In the summer, I never fail to buy a bouquet of tuberose at the local farmer’s market anticipating the beautiful creamy scent filling the room just as the dusk begins to descend. The Rodolfo candle by Tocca does not have the mineral intensity of tuberose, nor its warm skin aspect, however its opulent sweetness is stunning. The fireworks of white flowers lead to the rainfall of petals that would have been heady were it not for the soft greenness. Like the raspberry jam filling in Sachertorte, the subtle verdant touch lightens the luxurious heaviness of tuberose…
Candle report: Intreccio no. 1 by L’Artisan & Bottega Veneta
Intreccio no.1 is the first candle created by Olivia Giacobetti in collaboration with L’Artisan Parfumeur and Bottega Veneta. It is meant to evoke a library in an old Venetian house, and indeed lighting the candle sends forth a whiff of leatherbound books and well-polished wood. Like opening a wooden chiffonier containing old love letters, the fragrance envelops one in the same bittersweet nostalgic tenderness that is captured on their yellowed pages. Rather than being just a pleasant scent, I find the fragrance of Intreccio no. 1 evocative of another place and time…
Home fragrance: Lady Rhubarb candle by DL & Co
Lighting the Lady Rhubarb candle by D.L. & Co immediately conjures visions of biting into a crisp rhubarb galette. As the green and floral aroma of rhubarb rises up, its tartness melts into the delicate citrusy sparkle. The sweet mélange of blood orange, red mandarin and pink grapefruit foils the green floral interplay of rhubarb, creating a vibrant, scintillating fragrance that has just enough sweetness to softness the astringent edge. Touched by the creamy sandalwood, the scent is simply wonderful, relaxing and sensual simultaneously…
Home fragrance review: L’Ambre candle by L’Artisan
The most wonderful aspect of the L'Ambre candle by L'Artisan is its ability to create a festive atmosphere with a gentle relaxing touch. It is not the madness of the last minute holiday dinner preparation nor the mini crisis of a gift not purchased, but the vision of having a glass of mulled wine in front of a large fireplace. The warmth of amber, darkly powdery and vanillic is delectably underpinned by the balsamic accent of labdanum. The pine bark quality prevents L'Ambre from becoming overly sweet and gourmand, even though there are moments when I notice the scent of gingerbread wafting in the air…
Fragrance gift ideas, part 3: a few for the men
By request, here a few fragrance gift ideas for the male half of your shopping list:
From The Art of Shaving: a 50 ml Eau de Toilette in their popular Sandalwood fragrance, plus a 2.5 oz tube of sandalwood scented shaving cream. $40 at artofshaving…