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The scent memories on the documentary fascinated me and prompted me to think about some of my own.
Some are glamorous. Like my mother wearing Givenchy III {a stunning scent now tragically discontinued}. In my mind she is this fragrance, it is so much a part of her. Mum has never worn scent on a daily basis so this is the smell of her getting ready to go out with my father. It’s the scent of having supper early and being in our pyjamas ready for the babysitter to arrive. It’s watching my mother dress for the evening. I have one particular image of her in a yellow and white patterned skirt, the fabric billowing around her as she hurries around her room gathering her shoes and handbag in earnest.
Some are not. Like the smell of garlic frying in a hot pan, or the earthy scent of the wax from a Barbour jacket that make me feel like my Dad is close. They create such a powerful reaction in me it’s as if he’s alive and in the room, brushing past me but just out of reach.
The more I pondered the role of perfume in my life the more dissatisfied I became with my current collection of scent. I have an ample, but not excessive, collection of fragrance. There’s a little Chanel, some Agent Provocateur and a sprinkling of YSL. Vivienne Westwood has received serious attention in recent years. I have some cheap and cheerful solid perfumes from Lush which make me smile.
But do I truly LOVE any of them?
Now I’m not so sure.
One thing I do know is that I want to create a new scent memory. I’m embarking on a quest to find the perfect fragrance for our wedding. It will become the scent that takes me back to that day, to that moment with Mr. LA and all the people we love. So it has to be good.
The beautiful perfume reviews posted by Grace London and Get Lippie have inspired me to begin my search a little off the beaten track. I think I secretly harbor after something a little obscure. You know… the sort of scent that will prompt people to stop you in the street and ask what you’re wearing.
Although, mostly I just want Mr. LA to nuzzle into me at the end of the night and whisper ‘you smell amazing’. Here’s hoping.
In the meantime, I intend to document some of my adventures in perfume right here on Loveaudrey. There will be a handful of perfume-related tales, my personal perfume history {it’s colourful, I can tell you} and perhaps even a sprinkling of reviews.
But it’s not all about me. I’d really love to share some of your scent memories too. Maybe there’s a particular smell that takes you back to childhood or a perfume that reminds you of falling in love? What scent did you wear on your wedding day? Are there any fragrances that conjure up unhappy memories for you? If you’re interested in contributing please drop me an email {[email protected]}, or if you’re feeling shy just tell me all about it in the comments!
Loveaudrey xxx
What a great post. I love perfume too, and although I saw an advert for the BBC4 doc I completely missed its airing. I must iPlayer it or something. I especially like the site The Perfumed Court for buying little sample sizes of rare and niche perfumes. Some of my favourites are selected fragrances from Les Exclusifs de Chanel line, and others by Guerlain and L’Artisan. Looking forward to reading about your scent search! 🙂
@konni So glad you enjoyed it! I think some of the episodes are still on iplayer but not all of them. Hopefully they’ll repeat it at some point. Thank you so much for pointing me in the direction of that web site, so many amazing scents to try! They even have Givenchy III. I’ll have to order some for my mum, it would make her day!
Loveaudrey xxx
I’m very much looking forward to your perfume posts too.
Like Konni, I missed the doc but have got it on my Sky+ so will have to watch it (just life’s been super hectic recently).
I am a complete fragrance addict and while I have over 50 of them (yes, really), I don’t actually think I have a scent that is ‘me.’ Yes, a few of them remind me of certain events and people but I am so ‘all over the place’, such a ‘fragrance hopper.’
Your post has made me think. I should really take a look at my scent collection and see how many of them actually mean something to me.
Would love to send you a long perfume-related email but, unfortunately, I do not know when (in the next few days) I’ll get to sit down for longer than a few minutes. Pff.
xo
Great post! I too remember my mum getting dressed up to go out and carefully applying Joy by Jean Patou. I managed to get hold of some for her in Selfridges a couple of years back – worth the price tag to see the look on her face and the obvious memories it brought back.
I went through a phase of loving Infusion d’Iris by Prada and it’s still my comfort perfume – one of those scents that has had so many compliments. However for my W day I finally succumbed to Jo Malone and wore White Jasmine and Mint. My sister described it as smelling like beautiful fresh air on a Spring day! I layered Jo Malone’s Orange Blossom over the White Jasmine for the evening to give a headier more sensuous feel – it’s a divine combnation. I can also recommend the Body Shop’s Moroccan Rose scent – I had a spritz today and it’s gorgeous; old fashioned rose with a hint of the exotic, elegant and not at all overpowering as some rose fragrances can be.
Although my first post I’ve been hooked on your blog for a while. Looking forward to more perfume posts. xxx
@Miss A Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I’ve been reading back through your blog posts and your perfume collection is pretty impressive. You write such fabulous reviews, if you do happen to have time over the next week or so do please deop me an email, I’d love to feature something from you 🙂
@Cathy B What a fabulous idea to layer the scents for the evening of your wedding. Seriously, pure genius! I would never have thought of that.
I’ve never smelt any Jo Malone perfumes, I think I’ll have to make a pilgrimage to London in order to sniff some! I rarely venture into The Body Shop either and I don’t think I’ve smelt any of their perfumes since I was a teenager but I’m def intrigued by the sound of Moroccan Rose.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment, it’s always lovely to hear from people that stop by to read 🙂
Loveaudrey xxx
Great post! I watched the first of the documentary and have the next two episodes on my iplayer desktop to watch. I too remember my Mum’s going out scent, as she has never been a daily scent wearer. She always wore/wears Carven Ma Griffe. I’m much more of a perfume whore, although my favourite ever perfume is Paco Robanne’s XS Pour Elle, which is now sadly discontinued (although still available in a few places). My first proper grown up scent was bought on a ferry to France. I’d saved up to buy it,and I was about 13. I didn’t know what I was going to buy, but fell in love with Calvin Klein’s Obsession. I used to spray it everywhere – for such a strong scent, it must’ve been really overpowering for anyone around me! It’s not a scent that really appeals to me now, but the scent of Obsession mixed with fake tan really takes me back to that happy family holiday in France! I love that scents do hold memories and can be really evocative. xx
@TheBBB How funny! My first scent was purchased on a ferry when I was 12. I can totally relate to using a little too much perfume in my youth too! At least I’ve learnt to be a touch more subtle as I’ve grown-up 😉
I love the description of yourself as a ‘perfume whore’!
Loveaudrey xxx