. Eat plenty of fruits and veggies to also increase hydration in your body.
Try to avoid caffeinated drinks, as they dry out your skin. If you must have your coffee in the morning (and, believe me, I understand!), drink an extra glass of water for each cup.
Try to avoid alcohol, as it also dehydrates your skin.
When headed outside, cover your skin as much as possible with clothing. Cover any areas of exposed skin with a thick, natural lotion to prevent moisture loss.
Apply lip balm frequently throughout the day, especially before you go outside.
Keep baths and showers short and warm (not hot). Hot water dries skin out by stripping your skin of its natural oils.
Gently exfoliate dry skin with a brush, loofah or exfoliating gloves prior to getting into the bath or shower. Dry, flaky skin needs to be removed from the surface of skin to allow products to work more effectively. Be SUPER gentle if your skin is overly sensitive, and perform this treatment only a few times a week.
Avoid cleansing your entire body every day, especially with a foaming soap or body wash, as they can strip your skin of precious oils. Skip a day of sudsing, or wash only those most important bits daily.
Try replacing your regular body wash with 1 part honey to 1 part oil (jojoba or coconut is lovely) a few times a week in place of your regular body cleanser. You can also wash damp skin with a simple body scrub made of a bit of oil added to organic sugar to make a paste.
Apply oils and lotions immediately after showering or bathing, while your skin is still damp, to capture moisture and seal it into your skin.
Layer your products to protect skin from loss of precious moisture to the elements - start with a layer of oil, followed by a rich lotion or body butter.

Helpful Ingredients for Dry Skin:

Oils like olive, coconut, hazelnut, grapeseed, jojoba, sesame and sunflower work to replace lost moisture, while being easily absorbed into skin.
Humectants like honey and vegetable glycerin help to pull moisture from the air into your skin.
Oils like rosehip seed and carrot seed help to increase cell regeneration, repairing damaged tissues.
Products containing beeswax add a breathable, protective layer to skin that helps to retain moisture.
Products containing aromatic essential oils like helichrysum, patchouli, lavender, ylang ylang and sandalwood help to soothe and heal dry, itchy skin. Gilded Camellia™, an aromatic facial oil available in the Autumn Moon Etsy Boutique, is ideal for supporting healthy, moist skin.
Aloe soothes, heals and stops itching. Look for 100% pure aloe, as many packaged aloe products actually contain fillers, dyes and added fragrances.
Herbs like calendula, chamomile and lavender are soothing, healing and anti-inflammatory for dry, irritated skin. A nice oil infused with these plants is a great treat for dry skin.
Herbs like rose, licorice, marshmallow and chickweed are cooling and demulcent (they form a soothing, protective layer on dry skin). Try using an infusion of one or more of these in place of your usual toner. Keep your infusion refrigerated and use within 48 hours for freshness.

I hope this offers some easy, helpful ways to hydrate, repair and protect your skin during these upcoming months.

Stay cozy, warm and soft!

Camille

Camille Leinbach, owner of Autumn Moon Aesthetics, is a holistic aesthetician, aromatherapist and herbalist with over 15 years experience in the skin care industry. Visit her at www.plantglamour.com for more natural skin care tips and artisan botanical skin care and cosmetics.

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The Alchemical Garden

11/22/2015

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Believer or disbeliever,
No matter who You are,
No matter what Your ambitions
Forget!

Have you heard about the
alchemists?
Forget!
Use Your imagination,
Be attentive.

Alchemy, as presented in the
garden, is the transformation of
the soul
through grace and initiative
science. It is presented not
as the "black magic" of old but
as an essential tool of an era
when
being a great scientist also
meant being a great philosopher,
so
intertwined were the two
pursuits.

~ Sign at the Alchemical Garden at
Mas de la Brune in Provence, France.

I invite you to discover my alchemical, limited edition creation: Visions in the Garden
Featuring Vetiver, Rose, Tomato Leaf, Jasmine, Mimosa Olessance from France, and more.

Spiritual Properties of the Above Essences:

Vetiver ~ A root oil that aids those who feel too sensitive to outside forces. Instills strength and confidence.
Rose ~ A sacred oil that eases grief and sorrow. Enhances your connection to love, creativity, beauty, and the arts. Restores trust and self compassion.
Tomato Leaf ~ A rare essence with a wonderful, verdant aroma. Protects from negative influences. Inspires hope, passion, and belief in oneself.
Jasmine ~ A voluptuously warm aroma that promotes joy, euphoria, and sensuality. Beautifying and enhances intuition.
Mimosa ~ Fresh, sparkling, crystalline scent that aides creativity and joy. Associated with protection, purification, and prophetic dreams.

To bring a touch of grace and transformative magic into your life . . . Visions in the Garden.

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Natural Perfume Adventures: Part Two

11/4/2015

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This fall provided some great opportunities for my natural perfume studies. Soon after working with award winning perfumer Jessica Hannah, I attended a workshop with another expert in the world of natural perfume: Charna Ethier of Providence Perfume Co.

Providence has become one of my favorite cities; seeing it in autumn was definitely a treat . . .

This is where the workshop took place: Providence Perfume Co., located in Providence, Rhode Island.

The topic of this workshop was creating Oriental style perfumes. Before we began blending our formulas and perfumes, our instructor passed around incredible vintage perfumes. One of the most famous Oriental perfumes (pictured below) is Shalimar:

What is an Oriental perfume? The scent is often rich and ambery. They tend to convey warmth, sensuality, and sophistication. I especially like to wear these perfumes during fall and winter.

A few examples of perfumes that could be classified as Oriental:

Shalimar
L'Heure Bleue
Coco
Angel

One of the best parts of the workshop was creating four different styles of Oriental perfumes.
These are the four we created:

The Classic Oriental ~ classic, ambery scent utilizing essences like benzoin, vanilla, and tonka
The Gourmand Oriental ~ has edible and dessert-like qualities

The Spicy Oriental ~ contains spices such as cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg
The Floriental ~ Oriental with a floral twist

There was a lot of learning and blending packed into this weekend intensive!

After class, it was relaxing to stop by the local coffeehouse where I could sip on a warm drink and digest some of the knowledge I had acquired. I thought back to my original perfume intensive in Providence, which inspired my first (and still one of my favorite) botanical perfumes:
Cafe Providence.

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse inside a natural perfume workshop. If you're interested in trying an Oriental style natural perfume, please check out Labyrinth in the store.

Have you ever tried an Oriental style perfume? Feel free to share in the comments below.

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