Back to school (blues or bliss?)

back to school
Howdy, Posse folks!! Well, it’s that time of year again (at least in my neck of the woods) — back to school this week for our county’s public schools. However, it’ll be a little different for me this year, as my son is heading off to college in a few weeks. It feels very weird, but I can’t say I miss the chaos (and the early morning wake-up routine). Anyhoo, this is for all of you still in the school cycle:

So, parents, what’ll it be? Can I get a collective “Hallelujah!!”? Or maybe a big box of tissues? Or maybe a little of both?

Now for those of you who don’t have children, it may not matter much, but for those who do, or for teachers and school employees, it’s a big deal.

As much as we love our kids, it will be nice to get a break from the frequent refrain of “Mom (or Dad), I’m bored!” that late summer often brings. And it will be good to see them get back into a routine.

As I mentioned, our school system starts this week, and although it may seem early, other school systems around here have already been in session for a bit, including one starting last week — July. July??!! I guess they have their reasons, but that feels wrong on so many levels, at least to me. (Oh, for the days of my youth when school started AFTER Labor Day!) But no matter what, that big first day will be here for everyone else before you know it.

So, here’s a look at fragrances that might work for several back-to-class scenarios:

For the mom or dad for whom summer has just gone on too long: By Kilian’s Sweet Redemption (sweet relief, perhaps?) or A Taste of Heaven.

The most delicious scent to evoke pencils: Fendi’s (sadly discontinued) Theorema

For those with little ones heading off for the first time: Parfums DelRae Emotionnelle or By Kilian’s Love and Tears (they were just in diapers yesterday, how can they be in kindergarten already?)

In the first-morning rush, Chaos to help calm the frenzy (at least for Mom).

Uh-oh, they’ve left their lunchbox, backpack, etc., at home and you’re already late for work: Sacrebleu (PdN)!

For dealing with diehard sleepyheads that first morning, i.e., “Go away, Mom, I was just having the most wonderful …” — thump! — head hits the pillow again: Montale’s Sweet Oriental Dream

When your daughter finally does get up, who will you encounter at the breakfast table: Miss Charming or Lady Vengeance?

Let’s think positive and assume it’ll be Miss Charming. To go with her carefully chosen brand-new outfit: Dior’s New Look 1947.

For the older kiddos who keep late hours and can’t seem to get up: Comme des Garcons Energy C

Speaking of teens, what might they be packing? Encens et Bubblegum, or, heaven forbid, Jasmin et Cigarette?

And with that, ahem, more mature crowd, there’s not likely to be much goodbye affection for the parental units. Take comfort in PdN’s Kiss Me Tender or Love Comes From Within.

Then when they come home that afternoon, and you ask, “How was your day? What’s going on at school?”: Jacomo Silences or Vol de Nuit Evasion will help get you prepped for the noncommittal shrug, mumbled “Nothing,” or exaggerated eye-rolling that might be forthcoming.

Getting your college-age son or daughter moved into a dorm or apartment? Heeley’s Menthe Fraiche might help you keep your cool during the heat of move-in madness. (I need to dig up my sample now.)

To ease your frazzled nerves late in the day: a shot of Vanille Bourbon (Il Profumo) or Lubin’s Gin Fizz might be just the ticket.

And when it’s all over, they’re settled in and you’re heading back home by yourselves, your choice of: Jubilation 25, Vetiver Dance, Perfect Bliss or classic Joy. Or even something bittersweet — like Guerlain’s Jicky or L’heure Bleue, or L’Artisan’s Seville a l’ Aube — to help you deal with the empty or partially empty nest.

What scents put you in mind of back-to-school days? For all you school folks out there, what scent did you wear or will you be wearing on Day One?

  • Maggiecat says:

    I’m a college orofessor, and for the first day of class (later this month) it will be…I dunno. A Chanel maybe? Something graceful and elegant to cut through the chaos.

  • jen says:

    Funny. Our schools started on August 1, which some called a crime against humanity! I’m wearing Cannibis Rose.

  • March says:

    This is so fun! I cannot BELIEVE your area is back to school….. we don’t start until after Labor Day so it’s another month. August is very quiet around here, everyone leaves on vacation, and those of us left behind get to enjoy it!

  • Dina C. says:

    What a cute, clever post! Loved it. My son and daughter are in college and cosmetology school, so their classes start later on in August and September. Our local public school system always used to start the Tuesday after labor day, and then two years ago they moved it up into mid-August. Feels weird to me. I can’t even imagine the beginning of August, much less July. Swim team season around here doesn’t end until the end of July! I’m wearing vintage Guerlain Parure today — found some vintage goodies at an antique mall this weekend.

  • Musette says:

    I love this post! Cubs are all grown now (30s) so no school issues here – but it’s weird to see things adored with abandon (pools, trampolines, etc) in the first hot weeks of Summer now abandoned to…..what? Our school year hasn’t yet started and omg….JULY? WTH? That is just weird. I wonder if they’re doing a beta test of some sort in anticipating rolling out a 12 month school year? I mean, it’s not like you had a bunch of blizzards that shut down your schools for days on end (like my grands up in WI, with 10′ foot drifts – across the entire region. Wisconsin knows how to do WINTER! lol!)

    I’m in No5 today, in anticipation of a meeting with my CPA. Nothing dire – actually I set up the meeting to prep for 2019 taxes – but….well, it’s the C.P.A. so, always a little anxiety.

    xoxoxo

  • hczerwiec says:

    This post is too clever! Loved it! My son’s first day is also MY first day of the semester, and I usually set the tone with something kind of strict and dominatrixy — probably Bandit or No 19 or Silences!

  • Tara C says:

    Starting back to school the first week of August is just wrong. Where has summer vacation gone? I started after Labour day and finished early June. I have no kids but I feel sorry for those with such short summers. I suppose the working parents love it.

    Today I wore Micallef Rouge No. 2. It’s been gourmands and heavy orientals this summer.

  • matty1649 says:

    I’ve been retired for many years.I’ve got 6 grown up Grandaughters and 8 Great grand children, so this question doesn’t really apply to me now. I’m intersted in which perfumes are chosen by you all. I’m sure I would have chosen a favourite Guerlain.

  • Gina Tabasso says:

    Speaking for myself who does not have children, I am glad when they are in school but miserable on my commute to and from work because there is more traffic with school buses and parents out on the roads earlier shuttling their kids to and fro. I love summer driving. I get to work in record time.

    • March says:

      I live near our high school, and which route I exit the neighborhood depends heavily on whether it’s arrival/departure time for them.

  • Maya says:

    Fun post! I love it! And today I’m wearing vintage JP Vacances. It went from *ok* to *great* for me and the name fits this month of August. 😉