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Sandra
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Hey there APJ! How are you all doing? Getting ready to celebrate Fat Tuesday – Mardi Gras?
Well, here in Basel it is called Fasnacht and it is actually held the week after Mardi Gras. Apparently it is a huge deal here and the festivities begin at 4 am on 11 March on a bridge. Whether or not I can drag myself out of bed at 3, let alone my nine year old, remains to be seen. This is a festival dating back to 1529 and common theory states that after the 1520 Reformation, they wanted to differ from the Catholics and therefore celebrated a week later. This has deep roots here and it will be fascinating to see.
Encore Une Fois by Art de Parfum
I believe that every one of us has deep seeded roots somewhere. It can be culturally, geographically, topographically, you name it. It can be from your childhood, your ancestors whom you did not know, your beliefs, your religion. But it is something in our souls that draws us to the unfamiliar, unknown and is yet so comforting when we actually see it that it almost feels like a deja vous.
As you all know, I have a love affair going with the Highlands in Scotland. My ancestors came from Scotland and it has been calling my name since the day I was born. At first I thought that I was drawn to the ocean and the mountains. But then, I realised it was so much deeper than that. I am drawn to the cold sea on a warm sunny day with a backdrop of mountains or hills. I crave the sea air whipping through my hair and leaving my skin with the slight taste of salt and seaweed. I yearn for the long days of walking on a beach hand in hand with my true love listening to the waves crashing on the shore. This is how I want retirement to look.
In perfume, one of the notes that evokes this yearning is ambergris. It awakens my ancestral desires to be at one with nature, listening to the trees whispering to one another or hearing the seagulls crying above me. When a perfume uses ambergris or ambroxan giving the perfume a breath of fresh air, warmed by the sun, kissed by the sprays of salt water and yet ever so slightly sweet, it conjurs up these feelings deep in my soul.
Art de Parfum is a London based perfume brand whose perfumes are “proudly cruelty free” with respect to all of the ingredients used in their beautiful creations. Encore Une Fois is Art de Parfum’s latest creation by its founder Ruta Degutyte, inspired by her love of the ocean. The notes are: bergamot, orange flower leaves, violet, incense, peony, muguet, saffron flower, ambergris, patchouli, cedar, benjoin, perou balsam, caramel and white musk.
Encore Une Fois opens up with slightly bitter citrus notes and quickly adds florals to soften the effect. Ruta Degutyte uses ambroxan to recreate the aura of ambergris and she does it beautifully.
On a sunny warm day, Encore Une Fois sings. It transports me to my dream space, conjuring up the smell of the ocean and the salty skin. It works beautifully because it is discreet and sends me messages all day making me wonder what smells so good. I love the ambergris effect and it makes me yearn for more. I have a really difficult time describing what I love about ambergris so much. There is an earthy sweetness to it that isn’t sweet at all, and it is exactly this scentorial experience that has me leaning in to inhale deeply over and over again. (See what I mean about challenging to describe.) This experience takes me to my roots of ocean with hills or mountains nearby.
Another beautiful side of Encore Une Fois is the almost hidden incense and how the smokey tendrils tickle my senses.
If you come across Encore Une Fois do give it a try, as it is a Limited Edition. Experiment with wearing the perfume on a warm day or a cooler day and see if it changes for you as it does for me.
Have you tried anything from Art de Parfum? Do you enjoy ambergris in perfumes?
Oodles of kisses,
Sandra xo
Australian Perfume Junkies 
You are learning so much about your new country and its customs, Sandra. What an interesting and exciting time.
You’ve encouraged me to dig out my own sample of this which I’ve failed to get to so far.
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Hey Tara, I really need to buy a history book that covers Switzerland. It is surprising of how much I don’t know. Hopefully you will like the perfume as well.
Sandra xo
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Isn’t it great to learn all these new customs and traditions in your new city. Though I’m with you on getting up at 3 a.m. being just ridiculous 😉
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Hi Cassieflower, Part of the adventure is definitely learning about the new culture and traditions. Yeah, don’t think the 3am thing will happen. Thankfully there is a parade at lunchtime.
Sandra xo
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Its a pain but I really recommend going to the 4am one, there is nothing like it. Go for a bit and then stop for a refreshment and a Waehe or soup before you go home to sleep again. Its magical. Also recommd the viewing of the lanterns in the evenings on the Muensterplatz. But my absolute favorite thing to do is just wander around in the evenings and pop into a clique cellar or two to hear the poets (Schnitzelbangg)! Im always a little wistful this time of year. Hope youhave a wonderful time!
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Hi Mariann, Thank you for giving me the extra shove. I will try to wake up my son. But we will definitely walk around in the evening to see the lanterns. Sandra xo
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I am not even in my body at 3am, let alone able to get up and go outside into the cold early morning air. Bon courage!
My dream is living in France, near the south Atlantic coast, with that same wind and salt air whipping against my face. Someday. In the meantime I have Areej Le Doré Atlantic Ambergris to keep me company and visit in my dreams.
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Hi Tara, I can fully understand your dream of living in the south of France. What a magical place. I will have to find a sample of Areej Le Doré – that sounds great. Thanks for the tip.
Sandra xo
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WOW! Scotland is nor where I expected you to want to retire at all Sandra. For some reason I pegged you as a warm climate retiree. Jin and I hope to find somewhere cool and peaceful too.
Ambergris is an amazing frag component, so much diversity in its uses. This sounds wonderful.
Portia xx
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Ha! Truth be told Portia, it is a dream, but you’re right and I think that my need for warmth may win. Who knows where I will be… Tell me that a perfume contains ambergris and I am ready to try it!
Sandra xo
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Wow, Sandra! Such a neautifully descriptive post. You have me yearning for a quiet, windy day at the beach, exploring rockpools and tiny sea creatures.
This perfume sounds pretty wearer friendly and wistful. The fact it is an ambergris-kind of scent only adds appeal. Off to see this range… Bye. Xx
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Thanks Kate. It is exactly those moments of quiet solitude that are so desirable. Exploring rockpools brings such enjoyment. I would love to hear your thoughts when you do try it.
Sandra xo
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Cold seas and windy rocky shorelines? Absolutely. Yes. Hot beaches feel all wrong and confuse me. I expect to be wearing a *coat* by the seaside. Maybe two. Hmm. I may need a little walk up to a blustery beach tomorrow…
Encore Une Fois sounds fab. I’m also a pushover for ambergris.
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So glad you agree Crikey. As much as I love the hot beaches as well, it is the crowds of people cramming in for a piece of beach that has me yearing for the cold sea and rocky shoreline. Hope that you get a walk on the beach and get to try the perfume soon.
Sandra xo
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