When Ralph Lauren discontinued the only scent I had ever loved (since my mid-20s) I found myself adrift in a world I don’t especially like and facing the dilemma of how the heck to choose a new signature scent for yourself (the RL had been a gift, a lucky fluke). I don’t like most perfumes, I hate walking through the perfume section at El Corte Inglés, it’s just not my world. But I loved Lauren, it felt like me, and I didn’t know if I’d ever find a replacement. Then years later I found myself back in Toronto for an extended stay (don’t ask, it wasn’t good) but I was staying with my lovely friend Carol and Clinique Elixir was her chosen scent. I remember I loved how it lingered when she passed through a room and so one day I tried it myself. SOLD. I’ve been using it ever since.

Anyhow, it’s not Chanel expensive or anything but ever since I discovered estuches (gift boxes) there was no going back to paying full price just for the eau de parfum when I could also get it much cheaper and with a couple of extras thrown in. So it became strategic buying, not just waiting until I was almost out. Which is what I did today. Because wtf, I’m worth it.