Advice to two Ivy League students:
                              Take Mandy Aftel with you

 
I have two very good friends whose daughters will be attending Harvard and Princeton Universities this fall. What I didn’t know is that Diane and Kimberly are big Mandy Aftel fans!   

Word got out that I had some samples of Mandy’s products and I was contacted by Diane asking if she and Kimberly could try them.


“Sure that is no problem”, I replied and shipped them off to the east coast where they live. Diane asked me what I would advise them to wear of Mandy’s products. Diane continued to explain that they will be among some of the brightest students in the world and they wanted the finest products for two of the finest universities in the land.


So, I thought the best way to handle this is with a letter. My letter to Diane and Kim on advice on Life and why they should take Aftelier Perfumes’ Pink Lotus Perfume, Chocolate and Saffron Body Oil and Rain Perfumed Bath Oil with them to school.






Dear Diane & Kim,
I am so proud of your accomplishments! You both have certainly grown to be such lovely and smart young ladies. Harvard University and Princeton University are blessed to have you in their wonderful midst.


Mandy Aftel
I know you both are busy gathering items to take with you to school but I have a few items that I would like for you to take. They are made from a Master  Perfumer who is quite accomplished in her profession and admired by many worldwide. So, my advice is to take Mandy Aftel to school with you.


I do not mean this literally but Mandy creates awe-inspiring perfumes, bath and body products that have met the challenge and she is the 2011 FIFI AWARD FINALIST for Indie Perfumes, the first ever in the history to be nominated for such  prestigious award from the Fragrance Foundation.


Diane and Kim, you are no strangers to success in your own right and for that reason that is why you both were accepted to two fine institutions. So, I thought you should take products that represent YOU.
 
First, there is PINK LOTUS PERFUME. It is part of the chypre family of fragrance notes. The reason I love it is because it has orange in it and it is centered on lotus which stems back to Ancient Egypt. The scent is enduring, delightful and it has a very pretty orangery-pink color. Ladies, what is equally impressive is the beautiful French flacon pendant that you can have filled with PINK LOTUS and this gives you two ways of wearing this perfume.


Next, is the delicious scent of chocolate interwoven  with the world’s most expensive spice, Saffron into romantic body oil. CHOCOLATE and SAFFRON BODY OIL is a beautiful blend that will glide easily and smoothly on your skin without the greasy feel.


This will be great to use after you come from the gym to relief some of the stress after an exam!


Lastly, but definitely one of the beauty regimen for the morning is to add a few drops of RAIN    PERFUMED BATH OIL in your bath. After you press the snooze button for the third time and you still don’t get out of bed, keep in the mind the aroma of a fresh rain coming from the sky quiet and pure that is sweetened with ravensara and chamomile. Now, I got your attention! Let’s proceed with running water from the faucet and plop you are there. See what I told you. It so good for your skin as it soaks in leaving your skin scented, smooth and glossy.


Congratulations Di and Kim! You are official graduates of the Mandy Aftel school of AFTELIER PERFUMES.


Okay ladies, now that you know what to bring to school. I will let you go to finish packing and once again, Congratulations and see, bringing Mandy Aftel with you to school is not a bad idea.

Love,
Felicia






PINK LOTUS features…bitter orange, bergamot, tuberose, jasmine, ylang ylang, antique sandalwood, oak moss






CHOCOLATE AND SAFFRON BODY OIL features…chocolate, flowers, jojoba oil base and fractioned coconut oil






RAIN PERFUMED BATH OIL features…apples notes, ravensara, chamomile from South Africa, pure essential oils (no carrier)


PURCHASE: aftelier.com



F.H.



















                HIGH TEA with CHAMPAGNE ROSES

                   A Beverage fit for Royalty

    
  Last month my husband and I celebrated 11 years of marriage. So what is the most common thing to do to celebrate such an occasion? Drink champagne! We opened a bottle of our favorite champagne, Billecart-  Salmon and my husband poured it into the flutes that we received as a wedding gift and then…well not quite.

  You probably thought we made a toast  to  one another and then  started sipping but that is not quite what happened. I received a beautiful tin can of edible rose petals by Kedra Hart, perfumer and owner of OPUS OILS in West Hollywood, California.

  Kedra was so nice to send this to me by request. Believe it or not this was my first time trying out edible rose petals. More importantly it is the OO’s Jitterbug Perfume Parlour Teas & Champagne Roses collection. Kedra sent me the CHAMPAGNE ROSES PERFUMED TEA that is hand infused with floral absolutes (tuberose).


  I was eager to find out exactly how this would work with champagne or wine because honestly I love ROSE’ champagnes, so having edible rose petals in my expensive glass of champagne would ruin the whole effect, Right? Wrong, having CHAMPAGNE ROSES in my champagne was one of the best experiences I have ever had.


  It is very simple. According to the direction, all I have to do is “just put a spoonful or 2 in your glass of champagne or wine and let it steep for 3-5 minutes” and that is it.

  Not only do you have delicious soft and chewy rose petals but you have a beautiful light pink tint to your champagne. I love this idea because it cost me a lot less than buying a bottle of Rose’ champagne and it is the natural way to add color to any beverage.


  I used it in my favorite teas and it boosts the flavor by 50%. The rose petals are so chewy and it glides down your throat when swallowed.


  My husband is a skeptic but after I told him about it, he tried it and now my tin can of CHAMPAGNE ROSES with EDIBLE ROSE PETALS is almost gone!!


  Jitterbug Perfume Parlour Tea Collection comes in an array of flavors and themes that is a fit for everyone you know.
 
  Many thanks to Kedra for adding more spice to my champagne and my marriage.


  Jitterbug Perfume Parlour Tea Collection also includes…


ABSINTHE TEA


BURLESQUE TEA


DIVINE TEA


GRETCHEN BONADUCE’S UNEARTHLY BEAUTY? TEA


ISLAND GIRL TEA


JITTERBUG TEA


ROLLER GIRL TEA


SATAN’S ANGEL


TIGER TEA






PURCHASE: opusoils.com




F.H.



BUTTERFLY NECTAR & HONEY

Posted by Unknown 25 July, 2011 5 comments

                   BUTTERFLY NECTAR & HONEY:

The fragrances that “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”.



This famous quote is representative of the style of boxing by Muhammad Ali whose unorthodox style won him many championships and fans worldwide but it adequately describes two gorgeous fragrances composed by two natural perfumers who continue to put nature at the center of their fragrance collections.

Butterflies and Honey bees are synonymous to the summer season. It’s the first signs that indicate the weather is warm and the flowers have bloomed.


Butterflies and Honey bees go together because they both seek and eat nectar. Honey Bees eat nectar which is a sweet liquid made by flowers that then it turns into honey. Butterflies respond to sweet smells such as in certain plants and flowers. The flower secretes nectar by attracting the butterfly that is a pure nectar feeder.


Honey bees and butterflies are pollinators of crops and wild flora but there is a shortage of honey bees and also a shortage of butterflies disappearing without a trace.


So far, scientist cannot find the problem but if nothing is done about the problem there will be no bees or butterflies in the next century.


I am so proud to find two highly talented perfumers who are representing butterflies and honey bees with perfume creations that are divine and with these creations, these perfumers are making a statement on how important it is to preserve our insects.


NECTAR BUTTERFLY by DSH is a newer   fragrance composed by Dawn Spencer Hurwitz who let the flowers speaks for themselves. It is a ravishing sweet honeyed scent  that is perfect for walks in grand gardens filled with lush grass and freshly painted gazebos.


It is a light citrus and floral fusion with a woody base that can take you into the later afternoon horizons under a white tent for supper.


I love how this scent lingers with its clean and refreshing haze of honey subdued by its fruits and flowers that describe the butterfly’s attraction to sweet smells.


Butterfly Nectar is a lovely introduction for a young girl who wants to experience her first fragrance of the summer.


Top Notes: Apricot, Bergamot Green, Mandarin, Meyer Lemon, Verbena, White Peach


Middle Notes: Bulgarian Rose Absolute, Grandiflorum Jasmine, Green Clover Blossoms, Honey, Honey Beeswax, Orris Concrete


Base Notes: Australian Sandalwood, Benzoin, Civet, East Indian Patchouli, Musk, Tonka Bean, Vanilla Absolute


My other fragrance discovery is dedicated to the occupation of beekeeping. It focuses on the lives of honeybees and it is the bees that reign in this fragrance that is simply named, HONEY.   


HONEY is created by Laurie Stern, perfumer and owner of VELVET & SWEET PEA’S PURRFUMERY in El Cerrito, California.


Laurie is dedicated and passionate about the lives of bees and has a beekeeper; she uses the honey from the bees in her garden in her solid perfumes. In the book “BACKYARD BEEKEEPERS OF THE BAY” written by Judith Adamson, there is a section in the book focusing on Laurie entitled ‘Perfumer & Beekeeper’ where Laurie uses the dried, crusty propolis which is the substance honeybees make or better known as bee-glue.


Laurie uses the scrapings of propolis in organic grape alcohol, the bases for many of the fragrances in the collection.


HONEY is as pure as you can get. It is dripping in the highest grade of honey and its natural sweetness is soft and cascading like the chiffon of melted butter on toast.
 
It last for several hours and with the addition of other notes, HONEY is in a class all by itself. It is a wonderful fragrance not just for its scent but to remind us that it is our duty to help preserve the life of bees and support our beekeepers worldwide.


French orange blossom, Moroccan and Bulgarian roses, vetiver, Madagascar vanilla, honey, beeswax, propolis of bees, antique clove, pomegranate and pink grapefruit






PURCHASE:                       dshperfumes.com        purrfumery.com

INFORMATION:
Book: BACKYARD BEEKEEPERS OF THE BAY AREA by Judith Adamson/Paperback ISBN-13:978-0-9762362-3-8 by Slanted Light Press
http://www.backyardbeekeepersbayarea.com/

*******************GIVEAWAY**************
Due to the generosity of Laurie Stern who will provide just for FRAGRANCE BELLES-LETTRES: THE MAGAZINE, one 6 ml bottle of HONEY PERFUME. This exquisite fragrance is in a pretty FRENCH BROSSE bottle that will come in a velvet pansy pouch.

To enter, please make a comment after the article indicating, WHAT FOOD(S) DO YOU USE WITH HONEY?

Thank you very much and Good Luck!

****************UPDATE***********************
***********************************************
There is a winner for the 6ml HONEY PERFUME! The winner is...Michael S. Congratulations! Michael and Thank You to everyone who participated. Please come again!!

NOTE: If you get a chance, please make a donation in whatever amount that is put upon your heart to JUSTGIVING.COM/Felicia-Hazzard
It is my fundraising project for BEES FOR   DEVELOPMENT TRUST.

BEES FOR DEVELOPMENT USES THE MONEY FOR RESEARCH AND INSURING THE LIVES OF BEEKEEPERS IN THE MOST REMOTE AND POOREST AREAS WORLDWIDE.
beesfordevelopment.org

The "TRUE" origin of Perfumery

Posted by Unknown 22 July, 2011 0 comments

  I recently discovered a wonderful website dedicated to the scents and flavors from Africa. It is called AFRICAN AROMATICS (africanaromatics.com) and the Editor in Chief, Sophia (last name I will find out) is a Perfume Artisan of only natural ingredients.
    
 Sophia's passion is the ART OF PERFUMERY in Africa that goes back for many, many centuries but little is known about it. Text books indicate Ancient Egypt and the Mediterranean is the start of perfumery but this may not be the case.

 The research by Sophia continues to indicate that what is known about the origin of history pertaining to perfumery as we know it needs to be rewritten. Perfumery goes back to the beginning of time and Sophia further indicates that Southern Africa is the birthplace of Perfumes.

 I am so exciting about the discovery of africanaromatics.com and my upcoming interview with Sophia will shed new light on this subject and bring the history of Southern African perfumery for us to explore and finally learn.

BLACK JADE by Lubin

Posted by Unknown 18 July, 2011 0 comments

                            The Queen’s Secret Perfume
            The unveiling of BLACK JADE

     
Queen Marie-Antoinette was known for extravagant soirees but I think she would take a back seat if she had known what history tells us about her demise that help start the French Revolution or better yet known as a celebration of freedom each year on July 14th as BASTILLE DAY.


However for us who are steeped in the lure of fragrances from around the world, Marie-Antoinette did leave to the marvels of perfumery a mysterious fragrance that was tucked away for many years and only known as the “Jardin Secret” (Secret Garden).


Jean-Louis Fargeon the loyal and personal perfumer to Marie-Antoinette created a fragrance just for her while the grand Petite Trianon was being created for her.
  
Le Petite Trianon consisted of many gardens and it housed some of her favorite flowers such as the rose and the jasmine. It was a little oasis and retreat that Marie-Antoinette could go to for refuge when her responsibilities as queen got the best of her.


When Marie-Antoinette and her husband, King Louis XVI could no longer hide from the pressures of the citizens of France, they had to flee with what they had on them.
 
According to sources, what was also left behind was the mysterious perfume labeled “Jardin Secret”. Well, it was left behind for years until Fargeon’s young apprentice Pierre Francois Lubin recovered the black jade flask.
Pierre Francois Lubin
 
To make a long story short, this mysterious fragrance is now unveiled to the world and thanks to young Lubin, we can now find out what this “secret” is all about.


The original formula created by Fargeon known as the “Jardin Secret” is now christened as BLACK JADE.


BLACK JADE by the House of Lubin debuted on Bastille Day 2011 but for the sake of Marie-Antoinette, I did not post this review on that day. I wanted to let the Queen of France enjoy her last days with the notion that a fragrance of her most favorite flowers would be created.


BLACK JADE features... galbanum, bergamot, cardamom, rose, jasmine, incense, cinnamon, Indian sandalwood, patchouli, vanilla, tonka bean and amber.

PURCHASE: lubin-parfum.fr     aedes.com






























F.H.

COCO NOIR by CHANEL

Posted by Unknown 16 July, 2011 0 comments

                         Ms. Chanel Lives On: COCO NOIR

                              The New Fragrance of Mystery

 
  Chanel the world’s famous French couture and with the best-selling fragrance, Chanel No.5 can now welcome yet another new member of the family. According to reports, there is a new fragrance named for the new flanker to the original COCO CHANEL (which is my absolute favorite) is COCO NOIR.


  COCO NOIR is described as a dark, deep, mysterious and adventurous composition which is quite the reason for rushing to your nearest retail to grab your bottle. The original COCO CHANEL fragrance was launched in 1984 has a Spicy Oriental aroma created by Jacques Polge became a household name just as much as Chanel No.5


  Recently there has been a rash of darker note scents on the market with the impact of agar wood “oud” fragrances that lead the pack. I look forward to more darker scents that replicate the scents of ancient perfumery.


   I  also look forward to more information of this  “mysterious” fragrance because literally there is not much more information given. So, the unveiling of COCO NOIR is being kept under lock and key. Wow, I marvel at the idea of Gabrielle “COCO” Chanel who grew up in an orphanage to becoming still to this very day, the icon of couture and perfumery for generations to come.


  WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF COCO NOIR.






INFORMATION: Chanel.com















MIMOSA POUR MOI by L'Artisan Parfumeur

Posted by Unknown 14 July, 2011 6 comments

                                     A Winter Blossom in July

                               My Christmas in July Fragrance


  Imagine how beautiful it is to be in the South of France this time of the year. Sipping on a mimosa and watching the rich blue waters waving in the soft and warm breeze on a sunny afternoon.


  Mimosa, is a bright and zesty yellow tree that billows with highly aromatic leaves that blossom in the winter. Yes, the winter! It is especially beautiful I am told in the month of February when all of the south of France is covered with different shades of yellow leaves lying on the ground like a vintage painting.


  “La Fete de Mimosa is widely celebrated in the south of France with several towns and villages joining in the festivities by decorating the houses, shops and buildings with sprigs of mimosa.


  The mimosa is quite a festive bloom for winter because with the holidays approaching it is quite a difference to have yellow blossoms flowing from trees as early as December and continue flowering right until April or May. This is way so many celebrities flock to the south of France because of the difference in experiencing the holidays then the usual and sometimes mundane approach to Christmas.


  I am sure you have heard the phrase, “Christmas in July” but what does it exactly mean. Well for me, wearing a light, bright, sweet and zesty fragrance in the summer is my Christmas gift to me.


  L’Artisan Parfumeur is one of my favorite French  perfumeries and their most beautiful fragrance created to embody holidays on the French Riviera is MIMOSA POUR MOI composed in 1992 by Anne Flipo.


  MIMOSA POUR MOI is a rich and creamy scent composed of the luscious mimosa flower that basks in its yellow brightness that puts the sun to shame. There is a healthy dose of green cucumber like note that gives MIMOSA POUR MOI that true natural beauty.


  I simply love how long this delicate scent stays on my skin when it is the hottest of days. It stays true to its scent and it doesn’t waver when it’s a cooler day.


  MIMOSA POUR MOI reminds me of a beautiful  movie that I have watched many times and it is called, “The Uninvited” made in 1944 starring Ray Milland, Ruth Hussey and introducing, Gail Russell.


  To make a long story short, it is about a composer and his sister who purchase a beautiful gothic cottage along the English coast. This supernatural movie  intensifies with the spirit of two ghosts and one of them will eventually be known as the loving mother of a young girl who is always represented with the scent of mimosa.


  How enchanting it would be in the south of France  sipping a mimosa, watching the movie, “The    Uninvited” and wearing MIMOSA POUR MOI EAU DE TOILETTE. Now, this is my idea of a Christmas gift in July.

  Features: mimosa (flower, leaf and stem), violet leaves and black currant bud.




PURCHASE: lartisanparfumeur.com    luckyscent.com

******************GIVEAWAY******************************
One eau de toilette sample of MIMOSA POUR MOI for the lucky winner who makes a comment in the box. The question is "What place would you like to visit in the summer"?   Good Luck!


*************************************************************************

UPDATE: We have a winner for the DRAW of MIMOSA POUR MOI by L'Artisan Parfumeur and the winner is...BLOODY FRIDA!

Congratulations BLOODY FRIDA!  Thank you so much for your interest in this DRAW.




F.H.










AVENUE MONTAIGNE by Brecourt

Posted by Unknown 13 July, 2011 0 comments

                                         AVENUE MONTAIGNE 
               The Fragrance of the Paris boulevard

   I learned about Brecourt fragrances recently thorough the announcement of the SMELL FESTIVAL 2011 that was held in Bologna, Italy. There was a listing of perfumers who were presenters for this high-end scent event and Emilie Bouge, founder and perfumer of BRECOURT located in Paris was one of them , BRECOURT has a massive worldwide following since its debut in 2010. This sophisticated niche perfumery has its own personality and style that appeals to both men and women.

  Emilie is a graduate of ISIPCA, school of perfumery but this is no surprise because she comes from a family of perfumers. Just before launching BRECOURT, Emilie worked as a perfumer at Charabot in Grasse and produced world acclaim for fragrances such as Cathy Guetta Ibiza for Her (2004), Clarins Par Amour Tonjours (2005), Esteban Orientalissime (2008), Currara Antidote (2009), Salvador Dali Little Kiss Cherry for Her (2009) and Isabel Derroisne Gandali (2009).

  BRECOURT also has a co-founder which is her sister, Marie-Eugenie Bouge who has made this company into a stylish and "fashion house of perfumery" by acting as the Artistic Director.

  I encountered one of the fragrances from this magnetic line of a bold black and white theme coloring with AVENUE MONTAIGNE.

  This inspiration behind    AVENUE MONTAIGNE  is dedicated to influential women of French couture who set the stage for lights, camera and action every time they walk the Paris fashion boulevard of Avenue Montaigne.

  The actual Avenue Montaigne boulebard in Paris is home to the top French fashion designers such as Dior, Vuitton, Chanel and many more.

  AVENUE MONTAIGNE is a chypre floral/fruity fragrance for women that burst into a magnificent burst of sweet fruit with notes of white floral and it bends its respect to the woody notes. I love the raspberry that pops up over time while wearing it. It gives a juicy waft of energy to help keep stepping high in those Christian Louboutin shoes.

   AVENUE MONTAIGNE lasts for hours and after five hours it simmers down to a hush environment with the patchouli and peach fusion silently dancing the night away.      

  This fragrance is definitely for the woman who is confident and stylish to the max. If you know what is takes to be the best, then AVENUE MONTAIGNE is your signature scent.


  Top Notes: freesia, raspberry, dewberry, grapefruit

  Middle Notes: rose, jasmine, gardenia, water lily

  Base Notes patchouli, peach, musks


 PURCHASE: brecourt.fr          indiescents.com






F.H.
  

        How Orange Trees Came to Versailles:   PRE-BASTILLE DAY  

  On Thursday, July 14, 2011 will be Independence Day in France or better known as BASTILLE DAY. The day when the French Monarchy which consisted of Kings and Queens no longer ruled and from that day on July 14, 1789 it became a celebration of the beginning of a new form of government.

  I celebrate BASTILLE DAY with my diplomatic friends and the citizens of France by during some historical fragrant research.

  It is apparent that July is a summer month and it gives me such an array of light and airy fragrances that surrounds the scene of summer.

  One of my favorite scents is orange and this to me consist of orange blossom, sweet orange, neroli, bitter orange, blood orange and orange blended with other fragrance notes.
 
  My research lead me to a book that I recently  discovered named, THE ORANGE TREES OF  VERSAILLES by Annie Pietri  (Publisher: Yearling) ISBN#0440419484 (November 8, 2005). I amazing book is for ages 9-12 but it is in no way juvenile reading. Once you beginning reading, you totally forget that this book is designed for that age group. I really think posting the age group 9-12 does this book a disservice but for all practical purposes I guess this is for legal purposes within the book industry.  

 I have not yet completed this book but I did want to bring up my reason for this interesting issue of discovery on orange trees and Versailles (France). Orange trees are known to have originated in Burma. Later, infact 100 years latter, the orange trees were found in the gardens of Charles of Bourbon. In 1523 Charles of Bourbon's property was confiscated so the orange trees were moved to Chantilly in France. Next it  moved to Fontainbleau under King Louis XIII and finally it landed in Versailles in 1684.

 What does this all mean? To me it means that the simple luxury items that are in our midst such as fruits and vegetables are taken for granted and nowadays so excessible. Not so, hundreds and hundreds of years ago. It traveled many, many miles to have the luxury of a tree full of juicy robust sweet oranges in a garden for the vision of loveliness and to show that it is a source of wealth.

 Secondly, it shows how this luscious piece of fruit appears in the fragrance industry.  There are countless fragrances on the market that are composed of the orange. I personally love it and I cannot get enough of this tangy, sweet, citrus blossom of vibrant matters wafting on my skin and in the air.

 I am a part of an amazing group of people on Facebook that consist of a group named, Facebook Perfumistas. This is a closed group of fragrance devotees who review, discuss and analyze fragrances in the mass, niche and natural markets.

Petit Trianon
Last week, I posted a question to the group and it stated, "What is your favorite orange perfume? I received an overwhelming list of fragrances. I want to share a few of them with you. So, the next time you think of France, don't think just about their delicious macaroons, croissants, fashions and the Eiffel Tower. Think about those orange trees in Versailles. Since reading, "The Orange Trees of Versailles", I have thought about the many gardens of Marie-Antoinette held at the Petit Trianon.     

There are several books about the gardens of Trianon and how this opulent of glamour of such edible fruits and vegetables came to be in France.

TUSCAN BLOOD ORANGE by Pacifica Perfume
ORANGE BLOSSOM by Jo Malone
ORANGE BLOSSOM PERFUME OIL by Amanda Jones
ORANGE STAR by Tauer (2011 FIFI AWARD WINNER UK)
FLEURS d'ORANGER by Mazzolari
MELOE by Teo Cabanel
ORANGE SANGUINE by Atelier Cologne
THE ORANGE COLOR by DSH
EAU DE TRIANON by DSH
FLEUR D' ORANGER by Fragonard
TILDA SWINTON LIKE THIS by Etat Libre d'Orange
Eau de Cartier Essence d'Orange by Cartier
ORANGES AND LEMONS SAY THE BELLS OF ST. CLEMENTS by Heeley
ANTHOLOGY COLLECTION-ORANGE BLOSSOM by Penhaligons

Did your favorite orange scent make the list? If not, that is okay. A complete list will be available soon on this site.

Well, you ask what is the book, "The Orange Trees of Versailles" all about. Well, I will love to tell you this. However I will do so when completed under the series, ART OF PERFUMERY: A LITERARY COMPONENT. It will discuss an array of books that refer not just about perfumery but about scents, historical moments in history and references to perfumes on the market dedicated to that specific subject.





F.H.


            EXCLUSIVE interview with Kedra Hart
 The genius behind OPUS OILS perfumes



  Kedra Hart, perfumer and owner of OPUS OILS JITTERBUG PERFUME PARLOUR in Hollywood, California is a perfumer with a unique style but with a simple approach to perfumery that has made her a household name around the globe.


  The OPUS OILS collection include an eclectic of fragrances and themes to suit everyone such as The Absinthe Collection, The Afraid of the Dark Collection, Burlesque Collection, Dirty Sexy Wilde, The Divine Collection, The Fetish Collection, Island Girl Collection, Jitterbug, Les Bohemes, Roller Girl and introducing as of July 2011, Wild Child#13 Collection.


  My discussion with Ms. Hart is about THE DIVINE COLLECTION. This is due to its historical and mythical aromas around deities that surround beliefs from around the world and for the summer Scent Event, SUMMER OF PATCHOULI LOVE 2011 where the main theme is peace-love and “patchouli “scent.

THE INTERVIEW

Kedra, I think THE DIVINE COLLECTION is just wonderful and it is 100% ALL NATURAL. Why is it important to have THE DIVINE COLLECTION an all natural perfume?



It felt like the best choice for the subject matter... With this Perfume Collection I wanted to tap into the concept of "Magical Perfumery," the practice of using the energy in Aromatic essences for the purpose of stimulating and affecting one's conscious states. While Aroma Chemicals may be pleasing to our noses, there is no power in them whatsoever, "energetically" speaking. Natural Aromatics have often been referred to as the "SOUL" of the plant, and these concentrated essences are capable of having a considerable effect on our physical and mental bodies.

Kedra, what is it that you like best about THE DIVINE COLLECTION?


While I was working on this collection I used lots of rare and unusual essences to create the scents. Several of them were a bit challenging (Seaweed Absolute, Choya Nakh) and so it was especially rewarding to be able to find a harmonious balance within these blends.


ISIS perfume is a representation of the GODDESS ISIS. How did you determine what notes to use to describe "mystical enchanting blend"?


For each perfume in the Divine Collection I incorporated notes that were somehow linked to the Deity that was the theme of the scent... The Blue Lotus flower is considered sacred to Isis, and Frankincense & Myrrh are two of the most ancient aromatics in existence, and they were used heavily in Egypt for Religious & ceremonial practices to produce a heightened awareness of the spiritual realms.


Kedra for PAN perfume, how did you come up with the name for it?


The Goat God Pan has long been one of my all time favorite God archetypes... What's not to love about a musky, earthy Goat-Man/God who "rocks" his Nymphs with his pipes, whilst celebrating nature by "stinking up" the place?... Of course his association with the world of fragrance was cemented in Tom Robbins' "Jitterbug Perfume," a  treasure of a novel that blew my mind wide open when I was a youth, and continues to blow my mind every time I visit it again... I always felt especially kindred to this book as “KUDRA” is only one letter off from my name, after all...


PAN has a note of PATCHOULI and I know the 'Summer of Love PATCHOULI 2011' Scent Event created by Perfume Pharmer's Monica Miller favors PAN perfume. Kedra, what does it mean to be apart of this unique event dedicated to PATCHOULI?   


Participating in Monica's Summer of Patchouli Love 2011 Event has been an absolute blast!!!... I am really enjoying the community spirit that it is inspiring, and not to mention some very DEEP experiences, as far as Scent Memories and all the deep dark secrets that Patchouli has unearthed for me personally...


Kedra, I love the notes you chose in Venus! It is an array of rich notes with highlights of floral. Kedra, what did you want to capture in this fragrance that gives a unique and edgy scent?


What I wanted to capture in this scent was the "Birth from the Sea," aspect of the Venus Mythology... This led me to include several unusual Natural Marine-type notes such as Seaweed Absolute, Choya Nakh (burned crushed Seashells), and Beach Found Ambergris. I chose to create a heart of floral notes with a chorus line of Rose, Jasmine, & Ylang Ylang (the notes most traditionally associated with Venus), in support of the "Leading Lady" Pink Lotus, an aquatic perennial.


I have noticed more and more creations of "green" fragrances on the market. Eros has the right balance of notes with a citrus flavor. How important is it to have a "green" fragrance in a perfume collection?


Thank you for the compliment! I am so very pleased to hear this :~)...


Yes, I definitely know what you mean about the "GREEN" Trend... And it is most definitely one of “THE” most important Categories of Fragrance to have in a Perfume Collection at the moment. I first noticed this trend stirring last February 2010, when
I was working with The Four Seasons in Beverly Hills on a Valentines Day Custom Blend Perfume
Event. It was sort of a phenomenon actually - every single client that I worked with (from the Tourists, to the Producer & His Wife) requested a "Green Scent." Some of them wanted a "Gourmand Green," some wanted an 'Earthy Green," and some wanted "A Green Green," but it was across the board "GREEN" with a capitol G, literally EVERY time!


There was a really special moment at Twilight on Valentine's Day/Eve (I was totally saturated, covered in GREEN Bases with Orange Blossom Hearts, at this point) when the husband of one of my "Couples" was out on the wrap-a-round balcony (on the 16th Floor) and he called to his wife and I to…, "Come out her right now!" because there was a "Hummingbird going crazy!!!"... When we went out to join him, the Hummingbird flew up to me at eye level moving in to my Personal Space and started "buzzing" around me, circling like a Dervish as he proceeded to "Check Me Out," at close range... Let’s just say, it was clearly very erotic on His part, and I'm quite certain that he was responding to my green scent... So, I would have to say that even as far as "Nature" is concerned, “GREEN” is very alive as a premiere choice on our Aromatic Palates right now.


Thank you Kedra so much. I truly appreciate getting to know more about THE DIVINE COLLECTION.


Thank You, Felicia! I really enjoyed your very thoughtful and interesting questions!






F.H.





















































































































 

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Fragrance Belles-Lettres Est 2009 CHICAGO

The word "belles lettres" is a French phrase meaning "beautiful or "fine writing. Since this is a term to describe a category of writing, this will pertain to my passion about fragrances. I will review niche,natural, artisan and designer perfumes from all over the world. I write with passion but will use my journalistic skills that I obtained in college. Not only will I feature fragrances but I will feature new books on fragrances/perfumes, fragrance events and interview authors and perfumers.


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