As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted to look into the many products which donate a portion of their proceeds to a breast cancer related cause. The ones that stand out for me are those which have promised 100% of their sales profits to the research and charitable organizations of their choice. Antica Farmacista is one such company, with all the proceeds of their Peonia Romantico home fragrance diffuser going to Gilda's Club, an organization dedicated to "providing an emotional and social support community as an essential complement to medical treatment when cancer is in the family...." Gilda's Club supports those living with all types of cancer through its wonderful free networks, support systems, and sharing of collective wisdom and expertise.

In keeping with this call for love, nurture and support for those who are at their most vulnerable, Antica Farmacista has aptly chosen their delightful Peonia Romantico fragrance as the flag bearer for this charitable promotion. Their website describes the scent as:

Inspired by the world's most romantic gardens, Peonia Romantico transports you to the heart of a blooming flower garden. Heady floral notes of peony, rose and gardenia mix with unexpected herbaceous lemon citrus notes. Subtle woodsy notes result in a soft, powdery and decidedly romantic finish to a beautiful and feminine fragrance.

This lovely scent is assuredly feminine. The notes are well-blended and the overall impression is of a delicately 'pink' floral accord, somewhat diluted by a sheer aquatic undertone that also gives life and lift to the fragrance. The rose is discernable, as is a faint impression of peony and the discreet presence of white flowers (athough I could not detect the gardenia). Every so often there seems to be a hint of peach as well, although I wouldn't call this a fruity fragrance. The slight citrus lift cuts the sweetness a bit, and a very subtle but tangy herbaceous blend gives a bit of a modern twist, while also adding a green note or two.

The base is very quiet, with a mellow round woody note that might be sandalwood, and maybe even a touch of powdery amber. I do not find the fragrance heady at all, in the sense of rich and opulent, although it is unapologetically sweet and romantic in a very innocent way. If this were a fabric it would be a flowing pink satin-silk, as opposed to a heavily embroidered brocade, and of all the fragrance diffusers I have come across thus far, this one reminds me the most of perfume — in fact I find it somewhat reminiscent of Estee Lauder's classic fragrance Beautiful.

The throw seems to be quite good — subtly scenting a rather large room just from the mini vial and tiny sticks I obtained as a sample. I imagine it would be very satisfactory in the full size. I immersed the reeds yesterday evening and left the vial on my bedside table. This morning I woke up to a soft rosy greeting, with the rain beating down on a dreary October morning, and my room seemed filled with flowers.

Given the generosity of the donation from this item, and the overall amiability of the scent, I imagine this would be a wonderful gift for anyone who likes classically romantic fragrances. But again, as this charitable promotion will only last through the end of October, you will have to shop now in order to support this cause!

The Antica Farmacista Peonia Romantico fragrance diffuser is a limited edition, and is available at www.anticafarmacista or beautyhabit at $58 for 250 ml.

Other items from which 100% of proceeds in October go to charity are: Philosophy's Shower for the Cure Pink Ribbon Shampoo, Bath and Shower Gel for the Womens Cancer Research Fund (at amazon), BURN Fresh Sugar Cane Beach Candle to CFDA-Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (also at beautyhabit), and the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade Lip Balm with SPF 15, to the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade (at avon).