Page 47, one of my most popular and best selling natural botanical perfumes, is back in the solid format!

Authentic natural, botanical perfumes that are handmade require patience because since they are produced with hands and real plant materials more time is required to make them. The slow food movement that came out of Italy in relation to food and the current artisan culture, or even bee keeping and re-doing a garden with California natives requires a gradual and deliberate slowing that is somewhat contradictory to the frenzy demanded by the outside world.

There are several fragrances that are currently sold out and I am working on like Rosa and Gracing the Dawn in their liquid form and Hedera helix and Figure 1: Noir as solids. The good news is that Page 47, a perennial favorite, is back in her solid state. Since my business has hit a new momentum that is making it a challenge to do so many of the tasks required for my business, I have started bringing in some friends and people to help out. This will allow me to focus more on things like keeping making perfumes and the launch for the online classes.

In the meantime, inhale, breathe deep and enjoy the pleasure of the moment.

Gift Guide: Shabby Chic, Pink and the Vamp

Here's a few beauties I found on Etsy weaved in with some of my pieces. The first collection is for the romantic, lover of shabby chic and vintage style.

Bed from Painted Cottage in New Jersey
Vintage Crochet Bedspread - Coverlet from Ethanol in Portland Oregon
Large Coral Branch from EveryEskimo in Michigan
and the Page 47 mini compact from my shop.

I choose Page 47 natural solid perfume because it is a soft and feminine floral vanilla fragrance.


This second collection is along the same lines but pink with a touch of the Girly Girl.

White Chocolate Raspberry Macarons from The Whimsical Spoon in Charlotte, North Carolina
Pink Moon 8x12 Print by MKendall Photography in Atlanta, Georgia
Ballerina Series Blush Tank by ClaireLa Faye in Portland, Oregon
and Lyra solid perfume compact from my shop.

For her I chose the sweet, floral oriental profile of Lyra in her pretty pink crochet pouch.

Off in a completely different tangent we enter the world of the red, hot diva who likes sophistication and bling.


Set of 3 Holiday, Soy Wax Candles by Accessory Closet in Cleveland, Ohio
Red Rose Cocktail Hat w/ Black Netting by Sai Sai Arts in Nashville, Tennessee
Vintage Red Ruffle Stilettos by CaptainCat in Portland, Oregon
and Vespertina liquid botanical perfume from my shop.

I chose Vespertina liquid for this vamp who likes rose and jasmine in her perfume with a bit of mystery. The melding of floral, incense and botanical musk seemed right up her alley.

You say it's your birthday It's my birthday too, yeah!

On this day back in the early sixties, I was born in the capital of Argentina, the port city of Buenos Aires. It was a Monday, Marilyn Monroe had died of a supposed overdose a week prior and on that day Ringo Starr stepped in as drummer for the Beatles.

As I've done twice in past years a celebratory perfume is in the works, following the same path as Cimbalom (originally titled BB, for Birthday Balm) and Page 47. Since the jasmine sambac is blooming and happens to be in both prior fragrances I thought I'd follow suit and use an old formula which was never fully developed.

Back on August 16, 1997 I helped organize and attended a class facilitated by John Steele. We made two blends that day, one was an aromatherapy relaxing blend while the other a perfume oil. For the perfume John had us choose our essences from his stash to create a class floral blend with aphrodisiac and relaxing properties. Keep in mind this was an "aromatherapy" workshop.

I chose to work with Jasmine, Patchouli, Spikenard, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Nutmeg, Blood Orange, Mandarin and Gingergrass. The resulting blend was very pretty, however, I have been wanting to re-work it for years. Thus, fourteen years later today, I am back at the drawing board with these same raw materials and a much bigger palette to widen the scoop.


As a gift from me to you I will share a few samples of this first formula. To enter the giveaway please leave a comment telling me what main essences you would like to see included in this new fragrance or which you would choose for a celebratory birthday perfume. If you have any suggestions for a name please chime in, thank you!

Oh...and please remember you have a once a year birthday discount here.

Flower Moon

The moon is currently illuminated in the floral splendor of Spring. Orbiting counter clockwise around the Earth the current full moon phase is ideal for sweeping away all those influences that no longer serve. It is also an ideal time to visualize yourself protected and tuning into your intuition.

Naming the full moons is a tradition seen in various cultures throughout the world, although the most popular stems from the Farmers Almanac of 1792. The "Full Flower Moon" refers to the bounty of flowers currently trending in the Springtime of the Northern Hemisphere.


I've chosen to formerly launch and encode the new Page47 liquid with the imprint of this illuminated Moon, although the perfume is associated with a sunshine and the beach. I'll be putting the glass jar with this first edition out this evening so that it is infused with this evenings silvery lunar luminescence.

"Page 47 is a playful amber laced with candied orange blossoms and honeyed jasmine.
How lovely to have a fresh amber option for the summertime! "
Trish, ScentHive

Master Gregorio is still finishing up the image which will ultimately illuminate Page 47, stay tuned for that little visual treat which will eventually be included with all order of the new fume.

Of all the perfumes I've created I find I reach for Page 47 more often than any other, with Chaparral solid a close second. I put a small drop of the new liquid on yesterday and found it to open very sweet with a burst of citrus which mellowed in about five minutes moving into the rich floral and amber notes.

"Oh! How I love Page 47 solid and just when I thought it could not get better Roxana has released the liquid version. Page 47 liquid opens up with a bright citrus scent of oranges warmed in the sun. After a few moments the incandescent jasmine sambac and ylang ylang poke their heads out to shine in the sun and while playing in the warmth of the labdanum and the vintage mysore sandalwood. As the drydown continues the beauty of the seaweed luminates giving Page 47 the depth of the ocean. Page 47 is one of the most stunning perfumes: luminous, feminine and refreshing. Perfect for summer or anytime of the year."
~ Angie

Page 47 is one of the most popular perfumes with customers but not the fragrance bloggers. I believe this is because the bloggers tend to be more interested in fragrances that are ground breaking and unusual. Thus I have included two impressions above, one from Trish of Scent Hive and one from Angie, a loyal customer. If you have impressions to share please include them in the comments.


The synergy for both the solid and the liquid is completely botanical, although there is some sea shell and seaweed. There are nineteen individual notes derived from resins, flowers, rinds, seeds and woods along with my Faux Ambergris accord which is composed of eight essences. The Faux Ambergris accord is featured in many other illuminated perfumes as well. I also used a handmade tincture of vanilla orchid beans from Tahiti.


Where GreenWitch is of the Sea, Page47 is of the sandy beach at the waters edge. The aroma reminds me of days long ago when I was a junior lifeguard during the summer at Zuma beach in Malibu. There is a particular aroma that my skin would take on from the salt water drying on my skin from the sun, that is the aroma of Page 47.


Intending a radiant full moon with the scent of long Summer days spent on the sandy shores of the Pacific. Many thanks to both Angie and Trish for providing a quote. More posts about Page 47 here at the journal: Page by Page, Sweet Serenity, Page 47, and Turn the Page.

Images: Greg Spalenka, Radiant Moon by Edward Robert Hughes, Page47 liquid flacon and vanilla bean photos by Roxana Villa, The Piper and the Nymphs by John Reinhard Weguelin

Page by Page

Here are the first set of photos for the Page 47 botanical perfume in hte new liquid format. I'm doing a few more today and will have the illumination by Maestro Spalenka to share soon too.

"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I used shells, vanilla beans and jasmine flowers in the imagery since those are all notes within the perfume. The shells are for the "beachy" quality, which reminds me of those youthful days spent on Malibu Beach during the summer as a junior lifeguard. The aroma is how my skin would smell after a day of sun, sand and surf. Not sure if this aspect will be revealed on others skin, I'm super curious, thus please let me know either by leaving a comment or sending me a private note.




Although the nectarous, amber fragrance doesn't officially debut until the Full Flower Moon on May 17th, I've started listing the various sizes it in the E-shop for those who desire it right away.


There are more photos from yesterdays shoot on my Flickr collection, I took quite a lot.

Sweet Serenity

"If there's a book you really want to read but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." ~Toni Morrison

Page 47, in all her abundant floral grandeur is back. I'm thrilled, as this is my very favorite of all the illuminated perfumes I've created. Appropriately so, since the fragrance was formulated to my specifications a couple years ago as a celebratory Birth day perfume. Read more about Page 47 solid at these two links here at the journal:

Page 47
Turn the Page

"I know every book of mine by its smell,
and I have but to put my nose between the pages
to be reminded of all sorts of things."
~George Robert Gissing

The liquid will be making an appearance soon, although I haven't decided exactly when, need to consult the stars. One of the best aspects of being an uber niche, independent creator is that you can make your own decisions and be spontaneous.


I just realized that there is no illumination to accompany Page 47, hmmm, must speak with Master Gregorio and get on that right away.

Photos and images ©RoxanaVilla

Turn the Page

"A book is like a garden carried in the pocket"

~ Chinese proverb

For the last two years, in August when my date of birth rolls around I create a fragrance. It began with Cimbalom with a few hours of time for myself in a quite house. Last year I created Page 47 just after returning from a two week adventure in the Amazon. Who knows what I will do this year, it's a mystery, until that day.

Page 47 natural perfume has been re-orchestrated and available once more in the solid perfume format. Her color harmony is a vintage white...like the page out of an old book. Which book?


The botanical composition begins with finely woven details of fresh ginger, cilantro and mouth watering blood orange. In rhythmic flow the fragrance unfurls a rich, nectarous jasmine bouquet laced with underpinnings of golden amber.

Landscaped with memories of summers spent in Malibu and Catalina Island this aromatic portrait evokes the aroma of verdant flowers on a hot sandy beach with a whisper of sea air.

The solid perfume has been created by my own hand, utilizing a complex base accord I have prepared. The main notes are: Vintage Mysore Sandalwood, Seaweed, Labdanum, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang & Cilantro, Ginger and Blood Orange. The fragrance of Page 47 shares a similar experience as Lyra.

"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Page 47 solid natural perfume comes in an American made, antique finish metal compact contained in a alabaster hand crocheted pouch. I pour each solid perfume into a separate tin that fits inside with the antique finished metal compact. This ensures lasting performance of this pure, natural, botanical perfume. The vintage gets better with age.

The name Page 47 is layered with two meanings, for now I will leave that as a mystery for you to uncover.

Page 47

"You are an alchemist, make gold of that!"
~ Shakespeare

A new series of fragrances has been birthed. As you may recall, last year in August I had a few hours to myself and decided to create a bespoke solid perfume. I gathered my favorite essences and quickly formulated a scent. Eventually I released the perfume which has now grown to be my most popular fragrance, Cimbalom.

This year, I took the pilgrimage to the land of Olfactory delights to produce another imaginative sensual Odyssey to christen my new birth year.

I began by sniffing several vials of perfumes and accords I had created over the years . One perfume in particular struck my fancy. I found the original formula noted in a journal and began building the new fragrance. The formula includes three heavenly accords, Jasmine, Frangipani (Plumeria blossoms), Ylang Ylang, an old Vintage of Mysore Sandalwood and a few varieties of Orange for the top notes. There are at least 16 botanical ingredients in this perfume, I need to count each essence in each accord to reveal the exact total.

Since I am a lover of creamy unguents, this was formulated as a solid perfume. One solid compact was made with thirteen samples to share. I have begun selling and dispersing the thirteen solids and look forward to hearing your thoughts.

At an event at our home I shared the perfume and asked the friends and family gathered what they thought would be a good name. The perfume went around the room with everyone enjoying the fragrance and pondering a name. Finally someone said "How about Chapter 47?" This answered triggered my daughter to yell out, "No, it should be Page 47!!!"

Page 47 works for a variety of reasons, those in the know will be able to figure out the primary one. However, there is another aspect to it which is why my daughter felt "Page 47" was ideal. For now I will leave that as a mystery for you to uncover. I love mysteries don't you?

The subsequent edition will change slightly as I enhance the formula. I already have some ideas of my own, but, await your insights to add to the pot.


The colors associated with Page 47 are an old, dusty white and burnished gold. Page 47 is a sweet, fresh floral perfume with notes of incense. Of all our fragrances it shares a similar aromatic experience as Lyra, but, a bit more fresh with Lyra being more warm.

Once the formula is set I will have the fragrance available in both the natural solid and liquid botanical perfume format. Until then, I await your feedback!

All photos by Roxana Villa

Taste of Ecuador

Sunday afternoon we celebrated my birthday by inviting a few family members and friends over to our little house in the woods. To my delight Green Power Girl came by, what a treat, I just LOVE her! She didn't bring her Solar Scepter though. (Darn!)

We decided to do a "Taste of Ecuador" type meal and also showed our photos from the trip while sharing a few stories.

The menu consisted of Banana Chips, Pan de Yuca, Corn Empanadas and Ecuadorian Fruit Smoothies for the appetizers. A main course of Green Banana Empanadas with Tomato Tree Fruit Salsa, Locro Soup, Green Salad and Shrimp Salad. Mostly handmade.

For dessert Marilyn made a Chocolate Cake and a Plum Torte, Green Power Girl brought some delicious goodies from Wholefoods with Vanilla Ice Cream on the side. Lots of Chocolate because of Ecuador AND I am a chocoholic!

The Green Empanadas came out especially good, in fact they were probably the favorite food item of the day! We used this recipe although we modified it just a bit. I made a Tomato Tree Fruit Salsa to go with them. The Tree Tomato Fruit came from Venice, Green Power Girl and her friend brought them over. Since they were frozen I ran the plastic package under hot water to defrost them quickly. Then I followed this recipe, although again, I modified it. This time the modification came by adding some Mango and a little sugar.


For the Locro Soup I adjusted the original recipe I posted on this blog with tips from my Ecuadorian friend Maria. One of the special ingredients is Achitote, also called Annatto. We purchased the Achitote at our local Vallarte Supermarket. We were a bit disappointed that the market only featured mainly Mexican fruits and veggies.


These napkins started out as Mexican fabric that was given to us by Marilyn. Eve and I sewed about one inch from the edge and then carefully frayed them. They were perfect the the theme of the day.


We served Pan de Yuca as an appetizer. These are might good! We purchased the Yuca root flour at the Vallarta market. From what I read Yuca root also goes by the term Tapioca flour which is sold at regular markets. If you know if indeed Yuca root flour and Tapioca flour is the same thing please leave a comment here on the blog. I'd love to know if this is actual true. This was the only recipe I didn't modify.


The fruit smoothies were made from a variety of tropical fruit, some Ecuadorian but not all. We cut pineapple slices and put them on each class. Just like we were served in the restaurant of the Hotel Quito...well almost.


Between the main course and dessert we debuted a 25 minute slide show of all our photos from the recent Ecuador trip. During the slides we told a few stories and provided a bit of an educational aspect. To see some of the pictures from the show follow this link to the posts I've done so far here at this journal.

I forgot to mention, it was Reverend Ricki's birthday too. His name starts with "R" like me AND he was born the same year on the same day. Thus, we had a double R celebration.

After the birthday cake celebration I got out my newest botanical perfume creation. This is following a sequence from last year when I created Cimbalom, titled Birthday Balm initially.
The Birthday Balm perfume for this years christening is titled Page 47. It is a sweet, floral fragrance similar to Lyra, but a bit more fresh. The title Page 47 came when I asked "What shall we call this perfume?" Someone mentioned the name Chapter 47, which prompted Eve to chime in with "NO, it should be Page 47!!" We like that name for a variety of reasons. Those in the know will understand the layers of significance this title has. More on this perfume soon.


THANK YOU's
Thank you to My who contributed photos #2 through #5 . Thank you to Marilyn for the delicious cakes, Green Power Girl and her buddy for the Ecuadorian fruits from the Central American Market in Venice, Martha for the Corn Empanadas. Special thanks to the amazing helpers in the kitchen Peleg, My, Eve and Greg. Thanks to all the family and friends who came to the festivities and those who sent lovely birthday blessings. A very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Ricki as well as my other Leonine sisters in New York, Leah and Lucy.