Gwen's blog

^{Menton, C}ôte d'Azur, France - Wikipedia - Gerard Cohen, 2003

Bitter Orange Blossom - Wikimedia Commons - Alexander Hardin

A perfect summer Sunday. Agreeable temperature, clear skies and easy chores that are easily dispatched, leaving hours for reading/napping/sipping in a hammock, in a garden that’s in full bloom.

Photo: Permission of King Baby

I discovered King Baby jewelry, many years ago. I’m drawn to silver jewelry, especially well-designed pieces that have a presence to them and many of the pieces from this California-based biker inspired line, suit me perfectly. I’m not a biker chick, so while the skull, dagger and handcuff motifs don’t appeal to me, the heart and rose designs from the Queen Baby collection, do.

Photo: permission Astier de Villate

As the temperature increases so does my desire to wear colognes. Colognes have really been popular for the last few years, and that interest isn’t waning anytime soon as more and more niche house introduce them into the market each year.

^{Bella Freud EdP bottle - bellafreud.com}

For a long time now, I’ve toyed with the idea of having a nose create a perfume just for me. Every now and again, I explore the idea. I research, I study and I investigate. And there are plenty of perfumers out there who offer their services to create bespoke perfumes.

^{DXB Dubai by Scent of Departure - perfumeniche.com} 

^{Red Rose - Wikimedia Commons - D. Sharon Pruitt}

One of the questions that Kay and I are often asked is: how do you develop a great sense of smell. I was reminded of this when I came across an interview with nose Mathieu Nardin:

^{Photo from Wiki Commons: Square in Florence showing a white high water mark from the 1966 flood}

An escape from the cold, dull Toronto spring to the warmth of the Tuscan sun. Driving along the FI-PI-LI on day trips to Siena, Pisa or Livorno, the windows down, singing along to Paolo Conti on the radio.

Photo: Courtesy L’Artisan Parfumeur.

^{Heretic Parfums embossed packaging for 15 ml. - hereticparfums.com}