Mendittorosa Talento Talismans Review + Fairy Tale Draw

 

Mendittorosa Talento rose

Little Rose Graphic by Elena Cvjetkovic 

I hope you are seated comfortably in front of your screen. Allow me to tell you a story inspired by the sixth Talisman in Mendittorosa perfume collection Talismans, The Talisman of Talent –  Mendittorosa Talento:

Once upon a time, there was a very young plant growing in a well-kept garden, hidden in an obscure corner beside the white wooden fence. It seemed that it just appeared there one day, out of nowhere. As far as Old Oak could remember, being here long before all the other flowers and trees were planted, nothing managed to grow on that spot except a few bushes of grass.

Butterflies in a Garden, Pexels

Other flowers, grand fragrant divas surrounded by their well-groomed groupies, protected by caring and friendly trees, together with clusters or various other small flower families, were planted in cascades forming fireworks of carefully arranged different colors and odor profiles, their roots firmly set in the ground for years. They couldn’t recall the moment when they first noticed two frail, crooked branches straining to grow a few wrinkled leaves, couldn’t even tell if it’s a flower or a weed, so they soon forgot all about it, and went on minding their own business of smelling pretty and keeping their buds blooming regularly. Its presence was ignored.

best Mendittorosa talismans

Rose Fairy, Pexels

It was by sheer luck and some stubborn perseverance that Little Plant managed to claw its tiny roots deeper into the soft, black ground. This forgotten corner was a fine South-facing spot, protected by the fence, and with just enough sunshine and rain to make our little friend feel simple pleasures of growing quietly, enjoying sunny days and comforting mild nights of Spring and Summer in its solitary everyday life.

As days and seasons of a year passed, it managed to thrive, growing upwards, stretching out, celebrating the growth of its every single new leaf, all alone. Little Plant didn’t know if it shall ever have flowers of its own, what these flowers might look or smell like. It just hoped and dreamed of blooming one day, looking at other fragrant inhabitants shaking their petals like peacock ruffles its tail. There was no poison of envy in its leaves, just sheer fascination with the beauty of the world surrounding it. By now it has grown enough so that its smallest leaves, at the top of the highest branch, could see the whole garden in full bloom and waves of fragrant air coming from even the smallest plants. Excitement would then run all the way down its spine, down to its roots, it would tremble at the delight of witnessing such beauty and opulent diversity of scents and colors.

 Mendittorosa talento

Winter Landscape Paul Gaugin

Winter came, snow and cold temperatures slowed the growth of our Little Plant down. It was the third Winter of its existence. One cloudy, windy morning it woke up and felt no frost on its leaves anymore. Sun warmed it up at noon. Still dizzy from sleeping for so long, it suddenly became aware that something has changed: it had grown thorns, soft and green.

Some other plants did notice those little thorns and whispered that the plant growing in the corner has thorns that look like ones roses have, but Little Plant growing in the corner of the garden couldn’t possibly be a rose! Roses never-ever grew there.  Little Plant overheard that, and couldn’t care less: it didn’t consider itself to be worthy or capable of producing any flowers at all, let alone rosebuds, and it was not into thorns anyway. Besides, it thought that its thorns were beautiful in the moonlight,  silver-clad at night. Something else had changed: one of its roots, stubborn and dedicated, managed to find its own way to a rich supply of fresh underground water, purified by stones in the neighboring garden!

Little Plant with soft green thorns felt stronger, its roots drinking thirstily. It was determined to give its best to live its own way, to thrive and rejoice in Spring. It accumulated and saved energy for Winter, knowing that time shall come for it to shed some leaves in order to grow new ones, come next Spring.

Soft Spring rain woke it up gently one day. As the weather became warmer, ants and insects started to look for food. Among all the flowers in this lush garden – they chose Little Plant to feed on its juices. It fought this new battle, alone, in silence, withering. It was in pain, dying a slow death.

Withered Flower, Pexels

Amidst its effort to stay alive, it noticed a new, small plant leaning on it, hugging its base gently. It curled its dark green leaves to protect the small one and offered its soft green thorns to help it climb. It also noticed that ants and bugs stayed away from it, ever since this small, fresh-smelling friend appeared.

Mint looked up and said: “Thank you, Rose.” Little Plant started to shake: it had overheard stories other flowers whispered about Queens of Flowers, beautiful roses with big, black thorns and royal crowns made of most fragrant petals in the world. Rose? With small, green thorns and crooked branches? Little Plant thought: „What if there is a rose budding inside me, regardless of everything?“ That thought made its whole existence make sense, it felt so…right. “Thank you, Mint”, it whispered.

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Mint, Pexels

Little Rose hugged Mint gently. It realized that no matter what its thorns looked like, no matter the most distant spot in the garden – it might direct its juices wiser and with a higher purpose, one that it suddenly visioned clearly: to bud and bloom, at last. To celebrate its resurrection, the only way it felt it could!

Little Rose and Mint swore to each other to protect, accept, and respect each other, by doing and giving their best to each other, no questions asked. Spring came again, the garden woke up, butterflies circled around first flowers, bees could be heard buzzing and birds humming, and one sunny day all the other flowers noticed that Little Rose and Mint have grown bigger and greener than ever, filling that empty corner of the garden beside the wooden fence. Embraced. Together.

 best rose indie perfumes

Rose Bud, Pexels

One day later in May, early in the morning, the entire garden fell silent in awe: our Little Rose grew one single bud overnight, while no one was watching! Mint rushed to kiss it’s cheek, laughing and releasing its fragrant, airy, ice-fresh breath. They both felt their scents, mixed together in a single drop of dew, dancing one around the other, blending in a swirly movement, producing even a more beautiful accord than each separate plant could have created it on its own.

Geranium, their first neighbor squealed in surprise adding its fragrant, velvety-smooth breath too, and bowed to be closer to them, happy that it could contribute. It felt like a ray of warm sunshine! This beautiful, airy and light fragrance rose above the dark earth as dew evaporated, lifting it higher, and Wind carried it happily across the whole garden. The whole garden applauded to Little Rose, praising its soft green thorns which didn’t kill the Mint but gave it support to grow. They cheered the Mint too, for supporting Little Rose and chasing all the ants and bugs away, while still remaining true to itself.

As time passed, Little Rose opened one by one petal of the bud deliberately slowly. It was doing this for itself, not to impress other flowers. Its long-lasting scent grew more complex, comforting, deeper and richer, with a little help of Old Oak and two most prominent passers-by, impressed by its daintiness: Patchouli and Cedar. Our Rose felt at peace now, never forgetting what it took to get here where it is now, thankful for everything in its path that helped it discover how to use its talent to bloom. It had always felt, deep inside its veins, that it grew right there, in this very lonely spot – for a reason.

This was not the same Little Rose anymore. It has changed, found itself, grown, bloomed and unfolded the most beautiful flower in the whole garden. Hardships didn’t make it bitter, spicy, zesty, dark or peppery, oh no! It became even more gentle when it became aware of its purpose in life, soft and tender like Garden Fairy’s rainbow-colored wings. It wasn’t too sweet or powdery either, brightness oozed out of its every pore. That neglected corner of the garden was never the same again, and the story about Little Rose&Mint was told to every little sprouting plant, now warmly welcomed with love in the garden, even if coming from its most distant corners.

Little Rose bloomed, changed irrevocably, and this transformation affected the whole garden, changing the way it looked and smelled. It had found its Talent.

Talent is the divine spark of light in us,  Mendittorosa Talento is a fragrant ode to it.

Mendittorosa Talento Talismans Review

Mendittorosa Talento at Pitti, by Elena Cvjetkovic©

The Talisman of Talent, the green light of genius that could flourish and grow in all of us. A light to be protected as in turn protects us.“

Notes for Mendittorosa Talento- Top: Mint, Aldéhyde C12 MNAHeart: Rose Oxide, Infusion of Rose, Geranium, Base: Indonesian Patchouli, Oakmoss, Cedar

Stefania Squeglia of Mendittorosa

Photo: Stephania Squeglia, by Elena Cvjetkovic

Mendittorosa Talento – Extrait du Parfum (30%), was created by Amèlie Bourgeois and Camille Chemardin for “the barefoot artisan perfume princess” Stefania Squeglia of Mendittorosa – is the newest addition to the Talismans Collezione Preziosa (2019).

Elena Cvjetkovic,  Guest Contributor

Disclaimer: The sample is a decant of Mendittorosa Talento Stefania gave me at Pitti Fragranze 2019, for which I am deeply grateful. Opinions and feelings, as always, of my own.

Mendittorosa Talento Review

Photo by Elena Cvjetkovic©

Thanks to  the generosity of Mendittorosa  we have a 7.5 ml deluxe sprayer of Mendittorosa  Talento for a registered reader in the EU or USA only.  You must register here or your comment will not count. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what you enjoyed most about  Elena’s fairy tale, if you have a favorite from the  Mendittorosa collection and where you live.  Also it is Elena’s birthday 9/20 so please join us in wishing her a  fantastic birthday…. Talent is a good word to describe just one of her many attributes!! Draw closes 9/23/2019

Photos: Elena Cvjetkovic, Mendittorosa, Pexels

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53 comments

  • It is the most beautiful and moving text I have ever read here.
    Little Prince among fragrances. Amazing.
    I am familiar with Talento and I can say that Elena’s description of it is incredibly accurate. This fragrance is very unique. It’s not multi-component but it tells a story of innocence, maturate, sadness and joy. Best wishes to talented Elena!
    I truly appreciate all Mendittorosa fragrances. My favorite are Talento, Le Mat, Osang, Ithaka.
    I would love to win this travel spray. I live in Poland.

  • Apart from talent, one needs a pure heart to make it a fairy tale, otherwise it’s just a story. I think Elena revealed to us just that! Please, celebrate this day on your own terms! Hugs, from Romania.

  • The friendship between Mint and Little Rose is both strong and tender. What a lovely idea to describe this fragrance through a garden fairy tale. Great job Elena. And happy birthday! I haven’t tried any of the scents from the line but love to. Thank you for the opportunity. I live in the USA.

  • What a sweet story! Little plant is all of us. I like the way the story unfolds like a fragrance unfolding on the skin. That bottle is gorgeous! Happy Birthday Elena! I live in the US

  • What a sweet story! Little plant is all of us. I like the way the story unfolds like a fragrance unfolding on the skin. That bottle is gorgeous! Happy Birthday Elena! I live in the US

  • I have Le Mat from the brand and love it so I am curious about another rose interpretation in the form of Talento. This seems like more transparent portrait of rose. My fav. is Le Mat though I hope to try Osang in the future. I am in US

  • Happy Birthday! You weave a wonderful story around the fragrance. I have to try it. I’m in the USA.

  • Happiest of Birthdays Ms Elena! I enjoyed reading about the little plant that could, lol. Thanks for the opportunity to sniff Talento by Mendittorosa, a brand that I absolutely love! USA

  • Happy birthday Elena. That was quite a metamorphosis for Little Plant in this beautiful essay. Thank you for the review and the giveaway. I’m in TX USA

  • Randomnoisebursts says:

    What a sweet garden fairy tale. The relationship between the mint and the little rose was precious. Also, I love any story with talking flowers. Happy birthday from USA.

  • Happy Birthday! Lovely review, a pleasant reading.
    The bottle is gorgeous and the fragrance should be at the same level…
    Thank you for the giveaway.
    I am from Romania

  • Happy birthday Elena and thank you for the lovely fairytale! It really was touching, I appreciated the use of personification, and it made a wonderful way to explain this perfume. I have never smelled anything by Mendittorosa before and this one sounds so beautiful. From EU.

  • I loved the story of Little Plant that Elena told in such a beautiful way, and happy birthday!
    Thank you very much for the giveaway! My favourite Mendittorosa is Le Mat. I live in EU.

  • I don’t think any words can do justice to Elana’s description. My favourite from the housesis le mat. From UK Thanks a lot

  • Happy Birthday Elena! And thank you for the story. It reminded me of stories from my childhood.
    I do not yet have a favorite from the Mendittorosa collection.
    USA

  • By reading this review, the stories/ farytales from my childhood come into my mind and my mood has been changed for all day…thanks, Elena, and Happy birthday to you!
    This frangrance has to be tried.
    I have no preferred fragrance from Mendittorosa.
    Greetings from RO, EU.

  • giselle liberatore says:

    What I enjoyed most about Elena’s exquisite fairy tale
    Is how I am living it
    My mother passed away on September 8
    my journey up until her last day and throughout my life
    until today
    are told in each word
    each unfolding and new petal of this most magnificent and reflective story
    of my life to date
    I personally thank you
    as it is paving my grieving process
    with the fragrance and beauty of this
    Rose
    I thank you more than these words I write can say

  • A little cinderella story of a small rose, i enjoyed the story a lot. If i could sample this scent, i would be delighted! The paintings are sweet, too.
    I live in Germany

  • Happy birthday, Elena! You have given us a beautiful story. I love thinking about each of the plants helping each other with unique talent in order to thrive. Sounds like another beautiful Mendittorosa. I would love to be included in the draw.

  • Happy birthday, Elena! You have given us a beautiful story. I love thinking about each of the plants helping each other with unique talent in order to thrive. Sounds like another beautiful Mendittorosa. I would love to be included in the draw. USA

  • OMG This is exquisite writing! It is so well done that I was seeing it all play out in my mind as I was reading. I couldn’t stop smiling. Happy Birthday Elena! I love Sogno Reale and now must try Talento.
    In the USA.

  • Happy birthday, Elena! I know I am a day late, but I hope you had a great day.
    What I liked most about the review was the interplay between the images and the text. There was a range of images, from the documentary, to the scientific, to the artistic, to the fanciful. I have never tried any fragrances from Mendittorosa, but am eager to. I am in the US, in North Carolina.

  • Happy birthday Elena!
    Great story about little rose. A very sweet and lovely ending.
    I have not tried any of the Mendittorosa fragrances but would love to. USA

  • The story was absolutely beautiful. It was inspiring, encouraging, uplifting – just as I’m certain the fragrance is. I have yet to smell any of this collection’s fragrances. And a Happy belated Birthday, Elena. (Commenting from FL, USA)

  • The Plum Girl says:

    Thank you for all your birthday wishes! The story about Talento, a truly exquisite artisan parfume, is my present to all CaFleureBon readers. Wish you luck and let us know how you liked it should you win!

  • Best wishes, Elena! Thank you for a very inspiring story about finding the hidden treasures within us! I don’t know the perfumes by Mendittorosa, so I am all the more curious about this one. I live in Romania, EU.

  • What an enchanting fairy tale! I love how Mint and Rose entertwined in the story just like their scents would in the fragrance! Located in USA. Happy Birthday Elena!

  • Great review. That bottle is just gorgeous, as for the notes mint and rose sound really interesting. I’ve had the chance to smell some of the Mendittorosa fragrances and Le Mat is the one that impressed me the most, beautiful juice. Thanks for the article and for the nice giveaway, i’m in the EU.

  • As I read this, I couldn’t help but think of The Little Prince which has very special meaning to me and my family. Elena’s tale is very charming. It is a most wonderful way of introducing the notes of this fragrance. A very happy birthday to Elena. I don’t have a favorite from this house, but I would really enjoy trying this one. Thank you for a most enjoyable review and a generous draw. I’m in the USA

  • This tale was so lovely, I very enjoyed to read. I heard a lot of good thing about this brand, but I never had a chance to try anything from it. Thank you for the chance. I live in the EU.

  • Happy Birthday Elena! I love rose scents and I adore mint scents, but I haven’t yet gotten a chance to smell a combination of the two. Keeping my fingers crossed. I’m in the USA.

  • Such a pleasant and meaningfull story ♥️ congrats, Elena! Wishing you the best birthday ever! Hugs from EU

  • Happy birthday, Elena!
    What a beautiful and delicate personification!
    I have never had the chance of smelling Mendittorosa, but I think Le Mat would be my favorite.

    I live in The Netherlands, EU.

  • Happy, happy B-Day Elena.

    I love well-made rose notes, non-toothpaste mint notes as well as patchouli notes. I wonder if they combine just as well in this fragrance as their characters did in the fairy tale. VA, USA.

  • m.r.everything says:

    Let me first say thank you for this opportunity! Happy belated Birthday Elena! I really enjoy reading your work! I love how this piece takes flowers and gives them feelings and life situations that relate to us. It proves that any little “bud” or person from anywhere in the “garden” or world can grow up to be a shining star! This was a great read! I have only been able to sample one from the Mendittorosa line and it is Le Mat. That is a superb rose and WILL be in my collection in the future. I really enjoy it! I look forward to owning a full bottle and testing others from the line! I live in Delaware, US! Thank you again for the opportunity and the awesome article!

  • Happy birthday Elena! 🙂
    My favorite so far of Mendittoroso is “Ithaka”

    I enjoyed most about this fairy- tale that it reminded me a lot of my old books when I was a child. And of that child-like sense for magic surrounding us everywhere, waiting to be found.

    Living in Germany, EU

  • Happy birthday Elena !
    The essay was a wonderful read. Such a lovely fairytale that interweaves with description of the perfume.
    The last part is a wonderful addition and a great conclusion. Talent is indeed a divine spark indide us that needs nurturing and a lot of hard work in order to achieve the full potential.
    I haven’t had the opportunity to try any Mendittorosa perfumes, but I’m truly impressed by their artisanal and highly artistic approach.
    Thank you for a wonderful article !
    Greetings from Romania, EU

  • Michael Prince says:

    Happy Birthday Elena and nice fairy tale.  Mendittorosa  Talento sounds like a beautiful rose and mint fragrance with a dense base. I am from the USA.

  • Mint and rose, what a wonderful tale! I didn’t think I would be interested in it at first but the story drew me in. I haven’t tried anything by this house but I’d love it to try this if I win. I live in the USA.
    Happy birthday Elena!

  • Happy birthday Elena. Beautiful creation, this perfume is a fairy tale, its components are “mild” and at the same time rich in personality and the bottle is wonderful.
    Linda – EU

  • This is a delicate, soft, pure rose, in contrast to the numerous spiced roses. a rose that enters on tiptoes for conquer the heart.
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY
    Angel from Europe

  • This scent of “sweet” rose reminds me of a poet’s phrase, “I don’t love that the roses that I didn’t pick”, in this atmosphere of abandonment the heart rejoices because the rose not taken will never fade.
    Of course …. Happy Birthday
    Alex (Europe)

  • redwheelbarrow says:

    What a lovely story and a beautiful way to describe a fragrance. Happy belated birthday, Elena. I have not tried this house yet but this sounds like such a beautiful fragrance. In the US.

  • “Hardships didn’t make it bitter….It became even more gentle….” I relate so much to this. I don’t think we need to become jaded and hardened into stone when going through and surviving hardships. I don’t think gentle means weak.
    I loved this entry on Çafleurebon.
    Happy Birthday, Elena!
    I live in the USA.

  • Happy Birthday Elana! May you have a wonder year of fun and happiness. Excellent and talented review of this fragrance notes and description. Thanks for the draw. I live in USA.

  • Happy Birthday Elena! May you have a wonder year of fun and happiness. Excellent and talented review of this fragrance notes and description. Thanks for the draw. I live in USA.

  • Happy slightly belated bday!
    Wow, really clever tale to describe a fragrance. The winter and green description paired well with mint
    I haven’t tried any from the house.
    Im in IL. Thanks for the draw