A sneak preview! A crisp floral with citrus highlights.
Sunday, 16 March 2014
One Fine Summer
A new perfume coming to Shanghai Lil & The Scarlet Fez
A sneak preview! A crisp floral with citrus highlights.
A sneak preview! A crisp floral with citrus highlights.
Tuesday, 4 March 2014
Vintage Perfume Ingredient Catalogue
Junk shop find
(Extracts from 'Perfumes', a catalogue published by the Societe Chimique des Usines du Rhone, probably in the early 1920s. From my private collection.)
I love reading the 'Perfumes' catalogue. It contains a descriptive list of a wide range of synthetic perfumes, their benefits over natural essential oils (usually cost and potency), a few recipes for perfumes and a series of photographs of the factories that produced the chemicals. It's full of possibilities!
I've been thinking for some time about making my own perfumes. I am ambivalent about synthetic perfumes like the ones listed in the catalogue. On the one hand, I would prefer to avoid the use of synthetic chemicals as I generally prefer keeping things as natural as possible. I certainly stick to natural ingredients in the soaps I make. But I'm also aware of the advantages of using alternatives to natural products, particularly where there might be a dwindling or limited supply (like rosewood essential oil).
I've tried researching various essential oils to check whether the production of the oils are in any way detrimental to either the environment or the people who live near the resource. The more expensive oils seem to be obtained from specifically grown crops. Otherwise, it might be wise if I'm concerned about a particular oil to at least try to source an organic version, or one that is locally produced.
In any event, I still find the catalogue inspiring; it's like looking in a well illustrated cook book that makes you rush out and buy far too many vegetables. And here's something else I find inspiring - a Holga pic of begonias in glorious late summer colours:
As a second thought, below is an extract from 'Perfume' of a perfume recipe for 'Bouquet of Moss Rose':
Firstly, you need to make 'rose spirit' as follows;
"Grain spirit of 94% strength without odour or flavour is reduced to 70% strength by adding Rose water, and then dissolving Rhodinol in this alcohol in the following proportions:
Rhodinol I 20gr
Alcohol 70% 1 litre."
This is the 'rose spirit'. So, the recipe is:
"Rose Spirit.....................660cc
Extract of Orange flowers....240cc
Tincture of Ambergris........30cc
Tincture of Musk..............25cc
Tincture of Vanilla.............45cc
These ingredients are mixed, shaken and left for 15 days in a well closed bottle at a temperature of 25 degrees to 30 degrees C; it is then allowed to cool, filtered and put into bottles for sale."
I am pleased to say that Shanghai Lil and The Scarlet Fez perfumes will be all-natural and vegan!
(Extracts from 'Perfumes', a catalogue published by the Societe Chimique des Usines du Rhone, probably in the early 1920s. From my private collection.)
I love reading the 'Perfumes' catalogue. It contains a descriptive list of a wide range of synthetic perfumes, their benefits over natural essential oils (usually cost and potency), a few recipes for perfumes and a series of photographs of the factories that produced the chemicals. It's full of possibilities!
I've been thinking for some time about making my own perfumes. I am ambivalent about synthetic perfumes like the ones listed in the catalogue. On the one hand, I would prefer to avoid the use of synthetic chemicals as I generally prefer keeping things as natural as possible. I certainly stick to natural ingredients in the soaps I make. But I'm also aware of the advantages of using alternatives to natural products, particularly where there might be a dwindling or limited supply (like rosewood essential oil).
I've tried researching various essential oils to check whether the production of the oils are in any way detrimental to either the environment or the people who live near the resource. The more expensive oils seem to be obtained from specifically grown crops. Otherwise, it might be wise if I'm concerned about a particular oil to at least try to source an organic version, or one that is locally produced.
In any event, I still find the catalogue inspiring; it's like looking in a well illustrated cook book that makes you rush out and buy far too many vegetables. And here's something else I find inspiring - a Holga pic of begonias in glorious late summer colours:
Firstly, you need to make 'rose spirit' as follows;
"Grain spirit of 94% strength without odour or flavour is reduced to 70% strength by adding Rose water, and then dissolving Rhodinol in this alcohol in the following proportions:
Rhodinol I 20gr
Alcohol 70% 1 litre."
This is the 'rose spirit'. So, the recipe is:
"Rose Spirit.....................660cc
Extract of Orange flowers....240cc
Tincture of Ambergris........30cc
Tincture of Musk..............25cc
Tincture of Vanilla.............45cc
These ingredients are mixed, shaken and left for 15 days in a well closed bottle at a temperature of 25 degrees to 30 degrees C; it is then allowed to cool, filtered and put into bottles for sale."
I am pleased to say that Shanghai Lil and The Scarlet Fez perfumes will be all-natural and vegan!
Thursday, 20 February 2014
Marketing
Upcoming Event
I am happy to report that Shanghai Lil and The Scarlet Fez will be at the next That Dapper Market on Saturday, 29th March 2014. Here is the flyer for the event:
We had such a good time last time and met a lot of lovely people and got to help them make a selection from the 19 different varieties of soap we had for sale there!
This time around, there won't be so many varieties, but there will still be plenty to choose from. I think I will group them into "floral", "aromatic" and "gourmet" to make things easier for people.
Also, I hope to have bath salts and room sprays there too. And...fingers crossed...new perfumes!
So, there will plenty to see, smell and buy! Here is a shot of the stall from last year (this year, it will be bigger!):
I am lining up some other market gigs too, so I will keep you informed both here and on facebook.
I am happy to report that Shanghai Lil and The Scarlet Fez will be at the next That Dapper Market on Saturday, 29th March 2014. Here is the flyer for the event:
We had such a good time last time and met a lot of lovely people and got to help them make a selection from the 19 different varieties of soap we had for sale there!
This time around, there won't be so many varieties, but there will still be plenty to choose from. I think I will group them into "floral", "aromatic" and "gourmet" to make things easier for people.
Also, I hope to have bath salts and room sprays there too. And...fingers crossed...new perfumes!
So, there will plenty to see, smell and buy! Here is a shot of the stall from last year (this year, it will be bigger!):
I am lining up some other market gigs too, so I will keep you informed both here and on facebook.
Monday, 27 January 2014
1940s Interiors
A photo survey
There are so many wonderful image collections out there, on flickr, pintrest and the like, but it is surprisingly difficult to come across images of interiors from the 1940s.
My interest in 1940s interiors is a personal one, that is, I'm looking for inspiration for our home, so I have put together a short(ish) collection of scanned images from some of our books and magazines, which I think is worth sharing here. This selection follows on from an earlier post on 1940s fabrics.
The images are mostly of fairly modest homes, a reasonable starting point since we're not likely to be in a position to furnish our home with Andre Arbus anytime soon (which reminds me, I need to speak to those lotto people about this on-going issue...) and I have selected them because each one has a particular feature or finish that interests me.
And why the 1940s? Well, it's hard to pinpoint, but I'm very fond of art deco, streamline moderne and post-war modernism and the 1940s is the in-between point of these styles. It's a place where there is a way to blend the otherwise very distinctive and opposing styles spanning either side of the second world war, and that's great for me and my partner and our eclectic tastes. So, here we are:
1. Textiles: Stroheim & Romann. Ceramics: Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Co. Ltd. From 'Furnishing the Small Home' - Margaret Merivale (1945).
2. Fireplace treatment. Designer: W. Curtis Green R.A. ibid
3. Room detail. Joseph Aronson. ibid.
4. Studio room by Helen Park. ibid.
5. Room detail. Oliver Hill. ibid.
6. Dining room, Bowman's Ltd, London. From 'Design in Every Day Things' - Australian Broadcasting Commission (1941).
7. Hand woven woollen materials by Catherine Hardess of Melbourne. ibid.
8. Living room of Miss Patricia Detring, Bel Air. Designer: Paul T. Frankl Associates. From 'The Studio Year Book. Decorative Art 1943-1948' - ed. Rathbone Holme & Kathleen M. Frost.
9. Scale model of living room. Designer: Edward D. Stone. ibid.
10. Japanese pavilion, World's Fair, Paris 1937. Designer: Junzo Sakakura. From 'Furniture & Interiors of the 1940s' - Anne Bony (2002).
11. Shangri-La Hotel 1939-1940. Photographer: Julius Schulman. ibid.
There are so many wonderful image collections out there, on flickr, pintrest and the like, but it is surprisingly difficult to come across images of interiors from the 1940s.
My interest in 1940s interiors is a personal one, that is, I'm looking for inspiration for our home, so I have put together a short(ish) collection of scanned images from some of our books and magazines, which I think is worth sharing here. This selection follows on from an earlier post on 1940s fabrics.
The images are mostly of fairly modest homes, a reasonable starting point since we're not likely to be in a position to furnish our home with Andre Arbus anytime soon (which reminds me, I need to speak to those lotto people about this on-going issue...) and I have selected them because each one has a particular feature or finish that interests me.
And why the 1940s? Well, it's hard to pinpoint, but I'm very fond of art deco, streamline moderne and post-war modernism and the 1940s is the in-between point of these styles. It's a place where there is a way to blend the otherwise very distinctive and opposing styles spanning either side of the second world war, and that's great for me and my partner and our eclectic tastes. So, here we are:
1. Textiles: Stroheim & Romann. Ceramics: Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Co. Ltd. From 'Furnishing the Small Home' - Margaret Merivale (1945).
2. Fireplace treatment. Designer: W. Curtis Green R.A. ibid
3. Room detail. Joseph Aronson. ibid.
4. Studio room by Helen Park. ibid.
5. Room detail. Oliver Hill. ibid.
6. Dining room, Bowman's Ltd, London. From 'Design in Every Day Things' - Australian Broadcasting Commission (1941).
7. Hand woven woollen materials by Catherine Hardess of Melbourne. ibid.
8. Living room of Miss Patricia Detring, Bel Air. Designer: Paul T. Frankl Associates. From 'The Studio Year Book. Decorative Art 1943-1948' - ed. Rathbone Holme & Kathleen M. Frost.
9. Scale model of living room. Designer: Edward D. Stone. ibid.
10. Japanese pavilion, World's Fair, Paris 1937. Designer: Junzo Sakakura. From 'Furniture & Interiors of the 1940s' - Anne Bony (2002).
11. Shangri-La Hotel 1939-1940. Photographer: Julius Schulman. ibid.
Sunday, 26 January 2014
Experimentation
Velvet Cream - a new soap
I haven't made a new variety of soap for a while. I've been busy just restocking some 'old' favourites after the Christmas rush. So, yesterday, I whipped up a log of Velvet Cream. This soap is made up of the usual olive oil and olive pomace - a great base for soap because it is super mild and gentle. Added to this is a generous amount of cocoa butter and mango butter. This will give the soap its creamy, luxurious feel. Finally, I added a dash of castor oil. I find that this gives the soap a silky feel on the skin.
For scent, I used vanillin and tolu balsam. I don't know how this will take in the soap - this is the experimentation part. I haven't used either before. The vanillin tends to crystallize, which might be annoying, but has a delicious vanilla scent. The tolu balsam is soft and mellow and has a rich vanilla/resin scent. Overall, I think the scent is delicious, so I'm hoping it holds in the soap for the duration!
Here it is then, in its mould. I'll have more pics after 4 weeks when it is ready to use.
I haven't made a new variety of soap for a while. I've been busy just restocking some 'old' favourites after the Christmas rush. So, yesterday, I whipped up a log of Velvet Cream. This soap is made up of the usual olive oil and olive pomace - a great base for soap because it is super mild and gentle. Added to this is a generous amount of cocoa butter and mango butter. This will give the soap its creamy, luxurious feel. Finally, I added a dash of castor oil. I find that this gives the soap a silky feel on the skin.
For scent, I used vanillin and tolu balsam. I don't know how this will take in the soap - this is the experimentation part. I haven't used either before. The vanillin tends to crystallize, which might be annoying, but has a delicious vanilla scent. The tolu balsam is soft and mellow and has a rich vanilla/resin scent. Overall, I think the scent is delicious, so I'm hoping it holds in the soap for the duration!
Here it is then, in its mould. I'll have more pics after 4 weeks when it is ready to use.
Saturday, 18 January 2014
1960s Toy Stencils
Colour Inspiration
Some time ago, I came across a bunch of old toys and stuff from my childhood including these wonderfully coloured plastic stencils. I love that translucent soft plastic and the 1960s Eurasian designs. I think my favourite was the seal, though the lion and squirrel come pretty close.
Some time ago, I came across a bunch of old toys and stuff from my childhood including these wonderfully coloured plastic stencils. I love that translucent soft plastic and the 1960s Eurasian designs. I think my favourite was the seal, though the lion and squirrel come pretty close.
Saturday, 4 January 2014
Available Stock
A guide to some mighty fine soap!
After the Christmas rush, I have sold out of a number of varieties, which I am currently busy replenishing. However, there is still soap left in the store and below, you will find some of my favourites:
Top row:
Evening Star - Gentle and indulgent, Evening Star soap has a rich and creamy lather, brimming with luscious oils including macadamia nut oil and pine nut oil. The scent of basil and star anise is fresh and seductive, just what you need after your day out on safari. A Pernod martini is recommended after use.
Sunday Spice - A gourmand's delight, Sunday Spice is a creamy, rich soap packed with luxurious oils for your skin like cocoa butter, shea oil and avocado oil. With the mouth-watering scent of carrot seed and ginger, you'll think you're on the bank of a river, sitting on a gingham picnic rug with a slice of home made carrot cake in your lap! A super luxurious and delicious soap.
South Pacific - We all have our own Bali Hai and in this soap you will be wafted there on a dream of exotic lemon and tropical flower scents. Enriched with coconut oil, cocoa butter and apricot kernel oil, your skin will think it's on holiday too! A great conditioning soap.
Middle row:
The Emperor's Chai - With delicious and spicy cardamon through a creamy blend of cocoa butter, macadamia oil and pine nut oil, you will have your very own dream cup of chai in a bar of soap! All that, and beautifully served up packaged in its own box.
St Clement's - Wonderfully scented with mouth-watering sweet orange and may chang essential oils, this beautiful soap will have you dreaming of summer escapades through the citrus groves of southern France. Blended with oils including olive oil, olive pomace, macadamia nut oil, vitamin E-rich rice bran oil and jojoba, St Clement's is well suited to condition and gently sooth sun-kissed skin.
Madame X... - With the seductive scent of ylang ylang, rose geranium and black pepper, this spicy floral will bring out your adventurous side. Lavished with super rich oils including olive oil, olive pomace, cocoa butter, apricot kernel oil and exotic musk melon oil, your skin will feel sensuously smooth and silky, ready to start your day of mystery and intrigue! Packaged in green - the colour of the unconventional! What a soap!
Bottom row:
Smokey Joe - This soap is a sophisticate. A luxurious blend of oils including olive oil, avocado oil and vitamin E-rich rice bran oil make for a fine conditioning soap. The smokey, green and earthy scent of cade and vetiver takes this soap to another level. It is the lapsang souchong of soaps.
One Fine Summer - Lying in the grass looking up at the blue sky, walking through the pines by the beach front or drinking your first Pimm's No.1 cup for the season, One Fine Summer will evoke your fondest summer memories. With a gorgeously breezy citrus-floral scent and lavishly blended with macadamia nut oil, shea oil, olive pomace and olive oil, One Fine Summer is a luxuriously creamy, all-natural and vegan soap. A superb skin-conditioner.
Spring Sherbert - A sumptuous blend of oils including apricot kernel oil, cocoa butter, olive oil and vitamin E-rich rice bran oil give this soap its fine lather and conditioning properties. But for you romantics and dreamers, it will be the fizzing floral scent of lemongrass, lavender and lavendin that will fill you with the excitement of a new spring day.
Shanghai Lil and The Scarlet Fez soaps are $7.50 and postage is $7.00 for up to 3 soaps, and $11.00 for 4 soaps or more. Let me know if you have any queries or if you would like to reserve a favourite soap which is not currently available.
After the Christmas rush, I have sold out of a number of varieties, which I am currently busy replenishing. However, there is still soap left in the store and below, you will find some of my favourites:
Top row:
Evening Star - Gentle and indulgent, Evening Star soap has a rich and creamy lather, brimming with luscious oils including macadamia nut oil and pine nut oil. The scent of basil and star anise is fresh and seductive, just what you need after your day out on safari. A Pernod martini is recommended after use.
Sunday Spice - A gourmand's delight, Sunday Spice is a creamy, rich soap packed with luxurious oils for your skin like cocoa butter, shea oil and avocado oil. With the mouth-watering scent of carrot seed and ginger, you'll think you're on the bank of a river, sitting on a gingham picnic rug with a slice of home made carrot cake in your lap! A super luxurious and delicious soap.
South Pacific - We all have our own Bali Hai and in this soap you will be wafted there on a dream of exotic lemon and tropical flower scents. Enriched with coconut oil, cocoa butter and apricot kernel oil, your skin will think it's on holiday too! A great conditioning soap.
Middle row:
The Emperor's Chai - With delicious and spicy cardamon through a creamy blend of cocoa butter, macadamia oil and pine nut oil, you will have your very own dream cup of chai in a bar of soap! All that, and beautifully served up packaged in its own box.
St Clement's - Wonderfully scented with mouth-watering sweet orange and may chang essential oils, this beautiful soap will have you dreaming of summer escapades through the citrus groves of southern France. Blended with oils including olive oil, olive pomace, macadamia nut oil, vitamin E-rich rice bran oil and jojoba, St Clement's is well suited to condition and gently sooth sun-kissed skin.
Madame X... - With the seductive scent of ylang ylang, rose geranium and black pepper, this spicy floral will bring out your adventurous side. Lavished with super rich oils including olive oil, olive pomace, cocoa butter, apricot kernel oil and exotic musk melon oil, your skin will feel sensuously smooth and silky, ready to start your day of mystery and intrigue! Packaged in green - the colour of the unconventional! What a soap!
Bottom row:
Smokey Joe - This soap is a sophisticate. A luxurious blend of oils including olive oil, avocado oil and vitamin E-rich rice bran oil make for a fine conditioning soap. The smokey, green and earthy scent of cade and vetiver takes this soap to another level. It is the lapsang souchong of soaps.
One Fine Summer - Lying in the grass looking up at the blue sky, walking through the pines by the beach front or drinking your first Pimm's No.1 cup for the season, One Fine Summer will evoke your fondest summer memories. With a gorgeously breezy citrus-floral scent and lavishly blended with macadamia nut oil, shea oil, olive pomace and olive oil, One Fine Summer is a luxuriously creamy, all-natural and vegan soap. A superb skin-conditioner.
Spring Sherbert - A sumptuous blend of oils including apricot kernel oil, cocoa butter, olive oil and vitamin E-rich rice bran oil give this soap its fine lather and conditioning properties. But for you romantics and dreamers, it will be the fizzing floral scent of lemongrass, lavender and lavendin that will fill you with the excitement of a new spring day.
Shanghai Lil and The Scarlet Fez soaps are $7.50 and postage is $7.00 for up to 3 soaps, and $11.00 for 4 soaps or more. Let me know if you have any queries or if you would like to reserve a favourite soap which is not currently available.
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