Heavenlyrabbit

This is the house, the sacred box, Where, always draped in languorous frocks, And always at home if someone knocks, One elbow into the pillow pressed, She lies, and lazily fans her breast, While fountains weep their soulfullest: This is the chamber of Dorothy. — Fountain and breeze for her alone Sob in that soothing undertone. Was ever so spoiled a harlot known? With odorous oils and rosemary, Benzoin and every unguent grown, Her skin is rubbed most delicately. — The flowers are faint with ecstasy. The Scarlet Woman, aglow with sensual indolence: red musk, benzoin, caramel accord, golden honey, and spiced Moroccan unguents. Takes its time unfolding on my skin. The red musk is in the forefront along with the spices. I imagine this is what Smut might have smelled like if my skin chemistry reacted so adversely to it. The sweetness is very laid back on me, as per usual. Sultry blend that reminds me of Love blends, for sure. Unique but in the same vein as some of the Oriental Wanderlusts, too. Great choice if you aren't the floral person.

The Nones of the Wild Fig, held on the 7th of July and celebrated only by women, is a festival of fertility honoring Juno Caprotina. Both goats and figs are sacred to Juno in this aspect, goats being notoriously randy, and figs being prolifically seedy. The milky sap of the fig tree also links to the concept of fertility, and to Juno as Mother Goddess. The scent is of goat’s milk, ripe fig, and a hint of sweet myrrh. Please note: no goats were milked in the process of creating this scent. It is an accord, and this scent is vegan. This is a straightfoward scent as it smells like a combination of the stated notes. A certain warm creaminess, a certain dark fruity lushness and a certain mysterious bite from the myrrh. Ultimately, the Fig is the predominant note. For me, the Goat's milk is not like any other BPAL cream or milk scent. Less cloying and more pungent. If I had to pick out another BPAL to compare the Goat Milk accord to, it'd be what I remember of the most recent Milk Moon. This strikes me more as an autumn or cool weather perfume because even though it's fairly light for something that features "milk" and "fig" it's got more of a warming quality that draws one inward. This isn't sweet at all. Definitely unisex. Sort of reminds me of bath/skin products. Not because it smells clean or soapy in any way but because it comes across as a traditional high end Fig moisturizer and soap. Like how Coconut/Vanilla blends do the same for me at times. If I knew how to make soap, I'd use half of this in a batch of soap and the other half in some moisturizer.

At this moment the door was flung open, and a shrill voice was heard singing: 'To the Looking-Glass world it was Alice that said "I've a sceptre in hand, I've a crown on my head. Let the Looking-Glass creatures, whatever they be Come and dine with the Red Queen, the White Queen, and me!"' And hundreds of voices joined in the chorus: 'Then fill up the glasses as quick as you can, And sprinkle the table with buttons and bran: Put cats in the coffee, and mice in the tea -- And welcome Queen Alice with thirty-times-three!' Then followed a confused noise of cheering, and Alice thought to herself `Thirty times three makes ninety. I wonder if any one's counting?' In a minute there was silence again, and the same shrill voice sang another verse: '"O Looking-Glass creatures," quoth Alice, "draw near! 'Tis an honour to see me, a favour to hear: 'Tis a privilege high to have dinner and tea Along with the Red Queen, the White Queen, and me!"' Then came the chorus again: 'Then fill up the glasses with treacle and ink, Or anything else that is pleasant to drink: Mix sand with the cider, and wool with the wine -- And welcome Queen Alice with ninety-times-nine!' Carnation, posies, and white amber with a hint of inky treacle, sandy cider, and wooly wine. Spicy, creamy floral. Carnations with cake and hard apple cider. A more sophisticated and perfumey version of Harvest Moon. No hint of plastic from the 'treacle'. The spicy carnation isn't turning into redhots. So this makes me very happy

TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE BAT Twinkle, twinkle, little bat! How I wonder what you're at! Up above the world you fly, Like a teatray in the sky. Twinkle, twinkle little bat! How I wonder what you're at! A sparkly, batty little scent: green tea, melon, mint, lime rind, and champagne grape with lemon balm, mullein, and toadflax. I think Beth took the "teatray" literally A tray of herbal teas like you find in a health food restaurant. Edit to note- Melon has been one of the worst experiences I've had with BPAL. The one used here works, so that was a pleasant surprise.

BUTTER RUM COOKIE A boozy addition to the devil's bake sale! Rum-soaked butter cookies, crusted with sugar, soaked in almond and garnished with orange rind. Butter RUM? You betcha... with these cookies around, the Devil would be too wasted for malice. The Rum, Almond and Orange Zest all combine together and make this a wearable gourmand for men (and women). The Cookie and Butter part are pretty tame compared to some other BPAL's like Sugar Cookie. Yes, the aromatics here definitely place this in Cologne territory. But in a foodie kind of way, if you can imagine. Note- Almond can be almost unbearably bad on me, it is fine here.

'TIS THE VOICE OF THE LOBSTER ’Tis the voice of the Lobster: I heard him declare ’You have baked me too brown, I must sugar my hair.’ As a duck with its eyelids, so he with his nose Trims his belt and his buttons, and turns out his toes. When the sands are all dry, he is gay as a lark, And will talk in contemptuous tones of the shark; But, when the tide rises and sharks are around, His voice has a timid and tremulous sound. I passed by his garden and marked, with one eye, How the Owl and the Panther were sharing a pie: The Panther took pie-crust, and gravy, and meat, While the Owl had the dish as its share of the treat. When the pie was all finished, the Owl, as a boon, Was kindly permitted to pocket the spoon: While the Panther received knife and fork with a growl, And concluded the banquet by— A woody, musky-weird base glooping over with blackberry preserves, a twist of mandarin, strawberry juice, pulverized watermelon, and a handful of smushed gardenia petals. Thumbs its nose at The Sluggard. This is my favorite of the new MTP blends, I think. And that's a hard thing to say cause they are all pretty much weird and wonderful. First thing I get is blackberry perserves and musk. Then a delicious wave of extra fruitiness which I couldn't identify right off followed by a floral that made me think - expensive men's cologne. Looking at the notes and seeing Gardenia was a shock. Gardenia? Somehow I must be linking the "woody, musky-weird base" with the floral there. So this might be a good one for guys to sample. Very pretty but surprisingly less girly and foody as I thought it'd be from reading the notes.

ALL IN THE GOLDEN AFTERNOON All in the golden afternoon Full leisurely we glide; For both our oars, with little skill, By little hands are plied While little hands make vain pretence Our wanderings to guide Ah, cruel Three! In such an hour Beneath such dreamy weather, To beg a tale of breath too weak To stir the tiniest feather! Yet what can one poor voice avail Against three tongues together? Imperious Prima flashes forth Her edict to 'begin it'- In gentler tone Secunda hopes 'There will be nonsense in it!' - While Tertia interrupts the tale Not more than once a minute. Anon, to sudden silence won, In fancy they pursue The dream-child moving through a land Of wonders wild and new, In friendly chat with bird or beast - And half believe it true. And ever, as the story drained The wells of fancy dry, And faintly strove that weary one To put the subject by, 'The rest next time -It is next time!' The happy voices cry. Thus grew the tale of Wonderland Thus slowly, one by one, Its quaint events were hammered out - and now the tale is done, And home we steer, a merry crew, Beneath the setting sun. Alice! a childish story take, And with a gentle hand Lay it where Childhood's dreams are twined In Memory's mystic band, Like pilgrim's wither'd wreath of flowers Plucked in far-off land. A bizarre blend of pineapple, tangerine, tobacco, apricot, and seltzer coated with hazy amber and heady sun-baked flowers. This radiates off my arm as refreshing and uplifting tropical fruit with swirls of pretty tobacco. Tobacco has never read as "pretty" on my skin. I think somehow it's a darker, dissonant note looped in with the florals. I don't fizzy from what the seltzer is... MAYBE a touch of aquatic? As minutes go by, the amber comes out more. Don't know what the Florals and am interested to see what better noses than mine can detect. Of all things to compare this blend to, I come up with the Salon "Death and Life Completed" mixed with some Tiki blend.

Ginger blossom and vanilla orchid. This is my favorite of all the Tiki florals. The one to die for. The Vanilla in Vanilla Orchid does come across as Vanilla and that means a touch of "gourmand". The Ginger Blossom is so subtle, it makes you REALLY want to sniff this to find it. The combination of the sweet Vanilla Orchid and soft spice of Ginger Blossom, makes this ever so slightly somewheres between old fashioned and sexy. If I were to pick out a Tiki blend that evokes the earlier era (40-50's) when Tiki, Tropical and Hawaiian fashion was in, this would be it.

BRUSQUE VIOLET `I never saw anybody that looked stupider,' a Violet said, so suddenly, that Alice quite jumped; for it hadn't spoken before. `Hold your tongue!' cried the Tiger-lily. `As if you ever saw anybody! You keep your head under the leaves, and snore away there, till you know no more what's going on in the world, that if you were a bud!' Violet petal, violet leaf, osmanthus, orris, mint, and opoponax. Whoa! This is an arresting sent so in that respect, it captures the feel of "brusque". This is no shrinking Violet. Unlike the Violet in Ultraviolet, this Violet has the upper hand. Which is rare on my skin where violet usually is much more subtle. I think it's the specific Violet-Mint combo. The resin helps this from being too high-pitched.r No powder, soap or grandma feel to this. This particular blend blows my mind. Will have to test over the month to see how it works but DAMN! This is a perfect Violet for people who don't do violet. Also kind of nice for late Summer into Autumn. Edit to heap MORE love on this scent. It is a fabulous mixture of violet, green and brown.

THE FLOWER SONG Unknown, Written during Egypt's New Kingdom To hear your voice is pomegranate wine to me: I draw life from hearing it. Could I see you with every glance, It would be better for me Than to eat or to drink. Pomegranate wine, lotus root, river reeds, hyssop, and barley. In the bottle: where is it, there's something in there? Once on a river of scent flows out. Herbal, fruity, boozy. Lotus Root can go bubblegum but I can't find it here. Barley... I drink barley tea all the time. Can't find it here. River reeds? This has a rejuvenating effect on me. But then, pomegranate, wine and hyssop make for a happy Heavenlyrabbit.

BONES TROMBONE Pie crust, smears of blueberry marshmallow cream and lemon meringue, and hemlock. I get the tartness of the blueberry and lemon, a very subtle touch of evergreen (that is actually quite nice) but very little of the pie crust, marshmallow cream or meringue. I like this but think it verges on masculine and would love to smell it on a guy. And I am almost certain other BPAL'ers will get more of the foody-goodness. My skin chemistry is notorious for burning through notes like that within seconds.

Golden rum, apricot liquor, pineapple, pomegranate, ginger, brandy, grapefruit, and pink lime. This was the Tiki Bar scent that my intuition kept saying "Buy, Buy, Buy" even though while reading the notes my Rational Mind was like "No No No". Glad I listened to her, cause this is a BPAL Booze Lover's dream. Rum runs all throughout this and it's sweet boozy goodness gets big wet kisses from all the fruit. Apricot and the various Citrus notes. Ah, ginger! Just enough to keep this from being a sticky, cloying mess. LOVE!

In the kitchen were frogs roasting on the spit, and dishes preparing of snail skins, with children's fingers in them, salad of mushroom seed, hemlock, noses and marrow of mice, beer from the marsh woman's brewery, and sparkling salt-petre wine from the grave cellars. BEER FROM THE MARSH WOMAN'S BREWERY A beer flavored with marsh arrow grass, yew berries, purple foxglove, and giant hogweed. Got this for the Beer note. This does smell like Beer but not so much that it seems like I just spilled a pint. This is beer with a fresh and herbal aspect and a vague floralness. A very nice Kitchen Smell from a small cottage on the edge of a field.

The yellowed country records containing her testimony and that of her accusers were so damnably suggestive of things beyond human experience - and the descriptions of the darting little furry object which served as her familiar were so painfully realistic despite their incredible details. That object - no larger than a good-sized rat and quaintly called by the townspeople "Brown Jenkins" - seemed to have been the fruit of a remarkable case of sympathetic herd-delusion, for in 1692 no less than eleven persons had testified to glimpsing it. There were recent rumours, too, with a baffling and disconcerting amount of agreement. Witnesses said it had long hair and the shape of a rat, but that its sharp-toothed, bearded face was evilly human while its paws were like tiny human hands. It took messages betwixt old Keziah and the devil, and was nursed on the witch's blood, which it sucked like a vampire. Its voice was a kind of loathsome titter, and it could speak all languages. Of all the bizarre monstrosities in Gilman's dreams, nothing filled him with greater panic and nausea than this blasphemous and diminutive hybrid, whose image flitted across his vision in a form a thousandfold more hateful than anything his waking mind had deduced from the ancient records and the modern whispers. A small, furry, sharp-toothed scent that will nuzzle you curiously in the black hours before dawn: dusty white sandalwood and orris root, dry coconut husk, creeping musk, and the residue of ceremonial incense. Sweet incense. The coconut doesn't overwhelm as it's wont to do with my skin chemistry. A rather straightfoward scent with the coconut melding with the resins' sweetness. The orris and sandalwood are definately there but seem to be more of the structure that keeps this from collapsing inward from the heavier notes. GREAT sillage. Reminds me a wee bit of Midnight Mass combined with All Souls.

NES GADOL HAYA SHAM But not long after the king sent a certain old man of Antioch, to compel the Jews to depart from the laws of their fathers and of God: And to defile the temple that was in Jerusalem, and to call it the temple of Jupiter Olympius: and that in Gazarim of Jupiter Hospitalis, according as they were that inhabited the place. And very bad was this invasion of evils and grievous to all. For the temple was full of the riot and reveling of the Gentiles: and of men lying with lewd women. And women thrust themselves of their accord into the holy places, and brought in things that were not lawful. The altar also was filled with unlawful things, which were forbidden by the laws. And neither were the sabbaths kept, nor the solemn days of the fathers observed, neither did any man plainly profess himself to be a Jew. But they were led by bitter constraint on the king's birthday to the sacrifices: and when the feast of Bacchus was kept, they wore compelled to go about crowned with ivy in honour of Bacchus. And there went out a decree into the neighboring cities of the Gentiles, by the suggestion of the Ptolemeans, that they also should act in like manner against the Jews, to oblige them to sacrifice: And whosoever would not conform themselves to the ways of the Gentiles, should be put to death: then was misery to be seen. For two women were accused to have circumcised their children: whom, when they had openly led about through the city with the infants hanging at their breasts, they threw down headlong from the walls. And others that had met together in caves that were near, and were keeping the sabbath day privately, being discovered by Philip, were burnt with fire, because they made a conscience to help themselves with their hands, by reason of the religious observance of the day. - The Second Book of the Maccabees, 6:1-11 In order to consolidate his power in Jerusalem and Hellenize the area, the Greek king Antiochus IV Epiphanes outlawed Judaism and ordered the population to worship Zeus and the Hellenic pantheon. As this was anathema to the Jews, they refused, and Antiochus moved to enforce his religious decree by extreme force. Some origin tales say that the dreidel was used at this time as a method by which the Jewish people were able to continue to study the Talmud in secret under the guise of gambling. Now, in addition to being a light gambling game, the dreidel is also a reminder of the strength, devotion, and perseverance of the Jewish people and the mercy of God. One scent in four parts: Nun, the Snake: nuun, nothing. Naḥš, in modern Arabic, means bad luck. Represented by scents of loss and remembrance: opoponax and lemon verbena. Gimel, the Camel: the Ship of the Desert. Represented by scents of abundance, fortitude, and determination: patchouli, heliotrope, pomegranate, and almond. He, the Window: sometimes used to represent the Unutterable Name of God, this is the window in our souls through which God's light touches us. Represented by scents of clarity and piety: frankincense, myrtle, and hyssop. Shin, the Tooth: also stands for Shaddai, one of the names of God. The hand formed into shin acts as a priestly blessing. Represented by scents of strength, generosity, kindness, and benediction: carnation, myrrh, red poppy, and hibiscus. The essences of Nun, Gimel, He, and Shin are blended to become Nes Gadol Haya Sham. Prominent notes for me are the Heliotrope and Almond. This reminds me of an old favorite, Tzadikim Nistarim, and also a few of BPAL's earlier 13 blends. Probably because of the wide range of notes. Maybe even reminiscent of Cleopatra Testing Poisons. Complex and unconventional from a perfume standpoint.

WHOSO LIST TO HUNT Whoso list to hunt, I know where is an hind! But as for me, alas, I may no more; The vain travail hath wearied me so sore, I am of them that furthest come behind. Yet may I by no means my wearied mind Draw from the deer, but as she fleeth afore Fainting I follow; I leave off therefore, Since in a net I seek to hold the wind. Who list her hunt, I put him out of doubt, As well as I, may spend his time in vain. And graven with diamonds in letters plain, There is written her fair neck round about, "Noli me tangere, for Caesar's I am, And wild for to hold, though I seem tame." Sensual brown musk, rich amber, English rose, oak bark, and moss. This is a very wearable Musk with more presence than many other BPAL musks have on me. Musk that works very well with the Moss. The Rose is there but seems off in the distance and perhaps hinting at the inaccessible nature of the prey. Amber adds a certain richness. Is there Oak Bark in here? This does give an image of being in a wooded forest. People who have trouble with Rose or who don't usually get much out of Musk might give this a whirl. Very pretty and restrained Floral that presents itself as a Musk/Moss girl.

The festival of Roman goddess of death, Larenta, who was also known as Dea Tacita, the Silent Goddess. Spells to silence and bind slanderous enemies were cast on her holy days, as were spells of closure and suppression. During this time, offerings to the dead are left on thresholds, where spirits are said to dwell. A Roman funeral garden: cypress, thyme, oleander, crocus, gladiola, amaranth, and myrtle shrouded by herbs and flowers sacred to the Silent One. A brown/green scent with quite a bit of throw. The greens here remind me of when I used to go around at night clipping the neighborhood English boxwoods and hollies for greens to use in wreathmaking. This isn't the cedar and pine of craft store/car freshener variety. Gentle florals, no divas. They are tucked into the herbs. Smelling Larentalia deeply, I wonder if it's just a nice meditative blend or perhaps some magical intent was used in creating it. It's one of those BPAL's that smell like they come from Twilight Alchemy Lab. As a Yule blend, this works for those moments you reflect on dear ones who have departed. When nostalgia takes over. So often it's said the Winter holidays are for children. There is always a place for those who've passed on. Curious I pulled this out right after Mourning Moon. >>>>>> Takes another deep breath of the perfume. Hopefully I haven't any enemies and if these are none of them are slandering me.

CELESTE I have always been capricious and proud. No one, among women whose tendency it is to say 'yes,' derives more pleasure than I do from saying 'no.' So the men to whom I have given the most are those who asked least of me. Elizabeth Venard, La Comtesse de Chabrillan, was known to her friends and lovers as Celeste. She first found fame as a dancer in Paris' Bal Mabille where her grace, beauty, and talent earned her the nickname La Mogador: the Moroccan fortress could not have resisted soldiers with as much skill as Celeste juggled suitors. She became a famed equestrienne at Paris' Hippodrome until an accident propelled her to move into the life of a courtesan in earnest. After many years of success as a popular demimonde, she entered into a tempestuous, passionate relationship with Gabriel-Paul-Josselin-Lionel de Chabrillan that culminated in their scandalous marriage. They loved each other without reservation, and she remained by his side long after he became destitute and had nothing to offer her other than his love and his name. They settled in Australia, and she pursued a career as an author until she was forced to return to Paris alone due to poor health. Lionel attempted to gain a post in France in order to be able to be with her, but was rejected because of his past indiscretions, and died in an accident while on his voyage back to Australia. Devastated, Celeste turned to the theatre for catharsis and consolation, and became a successful playwright and manager. Madagascan vanilla bean, vanilla orchid, orris root, and saffron. Celeste is pretty but perhaps a bit dry and less full bodied than one might imagine. I took a chance with the Saffron. It combines with the Orris and makes me feel nostalgic with a tinge of melancholy. This is not the Orris of Black Pearl, that's for sure. It's a bit rougher.

THE SILVER APPLE OF THE MOON White apple with orris, agave nectar, moonflower, white sandalwood, and lotus root. Dry Apple. Not juicy. Dry and Aromatic. Ever so very slightly sweet. The Florals really are also just a whisper on my skin.

Deck your halls with Nabby Gardner's Holiday Globules - the colors are out of this world! Luminous and possibly sentient, they make a fine addition to your holiday décor! It's like the twinkling colored lights on a Christmas Tree. Bright, sweet fruits with something vaguely kind of ozone. Kind of a fun, sporty fruit scent. I do not like ozone but I do like this. Want a bottle for sure.

KITTY Kitty Fisher was born into a life with very few prospects for advancement. She was the daughter of a modest Lutheran silver chaser, and in her youth, she worked as a milliner's assistant. Longing for something more, she capitalized on her natural beauty, her wits, and her boldness, and launched a career as one of Britain's preeminent courtesans. Her beauty was legendary, and she was the muse of many famed artists of her time, including Joshua Reynolds, Philip Mercier, and James Northcote. Her barbed wit, free lifestyle, and love of excess constantly landed her on the front page of Britain's gossip rags. She fell in love with the grandson of Admiral Sir John Norris, and gave up her career to marry him. She settled in as lady of the house, and turned her talents to building her husband's fortune and generously providing assistance to the poor. French vanilla, tot house orchids, strawberries, white sandalwood, bergamot, and honey. Kitty is a beautiful and timeless scent that tugs at my heart. She replaces Regan and Shadow Witch Orchid for gorgeous Vanilla and Orchid/Florals. Though this is way less 'floral'. Although she is sweet, there is nothing cloying about her. The Strawberries are fresh in from the warm sun and not candy.

This is the scent of a freshly assembled gingerbread house, with swirls of multicolored icing, spice drop lights, meringue snow, pinwheel mint accents, chocolate roof tiles, candy wafer pavers, and jelly candy stained glass. We used a French translation for ‘gingerbread house’ as the name to make it sound fancier. French adds +40% Fancy! A jumble of scents reminiscent of that box of mixed Christmas cookies your grandmother used to make. For all the candy/sugar treats mentioned, this is shockingly not that sweet. I get chocolate , a HINT of gingerbread... and if I keep inhaling I eventually detect the barest whisper of mint and what I think is anise. My skin is notorious for burning off sweet scents so I'll be interested to see how this works on others. The dry down is a mix between Sugar Cookie, Gingerbread Poppet with a touch of Gelt and an indistinct Fruit note that shows up way in the background.

PUMPKIN I Pumpkin, almond, brown musk, and honey. The Almond seems to combine with the Brown Musk & Honey for something of a skin scent with a slight earthy tone. It's quite a bit more laid back then many of BPAL's other Pumpkin scents.

White sandalwood, pikaki, 'umi'umi-o-dole, and plumeria. Another exquisite floral... done to perfection. The florals here seem to be much more active and present themselves more individually than in Marae. Perhaps it's the Sandalwood gently touching each of the florals at different times. One moment the perfume wafting off my wrist is this and soon after it's that. I am getting a Daytime Floral. Tropical, yes but not necessarily an evening or formal. I'd say that's the Pikaki and Plumeria which have always seemed to me as youthful and friendly notes. Don't know what umi'umi-o-dole is and hope someone shares. Twilight Eyes kindly sent me the info that umi'umi-o-dole is Spanish Moss. No wonder I liked this so much.

Orpheus, Franz von Stuck.Pale musk, green mandarin, neroli, benzoin, citrus peel, blue lavender, narcissus, stephanotis, crushed green stems, willow branch and cedar. Intoxicating fresh herbal/floral centered around a heart of chypre. The evergreen/woody notes play the supporting role here, allowing floral/herbals to shine forth. Opens with the citrus, blooms and expands with the florals and levels off into a slightly herbal/floral with the citrus lasting a bit longer then usual on me. A scent that draws you in. It is somewhat refreshing and relaxing. Balmy! That's the word. A scent to soothe the savage beast. Upon reapplication, the florals and herbals are even brighter. This is a classical perfume, in the sense its probably related to ancient formulas. This would be cousins related to other BPAL favorites of mine, Psyche, Sophia and Ides of March Note: I came to insert the comparison of Ides of March into my review after wearing Orpheusagain today and find that LiberAmoris had already referenced that blend in her review... so perhaps that gives an idea of what this is like. Well into drydown, there's a slight herbal soapy-ness. Not unpleasant or overbearing. More of a clean freshness... like Unicorn. Question: why is there a lawn ornament in the artwork? What does the flamingo (or Ibis) symbolize? Edited to add image - clover