A short film from International Flavors & Fragrances' in house naturals facility, Laboratoire Monique Rémy, about the cultivation and processing of lavender in Provence. A little over 3 minutes; perfumer Alexis Dadier appears briefly at the beginning, and again at the end.
Activates certain neurotransmitter receptors
In a new study published today (Oct. 23) in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience researchers found compelling evidence that the stress relief that comes from lavender comes the way that linalool, an alcohol that occurs naturally in the plant, activates certain neurotransmitter receptors in the brain via olfactory neurons.
— Read more at A NEW STUDY CONFIRMS THAT SMELLING LAVENDER CAN RELAX YOU at Quartz.
The daily lemming
While I was musing over yesterday's drawer liners, I also came across this adorable little number from Diptyque: the lavender wand, $48. "Produced in partnership with the Maison Franc, this scented curiosity, symbol of French tradition, is entirely handmade with lavender from Provence. The lavender heart slips into all the small spaces to diffuse its entirely natural perfume." Perhaps I was the only one who had never heard of a lavender wand? Turns out you can make one yourself (although I'm pretty sure mine would not look like the one shown above). Here are instructions from the English Lavender Farm.
Frederic Malle Music For A While ~ fragrance review & quick pineapple poll
Allure irrésistible. At a party on Paris’ rive gauche (where the ‘intellectuals’ with black AMEX cards study…party and shop) a woman’s fur coat (SO 80s, SO démodé) is lifted from her bare shoulders, exposing her neck to the candlelight (what about her face?…tiny candle?) Aware of many eyes upon her (“What a NECK!”), she pauses, smiling to herself, before emerging like a conqueror from the shadows. (Doesn’t take much! Sounds like Kim Kardashian, doesn’t it?)
Delete the bold type and this is how Frédéric Malle PR describes Music For A While,* the brand’s latest perfume. I grunt and roll my eyes as I read the fuddy-duddy copy, but as often happens with this brand (its backstories annoy l’enfer out of me), the fragrance makes me smile and present my (non-black) American Express card at Barneys New York…
The daily lemming
If it's as cold where you are as it is here, a box of flowers from someplace warm might sound tempting. L'Ami Provencal Lavande de Provence: "Dried culinary lavender from Provence arrives in this attractive retro gift box, featuring a beautiful French girl gathering lavender flowers in the field." $13 at Beautyhabit.