The little cards you get from department stores. Each time you open the book it pulls you into that world even further. It’s a fun little ritual to go to the store to match a book’s energy before reading it. Like a first date. And it’s free. Right now I‘m reading Jane Eyre (for the first time!) with a Vilhelm Parfumerie Dear Polly bookmark.
a low-cost low-commitment way to smell wonderful scents and discover new brands. i order them from brand websites or big online warehouses like luckyscents or twisted lily. i also keep samples in all my purses, my car, my makeup bag, my bf’s house, everywhere. they’re tiny and perfectly portable so you can always have them on hand in case of emergency. you’d also be surprised how long some of them can last, which is great if you don’t have like $200+ to drop on a full size fragrance. and if i don’t like one i just give it to a friend!
I love fragrance so much but finding the perfect one is on par with executing a clinical trial (in my mind). I get the ick from perfumes easily if they’re not 💯 perfect so instead of committing to a full bottle after trying a fragrance once or twice, I often opt for ordering samples. It’s a great way to trial scents, see how they interact with you, and if you‘re obsessed and heartbroken 💔 when the sample is out that’s definitely a sign…
I specifically made plans this year to be alone on my actual birthday. And it’s been so nice. The best in years, no tears! I got up early to walk around a wildflower garden, tried a new coffee shop. Read a lot. Thrifted. Sushi for dinner and a peach crepe for dessert. The only thing missing was that I never went and celebrated with my favorite paintings at the museum but I’ll have a belated party with them later. Happy birthday to me.
