It’s such a pleasure to experience a perfume without having seen any advertising, marketing, or even peeked at the perfumer’s website. To be able to wear a fragrance relatively free of those associations and without expectations is a rarity these days of media overload. My only prelude to Rivercali was knowing that its creator, Anya McCoy, is a devout natural perfumer from Florida and that her little box of samples was so beautifully packaged that I could hardly stand to open it up. But open it I did, as I clearly had to get to the vials inside. Rivercali was the first one that caught my eye, and I dabbed away.
Rivercali is a lush walk through a dewy oceanside garden, abundantly adorned with citrus blossoms. Neroli and petitgrain waft like an ocean breeze, and make you want to roll up your pant legs and splash in the surf. Rivercali is supported by a rich floral base of Turkish Rose Otto, yet in no way would I label this a rose fragrance. The rose otto offers spice and strength, providing a foundation for the heart, but does not overpower Rivercali’s inherent tropical leafy greenness.
This flirty, citrusy floral continues through to the drydown where just a hint of sandalwood and vanilla show themselves. Only slightly though. Just as this is not a rosy scent, this is also not a woodsy or vanillic one either. It’s a lush blooming fragrance that is heaven for floral lovers. Especially those with a penchant for orange, lemon or lime blossoms.
As I mentioned above, Anya is a natural perfumer and never uses synthetics in her fragrances. She also uses organic, wildcrafted and sustainable essences whenever possible. Additionally, her perfumes are housed in boxes that are made from the sustainable Daphne plant and recycled paper. They are also imbedded with wildflower seeds, so you can plant the box and grow your own garden in a pot or in the ground.
Rivercali is available at Anya’s Garden.
Posted by ~Trish
Bumble Bee by Hadley Hutton on etsy.
Dayala is a jasmine based fragrance like Maia, which I have previously reviewed 
The Body Balm itself is luscious. Its base is made from grapeseed, organic jojoba oil, and vitamin E. The consistency is thick like a cream, but when it warms on the skin, it melts like an oil. Once applied, it absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave a greasy residue. I prefer to smooth it on my skin when I am just out out of the shower, before my skin is dry. I have noticed that the beautiful scent of fresh jasmine still lingers for days on my bathrobe if I wear it just after putting on Dayala. I know some of you were looking forward to In Fiore’s Maia being released in the Body Balm, which it hasn’t yet. But for those of you who just can’t wait to get your hands on a lovely, grassy green, slightly indolic jasmine, Dayala will certainly tide you over.
I know it may seem unlikely that my first giveaway would be for a traditional, non-organic perfume, but there is a story here. This past holiday season, Victoria over at Bois de Jasmin held a 
I wear Apres L’Ondee I feel like I am listening to Tears For Fears’ Songs From the Big Chair. I know that I am narrowing my demographic here, but you know who you are, and you know what I mean. Every song from that album is melancholic, bewitching, and haunting; yet utterly accessible. Just like Apres L’Ondee, the fragrance named for sunlight after a rainshower. This may be sacreligious for some of you Apres L’Ondee worshippers that I am comparing this beloved perfume to an 80′s pop album. But trust me, it’s a really good album.
In all seriousness. I do love Songs From the Big Chair and I do love Apres L’Ondee. Both evoke a nostalgic longing that is at once melancholic and hopeful. There is something vintage-esque about violets and you can’t help but want to reminisce in their presence. Fortunately, Apres L’Ondee does not allow for protracted despondent reflection as the bergamot provides a green and uplifting opening and iris asserts itself at the heart with its floral edge. The vanilla base then keeps it smooth and sweet around those edges, so if you were about to cry over a broken memory, you’ve been given the softest pillow to lay your head. Apres L’Ondee is so lovely as you will read on many blogs, and as they say, it’s just heartbreakingly gorgeous.
A well blended, bitter orange that is a bit spicy with no hint of sweetness. As the name suggests though, this fragrance is not about citrus, it is all about ambrette, the seed of the hibiscus flower. The oil of these seeds has a musky, slightly ambery odor, and that is right where we are headed with Ambrette.
Several floral notes are listed for Champa including champa flowers, mimosa, jasmine, osmanthus and ylang ylang. And while there are some potentially grating choices for me in this blend (I’m talking to you mimosa and ylang ylang), the flower that predominates is a soft spoken champaca. Champaca flowers have several names. Champa is a common Hindi name, as well as the Joy Perfume Flower, since it is one of the primary notes in 
The price of these fragrances is just what the penny-pinching perfumista ordered! $9 for the perfume solid and $22 for the perfume spray. I say go for the perfume solid. They are portable, really cute, and the scent lasts for hours. And if you’re like me and amber isn’t your thing, not to worry, their 