Brie’s Fragrant and Edible Delights

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Post by Brie

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Local NYC Artisanal Fragrant and Edible Delights

Soap and Paper Factory/ Harney and Sons Teas/ Sweetniks

When my middle daughter turned thirteen she decided that she wanted to celebrate with a NYC shopping extravaganza. Much to my horror she chose Black Friday as the day to do it.
After spending literally all day waiting on long cashier lines and dodging Japanese and German picture taking tourists on the streets of Manhattan we arrived at Grand Central Station in the evening completely depleted. Having a few minutes to spare before our Metro North train arrived I spotted in an alcove a multitude of booths set up by local artisanal artists selling their products.

Soap and Paper Factory Shea Butter Bois de Santal Hand Cream

Photo Stolen soapandpaperfactory

Those who know me well can attest to the fact that I am a strong supporter and advocate of purchasing from local and artisanal companies. So it was no surprise that I high-tailed it over to one of the booths, the Soap and Paper Factory Company which calls Congers, New York its home. What my eyes witnessed were a large assortment of all natural solid perfumes, shea butter hand creams, natural soaps and soy candles- a deluge of olfactory delights hand poured in recyclable, eye popping packaging. I immediately purchased Bois de Santal shea butter hand cream, a bourbon vanilla and sandalwood amalgamation. The shea butter makes this cream uber-luxurious and the decadently sweet scent lasts for hours and hours. (Ed: At this time they are currently out of stock of Bois de Santal but there are plenty of others)

Harney and Sons Vanilla Comoro Tea

Photo Stolen Harney&Sons

I discovered Harney and Son Teas at a small local farmers market in upstate New York. It is one of my absolute favorite tea companies and produces high quality loose teas, tisanes and tea bags beautifully packaged in tetraheaval silken sachet pouches. A relatively short scenic drive through bucolic landscape brings me to their factory and store in Millerton, New York. Vanilla Comoro, a decaffeinated black tea nuanced with boozy vanilla notes is the perfect accompaniment to Bois de Santal.

Sweetniks Candy Bacon Spiced Pecan Nougat

Photo Stolen Sweetniks

Finally, my introduction to Sweetniks was through http://www.coolcookstyle.com. This local artisanal candy company based in New York City conjures up a perfume lover’s wildest fragrant candy desires. My absolutely favorite offers from Sweetniks are the Candied Bacon Spiced Pecan Nougats. These spicy bourbon scented nougats with bacon and pecans are what I nibble on whilst drinking my Vanilla Comoro Tea with the scent of Bois de Santal Shea butter hand cream wafting from my delicate little fingers…. utterly delightful!

Do please go and visit these artisanal stores websites, each name is its own jump.

Soap And Paper Factory (Please write to the Contact Us email for Outside US Shipping)

Harney & Sons Teas

Sweetniks (USA Only unless you contact them)

See you next month,

Brie x

(Ed: Brie wrote this post ahead. She may not answer your comments but please leave some in case she drops in. I, Portia, will answer though)

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Perfume + Tea: Victoria’s Secret + Harney and Sons

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Post by Brie

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Perfume & Tea Musings: The Middle Aged Sex Kitten

Victoria by Victoria’s Secret
Harney & Sons Royal Wedding Tea

Harney and Son’s Royal Wedding is part of their Historic Royal Palaces of England collection. I stumbled upon it at my farmer’s market in upstate New York and snatched it up after reading the tea “notes”. A delicate Chinese white tea, comprised of pink rosebuds, cornflowers, marigold petals and notes of almond, coconut and vanilla rounding out the floral, this is truly a royal tea. I have paired it with Victoria by Victoria’s Secret.

Photo by Brie’s family

Victoria was launched in 1989, the very first fragrance from the highly popular English (USA from San Francisco: Thanks Undina) lingerie company. Sadly, the perfumer is unknown and it was discontinued, to be replaced with light fruity concoctions with cheeky names that are so prevalent when one walks into a VS store in my local mall. I attempted to research the notes for Victoria but came up with nil. This glorious rose amber fragrance came in a regal fluted rectangular shaped bottle rimmed in gold metal with a royal blue cap. The bottle was as stunning as the perfume itself. It was a part of my perfume wardrobe from the time of its launch until it disappeared in the late 90s. Ironically, my perfume despising co-worker, with whom I share an office, had several bottles of Victoria. It is the ONLY perfume she ever purchased. She wore it as a young woman because men would approach her in bars and restaurants, inquiring about her scent. It is thanks to her that I am once again the happy owner of a partially full bottle.

Photo Stolen LippyEyesMUA

Victoria is what I wear when I want to feel a weensy bit regal and a whole lotta sex kittenish: in the late evening, with fragrant candles illuminating a darkened bedroom, in bed with my hubby sipping Royal Wedding Tea and wearing Victoria perfume and nothing else. What do you wear when you want to be the sexiest kitten in town?

Brie x

(Ed: I couldn’t help but add a shot of Australia’s Miranda Kerr as a Victoria’s Secret Angel)

Photo Stolen NYDailyNews

Perfume and Tea Pairings #3 GIVEAWAY WINNER!

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Giveaway by Brie

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Perfume and Tea Pairings GIVEAWAY!

WHAT COULD YOU WIN?

For the draw Brittany, Courtney and I offered up 1 x three samples from our limited edition Escada collection: Cherry in the Air, Taj Sunset and Moon Sparkle as well as a sampling of teas.
P&H Anywhere in the world

HOW DID YOU WIN?

Open to everyone worldwide who left a comment on their favorite limited edition fragrance.

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Closed Friday 7th June 2013 9pm AusEST.
Winners were chosen by putting names on same sized papers, folded similarly, put on a tray and Brie’s family picked a winner.

Photo Stolen FallOutFactory

MIM

CONGRATULATIONS!!! You have till Monday 10th June 2013 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

Perfume + Tea: Musings + Pairings #3 and GIVEAWAY

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Post by Brie

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At the age of six I requested my own perfume and a few weeks later demanded a perfume wardrobe (what can I say? I was a spoiled ‘only child’ and mum acquiesced). For years there would always be five to seven full bottles in rotation. Once one was completely drained into the garbage it went and I would then allow myself to purchase something new and different.

PERFUME AND TEA MUSINGS: A TALE OF MANY BOTTLES

When I was in my late teens it hit me that I really should be saving these bottles as some of them were exquisitely beautiful. Thus began my bottle collection. After a while, word got out that I was a collector and anyone that wore perfume was giving me their bottles. After 30 some odd years of collecting I had amassed over 400 empty bottles.

Photo Courtesy Brittany and Courtney

Several years ago my hubby, eyeballing the multitude of perfume boxes in the basement, requested that I throw them out. The added pressure came from my yoga teacher who was steering me in the direction of ‘simplifying my life’ by letting go of material possessions. Within a week I had discarded almost all of my bottles- from vintage Chanels to matching Annick Goutals all in different sizes. At first it felt cathartic….then I almost had a nervous breakdown when I realized what I had done!

ESCADA’S LIMITED EDITION CHERRY IN THE AIR

Photo courtesy Brittany and Courtney

NOTES IN ESCADA’S CHERRY IN THE AIR: black cherry, raspberry, mandarin, marshmallow, gardenia, coconut, sandalwood, oakwood

Fortunately I stood firm on my limited edition Escadas. From the time I brought home my first Escada limited edition (Un Ete en Provence) from Paris in 1994 I had been collecting a bottle every year. Although the juice has gotten a bit fruitier over the years and not always to my taste I still bought each bottle, knowing that one of my daughters would wear the juice. With the exception of Chiffon Sorbet (1993) I still have every single one from 1994 through 2013.
This year’s offering is “Cherry in the Air” which, surprisingly, I rather enjoy wearing. It begins as a vibrant burst of tart cherry, segues into a creamy gardenia- coconut- marshmallow trio and dries down to a woody accord. This may very well be the one that the girls will have to share with me as I am not relinquishing my bottle to them as I normally would do!

HARNEY AND SONS CHERRY BLOSSOM TEA

Photo Stolen CappoJim

I pair Cherry in the Air with Harney and Sons Cherry Blossom Tea- a green tea with the subtle flavor of plump cherries. And as I enjoy a perfect cup of springtime in tea and wear “cherries” on my wrist I think about all of those lovely bottles my daughters will one day inherit from me (yes, after the discarding debacle I have begun a new collection which is well hidden in my basement…SHHHH…don’t tell the hubby!)

Perfume and Tea Pairings GIVEAWAY!

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

For the draw Brittany, Courtney and I are offering up 1 x three samples from our limited edition Escada collection: Cherry in the Air, Taj Sunset and Moon Sparkle as well as a sampling of teas.
P&H Anywhere in the world

HOW DO YOU WIN?

Open to everyone worldwide who leaves a comment on your favorite limited edition fragrance and you are entered to win!.

Extra Chance?
Tweet: @OzPerfumeJunkie @brie108 @ESCADA Brie’s Perfume & Tea GIVEAWAY http://wp.me/p2fQBU-1AW @ESCADAmericasPR

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Close Friday 7th June 2013 9pm AusEST and winners will be announced in a separate post then.
Winners will be chosen by putting names on same sized papers, folded similarly, put on a tray and Brie’s family will pick a winner.
The winners will have till Monday 10th June 2013 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

Perfume and Tea Pairings GIVEAWAY WINNER!

Hiya Crew. Thanks for getting involved in Brie’s fabulous GIVEAWAY!! We had a wonderful response and I know you all enjoyed being a part of the fun. I keep saying it but I LOVE Giveaways.

Perfume and Tea Pairings GIVEAWAY!

Brie’s handsome son Colin picking the winner for another giveaway from the OWL BOWL

WHAT COULD YOU WIN?

1 x 1ml samples of Spiced Citrus Vetiver and my all natural essential oil blend “Ginza in the Rain” as well as a sampling of a variety of Tusli teas
P&H Anywhere in the world

HOW DID YOU WIN?

Open to everyone worldwide who left their favourite perfume note or essential oil in the comments section.

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Closed Thursday 10th May 2013 9pm AusEST.
Winners were be chosen by putting names on same sized papers, folded similarly, put on a tray and Brie’s family will pick a winner.

Feral Jasmine

CONGRATULATIONS!!! You have till Monday 13th May 2013 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with your address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

Perfume + Tea: Musings + Pairings #2 and GIVEAWAY

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Post by Brie

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Perfume and Tea Pairings

For those of you in “perfumeland” who know me well I need not reiterate that SonomaScentStudio is my absolute favorite perfume house EVER (surpassing Chanel, Guerlain, etc). In my opinion every fragrance that the perfumer Laurie Erickson has created thus far is outstanding. Given my new found love for naturals and essential oils I have been hounding Laurie for quite some time to add natural fragrances to her line. My wish came true when she released Cocoa Sandalwood this past winter. Now, following in its footsteps is the recent release of all natural Spiced Citrus Vetiver.

Sonoma Scent Studio Naturals-Spiced Citrus Vetiver

When I wear Spiced Citrus Vetiver my mind instantly envisages a ballet. Not surprising, given that I was once a professional ballet dancer. Please join me in this production as the curtain rises.

Photo9 Stolen SSS

Fragrance Notes: Blood orange, bergamot, ginger CO2, cinnamon bark CO2, clove bud absolute, jasmine sambac absolute, osmanthus absolute, Sri Lanka vetiver EO, Indonesian vetiver CO2, Virginia cedar, Indian Mysore sandalwood EO, vanilla.

In the opening adagio the graceful pas de deux of our principal ballerina (vetiver) and her leading male dancer (blood orange) is supported by a pas de trois of soloists (ginger,cinnamon and clove) who jete around the couple whilst the corps de ballet (jasmine, osmanthus, cedar, sandalwood and vanilla) pirouette stage left and stage right. The prima ballerina (vetiver) does not take center stage in this ballet but rather bourees around the all the other dancers throughout this ballet.

Vetiver (Suzanne R Banks’s blog post on vetiver) is an essential oil that I have recently grown to adore (The Fragrant Man). Laurie’s usage of vetiver has been masterfully blended in an utterly unique way. The vetiver is subtle yet appears throughout this composition, constantly changing on my wrist. A gracefully executed fragrance that is perfect for both male and female fragrance wearers. Given that it is all natural, Spiced Citrus Vetiver sits close to the skin and is the perfect scent when one does not want to offend the ‘perfume adverse” crowd. For a natural eau de parfum longevity is excellent on my skin.

Photo by Brittany and Courtney

Organic India Tulsi Tea (Original)

I pair Spiced Citrus Vetiver with Organic India’s Original Tulsi Tea. Tulsi, or holy basil, is renowned in India as an herb with healing properties that relieve stress and protect the immune system. The earthiness of this tea lends itself beautifully to the grassy quality of the vetiver in Spiced Citrus Vetiver.

Do grab a cup of this relaxing tea whilst wearing Spiced Citrus Vetiver : sit back and enjoy the ballet!

Perfume and Tea Pairings GIVEAWAY!

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

1 x 1ml samples of Spiced Citrus Vetiver and my all natural essential oil blend “Ginza in the Rain” as well as a sampling of a variety of Tusli teas
P&H Anywhere in the world

HOW DO YOU WIN?

Open to everyone worldwide who leaves their favourite perfume note or essential oil in the comments section.

Extra Chance?
Tweet: @OzPerfumeJunkie @SonomaScent @brie108 Brie’s Perfume & Tea GIVEAWAY http://wp.me/p2fQBU-1Ar

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Close Thursday 10th May 2013 9pm AusEST and winners will be announced in a separate post then.
Winners will be chosen by putting names on same sized papers, folded similarly, put on a tray and Brie’s family will pick a winner.
The winners will have till Monday 13th May 2013 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

Perfume and Tea #1 GIVEAWAY WINNER

Hello APJ Friends and Family,

We have been having some excellent giveaways lately. I hope you are all as excited as we are about them. Thank you to everyone who joined in to welcome our newest Guest Post writer Brie. I think she is a wonderful addition to our crew, a new perspective.

THE PRIZE

1ml sample each of Vintage Cristalle, Un Ete En Provence and a sampler of spring inspired teas.

P&P anywhere in the world

HOW DO YOU WIN?

You have to leave a comment welcoming our newest Guest Post writer Brie. That’s IT!

For an Extra Chance you can Tweet: @OzPerfumeJunkie http://wp.me/p2fQBU-1rt Perfume and Tea GIVEAWAY

Photos Courtesy Courtney

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Closed Thursday April 4th 2013 10pm AusEDST.
We gave Jin a break from his draw choosing duties and Brie, with the aide of her daughters, is taking on the arduous task. The names were placed on the same sized papers, folded similarly, placed in Brie’s ceramic owl, the contents stirred by Courtney and the name chosen by Brittany. See above photos.

Photo Stolen getentrepreneurial

Today’s winner is ARLINE

CONGRATULATIONS!!! You have till Sunday 7th April 2013 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or I will give the prize to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

With big love, hugs and smoochy smooches.

Portia xx

Perfume and Tea. Musings – Pairings #1 and GIVEAWAY

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Guest Post by Brie

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Springtime Perfume and Tea Musings

Photo Courtesy Brittany and Courtney

Two Classic Discontinued Perfumes Paired With Aromatic Teas

Classic perfumes have always been a ubiquitous part of my life. Growing up in the early 1970s high end niche and artisanal perfume houses were unknown to me. The perfumes that were so prevalent in my house were the classics of Chanel, Guerlain, Dior, Caron, etc. As I got older I sought out my own perfume landscape, venturing out into other territories, sampling innovative, popular fragrances being sold in the high end department stores in New York City. Unfortunately many of the “contemporary” fragrances I adored from back then have now been either reformulated or discontinued. Below are two of my favorite springtime “classic/discontinued” perfumes and aromatic teas.

Photo Courtesy Brittany and Courtney

CHANEL’s Cristalle EdT with Tazo’s Om Tea

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Bergamot, Sicilian lemon,
Heart: Hyacinth, Brazilian rosewood
Base: Vetiver, oakmoss

Tazo’s OM tea is a wonderful amalgamation of black and green teas paired with notes of peach and cucumber. Drinking this tea puts me in a subdued, serene state of mind, making the name of the tea quite appropriate. I began drinking this tea several years ago in the month of March, when one begins to sense spring in the smell and feel of the air. I would awaken at five in the morning and stand on my outdoor deck with a hot cup of OM tea. Gazing at the black sky illuminated by the full moon and a vast array of stars, I was awed by the simplistic beauty presented to me. The coolness of the air, the stillness and quiet surrounding me was pure, powerful and meditative. With its ability to resonate pure tranquility, I pair OM tea with Chanel’s Cristalle.

From the time I was thirteen years old and wore Cristalle EDT, this has been the classic fragrance that comes to mind when the seasons segue from winter to spring. The grassy, woody quality created by the lemon, rosewood, oakmoss and vetiver always proves to be the perfect scent for ushering in the spring season. Cristalle exudes austerity: a simplistic, serene, yet powerful, beauty.  In the early morning hours of spring you will find me standing on my deck, wafting of Cristalle whilst drinking my Tazo tea and chanting “OMMMMM…..”

NOTES IN CRISTALLE EDT: Italian lemon, bergamot, basil, petitgrain, rosewood, galbanum, hyacinth, jasmine, oakmoss, vetiver

Escada’s Un Ete En Provence L.E. with Republic Of Tea’s Beginners Mind Green Tea Spring Cherry

Photo Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Pineapple, apple, cherry, nectarine and pear
Heart: Jasmine, peony, lotus, cyclamen, lychee and watermelon
Base: Praline, amber, cedar and sandalwood

Republic of Tea’s Spring Cherry was the tea that originally propagated my tea and perfume musings several years ago. Spring Cherry tea is a delicate green tea enhanced with the almond-like floral essence of cherry blossoms. During my initial whiff and taste of this tea I had an epiphany and exclaimed to myself, “This is ‘Un Ete en Provence’ in drinkable form”!

Out of all the perfumes I brought back from my first trip to Paris, Escada’s 1994 limited edition EDT, Un Ete en Provence, proved to be the most magical. With its sweet, fruity, praline notes and cherry colored bottle of muted glass with a beveled gold cap it brings to mind nothing more spectacular than delicate, ethereal cherry blossoms. Every year in the late spring as I gaze out my bedroom window admiring my budding plum blossom trees, I am drinking Spring Cherry tea and wearing this fragrance. Pure bliss…..

Photo Courtesy Brittany and Courtney

GIVEAWAY COMPETITION!!

THE PRIZE

We have a draw and win for one lucky commenter- a 1ml sample each of Vintage Cristalle, Un Ete En Provence and a sampler of spring inspired teas.

HOW DO YOU WIN?

You have to leave a comment welcoming our newest Guest Post writer Brie. That’s IT!

For an Extra Chance you can Tweet: @OzPerfumeJunkie http://wp.me/p2fQBU-1rt Perfume and Tea GIVEAWAY

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Close Thursday April 4th 2013 10pm AusEDST and will be announced in a special post that day.
We are giving Jin a break from his draw choosing duties and Brie, with the aide of her daughters, is taking on the arduous task. The names will be placed on the same sized papers, folded similarly, placed in Brie’s ceramic owl, the contents stirred by Courtney and the name chosen by Brittany.

The winners will have till Sunday 7th April 2013 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or I will give the prize to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

Photo Courtesy Brittany and Courtney