Tracing the Scent of Manhattan!

           Wow...... Where do I begin!.....I'm back in Florida after spending a fabulous month in Manhattan visiting my Daughter Stephanie. From the Upper West Side to the Lower East Side  to Chelsea, the West Village, Nolito, Times Square, it still holds the magic that makes me crave more.   This trip as usual has given me so many wonderful stories and conversations to share with you. 
           I will begin with the magic of Bond Street. A lovely cobblestone street on the lower East side that has some antique stores, lofts and houses the showroom for Bond no.9!  As with all my stories.... for me the conversations are the true experience  followed by the  memory of the special people and this one leaves me with such a beutiful scent! ;)  OMG I can't believe I said that I'm still laughing...love the Cornish humor! (Please remember the "Cornish" reference )
         

Bond Street..... August 2016.... Love this Vespa!

  Ok moving on.... One afternoon Stephanie and I headed down to the East Village. I love walking through Alberts Garden and love the unique shops in the area. This day we went to the three stores of John Derian.   One, a gift shop, the other textiles and then his antique/furniture store. We savored all three and when talking with an associate at the store he suggested we might like  Paula Rubenstein's store over on Bond Street a few blocks away. So off we went and upon turning the corner to Bond street I recalled immediately that I had taken pictures here last year of a Vespa and have it framed in my family room. (Picture above taken last year) I hadn't remembered the name of the street but love the industrial New York urban Chic Charm it offers. As we approached her shop I spotted an Aston Martin parked at the curb where the Vespa had been. Two for two a lovely street and now another photo opportunity one with a beautiful Vintage Aston Martin!!!  Approaching the car I noticed a  Gentleman seated behind the wheel and said.... I love your ride do you mind if I take a picture. No he replied with his lovely British accent and I snapped away.  Here is the picture of Gerald and me. 

      We began talking and I had shared my ancestors were from Cornwall in the South of England (Cornish reference from above)  and he knew it well. Actually he had been there recently and thus the stories went on from there.  He had been very happy to share on his last visit there he was able to see Dartmouth Castle clearly as the weather conditions were perfect. So funny to hear an Englishman marvel the simple pleasure of viewing a Castle without the usual rain and fog! A few minutes later he handed me the Post Card above from Bond no.9 and pointed to the showroom. I was curious as to the name thinking of course James Bond...Right! Ha Ha ....such a geek as usual!  At this point I didn't realize he was the driver for the owner Laurice Rahme'  till she appeared from behind and he jumped out to open her door! We exchanged pleasantries and me being me asked if she was Mrs. Bond!!!  Had I been one to be in the circle of lovely people who frequent her shop and know the perfume I would have known the Bond line of products! She laughed jumped in the car and off they drove with a wave and a smile and me laughing so hard as I had said to her," I love your taste in drivers... as Gerald was truly charming!"
       We enjoyed visiting the store and received a sample of her lovely perfume and was amazed at her idea to create the scents of New York. She has one for each of the neighborhoods of the city including the  Upper West Side, Nolita, Chelsea, Upper East side etc and even created one called Peace after 911 which actually was one of my favorites! 
​       Aww yes....... the scents of New York ....a tremendous idea, carried out with elegance.....that leaves the fragrance of success! 

Check out the chandeliers in the Bond Showroom!