In Search of a Signature Scent
Have you ever gone OCD over a particular accessory, as in searching high and low for the perfect belt to fit skinny belt loops (for the record, I avoid all skinny belt loops to avoid having to hunt down a skinny belt)? I got a little OCD this winter searching for a signature fragrance. This coming from a girl who rarely wears anything but blue jeans and a hoodie, and is married to a guy who is allergic to scented anything. Why the obsession? I’m not 100 percent sure, but at 40 it might be that I’m feeling the need to have a signature something.

I wound up with two signature-somethings, which I haven’t purchased yet, but are on my newfound A-romatic list:

1. mistral eau de parfume - Lychee Rose: Anthropologie’s scent described as “an airy potion of citrus, black currants and lychee, underscored with freesia and musk.” Since I’m a sucker for marketing descriptors like “airy” and “potion,” and I’ve never eaten a lychee fruit, but do like their exterior color, this one made the cut.

2. Zents – Mandarin: I found this “body spray” at Cocoon in downtown Geneva, Ill. Interestingly, it’s marketed to “also be used as an environmental fragrance for home, spa, office or vehicle.” I’m not so sure I want my car fumes to also smell like signature me, but it does beat the unpleasant half-and-half stink coming from my spilled Starbucks coffees.

If you’ve come across a signature scent, please share with me. I’m not sold on my two finds and am not opposed to plagiarizing a friend’s signature.

Are You Unconscious?
Based on a good friend’s suggestion, I picked up a book that’s actually gotten me to highlight several sentences. That’s a rarity in my world. You’ve probably heard some buzz around this book because it’s an Oprah Book Club book, which normally makes me not buy a book. G-d forbid I cave into mass O marketing. At any rate, it’s a pretty cool read that will get you in touch with your thoughts and ego—and awareness of the two. I have to check my ego at the door every time I open up the pages. Hmmm, what does that say about me? The book will also tune you into consciousness, which apparently I haven’t been tuned into since birth. Bottom line, it’s worth picking up at Target the next time you’re there. (For me, that’s tomorrow morning.) Plus, if you’re interested, there is a Webinar, co-hosted by the author Eckhart Tolle and Oprah, starting Monday, March 3, 8 p.m. cst at www.oprah.com. Plug in and we can keep each other awake for the next 10 Monday nights.