Rose and Jasmine, King and Queen

Episode 11~

Rose and Jasmine, King and Queen

So the bold Rose has her way with Ambergris, and afterwards she decides that he is a bit over the top, egocentric and not really her type. (I can hardly believe this, it sounds as if Rose is being shallow, not in her nature, until now). After a few early morning coffees with Ambergris she found him over powering, you know, one of those types which one can only take in *very* small doses.

Now if nothing else, over the last few weeks Rose has discovered that her favourite type of ice cream is Vanilla.

Rose was contemplating buying herself an ice cream one evening as she walked back to her small apartment by the canals. She was thinking, maybe it's too late in the day to be eating ice cream. Then she was scolding herself for being so rigid. Spontaneity, that's what she wanted more of, and she would start by buying herself an ice cream on a Friday evening if she wanted to (as if having her way with Ambergis doesn't count as spontaneous).
So she started heading across the bridge towards the corner where she had seen the little ice cream stand earlier in the day. As she walked along, she could feel the warm breeze of the summer evening creeping up around her stockinged legs and under her skirt.  Rose smiled a little to herself and then stopped as she noticed a man had begun walking in step beside her. He was tall, and well dressed. He wore a long light coloured cashmere overcoat. Rose discreetly looked down at his shoes, as was her habit since she was a teenager, her Mother said to her once that "a lot can be told from a mans' shoes". His shoes were light brown moccasins that looked handmade and very soft. They didn't make a sound as he stepped along beside her. Rose was approaching the corner where the Ice cream stand should have been and realised then, that the owner would have packed up and gone home some hours ago.

Rose stopped walking and felt a little awkward, not knowing which way to turn. The man (a total stranger) also stood, they looked at each other, "the ice cream stand is gone" they both said in unison. They laughed out loud and Rose suddenly felt like a child.

The man looked at his watch (Rose looked at his watch too and she noticed it was a very expensive looking timepiece). "There is a lovely place up the street, I don't know if they have ice cream but they do a very nice rib roast" The man said, his voice was deep and hypnotic. He smiled, his eyes smiled, and Rose accepted his invitation. He offered her his arm as a gentleman would, she took it and once again they began to walk in step together, and the sun went down.
The man's name was Jasmine and in the restaurant and afterwards as they walked together Rose was overcome with the sense of familiarity she felt with this man whom she had only just met. When she walked with him, she felt a sense of rhythm and harmony. When he spoke and then she spoke it was as if their words floated together on a song to the sky. When they laughed together it seemed as though an entire symphony opened up in the heavens and played an angels tune.
Rose and Jasmine spent many an evening together after that, walking along the canals, visiting beautiful restaurants and galleries, listening to Mozart in Jasmines penthouse apartment.
Wherever they went and whatever they did, it always felt to Rose as though they were royalty. As though he was King and she was Queen.

Rose meets Ambergris

Episode 10~

Rose meets Ambergris

"Ambergris, have you and Rose been introduced?" The host asks. Rose has ended up at a dinner party, and for once she hasn't cooked a morsel of the food that the seven at the table are putting into their mouths. Sitting across from her, looking devilishly handsome is a man Rose has never laid eyes on before. He has a noble grace about him and seems quiet, yet when he speaks everyone seems compelled to listen. His eyes are the colour of a pale sea, his lips are full and when he smiles, which is often, he has the whitest teeth Rose has ever seen. "I have not had the pleasure" Ambergris flashes a killer smile and Rose almost swoons.
Later, after the food, Ambergris sidles up to Rose on the sofa in the living room. Rose notices the rich smell that seems to embrace her as he sits down. Subtle and at the same time catching her in the pit of her stomach, first one butterfly, then another, completely taking Rose by surprise. Rose can feel herself melting, maybe it's just the food she thinks. Then she looks up into Ambergris's eyes as he turns to face her. He smiles again, his eyes have changed colour, still the sea, but now a deep aquamarine with flecks of gold. Rose finds herself blinking, as if in slow motion, she breathes deeply. At once Rose feels a flood of heat rising through her body and without a shadow of a doubt she knows she wants this man.

The unearthing of Rose's psyche begins today

Episode 9~

The unearthing of Rose's psyche begins today~

Rose, a flower that is more than a flower to me. The Rose is a queen, a symbol of womanhood & love, a healer and nourishment for the soul and the heart. The Rose, in our love story, got over the shock of her husband leaving her and then she got over the shock of him coming back. She said she would take him back and in her heart she knew she would, but first she has a little self discovery of her own to do. Stand on her own so to speak. Find out what she likes and what she doesn't like. Find out what suits her and what clashes with her. Find out what nurtures her and what smothers her. So her journey of self discovery begins today.

*On the morning after Blond Tobacco comes home from his gallivanting*

When Blond Tobacco awakens from his sleep the next morning Rose is already dressed, she is standing facing the bedroom window, looking out at the garden through the lace curtains. Blond Tobacco can only see her silhouette. Her calls out her name sleepily. He also notices the absence of the smell of fresh coffee brewing, something that he has smelled every morning since he began his life with Rose. Rose makes the best coffee in the world, nutty, rich, aromatic and never ever bitter.
Again he calls her name. Rose turns around and Blond Tobacco notices for the first time that she is dressed to go out. She is wearing a dark green woolen coat which is buttoned up to her chin and a soft pink head scarf. She is wearing her black leather walking boots and has a small brown leather suitcase in her hand.
The sight of the suitcase makes Blond Tobacco sit up in the bed, he shields his eyes against the light. "Where are you going Rose?" he asks. "Rose comes over to the bed and sits on the right side of her husband. She looks grim, "I have to go away Blondy" she says "to think about things, some place away from home, away from all the memories. I need to find out who I am." Blond Tobacco takes her by the shoulders and looks at her square in the face, by this stage he is fully awake. "What about us, what about me, you can't just go" his voice is stressed and his eyes look frightened.
Rose gets up, she looks sad, but her eyes are quite clear, "I'm going Blondy, I have to live a little, I don't know when I'll be back" she leans down and kisses his lips, which don't respond, they are frozen in shock, cold and pursed. She takes her case up, turns and begins to walk out of the room. "Bye Blondy" she says, she looks back only briefly but she doesn't wait for him to reply.
Today Rose's adventures begin, her life, her longing, her passion, she will know it all.

"Rose please take me back"

Episode 8
"Rose please take me back"

Well, I have news on the Frangipani and Blond Tobacco affair. Sadly it just didn't work out. Frangipani was just too...well...weak! She didn't quite cut it, when it came to the long haul that is. And Rose, what became of her? Well, she carried on cooking for a few days. As she was cooking food she was also cooking on the inside, she was processing all those hurt feelings inside.
To take you back to the night Blond tobacco broke the news of the affair. Rose did ask and he did show her a photo he had of Frangipani. Rose commented on the fact she thought Frangipani's hair looked dyed, and how she had a very good figure. She asked Blond Tobacco if Frangipani was good in bed and Blond Tobacco took the photo back and Rose could have sworn he smiled. Rose cried, it seemed so cruel. Blond Tobacco and Frangipani were going to move to Paris and Rose was going to be alone. For one last night the married couple did sleep together. Rose slept in her husbands arms, she could hardly bear to smell his smell and think that it was the last time. In the morning the bitter separation took place and Blond Tobacco said good bye. Rose crept under the covers of the bed, she buried her nose in his pillow to smell his warm mellow smell before it faded for ever.
But like I said Frangipani just didn't cut it. Blond Tobacco soon tired of her constant need for attention and he missed Rose and her wonderful cooking. Blond Tobacco also found himself cooking while he was with Frangipani, but there was little appreciation for the food as Frangipani was constantly counting calories and complaining that the food he cooked was fattening.
And all the while Rose was alone, she cooked! She was bringing baked alaska to the neighbours on her left and baked salmon in hollandaise sauce to the neighbours on the right. When her sisters came to visit her they left with pots of sea food chowder, aromatic curries and savory quiches.
They knew that Rose missed her husband.

Two weeks is all the "honeymoon" lasted. Blond Tobacco arrived home early on Sunday morning. He said he had come to take the rest of his belongings. Rose offered him tea, and when he accepted she filled the table with the banquet she had been craming into into the fridge.
Blond Tobacco was hungry, but as Rose filled the table, and she moved quickly between the fridge, the cooker and the table, he watched her, he watched her round hips, he watched her full bosom and her capable hands. He could smell her floral scent as she past and his heart was filled with deep love and regret for what he had done to her.
Blond Tobacco reached out and took Rose's hand as she leaned over to place her home made mayonaise on the table. Her hand was cool, Blond Tobacco stood up and pulled Rose towards him. She yeided easily, for her love for him had not waned. Blond Tobacco began to shake and cry. He begged Rose to take him back. Rose kissed him and told him she would.

"Rose I love Frangipani"

Episode 7

"Rose I love Frangipani"

A few weeks ago I got a surprise package it contained 15-20 tiny glass vials of aromatic botanical oils, absolutes and tinctures. Among them was frangipani absolute. I just love the deep rich buttery floral note of this exotic essence. You see I am still searching for a new note for my work in progress "Match Made in Heaven" and there is something about Frangipani I think would be a perfect accompaniment to Blond Tobacco, although I am wondering how Rose will feel about that? Do I introduce Franginpani as "the other woman" or do I remove Rose completely from the blend and let Frangipani take her place. First lets try and find out a little bit about the exotic flower herself....then I can tell you what my nose picks up in her character that I feel suggests she would marry so well with old Blond Tobacco.
So what have I learned about this fair and fragrant beauty Frangipani:
She is native to Mexico, Central America and Venezuela.
The flowers can be white/yellow or yellow/pink.
The flowers also grow abundantly in Hawaii.
The common name Frangipani honors a 16th century Italian family who invented a plumaria scented perfume (plumaria is the frangipani genus)
Other common names exist for example "champa" in India or "Kalachuchi" in the Philippines, or "dead man's fingers" in Australia.
Frangipani is fragrant at night so that the sphinx moths will pollinate them. The plants are easily propagated by cuttings.

So what happens, does Blond Tobacco come home one night late smelling of another woman and confess to Rose that he loves Frangipani? That he wants to divorce Rose and marry his new love? How does Rose take it? Faithful steady Rose, Rose who is always there waiting for her husband to come home, with a meal ready to put on the table and a warm smile and a hug. How does she react, do they spend the night together one last time? Does Rose want to know all about Frangipani? How old is she? Has Blond Tobacco got a photo of her. Is she more beautiful?
All these questions, but what attracted Blond Tobacco and Frangipani in the first place. Well from what I know of Frangipani she has at first a buttery innocent and exotic floral scent, but when you really get to know her there is something like tobacco there, something moist, something warm and honey like, irresistable. That's what it is. Blond Tobacco, while himself a very quiet and seemingly innocent man, has a streak in him not many people know about, least of all his wife Rose. He was always a little mysterious and when he met Frangipani for the first time it was as if she saw right through him, saw the adventurous streak in his character and brought it out in him. I also must quietly tell you that she was more passionate than Rose in the bedroom (Rose while sweet would rather be at the stove than lying on her back being made love to) Frangipani couldn't boil an egg but when it came to sex she could certainly cook up a storm between the sheets.
So thats' it... now I'm off to my blending studio again, where the separation shall take place, where Rose will pack her bags and Frangipani will move in.

Episode 6: The Wedding Rings

**In perfumery the word 'marry' is used when we talk about essences left alone for a time so they can blend together and sometimes form something completely new. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't.
 
Episode 6

The Wedding Rings

Each couple needs a ring, something to marry them, round them off, bring them together forever. I think I found one ring, that's the Ambrette, nice round and sexy! That'll make them last, but which couple will it tie together? Who's wedding band is Ambrette? The other wedding band is Frankincense, it's round and binding, rich, opulent and true, but again, who's wedding band is Frankincense? The third wedding band I will try will be Ambergris, pure gold of the sea, can't get anything that is rounder! But who will take this ring? Ah questions that must be answered. I shall 'retire to my studio' for a few hours and see if I can find the answers.
I think this is how it might work out, Ylang Ylang and Cepes will be married with the band of yellow gold Ambergris. Lavender and Oakmoss will be bound by the ring of silver Frankincense and Rose and Blond Tobacco will be joined with the ring of Ambrette.



To be continued...

Warm and Mellow, Hand in Glove

Episode 5

Warm and Mellow, Hand in Glove

Ah! Rose and Blond Tobacco, truly a match made in heaven. Rose brings Blond Tobacco out of himself. A hand in glove match. And a warmer couple you could never meet! Masculine and feminine personified. Rose the ultimate in receptive, needing only the tenderest touch of warmth to bring forth her beauty. Blond Tobacco is mellow and deep, warm and quiet, with a smile that would light the heart of many a thousand people. Well, Blond Tobacco's first impression of Rose was as he was approaching the house where the three sisters lived. He couldn't help but notice the wonderful aroma that wafted passed him. Somebody was cooking! He could smell fragrant spices, onion, tomato, ginger, garlic corriander spice, fresh ginger, chilies and paprika, caramelized, dark and sweet. Blond Tobacco's mouth began to water even though he wasn't hungry. Rose had been standing facing the large black stove at the far side of the room. Already she was smiling broadly and walking to greet Blond Tobacco and his brother with her hand extended.
That was it for Blond Tobacco, love at first sight! And as for Rose she basked in his love and opened her petals to full bloom and her heart to him.

Cool and Strong, the Perfect Couple

Episode 4

Cool and Strong, the Perfect Couple

First there were three old brothers, Oakmoss, Cepes and Blond Tobacco...in a new perfume I matched them up with three spinster sisters. This is the story of how the second pair of lovers met...

Lavender and Oakmoss met each other as a direct result of our first couple, Ylang Ylang and Cepes getting together.

Oakmoss will never forget the day he met Lavender. It was his brother Cepes birthday, the three brothers were at the local bar celebrating. Ylang Ylang arrived with her sister Lavender. Lavender didn't like pubs, but Ylang Ylang was very persuasive and Lavender said she would go but she promised herself she would avert her eyes from the dirty ashtrays and the horrible scum around the swill sink. The one thing she couldn't avert her eyes from was the man who was seated to the left of Cepes. His eyes were dark green, almost brown and his hair was thick and pure white. Oakmoss remembers how Lavenders cool hands refreshed him and how her pale blue eyes soothed him. When Lavender sat down beside Oakmoss she felt like she never wanted to leave his side. Oakmoss had such a strong manly smell, no aftershave, just 100% pure man.

Getting Caught in the Rain

Episode 3

Getting Caught in the Rain

Once upon a time there were three old brothers, Oakmoss, Cepes and Blond Tobacco...in a perfume I am calling "match made in heaven" I teamed them up with three spinster sisters.

The first couple to get together are Cepes and Ylang Ylang, the youngest brother and youngest sister. This is the story of how they met.

Cepes was out walking, he likes the rain as we know (well he likes a bit of a soft mist if the truth be known) but on this day there was a downpour, a deluge, and he stood in under a linden tree to get some shelter. Ylang Ylang was standing under that very same tree. Cepes had in his bag, as was his habit, a most delicious sandwich and the smell of the bread Cepes had baked that morning was floating into the air. Ylang Ylang (who wasn't in the least shy) said "that's a lovely smell of fresh bread I am getting from your bag"! Cepes, being an absolute sweetheart as usual, smiled and offered Ylang Ylang half of his sandwich. Together they ate, while the rain still came pouring down. Eventually the rain eased off, but not before the trees' canopy had started to leak. Huge drops of water showered down on top of them. Cepes removed his big woollen overcoat and threw it over both of their heads. Soaked to the skin they began to walk in the direction of Ylang Ylang's home, where she lived with her two grown up sisters...Lavender and Rose.

A Match Made In Heaven

Episode 2

A Match Made In Heaven
I have found three spinster sisters for the three brothers.

Ylang Ylang is the youngest of the three sisters. She is thoughtful, independent and yet very feminine, she likes writing and keeps a daily journal. She is tall and thin and wears her brown hair tied back. She smells sexy and warm. She wears soft colors and cashmere sweaters

Rose is the eldest sister, she is old fashioned and loves to cook, Rose never wears trousers. She likes reading, embroidery and flower arranging. Rose smells very feminine and has a full figure and dark thick hair.

Lavender, the middle sister, is blond haired and blue eyed, she looks like her mother. She smells of fresh soap and water and is *always* spring cleaning. She loves the color blue and her hands are always lovely and cool. Lavender wears white blouses with crisply ironed collars.

Now to try the match making.

I think that Ylang Ylang would best suit the youngest brother Cepes, he likes cooking, she doesn't, she knows how to occupy herself while he goes on his long walks.

I think that Rose, the eldest sister will best suit Blond tobacco, Rose can cook amazing meals while her husband reads and smokes his pipe.

I think that Oakmoss and Lavender would be a great match. Lavender can help Oakmoss clean up his act a little and she will be well able for his strong personality.

Well I'm going to try it...

The Love Stories Begin: The Three Brothers

Episode 1
The Three Brothers

I have been exploring my essences again today. I am holding in my hand 3 scent strips. The first is cepes, the next is blond tobacco and the third is oakmoss. I am calling them The Three Brothers... well The Three *Old* Brothers actually. Cepes is the youngest and sweetest brother, he loves cooking and baking bread. Cepes smells of yeast and mushrooms. He is bearded and wears a long woollen overcoat and likes walking in the rain.
The second brother is Blond Tobacco, he is quiet, aloof and likes to read. He wears a tweed cap and smokes a pipe.
The third and eldest brother is Oakmoss, he is also the strongest of the three, he is white haired and wears neither a cap nor overcoat, even on the coldest winters day. He wears a woollen sweater and a shirt, during summer and winter and usually a light jacket.
None of the brothers are fond of bathing, and instead they like to have a wash at the sink with some plain soap and water.
I like these old boys, Oakmoss in particular reminds me of my own father.