Ode to DSH Vintage Patchouly

Livestock

Wicker under Macrame

Black Rose

Nordic Wool Sweater

Dreadlocks

Pool Hall

Gardening Shed

Picture from DSH perfumes.com

DSH Essense Studio - A Perfumista Delight

The moment I walk into DSH Essense Studio, I am surrounded by colors of green and blue, with gold accents, giving everything a warm Egyptian glow.  

The scent of spice hangs lightly in the air.  

It is Saturday and Dawn Spencer Hurwitz has agreed to meet me at 1:00 on this holiday weekend.

I arrive early.

A client is finishing up a consult, making the final decision in her perfume choice, taking great care to match this with a turning point in her life.

"Hi," Dawn says, behind me.  I turn to see a petite woman with her hair pulled away from her face, fully exposing her clear, light green eyes.  We greet each other and jump right into conversation, skipping from one topic to another; perfume, art, life, perfume and again...art.

"I love working with all types of art," she says.  "It's about more than just perfume for me, and I want to notice and create beauty everywhere."  

Her studio reflects this attitude with abstract art adorning the walls, handmade jewelry atop a chest of drawers and various displays of perfume. We move briefly into the blending room and I marvel at the array of essential oils and the complexity involved in composing perfumes.

Dawn talks about the individual consultations she offers and what they include. "There are many different kinds, depending upon the client's preferences, life experience and current needs."  

Spoken like a true aromatherapist.

As we begin talking perfume in earnest, Dawn asks me a few questions.  I list my top five: Jardin en Mediterannee, Borneo, Black Aoud, Sycomore and Fracas.  I tell her that 2010 is the 'year of the rose.'

Now, we're ready to play with perfume.

I sit down at the counter and Dawn stands on the opposite side on a stool so she can tower over me.  To emphasize this, she makes a gesture of the Scary Perfume Monster. 

Her goofy side unleashes my own.  We laugh a lot.

She's about to teach me the proper way to test many perfumes at the same time.  Of course, those of use who play with perfume constantly have great nose endurance, so we're in for the long haul.

Dawn's system of testing is simple.  And brilliant.

First, the perfumes - approximately 25 of them, chosen by Dawn - are sprayed on cards and examined through the drydown.  Then, I choose the contenders that will be applied to my skin, about 16 perfumes.

The skin test goes like this:

Dawn sprays the end of one of her fingers, then applies the perfume to my arm in a single dab.  "I get the first sniff," she says, breathing in quickly twice, then exhaling through her nose before smelling the spot on my skin.  She repeats this ritual for every perfume, using different fingers, washing her hands once in between so she can continue to apply on both arms.  Dawn tracks the used and unused real estate of my skin carefully.

She is detailed and methodical, just like a Virgo, the sun sign we share.

After both of us enjoy multiple sniffings of all that she has applied, I narrow the field again, making a row of my favorites.  More sniffing ensues until finally, the top three emerge and reflect on my skin as follows:

Memory & Desire - orris and ink, then black licorice, rose and wood

Vetyver - smoke and gasoline, charcoal, rosewood and vetiver

Vintage Patchouly - patchouli, pipe smoke, rose, sandalwood and incense

Dawn understands that rose comes in many forms, a hidden gem within other notes, like the unexpected, but perfect, harmony in a choir.

Many samples accompany the above perfumes, which will show up in future posts.

My experience at Essense Studio is delightful and I highly recommend it to any perfumista.  I look forward to going back and exploring further, perhaps when I move from my 'dark rose' phase into the next, whatever that might be. 

DSH perfumes will still be there.  And so will I.

Thanks, Dawn.

Pictures taken by me and B-man at Essense Studio.

DSH Memory & Desire: Coming Home

B-man and I are in the Denver airport, ready to end our weekend trip with a short flight home.  On Friday, as a courtesy to others, I travel scent free.  But this morning, I feel compelled to apply DSH Memory & Desire, deciding that this is the perfume which will forever mark our weekend in Colorado.

As you already know, I spent a chunk of time Saturday at the DSH Essense Studio in Boulder, which includes the pleasure of meeting Dawn Spencer Hurwitz and reaping the benefits of her perfuming brilliance.

What I will say right now is what some of you may already know; Dawn is an artist to the core and a woman of grace and intelligence. 

I will post about the entire experience once I am home again, where both distance and perspective will help me sort my thoughts and capture all of the meaningful elements of that day. 

For now, I'm simply too distracted and my attention deficit tendencies are running wild.  

For example, in any airport, people watching is irresistible.  I intermittently watch others as I type and keep glancing at B-man on his laptop as if we are in a competition where both the purpose and the grand prize is unknown, but crucial.  

He has no idea he is a contestant. 

Fortunately, in the midst of this chaos (situational and self imposed) I continue to catch whiffs of Memory & Desire, which brings me back to myself. 

On my skin, which Dawn identifies as 'fairly neutral' (I think it best not to argue my specialness), Memory & Desire starts with a bang of orris and ink.  My attention and imagination is piqued upon first sniff.  

Memory & Desire also exudes a smoky, black licorice, rose vibe that lasts through the drydown.  And now, about four hours after application, the smallest hint of civet is revealed. 

Some have described this perfume as 'melancholic.'  In Donna's review, at Perfume Smellin' Things, she bestows this characteristic and says that Memory & Desire is reminiscent of 'waiting for someone...missing someone who is never coming back.'  

How very true.  

Perhaps this is why the wistful composition of Memory & Desire kindles reflections of my past and captures the present longing of my heart.

Much more DSH to come.

Picture from fotosearch.com

Happy Birthday, Mom

Wherever you are, I'm thinking of you and wishing we could celebrate our birthdays - only two days apart - together. 

Over dinner, watching the sunset, I'm thinking of you.

Hope you are spending your special day with all of those you missed so dearly.

I love you, Mom.  Happy Birthday.

Photo from nyip.com

Smelling Denver

My nose is working overtime.  

Whenever we go to a different city (until now, I've only flown through Denver), my first thought is 'what does it smell like?'  I always find a souvenir perfume that captures the essence of the experience and keeps the scent of the city alive in my memory.

But before that happens, I endure the smells of traveling.  

Let's begin with the airplane.  Walking through first class seems claustrophobic enough.  By the time we get to our seats, I can't imagine how we're going to a) slither into them, b) place anything at all under the seat in front of us, or c) 'move freely about the cabin' upon reaching cruising altitude.

Plus, once seated, we are stuck with our new neighbors and any aroma they might bring on board.  The first thing I notice is whether or not the guy in front of me appears to have washed his hair in the last 24 hours.  This informs how the air flow valve above me is positioned. 

We are located in the second to the last row, right next to the lavatory, which sees plenty of action on this late morning flight.  Yes, I've read the children's book, "Everyone Poops."  If only it were titled, "Everyone Poops at Home."

Adjusting the air flow again.

At the Denver airport, after a very short flight, my nose can hardly keep up with the onslaught of sillage as we make our way to baggage claim.  In the elevators and, later, in the hotel bar, scents compete for attention (reconfirming that heavy florals do not mix well with food).

Last night, attending the Taste of Colorado festival, my food samples of falafel and roasted nuts match beautifully with the roast beef, beer and metallic base notes of the evening air.  

Early this morning, B-man and I walk the city together.  This is our tradition no matter where we go.  Downtown Denver smells like crisp, mountain air is trying to dominate, but is thwarted by the sweet and stale scent of mixed restaurant leftovers.  Not quite revolting, but sweaty, like a space that athletes have gathered - then abandoned - after finishing their football game.

Perfuming, one of the highlights of our trip, begins in earnest this afternoon.  First up, DSH Essense Studio.

Stay tuned.

Happy Birthday to Me!

This morning, B-man and I are off to Denver for the weekend!

We're looking forward to checking out the "Taste of Colorado" festival, walking the city and just enjoying each others company. 

On Saturday, I'm very excited to visit DSH Essence Studio in Boulder.  I've been looking forward to it for weeks!  

Today, I give thanks for my life, my love and all the possibilities of the future.

Happy Labor Day Weekend! 

 

Ode to Dune by Dior

New Barbie Doll

Mint Julep

Wet Sandy Feet

Arugula

Vinyl Loveseat

Floating Seaweed

Butter and Honey on Toast

Picture from globalmandala.ing.com