memories are funny things.
sometimes they can be empowering and full of motivation; other times they can drag us down and hold us back when we least expect it. sometimes the ones we want to keep elude our recollection no matter how hard we try, and the ones we try to forget always seem to turn up like a bad penny. sometimes even the most mundane-seeming memory like a grocery list can become immeasurably priceless because of the people and sentiment behind it; other times those moments that seem the most Instagrammable can on reflection turn out to be surprisingly empty.
yet whether we consciously chase these memories or not (and sometimes despite our best efforts), they will somehow stay with us throughout our lives, moulding and shaping us through a whole variety of unique experiences.
this resin flower bracelet holds so many of such memories for me, being a farewell gift fifteen years ago from a kind teacher whom i respected very much. this teacher who shared a passion and love for the subject that inspired each and every student, and has left an unforgettable mark in my mind. to both my joy and embarrassment, this was also a teacher who had found occasion to be proud of me, and yet was also one whom i had also severely let down and disappointed.
i still treasure this bracelet very much even though it's a tangible reminder of both happiness and pain, because even the bad memories that we try to forget are no less a part of us than the good ones, and it's an encouragement of hope and a connection to my past self even though i've lost touch with this teacher since my graduation.
it's so important to continue chasing, treasuring and sharing these memories that matter, both the good and the bad. whether we realise it or not, each of them has played a role in defining who we are today, and are worth it for that reason.
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Chasing Memories was the first scent i tried from my Broken Anatomy Perfumes discovery set, which in itself was memorable for being a special gift from the owner and good friend Ryan. (you can read more about my thoughts on the challenge coin and backstory in my previous post here.)
this is an amazingly fresh and realistic scent that's beautifully aligned with its poetic description: "Inspired by the power of relaxation and togetherness, Chasing Memories is a bite from a sparkling grapefruit, only tasted through a floral summer breeze over a warm towel. Fragrance notes: bergamot, grapefruit, orris, orange flower absolute, sandalwood, white musk."
Chasing Memories opens with a strong citrus punch of an intense and realistic grapefruit, sour and tangy. while the acidity of the grapefruit doesn't read 'relaxation' to me personally, the progression into the drydown does blaze with the warm yet fresh humidity of summer, with the bergamot and orris forming a lovely floral backdrop to the zesty citrus.
its performance was more than just a fleeting memory too - i sprayed some on my wrist as i was getting ready for work, and the orange flowers were still going strong eight hours later even as i boarded the bus for home. for an extrait de parfum it had a decent sillage of two feet or so, which was relatively consistent over the course of the wear.
all things considered, Chasing Memories is a skilfully-crafted blend showcasing fresh grapefruit in the heat of summer, a nostalgic throwback to the carefree school holidays during which our younger selves were creating - and chasing - special memories that would last us a lifetime.
7.5/10 a lovely scent that i'll enjoy finishing my sample of, though this one is a tricky candidate that i'm on the fence about full-sizing since it's a fantastic experience but i'm not particularly a fan of grapefruit which is its dominant note.
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this review is of a product that was received as a gift without any expectation of review. i wasn't asked to review this as a condition of receipt and didn’t receive any incentives for writing this. i’m not affiliated with Broken Anatomy Perfumes and as always, all opinions remain my own.
Broken Anatomy Perfumes' website is available here.
all information correct at time of publishing.
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