Is your favourite fragrance a head-tuner? The type of superb scent that leaves a trail in your wake & collects compliments every time you spritz it on? Such has been the experience of one of our lovely customers, who emailed us recently to share how much she loves the Sweet Treats Cotton Candy fragrance.

According to Sarah, "Every single time I wear it [Cotton Candy], someone says something lovely about my perfume & I can't say that about any other perfume I have worn". Spring flowers, a lolly shop and cookies are just some of the mouth-watering scents Sarah says her fragrance has been compared to. Our favourite compliment of all though is the one she received from her four year old son who said "Mummy, you smell like my favourite cake!"

As a first-time Cotton Candy wearer, Sarah shared with us that she loves the fragrance because "when you first put it on, it is sweet, fresh & light. Then, after half an hour or so, it develops into a more musky, sweet perfume. It makes me feel gorgeous & feminine & there's no price on that".

We couldn't have said it better ourselves Sarah! Thanks so much for sharing your lovely feedback.

Do you have a favourite Urban Rituelle product that makes you feel gorgeous or pampered when you use it? Share with us in the comments below - we'd love to hear from you!

UR x

She's been there from the very beginning; providing band-aids & kisses when you scraped your knees, waving you off for your first day of school & delivering words of encouragement when you've needed them most. It's likely she was also the one who dealt with your temper tantrums and gritted her way through reverse parking lessons while you learnt to drive (aren't Mums just the best?!). When you think about it, is there anyone more deserving of some extra-special pampering this Mother's Day than your Mum?

We'll be spoiling one lucky lady with an exquisite ‘Tea for Two' Turkish Rose and Vanilla hamper this Mother's Day. Valued at $46.90rrp, the delightful duo contains our best selling Hand Therapy & delightful Body Lotion. Both are packed with nourishing botanicals to ensure she's blissfully pampered from top to toe! To be in the running to win this special treat for your Mum, simply leave a comment below telling us, in 30 words or less, why she deserves to be pampered this Mother's Day.

We'll be selecting our lucky winner on Friday 3^rd of May 2013 & announcing them on the Urban Rituelle Facebook page, so be sure to get your entry in by midnight Thursday 2^nd May!

Name: Gemma Bestwick

Star sign: Libra - I am truly one indecisive individual!

At Urban Rituelle, I am the Business Development/Sales Support Coordinator which means I look after our gorgeous sales team out on the road and our lovely accounts across Australia from the Head Office.

The best part of my job is that every day I get to talk to lots of different people about all things bath, body & beauty and how we can help them!

My friends describe me as a good listener, understanding & a chocoholic.

On the weekends you'll find me with friends and family usually on the beach, shopping or tucking into something tasty at restaurant.

My dream holiday escape is Italy because I have always wanted to go there. The country really interests me and I'm a bit of a romantic!

I spoil myself by indulging in online shopping!

If I had to choose just one can't-do-without Urban Rituelle product, it would have to be the Tea Ceremony Hibiscus & Cranberry Perfume Oil because not only does it smell good enough to eat, it also gets the most comments when I'm out and about!

If I were going to a desert island, the three things I would take are Darrell Lea Raspberry Twists, my new iPad & Bradley Cooper (is that allowed?!).

The thing I'm most looking forward to at the moment is my beautiful best friend's wedding back in my home town of St Ives, Cornwall (UK) . My close group of friends are dotted over the world so it is a gorgeous reason for us all to be together in the same place at the same time. Roll on August 2013!

The best piece of advice I have been given is do what makes you happy. It's so simple but so true.

My favourite day of the week is Sunday evening because this is when I get to call my Mum back in the UK and catch up on all the gossip!

The motto I live by is a good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything.

Asos is a my must-visit website, because the British high street is amazing and they have free international shipping!

When I need inspiration I go for a long walk with my boyfriend. He gives great advice and seems to help everything make sense.

I couldn't live without my credit card (I have no will power when it comes to all things pretty that I must have!).

Even the sunniest, most optimistic people experience moments when they feel flat or stuck in a rut. The kind of days when, despite all best attempts, nothing seems to go your way. While they may happen to the best of us, days when you wish you had stayed in bed are no fun! Here are five simple suggestions for ways to bring back the sunshine next time you're feeling a little low...

Call a friend: They say laughter is the best medicine & often a giggle with our loved ones is enough to lift a dark mood. Don't hide behind Facebook or texting, instead pick up the phone or meet a friend for a coffee date & chatter til your heart is content.

Spritz your favourite fragrance: Our mood is linked closely to our senses, with smell in particular having a significant impact on how we feel. Pleasant fragrances have been proven to lower stress & slow heart rate, two powerful effects that will have you feeling brighter, quicker!

Sing & dance: Getting a little silly has huge benefits on our mood. Choose your favourite song to sing along to, turn it up loud and lose yourself in the music - instant lift!

Take a trip: If a last-minute holiday break isn't on the cards, escape down memory lane instead by pulling out old photo albums & reminiscing on years gone by. You'll be surprised at the things you've forgotten & at very least your fashion choices of yesteryear will be entertaining!

Catch the sun: Tilt your head skyward & catch 10 minutes of the early morning or late afternoon sunshine (direct sunlight in the middle of the day can be harmful & is not recommended). The sun's natural rays provide a potent source of Vitamin D, which has oodles of health benefits, including balanced hormones & soothed nerves. It's well worth taking 5 to step out and bask in the warmth...we challenge you to try it & not feel a little happier!

Image by: Fat Mum Slim

There is nothing more memorable than a beautiful fragrance. By their very nature, perfumes stir precious memories & evoke feelings of warm recognition, which is part of the reason they are so widely cherished. Finding a signature scent that you love and that captures your unique personal style is one of life's best simple pleasures. Such is the joy of discovering your favourite perfume, you want to be sure it will last when you wear it. Here, we share some tips that will ensure you get the most out of your fragrance & stay beautifully scented all day long!

Layering is key to long-lasting scent. Most perfumes form part of a larger collection that will often include matching soaps, bath & shower gels and body moisturisers. Start your fragrance layering in the shower while cleansing and follow with a moisturising body cream. As well as helping to form a base for your perfume, moisturising is beneficial as fragrance lasts longer on skin that is well hydrated. This occus because the body's natural oils trap the fragrance notes, making them last longer.

Spritz or roll your perfume on before getting dressed as fragrances last longer when applied directly to skin, rather than over the top of clothes. Always apply your perfume to pulse points such as the wrists, behind your ears & at the base of your throat. The skin is thinner in these areas and scent will radiate with natural body heat. Resist the temptation to crush wrists together or vigorously rub the place you've applied the fragrance to as this can break it down & affect the scent it throws. Instead, lightly spritz or delicately roll your fragrance over the skin and allow it to settle naturally. Always keep a handy travel-sized version of your chosen fragrance in your handbag for on-the-go touch ups throughout the day!

Finally, store all perfume in a clean, dry place. Always avoid direct sunlight, which can damage the formulation, resulting in a weaker perfume that smells very different to the one you originally fell in love with!

Image by: Savannah Lewis

There's no mistaking it, the seasons are beginning to change. Here in Australia, we've only just officially left the balmy days of summer behind & already the early mornings have a distinct autumn chill in the air. A change in season signals the perfect time to update your skincare routine, as skin has different needs as the mercury drops. Lavish yours with a little extra attention & you'll find it loves you right back. The result? A glowing, radiant complexion.

We asked the team at Urban Rituelle HQ for their favourite Autumn skincare tips. Here are the top three!

Exfoliate. The most effective way to revitalise & refresh skin is with a thorough exfoliation. Skin becomes lacklustre & dull with the build-up of dead skin cells - restore its glow with an invigorating body scrub. Gemma, our Business Development Manager loves the Beachcomber Body Scrub - "the crushed pumice stone gently exfoliates while the Coconut Oil & Aloe Vera soften & soothe, it's a double benefit! Plus the Mango Milk fragrance transports me to my favourite holiday destination".

Maximum Hydration. Aurelia, our Customer Service & Admin Manager loves to lavish her skin with the Beachcomber Coconut & Honey Body Balm. "I find that my skin becomes drier in Autumn & that the Cocoa Butter, Avocado & Jojoba oils in this soothing balm are the perfect remedy".  A body moisturiser rich in hydrating ingredients will not only provide an intense moisture burst, but also protect skin from harsh environmental elements too, preventing moisture loss. Slather it on before you sleep & you'll wake with super-soft skin.

Nourish from the Inside. Skin benefits from what we put in our body as much as what we put on it. Cool Autumn days are the perfect reason to introduce nourishing soups or herbal teas to your diet. Packed full of vitamins and minerals, these nutritious liquids will nourish & warm you from the inside out. Jacquie, our Marketing Coordinator loves Green Tea for an afternoon pick-me-up!

Do you have a favourite Autumn skincare tip? We'd love to hear it - simply leave a comment below!

Image: Ientu

Recently, we caught up with Naomi & Esther Neyenhuys, the super-talented sister act behind Engadine Florist - the sisters. These creative, passionate souls are responsible for some of the most awe-inspiring, exquisite floral creations we've ever seen! (We're not the only ones to think so - hop over to their blog to check out some more of their work). We couldn't resist the chance to step into their floral wonderland for a few beautiful moments to get to know them a little better...

Tell us about your business!

N & E: Engadine Florist has been established for over thirty years, but we have owned the store for the last four. It was something we always dreamed of - working together in a creative space. When it came to fruition we were so excited. It's an absolute labour of love.  People often walk into the store and say it is a warm and inspiring place which is exactly what we wanted it to be...an extension of our souls and all the things we love and that inspire us.

Working with my sister is amazing because...

E: There is something about being brought up together and knowing each other inside out that makes working together feel like it's not actually work!

N: She is my best friend and creatively we are the same, so it is seriously the best!

When not creating floral masterpieces, where would we be most likely to find you?

E: Council cleanup-ing, at the beach or busy with some of my off-set creative projects.

N: I'd be at the beach or down the coast with my fiancé at the family weekender!