The other day I was cleaning out some dresser drawers and came across an empty bottle of Shelly Marks Potpourri. The fragrance was still there even though the bottle was well over 35 years old…oh, what memories!
Ever since I first met my idol, Doris Day, in 1967 at Bailey’s Bakery in Beverly Hills, I immediately noticed her wonderful, unique fragrance. What was it? I wanted some but had no idea what it was or where to get it.
A couple of years later I had the incredible opportunity to not only work with, but live with Doris as her secretary. One day she asked me to go with her to Mr. Guy’s, one of the original men’s fashion stores on Rodeo Drive. It was founded by Guy Greengard. I thought she was getting something for her son, Terry. We strolled through the store and ended up at the fragrance counter. When she asked the assistant for her order, the perky clerk handed her two bottles of Shelly Marks Potpourri. She sprayed a little on herself and then paid for her order. Now I knew what she was wearing and where to purchase it. I didn’t buy any then, but within the week, I was back at Mr Guy’s to buy my very own bottle of this wonderful fragrance and began using it. That fragrance was wonderful! Never did know if it was a men’s fragrance or not? Who cared, it was awesome!
At this time I was living with Doris and my office was in her den in the front of the house. It was a nice little room, painted blue with white shutters on the front windows and comfortable early American furniture. Doris would come in now and then and this particular winter day she wanted to dictate some letters. With notebook in hand she sat down and started dictating. All of a sudden she stopped and said, “What is that?” I asked, “What is what?” She seemed a little annoyed and again asked, “Mary Anne, what is that fragrance?”
I fold her I was wearing her perfume and confessed that after going with her to Mr. Guy, I went back and got my own. Doris said she wished that I would not wear the same perfume that she did. I certainly didn’t want to upset her, but heck, I was just so happy to have found that wonderful fragrance and to be able to use it. Now, my good friend said I couldn’t. What to do?
Apparently when she was a young band singer, she was wearing a particular perfume and another singer came up to her wearing the same thing and it annoyed her. Doris said she wanted to have her own scent. Of course, I understood perfectly, but still felt bad that I wouldn’t be able to wear that awesome Shelly Marks Potpourri around her ever again.
Over the years I have tried to order Shelly Marks, but it is no longer available. I found another sig
nature fragrance I wear all the time. Seems it was like taking a sentimental journey finding that empty bottle in the cabinet… oh, the memories!
Mary Anne Barothy’s book Day at a Time: An Indiana Girl’s Sentimental Journey to Doris Day’s Hollywood and Beyond is available from this website. Click back, order from Paypal and receive free refund of shipping when your order is shipped.!