Rick Steves (best known for Europe Through The Back Door) talks to Celia Lyttelton, author of The Scent Trail:
Celia Lyttelton shares her story of how she traveled the world to collect the ingredients for her own perfect personal perfume — the perfect souvenir for the person who already has everything — and explains the powerful connection fragrances hold between places, memories, and our emotions.
You can listen here; many thanks to Vickyjane for the link!
Thanks for posting this link, Robin! I enjoy Rick Steves’ travel shows.
I’ve still only listened to part of it. She’s already told him a couple whoppers (including that smell doesn’t deteriorate with age), but whatever — it’s entertaining!
So, I just listened to the whole thing. I’m glad I’d read Marcello’s book review (and Robin’s comment above) first – forewarned is forearmed! – so I knew to take it with a pinch of salt.
I know that this is a really petty thing, and that it refers to form rather than content, but I just couldn’t get past her snooty accent (and I’m English! – believe me, we don’t all talk like that!). Sorry Celia – I’m sure you’re very nice, and, as I said, I’m being petty, but it just turned me off.
Is her accent snooty? I don’t have a good handle on English accents, I guess…she was hard to understand but I thought it must be something regional — and here I thought I had “snooty English accent” down pat from all my years of watching Masterpiece Theater, LOL…
Ha! You can’t beat a good old English “who-dun-it”!
Hahahahaa. I assume Vickyjane’s talking about what people say is “trying to sound a bit too posh”. One doesn’t have to speak like a “chav”, but she is laying it on a bit thick. Even worse than Emma Thompson when she’s clenching her jaw.
I like Rick Steves, but he is kind of interviewing her as though she’s an expert.
Yeah, he really is.
Lol, Joe – “chav” – can’t believe you know that word!
I should have a proper listen to this, but I did skim through her book. I was unimpressed, tho it was hard to say quite why. There was something unconvincing about it. She seemed to be making a great deal out of what I suspect was a small amouint of knowledge. As reflected in Robin’s comment maybe. But I’m being too critical I guess. It’s all good fun.
I guess it would be great to have your own scent made for you but, as I will never be able to affford that, I make a virtue out of a necessity by appreciated the heritage of the frangrances I can afford. Millions of women have had the colur of their day brightened by White Liinen (my SOTD) and so do I.
I got busy this afternoon & haven’t yet finished listening myself. But yes, I don’t think she’s an expert on perfume by any means. However I’m not sure she tries to pass herself off as one in the book…I’m afraid I haven’t read it.
This was interesting, though I do agree, her information seems more romantic than anything else. I’d probably get bored by her book, though. Doesn’t sound like my kind of book.
Yes, that might be a good way to put it.
I know one thing: I’m damn jealous of her box of ambergris.
Ditto!
When he asked her what ambergris smelt like, I really just wanted her to say “Whale puke”.