Loosened from the mud, I find myself floating in a world of possibility.

So can you.



Bourbon French Parfums

A few years ago I met a woman from New Orleans who insisted that if I was to visit her city that I should get a custom blend of my own personal scent.  I quickly added this to my Lotus List.  I had some hesitation with making plans ahead of our arrival to New Orleans.  I knew I would be craving some alone time but I was uncertain about when to fit it in.  So I searched for a place online and filed it away on my flexible to-do-while-in-New Orleans list.  Turns out that Bourbon French Parfums was right on Royal just a two blocks away from where we were staying! In fact it was on the corner of St. Ann and Royal, the site of all my romantic dreams coming true.  So I called and got a consultation appointment for the next day. 


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It was a gorgeous morning in the gorgeous French Quarter.  I was happy to leave Dave behind.  I was happy to wander but I had no idea what to expect.  I was pleasantly surprised to find a tiny, little store because I was wanting an intimate experience.  I wanted to linger and not feel rushed by anyone.  I got all that I wanted and more.


Wait.  So I should stop here to say that I don't usually wear scents.  Usually they irritate my nose and I've never found something that I liked but I was willing to give this a try if only for the experience of the consultation.  I was skeptical and a little bit worried that I would drive everyone nuts.

The hour-long consultation came with a 1 ounce bottle of perfume.  They keep the personal formula on file so that I can order more of the scent in all sorts of forms.  I bought the body butter but when the spring sales comes around, I plan to buy the cologne and perhaps, the lotion - that's how much I LOVE the scent!!


I sat down with the consultant who's name I've forgotten which is such a shame because she was so very good to me.  It began with four samples spread on my arm to determine if I liked powdery, musk, clean, floral.  I didn't like any of them.  She asked me a ton of questions:  do I like modern (I don't know), traditional (I don't know), woodsy (I don't know), fruity (yes, I like fruit).  She asked me how I wanted to wear it and in what sorts of environments would I be wearing it.  The questions went on for quite a while.  There were a lot of "I don't know."


The one thing I did know was that I wanted to smell yummy, so she began combining scents all with a base of vanilla.  I was told not to ask what she was blending until I smelled it because in her experience people come in with preconceived notions of what they like so in fact, she found it helpful that I kept saying "I don't know."  She blended cherry, fig, cedar, leather - I lost track of them all.  She went on to custom blend eight different scents but she nailed it at #2.


In the end I was debating between #2 and #8.  #2 had vanilla, pear, bergamot and vertivert.  #8 had all of those with a bit of patchouli mixed in.  She told me to step outside, let the sun shine on my arms and wait for the sun to add its own touch to the mix.  So I did and spotted Dave coming down the street and just as I was about to call out to him, he turned into an art gallery.  I was truly on my own for this final decision for which I was ultimately glad.


But not totally on my own as Violin Joe added the musical score to the background of this hour in my life.  It truly was a yummy mix.  She offered to give me 1/2 ounce of both of my final selections but I wanted to choose just one and I did.  She sent me on my way with all the tiny samples and assured me that I could order any of them.


Lotus List Item #20 - done.  And what a lovely, yummy experience it was!  Excuse me now while I go and add some to my wrists...


P.S.  I was surprised that none of the locals I met knew about this place and they all thanked me heartily for it.
P.P.S.  Thanks to Rose M. for informing me of this wonderful opportunity.  I think of you every time I put on the perfume!








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