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Showing results for tags 'Yule 2010'.
Found 66 results
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THE SOLDIER Red musk, vanilla cream, black tea, black pepper, leather, and pie. Creamy red musk, leather, and black tea are the strongest notes on my skin. The black pepper note give the scent a little snap to it. The more I smell this, the more I love it. I think this may be a very popular scent with the red musk & leather note lovers out there.
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HOLIDAY ARGUMENT DIFFUSING SPRAY Soothe the tensions of the holidays with a kerfuffle-quelling blend of carnation, white sandalwood, vanilla bean, Roman chamomile, ylang ylang, bergamot, and lemon peel! Spray around your home or office to take the edge off of Yuletime gatherings. (Please do not spray this in anyone's face, or near anyone's body at all. It isn't a very nice thing to do, and in addition to being unsafe, it will likely escalate whatever drama you're attempting to diffuse.) I loooooooooooooooooooooooooove it carnation and white sandalwood go SO GOOD together! vanilla bean is sweet and utterly soft to the nose, I want to spray it on my skin heehee but I won't but I will do it on my clothes, it'll be wonderfull, I'm sure:lol: Im so happy to have spen my little money from this month on one of these ones I already sprayed it on the bed and the air around it, VERY NICE! ylang ylang does come out when it's in the air, which gives you a happy-feeling that I can really use right now, since that I'm stuck in my house due to the snowstorm it is not summerish for some reason, but it making me smile
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CHANGING THE SHADOWS “Am I that man who lay upon the bed?” he cried, upon his knees. The finger pointed from the grave to him, and back again. “No, Spirit! Oh no, no!” The finger still was there. “Spirit!” he cried, tight clutching at its robe, “hear me! I am not the man I was. I will not be the man I must have been but for this intercourse. Why show me this, if I am past all hope!” For the first time the hand appeared to shake. “Good Spirit,” he pursued, as down upon the ground he fell before it: “Your nature intercedes for me, and pities me. Assure me that I yet may change these shadows you have shown me, by an altered life!” The kind hand trembled. “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach. Oh, tell me I may sponge away the writing on this stone!” In his agony, he caught the spectral hand. It sought to free itself, but he was strong in his entreaty, and detained it. The Spirit, stronger yet, repulsed him. Holding up his hands in a last prayer to have his fate reversed, he saw an alteration in the Phantom’s hood and dress. It shrunk, collapsed, and dwindled down into a bedpost. The dawning of hope and the blossoming of charity: vanilla, orange blossom, white sandalwood, mate, red tea, and carnation. The orange blossom is STRONG right after application. Within a minute or two though, I pick up the vanilla and red tea notes which really blend together with the orange blossom. The carnation note emerges the more it dries on my skin, but is still not very strong against the other notes mentioned.
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THE FIRST OF THE THREE SPIRITS It was a strange figure—like a child: yet not so like a child as like an old man, viewed through some supernatural medium, which gave him the appearance of having receded from the view, and being diminished to a child’s proportions. Its hair, which hung about its neck and down its back, was white as if with age; and yet the face had not a wrinkle in it, and the tenderest bloom was on the skin. The arms were very long and muscular; the hands the same, as if its hold were of uncommon strength. Its legs and feet, most delicately formed, were, like those upper members, bare. It wore a tunic of the purest white; and round its waist was bound a lustrous belt, the sheen of which was beautiful. It held a branch of fresh green holly in its hand; and, in singular contradiction of that wintry emblem, had its dress trimmed with summer flowers. But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm. Even this, though, when Scrooge looked at it with increasing steadiness, was not its strangest quality. For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away. And in the very wonder of this, it would be itself again; distinct and clear as ever. “Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me?” asked Scrooge. “I am!” The voice was soft and gentle. Singularly low, as if instead of being so close beside him, it were at a distance. “Who, and what are you?” Scrooge demanded. “I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.” “Long Past?” inquired Scrooge: observant of its dwarfish stature. “No. Your past.” Shimmering white amber, voluminous vanilla, white musk, zdravetz, and summer flowers. This was the Christmas Carol scent that seemed made just for me and it's the first bottle that came out of the box! Geranium is a good note on my skin. It's depth blossoms so nicely. My impression, soft and pretty. Almost cozy. Whatever Amber went into this- no trace of powder. Whatever Vanilla went into this- no hint of gourmand. A lovely aromatic perfume just a touch on the herbal side. The Floral notes give this a golden glow we'd associate with the Spirit of Christmas Past. Thank Goodness! I was a bit apprehensive thinking the Floral notes might be White. Can easily see a guy or a gal wearing this. So fans who seek out Florals that aren't overtly "girlie" might want to try this.
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AUTUMN AND WINTER Three months bade wane and wax the wintering moon Between two dates of death, while men were fain Yet of the living light that all too soon Three months bade wane. Cold autumn, wan with wrath of wind and rain, Saw pass a soul sweet as the sovereign tune That death smote silent when he smote again. First went my friend, in life's mid light of noon, Who loved the lord of music: then the strain Whence earth was kindled like as heaven in June Three months bade wane. A herald soul before its master's flying Touched by some few moons first the darkling goal Where shades rose up to greet the shade, espying A herald soul; Shades of dead lords of music, who control Men living by the might of men undying, With strength of strains that make delight of dole. The deep dense dust on death's dim threshold lying Trembled with sense of kindling sound that stole Through darkness, and the night gave ear, descrying A herald soul. One went before, one after, but so fast They seem gone hence together, from the shore Whence we now gaze: yet ere the mightier passed One went before; One whose whole heart of love, being set of yore On that high joy which music lends us, cast Light round him forth of music's radiant store. Then went, while earth on winter glared aghast, The mortal god he worshipped, through the door Wherethrough so late, his lover to the last, One went before. A star had set an hour before the sun Sank from the skies wherethrough his heart's pulse yet Thrills audibly: but few took heed, or none, A star had set. All heaven rings back, sonorous with regret, The deep dirge of the sunset: how should one Soft star be missed in all the concourse met? But, O sweet single heart whose work is done, Whose songs are silent, how should I forget That ere the sunset's fiery goal was won A star had set? Bitter currant and dry leaves. Winter wind at dusk. This one hasn't gotten any review love yet? I'm shocked. Now I am a sucker for anything involving dry or burning leaves, and the dry leaf aspect of this scent is amazing. It really is dry leaves--not rotting leaves, not wet leaves, just dry crackling leaves. The blackcurrant is the perfect type for this type of scent, dark and bittersweet. It adds a hint of sweetness (just like the sap note sweetens October a little), but isn't foody at all. While I love my foody scents I don't feel foody would be appropriate for this particular one. There is also somethign extra in there that indeed reminds me of cutting winter wind; it's very difficult to describe, but that wind during November/December has a distinct cold but dry smell it carries with it and I think Beth captured that perfectly in this blend. For anyone who loves dry leaf scents and October as much as I do, don't hesitate to pick up a bottle of this.
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BOB CRATCHIT'S HEARTH At last the dinner was all done, the cloth was cleared, the hearth swept, and the fire made up. The compound in the jug being tasted, and considered perfect, apples and oranges were put upon the table, and a shovel-full of chestnuts on the fire. Then all the Cratchit family drew round the hearth, in what Bob Cratchit called a circle, meaning half a one; and at Bob Cratchit’s elbow stood the family display of glass. Two tumblers, and a custard-cup without a handle. These held the hot stuff from the jug, however, as well as golden goblets would have done; and Bob served it out with beaming looks, while the chestnuts on the fire sputtered and cracked noisily. Then Bob proposed: “A Merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us!” Which all the family re-echoed. “God bless us every one!” said Tiny Tim, the last of all. Glowing firewood and sherry-cobbler. Ack, I'm really awful at reviews, but we'll try this! In the bottle, this is really foody and sweet. I definitely got a slightly fruity cake or pie-like scent. (I can't differentiate between the different pastry/cake notes, so I can't be more specific.) I also got a bit of the "glowing firewood" in the background, but it was mostly foody. After it was on my skin for a while, the burning firewood note came out a lot more and the foodiness dropped to the background. Unfortunately, the burning scent was very strong and chemical on my skin, more like charcoal or something almost metallic. My skin can't handle metallics, and combined with the sweet background, it was pretty stomach-turning. After a while I had to wash it off. I think I was hoping for more of a smoky-woods note, but it wasn't a good combination for me. (This probably isn't helpful to anyone since I had a unique experience, but the reaction I had to this one was similar to the one I had with Blue Pumpkin Floss. It sounded simple enough, but on me BPF was sickly sweet + charred flesh, which isn't completely dissimilar to the way this one smelled on me. I'm wondering if they had a note in common that just doesn't like my skin. I doubt many people will find the blends at all similar but I thought I'd throw that out there anyway.)
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THE SECOND OF THE THREE SPIRITS The moment Scrooge’s hand was on the lock, a strange voice called him by his name, and bade him enter. He obeyed. It was his own room. There was no doubt about that. But it had undergone a surprising transformation. The walls and ceiling were so hung with living green, that it looked a perfect grove; from every part of which, bright gleaming berries glistened. The crisp leaves of holly, mistletoe, and ivy reflected back the light, as if so many little mirrors had been scattered there; and such a mighty blaze went roaring up the chimney, as that dull petrification of a hearth had never known in Scrooge’s time, or Marley’s, or for many and many a winter season gone. Heaped up on the floor, to form a kind of throne, were turkeys, geese, game, poultry, brawn, great joints of meat, sucking-pigs, long wreaths of sausages, mince-pies, plum-puddings, barrels of oysters, red-hot chestnuts, cherry-cheeked apples, juicy oranges, luscious pears, immense twelfth-cakes, and seething bowls of punch, that made the chamber dim with their delicious steam. In easy state upon this couch, there sat a jolly Giant, glorious to see; who bore a glowing torch, in shape not unlike Plenty’s horn, and held it up, high up, to shed its light on Scrooge, as he came peeping round the door. “Come in!” exclaimed the Ghost. “Come in! and know me better, man!” Scrooge entered timidly, and hung his head before this Spirit. He was not the dogged Scrooge he had been; and though the Spirit’s eyes were clear and kind, he did not like to meet them. “I am the Ghost of Christmas Present,” said the Spirit. “Look upon me!” Scrooge reverently did so. It was clothed in one simple green robe, or mantle, bordered with white fur. This garment hung so loosely on the figure, that its capacious breast was bare, as if disdaining to be warded or concealed by any artifice. Its feet, observable beneath the ample folds of the garment, were also bare; and on its head it wore no other covering than a holly wreath, set here and there with shining icicles. Its dark brown curls were long and free; free as its genial face, its sparkling eye, its open hand, its cheery voice, its unconstrained demeanour, and its joyful air. Girded round its middle was an antique scabbard; but no sword was in it, and the ancient sheath was eaten up with rust. Pine boughs, plum pudding, spiced pears, sugared chestnuts, punch floated with oranges, boughs of holly, and myrica berries. In the bottle this is absolutely FOODY. Its hard to pick out any particular note and on first sniff it starts off sweet and ends with a spicy note. I'm loving this so far. Once on, the spiced pears leap out then let the boughs of holly and pine through to say 'hai'. Then their is a faintness of the plum pudding. Basically, this scent embodies the moment when you curl up next to your christmas pine as a boutiful dinner is brought out from the kitchen. This scent is foody, yes, but the spice and pine is there enough that I'd say that those who dont utterly dispise foody scents may be fine with this one. This bottle is WIN for me
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A GAME CALLED YES & NO “Here is a new game,” said Scrooge. “One half hour, Spirit, only one!” It was a Game called Yes and No, where Scrooge’s nephew had to think of something, and the rest must find out what; he only answering to their questions yes or no, as the case was. The brisk fire of questioning to which he was exposed, elicited from him that he was thinking of an animal, a live animal, rather a disagreeable animal, a savage animal, an animal that growled and grunted sometimes, and talked sometimes, and lived in London, and walked about the streets, and wasn’t made a show of, and wasn’t led by anybody, and didn’t live in a menagerie, and was never killed in a market, and was not a horse, or an ass, or a cow, or a bull, or a tiger, or a dog, or a pig, or a cat, or a bear. At every fresh question that was put to him, this nephew burst into a fresh roar of laughter; and was so inexpressibly tickled, that he was obliged to get up off the sofa and stamp. At last the plump sister, falling into a similar state, cried out: “I have found it out! I know what it is, Fred! I know what it is!” “What is it?” cried Fred. “It’s your Uncle Scro-o-o-o-oge!” Which it certainly was. Admiration was the universal sentiment, though some objected that the reply to “Is it a bear?” ought to have been “Yes;” inasmuch as an answer in the negative was sufficient to have diverted their thoughts from Mr. Scrooge, supposing they had ever had any tendency that way. “He has given us plenty of merriment, I am sure,” said Fred, “and it would be ungrateful not to drink his health. Here is a glass of mulled wine ready to our hand at the moment; and I say, ‘Uncle Scrooge!’ ” “Well! Uncle Scrooge!” they cried. “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to the old man, whatever he is!” said Scrooge’s nephew. “He wouldn’t take it from me, but may he have it, nevertheless. Uncle Scrooge!” Mulled wine and marzipan. In the bottle this is sweet and boozy and just a little bit spicy, with the sugary almond lying thickly underneath. The oil is perfectly clear, and once it's on my skin, it's warm and light, with the spices keeping the marzipan from making this overly sweet or foody. This is a great holiday scent! Wet, the fruitiness of the wine and sweetness of the marzipan come forward, but as it dries, the spices assert themselves, and the mulled wine is a little bit stronger than the marzipan. I had to get out my Gluhwein to compare, and I'd say that if you liked Gluhwein, this is going to be a win for you. The mulled wine is very similar, but the marzipan makes A Game Called Yes & No feel a little more seasonal, if that makes sense. They're both delicious mulled wine, but if you sniff them side by side, Gluhwein is winter-warm and AGCY&N is more holiday warm. Verdict: I'm in love, and a rare (for me) second bottle may be necessary!
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What else could possibly be more lickable at Yuletide? This is a candy cane perfume, minty, sweet and sugared. So does anyone else keep imagining Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter saying "I shall lick it--VIGOROUSLY!" when they think of this blend? OK, background--I've tried the past three iterations of Lick It, and I *love* the minty freshness of all of them. They feel so cooling and invigorating on the skin and really perk you up in the morning. The problem's always been that they are gone in 10 minutes, leaving NO trace behind. I always thought I should have a bottle for aromatherapeutic purposes but never got around to it, and this year, I didn't want Beaver Moon to travel alone, so I bit the bullet and bought this unsniffed. Wet, it's that same wonderful peppermint--I'm instantly wide awake! Love it. As it dries, the sugary, candy note comes out more and this really does smell like a candy cane. Never goes toothpaste on me. AND this year--I've had this one for over an hour now and I CAN STILL SMELL IT. A new record! I'm very pleased. This will be great for dark winter mornings (and hot summer afternoons, for that matter).
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FRANKINCENSE & MYRRH BATH OIL O Sanctissima, O Piissima Dulcis Virgo Maria Mater amata, Intemerata Ora, Ora Pro Nobis Somalian frankincense and Ethiopian myrrh. Shea oil, olive oil, apricot kernel oil, fractionated coconut oil, rosehip seed, evening primrose oil, vitamin E, isopropyl myristate, glycereth-7-cocoate (derived from coconut), oleth 3, Boswellia carteri, Bursera graveolens, Santalum austrocaledonicum, Liquidamber orientalis, and Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab perfume blends. Just received my Frank and Myrrh the other day, and I was so happy to get it! Upon first sniff I caught the characteristic bitter murk of Myrrh and I confess I was a little worried Myrrh's depth had smothered Frank's sweetness. Until I added it to the tub that is. Immediately it blossomed into fullness, like being there at the moment the censer top is lifted (ting!) and the smoke cloud billows out at Midnight Mass. It smells *exactly* like fresh burning incense, and shows up as a comforting blanket on the skin that automatically banishes stress and worry. Stepping out of the tub I feel downright sacred and silky, and I have a friendly little wisp of smoke that follows me everywhere I go. Anyone can feel like a Goddess/God while wearing this! I'll have to apply a little of it dry and see how that goes. I Lurve this! I will definitely get more while I still can!
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VESPERS Alma Redemptoris Mater, quae pervia caeli porta manes, et stella maris, succurre cadenti, surgere qui curat, populo: tu quae genuisti, natura mirante, tuum sanctum Genitorem, Virgo prius ac posterius, Gabrielis ab ore, sumens illud Ave, peccatorum miserere. Aromatic woods, frankincense, saffron, pine pitch, black amber, and balsam. Doesn't smell like much of anything in the bottle with the protective cap removed. upon spritzing, it smells like a combination of Catholic church a few hours after a ceremony involving incense and Scorpio 2007. the duration of the spray is about 1 hour in the living room per 1 spritz. I will try it in smaller rooms and see if the duration lasts longer. ETA: I tried this in a bedroom, and the effect was definitely better! there emerged a cinnamon/ginger scent in the smaller room that I missed in the larger room. after about 2 hours, there was a slight maple note that gave it a sugary, festive quality to the whole room. This is the best room spray ever! Verdict: I love this! it's very nostalgic of Catholic Christmas masses that I have attended in the past. additionally, I *LOVE* Scorpio 2007, so this is a great blend! I just wish the duration would be longer than 1 hour I guess that just means I have to buy backup bottles!
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NOCHE BUENA A celebration of the Nativity: the light, uplifting incense of the Misa de Noche Buena, purple sage, and a vibrant bouquet of plumeria, chrysanthemum, tuberose, Angel's Trumpet, Mexican tiger lily, dahlia, and azucenas. straight sniff from bottle is an olfactory delight of plumeria and chrysanthemum.... once applied this is a deep, floral incense ... jeebus.... beth just gets better and better with these 2007 yule blends... the sage and florals swirl together and are nothing less than astonishing...the throw is fair so i will have to slather this puppy for certain...g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s
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THE RUSSIAN DANCE Florentine iris, black tea, labdanum, patchouli, champaca flower, benzoin, and ambergris. The Russian Dance is one of my favorite parts of the Nutcracker, and the combination of notes intrigued me. Wet: Sharply floral, with black tea astringency. A few minutes later: a little bit of the champaca flower is showing through now. It's still rather sharp, but is starting to mellow a bit. It is a fairly bold scent, if that makes any sense. I smell the patchouli now a bit; a little bit of an earthy undertone. I like it, but I'm not sure how often I will wear it.
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IGNORANCE AND WANT From the foldings of its robe, it brought two children; wretched, abject, frightful, hideous, miserable. They knelt down at its feet, and clung upon the outside of its garment. “Oh, Man! look here. Look, look, down here!” exclaimed the Ghost. They were a boy and girl. Yellow, meagre, ragged, scowling, wolfish; but prostrate, too, in their humility. Where graceful youth should have filled their features out, and touched them with its freshest tints, a stale and shrivelled hand, like that of age, had pinched, and twisted them, and pulled them into shreds. Where angels might have sat enthroned, devils lurked, and glared out menacing. No change, no degradation, no perversion of humanity, in any grade, through all the mysteries of wonderful creation, has monsters half so horrible and dread. Scrooge started back, appalled. Having them shown to him in this way, he tried to say they were fine children, but the words choked themselves, rather than be parties to a lie of such enormous magnitude. “Spirit! are they yours?” Scrooge could say no more. “They are Man’s,” said the Spirit, looking down upon them. “And they cling to me, appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased. Deny it!” cried the Spirit, stretching out its hand towards the city. “Slander those who tell it ye! Admit it for your factious purposes, and make it worse. And abide the end!” “Have they no refuge or resource?” cried Scrooge. “Are there no prisons?” said the Spirit, turning on him for the last time with his own words. “Are there no workhouses?” The bell struck twelve. Bog myrtle, wormwood accord, carrot seed, lovage, Roman chamomile, orris root, myrrh, and patchouli. The wormwood and patchouli make an entrance. Ignorance and Want is very dry, herbal, and slightly woodsy in the vial. Wet, the wormwood is stronger and the oil smells more medicinal. The herbs have become stronger, especially as the lovage has made itself known. The dry, celery-like note from the lovage cuts the heaviness of the patchouli. I don't smell any myrrh, at least yet. The chamomile is so incredibly faint but it's gently woven in with the other notes present. I can't pick up on any orris root whatsoever. Ignorance and Want is earthy yet medicinal, leaning towards an insect repellent. It must be the bog myrtle that is giving this blend that repellent vibe. After fifteen minutes, the patchouli has practically faded away, which is surprising since my nose automatically zones in on patchouli, even the slightest trace of it, and doesn't let it go. I think the bog myrtle wins. This reminds me so much of an insecticide on the dry-down actually, kind of like Raid. Sorry, not for me.
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This starts off rich, buttery shortbread then dries to a light vanilla-mint cookie scent. Its a light scent and quite nice while its there.
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INCESSANT TORTURE OF REMORSE “You are fettered,” said Scrooge, trembling. “Tell me why?” “I wear the chain I forged in life,” replied the Ghost. “I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it. Is its pattern strange to you?” Scrooge trembled more and more. “Or would you know,” pursued the Ghost, “the weight and length of the strong coil you bear yourself? It was full as heavy and as long as this, seven Christmas Eves ago. You have laboured on it, since. It is a ponderous chain!” Scrooge glanced about him on the floor, in the expectation of finding himself surrounded by some fifty or sixty fathoms of iron cable: but he could see nothing. “Jacob,” he said, imploringly. “Old Jacob Marley, tell me more. Speak comfort to me, Jacob!” “I have none to give,” the Ghost replied. “It comes from other regions, Ebenezer Scrooge, and is conveyed by other ministers, to other kinds of men. Nor can I tell you what I would. A very little more is all permitted to me. I cannot rest, I cannot stay, I cannot linger anywhere. My spirit never walked beyond our counting-house—mark me!—in life my spirit never roved beyond the narrow limits of our money-changing hole; and weary journeys lie before me!” It was a habit with Scrooge, whenever he became thoughtful, to put his hands in his breeches pockets. Pondering on what the Ghost had said, he did so now, but without lifting up his eyes, or getting off his knees. “You must have been very slow about it, Jacob,” Scrooge observed, in a business-like manner, though with humility and deference. “Slow!” the Ghost repeated. “Seven years dead,” mused Scrooge. “And travelling all the time!” “The whole time,” said the Ghost. “No rest, no peace. Incessant torture of remorse.” “You travel fast?” said Scrooge. “On the wings of the wind,” replied the Ghost. “You might have got over a great quantity of ground in seven years,” said Scrooge. The Ghost, on hearing this, set up another cry, and clanked its chain so hideously in the dead silence of the night, that the Ward would have been justified in indicting it for a nuisance. “Oh! captive, bound, and double-ironed,” cried the phantom, “not to know, that ages of incessant labour by immortal creatures, for this earth must pass into eternity before the good of which it is susceptible is all developed. Not to know that any Christian spirit working kindly in its little sphere, whatever it may be, will find its mortal life too short for its vast means of usefulness. Not to know that no space of regret can make amends for one life’s opportunity misused! Yet such was I! Oh! such was I!” Life’s opportunity misused: opopponax, lavender, blackberry, patchouli, olive leaf, myrtle, and white cognac. There were a few moments of terror, when I first sniffed this from the bottle and when I first applied it. Lavender terror! It was incredibly strong, like single note lavender. And I like lavender, but not as a dominant note, so I was wondering if I had rolled the dice and lost. But then, after just a few minutes, the lavender fog lifted and this scent started to morph into what I wanted it to be. It is soft, a little sweet and a little woody - nicely anchored by the opoponax, with a hint of blackberry, a gentle and cooperative patchouli (as opposed to a raw and dominant one) and a little bit of a green feel. The cognac floats just on top and is also a gentle version as opposed to the in-your-face cognac note in The Imp of The Perverse. I really like this one & I am looking forward to seeing how it ages - hoping that sassy lavender will step back a little bit, but it's worth the few minutes of dominant lavender for the rest of the ride.
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WOODS IN WINTER When winter winds are piercing chill, And through the hawthorn blows the gale, With solemn feet I tread the hill, That overbrows the lonely vale. O'er the bare upland, and away Through the long reach of desert woods, The embracing sunbeams chastely play, And gladden these deep solitudes. Where, twisted round the barren oak, The summer vine in beauty clung, And summer winds the stillness broke, The crystal icicle is hung. Where, from their frozen urns, mute springs Pour out the river's gradual tide, Shrilly the skater's iron rings, And voices fill the woodland side. Alas! how changed from the fair scene, When birds sang out their mellow lay, And winds were soft, and woods were green, And the song ceased not with the day! But still wild music is abroad, Pale, desert woods! within your crowd; And gathering winds, in hoarse accord, Amid the vocal reeds pipe loud. Chill airs and wintry winds! my ear Has grown familiar with your song; I hear it in the opening year, I listen, and it cheers me long. Wild hemlock and juniper berries scattered in the snow beneath leafless trees bedecked with glittering icicles. In the bottle: It seems very aquatic and linen-y. And because of that perception, when I first accidentally got a teeny bit on my hand, that, too, smelled uber-aquatic. I was worried it might give me a headache! But I pressed on!! On skin: It starts off smelling a touch like pine or rosemary, but I guess that is the juniper or maybe the hemlock… It is very atmospheric - very light. It has a bit of sweetness (but it is not a sweet fragrance overall), a touch of spice and… perhaps a teensy bit of vanilla? It’s quite comforting. And strangely warm, even though it’s supposed to evoke, well, Woods in Winter! Maybe that tiny bit of sweetness is like marshmallows - light, fluffy, sweet, soft... That must be the snow on the ground Side note: When I first put it on, I was surprised that it really evoked some strange emotional feeling - brought tears to my eyes. (I’ll have to figure that out! ) I wore it overnight, and when I sniffed my wrists in the morning it was nearly gone, with just a hint remaining. It was back to smelling a bit aquatic. I think I’ll have to try again (and maybe add to this review later). Bottom line: It’s lovely. For me, it’s almost ethereal, and I find it appropriate that it’s based on a poem, because it has a poetic feel to it, if that makes any sense. I’m fairly certain I’ll be keeping my bottle (Edited to add in a piece I had forgotten before - sorry!)
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THE SPANISH DANCE Chocolate, orange blossom honey, and pomegranate. I let this little gem settle down a few days before writing a review. First of all as usual the cocoa globes are so thick that if you don`t mix well the oil you won`t get it in its own glory. After mixing: there is a blast of orange blossom at the start that made me nervous, but it fades fast in a lovely floral honey together with a dry pomegranate sweetened by cocoa. That`s it and it`s gorgeous!! It`s not foody but it will satisfy cocoa cravings and it`s a must for pomegranate lovers too.
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THE NUTCRACKER Klara’s most prized Christmas gift. Broken by Fritz in a fit of jealousy, repaired by Drosselmeyer’s magic: frankincense, black mission fig, and galbanum. The first thing I think of when I apply The Nutcracker is frankincense and hot sugar. Like someone drizzled something sweet over smouldering incense. The frankincense is definitely the most prominent note here-- rich, earthy brown, faintly peppery. Stately and humble at the same time. But the sweetness in here is more surprising. It's seems linked to the fig for sure... chewy, purple, dried fig with a crust of sugar. These notes have a lot of depth and are very evocative. Definitely a purple-brown scent. Kind of bruise colored. It's a pleasant, warm and unusual scent. Despite having many other frankincense-heavy scents, I'm not sure I have anything that's really like this. (I still have never been able to figure out what galangal smells like, despite having tried it in probably a dozen scents. It's something that slips completely under my radar).
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DANCE OF THE MIRLITONS Marzipan, Burmese rosewood, white sandalwood, Somalian rose, tonka bean, rum accord, and white musk. I am excited to be the first to review this one! It's got a lot of notes that I like, although I'm not sure how the actual combination will play out. Initially: spicy almond extract, a little bit like Eclipse, and quite sweet. The rum is coming through now. Pretty strong throw. A few minutes later: I'm getting some rose now. It really seems like there is some cinnamon in there too; I accidentally touched my wrist to my nose and it stings a little like Saw-Scaled Viper does for me. This is really interesting! After about 10 minutes: lots of rose, maybe a hint of the sandalwood. I'm not getting much white musk or tonka bean. The sweetness has largely disappeared. Overall, I like this quite a bit. I am wondering how it is going to smell in a few hours... Edit later: It is reminding now a bit of Black Phoenix, in a good way, since that is one of my favorites.
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No description available. I'm not familiar with this type of cookie, but its scent reminds me of a Lithuanian cookie my family gets for special occasions. This is a light cookie note (not buttery like Shortbread Snowflakes) with spices - lots of clove and maybe anise and ginger too? - and a touch of sweetness, like powdered sugar. The throw and wearlength is pretty decent too. If this came in large bottles, I'd buy quite a few, its that good!
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A COLD, CLEAR WINTER DAY “Good Heaven!” said Scrooge, clasping his hands together, as he looked about him. “I was bred in this place. I was a boy here!” The Spirit gazed upon him mildly. Its gentle touch, though it had been light and instantaneous, appeared still present to the old man’s sense of feeling. He was conscious of a thousand odours floating in the air, each one connected with a thousand thoughts, and hopes, and joys, and cares long, long, forgotten! “Your lip is trembling,” said the Ghost. “And what is that upon your cheek?” Scrooge muttered, with an unusual catching in his voice, that it was a pimple; and begged the Ghost to lead him where he would. “You recollect the way?” inquired the Spirit. “Remember it!” cried Scrooge with fervour; “I could walk it blindfold.” “Strange to have forgotten it for so many years!” observed the Ghost. “Let us go on.” They walked along the road, Scrooge recognising every gate, and post, and tree; until a little market-town appeared in the distance, with its bridge, its church, and winding river. Some shaggy ponies now were seen trotting towards them with boys upon their backs, who called to other boys in country gigs and carts, driven by farmers. All these boys were in great spirits, and shouted to each other, until the broad fields were so full of merry music, that the crisp air laughed to hear it! Winter tuberoses bending gently in a crisp, cold breeze. The usual minty snow note mingled with tuberose with a creamy vanilla quality in the background. Just lovely.
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VALSE FINALE ET APOTHÉOSE The return journey: three honeys, white mint, and apple blossom. Valse Finale et Apotheose - Well, this one surprised me. I didn't expect much from this at all, as apple blossom tends to go soapy and some honeys turn to poopy diaper on me. White mint is one of the only mints I can wear, but otherwise, it just didn't appeal to me. I was quite pleasantly surprised when I first applied it and it smelled... pretty?! Totally not what I expected! I smell gorgeous, sweet, smooth honey and a bit of white mint and the faintest trace of a floral that doesn't turn soapy and disappears completely upon drydown. The mint also disappears not long after drydown, leaving behind the subtle scent of honey on my skin. This is definitely a scent that stays very close to the skin, but when its wet, it's particularly pretty. I may try this in a scent locket to keep that "wet" scent going throughout the day.
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BLOC NA NOLLAIG Nollaig faoi shéan is faoi shonas duit! A fresh-chopped Yule log glowing in a holly wreath-festooned hearth, with snow-dappled evergreens, bay leaf, bittersweet winter berries, and apple beer. This should have been called "Anti-Grinchy McScrooge spray." It is indeed Christmas in a bottle. Cold sniff on first spray it is quite the Christmas craft store scent, but that doesn't linger long at all. After a few minutes the whole area is transformed into the quintessential Yuletime Fantasyland. Seriously. We have two Christmas trees, an artificial one in the kitchen and a real Fraser Fir in the family room. I sprayed the kitchen tree with Bloc Na Nollaig and it was transformed! That sad little tree pretty much smells better than the real thing. And it lasts for days! Just so Christmassy, spicy, green, fresh, warm, cold, joyful. You need to buy this particular room spray if... you have an artificial tree but pine for the real thing (ha, ha, get it? PINE!) you're feeling particularly Scrooge-y this year. You'll be transformed into the whooping Christmas morning Scrooge!
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HOLIDAY JOY Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough. - Emily Dickinson Clary sage, peppermint, blood orange, lavender, geranium, juniper berry, bay laurel, King mandarin, and opoponax. Almond oil, refined rice bran oil, fractionated coconut, rosehip seed oil, Citrus aurantium subspecies amara, Pelargonium graveolens, Lavandula angustifolia, Salvia sclarea, Juniperus communis, evening primrose, vitamin E, and our Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab perfume blend. I had a massage scheduled on Saturday, so when my bottle of this arrived on Thursday, I knew I'd be bringing it in with me. My massage therapist and I both agreed that it smells phenomenal. On me, it's mostly clary sage, geranium, juniper berry with some citrus to brighten it up. It's an extremely therapeutic scent -- very joyful in a calming and relaxing sort of way. I could smell the scent on my skin a good 9-10 hours after application. It's a very herbal scent that I would put in a similar category as Bitch or Holiday Stress Relief Elixir. It's just wonderful and I'm bringing it with me to my next massage, as well.
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