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.
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.
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…
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.
I assume Mirus The Elysian Fields1 is named after Elysium, not The Elysian Fields in Hoboken, New Jersey. But whether you’re a fan of happy (dead) Greek (im)mortals or baseball legend, this perfume offers some afterlife/outdoorsy sweetness.
Like many flowers (tuberose, peony, freesia, carnation, ylang-ylang), I prefer lavender in my garden, not on my person. But there are always exceptions, right? I was immediately pleased by The Elysian Fields, and it contains a good dose of lavender…