Two Pooches and a Poop

Simplicity & Scent

Bed Bath Body

Hilton Quarry, KZN

Can you think of a smell that you associate with a fond memory?

Perhaps the smell of the cream your granny used to wear or the scent of your mom’s washing powder evokes a feeling of comfort and content for you.

While I lived in Bahrain, there was a fruit stall on my route to the grocery store. The proprietor used to always have a fire burning on the stand behind. It was always at that point that I’d feel a sense of wistfulness and that a wave of home-sickness would overcome me. For me, that smell was reminiscent of winter in the Drakensberg and family holidays away.

Why does smell have the power to transport us to different places or into the arms of loved ones?

The olfactory system is located in the part of our brain that affects our emotions, memory and creativity. That part of the brain that processes smells interacts with the regions that are responsible for strong emotional memories. Find here

Scents and fragrances can be used to:

Promote relaxation
Reduce stress
Improve alertness
Energize
Relieve depression

And that is why one of my most favourite places to visit is Bed Bath Body in Hilton, KZN. On entering the store you’re taken on a sensory journey as you’re met with a wave of heady scents that instantly energise you.

According to their website, the concept behind their stores is to encourage a feeling of well-being and that is exactly what they achieve.

Their pared down aesthetic that embraces raw pine, raw linen and industrial elements ensures that nothing detracts from the star of the show - their range of fragranced products. Similarly, their product branding is simple, practical and stylish.

I loved these hanging feature lamps: cube lamps made from linen with raw edges. Another fun feature are the white-washed palettes which details the inspiration behind each scent.

Perhaps synonymous with the brand is the numbering of their scents that is carried throughout their ranges. Each number corresponds with a particular scent and each numbered scent includes products such as: hand soap, moisturiser, room & linen spray, reed diffusers, candles, oils for ceramic burner, bath salts and car hang-ups or wardrobe freshener. Recently they have added new branding using the hashtag as an identifier.

Their vibe is simple, young and quite organic. This carries over into some of their other offerings in store. They also carry a selection of homeware and functional decor pieces and support artisans by carrying pieces created locally. It is apparent that this is a business with love and care at its core.

Their functional decor pieces are in keeping with their signature simple style. They have a generous range of ceramic pieces. Their ceramic reed diffuser holders are re-usable and simply beautiful.

My favourite range that I’ve just recently discovered is their pet range: Lily & Frik. According to their website, the range is named after their two beloved great danes and the scent is aptly named ‘Snuggles’. The scent is gorgeous! It has a slight whiff of baby powder and is long lasting and enduring. The range includes shampoo, pet bed wash and bed & body spray which is my favourite! It is light enough that I’d even consider using it on furniture that has been a resting spot for my pampered pooches. What I adore about this range is that five percent of all sales is donated to a local rescue organization that does amazing work with animals: Pietermaritzburg Animal Rescue and Re-home. This truly speaks to the business’ big heart for the community!

A review of this store would not be complete without a shout-out to their eco-friendly packaging. Their soaps are packaged in brown craft packaging and stitched while their diffusers come in natural linen bags with raw edges, tied with ribbon. Their soaps and creams come in on-trend amber bottles that also ensure the integrity of the products is not compromised by light. In keeping with this eco-friendly approach, many products are refillable or reusable. Check-out is paperless. They ask whether you’d like a receipt and will happily email it to you. Their carrier bags, also crafted out of brown craft packaging with stitched sides and cotton ribbon handles, are understated and perfect for re-use.

It is always such a pleasure to find these local gems and to be able to support a business that is family-owned and that has love and care at its core. If you’re a fan of stores like Rain or Lush, I’d highly recommend that you pay this store a visit. There is also a store in Milpark, Johannesburg if you’re not a KZNer, so fear not!

I’d love to hear whether you have popped into one of these stores and which is your favourite scent.

Find them on Instagram to see more of their products and to see photos of their beautiful stores.

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