Scent...Fragrance...Perfume... We call it many things. While not an addict—and certainly not a connoisseur—I would spritz daily.
If I were home all day I'd use something light or cheap or that I was running out of. I'd give something a second or third try to see if I liked it any better. I hate to throw out a nearly full bottle of anything, even a mistake.
If I were going out—to work or volunteer or meet friends or run errands, I'd use my go-to-du-jour. I tend to like a scent for a few years then move on.
If I were really going out—dressed up, out for dinner, a special meeting or event—it would always be The Good Stuff. Over time that has varied too. I chose "Arpege" as my first grown-up fragrance when I was in high school and saved it for dates. The past dozen years or so I've gone with "Carolina Herrera" by Carolina Herrera. It's strong and assertive. I feel I can finally carry it off.
This past year, though, you're lucky if I smell like soap. Getting dressed has not been the same and certainly hasn't warranted a spritz. Just taking the cap off the good stuff and having a sniff was a bittersweet gesture. It so reeked of "the before times".
I'd not given it much thought, but scent is as much a part of fashion as a good bra and a lot more fun. Fragrance evokes more memories than Proust's madeleines. I can still smell the strawberry-sweet little-girl cologne from a company called Milkmaid Cosmetics, long gone and not, as yet, to be found. Between Milkmaid and "Arpege" came "Evening in Paris", from the dime store. I assumed it wasn't a serious scent because of its provenance. Real perfume came from a department store!
Remember when all your dates wore Old Spice? I never liked any of them. Along came a fella who wore "Zizanie", and I fell...hard. I traced his cologne to the gift shop at the Eden Roc in Miami Beach and bought a bottle long after we'd broken up.
I have both my vaccines and passed the waiting period. Yes, I have been slowly, carefully, tiptoeing back to life AND adding fragrance along the way. It smells good.
Oh, I wish I were vaccinated. At almost 64, I thought I was next, but being healthy I still have to wait.
ReplyDeleteScents of the past! My grandmother wore Topaz by Avon and I bought a bottle as it was being discontinued so I could remember her smell. I have started wearing my favorite warm weather scent to work, Jo Malone’s Basil and Neroli. I feel a little bit fancier, even though I’m just sitting there by myself all day.
Thank you for all you were a good grown-up conversation posts. I don’t always comment but I always appreciate them.
Hopefully the vaccine is coming for you soon! Three states are just now making everyone over 16 eligible. When you get yours you will feel like you won the lottery. Thank you for your thank you. You are the reason I write— not for fame or money (really)— but for you to feel your reading time was worthwhile.
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