Happy Bastille Day 2011

Happy Bastille Day to all my fellow Francophiles. Just because we can't be in Paris for all the festivities doesn't mean we can't watch the fireworks. Click the link Tour Eiffel to watch.

Bonne Fête Nationale!

Top 5 Winter Fragrances 2011

Peony's top Winter fragrances for this year are:

Keiko Mecheri's 'Cuir Cordoba' - A classical Dry Wood - A delicious combination of Suede, Aubepine, Butter Iris, Black Violet, Cedarwood, Sandalwood and Benzoin. Available in Keiko's signature black bottle in a 75ml Eau de Parfum.

Miller Harris's 'Fleur Oriental' - A classic Oriental created for those winter days when you want to envelop your fragrance. Fleur Oriental combines rich and sensual notes of amber, vanilla and musk to create a deep and opulent base. This heady and sensual blend is further heightened by fresh orange blossom, heliotrope, spicy carnation and Turkish rose. Available in a 100ml Eau de Toilette and Eau de Parfum.

The Different Company's 'Oriental Lounge' - A crisp green Woody Oriental - a modern interpretation of the classic Oriental fragrance, a perfect day time perfume. An interesting combination of notes: Leaves of Caloupile, Bergamot, Soft Pepper, Tonka Bean, Labdanum, Red Rose, Amber and Satin Wood. Available in a 50ml signature bottle.

Robert Piguet's 'Calypso' - a rich Soft Oriental - a sweet and seductive perfume reminiscent of Agent Provocateur with more of a whisper than a shout. Beautifully balanced notes of Mandarin, Geranium, Iris, Bulgarian Rose, Patchouli and Suede. Available in a 50ml and 100ml Eau de Parfum.

Amouage 'Memoir' - A Classical Wood fragrance - my husband is wearing this fragrance at the moment and it is to die for, so I am a little biased here. It is a complex fragrance but not heavy, beautifully composed and wonderfully wearable by women and men alike. The leather note is quite dominant but notes include: Mandarin, Absinthe, Jasmine, Orange Blossom, Clove, Frankincense, Leather, Oakmoss and Musk. Presented as always in the handmade box in a 50ml Eau de Parfum.

I hope you have an opportunity to come in and try one of our winter fragrance suggestions.

BBC program - Perfume

I found this you tube link to the BBC show 'Perfume' - if you love all things perfume and want to see a little of what happens behind the scenes, it is a must see - there are parts 1 to 4, they are 15 minutes in length and obviously watch them in order. A little bit of Chandler Burr, Jean-Claude Ellena, Monsieur Guerlain - trust me you will love it!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlR63A-R5X0&feature=email

Miller Harris London New Products

I just love Miller Harris. I love their packaging and their new products are just delicious.

We have introduced the hand wash and hand lotion in Citron Citron and Terre de Bois. No harsh chemicals here, a gentle coconut derived cleansing agent and calendula soften the skin and the hand lotion is specifically formulated with sweet almond, jojoba oils and aloe leaf juice to nourish those dry hands. They are priced at $45 each.

The MH Classic collection is now available in an Eau de Parfum. So your Coeur de Fleur, Terre de Bois, Citron Citron and my favourite Fleur Oriental will last a lot longer on your skin. The 100ml EDP is priced at $190. MH will be discontinuing the Eau de Toilette so if you prefer your MH fragrance as an EDT then be quick as we don't have many available.

These petite soaps are perfect for those who like their soaps compact as they are easy to handle - so no more dropping the soap in the shower. Priced at $20 each they make wonderful gifts.

A little bit of Paris in Melbourne

I had a little pilgrimage into the CBD today as I hadn't been there for quite some time. I went to visit a few stores I had unearthed on my internet travels. I started at the Little Cupcake store in Degraves Street, cute yummy cupcakes - a must try for all of you who love cupcakes. But the highlight of my trip was discovering La Belle Miette at 30 Hardware Lane, Melbourne. The macarons looked fabulous, the store reminiscent of Laduree in Paris. I walked in and said could I have one of everything!! Packed in the most divine box by very friendly staff they managed to stay uneaten all the way home.

I am happy to say they taste divine!! and I don't have to wait until my next visit to Paris to buy macarons.

I just wish they would open a store next to me in Auburn Village!!

Our next Perfume Workshop

Our next Perfume Workshop will be held at the store on Sunday 31st July, between 2pm and 5pm. Places are limited as we had such an overwhelming response to our last workshop we have only a few spots left.

We will discuss the history of perfume, fragrance families, how to create the perfect perfume wardrobe, natural's Vs synthetics, methods of extraction and much more.

We have a short break to enjoy a delicious lunch box prepared by the very talented team at 'Egg Unlimited', champagne and mineral water.

The cost of the workshop is $195 per person, with $50 being redeemable towards a fragrance choice on the day of the workshop. A luxury sample bag and comprehensive notes on request are yours to take home.

Please call the store on 9882 0662 to secure your booking.

Red Hot Lips Charity Event

'Wear a red smile for one night and put a smile on a child for a lifetime'.

Peony is proud to be a sponsor of such a worthy cause and I hope you are able to support such a wonderful event. Operation Smile Australia is a not-for-profit charity, funding reconstructive surgery for children suffering cleft palate and severe facial deformity.

The event will be held on Thursday 4th August from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. There will be a team of make-up artists to create 'Red Hot Lips' makeovers, surprise entertainment, glamour raffles with the opportunity to win prizes worth thousands of dollars and my little 'Parisian Parfumerie'.

Click on the above image for a larger view of the invitation.

Further Reductions

Further drastic reductions have been made to existing Sale stock and new items have been added.

Honore des Pres extracts of Nature - were $199 are now $99 per bottle.

Parfum d'Empire is being retired - 50ml EDP were $155 are now $85 per bottle.

In addition to the new products going on sale you can take a further 10% off the already reduced prices of existing sale items.

We will be launching 3 new ranges so we have to make room!!!!

Our Lips are Sealed

Peony is having a Sale

Peony is having one of it's very rare sales. I need to make room for all my new goodies.

So sharpen those credit cards girls as we have some serious reductions on a selection of stock that is unfortunately being retired from Peony.

Brands on sale are: Cire Trudon (selected stock only), Diptyque, Tocca, Balmain, Antica Farmacista, Annick Goutal (selected stock only), Acqua di Parma Blu Medetteraneo, Jean Charles Brosseau, coffee table books and much, much more.

The Sale starts on Monday 6th June at 10am sharp. It will only be for 2 weeks or less if we sell everything.

A little note: we won't be accepting Amex and unfortunately no complimentary gift wrapping for sale purchases.