The Merchant & The Treasure Box

A vial containing a seductive jasmine elixir discovered at the back of the shelf in the apothecary has proven a surprise showstopper. It exudes that X-factor one yearns for when creating a perfume. If only it had a dated label affixed. The beauty of the art form often lies in the return to the fragrance organ for a fresh beginning on a blank canvas. Whatever the process entails it shouldn't elicit dismay, but instead excitement over that personal pouring of soul into an amber bottle.

Introducing to the marketplace has thus far been an eventful brand journey with unforeseen twists & turns, but an exciting one all the same. When looking back on the distance traversed since taking the initial plunge, there's been no option but forging ahead.

Of late I got to share practical experiences along the way with others navigating similar challenges, now that they're launching their own endeavours.

The golden lesson I will impress upon anyone is to not settle for second best. Be prepared for change & adjustments as you proceed. Allow patience & perseverance to pay off.

Owe it to yourself to follow your heart. Don't be taken by fear, but be realistic when starting out with achievable expectations.

Disregard the prophets of doom & the voice of doubt at the back of your mind, for negativity won't propel you to great heights. Be your own cheerleader.

Be bold. Don't make excuses for being the disruptor. Big business might have the competitive advantage in the retail space, but your edge is locked up in your passion & unique story to tell. Great brands also started small, if the classic story about first selling from the garage is anything to go by. Keep the faith.

Remind yourself to look down, not to miss small details. Look up, not to miss the big things, like the sky changing colours.

Keep in mind that the learning curve never reaches full circle.

Most importantly, have fun while gunning it!

It's winter in Africa & this side of the world is experiencing a cold spell sweeping across the plains. Button up, darlings & choose a fragrant accompaniment to get you through this week's drop in temperatures.

My choice for dispelling the chill in the air? The inimitable d'Afrique, with its warm tones that include mandarin & olibanum. It ensures a prolonged & intimate interaction with earthy, woodsy notes.

You can't go wrong with this tribute to Africa! Ensure yours on the website.

Excitement abounds due to engagement around the collection intensifying. Become part of the greater narrative!

See the latest addition to the brand reach being extended to platform.

It is a story of exceptional, exclusively blended natural botanical fragrances wafting in through the window of the urban apothecary of an indie perfumer, who takes her formulae through slow processes to produce memorable olfactory delights.

Come along on this journey resembling a true labour of love!

Hot news to share along the brand journey!
is now a vendor on directory. Go find the beautiful botanical blends from the collection under their Gifts link.

The perfume in the range is not only a grande accessory to any wedding or ideal for any bridal party but the perfect gift for any occasion.

Secure your favourite on the website via the link up in the bio.

All dressed up in
colours for the weekend. Striking little black numbers & rich golds, with a tassel or two thrown in, are bound to stop traffic. Dab on a splash of fabulous from the collection & off we go. Wishes for a memorable one!

Perfect for today's Presidential inauguration. The blends in collection are fabulously fit for royalty, to dab on before ascending the red carpet when attending an occasion of note.

Oh, what to wear on a winter's day! The exquisite botanical blends from capsule will undoubtedly banish the blues. Settle for a full-bodied fragrance with woodsy undertones, like d'Afrique, or maybe a hint of spicy, like Travels To Darjeeling. No matter the notes, it appeals to varying olfactory preferences.

Favourites among all the favourites in collection. There's something for all personae: warm spicy notes, cool aqua splashes, earthy vibes or gentle florals.

Choose yours from the 12 botanicals on offer on the website. Link in bio.

Engaging in storytelling & slow perfumery for a new botanical that is being given an identity. Being able to effortlessly flit between paper & oil as pursued forms of expression is part of the journey.

Get a whiff of it by visiting my website via the bio link.

Dressing things up in the apothecary. Ensure to keep those pretty vials of perfume in a cool, dry & dark place, away from heat, moisture & light sources to prevent the degradation of the contents. Even if it is tempting to put it on display.

A magnifique Mother's Day is wished upon everyone far & wide. Never stop making memories, for life is short & all we have left in the end are the moments we care to take along on our journey into the future. Much love, Yolande

Of all the beautiful ingredients sourced for my botanical perfume, heart is forever the most exclusive.

Visit the online shop via the link in bio for your all-gender composition.

Waxing lyrical about bottled botanicals. Cherish the merchant's artisan all-gender perfume range. Have your purchase delivered in time for Mother's Day or any other occasion. Shop link in bio.

Calling all kings & queens! The details of the affair at boutique venue Monte De Dios in Pretoria have changed & we're now throwing a sundowner & perfume glitz on 18 May at 17:30 instead.

Come along on an unforgettable journey of delectable food & exquisite gender-neutral perfume around sunset.

Each guest receives a complimentary 30 ml bottle of gender-neutral perfume.

Follow the link to book your seat
https://www.q2b.co.za/OnlineTickets/Index/36?singleEvent=3818

The countdown to Sunday's picnic & perfume affair in Pretoria is on! It's going to be an exciting pairing of lovely food & gender-neutral botanical perfume for women & men.

Reserve your space for an early afternoon spent with your loved one or circle of friends!

Follow the link to book your seat
https://www.q2b.co.za/OnlineTickets/Index/36?singleEvent=3818

A compelling array of the finest blends in the merchant's collection was selected for presenting to guests during the picnic in Pretoria on 5 May. Gender-neutral botanicals are dominating to cater for all fragrance preferences. Gather your partner or friendship circle & join the party!

Petals & poetry. Beautiful botanicals are the soul of compositions. Secure your attendance during next Sunday's Picnic & Perfume event in Pretoria to join a savouring of sublime scents. The natural blends in the collection will feature alongside delicious food & compelling storytelling. Not to be missed!

A gift for Mother's Day coming up. Because not all moms wish upon the same desirable botanicals. Lavender & mint give The Gentleman its edge. A gender-neutral available from the online shop. Follow the link in bio.

When nature dishes out hearts at random it serves as inspiration for that new organic blend in mind.

A change of scenery of a botanical kind.

Calling all kings & queens to an exciting picnic & perfume affair at boutique venue Monte De Dios in Pretoria on 5 May at 12:30.

Come along on a journey of delectable food, exquisite hand-poured perfume & evocative storytelling.

Each guest receives a complimentary 30 ml bottle of gender-neutral perfume.

Click the link to book your seat
https://www.q2b.co.za/OnlineTickets/Index/36?singleEvent=3818

Loving the look which adds to the fanciful charm that partly defines brand identity. It's an olfactory personality derived from a pairing of absolute contrasts & external influences. It's feminine yet rustic, glamorous yet paired down. Whichever blend appeals to you, know it will make a lasting impression.

Photoshooting diverting attention away from today's packed schedule. Getting creative in the studio simply adds to an overall lighter tread.

An exciting engagement around blends ensued during today's perfume savouring. The fragrance affair was given a bohemian/Middle-Eastern twist & besides the sublime perfume they came for, guests were treated to rich dark roast, delicious food & decor essentials. It was an opportunity for solidifying & forging liaison while being brought together by the results of slow perfumery.

Dear guests. Tomorrow's perfume savouring affair is continuing, come rain or any other element of weather to be taken into account, for alternative arrangements have indeed been in place from the onset to move the party indoors if need be. After all, in Africa we consider rain coinciding with an important occasion only a blessing. Can't wait to meet & share a whole lot of lovely with you!

The countdown to Saturday's perfume savouring affair in Pretoria has started. Can't wait to share the botanical blends in the collection. The event, a collaboration with .boho.shop & , is being curated around bohemian elements, great java, storytelling & fragrant infusions. Come join the perfume party!

When sitting for a perfume savouring affair guests become part of the whimsical story that characterises journey.

I endeavour to offer memorable experiences curated around bespoke oil-based perfume of unique composition & not merely duplicate events.

Guests are taken along on a fragrance trail of note(s) for an enlightening interaction around aromatic botanicals. And so the individuals with whom the enchanting elephant in the merchant's logo crosses paths, become part of the story. Not by sniffing perfume in a fancy tester bottle on a shelf, but through personal engagement.

Life's too short to miss out on the experience!

Busy curating the installation for next Saturday's perfume savouring. Loving the bohemian flair to a pairing of fragrant botanicals with aromatic java. Held in conjunction with & .boho.shop at Karoo Lifestyle Centre in Pretoria, it promises to be a colourful jungalow-inspired affair.