A La Carte

by Judith Beermann

Le Labo: A Scent Sensation

September 27, 2020

Any parfumerie that invites you to discover your signature fragrance by answering a Proust questionaire has got my attention. Le Labo was founded in 2006 in New York City by Eddie Roschi and Fabrice Penot, and sold to Estee Lauder in 2014.

(Photo by: Judith Beermann)

Recently opened at 3005 M Street in Georgetown, the brand is known for its unique, signature fragrances (Santal 33 being the most popular). Le Labo also carries candles, and hair, face, body and grooming products. Each scent is handmade in the shop's laboratory, using vegan ingredients and natural oils. Fragrances are compounded at the time of purchase with the client's name printed on the labels of the boxes and the perfume bottles. 

(Photo by: lelabofragrances.com)

Le Labo produces 18 fragrances and 9 ambient room scents. The formulations do not include animal products, paraben, preservatives or coloration, and are not tested on animals.

 

Using a standard naming convention for each of their scents, each fragrance is named after the primary scent note and given a number, which indicates the composition's total ingredient count.

 

My personal favorite is home fragrance Calone 17. Described as "light, the sea, and its breeze brought to your living room. Marine notes are mixed with geranium and amber for a striking result that transforms your house into a sea cottage. The scent is so evocative, you may forget you’re not just a few steps away from the salt-tinged waters of Anse de Grande Saline in St. Barth’s."  

There are 13 City Exclusive scents which are available only at specific locations. For example, Vanille 44 is sold in Paris and Gaiac 10 in Tokyo.

 

During September only, these exclusive scents are available for purchase at the Georgetown location.

3005 M Street NW (Photo by: Judith Beermann) 3005 M Street NW
 


Click here to share your thoughts.

Levain Bakery Open Now in Georgetown

September 17, 2020

Victor greeting guests (Photo by: Judith Beermann) Victor greeting guests

Iconic Levain Bakery has opened at 3131 M Street with an exclusive cookie collaboration with DC pastry chef Paola Velez, benefitting Horton’s Kids. 

 

The opening marks the beloved brand’s first retail bakery outside of New York. “Georgetown is a fantastic neighborhood with no shortage of amazing bakeries and sweet shops; D.C. clearly has a big sweet tooth and we’re honored to help satisfy it,” say Levain Bakery co-founders Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald. “We’ve fallen in love with Georgetown as we have snacked and explored our way around the neighborhood. We’re eager to share cookie joy with our new neighbors.” 

(Photo by: Judith Beermann)


1 Comment   Click here to share your thoughts.

Five Things I Can't Live Without

September 6, 2020

Not counting family, friends and pets. Or masks.

 

In the last six months, what have you discovered about yourself? What habits did you forgo, begin, rethink? How have you changed the way you spend your time and money? Any revelations you’d like to share? Please send either as comments below or to me directly if you’d like to post on The Dish.

 

I’ll go first:

 

1. Fresh flowers. A friend gifted me air plants recently so watching grass grow is my new favorite hobby. The indulgent luxe version is anything from my very, very favorite florist, Ultra Violet! But I fill vases with fresh blooms weekly. 

Air plants (Photo by: Judith Beermann) Air plants

2. European streaming services. Almost everything on MHz, Acorn and Britbox. I’ve spent the summer sleuthing in France, The Netherlands, England, Ireland with a quick weekend jaunt to Istanbul after Midsummer's Eve in Sweden. Now back to Ystad after a few weeks in Norway.

Wallander (Photo by: imdb.com) Wallander

3. Anti-aging supplements. I’ve been a fan of hair-growing Nutrafol for a few years. Just added collagen peptides, flax and pomegranate seeds to my morning smoothies.

 

Primal Collagen and Nutrafol (Photo by: Judith beermann) Primal Collagen and Nutrafol

4. Alcohol. Not so anti-aging, but essential just the same. Wine, wine, wine plus my new decadent pleasure: sipping Casa Dragones tequila before and 40-year-old port after dinner.

Casa Dragones Joven Tequila and Maynard's Porto Colheita (Photo by: Judith Beermann) Casa Dragones Joven Tequila and Maynard's Porto Colheita

5. Art. Some form of creative expression, always. But recently, I’ve resumed painting after 15 years of mostly doing graphic design and photography. 

Tinos, Greece (Photo by: Judith Beermann) Tinos, Greece


2 Comments   Click here to share your thoughts.