I’m excited to announce that Neela Vermeire Créations, Parfums Paris (“NVC“) has kindly offered to give away two prizes, each of which will include samples of the upcoming Ashoka fragrance that will be released next week, on September 13, 2013. The only restriction is that you have to have an address in the U.S., Canada, or the EU.
Source: urduplanet.com
THE PRIZES:
Mohur Eau de Parfum
Grand Prize: one full bottle of Mohur Eau de Parfum (retail cost: $250 for 55 ml/1.85 oz at Luckyscent), along with a sample vial of Ashoka Eau de Parfum and a sample vial of Mohur Extrait pure parfum.
Second Place: The “Try your India” sample set (Trayee, Mohur Eau de Parfum, and Bombay Bling), plus one sample of Ashoka and one sample of Mohur extrait pure parfum. Each vial is about 2 ml, though perfumers rarely fill them to the top for leakage fears, so the liquid may be about 1.7 ml.
All the fragrances are Eau de Parfum in concentration, except the not-yet-released Mohur Extrait which is pure parfum and which won’t be out until the end of the year. If you’re unfamiliar with the fragrances, you can read my reviews linked within each name. In a nutshell, however:
One of Trayee’s many sides, encapsulated. Source: paramountfocus.com
Trayee is a powerful, spicy Oriental temptress with too many parts to list. She’s a complicated, dark seductress who blows through life like a force of nature.
Mohur is a exquisitely refined, quiet, elegant, haunting, floral beauty, centered around roses, violets, iris, sandalwood, cardamom, and more.
Bombay Bling is a happy, bouncy, outgoing, but sophisticated, fruity-floral scent. Considered by many to be an anti-depressant in a perfume bottle, she’s a flirt, made up of mango, lychee, jasmine, gardenia, tuberose, ylang-ylang, vanilla, sandalwood, and a few other tricks up her flirtatious Bollywood sleeve.
The brand new Ashoka is a refined, sophisticated comfort fragrance with milky fig, iris, lotus, osmanthus, tonka bean, leather, sandalwood, and more. It soothes you with a heart that is both powerful and gentle, and very much reminded me of a mother’s warm embrace.
Dress: Rami Kadi Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2013. Source: FlipZone and Tweets.seraph.me
And Mohur Extrait is one of the most va-va-va voom glamorous, sophisticated rose florals I’ve ever smelled. It takes Mohur Eau de Parfum and revs it up about 10 notches, turning her quiet elegance into diva glam, and sending her to a gala in an haute couture dress. To give you an idea of what I thought about it, I called Mohur Extrait “A Queen to Rule Them All.” And I’m someone who doesn’t particularly like rose fragrances, so I think that says something!
ENTRY RESTRICTIONS & REQUIREMENTS:
Both gifts are limited to people living ONLY in the EU, US or Canada. The problem is that new postal regulations make it extremely difficult to send fragrances (classified now as hazardous materials) to certain parts of the world. Some fascistic postal services go out of their way to search for and destroy perfume, even apparently using x-ray machines in their efforts. So, we’re terribly sorry, but please do not enter if you live outside of the three zones listed above.
To enter, you have to do two things:
1- “Like” Neela Vermeire Créations’ Facebook Page, if you haven’t done so already. (If you’re not on Facebook, you can follow Neela Vermeire on Twitter.)
2- Leave a comment here about anything you found interesting, fun, or appealing in yesterday’s interview with Neela Vermeire, entitled Neela Vermeire: Ashoka, Perfume, Food & Life. Okay, I guess that’s three things if you haven’t read the interview yet, but hey, the main prize is a $250 bottle of perfume, and samples of fantastic, not-yet released eau de parfums. I’m sure you can find the motivation… 😉
WHEN DOES IT START & END:
The giveaway starts today, Saturday September 7th, 2013 and will continue for 8 days until Sunday September 15th, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST) in the U.S. which is -6:00 GMT (Greenwich Mean Time).
WINNERS & EMAILS:
The Grand Prize and Second Place winners will be chosen by Random.org, and will be announced sometime the next day, September 16th.
Once I post the winners, you have FIVE (5) days to contact me with your shipping information. Deadline is end of the day, my time, on September 20th. Please send an email to Akafkaesquelife @ gmail . com (all one word, scrunched together). If you don’t, and if I fail to hear from you within the deadline, I will give the gift to the next person on the list.
SHIPPING:
Neela Vermeire Créations will send the prizes directly to the winners, and pay for all shipping costs. Given that NVC is located in the Paris, it may take some time (up to 14 days, depending on your location and Customs processing) for you to receive your gift. It may take even little longer if your country has really nightmarish customs issues. Neither Neela Vermeire nor I am responsible for items that are destroyed by customs or that are lost in transit for some reason. The Grand Prize cannot be replaced.
FINALLY:
I’d like to express my enormous gratitude to Neela Vermeire for her generosity, kindness and thoughtfulness in offering two fantastic gifts. Some companies may give away a small samples, but a whole bottle of expensive pure parfum and samples of not-yet released fragrances, along with a generous consolation prize?! Amazing! I cannot thank Ms. Vermeire enough. Good luck to everyone! May the perfumed winds blow you to India.
Source: mariyatourtravels.com –
Kafkaesque 
I’ve never tried any Neela Vermeire’s perfumes but the whole blogosphere is stunned with Trayee, Mohur and Bombai Bling, and Ashoka will do it again for sure…I’m just starting to explore mr. Duchaufour’s work.
It can be silly, but my favorite part of the interviews with a perfumer or similar is always this question: “What was your earliest perfume memory?”, the answer is, usually, the grandma’s perfume or, like in mss. Vermeire’s case, the smell of a place, and you can see how always this first perfume memory is still present in the perfumer’s work
Thank you for this awesome draw!
Hi, Joaquim, welcome to the blog. I think Ashoka will be a huge hit, but I think it would be fun for you to explore the existing trio as well as a Duchaufour fan. They’re all very different from each other, and with a very distinct identity. I hope you get a chance to try them. Good luck with the drawing. You’re entered at #48. 🙂
I relived my big dream of creating perfumes while reading Neela,s interview. Especialy when she mentions sandalwood, incense, tea and jasmine, it reminded me of Durga Puja. In fact I grew up in a Tamil Brahmin household (and spent the first five years of my life i Calcutta) and instead of tea it is coffee for me, nevetheless it reignited my passion for my dream perfume. I have nowhere near travelled the world as Neela and therefore it gladdens my heart that she has created these wonderful pefumes. I am excited to enter this contest and would be so thrilled to death if I win. Thank you Neela, and if I ever get to make my own perfume surely you will get the giveaway. God bless.
Awww, this was the loveliest reply of all. Really, it was so beautiful to read, and I will send it to Ms. Vermeire. I’m sure she will be as touched as I was, Lakshmi. I really, really hope you get to explore the perfumes, whether by winning the giveaway or by ordering samples from Surrender to Chance (which now carries the original trio). If you don’t win, I hope you will look up Surrender to Chance and order the vials. I’ve been to India, and Trayee really, really transported me back like few things have done. It’s utterly glorious, and so damn sexy!
You’re entered in the drawing. Don’t forget to “Like” NVC perfumes on Facebook or to follow on Twitter! 🙂
I liked the NVC Facebook page and had already read the interview. I was amused and interested to read that she doesn’t like fruity scents as a general thing. I have been avoiding Bombay Bling because I don’t generally like fruity florals, but clearly it’s time for me to broaden my thinking.
Hi FeralJasmine, welcome to the blog. I love your name! I don’t generally like fruity florals, either, but Bombay Bling is very well done. Do you have a favorite out of the other two? If you haven’t tried then line, then I hope you get the chance to do so. You’re entered in the drawing, so good luck! 🙂
I love that she has two advanced degrees but has chosen instead to follow her passion for scent. That takes guts and drive!
It definitely does! Perfumery is not an easy field at all, but one always has to follow one’s heart and passions, I think. 🙂 Welcome to the blog, Liz, and you’re entered in the drawing. Don’t forget to like Neela Vermeire Creations on Facebook or Twitter. Good luck, and stop by next Monday for the results. 🙂
I can’t see my post from earlier and I really don’t want to miss out on this giveaway! Mohur is one of my favorite scents, and getting my hands on a bottle, along with the new scents, sounds like heaven.
I enjoyed Ms. Vermeire’s description of creating a scent. So many things in life seem to start as one thing, but then morph into something else. I also love that she is obviously well-educated and loves perfumes.
Silly WordPress somehow suddenly decided to classify you as a Spammer. Don’t ask me why. I had to fish your comment out of the Spam folder next to a lengthy thing in Japanese and a lot of ads for Gucci and LV knock-offs. heh. You’re in and entered into the drawing, my dear. Good luck! 🙂
That description seriously made me laugh out loud. Thank you, Kafka!!
The story of Emperor Ashoka was a really fun lesson for this history nerd >.<
History nerds are the BEST! (I say that with complete bias and personal subjectivity. *grin*) You’re entered, Molly, and don’t forget to Like Neela Vermeire Creations on Facebook or Twitter. Good luck with the drawing! 🙂
I love that she collects vintage perfumes and i hope she will always place quality above everything.
I agree, Dzing!ly. Welcome to the blog. You’re entered in the drawing, but don’t forget to like NVC perfumes on FB or Twitter, if you haven’t already. Good luck, and stop by next Monday for the results. 🙂
Thank you for a great interview and an amazing draw! Delighted to learn that Neela is a film buff and a foodie. Those New Delhi restaurant tips spawned a new lemming and made me miss India so much! 🙂
Hi, Ella, welcome to the blog. I’m so glad you enjoyed the interview. If you haven’t had the chance to try some of her very acclaimed, award-nominated scents that far, I think that they would definitely take you back to India once you do. They really are like India in a bottle. They make me miss India myself. 🙂 I hope you get the chance to try them. You’re entered in the drawing. Don’t forget to Like the NVC Parfums site on FB or Twitter, if you haven’t already. 🙂
What a wonderful interview. I just adore Neela and her fragrances. I’m on pins and needles waiting for the 23rd. I was fortunate enough to get to sample Ashoka recently and it’s a beautiful addition to her line.
Hi Drew Z, welcome to the blog. So, based on your early sniffing thus far, do you think Ashoka will rule your heart, or is there one of her original trio that you love above all else? For me, nothing had the chance of unseating Trayee as my absolute favorite, until I smelled the upcoming Mohur Extrait….. WOWZER! I’m afraid Trayee may just be edged out, just by a nose. 😉 You’re entered in the drawing. Good luck, and stop by next Monday for the results.
For me the most mindblowing thing about her life is how many cultures it encompasses. From Kalkutta to the US to England/Scotland and then Paris? That’s a true cosmopolitan and citizen of the world.
She definitely is! Thank you, Anneri, you’re entered in the drawing. Don’t forget to Like Neela Vermeire Creations on FB or Twitter, and to stop by next Monday for the name of the two winners! Good luck! 🙂
i must begin by saying that i have been SO eagerly awaiting Ashoka i can’t see straight! i was delighted by thought of Ms Vermeire’s earliest fragrance memories as well as her description of a favorite meal. YUM.
Hey, LRyan, so good to see you again! I hope you had a great summer. 🙂 You’re on my list. Good luck!
I didn’t know that Neela had lived in Scotland.. she is so well-travelled! I am already following her on Twitter, and my favorite scent of hers is Mohur – would love to try the extrait version! And of course Ashoka.
The Mohur Extrait….. *sigh* Such a stunner! I’ve got you on my list, Tara. Good luck! 🙂
Lovely interview. I liked seeing that Ms Vermeire is not a fan of heavy patchouli and very sweet gourmand fragrances. This makes me conclude she and Duchaufur will avoid these in their creations. Please enter my chance in the drawing.
Kate, thank you for stopping by. You’re entered in the drawing. Good luck! 🙂
I was surprised, but also unsurprised, to find out that Neela does not like fruity notes. Surprised because Bombay Bling is all about the mango! But the more I think about it, I think that it could only be as well-done and perfectly presented as it is if you had someone who doesn’t normally gravitate towards fruity notes. I don’t know if that makes any sense . . .
In any case, I am already following Neela (and you!) on twitter and live in the US! Thank you both for the amazingly generous draw!
It makes perfect sense, Baconbiscuit. If one struggles with a note, one can usually treat it in a way that would be great for others with similar issues. It’s treated with care, caution, and the perfect about of finesse or balance, so that it can shine even for those who normally don’t like that sort of note. 🙂 It’s a very astute observation, hun!
You’re entered in the drawing. Good luck!
Thanks, Kafka, for a wonderful interview. I enjoyed reading that Neela likes macaroons, as we just got a French-style macaroon bakery here and even though I am not really a foodie, they are my current obsession. I am planning on buying myself a bottle of either Trayee, Mohur or Ashoka for my birthday, just trying to figure out which one I must have first. I’m in the US.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, dear Nancy. As a point of clarification, I think Neela only likes dark chocolate. I’m not sure about the macarons, but they certainly caught my eye when I checked the website of one of her favorite chocolatiers. 🙂 You’re entered in the drawing, but let me know what you think of Ashoka even if you get a sample elsewhere. Personally, I see you as a Trayee girl, but then, you do love your milky notes, too!
The gowns in the pictures above are exsquisite-I think i would like Mohur best if i had to choose. If the fragrance is anything like those beautiful gowns, oh my gosh. What a wonderful prize to win-so generouse. Thanks for the chance.
The dresses are fantastic, aren’t they? 🙂 You’re on my list, Patricia. Good luck, and stop by Monday for the names of the 2 winners. 🙂
Alas, I’m not on Facebook or Twitter, but best of luck to your less anti-social readers. It’s a very generous giveaway, and Neela Vermeire certainly has excellent taste. (John Slattery! And baroque opera!)
Awww, I’m so sorry, Laurels. 😦 But I’m glad you enjoyed the interview.
Crawling out of the woodwork again. You have the best draws. Thank you in advance. I have been wanting to try Neela’s line but pale at the prices; not because they aren’t worth it (my favorite juices are pricey), but because I have to accept the reality that I have champagne taste on a social worker’s salary. To answer your questions: for some reason, and I don’t know why I should care, but I liked reading that some of her go to favorite scents of the past are ones that I have in my collection like, Iris 39 and fleur de Cassie. Unlike Neela though, I love patchouli in all its iterations. I also assumed, and this is pretty judgmental of me, that Neela must
Welcome back, Patrick! It’s lovely to see you again! You’re entered in the drawing. Good luck! 🙂
It’s hard not to gush about Neela Vermeire. Her perfumes touch me viscerally and emotionally. She’s managed to tap into archetypes with her vision, and, at the same time, has a brilliant sense of humor and authentic personality. It was fabulous to read her list of favorite perfumes, too; I have always wondered which one she loves.
I found the whole interview really engaging and fun, most especially the discussion about Ashoka. What a generous draw! I’m eagerly awaiting the Mohur extrait and Ashoka. Thank you so much.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the interview, ShyLotus. 🙂 And you’re entered in the drawing. Good luck! 🙂
This interview with Neela Vermeire was just fascinating. I really enjoyed reading about the cuisine she enjoys. Her fine taste is reflected in all aspects of her life! I also, of course, found her vintage perfume collection interesting. Thanks so much for the interview and the generous draw. I am located in the U.S.
Hi Holly F, thank you so much for stopping by. I’m so glad you enjoyed the interview! 🙂 You’re on the list at #68. Good luck and check back Monday for the names of the winners. 🙂
I love how Ms. Vermeire is so down to earth and she loves the Sopranos and the Good Wife. I really want to try Ashoka as well as Trayee and Mohur as I have only sampled Bombay Bling. Thank you for the oppurtunity!!
Hi Melissa, welcome to the blog! You’re entered on the list! Good luck, and I hope you get to try the other ones in the line. 🙂
Something I noticed from the interview is that while I also like all the notes that she does, I only really love about half of her favorites. Huh… Also, I’m very glad that she doesn’t have a signature scent. Thanks for the very generous draw.
P.S. This blog is new to me, but I like it, and I’ll be following it from now on.
I’m very glad, LaurenW, that you’ll be sticking around. 🙂 I found your comment about the notes vs. the perfumes to be interesting. I suspect that you may not like powdery scents? Some of the ones on her list (from Guerlain, at least) are quite powdery in my view, so I’m guessing that’s why you may not like some of her favorites? Or maybe that’s just me? LOL! (I don’t like iris or powdery scents.)
You’re entered in the draw at #70. Good luck!
You’re right, the only powdery scent I love is the wondrous Habanita. 🙂 Have a good day.
Wowow! New here and quite late…but better late than never!
The things that struck me the most we’re her favorite notes and the food porn(Duh!) I noticed that the smells of her childhood are directly related to her favorite notes. Sandalwood, the sambac(common flower there), and resins(that’s what’s used for incense right?). I guess childhood is really the most important time for us, since it shapes what sort of persons we’re mostly likely to be. Like since you hated the lavender when you were a kid, Kaskasque, your not much of a fan of lavender.
I second the notion that Asian food is the best. I may be a bit biased since I’m Asian, but when I compare our everyday foods, I simply can’t help but pity people who don’t eat Asian food. Although French food comes quite close! (:
I have a US address. Thanks so much NVC and Kaf(Can I call you that? I haven’t really memorized your name…)! 😀
Resins are actually the tree sap goo that end up being the basis for amber scents, but you’re very right about everything else, Belle! And I completely agree that our childhood shapes the things we love or relate to as adults in terms of aromas or perfume! 🙂
Please feel free to call me Kafka, Belle. Kaf may be a little too much of an abbreviation. lol! 😀 And you’re entered in the drawing! Winners will be announced Monday. Good luck!
I “Like” Neela Vermeire Créations’ Facebook Page & loved reading that she wears Mohur frequently, that’s my favorite one of her line.
Mohur is fantastic! You’re entered, Sand. Good luck! 🙂
well anyone who goes straight to my favourite nose – BD – and follows through with that guidance to realize their own vision has got to be respected. i like the way the interview flows – casual yet covering a lot of ground, even food (always interesting!). i’m intrigued by the rather philosophical regard in which fig is presented in an indian cultural/religious context; it’s always great when the scent you wear can invoke those sort of grander connotations. they sound solid yet quite fun – i look forward to checking them out. as usual, well done k
You’re in and entered in the drawing at #74! Results will be posted tomorrow, Tim. Don’t forget to “Like” the NVC page on Facebook or Twitter. If you don’t win, I hope you will try to get samples of the fragrances from NVC because I really think you’d be blown away by Trayee!
I really love that her redesigned bottle and her logo were inspired by Emporer Ashoka. And I appreciate the remeberence of her first scents like insence and candles.
Xx Brianna.
The symbolism of the bottles is pretty cool, isn’t it? 🙂 Thank you for commenting, Fragile7Warmth. You’re entered in at #75. Good luck!
Oops! I thought WordPress didn’t publish my comment so I made another below. Thanks though! Sorry!
Xx Brianna.
I really love and appreciate that her redesigned bottle and logo are inspired by Emporer Ashoka. It just goes to show how ingrained the Emporers actions and system of running India are. I also connect with the memories of her fist scents like sandalwood (my grandpas aftershave), and incense at my local church and candles I made at home with my mom and cousins.
Xx Brianna
I loved reading that Ashoka the perfume was created to reflect Ashoka the emperor: not just in imagery and notes, but also in the transformation of both (the fierce opening and gentle drydown of the perfume mirroring the emperor’s youth and eventual enlightenment into a compassionate, peaceful Buddhist ruler).
…Not to mention the fig notes! I absolutely adore fig.
(This is my first time commenting here, though I’ve been lurking for some time…)
Hi Jennifer, you just made it! Last on my list! Thank you for stopping by, especially if you’ve been lurking for a while. 🙂