I have a really sensitive nose. I hate perfume and cologne, and can smell things that some people can't. Which can be awesome or really annoying, depending where you are. If we have citrus fruit in our house, I can smell it going bad before B can. Once he brought home a buddha's hand, and we had to throw it away because it was too overwhelming for me.
Anyway, I got the idea for this from Robin at subtracting additives. I agree that smells can trigger so many things. Here are some of my favorites. I feel a little guilty because I stole a few from her-but they really are my favorite!
1. The smell of a wood stove fire. It reminds me of winter and snow, both of which I love. Also, it just smells like comfort.
2. Fresh laundry. At our apartment right now there isn't laundry and we have been sending it out. The place we go to uses very very unscented laundry soap. I miss the smell of laundry with my soap and my dryer sheets-I know dryer sheets are 'bad', but I can't help it. Our laundry smelled amazing.
3. Books. Every time I buy a new book, I love sticking my nose in the crack and smelling it (that's what he said). Even books I have owned for awhile I smell too. But nothing beats the smell of a brand new book that hasn't had the spine broken in.
4. Lilac. At my house growing up in Idaho we had these tall lilac bushes that reached all the way to the second floor kitchen window. I actually didn't mind washing dishes in the summer because I could open the window and smell it while I stood there.
5.The cherry flavored ChapStick. It smells like my mom. I have one tube that I smell when I really really really miss her. I don't actually use it, I just smell it. She used to bring it skiing when I was younger and it always reminds me of her.
6. B. He uses this hair stuff that smells like beeswax and I love it. It smells like home.
7. Fresh bread baking in the oven.
8. Ponderosa pine trees that smell like vanilla. I know I look crazy when I'm walking through a forest smelling trees, but I don't care. It's worth it. Some of them smell way stronger, especially after a huge lightning storm.
9. The smell right after it rains. Everything just smells so fresh.
10. Almond extract. I put it in my sugar cookie frosting though, so I could just be associating it with eating sugar cookies. But I do smell it every time I open the jar.
What smells do you love? Or hate. Maybe you hate these smells!
I love everything you listed! Lilacs were on my list, but got bumped by something. The only one I didn't like from yours was almost- had it been vanilla or mint, I'd be thinking you and I somehow share a brain/nose.
ReplyDeleteHaha I almost put vanilla! I smell that one too whenever I use it :)
DeleteI agree with pretty much everything on your list, but #3!!! I buy most of my books on Kindle now, but I still love the smell of books -- especially at a used book store! Hubs made slow-cooker chili over the weekend. That smelled really good, too!
ReplyDeleteThat makes sense. I am jealous of people who have a Kindle because they're so much cheaper than buying books brand new, and sometimes I don't have the patience to wait to check them out from the library if all the copies are checked out.
DeleteOoooh slow cooked anything is almost always to die for!!
I react very strongly to smells, too. I cannot STAND scented candles. I can't even walk by a Yankee Candle store without feeling sick. I have a friend that bought me a scented candle for every occasion because she was SURE I just needed to find the ONE that worked for me. NOPE...I just can't with that!! --Lisa
ReplyDeleteOh my god scented candles are the worst!!! They are WAY too strong, and always really gross flavors. How funny that your friend was convinced she could change your mind! :)
DeleteI think all women have more sensitive noses than men - there are some things I won't allow in our house. I can't handle the smell of canned tuna. Even if someone ate it 2 days ago, washed the dishes, and threw away the can, I can still smell it.
ReplyDeleteI love the smell of lemons, garlic, vanilla, coffee, black pepper, curry powder - anything that smells like food cooking, go figure.
And I totally agree about the scented candles. Most of them are awful. Sometimes I burn them around Christmas, but I can't go anywhere near those candle stores or BB&Beyond. They make my eyes burn.
Haha oh man tuna smells so strong!
DeleteThose are all good ones. I almost included garlic and coffee.
Ugh, BB&Beyond or any candle store is awful! Or The Body Shop! They make my eyes burn too!
Tara, I am so glad someone else who has a sensitive nose. When Nafew smells stuff, I'm usually gasping for air. You have a great list here but I ave to agree with Bee, I like the smell of old books.
ReplyDeleteHahah same here! Sometimes it makes me feel crazy when I can smell things that others can't.
DeleteOld books are awesome. I just like the smell of books in general.
what a great list! i love all of these things, too - i'd also add pine (reminds me of christmas), plumeria, and butter. of course butter.
ReplyDeleteOooh those are good ones!
DeleteMmmm butter