Two years ago today I was enjoying the charms of Parma for the first time. It seems like it was yesterday. Parma impressed me and I have plans to return soon.

One of the things I learned on that trip was that the Duchess of Parma was the sister of Marie Antoinette and the daughter of Empress Maria Theresa and Emperor Francis I. She, the duchess, was born in 1746 as Maria Amalia Josepha Johanna Antonia. She married Ferdinand I, Duke of Parma and became the duchess of Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla.

In Parma I learned that the Duchess of Parma and was in love with violets and their scent. I bought several vials of violet perfume and some lovely handmade soaps in the same fragrance. What I didn’t know is that Parma has a reputation for scent science and craft!

And so I was fascinated by this article in today’s New York Times.