From Gianni Rose, 4 pear-shaped soaps: "Enjoy the scent of freshly picked pairs [sic] with these 4 French-milled soaps, enriched with moisture-rich buttermilk and exfoliating oatmeal." $33 at Caswell Massey...

Voluspa has introduced the Opulence collection, including five new Eaux de Parfum:

Lemon Lily (shown) ~ "...combines crisp white casablanca lily and California citrus fruits that create a very fresh and clean scent. SO perfect for summer!"...

If Santa is bringing me my heart's desire, this is it: the Annick Goutal Les Orientalistes coffret. Ambre Fétiche, Myrrhe Ardente and Encens Flamboyant, each in 50 ml, in a white leather box. €500. I haven't smelled them yet, but at the moment, that just adds to their charm. No idea where you can buy it, but the elves will figure it out...

Malayan Coco (shown) ~ "A sumptuous combination of coconut milk accord, shaved coconut bark, rich sandalwood and Eastern hinoki wood. Escape to warm tropical, exotic locales."

Fleur de Café ~ "An intoxicating combination of African Coffee Flower..."

My grandmother felt sure this get-up would protect her from all manner of animal attack. It certainly attracted attention from passersby — they would slow down their cars and stare at the two elderly women (looking ghostly in their old fashioned white and pale blue outfits) hovering in the shade of the woodland. Me? Between short stints of labor-intensive berry picking, I was usually hidden in the woods, rummaging through the cooler for things to eat and drink...

Voluspa’s Japonica series of scented products got its packaging design inspiration from Japanese flower motifs (often seen on handmade papers and on textiles). The Japonica scented sprays come in six scents and are Eau de Parfum strength; they can be used as room sprays or to scent the body...

Summer is over and done with — adieu to heat, humidity, mosquitoes, yard work, glaring sunshine till almost 9 p.m., and overly bright polo shirts that also tax the eyeballs. As the chill of autumn arrives, I look forward to the crisp air, the early nightfall, rain storms, lighting fires in the fireplace, and burning candles.

But come January, the cold begins to get tiresome and a tad depressing — I want to unravel my sweaters, have fresh flowers in my house from the garden, and eat some fruit and vegetables that were not flown in from thousands of miles away. In deep winter, sun and heat are alluring once more — I even start to think about hot-pink and lime-green colored shirts. I have "reserved" a Voluspa Yuzu Rose Bubblebath (Summer) candle for the icy, snowy days and nights ahead...

The perfect hostess gift: Bitter Orange potpourri by Agraria. $48 for a 2 liter presentation box (liquid refresher also available) at lusciouscargo...