Coumarin in Perfumery

COUMARIN; (Per Wikipedia)Is a chemical compound (specifically, a benzopyrone) found in many plants, notably in high concentration in the tonka bean(Dipteryx odorata), vanilla grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum), woodruff (Galium odoratum), mullein (Verbascum spp.), and sweet grass (Hierochloe odorata). It has a sweet scent, readily recognised as the scent of newly-mown hay, and has been used in perfumes since 1882. The name comes from a French word, coumarou, for the tonka bean. It is a crystalline white solid when seen pure.

Tonka Bean Tree / Dried Tonka Bean

















Coumarin in Perfumery:

Coumarin has a history of importance in perfumery, being the first synthetic (synthesised by W.H. Perkin 1868) to be used in a fragrance. Fougère Royale,from the house of Houbigant was created by Chief perfumer Paul Parquet who used coumarin,combined with lavender, citrus and woody notes to Author the first fragrance that defined the Fougère(fern)genre. It is said that the creation of Fougère Royale marks the birth of modern perfumery.

Fougère Royale

Soon after the release of Fougère Royale, perfumer Aimé Guerlain (1834-1910) combined natural and synthetic fragrances to produce Jicky in 1889, a scent that is still sold widely today. Guerlain added the synthetics coumarin and vanillin (the fragrance principle of vanilla)to natural fragrances. Like Fougère Royale, Jicky is a fern based fragrance.

Most Unusual Epic Bikes

Most Unusual Epic Bikes
Do you remember modern bike with a wheel folding system from yesterday? Today we have even more unusual bikes. It’s not everyday that you see a guy riding around on a camel…on a bike. But if you do, it most definitely belongs on this list

Ultra Modern Folding Bike

Ultra Modern Folding Bike
Amazing modern bike with a wheel folding system.

Cinder - The Bald Chimpanzee

Cinder - The Bald Chimpanzee

Cinder - bald chimpanzee, who lives in the St. Louis Zoo (USA). She was born in August 1994 and looked like a normal chimp, but a few months later the chimpanzee began to lose hair. A year later, Synder was already completely bald. During the first months of life Cinder examined different doctors and had tried numerous medications, but eventually did so and did not help. In the monkey was diagnosed with the disease alopecia areata (hair loss or just). Which just is, and human disease.

Unbelievable Survive - Under Gigantic Feet

Unbelievable Survive - Under Gigantic Feet

This guy was born lucky to survive such an unexpected chase by an elephant. Gigantic feet and huge tusks were after him, but the man managed to escape! It’s just unbelievable.

The World’s Largest Roadside Attractions (17 pics)

The World’s Largest Roadside Attractions and Objects

A teapot, a chair, a shoe - these obvious things may become powerful advertising tools if scaled up to such degree that they can be seen from space! Now each of these objects can attract more tourists than any kind of other advertising.

Breathtaking Bohol

Tarsiers are another must-see in Bohol. They are endangered species which are found in different parts of Southeast Asia. Here is Philippines, they can famously found in Bohol as well as in some parts of Visayas and Mindanao. They are locally known as Maumag and they belong to the family of Tarsiidae. On the way to the viewing deck of the chocolate hills, you will pass a beautiful forest also known as the Mahogany Forest. While it is a man-made forest, you cannot deny of its innate beauty. A butterfly sanctuary is also near the place.

Singapore is a FINE city

Singapore is a FINE city

Recently, there are many people going to Singapore. This is especially true among Filipinos. Many are tourists and there are also those who go there to find work. The good business environment of the place makes it attractive for job seekers from all over the world. This makes Singapore as a fine city. The discipline of people and the penalties there make it a “fine” city. On the brighter side, this makes Singapore highly systematic and literally squeaky clean in all parts.

For people in Southeast Asia, going to Singapore is easy because it does not require any visa. The cheap airfare or travel packages allow them to go back and forth to the city. Singapore is only a small city. You can tour the place in one day. To experience it fully, you can stay there for a week you will be able to explore most what is there.

When I went to Singapore, Universal Studios is not yet there. Today, this is already one of the main attractions. Visiting Singapore means going to the Sentosa, which is an man-man island resort. It offers a wide-range of tourist activities and facilities. It has gold courses, beaches and hotels. As a matter of fact, the Universal Studios is also housed in here. What I love most in this city is the ‘Songs of the Sea’ or the laser show set at the sea and the Sentosa Luge or the three-wheel cart.

Final Vegas Baby! post

In my last post I promised to show you the two reasons why I traveled to Vegas.

Remember this post? The Marriage of Thibeault and Yamuna.





Thibeault (my cousin François' son) and his wife Yamuna had been staying in Vegas while Thibeault trained for his career as an Ultimate Fighter. Since they had come all the way from London I figured the least I could do was travel to the next state to visit them.

We had a great time. They are one fun, gracious, intelligent, couple.





Thibeault, along with Audrey,(another Ultimate Fighter and his best friend) were being filmed for a French documentary. Lucky me, I got to tag along while we attended a club where the final filming took place.

Yamuna, Audrey, Cleo and Thibeault.







Lots of posing and silliness.




Notice my makeover, compliments of Yamuna. (She did a great job, and made it fun, too.)




The filming was rather difficult to deal with. Luckily the cameras weren't directed at me too often. (Yes, I might show up in the background crowd of a French documentary)




Yamuna, Thibeault and Audrey.




What a great time! So glad I made the effort.

(And no, I wasn't tempted to gamble even once. Always makes me feel like I'm throwing my money away.)

Vegas Baby! Part 2

As I said in my last Vegas post, the decadence of this town is hard to absorb.
Here I am in the lobby of the Venetian Hotel. (I even took pics of the public restrooms in this and the Paris Hotel. Yeah, I know that makes me sound like a country bumpkin, and maybe I am, but they're soooo pretty!)




This is the hallway leading to the lobby.






Paris hotel at night:





I treated myself to lunch at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant.





And what a treat it was! Their service made me feel like a queen, even in my jeans and T-shirt.

Cream of Butternut Squash soup:



























Ocean Seafood Salad with Lobster, Shrimp and Crab








And Crème brûlée for dessert.

It was all sooooo delicious!

In my final Vegas post I'll show you the two reasons why I went to Las Vegas.

Holiday Interruption

(Interrupting the Vegas posts for this holiday update.)

I had a great Christmas. It's always good when we can get our family together and have a nice relaxing dinner. As usual I tried out some new recipes this year.

We've enjoyed having crown roast for the past few years at Christmas dinner. This year I found a recipe for a stuffed one.

It turned out great.




Here's the recipe I used. (click on it to enlarge)



Also had these great carrots with it: Glazed Carrots and shallots with thyme. So good.






For dessert I made Martha S.'s Bûche de Noël.

The recipe:



























I suppose many people have made their own Bûche de Noël or Yule Log cakes. They are fun to do.

According to France Guide; "At one time, all the family would gather around the hearth for Christmas. The children sang songs and listened to stories told by their grandparents while an enormous log burned in the fireplace. It would be made of a strong, hard wood that would burn all night. Decorated with leaves and ribbons, it was lit by the youngest and the oldest family members after being blessed by the head of the family with oil, brandy or sometimes with a branch that had been dipped in holy water. The ashes were then saved because they would protect the home from lightening and the devil in the upcoming year.

This custom, starting in the 12th century, travelled throughout most of Europe and even to Quebec. In Italy, the log was called the “ceppo” and in England, it was known as the Yule log. However, the tradition had disappeared by the end of the 19th century because the large fireplaces were replaced by smaller, iron stoves. The big log was substituted by a small one that was decorated with candles and greenery and used as the centerpiece on the Christmas table.

Today, a cake shaped and decorated like the Christmas log is used. It is the color of wood, and covered with chocolate or crème de café. It is sprinkled with glazed sugar and surrounded by little woodcutters and meringue mushrooms."

My meringue mushrooms in the oven:





























Adding the chocolate to make gills under the mushroom caps:








My finished cake:









Here's Martha's cake from the magazine:






It's a fun project if you have the time.


The best part was spending time with my family:












And just so you don't leave with the wrong impression, here's a pic of an elf I tried to make out of marzipan.

Don't let him give you nightmares!

Hope everyone had great holidays!