Obsessed!

I walked into a boutique the other day and was immediately hit by an amazing, seductive, romantically warm scent and needed to know what it was stat. Turns out it was the Black Currant Vanilla Sensual candle from Bath and Body Works. Let's just say it's easily going on my new must-have list.

Now everyone's preferences are different when it comes to candles, and I've certainly gone through my share of both pricey candles and bargain ones. You'd be astonished at how some $75 candles wimp out in a lot of ways, and how others surprisingly impress.




As for this one, it's only $9.50! You can stock up on a few of these fabulous fragrant wonders and still have money to burn.

Heavenly Scents.

I'm a firm believer in never having too many candles, but trust me when I say not all candles were created equally. I've burned through my share of both high-end and affordable candles alike, but I think I've finally happened upon my new all-time favorite and wanted to spread the word (it is gift-giving season, after all.)

LAFCO New York's AVENUE Collection features gorgeous soy candles named after the most famous streets in the world, featuring incredible scents characteristic of each city.



While I was initially drawn to the Ginza 'Cherry Blossom and Peony' candle (my favorite flowers ever!), I quickly became entirely obsessed with the Regent Street candle and opted for that one instead. With notes of bergamot citrus, black tea leaves, honey and neroli--it's seriously heavenly!
$48 at www.lafcony.com.

Currently Obsessed with...

Just opened my gift bag from tonight's soiree, and was thrilled to find this heavenly candle from jewelry designer Solange Azagury-Partridge. It's called 'Stoned' and showcases an amazing blend of patchouli, Italian bergamot, classic rose, jasmine, labdanum, benzoin, tree moss, heliotrope, musk and vanilla bourbon.



Ahhhhh-mazing.

Currently Obsessed with...

I recently had a (dare I say it) delightful experience at Stark Waxing Studio in Silverlake, thanks to a gratis appointment set up by PR. I don't spend a great deal of time on the east side, but I was pleasantly welcomed to a bare, clean, uncluttered space with an undeniably delicious scent wafting throughout the studio. Their treatments are truly top notch, which made for a fantastic experience...but I couldn't get the incredible fragrance out of my mind hours after I departed.

Turns out, their signature soy candles are responsible for the minimalistic ambiance and awesome aroma. And much to my extreme delight, I came home to a surprise soy candle (in their new palm frond scent) of my own today and I lit it up with zero hesitation.



Heavenly! Truly the perfect gift.

$24 at www.starkwaxingstudio.com

Most Amazing Candle Ever.

I've had a small Voluspa Goji & Tarocco Orange candle sitting on my dresser for a few weeks, and I can't tell you how many people have recently come over, casually taken a whiff and gone completely ballistic about its amazing scent.



Can't blame them--I'm totally obsessed myself.