The scent Chanel No 5 is inextricably linked to my polish Ciocia Helena.  My pet name for her was Dodo – as when I was barely knee high she used DON’T and DO in equal measure. She was also my Godmother and the most blessed and precious of gifts. Coco Chanel said a woman should be two things: classy and fabulous and she exuded both.  She would envelop me in her Chanel No 5 embrace and evaporate my adolescent fears and tears instantly. She taught me grace, good manners and to march to the beat of my own drum. Whenever I feel her memory fading I remove the stopper from her signature fragrance and as if by magic, I ‘scentse’ her there.

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