Yesterday I received my first order from Whisper Sisters, purveyors of fine perfume oils. I found out about it from Gothic Charm School. I ordered a scent called Goth Club 89, which is described as

Goth Club '89 - if you were there, you know the smell. Heavy resins, candle smoke, nicotine, clove, incense, absinthe, with a hint of intoxicating florals and vintage dark patchouli to balance everything out.

The Lady of the Manners said it delivers on exactly what it promises, so I thought I’d try it.

(Sidebar: This was a late night impulse buy. Occasionally I do those. They’re always under $20 and always silly. Others have included a Krang t-shirt and movies including Hot Rod, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, and all of the Librarian movies.)

First, the Whisper Sisters packaging is beautiful: a little sheer black fabric bag with a business card, tiny plastic skeleton and spider and bat toys, and the perfume bottle plus a little sample vial. When I put the scent on, I wasn’t sure about it. It was a bit strong and medicinal.

But once it settled in and my body chemistry modified it, I loved it.

Specifically, I felt as this was how I should have been smelling my whole life.