winter riders
I went jogging for two hours yesterday. It started to snow the moment I left the house for the nearby woods. Running deeper and deeper into a white wall, through a true snow flurry, covering me after a while with snow from head to toe, there was peace and tranquility.
Somewhere in the middle of the grey forest, two riders with their horses came my way and passed by fast, almost furious, their horses nostrils and eyes wide open. The animals were all sweaty, with steaming white clouds in front of them, they ran through winter, stirring up the clear line of white crystals falling, reviving the air with their musk.
I think it was spring, riding south.
Imagine: a perfume capturing this moment. Winter riders.
Warm and sweaty musky horses in a winter forest.
But before I engage into another perfume adventure: Making sure I have enough in spring of what is on the shelves these days! This week sees the last design work on the labels for everything, preparation of upcoming trips etc. Have a great start into your week.
Snow everywhere these days.
February 1st, 2010 at 7:47 am
Dear Andy,
Hello from Vancouver, where we have broken the all-time warm temperature record for January: an average high of 7.3 degrees Celsius: what a typical March is in this neck of the woods. So, darling A, your snow sounds romantic and atmospheric, as does your spring galloping southwards.
I am writing because I took some samples of things to a young woman yesterday, a fragrance comrade of mine, and included in the bunch were the rich, earthy-rooty Vetiver Dance and your rare and staggeringly beautiful Orris. We both drank tea and got drunk on Tauer sillage. I fell in love with your talents all over again.
I just wanted you to know that you gave two women’s noses and brains and hearts and souls MUCH to enjoy and contemplate and celebrate. Thank you, sweet Andy.
Robin R. (the one whose skin seems made for Une Rose Chypree, or is it vice versa?)
February 1st, 2010 at 8:12 am
Thank you, very much, Robin R.
February 1st, 2010 at 8:46 am
Dear Andy, is very poetical, romantic, beautiful post - And it probably too is caused by approach of spring:)
I have not found any word to understand that all it occurs in 21 century, it can be carried easily to a century 19:-)
Hugs and Good week.
February 1st, 2010 at 9:06 am
I wish you a good week, too, Vladimir. Let us hope that spring comes soon, here and there in Siberia.
February 1st, 2010 at 9:07 am
Please don’t forget the leathery smell of the saddles.
Beautiful post, beautiful picture!
February 1st, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Hi Andy, you’re so lucky to have that winter wonderland right outside your door! And your scent idea conjures up the image so well. By the way–do you ride horses? Linda song of the day: Rolling Stones “Wild Horses?” Have a great Monday all!
February 1st, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Hey, that “eau de sweaty horse” sounds great, with the addition of a bit of leather, as Quimerula suggested!
And just a comment on the “exit niche” post..isn’t it a pity how these things always happen? It’s just like your typical little holiday village,lost somewhere in the wilderness,where you always go when you look for peace and calm..just a few tourists,good food..but as years go by it gets more and more popular: no quiet spot left on the beach, noisy tourists everywhere, your cute little 10-room hotel turns into a gigantic hotel/resort and,well, the charm´s gone..that’s exactly what’s happening with “niche”I think.
A big hug from (finally)sunny Spain..after a week-end of never ending rain..
February 1st, 2010 at 4:50 pm
YES, the Stones` “Wild Horses“ is a good fit, like horseshoes! :-) And if you need to mellow out in front of the fireplace after the hike, the classic “Snowfall“ a la The Manhattan Transfer is a beauty :-) Maybe Spring came north to check out the landscape, and decided she needed an energy boost at a southern spa before tackle-ing the bitter grasp of Winter?? :-0 :-)Add Pat Methany`s beautiful guitar piece “Spring Isn`t Here (Yet)“to this… Andy, can you put a number on how many perfume pots are simmering on your imaginations` many backburners?? I`ve lost track! (we just want them all NOW when you post details!) The Atl has Mr. SUN and less bitter temps most of this week - we shall see what happens tomorrow on Groundhog Day as far as Spring`s arrival time! (our southern groundhog, General Lee, mostly predicts early springs… :-) )
February 1st, 2010 at 5:37 pm
oooh! I’m intrigued by Wild Winter Horses! Enjoy your winter wonderland!
February 1st, 2010 at 9:16 pm
Lovely poetic twist: “I think it was spring, riding south”. It reminds me of a line from a Neruda poem. “…dreams that run like black horsemen…”. But I think Spring would not be a black horseman…maybe primrose yellow and leaf green horsemen? Anyway, I hope they come north again soon!
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:11 am
What beautiful images! Thank you for sharing them, Andy.
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:23 am
Good morning Tara C. , my pleasure!
Good morning, Chris, You know: I think the spring goddess hibernates somewhere up north, in an ice palace, sleeping until it is time. Then, spring rides south, all the way down, to bring colors and life back.
Hug number 1 for you: I will give my best trying to enjoy it. Although, slowly but surely I have seen it….
Good morning Hotlanta Linda, when I have a bit time left, I will need to make a nice 2 day overview of my plans and projects, but for the time being: let us anticipate Orange Star…
Good morning, Silvia
about the tourists spoiling what they search for. Yes, indeed. It is the same every where. Even when it comes to blogging. Or perfumery. In perfumery it translates into ..(I leave this part to you)
Good morning Jen, I guess I will need to send you some of our snow, and you bring us some exotic fragrances from the nearby tropical trees! Horses and me: Long distance relationship ;-)
And finally, the saddle and the leather, Quimerula…. yes, but just a hint. No dirty leather a la Lonestar Memories. More a nice, shiny polished leather…
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:13 am
wah snow everywhere! yesterday we just had snow for the 1st time for this winter! it fell for a couple hours late at night and no more in the morning, no snowman.. :(
to me, to see horses in silver snow world is like…amazing sight! like a film… dreamy, beautiful… running in snow is also something ive never done. fantastic idea!
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:12 am
Good evening to you SAE, actually, running in snow is very soft on your joints. The snow dampens all harsh shocks. It is lovely, but cold!
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:42 am
Just a hint of leather will be perfect.
And, by the way, I’ve just tried Lonestar Memories and I don’t find it a “dirty leather” at all. On my skin it’s more a robust but very sweet leather (myrrh and tonka take the leading roles) without any dirt, skank or naughtyness; it’s all about skin chemistry, isn’t it?
It’s a shiny day in Northern Spain (snowless). Have a nice day!
February 4th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Dear Andy,
Beautifully described moment and very evocative….while reading I’ve already started to feel the smell in my nose of this escape( having a horse I’m riding almost daily in the forest): cold winter air,forest smell, horse sweat, leather smell and that special scent(more musky than leather) of leader impregnated by horse sweat….
So happy about your ideea of capturing this moment…….:)
February 4th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Thank you, AlexP
Not riding myself, your note is the more appreciated!
February 4th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
whenever you will need some “technical” info related to horse smells while working on this ideea please let me know!
February 8th, 2010 at 2:27 am
Ah! I can smell this now, and am thinking of the beautiful iris/leather combination in Chanel’s vintage Cuir de Russie, and also of the white almond of Malle’s L’Eau d’Hiver but with…more sparkle and ice, more horse, some spring earth under the winter snow…
Thank you for the imaginary olfactory treat and the lovely images!
February 16th, 2010 at 2:05 am
My first post to your blog..a little nervous…but just had to say that I’m such a big fan. Of four samples of yours I have recently sniffed, I love them all. Thank you so much! And I anxiously await your horse in the snow scent!
February 16th, 2010 at 6:56 am
Thank you, bloody Frida.
I’ll guess you will need some patience. I see an orange flower and a rose coming first ;-)