Notes from the House

Lockdown Spring 2020 – The ‘C’ Word

At the beginning of the new decade – a new year, like most people I had a list of things I was going to do in H1; clear objectives, goals and targets with a number of seasonal fairs to showcase my products to potential buyers with plenty of networking in person. When I heard about the outbreak in Wuhan City, China with COVID-19, I had a feeling that it was not going to take long…

The ‘V’ Word

Valentines Day is celebrated on 14th February by many around the world. Originally a Western Christian day of feast honouring two Saints recognising culture, religion and of course celebrating romance. However, in modern times, the love heart was created along with red roses symbolising the romantic day. People gift cards, chocolates, teddies, flowers and perfume as a sign of love to their special someone or love interest. Growing up, there was always an emphasis around…

In Loving memory & new beginnings

It’s been an emotional rollercoaster over the past couple of months seeing my beloved Nan slowly leave us to take on a new beginning. It’s never an easy thing to talk about or come to terms with; she was a huge part of my life and growth. One thing I’m constantly reminded of is to celebrate her legacy, remember who she was – A true inspiration, a strong well-balanced Woman who fought until her last…

My Journey (Part Tois)

Reminiscing… reaching a milestone whilst celebrating the start of a new decade on the beautiful French Riviera I was excited to spend my first day venturing back to where it all began in the laboratories of Grasse.  A solo journey which fed my soul, basking in the sheer beauty of the region. It has been 3 years since I came to learn everything about creating, blending and formulating fragrances… Life got busy and I wasn’t…

A MUST-HAVE! SIGNATURE SCENT

Bespoke scents are becoming ever more popular and in demand over the past couple of years. Hoteliers, luxury venues and high-level restaurants are all jumping on the bandwagon to own their very own signature scent for their brand. Not only does this endorse their brand but it also leaves an embedded ever-lasting scent in customers and client’s memories.  So when returning; a month; a year or longer, the beautiful scent that captured their attention re-awakens…

Travel & Scent – a beautiful combination

After a hectic end to 2015 I kicked off the new year by escaping to the Caribbean island of St. Lucia. My friendly taxi driver welcomed me with a bottle of their locally produced beer, Piton, and I knew my first trip to the island was going to be brilliant! My home for the next two weeks was a boutique colonial style hotel in the north of the Island, by Rodney Bay, where the most…

Seasonal changes: Summer to Autumn

Summer is a carefree and playful time, enjoying the great outdoors, sunshine being an essential vitamin E source. Autumn on the other hand offers many a calmer time yet to others an unsettling one. It’s a time where routine kicks in; it’s more structured and productive. It can get you motivated, focused and possibly start new projects but it’s also a time when it can make you feel anxious, melancholy or even gloomy. Fall also…

My Journey (part deux)

When I initially started to think about setting up my own business, I knew the Perfume industry was going to be a tough one to crack with over 11,000 perfumes on the market; it sure is a very competitive and one that would be more than a bit challenging. Being passionate in what I believe in, I wasn’t going to let this stop me from fulfilling a life-long dream. Once I returned from the ever…

Essential oil extraction – Traditional methods with a modern twist

Whilst on my travels to broaden my knowledge on essential oil extraction, I visited all three perfume houses in the Provençal perfume capital of Grasse; Galimard, Fragonard and Molinard. I wanted to get a feel for the process of modern day extraction and see what elements of the traditional methods are still used today. Enfleurage Enfleurage is the oldest method of extraction (goes back thousands of years to the days of the pharaohs in Egypt)…

My Journey (part un)

My love for scent was reawakened in 2012, when I was drinking in a roof top garden of a swanky members club in the West End with a friend of mine. We discussed (over a number of cocktails) what I could do outside of the normal 9 to 5 job and I remembered making a scent at one of these Event Shows I had worked at in 2009. It got me thinking and by the…