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" 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
24
" 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
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" 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