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Scent-sational

Perfume.  It is a topic which I hold very, very close to my heart.  We could say that it is an addiction, and lucky for me, I have a husband who feeds that addiction with extra TLC. Well - why so serious?  Because it all started when I was a young teenager and I had bought my first Cacharel: Amor Amor from Duty Free on the way to a family summer holiday.  I never forget going back to school that September, and feeling like quite possibly, the coolest Year 9 any school has seen.  It was that day when I realised how much 3 words could mean to me: You. Smell. Amazing.  Since then I have made it my mission to train my senses because to smell amazing is to feel amazing; and here I am today with a perfume collection of around 40 bottles and counting.  

                   


Oud:  Its not for everyone but it is my most favourite ingredient in fragrances.  It is a type of wood which comes through a fungal infection produced on tropical trees which eventually causes it to rot.  The infected tree then produces the oud wood.  Pretty cool isn't it?  So what makes it so expensive - this was always a million dollar question for me, too, because lets face it, if you are paying for something which you don't get to keep forever then is it really worth it.  For the purpose of this topic, I quite like to use the analogy of food...  May seem like they have nothing to do with one another but like food, Oud makes me happy!  The reality of Oud is that it is extremely rare and hard to come by because the infection process alone takes years, and this happens to only around 2% of these trees - not to mention that the tropical tree on which it is found (Aqualaria) is now considered critically endangered. This makes me sad. Lets protect it at all costs!



Now let me go into some depth of my favourite(s). I am a huge fan of Jo Malone fragrances; I think she has an array of 'scent families' of which every personality type can relate to and choose from. Whether it is sweet, floral or woody her selection is so very rich, I find it difficult to decide on my favourite as it is always up for debate. Since I received my Jo Malone Advent Calendar this Christmas, I have grown to admire the selection a lot more. It comes at a hefty price tag, but believe me it is so worth it - a candle, 9ml perfume bottle or a soap (and 16 days more of surprises); having a gift to open every day for 25 days is nothing short of heavenly.

Perfume personalities. This may seem odd but I have a way of matching perfume groups with characters; not only a seasonal variety but an all year round match which I split into 3 groups. Heavy and woody scents to me, is worn by a serious person. May be fun but is also very sophisticated and wants all eyes on them when they enter a room. Sweet and fruity. This person doesn't take life too seriously and just wants to laugh, and have fun. Floral - refreshing, introvert who wants peace and to go on long walks...

Whether it is oud, musk or vanilla - perfume is a way of life for me and I know it is the same for many others, too. Perfume allows us to be ourselves and portray who we are through senses; and what we smell and feel determines mood and therefore the way we treat others, too... So regardless of any plans you have or do not have, spray your favourite perfume and create freedom and unconditional peace within you.





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