Today, the fourth entry in our annual series on fragrance related holiday gifts. The subject: miscellaneous scented things that don't fit into the other categories, including a few scented tea selections. As always, please add any of your own picks in the comments!
From By Kilian in collaboration with Fleur de Mal, a silk kimono featuring lace woven with perfumed threads. The scent— Kilian's Love, Don’t Be Shy — should last through 4-5 hand washes. $595 at Fleur de Mal, where you can also find the matching scented panties, bra and lace cuffs.
From Byredo, the limited edition "Drawer's Drawings" set, featuring six drawings by M/M Paris on scented paper (the notes: bergamot, lily of the valley, amber and cotton). $170 at Byredo.
Issue 4 of the perfume magazine Nez: "The fourth issue continues the olfactory exploration, breaking down yet more confines, conventions and preconceptions around our sense of smell - this time, in relation to Art and Perfume." In English, 144 pages, $24 at Luckyscent.
From Guerlain, a 90 cm square silk scarf 'evoking the legendary love story that inspired Jacques Guerlain' to create Shalimar. €330 at Guerlain in France.
From indie natural brand Aftelier, Tarragon & Bitter Orange Organic Sel Gris: "Organic French finishing salt flakes flavored with our Tarragon and Bitter Orange Chef's Essences." 2 oz for $15 at Aftelier.
Kusmi's annual Christmas tea, Tsarevna, "dressed in glittering gold". $29.50 at Kusmi US.
From French tea house Nina's Paris, Marie Antoinette tea: "The famed Queen's tea is a delightful blend of ceylon tea with rose petals and apples from the King's Kitchen Garden at Versailles. This loose leaf tea comes packaged in a beautiful pink gift tin that serves double duty, shielding the tea from harmful light and air to keep it fresh and fit for a queen." $24.95 for 100g at Yummy Bazaar.
From Torchons & Bouchons, 100% cotton tea towels decorated with vintage perfume labels. 19" x 28.5", $19.80 each at French Farm.
From L'Ami Provencal, lavender hard candies in a 12-sided glass jar. Also at French Farm, $11.
I have to say that that kimono baffles me: I’ve never understood the idea of scented clothing, since fabric is the second easiest thing in the world to scent (after skin) — spray a little fragrance on the inside hem, tuck a spritzed cotton ball into a pocket, store the garment in a drawer with a bar of perfumed soap or liner paper.
It’s a little baffling to me too, and would not spend that on a kimono in any case. But it’s very Kilian!
Great range of gifts! I enjoyed the previous issue of Nez very much, so that will be my pick.
Plus, that’s really not a bad price!
I was hoping that samples of the finishing salts were available but nope when I placed my order for the frankincense balm (very nice). The latest Nez issue should be in one of the gifts from me to boxes; I needed something to get me to free shipping at LuckyScent and it was perfect.
As to the lavender hard candies, I can’t help but think they could taste like…soap?
So glad to hear the frankincense balm is nice — is it soft, or more waxy?
Lavender tea does not taste soapy to me, but I cannot speak for the candies.
The balm has more structure than vaseline, but less dense than a perfume solid. It is not waxy at all and melts just enough with the heat of your fingertip to swipe the product on skin. It is a face and body balm but I can’t see myself ever using it on my face for fear of accidentally contaminating my eyes (and contact lens). It’s perfumath free!
Lovely, thanks — sounds perfect.
I’ve ordered the Tsarevna tea for myself. I’ve tried once or twice in previous years to order it, but it had sold out before I got around to it. We have been having chilly weather here on the Texas coast (it snowed Friday morning!), and chilly weather makes me start thinking about hot tea.
It’s a comforting winter tea — I don’t drink it all that often and the tin I bought a few years ago is still half full, but I like to have it in the house.
How long do you find that tea keeps? I always have heard one year for most “nonperishable” food items–teas, coffee beans, flour, rice, etc., but I don’t really go through tea all that fast. If I have more than one kind in the house, it is a give I won’t use it up in a year.
Well gosh, I don’t know. Mine is probably 3-4 years old, and would guess it’s lost a bit of flavor, maybe? But it’s still quite flavorful. But it’s a black tea in an opaque tin, and black tea is fully fermented. I’ve got black teas that are past 5 years and taste fine; green tea is a little more finicky. Some oolongs taste better after you “rest” them for a year.
Bear in mind they say to throw out your perfume after a year!
I am dying to try that Christmas tea! It’s so hard though, some I love the smell of but not the taste. As if I would prefer a perfume of the smell, not to consume it.
It is a strong taste, and I do sometimes cut it with plain black tea.