Read, Rest and Treat Yourself this Summer

Our summer holidays may look a little different this year, however, it is still possible to enjoy some of the things we go away for, right where we are.

Here are our top tips to help you rest, read well and add a touch of luxury to your summer whether you’re jetting off or staying put.

Breathe in

Scent has a powerful impact on our mood. Understanding this better can empower us with tools to create restful environments wherever we are. Most of us know that lavender is a scent that helps us to relax. Did you know, however, that certain scents can energise, others can support emotional balance and many lesser known oils support our relaxation. We like to diffuse essential oils, light scented candles or mix essential oils with a base oil for a pulse point massage. Here are some of our favourite blends:

For those times you want a quiet, meditative space in which to read or think, try sandalwood with its rich, woody aroma. Pair it with juniper or palmarosa for a calming effect.

If you want to bring about some emotional equanimity, try a blend of geranium, rose and bergamot for a floral, uplifting scent.

To put the zing in your bright, summer days, a blend of hesperidic oils such as grapefruit, orange and bergamot with a touch of frankincense will leave you feeling positive and relaxed.

Holiday Reads

The heart of our brand is storytelling so here is some of our favourite fiction (and a little non-fiction) to get lost in for a few hours. There are some old, some new and some personal loves on the list:

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens: the harrowing story of Catherine Daniel Clark (Kya), and her will to survive in the marshes along the North Carolina coast. With poetic prose, the author details the natural world and the intricacies of human connection.

Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver: the story of a small town in Appalachia during a single, humid summer, when three interweaving stories of love, loss and family unfold against the backdrop of the lush wildness of Virginia mountains.

Sweet Sorrow by David Nicholls: one of this summer’s most eagerly awaited novels. This is a coming-of-age story about 16-year-old Charlie Lewis and a girl he meets when he reluctantly gets involved in a production of Romeo and Juliet. It details the complexities of love and family relationships with profound insight.

Wilding by Isabella Tree: the story of the ‘Knepp experiment’, a pioneering rewilding project in West Sussex, using free-roaming grazing animals to create new habitats for wildlife. Part gripping memoir, part fascinating account of the ecology of our countryside, Wilding is, above all, an inspiring story of hope.

Summer by Ali Smith: due to be released in August, this is the culmination of Smith’s ambitious project to chart modern society through the seasons. We loved her previous novels and cannot wait to get our hands on this one.

Treat Yourself

This summer, we want to make it even easier for you to invest in a little self-care. We have put together some luxury gift sets featuring our top selling products. Here is some information about the sets:

Our Fragrance and Body Wash Travel Duo, worth £62, is only £49. This set offers a generous 15 ml refillable bottle of Eau de Parfum and a gently cleansing 100 ml Hand & Body Wash. This duo is conveniently sized for travelling, whether you are popping it in your bag for a day trip or travelling further afield. It comes in either STORIES Nº.01 or STORIES Nº.02.

Our Fragrance and Body Lotion Travel Duo, worth £66, is only £52. This set offers a generous 15 ml refillable bottle of Eau de Parfum and a 100 ml Hand & Body Lotion. It comes in either STORIES Nº.01 or STORIES Nº.02.

We also have gift sets that cater solely for your skin. Our Hand & Body Travel Duo sets, worth £48, are only £38. These sets feature a 100 ml bottle of Hand & Body Wash and a 100 ml bottle of Hand & Body Lotion in your fragrance of choice.

If you’re feeling particularly generous, we have a Body and Fragrance Duo gift set that is worth £109 but costs only £89. It features our 30 ml bottle of fragrance and a 250 ml bottle of Hand & Body Wash.

Fragrance is the perfect pick-me-up whether you are planning a staycation or have set your sights a little further afield. Our Eau de Parfums tell uplifting stories of hope, restoration and connection to the memories that make us who we are. Read more about their stories here.