At my recent presentations for the Luxury Marketing Council in Tampa, West Palm Beach and Miami, I showcased Environmental Scenting Technology, and my focus was all about "Celebrating the Senses".
Many people from all industries are fascinated about the subject of fragrance, but some are a little leery about it because they don't really know much about it or understand it. Today, Scent Marketing is the new branding frontier, and it is a growing industry!
Our Sense of Smell is the strongest sense that we have after Sight and yet it is the most ignored! Without our sense of smell we can’t enjoy food because Scent and Taste are so intertwined, and as a result people get depressed and their lifestyle becomes severely impacted.
Many Fortune 500 companies are now recognizing the power of scent, and as a result are ‘scent-branding’ their properties to create a memorable experience for their guests, and to ensure return visits to their Casinos, Hotels, Spas, and Retail Stores. Even Corporate Event Planners are utilizing Scent to create a multi-sensory experience for their guests, and are incorporating ambient aromas for themed weddings, events, and Special Occasions.
Supermarkets are now enticing customers to buy food by incorporating environmental scent in the air.. and much like the Pavlovian response....when you smell the tantalizing aromas of coffee, delicious roast chickens and scrumptious deserts, the cash registers reflect that craving and start to ring as consumers purchase those items.
Today, ambient scenting can be programmed into individual hotel rooms! By selecting your desired scent when you check in at the front desk of an hotel, you can let them know what fragrance you like, and it can be controlled and activated from the front desk so that when you walk into your room, your favorite scent is already wafting in the room! This is an initiative that has already begun in Paris and we are bringing it to the USA.
Talk about customization and establishing a home-away-from home ambience!
This particular technology was developed in France by whiz guru Yvan Regeard of Exhalia and Scenterprises Ltd is the USA partner. Our environmental scent presentation is compelling and the product is amazing! We can deliver fragrance though computers, DVD’s, Videos and television!
Yes! We have Scent-o-Vision in a delivery system that offers amazing aromas for all kinds of interactive, multi-sensory video games, computer programs and TV cooking shows. We have interest from every major fragrance company and also from national Television shows for this application.
We offer 3 product lines to diffuse perfume interactively in association with multimedia contents:
• Scent Marketing products- for fragrance sampling; point of purchase programs, and store events;
• Hospitality Systems product line - Systems for olfactory marketing professionals and for air treatment,
• Home Systems product line-- wonderful ambient home systems
Today there are many wonderful delivery systems from a range of companies for all types of spaces: small, large and medium areas. There are nebulizers which diffuse liquid into vapor which is barely discernible; diffusion through scented pellets with fans; Saturated Pads that are placed in Scent Cubes where the air flow draws in the air and then diffuses it through the fan; Scented Gels which are diffused through digital scent technology through which the scent is synchronized with software and activated via the sound and images in videos and TV television.
The digital world is realizing that the use of fragrance for interactive video games such as “World of Warcraft”, TV Cooking Channels and Flower and Garden shows are much more experiential if the viewer can actually smell the wonderful aromas from their computers, DVD’s, Videos and Television!
Read my articles on Environmental Scenting in the following magazines:
GLOW BEAUTY MAGAZINE
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/5f7fa368#/5f7fa368/124
VUVUZELA MAGAZINE
http://www.vuvuzelamagazine.com/magazine/index.html
see page 26
SCENT MARKETING HAPPI MAGAZINE
http://www.happi.com/expertsopinion/2011/03/03/scent_marketing
My recent interview on blog talk radio by Karen Krymski from “Women Power Up” discussed the world of scenting. It was broadcast live on April 12 and can be downloaded and listened to at your leisure at:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/womenpowerup. log onto Scent Branding Discussion with Sue Phillips.
Fragrance, Aroma, Scent, Perfume….. Whichever name you give it, it is the new marketing frontier for branding, and goes beyond just applying it to a lady’s wrists or pulse-points! It is the most powerful SENSE we have that triggers memories and emotions. Today Fragrance can seduce us olfactively, personally and environmentally!
Inhale, Apply, Enjoy and you and your clients will also Sniff their way to profits!!!
Scentfully,
Sue
President, Scenterprises
http://www.scenterprises.com/
sue@scenterprises.com
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
2011 NEW YEAR, NEW SCENT INNOVATION
How would you like to be able to sit at your computer and have your favorite scent be emitted from your computer, and at the same time be connected to the brand’s website and sign up for all kinds of fabulous promotional programs?
Well you can!
This is a new year and all kinds of innovative scent diffusion applications are happening.
Scenterprises is at the forefront of Scent and Fragrance Innovation with partners around the globe!
Also imagine all popular Video and DVD games and programs where characters go through dungeons, smoke, volcanic fire, caves and eventually meet a fabulous princess and as you are watching and listening, you can actually smell the dark pungent smell of dungeons, the acrid smell of smoke, and fire from volcanoes, the dank mossy smell from caves and the wonderful vanilla aroma?
This is the latest Scent technology and the application is wonderful for Cooking shows – Rachel Ray no longer has to wish for ‘smell-o-vision” – we have SCENT-O-VISION and it is here.
We offer Signature Scent and Custom Fragrances for personal care as well as for Environmental and Ambient Scenting!
Contact us. You will love the latest, most innovative concept in multi-sensory offerings And scent-branding
Scentfully,
Sue
www.scenterprises.com
Well you can!
This is a new year and all kinds of innovative scent diffusion applications are happening.
Scenterprises is at the forefront of Scent and Fragrance Innovation with partners around the globe!
Also imagine all popular Video and DVD games and programs where characters go through dungeons, smoke, volcanic fire, caves and eventually meet a fabulous princess and as you are watching and listening, you can actually smell the dark pungent smell of dungeons, the acrid smell of smoke, and fire from volcanoes, the dank mossy smell from caves and the wonderful vanilla aroma?
This is the latest Scent technology and the application is wonderful for Cooking shows – Rachel Ray no longer has to wish for ‘smell-o-vision” – we have SCENT-O-VISION and it is here.
We offer Signature Scent and Custom Fragrances for personal care as well as for Environmental and Ambient Scenting!
Contact us. You will love the latest, most innovative concept in multi-sensory offerings And scent-branding
Scentfully,
Sue
www.scenterprises.com
SCENT-BRANDING presentation to THE LUXURY MARKETING COUNCIL -
Scent Branding
The Ultimate Luxury Marketing Vehicle - Presentation for THE LUXURY MARKETING COUNCIL, NY NY
Marketing gurus and scores of Fortune 500 companies are using scent as part of their marketing strategies to bypass competition and promote brands, businesses, destinations, services or products. Scent Branding is an effective way to enhance customers’ experiences, to influence future purchasing decisions and most importantly to establish an emotional connection with your luxury brand or business. SCENT BRANDING is changing how we communicate with customers at every level across every industry.
Sue Phillips, President of Scenterprises Ltd., will reveal exciting new environmental scent technologies for immediate and easy application to your luxury brand for scenting personal space, offices, showroom and retail spaces, hotels, spas and casinos. She will also demonstrate a revolutionary wireless technology that is computer programmable for video, gaming and ultimately television application.
Additionally, Ms. Phillips will discuss the latest trend of utilizing The Perfume Studio Custom Signature Fragrance Experience for Corporate Sales Meetings and Teambuilding events, Spouse Programs, Inspirational and Motivational events. Attendees will be taken on a complimentary ‘Fragrance Journey’ to experience 18 perfume blends and they will have the opportunity to create their own Signature Perfume for purchase at the end of the presentation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About Sue Phillips
Sue Phillips, international fragrance expert, was born in South Africa, resides in New York, and is a recognized branding, sales and marketing executive. Sue’s distinguished career includes senior executive positions at Elizabeth Arden, Lancôme and Tiffany & Company.
As vice president of fragrance at Tiffany's, she introduced and successfully launched Tiffany perfume for its 150th anniversary in the USA and worldwide.
Sue has been responsible for re-branding and re-imaging companies and developed strategic licensing opportunities for major apparel companies seeking to enter the personal care market. She created innovative fragrance board games, which were used to launch a major women’s fragrance. For five years Sue acted as Adjunct Professor, Cosmetic & Fragrance Marketing at Fashion Institute of Technology, training a new generation of fragrance marketers.
In 1992, Sue formed Scenterprises Ltd, a global fragrance consultancy focused on: product development, marketing, sales and strategic brand development. Scenterprises Ltd, has successfully implemented initiatives for Avon, Bath & Body Works, Chanel, Oilily and Trish McEvoy to name a few.
Today, Sue develops environmental scenting for the retail, hospitality and gaming industries for top hotels, spas, resorts and casinos. She helps to “scent-brand” selected properties with their own proprietary fragrance. Recognizing the potential of environmental scenting and scent branding, Sue is at the forefront of this burgeoning new industry. In addition, Ambient Scenting through computers, video games and Television is the new way to diffuse scent for interactive, multi-sensory initiatives for Cooking Shows, Video Games and innovative special events programs, available through Sue’s company.
In 2008, Sue’s company, Scenterprises Ltd, was named USA Distributor for The Perfume Studio, UK, offering custom perfume seminars and workshops for individuals, couples, groups, the bridal market, spas, salons and corporate team building initiatives. Guests are taken on a “fragrance journey” to evaluate 18 exquisite blends, and learn about the magic and joy of fragrance. This is an ideal initiative for Teambuilding, Customer Appreciation, Motivational and Inspirational events for Corporations as well as Individuals.
Sue is a contributing editor of Glow Beauty Magazine, Vuvuzela, the new online South African magazine, vuvuzelamagazine.com, and is a Contributing Editor of HAPPI –(Household and Personal Products Industry)Magazine, and has written many articles on fragrance, and the correlation of Smell and Taste, and is a frequent guest speaker at industry seminars. Sue appeared on Fox Business TV, KUSI TV, and San Diego Living TV, and was named the “IT” Girl on www.askmattandtamsen.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About Joanne Cardello
Joanne Cardello is a beauty industry expert with 20+ years of experience with leading cosmetics companies. She has held senior domestic and global marketing positions with P&G Prestige, The Estée Lauder Companies, Gemini Cosmetics Inc., Parfums Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent.
She has led brand management for Dunhill, Montblanc, Ellen Tracy, Izod, Tommy Bahama, Origins, Tommy Hilfiger, Aramis and Prescriptives International.
Joanne directed all aspects of concept development, package design, product development and creative advertising for Dunhill Pursuit, Dunhill Fresh, Dunhill Pure, Femme de Montblanc and Montblanc 100th Anniversary commemorative diamond fragrance, the first Izod fragrance and the Tommy Bahama Set Sail South Seas franchise.
Joanne brings her wealth of corporate experience to Scenterprises Ltd.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About Scenterprises
We have a passionate interest in just about anything that nurtures the senses through the fragrance experience.
We work with some of the leading consumer brands in the world, including Tiffany, Burberry, Lancôme, Avon, Lancaster, Trish McEvoy, Oilily, Bath & Body Works, Chanel and many more. We create new products to define branding, promotional and licensing strategies in order to deliver high-impact fragrance collections.
As arbiters of fragrance trends, we have a true scents of style. Our fingers are on the pulse of the beauty industry.
Scenterprises offers multi-sensory experiences taking clients on a fragrance journey to create their very own custom perfume. In addition to personal fragrances we create branded scented environments to scent brand properties such as hotels, spas, retail outlets and other commercial spaces.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return to Top of Page
The Ultimate Luxury Marketing Vehicle - Presentation for THE LUXURY MARKETING COUNCIL, NY NY
Marketing gurus and scores of Fortune 500 companies are using scent as part of their marketing strategies to bypass competition and promote brands, businesses, destinations, services or products. Scent Branding is an effective way to enhance customers’ experiences, to influence future purchasing decisions and most importantly to establish an emotional connection with your luxury brand or business. SCENT BRANDING is changing how we communicate with customers at every level across every industry.
Sue Phillips, President of Scenterprises Ltd., will reveal exciting new environmental scent technologies for immediate and easy application to your luxury brand for scenting personal space, offices, showroom and retail spaces, hotels, spas and casinos. She will also demonstrate a revolutionary wireless technology that is computer programmable for video, gaming and ultimately television application.
Additionally, Ms. Phillips will discuss the latest trend of utilizing The Perfume Studio Custom Signature Fragrance Experience for Corporate Sales Meetings and Teambuilding events, Spouse Programs, Inspirational and Motivational events. Attendees will be taken on a complimentary ‘Fragrance Journey’ to experience 18 perfume blends and they will have the opportunity to create their own Signature Perfume for purchase at the end of the presentation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About Sue Phillips
Sue Phillips, international fragrance expert, was born in South Africa, resides in New York, and is a recognized branding, sales and marketing executive. Sue’s distinguished career includes senior executive positions at Elizabeth Arden, Lancôme and Tiffany & Company.
As vice president of fragrance at Tiffany's, she introduced and successfully launched Tiffany perfume for its 150th anniversary in the USA and worldwide.
Sue has been responsible for re-branding and re-imaging companies and developed strategic licensing opportunities for major apparel companies seeking to enter the personal care market. She created innovative fragrance board games, which were used to launch a major women’s fragrance. For five years Sue acted as Adjunct Professor, Cosmetic & Fragrance Marketing at Fashion Institute of Technology, training a new generation of fragrance marketers.
In 1992, Sue formed Scenterprises Ltd, a global fragrance consultancy focused on: product development, marketing, sales and strategic brand development. Scenterprises Ltd, has successfully implemented initiatives for Avon, Bath & Body Works, Chanel, Oilily and Trish McEvoy to name a few.
Today, Sue develops environmental scenting for the retail, hospitality and gaming industries for top hotels, spas, resorts and casinos. She helps to “scent-brand” selected properties with their own proprietary fragrance. Recognizing the potential of environmental scenting and scent branding, Sue is at the forefront of this burgeoning new industry. In addition, Ambient Scenting through computers, video games and Television is the new way to diffuse scent for interactive, multi-sensory initiatives for Cooking Shows, Video Games and innovative special events programs, available through Sue’s company.
In 2008, Sue’s company, Scenterprises Ltd, was named USA Distributor for The Perfume Studio, UK, offering custom perfume seminars and workshops for individuals, couples, groups, the bridal market, spas, salons and corporate team building initiatives. Guests are taken on a “fragrance journey” to evaluate 18 exquisite blends, and learn about the magic and joy of fragrance. This is an ideal initiative for Teambuilding, Customer Appreciation, Motivational and Inspirational events for Corporations as well as Individuals.
Sue is a contributing editor of Glow Beauty Magazine, Vuvuzela, the new online South African magazine, vuvuzelamagazine.com, and is a Contributing Editor of HAPPI –(Household and Personal Products Industry)Magazine, and has written many articles on fragrance, and the correlation of Smell and Taste, and is a frequent guest speaker at industry seminars. Sue appeared on Fox Business TV, KUSI TV, and San Diego Living TV, and was named the “IT” Girl on www.askmattandtamsen.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About Joanne Cardello
Joanne Cardello is a beauty industry expert with 20+ years of experience with leading cosmetics companies. She has held senior domestic and global marketing positions with P&G Prestige, The Estée Lauder Companies, Gemini Cosmetics Inc., Parfums Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent.
She has led brand management for Dunhill, Montblanc, Ellen Tracy, Izod, Tommy Bahama, Origins, Tommy Hilfiger, Aramis and Prescriptives International.
Joanne directed all aspects of concept development, package design, product development and creative advertising for Dunhill Pursuit, Dunhill Fresh, Dunhill Pure, Femme de Montblanc and Montblanc 100th Anniversary commemorative diamond fragrance, the first Izod fragrance and the Tommy Bahama Set Sail South Seas franchise.
Joanne brings her wealth of corporate experience to Scenterprises Ltd.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About Scenterprises
We have a passionate interest in just about anything that nurtures the senses through the fragrance experience.
We work with some of the leading consumer brands in the world, including Tiffany, Burberry, Lancôme, Avon, Lancaster, Trish McEvoy, Oilily, Bath & Body Works, Chanel and many more. We create new products to define branding, promotional and licensing strategies in order to deliver high-impact fragrance collections.
As arbiters of fragrance trends, we have a true scents of style. Our fingers are on the pulse of the beauty industry.
Scenterprises offers multi-sensory experiences taking clients on a fragrance journey to create their very own custom perfume. In addition to personal fragrances we create branded scented environments to scent brand properties such as hotels, spas, retail outlets and other commercial spaces.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return to Top of Page
2011 NEW YEAR, NEW SCENT INNOVATION
How would you like to be able to sit at your computer and have your favorite scent be emitted from your computer, and at the same time be connected to the brand’s website and sign up for all kinds of fabulous promotional programs?
Well you can!
This is a new year and all kinds of innovative scent diffusion applications are happening.
Scenterprises is at the forefront of Scent and Fragrance Innovation with partners around the globe!
Also, imagine popular Video and DVD games and programs where characters go through dungeons, smoke, volcanic fire, caves and eventually meet a fabulous princess and as you are watching and listening, you can actually smell the dark pungent smell of dungeons, the acrid smell of smoke, and fire from volcanoes, the dank mossy smell from caves and the wonderful vanilla aroma?
This is the latest Scent technology and the application is wonderful for Cooking shows – Rachel Ray no longer has to wish for ‘smell-o-vision” – we have SCENT-O-VISION and it is here.
We offer Signature Scent and Custom Fragrances for personal care as well as for Environmental and Ambient Scenting!
Contact us. You will love the latest, most innovative concept in multi-sensory offerings And scent-branding
Scentfully,
Sue
www.scenterprises.com
Well you can!
This is a new year and all kinds of innovative scent diffusion applications are happening.
Scenterprises is at the forefront of Scent and Fragrance Innovation with partners around the globe!
Also, imagine popular Video and DVD games and programs where characters go through dungeons, smoke, volcanic fire, caves and eventually meet a fabulous princess and as you are watching and listening, you can actually smell the dark pungent smell of dungeons, the acrid smell of smoke, and fire from volcanoes, the dank mossy smell from caves and the wonderful vanilla aroma?
This is the latest Scent technology and the application is wonderful for Cooking shows – Rachel Ray no longer has to wish for ‘smell-o-vision” – we have SCENT-O-VISION and it is here.
We offer Signature Scent and Custom Fragrances for personal care as well as for Environmental and Ambient Scenting!
Contact us. You will love the latest, most innovative concept in multi-sensory offerings And scent-branding
Scentfully,
Sue
www.scenterprises.com
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
MIRACLES DO HAPPEN!!!!! TWICE IN THE SAME YEAR!!!
This year has been a year of miracles for me and I am SO grateful and happy!
The power of believing and putting forth a positive and authentically grateful attitude can be palpable! And when you believe in miracles they really do come true! I have two tangible miracles to tell you about.
The first miracle happened to me on February 24 of this year. I was so happy that I immediately wrote an article and sent it to the New York Times for the Metropolitan Diary – but it wasn’t published. This is what I wrote.
MIRACLES HAPPEN – only in New York!
Last night I braved the elements and hopped a cab from the Upper East Side to 18th and 10th. The streets were icy and snow was falling and it was treacherous getting in and out of the cab. I complimented myself on successfully navigating out of the cab without slipping or sliding. When I went into the building to check my coat, fur headband, scarf and gloves, I noticed my handbag was missing from my shoulders. OH NO!! I looked but sure enough it was not there! Not again I said to myself! (A month ago I was in Madrid and my wallet was pick-pocketed in the metro subway with all my credit cards, money, identity cards….. everything! And it was such a hassle and so time-consuming to stop the credit cards and get new ones while in Europe)
I must be losing it I said! Thankfully I had my cell phone in my hand and was calm on the outside but so upset inside and angry at myself for being so forgetful! I’ll have to try to put a stop on the new cards…… again! What a waste of time and how silly was I, I kept on saying to myself. But in the back of my mind I kept on saying, well it’s not that bad; it’s only a few credit cards!
Sure enough 35 minutes later the cell phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number to me. The voice asked SUE PHILLIPS? I said Yes! You found my bag…thank you so much! He said….Its’ Phil! I COULDN”T BELIEVE IT!!! It was my cousin! I was astounded! His wife Tracy had seen the bag on the back seat and was going to give it to the cab driver but thought that she would try and locate the owner and looked inside. She saw a few credit cards in my wallet. My cousin saw my name on the cards and picked up his cell phone and called me. None of us could believe it! What are the chances of a handbag being retrieved by a family member who got into the same cab minutes later, in New York City and found a handbag belonging to his cousin whom he only sees once a year to celebrate New Year’s Day?
A miracle, I said to myself!! In a city of 12 million people, what are the odds that someone I know, let alone a relative, would take the cab I had just vacated, and find my bag and call me!!
MIRACLES DO HAPPEN! I am so grateful and thankful for this incredible happenstance!
So, here is the other tangible miracle I experienced today, December 21. I was meeting my colleague Joanne for a presentation to a major Corporation, and just as I was about to get out of the cab, she called me. I told her I was on 50th and 6th and would meet her in 3 minutes. I began to walk to the building and had a nagging suspicion that I may have dropped my phone because I didn’t remember putting it in my bag after the call.
When I saw Joanne I asked her to call my cell. I didn’t hear anything ring or vibrate. Oh no! I lost my phone! We went to the meeting and before it began, I asked Joanne to call my phone again. Nothing, zippo, nada! On the way out I asked her to call it. Nothing, zippo, nada! So she suggested that we walk to the spot where I had alit from the cab, and we both thought that perhaps it might have been placed on a phone booth…or something!! Nothing, zippo, nada! Joanne said to me something like, Sue, you believe in miracles –we need one now. Then she looked down on the sidewalk, in the road, and in the grate and there in the dirt, was my cell phone with a flashing light (from all the calls she had made to it) Can you believe it? HOORAY!!! It dropped into the grate as I got out of the cab. I was so happy to see it! Now, how to retrieve it?
There were 3 Police officers who were directing traffic and I asked them if we could lift up the grate. One of them, Police Officer Christopher Williams, Shield #23928 was SO helpful. He said he would try. Now a crowd had gathered around, wondering what was going on with 3 police officers focusing on something in the road. Thankfully, there was a hot dog vendor nearby, and I asked him if he had some tongs. He came over with a crowbar and Officer Williams began to nudge the phone towards the top of the grate with the crowbar. Then the other hot dog vendor brought over a pair of tongs. Office Williams nimbly and deftly inched and manipulated the cell phone to the top of the grate and was able to take hold of the phone with the tongs and then pulled the phone out. Hallelujah I cried – it’s a miracle!!
I thanked him and wanted to give him something but he refused and said I should write to Police Commissioner Ray Kelly which I shall do. He said he wanted to continue the Christmas Spirit of good cheer and miracles! And the Hot dog vendor and his partner were also wonderful and helpful. When I asked him where he was from he said Egypt. I thanked him with a SHOKRUN and a crisp $20 bill which was all I had on me.
Joanne and I then went to have an end-of-year holiday lunch and kept on thinking how lucky it was to have found the phone. Had it been raining, or snowing it would never have been found. The reality is that losing a phone is not a tragedy. It’s a hassle and time consuming and an annoyance….but we are all so attached to our digital toys, that finding it was a joy!
The moral of the story is that MIRACLES CAN and DO Happen! Believe! Good things will materialize. Joanne commented on how lucky I am. I agree! I am SO grateful for that and attribute it to my late dad; whose birthday would have been yesterday….he always said that “we are the lucky Phillips’s”~~
In the spirit of good tidings, I am writing this today to remind everyone that you can experience miracles and happiness. In the face of difficulty and economic hardship, believe in good things……be positive, be grateful and I promise you, MIRACLES DO HAPPEN!!
I am grateful for the friends and family in my life and to my dear friend and colleague Joanne Cardello who has been an amazing support to me, and to Scenterprises and The Perfume Studio.
Happy Holidays and a Healthy New Year to you all.
Scentfully,
Sue.
The power of believing and putting forth a positive and authentically grateful attitude can be palpable! And when you believe in miracles they really do come true! I have two tangible miracles to tell you about.
The first miracle happened to me on February 24 of this year. I was so happy that I immediately wrote an article and sent it to the New York Times for the Metropolitan Diary – but it wasn’t published. This is what I wrote.
MIRACLES HAPPEN – only in New York!
Last night I braved the elements and hopped a cab from the Upper East Side to 18th and 10th. The streets were icy and snow was falling and it was treacherous getting in and out of the cab. I complimented myself on successfully navigating out of the cab without slipping or sliding. When I went into the building to check my coat, fur headband, scarf and gloves, I noticed my handbag was missing from my shoulders. OH NO!! I looked but sure enough it was not there! Not again I said to myself! (A month ago I was in Madrid and my wallet was pick-pocketed in the metro subway with all my credit cards, money, identity cards….. everything! And it was such a hassle and so time-consuming to stop the credit cards and get new ones while in Europe)
I must be losing it I said! Thankfully I had my cell phone in my hand and was calm on the outside but so upset inside and angry at myself for being so forgetful! I’ll have to try to put a stop on the new cards…… again! What a waste of time and how silly was I, I kept on saying to myself. But in the back of my mind I kept on saying, well it’s not that bad; it’s only a few credit cards!
Sure enough 35 minutes later the cell phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number to me. The voice asked SUE PHILLIPS? I said Yes! You found my bag…thank you so much! He said….Its’ Phil! I COULDN”T BELIEVE IT!!! It was my cousin! I was astounded! His wife Tracy had seen the bag on the back seat and was going to give it to the cab driver but thought that she would try and locate the owner and looked inside. She saw a few credit cards in my wallet. My cousin saw my name on the cards and picked up his cell phone and called me. None of us could believe it! What are the chances of a handbag being retrieved by a family member who got into the same cab minutes later, in New York City and found a handbag belonging to his cousin whom he only sees once a year to celebrate New Year’s Day?
A miracle, I said to myself!! In a city of 12 million people, what are the odds that someone I know, let alone a relative, would take the cab I had just vacated, and find my bag and call me!!
MIRACLES DO HAPPEN! I am so grateful and thankful for this incredible happenstance!
So, here is the other tangible miracle I experienced today, December 21. I was meeting my colleague Joanne for a presentation to a major Corporation, and just as I was about to get out of the cab, she called me. I told her I was on 50th and 6th and would meet her in 3 minutes. I began to walk to the building and had a nagging suspicion that I may have dropped my phone because I didn’t remember putting it in my bag after the call.
When I saw Joanne I asked her to call my cell. I didn’t hear anything ring or vibrate. Oh no! I lost my phone! We went to the meeting and before it began, I asked Joanne to call my phone again. Nothing, zippo, nada! On the way out I asked her to call it. Nothing, zippo, nada! So she suggested that we walk to the spot where I had alit from the cab, and we both thought that perhaps it might have been placed on a phone booth…or something!! Nothing, zippo, nada! Joanne said to me something like, Sue, you believe in miracles –we need one now. Then she looked down on the sidewalk, in the road, and in the grate and there in the dirt, was my cell phone with a flashing light (from all the calls she had made to it) Can you believe it? HOORAY!!! It dropped into the grate as I got out of the cab. I was so happy to see it! Now, how to retrieve it?
There were 3 Police officers who were directing traffic and I asked them if we could lift up the grate. One of them, Police Officer Christopher Williams, Shield #23928 was SO helpful. He said he would try. Now a crowd had gathered around, wondering what was going on with 3 police officers focusing on something in the road. Thankfully, there was a hot dog vendor nearby, and I asked him if he had some tongs. He came over with a crowbar and Officer Williams began to nudge the phone towards the top of the grate with the crowbar. Then the other hot dog vendor brought over a pair of tongs. Office Williams nimbly and deftly inched and manipulated the cell phone to the top of the grate and was able to take hold of the phone with the tongs and then pulled the phone out. Hallelujah I cried – it’s a miracle!!
I thanked him and wanted to give him something but he refused and said I should write to Police Commissioner Ray Kelly which I shall do. He said he wanted to continue the Christmas Spirit of good cheer and miracles! And the Hot dog vendor and his partner were also wonderful and helpful. When I asked him where he was from he said Egypt. I thanked him with a SHOKRUN and a crisp $20 bill which was all I had on me.
Joanne and I then went to have an end-of-year holiday lunch and kept on thinking how lucky it was to have found the phone. Had it been raining, or snowing it would never have been found. The reality is that losing a phone is not a tragedy. It’s a hassle and time consuming and an annoyance….but we are all so attached to our digital toys, that finding it was a joy!
The moral of the story is that MIRACLES CAN and DO Happen! Believe! Good things will materialize. Joanne commented on how lucky I am. I agree! I am SO grateful for that and attribute it to my late dad; whose birthday would have been yesterday….he always said that “we are the lucky Phillips’s”~~
In the spirit of good tidings, I am writing this today to remind everyone that you can experience miracles and happiness. In the face of difficulty and economic hardship, believe in good things……be positive, be grateful and I promise you, MIRACLES DO HAPPEN!!
I am grateful for the friends and family in my life and to my dear friend and colleague Joanne Cardello who has been an amazing support to me, and to Scenterprises and The Perfume Studio.
Happy Holidays and a Healthy New Year to you all.
Scentfully,
Sue.
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