Guest-Blogger Laurie Leopold from www.Product-Girl.com

There’s something about the fresh blooms of spring that are so invigorating. Especially the first wave --- when the daffodils open, tulips pop and lilac bushes populate overnight. I wish I could freeze those moments in time. I’d even suck up the seasonal allergies that inevitably come, too. As a city gal, spring is precious. Fast forward a few months, and the air is more ‘eau de humid’ with a side of sweat.

Naturally, I look to the familiar but fleeting scent of spring in my fragrances. But it’s not all about floral. It’s more real with the grittiness of the earth and moss present as well. This “pretty meets dirty” trend has an undeniable authenticity. It’s taking the traditional norms of what we know in fragrance and augmenting them a tad. I never imagined I’d go looking for a scent with a dominant soil note, but I’m there and loving it. A lovely take on this trend can be found in Thymes Garden Alchemy collection --- botanics with an innovative twist.

I’m partial to Wild Angelica, with notes of tangled ivy, magnolia buds, wild angelica, violet petals and galbanum. The pretty floral notes are mixed with the earthy angelica and woody galbanum. Pretty meets dirty in the best way.  I certainly couldn’t grow this garden, but am very content wearing it.

Pretty meets dirty in the best way. I certainly couldn't grow this garden, but am very content wearing it.

Looking to weave this trend into your fragrance roundup as well? Not sure where to start? Here's a few tips that may help you in your journey to garden gritty.

• Smell first, read later. If I'm shopping for a new scent, I never read labels or boxes before doing a sniff test.  I like to go in semi-blind with an open mind. This is how I ended up with a bottle of perfume with a strong rhubarb note. Oh, and it is divine.
• Spritz and react. Let the olfactics guide you, but see how the fragrance reacts on skin. Notes can develop differently and your body chemistry plays a strong role. While earthy scents work for me, you might be destined to lead with grass.
• Where matters. I can't stand when my fragrance disappears and I can't smell it hours later.  Spray, or dab, fragrance on the back of your neck and your hair will pick up the scent and swish it around all day. Even though I sit at a desk for most of the day at work, I still feel like I'm experiencing the outdoors I love so much.
• No crushing. The most common faux pas in applying fragrance is pressing your wrists together. It crushes the notes and distorts them. Resist the urge and see what happens. Trust me.

Would love to hear what scents inspire you, and how you approach fragrance. Also, what about spring do you love?

See more tips from Laurie at www.product-girl.com and enter to win a Thymes Garden Alchemy Gift Basket!