Mom’s Moondance by Guest Contributor Anya McCoy of Anya’s Garden + “Van Morrison” Draw

I'm just back from a visit to my mother at the nursing home, and she's all set to go to the beauty salon there this afternoon for a wash and set. I showed her the print out of the CaFleureBon Mother's Day tribute. Both that and looking forward to the hairstyle still didn't keep her from crying that I was leaving. She always has her bottle of MoonDance in her sweater pocket, and I reminded her to spray some on when she's feeling down. It is her favorite scent, and mine, too.

The tiny touch of water mint that opens MoonDance plays with the slightly melancholy violet flower isolate, and they segue into a classic trio of heart notes – jasmine sambac (the night-blooming, moontime jasmine), rose de mai (from Grasse) and ylang ylang. The smooth, slightly balsamic base of opoponax and Mysore White Sandalwood give a very comforting, warm and gentle framework and drydown.

MoonDance was created to celebrate my birthday, and was released on that day, October 5. My adult life was graced with Van Morrison's beautiful, soaring song Moondance, which called out for me to honor it with a perfume.

To acknowledge the moving, beautiful stories shared on CaFleureBon for Mother’s Day 2011, I would like to offer a 15ml spray EdP of MoonDance *and* a 3.5ml perfume mini to a CaFleureBon reader.

If you’re a mother, share it with your daughter; if you are a daughter, son, lover, spouse…share it with someone you love.

–Anya McCoy, Guest Contributor

Please leave a comment on your favorite fragrance on why you would like to win 15ml EDP and who you would like to share the 3.5ml with. Do you have a theme song? leave a comment. Draw closes by May 13, 2011 (EST).

Editor's Note: Moondance is a botanical perfume and Anya McCoy is the President of the Natural Perfumer's Guild!! In its sweet embrace am reminded of this poem:

“In My Vertigo

In my dizziness

In my drunken haze

Whirling and dancing

Like a spinning wheel

I saw myself

As the source of existence”

– Rumi

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36 comments

  • JoAnne Bassett says:

    I love the song Moondance by Van Morrison.  This sounds like a wonderful fragrance..I love the classic   rose,  jasmine, and sandalwood combo.  I would like to share the 3.5 ml with a girl friend…
     
    Joy or Chanel 5 were my favorites for years…until I could no longer wear them.  Now I wear my Reflections parfum and love it.

  • Holly F. says:

    I would love to win this 15 ml, as it sounds just beautiful for summer. Since my daughter is turning 1 tomorrow, I don't know if she will be old enough to appreciate this fragrance… but you never know! I think I would also like to share it with my mother. Similarly, "Moon River" would be my choice of song. Thank you so much for your generosity!

  • Undina says:

    I would like to win this draw… Well, first – it's always nice to win something beautiful and – from the description and the story of its creation and its significance in both the author's and her mother's life – MoonDance is a beautiful creation. And second – I've read a lot about Anya's Garden perfumes but haven't had a chance to test any of them yet. So If I win, 3.5 ml will be a perfect start for me. And the 15 ml bottle will be just perfect for my mother.

  • DidierCholay says:

    I didn’t know Anya’s writing abilities. Bravo! Moondance video was recorded in this beautiful swiss town, impressionist painting about this perfume and a so true Rumi’s quote explaining how God see Himself in the dervich dancer.
    When I can find these highest ingredients in a CaFleureBon’s post, I am proud to be part of its team.
    Thank you Anya we wait your next contribution!

  • Alica says:

    Ohh, Moondance looks wonderrful, I would like to win it and try it, I am a keen tester of all scents I haven't tried yet. And I would share the mini with my sister, she is also into fragrances. Many thanks for entering me….

  • Poppy says:

    I would love to win Moondance – to have been created by Anya for her birthday and to be both her and her mother’s favorite perfume says a lot! I think that I would share the 3.5ml with my sister, who since moving half way across the country last year I don’t get to see very often. I miss her, and it would be nice to share something fragrant and special with her.

  • chayaruchama says:

    Moondance IS wonderful !
    And regarding "Van The Man "- I remember moving furniture in our tiny living room, in order to dance w/ Isaac and Jacob to Moondance 😉
    Sending love to you and Liz, my dear….

  • Sonia Garcia says:

    My favorite perfume at the moment is Lutens Bas de Soie, I've never tried any Anya's Garden perfumes but I'd love to. If I win I'll share it with my daughter. My favorite song ever is The Beatles "A Day in the Life". Thanks!

  • Isa says:

    My favorite perfume these days is Un Jardin Sur le Nil. I don't have a favorite song, it's really difficult to choose just one, but I have always loved Elton John "Your song".
    As some folks said, I haven't tried any Anya's Garden perfume, and I'm looking forward to it.
    Moondance sounds perfect to share with my mother, if I were the lucky winner 🙂

  • Elise says:

    My favs. lately are Soivohle fumes! Wearing Acoutstic Flowers today! I would share with my mother…she is more and more interested in the perfumes I offer her! She had a been a die-hard JOY fan, but now likes some of the new fumes I offer…a theme song? Probably something Broadway…"I miss the mountains" from Next to Normal is a fav! Great show!

  • london says:

    I'd love to win the 15ml because this has all my favourite notes.  And I would share the 3.5ml with my mother because she's the only other person I know who shares my love of perfume.

  • Laura Matheson says:

    Sweet and sad story, thanks for sharing.
    I'm one of four children myself, the baby at 31 with two older sisters and our brother at the head.  I've got two boys of my own and feel another child is in our future.  Maybe a girl.  I love the idea of sharing a bond with a daughter since my closest friend (aside from my partner & siblings) is my mum.  How sweet that your mother loves your perfume so much.  That says more than any review ever could.  Since I don't have a daughter, I'd love to win the 15ml EDP who I would give to Lucy, the mother of my brother's baby daughter.  She's a wonderful person, very aware and incredibly thoughtful.  I'd keep the 3.5ml for myself to wear and to share with anyone who appreciates this fine work of art. 
    I'm lucky to have a sample of your Moondance and thereby may revel in the luxury of smelling as I type.  When I first experienced Moondance, I was somewhat thrown that this is what can be done with a "natural".  Not to say that I've not tried some natural beauties, I have, but none that possess this "other-worldly" quality I feel is present in Moondance.  To me there is a lucid, watery and dare I say, moon-dusty quality…maybe the "air" smells like this on the moon?  I've never been to Japan, but somehow this scent seems to me that it would feel right at home there too.
    It's funny that you mention the 'slightly melancholy' aspect of a particular featured note (that I of course would never have picked) since I actually did feel slightly down when I first smelled it but attributed it to my own fluctuating moods.  It's amazing too how your careful blending of notes (particularly the play between the classic heart and other accords) can create such a unique result. 
    Sorry to dribble on so much but I've always found the moon kind of cool and reassuring.  When I lived in New York as a young 17-20 yo, it was cool to know that the moon I saw was the same one being viewed by my family so many miles away.  And same when I missed my brother for years on end when he lived there and I/we lived here (Australia). 
    This perfume is an unusual bird…perhaps then it's no surprise that you've garnered so many rave reviews and awards for it (and others)…makes me all the more happy that I'm learning the art of perfumery with you.  As for my favorite perfume, well, it's yet to be discovered.  I can find a lot to like and love but I await "the one"…

    Thanks Anya,
    Laura

  • Jessica September says:

    Lovely piece Anya… Mother's Day has some beautiful associations- flowers, Spring, perfumes, and of course the unique relationship that exists between mothers and daughters. (and mothers and sons of course).  The moon is so ultra-feminine and can represent inner wisdom and the sea and the fullness of pregnancy… so many amazing things going on here!  I've never smelled your perfumes- but this one sounds particularly gorgeous! 

  • dleep says:

    This sounds lovely and I would love to win Moondance.  I have heard such wonderful things about Anya's fragrances.  I would share with my beautiful sister who lives in another state and whom I miss very much.  I can't say that I have a favorite fragrance since I try to love them all equally.  My theme song is "Here Comes the Sun." It always cheers me if I am feelilng blue.

  • Z. Boudreaux says:

    Oh…. I would share this with my lovely friend who's raising a 3 year old all by herself. Watching her do this (and helping out when I can) is truly amazing. Mom's have to be so strong! And the stamina! Anya's perfumes are really devine and one of my all time favorite perfumes is her Kewdra. My favorite fragrance is always changing.

  • Felicia G says:

    Anya,
     Your words made me smile about the love and kindness you show to your mom. It took me back a bit and made me breathless because that is what my own mother said of her experience at the nursing home when my grandmother was there. She was always making sure that she had enough money in her account to get her hair washed and set in rollers.
    Im going to mention a new favorite fragrance of mine, Chloe. I gave a small bottle to my four year old and she wears it when she asks for a spritz. It reminds me of her and her quest to be fabulous even at four. I wonder if the smell of Chloe will take her back in time to now? 
    My lifes themesong has yet to be discovered and my favorites are too many to mention but Van Morrison's Crazy Love is a favorite. 

  • Anya says:

    Good luck, Everyone! MoonDance is so special to me and my mother, I just had to "extend" mother's day a bit by making this offer.

  • Joy says:

    Nobody loves Van more than I do…
    Sandalwood and amber in its endless permutations is my favorite scent.
    It’s hard to choose a Van tune of all the many I love, but In The Garden (No Guru, No Method, No Teacher) is very special to me.

  • Michelyn Camen says:

    Thank you Anya for filling in when I was unable to post at the last minute
    And such a generous draw! my theme song is by Desiree Love Will Save The Day

  • shek says:

    am I still in time? its still the 13th here in Australia so I will give it a chance. I'd like to win the perfume because of the name, Moondance sounds fasinating, would be a floaty non gravity dance on the moon I guess, picturing a ballerina but with oxygen mask hehe mmm maybe without the mask…
    I love art and it makes me think of arty ideas. I'd share with my daughter who is 16 and sweetly opinianated abnout life at the moment. One thing we do have in common at the moment is a favorite fragrance called Pleasure Delight, I love the sweet almost edible caramel and honey fragrance it carries.I gave my daughter ther own bottle because she wanted to use mine.She's a princess doing a hairdressing apprenticeship and developping her own sence of style, so good to see.Have been called a hippy with a yuppy daughter, lol
    My all time favoriote song is Moonshadow, this is how I accidently ended up on the perfume page, the word moon referred me to it….I love Cat Stevens early songs, such a happy sound with memories of the seventies.

  • Elyce says:

    I have yet to actually try Anya’s Perfumes (though I am dying to) but I would love to try Kewdra–it sounds divine! I would share the other perfume with my mom who is always always always there for me and is definitely one of my best friends. Also, I consider Champagne Supernova by Oasis my theme song…never gets old.

  • Tama says:

    This perfume sounds lovely! I would share it with my sister, most likely, or one of my perfume sisters.
     
    My theme songs change constantly, as do my favorite perfumes.
     
    Touching post….

  • Leslie says:

    I've never tried anything by Anya McCoy, but I've always wanted to and Moondance would be my first choice because of the fragrance notes…mint and floral sounds so refreshing and cool, especially since the weather has been so hot and muggy in my neck of the woods…I would love to win so that I could share the prize with my best friend who, although she lives a thousand miles away, has supported me through thick and thin no matter what was going on in her own life- and she's had a lot to contend with- doublel mastectomy, man trouble, etc…AND she is a perfumaholic just like me but can't always afford to indulge her passion…

  • Sheree says:

    Ah, Moondance….the song. One of my long time favorites, probably because I was born under the cover of October sky also. Moondance…..the fragrance….I haven't had the honor of trying it yet but I know I would love it! I lost my mother last summer to cancer and while we had been estranged for the last 10 years, we were able to re-connect as I cared for her in her last weeks of life. So, if I won this drawing I would be unable to share this with her but I do have a lovely daughter who I would love to share this with.

  • Alice C says:

    I would love to try Moondance…love the song!  If I win, I will share with my daughter, she is often a willing sniffer when I want to share a scent.  I should reward her more often!  I don't have a favorite perfume anymore; I'm trying to explore this perfume world and sample widely! 

  • Suzanne Wlaschin says:

    Oh, this one is for me!  I love my Mom – she is the best Mom anyone could ever have!  And I love being a Mom – my daughter tells me that I am the best Mom also – I guess it runs in the family!  I would love to have some of Anya's Moondance  – it sounds simply marvelous!

  • Ragna says:

    Very nice post that speaks about love! 
    My mother is also in what I call a transistion home.  She loves it and also grieves her losses at the same time.  She is comforted with beautiful scents around her. as well as music.
    I will certainly sniff your Moondance creation someday~~~It sounds breathtaking!

  • Mary Beth says:

    Reading these comments the past few days I find my aloneness not so greatly as before. Of course anything named Moondance must be shared with one close to one's heart. Her favorite is "String of Pearls"; mine is "The Way You Look Tonight".  Our favorite partners are a secret.

  • Amy H says:

    I'd love to smell the scent that is both your and your mother's favorite scent. That in itself says something good about it! I would share the mini with my oldest friend, as she is getting into natural perfumes because I've already shared some with her, and it was her birthday this week 🙂

  • Calvados says:

    never tried Anya's creations and Moondance sounds wonderful. if i win, i'll share the 3.5 ml with one commenter here 🙂 because i don't know any perfumistas in person! my favorite fragrance right now must be En Passant – such a springy scent.

  • Anya says:

    Shek, did you now I have a connection to the song Moonshadow?  Well, in a way.  See http://anyasgarden.com/catstevens.htm 😉
    Sheree, my mother and I were estranged, too, even while she lived with me!  I worked and worked to find the nexus of the problem and I did, August 2009, right before her 90th birthday.  Her shoulders relaxed and she smiled as I told her the story I had uncovered, and we never had a harsh word from that day on.  It was like a miracle.  I always feel there is hope and that relationships can be salvaged.  I think it's just the loving Libra side of me 🙂  MoonDance was released two months later!
    I was caring for her on a daily basis at home until she had emergency surgery and wound up in the nursing home.  I couldn't bring her home, as her care had worn me out for the previous two years, and now she was beyond my abilities to help. I visit her every other day, or every two days, and try to bring her spirits up.  I think I'm like the Energizer bunny of cheerleading when it comes to lifting spirits.  I hope MoonDance will raise the spirits of the winner(s) and that they remember what I wrote about hope an redemption and mending spirits.

  • taffynfontana says:

    What a lovely article. Moondance sounds beautiful would love to try it. I would love to share it with my sister she is a lover of natural perfumery and I think this would suit her quite well.

  • carol says:

    I would love to win any amount of this perfume,my Mom passed away many years ago, but i would love to share it with my sister in law, who is a super gal and a great Mom to her 3 children.