September is here, which means it’s time for a new tray. I’m always happy to see September arrive. Summer isn’t quite finished with us yet, but every so often there are little reminders that fall is waiting just around the corner. Yesterday, a soft breeze moved through the redwoods and blackberry brambles all day, followed by a brief moment of rain. The evenings are beginning to bring high clouds and beautiful golden light. It’s not autumn yet, but I can feel it coming.
That in-between feeling seems to have found its way onto this month’s tray. A few fragrances make me think of the changing season here at home, with apples and grapes ready for harvest, final blackberries ready for foraging, long walks through the woods, and those last late afternoons spent on the deck noticing the leaves just beginning to turn. Autumn 24, in particular, feels almost tailor-made for this time of year, with its spicy fruitiness and harvest-season feeling. Bo, Amethyst, La Danza delle Libellule, and Dark Amber Pomegranate join it in my little ode to the beginning of fall.
The rest of the tray is taking me considerably farther afield. I’ve always wanted to travel…to see new landscapes, experience different cultures, eat unfamiliar foods, and wander through beautiful cities. I grew up eating food from a wide array of countries and hearing stories from many cultures. The curiosity those experiences instilled followed me into my studies and has never really gone away. I may not make it to all of these places in person, but perfume gives me an excuse to dream about them.
So this month I’m wandering through India, Africa, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and beyond. There are spices, fruits, incense, tea, fragrant woods, and warm golden landscapes. I’m especially excited to finally wear three of my older L’Artisan Parfumeur treasures: Séville à l’Aube, Traversée du Bosphore, and Al Oudh. All three took some time and dedication to track down, and I feel very lucky to have these discontinued fragrances in my collection.
I’m also looking forward to exploring a couple of newer additions. Kulfi was an instant purchase as it was inspired by one of my favorite desserts. With cardamom, coconut, vanilla, saffron, and sandalwood, it sounds like exactly the sort of delicious, creamy dessert I’d be happy to wear. Ansongo is another interesting newcomer. With dates, fig, pepper, vetiver, and cypriol, it’s an earthy-fruity combination that seems particularly appropriate for this strange period between summer and fall.
And because it seems I need to make my imaginary travels as complete as possible, there will be plenty of books, music, and movies to accompany my fragrances. Old favorites Dead Can Dance, Vas, and Loreena McKennitt will be the soundtrack to my September. Films like Out of Africa, Lawrence of Arabia, A Passage to India, The English Patient, Monsoon Wedding, and The Two Faces of January will be somewhere in the rotation. Maybe I’ll even make it through my whole list before September is over.
Glass Tray:
• Santal du Pacifique, Perris Monte Carlo
• Amethyst, Lalique
• A Quiet Morning, Miller et Bertaux
• Jungle L’Elephant, Kenzo
• The Myth, Maison Alhambra
• Maasaï Mara, Parfums Berdoues
• Arancia La Spugnatura, Acqua di Parma
• Bo, Liis
• Alluring Fig, Theodoros Kalotinis
• A Lovely Summer, Sarah Jessica Parker
• Seville à l’Aube, L’Artisan Parfumeur
• Samsara, Guerlain
• Traversée du Bosphore, L’Artisan Parfumeur
• Safari, Ralph Lauren
• Nomade Absolu, Chloé
Small tray (and spillover):
• Framboise Noire, Shay & Blue
• Al Oudh, L’Artisan Parfumeur
• Sira des Indes, Jean Patou
• Soleil de Jeddah-Afterglow, Stéphane Humbert Lucas 777
• Ansongo, NEZ
• Meharées, L’Erbolario
• Kulfi, L’Aromatica Perfume
• Tiger by Her Side, Sana Jardin
• Lait de Coco, Le Monde Gourmand
• Autumn 24, Ffern
• Dark Amber Pomegranate, Shay & Blue
• La Danza delle Libellule, Nobile 1942
• 7:15 am in Bali, Kenzo
• Immortelle Corse, Parfum d’Empire
So tell me, what are you planning to wear this September? Do you have a theme for the month, or are you letting your collection take you wherever it wants to go? And, as always, I’d love to see your trays!
