The perfume Chaparral is not a reference to the creosote bush, Larrea tridentata, which sometimes goes by many name chaparral, as well as greasewood and la gobernadora. I named the fragrance after the California biome distinguished by wet winters, hot summers and drought-tolerant shrub land. This biome is also found in the Mediterranean, South America, Australia… Continue reading The alchemical trinity of Chaparral
Tag: Californica
Oak Tree Circle
Yesterday, just as I was about to head off to the perfumery a gardener with a chain saw almost starting going at the oaks on the neighboring lot. We were able to fend off the fellow by taking photos and calling the police. Since I’m not sure if this method of protection will be sustainable… Continue reading Oak Tree Circle
Celtic Tree Month of Oak
I’ve been diligently finalizing my paper for the proceedings of my presentation titled “The Tree of Life: A mystical approach to the art of botanical perfumery” for the Beyond Aromatics conference up in Seattle this Autumn. The paper is due today which happens to be the first day of the Celtic Tree Month of Oak.… Continue reading Celtic Tree Month of Oak
The Birds and the Bees
The heavy rains from last week gave our very dry earth a much needed soaking producing a few blooms in the garden. The girls have been hard at work collecting nectar and pollen. A hive check is over due, which will likely result in a frame of honey or two. The Cistus is flowering. I… Continue reading The Birds and the Bees
Rosa 2014
Monday morning I filtered the 2014 edition of Rosa liquid perfume and began listing all the variations. The wafting of the aromatic molecules from the filtering process wafted throughout the entire house for a few days and is still very present within the studio. The photo above of the Rosa flacon was taken amongst fresh… Continue reading Rosa 2014
The Wood Land
I woke up Thursday morning to the sound of chainsaws echoing through the woodland. When I hear this sound I become a bit distressed because every so often it is a neighbor taking down an Oak, or some other native tree like the grand Sycamores. After breakfast I became so agitated by the sound I… Continue reading The Wood Land
California Native Plant Tour 2013
The 10th Annual Theodore Payne Native Plant Garden Tour took place Saturday & Sunday. More than 40 gardens in the Los Angeles region, each planted with at least 50% California natives were showcased. During a visit to a patio garden in Santa Monica I heard the host talking about a honey bee with “blue knees.”… Continue reading California Native Plant Tour 2013
Woodsii
While prowling social media this morning I came across an interview on the Mountain Rose blog with herbalist Kiva Rose. The last question in the interview is “Is there one herb that you feel especially connected to, and if so, in what way?” Kiva choose the Wild Rose, Rosa woodsii, which is a sister to… Continue reading Woodsii
Vote for ROSA!
The perfume devoted to the California native wild Rose, Rosa, has been nominated in an Etsy poll for “Which flowers make your garden grow?” Vote for Rosa botanical perfume as your favorite May flower. Here’s how to vote:1. Go to the Etsy main page here: http://www.etsy.com/2. If you have an account, sign in by clicking… Continue reading Vote for ROSA!
Q, Quercus agrifolia
I have been working on a new batch of Q, Quercus agrifolia, the botanical perfume devoted to the California Live Oak. Since I have gotten some on my hands and am now inhaling it throughout my activities, I’ve decided to deem the Scent of the day Q! Here are a whole bunch of links which… Continue reading Q, Quercus agrifolia