Hilarious!

Who knew that my first give away would be so uncontested? I can't decide if I have only one reader or simply that most of my readers are people I know in real life who can ask me for samples at any time and know I'll provide.

Well, congrats to Divina, who will be getting 1 ml samples of Kai, L'Artisan Vanilia, *and* Memoire Liquide No. 900 Champagne et Mure Parfum as promised. Indeed, because she is the only person who posted and then mentioned that CB I Hate scents are hard for her to obtain, I'm throwing in samples of CB I Hate Perfume's Wild Hunt, Black March, Memory of Kindness and To See a Flower because I appreciate the support for my perfume ramblings. If nothing spurs the rest of you to post next time, let it be that I might actually send you more gifties than you originally thought available!

Divina, email me your mailing address at femininethings@gmail.com and I will have your package in the mail by the end of the week.

And for those of you who care, my last paper is being proof read as we speak and my last exam begins in three and a half hours. Around 9:30pm PST I will be completely finished with my requirements for this semester! I still have a lingering thesis paper to finish, but I have a week and a half of no classes, exams, or job to do that in. Despite this A paper nonsense hanging round my head, I consider myself more or less done as of tonight. That probably makes no sense to anyone but me, but if you've ever watched me write a 20 page paper in less than a twenty-four hours, including the lion's of research, then you know that ten days to write my A paper is more than enough for me to finish in time for the grade deadline.

A Near Wild Heaven: Spring 2009 Top Ten

So I am totally overwhelmed trying to finish what may be the last month of school I ever experience, along with its attendant last set of finals/papers I might ever have to deal with. Obviously this is…time consuming.

Spring, sprang, sprung!

Whatever it takes, I'm giving.
It's just a gift I'm given.
Try to live inside.
Trying to move inside...

However, I’ve been remiss and inattentive, dear readers. But to make amends, I’m offering up my Top Ten Spring Scents of 2009. Spring, to me, is the world’s asserted awakening after a long sleep. It smells like fresh rain and earth and flowers, like bike rides and visits to farmers markets and patio parties. The following scents feel like that to me, like newness. Like hope. Like renewal.

Because I am so busy, I can only offer up the ‘official’ descriptions of these scents. I’ve reviewed a one of them previously, but for the most part these are sniffed but unreviewed. I promise reviews to come as soon as my papers are done. Til then, I hope at least the recommendations and copy text will be intriguing enough for you to try sniffing these. Where I could not crib ad copy from the perfumer direct, I borrowed from Luckyscent and BeautyHabit.

1. L’Artisan Vanilia
A uniquely refined rendition of vanilla, this iconic L'Artisan Parfumeur fragrance blends vanilla absolute with the creamy floral accord of ylang ylang and smoldering spices. Enriched by the velvety base of sandalwood, Vanilia is a complex, multifaceted blend that showcases wonderfully the oriental beauty of vanilla and yet is more than just vanilla. A masterpiece.

Notes: ylang-ylang, nutmeg, clove, vanilla, sandalwood

My review is here.

2. Kai EdP
The creator of Kai spent her youth vacationing in Hawaii and always wanted to try to capture the island's fragrance. Thus Kai was born. The result is a blend of gardenia and white exotics that transports you instantly to your own tropical paradise.

3. Memoire Liquide No. 900 Champagne et Mure Parfum
A classic sparkling Kir Royale; refreshing, dry and subtly touched by sweet berry accords and a fresh lemon twist.

4. Téo Cabanel Oha
Oha is an evening fragrance that combines the most precious and noble essences. Transcending time and space this mysterious perfume will appeal to women with true personality.

A fresh sweep of bergamot in harmony with a delicate tea aroma. Voluptuous roses from Bulgaria and Morocco, jasmine from Egypt, creates its heart of spicy notes enhanced with Guatemala Cardamom. Suddenly, Oha luxuriates in the captivating powdery notes of vanilla, iris, tonka bean and exotic woods lifted by a note of white musk.

5. DSH Perfumes The´ Vert (Tea No. 1)
Classical. Refined. Minimalist.

A true green tea fragrance with a soft and subtle chypre dry down. My own green tea scent.

Top notes: Bergamot, Lemon; Middle notes: Green Tea; Base notes: Moss, Sandalwood

6. Serge Lutens Nuit de Cellophane
Cellophane night? The name was meant to shock, says the enigmatic maestro of the Palais Royal -- though what it alludes to is simply the material used to wrap bouquets in flower shops.

At first sniff, you may think Serge Lutens has gone mainstream. Nuit de Cellophane is, undeniably, a fruity floral drowned in a cloud of fluffy musk. But smell more closely, and the little night music running through the Lutens opus will make itself heard: the stained-glass light of mandarin, warmed by the solar cinnamon roundness of myrrh, drowns the dusk-blooming, indolic jasmine in sunset hues. A slight mentholated whiff betrays a roving tuberose throwing her green flash.

Chinese osmanthus, with its juicy apricot sweetness and suede-like facets, is offset by the clove-y warmth of carnation and the milky lushness of almonds. A touch of lily adds smokiness to the blend, melding into the woody, creamy sandalwood base drowned in honey. A deceptively innocent, multi-textured fragrance whose carnal whispers will draw you into the luminescent sparkle of a cellophane night...

7. Sarah Horowitz Parfums Perfect Nectar
Luscious and exotic, this succulent fragrance features top notes of tangerine and blood orange, followed by middle notes of papaya, mango, ylang ylang and green tea. Perfect Nectar's base accord is a bed of soft, white flowers.

8. CB I Hate Perfume To See a Flower
Delicate spring flowers (hyacinth, daffodils, jonquils & crocuses), green shoots, wet dirt & a bit of moss

9. CB I Hate Perfume Revelation
Revelation captures the scent of a Wild Fig Tree. The prime note is that of Fig Leaves & Twigs blended with Honey and a touch of Spice. The perfume is based on a rich warm blend of Cedarwood, Cypress Wood, Amber & Labdanum.

Revelation begins with a crisp green scent that gently warms on the skin to be sensual and glowing.

10. Strange Invisible Perfumes Urban Lily EdP
Similar to the gardenia, Lily of the Valley will not yield an essence. Happily, the sweetness of its petals, the strength of its roots, and the push beauty of its leaves are captured in urban lily, a stunning bouquet for the ages.

Inspiration: On the first of May, Lily of the Valley blossoms make their yearly debut on the street corners of Paris. Their inspiring scent rings out a clear and welcome message: The return of happiness. Urban Lily follows these flowers beneath the garden floor AND reveals that sweetness belies strength. Like an ethereal beauty living in a dizzying metropolis, this determined lily chases the beauty in adversity. It will endure small spaces, harsh seasons, and changing landscapes with mystical poise.

So that's my list!

And for being so patient with my slow posting, I am doing my first sample give away! Leave a comment below, and one commenter will be selected at random to receive 1 ml samples of Kai, L'Artisan Vanilia, *and* Memoire Liquide No. 900 Champagne et Mure Parfum. Because I post so infrequently, I keeping the drawing open until 5pm, May 9, 2009, which is, incidentally the last day of finals period.

I'll post the winner by 9am Sunday, May 10, 2009 so we can exchange emails regarding mailing info.

My heart thrown open wide
in this near wild heaven...
- R.E.M., "Near Wild Heaven"

Photo from Picturezone.

Gulp!

BeautyHabit sent me a super sweet Valentine's present - a 20% off card! And with that, my graduation gift purchase is now complete.

As I have previously mentioned, I am graduating from Law School in a few months. As a gift to myself I decided a few months ago that I really wanted a bottle of L'Artisan's Iris Pallida. Exorbitantly expensive, yes, but as I wrote in my previous review of it, I think it might be the most beautiful thing I've had on my body. So faced with saving 20%, my graduation only three months away, and a promotion that would give me an additional 15ml bottle of either Tea for Two or Dzonghka (my choice) as a gift with purchase, I couldn't resist. So tonight, I spent $236 on a dingle bottle. As a student. With loans. Who makes ~$1000 a month. And this is after I bought a bottle of Ave Luxe Wild Blackberry Musk a little over a month ago and a bottle of Kai EDP two weeks ago.

I think it's safe to say that I am a full fledge perfumista at this point.

And now I'll get back to forcing three beautiful boys to watch "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist" with me. And just like Liz Phair, "I want all that stupid bullshit, like letters and sodas." And someone bought me a soda today, just like I wanted. Turned out to be a decent Valentine's after all.