Welcome to "Perfumista All Stars: Sali's New York Winter Holiday". This article was written as part of a collaborative project with my fabulous perfumista friends and fellow Fragrance Examiners: Beth in Cleveland, Donna in Portland and Liza in Washington D.C. I love New York City any time of year, but it's particularly memorable during the month of December; I have my own unique scent associations with the holiday season having grown up in this great city that I love, but first, there are the typical ones I like to revisit each year. As the famous Mel Tormé song goes, the scent of "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire" comes from vendors on select street corners in Manhattan (chestnut vendors were once more ubiquitous, I believe). The smell of warm, fresh chocolate wafts seductively in Rockefeller Center. Pine trees are seen more often than smelled, but they are here, native as they are to the Northeast. Add to the mix a smorgasbord of food aromas from almost every part of the world (a little knish here, a little pignoli cookie there), plus bus fumes and other bad smells New York is already known for, and you've got one masterly cosmopolitan blend, made by design, by 8 million of us who reside here plus tourists.

Plum is a personal scent association I have with winter and the holidays, because I always think of "The Nutcracker" Ballet, but also because, being Japanese, winter immediately brings to mind plum blossoms. The imagery of plum petals cascading to the ground like snow is an integral part of my psyche. Plum as a perfume note made quite the appearance this year, and one of my favorite new finds is a candy-sweet yet fresh interpretation of plum called Creed Acqua Fiorentina (2009). Classified as a Fruity Floral, I would not argue with that definition, as the atypically Creed-like, modernized transparent scent is about as hypersweet as Versace or Diamond Princess by Trina. You could say Acqua Fiorentina is a light rendition of a strong, punchy plum note, watery and refreshing on one hand, but sharp and with plenty of attitude, warmed up by a touch of classic carnation spice, very Malmaison pink. From the name, I'd expected Florentine iris or parma violets (especially because of the purplish pink color of the juice), but instead, listed in the notes to tie into the theme are Calabrian lemon, and bergamot which is largely produced in Calabria in the South of Italy. Pretty in pink, high-pitched and seemingly delicate but actually bold and commanding, with a regal, passionate heart, this is the choice for my inner Sugar Plum Fairy.

Here is the story behind the scent according to Creed:

"The inspiration is 15th century Florence in Italy, where artists and innovators such as da Vinci and Michelangelo lit a new flame of beauty and culture, sparking a Renaissance of art always growing in worth, even today. Orchards and farms around Florence are sources for Acqua Fiorentina ingredients."

Creed will open its only North American boutique at 94 Madison Avenue at 67th Street in mid-December. Customers outside of NYC can visit the official online store at www.creedboutique.com From what I've read online, Creed will be offering exclusive reintroductions from the archives. I just might shed a tear of nostalgia if I could smell Verveine Narcisse again. On a side note, if I thought Guerlain Homme boasted extravagant marketing, Creed have outdone themselves with the description of their Love in White launch: "On the night of November 16, 2005, the exterior lights of the Empire State Building were pure white in honor of the debut of Love In White". I guess you can do things like that if you are Creed.

I wish everyone Happy Holidays and a joyous Winter Season! Please continue reading Perfumista All-Stars by Liza Wade DC Fragrance Eaxminer, Beth Schreibman Gehring Cleveland Fragrance Examiner and Donna Hathaway Portland Fragrance Examiner!

Events of interest:

“The Nutcracker” runs through Jan. 3 at the David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center; (212) 870-5570, www.nycb.org

World's Largest Hanukkah Menorah Lighting
Grand Army Plaza (Manhattan--59th Street and Fifth) showcases a 32-foot tall, two ton Menorah. On the last night there is live music, singing, folk dancing and latkes. (December 11- 19, 2009 at 5:30pm and 3:45pm on Fridays)

Tuba Christmas - Sunday, December 13. 3:30 PM
500 tubas play holiday songs in on the Rockefeller Center Ice Skating Rink. This event will be crowded. I recommend showing up closer to 11:30 to watch the rehearsals. FREE

Kwanzaa at the Museum of Natural History - Sunday, December 27th, 12-5pm
Celebrate the seven principals of Kwanzaa in an afternoon of song, dance, music, and crafts. Free with museum admission (Suggested $16 adults and $9 children 2-12)

Three Kings Day Parade - Wednesday, January 6, 11am-1pm
A lively procession of music, colorful dancing and parrandas fill the streets of El Barrio.

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