Category Archives: By Tara

Instant Vintage – Review: En Voyage Perfumes Zelda

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Olfactoria

By Tara Artisan perfumer Shelley Waddington was inspired to create Zelda in 2013 as a tribute to an icon of the Jazz Age, Zelda Fitzgerald. Her husband F. Scott Fitzgerald called her “America’s first flapper”. An accomplished dancer, writer and … Continue reading →

Posted in By Tara, Floral, Fragrance Reviews | Tagged , , , | 36 Comments

Getting to Know Arquiste – Reviews: Arquiste Infanta en Flor, Fleur de Louis and Anima Dulcis

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Olfactoria

By Tara Until a recent bloggers’ jaunt that included Bloom Perfumery in East London, Arquiste was a hole in my far from complete perfume knowledge. I have since learnt that there are currently seven perfumes in the line which are … Continue reading →

Posted in Arquiste, By Tara, Floral, Fragrance Reviews, Orange Blossom, Oriental, Resins, Spicy, Vanilla | Tagged , , , , , | 28 Comments

Mandarin Dream – Review: Hermès Eau de Mandarine Ambrée

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Olfactoria

By Tara I adore the darker perfumes in my collection such as Ormonde Woman and Vol de Nuit, but there’s always room for a fragrance that can act as an instant mood enhancer. I can’t imagine a more uplifting aroma … Continue reading →

Posted in Amber, By Tara, Citrus, Fragrance Reviews, Fruity, Hermès | Tagged , , , , , , | 44 Comments

Three Private Blends – Review: Tom Ford Oud Fleur, Shanghai Lily and Fleur de Chine

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Olfactoria

By Tara First off, I must admit to a bias against the Private Blend Collection, which is Tom Ford’s extensive luxury fragrance line. I know perfumes like Tobacco Vanille and Oud Wood have a lot of fans but they have … Continue reading →

Posted in By Tara, Fragrance Reviews, Tom Ford | Tagged , , , , , , | 44 Comments

Portia Fest 2014, London, Saturday 8th February

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Olfactoria

By Tara I’ve never experienced the peace and love vibe of a music festival, but I think I got pretty close to that last Saturday. It was the uplifting feeling of being surrounded by fabulous like-minded people with a shared … Continue reading →

Posted in By Tara | Tagged , , , , | 49 Comments

Strange, Sensational or Skanky: A Selection of Perfume Presented by Nick Gilbert at Perfume Lovers London, The New Cavendish Club, Thursday 30th January 2014

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Olfactoria

By Tara This evening we delved into all that is strange and skanky in the world of perfume. It was a lot of fun, although perhaps not for the fainthearted. Nick Gilbert has worked in perfume retail for a number … Continue reading →

Posted in By Tara, Perfume News | Tagged , , , , , | 62 Comments

An Evening of Orientals – Perfume Lovers London, The New Cavendish Club, London, Thursday 21st November 2013

Posted on November 26, 2013 by Olfactoria

By Tara Warm, exotic and sensuous, we explored the heady world of oriental perfumes this month at PLL. The evening was presented by Lila Das Gupta and below is a summarised version of events. In her introduction, Lila told us … Continue reading →

Posted in By Tara, Oriental | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Super Smooth Oud – Review: Ex Idolo Perfumes Thirty-Three

Posted on November 14, 2013 by Olfactoria

By Tara Yes, Thirty-Three is another oud fragrance but before you click off, please read the next sentence. This is an exceptionally good oud perfume and I’m not someone who is a lover of all things oud-y. Ex-Idolo Perfumes is … Continue reading →

Posted in By Tara, Fragrance Reviews, Woods | Tagged , , , , , | 40 Comments

A Vetiver Special, Perfume Lovers London – Thursday 24th October 2013 at The New Cavendish Club, London

Posted on October 29, 2013 by Olfactoria

By Tara I must admit that I struggle with the traditionally masculine vetiver note when it’s centre stage in a perfume, so I hoped this evening might broaden my knowledge of the material and give me a greater appreciation of … Continue reading →

Posted in By Tara, Vetiver | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 53 Comments

The Ballerina, The Maharaja and The Tailor – Reviews: Iris Prima, Vaara and Sartorial By Penhaligon’s

Posted on October 11, 2013 by Olfactoria

By Tara Established in 1870, Penhaligon’s is a quintessentially English fragrance house. I am fond of their witty, English eccentric style and they have made some interesting choices regarding their perfumes in the last few years. Admirably, they have managed … Continue reading →

Posted in By Tara, Floral, Fougère, Fragrance Reviews, Iris, Penhaligon's, Spicy, Vetiver, Woods | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 42 Comments