So, this is very much at the luxury end of Mother’s Day and the first thing I want to say is that your mum won’t care how much her gift costs. I’ve had to talk Max down from the massive bouquet he had in his head to the simple bunch of tulips I would love more. Mums don’t care and I really don’t like the idea that Mother’s Day needs a big spend – of all the days, it’s the one that doesn’t…. because, you know, Mums. That said, budgets are completely variable and also none of my business, so if you do like to go high these Mother’s Day Flower Boxes from Jo Malone are nothing short of lovely. When I opened this and found Orange Blossom, my favourite of ALL the Jo Malone fragrances (I still remember the whole story from its original launch in 2003) it just seemed very fitting for a happy day celebration. You can also opt for Peony & Blush or English Pear & Freesia. And, Orange Blossom still makes me physically smile when I smell it. The box is a Selfridges exclusive for £140 and select Jo Malone Boutiques.. it’s not really clear if you can order on-line so it might be a trip to the shops for this one!
And this is new arrival! Launching on 1st April, Jasmine Sambac & Marigold is … well, amazing. This was love at first sniff without a doubt. I love Jasmine expect when it tips over, because it can easily go very animalic and decay-like, but this stays the right side of sweet floral in a heady, rich composition. If you love Jasmine Sambac you will love this. Marigold – possibly its there to bring the ‘English’ theme that the brand is so fond of into play. I can’t smell it at all really, but then I’m not really sure I know the scent of a marigold. It’s said to be fruity but in amongst the jasmine, the ylang-ylang and the benzoin base, it’s not particularly detectable. Even though I don’t really know the scent of marigold, I’m not smelling this fragrance and thinking, ooh, I wonder what that is.
Jasmine Sambac & Marigold is a huge fragrance at first spritz – you get all of the jasmine thrill from the get-go, but it settles on the skin and leaves the intensity behind, becoming more mellow and less shouty. Although First by Van Cleef & Arpels is a much more complex fragrance, my brain did a check to it on smelling Jasmine Sambac, and it also took me to McQueen which is a powerhouse.
I can see this fragrance becoming the new Pomegranate Noir – hurry up April! It’s £75 for 50ml and £115 for 100ml.
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