Smell can evoke powerful memories. I read that smell is strongly linked to memory because the olfactory bulb is located right next to the part of the brain that handles memory storage. I’m sure you have noticed throughout your life that certain sense stimuli trigger specific memories – a place in time, a specific person, a sense of happiness, joy, danger – an array of feelings. I’ve also heard that smell is a sense that we take for granted, not noticing it until it’s gone. This has been heightened lately due to findings that one of the symptoms of Covid-19 is the loss of smell – either temporarily or all-together. Perhaps that would be one way to lose some weight, food wouldn’t look so tempting if I couldn’t smell it. All kidding aside I certainly am grateful that my olfactory senses are intact!
Probably the most prominent smell I have that evokes a very strong emotion or connection is that of White Shoulders. A perfume that was popular in the 1950’s. I found this article that explained the origin, which was so interesting. I love that it came from a true love story and a raised toast from a Baron to his beautiful wife, “to the whitest shoulders I’ve ever seen.”
This perfume was my Mother’s favorite. Every year for Christmas or Mother’s Day … White Shoulders in some fashion (perfume, body spray, powder) was wrapped with a pretty bow. She always delighted in it despite now probably wishing that this was not always ‘the’ go-to-gift. The White Shoulders set was always prominently displayed on the corner of her vanity or next to the bathroom sink. After she passed away, for some reason I didn’t take a bottle of her perfume. I’m not sure if I overlooked it at the house or perhaps there was none there? Regardless, I went online and luckily the perfume is still available. I now have both the perfume and powder prominently on my bathroom vanity. It never fails to remind me of my mom when I see it. Thankfully, it’s a scent that I really love too. The article above describes it as:
Top notes: Bergamot, Aldehydes, Green notes, Orange blossom, and Peach;
Middle notes: Iris, Jasmine, Gardenia, Tuberose, Lily-of-the-Valley, Lilac, Lily, and Spice;
Base notes: Musk, Sandalwood, Oakmoss, Ambergris, Benzoin, and Civet.
On particularly ‘down’ days when I so wish I could just pick up the phone and call my Mom for some encouraging words, I’ll go and dab White Shoulders on my wrists and inhale – thinking of her. I’m so grateful that I have a tangible way to feel close to and remember her.
Do you have a signature scent? I’m not sure that I do? My personality is such that I need variety so perhaps one scent is not in my cards, but I love the concept and I’m sure that I gravitate towards certain smells or a line of perfume. In that case, it’s Jo Malone for me. I probably love it the most because there are so many varieties and you can mix and match to create your own scent.
If you want to learn more about the sense of smell, check out this TEDx video.