In the summer
I stretch out on the shore
And think of you
Had I told the sea
What I felt for you
It would have left its shores,
Its shells,
Its fish,
And followed me.

Nizar Qabbani
Syrian poet

I grew up living in several different states, yet the formative part of my youth was spent in Denver. I don’t remember how my family originally came upon this restaurant, but it remains my favorite to this day. A Syrian restaurant called Damascus, tucked away in a sleepy plaza of stores either closed or forgotten by time. You could miss Damascus if you blinked as you drove south on Colorado Boulevard toward University.

Dolly Madison, Denver, Colorado. 2016

The remnants of the Dolly Madison store adjacent to the doors of Damascus will let you know you found this hidden gem. The interior artwork consisted of promotional travel posters and a mural of men riding horses. When I last visited Denver, the posters were no longer on the walls, but the mural still holds its brilliance. To this day, I hold its baba ghanouj above all others.

Watching the events unfold in Syria moved me through stages of anger, grief, sorrow, and compassion. I felt compelled to do something – anything – to help the people of Syria who continue to suffer a never-ending nightmare. And so I created a fragrance with the express intent to do what I am not able.

REZIN OF JOY is inspired by Muslimgauze, but more importantly by a desire to help the unarmed volunteers risking their lives to help anyone in need in Syria. 100 percent of all proceeds will be donated to the White Helmets, the Syrian Civil Defense. Bakers, tailors, engineers, pharmacists, students and many more, the White Helmets come from all walks of life. The 3,200 volunteers are united by their motto that “to save one life, is to save all of humanity.”

This huile de parfum contains organic jojoba oil and a blend of jasmine, (ten) roses, blue lotus, oud, amber, vegetal musk, carnation, pistachio, and more. The fragrance is all natural and vegan – I didn’t have time to certify its vegan status, but I promise you it is a vegan perfume – ready to ship anywhere around the world. I created only 30 bottles of this limited edition fragrance so, claim yours now.

I truly believe that we can make the world a better place, if only we try.