Wednesday, September 22, 2010

The 12th Day of Autumn Bliss

The aromas of autumn are one of the reasons I love it so much. From the spicy fragrance of cinnamon and cloves to the sweetness of fresh-picked apples, there is something intoxicating about the prominent fall fragrances. I love the smoky smell of a bonfire which seems to indicate friendship and fellowship. The smell of damp leaves brings back memories of hiking thruogh the woods with my man and our boys. I enjoy the smell of baked pies and breads and cookies, evidence of sharing. There's something heart-warming about a large pot of chicken noodle soup simmering on the stovetop. It speaks of a warm familiarity, comfort, love.

Even when not baking or cooking at this time of year, I have an autumn candle burning at almost all times. But a couple years ago I discovered a new way to keep my favorite scents around throughout the season. We have a little boutique in our town that features all-natural beauty products. The shoppe's most unique feature is the ability for customers to create their own personalized products---anything from lip balms to soaps to body scrubs to lotions. Now, I'm generally not one who enjoys smelling like fruit or other food products. Call me strange, but it's really not my style. However, I decided to create my own personal blend of "autumn in a jar"...a customized jar of whipped lotion just for me. I played with the scented oils to come up with my own signature scent: a base of gingerbread, a bit of cloves, a touch of orange, and just a hint of vanilla. For the past 2 years, breaking out my "Autumn Bliss" lotion has been one of the most delightful parts of the season.

What are your favorite autumn scents?

1 comments:

Amy said...

I was pondering a new scent for fall the other day. Personally I am still stuck on my absolute favorite -- Tomato Leaf lotion and figured that was too spring/summery of a scent. I'll have to stop in and try something new.