A Day at Calligraphy Westwood
Scent has always held a special kind of power. It reaches us in ways we often cannot explain. It can soften the mind, calm the body, and bring a memory to the surface with a single breath. Susan has spent years exploring this connection between scent and memory, working with museums and creative spaces where scent is used to spark emotion and reconnect people with moments they thought they had forgotten.
Because of this work, we have seen firsthand how scent can support wellbeing. Research continues to show that the areas of the brain tied to smell are closely linked to memory and emotion. Gentle olfactory stimulation can bring comfort, spark old stories, or create a sense of grounding and presence, especially for those living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of memory loss. While scent is not a treatment, the emotional lift it can offer is real and deeply felt.
This understanding is what made our visit to Calligraphy Westwood so meaningful.
We were invited to spend the day with the residents, and what unfolded was one of those quiet, beautiful experiences that stays with you long after you leave.
We brought a small collection of our perfumes, and the shift in the room happened almost immediately. The first spritz floated into the air and everything seemed to soften. Faces relaxed. Eyes brightened. A few residents closed their eyes and simply breathed, letting a familiar note awaken a memory that had been resting for years. A childhood garden. A favorite vacation. A loved one who wore a certain scent. These moments arrived gently, like small doors opening.
It was a joy to see the smiles spread across many faces as those memories surfaced. One woman grew misty-eyed when she smelled a simple note of freshly cut green grass. She held the scent strip for a long moment, letting it bring her back to warm summers from years ago.
Others leaned in with the same curiosity, exploring each bottle with openness and delight. They chose the scents that felt comforting or warm or simply like themselves, and you could feel the energy in the room lightening.
Scent matters so much for wellbeing.
It helps people feel grounded.
It lifts the spirit without effort.
It brings connection back into the moment.
Photography angiemandlweddings.com
Calligraphy
