Galivanting aimlessly during the weekend

All cats come out in the sun, is a popular saying. Like them, I sunned myself. And these are a few of the things I snapped.

The open air market has flowers for sale. In cellophane and metallic-looking wrap, they stand proud: lilies, roses, petunias, freesias... People come and go and stare at them. Who will take them home?



The market also has olives. Lots of them. In all sizes, shapes and quite a few shades.


The lilies have blossomed. Those are cala lilies. Almost obscene. They remind me of Diego Rivera.


Surprisingly, so has jasmine! Yet, I can never be sure whether it is jasmine that has withstood the cold or new jasmine. It seems like I see jasmine all-year round!


With wisteria (glycine) I can be sure, though! These are the hypnotically fragrant, powdery spicy "grapes" of spring. Soon the whole place will be covered with them.


All kinds of things grow in the sun. Even clean socks!


Butterflies seem unaffected though! Harvesting the nectar...



There is retro-chic with a nod to bygone times. (I'd like to have an etched glass-door like that in my own verandah).


And then there's reto-retro! A 60s brand of lingerie and swimwear. Minoan-style...or not.



Shall we go in?


Sure, but let's first grab a bite!




All photos copyright © helg/Perfumeshrine

Acqua di Parma Colonia Assoluta in Villa

Acqua di Parma Colonia Assoluta In Villa is a new packaging twist to the Aqua di Parma Italian brand of fragrances Colonia Assoluta (a citrus aromatic developed by Bertrand Duchaufour and Jean Claude Ellena in 2003). This time drenched in green instead of the luminous yellow trademark packaging of Acqua di Parma, it is meant to represent a pastoral view of green fields in Tuscany where teracotta-tiled villas reside, encompassing twelve natural ingredients including Italian citrus, blond wood and spicy accords. The aim is to appeal to both men and women, while the packaging is given a green bulb atomiser in the recent trend for old-fashioned glamour.

Colonia Assoluta in Villa will be available in 200ml/6.8 oz flacons of eau de toilette, launching on the market in April 2009.

(pic: Sfilate.it)

The Market Share of Young Women in France

According to Maryline Le Theuf (Source: cosmetiquemag, mars 2009) and a survey of 2500 women between 15 and 24 years of age in France (NB the survey was conducted through 18 May 2008), the annual budget of hygiene/beauty products of that demographic (15% of the French population) has been raised to 240 per year corresponding to 22 purchases in the same time frame. The amount spent by those over 25 is 262 per year for the same number of purchases, explained by the slightly costlier items purchased by women with greater economic independence.
The percentages are grossly taken by makeup (85% of this demographic in contrast to 63% total in France) and hair products (I guess we all recall our troubled identity-searching teenage-hair- days!). It's impressive however to see that those young women buy a lot of products off catalogues and the internet on what concerns fashion and the trend extends to perfumes, with 52% of the 20-24 year olds having acquired 4,5 products via the Net. Makes you re-think the retail prices on several fragrances, doesn't it?

Aftelier Living Pefume Exhibit ~and Lumiere by Mandy Aftel: new fragrance

Mandy Aftel needs no introduction. Everyone interested in natural perfumes ~and in perfumes period~ has given at the very least a passing glance to her writing in Essence and Alchemy one of the most jam-packed with delicious info papeback to ever come out fom the printer's. Now Henri Bendel, the iconic New York retailer announced that it will hold an exhibit Living Perfume: The Natural Alchemy of Mandy Aftel April 18 – May 11, 2009, featuring the perfume, the craft, and the collection of leading natural perfumer, Mandy Aftel. Henri Bendel is the exclusive retailer of Aftel’s Aftelier line of hand-blended scents which are created from the world’s finest natural ingredients.


This interactive and historic exhibit will showcase the extraordinary materials that bring to life the art and science of natural perfume. It will be created and installed using the responsible design principles of sustainable materials and eco-friendly sourcing, and draw its inspiration from the natural world where natural fragrance originates.
"It is rare to have the opportunity to usher in a new art form, especially one that embodies such great beauty. We consider Aftelier to be the leader in natural perfume and are excited about sharing it with our customers through this historic exhibit" states Claudia Lucas, Senior Vice President of Beauty & Gifts for Henri Bendel.
All Aftelier Perfumes are created by Mandy Aftel, author of the award-winning Essence and Alchemy: A Book of Perfume, a publishing success in seven languages which prompted Vanity Fair to dub Mandy “angel of alchemy”. Yet Mandy has touched earth too, also designing several custom blends for Hollywood stars, writers, and restaurants, as well as private labels. The recipient of the Sense of Smell Institute’s Richard B. Solomon Award, Mandy Aftel stands in the threshold of a new art form that is set to create new directions given the attention it has been receiving by connoisseurs in recent years.
According to Mandy: “As potent as it can be, smell is the most neglected of our senses. Rational precepts and the industrial age have separated our minds, bodies and spirits, and further separated us from nature. Natural Perfume, created from natural materials and aromatics is a multi-layered phenomenon: In a breath, we are able to reconnect with the natural world and ourselves in new and profound ways.”
Thus the Living Perfume Exhibit is dedicated to the sense of smell, aromatics, and the art of natural perfume, with interactive learning opportunities for the public. The Exhibit will feature Aftel’s body of work: her perfumes and oils, her research and writings, her personal library of rare books, graphics, and artifacts - to offer a unique and foundational view of this world.
The Living Perfume Exhibit runs from April 18 through May 11 on the 3rd floor of Henri Bendel. Not to be missed!

Mandy Aftel is also introducing a new pefume in her all-natuals line, called Lumière which means of course Light." Lumière is a sheer elegant floral composed of the precious essences of boronia, blue lotus and sacred frankincense. A sophisticated floral that is restrained but sensual. The base chord is built upon notes of fine green tea absolute and the rarest of Frankincense ~boswellia sacra from Oman~ with its ethereal and mysterious resinous woody notes. Lumière's exquisite heart features Tasmanian boronia with its aroma of freesias and raspberries, and the transparent watery floral note of blue lotus". Aftelier uses no artificial colours, no synthetic fragrances, no petrochemicals, no phthalates, and no parabens
Lumière will be available in 0.25oz for $195) and 2.2ml mini size for $60. (NB: The price is justifiable due to the very high cost of all natural raw mateials) The one quarter ounce perfume comes with a complimentary mini kit! Contact info@aftelier.com

See the whole line at: Aftelier.com And you can download the catalogue here.

Fleurs de Bois by Miller Harris: new fragrance

After Fleurs de Sel (Salt Flowers) and the fantastic L'air de Rien, niche British brand Miller Harris is launching another fragrance, this time called Fleurs de Bois (Flowers of the Woods) composed by resident perfumer Lyn Harris. Despite the name however the fragrance belongs to the citrus aromatic family of scents, rather than the floral or woody, being redolent of moist grass and dewy mornings (dewy is very au coutant lately it seems, judging by Un Matin D'Orage and Vanille Galante).


The notes for Fleurs de Bois are: galbanum, green grass, Sicilian lemon, green mandarin, rose, rosemary, jasmine, iris, oakmoss, patchouli, sandalwood, vetiver and birch.
Fleurs de Bois will be available from May 2009 in 100ml and 50ml bottles packaged in green with the characteristic botanist design of Miller Harris on the box and flacon. More info soon on the Miller Harris site.