Whoever said that April was the cruelest month was oh so wrong!
For me February is the not so kindest month…..
It portends cold, snow, Hallmark holidays (again!), and though the days are longer, there seems little warmth.
It's enough to make me call the doctor, say "The hell with contra-indications!"
"Give me the shots and send me somewhere with "del Sol" in its name!"
Scent consists of closed in buildings, snow banks embellished by exhaust fumes..
The ambers are too sweet, vanillas too cookie-ish.
The ocean-y scents – too travel destination-ish with their coconut and sweet fruit.
(Paper parasols, anyone?)
Chypres can wind up requiring too much thought – my mind has invariably frozen along with some joints.
February …….
It also brings the unending ache of anniversaries….
The death of my grandfather who truly believed a female child should have no limits.
He was molding a political / activist / feminist before our world knew of such things.
The 1st of February is the birthday of two whose memories are blessings:
My older brother, Edward and one of my godmothers.
Edward, I think, was destined to be an old soul. There seems a something in his eyes beyond the sparkle that saw into our futures without him. I see old photos of him and his eyes see into what's left of my heart.
Still life in Iris-Van Gogh
Godmother, known lovingly as "Senior" since we shared the identical form of name, had a proper private school education, did PR work at one of the large family owned banks in town, knew everyone worth knowing, taught me how to choose correct wines for every occasion and how to drink them, took me to the Antique Show where she'd do the Roadshow proud – opening drawers, turning pieces on end, and barter.
She wore tailored tweedy garb (and always a hat), was tough as nails, would watch your back if she thought you right, and feed you to the wolves if you couldn't adequately argue your point.
She marched down south in the '60's with Da, married "late in life" to someone she had known for years and only told friends after the fact.
She taught us all how to fight, not for us, but for what's important to us.
She collected antique inkwells and scarves, wore Imperial, and suggested I make Jicky's acquaintance.
During cold months she would go to art exhibits or a show hither and yon or NYC to the planetarium.
There was always time for tea at the Plaza.
She grew irises in her yard.
All sizes…mostly purples….petites….mammoths…beards and beardless.
She planned so the season lasted for week upon endless week….
She would show up at peoples door with armloads of the week's harvest.
I was never interested in iris as a fragrance until after her death a few Christmases back.
I got Hermes Hiris unsniffed (the horror!!) more as a touchstone than anything.
People call it cold. I smell the warmth of the roots and feel instantly grounded.
Parfums DelRae Mythique is iris surrounded by summer – there's a breeziness to it despite a rather formal aura.
Definitely tea at the Plaza.
The Different Company's Bois d'Iris has a woodsy chill that promises a warm fire and welcome when you come inside.
A soothing scent with it's wonderful blend of woods.
Mary Beth Schwark
Chanel 28 la Pausa evokes irises in season – full blown, spiky green leaves, new grass under a bright June sky. Sometimes the opening is so bright that it hurts my eyes.
Editions de Parfum Frederic Malle Iris Poudre is a memory of Sundays, all dressed up in my perfect dark velvet. Its powder note is like being surrounded by the senior females of the family, alternately urging me on and stroking my hair.
Dawn Spencer Hurwitz's L'eau d'Iris is the perfect late spring bouquet – one of those "Dutch bouquets" of spring blooms tied up with twine featuring iris as the queen
Her Route d'Iris is a dry powdery wonderful promise of later garden magic and majesty.
Perhaps it's the promise of spring I'm looking for, too.
So we have to hang in and on 'til the end of March.
Damn the little prognosticating rodent in Pennsylvania!
What keeps you going when the tires are spinning and your own psychic wheels are spinning?
What works on those days and nights when you actually long for an end to that beautiful ultramarine blue on the weather maps?
Do you opt for a spring garden?
A tropical paradise?
Do you curl up with something seductive and (ahem) boozy and make your own warmth?
–Mary Beth Devine, Guest Contributor
Thank you to Dawn Spencer Hurwitz our draw of 1oz of L'Eau D'Iris.; plenty to take you through this cruel month! Your scent warms our hearts (and MBD's) on this chilly, snowy day. Please enter a comment on this wonderful piece by Mary Beth or your favoirte Dawn Spencer Hurwitz fragrance. Draw ends Feb 5, 2011