Favorite Scents of a Woman

 

Day 29 Favorite Smell in the Moments of May 2015 Challenge

One of my first olfactory memories is Mom putting Baby Magic on my baby brother Steve. Somehow, the manufacturers of the baby lotion captured newborn innocence in a bottle. Close behind my first memory is my second: Johnson’s Baby Powder. The fluffy powder – who knows if its smell brought me back to my own babyhood days – but its fragrance has always calmed me – something like the sound of birds chirping makes me feel all is well in the world.

Growing up with two brothers, I was somewhat of a tomboy – though not so coordinated. Mark and Steve gave me the nickname of Klutz. I earned it in elementary school, climbing our apple tree and at times, hanging upside down in my pigtails on its lowest branch – and falling out of it, scraping my elbows and shins. Mom was a nurse, and her bedside manner was gentle as she removed the bits of grass and dirt. She used Bactine to cleanse and dress the wounds. The friendly-scented liquid soothed the pains from my scrapes.

I also loved to swing on the glider attached to the swingset in our backyard. One day I had the bright idea to hang on the back of one of the glider’s chairs. That earned me a trip to the doctor’s office and four stitches. The smell of alcohol still takes me back to the lesson I learned that day.

In my teens, I fell in love with Herbal Essence shampoo, so much so that I used my babysitting money to treat myself to it. Its exotic concoction was the only thing that helped me lumber out of bed on school days.

On those extra-hard days, Lemon-Up, with its purported “juice of one whole lemon in each bottle,” offered the stimulus I needed to wake me up.

Snyder’s Drug Store had the market in my corner of the world. It served up wonderful aromas such as Charly, Jōvan Musk Oil for women, Jontue “wear it and be wonderful,” and my favorite, Windsong by Prince Matchabelli” where “Windsong stays on [his] mind.”

These days, I like the idea of a “smell-feast” from the 1500s, where, according to the Online Etymology Dictionary, is “one who finds and frequents good tables, one who scents out where free food is to be had.” Wonder what kind of version of free samples at Costco one had in the 16th century.

My favorite smells today

Gilchrist & Soames’ Vitamin E Body Lotion, with its slight lily-of-the-valley scent. I don’t remember the hotel we stayed at where I received this lotion but it is perfect for summer.

Roses

Night-blooming jasmine. Sure wish Bath and Body works still made the body lotion with this fragrance in it. I had the best sleep-filled nights when I put it on before bedtime.

White Barn’s Lilac candles

Rhubarb pie baking in the oven

My favorite rhubarb pie recipe is from Herberger’s cookbook

Peonies

Caldrea’s Sea Salt Neroli candles and body wash (this product used to be called naia. Looks like they no longer make the body wash. Which is a shame.)

Softsoap’s Wild Basil and Lime liquid hand soap

Pre de Provence’s Argan Body butter – a substantial cream with argan oil, shea butter, almond extract, olive oil extract and vitamin E. I find it sometimes at Marshall’s, Home Good, and lately Saks 5th Avenue – for which I’ve provided the link because it is a terrific deal at $15.39.

Something on the grill

Movie theater popcorn

Anthropologie’s Capri Blue Constellation Candle, scented in Oasis Blossom – I received this as a Christmas gift from my friend, Ann. It is marvelous.

What are your favorite smells?