Our very last Scent Semantics. 12 months flew by in the blink of an eye. Even for the six bloggers who have been on the Scent Semantics journey lives have changed inextricably. Suddenly the world opened up and needed us all to get back involved, produce, create, scrutinise, write and read. Sheila is fulfilling lifelong dreams, Daisy is travelling and making podcasts happen, Elena is now a published author and the blog is going great guns, Undina has had family come to the USA and work, Old Herbaceous has also dealt with upheavals in the family and I’ve been getting back into Trivia work, events and property purchasing. Add to this the pall of C19 and Ukraine. It’s been a big 12 months.
Scent Semantics? We get a word, we get a date, we have to choose a single fragrance that fits the word and then have to explain how it fits together, in our way. As much or little as we feel the word/fragrance connection needs. We are going to probe a little into how each of us bloggers see the world, fragrance, ourselves. We get to see how one word can inspire different directions in connection. or not.
We get a word, we get a date, we have to choose a single fragrance that fits the word and then have to explain how it fits together, in our way. As much or little as we feel the word/fragrance connection needs. We are going to probe a little into how each of us bloggers see the world, fragrance, ourselves. We get to see how one word can inspire different directions in connection. or not.
We get a word, we get a date, we have to choose a single fragrance that fits the word and then have to explain how it fits together, in our way. As much or little as we feel the word/fragrance connection needs. We are going to probe a little into how each of us bloggers see the world, fragrance, ourselves. We get to see how one word can inspire different directions in connection. or not.
We get a word, we get a date, we have to choose a single fragrance that fits the word and then have to explain how it fits together, in our way. As much or little as we feel the word/fragrance connection needs. We are going to probe a little into how each of us bloggers see the world, fragrance, ourselves. We get to see how one word can inspire different directions in connection. or not.
I do love the smell of the standard tea-lights. (Is that hyphenated?) I always have one burning in the bog. It’s lovely to go into, amazing how much warmth and smell one candle can give off. The whole loo is so gemütlich. Inviting a Wordle session ——
Pretty similar in a church, but of course much more intense. The larger number of candles heating and expanding the air above them, as they flicker and glow.
It would appear that Albrighton had 11 relatives, all of whom have turned their toes up. And he lit 11 candles, in Antwerp, for them. I don’t think they all died in Antwerp though. I mean that would be a bit odd. Unless they al fought in the Siege of Antwerp. Or the Battle of the Scheldt. I dunno.
A CLASSICAL WHITE ORCHID bouquet, spiked with pink pepper, melts into a bed of dense creamy candlewax. Beschreiben von Parfüm muss man lieben!! I am sure he missed out jasmine ——
Basically it’s a very appealing creamy waxy white floral. It stays on the skin perhaps longer than his other fragrances, but that is not a negative thing. It’s gorgeous on your clothing the next day I must say. Very Lutensian in smell, with a name that Serge himself might well have come up with.
Does it smell of candlewax? Yes. Would we have known that had candles not been mentioned in the name? Probably not. Does it matter? No.
We get a word, we get a date, we have to choose a single fragrance that fits the word and then have to explain how it fits together, in our way. As much or little as we feel the word/fragrance connection needs. We are going to probe a little into how each of us bloggers see the world, fragrance, ourselves. We get to see how one word can inspire different directions in connection. or not.
It’s the sweet floury coating on the long pack of Bazooka Joe – the one that divided into 5 chunks making it easier to break off the pieces. I would shove it into my gob all in one go, chew until my jaw ached, and then blow thick bubbles, big enough to cover my whole face including bangs.
As the blast of Hubba Bubba divineness softens – luckily it takes a long time, YUM – I get a gorgeous artificial blackcurrant creeping in through the gumpowder. There’s a foamy pink sweet shrimp note somewhere in there. Fabulous. (Do you get foamy pink shrimps outside of The Commonwealth, please stand up).
You can really spray it like a Bro. Like all of Albrighton’s perfumes, it fades out beautifully until it disappears, leaving no long term chemical burn.
It’s a brilliant fun wear (read that as joyful) because the last thing it is, is cheap or nasty. It’s sweet, but kept from being thick and sticky, with a soft base of cashmere, spiced cedar, a sandalwood and musk.
Freddie Albrighton will go far, you mark my unhinged words.
Last Minute Change of Heart is expected mid-May 2022. There are a number of stockists. Check his website.
VAL
PSA. This is an experimental blog post. I am still MIA – due to a trauma in my life that resulted in a nervous breakdown. I will not answer questions but will accept all prayers. It’s rough.
We get a word, we get a date, we have to choose a single fragrance that fits the word and then have to explain how it fits together, in our way. As much or little as we feel the word/fragrance connection needs. We are going to probe a little into how each of us bloggers see the world, fragrance, ourselves. We get to see how one word can inspire different directions in connection. or not.
Notes: Jasmine, Orange Blossom, Ambrette, Rose de Mai, Turkish Rose, Orris, Narcissus, Ylang, Heliotrope, Clary Sage, Bergamot, Vanilla, Labdanum and Musk
I have a love of Papillon’s perfumes and the Greek myths, so while I feel the will to write about fragrance ebbing, the forthcoming release of the artisan brand’s eighth perfume, Hera, pulled me back.
All the fragrances created and hand-crafted by Liz Moores have a distinctive character. While being unmistakably modern there is usually a nod to the past. My personal favourite is Dryad which I have been wearing consistently this spring and have now used up half my bottle. If you are reading this blog, you’ll know that says a lot.
Hera was composed by Liz specially for her daughter Jasmine to wear on her wedding day. In Greek mythology, Hera is the Queen of the Olympians, protector of women and goddess of marriage and birth. Jasmine has now kindly agreed for her very personal perfume to be shared with the rest of us. It will be released in the U.K. on 16th May.
On spraying, I initially get a mix of shimmering bergamot and fizzing ambrette seed, which makes for a fittingly celebratory opening. The bergamot swiftly dissipates but the ambrette is immediately joined by a cloud of creamy orris butter. With the association of a wedding scent, I can’t help picturing layer upon layer of airy white tulle.
From looking at the notes, I had expected a lush white floral with orange blossom – the traditional wedding flower – front and centre, along with prominent jasmine and ylang. Instead, the flowers combine with a touch of heliotope to create a haze of abstract floral sweetness. This brings levity and prettiness to the orris which is the core of Hera, setting it off beautifully. This is a sophisticated bride but she also has wildflowers threaded through her hair.
The base is clean, velvety musk with traces of what has gone before. Happily, the orris is present throughout.
The retro side of Hera comes in the form of a ‘boudoir’ facet. One of my favourite types of fragrance, boudoir scents are evocative of 1940s dressing rooms with a mélange of waxy lipstick, face powder and a hint of warm skin. This aspect adds an element of sensuality and self-possession to the composition.
Hera feels like a glimpse behind the scenes as the bride is getting ready for her big day, rather than the public spectacle of her walking down the aisle. It has an intimacy that makes it much more alluring as a result.
This is the kind of perfume that unfurls on the skin rather than one that develops in a distinctly linear fashion. It is seamlessly blended with a rounded feel and a lovely soft, downy texture.
Being Extrait de Parfum strength, it wears extremely well while staying relatively close to the body.
I very much appreciate (though am not surprised) that Liz hasn’t gone down the road of a completely naive bridal bouquet. Hera is an elegant balance between refinement and free-spiritedness.
Let me know if you are eager to try Hera in the comments.
We get a word, we get a date, we have to choose a single fragrance that fits the word and then have to explain how it fits together, in our way. As much or little as we feel the word/fragrance connection needs. We are going to probe a little into how each of us bloggers see the world, fragrance, ourselves. We get to see how one word can inspire different directions in connection. or not.
A Bottled Rose 