Norwegian Lights – A Travellogue

Editor’s Note: Today Sandra shows us amazing photos of her recent trip to Norway, her husband’s country of origin. Thank you for sharing your impressions and beautiful pictures here, Sandra! I think I might be falling a bit in love with Norway as well just looking at these… 

By Sandra

I have finally fallen completely and madly in love with Norway. It has not been an easy love affair as we have only met once before in the summer and far too often in winter when my toes and my nose used to freeze and the country seemed cold and univiting.

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Don’t get me wrong I have always had a deep admiration for the raw beauty that is Norway. The winter light kissing the snowy landscape has given me glimpses of what is truly a breathtaking country.

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This summer we finally made it up. Stunning beauty at every turn we made greeted us. The sky and the light are magical and made the ocean and the hills dance with glorious colour.

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One day, we had the honour of having five wild horses strutting their stuff across our path. Being a city girl made me freeze with horror and I finally found the courage to pick up the camera and take a picture. When would I see horses like this in Vienna?

Tjoeme

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Sean on boat Red hut with boat

Our son had the experience of crabbing and fishing and had to even help look for bait for the crabs. He saw blue starfish as well as orange starfish, jellyfish galore, crabs and so much more. We gorged ourselves on wild raspberries, blackberries and blueberries on our daily walks. The berries really do taste better up there.

Red cabin Boat

Watching the locals walk down to the ocean from their cabins in bathrobes and flipflops and just dive into the cold water made me gasp with admiration. My water needs to be at least 25 degrees for me to even consider swimming.

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Now that I have fallen in love, completely and utterly in love, I am insisting that we go up frequently in the summers to follow. I have put an end to our trips up north in the winter. Now, I understand when my Viking husband declares that he is homesick for Norway. I agree with him. We are already looking forward to our next trip.

Photography by Sandra
Posted in Photography, Travels | Tagged , , , , , | 38 Comments

People In Perfumeland – Caro Fernandez Of Té de Violetas

Té de Violetas (formerly known as Notas e Acordes) is a blog by Caro Fernandez and Virginia Blanco. The two ladies offer their point of view in Spanish and English, reviewing fragrances and interviewing various perfumers. Caro is based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she is a make-up artist by trade and a perfume lover by vocation.

I’m happy she has agreed to take part in the People in Perfumeland series, because I think she is a fascinating person whose taste I admire. She is well travelled and I sincerely hope our paths will cross in real life some day.

Vienna and its pastries are beckoning, Caro! 🙂

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A good day starts with… some hot maté (infusion) and fruit or vegetable juice and enough time not to rush into my day.

I’d never leave the house without… an organic apple and a book in my handbag.

I always feel good… after my ashtanga yoga class.

My favorite thing in the world is… animals, especially felines and horses…and fragrances that remind me of felines and horses!

The next thing I want to buy is… Amouage Lyric extrait.

The place I always come back to is… Italy, although not as often as I’d like to. I am hopelessly enamored with Italy, especially Sicily and the South. The views are breathtaking, the food is delicious, the climate is mild, historical treasures abound and the people are friendly.

My personal style is… classic and all about neutral colors, mostly black and grey. I love colors in home decoration but no so much in clothes. I wear little jewelry, usually bold items in silver or white gold.

My favorite perfume… has to be rose-centric.

When I travel, I… share my attention between local food and historical sites.

To relax I need… silence and some time alone.

I like to gift people with… fragrance, a nice tin of tea, a bottle of some interesting liquor.

When I have a bad day, I… swear a lot, A LOT. I also try to go to bed earlier than usual.

I find my inspiration… in Art, especially painting, and classic films.

Something I would never want to miss… sharing time with my nephew and niece.

My last mistake was… buying two bottles of fragrance that I didn’t need and don’t even love.

In my fridge there is always… organic lemons, almonds and avocados.

On my nightstand I keep… my face creams and a few books.

The perfect weekend starts with… lazying out with my husband and cats in bed.

My role model is… probably not a good role model, but I have always been fascinated by the life of empress Elisabeth of Austria, especially her latter years. How cheesy is that?

Something I always want to be asked in questionnaires like this is… nothing in particular. I am always open to surprises.

Caro

Photo by Emma Livingston

I always dream of travelling to Argentina, since knowing Caro this hasn’t exactly gotten better. The fact that the Argentinian steaks are so good, actually makes it a very realistic possibilty that my husband could be persuaded to go there some day.

I am a fan of Kaiserin Sisi (Empress Elisabeth of Austria) as well, and I’m sure I swear just as much as Caro, although I know I don’t look like I do – and neither does she, so I’m sure we’d have a great time. Also I ‘d really like to know what those two bottles were she bought but didn’t love…

Are you a reader of Té de Violetas? Have you ever been to Argentina?

Posted in Interview | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Monday Question – What Is Your Go-To Perfume For Special Occasions?

Which perfume do you choose for a day you want to remember?

What is the one scent you reach for on days when something special happens?

What do you wear when you need some comforting and confidence-boosting?

What perfume do you select on a special day?

Are you going for something tried and trusted or will you wear something new to make memories with?

What is your perfume of choice when it really matters?

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My Answer:

Today is my older son Paul’s first day of elementary school. After a year of pre-school the real deal starts today with an hour in the classroom and another one in church (it’s a Catholic School).

And of course I have been thinking what to wear. Not clothes-wise, that’s easy: black pants and blazer and a colourful Hermès scarf (in this case a pink and grey Carré GM silk dip-dye called Brazil II for the Hermès fans among you) are my fool-proof uniform.

But what perfume to wear?

That is a lot harder to answer for a Perfumista. The choices are not exactly few in my closet after all.

I want to wear something discreet first and foremost, no fumigating of innocent bystanders with floriental bombs.

I think I want to wear something I already know, it is not a day for something new that I’m not sure about and where I don’t know the development very well. Distraction is not needed.

I am tending towards elegant, light, sophisticated and calming.

The one name that pops up in my mind again and again is (no surprise here!) Hermès. Rose Ikebana is a strong contender.

A safe choice would be Chanel N°5 Eau Premiére.

One other perfume is beckoning me too, though: Prada Infusion d’Iris. Iris’s cool, calm and collected charms are always a good bet.

Which one should I wear?

What would you wear?

What is your safe, but much loved choice for a special occasion?

Posted in Chanel, Hermès, Monday Question, Prada | Tagged , , , , , , | 71 Comments

La Vita È Bella – Life Is Good In Italy, A Travelogue Part II

Venice is amazing. But of course you didn’t need me to tell you that.

Arriving by boat from Punta Sabbioni directly on the Piazza San Marco, we immediately got sucked into the maze that is Venice’s San Marco district alongside thousands of tourists.
In August the city is overwhelmed by hordes of travellers, but despite that, Venice still managed to charm me.

Never actively looking for anything, but just following our instincts through narrow alleys and labyrinthine streets, we found all the landmarks we were looking for and all the stores too!

The Profumeria I Muschieri, although highly anticipated, proved to be a bit of a disappointment, since they were supposed to carry the I Profumi di Firenze line, but only had a measly bottle left (a lilac scent with a clearly gone over tester). The SA turned out to be extremely distracting, since she sported caramel-colored teeth. I kid you not! I don’t know what was up with that, but she was dentally challenged enough to make it very hard concentrating on my gourmand-leaning perfume quest.

So, enough with the snark, and long story short: out I went not a sample or even a blotter richer.

By chance we hit upon a close by Profumeria that carried Bruno Acampora scents. Encouraged by the husband’s recent musk revelation, I tried Musc from this line, but after being pronounced a suitable understudy for The Creature From The Lagoon, the idea of pursuing this scent was quickly out the window.

But Santa Maria Novella beckoned and that I got much luckier there you already know…

What did we all love most about Venice?

The boys adored the water taxis speeding down the Grand Canal.
The husband loved studying the menus of out of the way trattorias in a bid not the fall into any tourist traps.

And I?

I loved the fact that I was there with my family, being able to show the boys something that might not be there anymore when they are adults (at the rate Venice is sinking, it is an alarming thought indeed).

I’m going to leave you with a few photographic impressions of this amazing city.

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Profumeria I Muschieri

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Venice is magical. Let yourself be enchanted.

Posted in Photography, Travels | Tagged , , , , , , | 36 Comments

La Vita É Bella – Life Is Good In Italy, A Travelogue Part I

Our yearly trip to Italy is a compromise, but a lovely one. Left to our own devices my husband and I would prefer to travel further afar, but with small kids that can turn expensive and uncomfortable for everyone, so Italy by car it is until they are a little older.

We started this trip again in Udine, a small city in the northern province of Friuli.
Here are a few impressions…

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Udine is not perfume-free of course, I did check out its perfumeries and this time really surprised the husband into admitting that his opinions on certain perfumes are not set in stone.
I sprayed my hand with Serge Lutens Muscs Koublai Khan and to both our surprise it was lovely. Warm, rose-y and softly musky, the cosy smell of a well-loved fur coat maybe. The Mongolian hordes were on vacation apparently. 😉

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L’Heure Bleue

Then we spent a week in a gorgeous hotel on the Adriatic sea, in the shade of pine trees, slathered in SPF 50 (can you tell I’m not a sun worshipper?)

But we didn’t entirely succumb to mindless beach lounging, check in tomorrow for an account and pictures of our trip to Venice.

Posted in Farmazia SS Annunziata, Photography, Santa Maria Novella, Travels, Vanilla | Tagged , , , , , , , | 37 Comments

People In Perfumeland – Maria McElroy Of Aroma M

Maria McElroy is the creator of Aroma M, a line of perfumes inspired by the art and culture of Japan. Maria is an artist (she studied painting) and lived in Japan for seven years, where she not only met her husband, but also fell in love with the Japanese way of life on many levels.

I’m very drawn to Maria’s sense of beauty and I admire her innate elegance.

My favorites in the line are the ravishing Geisha Noire, the warm and cosy Geisha Rouge and Geisha Amber Rouge.

Let’s hear more from Maria in today’s questionnaire…

maria mcelroy

A good day starts with… first with a smile and kiss from my husband and then green tea in my favorite cup from Kyoto.

I’d never leave the house without… a scented handkerchief and lipstick.

I always feel good when… when I am creating something.

My favorite thing in the world is… green tea, shopping at the farmers market, salt and Champagne.

The next thing I want to buy is… a display table for my perfumes to put in the Dumbo studio.

The place I always come back to is… Kyoto.

My personal style is… casual glamour. I love to mix vintage pieces with couture.

My favorite perfume… I don’t have a favorite bottled perfume but I love the scent of the sea, flowers in the sun and my chef hubby, irresistible and sexy.

When I travel, I… like to have as many adventures as possible, eat as many new things as I can and learn something new everyday.

To relax I need… to light some incense and take a bath.

I like to gift people with… transportive one of kind perfumes, and laughter.

When I have a bad day, I… try to find some humor in the day and meditate.

I find my inspiration… all around me. Seeing art, reading, music and running along the East River in NYC.

Something I would never want to miss… spending time with my husband.

My last mistake was… not getting enough sleep.

In my fridge there is always… Champagne and sashimi.

On my nightstand I keep… a scented satin eye pillow, a bottle of Jasmine oil and several books by Tanizaki, Paul Auster and Murakami.

The perfect weekend starts with… breakfast in bed with my chef hubby.

My role model is… my mother. She had a wonderful joie de vivre and infectious laughter. Life was full of beauty and light that my mother sprinkled all around. I learned the value of creating beauty from her, it is such a gift.

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Being married to chef sounds like a very good idea! 🙂

I love how Maria talks about her mother. The value of creating beauty – Maria definitely took that lesson to heart, to the benefit of all of us.

Are you familiar with Aroma M? What are your favorites?

Posted in Aroma M, Interview | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Monday Question – What Is Your Favorite Vanilla Perfume?

It’s favorites time again! This time around I want to know all about your favorite vanilla perfume. (Look here for reader’s favorite Rose, White Floral, Incense, Musk, Tropical Floral, Leather and Citrus perfumes.)

Which one is your secret vanilla weapon?

Do you love your vanilla sweet and edible or dark and smoky?

Are you going for solinotes or do you prefer vanilla in good company?

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My Answer:

I’m still looking for the ultimate vanilla, but there are a few runners-up in my closet already.

Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille was the first niche vanilla I bought, and I like it but it doesn’t always hit the spot. My newest love is Santa Maria Novella’s Vaniglia, and I am awaiting samples of Vanigilia del Madagascar from both I Profumi di Firenze and Farmacia SS Annunziata. L’Artisan Parfumeur’s Vanille Absolument and Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille are trusted standby’s as well.

I had a thing for light vanillas once, like Le Labo Vanille 44, Annick Goutal Vanille Exquise or Atelier Cologne Vanille Insensée, but these days the darker, fuller ones attract me a lot more.

For the more complex vanilla scents, Mona di Orio Vanille will always be a favorite, Serge Lutens Bois de Vanille holds a lot of memories and Guerlain Shalimar Ode a lá Vanille sur la Route de Madagascar is a fantastic showcase for a great vanilla note within an oriental composition (this last one also wins the price for longest and most cumbersome perfume name, btw).

Can’t wait to hear about your most beloved vanilla scents!

Posted in Monday Question, Vanilla | Tagged , , , | 96 Comments

Chasing Chaste Vanilla In Venice – Review: Santa Maria Novella Vaniglia

When I came into the pretty Santa Maria Novella store in Venice, having dragged my partially protesting family (for the record: The Husband was very supportive of my fragrant shenanigans) across the city in the heat, I knew I would come out again with a perfume. Such efforts need a reward after all.

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The entire range of gorgeously packaged Santa Maria Novella perfumes invitingly stood in line for me to dive in, but despite my best intentions, the fact that Niki tried to fall asleep in the lap of an alarmed looking Korean tourist in the store, distracted me enough to abandon the idea of smelling my way through the line.

Vaniglia beckoned from the start, since I am on a vanilla hunt at the moment. I sprayed it on my arm, carried Niki out the door thinking I’d just leave it be. When I smelled my arm again outside, I knew I would forever regret not buying this though. So Niki safely deposited in his father’s arms, I went back and bought my bottle of Vaniglia.

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Open – now that is a sign not often seen in Italy in August.

Vaniglia includes notes of spices, flowers and vanilla. (Not very exhaustive, I know!)

Vaniglia smells not like a gourmand vanilla scent at all. It opens rather sharply alcoholic, I don’t get much in terms of top notes actually, but don’t let yourself be distracted by the underwhelming start.

Vaniglia develops into a perfume that is dark, boozy, smoky, but never harsh or very sweet, it is weightless and sheer despite its darkness, and it lasts for a long time on my skin, but stays pretty close. I can apply lavishly (which is how I like it).

Vaniglia feels lush and rich, but not thick, dense or treacly. While I imagine it to be fantastic in the cold days of fall and winter, it also wears wonderfully in the heat we are still having. I’d consider it perfectly genderless.

I smell not only vanilla in Vaniglia of course, but it has a decidedly burned quality to it calling to mind the gustatory pleasures of one of my favorite deserts, Créme Brulée, but also made me think of another perfume I seemed to know well, but couldn’t immediately place. This bugged me for days until it finally struck me – Serge Lutens Jeux de Peau!!!
The sandalwood base covered with caramellized sugar is an element those two perfumes share, although it is a lot more muted in Vaniglia.

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I had to laugh when I read Neil’s take on it, since he points out its chastity and cultured elegance.

Well, if that’s what it is, I’ll take my vanilla chaste, please.

Posted in Fragrance Reviews, Gourmand, Santa Maria Novella, Travels, Vanilla | Tagged , , , , , , , | 34 Comments

People In Perfumeland – Lianne Tio Of Lianne Tio Parfums

Today we welcome Lianne Tio, founder and owner of Lianne Tio Parfums in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Lianne is one of the lucky few who succeeded in making her dream a reality and turning her passion for perfume into a career.

I admire Lianne’s style, elegance and grace. She is a successful business woman, who hasn’t compromised her feminine side. I think her sense of aesthetic is very close to mine, so I feel a kinship with her.

Here is Lianne’s questionnaire:

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A good day starts with my morning coffee double espresso… there is no life in me without coffee!

I’d never leave the house without… my scent of the day and my favourite lipstick.

I always feel good when… I am surrounded with true and honest people who inspire me in many ways. From clients showcasing their gratitude and trust in my advise to the loving words of intimate friends and family.

My favorite thing in the world… is to feel the silence within me and around me and being in complete serenity with myself.

The next thing I want to buy… is my time, a precious commodity, to be able to travel and discover other cultures and countries mentioned on my wishlist. I travelled a lot when I lived in Paris and I miss this activity.

The place I always come back to… is my father’s place. I come from an Asian culture where there is a strong impact of family and social values.

My personal style is elegant… feminine and comfortable cashmere.

My favorite perfume… in fact I don’t have favorite perfumes in my huge collection : I choose my perfume according to my mood and in line with the event to wear. But I often wear Parfums MDCI Péché Cardinal (Cardinal Sin) a super sensual intoxicating and voluptuous perfume.

When I travel… I always have my chain of heart around my neck, a gift talisman from my father to protect me in life.

To relax I need… my one hour special anti-age facial massage in my own beauty parlour with my favourite products. After a one hour intensive massage treatment of my face I look flawless and relaxed… just like you Birgit. 🙂

I like to gift people with… Mandela’s quote “Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us .”

When I have a bad day… I say to myself let go of today …‘tomorrow it will be better’.

I find my inspiration in… genuine people who make me think deeper and keep my mind in tune with my inner being and the Universe.

Something I would never want to miss is… my family. I hope to be able to enjoy every member of the family for a long time.

My last mistake was… trusting people who have taken advantage of my trust but I am still learning and life goes on …

In my fridge there is always… a row of excellent bottles of champagne and excellent bottles of Bordeaux out of the fridge on my wine bin.

On my nightstand I keep… a bottle with lavender perfume which I spray on my bed before I fall asleep.

The perfect weekend starts with… the Goldberg Variations performed by Glenn Gould and my so desirable espresso looking out over the city of Rotterdam vanishing in my thoughts and dreams…

My role model is… Diana Vreeland. She was a genius. I love her remarkable quotes. And Coco Chanel as a person for what she loved and for her determination and perseverance despite her unfortunate personal life.

Something I always want to be asked in questionnaires like this is…

My passion for perfume! Why is perfume or wearing a scent so important for me?

Beautiful perfumes evoke joy, pleasure and other emotions which are kept in your library of scents that you build up during your lifetime. Sometimes it can elicit an emotional shock when it reveals your ‘you’. It is a fascinating process which takes place in the limbic system, a part of the brain that controls emotions and memory. It is a kind of instant messaging system that generates your feelings and emotions beyond your control. For instance, smelling a certain note provokes a more intense emotion than watching an old photo.

Wearing a perfume is a way to express your personality as a statement to the outside world. It provides confidence and protection, it makes me happy and makes me feel attractive. What you smell like is even more important than looking good. Perfume stimulates the fantasy.

Perfume is my intimate friend, that ‘liquid emotion’ that accompanies me through day and night.

Art, classical music and perfume, all three are my passion and interest : beauty through the eye, beauty through the ear and beauty through the senses ! All three are ART!

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Daily lipstick and Diana Vreeland, a true passion for perfume and the good things in life while never forgetting the truly important thing – human connection. Thank you for this wonderful interview, Lianne!

(Disclosure: I have no affiliation with Parfums Lianne Tio, this post showcases the person not the business.)

Posted in Interview | Tagged , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Gaultier Kokorico And Penhaligon’s Love Potion N°9 Giveaway Winners Announced!

Sorry for the long wait, but here are the results of the giveaway Georgy so generously sponsored.

So in Oscar-like style I’m happy to announce the following winners.

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A full bottle of Gaultier Kokorico goes to:

baconbiscuit212

The bottle of Penhaligon’s Love Potion N°9 for Men goes to:

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Congratulations!!!

Please get in touch with me under olfactoria at gmail dot com within three days, otherwise I will have to select an alternate winner.

Thank you all for participating, until the next time!

Posted in Giveaway | Tagged | 24 Comments