Animalique Byredo 2023

In my restless dream, I see this city.
You promised to bring me back there one day.
But you never did.
Now, I am alone there, at our 'special place'.
I am waiting for you.

In the late afternoon, a storm began, first just a restless rustling between the roofs, eventually a trembling at the windows. When darkness fell, it broke loose completely, a wild concert of whistling wind, rattling signs, and snowflakes whipped through the alleys like angry swarms. Every step through the city was a struggle against the invisible force that tugged from all sides. The cold bit through the layers of fabric, my fingers were long since numb.

Yet in the harshness of winter, there was something beautiful. Every breath was sharp as glass, every gust of wind reminded me that I was still there, still holding on. And amidst this chaos, a sign glowed, faintly, flickering, a small jazz bar, half-hidden between two dark facades. I pulled open the door, it was heavy like the lid of a giant treasure chest, and the world behind it was different.

Inside, it was warm, not modern-warm, not glaring, but warm like an old living room that knows stories. Candlelight on tables, dim lamps casting shadows across the walls. Old leather armchairs, whose cushions had long lost their shape. A light layer of smoke hung in the room, almost invisible, but it settled over the lungs like a memory of times when everyone still casually lit cigarettes when the music began.

And there it was, the music.
A saxophone that sounded like the storm outside. A piano that responded with soft chords. Then the voice of the singer: “Dream a little dream of me …”, soft and sad at the same time.

I immediately thought of you. Of our meadow, of the green that holds its own even in the darkest forest. Of the poem you loved to read.

There is pleasure in the dark forest green,
Delight lingers on untrodden dune,
Company is where all is deserted,
Music in the wave's crash at the eternal sea,
I love the people, but nature even more.

You were always my pleasure in the dark, my delight in the untrodden. With you, even the storm was a melody, not an enemy. And in your eyes still sparkled the brilliance, so boundless that you could break open the sky itself.

I sat down next to you, without words, because words would be too small. The storm raged outside, but in here, was our special place. I wanted to tell you that I had never lost you, not in the darkness, not in the noise, not in the years.

And while the singer softly continued to whisper “Dream a little dream of me …”, I knew: You are the love of my life.

Thank you for reading.

Kayra.

Fragrance description: In today's fragrance description, I would like to talk about the brand Byredo. I have tested many scents from this brand, but often found them challenging, yet this one surprised me quite positively. Animalique starts with incredibly beautiful citrus notes like lemon and bergamot, followed by suede, amber, and florals. One might think that the scent is very strong due to the leather, but it is not; the leather holds back quite a bit and is rather soft. Finally, we get sandalwood and tobacco at the end, both notes are also quite soft. In conclusion, Animalique is a stunning leathery, powdery, floral, woody, and creamy masterpiece. I am very taken with this scent, chapeau.