The Scent of You Quotes

“A cherry tree was coming into bloom, shooting out a froth of sugar-pink blossoms. She could see from its size and the gnarled branches that it was a mature tree, yet still capable of putting on such a wonderful show.
A new beginning every spring, even from an old tree.”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“I had no idea one ingredient could transform a perfume like that."
"That's precisely where the magic is," said Polly, smelling her blotter again. "This is seriously sexy now. Do you like it, Guy?"
His eyes were closed again, nose down to the smell, and he made a noise in the back of his throat, almost like a growl.
"I love it," he said, opening his eyes and grinning at them.”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent Of You

“Then there is my current reality, the smells that are constants in my life: lemon slices and fresh ginger, the sharp tannin and milky contrast of builder's tea, and the slightly sickly green scent of freshly cut flower stems. And not forgetting the classic ingredients of the chypre base of so many of my favorite perfumes- bergamot, oakmoss, patchouli and labdanum (rock rose)- which I'm finding so reassuring in this time of transition.”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“Obviously, it's a huge deal when your little girl starts to turn into a woman, but the change has a gentle fluidity, so it seems to happen like time-lapse photography of a flower blooming.”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“Perhaps a tuberose, she thought. Very pervasive, but not headachy. Her fingers lingered for a moment over her bottle of Fracas. She adored the classic punchy floral, but it was one of her mother's favorites, so not conducive to a good night's sleep either. Not after that phone call earlier.
Maybe something woody? The black tea, leather and tobacco in Atelier Cologne's Oolang Infini would be deep enough to drown out Digger's pungent expulsion, yet subtle enough to sleep on. But no, the guaiac wood in it reminded her too much of old-fashioned coal-tar soap, which was David's smell.”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“Polly laughed to think how outraged Lucas would be that she'd chosen one of Britney Spears's perfumes to represent him, but the name- Rocker Femme- and the sweet gourmand mix was just perfect for him. It opened with blackberry liqueur and coconut cream, which made her think of one of his horrible biscuits...”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“She knew what the Barbour aftershave would make her think of, and of course it did with its forest violets and cinnamon bark.”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“The next blog was 'The scent of the elders' and there was only one possible perfume choice for that: Mitsouko. Polly hesitated before bringing the blotter to her nose. She knew that perfume- which scent connoisseurs considered 'the greatest chypre'- so well, she wanted to play it through in her mind first, from the sparkling peach top note to the spicy vetiver base, because she didn't have time to let all the stages of it develop.”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“For 'The scent of yoga' she chose Black Lapsang because its smoky opening always made her think of incense and sacred spaces- which is what she tried to create in her former dining room, but without using joss sticks because she didn't think they went well with deep breathing.
She closed her eyes as the perfume developed to reveal its Assam-tea middle note, which made her think immediately of that first yoga breakfast with Shirlee and Maxine and the yogi bears.”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“My scents for change are (and there's a lot of them, because there's a lot going on for me at the moment!):

Pour Homme by Yamamoto
On the Road by Timothy Han
Santal Blanc by Serge Lutens
Oud Wood by Tom Ford
Dear Polly by Vilhelm
La Flâneuse by Lucien Lechêne
PM by the Great Eastern Fragrance Company
Je t'aime Jane by Bella Freud
No. 9 Benjoin by Prada
Shalimar by Guerlain
Original by Eight & Bob”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“Enough," she said, putting a finger on Guy's lips. He opened his mouth and bit it lightly, then began teasing the end of it with his tongue.
"Stop it!" she exclaimed, pulling it out and wiping it on his shirt. "You are the limit, Guy Webber, do you know that?”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“The overpowering oriental out that had first led her there was tempered now by a much more varied and subtle fragrance palette. She could pick up strong threads of the most classic florals, rose, lily of the valley, magnolia, which Guy would have turned his nose up at before, alongside the more Mediterranean jasmine and neroli, with the warm notes of sandalwood and tonka, balanced by the bite of citrus.”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“My Easter smells are the cinnamon and mixed spices in the hot cross buns, and the rosemary and mint sauce with the roast lamb. The grassy tang of rhubarb and real muddy wet grass from the egg rolling. And of course, lots and lots of milk chocolate.


My scents for Easter are:

Angel by Thierry Mugler
Anima Dulcis by Arquiste
Musc Maori by Parfumerie Générale
Blue North by Agonist
Opium by Yves Saint Laurent
English Pear & Freesia by Jo Malone London
La Tulipe by Byredo”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“My smells of a son are gummy sweeties, Play-Doh, Pritt Stick, poster paint and wax crayons. Earthy mud on polyester football kit. The sweet antiseptic of sticking plasters. Fruity bubble gum and the minty tang of chong- as he and his friends called chewing gum. Bicycle chain oil and rubber inner tubes. The chemical overload of Lynx sprayed profusely over sweat, hair gel and toxic trainers. Fried onions and meat on the breath. Tomato ketchup.


My scents for a son are:

I am Juicy Couture by Juicy Couture
Black by Bvlgari
L'Air de Rien by Miller Harris
Serge Noire by Serge Lutens
Rocker Femme by Britney Spears
Dirty by Lush
Africa by Lynx”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“They set off past the tree where the dogs were still playing, stopping as they went to admire the daffodils and crocuses. The garden turned round the side of the building, and there was a bench set into a lovely old wall, which must have surrounded the garden of the old house that was knocked down to build the complex. On either side of the bench were two beautiful clouds of yellow flowers.
"Oh, look," said Polly, "the mimosa's out, how lovely. Let's go and smell it."
They headed over and as they got closer the scent of the fluffy yellow blooms filled the air.
"Ah," said Polly, breathing deeply. "Some of my favorite perfumes are based on this smell. It reminds me of my time in Australia. It's a native plant there. They call it silver wattle.”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“It's posh, but there is a kind of freshness to it... not lemony, but..."
"Pennyroyal," said Polly, looking at Guy, who pointed his left forefinger at her as he swung back onto his stool. "Mint. I normally hate mint in anything, but it works here."
"Bang on it. Just a tinge of toothpaste among all the earthy stuff to freshen it up, that was my thought."
"And a very soft rose," said Polly. "I think there's a lot more to come, this is a very quiet beginning for you. What are you calling this one?"
"First Light," said Guy. "I went for rose because they are one of the flowers that smell best in the morning- but not too much, because it's really all about what comes next. Do you like the name? I was going to call it Dawn's Crack, but thought better of it. But what is going to come through next is lots of lovely orris root, which has that musky morning bed smell to me- and it all just said 'waking up in the morning after serious hanky panky', so I went with that. And then there's the idea that you can experience first light after a long night without sleep, which I also like.”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent Of You

“I just love being around the animals. I enjoy their company, which probably sounds crazy, but I do. I particularly love their smell."
"So do I," she said. "It's one of the great smells, actually, and traces of it are used in perfumes. It's called an animalic note."
"Gosh," said Chum, "I wouldn't mind some of that. What's it called- Eau de Nag?"
"Well, it's more of a hint deep inside a very complex blend of different smells, although one niche company does make a perfume called Stable.”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“So, putting aside the yucky ones, the positive smells of a dog for me are the next-day cold-stew smell of his meaty food, and the aroma of a roasted chicken right out of the oven, which will have him running to the kitchen like a rocket. The dry seed and hay hum of a pet shop, and the sickly rotting meat of his treats.
Grassy fresh air and mud on long winter walks. The rubbery tang of the toys he likes to brutalize. The worn-in leather of his collar and lead. The sweet, musty smell of his velvety ears, which I love to stroke, and yes, I admit it, I kiss them.


My scents for a dog are (a bit of a challenge in all honesty, but it's fun to stretch yourself sometimes!):

Barbour For Him by Barbour
Grass by The Library of Fragrance
Dirt by The Library of Fragrance
Cuir de Russie by Chanel
Piper Leather by Illuminum
Mûre et Musc by L'Artisan Parfumeur”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“Again Polly remembered all the notes in this perfume from the event earlier, and enjoyed waiting for each one to register in the olfactory bulb in the front of her brain, while her imagination did its own thing. The neroli, jasmine and sandalwood transported her to a summer night in the south of France, wearing a crisp white shirt- this was a much fresher chypre than the first one. Then she remembered she'd sprayed this one on her wrist during the event earlier and lifted it to her nose to see how it developed since then. Suddenly, out of nowhere: David.
Her eyes snapped open. Coal tar?
"Has this got guaiac wood in it?" she asked Lucien, not caring if it interfered with his testing of Guy.
Lucien smiled broadly.
"Yes," he said, "but very, very deep inside, it's a base note, as you would know. Your nose is very good, Polly."
Guy grasped her wrist and brought it to his nose. "It's just under the bergamot and before the honeysuckle," he said, opening his eyes.”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“Oakmoss, patchouli, bergamot, labdanum, in the balance you constantly shift and nuance like a conductor, but dancing on top of that tonka, a hint of leather and a cheeky reference to Miss Dior, with some carnation. I think there will be ambergris and sandalwood in the dry-down, and I can't wait to see how it smells in the middle of the night.”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“It's a Baron de Sigognac XO."
Guy swirled his glass and stuck his nose inside it as Lucien had done. He moved the glass away and then went back down for another sniff.
"Christmas-cake spiced fruits, vanilla- I'd even say custard- with hints of rose and violet," he said.”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“As a counterpoint to all the staleness, there were the salty, biting North Sea breezes, the slightly fishy sweetness of cold damp sand and the sharp grass that grows in it. In summer the manicured grass of quad lawns and night-time bonfires on the beach.
A kiss in the dunes from a dashing young chap with beer and ciggies on his breath, and a faint whiff of horse on his shirt.

My scents for university days are:

Anaïs Anaïs by Cacharel
Lily of the Valley by Yardley
Obsession by Calvin Klein
Sel Marin by Heeley
Wood Sage and Sea Salt Cologne by Jo Malone London
Bas de Soieby Serge Lutens
Cuir de Russie by Chanel
Peau de Bête by Liquides Imaginaires”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“My smells of university are the tarry wax on Barbour jackets and the oily wool of a Guernsey jumper. Fiendish fruity Pimms made in plastic dustbins for summer parties, with sickly sweet lemonade, fragrant with slices of apple and cucumber and handfuls of mint.”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“As for the smells I associate with her, I was a bit of a swot too, so I love all the stationery aromas: the woody/metallic aroma of pencil shavings, the flat winey smell of ink, the sticky sweetness of a leaking biro and- my favorite- the almost talcum-powder softness of a new exercise book.
For her veggie diet there is the powerful grassiness of leafy vegetables, the caramel of sweet potatoes, carrots and beetroots roasting, and the sulfurous note of brassicas. The nutty starchiness of brown rice and other whole grains. The green tang of fresh herbs, warm ginger. The bite of garlic and the spiciness of coriander seeds, cardamom, turmeric and chili. White flowers for her youthful freshness and lemon for her mental sharpness.

So my scents for a daughter are:

Gold Heart v. 4 by Map of the Heart
Botanical Essence No. 20 Rose by Liz Earle (it has a carrot seed note in it)
Wild Green by Bronley
White Musk by The Body Shop
Neroli by Annick Goutal
Cristalle by Chanel”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“He put one of his heavy crystal perfume bottles into her hand. A big one with an old-fashioned silk puffer spray. She looked at the label and saw it wasn't the one she'd sprayed on her wrist, but the first cap she'd smelled and hadn't liked so much. It was called the Darkest Hour.
"I know you like Half Past Eight more," said Guy. "You think you're not a spicy-orientals girl, with your Celtic blood and your dry skin; I read your blog, I know about your fetish for chypre fragrances. It's the oakmoss and patchouli combo alongside the burned lemon you're responding to in Half Past Eight."
Polly had to laugh.
"Bang to rights," she said. "Halfway to chypre paradise...”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“She brought her wrist up to her nose again. Mmm, it was getting even more interesting. That vanilla note, then something sharper. But it wasn't jasmine, as she'd first thought; it was more lemony, but not obvious kitchen-cleaner lemon... a kind of warm, smoky citrus. Burned lemon peel, that was it.”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“So the smells I associate with the Elders are freshly cut garden flower arrangements- roses, lilac and endless sweet peas and the fougère hints of random greenery lavishly added to the vases, in the Constance Spry style.
Also, modest shop-bought flowers, particularly daffodils, tulips and freesias, which are such an economical way to brighten a room for that thrifty generation.

My scents for the elders are:
Lavender by Yardley
Blue Grass by Elizabeth Arden
Rose in Wonderland by Atkinsons
Femme by Rochas
Ostara by Penhaligon's
Tweed by Lenthéric (A mention of this elicited a big response at the event; it seemed all the women had worn it at some time and had happy associations with it. I do wish they would re-release it in the original tweed-fabric effect box.)

The men in this age group are the last of the true British gentlemen, so especially for them:

Old Spice
St Johns Bay Rum by St Johns Fragrance Company
Royal Mayfair by Creed”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“The smells I associate with yoga are contradictory. Freshly showered bodies and sweat. Sandalwood from a scented candle mixed with hot feet on rubber mats.
Head-clearing pure air, ozonic freshness- and deep oriental mystery. Stillness and invigorating renewal. Feminine grace and masculine strength. Anima and animus.

My scents of yoga are:

Madagascan Jasmine by Grandiflora
Lime Basil and Mandarin Cologne by Jo Malone London
Exhale by B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful
Pour Monsieur by Chanel
Oud by Maison Francis Kurkdjian
New West for Her by Aramis
Black Lapsang by Bodhidharma
Santal by Diptyque (my favorite candle for the yoga studio)”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“Chanel's Jersey had a strong note of sleep-friendly lavender, which would melt deliciously into the musk, vanilla, rose, jasmine and other slinky elements, all very soothing.”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent of You

“As well as sniffing my mum's precious bottles, I loved squirting the perfume onto myself, so from a very young age I walked around in a rather overpowering haze of scent. My father started calling me Fragrant Cloud, after his favorite rose- hence the name of this blog.”
― Maggie Alderson, The Scent Of You