Toula's Home Gift Garden

I love fragrance, especially in the summertime when it is so hot here in Athens. There is something very refreshing about enjoying an uplifting, light-scented cologne in the heat of the summer. It lifts spirits and rejuvenates you. It can also be enjoyed by others as long as it doesn’t tend to overpower! For both the wearer and those nearby, a particular scent can call forth all sorts of fond memories and associations.

I have used the same fragrance all my life. I discovered it rather accidentally as a kid on a Saudia jumbo jet traveling somewhere. It was in the restroom of the airplane bathroom (the airline thoughtfully provided a little scent to improve your mood—back when air travel was civilized and fun). I remember thinking about the shape of the bottle, and then spraying the cologne on my arm. The scent was citrus, clean and uplifting. I have been hooked ever since. You know you have a great fragrance when you never tire of it.

We carry a wonderful line here at Toula’s that reminds me of my personal cologne. Beth Terry is the creative force behind several unique and wonderful scents I selected for the store after we first opened. Beth was featured in a New York Times article several years ago about indie fragrances. Customers immediately took to her scents such as Element of Surprise and Mare. They are light but complex, unaggressive yet last through the day. The packaging is simple and streamlined, with the focus falling squarely on the cologne inside.

Element of Surpirse is made up of Italian lemon, lime, white tea, and jasmine. Mare has a more spicy approach with hints of sea salt, ginger lily, and avocado. If you are in the mood for romance, Beth Terry also has a great fragrance called Element of Desire. It is composed of tea, peony, and snowdrops. We also sell Vita, a nice mix of tea, blackcurrent, plum, and lily of the valley.  I believe the true test of a fragrance is when we have repeat customers, and Beth Terry now has a loyal following of women and men here at Toula’s. We are also excited about the launch of a new fragrance this summer. I don’t want to give away the surpise, but we should have it in the store very soon.

I encourage you to stop by Toula’s and check out these scents for yourself. They make for a nice respite on a hot summer day. Enjoy your July!

Eric