How we’re loving - and living for - those moments when the sun properly shines this spring. It almost (whisper it) feels like summer’s knocking on the door. However, if grey skies meteorological or metaphorical are plaguing you currently, we’ve bottles of sunshine and hope to bring a smile to your face…

In this episode we discuss:

Lush Fresh As

‘Revitalising fir needle absolute and tagetes oils mingle to surround you with the bracing draw of nature. If any scent can embody the freshest of forests, snapping sticks underfoot and the warmth of a snuggly scarf, then this is it.

What's in it for you?- A herbaceous fir needle fragrance. - Like a bracing woodland walk in a nice warm coat.

Leaving the world Lusher than we found itOrganic ethanol helps this fragrance last longer on your skin and supports biodiversity on the ground. It's made from regeneratively farmed sugar cane produced with renewable energy in Brazil.’

Acqua Di Parma Buongiorno La Collezione

‘A set of five 10ml Eau de Parfums from the Buongiorno Collection, each one capturing a moment and transforming it into poetry. Presented in a compact splash bottle format, it is an invitation to carry the spirit of Buongiorno with you on-the-go.

A gentle manifesto of poetic dreams, the set brings together all five compositions from the Buongiorno Collection. Every fragrance represents small gestures and moments transformed into surreal sensations and dreamlike rituals.

Buongiorno Buonanotte: ‘A delicate and enveloping fragrance that marks the end of a night filled with shared laughter and spontaneous joy when buongiorno and buonanotte blur into a single moment.’

Top notes: Calabrian bergamot, olibanum, pink pepper

Heart notes: orris pallida concrete, gaiacwood

Base notes: musk, Virginian cedarwood, cashmere wood accord

Buongiorno Amore Mio: ‘A fragrance of unique, subtle elegance like fresh garments that softly embrace the skin, marking the beginning of a perfect new day.’

Top notes: Calabrian bergamot, aldehydes

Heart notes: fresh cotton accord, orris pallida butter, hedione

Base notes: musk, ambrette butter, ambroxe

Buongiorno Dolce Far Niente: ‘A fragrance of light-hearted ease that comes from choosing to do nothing at all, except enjoy the sweetness of an unhurried day.’

Top notes: Sicilian lemon tree petitgrain, Sicilian lemon, orange

Heart notes: lemon wood accord, fig wood accord, hedione

Base notes: musk, Virginian cedarwood, cistus absolute

Buongiorno Gioco del Destino: ‘A modern gourmand touch that evokes a moment sparked by chance, when something unexpected stirs a sudden, joyful sense of euphoria.’

Top notes: sweet orange, Italian green mandarin, Italian yellow mandarin, Sicilian lemon

Heart notes: bran wheat absolute, ginger, benzoin gum

Base notes: musk, sandalwood, peru balsam resinoid

Buongiorno Al Bacio: ‘A radiant dewy fragrance that evokes the gentle intimacy of a morning kiss - an affectionate spark that awakens the senses and welcomes a new day.’

Top notes: Calabrian Bergamot, rosemary, petitgrain

Heart notes: orange flower water absolute, neroli, angelica

Base notes: musk, white wood accord, co-distillation Virginia cedarwood & olibanum extract

Coty Infiniment Soleil D’Ikosim

‘Orange blossom shines at the top, warmed by Mediterranean light. Woody and ambery notes emerge next, revealing a lingering gold aura. The grounding depth of vetiver vibrates through, reaching the solar energy of orange blossom, for a radiant bliss.

Olfactory family: Gourmand floral

Main notes: orange blossom, neroli, vetiver

Farina 1709 Original Eau de Cologne

‘The world’s oldest perfume house. Inventors of the Original Eau de Cologne. Family perfumers since 1709. ‘The Original Eau de Cologne is the epitome of clarity, freshness and joy - a fragrance with a remarkable history that still feels effortlessly modern, universal, and timeless.

Inspired by Johann Maria Farina’s Italian roots, fresh citrus notes - especially bergamot - shape the character of the Original Eau de Cologne. Neroli and jasmine lend floral lightness, while herbaceous lavender, gentle musk and amber harmoniously round off the fragrance. Refreshing and never overpowering, the fragrance accompanies its wearer throughout the day - clear, balanced, and unmistakable.

More than three centuries after its founding, Farina is the oldest perfume house in the world and remains in family hands, now led by ninth-generation perfumer Louise Farina, the first woman to succeed directly in the family line. The house continues to produce the Original Eau de Cologne, the scent unchanged since 1709.’

Yardley London Floralscapes Meadow

‘Our Floralscapes Meadow Eau de Parfum is a green fruity floral fragrance capturing the astonishing beauty of an English meadow at the height of summer, where top notes of bergamot and pear meet a heart of tall grass and drifts of wild-flowers in buttercup, rose and white clover, enveloped with hints of musk and wood sage in the base.

Made with 90% naturally-derived ingredients, this Eau de Parfum is suitable for vegans, is cruelty-free, and comes packed in an FSC-certified carton.’

Olfactive O New Earth

‘I am the host who cooks to the rhythm of the seasons, the one who pulls up an extra chair before you’ve even asked. I believe in the beauty of things made by hand - the thumbprint in the clay, the worn-in softness of a family heirloom. There is quiet joy in walking the same path every day and noticing the first green shoots of change. For me, luxury resides in the weight of a heavy linen shirt and the simple, rhythmic task of chopping herbs from the windowsill pot. I am a life lived in the present tense.

NOTES:

Luminous top: shiso, pink peppercorn, spearmint, elemiPresent heart: deep-leaf immersion, armoise, geranium, chamomile blue, cardamom, clary sageRooted base: hay absolute, fir balsam, oakmoss, myrrh’

Laura Ashley Wild Woodland

A wonderfully rambling, rustic blend of ripe berries in hidden woodlands with notes of blackberry, gooseberry and vetiver. The ‘Parma Violet Berries” print inspired the blend via the utterly charming design of clustered ripe berries in an autumn garden. We feel this is a spring into late summer vibe, though.

Laura Ashley Joy of Primrose

Definitely bright and uplifting but fluffed around the edges with a powdery, cashmere softness, a beautiful blend of tangerine, mimosa and vanilla. After launching back in 1990, the Loveston print acted as inspiration for this fragrance with its leafy ditsy floral pattern of chrysanthemums and phlox plants.

M&S limited edition summer scents: Marshmallow Delight

‘Indulge in a scent that feels soft, sweet and irresistibly playful with this Marshmallow Delight eau de toilette from our Discover range. Juicy raspberry brings a bright opening, melting into fluffy marshmallow and smooth cream for a comforting, dessert-like finish.’

Solar Fleur

‘Capture the warmth of sunlit skin with this radiant eau de toilette from our Discover range. A bright burst of mandarin opens the scent, softened by delicate jasmine and wrapped in the creamy sweetness of coconut milk. The result is a smooth, glowing fragrance that feels effortless and uplifting.’