At some point in my childhood, I managed to acquire quite the collection of perfumes. CK One and Tommy Girl maintained prominent positions on my vanity (it was the 90s after all) along with various body splashes from Bath & Bodyworks and, the epitome of middle school awesomeness, Gap's Dream. I sprayed and splashed them liberally, often dancing through a curtain of mist to ensure that every inch of myself carried the scent all day. I imagined myself to be a lot like Elizabeth Taylor entering a room with a cloud of glamour and leaving a seductive trail in my wake.

I must have stunk.
And then one day, suddenly, I'd had enough of those sickly sweet vanillas and sparkling grapefruit scents that were so beloved by my friends. CK One started to feel stale and Dream gave me a headache. Even today, that artificial vanilla cream scent (often found in candles and body washes) makes me a little sick to my stomach. I knew absolutely nothing about tones and notes but I unconsciously started to search out something that felt authentically me. A brutal task when you're a gawky 13-year-old with no discernible style or interests outside of fantasy novels.

Surprisingly, it was an afternoon at the Gap where I found what I was looking for: a warm and subtle girlie scent in a tiny roller ball called Faded Jasmine. It made sense; I've always loved white jasmine tea. As soon as I rolled a tiny amount onto my wrist I was hooked. I'd roll a small amount onto my pulse points every morning and toss the roller ball into my backpack. It became my armor against the treachery of high school. Whenever I needed a boost of confidence I'd inhale it's earthy scent and be okay. It may not have been a traditionally powerful perfume but it gave me strength. Eventually, as I grew up, my tastes changed and I moved on...as did the Gap who discontinued the line sometime in the mid-2000s.

But then, over espressos at the Taj, I was immediately hit with a familiar smell. It was more grownup now, more sensual, more....modern me. It was sophisticated. It was...Glam Jasmine by Michael Kors! I had to have it immediately. With a light citrus top note, Glam Jasmine starts off as bright and clean but gradually gives way to warm and woodsy. It's divine...and absolutely perfect for spring's warm days and brisk nights.  Just one quick spritz and I'm transformed into the strong, glamorous woman I always knew I'd (eventually) be...if only for a minute.