Another episode of Mood Scent 4 is here and this time around we’re featuring Wellbeing Wonders. My scented partners are Portia who is now with A Bottled Rose, L’Esperessence and I Scent You A Day. We are your selectors for perfumes for various occasions.
We chose this topic due to the unsettling COVID19 times we all find ourselves in. The crazy world of lockdowns, quarantines and social isolation. You are probably just getting used to being at home all day and every day, whether alone, with flatmates, a partner or your family. It can be a testing time with all of that home schooling to top things off. On the other hand you may be enjoying the peace and quiet. Personally I’m finding that it’s starting to feel like groundhog day although I am keeping it together for now. The French lockdown is relatively strict and we are allowed out of the home only for food shopping or for medical reasons. Plus we’re allowed one hour’s exercise a day, as long as you maintain social distancing and don’t go and meet your friends. If you’re from the same household you can go together, so we’ve done this a few times now. We are also required to fill out a form each time we leave the house as we may be checked by police and there are fines if you don’t have the correct documentation. Those who can work from home are doing so and it’s really only essential services workers who are going to their place of work now.
Whatever your situation, whether you live in a house, on a farm or in an apartment we will all have a need to calm our mood, temperament and general wellbeing and fragrance may give you a lift in the spirits right now.
Shalimar Ode à la Vanille sur la route de Madagascar : Guerlain : Thierry Wasser : 2012
Vanilla is one of those feel good scents, that can be absolutely essential in times like these, depending on personal tastes of course. Guerlain’s classic Shalimar has been reworked a few times and I have the Shalimar Ode à la Vanille sur la route de Madagascar (surely the longest name in fragrance) version with a beautiful swirl of vanilla that seductively haunts this perfume. I bought this in the early days of my perfume love when I frequently wore Shalimar and needed another version to keep me company. It’s a nice take on the classic scent and a quick glance at Fragrantica shows that there have been other versions including a Mexican edition. If you like the vintage glow of Shalimar amped up with more vanilla then I suggest you try and track this one down.
Larmes du Désert : Atelier Des Ors : Marie Salamagne : 2015
We definitely need an incense perfume on the list. I tend to like most incense fragrances and find them both contemplative and calming with a soulful feel. I wrote about this perfume when the brand launched at Esxence back in 2015. It wasn’t my favourite of the five releases but I liked the dryness and the fact that it seemed quite a straightforward incense meaning that it’s easy to wear with not much frippery. Over time I’ve come to appreciate Larmes du Désert more and more as it’s very warm, dry and comforting. There’s an interesting interplay between the woods, amber and incense for a glowing desert styled scent.
Maharadjah candle : Parfums de Nicolai
This is an incredible candle and one that will definitely make you feel cocooned and comforted in your home. The candle is a blend of patchouli, cinnamon and lavender that make for a robust scented combination. Maharadjah is definitely one of my favourites and you can also buy it in an oil format to use with a burner. I can attest that this candle has a good throw and scents a room when the cover is removed. Apparently Carla Bruni is a huge fan as it not only smells great but masks the smell of cigarette smoke.
Bohemian Spice : April Aromatics : Tanja Bochnig : 2011
April Aromatics makes a frequent appearance on Mood Scent 4 and this is because I genuinely love Tanja‘s fragrances and feel they have hit the zeitgeist of these times. Bohemian Spice is like a finely aged wine with a beautiful layer of natural aged patchouli wrapped around orange and frankincense. There’s a sweeter layer too with a vanilla accord that is gorgeously subtle. The fragrance has a real bohemian vibe as expected so you can imagine you’re wafting around somewhere far flung and exotic wearing a caftan Instead of being confined to your home.
Please make sure to read my fellow Mood Scent 4 group writers : Samantha on I Scent You A Day, Esperanza on L’Esperessence and Portia at A Bottled Rose for their take on today’s topic.
Thank you so much for reading and let me know your Wellbeing Wonder fragrances.
I’ll leave you with some Sam Neill who is reading poetry and playing his ukulele among other things on lockdown. He also has a winery called Two Paddocks in Central Otago in New Zealand where he makes some lovely pinot noir. On this session he’s reading the kiwi classic children’s book Hairy Maclary by Lynley Dodd that I read probably hundreds of times to my boys. Personally I find his voice very beguiling and could listen to him forever.
Notes : Cover Image Canva : Fragrance images from the brand websites or sellers.
Disclosure : Perfumes Larmes du Désert, Bohemian Spice and the candle Maharadjah gratefully received by the brands and I provide services to Atelier Des Ors.
Megan In Sainte Maxime 
Great choices, Megan. I love Sam Neill thank you for sharing this. Maharajah is absolutely fabulous the room diffuser as well. It is my favorite room fragrance. Interesting to read how you are doing during look down in France as well, take care Esperanza 😘😘
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Hi Esperanza 😀 I adore the Maharadjah candle so I can imagine the room diffuser is great too. I will pop over to yours very soon to see what you’ve chosen. Life under lockdown is very strange and I hope that it’s all going to end soon. xxx
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Hi Megan,
Isn’t Sam Neil the sweetest!
As Sheila Eggenberger called it Sha-Lemur! One ofd my all time favourite fragrances. Perfect for lockdown and keeping our minds well.
Portia xx
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Hi Portia 💙 I am loving these Sam videos. I think I may have a slight crush on him too. That voice … Anyway hope all is Ok in Sydney!
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Such a topical theme, Megan, and I love how you’ve interpreted it. I’m particularly intrigued by Shalimar Ode à la Vanille sur la route de Madagascar. I”m really enjoying 4711’s Acqua Colonia Intenses, which includes versions such as Wakening Woods of Scandinavia, Floral Fields of Ireland and Sunny Seaside of Zanzibar. We’re entering our second work of lockdown, so they are perfect for perfumed travels.
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Hi Rich – I Hope your lockdown is going Ok! I’m into Week 3 and getting a little antsy now. I love the 4712 extension names. I’d be going for Zanzibar. Take care in SA 💥
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I know the antsy feeling. Zanzibar is perfect for that tropical holiday vibe. You too, Megan.
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I haven’t been out for 4 weeks !!!! Sad Face
I decided to wear Molinard Violetta today. It’s nice and springlike.
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Hi Matty – aaaaah 4 week! You’re ahead of me. Hope you are going OK – it’s a long road so it seems and just so surreal. Hope you’re enjoying Violetta. Molinard make some excellent fragrances and if you’re ever in Grasse you can visit their headquarters and take a tour. ✨
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I’m climbing the walls !!!!!! My daughter and grown up Grandaughters have been doing my shopping.I’m usually very independent so this is really getting me down.
I’ve got Habanita and Habanita L’esprit, I really like them both.
I don’t think I’ll be making it to Grasse any time soon.
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Oh nice they’re doing your shopping 🛍 but it’s nice to do these things yourself but even I am hardly going now either. It’s so strange. And no I suppose you won’t be going to Grasse anytime soon. I live close by but now it seems so far away!
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“Starting to feel like Groundhog Day” – my thoughts exactly! It’s a good time for soothing fragrances indeed. Save the ones with sharp edges for later when we get to face the bustle of outside again…
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Hello Nose Prose – yes a lot of laptop time and not much else around here, complete Groundhog Day. Yes I am doing lots of comforting scents and citrus too for a bit of an energy boost too. Hope it’s ok where you are. ✨
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Oh Megan, I found your post so comforting, although I did have a little smile at the length of the title of the Shalimar flanker. I don’t own any Shalimar myself but in my estimation, the original Shalimar is the best use of vanilla in any perfume EVER. I can only imagine a vanilla flanker to be a masterpiece. As for including a candle- brilliant idea! I became slightly fixated on Carla Bruni when she was first lady- such a presence and so full of contrasts!
I do believe you have totally converted me to Atelier Des Ors. I don’t own this one but I adore my Iris Fauve and treat myself to it when I need to feel cossetted and pampered!
Stay safe and keep getting that sunshine on you xxx
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Hi Sam – I got quite desperate for sun yesterday but managed to catch some sun. I know that Shalimar title is quite overblown right and so long. Anyway it smells good! Enjoy the Iris Fauve too and take care in Wales! 😘
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