Finally! 2007 Richmond-Inspired scents are here!

I had so much fun creating these scents, it was a bright spot in a very dreary late winter. I was obviously dreaming of summery, brighter days here in the River City - days that are here at last! I have to say that Texas Beach is my personal favorite, with Manchester a close second, but there's something here for everyone, ladies and gentlemen alike. Like all my other creations they can be purchased here.

Farmer's Market - early on a Thursday morning in July, you can buy the best tomatoes in the world at the 17th Street Farmers Market. Picked fresh hours before and trucked in from Hanover County, Hanover Tomatoes are famous for their sweet, tangy flesh: it's said there's something in the soil that makes them taste so good. But before you taste them, you smell them: bright with weeks of sunshine and surrounded by deep green vines and leaves. Clean herbal notes and the faintest trace of wood and spice make this a perfect warm weather scent.

Carytown Sweet Tea - After a leisurely Saturday afternoon spent shopping in Carytown's fashionable boutiques, even the most die-hard shopaholic needs a little break. What's more refreshing than a tall, cold glass of sweet tea? The ambrosia of the South, this brisk, brewed black tea has plenty of sugar. Want mint or lemon on the side? You got it.

Main Street Melon Martini - at Robinson and Main, the novice barfly could be overwhelmed with choice. With so many restaurants and bars brimming with life, you'll never want for sophisticated cocktails and ice-cold microbrews. This scent is an homage to relaxing with a few friends after a long work week. Sweet and tart melon liqueur floats over premium vodka, in a sugar-rimmed glass.

MacArthur Avenue - tucked away in a quiet neighborhood on the Northside is a quite hip little street. When I'm in the mood for something sweet, as well as a tiny bit of adventure, I ride my bike to Stir Crazy cafe for a blondie or cookie, and browse in the nearby bookstore. This scent captivates the sweet tooth, with rich walnut and pecan notes drizzled with maple syrup. A twist on sugar, spice and everything nice!

Ginter Park Wisteria - in a neighborhood with homes over 100 years old, it's no surprise that the trees are so tall they form a canopy over the street. But look closer, and you'll see another ancient: gnarled, woody, and twining on any support they can find, the wisteria. It seems like the oldest wisteria have the longest flowers. Fresher and less sweet than the lilac, with hints of violet and lavender. The wisteria has a strong, feminine scent that is just a little bit unexpected.

Texas Beach - Scramble down the bluffs near Maymont from quiet Texas Avenue above, and you will find the oasis of North Bank Park on the James River. Even in the middle of the city, nature abounds, and wild honeysuckle ranges. The fresh air and slow-moving river are a welcome break from the hot asphalt. We call this "Texas Beach".  Put on some suntan oil and hike, bike, fish, or just enjoy the sun from a rock in the middle of the water. It may be short on sand, but who needs it with a view like this?

Manchester - Once a bustling seat of industry, now a haven for loft dwellers and art galleries. So it goes in Richmond's South Side. This scent captures the essence of Manchester's past, like the ghost of a tobacco factory. Sweet tobacco leaves, oak beams, and clove bud are tempered with dry and herbal notes. Suitable for women or men.

Mayo Island - just downriver from Belle Isle, this captures a slightly sweeter spirit. Orange and lemongrass essential oils give way to rose and lavender petals, with a slightly powdery musk and patchouli finish. The top notes actually linger for a long while, due to the tenacity of citrus oils!

The Vine that Ate the South - Sure, sure. Kudzu is a noxious weed (even though we imported it from Japan on purpose). It grows a foot a day, so it's said, and the roots can go 12 feet deep into the soil! But since we're stuck with it, at least enjoy the lovely scent its purple flowers produce. Lightly floral, but the main attraction is that it smells like...Grape Soda!