Now I have always been a big fan of Dolly Parton. Although I am not a big fan of country music there are some exceptions and Dolly was one of them. I thought she had a lovely, pure voice that was like a cool compress on a hot brow. You can’t be mad listening to “Nine to Five” and I actually prefer her version of “I Will Always Love You”- though I love Whitney’s version and am doubly happy that it put money in Dolly’s coffers.
What I did not know is that she kept a place in West Hollywood a short stroll from my hovel. Friends who did know that regaled me with tales of her kindness to people who would wander by and see her- and wander by they did. This wasn’t some high-flying Bird street lair- this was an apartment on a side street next to the alley that runs along Santa Monica Blvd. One told me that she heard someone having a birthday party in the restaurant on the corner. Another (former) famous star in residence we could name would have complained to the manager; Dolly went over and sang for them.
Can you imagine?
When news broke that she died I honestly teared up (and then Tim Curry..) Then I hit eBay to get her perfume before speculators got to it. Her former West Hollywood home is apparently available for rent here which was out of my league so I settled for her perfume and cookbook.
So what is Scent From Above like? The notes from her website read:
Top: Mandarin, Blackcurrent (sic), Crisp Pear, Fresh Peony Blossom
Heart: Jasmine, Lily-of-the-Valley, Vanilla Orchid
Base: Sandalwood, Fir, Musk, Tonka Bean, Amber, Patchouli
Dolly lived right around the corner. No diva here!
Is it good? Yes. Really good. It has something in the opening that’s a little salty and a little metallic- like a touch of ambergris. The heart flowers are rather shy and effacing at first, like any nice Southern Lady’s mama would like her to smell. But the base has some guts to it and that’s where it really comes together. It’s not trying to be Joy or anything like that- this is sequins as well as diamonds. But those diamonds are there and boy do they sparkle.
Scent from Above is available at many places but in this case I will only link to the source. I was an awful cheap person and purchased mine from a discounter a while ago. I assume that those will end up at eBay at doubtless shocking prices.
My neighbor walked by while I was writing this and loved it. I gave it to her. Dolly would like that.
Have you tried this? Love Dolly? (who doesn’t?) Let’s talk.
Images: My iPhone, Pexels, Wikimedia Commons
Oh, I loved Dolly. Her voice! And it was the voice of a person who actually was an angel — kind, thoughtful — in real life. The world is a smaller place without her. You and Shiva-woman are making me want to try her fragrance. I didn’t know she’d done one which seems silly, of course she did.
That really did come through didn’t it. Actual warmth can’t be faked. The fragrance is really nice- it’s fluffy and kind of sweet but has backbone and a hint of salty tears shed and hard work.
By all accounts Miss Dolly was a seriously class act who never forgot that we are all human.
And that she had a very strong core. It takes real inner strength to be kind and survive and thrive in poverty and later with wealth and fame when the inevitable users show up.
And she dealt with people with such grace.
And she was in my ‘hood all that time and I never noticed. Probably the way she liked it.
Dolly was a treasure. She was generous, witty, humble, and confident. That is so cool that she had a home just a stone’s throw away from you! I’ve never seen the Dolly scents. I remember reading years ago that she had a favorite discontinued scent (Tova maybe?) and fans would purchase bottles that they found at estate sales, garage sales, etc. and mail them to her. She was so grateful. What a lady!
Apparently she had more than one home in SoCal, including the most darling cottage complex in Solvang. Again, right in town on the street where you could walk to the grocery, not something like Neverland, which was right up the road and she could have bought like you and I buy gum. I love that.
Love Dolly. Wonderful post. Interesting to hear she had a place in a more ‘normal’ area.
Never encountered the perfume but it’s pleasing that she did one. And it’s always made me happy that she commented on the iterations of Jolene. I read she liked the ones by Lil Naz X and the White Stripes, which were a bit different and sort of subversive.
That was one of the things that were great about her.
Lovely story about Dolly. I love her and her music, everything about her. I believe she had a good and loving and kind heart. I also wonder if the loss of her beloved husband was the real cause of her death. She was one of those rare, sprinkled with magic people that brightened life in this old planet of ours. <3
I read her final interview. There were clues in that about what happened. She said she ignored her own ill health whilst nursing Carl, “you know my digestion & all that”.
It struck a chord with me as my father-in-law did the same.
Dolly was a one off. 9 to 5 was an anthem for all the girls nights out in my 40s. “Does Dolly sleep on her back?” Was a catch phrase of my the bestie.
Dolly will be remembered for her wit, charm, enormous love for humanity, kindness, talent, voice & generosity. All this from being brought up in grinding poverty.
Fly high Dolly, you’ll be the hottest, cheap looking Angel up there.
I read that interview. The emotional pain of grief often harms and accelerates physical problems.
That lady can still make everyone smile. I remember when she once said “It costs a lot of money to look this cheap.”
She did have good quotes. She will be missed.
What’s most amazing is that she not only didn’t let poverty didn’t make her bitter. I can only think that even though she might have have been poor, she was loved.
I wondered about that. And “sprinkled with magic” says it perfectly.
I remember these coming out Tom and there were a couple of others too.
What a stunner Dolly was. I read her biography years and years ago. It was a very interesting insight into a person that was truthful, loving and full of ideas to make the world a better place.
We are losing some of the best of us lately.
Portia xx
I’m going to have to pick that up before the prices go up.
Did you read that Mylie is not accepting the legacy that Dolly left her except to administer it under Dolly’s trust to get it to the chosen charities? There will never be anyone to replace Dolly but we can have a Mylie?
Miley is underrated on so many levels. She has proven herself adept at maneuvering her way through the roller coaster of fame. PLUS she’s had Dolly as her apparently very hands on godmother. There must be a level of shine transferred.
I’ll be watching with interest.
A couple years ago, I saw SfA advertised in the beautiful but also prettily-cheap butterfly bottle and purchased. I love Dolly. Love love love. But I didn’t necessarily think I would like the juice. I was pleasantly surprised. It’s a fruity gourmand initially, but warms down to a very pleasant ambery-musk fruit, not cloying. Not satisfied with only the edt version I bought the edp which is indeed deeper, more intense. Like many of you, my perfume wardrobe is far more massive than my actual wardrobe. But this little thing is what I frequently reach for on my way out. It’s not going to make people sick, it’s not too strong, not cerebral or atmospheric, not overly elegant or heavy. It’s a lovely easy-to-wear scent, skewing imho more “feminine.” And it makes me smile. With Dolly’s passing, I’m going to treasure these bottles more. She was amazing. Smart, classy, fun, complex, kind–I feel like she evolved far beyond most of us. I really think we needed her just a bit longer right now. Her light cast a lot of shadows away.
Perfectly said. It’s just nice. My neighbor really liked it (and liked it on me) so I gave it to her rather than let it languish in the cupboard.
Dolly would definitely approve
It’s likely one of the only ways I could be a Dolly.
That I could pull off anyway.
Way #2 = self-deprecating humor. 😉
that’s a tough one for people..
Very much so.
I’m trying. But I’m naturally vinegary.
And yet you have succeeded in your posts!