The Aroma of Absence, August Happenings
The Aroma of Absence, August Happenings
a solemn letter </3
Content warning: today’s letter discusses grief and loss. if you don’t want to feel sad, please continue scrolling to recent perfume news. <3
Friends, I’ve been away for a moment, not by choice but rather circumstance. I lost my 4-year-old pup, Mumu, last week in a tragic accident. She was healthy, happy, and a little crazy; she was the sweetest part of my day, and the kindest soul I’ve met. To say I am heartbroken is an understatement.
I haven’t really dealt with real Grief. As someone who has yet to mourn a parent, sibling, friend, partner, pet loss is what I have started with. I cannot imagine those who have dealt with all the formers. However, pet grief is slightly different. The relationship and bond we have with our pet is one that is unconditional, at least from their side. Their entire life and happiness revolves around you; they are happy to greet you when you return, wait for your return, they love you no matter what you look like, your size, or how much money you have. They live for us, and we live, well, for ourselves. We even bring them home for ourselves, after all they are supposed to be our best friend. And they are. I don’t need to go into the details of the benefits of having a pet, especially a dog, and the companionship that comes with it. America loves their dogs, as they should.
Grief has been on my mind for a few months now … dealing with aging parents, being married, running a family business, taking care of their assets and estate—I constantly thought of my life without my parents, brothers, nieces, nephews, husband, and how it would look like. Just the thought itself was unbearable. A part of me felt that grief was going to finally be that thing that really catapults me into real adulthood; I feel it can sometimes make you older, wiser. But gosh, did not expect it to be my sweet little girl.
Before fragrance helped me get through this thing called life, Mumu is what got me through the end of 2019, and all of the pandemic. Fragrance taught me how to tap my senses to a different place, the power of transformative healing, and sharpening my skills. Mumu taught me the power of staying present, looking at the brighter side of life, and unconditional love and companionship that is inexplainable through human standards. I haven’t been able to enjoy perfume again since this happened. I was actually at an event selling my perfume oils when this happened; the guilt is immense.
With people, I guess smelling their aftershave, perfume, or cooking familiar recipes could remind you of them—but what about my dog?
There is a morbid relationship between fragrance and grief. Since scent is so linked to memory, you can emotionally feel someone’s aroma even in their absence. Scent artist Frank Bloem even created a series of end-of-life scents for funeral museum Tot Zover (here’s a glimpse). While perfume won’t cure the sadness it can help us commemorate, perhaps even celebrate, those we have lost. While there is a story behind every perfume, we can especially resonate with those inspired by grief. Perfumes like Byredo’s De Los Santos was created after founder Ben Gorham lost his father and close friend. Even though Phlur didn’t intend to make people cry, their ‘Missing Person’ evoked strong emotions through the skin-scent musks that are so familiar to us all. Just two weeks ago,I read
’s post on how chasing scents is similar to chasing the sounds, smell, touch of those we have lost. It brought tears to my eyes then; I understand it differently now. Her post on remembering Moms through perfumes back in May is also a tearjerker.I have been smelling her dirty collar, trying to capture the smell that was the top of her head and her curls. It’s been difficult. Not sure how I will move on from this chapter of my life, but the concept of the Rainbow Bridge brings me some patience. Maybe, one day, I’ll be able to capture an ethereal, musky, colorful, fluffy scent that will remind you of your warm fur baby cuddled up with you on a sunny day, with a full belly. Maybe it will fill the absence that every pet owner signs up to ultimately feel. Until then, hold your fur babies a little closer for me.
‘FUME NEWS | AUGUST 2024
SOTD: Fancy by Jessica Simpson — a super sweet amber vanilla. Opens with sweet berries like a burst of bubblegum and drys down to a gourmand of caramel, almond, vanilla, and of course white florals—reminiscent of a high school dance. I found this for $13 in Marshalls and bought it for the wistful desire of youth. It took me back to a nostalgic, innocent time in high school. It’s super sweet and feels young and juvenile but doesn’t smell cheap and has good performance.
I know we are in NYC … but if you needed an excuse to go to London, this is it: LUSH opened a Perfume Library in London. The permanent concept store will house all their fragrances, including an exclusive selection of 12 brand new perfumes, not yet available anywhere else. Curated alongside the perfumes are a selection of books, which are available to purchase. These are books that have inspired their Perfumers, books that have reviewed their perfumes and provide an insight into all things scent related. Perfume concept stores must absolutely be the future.
Really enjoyed reading this article about perfume swap parties, many of which are in NYC, which seem to have been around for some time, but gaining even more traction now. Fat Mascara’s Jennifer Sullivan, Perfume Room’s Emma Vernon, photographer Liz Renstrom of Basenote Bitch, and beauty editor Alexandra Pauly recently joined forces to bring you a summer perfume swap on August 1st.
Don’t miss out on D.S. & Durga’s sample sale of “slightly dinged but perfectly pure perfumes, candles, and more” happening now. It’s about to be over!
NYC-based, newbie fragrance brand Maison Millais is celebrating their one-year anniversary with a pop-up on Elizabeth St., August 1-4th.
one of our fav Brooklyn perfume stores Stéle is having an evening of perfume and Icelandic schnapps with Icelandic artisan fragrance brand Fischersund, Aug 7th. This makes me especially excited as I flew IcelandAir earlier this year and learned of their Scented Tours at their boutique in downtown Reykjavik. Excited to have them in New York.
Perfumer Marissa Zappas is having a Sensorial Reading at art club, Salmagundi Club on Fifth Avenue on Aug 21 at 5:30pm. Sounds like a really exciting with an interesting lineup: American short story writer and actress Deborah Eisenberg, actress Ruby McCollister, poet Ariana Reines, actor Bobbi Salvor Menuez, and substack writer
.Dubai-based brand Lattafa Perfumes had a pretty “sweet” pop-up in NYC last weekend, here’s an inside look. The brand has been absolutely booming online, especially on PerfumeTok, for their dupes of popular juices, and their own fragrances that are affordable with eye-catching packaging.
The 2024 ScentXplore Convention has opened up their registration for the public. The convention will take place in Chelsea, Dec 5-7th.
We’re going to plug this private fragrance tour about 16th & 17th century corsages and boutonnières happening at The Met in October, because we anticipate it selling out pretty quickly!
Gourmand still going strong. NEST released a new EDP for vanilla lovers—blending vanilla bourbon absolute with orange bitters, rich brown sugar, and night-blooming jasmine.
FUN PERFUME READS:
- has a fun interview with from Perfume Room Podcast.
Gourmand lovers are moving from desserts to perfumery’s new favorite note: rice. I like the plug of ELOREA’s recent release with a soy sauce note. Have you checked out their store on Spring St.?
Critics thought Aura Bora’s sparking water flavors sound like candles, so they made a drink inspired by one: P.F. Candle Co.’s Watermelon & Chili. This is a good way to deal with online bullying.
Perfume podcast Smell Ya Later had a fun crossover episode with another. LA-based Nose Candy is another fun podcast who have epic swap parties.
That’s all for today, friends! If you have any fun august events to share, please reply back and send us a note :)
—Nadia xo
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