2018 Holiday Shipping Dates

Here is a general guide for holiday shipping dates, please order early so we can make sure to get the package to you on time. If you prefer we ship using a different company other than USPS contact us, we are happy to be of service as long as we are not too overwhelmed.

Also, keep in mind this is when the order needs to be shipped by, which means we will need about between 4 to 48 hours or so to make, prepare and/or pack your perfume. Check with us to make sure it will arrive on time.

USPS
First Class: Orders should be shipped by Dec. 20th
Priority: Orders should be shipped by Dec. 20th
Priority Mail Express: Orders should be shipped by Dec. 22nd
Priority Mail International: Orders should be shipped by Dec. 10th
Priority Mail International Express: Orders should be shipped by Dec. 17th

California Christmas

Here we are, another year, another Christmas and thus another chapter to share in this ongoing story of a girl named Roxana and her meandering, fragrant path. If you prefer to skip this intro, which includes some ranting about corporate control, then proceed to the picture of the wreath and begin reading from that point forward.

I was feeling more distraught than usual by the control the corporations have over individuals this year. This icky feeling is shared by many, more so than ever and  attempting to cut those strings as much as possible is something so many are working on. It was back in 2010 when I wrote a post here with a list of corporations we should be attempting to avoid. Regrettably some of those corporations have become even bigger, like enormous, creepy monsters with many tentacles. I've chosen to avoid that company as much as possible, even though it is beloved by most because of such great deals. Well, those great deals are costing us and if we are going to free ourselves from the grip of greedy, despicable conglomerates then we need to stop supporting them, NOW!

This year we decided to go with simplicity. We made gifts, purchased local, supported makers and decorated with eucalyptus leaves from our front yard. I brought the cypress tree that was purchased a few years back in to be our iconic tree for the season and used simple red ribbon, twine and plant matter on the packages. Simplicity felt right and also looked beautifully fresh.

Meanwhile at Marilyn's home in Hermosa Beach, decked with the her yearly cheerful festive decor. Lots of color and whimsy, especially when compared to our simplicity and subdued, earth toned palette from our nest in the woods.

The set up and our ritual was just like other years. Our backdrop: golden birds, poinsettias, candy canes, vintage santas and colorful packages with a backdrop of folk art...mid-century modern heaven.

After the mysterious group photo that we never see, the gift exchange with an interesting story about a hotel with rooms that cost $17,000 per night. We each speculated what one might get when spending $17,000 on a hotel room!

As usual, the most popular gifts were books and camera related items. I received a little tripod for my phone which will come in handy for those instagram videos shot at the perfumery.

After the presents it was time to prepare for the mid day feast!

Fruit salad prepared by Eve and the yearly ritual of sliced oranges at the end of the meal.

And of course, the California Christmas yearly tale would be incomplete without a photo of the cat with multiple names Roberto/Bob/Bobo, this year with is favorite catnip mouse toy.

Afterward the festivities Eve and I headed over to Santa Monica to see the film Jackie, a fascinating peek into the emotional life of Jacqueline Kennedy after the assassination of her husband President John F. Kennedy.

California Christmas posts:

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Donna M

I am thrilled to finally have Donna M coming to the perfumery with her domestically designed and produced collection. Like me, Donna is producing the materials that she works with, from the fabrics to the finishing! All fabrics are exclusively knitted in Los Angeles to her precise specifications and sewn in our very own factory.

Each item is “GARMENT DYED”, which means they are pre-shrunk to keep their shape, color, fit and longevity for years to come due to the unique fabric and dye technique! Besides all that good stuff, they feel and wear magnificently. The styles can go from day to evening, from yoga to work to dinner—all while feeling comfortable and beautiful.

Other festivities taking place within the Whizin Market Square include:

• Photo booth
• Live band
• Food drive
• Restaurant food sampling

So, head on over, right around the corner from Paramount Ranch, one of the locations where West World was filmed! We look forward to seeing all your smiling faces!

California Christmas 2015

While driving south toward Hermosa Beach on Christmas morning I had the warm snuggly thought that, last night and on this morning, all over the world people were opening little packages of botanical perfume sent with love from a little perfumery in Agoura Hills. Maybe this had occurred to me in previous years, in one way or another, but in that moment it felt like a new thought and brought an extra bit of cheer to the extremely brisk morning.

The cerulean sky looked expansive as our tires rolled over asphalt traveled by millions along the 101 and 405. As we made the turn down toward the little beach community we were met by an even deeper darker share of blue of the Pacific ocean, more in the phthalo range.

As is the custom every year with the Neuhart clan, we begin the morning festivities with a drink (tea for our clan), followed by the yearly holiday photo in the living room with the opening of presents.

This year was no exception to gifts of camera related equipment and books. Can you see my reflection in that new portrait lens on Eve's camera?

After the debauchery of gifts we moved to the dining room for a bit of gluttony beginning with a fresh, vietnamese salad followed by a Yemeni egg dish Marilyn learned to make in the 70's when her and John spent time there. Assorted breads, sausage, chocolate and of course the yearly oranges were also on hand.

Robert the cat, also know as Bob, was a bit perturbed that his daily ritual of sunning and napping in quiet had been interrupted by so many intruders.

Another Christmas come and gone leaves me a bit wiser, with a few more silver hairs and anticipating another year of adventures and stories yet to be unwrapped and shared. May 2016 unfold as a joyous magical journey for each of you.

California Christmas 2014

Merry Christmas from Southern California, where the day was cool with brilliant sunshine. Here's a pictorial display of our day down in Hermosa with the Neuhart clan.

The morning usually starts off with hugs, kisses, a drink (tea in our case), the traditional family photo and opening of gifts. Santa is very abundant at the Neuhart house, he must like the beach.

Books is generally the most often given and received gift along with food. Eve and I found this beautiful rainbow pasta from Italy at Blue Table in Calabasas.

After the gift exchange we moved into the kitchen and family room to get ready for brunch. We bought some beautiful orange tulips on our way over that were the perfect accessory for the table. As you can see from the photos, the Neuhart house is big on really bright, bold color...especially orange. 

Although normally we are told to just bring ourselves, this year we contributed olive bread and homemade lemon poppyseed.

The "big gift" for Eve this year was a twin lens reflex Mamiya camera from 1970, which auspiciously is the same era of the bright green vintage dress she wore that day.

Photos: Roxana Villa / Home: Marilyn Neuhart

Whizin Market Christmas Fair 2014

On Saturday, December 13th there is a Holiday Fair taking place at Whizin Market Square beginning at 10am. The festivities include most of the vendors in the community with food and wine tastings, entertainment, discount specials, a toy collection, hot cider and more!

I am titling my events as: "Elevate the Scentual in You" with these special happenings through out the day:

Special saving on perfume purchases that day, more revealed soon.

Contribute to the "Fund the Perfumery" and get special, not yet released perfumes and body butters as a thank you. Contributions made that day automatically get you entered into a raffle for a delicious bath and body basket featuring chocolate as the theme, YUM! (US contributors only) Arriving at the funding is the Mellifera in the new 4ml spray bottles.

My luminous friend and collaborator Mona Lewis will have her beautiful plant dyed scarves on hand to droll over and purchase. These beauties and hand dyed using an intricate process that leave the fabric with gorgeous textures, energized with the frequency of the plants and in some cases scented. In the photo of me above I am wearing one that she made using helichrysum and iron.

12:00 - 2:00pm: Pain Relief & Well being with the Quantum Wave Laser
Come experience a mini healing session through the subtle energy of the red, infrared, and violet laser combined with Scaler waves. Reduces pain and inflammation; promotes deep relaxation, rejuvenation and restful sleep.
~ Marie Towler has been practicing many healing arts for over 25 years.  A brief session with the Quantum Wave Laser will leave you feeling transformed!

2:00 - 3:30pm: JOIN Greg Spalenka for a multimedia presentation and book signing at Mitchells Book Shop in the atrium #214. He will also have framed giclees at Chandeliers and Tulips in the same complex.

4:00 - 5:00pm: The Art of Collaboration lecture
Roxana Villa  and Greg Spalenka have created some beautiful visions together to illuminate many of the perfumes in the ready to wear line. Greg will reveal a new image for Roxana's LA DAME BLANCHE perfume inspired by the Outlander series of books written by Diana Gabaldon.

My fellow business and shop owners throughout the market square will also be offering specials that day, including my neighbor Brenda Rippee.

    SHIMMER N' SHINE with 

CELEBRITY MAKEUP ARTIST

     BRENDA RIPPEE

       12:00-6:00pm

     Sat, Dec 13, 2014

Stop by to meet Celebrity Makeup Artist, Brenda Rippee in her Studio this Saturday, Dec. 13, 2104

Holiday Fair Special Offers Only..

20 minutes for $20 bucks!  

 Lash n Dash or Shimmer and Shine....

You pick cuz it's holiday time!

We will have:

*Airbrush demos

*Luxe Lash Chats

*Great music

*Big Prize $1 buck raffles

Stop by, Enter to Win and Leave Shimmering like a Rock Star!