1. Dough. In almost any form. Freshly cooked bread. Hot from the oven doughnuts. Toasted bread. The yeasty scent of dough as it’s rising in the kitchen.
  2. Bee balm. The way it’s impossibly to walk out my front yard without catching a whiff of that flower.
  3. Rice. Walking into the house and yelling, “What smells so good?” only to find out the rice cooker is on.
  4. Anthropologie. While rarely rationalizing the prices, walking into the store is an olfactory delight.
  5. After a rain. Walking outside and seeing worms everywhere, having viewed the rain as a sort of invitation to come out and play. I used to think it was the worms that actually smells. I now know it’s more complicated than that.
  6. John Frieda Brilliant Brunette shampoo. The other types of that brand’s shampoo are fine, but the brunette makes me stay in the shower longer so I can just breathe in the scent.
  7. Crayons and Play-Doh. Both contain the smells of childhood, creativity and things being easier.
  8. Kittens. Not kittens after they’ve made a mess of themselves, which is most of the time. But kittens when they’re clean and cuddly and fit in the palm of your hand.
  9. Fresh copies off of the mimeograph. The ink all smeary initially, but smelling great.
  10. Freshly cut grass. The smell of summer.
This post originally appeared on Kate’s Point of View. © Kate. All rights reserved.