I used to wear just one scent. No matter the occasion or season, I reached for the same bottle. That bottle was Jo Malone’s Grapefruit cologne. Whenever my husband would notice that I was getting low, he’d run out and buy me a new bottle. Today, he finds other ways to express his kindness because keeping up with my perfumes would be mission impossible – more on that in a minute. Over time I began to view perfume as another tool for self-expression. As British perfumer Roja Dove says, “A good perfume is the most powerful accessory, expressing individuality and making a statement without saying a word.” Much like a person’s fashion choice, it caters to a particular mood and occasion. When we put on an outfit, wear our hair or make-up in a certain way, it creates a feeling within us. Our choices are an external representation of our internal state of mind. Perfume has the same effect. Selecting a perfume is so much more than how we want to smell; it’s “How do I want to feel today?” Our sense of smell has a unique ability to uplift our spirits, spark creativity or create a sense of calm. It also conjures images of places we’ve been and those that live in our imaginations.
“Smell is a word, perfume is literature.”
I now own close to… 75 perfumes. Some may call it a problem. I call it a perfume wardrobe. And I wear it every day. See now why my husband must find alternative acts of kindness? I’d never expect him to take inventory of my perfumes. He’s equally impressed and shocked at my collection, and one day joked, “Someday soon, we’ll need a bigger house.” While I do have a lot to choose from, I regularly reach for a few favorites. But I love having the option of mixing things up depending on my mood, season, where I’m headed and when.
It’s of course impossible to choose a favorite out of our five magnificent senses, but smell seems to command our attention the quickest – would you agree? You could be enjoying a great meal beside a stunning view but if a smell grabs your attention – either good or bad – we zoom our focus to fragrance. We start creating a narrative around it because our sense of smell tells us a story.
I appreciate a wide range of perfumes (thus my perfume “problem”), and I tend to think scent combinations fall on a large spectrum between summer and winter. I’m not suggesting we must follow some kind of rule in wearing perfumes. If you want to wear sandalwood and musk in June, you be you! I just think the notes lend themselves more to a wintery cabin by the fire. We are now in the throes of late summer and soon will be welcoming fall. Where I enjoy light, bright, fruity and floral fragrances for spring and early summer, I now focus on a theme of fragrances that have a certain brightness to the top note but something deeper and warmer for the base note. During this transitional season, I like having a hint of mystery and warmth. An example could be fruit paired with leather. Here are five of my favorites that come to mind in this category:
Sisley-Paris Izia La Nuit: I like how this fragrance blossoms as you wear it throughout the day. It starts out fresh and bright, with notes of rose and fruit. The middle notes are woody and amber but by nightfall, it transitions into something sexy with a mix of warm spice and citrus. This is the equivalent of an outfit that can go from day to night.
Memo Paris Sicilian Leather: Here’s an example of a scent conjuring an image like it’s a memory, when in fact it’s an image sourced from my imagination. When wearing this scent, I think of driving an antique car along the Amalfi coast with the sun low in the sky and leaving citrus notes in the air. Beneath the citrus are warmer undertones, of spice and leather.
Byredo Pulp: This is a fresh cocktail of notes, the brightest and most citrusy of the five. The fruit lingers for hours, becoming richer with time. Ultimately, you’re left with ripe citrus mixed with hint of spice. I feel I can practically taste this perfume. If perfume could transform into an ingestible liquid, I’m just saying this might make a nice tea.
Diptyque Eau Rihla: Eau Rihla is an intriguing perfume where leather notes and a whiff of raspberry hit your nose first. Eventually it welcomes some vanilla to connect the two beautifully. I love how someone reviewed this on the website Fragrantica: “It smells like a stack of cash that has been held in a leather bag then sprayed with raspberry. Really hot.” That sums it up pretty well actually!
Tom Ford Ebene Fume: This is the deepest and warmest of the five and a great fragrance representation of the season. It’s a sultry woody and amber scent with some bright balsamic notes. I think of a hot day at the beach, followed by a bonfire with friends.
There are so many scents to explore! Perfume is such a captivating blend of art, history, science and personal expression. It can transport us through time and space, collecting memories along the way. It’s the reason why I’m so drawn to different scents – on myself and on others. I would call my perfume collection less of a hobby and more of a passion. I wish we could get together for a perfume party! I’d be so interested to see what bottles you hold on to, what comes to mind when you inhale and when you’d want to wear it. Are there perfumes you think of during this season, or ones you look forward to using again in the fall?
Comments
Hi dear Michele!! I love your favorites palette eyeshadows! I used the eye quard cream shadows from Tom Ford and I love them!! Definitely I want to get the Cle de Peau quard eye shadows! The colors are so nice and I saw your video on YouTube about them and you look so pretty!! Thank you for the article!! I really enjoy reading and watching your blog posts and videos on YouTube! You inspire me in many ways! Gracias!! ❣️ Best greetings from Austria 🇦🇹🇲🇽
Thank you so much Claudia!
Love to hear what Fall palettes you’ve been loving, Michele! I’ve recently subscribed to your blog posts and am really enjoying them :). I agree with you about the Natasha Denona I Need A Nude palette. It’s perfect for daily use or for going out at night!! Really quick ? I have regarding makeup is if you had to choose between Prada foundation & the new Shiseido one, which are you choosing & why?! Xoxo
I haven’t tried the Prada one yet!
Wow! Your 49th year on this earth was amazing. Congratulations on turning 50. Hope you’re blessed with many, many more healthy years.
Thank you so much Maria!
Fifty is a milestone. I saw it as my entry into true adulthood and it was a bit scary. But, I am on the other side of it now and, like you, my goal is to keep fit, stay optimistic, and be a joy to my friends and family. Happy Birthday, Michele. Thank you for being, well, you!
Thank you Liz! xoxo
“I want to live a life with no regrets. That’s both a simple and lofty goal, but one worth pursuing.” This is so well said. I enjoyed reading your birthday blog. So many things restarted with me. Thank you.
Thanks so much Janna!
Happiest belated bday, Michele! I certainly second both the method and intentions of celebration. I so enjoy hearing from you here and on YouTube. And I was moved by your discussion there about how relationships, big and small, are what matters. Thank you!
Thank you so much Julie!
Great review! If it was in my budget I would grab it. It’s a gorgeous bag with personality. ~ Charli
Thanks Charli!
This bag went to the top of my wish list as soon as I got the email from Loewe. It’s definitely a new classic. I am of the quiet luxury type. My row bags get the most use and my summer Loewe bag. Squeeze is just what I’ve been looking for.
<3 <3 <3
I love how you show cases the basic or pieces that can be really worn with anything. I miss FALL COLORS , dressing with warm jackets and boots. Living in Az , well if goes from desert, to barely green. It really gets cold at night. But the back north east ? girl in me gets excited for fall (Michigan) love xo Louise
Thanks Louise!!
I’ve worn the same perfume since college —Guerlain, L’Heure Bleue. Nothing else smells like me.
How wonderful! Thank you Susan <3
Catching a whiff of a perfume can send me deep into my memory banks. I love perfume and my collection has grown exponentially over the past 3 or 4 years. At last count I was pushing 80. My latest is Tutu by Gritti which is much more floral than what I normally gravitate towards. It reminds me of Amazing Grace which I wore many many years ago except Tutu is much more sophisticated. I’m a sucker for a gourmand fragrance. Amber and vanilla anything will call my name. Some of my favorite perfumes to wear of late are Coffee Addict by Theodoros Kalotinis, Vicious Cacao by Maison Tahite, Bake by Akro, Nuit et Confidences by Goutal, Apple Brandy and Love Don’t be Shy Eau Fraiche by Killian and L’Interdit Rouge by Givenchy. As I look at this list, I’m sitting here thinking about so many more that I love. Hard to choose favorites! This is a wonderful topic. Thank you.
Thank you so much for all these fragrances I have to check out now! Amazing Brenda! xoxo
What a lovely and welcome topic. I too have a perfume “wardrobe”, but not 75! Mine is closer to 40. For years I wore Houbigant’s Chantilly. My dad was a perfumer, so we had blotters with all kinds of scents all over our house. My mother wore Joy and left me a few bottles that I now treasure. I love Bal a Versailles and Charles Blair of Paris, but I am a Guerlain girl and own a dozen of those that I rotate now. I still wear Chantilly from time to time. I am intrigued by that Sicilian Leather and would like to try it. I am also going to try Izia la Nuit, just love the name. Thanks for this, Michele. I think you are closer to genius than madness, LOL.
Thanks Liz! Wow, that’s amazing that your dad was a perfumer. You must have a very sophisticated scent palette! I definitely have to dabble more into Guerlain.
I absolutely enjoy different fragrances in different seasons. Each winter i look forward to Grand Soir by MFK, it’s so spicy and tobacco, just perfect for cold weather, my knitwear smells of it! It’s too much in summer when i’m living in white flower fragrances or my beautiful Another 13 from Le Labo. I love having many different ones to choose from and always feel like it’s finishing my outfit and matching a mood for my day ❤️
Oh I just got a sample of Grand Soir and I LOVE IT!! It’s so warm and made me think of winter too!And I’ll have to try Another 13. Thank you for the recommendations!
It’s funny, from someone that can never buy anything ..this is more , to me, do I buy it because I want everyone to think I have money ? Or would I buy this if I could ..I don’t see this fitting in really to either. If I were to buy, it would only be for the LOVE of the product. Now since I don’t own a lot of designer brands , would I be in any of these categories? Interesting tho for sure. I do love the way they categorize the two tho. If I were to be able to afford luxury , it’s not to say “hey i bought this so I’m fancy” or “ i can afford it “ it’s for the love of how it’s made, how it feels on, or if it’s something I love to see Quiet luxury isn’t like a label for me. Interesting read tho. Would these be for cars we drive as well? ? I see the difference tho for sure Great read for sure. Thank you
Thank you always for your thoughtful comments, Louise! xoxo
Loved this article! I can’t agree with you more. 😘🩷
Thanks Mona!!
I do definitely tend toward quiet luxury — although I will still occasionally make the “concert t-shirt” type of purchase, something that blatantly yells, “I was there!” I would say that I take quiet luxury one step further, though. I tend to prefer luxury that will last. I’ll spend money on a pair of shoes that will last for years, rather than fresh flowers. When I buy luxury makeup, it’s almost always in classic colors (mostly neutrals) and applications.
Thank you for sharing your insights!
My style is gravitating more towards quiet luxury. Not necessarily luxury bags or shoes (although I do own a couple) but enjoying the expensive hand soap and candles, those little luxuries that only I know. I want to enjoy them for me, not just for others to see. xoxo
Thanks Dee – I love choosing and selecting special little luxuries to spoil ourselves!
I tried your method of application and it worked wonderfully! I have dark under eye circles etc so was pleasantly surprised when I tried the Peau de Rose shade on my fair skin! Love it.
These products look wonderful on you. The colors and tones are a perfect match to your complexion.
My skin is so much more textured (read: large pores) than yours appears in the closeup top of page, I’ve forever been leery of all highlighters, as they exaggerate the pores without fail. But this looks lovely on your already-beautiful skin, Michele!
I ordered the Peau de Rose and am looking forward to it. Your trip to Italy was lovely and I am now considering adding at least Milan and Venice to my trip to France next year. I like the variety in your YT vlogs, Michele. And the fact that you cover luxury items that most people do not. While I can’t buy every luxury item I want, I do purchase some strategically on a regular basis and appreciate seeing them on a real person.
Thank you so much Liz!
I’m also loving the WA Liquid Loaded, mine in the shade Peau de Peche. I did a comparison with the new Chanel Skin Enhancer. Also lovely but I find the WA does a better job of highlighting and natural look appearance. Its such a lovely product.
Thanks Dee!
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Great suggestions! I used to dislike the rose scent when I was younger but as I mature, I’ve started to appreciate it more and more. I’m down for it!
Xoxo
Thank you Dee!
Enjoyed this so much, along with the brand trip to NYC.
Thanks so much Julie!
Michele, your blog has helped me so much. Thank you. I am going through a traumatic experience right now, and your suggestions are resonating with me in a comforting way. I am enjoying your blog posts and hope to hear more life content. Again, thank you! One step at a time!
Thank you for the article. It is very inspirational.
I don’t know what to journal. I literally live such a boring life due to my chronic illness and chronic pain that I don’t know what to journal about. I don’t want to journal about my chronic conditions because that’s depressing to me. I literally just stopped writing here and looked up How To Journal lol. It actually was helpful, there are journal prompts. I do have goals, it’s just hard because of how I feel changes day to day and I can’t count on myself to feel physically well enough to do something each day that I get frustrated and depressed. It’s a lot for me to just do the dishes, take a shower, etc much less do something extra like start a YouTube channel or post more on ig. I’m lucky though, my husband is very supportive and he said just try to post once a week. And that’s what I’m going to try to do.
Thank you for listening <3 xo Charli
Wow Michele! I feel inspired now to start exercising. I used to always take exercise in school. When I moved to the US I took Physical Ed and realized most girls didn’t. I was kind of shocked. I don’t smoke anymore either! But I don’t like running on Rt.66. This Covid made me gain way too much. Moreover, I love to read. Thus the weight gain. Am not sure where to begin. If I had my way I’d have a private instructor. Hah! Any suggestions are always welcome. Thanks Michele.
It’s been in my wishlist for the past few weeks. It’s so unique and practical at the same time. I like how it doesn’t have the brand showing up everywhere, it’s more subtle. So beautiful ♥️
❤️ ❤️ ❤️
I love the highlighter. Its smooth and soft, not chalky or glittery. Looks natural too. Just lovely! My favorite is Moonlit (it’s the only one I’ve tried lol); I think it’s the best for my skin tone. Thank you for your review and comparisons. ♥️
Thanks so much Dee!
I went to the outdoor market at Bryant Park while I was in NY during November. I found a store that sold the most amazing candle. Twelve Nights by Fifth&Madison has become my favorite holiday candle. My new addiction for holidays.
Sounds wonderful – thank you for sharing Ellen!
Wow, I want to be at your house for Christmas. Just to meet you, and family.
Along, with the sensory overload! 😊😊❣️
I love candles too! I prefer fresher scents rather than holiday ones (some scents give me a migraine). Regardless, candles do change your mood, and the room’s atmosphere. Thank you for sharing your favorites for this season 🙂
Thanks Dee! -Michele
I’m glad you had a wonderful trip, Michele. Thank you for sharing it with all of us. I am also really enjoying your new website. I feel like we get to see another facet of you through your written posts. You’re the cool older sister I wish I had. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
The trip looks and sounds fabulous. Did you go with a tour? Any suggestions or contacts for booking?
You look great and like you are having a wonderful time! Thanks so much for sharing.
I am so behind on your videos but I cannot wait to get caught up on Morocco! What an amazing trip and I really appreciate hearing what brings you comfort and joy upon returning home. There is nothing like home. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your mom, husband, and Miss Butters! I cannot wait to check out your spreadsheet!
Thank you for sharing these amazing pictures. And your words of travel ! I’m excited you have come back. A comfort to me, and I know we haven’t met , but still getting excited for your posts, tik toks, etc. HAPPY THSNKSGIVING to you all. My Miss MONA (beagle) gives her best to Miss FUZZY BUTTERS. I also spend time with my 93 old mom , my daughter, my man and some some family. I have 10 other brothers and sisters. 🤨🤨😜they all live around. They are 4 here in Az looking forward to your posts ! Thanks Michele
What a lovely meditation on the joys of travel and of home. Thank you Michele for all you share with us. And thanks for the spreadsheet and the amazing discount!
I’m grateful for YOU, Michele, along with my other blessings. I think it’s so valuable that you remind us of that practice and part of what draws me to your vlog, in particular, is your honesty. May we all experience good health, passion and thankfulness!
So good to see you Michele! You look great on a camel!! Thanks so much for sharing your adventure(s) and thanks for the great spreadsheet. You always go the extra mile. Now I am off to look at your store sale! Love, Annette (Armonk, NY)
So enjoyed this post and also your candid vlog posts (been watching old ones)! Thanks
Quick note: link broken….when you click on the tom ford eyeshadow quad, the chanel lipstick link pops up.
Thank you so much!!
What a truly gorgeous site – such perfect design and calm look mixed with content that has your unique voice.
LOVING your new blog. Congratulations!!
Fabulous! Such a beautiful blog! Congratulations Michele! x Charli
I am so very excited for you ! I love the new logo , and I’m so excited for this sweatshirt. It’s so you ! Congratulations. Love you and I am so proud of you. Xo long time follower xo
This is just like you beautiful, sophisticated and fun.
Best wishes
Hi. Where can I see more photos of the shirt would love to purchase one
Thank you