CHANEL N°5 and Memories of a Time Long Gone 

As it is the case with shoes and bags, I have over the years developed what you would loosely call a perfume addiction.  Now from all the things I am addicted to, this is the only one that Mr.C approves of (well, to be precise, wine tasting is another addiction we seem to share). After all it means that I am always smelling good  :-D and he is big on perfumes too. Now, in my culture giving your girlfriend or fiance a perfume as a present is a bad omen (sign of a break up in the horizon). While I am not superstitious by nature (after all I am a pseudo engineer too), I made it clear right from the start that we were not allowed, under any circumstances, to exchange perfumes, ever in our life ;). I was not about to take chances this time. But  he would have a say on the kind of perfumes I intended on purchasing. You see, this guy has a fine nose, and I do not mean that just esthetically.  

One of the things I remember from the first time we met was his perfume. I can still smell it even today (well he still wears the same one as per request by Moi ;) It is Crave by Calvin Klein; such an appropriate name since I always "crave" him when he is wearing this. There is something about the way this perfume settles on his skin that makes him irresistible and brings back memories of my study abroad in Bologna and our time spent together. And I have made it clear that this is the perfume I want him to wear on our wedding day :)

Now when it comes to me, I wasn't sure whether I wanted to go with any of the never ending stash of perfume bottles already sitting on my vanity desk, or with something completely new. I hadn't made up my mind (those perfume bottles can be quite expensive), and there was no rush since there's plenty of time until September, and there are more important things that require my attention right now, like getting those Invitations finalized for a start ;) But as destiny wants it (I can almost feel the puppy strings of a higher force at work in here :-D), I stumbled on the Chanel counter at Nordstrom a couple weeks ago. I was on my way out of the store, after an unsuccessful search for a bridal bracelet that would fit my tiny wrist, and walked by Chanel. I had almost conquered the need to stop and sniff their awesome fragrances, when all of a sudden, as in a dream, I turned around and walked straight to the counter. It was as if a magnetic force wash pulling me towards the bottles and I couldn't fight it. My body was not mine to control. The lady at the counter, nicely asked me if I needed help. And before I knew it, here I was asking her if she had any recommendation for a wedding day perfume. The voice in my head kept telling me to stay away from Chanel as their perfumes are too expensive and I already have more than 50 perfumes to choose from. The devil in my head responded:"Relax, you don't have to buy it. Just take a sniff. It won't hurt". And guess who I listened too ;) She had me  try first Chanel Chance, and I must say it was amazing and light, it kind of reminded me of Dolce Gabbana Light Blue, which is one of my favorites together with Donna Kara Delicious.  I knew right away that Mr.C would love this one. Then she had my try Chanel N°5 and a swirl of childhood memories came rushing back in.  

My first memories of a flagrance are  associated with these LUX soaps that my mother used to keep in her drawers with her clothes. I loved that smell and I had looked all over the places to find a perfume that smelled just like Lux. Well, I guess I hadn't looked at Chanel, because I must tell you Chanel N°5 smells exactly like these soaps, which are so hard to find nowadays. The lady at the counter (she is Korean), knew exactly what I meant when I mentioned the Lux soap. She told me they used to be big in her country as well :))) This was my first time in America where someone knew about Lux soaps. I was sold right there and then. I knew this was The One. But I also liked the Chance. Hmmm decisions, decisions...The nice lady pointed out that I would also  need a perfume for my Honeymoon and Chance was perfect for that. "Well, she is right."- I thought but I couldn't bring myself to drop $200 in perfumes. But those  retail people can be quite persuasive ;). She mentioned that they were going to have a special event for Mother's Day. If I spent more than $150, I could have my bottle engraved and a shiny pocket mirror to go with it.  Tempting, very tempting. After debating it for a few minutes I decided to go for it. I felt a bit guilty on spending so much money on perfumes, but I justified it by telling myself that I hadn't bought perfumes in over a year.  And my first bottle of Chanel N°5 would also be engraved with our names and the date of our special day. Yayyyyy. So here it is, pictures of my favorite perfume in the world. Now I can't wait to wear it :)))) and I am sure my mom and grandma will love it!!

My personal mirror also engraved :)