Wild Roses and the Geisha

~My Wild Rose ~

I had a garden, which I kept
With busy hands and tender care;
And once, while carelessly I slept, Fanned softly by the drowsy air, A wild rose to my garden crept,
And blossomed there.
O, sweet surprise. It seemed to me,
Some fair hand, my heart to bless,
Had brought it there, from wood or lee.
It came unsought 'twas loved no less; I stooped and touched it tenderly,
With soft caress

Ellen P. Allerton

The true 'Wild' Roses

The botanical term for wild rose is "species rose", which means just what is says; a species that occurs naturally, with no help from man, in other words a true "wildflower." There are over 100 varieties worldwide, some native to North America, many from the Orient and Europe. These true wild roses are all single with exactly five petals, never more, never less and almost all of them are pink with a few whites and reds, and ever fewer that range toward yellow.

Now imagine overgrown fields of wild roses mingled with the light, refreshing notes of geranium flowers, blended, centered and grounded in soothing amber. You've now been introduced to Aroma M's Nobra-cha perfume, one of the most popular from the Geisha wardrobe of twelve perfumes. This definitely is high on the list of my favorites!

Although the perfume did not immediately blossom on my skin, there was the first blush of roses, not the overwhelming damask rose scent, but rather a dry, sultry rose. The geranium flowers keep this from being just another rose perfume, adding a nice green earthy note that is tempered with amber for a soft understated and seductive finish.

Wear it all day...combat stress, clear the thought processes. Wear it all evening... undo the inhibitions and assist in meditation and prayer.

Welcome to the Art of Scent ~ Aroma M

Aroma M is a story as tantalizing and unique as its scent collection. The company was started in 1995 by Maria McElroy, an American born painter who transferred her color and texture blending talents to the art of fragrance blending. To immerse herself in the world of scent, Maria first studied aromatherapy and then spent seven years in Japan not only becoming an expert in essential oils and incense, but also learning Ikebana, Koto (Japanese harp), Shiatsu, the Japanese tea ceremony and tenets of Zen Buddhism. These experiences, not to mention a deeply personal love story with Shinya Yokata, also an artist who became Maria's husband inspired the blossoming of Aroma M.

Maria's Aroma M scents are created with the subtle (never overpowering)sensibility of Japanese incense blends in mind. Maria states, "Blending fragrances in a bottle is like mixing colors on a palette. The scent become the pigment, the body becomes the canvas." In addition, armed with an aromatherapy background, Maria ensures that her fragrances are not only beguiling, but help alleviate daily stress and promote well-being. As natural as possible without losing their diffusing power, they are made with the finest essential oils and packaged in elegant handmade paper boxes. Available online at: Aroma M, Lucky Scent and Ava Lu Cosmetics.

Who wants samples?