Wild is the wind…
How has your March been going? I’ve been trying to get accustomed to the bumpy new terrain of my unemployed status (dealing with the many feelings of loss that my layoff has entailed, figuring out what to do next, worrying about finances, etc.) while simultaneously trying to enjoy spring in NYC and keep up with the many fragrance events currently taking place around town.
Also on my current list of diversions…
Reading: I’ve been catching up on a stack of New Yorkers.
Art: I recently saw a small show of beautiful prints by Robert Motherwell (as well as books that the artist owned) at the New York Public Library.
Video: Late to the party, but I just started watching Severance. I realize the irony of this timing.
Drinks: The in-laws recently sent my husband an assortment of Harney & Sons teas, including a not-overly-sweet caramel-flavored black tea that I actually like a lot.
(Tr)eats: Irish soda bread for St. Patrick’s Day. Zeppole San Giuseppe for the Feast of St. Joseph. My mixed heritage is rich in saint-related foods.
Beauty Products: I’m easing the winter-into-spring skin transition (it’s been really windy and/or rainy in NYC!) with Weleda Skin Food Nourishing Oil-to-Milk Cleanser and Jones Road Miracle Balm in Au Naturel (as a final step in the evening).
Fragrances: I’m enjoying a small bottle of Granado Jardim Real and its matching scented hand cream. They smell like fancy orange blossom-fragranced suntan oil. (Remember Bond No. 9 Fire Island? This is similar, but much more affordable.)
Pleasures: Attending talks by designers and authors. Judging the submissions for the Institution of Art & Olfaction’s annual awards (“Experimental” category). Seeing croci and daffodils pop up around my neighborhood.
Up Next: I have an upcoming online talk via the Brooklyn Brainery—feel free to recommend it to anyone you know who’s getting into perfume! After that? Redoing my résumé. Finding new venues for my scent-and-art talks (send along any contacts/ideas you might have!).
What have you been up to lately?
Image via Google Bard, one of my very rare uses of AI
PERFUME PROFESSOR ( 
Hello, my friend. So sorry to hear about your unemployment. I know things may seem so uncertain right now, but I hope you can look at this time as an opportunity to try something new and exciting. I know you will land on your feet.
As for my March, here are some of MY passing fancies:
Video: I’m 8 years late to the party, but I finally saw Call Me By Your Name and was moved by some of the performances, particularly Timothee Chalamet. The last few minutes of the movie broke my heart.
Fragrance: I am using an inexpensive chocolate scented rollerball perfume. Even though I can’t really detect it unless I put my nose up to where it was applied, many people comment on it (positively, I think!).
Books: So many books, so little time. I am currently reading Sonic Life by Thurston Moore, but have many books on the sidelines, like Call Me By Your Name, on which the foementioned movie was based, and The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne.
Television: Season 3 of White Lotus, and Grosse Pointe Garden Society, which is a clever/funny murder-mystery show.
Tr(eats): Don’t laugh, but Dolly Parton’s Decadent Chocolate Pie. Discovered it in the frozen dessert aisle at Wegmans. Soooo good. You’re welcome. The Tomahawk Pork Chop at Firebirds is amazing.
Accessories: Just bought a cream colored bucket bag from Amazon, and I am so happy with it. Just the right size and it goes with everything.
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Hello, friend!! Thank you for commenting. This was a good read! I was wrecked at the conclusion of Call Me By Your Name, too…but I still want to see it again. (Joe P also recommends the book!) I’m going to watch the new season of White Lotus next, and I would never laugh at anything Dolly-related. Also, yay to finding the just-right purse! Always a challenge, despite zillions of options…
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I loved the dad in C.M.B.Y.N., as well as his moving speech towards the end of the movie. And T.C. looking into the fireplace killed me. He conveyed so much without saying a word.
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One final thing: have you tried the Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream?? It’s super thick, and I use it on my face every night. A little goes a long way, and it makes your skin feel like buttuh!
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I used up a whole tube of the “Light” Skin Food on my face last winter! Maybe I’m ready for the Original…?!
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It’s very thick– almost glue-like, but it feels amazing! A little goes a long way.
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