16 Monday Apr 2018
Posted in Passing Fancies
It’s finally spring!
Reading: Abby Denson’s Cool Tokyo Guide. I’m not planning any travel to Japan, but I’ve met Abby and I’m just really enjoying her illustrations and Tokyo tips anyway!
Audio: Lorde
Video: Better Call Saul, Season 3
07 Saturday Apr 2018
Posted in Perfume Reviews
My latest post on Now Smell This is a list of some new and new-ish fragrances I’m enjoying for spring.
You can read it here.
Image: Victor Borisov-Musatov, Spring (1899).
30 Friday Mar 2018
Posted in Perfume Reviews
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My latest post on Now Smell This is a review of Niral, a new fragrance from Neela Vermeire Creations.
You can read it here.
26 Monday Mar 2018
Posted in Art and Scent
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I didn’t know anything about the band Rasputina until I walked into one of their live shows, thanks to my husband, who had bought tickets, guessing (correctly) that I would enjoy it. Rasputina’s musical style is often described as “gothic cello-rock,” and it’s certainly a love-or-hate thing. For me, it was love at first note.
I just wanted to share this image, the cover of Rasputina’s 2002 album Cabin Fever. Rasputina’s frontwoman, Melora Creager, creates much of the artwork for the band’s visual materials. She seems to have collaborated with photographer and multi-media artist Ryan Obermeyer for this cover.
Do you see what I see?
21 Wednesday Mar 2018
Posted in Passing Fancies
Tags
Reading: The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles
Audio: I’m on a Rasputina kick again, for some reason, and I’m already sorry I’m going to miss their upcoming April NYC show.
Video: Black Mirror, Season 4
Art: I need to see the Grant Wood show at the Whitney, but I probably won’t get there for a few more weeks…
19 Monday Mar 2018
Posted in Perfume Reviews
My latest post on Now Smell This is a review of three new fragrances from Our Modern Lives: Red (Havest/Gratitude), Alpha, and Beta.
You can read it here.
Photo by PP.
17 Saturday Mar 2018
Posted in Classes and Lectures
Last fall, I was all but housebound with a broken ankle for many weeks. I was able to do a bit of office work remotely every morning, but other than that, I was feeling tired and uncomfortable and I just wasn’t up for anything that took extended concentration, including most TV and most reading. One notable exception: I spent some time working on an article idea that I’d had over the summer and I pitched it to Atlas Obscura. They liked my proposal, and I spent the rest of November and early December—between physical therapy appointments—doing the research and writing for my article titled “Ann Haviland, Forgotten Mastermind of the Signature Scent.”
12 Monday Mar 2018
Posted in Art and Scent
Tags
Photograph by Mick Rock, 1973
I’ve been immersed in all things Bowie lately, and I’m staring at these photos by Mick Rock for the hundredth time and feeling as frustrated as I did when I first saw them.
Here’s a recent quote about Bowie from Mick Rock:
“I have loads of pictures of him backstage getting himself ready, in ridiculous extravagant costumes, having a drink in a plastic cup,” Mr. Rock said. After Bowie traveled to Japan and met Kabuki performers, “his makeup got even more exotic. This Japanese makeup was like little pots, there was a lot of little powders involved, all carefully laid out, ready to go,” before a show, “along with the cigarette packs, and maybe a banana or two.” (The New York Times, March 5, 2018) … Continue reading
08 Thursday Mar 2018
Posted in Classes and Lectures
I’m teaching a class at the Brooklyn Brainery on Thursday, April 12 (6:30 pm). It’s called “Sensual Scents and Aromas” and it will be a multi-sensory lecture (fragrance! art! tea pairings!). For information and registration, please visit the Brainery website. Hope to see some of you there!
Image: Detail of John William Godward, The New Perfume (1914). Private collection.
