Black Cat

Oh, tink, thanks for this! I am about to spend three and a half hours in the car with my folks and then all day and evening with a house full of people (all of whom I love, but people are not my best thing) and I've been glumly contemplating my LPs trying to think what would work the best, mostly looking at TH stuff. I totally forgot Flying Potion and Levitation! It's PERFECT, just what I need. thank you!

YEAH YOU DID!!!

OMG this is so exciting!!!!!!!!! it's been a truly craptastic day -- construction now delayed further until they send in exterminator on Friday because apparently fleas exploded over there, and also the oil company delivered a full tank despite having been told not to. Having this to anticipate and stalk tonight is truly balm to my soul. Yay for LPMP magic!!!!!

Wonderful, will do! And Peppermint Sugar Scrub...... yay!!! Would it be possible to include that on the invoice, if I just had you wait and ship it all in December?

This is just fantastic! I love the idea of pineapple scents but I have yet to find one that works with my skin. This is the perfect summer scent -- the pineapple is bright flavorful burst, the mango/coconut/vanilla makes a rich creamy base to anchor it, and then the peppercorn adds the most delicious zingy little bite. I was so determined to buy nothing more but I just have to have this! ETA: I hope it's clear from the above but.... I have yet to find a pineapple potion that works on my skin should actually say, This is the first one that has! I can't get over how sweet and juicy the fruit notes are, no plastic at all! And the long drydown is even better... it gets creamier and creamier as the day wears on. So excited to be getting a bottle!

OK, I don't know why I thought I could resist this, since grapefruit is one of my all time fave notes. I think the "fruity floral" has never felt like my genre -- but this is SO AMAZING. First of all, this is possibly the most fantastic grapefruit I have ever smelled. Gorgeously bright and tangy! I think I didn't have a good sense of what passionfruit and freesia would smell like. They just blend into a gorgeous fruity green fresh base. The combo is beyond beautiful. Everything is so fresh and organic -- It has a light airy quality that is heavenly. This has a total resort holiday feel. I am seeing a big four poster with mosquito netting hanging down.... patio with bamboo furniture and a bower of fresh flowers, pitcher of fresh squeezed grapefruit juice on the little table. I am feeling the same giddy bright mood lift that Tyvey describes. This is just gorgeous beyond gorgeous and I just reserved one in the PE thread because it must be mine! I'll be careful not to wear with Black Cat's Cottage, lol!

Yay! Thank you!!! Your cauldrons are so fab! I have a fantastic little cast iron burner and about a three year supply of charcoal, but if I get in a gifty mood I may need to stock up!

Mara, could I please get a bottle of Tyvey's Bermuda Breakfast and one of Charmed Chiara? So spectacular!!! And NRs up Monday! Be still, my heart.....

Mara, is there any Ritual Incense left? I'd love to get a jar!

Dear Mara, if it isn't too much trouble, would you mind letting me know if you have any of the following still available? Scrubs: Superfine Butter Scrub - $14 each - 6/8 units (Blackcat, Store Sea Weed Sugar Scrub - $10 each - 2 units + 9/12 units - (ChrissyRez, StacyK) (JulyGirl, SeaJam x2, Dead Sea Mud Scrub (great for oily skin) - $10 each - 4/8 units (ChrissRez, LadyV, Blackcat, Chelle Grapefruit & Peppermint Salt Scrub - $8 each - 3/6 units (Blackcat, Halo, SeaJam, Soaps - $6.50 per bar Tingly Herbal Naturally Deodorizing Soap - 5/9 units (Blackcat, Cherise, CURoses, Store Lavender Herb - 1/8 units (Cherise, Bella Lemongrass & Tea Rose - 3/4 units (Cherise, No rush of course!

Ooh, interesting, I hadn't thought to test that aspect! Seriously, JLisa, this just got better and better. And it's so subtle unless you are huffing up close that it just conveys "Hey, I'm not wearing perfume, I just smell absolutely awesome!" Tink, I had the same thought about making this permanent. I have no idea what goes into making that decision, but this feels like such a PERFECT carrier for SWS.... and also like a power female potion that everyone of us should have in our arsenals! ANd I have to tell you guys -- I got into work this morning, popped into my supervisor's office to check in with her, and the first thing she said (and bear in mind, every conversation we've had in the past week has been a mutual enragement/grieving over national events) was "You look absolutely beautiful today! I don't know if it's a new dress? or a hair cut?" I have been wearing the same two dresses (which are the same dress, one in grey and one in black) all fall. It was the black one, which hasn't even been recently washed. I have not had my hair cut since August and I haven't washed it in days. Suffice to say, I am quite convinced it was MP at work!!!

Aw, tink, thank you so much! I was joking on the other thread that whenever a situation in my life is causing me concern or angst, I deal with it but starting to imagine the PE Mara can make for me.... and I've realized, it's actually not a joke! LP has brought this extraordinary dimension to my life, in terms of trying to translate situations/issues into scents. I just love it and feel so fortunate to have found this place. And you're pretty talented on the way cool PE ideas yourself! Hoping that Blue Heron will appear one of these days soon.... :-)

I was almost more excited for this than I was for my own PE, and though I am wearing it in a very different spirit than I anticipated when I first ordered, it now feels if anything more essential to my spirit. Even though they are not similar scents this reminds me powerfully of Glamour Puss, in terms of a spell potion that is also the most wonderfully complex and sophisticated perfume. Every note is so well blended that my (admittedly not very talented) nose can't really pick out individual scents -- this is clean (but not soapy), warm, strong (but not loud), firm, powerful (but not overpowering)... I could go on and on! The ginseng and pepper give it wonderful warmth and the teeniest bite. It's green but completely office appropriate. It's not out of place in an executive board meeting, but it's also perfect for an evening out at the most elegant of restaurants. It could go with sweats, it could go with a suit, it could go with a ball gown. Actually, looking at the list above and all the "but nots" makes me realize that what I'm feeling most strongly about this is that it simply cuts through the bullshit binaries. It says AND in the most powerful way. It makes me feel like I don't have to choose between my being a woman and being a person, if that makes any sense. I can be everything and there's room for all of it. I am wearing this to work today! It makes me feel calm and powerful and deeply centered. JLisa, deepest respect for coming up with the idea for this and Mara, what a brilliant and magical execution. This is really extraordinary!

OMG you guys!!! So notes, because you know I love me some LP Reading Room notes! VANILLA ~ Aphrodisiac, inspires happiness, playfulness, sexual arousal, lust, vitalizing. CHESTNUT ~ Amplifies male potency, love. VIOLET ~ Love, faithfulness, modesty; calming, balancing, healing, protection, draws luck & fortune, lust. BLUEBERRY ~ Protection, communication, peace, calm. MUSK ~ Self confidence and strength, sexual attractant, heightens passions and arousal. CISTUS aka LABDANUM ~ One of the oldest known perfume ingredients. Considered holy, used in tribute, and as a sense-memory tool to stimulate the subconscious. Said to revive long forgotten memories and feelings. COFFEE ~ Focus, stamina, concentration, determination. I have to tell you, this has been a drama-filled arrival! I have been anxiously watching the tracking because I am moved out of my house, crashing at my folks, and having mail forwarded. I saw that the forwarding had been caught, and then saw that the packages were listed as "delivered" but in my town, not my parents' town. When I got home and the packages were nowhere to be found, my lovely mother insisted on hopping in the car and driving over to see if they were at my house. She came back and reported tersely that there was no sign of them. At this point, I FREAKED. She kept saying that of course they were insured and I was insisting that money wasn't the point, these were unique handmade potions and it took weeks to get them, etc. I insisted on going out to the mailbox -- which at there house is actually a considerable distance from the house. And it's pouring rain. We drove down to the end of driveway and they were nowhere to be seen. I insisted on getting out of the car to check, and my mother kept reminding me that today's delivery had already been picked up... and I opened the mailbox and it was an LP Miracle! Boxes were there. So this potion came from a couple of places. I knew I wanted a blueberry and violet scent. I also knew I wanted a chestnut scent ever since I smelled Seon's Winter Cozy, Midnight Requiem's fab creation. At the same time, I had a situation that I felt like I wanted to apply some Mara magic to. I won't go into detail, but suffice to say there is a particular relationship where I want to boost the male-female connection, and as I thought about what notes might do that and looked at the above, this came to mind. I was casting around for names, and since the situation is so weird and unique, something that could only happen "once in a blue moon" -- so Jennifer's Blue Moon was born. I fully confess I had no idea how this might actually smell! Of course, it's just fresh out of the bottle but I am sooooooooooooo in love! Wet, the chestnut just bursts forward with a dark delicious sweetness that has a smoky tang to it. It's initially very foodie -- like a sweet and succulent dessert, a chestnut paste with a brush of fruit and edible flowers as garnish. Then the blue comes out. I don't know how else to say it. It has the juiciness of the blueberry and soft cool tones of the violet. The vanilla, the musk, the coffee and labdanum -- all of them! can't believe how generous Mara was my ingredients, I swear I only asked for four! -- are so well blended I can't really pick them out. The whole experience becomes olfactory and tactile. It's intoxicating scent and like a wisp of silk against my cheek. I told Mara that I was picturing a deep midnight sky with a full bluish tinged moon, and that's what this is. I was outside last night for the super moon, and this captures that feeling so perfectly. It's dark and rich and and weirdly energizing, and shot through with streaks of light all at the same time. You know how cold fresh air feels against your face when you go outside to look at a really beautiful moon? It's like that! I know that every PE is my favorite PE but seriously. This one is SO SPECTACULAR!! In some ways it reminds a bit of my Inviting Aphrodite. But where that was pure feminine, this really does invoke both masculine and feminine elements. And the label! The picture didn't do it justice, it's the perfect embodiment of the "blue" I had in mind, and the scent then embodies the color. I am so glad I got an extra spray of this! I'm going to wear it with great joy. THANK YOU MARA YOU ARE MAGIC.

I spotted this today and thought, whoa, that's intent I need, and put it on. I'd forgotten how wonderful this, and it remains a unique LP experience for me -- it's really not "like" any other that I have come across. I feel as if the myrrh may have gotten a tad stronger, in the most wonderful way. But once again, I get peace, resiliency and the wonderful close-wearing scent cloud of spicy sweetness. So healing!

Wait, we can order Ritual incense!!!!!!! I got my shipping notice. I have been telling students for days that joy is a form of resistance and so I have to believe that applies to me too. Thank you, Mara, for keeping magic alive in the world. It helps give me hope. Seriously.

OK, totally going for boosted spray with Madame P! And JLisa, thank you SO MUCH for sharing the inspiration/intent behind this one. I have been trying to come up with a success potion for work for months now and just falling flat. I work in a profession that very much allows me to utilize my gifts for more traditional feminine values -- nurturing, support, etc. At the same time, I have to be very smart and accomplished to do this work (which is also a strong feminine value and I don't know why it so often gets placed as a competing one to being caring/nurturing, but that's a rant for another day!). And I work for an institution that espouses social justice values and employs wonderful people of integrity at the level just above me, but is a total corporation with corporate values at the higher levels (which translates to screwing over employees, especially employees in the kind of support role that I have). So I have been trying to figure out what would make for a potion that would allow me to stay true to all the things that make me good at what I do, but get respect and be treated (and compensated) as someone of value. Reading your description of this made me tear up, for real. This is so exactly what I need right now - thank you for putting the idea into words and then placing it in Mara's extraordinarily gifted hands! I can't WAIT to try this! ETA: Cinn, thank you for the kind words about Blue Moon! My go to these days when I have something that is causing me angst is to design a PE from Mara to deal with it. :-) It's great fun!

Question: since Madame President is a spell oil as well as a perfume, Mara, do you recommend keeping it phero free? I have been thinking about finding a scent to get boosted with SWS and this seems like a perfect fit, but I also remember that with the spell oil collections you recommended trying them on their own before adding pheros to the mix. Any thoughts?

OMG Mara, I am speechless at how amazing Blue Moon sounds with your gift of extra ingredients! Thank you so so so much -- I can't wait to try this! And now I will also need extra. :-) These all sound amazing but JLisa, have to single you out and say kudos for such a fantastic idea! I must have this. I would love an Itty Set please! And I am going to need to grab a couple of others because I daren't risk missing! Please, if still available, could I get: 1 bottle of Oshun & Ogun 1 bottle of Madame President 1 bottle of Blue Moon Thank you!!!!!!

These sound amazing, Tyvey! Love the "attempt to bottle a memory via LPMP olfactory poetry" -- so true! Sorry I forgot to add mine this morning, I am still at sixes and sevens with move and fleas. Mine may have some intent around enhancing the male-female connection in a relationship. (It's a bit of an unconventional/rare one, hence the name!) Here is what I wrote Mara: So I've picked notes that I think would work for this. Also, in terms of effect/scent, I keep thinking about a deep midnight sky, lit up by the full blue-ish tinged moon. So: what about deepest darkest black vanilla, wreathed with violet and blueberry on a bed of chestnuts? (fell in love with that note in Seon's Winter Cozy and knew I must have it for my own--thanks, MIdnight Requiem!). Maybe go especially soft with blueberry since I tend to amp it. Anyway, something soft yet definite, congruent with Perfect Match, would be lovely. And as always, if you think of something better than what I have come up, feel free to use your own judgment about additions/substitutions. Can't wait to get my hands on this!

Yes, how did it go? Never have I wanted to attend an LP party more than when I saw "Divination Lessons with Mara"!!!! Pics please when you have a moment!

Yay! I love the idea of looking around and wanting to give my home a hug. I wore this over the weekend when I had to spend Saturday trucking all my bedding and other laundry over to my empty house and spend the day putting in a load, driving to my BFF's house to hang out. It kept me going. It's just full of strength. That's the best way I can characterize it.

Mara, every time I think I can't love a PE label more you outdo yourself! Thank you, thank you, it looks beautiful! And I am going to be happily stalking notes on these -- every single name suggests fantastic possibilities. And I am tearing up in the most joyful way at Madame President!

Yay Halo, I was really curious to hear what you think! I put this on just now to try and face the day with a better attitude and I can't believe how quickly it lifts my mood.

Tink! So glad you are loving it.... and thanks for the kind words. I am actually just at the beginning of the process -- my house is finally emptied and ready to be torn apart, contractors are finishing their previous job, and I am {gulp!} camped out in my parents' spare room for at least the next two months. So I am relying on my Mara potions to give me strength and grace to feel grounded and at home even when I am so far out of my usual places! I actually pulled this out last night and slathered and I slept amazingly well. House is going to be amazing when it's done though -- especially in the sense of being fully insulated and properly heated, which has not been the case for many a year. And all that savings on heating costs will let me order more potions! I love all LPs, but I thrive on my special creations. I can't believe Mara provides this unique and fantastic service! Please do keep me updated on how this works for you in terms of channeling your Inner Domestic Goddess of Darkness. And I can't wait to see your next creation!