SUNDAY MEMORIES
Judy Wills
Seems like I have always worn some kind of fragrance. When I was growing up, it was most likely something from Avon – but I don’t remember just which one. Occasionally I would wear something that my Mother had, or her sister, my Aunt Jessie had. They had exotic fragrances that appealed to me.
Not a very clear picture – but the glass shelves on the right held Jessie’s perfume bottles
I remember one time, when my brother Bill returned from one of his Navy assignments, that he brought back a HUGE bottle of Tabu for Mother. I’m not sure she ever even opened the bottle, and it sat on her dresser from that time on. I mean, that thing was enormous!
Vintage Tabu – photo credit Google Search
Among her collection of perfumes, Jessie had a fragrance called Shalimar. I really liked that one! But it was definitely a PERFUME, not a cologne, so it was worn sparingly so as not to be over-powering, not only to the wearer, but to those standing nearby.
Photo Credit – Google Search and Wikipedia
There was a time that I found a fragrance that I really liked – a true perfume – called Je Reviens by Worth out of Paris. The liquid was actually blue.
Credit Google Search and Worth website
I was told that, if it had been “watered down” the liquid turned yellow/gold. So I could always tell if it was the true stuff or not.
Credit Google Search and Worth website
I still have some of that, but when I tried it one time recently, it didn’t appeal to me, so I washed it off. I guess my body chemistry had changed.
And then there was a time when I wore something called Niki de Saint Ralle, by Jacqueline Cochran, Inc. It’s a rather “potent” perfume, and that didn’t last too long. Again, I still have a bottle of it, but haven’t worn it in many years.
Photo by Judy Wills
My very favorite fragrance to wear is Estēe by Estee Lauder.
Photo by Judy Wills
There is a bit of a story behind that. We had been stationed in Wiesbaden, West Germany from 1967 to 1970. During that time, our Karen was born. Now, since we like to travel through Europe, we thought it might be a bit difficult to travel with a newborn or toddler. So we found a lovely couple in our church there who took care of her while we traveled.
One of those trips we made was to England. During that time, we took a bus tour to Warwick Castle. There was a lady on the bus that smelled absolutely delicious! And so I actually had the nerve to ask her what fragrance she was wearing. She said it was Estēe by Estee Lauder, and what she had on was a “solid” cologne. Something you rub on rather than squirt on. When we returned to Germany, I checked in the Base Exchange, but they didn’t carry that fragrance. So when we returned Stateside and went to our next base – Loring AFB, Maine – I checked the BX there, and they had it. I snapped up a bottle, and have been wearing it off-and-on ever since.
I told my Aunt Jessie about wearing Estee Lauder, and she gave me another of their fragrances – Youth Dew. Well, that particular fragrance makes me gag! If I’m in a group of people and smell something disgusting, it only takes me a short while to realize that someone in that group is wearing Youth Dew. (Actually, I’m thinking, what IS that awful smell?) After Jessie gave me Youth Dew, I traded it in for my Estēe and was MUCH happier!
A few years ago, my best friend gave me a different fragrance as a gift, and I wore it for many years, as it is a light fragrance, and sweet. It is Japanese Cherry Blossom put out by Bath and Body Works.
Photo by Judy Wills
However, recently I have gone back to Estēe, and am happy to be wearing it again.
Can you smell it from here??
And before I leave this, I must tell you about the fragrance that my Fred wears. It is called Devin, and we both love it. He is nearly out of his current bottle, and we are sorry about that, because we are unable to find it anywhere anymore. It makes him smell sooooo gooood! I love to sniff him!
Photo by Judy Wills
Did you have a favorite scent?
Judy is living in Central Florida with her retired U.S. Air Force husband of 50+ years. Born in Dallas, Texas, she grew up in the Southwestern United States.She met her husband at their church, where he was attending the university in her town. After college and seminary, he entered the Air Force, and their adventures began.They lived in eight of our United States, and spent six years in Europe, where their oldest daughter was born. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years .
Judy has always been involved with music, both playing the piano and singing. Always interested in exercise, she was an aerobic dancing instructor, as well as a piano teacher for many years, and continues to faithfully exercise at home.
After moving to Central Florida, she served as a church secretary for nearly nine years.Her main hobby at this point in time is scanning pictures and 35mm slides into the computer. She also enjoys scrapbooking.She and her husband have two married daughters and four grandchildren, including grandtwins as well as a great-grandson and a great-granddaughter. She and her husband enjoy the Disney parks as often as possible.
Old Things R New 