Category: Fragrance

Meet Atelier Bloem

Cold Cream 'n' Roses

Atelier Bloom is a fragrance line founded by Matthew Malin and Andrew Goetz, better known for their skin care line (MALIN + GOETZ). Atelier Bloem is inspired by Bloemenmarkt, the world’s only floating flower market, located in Amsterdam.

Bloemenmarkt, Amsterdam
Bloemenmarkt, Amsterdam by zak mc [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)%5D, via Wikimedia Commons
I was surprised, but delightedly so, to receive 2 full-size (3.4 fl oz/100 ml) bottles of Atelier Bloem’s William and 1614 fragrances.

First, a few words (notes?) about fragrance notes. Notes are scents that can be sensed with respect to time after application of a fragrance. Top notes are sensed immediately. They consist of small, light molecules that evaporate quickly. Middle notes, also called heart notes, emerge in the middle of the perfume’s dispersion process. Base notes refer to the scent of a perfume that appears close to departure of middle notes. They consist of large, heavy molecules that evaporate slowly.

Adapted from Wikipedia

William by Atelier Bloem

William by Atelier Bloem

William is inspired by the Dutch Royal Family, known as the House of Orange. It is a neroli scented perfume distilled from the blossom of the bitter orange tree and the wood and leaves.

* Top notes: Neroli Petals, Nectarine, and Lavender
* Middle (or heart) notes: Orange Flower, Freesia, Sambac Jasmine, and Blond Wood
* Drydown (or base notes): Amber, Vanilla, Musk, and Sandalwood

1614 by Atelier Bloem
1614 by Atelier Bloem

1614 is named for the year Andrew Goetz and Matthew Malin’s home away from home in the Hudson Valley was founded.

* Top notes: Black Pepper, Bergamot, and Neroli from Tunisia
* Middle notes: Sambac Jasmine, Sweet Clover, Rose Water, and Orange Blossom
* Drydown (base notes): Teakwood, Sandalwood, and Musk

One 3.4 fl oz/100 ml bottle costs $195 US.  You may purchase Atelier Bloem fragrances through Barneys. Earn cash back awards through Ebates.

PS The photo of the Bloemenmarkt inspired my flat lays. The Delft Blue Miniature Houses that flank the perfume bottles represent old Dutch houses situated along the canals in Amsterdam. These houses are presented to Business Class passengers on board KLM flights. The miniatures contain Bols jenever liquor. We have not broken the seals on these miniature houses!

Warm, woodsy, and sensuous: Oud Sumptuous 75213 by Krigler

Cold Cream 'n' Roses2 Comments

As weather gets colder, we are drawn to heavier scents. Scents with heavy base notes can heat up too fast in summer and be overwhelming. Lighter scents seem to go along with lighter clothes and layers, whereas heavier scents seem to go along with the heavier clothes and layers of autumn and winter.

Oud Sumptuous 75213 by Krigler
Oud Sumptuous 75213 by Krigler

Enter Oud Sumptuous 75213 by Krigler. It features precious woods, and I figured that it would suit men as well as women. I was right.  Olfactory notes:

  • Top notes: Laotian Oud, Vietnamese Benjoin, Mongolian Coriander
  • Middle (heart) notes: Vanilla, Sandalwood, Morrocan Labdanum, and Lavender
  • Base notes: Papyrus, Cinnamon, Amber, and Cedar Wood.

It is indeed a warm, woodsy, sensuous fragrance.

I’ve already touched upon a little of the lore about oud, also known as agarwood, in my review of Lisa Hoffman Japanese Agarwood Variations. While oud is a popular component of Middle Eastern fragrances, it originates from points east. James McHugh, in his book Sandalwood and Carrion: Smell in Indian Religion and Culture, contrasts the warming property of agarwood with the cooling property of sandalwood. In ancient India, Agarwood was harvested in Assam, in India’s far northeast. In her article on Fragrantica, http://www.fragrantica.com/notes/Agarwood-Oud–114.html (accessed November 10, 2013), Naheed Shoukat Ali notes that India was the principal source of agarwood, until the scarcity of trees forced people to go further east to Indochina to harvest agarwood: indeed, Krigler sources its agarwood from Laos.

The Krigler perfume house has a remarkable history. It dates back to 1876, when Albert Krigler moved from Berlin to Moscow. He created his first fragrance in 1879. The Russian Revolution forced Krigler to go back to Berlin, and after the upheaval of World War II, Krigler relocated to the US, where it maintains a boutique at NYC’s Plaza Hotel. Its other boutique is in Monaco.

A 1.75 fl.oz./50 ml bottle of Krigler Oud Sumptuous 75213 costs $305.00 US, while a 3.4 fl.oz./100 ml bottle costs $505.00 US.  Fortunately, I received a sample vial from Krigler’s PR rep to try.

Review of Lisa Hoffman Japanese Agarwood Variations

Cold Cream 'n' Roses10 Comments

Lisa Hoffman Japanese Agarwood Variations is a set of four fragrances for different times of the day: Morning, Daytime, Evening, and Bedtime.

Lisa Hoffman Japanese Agarwood Variations
Lisa Hoffman Japanese Agarwood Variations

Here is how the Lisa Hoffman website describes its Japanese Agarwood fragrance:

The rare, woody scent of Japanese Agarwood is accented with the refreshing zest of Bergamot, the zen-like ambiance of Spiced Ginger, and the comfort of Warm Amber to inspire feelings of clarity and warmth as your journey of Japanese Agarwood unfolds.

What is Agarwood?  Wikipedia describes agarwood, variously known as aloes wood, oud (a popular note in Middle Eastern fragrances), and aguru, अगुरु, in Sanskrit, as “a dark resinous heartwood that forms in Aquilaria and Gyrinops trees (large evergreens native to Asia) when they become infected with a type of mold.”  Who knew?  Surely there has to be a metaphor somewhere: something beautiful (fragrance) coming  from something ugly (mold).  Kind of like the lotus arising from the mud.

James McHugh, in his book Sandalwood and Carrion: Smell in Indian Religion and Culture, contrasts the warming property of agarwood with the cooling property of sandalwood.

When I tried the Morning and Daytime Lisa Hoffman Japanese Agarwood Variations, however, the most obvious note is bergamot.  If you like citrusy energizing fragrances, these are for you.  I prefer the sensuousness and warmth of the Evening and Bedtime fragrances.

Don’t box yourself in! Lisa Hoffman encourages play, so don’t restrict yourself to wearing a particular fragrance at a given time of day.  Layer the fragrances, or blend with other fragrances.

The Lisa Hoffman Japanese Agarwood 4-Vial Set in a leather wallet costs $95.00. You may purchase the set of 4 roller balls at lisahoffmanbeauty.com.

What about you?  Have you tried any of the Lisa Hoffman fragrance variations?  What do you think about Lisa Hoffman’s concepts and products?

Disclaimer: The Lisa Hoffman Japanese Agarwood Variations were furnished to The Style Page as a PR sample.

 

Lisa Hoffman Japanese Agarwood Variations

Cold Cream 'n' Roses
Lisa Hoffman Japanese Agarwood Variations is a set of four fragrances for different times of the day: Morning, Daytime, Evening, and Bedtime.

Lisa Hoffman Japanese Agarwood Variations

Here is how the Lisa Hoffman website describes its Japanese Agarwood fragrance:

“The rare, woody scent of Japanese Agarwood is accented with the refreshing zest of Bergamot, the zen-like ambiance of Spiced Ginger, and the comfort of Warm Amber to inspire feelings of clarity and warmth as your journey of Japanese Agarwood unfolds.”

What is Agarwood?  Wikipedia describes agarwood, variously known as aloes wood, oud (a popular note in Middle Eastern fragrances), and aguru, अगुरु, in Sanskrit, as “a dark resinous heartwood that forms in Aquilaria and Gyrinops trees (large evergreens native to Asia) when they become infected with a type of mold.”  Who knew?  Surely there has to be a metaphor somewhere: something beautiful (fragrance) coming  from something ugly (mold).  Kind of like the lotus arising from the mud.

When I tried the Morning and Daytime Lisa Hoffman Japanese Agarwood Variations, however, the most obvious note is bergamot.  If you like citrusy fragrances, these are for you.  I prefer the sensuousness of the Evening and Bedtime fragrances.

Don’t box yourself in! Lisa Hoffman encourages play, so don’t restrict yourself to wearing a particular fragrance at a given time of day.  Layer the fragrances, or blend with other fragrances.

The Lisa Hoffman Japanese Agarwood 4-Vial Set in a leather wallet costs $95.00. You may purchase the set of 4 roller balls at lisahoffmanbeauty.com.

What about you?  Have you tried any of the Lisa Hoffman fragrance variations?  What do you think about Lisa Hoffman’s concepts and products?

Bobby Short for Charlie #MusicMonday

Cold Cream 'n' Roses
Following on my last #MusicMonday feature Mel Tormé for Charlie #MusicMonday, I present Bobby Short for Charlie.  Bobby Short was a fixture at New York’s Carlyle Hotel.  In 1980, heiress-turned-jeans mogul Gloria Vanderbilt (now perhaps better known as Anderson Cooper’s mom) charged that a co-op wouldn’t sell to her because of her friendship with Bobby Short.

Once again, the video features an effervescent Shelley Hack with her confident long strides:

Mel Tormé for Charlie #MusicMonday

Cold Cream 'n' Roses
If Giorgio was the signature fragrance of the 1980s, if Calvin Klein Escape was the signature fragrance of the early 1990s, and if Chanel No. 5 is the forever classic fragrance, then Charlie by Revlon was the signature fragrance of the 1970s.  A lot of Charlie’s appeal came from its TV commercials featuring a confident, carefree and full of joie de vivre Shelley Hack. Here’s Mel Tormé aka “The Velvet Fog” for Charlie:


That was when songs for TV commercials were tuneful, memorable, and original.

Fun fact: did you know that Mel Tormé penned The Christmas Song (“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire …”)?

Valentine’s Day giveaway – Roger&Gallet Rose Fragrant Water

Cold Cream 'n' Roses
Roger and Gallet is best known for its boxed soap sets.  It also makes fragrance waters.

Roger & Gallet says that its inspiration for its Rose Gentle Fragrance Water are “rose gardens deep within Bengal.”  Well, I have traveled widely through Bengal, and never encountered a rose garden.  In fact, the floral fragrance that I most associate with Bengal (and the rest of India, for that matter) is jasmine, which is strung into garlands to adorn altars.  Burning incense forms the undercurrent.

Prize: Roger & Gallet Rose  Gentle Fragrance Water (1 oz/30 ml)

That aside, Roger & Gallet Rose Gentle Fragrance Water has the following fragrance notes:

  • Top notes: rose, mandarin orange
  • Heart notes: peony, rosebud
  • Base notes: amber, almond milk 

While Roger & Gallet Rose Gentle Fragrance Water is a light true-to-a-rose fragrance, it lasts several hours after spritzing.

Now, just in time for Valentine’s Day, The Style Page is hosting a giveaway of a 1 oz/30 ml bottle of Roger & Gallet Rose Gentle Fragrance Water.  The contest will begin Monday, January 30, at 12:01 AM Eastern Time (-5 hr UTC/GMT).  U.S., Canada entries only.

/*{literal}{/literal}*/ a Rafflecopter giveaway<a href=”http://rafl.es/enable-js”>You need javascript enabled to see this giveaway</a>.

Candles for the holidays

Cold Cream 'n' Roses

My husband and I spent a quiet Christmas at home.  The only decoration was the floral arrangement that he Photoshopped.  I pulled out my Christmas CDs for a listen.  I rarely burn candles, because of safety issues, but here are a couple that I burned on Christmas Eve:

Manuel Canovas Bois de Lune Candle

Manuel Canovas Bois de Lune Candle has a heady, smoky fragrance like burning wood.

What’s even more fragrant than Manuel Canovas Bois de Lune Candle?

Voluspa Decorative 3 Wick Tin/Burmese Rosewood
Source: amazon.com via STYLE on Pinterest

Voluspa Decorative 3 Wick Tin/Burmese Rosewood, 12oz Tin features notes of Burmese Rosewood, Palisander Bark, and Tonka Bean.  Its fragrance carries a long distance.

The fine print: The Style Page is an Amazon.com affiliate.  It earns nominal commissions through purchases of Voluspa Decorative 3 Wick Tin/Burmese Rosewood, 12oz Tin made by selecting the link on this post. When I checked Amazon.com on December 28, there were only 5 left.

Twelve Oils of Ancient Scripture by Young Living

Cold Cream 'n' Roses
Twelve Oils of Ancient Scripture by Young Living

I still have the Twelve Oils of Ancient Scripture kit by Young Living that I purchased from a friend at church 4 years ago.  Since then, she’s retired and relocated to Asheville, North Carolina.  I use the oils as inhalants (no, I don’t get high!) and keep the kit in the night stand to enjoy the resinous fragrances wafting from the kit as I lie in bed.

Now comes news that frankincense could be on the verge of extinction, due to a number of factors.  All the more reason to cherish the bottle of essence of frankincense in the Twelve Oils of Ancient Scripture kit.

Frankincense in The Bible:
Frankincense is identified as one of the gifts of the Magi, as identified in the Gospel of Matthew.  The Sydney Morning Herald goofs in calling frankincense the “bitter perfume.” That distinction belongs to myrrh.

Here are the symbolic meanings of the gifts of frankincense, myrrh, and gold (from Wikipedia):

  • Frankincense – deity
  • Myrrh (an embalming oil) – death, anticipating Christ’s death.
  • Gold – kingship on earth

BTW there is no mention of the names of the Magi in The Bible.  The names – Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar – ascribed to the Magi in western tradition come from other sources.

Krigler Jazzy Riviera 2/10

Cold Cream 'n' Roses

I seldom do fragrance stories, and I certainly don’t cover the spate of celebrity fragrances! I have, however, done a few stories on boutique fragrances and will entertain more such stories. That’s why I was excited to learn about Krigler, a fragrance house based in New York and Monte Carlo that was founded in 1904.

Krigler’s Jazzy Riviera 2/10 fragrance is a tribute to the Jazz Age (1920s) in the Cap d’Antibes. This unisex fragrance was inspired by eminent personages of 1920s, including Picasso, F. Scott Fitzegerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Dorothy Parker. It resonated with me, as the last movie I saw was Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris, in which Owen Wilson plays a writer who is transported back in time to the 1920s and meets with artists and eminent American expats of that era.

Krigler Jazzy Riviera 2/10

With its citrusy top notes (Bergamot, Lemon, and Mandarin), Krigler Jazzy Riviera 2/10 reminds me of Acqua di Parma’s Bergamotto di Calabria, another Mediterranean-inspired fragrance that I’ve covered. However, it doesn’t dry down to the same sort of warmth.

Olfactory notes for Krigler Jazzy Riviera 2/10:

Top notes: Bergamot, Lemon, Mandarin
Heart notes: coriander, freesia, cyclamen
Base notes: cedar, patchouli, musk, vetiver.

Krigler Jazzy Riviera 2/10 costs $215 for 1.7 fl.oz. and $365 for 3.4 fl.oz. Krigler’s U.S. boutique is located at The Plaza Hotel in NYC. You may purchase Krigler fragrances at krigler.com.

Other Krigler fragrances are:

Subtle Orchid 10
Pleasure Gardenia 79
Good Fir 11 – it smells like a Christmas tree!
Manhattan Rose 44

The fine print: The Style Page would like to acknowledge Tractenberg & Co. for sending me vial samples of Krigler fragrances.