Help the Luminous lemurs of Madagascar!

A lemur poster that I have had for over 25 years, given to me by a lemur researcher! I have always loved lemurs!

Earth Day Thoughts and Wishes

Greetings, dear Purrfumery friends! Happy Earth Day! It’s the 50th anniversary of this very special day when we stop and ask: What can each of us do to protect Mother Earth? While it’s usually a day for festivals and conferences, this year we will celebrate in our own quiet ways. I’ve been enjoying the plants in my garden, and have been harvesting lemon balm (Melissa officianalus) for tea—it helps reduce anxiety—and have been infusing violets in honey—a salve for the respiratory system. I’ll say more about lemon balm a little later. This note is also my way of celebrating our beautiful world with you! Winding Path To Awareness My work in natural perfumery over the last 20 years has been an incredible teacher. Every day I experience how interconnected we are with the natural world. I have studied where and how plants grow, the terroir they draw from the land, and how plants can impact our lives, our moods, and our health. I’ve also learned how to collaborate with the ultimate perfumers: Bees! I use their beeswax to create several of my most beloved scents. Sadly, there is a dark underbelly to natural perfumery. I have witnessed the promotion of animal musks and secretions that are derived from animals at the cost of horrible suffering. An animal’s suffering begins when they are trapped in the wild. It continues—in some cases for years, as with civet cats—as people harvest their bodies for their musk that will ultimately be sold to perfumers.     It is this same logic—that wild animals possess something we must take for ourselves—that is at the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic. My Earth Day Message: Find a Solution I am so sorry to hear about the loss of life that has resulted from this pandemic, and the loss of livelihoods from the shelter-in-place. And while I know researchers are still studying the source of the pandemic, I am saddened that there may be a link to animal cruelty and the exploitation of wild animals. Researchers have traced COVID-19 to wet markets, where wild and endangered animals are sold. In these environments, humans and wild animals are close—too close—and diseases can jump from one species to another. We are learning a painful lesson about Mother Earth, where we should tread and where we shouldn’t.  Taking animals from the wild for our amusement puts us all at risk—can we all see that now?  But once we acknowledge this, it is not as easy as simply stopping this practice. (Though China did recently ban the trade and consumption of wild animals for food.) There are ramifications to bans because in some countries, animal trafficking is how many people earn a living and feed their families. Finding solutions that sustain local communities and the environment is a much larger conversation that we need to be having. I have explored this in my advocacy of civet cats in the wild—I believe that if people work together, we can phase out these harmful practices. Jane Goodall has been an example to me—she inspires me with her work to help communities find solutions to animal trafficking. Jane Goodall is my hero! She is helping people explore more sustainable ways to earn their livelihoods. Learn more about her message and work! I agree with Jane Goodall and other conservationists that we must find solutions to animal trafficking that benefit animals AND people. I think that is the only way they are going to work.  How Can YOU Make A Difference? I am always asking myself that question! Here in my Purrfumery, I create my scented artworks from natural treasures that are cruelty free. They do not contain even a speck of animal byproducts. I partner with groups that have a voice in the community and around the world, and I try to help them in any way I can.  Here’s what I am working on now: Deforestation around the world is another culprit that harms wildlife, the environment and people. I’ve been partnering with Centre ValBio, led by Dr. Patricia Wright, who is working hard to save Madagascar lemurs and help indigenous people through research and education. I created a perfume for their fundraiser—Luminous Lemurs! It is aging now and will be ready in a few months. The proceeds from this perfume will go to helping Centre ValBio build tree corridors for lemurs to live and roam. Purrfumery proceeds also support the exploration of the Lost Rainforest of Crystal Mountain, and help girls from remote villages attend high school, all through Centre ValBio. And Masks, Lots of Masks! I am sheltered in place like so many of you, and I have time to help! My dear friend Lisa has been helping me, buying fabrics and elastic, and I have been making masks for those in need, so I have gone back to my sewing roots, which I love. The mask pattern I made is based on this video: Watch the video after it too, for instructions on how to make the jig. Kitty Magic and Truffle love to help, as you can see! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L19YTzgEZ7I&feature=youtu.be I recommend making it 1’ wider and washing the fabric 3 times in the washer and then the dryer so they won’t shrink. Hope it’s helpful and useful to you and yours. I am also seeing folks selling them on Etsy and NextDoor. Back to Lemon Balm...And Free Shipping! I would like to offer free shipping for a month, because I am shipping very sporadically right now. So, free shipping until May 22nd! Type in Violet in the discount box. And I am including a special treat from my garden with each order while supplies last. I have been harvesting and drying lemon balm for tea and would like to share it with you. Enjoy this special gift from the Perfumer’s Garden! The Constant- Earth Day is My Every Day The solitude of the shelter in place has given me time to think, which can be a good thing, right? I’ve experienced bursts of creativity, but there have also been hours spent in deep concern for what the future holds. While so much is unclear right now, there is one thing that has never changed: My respect and love for the natural world and animals, and my commitment to the wellbeing and safety of all living things. I am in awe every day! Thank you for being part of this journey, my dear Purrfumery friends! Until next time. . . Peace, purrfume and kitty cats, XOXO Laurie

Creating The Breath of The Gods - A Kyphi Scent Event Workshop

Laurie@Purrfumery.com          www.Purrfumery.com                510-334-8824 Greetings, dear Purrfumery friends! Spring is in the air and everywhere I look in the Perfumer’s Garden, I see hope and beauty in the new life that is sprouting from the earth and from the trees. It’s a perfect time to open your arms to change, growth and reverence of Mother Earth. With this in mind, I have invited Justine Crane from the Scented Djinn  to teach a workshop on Kyphi, a very special and ancient incense. Creating the Breath of the Gods – a Kyphi Scent Event Workshop Who: Hosted by The Scented Djinn and the Purrfumery  When: April 18 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Where: Velvet & Sweet Pea's Purrfumery, 727 Sea View Drive, El Cerrito Food: Vegetarian lunch, tea and aromatic treats will be served in the Perfumer’s Garden, overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge About the class On April 18, Justine Crane will be teaching a course on Kyphi, a compound incense that harkens back to ancient Egypt. We will have a full day learning the story that precipitated the creation of Kyphi, the materials and their purposes, hands-on creation of Kyphi, and an after Kyphi incense session free-style. In this later session, we will create loose powder, rolled cones, sticks or incense on splits -- it all depends on the vibe. There will be a discussion on rare and unusual incense raw materials and ethics in sourcing. Each participant will receive an equal share of the completed Kyphi incense, a vegetarian lunch, an equal share of the late session incense free-style results, and after the magic, tea and scones baked fresh at the Purrfumery.  It will be a day of incense magic, art, resurrection, love, grief and joy. Join us! Space is limited to 10 participants. About Justine Crane Justine is a developer and instructor at the Natural Perfume Academy, International Perfume Foundation Certified Natural Perfumer, and expert incenseur.  I first met Justine more than 15 years ago through her natural perfumery website and blog – it was called “Le Parfumer Rebelle,” or The Rebel Perfumers. Justine created it when natural perfumery as we know it now was in its infancy. During this time in the perfume community, there were some very large personalities vying for power and trying to own natural perfumery. Justine was a quiet presence and a godsend in the chaos of that time. The Rebel Perfumers were a ragtag bunch of perfumers, soap makers and wild, creative perfuming individuals. We were doing our own thing and supporting each other in this amazing moment of aromatic discovery. It was a magical time for all of us, and we were linked by our art and our devotion to creating businesses that made natural aromatic products.  Justine held our community together with grace and love, and she made a beautiful website that was a rich source of information to anyone working in natural perfumery. She championed all of us and was magnanimous in sharing information and promoting us all. During this time, she was also running The Scented Djinn, her natural perfume and soap company. Justine makes gorgeous perfumes, yummy soaps and exquisite incense. I am thrilled to have her teaching this course, and look forward to a lovely, magical, scent-filled day with you all!  Click here to register for this class: You can purchase on Facebook  or email me- laurie@purrfumery.com or call me. 510-334-8824 Q&A with Justine Crane I sat down with Justine recently and learned about her roots in incense-making. She’s also running a 25% off sale until February 29, 2020. An unofficial leap sale! It all started with a camp fire…  When did you become interested in incense? When I was young, my family and I lived in a logging camp in the Sierra Nevada mountains where I learned some basic survival and homesteader skills, one of those being how to mix together tree resins with pine needles and crunchy leaves to toss into the fire to fuel a better burn that inadvertently provided a side benefit in that it also scented the air. Though I didn’t know it at the time, I was making a very crude incense. It would be years before I intentionally made incense, starting with a pine wood base and adding herbs and resins and essential oils to create ‘celestial’ incenses. I really wasn’t satisfied with these wood-based incenses and gave up incense for a few years until I discovered Kyphi sometime in late 2011, early 2012. Kyphi lit a fire of creativity, spiritual awareness, and a more refined understanding of the raw materials used in incense and perfumery that I had never experienced before.  How does incense making relate to perfumery? Incense is perfume. It isn’t a related art; it is the same.  Can you tell me a bit about the history of incense? Incense predates liquid perfumery, perhaps by millennia. It may have begun as simply as gathering resins to fuel a fire that slowly turned into burning botanicals for their smoke and aroma. Incense and self-awareness may have developed hand-in-hand.  How are you bringing that ancient art into the modern world? Are you using any new resins or extractions, and what is the sustainability of these materials? Mindfulness. When creating incense, an incenseur must be mindful of the source and energy of the plants being used, the proportions, the desired result. I’ve collected several types of resins that I use in incense making that perhaps were never historically used. It’s interesting and exciting to me to explore new raw materials, but I keep in mind that these things are limited and transient and shouldn’t be used for the sake of making a sale but should always be used to bring something to life that has never been before. One vitally important lesson that Kyphi has taught me is that every incense should be created in reverence, as an act of resurrection, of bringing something from the darkness into the light. If we revere these materials in the way they deserve, their sustainability is no longer a question. It does worry me that people are buying up vast quantities of frankincense resins for medicinal purposes, stressing the trees where the resins are collected. According to some sources, the finite commodity of frankincense trees could be extinct within the next century. I don’t have an answer for that except to say use less. Be mindful of the remaining resources. What we create with these beautiful raw materials isn’t disposable or without value, it is the most valuable, the most important, incense is the body of a god that demands respect. What will you be teaching in this class? How to evaluate the materials, a little about the history of the materials and the art of incense making, the materials’ sustainability and future, ways in which substitutions can work, and what Kyphi represents; its spiritual importance. I hope to offer an experience rather than a lesson. Purrfumery Sale! If you’ve been looking for a spring scent, now is the time!  From now until Friday, February 28th, I’m offering free shipping all Purrfumery products. Just type SPRING in the discount box. It’s my way of saying thank you for your support all these years, my dear Purrfumery friends! If you would like to make an appointment for a cup of tea and a spree at the Purrfumery, call 510-334-8824 or email laurie@purrfumery.com. Until next time, Peace, love, purrfume and kitty cats XOXO Laurie

Purrfumery Sale and Affordable Delights

Valentine's Sale At The Purrfumery

Laurie@Purrfumery.com          www.Purrfumery.com                510-334-8824 Greetings, dear Purrfumery friends! Happy New Year to you all! In just a few short weeks we will be celebrating the wonders of love and friendship, and our cute little friend Cupid! Valentine’s Day is my favorite day of the year. It’s a day when we open our hearts to love – and not just romantic love, but the fondness and care we feel for everyone in our lives. It’s a perfect day for a sweet treat, and a lavishly wrapped gift from Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery! 20% off all Purrfumery products From today until this Sunday, January 19th, I am offering 20% off all Purrfumery products. There is something for everyone you love at the Purrfumery, and here are my top recommendations for you! Type in CUPID in the discount box. For the Guys Beards are still hot and Mr. Whisker’s Beard Balm keeps them soft and neat. Does your guy have a favorite beard balm? Or do you want to spoil him with a sampler of all three? Your choice!  Juniper & Cypress Forest — My exclusive blend of French cypress, juniper, rose hip and avocado oils. Juniper & Cypress Forest is naturally anti-viral and anti-fungal.  Piñon Desert — An aromatic blend of Southwestern piñon pine and aged Indian sandalwood. Rich and warm, these fine woods are grounded in ceremony and healing. Vetiver Breeze — A soothing blend of three distinct vetivers. I finished the scent with a co-distillation of vetiver and a tropical flower, giving it a hit of sweet-spiciness. The balm gets its jeweled-green glint from Ruh Khus, a vetiver distilled in copper vats. If cologne is more his thing, try the Purrfumery’s Terrain or Firever Young, two incredible scents I created from deep, rich, earthy materials. I created Terrain for my husband Gary, who is not a “perfume guy,” and spends his days digging in the earth, planting, and building. Terrain is a blend of Mexican lime with wild Bulgarian geranium, Japanese yuzu, frankincense and rare sandalwoods, including Tamil Nadu from India. Firever Young, mentioned in Oprah magazine a few years ago, blends the woodsy scent of Douglas fir, silver fir, grand fir, blue spruce, and juniper with green and fruity florals and juicy citrus. The great outdoors is always inspiring! For the Travelers and Ramblers  Solids have become more popular for people on the go – you just tuck them into a purse or pocket and hit the road. My three new solid perfumes – Moonlight,  Mystère Dévoilé and Flame Brocade – arrive with a lovely little corsage you can wear, made from antique ribbons, flowers, and magical whatnots! Be my lovely Valentine?  Moonlight is intensely floral with Indian jasmine, Madagascar ylang ylang and Egyptian carnation and inspired by the magical, luminous Orientals of the 1920s. Mystère Dévoilé – or “a mystery unveiled” – is also lush and floral, with notes of Indian jasmine, Italian blood orange, Lisbon lemon and a heart full of Chinese osmanthus and orris butter. And Flame Brocade… it opens with the spicy warmth of antique cinnamon and black pepper and evolves into a narcotic blend of sultry frangipani and tuberose. Inhale deeply! For Anyone with Dry Skin! The combination of cold winter air outside and heated air inside can cause dry skin that stubbornly resists many lotions. Have you tried the Purrfumery Frostings yet? Purrfumery friends have reported that they are the only moisturizers that work for extreme dryness. My newest is Lilac Enfleurage Frosting, made with fresh lilac pomade and absolute. Subtle and sublime and light as a cloud! The scent is very soft—perfect for those of us who prefer a light scent when we moisturize. I have very few left – don’t wait to order. My other deeply moisturizing Frostings are Black Cat, Gardenia, Kashmir Rose and Orange Blossom. For Honey Connoisseurs Opulent and rich, Honey parfum is one of the Purrfumery’s most popular scents. What makes it so special and beloved? For some it’s the French orange blossom opening, for others it’s the whiff of Moroccan and Bulgarian roses. Everyone seems to agree that you can’t go wrong with Madagascar vanilla and a base of rare Tamil Nadu sandalwood. If you love Honey, you want to share it. It’s an incredible gift, and it’s 20% off until January 19th, this Sunday. Available as a liquid parfum or solid.   Sniff and sample to your heart’s delight Let me know if you’d like to come over for a cup of tea and a shopping spree. I’m around and would love to see you. Call me at 510-334-8824 or email laurie@purrfumery.com. Thank you all, my dear Purrfumery friends! Until next time, Peace, love, purrfume and kitty cats   XOXO Laurie Copyright © 2015 Velvet & Sweet Pea's Purrfumery, All rights reserved.

Big Summer Sale & Salutations from The Purrfumery!

Greetings, dear Purrfumery friends! Cool summer breezes await you at the Purrfumery, so let’s get together! I have all kinds of summer treats for every occasion you might be planning, from the fanciest formal wedding to the most easy-going day in your backyard hammock. Big Summer Sale! Is there something at the Purrfumery that you’ve had your eye on? Would a big summer sale help? From today until August 26th all Purrfumery products are 20% off—it’s my way of saying Happy Summer, my dear Purrfumery friends! Just type JASMINE in the discount box. Wedding Bell Bliss I was a wedding florist for 15 years, so I have a soft spot for decorative, fanciful designs that celebrate our most memorable moments. With their colorful bows and blooms, corsages make us feel festive and beautiful. And who doesn’t like to feel festive and beautiful? My newest perfumes—Moonlight, Mystère Dévoilé and Flame Brocade—come with lovely little corsages you can wear, made from antique ribbons, flowers and magical whatnots. Visit me at the Purrfumery and select your favorite scent and corsage design! These limited edition scents and corsages also make gorgeous gifts for brides, bridesmaids and for the Mother of the Bride, too! You can also purchase them for less in a little pouch. If you are ordering online, you can specify corsage color ranges, from green/blue, to pink/purple, to burgundy/red. Vintage Packaging That You Can Wear Do you ever see packaging that is so sweet and retro that you want to take it off the box and pin it to your blouse, or wrap it like a ring around your finger? Me too! I have adorned the packaging for all my new perfumes—Moonlight, Flame Brocade and Mystère Dévoilé—with art that you can wear. I make each corsage and ring with my collection of antique ribbons, flowers, and magical whatnots! These handmade decorations harken back to the days when perfume was a gift from the inside out—everything from the bottle to the packaging was cherished long after the perfume was gone.  My new Corsage Perfumes are available in delightful Starlight boxes with whimsical corsage rings or pins, and opulent sterling silver jewel boxes with pin-on or wrist hand-tied corsages. These are perfect gifts for collectors looking for one-of-a-kind gifts that will never be available again. Adorn yourself in more ways than one! Please note when purchasing if you want a ring or pin-on corsage. A Treat for Your Host or Hostess Are you looking for something special for a friend or hostess on one of your summer stops? Rich, botanical solid perfumes make sumptuous gifts, and I have many scents for you to choose from. I spin my solid perfumes into a variety of containers, from cute compacts to glimmering, jewel-top boxes. They arrive at your doorstep ready to hit the road in velvet pouches with a rhinestone buckle. You will love giving these beautiful and unforgettable gifts!  Moonlight, Mystère Dévoilé and Flame Brocade solids are packaged in ornate gold boxes with a vintage corsage. They are also available in a velvet pouch. Looking for a Summer Scent? If you’re like me, you like to change your perfume with the seasons. I createdEze with summer in my mind and heart. Eze is a tiny perfume village high in the mountains overlooking the Mediterranean. I went there over 40 years ago—at that time I was traveling around the south of France, searching for lace for my antique camisole business. I stopped in Grasse and Eze, two perfume capitals of the world, because I loved perfume... I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would become a perfumer many years later! My namesake eau de parfum captures the enchantment of Eze and the delicious luxury of a summer breeze off the Mediterranean. It opens with a fresh pop of lemon and unveils a gentle bouquet of lavender, rose geranium, myrtle and jasmine, finishing with the healing warmth of Labdanum rock rose.  Ida Meister from Fragrantica reviewed Eze when I launched it in 2016 and she commented on its easy-going vibe. “If someone would offer me a hammock slung between two olive trees, that would be the ticket.”  Enjoy your summer, my dear Purrfumery friends! Visit the Purrfumery Do you need help selecting the perfect scent for yourself or someone you love? Please let me know if you’d like to come over for a cup of tea and a shopping spree. I would love to see you. Call me at 510-334-8824 or email laurie@purrfumery.com. Until next time, Peace, love, purrfume and kitty cats XOXO Laurie

April Showers bring May Flowers! !5% off until April 25th!

Greetings, my dear Purrfumery friends!

The Perfumer’s Garden has gone wild! Talk about a Super Bloom! The irises, tulips, freesia and jasmine are fluttering their petals in the wind and sharing their glorious scent with the world. The 30-foot wall of jasmine along our driveway is in full celebration and I swear to goodness their scent has the power to transform my state of mind. This spring, let’s all rejoice in the uplifting and soul-healing gift of scent!

Inspired by my driveway
Our wall of jasmine not only transforms my state of mind, it also inspires me. Years ago, my cousin stood there surrounded by jasmine, inhaling deeply, and she said, “Oh my god Laurie, you need to make a perfume and call it Driveway!” Mystère Dévoilé is that perfume. “A mystery unveiled.” It’s lush and floral, and unfurls generous notes of Indian jasmine, Italian blood orange and Lisbon lemon before finding its heart in hints of fruity Chinese osmanthus and orris butter. It’s a perfect springtime perfume, and it’s a solid, so very easy to carry in your purse or pocket.

Spring Fling 15% off of your order! Mother’s Day is May 12
From now until April 25th, I will be offering 15% off on your orders! Type in LILAC in the discount box.

This is the perfect time to shop for the mothers in your life and the people who share their love the way only moms can.

Order now, my dear Purrfumery friends! I will be taking a break from shipping from May 1-23 to tend to a creative project that needs my full attention.

Vintage Packaging… that You Can Wear!
Do you ever see packaging that is so sweet and retro that you want to take it off the box and pin it to your blouse, or wrap it like a ring around your finger? Me too! I have adorned the packaging for all my new perfumes—Moonlight, Flame Brocade and Mystère Dévoilé—with art that you can wear. I make each corsage and ring with my collection of antique ribbons, flowers, and magical whatnots! These handmade decorations harken back to the days when perfume was a gift from the inside out—everything from the bottle to the packaging was cherished long after the perfume was gone.

My new Corsage Perfumes are available in delightful Starlight boxes with whimsical corsage rings or pins, and opulent sterling silver jewel boxes with pin-on or wrist hand-tied corsages. These are perfect gifts for collectors looking for one-of-a-kind gifts that will never be available again. Adorn yourself in more ways than one! Please note when purchasing if you want a ring or pin-on corsage.

Request for Spirit Perfumer Classes
I’ve had a few Purrfumery friends ask me about my Spirit Perfume class and when I might be teaching it again. I’m thinking of doing something at the Purrfumery in June—this would likely be a 4-hour class and we’d take a break for lunch in the Perfumer’s Garden. We’d be making our own Spirit Perfumes in liquid form, conjuring the scents that speak to us most from my collection of rare and exquisite natural materials. I’m thinking maybe we could do a Phase 2 later in the fall where we’d create a solid perfume using concretes and unique materials that, once they’re gone, will never be available again. What do you think, my dear Purrfumery friends? What dates could work for you in June for a Spirit Perfumery class? And how many of you would be interested in continuing with a solid perfume class later in the year? Send me some dates, and stay tuned! 

Visit the Purrfumery
Do you need help selecting the perfect scent for yourself or someone you love? Please let me know if you’d like to come over for a cup of tea and a shopping spree. I’m around and would love to see you. Call me at 510-334-8824 or email laurie@purrfumery.com.

Thank you all, my dear Purrfumery friends!

Until next time,

Peace, love, purrfume and kitty cats

A Message of Love and Free Shipping!

Greetings, dear Purrfumery friends! There’s a chill in the air, rain in the sky and love in my heart as we get closer to Valentine’s Day! February 14 has always been my favorite day of the year. It’s a day when we open our hearts to love – and not just romantic love, but the fondness and care we feel for everyone in our lives. It’s a perfect day for a paper Valentine, a bouquet, a sweet treat, or a scented treasure from Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery! Free shipping on your early Valentines! Celebrate someone you love this year with my hand-crafted scented delights – maybe it’s just a little something, like a hydrosol, beard balm, or something Kittylicious. Or maybe it’s a luxurious anddecadent bottle of Honey parfum or a gift certificate. I will wrap whatever you choose in gorgeous, elaborate packaging… and ship it free until January 31. Just type CORSAGE in the discount box. Let’s all toast to love! I love you my dear Purrfumery friends! New solid wins praise with Cafleurebon  Late last year, I unveiled three new solid perfumes – Moonlight, Mystère Dévoilé and Flame Brocade – at Perfumariē in Soho, New York. Moonlight is intensely floral with Indian jasmine, Madagascar ylang ylang and Egyptian carnation and inspired by the magical, luminous Orientals of the 1920s. Mystère Dévoilé – or “a mystery unveiled” – is also lush and floral, with notes of Indian jasmine, Italian blood orange, Lisbon lemon and a heart full of Chinese osmanthus and orris butter. And Flame Brocade… it opens with the spicy warmth of antique cinnamon and black pepper and evolves into a narcotic blend of sultry frangipani and tuberose. What a thrill it was to read the review of Flame Brocade by Ida Meister, Senior Editor and Natural Perfumery Editor at Cafleurebon. Thank you, Ida for your beautiful writing!  I have all three of my new solids available as samples for you to try. Already know which one you love? Well I have news for you! Keep reading… A bouquet just for you! For years I have been collecting rhinestones, baubles and all kinds of ornaments for my fancy-work projects. The other day I was packaging one of my new solids, and I pulled out my fancy-work boxes and started daydreaming about all the corsages I made when I had my flower business. Before I knew it, I had a sweet little corsage in my hand, and I decided to make more!  It’s a little gift just for you, my dear Purrfumery friends… Each order of Moonlight, Mystère Dévoilé and Flame Brocade arrives with a lovely unique little corsage you can wear, made from antique ribbons, flowers, and magical whatnots! Enjoy! Sniff and sample to your heart’s delight Let me know if you’d like to come over for a cup of tea and a shopping spree. I’m around and would love to see you. Call me at 510-334-8824 or email laurie@purrfumery.com. Thank you all, my dear Purrfumery friends! Until next time, Peace, love, purrfume and kitty cats Xoxo, Laurie

Happy Holidays & Thank You From The Purrfumery!

Dearest Purrfumery friends,

Thank you so much for your love and support of Velvet & Sweet Pea’s this year. It’s been a turbulent year for me and for many others, and it heals me to create and share my work. I hope that my perfumery treats have brought you peace, relaxation and pleasure – that is my greatest desire! I am deeply grateful to you for being a part of the Purrfumery.

Hugs and best wishes for a lovely holiday and a fabulous New Year!

 XOXO ~ Laurie, Buttercup, Truffle, and Kitty Magic

Happy December From The Purrfumery! Take 15% Off All Products!

Greetings, dear Purrfumery friends! I’ve returned from my trip to New York City and whew! It was an excellent trip and I want to give a big shout out to all my New York Purrfumery friends who visited me at Perfumariē in Soho! It was wonderful to meet some of you for the first time. Thank you for coming to see me! Before the trip, the kitties and I enjoyed a creative breakthrough. We launched three new perfumes, and we made a new version of Fir-ever Young – a solid that’s just divine. And, with the help of our wonderful graphic designer Emerald, we created Grateful Dead-style Purrfumery posters that I took with me to New York. It was a blast! I will tell you more in a minute, but first… We’re having a SALE!  From now until December 12th, I am offering 15% off on all Purrfumery products in honor of the holiday season. Just type SPRUCE in the discount box. This is an excellent opportunity to share the Purrfumery with friends and family… and don’t forget about yourself! You like holiday gifts too, don’t you? All purchases over $100 will receive a Purrfumery poster too! Our glorious new Limited Edition solid perfumes So much to explore! Let me know if you’d like to come over for a cup of tea to sniff and sample these or other Purrfumery treats! Call me at 510-334-8824 or email laurie@purrfumery.com. I use my beautiful antique millinery collection to package my new Limited Edition perfumes – delicate violets and leaves adorn all the pouches. And all of these perfumes are available in my new Starlight box, as well as the sterling silver jewel box. Here we go! Flame Brocade : I worked on this for years! It is a true labor of love…and a truly limited edition – very small batch. Flame Brocade opens with the spicy warmth of antique cinnamon and black pepper and evolves into a narcotic blend of sultry frangipani and tuberose. A vanilla sandalwood base mingles with heady floral and spice notes and completes this luscious and unforgettable scent. I am offering Flame Brocade in liquid and solid – all are parfum strength.     Mystère Dévoilé : This perfume honors Gary, my landscape architect husband. Years ago he planted a 40-foot wall of jasmine along our driveway. In the spring and summer, our driveway is an incredible place to be – the scent from our lemon tree mingles with the gorgeous aura of jasmine. My cousins told me I should make a perfume that captures the magical, completely over-the-top scent of my driveway when everything is in bloom. Mystère Dévoilé is that perfume. “A mystery unveiled.” This perfume was my coming home after a difficult period. It’s lush and floral, and unfurls generous notes of Indian jasmine, Italian blood orange and Lisbon lemon before finding its heart in hints of fruity Chinese osmanthus and orris butter. I love this perfume and I hope you will too! Moonlight : This scent was inspired by the Orientals of the 1920s. It is rich, magical and luminous, and reminds me of that incredible era of artistry and luxury. Moonlight is intensely floral, with a citrus opening and a heart set in an accord of Indian jasmine, Madagascar ylang ylang and Egyptian carnation. A base of aged patchouli and deep, gorgeous sandalwood mingles with spicy carnation notes to carry this perfume to its lavish finish. It’s warm and rich and very beautiful! Fir-ever Young solid perfume, first ever! I have made a Limited Edition of Fir-ever Young in a solid perfume for the first time ever! This is one of my best sellers and gorgeous for this season. It’s based on fir balsam, black currant buds, and jasmine. Divine. It was in Oprah Magazine a few years ago! New batch of Jewelry of Heaven solid perfume! There is also a new batch of Jewelry of Heaven solid perfume, and this one is an even richer version than the original! All of these new solid perfumes are about 25% less expensive than the other solid perfumes on my website because they are not on the collectors website yet. They will be available at this price only for a limited time. Whipped Frostings back in stock, get them while they last! I just hand-blended a new batch of Whipped Frostings to help you banish dry skin this season. These luxuriously scented Whipped Frostings moisturize your skin with a combination of organic oils that are rich in antioxidants and high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for regenerative, anti-aging power. I love to spritz on a hydrosol first and then lock in the moisture with a frosting. We have Black Cat, Gardenia, Orange Blossom and Kashmir Rose Whipped Frostings—try them all! My life today and tomorrow Life changes mean we must ebb and flow. Over the last few years, I discovered my true passion – to develop limited edition perfumes andcustom, signature scents for my Purrfumery friends. These are incredible opportunities for me – they are luscious creative journeys. And when I start these journeys, whether it’s mixing a limited edition or creating a custom scent, I need to step away for a few days, sometimes longer. That means some of my other Purrfumery tasks, like packaging and shipping, move a few days down the line. It’s all me, my dear Purrfumery friends! My staff consists of the kitties (they’re the muse, but not great at tying ribbons, only running off with them!) and Emerald my graphic designer. In 2019 there may be some weeks where I am not shipping because I am on a brief creative journey. I will always let you know on my website if there is going to be a delay. And if you have a perfume emergency (these happen – I have clients who can’t be without their Jasmine Tuberose solid, or their Rose hydrosol!) you know you can always email me and I will help you! Helping the Camp Fire victims I left for the East Coast while the fires were still burning. I was horrified to see the smoke in the air – we were scrambling to see if there was some way to protect our birds in our outdoor aviary. And I was overwhelmed by the casualties I heard about. I’m so sorry this happened, and I want to help. For the month of December, I am donating a portion of all Purrfumery purchases to help the animal victims of the Camp Fire. Hundreds of animals were injured and need homes, and shelters are working hard to help them. This relief effort will be going on for some time – I’m sure this will be the first of many donations from the Purrfumery. Thank you all, my dear Purrfumery friends! Happy Holidays! Wishing you great love and joy! Until next time, Peace, love, purrfume and kitty cats Xoxo, Laurie

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October at the Purrfumery

Greetings my dear Purrfumery friends!

I just returned from the most amazing conservationist safari to Africa!  I am still basking in the glow—we were guests in the home of elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests and many other animals who live along the Kenyan savannas. We met the Masai Mara and spent a day in their village. It was the most invigorating, exciting and peaceful experience of my life and I brought home many new ideas for how I can make a difference for animals and the environment in my own community and in the Purrfumery.

Snapshots from Africa

Here are my top three life-changing experiences from my safari in Africa.

Ambroseli National Park and Amboseli Trust for Elephants
This is where Cynthia Moss researched elephants for her book, Elephant Memories. Over the years, she has documented the lives of almost 3,000 elephants in the longest running study of elephants ever undertaken. From her book I learned about elephants’ understanding of death, the way they mourn, celebrate birth, and how they live in matriarchal societies. Grandmothers, mothers, sisters and aunts raise their babies and stick together—when I read this book 30 years ago it changed my life! My love for these animals deepened and I knew we needed to help them—elephants could become extinct very soon if people do not stop killing them.

In the park we watched in awe as 102 family members marched by us on their way to the river. The elephants remember Cynthia—she doesn’t live at the trust all the time anymore, but when she visits, the elephants know and stop by the research center to greet her.

Lewa White Rhino

Lewa Conservancy
We visited the Lewa Conservancy and immediately understood why Anthony Bourdain was so inspired by his experience there. The Lewa Conservancy has become a model for conservation in Kenya and Africa. They are so effective because they go beyond protecting and managing species—they also get involved in the community and educate people about how important wildlife is to our world. The Lewa Conservancy showed us how they are building schools and health clinics, and how they are training people from neighboring tribes to be rangers and help with anti-poaching efforts. Their work has been a huge success in Kenya! There has been no poaching there in almost 5 years! Good news for animals!

Masai Warriors

Meeting the Masai Mara
The Masai Mara tribe was extraordinary! We visited a Masai village and learned about their ancient culture and how they are adapting to the modern world. We went on healing plant walks, with baboons close behind! My husband Gary walked for miles through lion country with his new Masai friend.

My visit to the Masai Mara village assured me that when there are enough resources for everyone, especially wild animals, we can live together. There are so many folks working to help people and animals, so I am hopeful.

I’d like to recommend Lori Robinson, who planned and guided us on this trip. Her books will inspire you and give you hope in this dire time for animals. Her books and blog continually inspire me! She can plan trips or lead you one!

Now that we are home, Gary is working on getting his Masai friends cell phones so they can do their banking, deal with emergencies, and so they can talk with their family in other villages.

Home Sweet Home
My dad remembers a visit we all made to the zoo when I was little. He remembers me standing at the lion enclosure and when someone made a comment that the lions were scary, I told them, “If you don’t hurt them, they won’t hurt you.” That doesn’t mean I don’t have the utmost respect for them and their wildness. But I have always believed that humans must see animals in a different way. Not as a possession or something to be conquered, but as fellow beings who are put on this earth to live in peace. This is one of the most profound lessons that Africa has to teach us all.

Love a Black Cat and Donate 10% to Non-Toxic Revolution

I recently learned about a website called Non-Toxic Revolution—it’s a great source for information about eliminating toxic chemicals in the environment and our food sources. I want to do something to help them, and I invite you to join me! In the spirit of Halloween and this wonderful month of October, I am donating 10% of all sales on my Black Cat Kittylicious and Black Cat Velvet Collection to Non-Toxic Revolution. This is a purrrrrfect opportunity to experience one of my most popular scents and help promote Non-Toxic Revolution’s mission.

California Blazes a Trail to Eliminating Animal Testing
Our hard work is paying off! In September, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation that will prohibit the sale of cosmetics that have been tested on animals. Once the law goes into effect on January 1, 2020, California stores will no longer be able to sell cosmetics that contain ingredients that are newly tested on animals. There are a few exceptions, but overall, it’s an excellent step toward protecting animals! The Humane Society of the United States has more info here.

Get Ready for the Holidays—Visit the Purrfumery!
I’m available for private appointments, so give me a call at 510-334-8824 or drop me an email at laurie@purrfumery.com and let’s get together for a cup of tea at the Purrfumery! You can sniff and sample to your heart’s content, get a jump start on your holiday shopping, or stock up on your favorites.

Until next time. . .

Peace, love, purrfume and kitty cats,

Mid-Summer Dream Sale – 25% off everything!