My Grandma’s Perfume Collection & the Power of Scent in Motherhood

One of my sweetest childhood memories is standing in front of my grandma's mirror, gazing at the delicate glass bottles lined up on her dresser. Every morning, I would ask her to open each one so I could take in their scents. She never hesitated. No matter how many times I asked, she would lift the tops and let me breathe in the soft florals, deep musks, and warm vanillas, each scent a piece of her world.

At the time, I didn’t realize what I was experiencing—the power of scent to capture love, memory, and identity. My grandma’s perfumes weren’t just fragrances; they were part of her. They told stories of special occasions, simple days at home, and the warmth she carried with her. Now, as a mom, I find myself thinking about the scents that will become woven into my daughters’ memories.

Scent has an incredible way of marking moments in time. A familiar fragrance can instantly transport us back to childhood, a special trip, or even a feeling of being safe in someone’s arms. That’s why I’ve become so intentional about the scents in our home and on my skin—because I know they aren’t just for me; they’re for my daughters, too.

I love the thought of them remembering the way I smelled when I tucked them in at night or how our home carried the comforting scent of fresh citrus in the morning. I want to give them the gift my grandma gave me—scent as a love language, a memory keeper, a thread that connects us.

This is one of the reasons I care so much about what’s in the fragrances I wear. I want my girls to breathe in something pure, something safe. I want them to have scent memories without the hidden toxins. That’s why I’ve fallen in love with truly natural fragrances—the kind that smell like real flowers, herbs, and woods rather than a lab-created imitation.

Motherhood has made me think about so many things differently, and scent is one of them. I want my daughters to remember the way I smelled, not just because of the perfume I wore, but because of the love wrapped up in those memories. Just like I remember my grandma—lifting the lids, letting me experience a part of her world, and leaving me with a memory that still lingers, just like her perfume.