I come from enterprising stock. Growing up, I learned that there’s no shame in work, and that a mix of crafty frugality and willingness to do just about anything that pays will see you through most hard times. I’ve already filled you in on my weekend job at a vintage clothing boutique. Now I’d like to tell you about some of the other ways I’ve earned money over the past four weeks while I look for a job, and the perfume I’ve chosen along the way. I hope you’ll help me choose a few scents to make it through the next few weeks, too.

Femme à tout faire, Busy Corner Café: The Busy Corner was a lot less busy before a party of 35 people came for lunch and the dishwasher broke. Fortunately, the owners are easygoing, and while they cooked Spanish-inspired food for lunch, I kept an eye on their three-year old daughter, chopped onions, ran to another restaurant to pick up baguettes, and — yes — did more dishes than I’d seen in a long time. I chose L’Artisan Piment Brûlant to wear because I thought it would blend with the Dahlia brand paprika sprinkled on the tapas…

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