LOVE Essence

Greg and I have created a second LookBook together, this one took much longer than anticipated. LOVE Essence began as a seedling of an idea based on Floriography, the Victorian language of flowers. As we prepared the soil the book took on several incarnations until finally settling on this manifestation. Like a posy or nosegay, this visual poem of love,  whispers a sweet melody in three acts. We begin with an orchestration of Rose, which we have attributed to the love of self from where all love blossoms. Her velvety soft petals gently open from a once tight bud into a magnificent example of an open heart. The second act introduces Jasmine, a sensuous, night blooming creature who beckons us to share our fully opened heart with another. Having opened our hearts and expanded its strings of love the Lotus takes us up through the sacred channel, opening to beauty and light for union with the divine. We hope you enjoy this journey through the threefold sensorium of our language of flowers.

Many of the photos featured, like the one on the cover, are by Greg. They will be featured in a retrospective book of his work to be published by Titan Publishing in the UK.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Greg and I have created a LookBook based on the song The Twelve Days of Christmas. The inspiration for this gift guide came my way via fellow maker Jill Hoff. Intrigued by the song I  did a little research and discovered that the origin is as a cumulative chant, most likely french. It is believed to have started off as a "memories-and-forfeits" game on Twelfth Night where the leader recited a verse, each of the players repeated the verse, then the leader added another verse, and so on. As the game proceeds players and would make a mistake, leaving one player at the end.

I mentioned the idea of doing a gift guide relating to the song to my husband Greg. He was keen, thus we began the work of re-wording the lyrics to accommodate our wares. Once that was in place Greg created the cover and designs and then we began plugging in our existing images.

We wish you all a very joyful holiday season and hope you enjoy our little visual treat.

Open publication - Free publishing - More art

 

Natural Perfume Holiday Shipping

The holiday shopping season has arrived, thus, I took a peek at the USPS site to look at their shipping dates.

For order shipping within the continental US please make sure to place them before December 18th so that I can ship them by December 20th. All orders going abroad should be placed no later than December 10th. Keep in mind, this is a rough guess based on the USPS site and my ability to make and ship perfume in a timely matter.

If you would like to gift someone a natural perfume but are not sure which one I highly recommend one of the solid natural perfume sampler sets. Folk of all ages adore these and they are a big hit on Christmas morning. A gift certificate can be included so that the recipient may then order their favorite in a larger size.

Sun Sign Leo

On July 23rd the sun moved into the sign of Leo until August 22nd.  Within the twelve signs in the zodiac all the personality types are represented. Leo the lion tends to be creative, spontaneous, dominate, ambitious, courageous...among many other traits. Our nearest star, the Sun at the center of the universe and life giver, rules Leo.

If you have a Leo in your life and are considering a gift of natural perfume, To Bee feels very appropriate. Sweet and warm like honey, firey like the sun and inspired by the courageous honey bee who uses the sun as her gps. An added benefit is that color harmony for this fragrance is gold.

I was born during this sun cycle, however I have a Pisces moon and lots of planets in the 4th house, which offsets some of the Leo characteristics. It has become a bit of a yearly tradition for me to create a celebratory perfume in August. This year I will launch a new Jasmine perfume (formerly known Jasmine Noir) to add to Cimbalom and Page 47 that are part of this set.

There are many projects in the works at the moment and I haven't quite decided what will get launched when. Some of this depends on Mr. Illuminator who is creating a few images. For now I will focus on finishing the To Bee Lookbook and labels for a new product line which Impromptu is part of. Ah, and keep in mind the Birthday Coupon, a once a year discount which can be used at any time of the year toward a compact or flacon.

Gift Guide: The EARTH Girl

Rusty Earthy Cup by TierraSky in New Jersey

A new Gift Guide featuring all things earthy.



Bison Buffalo Art Print by Lucy Snowe in Oregon
Flower Earrings with Earthy Brown Blooms by Didem in the USA
Milkweed Pod Archival Print by Amber Alexander in Vermont
Felted Gloves with Silk flowers by AureliaLT in Lithuania

For her I've selected Terrestre, For the Earth, solid natural perfume in a round compact. This perfume was begun during Earth hour and then released on Earth Day. I used essences that embody the rich aroma of the earth and are considered grounding in aromatherapy.

The image that illuminates Terrestre is by my husband Greg. It was originally created for the Vespertina music CD and featured in the limited edition booklet.

Keywords for Terrestre: Grounded, Here and Now, Strength. Elemental: EARTH.

Gift Guide: Mermaids and Sea Nymphs

Another collection of handmade beauties from Etsy. This one is for the Mermaiden or Sea Nymph on your list. Me, I'd like some of those chocolate seashells please.

NEW CLASSIC CLUTCH by Upstyle in San Diego
Blue Waters -- Photographic Print 4x6 by Kties in Croatia
Fossil Coral Ring in Sterling with 14kt Gold by Betsy Bensen in Portland, Oregon
Five Edible Chocolate Filled Seashells Samples by Andie's Specialty Sweets in Los Angeles, CA
Urchin Bowl and Votive Holder by Element Clay Studio in Asheville, North Carolina
and
GreenWitch Solid Natural Perfume Compact from my shop


GreenWitch Illumination, Limited Edition Print by Spalenka

For her I've selected GreenWitch solid, a Sea Chypre which featuring seaweed absolute. If you listen closely you just might hear the call of the sea.

Choose Me

The question I most often get asked regarding my line of natural, botanical perfume is "Can you help me choose?" Usually it's a perfume for themselves, sometimes for a friend or relative. Thus I've prepared this guide to help out.

VANILLA
Figure 10: Blanc
Aumbre
Page 47
Q
Lyra

+++

AMBER
Aumbre
Lyra
Q
Page 47
Cimbalom

The FLORAL family encompasses many flowers including:

JASMINE
Cimbalom
Lyra
Chiaroscuro
Page 47

+++

ROSE
Rosa: The liquid is more earthy featuring oud, while the solid is sweeter.
Vespertina

+++

VIOLET
Gracing the Dawn

+++

LAVENDER
Vera


CARNATION
Aurora: Not true Carnation but it does contain Carnation absolute from France and related notes.

+++

SEASIDE, BEACH or OCEAN
Green Witch
Page 47

+++

MEN / UNISEX
Chaparral
Q
Aumbre
Figure 5: Bois
(I have a male friend that wears Green Witch)

CITRUS
Blossom

+++

ORANGE BLOSSOM
Blossom

+++

SWEET
Lyra
Peace
Sierra Solid Gold
Figure 10: Blanc

+++

SPICE
Sierra Solid Gold
To Bee
Aurora
Aumbre

FRUITY
Sierra Solid Gold
Cimbalom



WOOD
Chaparral
Q
Figure 5: Bois

+++

SANDALWOOD
Vespertina

+++

DESERT
Chaparral

+++

CONIFER
Sierra

+++

FAIRY / FAERIE
Q
"I love fragrances and everything that my favorite ones evoke but I was truly captivated by Roxana's Q perfume the first time I experienced it. It evokes something ancient and at the same time very intimate and personal. To me it's a "remembered" fragrance that taps into the green world of Faerie in the same way that a painting or sculpted image can.
When I wear it, which is often, I feel closer to that elusive and magical world." ~Wendy Froud

Gracing the Dawn

+++

SMOKE
Chaparral
Q
Figure 5: Bois

+++

GREEN
Hedera helix
Green Witch

+++

HERBACEOUS
Chaparral
Vera

+++

EARTHY
Terrestre
Chaparral®
Figure 1: Noir
Figure 5: Bois

+++

CHYPRE
GreenWitch
Gracing the Dawn
Hedera helix

+++

CALIFORNIA
from the Californica series
Q for Quercus agrifolia, the California native oak
Chaparral for the California biome
Sierra for the California redwoods
Vera an ode to Ojai, California
Rosa for the California native wild woodland rose
Page 47 for Malibu beach and the coastline

+++

CHRISTMAS
Sierra Solid Gold
To Bee

+++

MAGIC
Sierra Solid Gold
Vespertina

+++

VAMPIRE QUEEN
Around Halloween a customer asked me what a beautiful Vampire Queen from long ago would wear, I suggested layering Vespertina with some dark and woody like Q, Terrestre, Chaparral or even To Bee. Another idea is Rosa with something darker layered over her like the three mentioned above. I've layered Terrestre over Aurora liquid to get a really nice leather.

+++

ROMANCE
For this category I have selected scents that contain Ylang Ylang, Rose and Jasmine since those are the essences most often connected with the heart, the Goddess and have aphrodisiac properties.
Vespertina
Rosa
Lyra
Aurora
Page 47
Chiarsocuro

+++

CALMING
All illuminated perfumes have the ability to add a sense of calm and serenity since they are made

with vibrational essences from the plant kingdom. I personally find that Chaparral, with the high

quantity of frankincense, to help me find peace. Some customers have found it by using Aurora,

others with Page 47 and Vera. It really will depend on what aromas induce that particular feeling

for each individual. For some it will be fragrances that are from woods while others it will

be those derived from flowers, etc. Due to each persons stored memories the sense response

may differ. Generally in aromatherapy the scents associated with instilling a sense of calm

are Lavender, Sandalwood, Frankincense, Tangerine and Chamomile.

+++

ENERGIZING
In aromatherapy essences associated with being energizing are Peppermint, Juniper, Rosemary

and Eucalyptus. Since these have a very strong menthol and medicinal note,

I tend to use them sparingly in the fragrances I create.

Chaparral

Vera

GreenWitch

+++

GROUNDING

Terrestre

Aumbre

Q
Figure 1: Noir

Still not sure? Consider a sample pack and or gift certificate.
Feel free to send me an e-mail roxana illuminatedperfume com
Here is a link to illuminated perfume reviews to assist in more clarity.

Holiday Gift Guide 2010

The gift giving season has arrived along with the Autumn winds and cooler temperatures. In the spirit of the season Trish at Scent Hive has gathered together some of her favorite bloggers (links below) to offer a few recommendations of heart warming gift ideas.

Most people will most likely head to the mall or perhaps a favorite street with lots of boutiques for their shopping. It is certainly what I use to do. These days however I am interested in breaking free of supporting the big conglomerates and focusing on small indie business and handmade as much as possible.

The list I have compiled is from items I desire for myself and those I would love to gift to others.

For the Fashionista

Anna-Marie of MinxShop in Pittsburg designs clothes that are interesting and unique, but also comfortable and wearable on a day to day basis. They are artfully created with attention to detail, expertly crafted as well as photographed.

Another favorite is TreeHouse28 owned by Alix McCauley a mother of two located in California. I have been lusting for something from her shop on Etsy ever since I discovered them in September 2008. The clothes look as if I could easily wear them here in the studio and then dash over to a yoga class looking chic.

For Him

I just ordered the most amazing handmade soaps from the Rocky Top Soap Shop in Maine. There is so much to adore with these, particularly the nature loving spirit of the creator Tony. I plan to give them to a few of the guys in my life...as well as ladies. These mindfully handcrafted soaps will also make excellent stocking stuffers!

Another item I just ordered, which has yet to arrive, is incense from Alchemy Works. I am very particular about incense, not only because I want something that is truly made with plant materials but I also want to support artistry. This incense is the best! I love the aroma, the way it burns and the magical aspects which Harry uses to make them. The website is a treasure trove of fabulous details which you can easily get lost in for hours. For those who love magic, wizardry these are for you! Perfect for your upcoming Harry Potter film release party!

For the Gourmet

Normally I head over to William Sonoma, Dean and Deluca or Sur La Table to find gifts for the gourmet. This year however I have found a bounty of artisanal products at the local farmers market. Supporting your local farmers is another conscious choice that is quite fun and rewarding. We patronize ours once a week to get our veggies, fruits, honey, chicken, fish, bread and...if our income has been good, flowers!

I have found some wonderous hand pressed, local virgin olive oil flavored with blood orange peels as well as incredible vinegars, one was a fig and vanilla infusion!

Other fabulous gifts for the gourmet are specialty baked goods like these from Whimsy and Spice in Brooklyn. Picture above are Earl Grey sandwich cookies which have been flavored with Earl Grey tea. The small indie shop was founded in 2008 by the husband and wife team of Mark Sopchak and Jenna Park. They have a fabulous blog called Sweet Fine Day where you can get to know them and appreciate the fact that you are supporting a sweet family.

For the Gardner

How about some hose clothes! These hose covers are made of strong water-friendly fabrics with a textured grip. For those who have high aesthetics and don't like the look of those old garden hoses this is a great alternative! Made in California by Dirt Couture.

Intending this list has inspired you to forage into the realm of handmade, local and artisanal. For more ideas and suggestions, specifically related to scent, please follow the links below to the others participating in the Holiday Gift Guide 2010 blogging event.

Scent Hive

All I Am - A Redhead

Perfume Shrine

Indie Perfumes

I'll post a gift guide for Roxana Illuminated Perfume in the next few weeks.

Images: Gift box, Rocky Top Soap and Corn Yellow cuff photos by Roxana Villa all other photos please refer to individual shop owners.

A Gift Guide: Mother Earth

To commemorate the bounty of Mother Earth and honor our Mothers I have compiled a special gift guide. The guide is meant to facilitate grace and ease if you plan gifting your self or another individual on the two upcoming special days.

EARTH

"There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth. We are all crew."
~Marshall McLuhan, 1964

Celebrating Earth Day with a perfume made of the natural raw materials that come from the earth and are healing to mind and body seems most fitting. Don't you think? Elemental Earth is
the home of our connection to the here & now. It is related to the base chakra, the place of manifestation, control & restraint and grounded in experience. Home of the Male, strength and ability to create magic. The spirit medicine of Snake dwells here with the ability to move swiftly, above and below the ground, to shed what no longer serves and be born anew.


The fragrances most related to this energetic imprint are Terrestre solid and Sierra Solid Gold Perfume. Both these fragrances are in a solid round format, like the earth. The essences contained have an earth bound quality. The formula for Terrestre was created during Earth Hour with the perfume released last year on Earth Day. Sierra Solid Gold contains drops of a magical accord for prosperity.

Terrestre
Fragrance family: WOOD, CONIFER
Notes: Precious Oud, Labdanum, Cedar, Patchouli, Distilled Indian Earth, Vetiver, Indian Rose and Galbanum

Sierra Solid Gold
Fragrance family: WOOD, CONIFER, GOURMAND
Notes: Frankincense, Myrrh, Wood, Conifer, Rosemary, Spice and Citrus.

MOTHER

"The real religion of the world comes from women much more than from men - from mothers most of all, who carry the key of our souls in their bosoms."
~Oliver Wendell Holmes

Mother provide endless amounts of love, nurturing and patience. To help facilitate this sense of grace in mom consider a fragrance composed of flowers or essences associate with the above mentioned virtues.

In aromatherapy Jasmine is considered a euphoric with applications for treating depression, anxiety, sexual challenges and facilitating greater creativity. Within magical circles Jasmine is associated with the moon, the feminine and elemental water. The illuminated perfume containing the most obvious note of Jasmine are Cimbalom and Lyra.

Cimbalom
Fragrance family: FLORAL, ORIENTAL
Labdanum, Indonesian Patchouli, Indian Jasmine, Ginger and Orange.

Lyra
Fragrance family: FLORAL, ORIENTAL
Twenty different essences including: Amber Accord, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang and Citrus.

If your mum is in need of rest consider Vera with her bounty of Lavender essential oil or the perfume devoted to Peace.

Vera
Fragrance family: HERBAL, FOUGERE

The primary fragrance notes include: Lavender, Orange blossom, Hay, Honey.

The perfume devoted to Peace
Fragrance family: FLORAL, ORIENTAL, GOURMAND
Vintage Sandalwood, Tobacco, Vanilla Orchid Bean, Champa, Blue Lotus, Clementine, Ginger, Neroli.

For the mom with the gracious and abundant heart mirror her with the fragrance of Rose, a perennial symbol of love and beauty.

Vespertina™
Fragrance family: FLORAL
Main Notes: Precious Woods, Frankincense, Patchouli, Rose, Jasmine, Spice and Citrus.

Rosa
Fragrance family: FLORAL
Leather Accord, Vetiver, Precious woods, Rose, Rose Accord, Citrus.

If mom is yearning for the Ocean, the Sea Chypre perfume GreenWitch is devoted to the Greek Aquatic Goddess Tethys.

GreenWitch
Fragrance family: CHYPRE
Oakmoss, Labdanum, Seaweed, Jasmine, Rose and Bergamot.

Still not sure, how about one of the many sample packs: Liquid Perfume Samples, Solid Perfume Minis, the Ultimate Natural Botanical Perfume Sampler or a Gift Certificate.

If mom isn't into fragrance but a lover of nature give her something to adorn herself with, a antique inspired necklace with an ornamental iconic bee image.


All of these items can be found at my E-shop by clicking on this link here. All items arrive beautifully presented and ready to gift.