My father has an anti-candle agenda.
When I was a teenager, I became obsessed with scented candles and essential oils. I decided that I wanted to be an aromatherapist, and although I had no idea what that really meant, I knew that I needed to burn lots of candles. And incense. Not under Patrick Grell’s roof, little missy!
Now that I am a grown woman with a place of my own, I exercise the right to enjoy scented candles. But because of my dad’s feelings about candles, I am very careful with how and where I use them. In my front room, I have a little raised altar entirely covered with these saint candles — the good ones, not the scary ones. The whole thing’s set up next to a tranquility fountain I got from Pier One years ago, very zen. It’s a great place to just sit and meditate.
I love a good scented candle. And I have very discriminating and random taste when it comes to my candles. The best candle I’ve ever, ever had was a gift from a friend who went to Paris. He got us a Diptyque candle, in Cuir, (or leather) scent. This candle was incredible. Like expensive perfume. I took over a year to burn the whole thing, because the scent was so powerful. But it made our place smell like… like JLo’s dressing room or Posh Spice’s boudoir or something. Like money and luxury. No wonder they retail for $48 a pop!
I’ve never been able to repurchase one of these, but someday, when I win the Powerball, I’ll splurge on outrageously expensive scented candles. For now, I still look for quality, but quality I can afford.
For a while I was obsessed with this apparently discontinued Buttered Mashed Potato candle that was part of the True Temptations White Barn line at Bath and Body Works. I know, I know. A buttered mashed potato candle? Sounds crazy, but smelled amazing. I loved it, but apparently not many people did. I just happen to love candles that smell like the foods I crave.
My favorite new candle company discovery is Mia Bella. The 16 oz. jars are enormous, and the range of scents is mindboggling.
But if you adore a really indulgent, delicious scent like I do, go for the Dark Chocolate Supreme. Your home will smell like hot cocoa and sensuality. Loving it! And at $18.95 for a whopping 16 oz of soy candle, it’ll make your home smell like heaven without breaking the bank.
Visit Nightfire Candles for a 20% discount! Tell Raycal that Afrobella sent ya!
I love Vanilla candles. However, most of the time I only by candles for decoration not the smell. Thank you for the post afrobella it definatley makes me want to go and try out all the various scented candles there are out there.
I love candles too! I am currently into soy candles made by a little local company here in FL. I love their Birthday Cake candle. Makes my whole house smell yummy and tricks guest into to thinking I am actually baking something.(Really now!) My mom is always telling me to make sure I blow out my candles when I leave and other candle phobe tips when she’s over or calls me. What is it with parents and candles?
Afrobella,
Nice posting!! I absoutely adore candles as well, and yes your Dad and my Dad could have been related(LOL) for many years I was also banned from burning candles (oh and live Christmas trees same logic starts fires) now they are my passion!! What I am really insane about is that the candles has to burn evenly I just hate when there is so much wax and no wick left. So, again thanks I will try these and see what happens.
Must be something with fathers and candles, huh? Well actually my dad has nothing against candles, but he can’t stand incense. I love candles though, lately I’ve been having a hard time finding any with lasting scents–I hate buying a candle whose scent wears off when you burn it. Your post has inspired me to start browsing again.
I love candles, but I wonder why they tend to be so pricy.
I’m going to vouch for candles too. They make for great ambiance. Fire is mesmerizing. And smells are great too. Just find the scents you enjoy. Appeal to your senses.
I was just thinking of the candle lit dinner. Throw on some tunes and hold your lover while you’re eating and you are appealing to your sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell. Ha.
I love candles too..they add instant ambiance without much effort. My absolutely fav candle is the YC Rice Milk candle from Linens n Things. That candle is absolutely sensual and sweet..
Indigo…I soooo agree…I hunt that candle down, who knew rice milk smelled so sexy! I love when they go on sale and I always have them in my bedroom as well as the dining room. Good choice!
JustMyWord…you might want to find a soy candle. Mia Bella’s candles are AWESOME the scent lasts FOREVER!!! I adore Sweet Orange and Chili Pepper! Sounds weird but the scent is INCREDIBLE. I love it! For those of you who don’t like or can’t have an open flame but still love your candles try the simmer candles by AromaScents on NaturalPampering.com THEY ARE AWESOME! I love the Ancient Musk. (My scent taste tends to lean on the spicy/musky side). MMMMMMM Candles. LOL
I love how candles smell and ocassionally purchase them, but watch them like a hawk. Candles and incenses are fire hazards to me…I triple check to make sure I turned the stove off…I have a fear of burning the house down to the ground.
And any candle/incense over $5 is staying in the store.(Yes, I’m cheap)
i am a candle pro …, but i must tell u to be very careful , they will turn your house black. if u use them a lot…. I tried the soy but the smell did not last long .
I lover the oscar de la renta candle island made by slatkin , and the vie en luxe tullerie scent is amazing . Slatkin also makes a candle called twigs which is out of this world.
I will try the mia candle.. but here is one for u , the glade candle linen. smells good , does the job but ur nose gets immune to the smell , but when others come over they can smell it . and it 3.95 and never any black smoke
Not to keep jumping on Mia Bella and Simmer Candles but both are soy/veggie blends. I know for a fact that both of these candles have an AMAZING LONG LASTING scent throw. Paraffin based candles (and certain types of candle wicks) emit a high amount of soot. This doesn’t occur as much with Mia Bella Candles (very little if ANY soot) and doesn’t occur at all with Simmer Candles (there’s no burning…no wick). The price of Mia Bella is very much worth it because you’re essentially getting 2-3 candles for the price of one since they last so long. Not to mention they are double wicked so they burn evenly. There’s less waste that way.
Oh and I don’t burn my candles anymore..my future mother in law bought me a candle warmer. It’s fantastic..not only do I not have to worry about an open flame but I don’t have to clean the curtains as much from the soot. Which of course, I never noticed until she said so.
She purchased mine from Walmart..but I couldn’t find them on their website..but here’s another to get an idea of what they look like. http://www.electricburners.com/elcanwar.html?source=google&engine=adwords!4251&keyword=%2Acandle+warmer%2A&match_type=&gclid=CMeC2_HgrIsCFRWxYAodYEIYMw
Bonjour Afrobella!
I, too, discovered Diptypque while living in Paris for five glorious years. I used to walk to their luxe boutique on the left bank to get Miel (honey) or Baie, just wonderful. I now live in VA. and believe me, I’m going back to Paris!
Diptyque is everywhere in the States now. In D.C., there’s a store called BlueMercury that sells the entire line. So, go buy your Cuir, Miss Lady! Enjoy!
Another candle that I love is Tahiti, by Tocca. One whiff of this, and you instantly understand Gaugin.
Ciao!
indigo i will buy a candle warmer thanks !
I just looooooove scented candles too! We don’t have a lot of choice of good quality candles overhere (Holland), so all these scents you guys are mentioning make me a bit jealous :). I actually use a potpourri/waxburner and have to go to a special shop that imports English and American brands. I like fruity scents as papaya and blackberry, sweet ones like vanilla cookies and fresh scents like fresh linen/washed clothes.
I’m hopping on the scented candle bandwagon. My current favorite is McCalls Country Canning Ginger Peach!
To answer some of your questions and concerns,
Candles are pricey because of several factors.
You normally get what you pay for and if you pay a cheap price for a candle, you are going to get just that…a cheap candle. Mia Bella Candles are triple scented, double wicked and the Scent Throw is amazing. I am allowed to burn Candles at work and they smell my candle all the way down the hall. In your house, you can burn a candle in one room and smell it all over the house. These candles are well worth the money. For anybody who really wants to try them out and mention this Afrobella Ad, I will give you 20% off the price of your candle. If you are in the Maryland/DC Area I will let you borrow a candle jus to try it out. I am very confident in these Candles and I highly reccomend them.
You can visit my website at:
http://www.nightfirecandles.com
Thanks for the “big-ups” Afrobella.
Let me know another scent that you like.
Raycal
I love Archipelago Botanicals soy candles. My favorite is the amber scent. I was at a spa once and they were burning them so I had to hunt them down for my house.
I used to have breathing difficulties with some overpowering paraffin wax candles but since moving to Soy Candles, I find their less intense fragrance does not affect me. In fact, I’ve been so impressed with the Soy variants that I now run a small website which finds all of the soy candle bargains from eBay for me – http://candlebits.com
Naomi
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