Yesterday morning,
just after I finished my post 2
, my landlord brought me a
kumquat tree.
This is the
tradition here in Vietnam to offer kumquat or peach trees to wish a prosperous new
lunar Year.
Hanoi is in the mood for celebrations.
 |
| my landlord with the kumquat and osmanthus |
The festive season starts at
the end of this week. Everybody is rushing to prepare. Hundreds of motorbikes
transporting kumquat, orange, pomelo trees to celebrate Tet 2012 : new year of the
water dragon.
Everybody at Dame
Clemence was very excited with that tree and lunch conversation went on
"What is the smell of Joy for Vietnamese" , staff answered : orange, coriander (In
Vietnam they use coriander leaf for purification before tet), smell of banh
chung cooking (another traditonal dish for tet)
The perfume
of Joy linked with happy memories : festivities and celebrations.
I remember a hard time ten years ago, coming back from
Laos. I was in Lyon : it was winter, no job, no money…
With the little money I had, I bought a few
essential oils, beyond them was bergamot, vetiver. I also had a small bottle of
vanilla extract someone gave me for cooking. I blended them.
Bergamote was
definitely uplifting, makes me want to smile, want to laugh. Clearing my mind,
being positive and enthusiast. Vetiver was definitely rooting me, giving
stability and confidence. Vanilla was here for me to feel warm, compassionated,
a bit more sensual and sweet. I loved this combination, it was so good for me.
I always had it in my pocket. Smelling it before interviews, smelling it when
feeling cold, when feeling disheartened.
This combination was
nothing new as it was clearly for me the basis of old Guerlains that I loved like
Jicky, Shalimar or Chamade. I still use this combination in my products, but not
as the main idea.
When my landlord
brought the kumquat tree this morning, she put it on the front of the door,
next to the osmanthus tree, which is blossoming at the moment with its delicate
apricot scent. I love this flower and I promised myself
for a long time to make one day a real exquisite body perfume with it.
Here I am… Bergamot,
kumquat, orange, coriander, osmanthus, jasmine, vanilla, vetiver…
From what I read on my favorite blogs on the subject, notes of frankincense, labdanum, patchouli should help.
Mmmmh, there is a formula to work on…
Definitely!
Waiting for your
comments. The best comment will get a give away... I don't think I will be able to make the Vietnamese perfume of Joy formula before the end of
the Lunar year. So I won’t give away a sample of that perfume which is only in my
head at the moment, but I will definitely prepare for the best comment, a special blend with my
bergamote, vanilla and vetiver. Shipping in Vietnam only.
All the winners of this blogathon will be informed on 29th January on this blog, after the "Tet festivities". So you can write until the 28th to be part of the game. If you want to be elligible for the prize, don't be anonymous, as I will need to contact you.
Wishing you a Happy Tet 2012 !
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