Transitions can be challenging. Transitions can be smooth. Either way, it’s nice to have something guide the way. We perfume lovers often look to fragrance to illuminate the path for comfort or energy. Moving from winter into spring often requires a bit of both, something vibrant to help grow new leaves and something soothing to protect us from the bitter chill that still lingers. A dear friend (I’m blowing kisses of gratitude to you duVergne!) sent me a perfume the other week that does just that.
Indulgence by natural perfumer JoAnne Bassett is indulgent in its abundance of lush flowers. Rose and ylang ylang dance gracefully around heady orange blossoms not only in the heart, but also in the topnotes. Lime, blood orange and clementine lift the orange blossom in the fragrance’s beginning, making Indulgence an unmistakably citrusy floral perfume.
I find citrus, even citrusy florals, very uplifting and energizing. Yet, there is more to Indulgence than its pretty, merry-making side. Wafts of cardamom and nutmeg are to be found within the first stages of its composition. These wintery spices give Indulgence a cozy temperament as well as a gentle edge adding complexity to what might have otherwise been a straightforward floral perfume.
Cardamom really warms up in the drydown, issuing forth its unique and intricate blend of balsamic depth, nutty spiciness and almost sweet, floral undertones. I love cardamom in perfume and JoAnne uses just the right amount in Indulgence. Her pinch of cardamom tempers the rich florals with warmth, and also provides a contrast to create an intriguing twist for a lovely spicy springtime fragrance. Quite appropriate since transitions are often unpredictable aren’t they?
JoAnne has very generously offered a 30ml bottle of Indulgence (or your choice from her French or Royal Collection) to a Scent Hive reader. So let’s do it! Giveaway time! Please leave a comment to enter. You can also get extra entries if you follow Scent Hive on Bloglovin, Twitter, Google Friend Connect, Facebook’s Networked Blogs, or subscribe to Scent Hive. (Check the right sidebar for the Scent Hive links). Additionally if you follow Joanne on Twitter, Facebook, or subscribe to her Blog you’ll also get extra entries. Good luck and please let me know what you did for extra entries, preferably in one comment for easy counting. We have our winner!
Posted by ~Trish
Photo from Dancing With Unicorns
thefloraesthetic.com 
ooh- what a great giveaway. I’ve been curious about Joanne’s perfumes.
For extra entries: I already follow you on twitter and Joanne on facebook. Just started following Joanne on twitter (mayybeme on twitter)..:)
Lavanya,
Thanks for the follows! I’ll put you down for 4 entries.
Take care and good luck,
Trish
PS: Love your blog!!
Hi
This line has always been on my radar but I’ve never tried it. Please enter me in your drawing. And I love the photo!
Thanks for commenting Cynthia! I would love to enter you in the drawing and good luck! 🙂
~T
Something new for the coming spring? Oh yes please, enter me! 🙂
Yay! Spring! So glad it’s around the corner 😀
Best of luck,
T
That sounds like my perfect scent. All the things I love. I would love to be entered in the draw. Thank you.
london,
thanks for reading. Indulgence has terrific notes and is very well blended.
Good luck!
~T
It’s so very nice that she is giving away one of her creation! I would love to be entered in T~
Subscribed to your blog
Your facebook friend!
Also just added Joanna as a friend on FB 🙂
A,
It is so nice JoAnne is giving away a bottle! I’ll put you down for 4 entries. Thanks for reading and for your support 🙂
~T
The scent seems like just what I need =) I’m already following you on twitter, subscribe to this blog and am now following Joann and just subscribed to her blog. Would love to get the chance to try this!
Thanks Monica, that makes a total of 5 entries! Best of luck and thanks for reading and for the follows 🙂
~T
Oh, please enter me! I follow your blog, friended you on facebook, follow JoAnne’s blog, and friended her on facebook (and became a fan on her page). Indulgence sounds incredible! I’m always looking for more complex frags with orange blossom
JoAnne and I thank you for all the follows! That’s 6 entries for you!
Sounds like Indulgence is ideal for you 🙂
~T
Ooh, citrus, florals and cardamom sounds wonderful. Pleases enter me in the drawing! Thanks.
Doesn’t it? Cardamom is such a fabulous perfume note 🙂
Best of luck,
~T
Hi Trish, I”m delighted to hear about this scent — I’ve just been introduced to her scents recently, scored a bottle of Josephine that is absolutely bracing and uplifting, and is my first real citrussy purchase, as I’m not generally the biggest citrus gal. Now of course I’m terribly curious about all of her scents, going to follow and sign up on her blog right away, thanks for the wonderful coverage and scent raffle ; ) W
Wendy,
I have not sniffed Josephine, sounds intriguing! Thanks for the thoughtful comment and good luck in the drawing 😉
~Trish
Oooh citrusy floral, where do I sign up ? Also I follow you on twitter as @yearofperfume 😀 😀
Ha! You sign up right here my dear! That’s 2 entries 🙂
Good luck,
T
I am all for the cardamom pod. My favorite treat is a cardomom bun they make at Bread and Chocolate a great bakery in concord, NH. I can imagine the spicy warmth of it in a perfume. yumm
OMG, what a stupendous name for a bakery! Megan told me once about how your mom would take you to a boulangerie after school when you lived in Paris as girls, and she’d stick chocolate in the middle of a warm baguette. I long for that 🙂
And yes, cardamom is wonderful is so many ways.
Good luck!
Trish
Funny that- one of my own perfumes which I love very much is a chocolate-cardamom (mostly) and I thought it was my own unique combo.. guess it has been around for years n years.
Thank you Trish for your wonderful review of my Indulgence eau de parfum.
JoAnne, thank you for such a fun giveaway! 🙂
Best,
Trish
Oh, the little snowy flower is enchanting as well as this fragrance! Thank you, JoAnne. Very generous of you! We’re all longing for spring.
Isn’t that flower precious and strong at the same time?
I’m feeling spring today as it’s quite mild and flowers are blooming everywhere you turn.
Best of luck,
~T
I’m really wanting to try a natural perfume and this one sounds lovely! I already subscribe to your awesome blog and i’m now following JoAnne on Twitter. Thank you so much for the nice giveaway!
Thanks Jordan, there are so many wonderful natural perfumes…..and JoAnne’s work is a great place to start!
3 entries for you and good luck,
~T
OOh Indulgence sounds sooo.. whats the word..indulgent. I love it already. Citrus is one of my favorites and the spice sounds so intriguing to, Cardamom brings a heartwarming feature into perfume –or so i feel.
Extra entries- I follow Joann on Facebook, subscribe to her blog, and now subscribe to yours through googleconnect and networked blogs.
Totally, totally, me..
I’ve just begun this indulgent phase see, since I’ve forgotten it somewhat over time- nothing as indulgent, truly, like a natural perfume that calls to you… 🙂
Indeed Esther! I find natural perfume to be a necessity 🙂
5 entries for you to help in finding your necessary indulgence!
~Trish
Sounds really good & I love cardamom too. Funny that another reader mentioned baked goods because I immediately think of the Sparrow Bakery in Bend OR when I hear cardamom. They make the most incredible cardamom rolled croissant. Perfume is so much better for me though! 🙂
I’ve got to get my hands on a cardamom pastry now!
Thanks for the comments, will look out for the show you mention below.
~T
oo do tell if you got the pastry..
HEADS UP>>>I don’t usually watch “the Doctors” show but they are having a segment in the 2nd half of todays show re: harmful chemicals in synthetic perfumes. Just thought I’d pass on the info.
I’ve never heard of this perfumer, but my ears pricked up at the mention of cardamom and nutmeg. Please enter me in the drawing! Thanks.
I will Elizabeth, thanks for reading!
~T
This perfume sounds delightful! Would love to try it out! I’m an email subscriber.
Thanks Jane, 2 entries for you.
Good luck!
~T
Count me in please!
You’re in Felicia!
Best of luck,
Trish
Hi Trish! Please enter me in the Indulgence perfume contest. Thank you! M 🙂
Michelle,
I think this is one you would really like. Good luck!
~T
I love the description of JoAnn’s indulgence! I now want to win that perfume!
Caryn
Yahoo!
Thanks for reading Caryn, I’ll enter you in the drawing and maybe you will win! 🙂
Good luck!
~T
I am intrigued by this perfume. I love florals and spice~ Please add me to the draw!!
Ragna,
Florals and spice….an intriguing combo 😉
I would love to add your name to the drawing, best of luck!
~T
Oooh sounds the perfect perfume to take me through winter actually, to remind me of the promise of the spring ahead. Mind you we are no where near winter here in my part of Australia… but after this summer I sure am looking forward to it! LOL 😛
I’d love to enter the draw, I’ve had my eye on Joanne’s beautiful perfumes for ages.
I follow Scent Hive via Google Friend Connect, Facebook’s Networked Blogs, and have also subscribed. I also follow Joanne on facebook and have subscribed to her lovely blog.
Thanks Trish for yet another wonderful giveaway!!
Holly
Hi Holly! Thank you so much for the thoughtful comments! I think Indulgence would make a terrific summertime fragrance as well.
Thanks for all the follows, that’s 6 entries for you! 🙂
Best of luck,
Trish
A newfound love for both orange blossom & ylang ylang make this something I’d love to try! You’re in my Google reader & I just started following you on twitter.
Perfect timing! 🙂 That’s 3 entries for you, thanks for the follows!
Best of luck,
~T
Please enter me in the drawing…the scent sounds wonderful.
Also, I am a fan on facebook, following on twitter, and following the blog.
Fantastic Diana! Thanks for all the follows, that’s 4 entries 🙂
And congrats on your wonderful blog, I love it!
Best,
Trish
I would love to win some “Indulgence” to help me through a transition. Enter me in the giveaway please. Love the blog.
Lynn,
I wish you well during this time and much luck in the drawing 🙂
All the best,
Trish