Posted by LAURIE STERN on January 22, 2014 · Leave a Comment
Greetings, dear Purrfumery friends! Happy New Year! I hope you all had a beautiful holiday season. It’s moving fast – we’re already getting ready for Valentine’s Day! I couldn’t be happier, actually, because I love Valentine’s Day. It’s a day for EVERYONE, not just for lovers, a day where you share your love like confetti – a little here and a little there… I have plenty of delightful treats to share with you, of course!
20% off Crème Perfumes and Scent Charms now until February 9th!
Velvet & Sweet Pea’s
crème collection opens a door to the ultimate scent experience – I hand-blend these indulgently smooth solid perfumes from some of the richest natural materials available and package them in bejeweled sterling silver boxes. This is a rare sale, my dear Purrfumery friends! I designed these custom-made treasure boxes when I started the Purrfumery and I don’t know how long I will have them – this is a wonderful opportunity to lavish yourself or someone you love with a truly unique and opulent gift from the heart. All of my crème perfumes arrive in a silky velvet pouch with a rhinestone buckle. Which one will you choose? Please type LOVE in the discount box.
Fleur de Caramel
I use some of the most exquisite materials in the world to create Fleur de Caramel, including jasmine, tuberose and rare Tamil Nadu sandalwood. Described by one reviewer as “…gorgeous, spellbinding and edible,” this luscious scent opens with tart red mandarin and spicy butterfly lily and unfolds to a scrumptious finish with a secret caramel accord that lingers on the skin. Fleur de Caramel has been showered with blogger accolades – it also won the Bronze Best of Salon Award for Best New Product at the TasteTV Artisan Fragrance Salon a few years ago.
Honey
I make my luscious Honey crème perfume using beeswax, honey and propolis from the Purrfumery’s own bees. This is one of our most popular creations – an opulent blend of French orange blossom and Moroccan and Bulgarian roses on a throne of deep vetiver and Madagascar vanilla, crowned with antique clove, pomegranate and pink grapefruit.
Jasmine Dawn and Dusk
If you love the enchanting scent of jasmine, you will adore this gorgeous blend of night-blooming, dawn-blooming and gardenia-like jasmines with sweet bursts of blood orange, mandarin and ruby grapefruit.
Jewelry of Heaven
I pay homage to turn of the century perfumes with this luscious rose-jasmine fond. Organic jasmine grandiflorum and Turkish and Himalayan roses intertwine in this deep, meditative perfume set in a base of vanilla infused organic jojoba oil and the Purrfumery’s own beeswax.
Songbird
A beautiful and spicy mix of citrus notes and sweet, narcotic flowers, with just a touch of antique cinnamon, tuberose, and rare boronia. Sexy and complex, Songbird gets warm and cozy in a sumptuous base of Tahitian vanilla-infused organic jojoba oil.
Scent Charms
Crafted in brass, our vintage-style Scent Charms hang on velvet cords and make delightful gifts. We fill these gorgeous lockets with your choice of Black Cat or Rose Jasmine solid eau de parfum – delicious scent is just a touch away!
Getaway to the Purrfumery!
If you’re looking for the ultimate escape, schedule a
Perfumery Adventure or a
Custom Perfume Experience! During your visit to the Purrfumery, we explore scent on a whole new level and experience rare essences from around the world. It’s a wonderful and relaxing time for moms and daughters, girlfriends and couples – I set out a tray of tea, honey and scented goodies and spin tales of perfume lore from ancient times to the present. Go ahead and inhale deeply! Spark your imagination through the power of scent!
Tip: Honey in the Bathtub
Bees in the Perfumer’s Garden are always very busy and the result is luscious honey that I use in Velvet & Sweet Pea’s perfumes… and in the bathtub! One of my favorite beauty regiments is a honey facial when it’s cold and dry out – it’s so easy and soothing – a special, all-natural treat for my skin. Here’s what you do: Draw a bath, sit back and relax. Take two tablespoons of honey and mix with about 1 tablespoon of hot water from your bath. Pat the honey-water mixture all over your face – it’s going to be drippy and goopy, that’s why I do this in the bathtub! Let it soak in and mix with the steam from your bath for 15 minutes. Rinse. Many of my friends do a honey facial before a night out on the town – it’s an inexpensive way to soften your skin and ease wrinkles. (And, it’s kind of fun to play with honey in the bathtub!)
Let’s Get Together!
You are always welcome to make an appointment, my dear Purrfumery friends! Come by the Purrfumery and try something new. If you visit soon, you’ll get to see the osmanthus bush, originally from the Valley of Osmanthus in China, that’s in bloom right outside the Purrfumery. In the evening, it’s intoxicating! It has tiny delicate flowers that are fruity and gorgeous! I recently made a custom crème perfume with osmanthus and vanilla. It lifts the heart and delights the senses – an inspiring combination! Until next time… Peace, love, perfume, and kitty cats, Laurie
Posted by LAURIE STERN on December 11, 2013 · Leave a Comment
Just a quick note – we’re offering free shipping this week, through December 15. Visit us and shop for incredible
perfume, eau de parfum, frostings and home spa treats for all the people on your holiday list! Or, if you’re looking for something more experiential, a
Perfumery Adventure is an incredible gift that immerses your senses in aromatic treasures from around the world! Our new website makes it easier for you to peruse and shop – take a peek…
Escape to the Purrfumery!
Or, call me for an appointment if you want to escape the holiday frenzy altogether! You can sink into a plush sofa with a cup of tea and my exquisite jasmine and orange blossom chocolate truffles, yummy frankincense & rose Russian tea cookies, and sniff and sample to your heart’s content. I am available all month for appointments – just call or email and we’ll find a time that works for you. And I have a special treat for my Purrfumery visitor’s – a sample of my newest Jasmine Tuberose solid perfume – the perfect scent accessory to tuck into your purse or pocket. It’s rich and smooth and utterly opulent! I also have my refreshing Bulgarian rose and California lavender hydrosols, for $10. each – they offer a spritz of “ahhh” at the beginning or end of a busy day. Hope to see you soon…
Gift-wrapped and Gorgeous
From the packaging, to the bottle, to the perfume inside, everything about our products make them a sumptuous gift to treasure. My aesthetic harkens back to a bygone era, from ancient times to about the 1950s, when a bottle of perfume was a unique gift enveloped in romance and mystery. When you order a gift from the Purrfumery, you can delight in knowing that it will arrive exquisitely packaged and tucked into a fanciful pouch or gift box. Packaging my products is one of my favorite things to do, and I set aside extra time to make everything elaborate and gorgeous! And, I’m proud to say that I use recycled paper and packing peanuts for all my shipments. We are all about sustainability here at the Purrfumery! I hope you enjoy this magical season! If you have time to spare, the Purrfumery awaits! Until next time… Peace, love, perfume, and kitty cats, Laurie
Posted by LAURIE STERN on November 15, 2013 · Leave a Comment
Greetings Dear Purrfumery Friends!
I’ve been away for a few months on an incredible journey, winding my way through a dazzling, high-tech universe! And now, I am thrilled to unveil the refreshed and enhanced Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery website! It’s been a labor of love to revamp the site – my goal was to make it easier to navigate and use. I know all my Purrfumery friends have been accustomed to seeing the classic layout for all these years, so please let me know if you have any questions or comments. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the new site!
New, Custom Focus for Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery
It’s funny… working in this high tech realm for all these months has led to plenty of soul searching over the direction of the Purrfumery. I’ve had to articulate the changes that have been going through my heart and mind, and now it’s time to share them with all of you! Custom work has always been a part of who I am – I used to design one-of-a-kind beaded silk lingerie for Bendel’s in New York. Years later, I had a wedding flower business, where I worked with brides to create arrangements that brought their dreams to life. Exploring the unique essence of an individual is challenging and exhilarating… an artistic adventure I have been doing most of my life. With this in mind, I have started a new chapter in my life, one where I focus on the meditative and immersive art of creating custom perfumes. I still make the liquid and crème perfumes, eau de parfums, bath salts and frostings my Purrfumery friends love – of course! I’d also like to invite you to explore the magic of
custom perfumes and allow yourself to be swept away by the hundreds of natural essences and oils in my perfume organ, some dating back to the 1890s. My new focus includes events – at the Purrfumery and on the road – where you will have the rare opportunity to smell aromatic treasures from around the world and immerse yourself in the art of custom perfumery. It all begins with a
Perfumery Adventure, an inspiring scent experience that unlocks the mysteries of your heart and soul. Come relax, enjoy a cup of tea and inhale deeply! I’ll make you a goody bag based on the scents you enjoy most. You may take your Adventure a step further if you wish, and explore a custom formulation blended from an array of incredible natural essences. It’s all about you and what you love! You’ll love the luxury of a custom perfume, whether you’re in transition or seeking a signature scent that reflects your style and what you treasure. They also make very special gifts for the people you love. Let’s talk soon about a custom perfume for you!
A Gift for my Purrfumery Friends – 20% off all Products! Until November 20th!
The Perfumer’s Garden is gorgeous this time of year… the datura and honeysuckle are bewitching and the persimmons are shiny and gorgeous. And the figs are divine! I’m in the mood to celebrate! In honor of the new website I am offering my Purrfumery friends 20% off all products (excluding custom perfumes, Purrfumery Adventure, Gift Certificates, and samples) through November 20th. This sale is for one week only! Make sure to type in Mint in the discount box. I will also include a very special treasure – a small Jasmine Tuberose crème perfume – with all orders over $100. Need gift ideas for holidays on the road? Give me a call or drop me an email!
Black Cat eau de parfum makes a yummy hostess gift and everyone loves a little
Whipped Frosting to smooth away the winter chill. I just finished the new batches and they’re ready to go! This is my way of saying thank you to all my Purrfumery friends, so go ahead and indulge!
A Very Personal Purrfumery Review
I recently had the pleasure to meet blogger and healthy living expert Beth Schreibman Gehring of
Perfume Smellin’ Things during her visit to the Bay Area. Beth and I have known each other for a few years but had never met in person, so it was wonderful to be able to spend some time with her at the Purrfumery. She wrote an awesome review of her visit and mini Perfumery Adventure – I am delighted she enjoyed her experience! And I just love her writing style and
blog – it’s so descriptive and sensual! Beth is so much fun and it was such a treat to meet her after all this time. Thank you, Beth!
The Purrfumery Visits Julie Gallegos’ Studio on December 8th, from 1 to 4:30!
Save the date! The Purrfumery will be at Julie Gallegos’
Gaslight Original Beadwork’s art studio from 1 to 4:30 on December 8. Julie is a fantastic bead and jewelry artist and she’s hosting an art sale that will include her incredible jewelry and beaded handbags and paintings by the incredibly gifted artist and set designer
John Ramirez.
RSVP here and I will send you the studio address and driving directions. It’s super exclusive, so plan to stop by and enjoy the art, aromas and ambiance! Hope to see you there! I’ll have aromatic treats for my Purrfumery friends, too! Until next time… Peace, love, perfume, and kitty cats, XOXO~ Laurie
Posted by LAURIE STERN on September 04, 2013 · Leave a Comment
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.
Naming Fir~ever Young
When I discovered fir absolute 14 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. For a decade, I added to it, creating a perfume that grew more and more complex and wonderful but was never quite done, because as hard as I tried, I just could not think of a name. I decided to invite my customers to help me name the new scent. I sent out hundreds of samples for inspiration and received more fun, beautiful, moving ideas for names than I could use in a century of perfume-making--suggestions like
Forest of My Imaginings,
Tree of Life, and
Purr. But when I read the entry from Kyoto Jackson of Berkeley, I knew my perfume at last had found its name.
Fir~ever Young captures all the elements perfectly for me. Youth, adventure, wildness, cavorting in the woods, celebrating the majesty and power of the ancient forest. The name also connects me to the Bob Dylan song "Forever Young," which spoke to me profoundly when I was a young hippie gazing in awe at the forests of Big Sur and still expresses for me the innocence and hope of that time. For all its sensuality and earthiness, this perfume really does call out a sense of openness and wonder and brings to people that sense of passion we know so deeply when we're young.
Posted by LAURIE STERN on September 03, 2013 · Leave a Comment
Greetings Dear Purrfumery Friends!
The month of May has been a whirlwind – we have been here, there and everywhere and there are still a few stops to make! In early May we took the Purrfumery on the road to the Oakland Cat Video Fest – what an incredibly fun and outrageous day! It was great to see all of us local cat people in one place, celebrating the animals we love! I especially enjoyed seeing all the guys with a beer in their hand hanging out in their cat outfits and cat t-shirts. What could be better? Great to see my Purrfumery friends there, too! Thanks for stopping by.
Get Ready for Summer Sale
It’s heating up out there! Summer is the time for leisure and love – many of us will be taking trips, visiting friends, attending weddings… There are so many summer moments when we want to feel and smell gorgeous! (And natural perfumes and bath salts make an amazing bridal shower or wedding gift.) Through May 28th, I am offering my Purrfumery friends 20% off
all perfumes,
eau de parfums and
bath salts! It’s my way of saying thank you and happy trails! Type Buttercup in the coupon box.
Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery to Exhibit at FRAGments
Speaking of happy trails, we’re getting ready for
FRAGments, an underground artisan and indie perfumer event on June 22 at MorYork Gallery in Los Angeles. West coast perfumer Maggie Mahboubian of Parfums Lalun organized this series that treats perfumery as fine art – I’m thrilled to be a part of the first event!
Maggie has brought together perfume artists from across North America in a gallery setting to present a curated selection of their work. Some of the perfumers exhibiting at the June 22 event include Roxana Illuminated Perfume, Ayala Moriel Parfums and Persephenie. “Perfumery as art” is an innovative way to think about and experience scent and an example of how West Coast perfumers are changing the game.
The Art of Natural Perfumery
I look at it this way… Just like a painting hanging in a museum, a natural perfume has a conceptual idea behind it. Natural perfumers are scent artists, working alone and immersing themselves in the moment. When I sit down to create, I select my media and layer my top, middle and base notes so they evolve over time, just like a painter layers paint on a canvas! It all flows around a concept, a dream, or an idea that I want to share with the world. Whenever I make a new perfume, I imagine the scent unfolding like a flower – a new flower that no one has ever seen or experienced before. I layer and mix, breaking down the molecules and putting them together again in a new and delightful way. For example, when I designed Narcissus Poeticus, I was thinking about the arrival of spring. I used orris root – one of the first flowers to arrive in spring – and irises as the base. I added osmanthus, black current bud and natural materials that are evocative of the season of transformation and the earth coming alive again... It was a beautiful and delicious process of concentration and solitude! Wearing a natural perfume is also like wrapping yourself in a one-of-a-kind piece of art. From the moment it touches your skin, you are interpreting the way it unfolds, note by note. What does the scent of rose remind you of? How does a blend of osmanthus and vanilla make you feel? What do you find yourself thinking about as the perfume changes over time? Just like art, you will experience something unique with every perfume you wear. I talk a bit more about our individual and emotional perfume signature in my recent profile on
CaFleureBon – a big thank you to Michelyn for inviting me to contribute my thoughts on American perfumery!
Homage to the People Who Inspire Us!
Whenever I think about art – and the art of natural perfumery – I always think of my sister. She taught me how to look at art and how to search my mind, heart and soul for the way art made me feel. We loved to visit art museums when we were growing up – she went on to become a museum curator and educator, and changed peoples’ lives through art. In her museum shows, she used art and history to teach tolerance and made the world a better place. She remains such an incredible source of inspiration! What and who inspires you, my dear Purrfumery friends? Until next time... Peace, love, purrfume, and kitty cats,
~XOXO, Laurie
Posted by LAURIE STERN on September 03, 2013 · Leave a Comment
Greetings Dear Purrfumery Friends!
I strolled into the Perfumer’s garden this morning and spent a few moments in blissful awe. The first weeks of Spring are some of the most delicious for a gardener and perfumer – the garden is absolutely bursting with color, texture and scent! The irises are leggy and graceful and the lilacs are the most gorgeous shade of lavender. Wisteria has created a garland of floating color around the Purrfumery, and our climbing roses are in tight buds. I will try to enfleurage them… I have had great luck with my gardenia enfleurage and am working on a very special eye cream – coming soon! Spring is a time of reinvention and renewal! The bees are buzzing like mad on the borage flowers! Let’s all celebrate and inhale deeply!
Crème Perfumes Make a Splash at San Francisco Salon
In late March, I packed up my perfumes and spent a day at the Taste TV Fragrance Salon in San Francisco. It was so much fun to see my Purrfumery friends and meet some new people, too! Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello! I noticed many new salon visitors gravitated to our line of
crème perfumes they are so silky and luxurious and so very convenient, too… it’s easy to take your favorite scent to go, and you never have to worry about it spilling in your purse! Speaking of solids, I created a Black Cat crème perfume for a handful of gorgeous, silver- and gold-plated
Scent Charms. These vintage-style lockets hang on a velvet ribbon and make delightful gifts for you or someone you love. Imagine a mouthwatering blend of cocoa, ylang ylang and blood orange with a hint of aniseed myrtle! Perhaps for Mother’s Day? I also have collector edition bottles of
Black Cat eau de parfum – they are so cute and fun and I tuck them into a silky pouch with a kitty on it.
Save the Date for the OakCatVidFest!
When I saw this I couldn’t believe my eyes! It’s a kitty video fest from 3-10 p.m. on May 11 in Oakland that benefits the East Bay SPCA! It’s like a dream come true! West Grand between Telegraph and Broadway will be closed to traffic – during the day, kitty lovers can shop for cat crafts, art and pet products; and they can also adopt cats, listen to bands, enjoy local food truck fare and just PLAY! There will even be a kitty beer tent! (Gary can hardly wait.) When the sun sets, we’ll gather in front of the Great Wall to watch the Walker Art Center's collection of Internet cat videos. Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery will be at the crafts market (of course!) so stop by and say hello. I’ll have Black Cat perfumes and eau de parfum lockets for $26 – take home a souvenir from this amazing event celebrating kitty star power! Check out their
website for more information and to purchase tickets.
Animal Musk Story Hits the Web
I am also very pleased to announce that after years of research and collaboration, I have completed “
Animal Musks: The Dark Secret of Perfume” and posted it to the Purrfumery website. This article follows my journey to raise awareness about the use of animal musk, particularly civet cat musk, in natural and commercial perfumes, and offers ideas for how we can eliminate species-endangering practices that happen every day around the world. I invite you to share your ideas with me after you read this article, my dear Purrfumery friends! Do you know of organizations and publications that might be interested in this article? My goal with the Dark Secret of Perfume is to educate, not berate. I want to get the message out into the word and start a conversation that could lead to positive change. I know it will be a long road – people have captured animals and harvested their musk for generations! But every journey starts with a single step… For me, this article is one of many steps I will take to protect animals from harm.
Beauty Huile Finds “Newest Obsession” in Calliope Body & Bath Oil
Thank you to Nav at
Beauty Huile for your review of our delightfully silky and luxurious Calliope Body & Bath Oil! It’s always such a pleasure to hear how others perceive and enjoy our products. Have you tried Calliope, my dear Purrfumery friends? I hand blend vanilla-infused jojoba, marula oil, evening primrose, rose hips, avocado oil… It’s a sumptuous treat for the shower or bath and the delicate scent changes and lingers throughout the day. I’ll let Nav tell you all about it!
The Purrfumery Wins Big at SF Salon
I have one more announcement! We were thrilled to learn that Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery captured the imagination of visitors who voted for us in a number of categories at the salon in March. Thank you one and all! We proudly accepted a Gold award for Top Artisan Perfumer. We also took Silver awards for Best Packaging, Best Ingredient Combination, Best Aroma and Most Unique, and Bronze awards for Top All-around Product Line and Best in Salon. We are honored! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Hope to see you soon – call or email me to make an appointment to visit the Purrfumery. We can lounge and enjoy a cup of tea in the garden! Or, I’ll see you in May at the Kitty Video Fest! What could be more fun? Until next time... Peace, love, purrfume, and kitty cats,
~XOXO, Laurie
Posted by LAURIE STERN on September 03, 2013 · Leave a Comment
Greetings Dear Purrfumery Friends!
Spring is nearly here – it’s a time for love, renewal and whimsical delight! Here at the Purrfumery, we are celebrating all three with...
A Tale of Two Pigeons
The kitties and I are delighted to introduce our newest Purrfumery friends, Polka Dot and Pansy! Theirs is a true love story that began when Polka Dot limped through my cat door late last year. Of course, I was thrilled to meet him and knew I wanted him to stay. He was injured, so I took him to
WildCare in San Rafael, where I used to volunteer before I had my Purrfumery. While staff at WildCare nursed him back to health, he met a little roller pigeon and the two became very attached. I decided to bring both birds home, and while they were convalescing, we built them a beautiful redwood aviary on the deck in the sunshine. It is absolutely adorable to watch them out there, kissing and preening each other. Knowing that we have given these two birds – who would either be dead from injury or euthanized – a chance at love and companionship makes me enjoy my home even more! And thank you to Elizabeth, the pigeon rescue expert at
MickaCoo, for getting me started with all I need to care for them!
Weaving Animal Protection with Art
Some of my friends wonder why I didn’t just shuffle Polka Dot right out the door and forget about him. Here’s what I tell them: I live and breathe animal protection, whether it’s a wild animal who needs my help, a domestic animal who needs a home, or a lab animal who needs an advocate. I live in awe of the natural world and I combine my love of animals with my work in the Purrfumery every day. In late February, I visited UC Berkeley to talk about how I have merged by passions for animal protection, natural perfumery and art. I was so excited to speak to students about this work and answer questions that will help them develop their own humane missions. I was so proud of each one of them! I was also deeply troubled to learn during the talk that pigeons are used extensively in animal research. I plan to learn more about this. I left the talk thinking about how much animals need us, and how pleased I am to be part of raising awareness on their behalf.
Artisan Fragrance Salon at Fort Mason is March 24!
Have you bought your
tickets for the 2nd Annual Artisan Fragrance Salon? Better hurry! It runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on March 24 at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco. This year, the event is part of the International Chocolate Salon – I can’t wait to check out all the perfumes and chocolates! It’s going to a divine and delicious sensual event – I will be holding a raffle and giving away collector’s edition bottles of
my bewitching Black Cat eau de parfum, a mouthwatering blend of cocoa, ylang ylang and blood orange with a hint of aniseed myrtle. Stop by and see me, my dear Purrfumery friends!
One More Little Pigeon Story
I looked in the aviary the other day and noticed that Pansy had laid two tiny eggs. Of course, I love the idea of baby pigeons but I really don’t want more birds – one aspect of animal protection is controlling animal populations. I rarely tell folks what to do, but I can be quite pushy when I explain why spay/neuter is so important for cats and dogs! Elizabeth at MickaCoo told me that if you swap the real eggs for fake eggs in the first few days, you can control the population while respecting the parents’ instincts. But how do you swap the eggs? Polka Dot and Pansy were very protective, taking turns sitting on the eggs. It took me about half an hour to muster the courage to make the swap – I dreaded upsetting the birds and heard that pigeons will give you a wing slap when they feel threatened. Finally, I reached in and very gingerly replaced the real eggs with fake ones. Little Pansy sat there calmly – no wing slap, thank goodness! Instead of composting the eggs, I put them on the fence for the ravens to eat. I felt very satisfied – the pigeon population at the Purrfumery is under control! I’m sure I will have more pigeon stories, my dear Purrfumery friends! Until next time... Peace, love, purrfume, and kitty cats,
~XOXO, Laurie
Posted by LAURIE STERN on September 03, 2013 · Leave a Comment
Greetings Dear Purrfumery Friends!
Brr! It's cold out there! Even so, it's been a beautiful and productive winter. Gary has been cutting back the roses, viburnum, our fig, lemon and lime trees, and of course, the mint, Melissa, and rosemary, which would take over the Perfumer's Garden if we let it! We love the quiet stillness of the world in winter - it's a time to retreat and get cozy with a faux fur and a good book. It's also a time to make beautiful natural materials for my Purrfumery treats!
Subtle and Incredible Enfleurage
When I'm not tending to the Perfumer's Garden, you can find me in the Purrfumery, making enfleurage with our daphne flowers and organic virgin oil de coco crème! It's fruity and spicy and nutty from the coconut oil! These are the moments I savor - the time spent in the Purrfumery blending this and that, and coaxing new scents from the most unexpected materials. It's a meditative and delicious labor of love, and, speaking of love, have you started to feel the energy and excitement in the air? It's almost Valentine's Day!
It’s a Tradition! Tempting Valentine’s Day Gifts...
My Valentine's Day traditions go back as far as I can remember - it has always been my favorite holiday! Every year I bake something rich and delicious and share it with my dearest friends and family. This year, I will probably make Linzer tortes, but I might make cupcakes with the cute kitty wrappers my friend Lisa gave me. Can't wait! If you are looking for tempting Valentine's Day gifts for yourself or someone you love, look no further, my dear Purrfumery friends! I have a few ideas for you... My new, award-winning scent,
Fleur de Caramel comes in a perfume, eau de parfum and a gorgeous
creme perfume, and features tart red mandarin, spicy butterfly lily and a luscious caramel accord infused with rich cognac and night-blooming frangipani. Wrapped like whimsical pieces of candy, Fleur de Caramel parfum and eau de parfum make beautiful, memorable gifts! Or, celebrate the sweetness of life and love with
Honey eau de parfum, wrapped like candy and finished with a cute honey bee!
Scent Charms also make delightful gifts - Purrfumery friends love these vintage-style lockets that let them take their perfume to go!
Through February 7, you will receive 20% off on all perfumes, eau de parfums, Scent Charms, and all pampering products! Take a steamy, scented
Passion Flower bath with your beloved - or luxuriate on your own before the soiree! Happy Valentine's Day to you and yours! Please use the coupon code PURRFUME.
SF Fragrance Salon – Save the Date!
I am thrilled to announce that Velvet & Sweet Pea's Purrfumery will be exhibiting at the
2nd Annual Taste TV Artisan Fragrance Salon on March 24! Save the date and spend the day sampling and sniffing to your heart's content! There are early bird tickets available until January 31st. This year the Artisan Fragrance Salon will be part of the International Chocolate Salon - yum! See you there!
Oh, and Happy New Year!
Even though it's almost the end of January, it isn't too late to wish you all a very happy New Year! Here's to an amazing 2013 full of happiness and health! I get butterflies when I think of what's on the horizon for Velvet & Sweet Pea's Purrfumery. The kitties and I are making some exciting plans that will allow me to work with people in a more intimate way, creating
custom perfumes that speak to their heart, body and soul. I will share more details soon, my dear Purrfumery friends! Until next time... Peace, love, purrfume, and kitty cats,
~XOXO, Laurie
Posted by LAURIE STERN on September 03, 2013 · Leave a Comment
Greetings Dear Purrfumery Friends!
I hope you are enjoying the beauty of this incredible season! Fall is a time of contrasts, especially in the Perfumer's Garden. So many of our plants and flowers turn inward, lying dormant through the chilly days and nights. There is a stillness, and then... a riot of color! The crepe myrtles and the maple trees are gorgeous right now; their red, yellow and orange leaves flutter in the wind and then gracefully fall to the ground. And the persimmons! The tree is loaded with these lovely and delicious amber-colored treats. I'm also delighted to see that our osmanthus is blooming! Its tiny, pure white flowers have a very subtle apricot scent during the day and become more fragrant at night. I like to imagine taking a walk at twilight through the Valley of Osmanthus in China... I am going to sit in the garden with my snuggly faux fur blanket and a cup of hot tea filled with aromatic herbs and the last of the season's rose petals and watch the magical fall display! And then it's time for a warm, wonderful bath!
Free Bath Salts with $75 Purchase through Dec. 31
It's such a simple thing, but so completely luxurious... This season, treat yourself or someone you love to indulgent scents for the bath. Our
bath salts come in a variety of yummy scents and make beautiful gifts. We have a bath salt for every mood... Snow Forest features the comforting and invigorating aromas of Douglas and grand firs and the fresh, crisp scent of silver fir. My respiratory system loves these scents this time of year! Kashmir Lavender, grown high in the Himalayas, is deliciously floral and deeply relaxing. And then there's Monkey Cat! Named after a very silly kitty, Monkey Cat is a blend of lavender and ylang ylang for calming and relaxation, holy basil for balancing and centering, and citrus for mouthwatering yum! If you want to slip into something sexy and energizing, try Passionflower, a blend of blood orange, lime, spearmint, and ylang ylang. Terrain is Gary's favorite, a rich blend of frankincense, citrus and geranium, perfect for soaking after a long day working in the garden.
If you're looking for gift set ideas, my
Terrain cologne pairs beautifully with
Terrain bath salts! And
Fir-ever Young perfume, with its pineapple sage, fir, lavender, rose, agarwood, and frankincense house-infused alcohols, is the perfect, free-spirited complement to
Snow Forest bath salts.
Honey and
Fleur de Caramel, in their whimsical candy wrapping, also make beautiful gifts. Try pairing them with Passionflower or
Monkey Cat bath salts for a bit of sexy, silly fun! I will include a free bath salt with all orders of $75 or more through December 31. When you place your order, let me know if you have a kitty and I will send along some of our super-potent catnip while supplies last. It's my gift to you, my dear Purrfumery friends (and your kitties!), to get you through the holiday hustle bustle and chill! Relax and enjoy!
ArtFirst! for the Holidays
I am thrilled to be part of ArtFirst!, a group of Bay Area artists and crafters who are presenting their original work at the Village Shops and Galleries, 10330 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. The
ArtFirst! Holiday Show & Sale is open November 24-25 and November 28 through December 2 from noon to 6 p.m. You can find something for everyone on your holiday list; from jewelry to fine art to photography to perfume... the selection is incredible! Stop by and deeply inhale my freshly made bath salts! I will be there to visit with my Purrfumery friends on December 1 and 2, and will have perfumes and other products for you to sample and purchase on those days, too. I have special treats for you, so hope to see you there! I am looking forward to seeing
Julie Long Gallegos' original beadwork, which is incredible, and Holly Wallace's beautiful, blown glass vases. Nature photographer
Heidi Rand will also be there with images that inspire us to experience all the beauty and joy the world has to offer! Can't wait!
The Purrfumery in the Limelight!
We were delighted by two recent reviews, one by Elena Knezhevich in
Fragrantica And another by Felicia Hazzard in
Fragrance Belles-Lettres Thank you Elena and Felicia! I truly appreciate your thoughts and feedback on Fleur de Caramel and other Velvet & Sweet Pea Purrfumery products!
Come See Me at the Purrfumery!
When you visit the Purrfumery, you experience a jewel box of treasures and the wonder of seeing a working, natural perfumery. Come visit and sniff and sample to your heart's content! To schedule an appointment, give me a call at 510-528-8040 or email
laurie@purrfumery.com. Hope to see you soon! Until next time... Peace, love, purrfume, and kitty cats,
~XOXO, Laurie
Posted by LAURIE STERN on September 03, 2013 · Leave a Comment
Greetings Dear Purrfumery Friends!
I’m back from Los Angeles! I went there for the Taste TV Artisan Fragrance Salon and had a great time – it was wonderful to see our LA Purrfumery friends and meet some new people, too. Thanks to everyone who came out to see us! And, huge thanks to my awesome niece Sara, and delightful friends Gwendolyn and Jennifer for helping me!
Jennifer paints gorgeous watercolors of Los Angeles landmarks and teaches others how to create their own pieces of art, too! We grew up together and I love her and her art!
The Fruits of Fall
This morning, I looked out the window and I can see that fall is finally here and it’s transforming the Perfumer’s Garden with its warm colors. I just love this time of year, and now I have one more reason to look forward to it: QUINCE! Do you like quince fruit, my dear Purrfumery friends? It’s a really odd fruit – you can’t just pick it off the tree and eat it – the outside is tough and the inside is very hard. But oh the aroma! When quince ripens, it is so floral and gorgeous! I keep one by my bed and inhale deeply! You have to cook quince for a really long time to enjoy it, and that’s exactly what my friend Virginia and I did this weekend! Virginia, a wonderful friend of mine from Connecticut, is visiting and found a tree that was heavy with quince. She brought over a bunch and we cooked it with sugar, dried it in the oven and made dulce de membrillo, or quince paste. This is a delicious Spanish treat that goes really well with sheep’s cheese, like manchego. Virginia and I have been eating it right out of the pan and getting a sugar high! Quince has a lovely, aromatic flavor, and it turns a gorgeous reddish color when you cook it. I highly recommend it!
More Bewitching Treats
The kitties and I have been getting ready for Halloween and stocking the Purrfumery shelves with beguiling Black Cat eau de parfum!
Black Cat is one of our best sellers, with its bewitching blend of mouth-watering cocoa, sensuous ylang ylang, juicy blood orange, and a hint of sweet, surprising aniseed myrtle. I use Tahitian vanilla-infused organic jojoba oil to make Black Cat, so the dry down is rich and deep and yummy! Or, if you want an extra special treat in your Halloween pillowcase, indulge in a candy-wrapped bottle of
Fleur de Caramel. I created this incredible new scent from a secret caramel accord and a blend of night-blooming frangipani, tuberose, red mandarin and spicy butterfly lily. Reviewers have described Fleur de Caramel as “edible,” and transporting...
Writers at New Beauty recently wrote that it “smells good enough to eat.” Thank you, New Beauty! Oh, and my new
Honey eau de parfum is wrapped like a fancy piece of candy with a bee on top! Trick or treat, my dear Purrfumery friends!
Free Shipping through November 15
We are kicking off the holiday season a little early this year and offering free shipping on all orders through November 15. It’s my way of saying thank you to each of you! Enjoy!
Custom Perfume – the Ultimate Holiday Gift
I love to have visitors at the Purrfumery, and am currently taking appointments, so if you’d like to schedule a Perfumery Adventure for friends or family, or create a custom perfume for yourself or someone you love this season, now is the time! Visits to the Purrfumery are a delightful way to spend time with the people you love; or celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, bridal showers… any special day! To schedule a Perfumery Adventure,
Custom Perfume appointment, or to visit and sample all the Purrfumery has to offer, call me at 510-528-8040 or email
laurie@purrfumery.com. Hope to see you soon!
Visit Kensington for ArtFirst!
I am working with ArtFirst! Bay Area, a group of nine local artists who use a variety of media, and I am thrilled to announce that we are having our first show. Through January, you can stop by Marvin Gardens Real Estate at 289 The Arlington in Kensington to see what we’ve been up to. The work ranges from photography and mixed media to floral and glass creations, and will include a perfume shadow box with treats from the Purrfumery. Come out to see the show and support local artists! Until next time... Peace, love, purrfume, and kitty cats,
~XOXO, Laurie
Posted by LAURIE STERN on September 03, 2013 · Leave a Comment
Greetings Dear Purrfumery Friends!
I am settling in after a relaxing vacation with Gary that reminded us of our hippie days. We didn’t have a plan; we just packed up the car and threw caution to the wind, savoring the freedom of not knowing where we would end up. We used to travel this way years ago – back when I was driving my Volkswagen hippie van decked out with my grandmother’s antique floral chintz curtains that I sewed. That van was gorgeous! One time we lived in it for six months, traveling from California to British Columbia and zig zagging all the way to New Jersey and back. We still have the best memories of that trip of a lifetime! Did you take any fun trips this summer, my dear Purrfumery friends? I’d love to hear about them sometime, so drop me a line!
See You in LA!
Attention, Los Angeles Purrfumery friends! We are hitting the road again this month for the Los Angeles edition of
Taste TV’s Artisan Fragrance Salon at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. We can’t wait to visit with you in person and share our newest perfumes and products – and special treats, of course! The salon features artisan and luxury perfumers from Los Angeles, San Francisco and more, and your tickets are good for the adjacent Chocolate Salon, too! Perfume and chocolate together – what could be more fun? Perfume lovers will find a dazzling array of perfumes – you may even decide to get a super-early start on your holiday shopping!
Tickets won’t be sold at the door, so get them while they last!
A Gift for YOU! Fleur de Caramel Sample with all September Orders
My Purrfumery friends are really excited about
Fleur de Caramel, my newest parfum and eau de parfum! I just made a new batch of both and will send you a free sample of this gorgeous, utterly scrumptious perfume with your September orders. Fleur de Caramel is really something special, my dear Purrfumery friends, from its warm caramel accord to the gorgeous notes of frangipani, tuberose, red mandarin, butterfly lily and rare Tamil Nadu Sandalwood… It lasts a really long time for a natural perfume, too – almost 24 hours – and I love the caramel dry down. I love the smell in the morning!
We want to thank Beth Schreibman Gehring and Ida Meister for their reviews of Fleur de Caramel – we are thrilled to see their comments in
The Perfume Magazine and
Fragrantica! What I loved most about the reviews is that both Beth and Ida talked about the EXPERIENCE of wearing Velvet & Sweet Pea’s perfumes. Beth said she loved the sensuality and bewitching deliciousness of our perfumes and packaging, and Ida talked about being transported to another place with the scent of Fleur de Caramel. Wow! Comments like these are amazing because I’ve always believed that perfumes were meant to be experienced, not just dabbed on, and that scent can whisk us away to another world or change our state of mind for a while. I love when people talk about how they feel when they wear Velvet & Sweet Pea’s perfumes because that’s what it’s all about! There is a deeper message in every bottle of my perfumes and Beth and Ida both touched on that in their reviews. I am honored and grateful! Thanks so much Beth and Ida!
A Visit with Living Legend Jeanne Rose
In August, Jeanne Rose, an educator, herbalist and a living legend of aromatherapy emailed me and asked me to speak to her class in San Francisco. I had a great time visiting with her students – I met people from all corners of the world. It was also a lot of fun sharing the story of my Purrfumery and talking about how I create my perfumes and products. Jeanne is an amazing artist of herbalism – her books are among my favorite reference manuals. She has written 22 books, including one of my favorites, “375 Essential Oils & Hydrosols.” If you are interested in aromatherapy and blending essential oils,
check out her courses and many books. Thank you, Jeanne! Your classes sound incredible!
Purrfumery Garden Delights
I love to hang out in the garden just as the seasons are starting to change. As summer turns to fall, the datura is gorgeous with its huge white flowers. Datura is most fragrant in the evening, so I like to step out when the sun goes down and enjoy this very special and intoxicating plant. (It helps that it’s right next to the hot tub!) Our cestrum nocturnum, or night-blooming jasmine, is also delightful in September, and the roses are beautiful in every color. The crepe myrtles and lavender are so happy, and the bees! This has been a great bee year! We look forward to the honey harvest next month! All my scented pelargoniums are flowering and they smell just absolutely beautiful. I’d love you to come see me, my dear Purrfumery friends! Give me a call or send an email and we’ll put something on the calendar. Until next time... Peace, love, purrfume, and kitty cats,
~XOXO, Laurie
Posted by LAURIE STERN on September 03, 2013 · Leave a Comment
Greetings Dear Purrfumery Friends!
I hope you’re all having a glorious summer! The kitties and I have been very busy – we could probably use a little vacation! Last month, we unveiled our new perfume,
Fleur de Caramel at Taste TV’s Artisan Fragrance Salon in San Francisco. We had a great time, and it was wonderful to see old friends and make some new ones, too. We were thrilled to learn just last week that Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery won a Bronze Best of Salon Award for Best New Product for Fleur de Caramel! We also won the Gold Award for Best All-Natural Scent, a Silver Award for Most Unique and two more Bronze Awards for Best Gift Set and Top All-around Product Line. Thank you to all the people who attended the salon! And thank you for voting for Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery! We are thrilled and honored!
Fleur de Caramel Samples are a Summertime Treat
Have you tried Fleur de Caramel? It’s positively yummy, and the drydown is pure caramel! This limited edition scent features a warm caramel accord with rich cognac and sultry, night-blooming frangipani. I’ve used some of the most exquisite materials in the world to create this scent, including jasmine, tuberose and rare Tamil Nadu sandalwood that I’ve held onto for ages. You can experience the luxury of
Fleur de Caramel in both perfume and eau de parfum. My eau de parfum is a sumptuous (and highly dosed) version of the original, packaged in a delicate Brosse crystal bottle and elegant candy wrapping. It’s also available as a
crème perfume in an emerald sterling silver jewel box. I will be including a free sample of Fleur de Caramel perfume with every order placed in August. It’s one way I am celebrating my birthday, August 14! Please let me know what you think of my new scent, my dear Purrfumery friends! I love to hear all your comments about my products. Oh! I almost forgot to mention that Fleur de Caramel has a fun kitty connection (of course). I named my first kitten “Caramel” after receiving her from a passerby when I was just 6 years old. It was the start of my animal rescue career!
Honey Arrives in Eau de Parfum
We have also added
Honey to our eau de parfum line. Honey is one of my most popular scents – the eau de parfum has all the gorgeous qualities of the liquid perfume, it’s just less concentrated. Go ahead and indulge in this incredible blend of French orange blossom, Moroccan and Bulgarian roses, deep vetiver, Madagascar vanilla, honey, and beeswax from the Purrfumery's bees. Like the original, Honey eau de parfum is set in a base of sandalwood and vanilla-infused alcohol and crowned with rare antique clove, pomegranate and pink grapefruit. It’s a royal gift for you or someone you love, packaged in a Brosse crystal bottle and adorned with a whimsical bumblebee.
Fir-ever Young, mentioned in Oprah Magazine!
In the July issue, Dr. Toni Bark, a proponent of healthy and vibrant living (and one of my customers) was
featured in Oprah magazine. During her interview, Toni said she wore our
Fir-ever Young scent – I was delighted to see this woodsy, jammy scent mentioned in Oprah magazine! Throughout the story, Toni talks about her approach to life, health, exercise and aging. She sells some of the products she uses and loves, including Fir-ever Young, on her new
Skin and Chocolate website. The chocolates look incredible! Her blog,
disease-reversal.com, is also fabulous! Thank you, Toni, for introducing Fir-Ever Young to Oprah Magazine! You are amazing!
Taking a New Look at Kittylicious
We’ve made some changes around here, under the supervision of Buttercup, our Chief Fun Officer! One big change has been the redesign of our
Kittylicious labels. I’ve had so much fun working on them! The new bottles are available now, so get ready for a pleasant surprise the next time you order one of these unique, playful scents. Ok! Time to take a break and lounge with the kitties. Enjoy the summer sun, my dear Purrfumery friends! Until next time... Peace, love, purrfume, and kitty cats,
~XOXO, Laurie
