Ups and downs ran amok in March but overall it was a good month, primarily due to the buzz of fragrant Esxence and the arrival of spring with its abundance of colour, flowers and warmer temperatures. This is a great time of the year to go on beach walks and if you ever get to this part of France I would highly recommend the stroll to Cap Taillat and La Bastide Blanche near Ramatuelle. There are sheltered coves to swim in, the water is that famed shade of turquoise and the drive there is old school scenic. It feels 1950’s untouched with vineyards dotted everywhere that conjure up And God Created Women.

Television :

The second series of Love dropped on Netflix and I love the warts and all approach of this series of two LA adults trying to navigate life and find love. One’s an addict (booze and sex), the other teaches a child actor and works with awful people. Anyway the female character  Mickey  is quite cool I think, trying to manage her addictions, whereas the guy is a bit of a dweeb but well meaning. A little Woody Allen like in its romantic pairings perhaps as Paul Rust the actor is also one of the creators. Anyway I really like this series and it’s worth a try although from reviews it would seem to be polarising.

As soon as I received the alert that The Americans Season Four hit Netflix it was viewed fairly quickly. It’s a period piece set in the 80’s about Russian spies in the US and at times is rather creepy, although this series less so. I love viewing the 80’s through this show, albeit via American eyes. In one scene the family is watching the movie The Day After and if you’re younger than me you may not know what this is at all, but I recall this being a huge deal and an absolutely terrifying portrayal of nuclear war at the time.

Brigitte Bardot and Roger Vadim on the set of Et Dieu Créa La Femme (And God Created Women)

Film : A visit to the Musée de la gendarmerie et du cinéma de Saint Tropez reignited my interest in French film and a desire to watch the classics. La Piscine with the drop dead gorgeous once upon a time couple Romy Schneider and Alain Delon, along with Jane Birkin is definitely on the list and surely represents St Tropez in its heyday, an era that will never be recaptured. A photographic feature on Brigitte Bardot adorned the walls. She is much admired in these parts for living in and popularising the area. The films of Louis de Funès are highlighted including the well known film Le Gendarme de Saint Tropez in the 60’s. I admit that I had never heard of this comedian before living here. The films are somewhat dated but my kids find them absolutely hilarious.

Books : Embarrassingly I ordered the High School Reunion Diet one evening when a G&T or two had been consumed and was feeling not so great about the additional winter layers. A few bits and pieces from the book have been applied but apart from the time I saw a naturopath in Auckland and stuck to my restricted eating selection for around 6 weeks, I’ve never managed to adhere to any food regime. The somewhat ridiculous hair test showed I shouldn’t eat dairy, wheat, tomatoes, citrus fruits, chocolate, yeast and a myriad of other food as well as banning beer and wine (shock, horror). This is the type of test that medical practitioners can’t stand and seems a bit of a have, although it is rife these days at any alternative practice. Everything in moderation is best in my book although in reality this sage advice can often be ignored. Far too many biscuits, cakes, crisps and rosé in the summer months are consumed in these parts, none of which are recommended in the above book.

Music : OK a mixed bag. I fell in love with Slowdive‘s (yes the shoegazers are back) new single Star Roving and played it endlessly. It makes me feel 90’s young again. Also quite like Jamiroquai‘s Automaton single. Played Lorde’s Green Light a bit too. Nina, Aretha and Amy were always present and the 70’s have been getting a thrashing. Basically it’s all over the place.

Perfume : Well the main perfume mission was Esxence in Milan and my next piece straight after this will focus on the perfumes a little more, or at least the few that I got to smell. Naja from Vero Profumo is a big love and a review is on the cards. M from Puredistance has been sprayed liberally for a plush, sexy foray into leather. I’ll be honest and say that as I’ve been doing a spot of work for Atelier Des Ors the perfumes have been worn often, more than anything else. Musc Immortel, the new Harrods exclusive is an easy to wear, feel good, addictive, oriental fragrance with hints of the golden Corsican immortelle flower.

Travel : Milan was great to visit for Esxence although I didn’t actually do any roaming unfortunately but did see the inside of a few great restaurants and even a night club. The food and coffee are always a highlight in Italy as well as the consumption of Aperol Spritz, often in multiples. A summer non perfume return visit is on the cards so will explore more then.

The Lows : Continuous sinus infections and hay fever resulting in what seem like lost days and a lack of concentration, energy, sore eyes and headaches. Antibiotics are the only thing that get rid of the problem and of course they have other unpleasant side effects and crucially don’t get  to the root of the problem. You wouldn’t believe the amount of drugs the doctors prescribe in France. Yesterday I was slightly embarrassed at what looked like a year’s supply of pharmaceutical products.

Let me know if you came across anything interesting this month – TV, film, books, music, perfume, food or if you went anywhere uplifting, bizarre or odd or if things were completely crappy as well … And have a great rest of the month.

Notes : Images : All by Megan In Sainte Maxime except Love : Hindustan Times : The Americans : Indie Wire