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twelve days of christmas is not yet finished

The Twelve Days of Christmas!

29/12/201829/12/2018 by Josephine McCarthy

We have all heard or heard of the song, The Twelve Days of Christmas,

This period over Christmas is also known as Twelvetide, where “Christmas Day” is considered the “First Day of Christmas” and the Twelve Days are the 25th of December to the 6th of January (Old Christmas Day).

Most people look forward to Christmas and spending time with their family, but it is a busy and often a hectic time of year..

So if you do find yourself getting stressed out about it, as we all do at times….

Just spare a thought for the unfortunate person in the song – The Twelve Days of Christmas

What! between getting a Pear Tree, that needs pruning and watering, with a Partridge that needs feeding….

To Two Turtle Doves, Three French Hens, Four Calling Birds, by day four you already have an aviary to look after.. and you have not even got the Turkey yet!

Then just when you think that things may be slowing down on the avian side, because after all you had received – Five Golden Rings…

It was just a case of them lulling you into a false sense of security…..

Along comes.. you may already have guessed where this is going… Yes, that right – Six Geese a Laying…

Just when you think it can’t get any better! – Seven Swans a Swimming arrive on the scene – hopefully not in your garden pond….

Now hold on to your hats, because if you thought you had sorted out all the feeding, cleaning, and housing of half the avian population..

Eight Maids a Milking arrive… milking what we don’t know? but it will mean an extra eight people for dinner…

By now, any sensible person would have moved house, gone on holiday or simply broken off the engagement….

However in the case of true love, Nine Ladies Dancing arrived and had to be added to the guest list for Christmas Dinner.

Along with – Ten Lords a Leaping, Eleven Pipers Piping, 12 Drummers Drumming, at this stage the aviary is starting to look like a place of sanctuary…

So however or where ever you plan to spend The Twelve Days of Christmas this year….

PAIRFUM London, wish you peace, happiness, patience and lots of restfull sleep xx

The Twelve Days of Christmas:

On the first day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
A Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the second day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the third day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the fourth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the fifth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the sixth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the seventh day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the eighth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the ninth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Nine Ladies Dancing
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the tenth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Ten Lords a Leaping
Nine Ladies Dancing
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the eleventh day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
Eleven Pipers Piping
Ten Lords a Leaping
Nine Ladies Dancing
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the twelfth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
12 Drummers Drumming
Eleven Pipers Piping
Ten Lords a Leaping
Nine Ladies Dancing
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

Just spare a thought for the unfortunate person in the song – The Twelve Days of Christmas

What Is The Perfect Christmas Gift?

23/12/201822/12/2018 by Huib Maat

At this time of the year, in hustle & bustle of pre-Christmas, it is easy to forget why we present gifts and what makes the Perfect Christmas Gift.

With this in mind, we wrote this article.

What Is A Gift?

Here is a definition:

A gift is something (an item or service) given without the expectation of anything in return.

The gift (or present) may be a tangible item or a service.

We undertake the act of ‘giving’ to sustain our social relations (e.g. friend & family) and / or contribute to social cohesion (e.g. charity).

The intention is to make the other happier or less sad.

Christianity consider the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to save Humanity to be the greatest gift to humankind.

We accept this sounds all very abstract but felt it is worthwhile at this time of the year to strip everything away and look at the essence of gifting.

Bear with us, you will find out why further down why and what makes the Perfect Christmas Gift.

A Little History

The tradition of gift-giving in generally very old and one of the oldest forms of social interaction.

In the ancient Rome, giving a gift probably happened around the winter solstice, which in Europe occurs in December.

In Christianity, during Christmas period, the custom of gifting is symbolic of the ‘The Three Wise Men’ presenting gifts to the baby Jesus.

It is interesting to note that different countries / Christian religions, practice gifting at different times:

England / Ireland / US / Canada: the 25th

Germany / France: the 24th

Netherlands: 6th of December (St. Nicolas)

Spain: gifts are presented on the ‘Three Wise Men’, e.g. 6th of January

Greece: on the Feast of Saint Basil (the 1st / 2nd of January), gifts are presented.

Going back to our original question:

The Psychology Of Gifting

Gifting allows people to connect!

This is the essence of a gift.

When making a gift, the giver shares their feelings & emotions with the recipient.

In receiving these, the recipient makes a connection with the giver.

In giving a gift, we extend and make ourselves vulnerable to the recipient, as it (or we) may be rejected.

This act displays a strong humility or humbleness.

Making connections with the people gives us self-fulfillment, happiness and purpose.

We have all heard the saying:

“It is better to Give, than Receive”

It is the Path to Happiness.

A Perfect Gift?

So, … this leaves us with the question, how do we make a gift perfect this Christmas?

It is simple, actually:

Inject as much as possible of yourself into the gift.

Here are two ways of doing this:

1 – Make Something

2 – Find the Unique

Make Something

Show some of yourself by making something for the person you intend to make happy.

Here are some ideas:

Cookies, Pralines or something similar that is made with sticky fingers and tastes delicious.

A Painting, Song, Poem or a hand crafted Christmas Deco Item

Chutney or Marmalade with an unusual flavour profile. Let your phantasy go wild.

A handmade piece of clothing, a scarve or hat.

Well, … we suppose you are getting the gist.

What all of these gifts have in common is, that you are making a gift of your own precious ‘Time’ and ‘Thought’.

In the age of 24/7 and especially pre-Christmas, these two are the most scarce.

When making something, you give especially your ‘Time’.

Most people nowadays can easily afford the gift you are making, but what they can’t buy is your ‘Time’ or ‘Thought’.

Find The Unique

When uncovering a gift that is ‘Authentic’ and / or ‘Unique’ you inject your ‘Thought’.

The gift is your skill.

It is your skill (and time) to find something that the recipient would not have been able to purchase her/himself.

It explains why we like Craft Items and the ‘Christmas Market’.

Here are a few ideas that are very popular when giving your ‘skill’ of finding the impossible:

Craft Cheese, Beer, Whisky, Bakery, Chocolates, ….

Products of Limited Quantity or produced in small batches, such as handmade clothing / handbags / jewellery / ….

Niche, Boutique, Artisan or Indie Products with authenticity and limited batch sizes.

This is where we can help you here at Pairfum with our online boutique.

We invite you to introduce your family & friends to Pairfum, The Artisan Perfumers of London, and give them the gift of ‘Your Thought’, it is authentically yours.

You are thinking of them!

This is the Essence of the Perfect Christmas Gift.

Coco Chanel Christmas Advice Perfume Pairfum London

Coco Chanel’s Christmas Advice

21/12/201821/12/2018 by Huib Maat

When shopping for Gifts this year, Coco Chanel has some time-tested Christmas Advice.

Here she is in her own words:

“Be who you are, not what the world wants you to be.” – Coco Chanel

What does this mean for Christmas?

We believe, she is trying to say that when buying gifts, don’t just buy the first item on somebody’s wishlist.

Instead, try and find (or create) a gift that allows you to inject at least a little of yourself into the gift.

Nowadays, most people can afford the gift you present to them and we have all experienced cases of where we got the size, colour or something else wrong.

It is not that easy to understand exactly what somebody is telling you (as we know from “Chinese Whispers”).

Coco’s advice to this dilemma is to inject a little of yourself, rather than trying (and failing) to be what others are asking for.

Don’t be surprised when this works out well for you and keep in mind another ‘Christmas Advice’ from Coco Chanel:

“If you want to be original, be ready to be copied.” – Coco Chanel

Yes, you may have to accept that others will copy the originality of your gifts in the coming years.

Happy Christmas from All of us here at Pairfum London.

Enjoy selecting gifts with originality from our online boutique.

What is Art? Is Perfume Art?

23/02/202420/12/2018 by Josephine McCarthy

Is Perfume Art ?

Are Home Fragrance and Skin Care also Art?

The English Oxford dictionary defines art as “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.”. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines art as “the conscious use of skill and creative imagination, especially in the production of aesthetic objects.” What is Art?, what do you think it is and how would you go about describing it.

Leo Tolstoy said that “Art is not, as the metaphysicians say, the manifestation of some mysterious idea of beauty or God; it is not, as the aesthetical physiologists say, a game in which man lets off his excess of stored-up energy; it is not the expression of man’s emotions by external signs; it is not the production of pleasing objects; and, above all, it is not pleasure; but it is a means of union among men, joining them together in the same feelings, and indispensable for the life and progress toward well-being of individuals and of humanity”.

So when we create something whether it is in the kitchen, workshop, class room, craft room or garden. We are as Oscar Wilde said taking part in the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known. If this is the case, then what we create is not only important for our own well-being but for the health and well being of the people and World around us.

Can A Product Be Art?

When does a mere product become a piece of art or an item of beauty?

“When science meets ingenuity. When creative invention and relentless research ignite a trend. When quality is pride of product. When a woman feels beauty in herself and a desire for life’s little luxuries is fulfilled.” – Huib Maat, in house Perfumer at PAIRFUM London.

Excerpt from Leo Tolstoy’s ‘What Is Art?’
(1896 – translated by Aylmer Maude (1900):

“… In order correctly to define art, it is necessary, first of all, to cease to consider it as a means to pleasure and to consider it as one of the conditions of human life.”

For most of us, our gardens, homes, rooms or work spaces are a canvas that we create and re-create over time.

It is an expression of how we see ourselves and how we wish to live. We use colour, texture, light and space to design and define the space around us.

By adding a ‘Perfumed Candle’ or a ‘Reed Diffuser’ you are also able to add a truly multi-sensorial experience to your life’s ‘Work of Art’ or ‘Art Work’.

PAIRFUM London’s Works of Art are available for sale in our online boutique.

Enjoy the Art in your home!

Perfume Art In Home Fragrance 23 — Perfume Art In Home Fragrance

Fragrance of the Christmas Market Gluehwine

What is the Fragrance of the Christmas Market?

19/12/2018 by Huib Maat

Hands up, who hasn’t enjoyed visiting a Christmas Market in Germany?

We doubt there will be many hands in the air.

The German Christmas Markets have become a wonderful tradition that is now being taken up by other countries outside of Germany.

One of the attractions of the pre-Christmas Market are the exhibition of traditional arts & crafts and good old-fashioned habits.

When meandering through such a market one will invariably come past the different food stalls selling a variety of typically German food items, e.g. ‘Reibekuchen’ (or ‘Potato Fritters’).

However, the highlight of any German Christmas market has to be a glass of ‘Gluehwein’.

Visiting without a glass of this delicious drink feels incomplete.

Gluehwein is also known as:
Glogg / Gløgg / Glögg / Glögi
Mulled Wine

It is a spiced, wine that is served warm and can be red or sometimes white wine.

The typical spices are cloves, cinnamon and orange peel with the addition of sugar to the wine.

If you would like a perfume for your home that reminds you of Gluehwine, then try our “Rich Spices” fragrance.

Here is the Perfume Description:

“This richly aromatic and spicy accord opens with hints of Pomegranate and Cranberry,

then flows into a warm heart of Chestnut, Nutmeg, Cinnamon and Clove,

to finally rest on a base of Vanilla Pods and drieg Figs, Dates and Persimmons.”

History

Spiced and heated wine was first recorded in Rome during the 2nd century.

It was the conquering Roman army that brought their wine and viticulture with them along the Rhine and Danube rivers.

The oldest documented Gluehwein tankard (dated ca. 1420 AD) is attributed to Count John IV of Katzenelnbogen, a German nobleman who was the first grower of Riesling grapes.

Glögi was originally used to revive the messengers and postmen who travelled on horseback or skis in cold weather in Scandinavia.

Persimmon Drying Season Japan Christo New York Fragrance 1

Were Persimmons the Inspiration for Christo?

14/12/2018 by Huib Maat

Could it really be that the Persimmon fruit was the inspiration for the artist Christo?

When looking at the images in this article, we thought ‘maybe’.

There are certainly some striking similarities.

During the persimmon drying season the prefecture in Kansai, Wakayama (Japan) turns orange.

The farms of 70 farmers in Katsuragi resemble the installation of Christo and Jeanne-Claude called “The Gates” in New York in 2005. Orange curtains create ‘gates’ in Central Park.

The similarity with the town in Japan is indeed surprising, when it dresses in orange to celebrate a good harvest of persimmon.

In Japan, the Persimmon, the fruit, also symbolizes ‘longevity’, as the tree has a long life.

If you would like to introduce a little of Persimmon and Cristo into your home this Christmas, we can highly recommend our fragrance ‘Rich Spices’.

Enjoy reading the fragrance description:

This richly aromatic and spicy accord opens with hints of Pomegranate and Cranberry,

then flows into a warm heart of Chestnut, Nutmeg, Cinnamon and Clove,

to finally rest on a base of Vanilla Pods and drieg Figs, Dates and beautiful Persimmons.

Pairfum London Christmas Santa Coming Sleigh Snow 07

Santa’s Sleigh

10/12/2018 by Huib Maat

Santa’s Sleigh was first mentioned in 1821 in a poem called “Old Santeclause with Much Delight”.

It was published in the book “A New-Year’s Present”, and

describes Santeclaus bringing presents to children on a reindeer sleigh.

Have you started shopping for Christmas Gifts already?

Don’t leave it to the last minute but also be easy on yourself.

Remember, Santa has to travel 510,000,000 km on Christmas Eve from the North Pole and only has 32 hours to do.

Order your Gifts online this year at our online boutique and let Pairfum London’s Santa deliver them on time directly to your home.

Not to let ‘Santa Out Of the Bag’ for your children, we will make sure Santa disguises himeself as the friendly delivery man of our courier company.

By the way, when did you last enjoy a sleigh ride in the snow?

Do you remember the fun you can have with an old-fashioned sleigh?

Make sure you have a sleigh ready to hand, just in case it does snow this Christamas.

pantone color year 2019 living coral pink grapefruit perfume pairfum

The Perfume of “Living Coral” – Pantone Colour of the Year 2019

06/12/201806/12/2018 by Huib Maat

Pairfum Pantone Living Coral Colour Year 2019 Patch

The Pantone Colour of the year 2019 has been revealed as “Living Coral”.

Here you can read the official announcement by Pantone.

Description

How can it be described in words? Is it a warm pink & orange hue, a muted terracotta or a pastel desert? Or, is it all of these in one?

Is was presented as a “life-affirming” colour for consumers wishing to escape from the “onslaught” of social media and digital technology. We as consumers react to this by seeking more authentic and intimate experiences.

“Colour is an equalising lens through which we experience our natural and digital reality and this is particularly true for Living Coral,” said Leatrice Eiseman (Executive Director at the Pantone Color Institute).

“With consumers craving human interaction and social connection, the humanising and heartening qualities displayed by the convivial Pantone Living Coral hit a responsive chord.”

“It represents a feeling that’s out there in the zeitgeist.”

Reading this, it seems the world is calmer and happier than it appears in the news.

On the other hand, it might be the opposite. Maybe we crave a colour that is natural, solid and warm when times are troubled.

To us, here at Pairfum, this colour promises a combination of these words:

holiday in paradise,

natural and yet sophisticated,

positive and life affirming,

soft, warm but still fresh,

safe at home but ready to escape.

Pantone Colour of the Year 2018 & 2017

Last year we had “Ultra Violet” and in 2017 Pantone had presented “Greenery”. Two colours that we translated into perfume here at Pairfum London, with these two fragrances:

Black Orchid

Neroli Olive

How do we translate “Living Coral” into a fragrance?

We believe we already introduced a fragrance in 2018 in our collection that perfectly encapsulates the ‘zeitgeist’ of “Living Coral”:

Pink Grapefruit

Here is the fragrance description:

“A vibrant Pink Grapefruit fragrance with the added complexity of Mandarine, Lime and Bergamot.

Floral notes of Jasmin and Lily lend a feminine touch.

Deep sophistication comes from a Sandalwood Accord in the base note”

What do you think of this Perfume to match the Pantone Colour of the Year 2019?

Below is the olfactive triangle for this beautiful note.

PERFUME FOR CHRISTMAS

04/12/2018 by Josephine McCarthy

Do you intend to buy, have you bought? or would you like someone to buy you Perfume for Christmas?

It would appear that there is a perfect time to do just about everything and anything, and this is especially true when it comes to buying something…

December is the most important month for fragrance Lovers…

It is estimated that approximately 60% of all Perfumes sales, takes place in the 31 days of December

So if you have not already started your Christmas shopping, or you are just making a list and checking it twice…

The the one thing you can be sure of is – getting someone you love a wonderful Perfume for Christmas is a perfect gift xx

Spa Wonderful Outdoors Pairfum London 11

On Vacation with SPA by Pairfum London

23/02/202403/12/2018 by Huib Maat

When the weather is getting cold & wet, our minds are drifting off to our last vacation.

Here at Pairfum, we have a wonderful fragrance for this type of ‘olfactive’ or ‘mind’ travelling: SPA

We have all experienced how perfume can bring memories that we treasure and the fragrance ‘SPA’ can send you back (or forward) to the last time you were swimming in an infinity pool, lounged beside the pool or floated in the ocean.

Below is a description of your next ‘olfactive’ vacation with SPA by Pairfum.

Head over to our online boutique to book your next vacation.