Heavenlyrabbit

Plum honey, passion fruit, pomegranate, benzoin, French lavender, blonde tobacco, black currant, vanilla bean, lemon balm, Tunisian opium, violet sugar, clove, and white grapefruit. This is a jumble of scents which matches the Shunga perfectly. Slightly sweet and juicy fruits with a hint of spice and smokiness. This wafts off my skin giving an uplifting and energetic mood. Definitely unisex in the best possible way. I read this as a casual, daytime scent.

Jamaican rum, almond liquor, orange water, sugar syrup, lime peel, black cherry, vodka, and mint. Te Po was a big ole question mark... but I had to buy three Tiki Bar scents (my own weird quirk on buying BPAL scents in odd numbers) and this was what fell into my basket. Almond is really hit or miss for me. Mostly miss. This is very pleasant. So that's a relief. I'd also fretted about Black Cherry being TOO Cherry Cola or something. It's there but it just smells fun and youthful. The Mint and Lime Peel play nice back-up to the Booze and Almond. Oh, the Sugar Syrup doesn't seem to make this all that sweet. I think it blends with the Black Cherry for the slight Dr. Pepper effect. Put the Lime in the Coconut and drink it all up! On to Upa Upa...

The Demon, in my chamber high, This morning came to visit me, And, thinking he would find some fault, He whispered: "I would know of thee Among the many lovely things That make the magic of her face, Among the beauties, black and rose, That make her body's charm and grace, Which is most fair?" Thou didst reply To the Abhorred, O soul of mine: "No single beauty is the best When she is all one flower divine. When all things charm me I ignore Which one alone brings most delight; She shines before me like the dawn, And she consoles me like the night. The harmony is far too great, That governs all her body fair, For impotence to analyse And say which note is sweetest there. O mystic metamorphosis! My senses into one sense flow -- Her voice makes perfume when she speaks, Her breath is music faint and low!" An expression of love, adoration, and desire, of beauty that transcends mortal desire and piques the interest of hell itself: attar of rose, calla lily, palmarosa, peach blossom, wisteria, rice flower, and black musk. This is a full bodied, classic perfume. Somewhat womanly and good for any occassion. Reminds me of some of the better boutique blends I tried before finding BPAL. Sometimes you just want a beautiful floral that wears well. The peach blossom works well with the particular musk used here and the florals have a deep, slightly sweet feel to them. Calla lily is a iffy note for me but it really works here. This is very long lasting and a definite keeper.

KNOCKOUT DROPS Bourbon vanilla, white mint, and white chocolate with a squirt of lemon meringue and a dribble of absinthe. The Mint/Lemon/Absinthe all combine together and makes me think of some sort of cocktail. It's nice but I am literally drawing a blank on other descriptive terms. This is a perfume that is both there and not there. I think in warmer weather this would be great for when you want something nice but not necessarily attention getting. Like a good work scent.

Bourbon vanilla, red musk, galbanum, ambergris, sweet clove, petitgrain, and golden amber. Sweet wonderful and warm incense. The Clove is subdued at first but picks up as my skin brings it forward. Good news for those who like spicey. Since this is Passion, it makes sense it'd be a warm scent. This is possibly the most beautiful scent I've got from BPAL yet. It reminds one of Ahathoor and the like but sweeter. I thought that red musk and I didn't get along, but this is orgasmic. Addendum: further comparisons would be a richer Three Witches or more incensey/less foody Gingerbread Poppet (original blend) with Clove swapped out for the Ginger.

Attar of rose, violet, white pear, Queen Elizabeth root, and freesia. This is a Wedding bouquet, IMO. florals wrapped with a white silk ribbon. This is wafting off me and making me long for spring. At turns I can pick out the Rose and the Violet. Somehow the Violet seems to blend most into the Pear. The Queen Elizabeth root seems to add the slightest touch of sweetness. Divine but a bit 'old fashioined' and that's a compliment coming from me. Yet another Classic.

Wild woods, Bulgarian rose, tolu balsam, vanilla absolute, ambergris, honey, and vanilla. This is so very, very smooth. The woods are pleasantly aromatic. The rose is really subtle. The vanilla is also laid back. Surprisingly unisex. In fact, it's verging on masculine. Is there a touch of vetiver in here? Something vaguely feral. Very little change from bottle to skin to wearing.

Nothing there is beyond hope, nothing that can be sworn impossible, nothing wonderful, since Zeus, father of the Olympians, made night from mid-day, hiding the light of the shining Sun, and sore fear came upon men. On July 22, we will be experiencing a total solar eclipse. This is the Labores Solis: the sun’s rays expressed through frankincense, amber, heliotrope, saffron, and chamomile, crossed with Luna’s Artemisias, manifesting in darkness. Incense made from Summertime herbs. The Heliotrope adds its special touch, a slight vanilla sweetness, to the mix. If there were an Incense made to resemble a Cottage Garden that mixes herbs with some flowers, it might be quite like this. The Herbs are more predominant than any Florals that might be in this.

THE FIRST OF THE THREE SPIRITS It was a strange figure—like a child: yet not so like a child as like an old man, viewed through some supernatural medium, which gave him the appearance of having receded from the view, and being diminished to a child’s proportions. Its hair, which hung about its neck and down its back, was white as if with age; and yet the face had not a wrinkle in it, and the tenderest bloom was on the skin. The arms were very long and muscular; the hands the same, as if its hold were of uncommon strength. Its legs and feet, most delicately formed, were, like those upper members, bare. It wore a tunic of the purest white; and round its waist was bound a lustrous belt, the sheen of which was beautiful. It held a branch of fresh green holly in its hand; and, in singular contradiction of that wintry emblem, had its dress trimmed with summer flowers. But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm. Even this, though, when Scrooge looked at it with increasing steadiness, was not its strangest quality. For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away. And in the very wonder of this, it would be itself again; distinct and clear as ever. “Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me?” asked Scrooge. “I am!” The voice was soft and gentle. Singularly low, as if instead of being so close beside him, it were at a distance. “Who, and what are you?” Scrooge demanded. “I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.” “Long Past?” inquired Scrooge: observant of its dwarfish stature. “No. Your past.” Shimmering white amber, voluminous vanilla, white musk, zdravetz, and summer flowers. This was the Christmas Carol scent that seemed made just for me and it's the first bottle that came out of the box! Geranium is a good note on my skin. It's depth blossoms so nicely. My impression, soft and pretty. Almost cozy. Whatever Amber went into this- no trace of powder. Whatever Vanilla went into this- no hint of gourmand. A lovely aromatic perfume just a touch on the herbal side. The Floral notes give this a golden glow we'd associate with the Spirit of Christmas Past. Thank Goodness! I was a bit apprehensive thinking the Floral notes might be White. Can easily see a guy or a gal wearing this. So fans who seek out Florals that aren't overtly "girlie" might want to try this.

The Spirit of the Eve of Samhain, an aspect of Cailleach, the Divine Hag, in her Destroyer aspect. While Brìghde rules the time between Beltane and Sahmain, Cailleach rules the Dark of the Year. On the night of Samhain, she transforms into Carlin, harbingering the death of the land and the onset of the snows. On Beltane, the Great Crone is slain by Brìghde so springtime can reinvigorate the land. Black sage, ivy-twined rowan, thistle, snapdragon, heather, gorse, fumitory, and anise. This has the fresh green one associates with evergreen without seeming like Christmas. There is a slight floral overtone from the Snapdragon with the Anise adding a subtle interest. VERY Green/Brown and lovely. It is much less heavy-handed than many other "Green" scents from BPAL. It exceeded my expectations which I purposely kept low on seeing "Black Sage" listed.

Vanilla orchid, Monoi tiare, gardenia, and light incense. The Orchid is the first note listed and it's what was in the forefront. There's a touch of what might be the Gardenia. Is Tiare jasmine by another name? If so, it's not very prominent as jasmine usually is on me. The incense is very light but an amazing counterpoint to some very beautiful florals. This is much more refined than I'd imagined. This is the Hawaiian version of All Saints. Twilight Eyes kindly sent me this to include- two of the Tiki blends have monoi tiare (gardenia in coconut oil)

Resurrection of the Flesh, Luca Signorelli. Frankincense, hyssop, heliochrysum, ylang ylang, copal, angelica, and rose geranium. Contains so many of my favorite notes, this was a 5ml without giving it a second thought. Franincense, Hyssop, Ylang Ylang, Herbals. Deep yet lofty. A touch of sensuality in its spiritual form. That is what I wrote down as a description, so for me, this successfully evokes its subject matter. As a perfume, it has the unusual property of opening with what I'd consider the bottom notes first (Frankincense and Copal) with the top notes unfolding later (Ylang Ylang & Herbals). I get an Opening with the deep, slight sweetness of Frankincense and then comes the soaring flora and penetrating herbals. Very good throw and long lasting. Would wear this for many occassions and any season excepting really light-hearted romps, weddings. IMO, a perfume that tends to be a bit more mature.

ARIADNE BRUNNELL (The Vampire Maid, Hume Nisbet) This contact seemed also to have affected her as it did me; a clear flush, like a white flame, lighted up her face, so that it glowed as if an alabaster lamp had been lit; her black eyes became softer and more humid as our glances crossed, and her scarlet lips grew moist. She was a living woman now, while before she had seemed half a corpse. She permitted her white slender hand to remain in mine longer than most people do at an introduction, and then she slowly withdrew it, still regarding me with steadfast eyes for a second or two afterwards. Fathomless velvety eyes these were, yet before they were shifted from mine they appeared to have absorbed all my willpower and made me her abject slave. They looked like deep dark pools of clear water, yet they filled me with fire and deprived me of strength. I sank into my chair almost as languidly as I had risen from my bed that morning. Yet I made a good breakfast, and although she hardly tasted anything, this strange girl rose much refreshed and with a slight glow of colour on her cheeks, which improved her so greatly that she appeared younger and almost beautiful. I had come here seeking solitude, but since I had seen Ariadne it seemed as if I had come for her only. She was not very lively; indeed, thinking back, I cannot recall any spontaneous remark of hers; she answered my questions by monosyllables and left me to lead in words; yet she was insinuating and appeared to lead my thoughts in her direction and speak to me with her eyes. I cannot describe her minutely, I only know that from the first glance and touch she gave me I was bewitched and could think of nothing else. It was a rapid, distracting, and devouring infatuation that possessed me; all day long I followed her about like a dog, every night I dreamed of that white glowing face, those steadfast black eyes, those moist scarlet lips, and each morning I rose more languid than I had been the day before. Sometimes I dreamt that she was kissing me with those red lips, while I shivered at the contact of her silky black tresses as they covered my throat; sometimes that we were floating in the air, her arms about me and her long hair enveloping us both like an inky cloud, while I lay supine and helpless. Poppy flowers, peat, sphagnum moss, gardenia, and white water lily. Gardenia given depth by the Poppy and a light hearted sweetness from Water Lily. There's the merest hint of some earthy notes. I adore this, it is really a beautiful, very classy floral. Not over done. This might work for people who've not had much success with Florals. This seems like a cousin of I Died For Beauty. After testing again last night & this morning: Last night, the mossy elements came out much more and this verged on being close to unisex. This morning, I got a whisper of something that put "powder" into my head but before I could decide my attention was drawn to how thin a scent this is. This seems like a rather prim, pallid Victorian vampire. After reading a synopsis of the story and the excerpt, I'd say it's a good evocation of Ariadne Brunnell

FIGGY PUDDIN’ Calymyrna figs, dark rum, cognac, raisins, cinnamon, ginger, brown sugar, and clove. More Puddin from Puddin! This is less alcoholic than the Plum Puddin but it still has a strong smell of spirits. More depth and also a bit more tart than it's sister scent from the Trading Post.

BLUE MORPHO Wild orchid, pikake, honeysuckle, calla lily, agave nectar, pink geranium, violet leaf, and white amber. Blue Morpho is an exotic, juicy bouquet. It's a sweet, surprisingly light floral confection considering the listed notes. Extremely well blended. Beautiful Amber note under this. Tahiti or Hawaii. Could imagine this for a summer bride.

Die Sundë, Vom Tod Verfolgt, Henry Fuseli. Blood musk, hothouse orchid, fig leaf, frankincense, white amber, and tobacco honey. Full bodied, sexy and just a touch of dirty with a hint of spice coming from something I can't pinpoint. Perhaps the variety of orchid chosen. This is sort of an extreme version of a skin scent. A stripped down version of Pallas Athene (one of my recent favorites).

SLEIPNIR At Yule, Odin leads a divine hunting party through the heavens. On Yule Eve, children would fill their boots with sugar, carrots, and straw and place them by the chimneys for Odin's eight-legged horse, Sleipnir, to eat. To repay the children's kindness, Odin would refill the children's boots with sweets or small gifts. Confections spun of hazelnuts, honey, elderberries, and bilberries with a dusting of hay and a bit of carrot. Muesli or a gathering of ingredients before you start baking cookies. Not overly fruity though. This would be more like dried berries. This doesn't make a grand statement but is quietly compelling. Sort of a comfortable-sweater type scent on a day when you're being a bit of a homebody. If Gunpowder was about evoking the treats a horse loves then Sleipnir is the wholesome treats a horse-loving girl or boy would nibble on. IMO, this would be a good scent for a person who goes into sugar shock with many BPAL foodies.

PLUM PUDDIN’Sultana raisins, red currants, candied orange peel, allspice, clove, nutmeg, sherry, and cognac. Plum Puddin from Puddin! The alcohol is strong in this one. Even for me... my skin usually burns it off. This is more reminiscent of Raisin Liqueur or Rum Raisin Ice Cream... with spice. Happy and festive. Shockingly less foodie than I thought it'd be. I'd layer this with something like Mitzvah or Beaver Moon.

THIS is thy hour O Soul, thy free flight into the wordless, Away from books, away from art, the day erased, the lesson done, Thee fully forth emerging, silent, gazing, pondering the themes thou lovest best. Night, sleep, death and the stars. The cold fire of distant stars: indigo musk, black iris, orris root, rosewood, night-blooming jasmine, and honeysuckle. This Phoenix embodies introspection, reflection, spiritual freedom, and hope springing eternal. Rosewood & Dark Musk front and center, which works for me. I do not get the usual Jasmine rush nor the sweet kiss of honeysuckle. They both seem to be mellowing out with the Orris. This is a deep, inwards scent. Again, captures mood intended very well. I think many BPAL lovers who shy away from florals should definitely give this one a whirl.

Red and sticky! From a genuine Old Salem recipe! Sweet red wine that is surprisingly delicate. More fruit than booze. In fact, if I didn't have the cute little label proclaiming "Port Jelly" I'd have said maybe Red Currant with one drop of Plum with no mention of wine at all. Maybe there is some beeswax? This isn't hyper-sweet. Although my skin chemistry does burn through sweet BPAL very quickly, I don't think that's the case here. It really is a mild, lovely fruity sweet scent.

No description given This smells EXACTLY like a Raspberry Thumbprint Cookie. Or, in my case, Heaven. That is all.

As virtuous men pass mildly away, And whisper to their souls, to go, Whilst some of their sad friends do say, 'The breath goes now,' and some say, 'No:' So let us melt, and make no noise, No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move; 'Twere profanation of our joys To tell the laity our love. Moving of th' earth brings harms and fears; Men reckon what it did, and meant; But trepidation of the spheres, Though greater far, is innocent. Dull sublunary lovers' love (Whose soul is sense) cannot admit Absence, because it doth remove Those things which elemented it. But we by a love so much refin'd, That ourselves know not what it is, Inter-assured of the mind, Care less, eyes, lips, and hands to miss. Our two souls therefore, which are one, Though I must go, endure not yet A breach, but an expansion, Like gold to airy thinness beat. If they be two, they are two so As stiff twin compasses are two; Thy soul, the fix'd foot, makes no show To move, but doth, if the' other do. And though it in the centre sit, Yet when the other far doth roam, It leans, and hearkens after it, And grows erect, as that comes home. Such wilt thou be to me, who must Like th' other foot, obliquely run; Thy firmness makes my circle just, And makes me end, where I begun. Ethereal, somber, and woeful: Chinese musk, wisteria, white grapefruit, calla lily, violet leaf, orange, gaiac wood, balsam of Peru, and Florentine iris. I get a soft yet resinous musk mixed with an understated floral. The woods/resins definitely have the upper hand here. None of the brightness I'd anticipated from the grapefruit and orange. Which makes sense since this in Mourning Moon. Still unexpected that they can blend so well with the stronger bottom notes. A non-floral floral, IMO. And something there is something very -Classic- about this.

IO Red musk, pomegranate, cranberry, blackberry, mango, purple sage, thyme, and angelica root. A delicate fruity perfume. A light, yet surprisingly sexy vibe. I think the sexy is the Red Musk. The light and refreshing is the herbal overtones to the fruit. This is very beautiful and doesn't come off as a fruit dessert or fruit alcoholic drink so it should be popular for warm weather, IMHO.

BRAHMIN Rose otto, red ginger, caraway seed, myrrh, orange peel, mandarin leaf, black peppercorn, and vanilla orchid. WHOA! The Caraway pops out on opening the bottle. Wouldn't have known what it was without having read the notes. It is a sort of herbal "dust" note to my nose and is immediately succeeded by warm rush from Ginger, Peppercorn and Orange. Very quickly the Florals present themselves and they are complemented quite well. Really, really unusual Floral. If Florals often overwhelm your skin chemistry, you might try this one. ETA- ultimately this dries down on my skin as Ginger Incense with a mere suggestion of Floral.

MUSE OF THE NIGHTMuse of the Night, Luis Ricardo Falero. A soft, resinous indigo musk with black currant, ylang ylang, Tunisian jasmine, opoponax, rose otto, benzoin, Tahitian vanilla bean, and opium tar. The notes of Muse of the Night pretty much are everything that works on me and the do add up to a magnificent dark floral perfume. Not too dark though. There is a feeling of night air without the piercing blast of ozone. Floral lovers may rejoice, this does showcase the Rose and Ylang Ylang while the Black Currant gives a subtle pay-off. On me this isn't excessively fruity. It reminds me of Purple Spotted Swallowtail from the Butterfly series this summer. Dark notes underneath with something that soars above them. Instead of the Lime in PSS, this has something that is almost bracing, somewhat balsamic and in between the florals. I think what makes this stand out is the combination of the variety of Musk used and the Opium notes. Someday, I'd love to have a Musk sniff-testing party where we could sample all the kinds Beth uses. Such a basic note, yet it can work such magic in its individuality.