#07 Summer Scenting (And a Summer Solstice Fantasy)
An ode to dewy, balsamic scents for summer
About a century ago, I drove a VW Cabriolet. A little green thing that I learned stick for, it was the sight of Rockaway Beach runs and many journeys up and down i-95. I was enamored by the iconic Pink Moon commercial, where a group of friends cruise around [beautiful Northern California] in their Cabrio with the top down at night, and upon arrival at their destination, decides the moonlit journey was better and keeps driving (ironic that one of my favorite ads is for a car, considering my penchant for two-wheel transport, but I love a good road trip day dream).
If this ad had a scent - to capture the feeling of being out late with your friends - it would be cool night air, intoxicating florals, and warmth like benzoin or sandalwood. It’s damp grass, tuberose perfume, and clove cigarettes. It’s pure balsamic, warm, soft, a little woody.
Back in the early 00s I wore Bora Bora by Liz Claiborne and am THISCLOSE to purchasing a bottle just to relive it. The notes are orange blossom, jasmine, mandarin, ginger, and sandalwood.
Now, for nighttime outings, I spritz Henry Rose’s Flora Carnivora (similar to but simpler than Frederick Malle’s Carnal Floral), with notes of vetiver, jasmine, tuberose, and orange flower.
So, basically: HEAVY WOOD OR RESIN + THICK FLORAL + MAYBE A TOUCH OF CITRUS OR SPICE
If you wanted this in a candle, I’d do our Sandalwood Rose or Saltwater Jasmine, or Maison Louis Marie’s Bois de Balincourt (no floral notes listed, but same energy). Incense - see Sandalwood Rose.
Summer Solstice
Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, is Thursday. This summer fete - also known as Litha or Midsommor - celebrates fertility, the return of light, and abundance. There’s something about the summer solstice that makes me want to live my best cottage core fairy girl summer life.
I asked my favorite Swede (and P.F.’s former Operations Director Kirsten) what she grew up doing for Midsummer. Kirsten said she made flower crowns, danced around the Maypole, sang Swedish songs and then, of course, there’s the food. She emphasized it’s a lot of “cold foods” - potato with dill yogurt sauce, sill (pickled herring), peeled small shrimp and crayfish (basically “lots of cold fish”).
She also recommended Eugene Levy’s travel show Midsummer episode.
I won’t get my shit together in time to host, but here’s a mood board and my imaginary menu (with items I did make for Father’s Day brunch this weekend):
Shrimp cocktail, served on a bed of ice
Grilled Salmon
Small bowls of crunchy chips and olives
Table would be set with this yellow striped tablecloth from Heather Taylor Home x Domino and dotted with small jars of chamomile (their sunny yellow centers remind me of the sun!)