a world of scent

I've always liked perfume, but sometime on our honeymoon Joel and I started toying with the idea of studying perfume or having a luxury line that sold it. Now, that sounds crazy and silly, and it probably will never be (just like we love the idea of living on a vineyard and Joel working from home - though those aren't as far-fetched and the latter is something of an honest goal), but it was a lot of fun to talk about. There's something attractive in the 'houses' of goods or scent that have been passed down from generation to generation of owner and designer, even though today they may be viewed in a more negative light.

Joel and I bought these three books, because they seemed like a fun but well-informed way to learn about perfumes. I've only read the first so far, which I've mentioned before, and it was incredible! Such a fantastic book about travel, the history of scent, perfume making, the sources, and the ethics. Crazy. I would highly recommend it (to anyone, not just someone interested in fragrances!) and look forward to reading the other two, by a different author.

Did you know that there is a perfume critic for the New York Times? His reviews aren't the most thorough since he does five or six in an article, but if you search youtube you will find the funniest videos of people giving 10 minute reviews on one scent.

Another fact I quickly learned (but only recently applied) : Displaying your perfumes and colognes on a pretty tray on your vanity or dresser (like ours!), or brightly sunlit bathroom is a bad idea. Perfumes can 'turn,' or suddenly change in makeup, and a familiar scent can smell either completely different or plain bad. They are affected by sunlight and air, so keeping them closed up is a good way to store them. Ours are now on an easily accessible shelf in our closet. For this reason, it's also a good idea to buy smaller bottles, even if the big bottle is a better deal, unless you only use one scent and know you will use it up.

My dad's mother was a masseuse, and she had a small room in her house dedicated to her massage table. It was very simple, but because of it the eyemasks filled with lavender were fused into my memory. This Christmas, Kyleigh gave me a long sachet similar to those masks, stuffed with lavender from our wedding. It was the perfect gift, and now every time I take a shirt out of my drawer, it smells like lavender for several minutes. Lavender will always remind me of Grandma Fox and be a beloved scent, even if I have many favorites.

Maybe it will only be for my own amusement, but I'd love to write a couple posts about our favorite scents, a favorite perfume house, and the things I learned in Celia Lyttelton's book. It's a beautiful and incredibly complex art. One of my favorite little joys every day is picking out what scent to wear.

Do you love scents? Do you wear perfume? Do you love fragranced soaps and lotions as well? (I do too! But I don't like mixing them too much.)

With love,
Cait