The weather has been playing with us, here on the East Coast; one week unbearably warm, but the past few days chilly and dreary. Summer is only eight days away, what the climate has in store we do not know— but we know what we will be wafting as we swing into summertime. What we love about summer scents? It’s a great chance to grab a glass of something cold, a trashy book, a tree, a favorite patch of lawn, or a porch swing. Think cooling thoughts.

 

 

Mary Beth Devine, Editor

 

You may have heard my grousing over our recent run of summer heat, high humidity and air in the orange zone aka air you can chew. What’s a girl to do to stay cool in an old house with only two window air conditioners? Children, it’s all about the green – not political and not necessarily natural – just sweet, crisp cooling green. An illusion will do nicely.

 

 

Chanel Cristalle EdT is a hot weather mainstay. It goes to Florida with me when I do my snowbird imitation and I find it perfect for just about any time, any heat index, any place. It sparkles with its bit of lemon and bright green notes (upper case, please) and, really, oakmoss. There’s no way to feel you can feel wilted in this one.

 

 

 

L’Artisan Verte Violette…we’ll blame mummy for my recent infatuation with violets. A soft gauzy green opening, a sharpness akin to the sudden glare of sunlight, dark violets hidden in the roots of the cedar trees. It dries down to a delightfully simple violet and woods that somehow manage to both soothe and revive during the afternoon rush hour. I think I should bring back the tradition of the scented hanky.

 

The Pink Room No. 1 was designed as an ode to Proust and childhood memory. Sarah, I’m forever grateful. It takes me back to a summer house in Rehobeth and a back yard with rose bushes, hedges, and lemonade after a day on the beach. “But, MB, No. 1 has jasmine. A big white and you don’t do big whites.” Yes, my darlings, I’m aware of that, but I close my eyes, inhale, and it takes me back to a distant, shady, safer place.

 

L’Artisan Poivre Piquant sounds counter-intuitive, but the reasoning goes that hot spices in food and drink cool the system. The story goes that the inspiration was from the Kama Sutra. I’m too old to much care and the joints wouldn’t co-operate anyway, but this – this I can handle. White pepper, fresh cracked over sweet creaminess. A secret revival tactic and crazy wonderful…. just be careful around little people with. Nose: Bertrand Duchaufour

 

 

Guerlain Jicky, my beloved, my olfactory version of an AMEX card. I just don’t leave home without it. Some of you have heard me gush for years, so I’ll spare you. It is quite simply my desert island scent – lavender, bergamot, herbs, iris, a touch of skank to remind you you’re not a child anymore, but neither are you yet destined for the old folks home. It refreshes the spirit in a whiff of bracing cool.

 

 

 

 

Sr. Editor Ida Meister

 

I tread softly during the summer.My neighbors, many of them fair-skinned – favoring summer heat, revel in our heavy New England warmth.I would, could I modify my lively, purposeful pacing and chill as if I were in the Caribbean-BUT I CAN’T !

 

So I perfume myself, instead

 

 

 

Penhaligon's Amaranthine: Bring it ON.This heavy-hitting indolic floral is just my speed; it follows me like an ardent lover, slightly sweaty and full of promises of delight, which it delivers in spades. Wear it, and tickle someone’s fancy.

 

 

 

Soivohle’s Violets and Rainwater: Instant refreshment. This dewy, ethereal violet garners compliments from many corners; it really lingers without being crass or fussy.Folks breathe this in with delight…and so will you.

 

 

 

Parfums de Nicolai’s Le Temps d’Une Fête: Mossy, earthy green, fresh, lilting, and spectacularly chypre the way chypre ought to be.“To the shady woods now wend we, and there the midday spend we..Fa la la la la la la la la. la la…fa la la la la la , la la “.And how.

 

 

 

DSH Bancha Extreme: More IS better. Zesty, zingy citrus marries tea, with Dawndear’s deft touch. Cool down and grab your Zen.

 

 

 

L’Artisan Parfumeur’s Nuit de Tubéreuse:Duchaufour does it again. Polarizing perfume, but if it sings for you, it’s a stunner: woody, spicy, floral that can soften and linger- with a character all its own.Blooms in the heat- if it blooms for you

 

 

 

Annick Goutal Eau de Sud: Very little makes me long for Provence as this does.Herbal, caressing, haunting as the mistral.Espadrilles, le pont du Gard, pastis in your glass- no ice, please.

 

 

 

 

Michelyn Camen, EIC

 

Its all about sensual woody drydowns and bright citrus top notes- from sun up to sundown.

 

Quercus: Nice and crisp for a day that's starting out cool, but promises to be hot and humid. Created in 1996 by Penhaligon’s, Quercus is my favorite of the entire Penhaligon's range.(BD forgive me). I was introduced to the legacy of Penhaligon’s rather late in life, by Brian Kurtz, (who has returned to the Company after a hiatus) in 2007. Together, we toured the Penhaligon’s store (alas no more on Madison Avenue). A dream of a scent for citrus lovers who don't want too much green. Wonderful woody notes (and spice at the top) at the base are as quirky as its name EUDE to summer and everything delightful. .A favorite with Jude Law and Sienna Miller; so unisexy. Gahh gaahhh galbumum!!!

Top Notes – Cardamom, Galbanum, Lime, Bergamot, Lemon, Mandarin Middle Notes – Jasmine, Muguet Base Notes – Sandalwood, Treemoss, Musk Crisp

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Giggle Water was Kedra Hart's, the founder of Opus Oil’s, personal scent that I begged her to release to the public. She obliged. It is my vampy "day and play" scent all summer long. As layers of clothing are peeled off, my skin is exposed to the warmth of the sun. When a fruity floral is well crafted, it performs a burleseque on my skin. .

Absolutes:Tunisian Orange,Flower Absolute, Egyptian Orange Flower Absolute, Orange Flower H20 Absolute,& Bitter Orange Flower Absolute), Honey, Wild Orange, Mandarin, Peach, Honey, Gardenia, Beach Found Ambergris, White Musk & Sandalwood

Pour Toi: The book by Colette and movie "Gigi" (who can forget the gamine Leslie Caron’s role of a young tomboy who grows into a cigarette smoking woman of the world) was the inspiration behind this bright and sophisticated fruity floral perfume. This is a perfect scent for those hazy nights out at the summerhouse (or have some fun with your Cheri in your own house). Tres charmant et absolument pour moi-lemon, cassis, grapefruit open like an ingenue wide eyed , but by dusk her lids are askance, sultry -sandalwood, musk and vanilla drydown.

Mandarine As much as we complain about the heat, the summer passes too quickly. I was thrilled when L'Artisan Parfumeur brought back this burst of orange splash created by Olivia Giacobetti in 2006. Its a limited edition , formerly known as Mandarine Tout Simplement and like summertime, all too soon it will be gone.

 

For our Summertime draw:

 

One commentor will receive 15ml of the not yet released Giggle Water from the yet to be released Les Bohemes collection.

 

One commentor will receive 50ml of Penhaligon's Quercus or Amarnathine (please specify)

 

One commentor has a choice between L'Artisan Parfumeur Mandarine OR 75 ml L'Artisan Verte Violette (please specify)

One commentor can choose a purse size spray of Pink Room Pour Toi

We are fanning ourselves from our sponsors' largesse , so all you need to do is to tell us what you love to do in the summer, and /or if you are a green or orange (if you have a particular fragrance in mind put it in)….Draw closes  10pm EST June 14,2011

"Hope costs nothing. " – Colette