Chances are, if I’m home, there’s music playing (I’m living by the Sonos Play wireless speaker, which camps out in a corner of our dining room), the lamps are on and bright, and there’s a candle burning.
There’s something comforting about a flame… I don’t mean that I like to stand by and watch things burn, but even the saying “like a moth to a flame” makes me thing of a moth searching for a comfy fireplace in front of which he can hang his Christmas stockings and curl up with a good book. At times, there’s nothing more I want to do than curl up in front of a comfy fireplace with a good book myself.
As far as a smaller flame is concerned, to me, a table full of tea lights or tall tapers is a welcome. It’s a way of inviting others in for a meal or a stiff cocktail.
For me, the best way for me to signal that I’m winding down at the end of a long day or prepping for a quiet weekend is to light a scented candle. There’s always one propped on our entry table next to my dad’s Buddha, and we rotate between several scents. Lately, it’s been Byredo’s Cotton Poplin. A scent based on camomile and linen, it’s fresh and clean, reminding me of sheets straight from the dryer.
I love the different scents from Byredo, and we have the home sprays in Tree House and Bibliotheque at the ready. Tree House is super woodsy- as the name implies- and brings back memories of afternoons spent with my dad at the sawmill. We spray it downstairs every time we clean the house. Bibliotheque is lighter and more floral- plummy with vanilla and violet undertones. I spritz it in the bedroom each night before tucking in… Works better than lavender my pillowcase for a good night’s rest.
Also in my candle arsenal is Bella Dolce from Pickwick Candle Company. Very floral, very heavy, and very romantic, it’s what’s burning when friends come over for dinner or when the man and I tuck into drinks by ourselves when snuggled up on the couch.
Aveda’s Shampure candle is always sitting in my bathroom, ready to be lit when the mood for a bubblebath strikes me. Eucalyptus and Ylang Ylang mix together to create the smell that’s so familiar to me at my salon. Relaxing? Absolutely.
Finally, Maison Margiela’s Jazz Club Replica. Oh man…. Chicago’s Ambassador Hotel (also known as our home in the Windy City) stock bath products of the same scent in their suites. When it’s been just too darn long since we’ve made it to the city, a leisurely Saturday afternoon with this one burning in the foyer brings to mind room service, walks along Lake Michigan, and afternoons spent at the Art Institute.
Flames are warm, inviting, yes. Scent, though? Scent harkens memories and soothes souls. It’s about far more than just smelling good.
** this post is not sponsored in any way. all thoughts and opinions are my own **
Smell Good for Yourself
