April Aromatics: Two for Finding Myself

/ Sandra

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Sandra

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Hey APJ! I hope you are enjoying the spring or autumn weather in your part of the world.

This past week was a hectic week, getting everything finished in the house that needed to be done. The landlord fixed all of the the issues with the house and we finally got part of our closets! (Parts were delivered broken so we just have a mini skeleton up in the bedroom with rods which thankfully takes the clothes off of the railing.) It may seem trivial, but living without closets for four weeks and everything hanging over the banister or sitting in boxes left me frazzled. I will feel better once it has been sorted.

April Aromatics: Two for Finding Myself

Throughout my childhood I have been traumatised by the various insects in the different countries. For example, Rotterdam taught me how to live with spiders or Rome traumatised me with the hornets (being stung and the stinger stuck for a week because of the swelling). Every single country and city I have lived in brought on another insect to loathe. Naturally, Switzerland has its own creatures, and low and behold we have here the stinkbug. You have no idea the sleepless nights I have. They come in from the smallest crevices and I just scream like a crazy woman until I can get them out of the house again. Once we are settled I am going to sell body parts to have some screens installed.

Sunrise

Needless to say, I need some serious calming down. The music helps, but only to a small extent. Cooking in the new house is becoming more routine and I am slowly getting back into it. I actually managed to make my first batch of kimchi since moving. But what truly helps is scent. I am diffusing essentials oils whenever I can. The incense has been found and I will start using it shortly. New perfumes are also aiding to reduce my stress.

Sunset

Thanks to Tanja Bochnig of April Aromatics I have samples from her line waiting for me to try. I am loving her creations so much that I going to write about them as I try them. Let me say off the bat that I am surprised of how her perfumes manage to have such good longevity. I had the wrong idea that natural perfumes are fleeting.

This week I had the pleasure of wearing Liquid Dreams and Purple Reign.

Liquid Dreams

Lemons from Sicily, linden blossoms from Bulgaria, narcissus from France and osmanthus from China

Liquid Dreams opens with a tart burst of freshly squeezed lemons. This is how lemonade should smell and surprisingly it lasts quite some time in this state. I have written before that many citrus perfumes trigger my asthma and leave me coughing all day long. Liquid Dreams is wonderful as I can enjoy the citrus opening without doubling over and I can honestly say it is as if fresh lemons have been recently squeezed. The narcissus is gorgeous and together with the osmanthus I bask in its floral, citrus drydown. Osmanthus is one of my top five notes and it really comes through in Liquid Dreams. The perfume is golden threads dancing in sunlight and making me smile all day.

Purple Reign

natural lilac tincture, violets, lavender, osmanthus petals, jasmine flowers, orris root, oppoponax, purple light

Purple Reign radiates its name perfectly. As I walk down the street and look at the lilacs in bloom and all of the other purple blue flowers, it is as if I am wearing the perfume. The perfume lulls me to the point where I can breathe again. Fresh air tinged with spring buds in sunshine after a shower is what I experience. I smell lilac, iris and violets with the sweet nectar of jasmine on a warm day. It is almost surreal of how Ms Bochnig conveys her messages so vividly. She wants me to slow down and to reach into the depths of my soul to discover my inner strength and peace. This is a perfume I could use a vat of. It emotionally takes me back to the days in Argentina and Brazil when the jacaranda trees were in full bloom. Wow!

Which April Aromatics should I try next? What do you guys do when you need to calm down? Do any of you have any pictures of jacaranda trees you could share with me? I would love to try to paint one.

Until next time.

Oodles of fragrant kisses.

Sandra xo

20 thoughts on “April Aromatics: Two for Finding Myself”

  1. We have jacaranda trees in San Diego, California, as well but alas I have no photos to share. I love them and the puddle of purple blossoms they leave at your feet. I think I have a thing for purple flowers as I love lilac, iris, violet and wisteria as well.

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        • Hi Sandra, off the top of my head I can think of …
          Guerlain Insolence and Apres l’ondee
          Sege Lutens Iris silver mist
          Prada Infusions d’Iris
          I really love all of these perfumes.
          In fact I’ve just had a spray of Insolence XX

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          • Hey Matty, Loved Guerlain Apres l’Ondee and Insolence. Serge Lutens Iris Silver Mist is a classic that I only wore in dry heat. Beautiful choices.
            Sandra xo

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    • Hey there Tara. I am so envious of your jacaranda trees. The purples of spring are stunning. I have been gobsmacked with all of the wisteria here.
      Sandra xo

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    • Hey Gina, I used to have the same problems until I was introduced to April Aromatics. Anything to calm the nerves is welcome these days.
      Sandra xo

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    • Hi Portia, I have to have it all set up by the beginning of June when guests start
      arriving. Oooh yes – I do admire and love many April Aromatics perfumes.
      Sandra xo

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  4. Hi Sandra, as you know I love April Aromatics! I am glad it has such a calming effect on you in your current transition phase. I have 10 ml of Purple Reign and love it too for its calming effect. You may try Agartha, I love its mimosa haylike honeyness and have a full bottle, but LT (as politely as he can be) rated it very low. Then there is Calling All Angels, maybe a bit too much incense for spring/summer, but very beautiful, I have a FB. I also have 10 ml of Pink Wood, lovely oud rose, but again, more for winter (for me) than this time of the year. Rosenlust and Jasmina are very nice roses and jasmin respectively. Wearing Irisistible today.

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    • You smell divine Hamamelis! Thank you so much for the tips on which ones to try next. I have had a spritz of Calling All Angels and adore it. I love incense in the warm weather as I find it can have a cooling effect. I will be sure to try Jasmina and Rosenlust next.
      Sandra xo

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  5. Jacarandas are one of my favourites. The tree, itself, is hardy, yet delicate. Too few of them where I live, but in Perth, they were on every street corner.

    It sounds like AA is a brand I need to try. TRNP completely turned me on naturals, so it would be nice to add to my naturals collection.

    So glad you are settling in, Sandra. Xx

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  6. Hi Kate, wow, Perth must be amazing when they are in bloom. I need to find a place in Europe where they bloom. I hope you can try April Aromatics soon as there are some gems in the collection.
    Sandra xo

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  8. Yikes! I hate stink bugs! They come out of our window air conditioner as soon as the weather warms up!
    Calming for me would be all my essential oil blends that I make myself

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    • Hey Brigitte, They are awful for sure. Are you in this part of Europe? What are your favorite essential oil blends? I am duly impressed that you make them yourself.
      Sandra xo

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      • No I am in the States…. Northeast region. Right now I am enjoying my incense blends which is comprised of labdanum, myrrh, frankincense and vanilla beans. I have maybe 30 oils in storage in my basement !!!

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        • You are in a lovely part of the States. I must say that your incense blends sounds so good. I am sure you smell amazing.
          Sandra xo

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