I had a fun time today watching my 9-year-old niece ride a horse that is for sale at a nearby training stable. That was the first time I’d seen her ride, though I’ve seen videos and photos. She’s been leasing a horse and needs to find a new one now that the first one is [...]
Related StoresSonoma Scent Studio Updates
Post Holiday Update
November 30th, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
Quick update on new scents
November 25th, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I tested the Wood Violet without plum again yesterday and decided to set that aside for now (don’t like it enough to pursue), but I also tested the new cedary woods scent and will continue with that one. It needs a name! The notes are violet, rose, cedar, sandalwood, patchouli, vetiver, ambergris, cinnamon, clove, tonka, and musk. [...]
Related StoresLieu de Reves
November 23rd, 2008 — , Perfume Making & Ingredients, Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I had a chance to work on Lieu de Reves this weekend and am pleased with the progress. I took out a sandalwood ingredient that was interacting with some of the ionones to cause an odd musty note that I didn’t like. I also took out a sweet musk and added a drier [...]
Related StoresHoliday Gift Certificates
November 19th, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I’ve had some inquires about gift certificates so thought I’d post a little update about them. You can purchase two kinds of gift certificates from Sonoma Scent Studio. These GC options are available all year, but the winter holidays are the times when I get most requests for them.
One kind can be purchased [...]
Autumn’s beauty
November 17th, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I snuck out for a couple hours today to go to Preston winery, which has been a longtime family favorite because of the beautiful scenery, very nice wines, and wonderful organic gardens on site. Preston sells organic olive oil made from their own crop as well as produce that varies with the season. [...]
Related StoresSidetracked
November 11th, 2008 — , Gardening, Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I should have worked on Gardenia Musk today but got sidetracked on a new project. I made some exciting progress though and will return to Gardenia tomorrow with a fresher nose. When I left off the day before yesterday Gardenia seemed improved and ready for testing.
I usually plant daffodils long before this but just didn’t [...]
This and That…
November 10th, 2008 — , Perfume General, Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
Just wanted to check in today. We had a glorious pink sunrise this morning! The light cloud cover sometimes makes the sky glow pink as the sun rises. We look out over a valley where the fog often rolls in overnight, but the fog breaks up sometime in the morning and if [...]
Related StoresAlready Friday again!
November 6th, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I’ve been really busy keeping up with some large orders this week and haven’t had time to post or work on the new scents. Hope to catch my breath this weekend — can’t believe it’s Friday already.
I’m realizing more and more how individualized our scent experience is, and how differently people experience the same scent. [...]
Scent testing
October 30th, 2008 — , Perfume General, Perfume Making & Ingredients, Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I had a chance to test the latest rounds of Gardenia Musk and Reves, though I’m looking forward to trying the samples of Amouage Lyric that arrived in the mail yesterday (need to make time tomorrow!).
I’ve been looking at ways to extend the heliotrope note in Reves because heliotropin lasts well through the heart but fades [...]
Obsessing on details
October 27th, 2008 — , Perfume Making & Ingredients, Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I spent the day with dabs of various Gardenia Musk trials on my arms, working on other things while waiting for them to dry down so I could compare lasting power. They all smell great in the first couple hours, but it’s hard to keep the interest going in the late stages of a soft floral musk. I’ve had the [...]
Related StoresProgress on new scents
October 26th, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I finally had a chance to work on Gardenia Musk on Saturday and Reves on Sunday; I can’t wait to rest my nose overnght and try these tester vials tomorrow. With Reves, I substituted a more floral ionone for one of the woodsier ones and made a few other adjustments, trying to prevent the [...]
Related StoresLabel Success
October 15th, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I received the reprinted labels today and they look very good, much better than the first try. I’m quite relieved. It was very nice of them to reprint them quickly and overnight them, impressive CS!
It’s still beautiful here and I enjoyed a little time outside this evening at sunset. A couple days [...]
Winter Woods
October 14th, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
There’s a beautiful, poetic review of Winter Woods here:
http://ismellthereforeiam.blogspot.com/2008/10/sonoma-scent-studio-winter-woods-review.html
I wasn’t sure when I named this fragrance if I should choose autumn or winter for the name because either could fit. I went with winter because autumn makes me think of spiced apple types of scents, and this isn’t in that vein.
One interesting tidbit about Winter Woods is that [...]
Gorgeous Fall Days
October 14th, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
October is beautiful here, with warm sunny days and golden sunsets. I had a hard time coming in from the porch at lunch today to get back to work; I just want to let my eyes and spirit soak up the blue sky as much as I can, knowing in a few weeks the [...]
Related StoresLabel disappointment
October 10th, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I received my labels today but have to send them back on Monday because the die-cut was off-center so the borders are all different widths. I’m so disappointed; I’d been looking forward to these. The borders on the top and right sides are much smaller than on the left and bottom, which looks silly. [...]
Related StoresLabel disappointment
October 10th, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I received my labels today but have to send them back on Monday because the die-cut was off-center so the borders are all different widths. I’m so disappointed; I’d been looking forward to these. The borders on the top and right sides are much smaller than on the left and bottom, which looks silly. [...]
Related StoresNew sample menu on website
October 9th, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I wanted to mention that samples are now all gathered together into one spot on the Fragrance page below the list of scents. The product menu for each scent just lists full size items, and samples for all scents have a separate menu further down the page. You can scroll down or just [...]
Related StoresNatural Gardenia
October 6th, 2008 — , Perfume General, Perfume Making & Ingredients, Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
There’s a new natural gardenia product on the market that is an enfleurage of Gardenia fragrans, but it’s currently selling for $50 for 2 ml. It is made in Colombia and sold at http://www.enfleurage.com. I think we’ll see more progress in this area with other natural gardenia essences coming on the market (most you see [...]
Related StoresFireside Intense
October 3rd, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
There’s a very nice review today of Fireside Intense and Ambre Noir on the blog I Smell Therefore I Am:
http://ismellthereforeiam.blogspot.com/2008/10/sonoma-scent-studio-fireside-intense.html
I prefer Fireside Intense to Fireside because I like the smoke accord better and I like the touch of leather. The first few minutes of Intense are intense though, so you need to be a smoky woods [...]
In Focus
October 2nd, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I’m still working to catch up and am making progress. I had to take time out yesterday all morning for an eye exam appointment to get new glasses for working on the computer. I haven’t had glasses for years but they do help eye fatigue so I’ve been meaning to get this [...]
Related StoresUpdate
September 26th, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
Turn-around time is about 4-5 days instead of the usual 1-2 because of an influx of orders. I’ll try to catch up as soon as can. I finished the label files and gave them to the printer so I’ll get a proof next week. Good to have that done!
Gardenia Musk is on hold while I [...]
Bottle labels
September 24th, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I was deciding what label format to use given the size options I have, but I think I’ve figured out a good solution. I took down a couple photos I’d posted. Now I just need to adjust all the label files!
Thanks for input from those who caught the post.
[...]
Bottle label opinions wanted
September 24th, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I’m working on final label files to send to the printer for all my scents and am thinking of making a change in the text format from what I have now, pictured at left, to the text format on the right. Opinions here or emailed to me are welcome. These are quickly hand [...]
Related StoresEmail update
September 23rd, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
My cds email is showing signs of life, with the day’s emails slowly trickling in. Let’s be safe and keep using my other emails for now though.
September 23rd, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
My personal cds email has been down since 11 am today (Tues) so I’m using my msn email addy for a while, and you can always reach me via the website email info@sonomascentstudio.com. The cds server is down but all my other emails are working.
Sent out a newsletter today!
[...]
New Winter Woods is on the site
September 22nd, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I just added Winter Woods to the site. It’s a gentler smoky woods scent than the Firesides, with a gourmand amber and woods drydown, quite delicious and long-lasting. Here’s the website description:
http://www.sonomascentstudio.com/winterwoods.shtml
For those who tested samples, it is #5, which is similar to #4 but without one earthy ingredient and with added ambergris. If you tested [...]
Scent update
September 20th, 2008 — , Perfume General, Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
Winter Woods should be on the site for purchase the week of the 22, and the description is up on the site now. Gardenia Musk will be along shortly thereafter. Reves will be a little longer.
I tried Ineke Evening Edged In Gold yesterday. The prominent cedar with fruit base reminds me [...]
Update and reviews
September 16th, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I just discoverd some very nice blog reviews about Sonoma Scent Studio on a couple blogs that are new to me; they have some interesting posts, the first on indie handmade products and the second on perfume and foodie/cooking interests. It’s always fun to see when people are enjoying the scents and I appreciate the kind words.
http://www.handmadefinds.com/you-smell-mah-velous-sonoma-scent-studio/2008-08-15/
http://fragrantfoodie.wikidot.com/sonoma-scent-studio
I just finished a [...]
Fall is in the air
September 15th, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
It sure is starting to feel like fall. Days are getting shorter and the mornings and evenings have a little crispness. Considering the wild weather around the country, we’re very lucky here. It’s the wrong season, but Gardenia Musk is about done and I’ll go ahead and add it to the list soon. On the other hand, Winter [...]
Related StoresTGIF Update
September 12th, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I’m posting less right now but will get back to the blog more frequently when a couple current projects are done. In addition to the usual orders, I’m working on a large special order of shea cream jars and also on a product brochure. I’m also fitting in working on the new scents whenever I can. [...]
Related StoresOdds and ends…
September 7th, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I was able to sneak in a little blending here and there last week and did more testing of the new scents. Finally got the Gardenia Musk out again today and am really pleased with the lasting power of the latest mod. I hope to try a couple more things tomorrow and send a few testers out soon. [...]
Related StoresPhotographing bottles
September 3rd, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
Here’s a photo from yesterday’s experiment with my improvised light box; it shows three half oz bottles with parfum caps. Photographing bottles is just another little skill I need to learn about to improve the website. The lighting is much better with the box and that helps the glass look better. Even using white paper [...]
Related StoresPhotographing bottles
September 3rd, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
Here’s a photo from yesterday’s experiment with my improvised light box; it shows three half oz bottles with parfum caps. Photographing bottles is just another little skill I need to learn about to improve the website. The lighting is much better with the box and that helps the glass look better. Even using white paper [...]
Related StoresQuick update
September 2nd, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
Hope everyone had a great three day weekend and the first week of school is going well. Having Monday be a holiday means I don’t ship that day, which gives me an extra morning not to be worried about beating the noon mail pick-up with my outgoing packages. My brother’s girls are back in school; [...]
Related StoresDark, rich, dirty rose
August 28th, 2008 — , Perfume General, Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
Last week I tried Magie Noire for the first time (it’s great!), and yesterday I tried another dark and dirty rose, Gucci’s sadly discontinued L’Arte di Gucci. It’s quite something, a very rich dark rose with fruity topnotes on an earthy base with patchouli, vetiver, leather, moss, woods, and musk. It has some spice from [...]
Related StoresRunning a tad behind…
August 27th, 2008 — , Perfume General, Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I need to be out for this afternoon so that’s going to put me just a bit behind, but I should still have the current orders mailed out by Friday. If you’re ordering today it will probably go out Monday.
We’re having a hot spell again with temps over 100 each day. We always have one [...]
Sneak peek at a new scent…
August 21st, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I’ve been working on Gardenia Musk, Lieu de Reves, and a third project I haven’t mentioned by name yet but that seems almost ready. It’s a new woodsy gourmand and I’ll let this page serve here as a sneak peek, but I won’t add it to the site probably for about a week.
http://www.sonomascentstudio.com/winterwoods.shtml
I was debating whether to use [...]
This and that…
August 17th, 2008 — , Perfume General, Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I haven’t had a chance to work on the new scents the last few days and really want to get back to them. In addition to Gardenia Musk and Reves, I have a new woodsy scent in the works. Can’t wait to make more progress this week.
I did get to experience a quick trial wearing of Lancome’s [...]
Interview and reviews on today’s Sniffapalooza Magazine
August 15th, 2008 — , Perfume General, Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
Today’s new issue of Sniffapalooza Magazine contains an interview that I did with writer Kathy Patterson. Kathy also reviewed Vintage Rose and Champagne de Bois. You need to scroll down the page a little ways to find the article, but you may want to check out some of the other pieces in this issue too:
http://www.sniffapaloozamagazine.com/
[...]
Continue reading → Interview and reviews on today’s Sniffapalooza Magazine
Oh deer!
August 14th, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I was just a couple feet away from a young buck on the other side of the garden fence this evening. I surprised him when I rounded the corner, but he wasn’t scared enough to run off. He had modest sized antlers with two prongs and the usual big brown eyes and huge ears constantly on the [...]
Related StoresHot summer days
August 13th, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
It was 108 F again here today; it’s been a really hot summer, but I do better than many people in the heat. I’m a cold wimp though, so that makes California a good spot for me.
The grasses in the garden border now have golden plumes that glow when backlit, and I love seeing them in the [...]
Back up to speed
August 11th, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
My internet connection is back up to speed again; my ISP had a problem that they fixed on their end. Glad to be off dial-up!
Had a few hours Sunday to work on Lieu de Reves and made some progress. I increased the orris and added some soft floral notes that are interesting in it; I’m testing [...]
Checking in again…
August 8th, 2008 — , Perfume General, Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
It’s been a really busy week. Ambre Noir is on the site now and should be great for fall. I’ll keep working on Gardenia Musk and Lieu de Reves as I can. I tried some interesting new ingredients and that’s always exciting. Received shipment of a kilo yesterday that had leaked some, but it only lost about [...]
Related StoresAmbre Noir
August 6th, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
Just wanted to give a little heads up that Ambre Noir should be back on the site Friday. For those with tester samples, it is #11. It’s less sweet than 10a but similar otherwise. If you’re making a sample order soon and you are interested in Ambre Noir, you may want to wait until it [...]
Related StoresSome fragrant news of the day
August 1st, 2008 — , Perfume General, Perfume Making & Ingredients, Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
Today Now Smell This featured an article about five recent rose releases and included Vintage Rose in the reviews:
http://nowsmellthis.blogharbor.com/blog/_archives/2008/8/1/3818369.html
I was really happy to see Vintage included there! Miller et Bertaux Shanti and Red Flower Guaiac sound fun to try too.
You’ve probably heard about the two new Serge Lutens scents from all the press about them. Serge Noire sounds most [...]
As July ends…
July 31st, 2008 — , Gardening, Perfume General, Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
We’re enjoying some bouquets of very fragrant carnations and stock grown from seed; the carnations are especially nice, with more spicy scent than most varieties. They’re an heirloom type called “Enfant de Nice” from Renee’s seeds (I just added a link to Renee’s website in the garden link section of the blog). Her larkspur called [...]
Related StoresGardenia Musk and other updates
July 28th, 2008 — , Perfume Making & Ingredients, Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I worked on the new gardenia musk Sunday. The floral accord is a pretty gardenia/jasmine that’s had good feedback, but I’d like the scent to have just a bit more oomph. I added a touch of very light cedar and some soft salicylate to give a little more volume and it seems to help quite [...]
Related StoresFriday evening round-up
July 25th, 2008 — , Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
Computers are such blessings, putting us in touch with the world via internet, but they can be a headache when they fail. My main computer is unable to receive power from the AC cord at the moment, even though the AC cord’s green light is on and it appears to work. Dell is sending a tech [...]
Related StoresA new vetiver to love, and more scent work
July 23rd, 2008 — , Perfume General, Perfume Making & Ingredients, Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
I’m trying Andy Tauer’s new Vetiver Dance this afternoon and am enjoying it; the lily of the valley comes out prominently on me the first few hours and makes this a very different vetiver scent than any other I’ve tried, much more floral but still unisex. I like the green notes in here too, and [...]
Related StoresContinue reading → A new vetiver to love, and more scent work
Quick Update
July 21st, 2008 — , Perfume General, Perfume Making & Ingredients, Sonoma Scent Studio Updates from Laurie @ Perfume in Progress
Ambre Noir is getting closer. I put the frankincense and myrrh back in, removed one cedary component, enhanced the sandalwood, and added a touch of castoreum. It’s dark and rich but has the touch of incense back. I need to live with it for a bit and make sure I’m happy with it, [...]
Related Stores