12.12.12 smells

At 11:11, we wish, and on 12/12/12, we list: 

1) Smell of generosity: Perfume-world-mensch Andy Tauer is in the midst of his annual advent calendar giveaway-spree. May each of you win something fragrant! 

2) Smell of paper flowers:  Courtney Mandryk is selling her beautiful conceptual calendar. 'Tis the season!

Smell of stars: My spacesuit arrived! Thanks to those of you who encouraged this purchase via Facebook.

3) Smell of innovation: The Institute for Art and Olfaction is launching soon, and has already taught me that John Milton invented the word fragrance (along with moonstruck, pandemonium, and lovelorn).

4) Smell of superheros: Special Powers and Abilities is Raymond McDaniel's awesome new book of poems for your brain & your heart.

5) Smell of heartswell: Adam rescued Billy from a place that smelled horrific, and, as my friend Hillary put it, we all cried and gave Billy money.  

6) Smell of Wisconsin gone Hollywood: Since we last saw her on Nosy Girl, Emma Straub published her dazzling debut novel, Laura Lamont's Life in Pictures. 

7) Smell of cocktail sparkle: Mandy Aftel introduced Aftelier Chef's Essence® Sprays just in time for you to flavor-up your holiday cooking.

8) Smell of sweet music: We're lucky that Nitsuh Abebe has shared his rad list of 50 favorite songs of 2012 (you can listen here via Spotify).

9) Smell of Dancing Girl: Lucy Biederman's wonderful chapbook, The Other World, has gone on sale since she graced us here on Nosy Girl.  

#10's smell, but not one of his library books

10) Smell of library books: My husband, Nosy-Interviewee-to-be & PhD-student extraordinaire, is nearly finished with his toughest semester of graduate school yet, and I admire his work ethic & his restless intelligence more than ever.

11) Smell of new baby: Since her interview posted, Katie Miota Stolzman started a badass blog (and became a mother)!

12) Smell of va-va-voom: Charlotte Boulay (the first-ever Nosy Interviewee) had her gorgeous poem, "Talking to the Dead," in last week's New Yorker. Wowee!

Nosy Interview: Katie Miota Stolzman

Katie gets down in the Dark Tower in Scorpius, © Don Goldman

Katie, as Jenny's cousin, is a member of my favorite non-related-to-me family. As is suggested above, she's a great dancer, and I recommend you attend any event where she might be present, given the opportunity.

UPDATE: You can now find more from Katie at her badass blog, Word to Your Mother. 

What do you smell like?

Don't know, so I asked some friends. Here's what they told me: 

a. "haha! i can't pinpoint a smell on you (must not wear heavy perfumes or oils) but if i were to say what i think you would smell like it would be a new pair of shoes!!! and yes, that is a distinctive smell, and one that generally makes people happy."

b. "a bed of roses."
c. "Comic genius"
d. "Well, surprisingly, NOT like cats." (ok, I capitalized the NOT for emphasis, but I did NOT want that one misread)
e. "a mom, but a good one..."
f. "Why did someone say you smelled?"

So, I guess I would say I smell like me.

What do you like to smell?

I like to smell the usual: summer rain, crayons, the cottage, cinnamon toast, etc. Then I have my quirky ones like Scotch tape. Yum. And it has to be Scotch tape, generic brands don't have the same homey, comforting scent. Sometimes, when I see Scotch tape, I can't resist cutting a piece and taping it under my nose for extended fun. Another one is the core of old, musty, books. My first experience with this smell was in 4th grade. I just transferred schools and was a nerd, so would check out books from the school library, like Ramona Quimby, Age 8. Another yum. Perfect smell of great writing, neglected.