BPAL
From MeiLinWiki
BPAL = Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, an online perfume maker that MeiLin has a sad and consuming addiction to. BPAL focuses on "themed" fragrances--a group inspired by Alice in Wonderland, another by the works of Neil Gaiman (with his permission, yet), and so on. The themes are remarkably carried out. Beth, Brian and Ted are the "noses" at BPAL, and they do absolutely amazing work. Beth and Ted are married and have a teeny baby named Lilith Victoria with an astonishing head of thick black hair that makes her look like a mini glam rocker. :)
They have two spin-off businesses, Twilight Alchemy Lab (TAL) for ritual oils and mojo bags (MeiLin has one), and Black Phoenix Trading Post (BPTP), which sells BPAL-themed clothing, jewelry and accessories, and sometimes perfumes themselves. BPAL.org is the official forum/fan site for the Lab. MeiLin hangs out there a lot.
BPAL Lingo
Imp's Ear: A sample size fragrance, usually just referred to as an imp.
Frimp: Free imp that the Lab or people you swap or buy from will throw into the package. "Frimp" can also be a verb: The Lab frimps generously. :)
GE: General Catalog scents that are always available.
LE: Limited Edition scents--scents that are available for a short while, sometimes very short. Examples include the ongoing 13 series, released for 24 hours on Friday the 13ths only, and April Fools. LEs have also been issued for Leap Day and the 2008 Presidential election (available on election day only until the election was called). If there's a special occasion, watch: BPAL will often release a scent to mark it.
Lunacies: LEs created each month around the full moon, available on the day before, day of and day after the full moon before. The idea is that the oil will arrive in time for you to wear it on the moon it was created for. These are always named and themed after traditional names for that month's full moon: Hunger Moon, Harvest Moon, Pink Moon, Long Night Moon, and so on. Often the Lunacy is accompanied by a companion fragrance, especially for special occasions. For instance, Lunar Eclipse was issued in time to be worn during the lunar eclipse that came up in the month following (and it manages to smell like a lunar eclipse, weirdest thing).
Halloweenies: Fall- and Halloween-themed LEs usually on sale from late August through mid-November. Examples of long-running Weenies include Samhain and the Pumpkin Patch scents, five pumpkin-based scents that change yearly. Often there is a subseries based on a Halloween theme. In 2007, for instance, it was Haunted House; in 2008 it was Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
Yules: Winter- and Christmas-themed LEs usually on sale from mid-October through mid-January. Examples of long-running Yules include Rose Red, Snow White and Sugar Cookie. Often there is a sub-series; in 2008, it's Wind in the Willows.
Lupercalias: Spring- and Valentines-themed LEs usually on sale from mid-January through mid-March. Examples of long-running Lupercalias include Khajuraho and Parliament of Foules.
Salons: Scents based on paintings. Often they are available only at BPAL retail outlets, which are few and far between.
Shungas: A Salon sub-series of scents based on erotic Japanese ukiyo-e prints, released during Lupercalia '08.
Inquisition: A BPTP semi-annual event in which the quiz goblins determine which scent you'll get; you answer questions, and the choice is made. Past choices have included Naughty or Nice and the Four Seasons. If you get a scent you don't want, you may petition the goblins directly. They may accept your petition, or they may not.
