It never fails that every time I walk past a bakery, I’m overwhelmed by the warm scent of freshly baked bread wafting through through the air. My mouth waters instantaneously in a Pavlovian way and I’m positive my body is cranking out the serotonin in response to the anticipated carbs. Researchers at Northwestern University recently concluded that our sense of smell actually sharpens when something bad happens. Women tend to sniff out mates that are best suited to them biologically and research has shown than being on the pill screws with mother nature. All this research tells me is that scent is a very powerful thing. But that’s why the fragrance market is a multi-billion dollar business.

The first time I remember that scent played a starring role in my life was a year after I brokeup with my first boyfriend. I was standing in the frozen food aisle of the grocery store trying to chose between a pint of cherry garcia and a pint of classic vanilla bean. Then it hit me — the unmistakable scent of ETERNITY for men, by Calvin Klein. My body couldn’t process the flood of emotions that surfaced. I took a seat on the floor, right next to the popsicles.

More recently, on my speed dating adventures, I had an interesting run-in with the power of scent when one boy innocently asked, “What’s one favorite thing you like about yourself?” I blurted out in knee-jerk reaction kinda way that I like my hair. So, he leaned in and sniffed. This was halfway into our four minute date, I’d known him all of two minutes and he was trying to see if we were genetically compatible?!? I guess there’s something to be said for getting right down to business. I must have somehow managed to pass the sniff test because he pushed for my number at the end of the date. Did I give it to him? Yea, but he has still yet to dial it. I chalk it up to being another number hoarder — boys that are into seeing if they can score the digits, but never actually intended on using the information. That’s right, prove me wrong. I double dog dare you.