All about SCENT
Today I’m sharing two of my favorite scents, one a naturally occurring smell and the other a more manufactured scent.
I have to admit to looking up to see if there’s a difference between the meaning of SCENT and SMELL and discovered that where SCENT usually means a distinctive smell, especially one that is pleasant, SMELL can relate to either a pleasant or unpleasant odour.
While “odour” and “smell” can refer to pleasant and unpleasant odours, the terms “scent”, “aroma”, and “fragrance” are usually reserved for pleasant-smelling odours and are frequently used in the food and cosmetic industry to describe floral scents or to refer to perfumes. Source
Petrichor is one of my favourite words and scents
Petrichor is the earthy scent produced when rain falls on dry soil, a term coined by Australian scientists in 1964, which describes the unique earthy smell associated with rain.
I wrote a post about petrichor last year in response to the Sunday Stills prompt of Aroma, your can find it here: The smell of earth after rain
Some scientific information:
Petrichor is a composite of a number of distinct aromas, including the fragrant oils released from soil bacteria during the onset of rain. Compound oils and plant resins evaporate during dry spells and are then refashioned when moisture is reintroduced. As the oils coalesce, they produce a unique aroma which can be very uplifting.
Did you know that rain also carries with it a number of other interesting odours. The scent of ozone, a faint ozone smell, can be sensed during a breeze. Ozone itself is actually a colourless type of oxygen molecule that’s naturally created through lightning and ultraviolet radiation.
Then there are the minerals and earth particles that fly through the air, giving the air a kind of earthy or minerally smell. The smell of pollens, flowers, and trees can also be introduced with a rainfall.
It’s truly a stimulating combination of elements that works in perfect harmony, and for many, like me, it’s a favourite smell.
Have you ever experienced petrichor? Did you even know it was a thing?
Another favourite SCENT
I don’t often wear perfume, I don’t have a favourite ‘big name’ perfume, although many years ago I was a bit partial to some of the Dior range, J’Adore, Miss Dior, Addict (mainly for the little blue bottle) – but I haven’t bought or worn Dior in ages. I don’t follow celebrity perfume creators or go trying different scents when in the perfume section of department stores, although I know that’s a fun pastime for many.
In fact the only perfume I’ve bought in recent years has been Fig and Olive from an online Australian retailer (Perfume and Skincare) which I heard about while listening to a podcast ages ago, the power of media!
The description sounded interesting and for some reason I went online and bought some! I must say I enjoy the scent and always seem to get a positive comment when I wear it. I love that it comes in a handy little roll-on bottle which fits nicely into my handbag. It comes in other bottles and forms, and to me it’s unique.
This is the description of Fig and Olive on the website:
Fig & Olive … Our Signature Fragrance. Memories of a Tuscan Olive grove surrounded by ancient Fig trees on a mid summer’s day. Deep and woody with a light salty, Citrus top note. A touch of Bergamot, very complex. You will be noticed wherever you go, hold your head high, show off that confidence. Perfume Roll On … Our Roll-On Perfumes are highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way. Our fragrance oils are mixed with a Jojoba Oil base ensuring they’re safe for direct contact with the skin without altering the fragrance of your favourite scents. The perfect size for your handbag or for travel. A fragrance that truly lasts.
What is ‘Tell Us About…’ about?
Tell Us About…is a relatively new monthly opportunity for bloggers to showcase their creativity. It started in January 2023 with the prompt of Time, February was my choice of Play and each month one of the co-hosts will choose the word to focus on.
Five bloggers from the UK, US and Australia launched a new monthly blog series in January 2023, called “Tell Us About…” with the aim of unleashing your creativity. Since then Michelle from Following My Muse has joined as a co-host, so now there are six of us.
On the third Thursday of every month we’ll respond to the prompt “Tell Us About xxx” which could be absolutely anything. And how we respond is also wide open. It could be a blog post with our opinions or reminiscences; a poem, photos, a short story or whatever takes your fancy – it could even be a mix of all these!
We encourage you to write your own post around this prompt. Interpret it any way you please, with a reminiscence, an opinion, photos, a poem, a story or whatever inspires you.
We are:
- Gail from Is this Mutton (UK)
- Deb from Deb’s World (Australia)
- Mary Katherine from MK’s Adventures in Style (USA)
- Penny from Frugal Fashion Shopper (UK)
- Jill from Grownup Glamour (Australia)
- Michelle from Following My Muse (USA)
Our posts go live on the third Thursday of each month. There is a linky at the end of my post, which you can join, and you’re encouraged to spend some time exploring what others have written and leave a comment if you feel like it. I hope you can join us!
Posts from our co-hosts
Gail ( Is This Mutton) asked friends about their memories of scent and how their favourites have changed.
Michelle (Following My Muse) – says we rely so much on our sense of sight, that the information scents provide fall under our radar.
Mary Katherine (MK’s Adventures in Style)
Jill’s post is here and Penny may post later.
And my post which you’re currently reading 🙂
A good fragrance should have a certain personality that makes people identify the scent with you.
Shakira
Final thoughts
What are your thoughts on scent, do you have a favourite perfume or smell?
Thanks for visiting and hopefully you’ll be inspired to join in!
Smiles 🙂
Deb xx
Coming Up Soon:
- What’s on Your Bookshelf #WOYBS – Friday 17/3/23
- What’s Been on Your Calendar #WBOYC – Friday 31/3/23
Recent posts from Deb’s World
- A peek into a change of scenery #SundayStills
- The Thong Pole in Tathra #WordlessWednesday
- I’d rather be… #SundayStills
- That empty feeling when you finish a series #WOYBS
- Tell Us About…Scent
You can also find Deb’s World in lots of other places – stay in touch by clicking any of the buttons below.
Everyone has a story to tell! Deb is a young-at-heart & active 60+ blogger/retiree, after being made redundant from her 22-year career managing education programs in a men’s correctional centre (jail). She now spends her time reading, blogging, riding her ebike and travelling. Deb was awarded a Bravery Award from the Queen when she was 17 after a tragic accident – a definite life changing moment! She is married with 3 grown-up daughters & has 4 grandchildren. She never imagined being Granny Debs would bring so much joy to her life! You can read more of Deb’s story here
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Deb's World 
I’ve never heard the term Petrichor but I know the smell. Last summer, after a very long dry spell, I went out into the garden when it finally rained to enjoy the smell. Fig and Olive sounds lovely, I have a perfume with fig in it. Very evocative of summer.
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Hi Gail, it seems many know the scent but not the word petrichor, which is great as I’ve now informed loads of people about it!
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I often reference petrichor when we get summer rain – the smell is just so “Australian” and so I was even more interested to find that it was coined here in Oz – I guess we get lots of hot and dry with occasional bursts of rain.
I have two scents that I’ve worn for 30 years – one is lighter than the other – so the light one is for Summer and the deeper one is for Winter. I figure if you’ve found something that works, why change? 🙂
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Yes I agree Leanne, it’s a very summery smell and I’m so pleased it was coined her in Aus, even more special. Yes if you find a perfume you like that works well in both seasons then stick with it!
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Ha! I’d been puzzling over your photo of your shoes and what that had to do with scent. I do know the scent petrichor, but didn’t realize it had a name. That is a wonderful scent! And I love learning the difference between scent and smell. Awesome post, Deb!
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I’m glad I had you guessing Michelle! The word petrichor is a favourite of mine and I’m surprised not many seemed to know about it. Thanks, I enjoyed writing this post 🙂
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Deb, I did not know that the scent of rain on dry earth had a name, but I definitely love the smell. It’s one of my favorites. I also love the smell of the mountains…wet or dry…and the scent released when you run your hand over lavender blossoms. I used to wear perfume, but haven’t in years, and I do not have a favorite, though your new find sounds interesting.
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Yes Christie, petrichor is a great word and like you the smell of the mountains (and forests) are favourites of mine too. My new perfume is unique and suits me I think.
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Learned something new from your post today – ‘petrichor’! Thank you, and the Fig & Oliver perfume sounds intriguing!
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Glad to introduce you to a new word!
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I love the smell of petrichor but didn’t know it had a name. I also really love the smell of Pinene. As to perfume. Not in decades, and that’s unlikely to change as I have some environmental allergies to a few things with strong smells. The headache is not worth it.
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It seems many were the same as you Bernie, they knew the smell but not the name of it. No perfume is worth getting a headache!
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An interesting take on the subject of scent , just as I had hoped. I will admit to having never heard of the term petrichor before now and one I had never really noticed .
Perfume is most certainly such a personal choice and one that can change over time .
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So pleased to have alerted you to petrichor! Next time it rains see if you can smell it from the earth 🙂 I agree perfume tastes change over time like our fashion styles!
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I love this post, Debbie. Scent is one of my favourite topics, and you inspired me to join this month’s link-up! I have heard of the term ‘petrichor’ but would have struggled to describe it.
My signature perfume, at the moment, it has changed over the years, is ‘La vie est belle’.
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That’s great to hear June! I’ll look for your post. Petrichor is one of those scents that most know about just not what it’s called.
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I haven’t heard of the word, petrichor, but I’ve definitely smelled it. And, I almost always can smell rain on the way! I really like this prompt! Thanks so much for the link party!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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It seems to be the case Marsha, not many know the word but they know the smell!
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Hi, Debbie – I continue to learn so much from you. I was not familiar with the term Petrichor. But I do love that smell. Nature’s smells when hiking are usually my favourite.
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Thanks Donna, I’m surprised many people hadn’t heard of the word petrichor, but happy they knew of the smell I was describing. I’m always happy to share my limited knowledge 🙂 Petrichor is a great word and a fabulous smell!
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Oh, how I wish your post was of the scratch and sniff variety. I bet they will come up with that someday in the not so distant future. We are already Facetiming, and I never dreamed that would happen in my lifetime. I need to smell/sniff petrichor. It sounds so kum ba yah, Mother Earth. I would probably roll around in it!! Is it anything like patchouli? Here in the desert, we enjoy the smell of creosote after a rain. I wonder if petrichor smells like that.
Also need a scratch-n-sniff of Fig and Olive. Sounds right up my alley.
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