I’m a fan of Maître Parfumeur et Gantier; I wear, or have worn: Route du Vetiver (my favorite vetiver fragrance), Jardin du Nil, Parfum d’Habit, Iris Bleu Gris, and — a top compliment-getter — Baïmé. I’ve been looking forward to Bois de Turquie’s release and wondering what makes wood smell Turkish.

Bois de Turquie contains bergamot, tangerine, orange blossom, Laurus nobilis, geranium, iris, jasmine, ginger, cinnamon, sandalwood, patchouli, myrrh and frankincense. Bois de Turquie is smooth and semi-sweet on application; its citrus notes, both fruity and floral, are warm, not cold or bracing. The mid-development of Bois de Turquie smells a bit herbal and “leafy” (bay leaf and geranium become apparent). A powdery iris-jasmine accord follows the leafy stage and gives Bois de Turquie a quiet, lazy vibe; on me, this floral accord lasts longest. As it develops on skin, Bois de Turquie’s floral accord softens and merges with mildest incense and sweet resinous notes.

Bois de Turquie does not conjure up Turkey for me as Serge Lutens Fumerie Turque does; there is no overdose (or adventurous use) of an ingredient, and there are no unfamiliar notes/accords present. Smelling Bois de Turquie for the first time was like encountering someone I had already met…long ago, or noticing someone with a striking resemblance to a friend. It took me a day before one word sprang to my mind: DZONGKHA, but when I tested my “theory” (wore the scents side by side) I noticed differences between the fragrances — L'Artisan's Dzongkha is sharper, livelier, and has a clearer focus (it also smells more masculine with its leather, incense and vetiver notes). I would describe the two fragrances as sister (Bois de Turquie) and brother (Dzongkha), with iris as a prominent shared “feature.” The two fragrances complement each other and I like them both. Maître Parfumeur et Gantier’s take on Turkish wood(s) is ethereal, comforting and familiar.

Maître Parfumeur et Gantier Bois de Turquie is a unisex fragrance; its lasting power and sillage are average. It is available in 100 ml Eau de Toilette for $112. For buying information, see the listing for Maître Parfumeur et Gantier under Perfume Houses.

Note: first image is Sultanahmet Mosque Oblique Shot...by K?vanç at Flickr; some rights reserved.

MARC JACOBS Fig [shown] unfolds with the richness of fig and the freshness of yuzu zest and Tuscan cypress—warm and enveloping without overwhelming.

MARC JACOBS Gardenia opens with the freshness of dewy greens, blossoms with the airy florals of gardenia petals, then dries down to a beautiful base of creamy musks.

Marc Jacobs Fig Splash and Gardenia Splash are available at Nordstrom in 300 ml each, $68.

Fragonard has launched Fleur de Vanille, a new fragrance in the Naturals collection:

Sensuous vanilla flowered with Ylang, heliotrope and rose on a sweet harmony of chocolate, cocoa and musk.

Fragonard Fleur de Vanille is available in 100 and 200 ml refillable spray, or in a 600 ml aluminium refill. (via fragonard)

But what's really different about L'Artisan Parfumeur is its whole attitude. "No other brand or perfume inspired L'Artisan," says Paméla. "It was so unique and took a different direction altogether." Here, perfumes aren't distinguished by day or night, age, culture, season or even gender boundaries. Each scent is a story. They're titled, (mostly in French) as if Ladybird classics.

— Columnist Laura Powell talks to Paméla Roberts, creative director at L'Artisan Parfumeur, in On the scent of a story at The Guardian.

Over the last 15 years, I have sought to create jewelry that is fun to wear and affordable to buy. The creation of my pieces has been inspired by dreams and the natural beauty of my surroundings. Since 1996, enameling on fine silver has been a strong element of my work. These pieces are often embellished with gems and beads. NO RULES Jewelry is now a collaboration of Wayne and myself. Our work reflects a marriage of man and woman, Design and Esthetic.

Twenty + years ago, I began creating jewelry mainly using casting techniques and often cutting rock to be used in my designs. Since then, I have explored a variety of materials, from plastic to polyform clay and currently back to precious metals and gems. Maya and I put our ideas and skills together to create NO RULES Jewelry. We are fortunate to live and have our studio in a converted schoolhouse that was built in 1911 and which is located in the beautiful Wisconsin River Valley.