In Memoriam for My Sister Diane + Sarah Horowitz Parfums Perfect Gardenia Draw

"Remember yourself and be remembered" – Sarah Horowitz-Thran

As memory serves, the above message has been inscribed on every box of Sarah Horowitz Parfums since I bought my first bottle of Perfect Gardenia, which was an oil in 1997. This simple phrase, bidding us to take care of ourselves, enjoy our lives and enrich the lives of others through scent, seems particularly relevant during  Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In October I am reminded to consider my own health and called to help and support those struggling with cancer of any kind, specifically breast cancer.

Gail Gross with her sister Diane (and best friend) at Gail's daughter's wedding 2007

There are very few people who have not been touched by the effects of cancer, either personally or through family and friends. On October 25, 2016, a few weeks before her 60th birthday, my dear younger sister Diane died of meta-static breast cancer, after fighting the disease for over 16 years. Advances in chemotherapy, radiation treatments and nutrition allowed her to live a rich and full, if at times difficult, life and to see her dreams and goals come to fruition, spending precious years with her husband, children and young grandchildren. Whenever I walk into my greenhouse, which is at least once every day, I am reminded of Diane and her love of growing things.  As a successful dairy farmer, pond plant and water lily grower, koi breeder and orchid enthusiast Diane and her husband Tom created a very special world. 

Single Gardenia by Gail Gross©

Their hothouses were always full of the fragrances of tropical plants. In my greenhouse too, there always seems to be something blooming. I feel that the perfume of my very large gardenia bush, in flower from April through October, is like a message from my sister, a reminder to be brave and enjoy life as much as she did. When my gardenia must rest for the winter, I find I can keep the beautiful scent of the flowers, and my sister's voice, alive in my mind with a touch of Sarah Horowitz Parfums Perfect Gardenia Eau de Parfum

Gardenias from Gail's Greenhouse © by Gail

The first breath of Sarah Horowitz Parfums Perfect Gardenia Eau de Parfum is a remembrance of the glossy, crisp dark green leaves of the gardenia plant. The wet, sweet, slightly bitter freshness of bergamot, colored with the warmth of honeysuckle and the clean, slightly soapy, spiced fruity notes of freesia unfolds like the gardenia flower itself. Suggestions of leaves and buds warm into an expertly crafted gardenia accord, designed by Sarah Horowitz-Thran to be nature-identical to the scent of newly opened gardenia blossoms. The dewy and delicate creaminess of white petals and the gentle, ethereal nature of the blossoms are supported by the continued presence of freesia. Nuances of woody, balsamic vanilla enhance the flower without becoming a prominent feature of the fragrance.  The leaves, buds and blossoms of Sarah Horowitz Parfums Perfect Gardenia rest on impressions of rich, fertile earth, brought to life by a discrete use of patchouli and white musk. Perfect Gardenia is never blousy or bombastic, as many gardenias can be.  Despite its shy, innocent nature this Perfect Gardenia lasts for hours – forever new and forever young. Notes:  Bergamot, freesia, gardenia, vanilla, white musk and patchouli.

Photo by Gail© Freesias and Gardenias

During October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Sarah Horowitz Parfums Perfect Gardenia Sarah Horowitz Parfums will be donating 20% of the proceeds of the sale of any Perfect Gardenia product to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. "The most critical thing for us to do is to love and support our mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts and cherished friends who face this struggle head on. After that, we can support them in other ways – by supporting those who dedicate their lives to finding a cure." – Sarah Horowitz-Thran

Disclaimer:  I would like to thank Sarah Horowitz-Thran for my treasured new bottle of Perfect Gardenia EdP.  My opinions are my own.

Gail Gross – Senior Editor

Follow us on Instagram: @cafleurebon, @azarsmith7 and @sarahhorowitzparfums

Gail's Photo of Sarah Horowitz Thran Perfect gardenia edp©

Thanks to the generosity of Sarah Horowitz Parfums, we have one 1.7-ounce bottle of Sarah Horowitz Parfums Perfect Gardenia EdP for one registered reader in the US only. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what appeals to you about Sarah Horowitz Parfums Perfect Gardenia, based on Gail’s review. Has your life been touched by breast cancer?  You are welcome to share if you feel you can. Draw closes October 28, 2018

 

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like ÇaFleureBon and use our Blog feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.  

 

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26 comments

  • DespinaVnt says:

    Thank you for sharing this intimate story, dear Gail, and for reminding us all the importance of our annual check up.
    Thanks to Miss Sarah Horowitz, too, for this beautiful gesture.
    I am myself very sensitive to this great cause; among several other things, I try to convince all the women I know – who avoid their annual breast check up – to have it finally done, whatever the reason they avoid it is.
    Love to all,
    Despina

  • Ermano says:

    What a moving, delicate memory Gail, thank you for sharing! And since October is close to movember, let me remember everybody needs prevention.

  • Diana D says:

    This sounds like such a lovely, feminine fragrance. I’m so sorry to hear her sister passed away. But what a Warrior she was, fighting it for 16 years! I am a breast cancer survivor. I will be celebrating 14 years being breast cancer free this month on October 27th. I am also 13 years colon cancer free (9/16). Two completely separate cancers that were diagnosed 10 1/2 months apart. I, too, an a Warrior!
    I’d absolutely love to get this fragrance, being that it is in honor of Sarah’s sister.
    I live in the USA (Pennsylvania)

  • Robert H. says:

    Your memories are a gift to treasure, and a reminder that all need to live in the moment and not waste a precious moment of our lives. Thank you Gail! Just beautiful. DNEM xoxo

  • SandiL says:

    What a beautiful way to keep that ever special sister-friend bond, connecting you both always, Gail. There is something else special about your associating your sister with this scent and flower. When a person was unable to outright express their feelings of love for another, it was and still is a common practice to say it with flowers. the gardenia is the flower signifies purest love, as well as protection. Sarah what a great way to contribute to a cause that is also near and dear to my heart. Kudos to the 20% to MSKCC. All women need to get checked! If money is an issue there is much available to help those without insurance to cover the cost..

  • Sarah says:

    Gail, as I said earlier, it is with tears on my face and a heart simply bursting that I write my thank you for this most beautiful, cherished review of Perfect Gardenia. Really, the fragrance shy’s in comparison to the story of your sister; a woman who clearly lived her life with courage and bounty and beauty, a woman who approached life as an artist, and a woman who clearly loved deeply and was loved deeply in return. The fact that this, my first ever non custom scent, my very first ready to wear fragrance, the very first of the PERFECTS – the fact that it has come to embody such a love – it moves me beyond words. Thank you – both for your gift of words, and for the honor to be a part of your story with Diane. Thank you Michelyn Camen always, for being the portal for such love.

    As you mentioned, all of us have been effected in one way or another. I chose MSKCC because of the excellent care they gave my beautiful Aunt Franne, whose bravery and optimism continues to inspire me thanks to the care she received from them. One of my dearest friends found me while on disability as she recovered from a double mastectomy and chemo, at the tender age of 26. The amazing thing is how far we have come, and how every year I believe we do get closer to a cure.

    Thank you again for your words, your sharing of your story, and the light you shine every day.

  • Elise Pearlstine says:

    Thank you for sharing your story Gail. My sister-in-law has had a recurrence after more than 20 years and is going through it all again. Gardenia is a beautiful flower and so hard to capture in a bottle – thanks for the awareness and support Gail and Sarah!

  • Monica Beaton says:

    Thank you Gail for your beautiful words and for sharing your story. When it comes to breast cancer, we all have a sad story as it touches so many lives. I lost my own Mother to Breast cancer. And Sarah Horowitz Perfums – what a generous gesture to not only raise funds for the Cancer Centre, but to help raise awareness. Take control of your health ladies – use this as a reminder to keep getting checked. Keep ahead of cancer – catch it early and increase your chances of survival. And thank you CaFleureBon for posting this story. I’m grateful. I’m in Australia – not eligible for the draw. xx

  • Chayaruchama says:

    Dearest Gail,
    Your tribute to your sister Diane is deeply moving – may she be for a blessing <3
    It warms the heart that Sarah helps honor those who struggle and are affected.
    My namesake died in her 40s of metastatic breast cancer. Over the years I have been ruled out several times and I never forget that one's life can turn on a dime. So many folks are working round the clock for a cure: may it be so!
    We thank you for your tender candor and lovingkindness.

  • Zibbyz says:

    Yes someone close to me has had cancer, luckily it is in remission now, and thank you to sht perfumes for donating and reminding us to think of others. I like more natural than bombastic gardenia, so this sounds lovely, and I like the thought that Gail can continue to enjoy this scent even when her gardenia is not blooming. Thank you for sharing and for this generous draw.

  • Teresa says:

    Thank you for sharing your memories of your beloved sister/best friend. Although in her case it wasn’t breast cancer, my mother was diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer at the age of 36 and with the very aggressive treatment available in 1967 lived another 35 years, albeit with the side affects of radiation therapy used on her. Thank God there are cancer treatments that can lengthen a patients lifespan or , in many cases, offer a cure. We must all support this research in any way we can…it is making a difference. I would love to smell this gardenia fragrance and thank you for the chance! I am in the US.

  • Old Herbaceous says:

    What a touching remembrance of your sister. I love your description of how you feel her presence in the fragrance of gardenias and feel that this particular fragrance continues to capture it when the real gardenias are out of bloom. My mother lost her own younger sister — her only sibling — to cancer when they were both in their early 40s, then a few years later she had breast cancer herself, which was successfully treated. She lived into her 80s. I had DCIS when my children were very young; I am so thankful for the excellent treatment I got, and how early they caught it because of my annual mammogram.

  • NiceVULady says:

    What a loving tribute to your sister. As a nurse, i have been moved by the courage and grace of so many women, their friends, and their families. To find a scent that can be the message from your loved one is marvelous. I love gardenias and would love to smell this scent which is “forever new and forever young.”Thank you for the draw. I’m in the US

  • roxhas1cat says:

    Beautiful tribute to a much loved sister. I love that the gardenia brings you a comforting reminder of her. The article reminds me to enjoy every moment and not take my loved ones for granted whether they be ill or blessed with health. Thanks to Sarah for her kind efforts to support this cause. U.S.

  • Cynthia says:

    Gail, thank you for a beautiful tribute to your sister and I’m sorry for your loss. My Mom died nine years ago from complications due to her original breast cancer diagnosis, but I also got many more years with her after the initial diagnosis. And I still miss her every day. Sarah Horowitz perfumes were some of the first I discovered years ago when niche perfumery was small and I’ve always loved her gardenia. How nice that it gives you a memory of your sister!

  • cressit says:

    Gail, what a beautiful tribute to your sister and the connection you shared. What a blessing to live with the beautiful, living plants in your greenhouse that keep that connection strong. It’s wonderful that Sarah Horowitz is donating to Sloan Kettering; they are making so many important strides in fighting breast cancer. I have never smelled Perfect Gardenia. I love creamy gardenia and can only imagine how good it is supported by honeysuckle, freesia and balsamic notes.

  • audesko1 says:

    So so sorry for the loss of your sister. What a lovely tribute to her and for Sarah to be doing all she is for the cause. Cancer effects so many, we must cherish each day. Thank you again. I live in the US.

  • FearsMice says:

    Perfume and prose as elegies to a deeply loved little sister… The older generations of my family are gone now, some due to cancer. I still have my sisters, though, and I’m reminded to cherish every possible moment with them. We had lush gardenias at the home where we grew up… I’m in the USA; thank you.

  • doveskylark says:

    Gail has written a beautiful tribute to her sister. i especially loved reading about the greenhouses.
    I have only recently been able t appreciate gardenia fragrances. Maybe I only thought that gardenia would give me a headache. So I avoided this note for years. Now I know I can wear gardenia fragrances.
    My aunt died of breast cancer. A huge loss.
    I live in the USA.

  • jeremyn87 says:

    The freesia, honeysuckle, and especially gardenia, sound more like a bouquet than a typically feminine fragrance. Which is what interests me about the scent itself.
    I think the inspiration is very sad, but making a tribute to her sis like this is uplifting.
    Although not breast cancer, one of my uncles is suffering from leukemia.

    im in the us in IL. thanks for the draw

  • Onyinye says:

    I loved how Gail pays tribute to her sister. Perfect Gardenia is really a special one and I love that it lasts for a long time. I loved the quote about supporting our loved ones facing the struggle and also those who dedicate their lives finding cures.

    I have never been touched by breast cancer.
    I live in California.

  • lacynylons says:

    It is a very touching review by Gail. I have friends who deal with breast cancer in their families and it is sad to go through such ordeals. Life is hard as it is. I salute women who survive and those who care for them and support them. Gardenia is an interesting pick and would be nice to check how this fragrance smells. – USA

  • Gail says:

    I would like to thank everyone for the comments and for sharing such personal stories. Please check back at CaFleureBon for the announcement of the winner of the beautiful Perfect Gardenia.