News from the Nose
Wear Your Heart On Your Wrist!
Dear Fragrant Friends,
Who says you have to wear your heart on your sleeve just because of some hallmark holiday? How about some subtlety and elegance?! May we suggest we wear it on the wrist instead, where it can be revealed with a tilt of the hand, to be seen (or smelled...) only by those close to our heart (and nose...)!
This winter we teamed up with some of our favourite local artists to bring you some innovative ideas to make this Valentine's Day fun even for those who feel more than half-cynical about it; and bring a hint of originality to the die-hard Valentines among you…
In this newsletter:
- My Funny Valentines
- Bouquet of Love Ltd. Edition Perfume + Jewelry by Dancing Leaf
- Red Bouquet
- Noir Bouquet
- Cupid’s Bouquet
- BuenoStyle Vintage Perfume Lockets
- Recipe: Hot Chocolate with Long Pepper
- Say It With Chocolate!
- Valentine's Day "Spice It Up" Tea Party
- Thank Yous and Credits
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1. My Funny Valentines
Inspired by vintage valentine re-prints I’ve found in an antique store in Gastown, I thought it was about time to produce my own little set of Valentine’s Day greeting cards. Thanks to my graphic designer’s dry sense of humour and excellent eye, we were able to produce a set of 3 greeting cards that even I could use without embarassement: I feel that they reflect the mood of modern day romance, as they are safely ambivalent... Therefore - can be interpreted as seriously or humorously as you’d like them to be and addressed to real or faux crushes quite effortlessly (and without getting into too much trouble either)…
Aside from the card above, there is another one that lets you get away with chocolate, and also one that is wordless and can fit any other occasion – birthday, wedding, anniversary or just little sweet note to leave on the fridge every once in a while…
They all fit nicely in an envelope with any one of our exquisite scented chocolate bars…
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2.Bouquet of Love Ltd. Edition Perfume & Jewelry by Dancing Leaf Design
Bouquet of Love was created especially for Valentine’s Day 2011. This is a very special limited edition of 3 flacons and 3 roll-on oils – each accompanied by a custom-made, one of a kind beaded ring by Noriko Kobune of Dancing Leaf Design.
Bouquet of Love bundles the beauty of all flowers in a precious bottle of perfume – jasmine, roses, orange blossoms and ylang ylang. Romantic, cheerful and classic floral bouquet that is elegant and lady-like.
Bouquet of Love is an homage to the grand floral bouquets of the 1920’s, and is an over the top, feminine floral with animalic base notes of African stone tincture.
Noriko’s designs are original, contemporary and require much skill – which she acquired by self-training in the Japanese traditional beading techniques from a very young age. She uses precious stones, Swarowsky crystals and pearls, and whimsical vintage finds such as buttons and glass beads, hand-dyed Japanese lace, her own sculpted clay miniatures and many other surprising elements. Every piece is hand made and is very durable and one of a kind!
Noriko created 3 bouquet rings inspired by this perfume, each with a different colour scheme and slightly different take on the theme of love. They are so pretty!
Both the perfumes and the rings are available online on AyalaMoriel.com, my Etsy shop, and The Dancing Leaf Design.
Read on to see the photos of all three, and Noriko’s descriptions.
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3. Red Bouquet – Perfume + Ring by Dancing Leaf Designs
This ring has Ruby, Labradorite, Rose Quartz, Pink Spinel, Amethyst, Swarovski Crystal and Czech Glass.
In this ring, I bundled a lots of pink power stone. Most of the pink
stone is symbol of Love. Pink provides feelings of caring, tenderness,
self-worth and love, acceptance. Ruby is the stone of love and lovers.
Perfect ring for Valentine!!
Ring size appriximately 6.5~8
4. Bouquet Noir - Perfume + Ring by Dancing Leaf Designs
Bouquet Noir
This ring has Ruby, Garnet, Black Garnet, Rose Quartz, Black Agate, Swarovski Crystal and Czech Glass.
This actual ring is the image I got from the "Bouquet of Love" perfume.
It is very floral and sensual, classy and sexy.
There is no such thing like natural black rose but it is very sexy and feminine. I enjoy bundling black bouquet.
Very stylish ring: )
Ring size approximately 6.5~8
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5. Cupid’s Bouquet of Love – Perfume & Ring by Dancing Leaf Designs
Cupid’s Bouquet of Love
This ring has Cherry Quartz, Fresh Water Pearl, Swarovski Crystal and Czech Glass.
This ring is just like a candy! Very Sweet and Happy!! I can imagine
if Valentine's cupid decided to wear a ring, this will be it!!
Ring size approximately 5~7
6. Bueno Style Perfume Lockets
Last weekend, my 1st collaboration of the year, with BuenoStyle was debuted.
Christi
York of BuenoStyle creates jewelry from vintage finds that she collects
and assembles with her own design sensibilities and style: chains,
beads, brooches, lockets and vintage charms. Walking up the stairs
leading to her studio, the scent of antique furniture and wood-polish
and hints of incense perfumed the air ever so gently. Her studio is
located on Main street, with a large window to the street observing Shaktea
tea salon (I'm so envious!). These wide windows bring in plenty of
natural light so one can marvel at the beautiful miniscule vintage
treasures, such a chains of pearls, antique brass clasps, rolls of
vintage chains, crystal and glass beads, Bakelite flowers and old
tarnished filigreed lockets - attractively arranged in wooden print setters' trays.
So it only made sense to call the perfume that was going to complement BuenoStyle's jewelry with the name Antique Amber!
Christi's
favourite scent has been Cancer perfume from my (now discontinued)
Zodiac collection. We felt that while the perfume was very appropriate
for the style and personality of BuenoStyle, this name was doing it a disservice.
So we formulated it for a solid perfume base, and changed the name to Antique Amber,
so that even people who were not born under the sign of the crab will
feel compelled to adorn themselves with this exotic amber perfume!
Antique
Amber is an oriental-ambery perfume with an old-world charm, like an
antique wooden dresser filled with treasures: Luxurious amber resin,
exotic patchouli-scented shawls, and remnants of jasmine perfume for an
extra feminine touch. Borneol camphor and a hint of aniseed add a
mysterious, lingering cool/warm intrigue.
Antique Amber can be worn alone or can be layered with other perfumes for added depth mystery.
Notes: Amber, Camphor, Aniseed, Jasmine, Patchouli
Fragrance family: Oriental-Ambery
The lockets can be ordered online via BuenoStyle's shop- you can choose between Antique Amber or Cabaret perfumes.
7. Recipe: Long Pepper Hot Chocolate
Long pepper is rather hot, similarly to black pepper, yet has a sweet, musky aroma that will
turn this hot chocolate from a simple beverage into a love potion of
sorts…
Use Criollo cooca powder for best results. If using a different type of cocoa, you may need to add more sugar (or honey).
2 cups milk of your choice
1 Tbs. Criollo cocoa powder (this variety is sweeter than usual, so you’ll need a lot less sugar!)
1 Tbs. raw (evaporated) cane sugar
½ vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1 Ceylon cinnamon stick
1 long pepper (pipali)
In a small, clean and dry saucepan, mix the cocoa and sugar in a small pot, using a whisk or a fork. Slowly add the milk, while continuously whisking the mixture to prevent lumps from forming. Add the vanilla bean, cinnamon and long pepper. Cook on a medium heat, until very warm. Stir well to prevent scorching the bottom. Cook until milk is just about to start rising.
Serve hot, in small cups, with or without whipped cream - or melting marshmallows! Only if you want to, of course...
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8. Say It With Chocolate!
We have stocked up on chocolates so you have them ready for Valentine's Day!
And because our bars are elegant and thin, they fit perfectly into an envelope with a valentine in it - such as the one pictured above that we have especially designed for you!
We will also be rolling some fresh truffles come February. Call or email us to inquire about which flavours are available for local pick-up (or courier delivery if you are from out of town). Custom flavours also available (full batches only).
9.Valentine's Spice-It-Up Tea Party
You are invited to Ayala Moriel's annual Valentine's Tea Party!
When:
February 13th, 1-6pm
What:
Enjoy an inspiring afternoon tea that is a feast for the senses
Add spice to your life - learn how to seduce with spices in baking, cooking and libations
Door prizes and vintage Valentine's cards...
Get expert advice about how to pick a perfume for you and your lover
Experience
Ayala Moriel's unique and sensual anointing body oils and deliciously
scented sugar scrubs, including our new Film Noir sugar scrubs that are
only available at the studio.
Valentine's Day Tea Party Menue:
Tier 1: Sandwiches & Savouries
Cucumber + Mint Tea Sandwiches
Tomato + Basil Tea Sandwiches
Carrot + Ginger Tea Sandwiches
Curried Egg Salad Tea Sandwiches
Tier 2: Scones + Cream
Rosemary + Lavender Scones
Cheddar + Cayanne Scones
Served with Devonshire Cream and with Fig + Walnut Jam
Tier 3: Desserts and Petitfours
Banana Fudge Brownies
Geranium + Fleur de Sel Shortbread
Rose + Almond Sables
Date + Coconut Rolls
Blood Truffles
White Potion Truffles
Tea Selection:
Roses et Chocolat tea (Ayala Moriel's tea collection)
Moroccan Mint Tea, served with Orange Flower Water
French Earl Gray (Shaktea)
Mexican Spicy Hot Cocoa (Ayala's recipe)
IMPORTANT: To complete and confirm your RSVP you must buy your tea party tickets ($12 each) on this page.
It
will charge you $12 online plus $8 at the checkout for "shipping" (I
will refund you for the shipping though!). You can also call and reserve
your spot with a credit card at (778) 863-0806.
You will be reimbursed for the $12 if you make a purchase at the studio of $50 or more.
P.s.
Due to the overwhelming popularity of this event last year, the party will
be split into two - so some guests will be invited from 1-3pm, and
others will be invited from 4-6pm. You will get a confirmation of what
time to arrive after you RSVP :-)
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10. Thank Yous and Credits:
This newsletter would have not been possible if it wasn't for the tremendous help, enthusiasm, dedication and hard work of my dear friends and the team that stands behind the scenes in most if not all of my "productions" - so there's not better time to show them some love:
Noam Dehan, my talented in-house photographer and styling consultant.
David Griffith, my webmaster who is way too busy to take on new clients but still makes time to keep my website running and newsletter sent!
Terry Sunderland, graphic designer extraordinaire, who designed my funny valentines, not to mention the entire branding and packaging for Ayala Moriel Parfums.
Noriko Kobune of Dancing Leaf Designs, who agreed to part with her one of a kind bouquet rings and took all the photographs that feature them.
Nicole Stewart, my publicist, for her continuous successes in gaining the media's attentnion to my brand and push it forward to the next step - whatever this might be.
Warm regards,
Ayala
AyalaMoriel.com
My SmellyBlog: SmellyBlog.com
Tel.: (778) 863-0806
Address: 1230 Haro Street, Buzz #295,Vancouver, BC, V6E 4J9
Hours: Mon-Thu 8:00am-3:00pm; Fri: 8am-12pm; Closed Saturdays; Sundays & evenings by appointment only
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