Or…what happens when the Genie is felled by a cold…
Ladies and gentlemen, I had so many plans – and so many posts to write. New, unknown wonders to discover, other wonders to find the words for, a hotly anticipated release to review… And then.
And then, a rhinovirus had other ideas and zapped me with the common cold. In spite of ginger/lemon/honey infusions, steam baths with thyme oil and massive quantities of thermonuclear chiles, it stands resolute and makes sure that nightmare of all perfumoholics everywhere is all too real:
I. Can’t Smell. A. Thing. My voice is gone, too. I sound like a lovesick frog. It’s one way to shut me up! 😉
But that’s no excuse for not having a little fun for my readers while I can, is it? Thanks to the generosity of Neela Vermeire Creations, I have a little giveaway contest. Two lucky and sagacious readers can win:
One Discover Your India set; 10 ml of all three of Neela Vermeire Creations; Trayee, Mohur and Bombay Bling in spray atomizers.
One Try Your India sample set of 3 x 2 ml of Trayee, Mohur and Bombay Bling.
If you haven’t had a chance yet to try this trinity for yourself and find out what all the fuss is about (trust me, it’s there for a reason!), these three celebrated perfumes created by Neela Vermeire with Bertrand Duchaufour might be just what you need to banish the winter (or summer!) blahs.
The Fine Print:
The contest is open to readers and/or followers anywhere in the world with the exception of Italy and Russia. The contest closes Sunday, February 24th, at midnight CET, and a winner will be announced on The Alembicated Genie Monday, February 25th. Participants must provide a valid email address and contact me here with their shipping address within 48 hours after closing, so I can forward them on to Neela Vermeire, who will then ship the prizes from Paris.
The Contest!
Trayee, Mohur & Bombay Bling were all inspired by different periods of India’s history and heritage. To participate, answer the three questions in a comment, and all correct answers will be entered into a draw at random.org.
1. Trayee is a fragrant ode to the sanctity of India’s distant Vedic past. Which of the three principal gods mentioned in the Rig Veda acts as a messenger between the gods and humanity?
2. Mohur was partly inspired by Moghul Empress Nur Jahan, who retired in luxury after a coup d’etat following the death of her husband, the Emperor Jahangir. When she retired, she devoted her time to poetry, her gardens and manufacturing perfumes. What famous building immortalized her niece?
3. Bombay Bling is a liquid poem to both the modern, dynamic India of today and the exuberance of Bollywood. One Bollywood movie, 2001’s Lagaan was an international success and nominated for an Oscar as Best Foreign Film of 2002. (If you haven’t seen it yet – do! I promise – you won’t regret it!) Did it win the Oscar?
Write the correct answers to these three questions in a comment below and who knows – maybe it will be your lucky day?
Good luck!
As for me, I’ll be back with more wonders as soon as this cold is gone, no worries!
Find out more about Neela Vermeire Creations on her website, Facebook page and follow her on Twitter as @NeelaVermeire.
With many thanks to Neela Vermeire for the giveaway, and with gratitude for whoever invented Kleenex.
The giveaway contest is now closed. Thanks to all who entered.
The Alembicated Genie 
I would love to be entered. I have tried them but very very quickly, I need to spend more time with these perfumes!
Answers:
1. Agni the messenger
2. Taj Mahal
3. No Oscar, but many other awards
Lucy, you’re in the contest! The best of luck!
Aah, great contest!! It was fun looking for answers to this one! I love India, both present and past! Here are my answers:
1. Agni, 2. Taj Mahal, 3. No (sadly, as I love that film!).
Get well soon, Tarleisio! And thanks to Miss Neela for the perfumes.
My answers: 1). Agni 2). Taj Mahal 3). Unfortunately, no (it’s one of my favorites!)
I haven’t tried them, but I’d love to, since I’m a fan of Indian art and fragrance. 1. Agni 2. Taj Mahal 3. No.
Be gone cold!!!
I am not entering, as I own these treasures..Just wanted to say love your blog and Thanks to the ever gracious Neela for the opportunity for others to enjoy. xoxoxo
Bombay calls to me!
I say:
1. Agni the messenger
2. The legendary Taj Mahal
3. Lagaan never won the Oscar, but should have (yes, I’m biased)
And, since I got the song stuck in my mind, I figured you ought to get the same: http://bit.ly/AkxgzW
Thank you for that link, N.K – it brought back the movie in all the very best ways! 🙂
1) Agni was the messenger god between the gods and humans
2) the Taj Mahal immortalized her niece.
3) no , Lagaan did not win the Oscar
Thank you for your generosity and for making this fun and a way to learn more about India
Sonia
Get well soon. I may have the same nasty cold. It just won’t let go. My answers: 1) Agni 2) Taj Mahal 3) No.
hope you feel better, quickly
great contest and giveaway
1) Agni;2) Taj Mahal;3) no
lots of health
I don’t think I can enter this contest because I cheated and looked at Lucy’s answers. But what a great way to beat the nose blowing blues of February. Kind of like a delicious Indian Carnival! You and Neela ROCK! xoxoxoox
Maggie, I adore you 🙂
That makes two of us, Sandi! 😉
So many people have been raving about Neela’s perfumes, I have to put myself forward and try them.
my answers are:
1. Agni
2. Taj Mahal
3. no, but it’s one of the few Bollywood masterpieces I made my husband watch and he found it hilarious. ahem
what a lovely contest.
answers are
1. Agni the messenger
2. Taj Mahal
3. Not an Oscar, but some other prizes
Agni, Taj Mahal and no Oscar for Lagaan are correct answers. Some of you will get beautiful and high quality fragrances that I love and appreciate very much. So, enjoy in them as I already do. My best wishes to all of you and good luck. 🙂
I hope you feel better soon.
You can never have too much of a good thing and these perfumes fit into that category.
The answers to the competition are.
1. Agni. 2. Taj Mahal. 3. No.
Thank you for this wonderful competition and to the wonderful Neela.
Thank you for this contest..
my answers would be:
1. Agni the fire God
2 .Mumtaz Mahal inspired the gorgeous Taj Mahal
3. Unfortunately, Lagaan did not win the Oscars in 2001..
Hey Sheila and Neela, DNEM but I wanted to say good luck to everyone and how much Jin and I love Bombay Bling and Mohur respectively. They are our two favourites but we love Trayee too.
YUMMY!!
As are you Sheila.
Portia xx
What a fantastic contest Sheila! They all sound very intriguing. Even if I don’t win, I will have to sample these wonderful creations of Neela’s. My answers are as followed: 1. Agni the messenger,2. Taj Mahal.3. No
1. Agni
2. The Taj Mahal
3. No award (unfortunate, as it is a wonderful movie)
What a lovely opportunity to try these perfumes. Thank you so much!
These perfumes are so lovely. Thanks to you and Neela for the wonderful contest!
Agni,
The Taj Mahal
No, but now I need to watch it!
You’re in, Janet! 🙂 I hope you don’t mind I deleted your other comment – for some reason, it posted twice!
Agni, Taj Mahal, and no =(
Diabla dearest, I hope you are feeling better! Colds are the worst. Noses are important! Sending you lots of love from chilly NYC xoxoxox
I’m feeling much better, Devilette, no worries! Love back at ya – and you’re in! ❥
1- Agni 2- The Taj Mahal 3- No Oscar.
I hope you feel better. By the way, I like that second photo of the three gods in gold….
Hope you’re feeling better soon. I’m still getting over it – takes forever this year. My answers are: 1. Agni 2. the Taj Mahal. 3. no Oscar. Thanks for the draw.
I hope you’re feeling better already. It sucks not to be able to smell something nice (inaddition to all other symptoms!)
No need entering me into the draw but I want to say that I love-love-love Bombay Bling and really like Trayee.