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My dad, an immigrant, never wore expensive cologne. Some of my earliest memories are of him spritzing himself with a bottle of Jean Naté, that he bought from CVS, before a party. When I would borrow his dress shirts or a blazer, I could always smell it on the back of the collar where it touched his neck. I like Aqua De Colonia, which is really an aftershave, because in my mind, it’s just as utilitarian and unrefined as something my dad would wear, but actually smells amazing - kind of burnt citrus, and it comes in a beautiful glass bottle. Aqua de Colonia falls into the world of old country club locker room scents like Royall Bay Rhum, which is an old favorite of mine for the summer. My friend Nate said that all girls hate Bay Rhum because it reminds them of their dads, but I still love it. The only caveat of Agua de Colonia is that it fades quickly, but you kind of get whiffs of it all day, which is great.
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There have been a handful of occasions where I’ve smelled the now-discontinued shampoo my mom’s late best gay friend Jackie used (who called me his little bitch when I was growing up and taught me everything I know about style, elegance, and attitude) and it made me cry. The smells of lumber, soil, and wood varnish remind me of the countless hours spent in my childhood with my dad in the greenhouse, the back patio workshop and at various supply warehouses.
The smell of creosote in the desert rain—sorely missed and I want to buy a candle or something that replicates this because it’s my favorite scent in the world. L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme on a shirt-collar takes me back to the warmth and security of first love and reminds me of what it feels like to be home. I’ve posted that I wear Fracas every time I want to remember a happy significant day so that’s probably my most strongly nostalgic scent.
The smell of old books and cigarettes! When I come into my apartment after stepping out for just a moment after making espresso and the lingering smell makes me feel like I’m in a cafe! The smell of a REAL Christmas tree!
Yesterday at the farmer‘s market I smelled a butterfly bush plant for sale and childhood memories came flooding back. Juicy Couture by Juicy Couture was my grandmother's signature scent because she liked the Schnauzers on the bottle so Tuberose always reminds me of her + the smell of face powder. I could go on forever…
May 12, 2024
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90s fresh smells like the brand H2O or GAP‘s Grass or Dream, Lagerfeld’s Sun, Moon, Stars.
Feb 21, 2025
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I think I’m the only person I know who uses handkerchiefs under the age of 80. My mom probably gave me one when I had a runny nose and I never looked back. There’s a handkerchief in my left pocket at all times. I throw them in the laundry at the end of the day and pick up a new one in the morning. I buy them in packs of 10 and chuck them away when they get dingy looking. There’s no way to teach someone how to use one, it’s just about folding. They’re way better than Kleenex for the sensitive skin around your nose, and it just feels much better to touch cotton rather than dry paper.
Jan 27, 2023
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I get sick of reading on vacation, and frankly, it seems wrong to stare at pages all day when you’re somewhere fun. For the past few years, my girlfriend and I have rented a house on a Greek Island. Before I leave NYC, I call an art store in Athens and have them stretch a few canvases for me. When I arrive, I pick them up along with some oil paints, turpentine, and some other supplies and go straight to the ferry. At the house, I set up an easel out of ladder and some wood, in a cave next door to the house that has an amazing view of an azure sea cove below. The cave offers some welcome shade from the blazing Greek sunshine, and it feels great to paint pictures in the open air. The cave makes it private, but the opening to the Aegean Sea makes it not feel claustrophobic. The paintings are usually dry by the time we leave, and I got this old lady down the street to hold my supplies until the next summer when I return. I once saw pictures of Julien Schnabel’s Montauk studio which is basically a gigantic deck with three huge walls and no ceiling, which was kind of my inspiration for trying this. Painting takes longer than sketching in a little book, and it’s more physical than photographs. Every time you look at the paintings, you’ll remember the place where you did them. Everyone should try it.
Jan 27, 2023
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My office used to be above Barneys at 660 Madison Avenue. I used to have lunch at Viand 2-3 times a week at least. I love all Diners, especially ones in New York, but Viand is different. It’s from a long fading tradition of NYC coffee shops - super narrow, with a bar on one side and 2 seater booths on the other. There’s no bathroom which is shocking to the hordes of tourists who find their way to it after seeing the windows at Bergdorf Goodman or going ice skating in Central Park. It’s also cash only, and their ATM has a $3.00 fee. The thing that separates Viand from other diners is the food. Their versions of everything you know are the best. They’re known for their full turkey dinner, which I’ve gotten on Christmas Day before going to Grace Church downtown for their Candlelit Eucharist. Their cheeseburger deluxe is perfect, tuna melt - perfect, Chef Salad - Perfect, BLT - perfect, blueberry muffin on the grill - perfect. It’s also amazingly expensive and I gasp every time I get the bill because it usually means that I have to get more money out at the expensive ATM. The prices keep all the riff raff out, which means that you can always find a seat, and what’s $25 for a perfect sandwich and a coke?
Jan 27, 2023