Editor’s note
stop, and smell the roses
Volume 22 (Flower), Spring 2026
Picture-perfect moment in Portland, USA, the ‘City of Roses’ – worth the stop.
In a world where we’re always rushing from one thing to the next, from one season to the other, and in our case, from print deadline to print deadline, we so often get caught up in and distracted by what’s not of the essence, or the mundane cycle, template or routine. Overlooking, not looking.
What causes me to stop, pause, and really take in the moment is the sense of smell.
I’m a visual person (go figure!), which means I am often overstimulated and underwhelmed by the world around me, so it’s a mostly fast-paced state of existence where nothing makes me blink twice or pause anymore. Except, perhaps… a tiny pink petal…
What stops me in my tracks is a sweet, nostalgic scent. A smell that takes me back to the past, or opens my eyes to the scene before me. And it’s almost always the smell of a little flower.
Flowers, florals, hedges, greenery and plant shadows in all forms, documented by Charl on his travels and shoots for House and Leisure.
From the scent of honeysuckle that triggers butterflies because it reminds me of my first crush (and kiss), to the smell of fynbos evoking scenes of childhood trips to the Cederberg where we explored the veld and jumped into every rock pool; or roses conjuring up sweet memories of my Ouma Annie, hosepipe in hand, barefoot in her garden in Ceres; or my mom’s hydrangeas that recall the memories of Christmas time in Constantia, badminton matches, sprinklers on the lawn and “teatime at 16:00”. And, of course, who can forget the dried and displayed rose-petal craze of the 90s? The smell fondly reminds me of my godmother Lillibet and her Biggie Best shop, where my love for interiors (and florals) was nourished. The smell of lavender also always makes me think of my sister Anique.
I’m not a nose, so I can’t properly describe these smells or recall the notes, but when I do stop to inhale (and smell the literal roses), and the sweet scent comes alive, memories are instantly triggered, and suddenly I’m alive to the moment that was, and is, and aware of my surroundings. That is, until I sneeze ;p
So I’m taking my own advice, and hoping that the smell of these printed pages conjures up similar feelings. And for you to stop, and smell the roses, and take in every moment 😉
Enjoy the feast of flowers that awaits you on these pages. See you again soon for our summer edition (Volume 23).
