Although I have spent most of my life in dry climates, Ive always been drawn most to plants that thrive in humidity, especially gardenia and magnolia. Im especially fond of the magnolia grandiflora, pictured below, with pure white flower against thick, dark green leaves.

I seem to recall reading that it is difficult to extract essential oil from the fragrant species of magnolia that thrive in North America (e.g.,grandiflora,virginiana), and so the scent is reconstructed from flowers with similar odors, like magnolia champaca, lily, or gardenia, with notes added to create the lemony sweetness and rosiness of the other species. However, I now cant find a source to verify this. (1) But certainly I can say that there hasnt been a perfume on the market, until Zelda, that came close to what my favorite magnolias smell like. Ive done a fairly exhaustive search, so you can trust me!

Zelda is a magnolia fragrance that zooms in on the lemony vanilla aspects of the flower, with a dusting of spices and what smells to me like a distinct note of pineapple and a hint of rose. Its both sunny and dusky, and Im impressed that perfumer Shelley Waddington was able to create something that feels sensual and equally appropriate for casual daytime wear and an evening of adventure. Zelda is really, really good.

In writing this post, I have resisted mentioning Zelda Fitzgerald herself. Because I have so much love and respect for F. Scott Fitzgeralds work, and because both of their lives ended so tragically, its hard for me to approach products named after or inspired by them with lighthearted enthusiasm. For me, its like talking loudly or making a joke at a funeral. But then I think, if anyone was going to appreciate all the complexities and intertwinings of commercialization and artistry, it might have been F. Scott Fitzgerald.

So. Zelda is a great perfume. I recommend you try it, and that you dont worry too much about my musings about the lady herself. The perfume is available atEnvoyage, where I purchased my sample myself.

For a real review of Zelda by Envoyage Perfumes, check out Freddies excellent post atSmelly Thoughts. Zelda doesnt go as dark on me, nor do I get the leather or booziness that he smells, so definitely read his post for a different perspective (and probably a more accurate one hes got a better nose than I do!). For a wonderful description of magnolia, see1000 Fragrances.

(1) Thanks to The Fragrant Man and perfumer Ineke Ruhland, I can now confirm I didnt imagine it: the scent of magnolia is tough to extract. Clickhereto read The Fragrant Mans post.