Welcome to the weekly Perfume Chat Room, perfumistas! I envision this chat room as a weekly drop-in spot online, where readers may ask questions, suggest fragrances, tell others their SOTD, comment on new releases or old favorites, and respond to each other. The perennial theme is fragrance, but we can interpret that broadly. This is meant to be a kind space, so please try not to give or take offense, and let’s all agree to disagree when opinions differ. In fragrance as in life, your mileage may vary! YMMV.
Today is Saturday, December 6, and we are just back from several days in Seville, with one overnight in Madrid. I found a lovely small perfumery in Seville, Luz de Sevilla.
I bought a few of their perfumes as gifts for family members, and it was hard to choose! The one that is the most unisex, to my nose, is Soleá. It is described as a tribute to the tomato blossom, which is combined with orange blossom, so prevalent in Seville, mint, verbena, black pepper, and sandalwood. Green, herbal, and spicy, with a touch of white flowers, it is very fresh and different. I don’t think I can name anything that smells just like it, and it smells really good. I even pick up a bit of star anise, though it’s not listed.
Luz de Sevilla has 17 fragrances, each one focusing on different aspects of Andalusia, with various blends of florals, spices, citruses, woods, etc.
It’s also a very pretty boutique, with some accessories, home fragrances, and soaps. (There is a second location elsewhere in the city). In addition to perfume, though, Seville is an ideal city for another of my loves: gardens. We were able to visit the holiday nighttime illuminations within the gardens of the Real Alcázar, a magical experience.
We had visited Seville briefly several years ago, loved it then, and always said we wanted to return for a longer stay. It did not disappoint! I revisited the grand Cathedral, and the Real Alcázar gardens in daytime, both as spectacular as I had remembered. But to see Seville and its lights, street decorations, and Christmas stalls before Christmas was a truly special experience and one I highly recommend! Combining perfume tourism with holiday and garden tourism was a win-win-win!
Serenity Now Scents and Sensibilities 
Thanks for sharing all these beautiful photos. The decorations are gorgeous and that perfume shop looks delightful. Seville is high on my list of places to visit. So many beautiful things to see there and delicious food to eat!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really, it is just beautiful! I recommend going when the weather will be cool, though. Early December was very pleasant as long as it didn’t rain, which it didn’t until our last day. Our prior visit was in early March, which was also close to ideal.
LikeLike
What a special time to visit an old Spanish city. Spain do fiestas & religious celebration so well.
If you would like to virtually visit more Spanish gardens Monty Don has a book out called Monty Don’s Spanish Gardens.
It’s based on his BBC series of the same name. You may find it on a US streaming service or on YouTube
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I will check out both. I enjoy his videos.
LikeLike
What a lovely holiday! It’s a great time of year to see cities all lit up with decorations. I went to Seville in September several years ago and it was HOT! What does tomato blossom smell like?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kind of green and herbal, which I like.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a beautiful exhibition of lights and flowers. I’ve never visited Seville but it’s on my list. I’d be a very happy recipient of that perfume, it sounds refreshing and interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really is. I think that’s the one I’ll give my son. Seville was just wonderful, I can’t recommend highly enough! Cool weather is a goal, though. Even some locals told us how hot it is in the summer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reads like you had a fantastic time OH! Did you get any specific ideas to bring home to your own garden?
I bet the food was spectacular too.
Portia xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Everything was spectacular! The gardens are so Moorish in style and sub-tropical in plants that they don’t readily translate to my zone other than reminding one of the value of great structure and “ the right plant in the right place.” Just gorgeous!! Food was wonderful. How are you and Jin?
LikeLike
Glad to read the food was wonderful and I totally get that seeing fabulous garden structure is inspiring.
We are doing very well over here. It’s hot but not too humid yet. Seeing loads of mates and heading towards the break, while still trying to get our work done. HA! I’ve got a fortnight off and going to laze, laze, laze it away.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I keep coming back to look at the Buddha in the water picture, through the arch. too cool.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you mean the one in the grotto/cave, I think that’s a statue of Astarte, a progenitor of Ostara! I used a closeup photo that I took in 2015 for my review of my beloved Penhaligon’s “Ostara” fragrance. The lighting and projections this year in the gardens were truly stunning!
LikeLike
OOOHHH! Thanks OH. So cool and beautiful
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful holiday decorations, amazing in fact.
LikeLiked by 1 person