Posted by LAURIE STERN on August 20, 2021 · Leave a Comment
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Greetings, my dear Purrfumery friends!
I’m celebrating my birthday this month! I gave myself the ultimate gift last year when I decided to embrace the change that my heart and soul had been calling for. Last year, I decided to focus on conservation and helping endangered animals through my art. It’s been an incredible and creative journey that started with Luminous Lemurs and continues with my latest perfume.
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Drumroll, please!
I’m delighted to introduce you to Pangolin Violette Rose, my second limited edition perfume dedicated to helping endangered species come back and thrive in the world we all share. Pangolin Violette Rose is absolutely dreamy – it opens with jasmine auriculatum and jasmine sambac and has top notes of candied violet, with a little carnation absolute. The scent blooms into a complex bed of roses, with a jammy Indian Rose Edward and candy-like Persian Rose Otto. As the scent dries down, the roses turn sultry and rich with Bulgarian rose absolute and otto and Turkish rose absolute. Egyptian violet leaf absolute mingles with the roses, bringing them even deeper, and a touch of cocoa absolute adds a little bonbon. The perfume rests on a throne of aged Tamil Nadu and New Caledonia sandalwood. As time passes, the orris absolute and orris concrete linger with a dusting of powdery gorgeousness. I set all these magical, rare natural materials in a base of 20-year aged Tahitian vanilla-infused biodynamic grape alcohol.
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Rare and Precious Naturals
I love Pangolin Violette Rose and for me, it's a testament to the magic of naturals. The solid is more violet leaf – more deep and green – and the liquid is more rose-powdery. This is the alchemy of working with oil and alcohol, and that's what the violets, irises and roses decided to do! You may decide you like both for different occasions, and indulge in the solid and the liquid.
Pangolin Violette Rose is a pinnacle of creativity for me – it is a collector’s item, a gift from the inside out, with packaging that includes my letter-pressed artist statement on the French ribbon, and bottles bedecked with vintage flowers. I hand-blended the liquid parfum in a small batch using the most exquisite and rare materials available, and once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. The solid is a little more plentiful, but not by much…
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Here are the details!
30 ml Collector’s Edition Verrieres Brosse flacon in a corsage hatbox: $750 each
8 ml Collector’s Edition Verrieres Brosse flacon in corsage hatbox: $350 each
10 ml Collector’s Edition solid perfume in Violette sterling silver Jewel Box in a lavender silk and rhinestone pouch: $500
10 ml Collector’s Edition solid perfume in Violette porcelain box in a lavender silk and rhinestone pouch: $350
5 ml Starlight solid perfume in velvet pouch with vintage flowers: $95
I donate a generous portion of the proceeds from Pangolin Violette Rose to The Pangolin Crisis Fund. This initiative, led by Paul Thomson, a conservation biologist, raises money and pays for projects that are working to stop the poaching of endangered pangolins, reduce demand for their meat and scales, and raise awareness. The fund is managed by the Wildlife Conservation Fund, a group that I’ve supported for years!
The Pangolin Crisis Fund started with $100,000 in 2019 and has a goal to raise $1.5 million by the end of this year. The kitties and I are on board, and we want to help them make their goal! One thing I like is that they send 100% of all donations directly to the field, without taking any overhead.
I love that the Pangolin Crisis Fund supports The Tikki Hywood Foundation, a Zimbabwe-based conservation group with a wildlife rescue center that runs 24 hours a day! Tikki Hywood’s mission is to rescue pangolins from poachers and from illegal bushmeat markets. Once they’ve rescued the pangolins, they rehabilitate them and bring them back to the wild where they belong.
I’m thrilled that the Purrfumery supports these conservation projects!
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The Story Behind Pangolin Violette Rose
Pangolin Violette Rose bloomed from serendipity. After I created Luminous Lemurs, benefitting Centre ValBio’s work with Madagascar lemurs, I turned my attention to pangolins. Pangolins are native to Asia and Africa, and they are among the most illegally trafficked mammals in the world, poached for their scales and meat. Now, they are in danger of extinction, and they need our help.
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I was daydreaming about rose and violet leaf, mixing a perfume with pangolins in mind. Then I heard from artist, writer, curator, and educator Matt Morris and gallery owner Eric Ruschman about The Red Wedding, an art exhibition that opened at Ruschman Gallery in Chicago in May 2021. Matt designed and curated The Red Wedding as an experiential journey through the essence of femininity and he wanted a perfume to be one of the artworks in the show. He said he had been daydreaming about a scent of roses and violets… My heart jumped. This is the scent I was working on! I completed the scent and Emerald, Velvet & Sweet Pea’s amazing designer, created a fan that gallery guests received, each with a spritz of Pangolin Violette Rose.
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Matt told me that many people visited The Red Wedding multiple times. Ruschman Gallery is not a very big space, but Eric noticed some visitors would stay for over an hour, just softly circling around the room, perfumed fans in hand. Visitors described the show as feminine, feminist, utopian, comforting, soft, dreamy, lovely, and lots of people would mention that it was like a satisfying dessert course.
The show also sparked conversations around diversity. The Red Wedding included artists working across many different media, and from different age groups, races, genders, sexual orientations and nationalities. Yet despite these differences, the artists collaborated to create an exhibition that was cohesive in vision and touched people deeply.
With this perfume, I am helping animals in need, and I am celebrating the essence of The Red Wedding and the unique expression that each and every one of us make in this world. I invite you to be part of this celebration, my dear Purrfumery friends!
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A Gift For You
On this birthday occasion, I want to thank you all for being a part of my life, my dear Purrfumery friends! From today until August 29th I will offer 15% off anything in the Purrfumery. Be sure to type VIOLETTE in the discount box. All orders through the end of August will receive a sample of Pangolin Violette Rose too! Maybe it’s time to try something new?
If you have questions or need gift ideas, let me know! You can call me at 510-334-8824 or laurie@purrfumery.com.
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Peace, love, purrfume, social justice and kitty cats,
XOXO
Laurie
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Posted by LAURIE STERN on January 19, 2021 · Leave a Comment
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Greetingss, dear Purrfumery friends,
Happy New Year! The kitties and I ushered in the new year with a toast to hope, health, happiness, and service. With your help, we’ve been able to help our friends in Madagascar with my newest scent, Luminous Lemurs. The Purrfumery has donated more than $2,000 so far to help Centre ValBio, led by Dr. Patricia Wright, who is working to save Madagascar lemurs. Thank you all!
I heard from Dr. Wright recently and here are some of the things Centre ValBio is doing to help Madagascar communities and lemurs:
Vanilla! This precious orchid has been overharvested in Madagascar. Centre ValBio is replanting what has been overharvested and planting new vanilla orchids. Vanilla is a valuable crop in Madagascar that helps to sustain their local communities.
More trees! Centre ValBio staff is planting trees that are indigenous to Madagascar! Lemurs need these trees if they are going to survive and thrive in their native land.
I want to share Dr. Wright’s book with you too! It’s called “For the Love of Lemurs: My Life in the Wilds of Madagascar,” and it’s excellent! Dr. Wright is not only helping to keep lemurs alive in their native habitat, she is also researching the lineage of lemur species and which species have been extinct. If you like conservation stories that read like adventure novels, you will love this book!
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Valentine’s Day Sale – 15% off all Purrfumery products!
A luscious new scent is a Valentine to remember – and I will wrap it beautifully just for your beloved! Try something new! My Valentine to you is 15% off everything on the site until Febuary 1st. Type Emmylou in the discount box.
Need ideas? Call me! Here are a few off the top of my head:
Terrain: I made this for a guy (my husband, Gary) who is not a “perfume guy.” Men and women will love this blend of Mexican lime with wild Bulgarian geranium, Japanese yuzu, frankincense and rare sandalwoods, including my 20 year old Tamil Nadu from India.
Luminous Lemurs Gift Set: This luxurious gift set combines Luminous Lemurs Perfume, Bath Salts, and Frosting. More help for Madagascar lemurs!
Bed of Roses: This is the ultimate rose perfume, blended from an accord of nine incredible roses. I cushioned Bed of Roses with aged Tamil Nadu sandalwood, dark chocolate and rich cognac, and you’ll also find accents of tuberose, Boronia, orange blossom and green mandarin here too.
Kittylicious Eau de Parfum: Black Cat, Mojito, Jasmine Orange Blossom, Rose Jasmine, Eze and Rose Ensens! These are among my most popular scents for adults and teens too. Kittylicious scents arrive in a roll-on bottle, tucked into a luxurious gold box with their own scent card.
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A Purrfumery Bon Bon for You
My Purrfumery friends inspire me every day. A few months ago, I started blending small batches of scented treats with you all in mind – I call them Purrfumery Bon Bons! Many of you have told me how much you love getting a free treat with your purchases, so I am going to make some more and tuck them in with your orders for as long as they are available. We all need an aromatherapeutic, Purrfumery bon bon now and again!
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Give that Lemur a Medal!
My year ended with some wonderful news! Luminous Lemurs and the Purrfumery caught the attention by some of the top international blogs last year. I’m beyond thrilled!
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Matt Morris from Fragrantica gave Luminous Lemurs the 2020 Best Perfume award!
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ÇaFleureBon named us the Best Natural Perfume House and Perfumer!
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Michelyn Camen and Ida Meister of CaFleureBon put Luminous Lemurs on their 10 Best lists! Check out Michelyn Camen's list here and Ida Meister's list here.
Thank you to everyone who has tried my perfumes and shared them with your readers, friends, and loved ones!
If you need something beautiful to lift your spirits, let me know – I’m here for phone calls or Facetime appointments. Call me at 510-334-8824 or laurie@purrfumery.com.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you all!
Peace, love, purrfume, social justice, lemurs, and kitty cats,
Laurie
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Posted by LAURIE STERN on November 27, 2020 · Leave a Comment
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A quick note to let you know about the holiday treats I am offering!
10% Discount + A Free Gift!
Great news! I am extending the 10 % off discount through December 7th! Type JOANBAEZ in the discount box.
And each order comes with a free gift! Your choice: I have beautiful, soothing Bulgarian Rose Hydrosol, or Breathe, a new, scented roll-on oil I blended this season. Breathe is a treat for your respiratory system – I blend it with natural materials from trees, like fir and juniper. Just let me know what you would prefer in the notes section with each order!
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Need Gift Ideas?
Luminous Lemurs Perfume
NEW! If you are looking for a unique gift that will make a difference a world away, try my new perfume, Luminous Lemurs! This scent will transport you to the forests of Madagascar with notes of ylang ylang, 20-year-old Madagascar vanilla and sandalwood, antique clove and nutmeg. I am giving half the proceeds from Luminous Lemurs to Centre ValBio, led by Dr. Patricia Wright, who is working to save Madagascar lemurs by replenishing the forests with native trees.
Read all about it! Thank you Jodi Battershell of Solidly Scented for the review!
Luminous Lemurs Bath Salts
NEW! Lavish your body and senses with a ylang ylang scented soak in the tub. Just like the perfume, a generous portion of the proceeds from the sale of these bath salts go directly to Centre ValBio to help our lemur friends.
Luminous Lemurs Whipped Frosting
NEW! A beautiful new addition to the Frosting family! I hand blend this ylang ylang and carnation frosting with organic oils that are rich in antioxidants and high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Great for a scented pick-me-up that will drench dry, wind-burned skin. A generous portion of the proceeds of this frosting go directly to Centre ValBio.
Luminous Lemurs Gift Set
Together at last! This luxurious gift set combines Luminous Lemurs Perfume, Bath Salts, and Frosting. More help for Madagascar lemurs!
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Lilac Enfleurage Whipped Frostings
To create natural lilac enfleurage, a perfumer must immerse bushels of lilac flowers in organic vegetable fat to draw the vapors out of tiny flower petals. They continue this process for 33 days, watching the flowers vigilantly, and quickly removing wilted flowers to replace them with new flowers. The result of their labor is exquisite enfleurage, a rare jewel that costs $1,000 an ounce. My Lilac Enfleurage Whipped Frosting is not a slather-it-on kind of moisturizer. It’s a glorious treat to savor for its temporary scented rush, and that moment of bliss and pleasure.
I hand-blend all of my Whipped Frostings with organic oils that are rich in antioxidants and high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids – they’re super-hydrating and ultra-nourishing. My other lovely Frostings include Black Cat, Gardenia, Kashmir Rose, Orange Blossom, and Luminous Lemurs. I make the Gardenia enfleurage with 150 fresh gardenias! Try them all and find your favorite! But don’t wait – they sell out fast!
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Mr. Whisker’s Beard Balms
Beardsmen will love our line of Mr. Whisker’s Beard Balms in Juniper & Cypress, Piñon Desert, and Vetiver Breeze. These super-nourishing and ultra-soft balms soften the beard and the skin underneath.
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Kittylicious Eau de Parfum
Black Cat, Mojito, Jasmine Orange Blossom, Rose Jasmine, Eze and Rose Ensens! These are among my most popular scents for adults and teens too. Kittylicious scents arrive in a roll-on bottle, tucked into a luxurious gold box with their own scent card. These make gorgeous gifts and stocking stuffers!
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Need Assistance?
If you have questions or want to brainstorm gift-giving ideas, let me know! You are also welcome to pick up your treats at the Purrfumery! I can set up a table outside with testers and we can socially distance for a short visit. Call me at 510-334-8824 or laurie@purrfumery.com
Until then. . .
Peace, love, purrfume, social justice and kitty cats,
Laurie
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Posted by LAURIE STERN on November 09, 2020 · Leave a Comment
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Greetings, dear Purrfumery friends!
In these moments of uncertainty about pretty much everything, I’m comforted by the seasons that never fail us. Like clockwork, fall followed summer and the plants and flowers in the Perfumer’s Garden tucked themselves in for a well-deserved rest before they emerge again in the spring. And the Purrfumery is always a source of delight for me. Truffle, Kitty Magic and Buttercup are so reliable – they show up for work every day to help me get your orders ready. Thank goodness for kitties!
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10% off EVERYTHING + a Free Gift with Every Purchase
We’re extra busy right now with the holidays coming up. People are starting to place their orders, and I think that’s a good idea, given some of the shipping delays I’ve seen. With the shelter-in-place and social distancing, you may not be doing as many in-person gift exchanges with family and friends this year. To make things easy for you, I am offering 10% off EVERYTHING in the Purrfumery until November 30th. That means you can order individual gifts and have them shipped to each of your loved ones. You’ll save 10% on each order you place. Type JOANBAEZ in the discount box.
I am also including a free Breathe roll-on with every order. Breathe is a treat for your respiratory system – I blend it with natural materials from trees, like fir and juniper. Humans have been using these materials to relax and soothe their souls for thousands of years. Go ahead and take a deep breath to get you through!
Best of all, everything you order from the Purrfumery is custom-wrapped in beautiful packaging – everything we do is a gift from the inside out. I take special care with each and every one of your gifts!
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A Gift that Helps Lemurs of Madagascar
Lemurs are native to Madagascar, and they have been threatened by deforestation. I don’t want to imagine a world where lemurs are extinct! I am doing something to help, and you can too!
My new perfume, Luminous Lemurs is a beautiful, juicy, and complex scent I mixed using ylang ylang that my friend Susan brought me from Madagascar and my 20-year-old Madagascar vanilla. I also used other spices that grow in Madagascar, like antique clove, nutmeg, and my rare and amazing 20-year-old sandalwood. I am giving half the proceeds from Luminous Lemurs to Centre ValBio, led by Dr. Patricia Wright, who is working to save Madagascar lemurs and help indigenous people through research and education. Centre ValBio has created jobs for the people of Madagascar that include planting vanilla orchids that farmers will eventually harvest and sell. Centre ValBio workers also plant native trees that will replace what has been overharvested so lemurs can have their home in the trees again.
The center has been hit hard by COVID and travel cancellations, and the money that the Purrfumery and others are donating is helping them to continue their work to help lemurs thrive.
Thank you for sharing Luminous Lemurs and helping the lemurs of Madagascar! I’d also like to give a shout out to award-winning writer Ida Meister for her review of Luminous Lemurs in CaFleureBon! Thank you, Ida!
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Gift Ideas to Warm the Heart
Everywhere I look, I see emotion. This is such an emotional time for so many of us. We may want to enhance some of our emotions, and quiet others. I create my perfumes with our emotional well-being in mind:
Highway: This is a scent that speaks to the roaming heart and to new beginnings. I find this scent very indulgent with its winding road of citrus, berries, cedarwood, vanilla, and blue spruce.
Fir-ever Young: I find serenity in the forest, and this scent takes me to a wilderness of Douglas fir, silver fir, grand fir, blue spruce, juniper, and more. There, they entwine with green and fruity florals, juicy citruses and black currants, and with frankincense and agarwood for just a hint of smoke. This scent is a limited edition, and I don't have much of it left -- try it now before it's gone fir-ever!
Rose Jasmine: Rose soothes and comforts the soul and jasmine helps to calm stressful feelings. This is one of my most popular scents for a very good reason!
Bed of Roses: This is the ultimate rose perfume. I find it both deeply restful and completely inspiring! I created an accord of nine incredible roses and cushioned it with aged Tamil Nadu sandalwood, dark chocolate and rich cognac. You’ll also find accents of tuberose, Boronia, orange blossom and green mandarin here too.
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Meet Monica Miller
I would like to introduce you to my friend Monica Miller, a poet and fellow natural perfumer. She wrote a poem about Luminous Lemurs, and I am so honored! She asks…
If you could save just one thing
To honor and to cherish
To gaze at and adore
What would it be?
You can read the rest of the poem here.
Monica makes beautiful botanical products, available on Etsy. I have her Healing Herbs Face Balm, Pink Pollen Lip Balm, Aromatic Healing Balm, and Kama Deva Love Potion. I adore them all! She sustainably grows her own herbs, makes her own tinctures, keeps bees, and puts so much care into her products. She's amazing and her products are fantastic! Be sure to check them out this holiday season! You can find her on Etsy here.
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Here to Help
If you have questions or want to brainstorm gift-giving ideas, let me know! Call me at 510-334-8824 or laurie@purrfumery.com
Until then. . .
Peace, love, purrfume, social justice and kitty cats,
XOXO
Laurie
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Posted by LAURIE STERN on September 02, 2020 · Leave a Comment
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Greetings, dear Purrfumery friends!
I hope this email finds you safe and well. This has been a scary and very challenging time here at my Purrfumery. I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area and wildfires caused by recent lightning storms are not far away. The smoke is thick and the air quality has been hazardous to breathe. I know many folks who have been threatened by the fires, and I hope they stay safe. It's a weird time to be launching a new perfume, but I’ve created a scent that has a larger purpose: to help the lemurs of Madagascar. Here’s the latest on how I’m using my art to help wildlife.
Did you know that male ring-tail lemurs attract their mates with a scent gland on their wrists that exudes a lovely, fruity floral smell? I love this! And, while we’re all getting ready for autumn here in the U.S., it’s spring in Madagascar and time for lemur babies to be born! These are some of the fun facts I’ve learned in my quest to help these incredible animals. I’m delighted to introduce you to my new perfume, Luminous Lemurs, a scent that was born from a gift, and will in turn become a gift.
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Inhale Deeply to Save the Lemurs of Madagascar
Late last year, my friend Susan Wheeler brought me ylang ylang essential oil from a distillery that she visited in Madagascar. She told me about the lemurs she saw on her trip, and how the dense forests where they live and raise their families are being lost to deforestation. But there is hope! Centre ValBio, led by Dr. Patricia Wright, is working to save Madagascar lemurs and help indigenous people through research and education. Before COVID-19, Centre ValBio was doing ok. Now, with tourism and study abroad programs put on hold, the center could lose decades of progress it has made in the community. Susan loves lemurs and is raising money for Centre ValBio – she asked me to help with her fundraiser, and I got to work on a new perfume to raise awareness!
A generous portion of the proceeds from the sale of Luminous Lemurs will go to Centre ValBio to help Dr. Wright continue her work. Purrfumery funds will help build tree corridors for lemurs and other wildlife to roam, and help girls from remote villages attend high school. These funds will also help local villagers who work at the center so they can continue their efforts.
Luminous Lemurs is a beautiful, juicy, and complex scent I mixed using the ylang ylang Susan brought me and my 20-year-old Madagascar vanilla. I also used other spices that are found in that part of the world, like antique clove, nutmeg, and my rare and amazing 20-year-old sandalwood.
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| A lemur poster that I have had for over 25 years, given to me by a lemur researcher! I have always loved lemurs! |
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Dosing and Packaging
Luminous Lemurs is available in eau de parfum and solid perfume strength. The solid is more highly dosed than the eau de parfum, but only by a little. I created the packaging with those fabulous lemurs in mind – I imagine them jumping and running through the forests of Madagascar, branches and leaves flying!
Solid 3 ml and 5 ml Starlight boxes are packaged in purple velvet pouches with lush, luminous leaves. The sterling, opal-esque jewel boxes are stunning and I’ve tucked them into petite Luminous Lemur boxes. Eau de parfum is available in 4 ml, 15 ml or 30 ml atomizer spray bottles. Eau de parfum bottles are packed in purple velvet pouches with lush, luminous leaves. I am also offering a limited edition, 30 ml Brosse crystal flacon. The perfect gift for collectors, it arrives in a one-of-kind, handmade, large Luminous Lemurs box.
I bought the little lemurs that adorn the collectors’ boxes in San Francisco’s Chinatown more than 25 years ago. I bought just a few – I knew I would find the perfect use for these magical whatnots one of these days. And here we are! My husband Gary just shook his head. This is a word to all the collectors out there: You will spend a lifetime collecting whimsical curios and magical delightful whatnots. They will be the perfect thing you need someday! Trust yourself!
Thank you for indulging in my latest scent and making a difference for animals and people, my dear Purrfumery friends!
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Making a New Perfume Is…
Someone asked me the other day what it’s like to make a new perfume. It’s a magical challenge! It’s a delicious disappearance into a world where time doesn’t matter anymore. The only thing that matters is my intuition, and listening to my inner voice when the perfume tells me it’s done.
I talk about this magical world in this video that my dear friend Ruby Solomita, a wonderful and creative artist who I have known since she was born, made during her recent visit. Thank you, Ruby!
And, you can visit me on IGTV on Instagram – I’m doing some fun things over there and would love for my Purrfumery friends to follow me! My handle is @velvetandsweetpeaspurrfumery. See you there!
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One Thing Leads to Another
It’s funny how life works in a circle. I have always been in awe of the natural world, and my life-long mission has been to protect the Earth and animals from harm. When I researched how to respect the planet and help animals, I learned about sustainability. Almost 20 years ago, I heard about the overharvesting of sandalwood and chose not to buy any more. More recently, the perfume world is talking about the overharvesting of Frankincense and Madagascar vanilla. I stopped buying these materials many years ago too – instead, I am carefully using what I have.
Sustainability and conservation go hand-in-hand. Today, so many animals are suffering from humanity’s push to have everything we want and everything we think we need. I want to be part of the solution. COVID-19 has made it even more clear to me that the purpose of my work is to help animals and indigenous communities. I have a few other ideas for scented treasures I am making in the name of conservation – more to come soon!
Until then. . .
Peace, purrfume, social justice, lemurs, and kitty cats,
XOXO
Laurie
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Posted by LAURIE STERN on April 22, 2020 · Leave a Comment
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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
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Posted by LAURIE STERN on January 13, 2020 · Leave a Comment
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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
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Posted by LAURIE STERN on July 18, 2019 · Leave a Comment
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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
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Posted by LAURIE STERN on April 12, 2019 · Leave a Comment
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
Posted by LAURIE STERN on January 22, 2019 · Leave a Comment
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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!
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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!
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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…
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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!
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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
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Posted by LAURIE STERN on December 20, 2018 · Leave a Comment
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
