Venice--The Angels of Venice

This will be an article that I'll write, and in which I'll include photos of the Angels of Venice.  It will include:  Statuary, Legends, Devotions, Churches named for Angels, Miss Garnet's Angel by Sally Vickers.

Fragrance--Michelle Bergman

Michelle Bergman Black Gardenia

Not for me! Awful! I've smelled something like this when I've been shopping in south Florida and an older, expensively dressed and coiffed (as in lots of hairspray) woman has passed me by. I'm not even providing a link... I have a sample from Lucky Scents.

Fragrance--The Morbid the Merrier

The Morbid The Merrier: Horseman Perfume
Please note:  Updated August 2012--Apparently, this company has gone out of business.  Read the comment posted, below. 

This scent is sold online by The Morbid The Merrier. Someone on another blog gave it a strong recommendation: Horseman. I haven't tried it, but I hope to, and then I'll do a review.

In the meantime, has anyone ordered from this online company and, if so, what was your experience? Good customer service? Good to deal with? Let me know. I work by word of mouth!


The Morbid The Merrier: Morton Perfume
This scent is also a favorite of the blogger that loves Horseman. Just reading its list of ingredients makes me want it NOW! Morton Perfume from TMTM.

Fragrance--The Different Company

The Different Company -- Oriental Lounge
Lucky Scents describes Oriental Lounge as unisex. Here's the image that jumped into my mind the moment I sniffed this on my wrist: Mature women sharing gossip while at lunch at upscale restaurant. This fragrance is very synthetic. It's created by Celine Ellena, the daughter of the great perfume wizard, Jean-Claude Ellena. They founded The Different Company. I have a sample of this scent from Lucky Scents. It ain't for me, nope.

Fragrance--Oscar de la Renta

Oscar de la Renta Live in Love

The March 2012 issue of The Wall Street Journal's beauty supplement magazine featured an interview with Oscar de la Renta. He's now 79 years old, looks great, and is still going strong. Mr. de la Renta is now closely collaborating with his daughter and son-in-law, and one of the things they've done is to retrieve their fragrances from L'Oreal and are now bringing them back under the de la Renta umbrella--it should always have been so. They've also released a new fragrance in 2012: Live in Love. Click the link to read the specifics on it. Every note appeals to me except for one: rose, which floats up in the Heart of the fragrance. I love the scent of roses, however, they don't love me, and often smell poorly on my skin. Also, many fragrances that contain rose don't really bring forth a true rose scent. I often smell something synthetic instead of the rose. If I end up purchasing this scent, I'd definitely get the smallest size: One ounce eau de parfum spray for $58.

If any of you have tried this new fragrance, please let me know what you think of it. I'd love to hear from you!

Fragrance--Thierry Mugler

Thierry Mugler: Angel & Solstice Scents: Jack & The Devil (a concoction)
Thierry Mugler's Angel is D-I-V-I-N-E. I've worn it for years, in fact, ever since it first hit the market. A fragrance representative who befriended me recommended it to me, and I'll owe her for that for the rest of my life. I love Angel.

But it gets more interesting... I know someone in my town who is a fragrance wizard, an alchemist. She makes fragrances and beauty products and sells them through her own website Solstice Scents. Well, I've bought many of Solstice Scents's products, and one of the perfumes that I love (amongst many) is Jack & the Devil. One day I discovered that if I apply Jack & the Devil and then spray one squirt of Angel over it, the result is out of this world! Funny, isn't it? Angel & Devil. The resulting scent is very, very dark, but with a tiny bit of sweetness drifting throughout. Oh! It's marvelous! Try it. And by the way, you can feel completely comfortable ordering online from Solstice Scents. My friend is very professional, very honest, does wonderful and fast shipping, has marvelous products, and she's a lovely person! Go for it! As I get the time, I'll list other Solstice Scents fragrances that I've enjoyed.

Fragrance--Chanel

Chanel Les Exclusifs Line

I wasn't aware of the existence of this "boutique" line from Chanel. Here's wonderful info on the fragrances from the great fragrance blog, Now Smell This.



Chanel Sycomore
Chanel: Sycomore is from the Chanel Les Exclusifs Series, and I'd love to try it. It is, however, a little pricey for me at $110! Ah, well, probably worth it!

The wonderful fragrance blog, Now Smell This, has a good blurb on Sycomore.

Fragrance--General

Fragrance rules my life. A scent can make or break my day. When I smell a fragrance, I also see it, hear it, and feel it. Oftentimes, scents will invoke a powerful memory. So, this is how I review scents, by what I saw, heard, felt, or remembered when I applied it to my skin.

I'm not a "Nose," so when it comes to the notes in a scent, the drydown, and all the other wonderful details concerning its composition, I leave it to the fragrance's creator, or to other blogs that discuss these details so very, very well.

The Perfume Maker
by Rodolphe Ernst

Fragrance--Hermes

Hermes Un Jardin Sur Le Nil Eau de Toilette
Un Jardin Sur le Nil is a beauty of a fragrance! When I wear this, I get stopped by people who compliment my fragrance and then ask me what it is. This is a great fragrance for summer. When I wear it, I think of the citrus groves in Lakeland in March. I'm driving past them on the Florida Turnpike, my windows are open, and I smell the blooms on the trees. Magic! I was very familiar with Hermes's scents because I've used Caleche for a number of years, however, I learned of the existence of Un Jardin Sur Le Nil while reading The Perfect Scent by Chandler Burr (LOVE this book!).

Hermes Un Jardin en Mediterranee Eau de Toilette
Un Jardin en Mediterranee is exquisite. This scent is "heavier" than Un Jardin Sur le Nil (see review for this scent), it is also, in my opinion, a bit darker. Once again, I learned of the existence of this divine little beauty by way of Chandler Burr's book, The Perfect Scent (see review of Un Jardin Sur le Nil). When I wear this, I think of Spain and the courtyard in the Museo del Prado, in the sunshine, a fountain gurgling, great art awaiting me inside!

Oils--Anointing and Magick

Conjured Cardea: Erzulie Oil

Erzulie Freda

Erzulie Oil can be purchased from Conjured Cardea on ETSY. This oil is very soft, and as such, it helps me envision the beautiful Erzulie, loa of love. On application, I caught a whiff of warm cinnamon and vetiver. Once dry, I could smell a soft, and warm, floral. Really delightful. This shop provides excellent customer service, super fast shipping, very reasonalble prices and shipping fees, and the owner seems to be a really nice person! By the way, you can learn all about Erzulie by reading the information provided with the listing for the oil at the link, above.

Fragrance--Serge Lutens

Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan

This lovely lady is NOT my friend Meridith and
she's also not Yolanda or Lovelia, but she
is a great representation of the Hialeah
atmosphere!

I was introduced to Serge Lutens by my wonderful friend, Meridith. On one of her little jaunts to NYC she purchased a bottle of Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan and she shared a few sprays with me. IT -- IS -- DIVINE! I gotta be honest, as much as I love this fragrance, the "DIVINE" belongs to Meridith 'cause that's how it smells on her. Nevertheless, it wasn't bad on me, not bad at all. Damn good, actually. After I sprayed it on my wrist, I felt a little memory coming up, but it wasn't quite manifesting itself just yet. Much, much later that day, I saw it! I was taken back to the late 1970s when almost every Saturday I'd visit a little "Cuban Boutique" in west Hialeah called Yoher. My Mom always came with me, and we'd spend a couple of hours there doing a little shopping, but mostly, just chatting with the owners, Yolanda and Lovelia, two beautiful souls. That's what Yoher was all about: The camaraderie. Yolanda would always have plenty of "cafecito" to drink, and our conversations ranged from fashion, to ghosts, to crime, to their kids, to parties, you name it. Those were wonderful times.

Serge Lutens Borneo 1834

Lucky Scents describes this fragrance as masculine, but I disagree. No, it's not a "girly" scent, but it's definitely a little on the feminine side. I loved this, and it has definite staying power! It's pricey, but very worth it. I only have a sample, but if I can afford this one day, I'd definitely buy it! When I applied it, I imagined a beautiful room with shiny wood floors, and a red, peach, and gray bokhara rug in the center of it.

Serge Lutens Muscs Koublai Khan

Lucky Scents describes this as a masculine scent, but I think it's more of a unisex scent. Regardless, it's wonderful. I have a sample and I use it sparingly so it will last a while--buying this incredible scent will set me back a lot of $$$! I would, however, definitely buy this one if I had an extra $140.


Serge Lutens Wish List:

Serge Lutens Tubereuse Criminelle
Tubereuse Criminelle Notes
tuberose, jasmine, orange blossom, hyacinth, nutmeg, clove, styrax, musk, vanilla.

Serge Lutens Cuir Mauresque
Cuir Mauresque Notes
amber, myrrh, burnt styrax, incense, cinnamon, aloe wood, cedar, civet, nutmeg, clove, cumin, musk, mandarin peel, orange blossom

Serge Lutens Muscs Koublai Khan
Muscs Koublai Khan Notes
Vegetal Musk, Roots of Costus, Labdanum Rockrose, Grey Amber, Vanilla, Patchouli, Ambrette Seeds, pure Moroccan Rose
I've tried a sample of this scent, and I love it!

Serge Lutens Borneo 1834
Borneo 1834 Notes
Floral notes, galbanum, Indonesian patchouli, cocoa accord, cistus labdanum.
I've tried a sample of this scent, and I love it!

Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan
Ambre Sultan Notes
coriander, amber, oregano, bay leaf, myrtle, angelica root, sandalwood, patchouli, benzoin, vanilla
I've tried a sample of this scent, and I love it!

Serge Lutens Tubereuse Criminelle
Tubereuse Criminelle Notes
tuberose, jasmine, orange blossom, hyacinth, nutmeg, clove, styrax, musk, vanilla.

Serge Lutens Datura Noir
Datura Noir Notes
Myrrh, bitter almond, tonka bean, musk, osmanthus, heliotrope, mandarin, lemon blossom, tuberose, vanilla, coconut oil, apricot
Celia Lyttelton's book, The Scent Trail, names "Black Datura" by Serge Lutens, however, I wasn't able to find a Serge Lutens scent by that name.  I did find "Datura Noir," and the notes of this fragrance are exactly the same as the notes that Lyttelton lists for "Black Datura."  I'm assuming that "Datura Noir" and "Black Datura" are one and the same.

Fragrance--Comme des Garcons

Comme des Garcons Series 3 Incense: Avignon Eau de Toilette
A birthday present from me to me, and what a gift! This fragrance is pure ecstasy. Here, read what Lucky Scent has to say about it, and also read this review about Avignon from the Now Smell This Fragrance Forum--they say it way better than I can. Avignon is a mood-changer for me... spray it on at the start of my day and anything magical is liable to happen! And... something named after a city as beautiful as Avignon, has to smell gorgeous!

Oh, I should tell you that Avignon is available at Barneys New York for $2.00 less than what it sells for at Lucky Scent, and Barneys will ship it free. Lucky Scent has fairly steep shipping charges (they use UPS), but whenever you buy a fragrance from them, they'll send you free samples--you can choose the ones you want--and Barneys probably won't. If you buy a fragrance from Barneys and they send you free samples, in addition to giving you free shipping, you damn well better let me know! I love Comme des Garcons's Series 3 Incense: Avignon, and I would purchase it over and over again!


Comme des Garcons Series 3 Incense: Kyoto Eau de Toilette
For my birthday, I treated myself to Comme des Garcon's Series 3 Incense Avignon (see review in this blog entry) which is divine! I purhased it from Lucky Scent (which I highly recommend for hard-to-find fragrances and excellent customer service). Lucky Scent sells fragrance samples and also gives away samples when you make a purchase. My purchase of Avignon entitled me to three free samples, but because the guy I spoke to when I placed my order was such a sweetheart, he sent me five samples! Kyoto was one of these samples.


Here's what Lucky Scent says about Kyoto. When I first applied Kyoto to my skin, I didn't like the scent at all--too flowery. Once it dried, it was a little better as it acquired a bit of "smokiness," which I like a lot. After Kyoto was on my skin for a while, it simply all but disappeared! So, no staying power. It doesn't matter, however, that it totally disappeared--like an ungrateful man on whom you've spent your precious time--because I wasn't crazy about it anyway. Comme des Garcons's Series 3 Incense: Kyoto is not for me.

Fragrance--Solstice Scents

Solstice Scents

Solstice Scents is the SUPERSTAR of the small fragrance companies.

I am so behind on my reviews of their products. I have quite a few of them, and let me tell you, this little company rocks. I will review each product, and that will take some time, but in the meantime, go to the Solstice Scents website and take a leisurely stroll through their beautiful website. Enjoy the product descriptions, they're like little fairy tales! Enjoy the beautiful art! And purchase anything that grabs your fancy, my friends, without a care, 'cause the customer service is superb and the magic is strong.

Solstice Scents Basilica Perfume

La Ermita de La Caridad del Cobre, Miami, Florida

It flat out rocks! I LOVE this! Basilica is a visit to La Ermita in Miami. I walk in to see the little virgin up on her pedestal, dressed in her finery, and surrounded by Teok Carrasco's powerful mural.




Solstice Scents Cascade of Gold Premium Fragrance

Ladies and gentlemen, it is Tuesday the 1st of May 2012 and the anniversary of my grandfather's (Esteban) death. May is also dedicated to The Madonna. It is also the date on which I received my order of new fragrance samples from Solstice Scents, Cascade of Gold is one of three. The other two will be reviewed separately.
I have to take a little sidetrip first. Solstice Scents always has beautiful packaging, but this time, ahhhh, the enclosures were magnificent. In addition to my beautiful little samples, Angela enclosed her usual lovely things, such as her business card and a thank-you card. Then there's a bookmark that's to die for. Let me describe it. It's medieval in appearance--hope I got that right--past bookmarks have been as well, but read on about this one. It has been treated with some sort of color or process that makes it appear as though it's lit up! There's a deer in the woods, quietly resting in the brush. It's a male deer, I guess, it has antlers--I should know this since I read, and loved, TheHidden Life of Deer: Lessons from the Natural World by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas check it out here. There's a tree behind the deer and a crow or a raven is sitting on one of the tree's branches. The bookmark is absolutely beautitul, and will be put to use immediately when I get my latest reserve book at the library.

OK, by now you've noticed that I digress. Too bad. If you've stuck with me, I'm now going to tell you about Cascade of Gold Premium Fragrance. It is a very unusual scent, and I like these strange concoctions! Immediately upon application I was able to smell incense, a very subtle incense. I thought of a place in Miami that I visited so many times, so many years ago. It was called The 1800 Club. It was near the water. It was dark, with lots of highly polished wood and coral rock walls. Orchids and bromeliads poked out of the coral and wildly colored fish swam in marine tanks behind the bar. The pilots of the Goodyear blimp used to hang out at the bar. The 1800 had a sombre atmosphere. No one bothered you there. You could relax. Cascade of Gold surrounded me with this sort of mellow, smoky presence that relaxed me right away and transported me right back to The 1800 Club. Now that the fragrance has dried on my skin, I'm still able to smell its smokiness as well as a very interesting floral--the white lotus, perhaps--and that reminds me of the flowers growing out of The 1800's coral walls. Cascade of Gold is beautiful and exotic.


Solstice Scents Courtyard

Courtyard Premium Fragrance is a new scent from Solstice Scents, and this one, like Cascade of Gold, reviewed above, is another strange concoction... in a VERY good way. Solstice Scents' description of this scent says it contains lavender, and this nearly put me off trying it because I hate anything with lavender. So, I was very pleasantly surprised when I tried out my sample today and was... intrigued. I never smelled the lavender, not even after the drydown. In fact, my poor nose wasn't able to detect any of the wonderful ingredients it contains, but it did find that the resulting blend is absolutely magnificent.
Courtyard smells clean, strong, and elegant. I think that this could be a unisex scent, like the ones in the Comme des Garcons line. I love this bodaciously-good-ass-baby!

Solstice Scents Dellamorte Perfume
I purchased a sample of Dellamorte perfume from Solstice Scents because someone on their Forum wrote that "...if you love carnations, you'll love this." And I LOVE carnations! Check this out to get a full description of Dellamorte.

Years ago, I purchased a perfume at Harrod's in London called Malmaison by Floris of London. I fell in love with it because it was pure carnations "amped up" several times! Sadly, this perfume is no longer the same. It's still available for purchase, but it's very different, I think. If you, like me, love carnations, I think you would have loved this scent. Well, Floris of London may no longer have Malmaison, but Solstice Scents has Dellamorte! And Dellamorte is definitely for the serious carnation lover. So, what do I feel when I wear Dellamorte? Brightness... lots of bright, happy light that reminds me of the terrace at my house in Cuba.

Solstice Scents Dragon's Blood Perfume
Does our sense of smell change? I used to hate dragon's blood scent. Then I didn't. I began to like it... a lot. This link is for the Dragon's Blood Burnishing Glace, but I have the Dragon's Blood perfume. I've posted the link for the glace because Solstice Scents describes their fragrances far better than I can. OK, I like this perfume very much. It lasts on my skin all day. I feel power when I wear it. I feel safe. I seem to reach for it on a day when I expect to encounter CONFLICT.

Solstice Scents Flintlock Perfume

Not for me. I received a sample of Flintlock perfume from Solstice Scents, and tried it on today. On my skin, this fragrance is very "green." It's also rather masculine. So, I gave it to my husband, and when he put it on... Whoa! Fabulous! The smell pulled me back to summer vacation in Camaguey at my grandfather's ranch. My parents' car has just pulled into the long drive, flanked by Royal Palms. My heart's jumping out of my chest with happiness and excitement. School's out and I get to spend one glorious month at the ranch! I never want to return to Habana. I see the house in the distance. I'll get to ride "my" horse. Oh, if time could only have stood still in that perfect moment.

Solstice Scents Foxcroft Perfume
Real nice, but not for me. I purchased a sample and tried it on today. The instant it went on my skin, I smelled strong pine-like resin, but within seconds the scent became a little "smokier" and darker. I think this may be one of Solstice Scents' top sellers. This scent made me think of my first visit to Gainesville a long, long time ago when it was less developed and woods were everywhere. It was a whole new experience for me (coming from Miami, and before that, Cuba). I'd never seen so many trees nor such dark and quiet nights. It was autumn, so it was brisk. This is what Foxcroft smells like to me. I can't say, really, why I didn't fall in love with it.


Solstice Scents Jack and The Devil Perfume
I friggin' died and went somewhere fabulous the day I applied my first dab of this to my wrist! I might of landed on that new planet scientists have just discovered. No wonder they found it... they just followed my screams!

This fragrance is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! Here's a description, and you'd damn well better read it because not only is the fragrance AMAZING, but the entire website is magic! It's beautiful and it's instructive. "Jack" is fabulous on its own, but I love to mix scents, and this one really mixes with Thierry Mugler's Angel (see review of Angel & Jack). When I wear Jack & The Devil I see the back of the compact man in a moleskin coat trotting a dark bay horse on a riding trail bordered by trees. You want to know who this guy is? Hell, I don't know. He's what I see every single time that I wear this scent.

Here's another mix I like: Solstice Scents Jack and the Devil perfume and Haus of Gloi Litchi Milk Tea perfume oil (see review of the latter, above). Apply the Jack first--heavily, baby. Then, apply one dab of Litchi Milk Tea OVER the Jack. The result is like taking a leisurely stroll, all by yourself, down the narrow, shady street of the Grand Bazaar of Istanbul and ahead of you, you see...

Solstice Scents Manor Perfume
I like this! On the "darkness scale," Manor is in the middle, and that makes it perfect for me to wear on days when I want less dark. Interestingly, I got no impression when I applied Manor, and no memories either. That happens sometimes, and then one day, I apply the same fragrance again and, BOOM, a memory or "scene" jumps out at me.

Solstice Scents Nightgown Perfume

Yum! I love this! And what a surprise that was! My only criticism is the name. I never would have tried out Nightgown simply on account of its name. I noticed, however, that lots of people purchased it so I thought I'd try a sample. And I'm very glad I did. Upon application, I smelled a beautiful jasmine, then, as it dried, I picked up a beautiful blend of what smelled, to me, like white flowers. It's just beautiful, and it never got sickening/cloying. I'd definitely like to buy this one in future.

Solstice Scents Night Star Perfume
I purchased a sample. Night Star is very soft on my skin. There's a coolness and softness about it. It's pretty, but I prefer the bolder, darker scents, so I wouldn't purchase this one. You know what, I bet I could wear this one to sleep at night... it's soft enough to not be a bother while sleeping. YES! I wear fragrance even when I go to sleep! Don't you?

Solstice Scents Pumpkin Spice Latte Perfume
I wear Pumpkin Spice Latte in fall and winter, and I love it. When I've got it on, I "see" red and golden leaves on trees tumbling on the ground as the wind pushes them. I see tall trees and paths in the woods, fallen acorns, and squirrels darting up tree trunks. I see a lit room through the windows of someone's house... cozy, yes, this scent is cozy.

Solstice Scents Russian Caravan Perfume
A very interesting, and different scent. Russian Caravan is so different from anything other fragrance I own, that I had to wait a while after applying it to decide if I liked it. And... I do! It's very "smoky" on me. It brought to mind the fall nights that I spent in the country in Martinsville, Indiana with my cousin and his wife. We'd sit outside and talk, smoke, and drink Jack Daniels (I don't do this--the drinking, that is--anymore!), and I'd smell the scents of Fall--dry, intense, earthy, and a little smoky from fires earlier in the day when people burned their leaves.

Solstice Scents Snowshoe Pass Perfume
I received a package from Solstice Scents yesterday. I ordered several samples and a home fragrance oil. I'll be reviewing each item after I try it. First of all, however, I want to tell you about the beautiful packaging from Solstice Scents. My items arrived in a nest of confetti-like material, safely nestled for their journey to me. Little branches of seasonal greenery peeked up at me when I opened the box and I found little acorn Christmas tree decorations, complete with bells, in this box of joy!

On to the Snowshoe Pass Perfume Sample... I couldn't resist! I had to try it on late last night! This fragrance is very interesting, and beautiful. As always, please read the description provided by Solstice Scents because they do a great job. Here's what I "got" the instant the sample bottle's wand touched my skin:

My grandmother. And not in the "granny" way because this woman was the very definition of elegance. She's fetching me at school (rescuing me from the nuns!) in her little white Zephyr car, and she's wearing the suit I love so much--black boucle with tiger-like stripes on its shawl collar. I used to stare at that collar and imagine a tiger draped around her neck and chest. I jump into the Zephyr, throw my book bag onto the back seat and we're off for an afternoon snack at the famous El Carmelo!

Solstice Scents Violet Truffle Perfume

Violet Truffle is beautiful. When I first applied it to my wrist, I thought I wasn't going to like it because I smelled pure chocolate. Oh, oh. But............... yep, once this little baby dried, hold on! It is lovely. This radiant, ethereal, fragrance took me back to my childhood at my grandfather's cattle ranch and the garden after a heavy afternoon rain when I would smell wet flowers and grass, and everything had a mist around it, everything standing still for that one second that felt like an hour, and my grandfather is standing at the end of the breezeway with the little glass full of blue liquid, sweet and deadly.

Fragrance--Haus of Gloi

Fall 2012 News from Haus of Gloi
Check out the posting on HoG's blog regarding new scents for Fall 2012.

Haus of Gloi Litchi Milk Tea Perfume Oil
Haus of Gloi's Litchi Milk Tea perfume oil is fabulous. I owe this little find to the incredible blog Chocolate Cherries Allamanda. After reading the review about Haus of Gloi's fragrances, and Litchi Milk Tea in particular, I decided to purchase it for my niece (Christmas gift). I also got her the pumpkin butter in the same scent. Well, Haus of Gloi's package arrived recently, and you know what I did? I opened up the perfume oil and put a tiny dab on my wrist. Wow! It's so beautiful, rich, delightful! Now, mind you, it's a little sweet (and I'm not a sweet freak), but in a very good way, softly so. It changed the whole "feeling" of my day--which is what I love about fragrance, how it can change my state of mind. I felt soooo happy! I recommend this scent. Oh, yeah, and the folks at Haus of Gloi shipped my purchase to me super fast, very nicely packed, and for a very reasonable shipping charge! Can't beat that, right? Get it for yourself. I think you'll be very happy that you did. And did I mention that it's so reasonably priced?

Update 11/30/2011: Got my own Litchi Milk Tea today!

Haus of Gloi Moon Dog Perfume Oil
For only $2.50, I purchased a sample of this little gem of a fragrance, and I already know that I want a full size! Moon Dog brought to mind Freddie de la Hay, the star in Alexander McCall Smith's Corduroy Mansions series. Obviously, the "dog" in the name of the fragrance pushed me in the direction of a canine; the fragrance itself brought up an instant image of a cozy living room with wood floors, fireplace, comfortable furniture, and a dog--possibly a "Pimlico" terrier--enjoying it all with me. Love this one!


Haus of Gloi Parkin Perfume Oil

Glad I only purchased a sample of this one because Parkin smells quite a bit like Solstice Scents's Pumpkin Spice Latte Perfume, only Pumpkin Spice Latte is much, much better smelling. Parkin is a very "foodie" scent--you can click on the link and read their description. They do a good job describing their scents, whereas all I can tell you is how the scent made me feel. I wear Pumpkin Spice Latte in fall and winter, and I love it. When I've got it on, I "see" red and golden leaves on trees tumbling on the ground as the wind pushes them. I see tall trees and paths in the woods, fallen acorns, and squirrels darting up tree trunks. I see a lit room through the windows of someone's house... cozy, yes, this scent is cozy.



Haus of Gloi: Peach Mama Perfume Oil
I purchased a sample of Peach Mama. This is, I think, a very feminine fragrance, and I believe it would probably be very popular. I, however, like much "darker" scents, so this one is not for me. It's very soft and, interestingly, I never smelled peach. I might like this pretty scent in summer. Maybe I'll give it a try.

Haus of Gloi: Plotter's Breakfast Perfume Oil

So, I don't really know what to say about Plotter's Breakfast Perfume Oil except that it's very, very strange... and I want it! OK, so here's how this very unusual scent came to rest on my skin. I'd made a purchase from Haus of Gloi and they sent me a free sample of Plotter's Breakfast Perfume Oil. Thank you! When I first placed a dab on my wrist, quite frankly, I hated it! But then, yeah, there's always a but, when it was dry, I became quite fond of it.

This is a dark, mysterious scent. I have no talent for describing the specific elements of a fragrance, so I'll let Haus of Gloi do that (see link, above), since they do it very well. I, however, can tell you how a scent, a fragrance, makes me "feel" and what it makes me "see." Here goes: I've dabbed on a drop of Plotter's Breakfast on my wrist. Hated it! Then, a few minutes later, it's dry, and... I see a street at dusk in London a long time ago. The gas lights have just come on, and a man in a long coat and top hat is walking down the street. He's got on dark gloves, is holding a walking stick, and wearing this very fragrance! His boots clop the pavement. He's young-ish, and he's wearing tinted round spectacles (even though it's already almost dark). He's scary, but the scent he's wearing draws people to him. And I'm one of them...

Haus of Gloi Snow Wolf Perfume Oil
Got a sample of Snow Wolf Perfume Oil. I could detect a slight pine-forest smell to this fragrance when I first applied it. Once it dried, it smelled a lot sweeter. I like it, and would definitely buy it. It's funny, but I wore it for several hours and enjoyed it, but wasn't crazy about it. Then, I put it on later in the week and............... loved it! Wha?


My Haus of Gloi Wish List:
Madcap Garden Perfume Oil is recommended by CC Allamanda blog.
I loved my sample of Moon Dog Perfume Oil & hope to buy a full size
I'd like to try Elevenses Perfume Oil
Picaroon Pumpkin Butter sounds interesting
Imp Bubbling Scrub

Animal Totems

The information below is from a Facebook post done by Nancy of White Magick Alchemy.  Check out her website for beautiful things to purchase.  I have bought her candles and they are top quality, beautiful, magickal, and Nancy's service is first class.

Animal Totems or Essences

Each person has nine animal essences, or totems, that walk through life with them, teaching and guiding them, and in some cases, protecting them. These nine totems usually remain the same throughout your lifetime, however, major life alterations can cause some or all of your totems to change. These totems are around your spirit: East, South, West, North, Above, Below and Within. The last two animals are walking beside you at all times; your Right Side (male) and your Left Side (feminine). While sometimes the living animal is around you, most often they are only the essence of the animal.

At different times in your life, you may also have Special Helpers and/or Special Protectors. These stay with you for a limited period of time, depending on the challenges that you must face. They usually appear in person, in dreams, or during meditation.

There are three different types of animal souls:  The high protector animal souls, the familiars, and the lower animal souls.

There are only three high protectors: Dragon, Phoenix, and Unicorn/Pegasus (whose souls are interchangeable). These souls only incarnate when there is a living animal like them; if not, they stay in spirit form and are connected only to older souls.

The familiars are animal souls that are connected through an energy link to only one person, usually someone who has psychic or magical abilities. There is nothing evil about them, and they are not demons in any way, shape, or form. They are simply animal souls who have formed a bond with one person. Familiars are hive souls -- seven souls in total -- with one or two souls incarnating while the rest stay in spirit form. They are usually of the cat and dog genus (incl. tigers, wolves, etc.). People who work with Magic sometimes have bird familiars, usually Ravens, Crows, Magpies or Owls. The familiars take turns incarnating, although one soul might have closer ties to their person and incarnate more often than the others. Familiars only incarnate to their soul person -- when not incarnate, they stay in spirit form.

All other animals (including dogs, cats and birds who are not familiars) are lower animal souls. They can move between species, but stay on this planet, while high protectors and familiars stay with your soul in its various incarnations on different planets.

Whales and Dolphins are higher souls than animal souls, but younger souls than human souls. They are sentient beings.