February 2010 Newsletter

Hello dear Purrfumery friends!

Those January storms are behind us, but the rain they dropped on the Perfumer’s Garden will bring all kinds of new growth. The months leading up to spring are very exciting for me – I’m just waiting to welcome all the amazing and fragrant new plants and flowers, some of which will find their way into my Purrfumery creations! February is an especially fun month because while the plants and flowers are stirring under the soil, love and mystery is stirring in our souls! Valentine’s Day is on the way, my dear Purrfumery friends, and I know the perfect way to educate you and your beloved on the sensual, surprising, striking nature of scent…

My Kittylicious Valentine

It’s so fun to get all Kittylicious on Valentine’s Day! I like to ease into this very special day with a hot bath (of course!), then smooth on a rich and fragrant Whipped Body Frosting. A dab of Kittylicious Eau de Parfum and I’m ready for romance! This year, I have created irresistible Valentine’s Day gift sets for my Purrfumery friends that include a bath salt, a body frosting, and a Kittylicious perfume. Some of the gift sets also feature my luscious Calliope bath oil and delicately scented hydrosols, too! You can find these tempting winter specials on the Seasonal Offerings page through the month of February. At first I thought I would have them for Valentine’s Day only, but then I decided what the heck! Let’s carry the spirit of love and kittyliciousness through the entire month of February! I’ll even include our Tuberose Gardenia Whipped Frosting with your perfume order of Honey, Songbird, Jewelry of Heaven, Jasmine Dawn & Dusk, Gardenia, and Narcissus Poeticus during February.

Mojito Magic

I included our Mojito Cologne in one of the Valentine’s Day gift sets for two very good reasons. First, it smells amazing on men and women. And second, I received a very exiting email from one of our Purrfumery friends who visited the Kitty Tea Party in December. At the tea party, I suggested to her that Mojito, a scent that combines the essences of dark rum, spearmint, and Mexican lime, would be a perfect scent to wear on a date. Well, she took my advice, wore it and found love! I am delighted to hear the news of her new relationship, which blossomed shortly after she dabbed on this sexy and invigorating scent from our new Kittylicious line. Magic!

Discover Your Perfect Scent

Don’t forget, my dear Purrfumery friends… If you’re not sure what perfume to choose for that special Valentine’s Day soiree, call me and make an appointment to visit the Purrfumery, where you can sniff and sample to your heart’s delight! Until then, bundle up and enjoy these blustery days of winter. Peace, love, purrfume, and kitty cats, ~XOXO, Laurie

January 2010 Newsletter

Hello dear Purrfumery friends!

The kitties and I want to wish you all a very Happy New Year! Hope it’s off to a great start for everyone! Here at the Purrfumery, 2009 ended on a fabulous note. As you can see from the pictures, the Kitty Tea Party and Sale in December was lots of fun, with Purrfumery friends visiting from Concord, Discovery Bay, Oakland, even New York! I loved meeting my Purrfumery friends in person after only knowing them through email – that was the high point for me! Jewelry artist Amy Honigman was also at the party, and displayed several tables of her amazing jewelry. Everyone enjoyed my homemade kitty cupcakes, jasmine and neroli chocolate truffles, and of course, the very surprising patchouli Russian tea cookies. We sipped tea and lounged in the Perfumer’s Garden, sniffed and sampled perfumes and other yummy scents… it was an event to remember! Thank you to everyone who visited the garden! Toward the end of the year we also heard our body frostings had been voted best of the year by two perfume blogs! Our supple Kashmir Rose and Tuberose Gardenia Whipped Body Frostings tied for best of the year on Scent Hive. And, on Smelly Blog, judges gave a shout out to our Tuberose and Gardenia Whipped Body Frosting, naming it one of the Best of the Best of 2009! Thank you Smelly Blog and Scent Hive!

Mojito Magic

Before I forget, I must pass along some exciting news emailed to me by a Purrfumery friend who visited the Kitty Tea Party. I suggested to her that Mojito, a scent for men and women that combines the essences of dark rum, spearmint, and Mexican lime, would be a perfect scent to wear on a date. Well, she took my advice, wore it and found love! I am delighted to hear the news of her new relationship, which blossomed shortly after she dabbed on this sexy and invigorating scent from our new Kittylicious line. Magic!

The Enchanted Bath

One of my favorite things in life is to take a nice, hot bath in the morning. I treasure this quiet time, and spend it relaxing and gathering my thoughts, preparing for the day. Sometimes I take my winter breakfast of fresh dates, tangerines, and the most incredible tea – Mix and Mingle – by Naja Tea, into the steamy tub with me. I also bring another special treat – soaps made by Justine Crane of The Scented Djinn. I LOVE her perfumes, and just tearing open her beautifully packaged soaps makes me feel so special and pampered. Try the licorice soap! It is sublime! Anyway, back to the bath… Velvet and Sweet Pea and Monkey lounge around the tub as I transport myself to another time – a bygone era when people took time to relax in the heat and luxury of a hot bath. Soon, I am mixing and mingling in another millennium… I want to share my love of the bath with you, my dear Purrfumery friends. Through the month of January, I will include a large bottle of bath salts with any purchase over $50. If you have a preference, let me know at the time of your order or I will surprise you with a selection based on what you order!

My Kittylicious Valentine

Isn’t it fun to get all Kittylicious on Valentine’s Day? I like to ease into this very special day with a hot bath (of course!), then smooth on a rich and fragrant Whipped Body Frosting. A dab of Kittylicious Eau de Parfum and I’m ready for romance! This year, I have created irresistible Valentine’s Day gift sets for my Purrfumery friends that include a bath salt, a body frosting, and a limited edition Kittylicious eau de parfum in a French crystal stopper bottle. We’re getting them ready for you now, so look for them on the Seasonal Offerings page in the next week or so. You can find these tempting winter specials there throughout the month of February. At first I thought I would have them for Valentine’s Day only, but then I decided what the heck! Let’s carry the spirit of love and kittyliciousness through the entire month of February! And, don’t forget, my dear Purrfumery friends… If you’re not sure what perfume to choose for that special Valentine’s Day soiree, call me and make an appointment to visit the Purrfumery, where you can sniff and sample to your heart’s delight! Until then, bundle up and enjoy these blustery days of winter. Peace, love, purrfume, and kitty cats, ~XOXO, Laurie

November 2009 Newsletter

Hello dear Purrfumery friends!

I have been very busy getting the Perfumer’s Garden ready for our Kitty Tea Party Extravaganza! The cats and I have been crossing our fingers and paws that you have saved the date... It’s almost here!

Please join us as we visit among tables of perfume, cologne, bath salts, hydrosols and body frostings, and sip tea and nibble on homemade kitty cupcakes and treats! All of our pampering treats will be available for you to sample, including our limited editions and our new Kittylicious Eau de Parfum line. This yummy new line includes frisky Black Cat, invigorating Mojito, and sumptuous Jasmine Orange Blossom and Rose Jasmine. As a holiday gift for someone you love, a teenager’s first bottle of luxury perfume, or a “just because” treat for yourself, our Kittylicious line is a beautiful and affordable indulgence. We unveiled this new line just a few weeks ago and have already received rave reviews from Purrfumery friends everywhere. Plus, we’ll have organic catnip hydrosols and high quality catnip buds to delight your very special kitties.

Imagine! You can relax, sniff and sample to your heart’s content, meet other natural perfume lovers and get started on your holiday shopping! If you’d like to give the gift of relaxation and fragrance, look no further. The Purrfumery will offer our popular line of bath salts at half price, and have other items at very special prices, too. There will also be a special guest jeweler, our friend Amy Honigman, who will be sharing her exquisite line of bracelets, earrings, and necklaces! We look forward to seeing you in the garden, dear Purrfumery friends! Please RSVP to laurie@purrfumery.com or call us at 510-528-8040. We want to make sure we have enough kitty cupcakes and treats for everyone to enjoy! If you haven’t visited us before, the Purrfumery is located at: 727 Sea View Dr., El Cerrito, Ca. 94530. Until then, peace, love, purrfume and kitty cats!

September 2009 Newsletter

Hello dear Purrfumery friends!

I’m here to tell you that everything you’ve heard is true. Black cats really do have magic powers. Why just last week I was deep in meditative bliss, mixing yummy, edible essences of cocoa, aniseed myrtle and blood orange when a silky black kitty whispered to me from beyond. She said… Laurie darling, Halloween is near, and it seems so very clear! You must mix a scent that’s delicious – and I’m not being superstitious when I say you’ll name it “Black Cat” so your Purrfumery friends can chat, about the fun and fancy that will float their way when they dab it on before they play. And just like that, she was gone! Now, just in time for All Hallows Eve, I offer you Black Cat perfume! Beguiling little Black Cat will cast her spell on you with a bewitching blend of mouth-watering cocoa, sensuous ylang ylang, juicy blood orange, and a trick-or-treat hint of sweet, surprising aniseed myrtle. Like fun, sexy, sophisticated candy, this scent stays fascinating all the way to an alluring dry-down of Tahitian vanilla infused organic grape alcohols. It’s my little treat for you at only $35.00. Wear it on that special night and cast your spell! Black Cat makes an enchanting gift, bottled in a cute little roll-top bottle and nestled into a satin pouch adorned with a velvet pansy. Learn more about this enchanting scent on our seasonal offerings page. To order, you can also email me at laurie@purrfumery.com or call me at 510-528-8040. Read Trish at Scenthive's fabulous new review of Black Cat! Kitties need Halloween trick-or-treats, too, so all Black Cat orders will arrive with Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Catnip Delight Treasure Bag, filled with tiny samplings of organic catnip bud and organic catnip hydrosol!

Kittylicious Eau de Parfum – Affordable Indulgences

Velvet and Sweet Pea are thrilled to introduce our new line of Kittylicious Eau de Parfum! While traditionally Eau de Parfum denotes a less concentrated version of a full-strength perfume, each of these new scents is unique and created specifically to shine as an Eau de Parfum. Sexy, yummy, and playful, Kittylicious scents smell delicious and last an extravagantly long time on your skin. As a “just because” treat for yourself, a teenager’s first bottle of luxury perfume, or a mood-booster to toss in your purse before a night of dancing, our Eau de Parfum is a beautiful and affordable indulgence. I unveiled a few of these new scents, including that frisky little Black Cat, at the Rockridge Out and About festival last week and received rave reviews from shoppers and Purrfumery friends who visited our table. Even in this difficult economy I want each of us to have the chance to indulge a little, to feel pampered, and to smell amazing! Mojito – Who doesn’t adore a mojito and its minty, fizzy kick? When I read a newly released study showing that mint is one of the most powerful aphrodisiac scents, I knew I had to capture the nightlife swagger of a mojito in a form you can wear right on your skin! I combined essences of dark rum, spearmint, and Mexican lime to make a sexy, invigorating scent that is equally mouth-watering on men and women. This tipsy blend is set in a base of Tahitian vanilla infused organic jojoba oil. Mojito makes a sparkling gift, bottled in a convenient roll-top bottle and tucked into a velvet pouch garnished with a velvet mint leaf.

Mojito Cologne 6 ml $55.00

Jasmine Orange Blossom – Wrap yourself in a perfect blend of sweetness and sensuality. If you love my Honey perfume, you will relish this sumptuous blend of French orange blossom and narcotic night-blooming jasmine. Jasmine Orange Blossom makes a lush gift, bottled in a cute little roll-top bottle and tucked into a velvet pouch adorned with a velvet blossom.

Jasmine Orange Blossom Eau de Parfum 6ml $65.00

Rose Jasmine – Timeless and serene, this classic perfume blooms on the skin with gorgeous rose and sultry jasmine to create a scent that is calming and uplifting at the same time. A scent for the heart and spirit, Rose Jasmine is the embodiment of inner beauty. Rose Jasmine makes a lovely gift, bottled in a cute little roll-top bottle and tucked into a velvet pouch adorned with a velvet blossom.

Rose Jasmine Eau de Parfum 6ml $65.00

New! Organic Victorian Hydrosol – An instant pick-me-up that fits perfectly in your car, purse or secret drawer, our limited edition Victorian hydrosol was created using a special co-distillation process. Distillers use a method invented in 10th century Arabia to create many of our favorite hydrosols, distilling a single flower or herb to its very essence. This very special co-distillation blends organic lavender, lemon verbena, and rose geranium together, in a process that mingles their aromatic and chemical components. Our Victorian hydrosol is a cool, soothing treat you will love… while supplies last.

Victorian Hydrosol 2 oz $15.00

Tea and Gifts in the Perfumer’s Garden

December 5 is just around the corner! Mark your calendars for this day of fun! We will lounge in the Perfumer’s Garden among tables of perfume, cologne, bath salts, hydrosols and body frostings, and sip tea and nibble on homemade kitty tea cakes and treats. Imagine! You can relax and meet other natural perfume lovers and get started on your holiday shopping. This will be all kinds of fun so I hope to see you here. I will be in touch again next month but for now, please save the date for a visit to the Perfumer’s Garden.

This is Your Moment!

I love to hear from all my Purrfumery friends, and welcome your requests for private and group appointments. Whether you’re looking for something special or just want to learn more about the Purrfumery, please let me know so we can find a day for you to visit.

Back to Black Cats

Perhaps you’ve heard that black cats are the most frequently euthanized kitties at shelters – some people still associate them with bad luck. This goes back to the Greek myth of Galenthias, who was turned into a black cat and became a priestess at the temple of Hecate, also known as the Mother of Witchcraft. During the 12th and 13th centuries, rumors spread about witches in Europe who had the power to turn themselves into black cats. Later, during the 17th century, witches’ kitties were put into baskets and burned alongside their owners. Awful! Thankfully, there are cultures that believe black cats bring good luck, riches and prosperity. But the harmful myths endure, leading more people to abandon black cats at animal shelters. Please help us reverse this horrible history! Take a moment to honor the magic, mystique and beauty of the black cat. Have a very Happy Halloween!

August 2009 Newsletter

Hello dear Purrfumery friends!

The “Name My New Scent” contest was a huge success and the response was beyond my wildest dreams! After receiving hundreds of naming ideas for my new, limited edition scent, I have finally selected one that captures the essence of nature and youth. The name is… Fir-ever Young! I have been working on this scent for 10 years, and all I needed was a name to finish it. And now, thanks to Kyoko Jackson, a scent lover in Berkeley, it’s finished! Thank you, Purrfumery friends, for sending me your wonderful, creative ideas. I couldn’t have named my new scent without you! People came up with the most wonderful, fun, delightful names. I loved “Fir-fume,” and found so much humor in it! I also loved “Un-fir-gettable” and “Fir-bidden.” Scent lovers sent personal stories – one even sent me the story of a romantic escapade with her suggested name, “Love in the Mist.” Another sent a poem with her suggested name ‘Woodland’s Heart.’ It was very connecting for me, and very touching. Other great name suggestions included “Emerald Dragon” and “Dragonfly Fog.” The range of names from romantic to humorous means this scent changed you from the inside! You experienced it in a very intimate, personal way, and that is always my goal. Thank you for taking the time to experience my new scent.

Fir-ever Young is a gorgeous fragrance with sweet, raspberry jam juiciness and notes of conifer, silver fir, blue spruce, and juniper. I also added notes of verbena, black currant, and a hint of rose for softness. The name Fir-ever Young really spoke to me because this scent was inspired by fir balsam absolute and my backpacking trips to the hot springs in Big Sur during my art school days. The name also reminded me of my favorite Bob Dylan song “Forever Young,” which was such an anthem for me when I was growing up in the ‘60s. Fir-ever Young is a limited edition – I couldn’t possibly recreate it the same way again. I added bits and pieces of this and that for the last 10 years. There is nearly every kind of tree in it, so to speak, and these elements will never be the same again. Here’s why: Natural essences have their own terroir. A French word used in winemaking to describe the influences land has on the taste of grapes, in natural perfumery terroir implies that natural elements have a “somewhereness” that you can detect in their scent. For example, the land conditions that existed 10 years ago when I began crafting Fir-ever Young will likely never occur again. Those land conditions influenced the scent as it exists today. And, I have aged this scent, so its natural essences have really softened and mellowed with time. I’m offering 5ml bottles of Fir-ever Young for $45 to my newsletter subscribers. It’s not up on my web site yet, but will be in the very near future. To order, please email me at laurie@purrfumery.com or call me at 510-528-8040.

The Purrfumery In the News

Joan Morris, Home and Garden editor of the Bay Area Newspaper Group, visited the Purrfumery in June and wrote the most amazing profile about us. The story ran in the June 13 edition of the group’s family of newspapers. Give it a read and consider following Joan Morris’ work in the future. She is a wonderful writer who really captures the essence of what she’s covering. Thank you, Joan, for the beautiful story you wrote about my work here at the Purrfumery. Thanks also to photographer Dean Coppola for his artful pictures of the garden and the Purrfumery. Get the story here. Another Joan – Joan Morais – also visited the Purrfumery recently and wrote about us in her blog. Joan is an aromatherapist with a passion for the natural world. She teaches fabulous classes about making your own cosmetics without nasty preservatives. The results, according to her web site, are products “that are friendly to the skin, people, animals and the earth.” Check out her web site at www.joanmorais.com for course information and overviews. While you’re online, check out the Scent Hive review of our Tuberose and Gardenia Face and Body Frostings. We made the Top 10 Summer Pastimes and Fragrances list!

Upcoming events

We’ll be bringing the Purrfumery to Rockridge from 11 to 6 on Sunday, Sept. 27 for the Out and About Rockridge Street Festival. Come say hi! I will let you know more in next month’s newsletter, but for now, visit the festival web site at http://www.rockridgeoutandabout.com/

I can't wait to meet our new Purrfumery friends! XOXO ~Monkey

Tea and Gifts in the Perfumer’s Garden

I just love to bring my Purrfumery friends together in the garden, and that’s exactly what I will do on December 5. Mark your calendars because this is going to be a very special day. We will lounge in the Perfumer’s Garden among tables of perfume, cologne, bath salts, hydrosols and body frostings, and sip tea and nibble on homemade kitty tea cakes and treats. Imagine! You can relax and meet other natural perfume lovers and get started on your holiday shopping! This will be all kinds of fun so I hope to see you here. I will be in touch in a month or so with more details about the event. Until then, enjoy the last days of summer!

June 2009 Newsletter

Whipped Frostings

Hello, dear Purrfumery friends! I tried to wait it out. I thought to myself, "When I add them to my web site next month, that’s when I’ll tell them.” But I just can’t wait. I have to tell you about what’s new at Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery. First, there’s our new line of Face & Body Whipped Frostings. And, I have a new scent coming out next month but I need you, my dear Purrfumery friends, to help me come up with a name. I’m stumped – that’s why I’ll be sending out samples and holding a Name My New Scent contest this month. More on that later. Let’s start with the frostings, shall we?

Velvet & Sweet Pea’s new Face & Body Whipped Frostings have been getting plenty of delightful attention at LA’s Blunda Aromatics and on perfume blogs like Scent Hive. Each batch is a labor of love, made without water and literally whipped into the consistency of creamy soft, whipped frosting. The best way to deeply hydrate your skin is to spray on a hydrosol first and then lock in the moisture with some frosting!

Our Face & Body Frostings will put your skin in shape with organic shea butter, virgin oil de coco crème, organic oils of marula, avocado, red raspberry seed, rose hip seed, sesame, safflower, vitamin E, and essential oils. We even use organic jojoba oil that we infuse with Tahitian vanilla beans for six months. These yummy frostings nourish dry and dehydrated skin, and are rich in antioxidants and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. They’ll be on my web site soon, but you can order now by emailing laurie@purrfumery.com. Or, give me a call at the perfumery at 510-528-8040. The new frostings are also available at Blunda Aromatics, Los Angeles. Shipping is available only to cooler climates (west coast) during the summer months! Now for the frosting flavors, and a little perfume history…

Tuberose Gardenia Face & Body Whipped Frosting

I put “Extra Fancy and Rare” on the label because this frosting contains the most amazing organic gardenia and tuberose enfleurage butters. These butters are extremely rare and incredible, the result of an organic pilot project in Columbia that revives an ancient perfumery technique. Enfleurage is very costly, and is rarely used today. The method used to create enfleurage goes back thousands of years to ancient Egypt. Enfleurage reached its peak in 1860 and made the reputation of Grass, the perfumery capital of France. To create enfleurage, perfumers place tuberose and gardenia petals on organic palm oil for several days to absorb the fragrance. They repeat this several times with fresh flower heads until the oil is rich with fragrance and essential oils. It’s a labor-intensive process, but well worth the effort. You’ll see! Tuberose Gardenia Face & Body Whipped Frosting~ 1 ounce jar ~$25.00

Kashmir Rose Face & Body Whipped Frosting

We make this frosting with our marvelous blend of organic butters and oils and add Himalayan Rose otto and a pinch of Moroccan Rose absolute. Rose soothes the skin and the soul, and works as an anti-inflammatory and cell rejuvenator. Its subtle scent is also a stress reducer and an aphrodisiac! We created this come-hither scent with the neck and décolleté in mind, but users love it for their hands, face… anywhere! Kashmir Rose Face & Body Whipped Frosting~ 1 ounce jar ~$20.00

Orange Blossom Face & Body Whipped Frosting

We love orange blossom for its light, playful fragrance that reminds us of spring days spent in the garden. We make this frosting with a supple blend of butters and essential oils and add Italian Neroli flowers and organic tangerine and orange essence oils. Blending orange blossom flowers with essence oils creates a gorgeous and uplifting moisturizer that heals and regenerates mature skin. Try in on your neck and décolleté – or from head to toe – for a lasting and moisturizing pick-me-up. Orange Blossom Face & Body Whipped Frosting~ 1 ounce jar ~$20.00

Name My New Scent contest!

The first 50 Purrfumery friends to email me receive a free sample! (Don’t forget to send me your mailing address!) When I discovered fir absolute 10 years ago, I fell in love with its rich woodsy scent and decided to use it as a base for a perfume for men and women. Over the years, I have added to it here and there, and the result is a gorgeous fragrance with sweet, raspberry jam juiciness and notes of conifer, silver fir, blue spruce, and juniper. I also added notes of verbena, black current, and a hint of rose for softness. Friends have suggested names, like “Tree of Life,” “You Turn Me On,” and “Purrrr”. I have brainstormed and wordsmithed new names, too, but haven’t settled on anything. Here’s some background gathered from my soul-searching. Perhaps it will spark your fragrance-naming imagination: When I close my eyes and inhale this scent, I sail away to my art school days when I arrived in California for the first time and looked up into the towering canopies and forests of Big Sur. I was overwhelmed by the power and serenity of the forests and trees, and felt I was just a tiny being in the presence of towering giants. These trees inspired me, just as they inspired John Muir when he climbed to the top of a 100-foot tall Douglas Spruce during a windstorm back in the 1890s. Just like Muir, I believed these trees were for us to experience, not just look at or drive by. When I inhale this new scent, I remember the deep, rich aroma of the trees on those long hikes to the hot springs in Big Sur my first summer away from home. I fell in love with the man who would be my husband that summer, in those lush, endless forests. I think of John Muir, and how he wrote about mountain winds sweeping from tree to tree, affecting each one in a different way. I want the name of this new cologne to convey the magic, strength and beauty of the forest, and how powerful and sensual a walk through the forest can be. I’ll send samples of this new scent to the first 75 people who email me a request to participate in the contest. Dab a little on your wrist and ponder this fragrance that means so much to me. Thanks for your help! I can’t wait to see what you come up with! Have a lovely, scentual summer! Read Scent Hive’s review of our Narcissus Poeticus perfume! This is a wonderful new blog primarily dedicated to natural and organic pampering products. Peace, love, & kitty cats, XOXO ~Laurie

Velvet and Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery Receives Leaping Bunny Certification

Leaping Bunny certified!

After many months of hard work, the Purrfumery officially received its Leaping Bunny certification in 2008, which certifies not only that we do no animal testing (of course!) but also that none of the ingredients we use have been tested on animals by the companies we buy them from. This was a long process because it involved contacting and receiving documentation from each and every supplier we deal with or may deal with in the future – no small job as we source ingredients from all over the world! This certification is important to me because I believe strongly in putting my personal values into my business, and I want my company to completely reflect my cruelty-free ethics and values. What I learned while undergoing this process was fascinating, revealing, and upsetting – animal testing in the perfume and cosmetics industry is far more widespread than most anyone realizes. I hope to write more about the certification experience at a later point, and to share some of the illuminating things I learned about the certification process and the status of animal testing in the industry. Learn more about the use of animal musks in perfumes, a cruel practice that affects even the natural perfume industry: Animal Musks: The Dark Side of Perfume