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The Best Scents To Use In The Bathroom For A Sensual Experience

Posted on 13/02/2026 by Boris Clair

With fans already anticipating that bathtub scene between Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Baek, sensual baths have quietly moved to the forefront of our collective imagination.

Set in a firelit room and framed as a moment of trust and vulnerability, the scene which appears in Julia Quinn’s Offer From a Gentleman and has already been teased in the Bridgerton season 4 part 2 trailer, taps into a growing appetite for intimacy that’s built through atmosphere rather than spectacle.

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With Valentine’s Day landing just days before the episode airs on February 26, it’s no surprise that many are thinking about how to recreate that same mood at home, and if you’re one of them, we have expert guidance on hand.

The most erotic candle scents for a sensual bath experience

Of course, when it comes to a sexy suds-y experience, scent is everything and with this in mind, we spoke with Archie MacDonald, Director of Highland Soap Co. to learn about which scents create the most romantic atmosphere.

He commented: “Fragrance is closely linked to emotion and memory, which is why scent can have such a strong effect on intimacy. It’s something people don’t always consciously think about, but whether you’re choosing a gift or simply trying to elevate an evening with your partner, scent plays a powerful role in shaping how a moment feels and how it’s remembered.”

This makes perfect sense. The power of smell to bring us to a different place, mood, even person is incredible.

The scent expert added: “Rose and patchouli have long been associated with intimacy because of the way they work together on a sensory level. Rose absolute brings a soft, delicate floral note that feels calming and comforting, while patchouli adds an earthy warmth that grounds the scent and gives it depth. The result is a fragrance that feels uplifting and soothing at the same time, creating an atmosphere that’s relaxed and sensual.

“Whether it’s through a scented candle in the home or a soap used as part of a daily routine, incorporating rose and patchouli into everyday moments can help create a sense of closeness and connection without needing anything overly elaborate.”

Brb, need to make my bathroom look and smell romantic AF.

3 Easy Plants To Get You Started With Gardening This Spring

Posted on 11/02/2026 by Boris Clair

With this endless dreary winter dragging on, you could be forgiven for looking forward to brighter, warmer days in the garden as spring and summer are just around the corner (no, really).

Plus, if you’ve been meaning to get into gardening, there’s no better time than the present to plan ahead and look forwarding to planting seeds under a bright, warm sun.

It’s coming, we promise.

However,if you are feeling a little intimidated by the idea of gardening, it can be hard to know where to start. With this in mind, we’ve chosen 5 starter plants for those taking the green-fingered leap this year.

Three beginner-friendly plants

Lavender

According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS): “Lavender is best planted in April or May as the soil naturally warms up and when many fresh plants become available in garden centres.

“Lavender should never be planted in winter when young plants are vulnerable to rotting in cold, wet soils.”

They give the following planting advice:

Lavender is easy to plant and takes just a few minutes. If your soil is heavy, plant on a 20-30cm (8in-1ft) mound, ridge or in a raised bed where the roots will not sit in wet soil.

Plant the lavender as soon as possible after buying
Space plants about 90cm (3ft) apart if growing in groups
If planting a hedge, space plants 30cm (1ft) apart or 45cm (18in) for larger cultivars
After planting, water regularly, especially in dry weather, for the first season

Then, let it flourish in your garden. You can prune it if you’d like to or just leave it for birds to feed on. It should grow back every year.

Pheasant’s tail grass

This stunning ornamental grass can add a visually-striking touch to your garden with very little upkeep required.

BBC Gardener’s World says: “This evergreen perennial grass provides year-round colour and structure with bold, low clumps of light-reflecting leaves. Its slender foliage emerges green, but matures to yellow, orange and red over time, reaching a peak in intensity in winter.”

Choose a sunny but lightly shaded spot to plant your tall grass and put the grasses around 45-60cm apart.

Catmint

If you are a big fan of seeing cats roam around your garden, you may want to keep inviting them back with a Catmint plant for them to chew on and rub their heads against.

Plant this in spring, in a shaded spot and ensure that if you’re potting the plant, that the soil a high-quality mix and there is plenty of drainage in the spot.

As for ongoing care, The Old Farmer’s Alamanac says: “Watering is only needed during the first growing season or in prolonged dry spells. Catmints are drought-tolerant once established.”

MUCH needed in this country!

Happy planting!

Hate Throwing Stuff Out, But Need More Space? ‘Reverse Decluttering’ Could Help

Posted on 14/12/2025 by Boris Clair

What a rotten mix of traits I have. I love collecting new stuff, hate throwing things out, and also adore free space and clear counters.

That means I can spend hours stressing over my cluttered cupboards, despairing about what could happen if I threw away that once-beloved trench coat, all to end up in a frozen, stressed state.

If that sounds like you, Bill Parkinson, a bedding expert from Sleepy Piglets, may have a solution.

“If you struggle with decision fatigue, reverse decluttering is a great way to ease into the process with a more positive mindset,” he explained.

What is “reverse decluttering”?

The process is pretty simple (and rather like Marie Kondo’s joy-sparking rule) – instead of trying ot work out what you want to lose, consider what you couldn’t live without.

“Rather than starting with what to get rid of, begin by setting aside the things you know you want to keep,” Parkinson said.

“This helps set the tone for a productive session by focusing on what’s already useful or valued in your space. That small win naturally makes the decisions that follow feel less overwhelming, while helping you to feel more confident and in control from the outset.”

Indeed, some research has found that employees who set short-term goals were more likely to complete them.

“Once your essentials are set aside, it’s much easier to look at what’s left and decide what to donate, recycle or move on,” Parkinson continued.

’Tis the season for regifting, too

If you really don’t like the idea of throwing your possessions away, Parkinson said, “Regifting is a great way to give good quality items that you don’t have time to sell a second life.

“A barely-used lamp, for example, could be exactly what someone else is looking for. Passing items on makes the process feel more rewarding and intentional, especially if you’re someone who struggles with the guilt of letting things go.”

After all, he explained, “What tends to slow people down when decluttering is the idea that they might sell everything at a later date. In reality, those ‘sell’ piles often sit around for weeks and can often be mistaken for rubbish in your next clear-out.”

Bedrooms are particularly susceptible to accumulating clutter for this reason, he stated.

“Being decisive about what to actually give away is what turns a declutter session into real progress.”

6 Signs A Hedgehog Is In Serious Need Of Help

Posted on 25/09/2025 by Boris Clair

This year’s hot, dry summer has been hard on creatures like hedgehogs, Natural England said, partly because it’s led to fewer insects.

And as they settle down for hibernation, hedgehogs face what the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) call a “complicated and often perilous energy conservation strategy”.

The time before hibernation, which typically begins in November, is therefore key to hedgehog survival.

So it’s a good thing the experts have shared six signs that show a hedgehog is in need of some help, as well as what to do if you notice them.

1) Lethargy

“Hedgehogs don’t sunbathe,” the site advised.

They are usually nocturnal, so spotting them reclining in the day is a sign they’re in urgent need of help.

2) Flies

If there are flies swarming around a hedgehog, it needs help.

“If you find a hedgehog with what looks like small grains of white rice on its face (a common area) or between the spines (prickles) the hedgehog will need URGENT help,” Bruntisland Hedgehog Sanctuary added, as this could be a sign of fly strike.

3) Wobbling as they walk

If a hedgehog seems a little unsteady on its feet, it could have a neurological condition that requires intervention.

4) Obvious injury

Wounds and clear distress are enough to seek help for an affected hedgehog.

5) Trapped hedgehogs

Hedgehogs can get trapped in places like drains, ponds, and holes and need to be removed from these.

Speaking to HuffPost UK previously, gardening expert James Lewis said: “To help the hedgehogs, you should cover [kitchen drains], or alternatively you can provide a small ramp to enable them to get out.”

6) Unaccompanied hoglets

If you see a baby hedgehog (hoglet) on its own or next to a dead adult hedgehog, notice it’s squawking a lot, or if it’s out in the day when it’s very cold, it may need rescuing, the RSPCA said.

What should I do if I spot a hedgehog in need?

“If you have found a hedgehog you are concerned about please use gardening gloves or a folded towel to collect it up, bring it indoors and put it in a high-sided box with an old towel or fleece in the bottom for the hedgehog to hide under,” the BHPS said.

You can fill a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel at the base of the box with enough water to keep the animal warm, and also provide a space for them to move off of it if they get too hot.

Leave it in a quiet room and don’t check on the hedgehog more than you strictly have to. Offer meaty cat or dog food – not the dry kind – and water, but don’t force them to eat or drink.

Then, call The Hedghehog Society as soon as possible on 01584 890 801. They’ll be able to offer advice and help you find local help centres.

If you notice severe injury and/or distress, however, take the animal to a vet instantly.

I Just Learned Why Horseshoes Are Really Considered Lucky, And It’s Dark

Posted on 14/09/2025 by Boris Clair

It probably won’t surprise you to learn that “stealing someone’s thunder” and “spilling the beans” have a pretty unusual relationship to the weather and legumes they describe.

Common phrases like “o’clock” and “pardon my French” have unexpected origins, too.

But what about superstitions like horseshoes? How come an animal’s foot covering came to mean good luck, so much so that you can still find some nailed to the doors of people’s homes?

According to riding wear suppliers at Discount Equestrian, the answer is a little wilder (and darker) than I thought.

Why are horseshoes considered lucky?

One story, the horse experts said, related to 10th-century monk and bishop St Dunstan and the devil (oh!).

“The legend of the horseshoe is closely associated with St Dunstan, today the patron saint of goldsmiths, locksmiths, and jewellers,” they said.

“As the story goes, while living as a hermit in Glastonbury, he was visited by Satan, who asked him to use his blacksmithing skills to shoe the devil’s hoof.”

The legend says that because St Dunstan recognised the visitor for who he was, he nailed a red-hot horseshoe to his hoof.

So, the devil learned to be afraid of the iron symbol and steered clear of houses which displayed them on their doors.

Some also believe that nailing seven holes into a horseshoe attached to your door will add to its luckiness.

The ‘n’ angle, with the heels pointing down, has been believed to pour blessings on visitors, while the “U” shape may be used to keep any good fortune from spilling out.

Iron has long been considered lucky

This is not the only factor that goes into the choice, Discount Equestrian said.

Horsehoes are made from iron, which was once considered a talismanic metal used to keep witches and other supernatural forces at bay.

“The horseshoe is a perfect example of a symbol that has crossed centuries without people really knowing why they use it,” the pros explained.

“It combines practicality that iron was once precious, with deep religious folklore about protecting the home. When people hang one today, they’re unknowingly repeating a thousand-year-old superstition.”

UK Gardeners Urged To Keep These 5 Weeds Alive In Autumn

Posted on 12/09/2025 by Boris Clair

Autumn is a great month for gardeners for many reasons. Not only are your fruits and veggies at their bountiful best, but according to experts, ’tis the season to do less.

Leaving unraked leaves on your lawn, for instance, can provide a comfortable place for struggling wildlife, while keeping ivy unpruned can provide a rare late-blooming food source for birds and pollinators.

And according to Chris Bonnett, the founder of GardeningExpress.co.uk, autumn is a good time to ignore certain animal-friendly weeds too.

“Weeds don’t always have to be bad news – some of them can actually be very valuable for your local wildlife,” he said.

“You don’t have to let your garden become overrun, but if you’ve got space, leaving a patch of weeds to grow can make a huge difference to the biodiversity in your garden,” Bonnet added – weeds such as:

1) Dandelions

Sure, these are usually associated with early spring nectar. But per the gardening expert, “Their fluffy seed heads are a valuable food source for birds such as goldfinches and sparrows”.

That’s why leaving a few to go to seed can be so valuable for struggling wildlife.

2) Nettles

Though they might sting us, they provide food for butterfly species like the red admiral and tortoiseshell.

“When temperatures start to drop, nettle patches also provide shelter for insects preparing to overwinter,” Bonnett added.

3) Thistles

Despite its reputation as a weed, the Wildlife Trusts points out that the seeds of the thistle offer food to birds like goldfinches, even after their flowers stop providing nectar for butterflies like the small copper.

Bonnett agrees: “As their flowering season comes to an end and their seed heads are ripening, they offer a feast for flocks of goldfinches and other birds.”

4) Dock

Not only can these provide welcome relief for any accidental stings (seeing as nettles have their place in your winter garden), but they deliver both food and shelter too.

“Dock’s large, broad leaves create sheltered microhabitats and their leaves are a vital food source for the larvae of insects like the green dock beetle,” Bonnett said.

“In late summer and early autumn, its seeds provide a reliable food source for seed-eating birds.”

5) Broadleaf plantain

You might notice this growing in the cracks of pavements and on your borders.

“Its broad leaves provide food for small mammals like rabbits, as well as insects such as bees, hoverflies and certain caterpillars,” Bonnett said.

“The dense rosettes also offer shelter for insects and other small creatures, making it a valuable plant for biodiversity.”

Brits Urged To Keep A Bowl Of Salt On Their Windowsills This Month

Posted on 11/09/2025 by Boris Clair

With UK weather expected to remain “blustery and wet” for the foreseeable future, those in mould-prone homes might be starting to notice condensation building on their windows.

This happens when warm air meets a cold surface, so it’s likelier to happen during chilly periods. Condensation is the most common cause of mould, which is why taking steps like “burping” your home in winter can be so beneficial.

But if you’re not interested in leaving your windows open any longer than you strictly have to in the cooler months, fear not ― it turns out a simple bowl of salt might help.

Can a bowl of salt help to reduce condensation?

Speaking to Homes & Gardens, archaeologist and home care expert Barry Gray from The Tool Square said a bowl of salt can help to “pull moisture out of the air, making rooms drier”.

He added, “Salt has adsorption properties, which means that it can bind to moisture and prevent it from developing condensation. This is why salt is often used in the kitchen to stop water droplets from forming on dishes or silverware.”

Rock salt seems to be particularly recommended, though absorbent bicarbonate of soda could help to do the job too.

The baking ingredient, Cut Plastic Sheeting toldThe National, will beome hard and solid as it absorbs more and more liquid ― once it’s stiffened, it’s time to throw the powder away.

How else can I prevent mould and condensation in my home this autumn?

Proper ventilation is key, be it through an extraction fan or an open window.

Drying your clothes outside if you can and trying not to keep spaces like cupboards overstuffed can also be helpful.

Whatever you do, though, don’t be tempted to use bleach, Danny Pen, a heating and plumbing expert and president of New Era Plumbing & HVAC, told HuffPost UK previously.

He warned that “bleach and vinegar can sometimes make situations with black mould even worse” because substances like bleach “only removes mould from the surface [which] leaves spores behind, and vinegar can trigger mould to release additional spores as a defence mechanism”.

The Overlooked Insects Your Garden Could Save From Extinction

Posted on 07/08/2025 by Boris Clair

While we have been repeatedly informed that we need to ‘save the bees’ over the past decade or so, researchers from Sheffield’s School of Biosciences say there are two more pollinators we need to look out for, who are just as at risk.

The critters in question are moths and hover flies – not quite as cute and charismatic as bees, but just as essential to our ecosystems.

Looking at urban development and the impact on insects, researchers found that for every 10% increase in impervious surfaces – such as roads and building cover – there was a reduction of up to 7.5% in the variety of pollinating species.

However, the number of moths and hover flies of any species took a far greater hit compared to bees.

So, how do we help moths and hover flies?

If you’re the kind of gardener who has keenly planted flowers for pollinators such as bees, the researchers urge to continue this kind of proactive approach by inviting moths and hover flies to your garden, too.

Emilie Ellis, lead author of the study, told The Guardian: “It’s just a matter of taking [moths and hover flies] into account and maybe having some more shrubs or a pond or something like that to also benefit those insects.

“The diversity of habitat is the most important – so you need your flower patch, you need a tree, you need some shrubs, you need an untouched bit of grass – and kind of just keeping the patches that you have diverse and catering for all different types of insects and animals.”

Moths – of which there are 2,500 types in the UK – particularly like jasmine, honeysuckle, ivy, sweet rocket and evening primrose, according to the RSPB.

Ellis also advised to get neighbours involved, too, saying: “A huge thing that’s important is collaborating and talking to your neighbours and families and friends and encouraging them to do it too.

“Because an individual allotment or flower garden is pretty small and almost useless, but when you create a whole network of people that are interested and engaged, these small little patches can become these huge habitat networks in cities.”

BRB, getting my gardening gloves out.

After Reports Of ‘Cat-Sized Rats’, We Need To Know: Are UK Rats Getting Bigger?

Posted on 05/08/2025 by Boris Clair

I wasn’t expecting to read a headline about cat-sized rats while eating my lunch today – but here we are.

According to news reports, a massive rat “the size of a cat” was discovered in a person’s home in Teesside (the Mirror actually went one step further and likened it to a dog in size). The rodent was said to be a whopping 56cm long.

Meanwhile Birmingham, which has been impacted by bin strikes for weeks on end that have seen bags of waste piled high in residential areas, is also witnessing feline-sized rodents.

One resident Kim Blakeman told the BBC: “The rats are huge – they are like small cats and their tails are really chunky.”

So, are rats getting bigger?

Pest controller David Parnell suggested the cat-sized rat found in Teesside is not a one off. “The rats are getting bigger, bolder and harder to deal with,” he wrote in a piece for the Independent.

He suggested the possible increase in size we’re witnessing is due to genetics, but also what rats are eating – namely, takeaways and processed food that people are “carelessly” chucking out.

Leaving bin bags in streets is giving rats – who can easily chew through wires, so a bag won’t phase them – a free ticket to an all-you-can-eat buffet. But it’s not just that that’s causing the problem.

“The UK has created a perfect storm for rats: poor waste management, exploding takeaway culture, weak sewer infrastructure and water companies failing to maintain ageing systems,” Parnell said, suggesting rats have even crept up water pipes into people’s toilet bowls.

But Niall Gallagher, the British Pest Control Association (BPCA)’s technical manager, suggested “generally, there’s no evidence that rats are getting physically bigger on average”.

That said, every year a pest professional is bound to stumble across an “outlier”.

He told HuffPost UK: “A typical rat measures around 9 inches long (not including tail). With the proper environmental conditions, such as easy access to an open water source, food source and safe harbourage from predators, they have been known to grow to larger sizes of around 17 inches!”

How to keep rats away

Rat populations peak from August to October, so chances are you might catch a glimpse of one in the coming months. (Although hopefully they won’t be cat-sized.)

If you do want to keep them out of your home and garden, follow this advice:

1. Get rid of food and water sources

Don’t leave your BBQ leftovers out in the garden (even the bones). Clear away and wash food bowls and plates once they’ve been used.

Rats will eat “almost anything”, said Miroslav Radov, owner of garage clearance company Rainbow Rubbish removals. “Therefore, ensuring that you have eliminated any food or water sources that they could feed off is crucial.”

He added that if there’s no available food source, “rats will be less likely to reproduce, which can aid in ensuring that rat numbers don’t multiply in your property”.

2. Inspect your home for entry points

Despite growing to large sizes, rats can squeeze through very small holes (we’re talking a 15mm gap), so now’s the time to scout around for any entry points that a rat could sneak through – and seal them up.

Gallagher advises people to “plug any gaps around pipes, cables, near doors and windows with mesh or wire wool and quick-drying cement”.

“Check that inspection covers for drains are in good repair and securely closed, and that any disused pipes are sealed off,” he added.

3. Keep clutter to a minimum

While eliminating food sources and sealing entry points are crucial to keeping rats away, so too is minimising clutter in your home and garden, said Radov. This is because piles of junk can serve as a great hiding, (or worse) nesting, place for rats.

Gallagher said overgrown patches of weeds, piles of wood and debris can provide nesting sites and routes of travel for rats. He also advised to “trim back overhanging branches or climbing plants” as these can provide routes into higher roof spaces for rats, mice and squirrels.

4. Get a decent dustbin with a lid that stays on

Rats love rubbish, so if your dustbin lid is prone to blowing off in the faintest breeze, it’s time to sort it, as Gallagher said: “Rubbish bins should have a securely fitting lid which is kept closed at all times. Any food waste should be bagged before going into an outside bin to avoid attracting pests.”

5. Call for backup

If you do have a rat inside your home, it’s time to call an expert. In the event of an infestation taking hold, BPCA recommends contacting one of its members for help via bpca.org.uk/find.

Best of luck!

UK Gardeners Urged To Pee In Watering Cans For 2 Surprising Benefits

Posted on 07/07/2025 by Boris Clair

The UK’s recent heatwave has ended (for now), meaning watering and mowing rules have gone back to normal for gardeners.

Still, a bowl of water left in your garden remains useful for animals like hedgehogs, and though this week is safer than last for trimming your grass, you might want to keep your cut shreds on the lawn.

And according to author and former garden manager for various Royal Horticultural Society and National Trust sites, Simon Akeroyd, apparently, we should be peeing in our watering cans too.

“Sorry if this horrifies you,” a recent Instagram Reel of his read, “But the key to successfully growing plants is natural fertiliser.”

Why pay for specially-made products, the gardener argued, when “you have free access to the best natural stuff out there” – pee?

How could pee possibly help plants grow?

Calling your very own liquid gold the “best plant food” out there, Akeroyd shared that wee is “high in the three main plant nutrients needed for healthy plant growth – nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

“It’s particularly high in nitrogen,” he continued.

Nitrogen is key to plant health as it provides the building blocks of their DNA (though too much isn’t great for them either – nitrogen created by sewage can throw off the ecosystems of waterways, leading to too much algae).

That may be why Akeroyd recommends diluting your free plant feed “at a rate of about ten parts water to one part wee.”

Once placed in a watering can, t can be used to treat plants “once a week,” he added.

The expert isn’t alone – a 2017 paper published in Environmental Science and Technology reads, “Human urine contains significant amounts of N (nitrogen) and P (phosphorus); therefore, it has been successfully used as fertiliser in different crops.”

“Humans have been collecting urine and using it for fertiliser for a long, long time, but then in the west that really stopped with the invention of [the] sewage system,” Dr Krista Wigginton, who researched the topic, told The Guardian.

“We are just trying now to figure out with this infrastructure system that we have, how do we pull back and think differently about what goes into this sewage system and capture some of those valuable products before [they] get mixed and diluted with everything else?”

Does pee get rid of foxes?

Some people report that male human pee, and especially the first one of the day, can repel foxes by interrupting their scent markers.

“Once the fox’s scent has been masked, they will feel more vulnerable and leave your garden altogether. This is a free, effective, if not a bit strange way to get rid of foxes without killing them,” Shield Pest Control wrote.

As Black Foxes UK said, there’s no empirical evidence to prove this definitely works yet.

But hey – if you’re using it to feed your plants anyway, it might be a welcome side-effect.