The 2017 Edition of Blossom is here!

“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; 

they are sunshine, food and medicine to the mind.” 

― Luther Burbank

Just when you thought that perhaps you had enough yummy jasmine in our lives with the hydrosol, Cimbalom, Chiaroscuro and Fleurish, I bring you the 2017 edition of Blossom. Can you tell I love flowers, particularly jasmine?

This latest batch is particularly bright and beautiful, although it did give me lots of trouble due to all the different components that are part of her chemistry. Find her here, enjoy!

Dailies

The daily gathering of little white florets from for the Jasmine sambac tincture continues. Although there was a bit of a dry spell of blossoms for about a week, the plants are flowering once more.

These waxy, abundantly scented little flowers have been getting added to 190 proof grape alcohol since April of this year. Thursday morning, while filtering the tincture, I poured a tablespoon into a glass. After finishing the process and cleaning up, I studied the fragrant potion and drank. The first impression was the strong, sharp, astringent taste of the 190 proof organic alcohol followed by the most glorious floral flavor. Like a well blended, complex botanical perfume, there was a journey of notes which ended with the most delectable tang of jasmine flowers...as if drinking an aspect of the soul of the plant which even the hydrosol cannot capture.

While experiencing this exotic and completely new taste sensation I contemplated how the high proof alcohol extracts botanical components that water cannot, making this format of experiencing the flavor of these delicate flowers a completely new and different adventure.

This tincture is meant for the 2015 edition of the Blossom Cologne. The 2014 edition of the fresh and uplifting cologne can be found here, keep in mind there is a specified amount of the cologne due to the finite availability of the hand infused alcohol contained within the fragrance.

Each plant material tinctures up differently, some do not not release there precious aromatic treasures while others do so very eagerly. Jasmine sambac works well as long as you can keep up the task of filtering old blossoms and adding new ones consistently for a period of three months or so. The alcohol in the tincture I've been making is just about completely saturated with aromatics thus, tomorrow I will begin doing an enfleurage with the jasmine blossoms.

Argentina vs Germany

Will it be my homeland of Argentina that takes the cup or Germany during this Sundays soccer match? Either way, it's bound to be a fun game and there's always the handsome Lionel Messi. 

Check out the latest post at CaFleurBon by the ever so witty Michelyn Camen where the new edition of Blossom is part of a giveaway related to the big match between Germany and Argentina this Sunday. While I represent the southern hemisphere with Blossom on the other side of the Atlantic and way up north is one of my soul sister perfumers Tanja of April Aromatics representing Germany.

Blossom EdC photo: Roxana Villa, Lionel Messi photo: SoccerKidz

Happy Solstice!

Happy Solstice from the Santa Monica Mountains to each of you. The potted jasmine sambacs in my garden started their blooming cycle in April. Each morning I have been gathering the little white blossoms and placing them into the organic, 190 proof grape alcohol. The base starts off a crystalline clear liquid slowly turning toward a golden yellow by the end of the process in the Autumn.

Some days there are no flowers, just a few or like today too many to count. The amount of blooms seems less than last year which may have to do with the un-seasonal warm winter we had. These little blooms will infuse the alcohol until it can no longer take on any scent. At that point I will start a second batch.

In the meantime I am working on the new edition of Blossom Eau de Cologne. There is still a bit of the 2014 edition which can be found by following this link for a sample and/or a 30 ml spray bottle at the website.

This post has been pinned here, follow the process on Instagram here.

Blooming

While straightening up the studio I happened across a few glass amber bottles containing Blossom Eau de Cologne. I poured them all together, then filtered to make sure any bits of the jasmine tincture and botanical extracts were gone and have listed the remnants here. This is all that is left of the 2013 edition.

The 2014 edition is now underway which will feature a tincture of our jasmine sambac blossoms from last years bloom time.

Causing Great Happiness

We are in mid July and the jasmine harvest is in full swing. In the past I would harvest the delicate, white flowers in the morning. This year I am harvesting them in the evening at about 10pm once the new blossoms are freshly opened with their intoxicating fresh floral pure fume. The word intoxicating is defined as "causing great happiness", I can't think of a better descriptor for jasmine sambac flowers at the moment.

Each night the harvest is different, sometimes it will be only a few flowers, tonight it was about twenty with an even larger harvest coming in the next few days. The cycle, like the moon, expands and contacts.

I keep the glass jars with the organic, grape alcohol and flowers in the refrigerator. Once the jar is full I will filter it, remove the spent flowers and continue to add more until once it is full again. Like the blooming cycle, the process of adding new blossoms is a cyclical pattern.

The 2012 jasmine sambac flower tincture appears in the new edition of Blossom, Chiaroscuro and Cimbalom liquid.. I've added samples in glass, mini spray bottles in the shop yesterday. The jasmine tincture in progress will be featured in the next edition of Blossom and subsequent editions of Chiaroscuro and Cimbalom liquid natural, botanical perfume.

Circle of Bliss

Blossom Eau de Cologne is now illuminated! Greg created the image with a photo of Gwen Cunningham, a local beauty who came by our little woodland abode back in the Spring when everything was blooming.

I've listed a few bottles of Blossom with the temporary label while we work on getting new labels printed. The print is available for purchase in Greg's E-shop.

Happy Fourth of July, may freedom and bliss rule for all!

FRAGments

On Saturday, June 22nd, I have the honor of participating in a brand new Artisan Fragrance show here in Los Angeles titled FRAGments. The event begins at 11am with a moderated discussion followed by a reception and pop-up shop from  12pm-5pm. This unique and eclectic collective will feature a range of perfumers working in several mediums within the gorgeous gallery space of sculptor Clare Graham in Highland Park (Los Angeles).

At this show I will present five items, four are my new Eau de Parfums of Figure 1: Noir, Chaparral, Aumbre and Page 47. The new edition of Blossom Eau de Cologne returns with the start of Summer on the Solstice. Expect to see these appear in the E-shop next week. Older posts about Blossom are here and here with a link to a review by Tom at Perfume Smellin' Things.

Find more information and purchase tickets in advance at the FRAGments website.

The Secret Life of Bees

The rosemary on my back slope started blooming early due to the late rain and cool weather we had in 2011. Thus the honey bees have been gathering nectar and pollen from it regularly.


The traditional blooming time of the rosemary hedge and when Spring hits the woodland is now, which means we will be adding an extra box to each of the hives next week. When we do add the extra boxes we will also check the honey stores of the warrior girls to see if there is any extra for us to take now or later.


Standing next to the rosemary is quite an experience. Since it is so filled with bees it looks like the mass of green and light blue flowers is undulating with a sound track of the bees aum chant.
I'll be harvesting some of this rosemary to make a tincture for the next edition of Blossom, the traditional eau de cologne natural botanical perfume I release every spring.

Capturing photos of the bees has been a challenge and something I've been practicing. Here are a few recent shots of them followed by an interesting video from one of my fellow b'eeks.



Video courtesy of oldboychoi with this info

A Bee’s Life in a Top Bar Beehive

A compilation of three summer months from inside the beehive. From colonisation of the empty hive to the days following the swarm (that probably reduced the colony to less than half the number).

Bee and rosemary photos ©Roxana Villa

Eau de Blossom

Spring is now trending across the United States with the spectacle of blossoming trees, particularly fruit trees. Within time, after visits from the several local pollinators including honey bees, the little flowers will dry and the fruit will reveal itself.


My ode to Spring, Blossom Eau de Cologne, is back in stock. The fresh, sunny fragrance combines the tang of citrus balanced with herbs and flowers. Completely botanical and organic, the heavenly scent is perfect for an uplifting, sensory break. Crafted by my own hands here in my studio, with intention, the base is west coast organic grape spirits and grain alcohol. There are also a tincture from the rosemary plant on our hillside that my little honey bees adore. The synergy was formulated from early cologne recipes when vital plant material was the fashion.


Read more about Blossom by following this link here at the journal. At the moment Blossom is available as a small mini spritzer and in a 1 ounce Amber bottle.

Blossom @ Perfume Smellin' Things

Blossom, the Eau de Cologne crafted in the style of a traditional cologne, is reviewed by Tom over at Perfume Smellin' Things. I suspect that this items popularity lies in the citrus components. Essences derived from the fruits and flowers of the citrus family are very fresh and uplifting.

Please pay dear Tom a visit over at the Perfume Smellin' Things blog. If you happen to have a bottle of Blossom handy, your scent impressions would be a great addition to the commentary. Blossom is currently available in its second edition, exclusively at my little boutique at Etsy, in a small spray bottle and a 1oz amber bottle size. Supplies are limited.

Read more about the crafting of this traditional Eau de Cologne here at the journal by following this link.

Blossom

A new batch of Blossom Eau de Cologne is now available. This is a traditional cologne based on the classic equation of combining herb with citrus. In November 2005 I decided to create a traditional eau de Cologne which spurred on the Lavender perfume titled Vera. In May 2008 I revisited the genre and formulated a light and fresh eau de Cologne that contains some of the same language of a beloved cologne from Argentina titled Colonia de Bebe and 4711. In fact when my mother inhaled Blossom she exclaimed "Colonia de Bebe!"

Blossom has been formulated in the same manner of the colognes of olde. I utilized therapeutic grade essential oils and absolutes, hydrosols, plant tinctures, organic grape and grain alcohol. The fragrance is very fresh like sheer light. The predominant note is Orange Blossom with secondary impressions of herb and wood.

The essences used include: Bergamot, Lemon, Neroli, Thyme, Rosemary, Cistus and Jasmine.
This cologne has a refreshing effect on the skin and uplifting to mind, body, spirit.


As mentioned above, 5 grams of the cologne are contained in a small glass spritzer bottle with a white top and lid. Perfect for a purse, diaper bag, your pocket, etc. This delightful bouquet is also available in a 1 ounce amber glass bottle.

Flowers in Aromatherapy and Morphological systems uplift and blossom open the heart. Hence the name for this cologne Blossom.