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
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.