Appetiser 1/25

@Rose Petal Pot Pourri

"So here we are in Perfumes and Pot Pourri, Sir Fluffle Bottom!" exclaimed Melisandre. "Let's dive right in!"
Sir Fluffle Bottom and Melisandre very much enjoyed their immersion in the Benefits of Pot Pourri. They learnt pot pourri has several benefits when used at home, the main one being aro­matic: provid­ing a pleas­ant and natural frag­rance to your home, help­ing to mask odours and creat­ing a wel­coming atmosphere.

Appetiser 2/25

@Le Fragonard, Grasse, French Riviera

"You just have to experience this immersion, Melisandre!" remarked Darby. "It's amazing! This company produces half the perfume produced in France!"
Melisandre reached for a headset. "Do they employ a lot of 'noses'?" it asked, in a jocular fashion.
"Many 'noses' are trained there, learn­ing to distin­guish between over 2000 different scents! Oh, and it's nez, not 'nose'," responded Darby.

Appetiser 3/25

@Pillow Talk

"Ooh, that looks so-o-o comfortable, Melisandre!" observed Emerald.
"It's hotel quality linen and just the thing to fall on top of after a hard day's VR viewing!" replied Melisandre.

Appetiser 4/25

@Scents of the Forest

Melisandre removed it headset at the end of the immersion and swapped impressions with Daisy.
"I like the decorative element, especially when it's natural forest items like pine cones and leaves," said Melisandre.
"Yes, it sort of adds both colour and texture to your living space, doesn't it?" concurred Daisy.

Appetiser 5/25

@Have a Heart-to-Heart

"This is a bit of a different one, Wawatay!" remarked Melisandre.
"Hmm. Yes, a collage of hearts in calm­ing pastel shades, offer­ing a romantic yet modern and stylish composition," responded Wawatay. "They're sooth­ing colours, and if it makes you feel good to look at it, that's the main thing."

Appetiser 6/25

Your pet won a great prize!

@Scents of Autumn

"I'm finding that the scent of pot pourri provides a calm­ing and sooth­ing environ­ment, which can help to relax you," remarked Melisandre.
"I agree," said Zoomer. "What's more, you can vary it with the time of year. As the immersion suggest­ed, use elements of dried orange, cloves and cinna­mon at Christmas­time."

Appetiser 7/25

@Vintage Scrapbook with Perfume

"I'm going to buy a print of that amazing image, Choose a name," said Melisandre. "It'll go well with my antique kero­sene lamp from our visit to Cape Cod last month, and the little brass harpsi­chord I bought from the local Trödler in Salz­burg in January."
"That sounds like a nice collection of mementoes, Melisandre!"

Appetiser 8/25

@A Study in Scarlet

"It's much nicer having pot pourri instead of using artificial air freshen­ers, isn't it?" said Melisandre.
"Oh yes. Think of all those chemicals in the ones sold in super­markets!" agreed Mystic.

Appetiser 9/25

@Fragrance with Purple Rose

Minerva was leaning back in her chair after a good lunch. “What do you reckon is the most interesting exhibit we've seen so far, Melisandre?” she queried sleepily.
Melisandre pondered. “Perhaps the Tibetan sing­ing bowls? I thought they were lovely.”
"Mmm. I really liked the little Japanese pagoda lantern."

Appetiser 10/25

@Autumnal Composition

"Oh wow, Pixie, that was amazing!" said Melisandre, on removing its VR headset.
"I love the natural look in that batch of pot pourri, especially that they've used mini-gourds and Chinese lanterns. Perhaps you could use that in your home around Halloween time?"
"Sounds a great idea!" agreed Melisandre.

Appetiser 11/25

@Perfumery

“Do you remember that scene in Johnny English Strikes Again where English is out in the streets and shops in London wearing a VR headset, think­ing he's in a scene chas­ing the evil enemy, and he starts attack­ing some­one with a baguette?" said Klymene.
Melisandre joined her in hearty laughter at the memory.

Appetiser 12/25

Your pet won a great prize!

@Pink Rose Perfume

"Hey, Melisandre! You must try this immersion; it's fabulous.
It's about the resurg­ence of home­made, natural pot pourri and the nostalgic country­side aesthetic move­ment that's been grow­ing over recent years. Home­made pot pourri is return­ing to favour as a way to naturally scent your home in a way that is a visual delight."
"Sounds great, I'll get the headset on, fancy!"

Appetiser 13/25

@Persian Attar

"This was an amazing olfactory experience, Melisandre!" observed Sam as they emerged from their immersion in the history of opulent Persian Attar.
"I'm going to search the gift shop for the one they sprayed at the end, the Rose Oud Attar," said Melisandre. "My Mum will love it. I made a note: top notes of cardamom, dried fruit and geran­ium; middle notes of rose, saff­ron and frankin­cense, base notes of oud, ambergris and opoponax."

Appetiser 14/25

@Composition of Fragrant Dried Leaves

"This one's really interesting, Tressla," remarked Melisandre. "It says pot pourri was first docu­mented in the mid-18th century but has a far longer history. Early pot pourri was made with scent­ed flowers, herbs and spices. Roses were often the star of the show with their sooth­ing and calm­ing scent."
"I was just learning over there that many shop-bought roses have been geneti­cally modi­fied to have their scent gene removed and are often sprayed with pesti­cides. So, as always, home-grown and home-made is best!" responded Tressla.

Appetiser 15/25

@Decorative Bottle

“Did you see those 2024 calendars in the giftshop?” asked Melisandre. "Each month features one of the exhibits we've seen on our tour! I'm going to buy one to hang up behind my model Fiat 500 from Turin and my ceramic Welsh clog from our British Isles tour."
"Sounds a great idea!" agreed Moon. "I think I'll get one for my mum."

Appetiser 16/25

@Seeds & Spices

"I'm loving this one, Dunkle!" announced Melisandre. "This variety of pot pourri uses star anise and dried hips as the basis."
"It looks very Christmassy, Melisandre!"

Appetiser 17/25

@Perfume Store

"Wasn’t it worth coming all this way, Melisandre," said Jasper, "for this experience alone?"
Melisandre, lost in admiration of the virtual reality scene they were now viewing, heartily agreed!

Appetiser 18/25

Your pet won a great prize!

@Moroccan Bark and Leaves

"Oh my! We're having a virtual trip to North Africa for the basis of this recipe, Melisandre!" declared blade. "It's made in Morocco!"
"Wow. I wish we could really have a group trip there, blade," observed Melisandre. "What an adventure it would be!"

Appetiser 19/25

@Framed in Marigold

"I can recommend this 'dive', Melisandre!" declared Wily. "You'll look at mari­golds in a whole new light! Mari­gold petals are a beauti­ful and versatile addition to any kitchen or home. These vibrant orange and yellow petals are visually stunning. In the kitchen, mari­gold petals can be used to add a pop of colour and flavour to a variety of dishes, includ­ing soups, stews, salads and teas."
"Sounds great, Wily!" responded Melisandre.

Appetiser 20/25

@Blown Glass Creations

"I've bought so many souvenirs from the gift shop already my ruck­sack's almost full!" said Huntley.
"Me too!" said Melisandre. "It's great on this experience, isn't it? Just look at this blown glass!"

Appetiser 21/25

@Marrakech Market

Choose a name and Melisandre were captivated by the next immersion, to explore the spice and flower markets of Morocco in North Africa.
'Is there any name more romantic than Marrakech?' ran the narrative. 'Located 200 miles north-west of Morocco's coastal capital, Rabat, on a journey that takes you via Casa­blanca, then further inland, Marrakech is famous for its spice markets. Picture the caravans of camels of a thousand years ago, trekk­ing from the Sahara Desert bearing merch­ants eager to sell gold and salt. Now a top tourist attract­ion, many visitors enjoy explori­ng the centuries-old wind­ing alley­ways, watch­ing street enter­tainment and haggling with vendors for an array of hand-made goods, ranging from Berber carpets to spices and rose petals.'
Melisandre and Choose a name emerged blinking and awestruck when the VR ended!

Appetiser 22/25

@Flotsam & Jetsam

“What an amazing image!” exclaimed Melisandre.
Cuddles agreed with Melisandre. “I’m seeing so many things in a different light!”

Appetiser 23/25

@Tealeaves

Maisy and Melisandre had a further virtual visit to Morocco—this time to view the prep­aration of pot pourri from tea leaves! They agreed it looked visually stunning!

Appetiser 24/25

@Fragrant Pot Pourri

"Look at this, Melisandre!" said Asparagus. "It would make a fabulous gift for someone, especially at Christmas­time.
"That's true; pot pourri in a glass jar gives your home a pleasant scent whilst act­ing as a decor­ation in its own right," responded Melisandre.

Appetiser 25/25

@Incredible Edibles

"Did you see that recipe for Persian stuffed dumpling squash with rose petals?" queried Melisandre.
"Yes, indeed!" responded Mystic. "It said Middle Eastern cuisine uses rose­water and rose petals in a variety of dishes, and rose petals and rose hips are popular with home cooks and profession­al chefs alike. Whilst the nutrition­al bene­fits of rose petals are negligible, beyond some Vitamin C, they do add bene­fits beyond their nutritive value."
"Do you remember in Turkey a couple of years ago we found that lokum was made with rose­water?" reminisced Melisandre."
"Ah, you mean Turkish Delight! And most delicious it was, too!" responded Mystic.

Melisandre has enjoyed sniffing fine scents, but it is time to go home. Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also enjoy this event!