In Pursuit of Inspiration to Live Well

The start of a new season always energizes me to examine myself and evaluate goals I have set.   The start of a new school semester is no different and like Kathleen Kelly in You've Got Mail, I find it so easy to romanticize this season.  The smell of Scotch Tape.  Bouquets of sharpened pencils...  Ahhhh!

 Several goals to which I commonly recommit at the start of each new season are as follows:

1. Wake up early for daily quiet time.
2. Develop a house cleaning schedule and stick to it.
3. Read more books!
4. Live in the moment.
5. Eliminate negativity in thoughts and words.

This summer, I started strong waking up early, going to bed early, and generally accomplishing more throughout the day.  I developed a schedule to get house work done and usually kept things under control each week.  I surprised myself by getting through four books this summer!  There were plenty of awesome moments to live in and for the most part, I steered clear of negativity.

As the summer wore on, I started sleeping later...  My cleaning schedule started falling behind, with necessary "catch-up" days, which, of course, took-over some of our weekends.  At night during my designated reading time, I started playing a phone-game.  The "moments" were starting to seem daunting and negativity definitely became the default in my thought processes.

Last week, the Fall Semester began in most of our activities (lessons, church, etc.), and I welcomed the structure with open arms.  I recommitted to my desired goals and must say that when I get that first one down (paired with adequate sleep), the next four generally fall in order.  Not always, but very often.

One author whom I love to gleam inspiration from is Jennifer L. Scott.  I discovered her in 2012 from her first book, Lessons from Madame Chic: 20 Stylish Secrets I Learned While Living in Paris.  I devoured the book (along with all of the secrets) and started following her blog, "The Daily Connoisseur."  I was excited for her second book, At Home with Madame Chic: Becoming a Connoisseur of Daily Life, which came out last year and can hardly wait for her latest book, Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic: Lessons in Everyday Elegance to come out in October.

In honor of Jennifer's new book release and as a thank you to the inspiration she has provided me in my life, I will do a type of "Book-Review Countdown" over the next two months in anticipation of her new book, set to be released  on October 27, 2015.  August's book review will be Lessons From Madame Chic and September's review will be At Home with Madame Chic.

Click on any of the above links to purchase either of the books and join me in reading them this month and next.  Both of these books  provide great encouragement and inspiration in living well and living in the moment.  

I would love to know how you react to the start of a new semester.  Are you energized by all of the organization and schedules or deflated by deadlines and activities?  How do you find inspiration to keep a good attitude and live in the moment?  Please share your comments below!

In Pursuit of Authentic French Cooking

I (along with everyone else who had not already done so) fell in love with Julia Child after seeing the 2009 film, Julie and Julia.  The movie inspired me in more than just cooking; it was the inspiration to start my blog!  Even though I knew it would be silly to copy Julie Powell's idea of cooking through Mastering the Art of French Cooking, I was intrigued about how easy or difficult Mrs. Child's recipes truly were.

A few years later, I decided to try cooking through her TV series, "The French Chef."  While her recipes didn't seem necessarily difficult, they were all rather time-consuming.  I started saving them for weekend entertaining, when I would have the luxury of a few hours to cook a meal.  While I didn't cook through every episode (sadly, Amazon gradually removed the Prime Instant Video of "The French Chef," first seasons 2-10, and ultimately all of the seasons), I did find a few "go-to" recipes that I knew were fool-proof and would always turn out tasty.

"Casserole Roast Chicken"

I was quite disappointed when I discovered Amazon no longer had any of the episodes available on Prime and decided to read Mrs. Child's biography, My Life in France.  It starts just like the movie, with her and her husband, Paul Child's arrival in Paris.  It did take me a little while to get in to it, as most of it is written as she would speak: not always coherently, and sometimes jumping around from thought to thought.  About half-way through, I started to really get into it.  I enjoyed reading the back stories of the different French Chef episodes- I could read about her traveling to to visit Professor Raymond Calvel and learning proper techniques to make French bread and follow it with the episode she filmed covering her lesson.  This was especially fun to do with the "Pressed Duck Dinner" recipe, where in the book she documented traveling to Rouen to film the ritual at one of her favorite restaurants, La Couronne.

Most recently, I was listening to a podcast of The Splendid Table's 20th anniversary show where Lynne Rossetto Kasper replays an interview of Julia Child from their first episode.  The topic is summer barbecue meals, and Julia shares her recipe for Potato Salad along with a tip about most importantly making sure the potatoes are cooked correctly.  She also expresses her preference for Ground Chuck as her hamburger meat of choice and exclaims that she "Hates fake food- you can't have any fun with that!"  Lynn and Julia then have a brief conversation on the importance of moderation and their dislike of low-fat and fat-free products. Julia proclaims
that, "People are nutty who want to watch their fat or give it up entirely.  You can't have any fun eating that kind of a diet- all you can eat is vegetables and legumes and to hell with that is what I say!"

In Pursuit of a Signature Scent, Part 4

This week I tried the remaining samples in my collection: Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt (a "Woody" scent), Dark Amber & Ginger Lilly, and Oud & Bergamont (both "Cologne Intense" category).  I also decided to do a little write-up of my beloved Coco Mademoiselle and share the scent notes on that fragrance as well.

Wood Sage & Sea Salt: "Escape the everyday along the windswept shore. Waves breaking white, the air fresh with sea salt and spray. Alive with the mineral scent of the rugged cliffs. Mingling with the woody earthiness of sage. Lively, spirited, and totally joyful."

This is yet another scent that has grown on me. Almost to where I would wear it were I not doing this experiment. The "Woody" scent seems to have some floral in it. I would completely agree with the beachy-description given by the company. The beachiness is not the typical beachy scent that would first come to mind but a more organic scent that actually brings you back to walking along the waves at sunset.

Dark Amber & Ginger Lilly: "Rare Kyara wood. Prized in the Kahdo ceremony, the highly ritualized Japanese art of incense appreciation. Enriched with amber and black orchard. Illuminated by the clean sensuality of black cardamon, ginger, and water lily. Calm and relaxing."

I'm sure the fist thing you noticed about this scent was the bottle. It is in the "Cologne Intense" fragrance category, and like the other scents in this category have a dark bottle. I had heard about Jo Malone having unisex fragrances, but can really see how this one (along with a few others I've already written about- Pomegranate Noir, Blackberry & Bay, Lime Basil & Mandarin, Earl Grey & Cucumber) would be suited for a man.  Maybe it was growing up during the CK One revolution (I adore Kate Moss), but I've always found wearing a man's cologne very mysterious and extremely empowering.  While I don't necessarily get that feeling of empowerment from Dark Amber & Ginger Lilly, I definitely feel it when wearing this next one:

Oud & Bergamont: "Precious oud, reframed. This mysterious, smoky character of the revered wood, central to Middle Eastern fragrance traditions, radiates with the clarity of crisp bergamont and an orange granite accod. Hypnotic. Alluring."

"Alluring" is definitely my favorite word to describe this scent. Putting a few dabs on my throat and behind my ears transports me to a Middle Eastern cafe, sipping spicy tea while watching rich foliage dance in a breeze. The citrus notes do help it to not feel too exotic or over-powering. Every scent is very subtle. I would definitely enjoy wearing this scent, especially in the evening, going out for drinks or dinner.

Coco Mademoiselle: "Inspired by the irrespressible spirit of the young Coco Chanel, the modern oriental fragrance entices with an utterly feminine composition, expressing refined sensuality and incredible freshness. Top Notes of Sicilian Oranges, Calabrian Bergamont, Sicilian Grapefruit; Floral Heart of pure rose extract and pure jasmine extract, along with a fruity touch of litchi; Base Notes of Indonesian Patchouli, Haitian Vetiver, Bourbon vanilla and white musk. Dedicated to courageous, brave, and modern women who prefer luxury and elegance."

I will admit, one of the reasons I wanted to explore other scents before recommitting to Coco Mademoiselle was because of its popularity- if everyone wears your scent, is it truly your signature scent? After spending some time with the slew of Jo Malone fragrances, I applied some of my beloved Coco and remember why I loved this scent so much. "Luxurious," Feminine," and "Sensuous," are the three words I would pick to describe this scent. It also has the Rose I crave and adore, along with delicate bergamont I fell in love with in the Jo Malone Oud & Bergamont.

 One aspect of Jo Malone that is very appealing (but I did not incorporate into my writing) was her patented "Fragrance Combining," which allows you to truly create a "Signature Scent," by selecting your favorite fragrance and then choosing to make it "Warmer" or "Fresher." Using this technique, I decided to make Coco Mademoiselle "rosier," by adding the Jo Malone "Red Roses," on top of it. The result was a warmer, more floral version of Coco; one that I could definitely see becoming my Signature Scent. I do believe I will save the Oud & Bergamont for some evening wear, as well.

Thank you for joining me on this pursuit of a signature scent. While there are so many other scents I would have liked to try and write about (Jo Malone herself now has a line of scents I am anxious to try- check out Jo Loves ), I am happy I took the time to very purposely go through the scents that I had. I feel as though I can confidently invest in the quality scents I chose and wear them knowing they truly embody the essence of me.

I would love to know if you have ventured on the journey of a signature scent, what the journey entailed, and what scent you choose to represent you. Please comment below and share this blog with your friends!

In Pursuit of Simple Pleasures

Most who know me know that I have a great obsession interest in the French way of living. A common theme found in the myriad of books I've acquired and read is their tendency to seek out simple pleasures in daily living. In the movie Amélie, the narrator introduces several characters by listing each's simple routines in which they find pleasure. Amélie enjoys running her fingers through barrels of grain. Her mother finds joy in cleaning her floors with her slippers, while her father's delight is stripping wallpaper off of walls. I have always been fond of this idea of living in the moment and relishing little routines, so I decided to compile a list of such that I partake of often.

1. Water

Your body craves it, and, if you succumb to its calling, you will surely reap the pleasurable benefits. Clearer skin, smoother digestion, and a plethora of other benefits come when we consume enough. What is enough? Obviously that will depend on different factors such as your weight, activity level, and where you live. There's plenty of information out there on Webmd and MayoClinic, but to start adding a bit more to your diet, Miereille Guiliano (author of French Women Don't Get Fat) suggests drinking a tall glass before bed and another first thing in the morning. I would add to re-fill your "before bed" glass and keep it by your bed so as to have quick access should you wake in the middle of the night.

2. Sleep

There may be nothing better in the world than waking up to sunshine on your face after a restful night's sleep. It has taken me almost 30 years, but the benefits of going to bed early over staying up late (to watch another episode; to "like" another picture) are really hitting home these days. I know insomnia is a huge problem in today's society, and having suffered on and off for many years, here are a few things that have recently worked for me:

1.Stop drinking caffeine by 4:00.
2. Limit alcohol consumption before bed.
3. Create a nighttime routine that helps your body know it's almost time for bed.
4. Plug in your phone across the room (or out of the room) facing down.
5. Have a glass of hot water with lemon.

3. Making My Bed

This is a habit for which I can thank my mother. Growing up, each morning we would be sent back to our rooms to make our beds if we had not done so. It didn't matter if it would make us miss the buss, she was insistent that we make our bed each morning. Looking back, I am so happy she instilled it in us. While there have certainly been times in my life when I did not adhere to this rule, more often than not I have continued to find pleasure in the morning ritual of making my bed. Straightening out the sheets came easier after Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle's instructions (Pull the covers and top sheet all the way back to smooth out the bottom sheet first!). More so than the pleasure in making the bed is that in seeing a made bed throughout my day. On busy days when the house is a wreck, passing by my room and seeing the made bed calms my soul and reminds me that eventually, the rest of the house will be back in order, too.

4. Taking Early Morning Walks

Or walks anytime, really. Early morning is my favorite, as it is still a bit cool and the earth is still waking up. There is so much time to just think while on a walk, and really just be with yourself. I love taking different routes each day and often notice the changing seasons first while on a walk. Whether it be new buds popping or the first leaves turning, a walk is so refreshing to the body and mind.

5. Planting Flowers

Seeing a plant grow from a seed brings such joy to me! I love checking on seedlings every day to see how big they've grown over night. Caring for and cultivating flowers takes much patience, but it so worth it in the end. Bonus: Growing vegetables. They take time and patience, too, but nothing beats nourishing your body with something you have grown yourself. Even herbs grown in-doors on a window sill bring joy, and beat using the dried store-bought ones any day.

6. Hummingbird Feeders

My family has had hummingbird feeders as long as we've lived in the country. I've made a point to put one up at all of homes over the years. Watching the smallest of birds find our feeders excites us, and we love being on the look-out for their return each spring! Hummingbird feeders are super easy and can be cheap- our guests tend to always visit the $3 ones over the more expensive, prettier ones. We use sugar-water instead of buying the red "hummingbird food," which also helps us save. To make sugar-water, boil 4 cups of water (I do so with the lid on. That way if I walk away before it starts boiling, I've not lost much water to steam. This helps keeps the proportions in order.). Once the water boils, remove from heat and stir in one cup of sugar. Cool completely before filling the feeders. I've read that it's recommended to change the water twice a week, but we generally change ours every 10 days (which is when I typically remember I should be changing it twice a week).

7. Music

Whether it's playing the piano, going to the symphony, or simply listening to the radio, music brings joy to my soul in a way nothing else can. Many, many people I have met (musicians and non-musicians alike) have also made this claim. Music can cheer me up, calm me down, make housework (any work, really) more enjoyable, and help set nearly any mood you're going for. I enjoy listening to internet radio in the morning getting ready, and find taking breaks to play piano during my housework rejuvenates my mind.

8. Family Dinners

Growing up, family dinners were a nightly occurrence. I thought that was what everyone did, so when my husband and I were married, we continued the tradition of sitting down, enjoying a meal together, and talking about our days or plans for the next days. When cell-phones started becoming more consistently used, we quickly made a "No cell phones at the dinner table" rule, which I'm sure many of you have also done. There is something so luxurious about sitting down for even 30 minutes, nourishing our bodies, and connecting with one another that bring so much pleasure to the end of sometimes hectic days.

9. Waking Up to a Clean House and, Especially, Kitchen

Whether we want to admit it or not, what we see effects how we feel. If you wake up to sun streaming in your window, open your eyes and see your room in order, clothes put away, dresser dusted, you will likely feel a sense of empowerment to take on your day. The first place we generally venture to is, of course, the kitchen. Making sure our kitchen is in order before going to bed can help ensure that our morning continues to flow smoothly. Knowing that yesterday's chores are completely done allows you to start your morning with focus on TODAY rather than playing catch up with yesterday's responsibilities.

10. Hot Baths

When I was in high school, I started a Friday night ritual of taking hot baths. High school was the first time I was in a traditional school environment and the stress and challenges caused me to seek a way to unwind after a week of long homework sessions and tests. I feel as though I've truly perfected the art of hot water, salts (either Epson with a few drops of essential oils or bath salts), light music, soft light, and either a good book or absolutely nothing. After a long hot bath, I like to generously apply lotion and hop right in the bed for a good night's sleep (see number 2).

I would love to know, what are some of your favorite simple pleasures that you enjoy indulging in daily or weekly? Please let me know in the comments below! Throughout the time of compiling my list and writing this post, I had so many more daily pleasures come to mind, it was hard for me to limit it to just ten!

Thank you to Denise Williams for the use of her hummingbird picture!

Signature Scent Series, Part 3

In my last "Signature Scent Series," I wrote about how some of the fragrances I had been trying immediately brought to mind memories of events, places, or people. Many of us know that the sense of scent is tied to memory, but have thought about why exactly that happens? Allow me to present a brief biology review :) Special sensory cells, located in tissue found high inside the nose, connect DIRECTLY to the brain (the olfactory bulb, to be exact). The olfactory bulb connects to the Limbic System of the brain, which is responsible for memory. It is also a part of the brain which regulates emotions, which can explain why certain scents make you happy, relax you, or can even agitate you.

An update on the Search for My Signature Scent:
This week, I tried the Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin, Earl Grey & Cucumber, Orange Blossom, and Red Roses. Lime Basil & Mandarin along with Earl Grey & Cucumber both fall into the "Citris" category on the Jo Malone website, while Orange Blossom is in the "Floral" category and Red Roses in the "Light Floral."

Lime Basil & Mandarin: "Our signature fragrance. Peppery basil and aromatic white thyme bring an unexpected twist to the scent of limes on a Caribbean breeze. A modern classic."

If this was the first Jo Malone scent I experienced, I probably would not have tried more. I enjoy lime, basil, and mandarin, but this scent smells dated and over-powering on me. I tried it on four different occasions and disliked it every time.

Earl Grey & Cucumber: "A British Tradition... afternoon tea. A fragrance with a burst of bergamont, distinct to Earl Grey, and the cool succelence of crunchy cucumber. Counterpoised with a sweet base of beeswax, vanilla, and musk. Reviving and refined."

Something odd happened with this one... I had sprayed it on my chest and instantly did not like it. Soon after, I smelled it on a friend and loved it- not knowing it was the scent I hated on myself. When it was time to write this post, I sprayed it again, but this time on my wrist. I actually enjoyed it on my wrist and proceeded to sniff it the rest of the afternoon! Even though it is under the classification of citris, it smells quite linen-y fresh. Maybe it's the bergamont in the Earl Grey I enjoy? While I loved this scent on my wrist, I do enjoy wearing fragrances on my throat and chest as well.

Orange Blossom: "A shimmering garden oasis. Clementine flower sparkles over a heart of orange blossoms and water lily, with warm undertones or orris and balsamic vetiver. Pure delight."

The first thing that comes to mind when I smell this scent is Honeysuckle. A huge field, a warm day, and a ton of honeysuckle. I have never smelled an actual orange blossom, so who knows? Maybe they actually smell like honeysuckle? This scent so reminds me of summer! Because of the strong summer presence, I'm not sure I could wear it year round.

Red Roses: "A voluptuous blend of the world's most exquisite roses. With crushed violet leaves and a hint of lemon, it unfolds like a bouquet of freshly cut flowers."

So, I have a little confession. I had used this sample vial before beginning my official search and have kinda already fallen in love with it. It was the warmness that I crave and the Rose scent I adore. I really love how it seemed to become one with my skin and smell so very nice on me. One of my sisters (who would be the last person you would think to like a rose scent), actually complimented this scent on two separate occasions and was shocked when I said, "Red Roses."

You may wonder why I found it necessary to still go through the whole "Signature Scent" process when I had already fallen in love with this particular scent. My answer would be that even though I already knew I loved roses, even before trying the sample vials, I didn't know what some of the other scents were like. Always wanting to learn and grow, I knew I needed to give each of the scents an equal try.

This week I would love to know, have you decided to go on the Signature Scent journey? Have you already? I would love to hear about it in the comments below!

Signature Scent Series, Part 2

Have you ever had this conversation: "Oh my goodness, you smell so good! What are you wearing?" Upon receiving the name of the delicious fragrance, you immediately go to the store, purchase a bottle, then wonder why in the world it does not smell the same on your skin. The first time this happened, I was in my teens and was so jealous that a certain scent smelled so good on my friend, but smelled old lady-ish on myself.


Most of us probably already know that something happens to make perfume smell different on different people. I decided to do a little research on why, and found a lot of information at TheLondonPerfumeCompany.com. Basically, everyone has a unique body chemistry, and (just like our fingerprint or DNA), no two are the same. When the perfume molecules react with warm pulse points through our heart beat, it causes a reaction with our skin and hormones, which causes the perfume to give off a particular scent. Our skin is made up of a unique combination of salts, proteins, acids, hairs, fibers, fats, and water. Factors that can influence your skin type include diet, stress level, hormone level, humidity, and Herbs & Spices.

So what's our best bet to ensure that we love our friend's scent on us as much as we do on them? Ask them for a squirt. Get a sample from a department store or online. Allow it to settle into your skin for 30 minutes and see if it's still the scent you love.

This week, I've tried our four of the Jo Malone scents. They were Nectarine Blossom and Honey, Pomegranate Noir, English Pear & Freesia, and Blackberry and Bay. All of these colognes fell into the "Fruity" category on the Jo Malone website, and all four of them could not be more different from one another. Below is the website's description of each, along with a few words on my experience with each.

Nectarine Blossom & Honey: "London's Covent Garden early morning market. Succulent nectarine, peach, and cassis and delicate spring flowers melt into each note of acacia honey. Sweet and delightfully playful."

The first word that came to mind for this scent was, "Wholesome." It had such a light and sweet scent and reminded me of summer trips to Stone Mountain when I was little. Those don't even go together, but that's the memory that came flooding in when inhaling it! I felt this scent smelled exactly on my skin as it did in the bottle. Which is not bad, but I enjoy my body's chemistry interacting with scents a bit more. It seemed as though this one just "sat" on my skin.

Pomegranate Noir: "The sensuality of a daring red dress. Ruby-rich juices of pomegranate, raspberry, and plum are spiked with pink pepper and laced with Casablanca lily and spicy woods. Dark and enigmatic."

At first scent, this cologne made me think of the spicy incense one would smell at a Renaissance Festival without the added headache of it being over-powering. It is a very sensual scent and I loved the warmth of it on my skin. It did interact with my chemistry, but lacked the floral notes I tend to enjoy.

English Pear & Freesia: "The essence of Autumn, the sensuous freshness of just-ripe pears is wrapped in a bouquet of white freesias and mellowed by amber, patchouli, and woods. Luscious and Golden."

I was a bit surprised when I read the description of "The essence of Autumn," as Autumn was something that never came to mind while wearing this scent. Fiona actually tried this scent the evening before I wore it, and it smelled absolutely delightful on her. I was excited to wear it the next day and was disappointed when, again, it seemed to just sit rather than mingle with my skin. It was a beautiful scent, and reminded me of strolling through an English Garden... or, at least, what I would imagine an English Garden to smell like.

Blackberry & Bay: "Childhood memories of blackberry picking... A burst of deep, tart, blackberry juice, blending with the freshness of just-gathered bay and brambly woods. Vibrant and verdant."

I have to admit, this was the one Jo Malone scent I was most excited to try. I mentioned Jennifer L. Scott's search for a Signature Scent in my previous post, and this was the scent she had chosen! When I first applied it, the first thought that rushed to my mind was, "This smells like my Daddy!!" While it may seem quite odd that a connoisseur such as Jennifer and my father would choose the same scent, it actually made sense to me. I was the one who had purchased my father's cologne for him, and I absolutely adore the way it smells on him. Of course, I had to discover what the similar notes were to make them smell so much alike. His cologne, L'eau D'Issey Pour Homme by Issey Miyake has a very complex scent list, including Cypress, Coriander, Mandarin, Fresh Verbena, Nutmeg, Saffron, Cinnamon, Tobacco Amber, Musk, and Hatian Vetiver, just to name a few. The only one I could possibly consider carrying a like-smelling scent was the cypress. Am I the only one who finds this incredibly interesting??? Be sure to read my next post, where I dive a little deeper into why scents evoke memories.

The search continues! I would love to know- Have you had a similar experience with a perfume not mixing well with your body chemistry? Please share your stories in the comments below!

In Pursuit of a Signature Scent

The first time the concept of a "Signature Scent" was brought to my attention was when I was about 10 years old.  An older, more mature, friend of mine was talking about her "cool" friends and how they each wore one perfume (or body splash, probably), so religiously that they could smell one another coming before they actually saw one another.  I determined quickly that my Signature Scent would be "Exclamation," as I already had a bottle, and I then proceeded to ask for bottles of it for birthdays and Christmas for the next several years.  

As a young adult, I continued to wear perfume, but branched out of the drugstore aisle and played with department store brands- from Victoria's Secret's "Angel" to Banana Republic's "W for Women" to  to the flirty "Velocity" by Mary Kay, I simply purchased whatever I thought smelled classic and sexy and would faithfully apply it every morning.  Looking back on my journey through fragrances, I've realized that certain scents can easily be correlated with specific relationship and life-events.

My mid-twenties brought on the search for a truly Signature Scent.  I fell in love with Coco Mademoiselle and would constantly find magazine and department store samples.  I wanted to make sure that the scent was one that would embody the essence of me.  After a year of debating, I made the purchase with some birthday money I received as a gift.  The scent was truly the most delicate balance between classic and allure and helped me feel confident and beautiful every day I wore it.  I purchased several bottles over the next few years and reveled in the moment I would apply it each day.  

Through the years of wearing Coco Mademoiselle, I have found it worthwhile to re-evaluate my love of the scent before investing in the next bottle.  High-quality perfume is quite an investment, so it seems like the natural course of action to visit a few counters and try some samples before committing the next 15 months to my beloved Mademoiselle.

I recently read an article on The Daily Connoisseur about the evolution of her Signature Scent.  She spoke about Jo Malone London and her journey to discovering their Blackberry & Bay scent.  Her descriptions of the fine fragrances lead me to further investigation and I decided to purchase a set of 10 sample vials online.  I also received a vial from a dear friend and have decided to begin my study with these:

Lime Basil & Mandarin

Earl Grey & Cucumber

Orange Blossom

Pomegranate Noir

English Pear & Freesia

Nectarine Blossom & Honey

Blackberry & Bay

Red Roses

Wood Sage & Sea Salt

Dark Amber & Ginger Lilly

Oud & Bergamont

Please join me on this journey and do let me know in the comments below: Do you have a signature scent?  How long have you worn it?  What are some of your favorite scents?

Many thanks to Sheila Sim, a photographer from Edinburgh (who also did a Jo Malone photoshoot), for graciously allowing me to use the above photo for this blog!  View her beautiful pictures on her website by clicking here.

Photo © Sheila Sim Photography