Take a journey into the luxurious world of Velvet & Sweet Pea's Purrfumery and discover the sensual, surprising and striking nature of scent. Perfumery Adventures are an indulgent way to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, bridal showers, or any special day!
Perfumery Adventure
Laurie Stern, an artisanal perfumer who has spent years immersing herself in the mysteries and legends of perfume from ancient Egypt to the present, is your guide into an intriguing world of scent. Leading you with perfumed tales – from ancient lore to scientific fact – through the history and mythology of perfume making and perfume materials, Laurie offers you the rare opportunity to smell aromatic treasures from around the globe. Bulgarian Rose Otto, 100-year old Indian Sandalwood, White Ginger Lily absolute… You'll be surprised at what you discover! At the end of your adventure, Laurie creates a goody bag especially for you based on the scents you enjoy the most.
Price includes Perfumery Adventure for up to two people. We are happy to accommodate larger groups for an additional fee – just let us know!
The Tier Tower
Laurie's collection of rare and fragrant natural materials is vast, and hails from all corners of the globe. She has cataloged them into three dynamic tiers, and has set aside a Treasure Chest of natural materials that are rare and incredible and will never be available again.
Laurie's Treasure Chest of natural materials includes 100-year old Rose Otto, 100-year old sandalwood, rare oud, Persian Rose, gardenia and tuberose enfleurage, and rich antique cinnamon and clove.
Tier 1 holds many of Laurie's most incredible and rich essences, including Chinese osmanthus, pink, white and blue lotus, violet leaf, and Turkish and Bulgarian Rose Otto. Here you will also find sacred Palo Santo wood, tuberose, orange blossom and frangipani, honey absolute, Tonka bean and rum absolute. Tier 1 also features some of Laurie's most exquisite jasmines, including Jasmine Sambac and Jasmine Grandiflorum.
Tier 2 opens the door to Bulgarian Rose absolute, an array of intoxicating jasmines, Lily Magnolia and delectable cocoa. This enchanting tier also features orange blossom, neroli, blue chamomile, carnation, black current bud, Madagascar vanilla, oak moss, fir balsam absolute and Vanuatu sandalwood.
Tier 3 essences includes tart and juicy blood orange, tangerine, pink grapefruit, green mandarin, cinnamon, and French and Himalayan lavenders. Other delights include Madagascar ylang-ylang, honey myrtle, Himalayan cedar wood, sacred Omani Frankincense, New Caledonia sandalwood and earthy aged patchouli.
The Art of Custom Perfumery
Laurie unveils her essence tiers and Treasure Chest based on the Custom Perfume Experience you select. The essences you find most pleasurable become the basis of formulations Laurie sends you to sample. Laurie revises your favorite formulation at your request, ages the new scent, and within two to four months, you will receive your very own, utterly transporting liquid or solid perfume.
If you choose to enjoy your signature scent in liquid form, Laurie will delight you with a French crystal perfume bottle, crafted by Verreries Brosse, a Normandy company that has been making perfume bottles for royalty since the 1850s. These exquisite bottles come in several different sizes and styles and are considered collector's items by perfume lovers around the world.
If you prefer the supple touch of a crème perfume, Laurie tucks your scent into a custom-designed jewel box that easily slips into your pocket or handbag.
A lover of antique roses, Laurie has named each of her Custom Perfume experiences after some of her favorite varieties. The choice is yours. Let your journey begin...
Le Rêve (The Dream)
Your journey starts with a one and a half hour Perfumery Adventure, where you will experience an array of essences from Tiers 2 and 3. You may select as many as seven exquisite essences for your custom formulation. Think of the possibilities! Imagine Omani Frankincense and Himalayan cedar wood, paired with jasmine, black currant bud and pink grapefruit...
Laurie will send you three formulations to try. Select your favorite and if you want a little more of one essence or another, you may request one revision. The process of aging your perfume, sampling, and revising it is complete within 2 months. Enjoy your finished, signature scent in a ¼ ounce Brosse crystal bottle, or as a luscious crème perfume in a deluxe sterling jewel box. Your new treasure arrives tucked into a bejeweled dupioni silk and velvet pouch.
Your 50% deposit (non-refundable) due before meeting. Balance is due at time of appointment. Minimum 48 hours cancellation.
Le Rêve d'Or (Dream of Gold)
During your 3-hour Perfumery Adventure, Laurie will enchant you with essences from each of the three tiers. You may select as many as 15 essences from Tiers 2 and 3 and 1 essence from Tier 1 for your custom formulation. Imagine pink lotus, ylang-ylang concrete, honey absolute, blonde tobacco, with top notes of green mandarin and tangerine...
Laurie will send you three formulations to try. Select your favorite and if you want a little more of one essence or another, you may request two revisions. The process of aging your perfume, sampling, and revising it is complete within 3 months. Enjoy your finished, signature scent in a ¼ ounce Brosse crystal bottle with a single refill. Or, you may choose a ½ ounce bottle. You will also receive a crème perfume of your signature scent in a deluxe sterling jewel box.
Your new treasures arrive indulgently packaged in bejeweled dupioni silk and velvet pouches – it's a sensual and opulent treat blended just for you!
Your 50% deposit (non-refundable) due before meeting. Balance is due at time of appointment. Minimum 48 hours cancellation.
La Passionata
Laurie invites you into her lush Perfumer's Garden for a light lunch and then into the Purrfumery where your adventure begins. Set aside 5 hours for this truly remarkable afternoon. You will experience each of the tiers and may select as many as 25 essences for your custom formulation. Imagine narcotic jasmine, violet leaf, orris butter, osmanthus, Aglaia Odorata, oak moss, Bulgarian Rose Otto, topped with ruby red grapefruit...
Laurie will send you three formulations to try. Select your favorite and if you want a little more of one essence or another, you may request two revisions. The process of aging your perfume, sampling, and revising it is complete within 3 months. Enjoy your finished, signature scent in a ¼ ounce Brosse crystal bottle, with a 1 ounce refill. Or, you may choose an exquisite Brosse bottle that holds 1 ounce. You will also receive a crème perfume of your signature scent in a deluxe sterling jewel box. Laurie packages each of your luxurious delights in bejeweled dupioni silk and velvet pouches.
At the end of our adventure, Laurie presents you with a deluxe treasure box filled with Velvet & Sweet Pea treats including luxurious bath salts, rose scented cookies and jasmine and orange blossom scented dark chocolate truffles. Velvet & Sweet Pea's Purrfumery is happy to bring La Passionata to you for a $1,000 travel and convenience fee.
Your 50% deposit (non-refundable) due before meeting. Balance is due at time of appointment. Minimum 48 hours cancellation.
La Royale
The ultimate Purrfumery experience, your adventure is set in one of the Bay Area's fabulous luxury hotels. The afternoon begins with a light lunch – set aside 5 hours for this incredible day that combines rare and epic scents with exquisite luxury surroundings.
Discover scents from each of the tiers, as well as from Laurie's personal Treasure Chest of rare and antique essences – some of these materials will never be available again. You may select as many as 40 of these exquisite essences for your custom formulation. Imagine having your pick of Laurie's most extraordinary rose and jasmine distillations, Assam oud, antique sandalwood, rich antique cardamom and cinnamon...
Laurie will send you three formulations to try. Select your favorite and if you want a little more of one essence or another, you may request three revisions. The process of aging your perfume, sampling, and revising it is complete within 4 months.
This Custom Perfume Experience caters to the collector – to the perfume lover who relishes the intricate details of the Brosse French crystal bottle line. You may enjoy your finished, signature scent in three separate Brosse crystal bottles – ¼ ounce, ½ ounce and 1 ounce. You will also receive 2 ounces in refills. If you are a collector, you may also request three different ¼ ounce Brosse bottles and a 1 ounce refill. With this incredible offering you also receive a crème perfume of your signature scent in four deluxe sterling jewel boxes.
Your new treasures arrive indulgently packaged in bejeweled dupioni silk and velvet pouches, hand-beaded with semi-precious stones by Laurie. At the end of our adventure, Laurie presents you with a deluxe treasure box filled with Velvet & Sweet Pea delights, such as luxurious sandalwood and rose bath salts, rare crème perfumes blended from Persian Rose and antique sandalwood and jasmine, and Laurie's famous rose scented cookies and jasmine and orange blossom scented dark chocolate truffles.
La Royale Custom Perfume Experience: $10,000
Your 50% deposit (non-refundable) due before meeting. Balance is due at time of appointment. Minimum 48 hours cancellation. Velvet & Sweet Pea's Purrfumery is available to travel to deliver the La Royale Custom Perfume Experience. Please call Laurie at 510-528-8040 or email laurie@purrfumery.com for details.
When It's Time For More...
Velvet & Sweet Pea's Purrfumery keeps your formulation on file, and can create refills at your request.
Le Rêve Refills
Minimum ½ ounce: $295
1 ounce: $525
Le Rêve D'Or Refills
Minimum ½ ounce: $325
1 ounce: $550
La Passionata Refills
Minimum ½ ounce: $345
1 ounce: $595
