Radiant Orchids

Pantone, the self deemed authority on color , has deemed "Radiant Orchid" the color of 2014. This cool yet warm hue, which gently lounges on the fringes of red violet, has an affinity with the color harmony of Gracing the Dawn and Cimbalom. In fact, if you were to take the lavender shade of Gracing the Dawn and mix in a bit of the pigment of Cimbalom you'd probably have a match.

Radiant Orchid is within the realm of our mascot hue Purple, and thus we are rather thrilled by this as there seems to be much available in this luminous tone.

Orchids, for the most part do not have a scent, nor do we have a botanical essence derived from their flowers. We do have vanilla, the fermented paste from the bean originally from the V. planifolia that grew along the east coast of Mexico. However, when conjuring the image of this wild, tropical orchid we generally associate it with a cocoa brown color.

Thus, if we were to construct a scent from the Illuminated Perfume line that was in alignment with the "Radiant Orchid" I would choose a soft floral with both a warm and cool character. I'm feeling like Gracing the Dawn is perfectly aligned with what the Pantone folk define as Radiant Orchid. If you have a different point of view let me know, I'd love to hear it.

Chocolate please!

After much research and speaking with experts I have reformulated the chocolate solid natural perfumes with apparent success. Before putting them in the shop I thought I'd get some feedback from all you lovely folks as well as take some time to observe them a bit.

Whose game? I have sixteen pink pots to share. If you would like one, I will include one in every order over $50 as of today at 1pm PST, as long as you tell me you heard about the chocolates here at the journal. I will also give what is left away.

For the giveaway your task is to e-mail me (roxanailluminatedperfumecom) or leave a comment answering at least one of the following questions, the more you answer the more importance you will be given:

1. Did you sample any of the first edition chocolate solid perfumes? If so what did you like best and what did you like least?

2. Do you prefer a chocolate solid perfume, a chocolate body butter or both?

3. Is there a particular fragrance you would like to experience as a chocolate solid perfume?

Everyone who enters will be put into the randomizer to select the sixteen winners. Please make sure to provide your contact information so that in the event you are a winner. This special and giveaway ends when all sixteen samples have been spoken for.

Here's a detailed post about the original chocolate natural perfumes that debuted back in Autumn of 2010.

Photos: RoxanaVilla

A Vanilla Soliflore

I've re-released "Figure 10: Blanc" without the chocolate base. This is a delicious vanilla soliflore, meaning one flower in French, a term used to describe a composed perfume dominated by one single flower, such as Gardenia or Jasmine. Blanc is a botanical fragrance dominated by the scent of vanilla. For the aromatic component I am using the original Blanc accord of essential oils, Co2 extracts and absolutes combined with a vanilla bean infusion I also created.


For the moment I have listed the Honey Pot and the Mini Compact in the E-shop. I also have it available as the oval and round tapestry compact as well as the little sample pot. All of these will be uploaded and listed shortly.

Amberesque

Due to popular demand I introduce to you Aumbre as a liquid perfume. The plan was to release this later in the month, however, I have gotten so many requests that the course has altered. At the moment Aumbre is available in 1 gram and 7 gram weights as well as in the trio sampler pack. I am planning another format, however, that will depend on if the samples coming this way meet my extremely high criteria. We shall see, a compromise between aesthetics and availability may be in the near future.


Here are the specs on Aumbre, for details on the orchestration please follow this link here on the blog.

Off to Serendip we go and return with natural botanical perfume titled Ambre for my hombre who chants Aum in the morning and at night. The fragrance contains a synergy of twenty different botanical ingredients. The notes are warm, balsamic, sweet, tobacco and a hint incense smoke The feel is nurturing and exotic.


This true natural botanical perfume does not last on the skin like synthetic perfumes or perfumes not labeled correctly. Since this is an "authentic" nature perfume, made without ANY synthetics, isolates or animal ingredients the longevity may only be a short time. The length of evaporation on the skin is different for everyone. On me and some of my clients Aumbre lasts for up to twelve hours, however, this may not be true for you.


This natural perfume was originally created as a signature scent for my husband, artist Greg Spalenka. There are 7 grams by weight of this luxurious fragrance in a French glass flacon. The perfume is purple gift box ready to give a a gift to yourself or someone special. Also included is an 8.5 x 11 printed information paper which is folded and sealed with the signature bee wax seal.


Fragrance Family: Amber Essences: Resin, Wood and Vanilla.


This is a pure vital nature perfume created with essential oils, absolutes and C02 extracts all from the plant world. I combine my essences and accords with organic, beverage grade alcohol. Layer one of the solid illuminated perfumes over this to extend the lasting performance. All items are handcrafted by my own hands in a smoke and pet-free environment.

Photos ©Roxana Villa, Illustration ©Greg Spalenka

Two Bean

Vanilla is derived from an orchid that originated in central America. The bean or seed pod contains that fragrant delicious substance that is beloved worldwide, especially now during the holiday baking season.



I have brought back a few of the chocolate solid perfumes and am working on a few others. Blanc, which is rich in vanilla is one of the solids that has returned along with Noir and Chêne. I will also be bringing back La Forêt and Bois de Chocolat eventually making my way to offer twelve for the return of the Couer de Chocolat Natural Perfume Luxury Gift Box.

Photos by Roxana Villa

Aromatic Journey: Vanilla

I am so thrilled to announce that I will be a regular contributor on the blog Lillyella. The series we have devised is called Aromatic Journeys. My first contribution went up today. It is a step by step lesson in creating an infused Vanilla oil which can be applied to other materials. An infused oil base has a wide application in botanical perfume, aromatherapy and the culinary arts. Please hop on over and leave a comment if you fell inspired.

Nicole of Lillyella is a talented, inspirational artist I met in the Etsy community. Perhaps you have heard me mentioned her here at this journal before. I consider her a muse in the realm of marketing, she is quite brilliant as well as being creating really pretty jewelry.

Aromatic Journey: Vanilla Infused Oil Base

Handmade Tag

Every once in awhile I get in this zone. It's very enchanting when it happens and I'm not conscious of it until afterward. The other day was a zone day. I was doing some work and research on the computer when I came across the blog of a fellow etsy seller. I am still not sure how I found her. The zone has this "Magical Mystery Tour" element where the Divine is driving the bus. The bus made a stop at an enchanting, beautiful oasis. This was my introduction to the luminous and inspirational Nicole of Lillyella. Have you seen her blog and jewelry? I'm a bit smitten by it all, so pretty. Thus I made a comment on her blog and joined in on a game. I've just discovered that I was one of the lucky winners of the handmade gift set by Nicole pictured here. It also means I now create the game here. If you would like to play along here are the guidelines:

Requirements:

1. You have to be crafty and willing to make three handmade gifts

2. You must have a blog that you post to regularly

Here's how it works:

I will randomly select three people to receive a handmade gift set from me. They then have to post this game on their blog offering a handmade item(s) of their own to three people and so on.

My handmade gift set will include:

Something from the Land of Botanical Fragrance and a yummy baked item...like cookies or biscotti....or perhaps something else along that vein...like Lavender truffles. Feel free to make suggestions. Perhaps the fragrant item will have a relationship to the baked good...like Vanilla
for example.

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post by end of day next Tuesday (3/03) saying you would like to play. Please include your first name and a link to your blog. I will randomly choose three people and announce them on Wednesday (3/04) . Get your engines ready, this should be fun!

Lineage expanded

Yesterday, after posting the blog entry, my father sent me another photo from Leonildas birthday celebration. This one showcases all the “adult” attendees. Looks like it was a big party!

Also, in yesterdays post I wrote I would share the formula of the birthday solid perfume I set out to create. I think it was the quickest perfume I have ever orchestrated. I began with essences noted in the previous post, however, as I proceeded things shifted. Other essences spoke to me, some whispered, while others shouted.

The story unfolds with a small beaker filled with 11 grams of jojoba oil. Normally I use the unrefined jojoba, however, I am out of the lovely golden hued elixir, so the refined was used instead. To that I added my essences, I began with Labdanum. As I took all the different Labdanums and Jasmines out other essences beckoned. Recently I was given a small vial of Neroli, so a drop of that went in to compliment the Jasmine. When I had finished the composition I inhaled and applied some of the Jojoba blend on my skin. There was a wild, animalic note. Although I rather enjoyed the adventurous terrain the perfume had drifted to, it wasn’t quite the right fit for the day. So, I added Vanilla to smooth out the landscape a bit and a new Patchouli I have just received. I then reapplied and was contented, knowing that the aromatics would change even further once the beeswax was added.

The perfume is interesting and complex. When I took it out to share at the play, everyone responded to it quite enthusiastically. In fact, one of Eve’s friends stated, “OH! This is my favorite of all your perfumes!” For now we call it Birthday Balm:

11 grams of unrefined jojoba oil
2.2 grams of shaved beeswax
Approximately 44 drops total, not each, of the following essences:

Labdanum
Vanilla
Jasmine
Patchouli
Neroli
Orange
Peppercorn
Ginger

Normally I would have chosen to include some of my accords, but, since I knew I would be sharing the ingredients with you all, I decided to keep it simple. Perfume with a Vanilla base, Jasmine heart and citrus top notes are a good start for those starting out on their journey into the world of botanical perfume.

Roxana Illuminated Perfume™
Photo above unknown photographer, photo of ceramic pot with shaved beeswax ©Roxana Villa.

Lineage

My dad e-mailed me the above photo this morning. It was taken in Buenos Aires, Argentina on October 12, 1962. My great grandmother, Leonilda, is surrounded by all her great grandchildren, on her 90th birthday. She holds a little two months old infant in her delicate arms. That little infant is me, supposedly the earliest photo that exists of Roxana on Spaceship Planet Earth.

We are off this morning to go watch my daughter Eve perform in "The Taming of the Shrew" at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum. She has been part of the High School Summer Repertoire and has her first performance today. Afterward we are off to lunch en masse to begin the celebratory day.

I haven't been writing much here at the blog. This morning I realized it is because I am in the thick of the second Artist's Way journey, The Vein of Gold. I write every morning in my journal as well as do a variety of other assigned tasks. All of it combined with the regular workload and new and exciting projects compete for blog time.

What story threads shall I weave together to create a perfume to honor the day? I will begin with something warm and golden for the Leo Sun, Vanilla and Labdanum will work. A little Jasmine sambac because I ADORE it so much and works with the Piscean elements and the feminine. On the top I'll use some pink peppercorn, wild orange and a little fresh ginger. Off to put this botanical perfume together as a solid. I'll give you all the formula once it has been manifested.

Thank you Dad for sending me the picture with your birthday wishes today!