Sunday, May 25, 2014

Foodie

Biodynamic beets from OneGun in Malibu

Our friends from New York recently moved here. As fortune would have it they found an idyllic home in Topanga which they moved on right away and are now settling in. On Saturday we took them over to our local farmers market so that Greg could give them a tour of the best vendors.

Sponges

A couple years ago Greg became the farmers market "Captain", meaning he is the one that heads over there every Saturday morning. We met our friends at the corner of Calabasas Road and El Canon. The first stop was the poultry guys, Pancho and David, who have organic turkey, chicken and eggs. If you're lucky David might do one of his amazing backflips for you.

Lavandula angustifolia bunches

Next stop was avocados from Antonio, followed by a bunch of organic produce booths that I don't remember a loaf of Buckwheat bread from an artisan baker. Just where the market spreads out toward the back is the Stephen who has absolutely marvelous goat cheese, yogurt, etc. From there we proceeded to get fish from Ale, pasta, kale from One Gun (a biodynamic farm in Malibu that we love to support) and fresh English lavender bundles, Lavandula angustifoila, from a horse ranch in Santa Inez. One of our favorite vendors is Domenicos who offer fresh pasta and a variety of delicious sauces including our personal fave sun-dried tomato pesto with marcona almonds, their tapenades are pretty amazing too!

Berry season has arrived!

Along the backside of the market there is a french fellow studying to be a nurse who has absolutely delicious chocolate croissants, by the time we reached his booth he was sold out. We hit up a few more organic veggie and fruit vendors before heading back to our cars and praising the fellow handing out Marianne Williamson flyers.

Alien looking blossoms from local flower vendor.

When we arrived back home and put everything away, lunch was John Dory fish sautéed with pieces of fresh lemon basil, a tossed fresh mesclun salad with a slice of toasted buckwheat bread.

Friday, May 16, 2014

HoneyLove Yellow Tie Event and Mellifera


Sunday evening HoneyLove is having their annual "Yellow Tie Event" to raise awareness about our important little pollinator while inspiring and educating new urban beekeepers! The late afternoon early evening affair will feature Yellow Carpet photos, great food, fun drinks, local honey tasting, and a special musical performance.


I am donating an oval compact filled with Mellifera solid perfume for the silent auction. The fragrance began as a sketch at last years Wax symposium. The word Mellifera is the part of the latin name for the European honey bee and translates as honey bearing. If you are curious about the smell come seek me out at the event and ask for a sniff. Mellifera has not yet been released, expect it to appear in the next few weeks.

Look forward to seeing you at the Yellow Tie event!


Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Style Guide


Although I went to art school and studied illustration, when it comes to designing interiors I have no formal training. There are basic fundamentals (design principals) that carry across all art forms but its not necessarily a given that an artistic person can cross from one to another with grace.


As I design my new space, which is an extension of my brand, I've been pondering the different interior design styles that work for Roxana Illuminated Perfume. Some descriptive words I've used to define my brand have been:

  • Romantic
  • Elegant
  • Refined
  • Artistic
  • Poetic
  • Vintage / Antique
  • Feminine

Then there are shapes and patterns I tend to use, such as:
  • The Oval
  • S curve
  • Refined textures
  • Botanical
The color palette I use is muted earth tones for the most part with a few gem stone hues:
  • Walnut
  • Brown Olive
  • Pecan nut
  • Deep Olive
  • Rose beige
  • Burnished Rose
  • Dusty Rose
  • Plum
  • Forest
  • Teal Green
  • Lilac
  • Bone White
  • Mushroom
  • Sage
The basic seven principals of design are:
  • Contrast
  • Texture
  • Complexity
  • Scale and Proportion
  • Geometry
  • Focus
  • Prints
On the Interior Designipedia site they put together a list of twenty five style concepts which gets more detailed as you click down through them. The ones of this list that I'm attracted to for my branding are:

BRITISH : Shabby Chic Interiors

This vintage inspired look is very much about comfort with a relaxed and informal air. The word bohemian is often associated with the feel. The color palette is often whites and neutrals. One of the iconic elements is a large, fluffy couch or bed and distressed furniture.

For contrast with the neutrals a splash of bold colors are sometimes added as well as shiny elements paired with distressed vintage pieces.


FRENCH

Sophistication and class define the French, not only as a culture but also this particular style which can be bold or soft. Personally I am attracted to the soft, more country inspired aspect of this look, which cross pollinates nicely with British: Shabby Chic.

the third style I've got going on, which isn't mentioned as one of the twenty five styles is APOTHECARY, which is a combination of: Victorian, Industrial and Gothic.




So, that's the intention, we shall see what I can manifest and how quickly! Almost all my creative energy is going into this at the moment.

IMAGES via Perfumery Space

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Order Your Art of Greg Spalenka Book



The Greg Spalenka book is now at the printer! Above is a pictorial sampling to give each of you a feel for the pages in the book. Greg is now taking a limited number of pre-order for the three editions of the book here.


Saturday, May 10, 2014

Impromptu Review and Giveaway at CFB


There is a review and giveaway for a trio sampler set of Impromptu over at the CaFleureBon blog. So grateful to John for taking the time to experience the fragrance and share his impressions with all of us. Intending a reader of this blog wins the set, good luck!

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

The Key


Since signing the lease on the new space last week I've been a little obsessed with getting the space ready. Today I was given the key, which made everything seem so much more real. I've been getting quotes from electricians for providing power to the candelabras as well as going over how best to design the space from lighting, to the functionality of the space and what is needed for displays, etc.


Auspiciously as I was driving up Topanga on my way home I passed by Joseph Wahl Arts and saw a "sale" sign outside his shop as well as some lovely pieces of vintage-looking white furniture that would be perfect for the space. Joseph is downsizing his space, thus the sale. I bought one piece and will most likely commission him do make a table or two. Tomorrow I'm heading over to his work space to see what he might have already made and talk about what I need.

I'll post photos of the space and the renovation as things progress, in the meantime, check out my pin board titled "Perfumery Space Inspiration" to see what my vision is for the site.

The key photo was taken by me today on a pile of vintage books I bought at the vintage market on Sunday. Yes, that's the actual key to my new space! The dress form photo was taken from the Adored Vintage.

Friday, May 2, 2014

Impromptu Review at APJ


There's an Impromptu review and giveaway over at Australian Perfume Junkies happening right now. Entries Close Sunday 4th May 2014 10pm Australian EST and winners will be announced in a separate post.