Sekhmet, Synchronicity and a Vintage Perfume.

 
    I just love it when synchronicity comes dancing through my day!
   So here is what happened.... the other evening I was perusing Ebay ( no surprise there. ) and came across an "affordable" bottle of vintage Panthere. I say "affordable" with a high pitched squeak to my voice. The old version of this fragrance commands prices that just aren't within my range. At least not at this time of my life. (I'm on a positive attitude kick! Can you tell?)  AND I really need to stick to my budget.   But vintage Panthere is one of the few perfumes that I truly crave to have in my possession!!!  Now I love the present incarnation of the fragrance. It is BEAUTIFUL. But I've always heard how the old version is spicier and richer......  Sound familiar?  So I find myself consumed with curiousity about this perfume. And, of course, THAT BOTTLE is fantastic!!! Who wouldn't love that pair of panthers scaling up the sides! Oh! And there it was. Staring at my from the computer screen. Arrgh!!!
   After oohing and aahing a bit more, I headed off to bed. Throughout the night I had snippets and bits of dreams..... interiors of temples, swishing skirts and the soft sounds of bare feet on the stone floors. Woke up intrigued by these nocturnal images and sensations, but it was off to work I go! Yet even at work I could feel a presence nearby. In one quick moment a tall figure swept by me.... skirt swirling against my leg and then a strong growling purr followed by a soft laugh. And the scent of Panthere perfume.
    Well, you can bet that as soon as I got home I got out the computer, popped over to Ebay, looked up that listing..... and it was still there!  So, I put my faith  firmly in the hands of the Ancient Mothers and clicked on Buy Now.
    I've had enough interactions with Mother Sekhmet to recognize Her energy! Then..... and I love this part. It just sealed the deal..... I checked my Facebook page and found a posting from Mermade Arts of a letter written about a talk given at the Getty Museum in Malibu, CA. by a Prof. Maria Rosaria Belgiorno. The focus of the talk was an ancient perfume and cosmetics factory that they had unearthed on Pyrgos, Cyprus. Mentioning several Goddesses, she also spoke of Bast, Sekhmet and Nefertem (son of Sekhmet by some accounts). Then it goes on to mention how felines are usually associated with perfumes. Well, of course they are!!!!   The picture with the post shows a painting of a woman in a temple surrounded by cats.  As I said.... I just love synchronicity.
    So here I am, anxiously awaiting news that my bottle of vintage Panthere has been shipped. And I'm even more excited to see what beautiful Sekhmet has in store for me. This should be very interesting!

This is the recent version of Cartier's Panthere.

Donna Karan Gold

 
    Have been absolutely craving lily! Don't know why ~ just have. I know the fragrance is supposed to be protective. Helping to keep evil away! (Hmm, I'll have to plant some more lilies in the yard. chuckle)
   Realized that I don't have much in the way of fragrances that showcase this note, much less any soliflores. Hadn't really ever given it any thought. Rose perfumes, yes. Those I've gone out of my way to look for. But never lily.... that will have to change!
   The only one in my possession that glides up to the front of my mind and whispers to me in a low, soft husky voice is my bottle of Donna Karan Gold. " I shall place small mountains of Casablanca lilies at your feet. Baskets full of heady jasmine. I will bring you precious resins and spices. Wrap you in a cloak of rich floral velvet."    After that, how could I resist?
    Now I'm asking myself why I don't use this more often. And WHY don't I have some back up bottles? Besides being beautiful, I find it very comforting and supportive.
  

   What a fragrance! Its a bouquet of big, lush lilies. Dripping with nectar. With those velvety soft, thick fleshy petals and stems. Pollen dusting my nose ever so slightly. I'd swear there is a hint of myrrh in there. (But can't find it on any list of notes.) Jasmine slowly creeps in.... the sweetest note in the composition.... but at times just a bit indolic. There is a soft amber throughout. Not overly sweet, but with a nice earthy scent to it. This fragrance is almost tactile on my skin. I feel as if I could reach out and actually touch it. And it feels like lily petals. Yes, my brain works that way!
   I find it exceptionally well blended. It creamy and luscious. I'll actually use the word Opulent. Sophisticated, yet sensuous.
    A very strong feminine energy. She is a matron with voluptuous curves, showing off ample cleavage. Long, thick mane of hair and heavy lidded eyes. Eyes that never miss any detail and have the tiniest glint of steel in them. A woman that strikes a bit of fear into men's hearts. A woman that gently tends to and protects the young and those that are in need. A woman that reaches out her strong arms and embraces Life. An Earth goddess with fire hidden deep within her very core.
    All that said, I recommend you sample this if possible. I've read a lot of individual reviews and there seems to be quite a few folks who either find it boring or they just plain don't like it. Once again that could be because of skin chemistry or it could just be one of those polarizing fragrances. Either you hate it or you love it! Obviously, I ADORE it!
    I was also surprised to find so many people making reference to a banana or weird fruit smell.   Uhmm... NO. My best guess is perhaps they mistook that heavy, fleshy smell that the base of a large lily blossom will sometimes take on. That "almost over ripe" scent. At least that's the best way I can describe it. Its just part of the way a heavy lily smells.
    Another thing to mention is that quite a few folks commented that the edt smells more of just lily. My bottle is edp, so I don't know first hand. Of course, this gives me an excuse to find some edt and buy it!! All in the name of good research! hahaha      Also, the edt bottles are clear. They don't have the metal  on the sides.      And by the way, its a nice, heavy bottle. Very attractive!
   

DONNA KARAN GOLD   by Donna Karan

Yann Vasnier, Rodrigo Flores-Roux and Calice Becker    Oriental Floral   2006

Notes (This wasn't easy. I found different versions, but they all have several notes in common.  I'll list two. So I guess only the perfumers know for certain.)
    Version#1: Casablanca Lily, Amber, Acacia, White cloves, Gold balm, Golden pollen, Patchouli.
     Version#2: Casablanca Lily, Amber, Black locust, Jasmine, Cloves, Violet leaf, Patchouli.
  

Priorities!

April 20th. The morning drive to watch my grandchildren hunt eggs!

   Up early and on the road! My grandchildren hunt eggs first thing in the morning! Can't be late!    I'm happy to report that an awesome time was had by all. They'll be living up in Virginia soon, so I don't want to miss ANYTHING.  The youngest will be four years of age next month, so I also used this opportunity to see what would be a good birthday present. He LOVES dinosaurs... and bones... and fossils... and he has the beginnings of a tooth collection. Hmmmm.....
   So when I came home I immediately hit the internet. To my own surprise, I totally ignored two auctions on vintage Magie Noir! (They both went for a song. OUCH! That hurt.)     So what was I doing on my computer? Well, I was searching, pricing and comparing dinosaur teeth and coprolite specimens.
    For the uninitiated, coprolite is fossilized dung. That's right, I was looking for the perfect piece of petrified poop!   Found some really nice ones too!  I'm also in a state of shock at how expensive some of that sh#t is.  hahaha  (No. Seriously. Its outrageous!)   The varieties of teeth and bone is absolutely amazing.  While I was there I even purchased some small pieces to make into jewelry.
   Anyway, my point is about priorities. The perfume can wait. My grandson and granddaughter won't stay this age. All children grow up faster than you can imagine.... better enjoy them while you can!  Put having fun with them first in your life. THAT should be your greatest passion/obsession.   
   Of course, sharing my love of fragrance with them is a lot of fun too! chuckle

Just Because Its So Pretty!

      Ah, look what arrived. Beautiful isn't it? I just love the feel of these old bottles. This one is app. 3 1/2" tall by 2 3/4" wide and app. 1 1/2" deep.

   I'm so intrigued. I can detect, very faintly, that "Guerlain" note. Lovely!

I'm a Sucker for a "Stucker".

   Well, I did it again. I've gone and purchased another "stucker". That's my pet word for a perfume bottle with a stopper that is wedged in tight as all get out!
   Now I don't ever look at myself  in the mirror and say "Hey, you're a real glutton for intense aggravation aren't you?" No, I do not do that.... but I might have to start. I prefer to call myself an optimist. You know, all that "hope springs eternal" sort of stuff. But guess I'll just have to admit that I have a small masochistic streak when it comes to vintage perfume bottles. And maybe a few other things.... but I digress.
   Just let me see or hear the words "glass stopper stuck" and my attention is THERE! Drawn in like a fly to a cow pile.  Hmmm, a more pleasant way to express that would be in order. Its as if a gauntlet has been thrown down right in front of me and I'm more than willing to scoop it up and attempt to meet the challenge and emerge victorious! (Well, that is if the price is right. I still have that pirate heart. hahaha)  
   Anyway, the initial posting said "unidentified perfume with stuck stopper". So they had me on two counts. The label was worn enough so the name of the fragrance couldn't easily be deciphered, but it clearly stated Guerlain. OH! BE STILL MY BEATING HEART!!!  I love a mystery and one from that renowned and hallowed House of fragrance was too good to NOT buy!  (Plus it was really, really cheap.)
   It was almost a disappointment when the seller contacted me and said she had figured out the name, Rue de la Paix. But hey, that meant I could start trying to research the notes, when it was created, how long it was produced, etc..  That way, when it arrives I can focus entirely on trying to open it!  chuckle    Will post updates on my efforts!
    The photo above is of the three bottles that have managed to resist my every attempt at opening them. They are such beauties. They have caused me so much apprehension, aggravation and just plain FEAR. hahahaha    Each is my little preciousssssss.   On the left is Camot Soir. I can find out nothing about this one. Not yet anyway!   In the center is an unidentified Chanel. Lovely isn't she? I can detect, very faintly, a beautifully sweet fragrance. On the right is Chypre by de Bertalot. c 1915 ? The front label fell off the first time I put it in the refrigerator in an attempt to open it. Have it tucked safely away. From what I can find out this bottle has an interesting bit in perfume history! All the more reason NOT to break it!!!
   So here I am. Waiting for that Guerlain to arrive. Waiting to see if it joins my three lovelies here... or if I get to enjoy that fragrance from the Past. I remain ever hopeful. And that's how it should be!

Fragrance is my Therapy right now!

   Goodness, its been a while since I've been able to get back to the blog. Went through the whole Winter season unable to wear much in the way of perfumes because I spend so much time at my mother's home. She has Parkinson's and Dementia, so either my brother or myself have to stay close to her. She doesn't mind perfume, as long as it isn't REAL strong. ( That's more than half of my stash! hahaha) My brother on the other hand, can't stand fragrance! And since he lives with Mom...... well, you get the picture. No perfume during the day.
   But when I return home for the evening, one of the first things I do is head for the perfume cabinet. Its therapy for me! Shifts my focus away from the unpleasant aspects of caretaking. And believe me, there are quite a few of those!  Fragrance is so healing to the Spirit! Of course, there are those times when I not only put on perfume.... I also take out one of my belly dance belts and maybe even one of my favorite hats...... and sway and shimmy around while my dogs and cats look askance at me. They should be used to their Mama acting weird sometimes. I'll do whatever it takes to break up the negative energy that tries to cling onto me!!!    Those little bells help to chip away at it, like old plaster! Then I grab my broom and SWEEP IT OUT the door!   Shimmy, shimmy, sweep. Shimmy, shimmy, sweep. Shoulder rolls, twirls, shimmy, shimmy.... and sweep, sweep, sweep!!!!     If its really bad, I smudge myself before I come into my home. Yep, I keep everything handy! Oh! And don't forget some incense for the house too!
   Even if I do find myself "down", I REFUSE to stay that way for very long! There is no sense in wasting my time and life energy that way.  And yes, I've used my slightly warped sense of logic in "rewarding" myself after a particularly rough day. (Especially after Mom's latest hospital stay... I don't ever want to revisit that first evening in my head again! Emotional torture. UGH!)   Suffice it to say, I have a couple of new vintage perfumes (actually more than that) and a hat or two. Trust me, I DESERVE them!   chuckle