Yes, you read that correctly the weirdest scent in my collection is from Hermes Un Jardin series, which is essentially for the most part fairly easy going and pleasant. The scents are interesting, but weird is not an attribute you give them.
What makes Un Jardin Apres La Mousson such a little oddity is that it plays with the idea of fruit and savory notes. For me it is close to the equivalent of one of my favorite combos in the summer for when the days are absurdly hot. Chilled watermelon sprinkled with chili powder and salt and a squeeze of lime or lemon. My boyfriend's mother prefers her's with a sprinkle of cumin seed and salt instead. So what does Mousson do? Mousson is the combination of cardamom, ginger, and watermelon, it sounds intense, but it isn't. Jean-Claude Ellena is able to do an incredible balancing act of juicy watermelon combined with spicy cardamom all on a bed of vetiver. It is light, tangy, and spicy, with watery notes. Some have accused it of being re-interpretation of the 1990s aquatics but those things always gave me a headache where as Mousson does not. It is a fruity scent that never tips itself into the banal category. I find it refreshing and cooling.
Try if you like: Ao by MikMoi, Voyage d'Hermes by Hermes, or Declaration by Cartier.
First image from
Olfactoria's Travels
Second Image
Caribbean Gal
Alright, I am officially going to say now that it is September, I am sick of summer. I am annoyed with the fact it is going to be 88 instead of the reported 77 from yesterday, I am more annoyed with fact that as the week furthers along that it is going to get into the 90's which in reality will most likely be the 100's, because the reality of the weather around here when it gets hot is that it is either the 80's or 100's. I want to break out my boots and bake ( I was planning apple blueberry muffins today, but the weather snuffed that one in the bud!). And I am going to say it now but I really hadn't looked at the picture all that closely till now. So in honor of the continuation of what I will now refer to as "beastly summer" I wear the much argued Un Jardin Apres La Mousson and I know this is going to sound really bad, but it reminds of a sophisticated watermelon jolly rancher, if that is possible. And yes I realize this whole entire post is completely silly. 
Today I am wearing the much disputed Hermes Un Jardin Apres La Mousson, technically I should hate this, I mean is smells of melon, but here is the thing I don't. Chandler Burr hates but he may have answered why I do like it, it does not actually use the infamous calone for its melon note. This is a lovely watermelon with a hint of tartness and the earthy binding of vetiver. I could see this being a summer fragrance next year.
