Ebb and Flow: July 2017

The highs and lows of the month.

Wax:

Vintage Chic Scents Edelweiss/Mom's Cookie Baking loaf, spicy bakery goodness

Candle:

Bath and Body Works Cardamom and Suede

Perfume:

Nocturne Alchemy Tarrie Cats collection with Clive Barker, all the vanillas, reviews to come soon.

Lotion:

Cosmic Cleanse ScentSations Infused Miracle Budder

Lip Balm:

Bodygoodies Lavender Mint

Skincare:

Tatcha Essence

Makeup:

Lancome Monsieur Big mascara

Reading:

The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie

Watching:

The Smoky Mountains the past several days, such changeable slopes.

Listening:

To birds, creeks, wind in the trees and the girls laughing.

Drinking:

Water, non-stop

Eating:

Beef jerky

Wearing:

Baseball cap

Dreading:

Leaving for the long drive home.... 12 hours or more road time. My bum.

Awaiting:

Starting a new school year in a new position! Already getting butterflies.

Hit:

Lasting Scent Candles Aroma Mist in Cabin Fever

Miss:

Trying to order a ding dang pottery coffee mug from either Ox and Otter or Elan Pottery this past month. Both times, struck out.

Low:

A couple low weeks for Adam. Maybe some sadness, frustration, anxiety that was weighing on him was naturally felt by all. I am happy he seems to be doing better now. It is hard when you know there is nothing to do to help but simply be there.

High:

Vacation for sure. Getting to make memories with my family. The girls are growing so fast that I know these times are fleeting. I am trying to bask in their glow as long as I can.

How was your July? Any fun times? New books or shows or music? Eating or drinking anything exciting? Do tell!

Candles From the Keeping Room: July Opening

I don't know if you have been reading all the jaw dropping new scents that Carol has been brewing over in her Keeping Room, but let me tell you, she masterfully captures my nose buds with these new creations. Thankfully, she brought more help on board and now will allow customers to order back-to-back so I swooped in on this most recent Candles From The Keeping Room opening to hunt and gather up some of my favorites from the samples I received in the June opening. All bags are $5.75 and house approximately 6 ounces or more of wax. 

Marshmallow Fireside- Toasted marshmallows and sumptuous vanilla cream blended with the comforting aroma of rich smoldering woods. 

Carol's Marshmallow Fireside sold me when I melted the sample I received in the last order. It threw medium-strong in my bedroom and smelled lovely. Wonderfully sweet marshmallows combined with that smoky woods really satisfies me. I feel like Carol's version is more woods heavy and I love it. 

Pumpkin Peppercorn- Amber, black peppercorn and spice create a modern approach to pumpkin.

I fell hard for this one. Really hard. I wanted to pick up two bags but for some reason the cart wouldn't add them. I will get another one at some point. Spiced amber woods and pumpkin do make for a wonderfully sophisticated take on a fall scent. There is a bit of sweet richness from the spiced pumpkin but the amber really sets it over the top. Brilliant. 

Cinnamon and Amber- Cinnamon stick and clove bud blend smoothly with vanilla and amber. 

Friends. Words virtually fail me on this scent. I am not confident I can even closely convey how lovely this one is for me. Sweet yet spicy cinnamon merges with vanilla musk and polished with crystalline vanilla amber. This is hygge. 

Boysenberry Santal Spice- Creamy sandalwood and white cedar are brightened with sweet orange and boysenberry. 

A wonderfully warming spiced fruity woods fragrance that threw medium-strong to strong in my bedroom and created a beautiful atmosphere. Beautiful year round but extra special during the fall. 

Sugared Amber and Plum- Chilled citron and crimson plum are warmed by sugared amber and cashmere musk.

This one reminds me of my ever favorite Tokyo Nights but somehow more rich and smooth and a touch sweeter and less musky. Gorgeous, gorgeous scent.

Cinnamon Apple Prim Apple Cuttable- About 4 ounces and $3.95 for this realistic dish. The primitive metal nail as the stem is genius and fits the aesthetic perfectly. This is a classic apple cinnamon delight, aged with wooden curls of cinnamon bark and sweetened with stewed apple slices. Smells like a rustic country general store. I have had one of these in the past and yes, I find it very hard to melt such a wonderfully crafted tart. 

Free samples! I will briefly give thoughts on all the wonderful scents.

Apple and Clover- Crisp apple and fresh clover.

Smells like a fresh green apple with mellow sweetgrass underpinnings. 

Apple Balsam Pine- A unique blend of juicy apple, cassis, jasmine and Siberian fir.

The pine and fir sap trickles through the most with the apple and cinnamon spicy cassis sweetening and lending a homey element. This is an airy and fresh leaning scent that will be a lovely change of pace during the holiday season.

Applewood Fir Needle- Fresh and invigorating notes of glistening frost, fir needles and juniper rest upon white cedar and amber.

Placidly sweet evergreen and woods laced with an almost citrusy amber. A fast favorite. 

Pumpkin Chai- Creamy vanilla forms a base for fresh pumpkin and spicy notes of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg blended with creamy milk.

Deliciously toasty pumpkin and spice. The chai spices offer a bit more oomph with a touch of anise and cardamom and a hint of pepper and ginger. 

Pumpkin Lager- A seasonal malt blend of fresh picked pumpkin, nutmeg and fermented warm vanilla. 

This smiling Jack-O'Lantern is a spicy pumpkin brew with a touch of barley richness. Not hoppy or beer-like, but rich and foamy with a touch of booze. Incredible. 

White Pumpkin Puree- A creamy, spicy blend of creamy pumpkin and vanilla.

Another sweet and spiced pumpkin but this one glows with vanilla and maple vibes and perhaps a touch of citrus fruits. Very interesting twist on spiced pumpkin. 

Silvered Moss- Inspired by an outdoor walk, moss, rich wood notes and touches of mint.

Limpid pools of verdant spring mosses are dappled with shining diamonds of minty dewdrops. This is a splendid blend of oakmoss and dewy mint leaves, fresh and natural. 

Spearmint and Basil- Spearmint and basil create an herbaceous and camphorous aroma for a sweet minty treat.

I need this in massive quantities. An invigorating yet melodious blend of cool spearmint and herbs. The basil is nice and smooth, not peppery at all. Gorgeous.

Mistletoe and Fig- Warm vanilla blends with ripe fig, leafy green notes and violet with almond top notes.

Yes! A wonderfully ripe maroon fig, bursting with juice and backed with a mellow sweet almond that is not cherry at all. This hint of green really makes this one a beaut. Another one to get more of.

Apple Wreath- A festive blend of green apples, red hot cinnamon, crushed clove, pine needles and warm cedarwood.

Almost aquatic leaning green apple with watery fresh hues laced with wooden spice that is not fiery but counters the coolness of the apple with a touch of warmth. The cedarwood is lovely in this scent. 

Smoked Applewood- Gala apple, Bosc pear, fresh ginger and mandarin leaf and honey combined with notes maple, oakmoss and cedarwood.

Don't fear this scent. It does not smell anything like applewood smoked meats or bacon, and in fact does not really smell smoky in the usual sense. It is more of a wisp of incense paired with orchard fruits and woods. It is a delightful autumnal fragrance. 

Apples and Maple Bourbon- A clean pleasant scent of caramel apples drizzled in maple syrup rounded out with a hint of bourbon.

The bourbon lends a nice aroma to this caramel apple fragrance. 

Apples and Acorns- Curled Macintosh apple peels and tender acorns are kissed with woody warmth.

Another whimsical apple and wood centric scent that is sweet with those red Mac apples and tempered with soft oak and a drop of spiced amber. In love with this one.

Solstice Scents: Gibbon's Boarding School

Gibbon's Boarding School is an old love of mine from Solstice Scents. Not sure why it took so long for me to pick up this bottle but she is finally mine. I secretly hope Angela will make this into an EDP one day. Angela truly has a gift for creating a scent that can transport you exactly where she imagines. Wearing Gibbon's Boarding School is akin to walking along its hallowed halls where windows look out onto gently rolling mountains shrouded in mist, nesting in a worn leather armchairs in the common room to read before the fire, or stroll about the venerable campus surrounded by ivy and moss clad brick buildings and embellished with autumnal sweet gums, sugar maples and aspens. 

Gibbon's Boarding School- Notes: Dusty wooden desks, paper, leather, amber, tobacco, dying fire, dried leaves, autumn breeze. ($16)

Hands stuffed deep into pockets and nose tucked into a faded flannel scarf to escape the blustery cascade of chilly winds and leaves that Boreas sent your way, you pass a professor puffing on his worn brown pipe. Before you pass each other he removes the pipe, smiles and nods, promptly putting back his old friend to toke on in a small billowy cloud. He leaves behind the impression of his spiced tobacco, faceted with ghosts of apples and memories of pumpkins. Sweet and lingering. Fitting for the fall afternoon. Kicking up scarlet and orange leaves in the wake of your boots, the huge oaken doors of the library part and the ubiquitous bouquet of books, leather bound, cracking spines, thin vellum and ivory hues of paper dotted with inky images gust out to embrace you. Dust collects in high and low places and nestles between forgotten tomes. Motes stream like a slow motion water fall from the long tall windows, some cracked open to the elements. Just as you perch into a plump and time worn brown leather chair, a waft of its warm supple scent engulfs you. Tucking one leg underneath with a thin red hardback propped up in your hand, you settle in for a cozy read. The open windows stir the library air, imbued with the campus bonfire the previous night, the mountain mists, the crisp exhalations of the forests studded along its slopes. Fresh, cool and mind clearing. As the October pumpkin sun kisses the horizon and the day wanes, the gloaming scents of resinous woods filter into the library while the leather cradling you warms under your body heat and perfumes the air still. All along, in your own world, within the heart of your book on a beautiful fall afternoon.

An incredibly evocative autumnal scent but also one I would wear all year through as though pulling on a comforting blanket. 

Wolf Spirit- Notes: Desert sage, pinyon pine and resin, conifers, cedar, vetiver, palo santo, soft incense, frankincense, fur and juniper. 

Arid peppery visions open Wolf Spirit under the smudge of a bundle of sage and pine needles. The heart warms and softens under the offerings of burnt woods and incense. Not cold or ritualistic but wild and warm and a natural. The base lingers on the skin like a sun heated pelt that still whispers of the incense and woods. An incredibly beautiful and free spirited scent of wilderness and wildlife. 

My daughter chose the Wolf Spirit free sample based on the name alone and she picked well. I recently brought home a full EDP bottle of Vanilla Pipe Tobacco. I could see a full bottle of Wolf Spirit in hand as well in the future. 

Have you found a new Solstice Scents favorite? What scent would like to see made in an EDP or have a full EDP bottle of? 

Southbound Soap Co.: June Pre-Order

Another Southbound Soap Co. Pre-Order has landed! Following them along on IG is a great way to stay abreast of pre-orders and RTS sales. These 8 ounce bakery bags were $10 each plus $10.50 shipping and were ordered June 21st. They arrived just about a week ago, packaged with love and attention. 

Ghostly Brew- Spooky blend of cider donuts and vanilla bean noel all brewed into one ghostly treat. 

I love all these fun spooky shapes! The big leaf is one of my faves but those skulls come in a close second as far as warming the cockles of my fall loving heart. I have been very remiss in my explorations of the Cider Donut scent. I cannot recall the last time, if ever, I have smelled this scent. Overall, this is a wonderfully creamy scent full of that Vanilla Bean Noel I love in a duet with caramel apple cookies. The little donut shape (about an ounce or less I would guess) threw strong in the kitchen area. Socking this one away until September.

Witching Hour- Campfire smoke and sweet, gooey marshmallow cream.

I was assuming this would be a Marshmallow Fireside blend but not at all, really. And I am ok with that. The campfire smoke is rich and a little smoked applewood/liquid smoke leaning and candied up with those vanilla marshmallows. It comes off far more mystical and foreboding than the dupe I was expecting and very much suits a witching hour. 

Free Sample!

Frosted Pink Party Cake- Sweet strawberry frosting and delicious yellow cake batter.

Vanilla heavy cakes with just a touch of berry. There is a hint of plastic tone to this that just might melt off. 

Happy as a camper again with my tiny Southbound Soap Co. order. And guess what? I am about *this* close to placing my Dessa's Homespun Scents order. Trying to finalize my list. Do you go for fall scents? Pumpkins? Apples? Spice? Hay? What says fall to you?

Bohemienne Life: Wax and Bath Salts

I have been remiss to not indulge in more Alamo Candelaria, it has been a good long while. Kyme's soaps and body products and wax tarts are some of the most creative and lovely out there; from the packaging details of the hand drawn papers and fragile stickers to the wax seals and crinkly antiqued tissue paper and of course the incredibly beautiful scents, it is an experience from start to finish. Kyme recently rebranded and is no longer Alamo Candelaria, but Bohemienne Life. She still offers up the scents and products we know and love (like the Outlander goodies- which will be expanding soon! and the gorgeous soaps and tarts) but I do think she will continue to experiment and expand as it fits her whim and style. For this order I asked if she would open up soon for wax medallions and she did just so I could grab a few, now that is customer service. I know she would for any of her customers too. The wax medallions have since been available on the site at the time of writing. I also added a couple of the Wax Twists and a bath salt soak to my medallion order.

The bath salt soak I chose is in Selene, which features white poppy, yuzu zest, snowdrop flowers, eucalyptus, oranges, grapefruit, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, patchouli, cedar, amber and white velvet musks. Overall, it smells of a serenely sweet fairy garden. The citrus shines the most but quietly humming in the background are the florals and a candied musk. Vanilla is not listed but it does seem to float about the aroma. There are some bits of glitter in the salt. It was on sale for $5, but is currently sold out. 

Wax Twists are single serve portions of wax in a cute ice cream scoop form, wrapped in paper and housed in a paper cone. Six twists come in each cone and are about 1/2 ounce each for $3.00. 

Persephone- Pomegranate, goji berries, white flower petals, balsam woods and patchouli.

Gauzy white florals flow like the diaphanous folds of Persephone's dress and the meadows undulating in wild flowers that she tends for precious short months. The darkness of the patchouli and a purple hued musk that creeps around the hem of her dress swirl into the flowers, while the faint forbidden pomegranate lingers on her breath. It threw medium-strong in my bedroom. 

Candied Apple- Juicy red apples, pistachio milk, magnolia petals, golden shea butter, plums, sugared musk, pink jasmine and strawberries.

This is not a candied apple in a gourmand fashion but rather a robust ruby apple hanging from a branch, wreathed in apple blossoms and warm sunshine. A lovely scent for the end of summer and heading into fall. Beautiful. 

I did order these medallions before she had begun using her new wax seal, so the ones purchased currently will come with her new logo embossed in wax, I believe. Each medallion roll comes with four coins that weigh about 7 ounces total, so just under 2 ounces each. These can easily be cut in half for dual use. A roll is $7.50. They are dye-free and vary in shades of ivory to golden based on fragrance oil. I adore the artisan vibe I get from these. Dye-free wax is a wonderful change of pace from all the color and glitter that sometimes stains my warmers. 

Brigid- Celtic goddess of fire... honey, juicy red apples, mahogany woodsmoke and sweet amber musk.

The apples are indeed juicy and have an almost watery crispness that is more fresh than sweet. Paired with a tiny wisp of smoke and honey, these apples paint an idyllic fall portrait of apple picking on a brisk day with the scents of autumn all around. This tart threw medium-strong in my kitchen and living area. 

Pacific Pine- Evergreen pine and fir needle resins, infused with sparkling tart citrus, musk and moss and a hint of woody clove.

THIS! This. Guys. This is my beloved Balsam & Citrus scents that I crave every holiday season. And I am thrilled to try it from Bohemienne Life. This one offers a bit more jaunty citrus and sweetness. Amazing scent.

Pumpkin Forest- Couldn't locate notes.

I was wondering if this would be a dupe of BBW Pumpkin Woods, but it is clearly not, as this one contains actual pumpkin in it. And it is so very wonderful. Deeply spiced pumpkin pie, almost a pumpkin gingerbread, folds into the scent of woods and earth. This is Hansel and Gretel's house in a blackened woods and framed in that clove studded pumpkin gingerbread frame with the wood burning stove warming it from within. Good grief I am drooling while I inhale this gem.

Hacienda- Vanilla bean, ginger, clove, cardamom and nutmeg, with golden honey and buttery cake, sandalwood and leather.

Leather and spice delight. A warming and comforting aroma unlike any I have sniffed. The cakes and honey, cardamom and ginger embellish the rawhide leather and soft woods. Half a tart threw strong in my bedroom. Primarily a leather scent.

Besos Del Sol- A pure rich scent of sweet, amber colored honey.

Honey, wild honey, orange blossom honey, sticky dripping and glinting in the sunshine, viscous and sweet. Traces of pollen and flower petals whisper about the liquid nectar but the honey out shines it all. 

Raven's Myst- Precious woods, spices and resins, enhanced with a splash of mandarin, musk and cashmere vanilla.

How my heart and nose have missed this one. Raven's Myst is a scent I should try very hard never to run out of. Elegant and mysterious, plush vanilla sandalwood and that initial hint of airy sweet mandarin that hovers on the edges pair with amber musk in a beautiful aroma to scent the home. One of my cherished scents.

My Chai- Black tea, cinnamon, ginger root, black pepper, cardamom, cloves and star anise.

Another great one from the past that I missed having on hand is My Chai. A very realistic execution of a fresh tea bag holding a sublimely spiced chai. Opulent and peppery, dark and deep, this is a pool of black tea that I would be joyous to sink into inch by inch. The cardamom and anise add a lushness to the blend. If you enjoy a straight up chai tea fragrance, if you press the tea bag to your nose and inhale in a dream-like state... this is the scent for you. 

CocoWood- Coconut milk, sandalwood, bergamot, with velvety cognac and rich spiced tobacco leaves.

This one is new to me but the notes called out and compelled me to bring it home. Aged coconut husks rattle and clatter like thrown dice at the base of arching palms that shadow Hemingway's study. Soft refrains of butternut pipe smoke eek out of his open window and join the Trade Winds that follow the currents surrounding his island home. The brandy warming in his hands carries a hint of the books in his library, the coconut flesh lying in crescent moon slivers on the china and a touch of the oak barrels it was aged in, fragranting his imaginary musings. This is a scent for coconut lovers.

Havana- Damask rose and geranium, heart of sweet orange honey and the warm, sweet, smoky accord of vanilla, patchouli and honeyed pipe tobacco.

"I feel like I walked through the doors of an old cigar factory in Ybor, where wizened hands expertly roll sienna, tan, and espresso colored tobacco leaves into Arturo Fuentes, Macanudos and Cuesta Reys and place them in cedar lined boxes on a cracked leather covered tables. Even better than I imagined. When melted it develops a thread of powdery aroma that weaves into the cigar story tapestry. Strong throw and long lasting and unique."

This was my review from the last time I had Havana and I just cannot say it any better this time around either. A brilliant scent for tobacco lovers.

Free samples!

Heart and Crown is a scent Kyme mentioned loving in the interview I did with her here on the blog years ago. This is my first time smelling it and I am bummed it took me so long. It is a very pretty sweet floral that provides wonderful exfoliation. Keeping my peepers peeled for this one again. 

My Chai soap sliver smells amazing and it just as good as the wax tart. This will be a wonderful fall soap to lather up with on days I need to pretend I actually have a fall.

And of course, one of the best things in the box. One of Kyme's Salt Lique Lollis. 

Past review of some of Kyme's goodies can be found here and here, Outlander reviews here and here and a candle review here. 

Have you partook of any Bohemienne Life treasures of late? If you love sophisticated, thoughtfully crafted scents and indulgent home and body products, you really should do yourself a favor and check out Kyme's wares. 

Influenster: Lancome Monsieur Big Mascara

These Lancome beauty products were provided free for testing from Influenster.

Another Lancome box arrived from Influenster recently, this time instead of skin care it held mascara, Lancome's newest Monsieur Big Mascara. A travel size of Lancome's Bi-Facil eye make up remover and a small size of Lancome's Cils Booster XL enhancing mascara base arrived in the box as well. 

Lancome's Bi-Facil eye make up remover is one of my go-to formulas. I enjoy how efficient it removes mascara and eyeliner, with very minimal friction involved, and no stinging or super oily residue left behind. 

However, I cannot say that I enjoy the Lancome Cils Booster mascara primer. I find it to be too finicky and not really worth the extra step for my personal mascara needs. It takes too much effort to cover up all the white it leaves behind. I prefer to be pretty minimal when I apply mascara.

Monsiuer Big features wavy bristles and reservoirs within the brush shape to hold and distribute the new formula which features longwearing polymers and volumizing waxes. A full tube runs $25 on the Lancome website. 

I enjoy the results I get from this mascara. The wand is a nice size, not so big that the mascara gets all over my eye lids and not too wimpy. The formula gives amazing length as well as some volume. Two coats were plenty. It didn't flake, run or smudge even through a jog in a late summer thunderstorm. 

I will happily use this mascara up and even repurchase it when it runs out. 

Do you have any Lancome favorites? Enjoying a particular mascara lately?

Future Primitive: Summer 2017 Order

I missed having Future Primitive goodies around the house. I had used up all my conditioner, whipped soaps, bar soaps and wax. Thus a wee order was over due. I mainly grabbed summer scents that were on offer. Some are still available at a discounted rate. (I must also say that a kind box from a friend arrived which contained two bars of soap which I am thrilled to use! Thank you, Sarah!)

I mentioned years back that I prefer to use Future Primitive Three in One Whipped Cream Soaps as shampoo, occasionally as shaving cream, but mostly shampoo so I tend to buy my Conditioning Hair Rinse and Whipped Soap in the same scent. 

Strawberry Patch- Notes: Fresh plump heritage strawberries, double cream and a dribble of cocoa absolute. 

I have never had Tiggy's Strawberry Patch. It is divine! The strawberry glows sweet and aged under the burnish of amber hues, nestled in mounds of vanilla cream and that drop of cocoa transforms the whole scent and brings it deeper and lends more decadence. Almost like a touch of patchouli. 

The Conditioning Hair Rinse continues to be ideal for my thin, curly, dry hair. It has a nice slip which allows for finger combing in the shower and leaves my hair to dry silk soft and fresh with scent. The summer Conditioning Hair Rinse is on sale for 6.94 pounds.

The Three in One Whipped Soaps clean my hair without leaving it overly dry and impart a gorgeous scent. Tiggy's whipped soaps are light as air, easily the lightest feeling whipped soap I have yet to encounter. These are on sale for 5.21 pounds.

Of course I had to add some wax tarts. I have had great luck with Tiggy's wax formula and scents. 

Custard Cream- A sweet sugar cream sandwiched between two crunchy sweet biscuits. Just like the British classic!

These 0.78 ounce scents shots at 1.65 pounds each are in the Limited Edition area and pack quite a delicious crunch. Vanilla laden and buttery with a shortbread like snap. 

Cut Throat Barbershop- Notes: A masculine blend of shaving soap, hot towels, cut throat knives, lilac water and aftershave. 

Ooooooweeeee! This is a charmer. A suave fragrant gent, Barbasol scented square jawline, clean musk and that splash of crisp lilac water that trails him like a banner. Good grief is it sexy and invigorating. 

Cucumber Cocktail- Notes: Cucumber juice, melon slices, crisp clean holiday air and a bit of fizz!

Summery sweet and juicy with melons and that cleanliness of cucumber, the fizz of champagne spritzers and a cool floral breeze. This is a very pleasing home fragrance. 

Strawberry Parsley- Notes: Heirloom strawberries dipped in sugar with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. 

Um. I am not sure what sorcery Tiggy has wrought with these blends but she is a goddess among fragrance blenders. A photorealistic strawberry shining on the vine, red and glossy and spiked with seeds. The barest hint of sweet green cuts the sugar and adds dimension.

Seaweed- Notes: A clean tangy marine blend of fresh seaweed with sea salt, ozone and a tiny hint of citrus.

A neroli and bergamot infused seaside breeze, tangy and iron clad and robust. This is not an aquatic but an ozonic deep green aroma.  

Not sure what has taken me so long but I finally dropped one of these Aromatic Perfume Oil Samplers into my order. It includes five 1ml bottles from Tiggy's General Catalogue at 10 pounds. I am only going to do a brief review of each scent to give impressions. If I end up buying any of them in full bottles I will do a more in-depth review at that time. 

Rook and Raven- Notes: A dark, mystifying blend of sweet Sicilian orange with a dry-down of aged patchouli, sandalwood and blackened vanilla.

Darkly spiced oranges, vibrant and concentrated, tamed with sticky ebony patchouli are balanced with that drop of black vanilla. The base lingers as smooth sandalwood and velvety patchouli just tinted with dried orange rinds. At its deepest the patchouli shines. Lovely.

Arabian Nights- Notes: Arabian desert. Dusk. The sky washed with a purple orange bloom. A balmy breeze casts casts aromas from a distant town across rippling sand dunes. Heady florals mingle with spiced citrus fruits, resins and dry leaves, enveloping you in a haze of memories that will never fade.

A beautiful illustration of an exotic desert landscape. Orange blossoms and jasmine flowers ply the senses with arid grace while amber and patchouli ground the spiced florals in mysterious richness. The base blooms in a musky sweet resinous and woody dream. A stunning fragrance. 

Incantation- Notes: A bewitching haze of labdanum absolute, patchouli oil, white sandalwood accord, a twist of green bergamot and droplets of Italian cypress.

The resinous cypress and almost camphorous bergamot begin the intoxicating brew... the sparkling combination almost has a lemony frankincense facet. Light and airy sepia toned patchouli crumbles its leaves into an apothecary jar and splintery chips of sandalwood join them. 

Dark Carnival- Notes: A curious carnival cart offering sweet treats. Honeycomb drizzled with warm caramel sauce, newspaper cones filled with hot sugared walnuts, fresh coconuts from the shy and velvet pouches filled with nuggets of amber and tonka beans. 

Gorgeous and golden honeyed amber shimmers in a pool of caramel that deepens as the scent wears on. The barest breath of coconut hovers around the edges. In the deep dry-down the lasting scent of sweet honey resins lingers long. Dark Carnival is fast becoming one of my favorite scents from Future Primitive. It was amazing in the wax tart form too.

Sylph- Notes: Clouds of fluffed up marshmallows infused with a glug of classic French lavender oil.

A beautifully executed lavender vanilla blend that features herbal almost licorice leaning lavender married to vanilla sugar encrusted marshmallows. It almost smells like grapes at the tail end. It is decadent and mouth watering. Less sweet and more deep and furry than Solstice Scent's version, more lavender less vanilla. Dreamy.

Cottingley Beck soap blends mint and basil in a rustic and endearing offering to the fairies. Being such a fan of mint soaps I am at a loss of why I have not brought a bar of this home to me. It is the perfect bouquet of fresh picked mint twigs. 

French Lavender soap smells of steel lavender buds, silvery and herbal. Another bar soap staple. 

Once again, I am content to have some Future Primitive goodies in house. I most look forward to her autumn offerings, hoping Owlette's End makes a come back. Do you have any Future Primitive favorites that you look forward to getting? What soaps are you washing with?

Melting Basket 102

Wax tarts from the last basket I loved and would invest in again: RG Blackberry Gilligan's Brew and Pink/Lemon/Gilligan, TBG Raspberry Hearts, VCS Cheshire's Grin, L3 Naughty.

Lasting Scent Candles- Below Zero, melting this again because the last one had no throw... hoping this one will be better

Lasting Scent Candles- Peppermint Dreams

Lasting Scent Candles- Bliss

The Bathing Garden- Deadly Sleeping Draught <3 gift

The Bathing Garden- Alice in Lavenderland

The Bathing Garden- Starlight Soda Pop

The Bathing Garden- Rose Glace

Candy Panda- Silver Haired Fox

Candy Panda- Mark No. 2

Candy Panda- Million Dollar Man

Candy Panda- Fly Me Out

CFTKR- Fresh Picked Strawberry

CFTKR- Strawberry Raspberry Guava

CFTKR- Jill's Strawberry Cream Jelly Roll

CFTKR- Napa Valley Sunset

CFTKR- Marshmallow Fireside

If you would like any of these in particular to be reviewed, please let me know!

This will probably be my last melting basket before we head out of vacation. I will make a post of what I plan on brining with me to the cabin to melt and burn. I melt quite a bit this summer! Being home all day really most days really helps me to enjoy more of my stash. I have freed up room in my wax storage drawers to buy some fall goodies here soon. 

And my summer would normally have an extra week after vacation until I return to work, but due to some shuffling around I will be headed back right after we return. It is all for the best because I will be transitioning from assistant to co-lead teacher in the classroom. It has been almost 10 years since I was a full time, full-fledged classroom teacher. I am nervous, but excited. The kids always make it a fun job to have. 

It may affect my blogging, but I am not sure yet. At any rate, I will at the very least still post on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday format if I start to feel over loaded. And that won't be too bad. I have plenty of material still (you should see some of my new perfume oils I am letting cure before I review!) And I plan on ordered at a few opening that approach. 

New horizons approach. Hoping the new healthy habits I have begun will stick with me during this transition. But hey, that is only up to me, right? 

Do you have any changes approaching? What preventative measures do you take to keep on plan when you know stressors will be coming your way? Are there any openings that you plan on partaking of?