All I Need is a Spritz and a Serenade

My senses have complete control over my emotions sometimes. The other day I was sitting in the car waiting for my husband and listening to Frank Sinatra's "Songs for Swinging Lovers". This music inspires me to redecorate. (And you say, huh?) I always plan projects for when my husband is going out of town for a few days and then do a big reveal just like on the home improvement shows. That's not true...he doesn't have time to help, doesn't like the mess and has no interest in the results...that's why I don't include him. He usually takes a while to even notice anything has changed. For a month ahead I study paint chips in the different lights of day, buy all the necessary supplies and collect decor to match my new color scheme. I create a detailed time plan (that typically is overly optimistic) and as soon as the garage door closes behind him - it's game on. "Songs for Swining Lovers" is essential to keeping me perky and energetic for my 24-48 hour re-decorating marathons. I've listened to good ol' Frank while painting bedrooms, the basement, my bathroom, and two times each of the kitchen, dining and living room. Also during the long process of venetian plaster in my husband's bathroom (remind me to tell you about my folly that necessitated the venetian plaster sometime). Anyway, I haven't listened to this since my last project and I'm feeling inspired...hello Pottery Barn spring catalog. I have one other CD that creates intense emotions for me - the Sleepless in Seattle soundtrack. When I was in high school my parents got a hot tub that I loved! We spent a lot of time in it when Sleepless in Seattle seemed to be a favorite so to this day as soon as I hear the first notes of the first song on the CD, my body goes into instant relaxation. Even Norah Jones' fabulous music can't hold a candle to my conditioned response to the Sleepless in Seattle soundtrack. Quite by serendipity, I also discovered a great way to carry on vacation feelings well after your credit card is paid off. A few years ago my husband bought me Victoria's Secret perfume for Christmas. A month later when we went on a cruise (thanks Mom & Dad) I wore my new perfume every day. It's been over 5 years now since the cruise and still when I spray that perfume I feel sunshine and a warm breeze while sipping my banana daiquiri overlooking a bay in St. Thomas. After making this connection I searched high and low on a Mom & Me trip to Chicago (my second city) in order to find a fancy new perfume that could deliver me back to my urban oasis upon a puff. After hours of searching I finally found the one. It was ridiculously expensive but I love love loved it and our day would have been wasted if I didn't buy it (and it was Chanel!) so I super-splurged. Now whenever I wear my Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche I just close my eyes and am carried away to the Magnificent Mile...it doesn't matter whether it's sunny or raining, whether we're shopping, people watching or walking off a big meal...I just love being taken back to the way I feel in Chicago. So, now when I need an afternoon pick me up, I opt out of the coffee break and go for a spritz and a serenade instead.