Currently Craving
Slightly off-putting fragrances & very comforting winter activities
Well hello there!
As I write this, Southern Maine is being wrapped in a blanket of snow, and the cove downhill is as silent as a new moon. Come join me as we peek outside the front door:
Indulgence and hibernation are my themes for February. And speaking of indulgence…
I recently sampled some incredible perfumes courtesy of my friends at Pickwick’s Mercantile in Portsmouth, NH. If you don’t already know, Pickwick’s is a shop of intrigue and miscellany, carrying leather goods from Italy, English confections, and the largest selection of boutique perfumes north of New York City.
I was in the mood for something a little weird and off the beaten path from my normal olfactory gravitations, and man they did not disappoint
Here are a few you need to know–ones I bought, ones I’m wishing I had:
Gorseland by Jorum Studio: The perfumer described this as “what I imagine Chernobyl smells like,” so I knew I had to try. It’s green and golden, grassy and fresh, beauty and dereliction all at once. Pineapple weed, gorse flower, and lemon give it a golden lift, while sweet woodruff and kush add an offputting-yet-satisfying backbone. Scotland-based Jorum Studio is officially on my fragrance radar (they also win the “best logo” contest).
Hermann A Mes Cotes Me Paraissait Une Ombre by Etat Libre d’Orange: Do not ask me to pronounce that for you–just trust me that this is one of the coolest, weirdest scents I’ve ever purchased and I am so glad I did. ”Your shadow could be your perfume. This is your companion. A unique lightness and freshness top notes followed by a gothic woody earthy trail. This is your alternative self.” Seductive, and a tad dark? Don’t mind if I do.
Morning Chess by Vilhelm Parfumerie: “Bright endless mornings in a cottage, minds battling in wit over a chessboard…the ripe, green lushness of summer on the Swedish coast, where grassy notes are light enough to hint at the evergreen sharpness of the distant winter air.” I’ve been a fan of Vilhelm ever since they hit the shelves at Pickwick’s, but haven’t pulled the trigger yet (I can’t commit to just one, yet the price tag very much requires that I pick just one). Black Citrus, or the scent of London after a rain, is a strong contender as well.
Runners up:
White Whale by Masque Milano: Okay, y’all want weird? Like, oil lamps and blubber and salty ship ropes weird? Then order yourself a sample because, much like Captain Ahab, I’m utterly obsessed with the White Whale (and will likely return to purchase it for my summer perfume rotation).
1899 by Histoires de Parfums: Italian bergamot, cinnamon, and vetiver twirl in a cascade of midnight light–this is Paris after dark, the city of Hemingway, and the cusp of a new era for art, music, and humanity as a whole. A little dramatic? Sure, but one spritz of 1899 and you’ll understand.
Other things on the February indulgence list:
Om Ali, or Egyptian bread pudding, from the most delightful bakery on the seacoast. Did you know that bread pudding is the national dessert of Egypt?
Live jazz and a glass of champagne–Jimmy’s on Congress in Portsmouth is my preferred venue. If you’re not within driving distance of a proper jazz venue, pop a chilled bottle of Mirco Mariotti Sèt e Mèz, queue up my playlist of moody jazz favorites, and get in your feels.
Don’t say I never gave you a pro tip: this Everlane cashmere number is on final sale, and I’ve been wearing it nonstop. Add a slim black trouser, throw on a light trench and sunglasses, and you’re good to go.
Enjoy the little things this month, my dears. I’ll be doing the same.
xx Em