topic Re: Your Scented Home - Long Post in Home

Your Scented Home - Long Post

PeterDM — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 18:57:43 GMT

As I watched another candle burn out, I started to think about how I used to experiment more with different scents and brands. I found myself getting burned (ahem) too many times by candles that I found inferior because of poor burn quality, too weak a scent, too strong a scent, a scent profile that was unequal to the way the candle smelled when lit as it was unlit, or a general poor quality due to pooling, smoking, or poor wick quality. So, I wanted to list my favorite candles based on season or general time of year, and briefly talk about why each one or group works for me. I hope you will join me, too. Perhaps we could learn more about some good candles, and each other based on our preferences!

Top 3 Off-season Picks

1. Sand and Driftwood - Woodwick Candle

2. Redwood - Woodwick Candle

3. Tabac - Woodwick Candle

These 3 have fanastic throws, are masculine, and warm. I use them all year long. With a 20% off coupon at BB&B, you can get a large one around $20, and they last at least 1 month. The crackling sound is a bonus, and adds extra ambience when you want to cook, craft or read a book.

Top 3 Summer Picks:

1. Citron Cedarwood by B&BW - This scent is very brights, and has almost an aftershave quality that spices things up on a hot summer night (sorry, TMI). I buy it less frequently because I find the 3-wick candles from this store to burn out very quickly, and I don't have many spicy summer nights these days.

2. Lilac Blossoms by Yankee Candle - Growing up, we had a Lilac bush in the front yard, and my mother would frequently cut branches and put them in a vase in the dining room. The scent evokes the memories of running into the house from the pool or backyard, and the feeling of youth, fun and freedom.

3. Beach Cabana by B&BW - This scent captures the scent at the resort I visit every year in Cancun. I burn it after I return home from my trip, and it helps to extend that vacation. It doesn't have a cloying coconut smell or a fruity tropical one, it just has a soothing, neutral scent that has a calming effect.

Top 3 Autumn Picks:

1. Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin by B&BW - This is my favorite candle offerred by this company. While other candles which have a cinnamon profile tend to overwhelm any other scent involved, the balance of the cinnamon to the pumpkin is perfect. The added touch of sweetness makes this candle more Halloween than Autumn. It's cozy and sweet.

2. Leaves by B&BW - This is my early fall scent that I burn up to a couple weeks before Halloween when I switch to #1. I can't put my finger on the individual scents contained in this candle, but it evokes warmth and comfort.

3. Caramel Apples by 719 Walnut Ave - This candle, sold at Walmart for about $5, took me by surprise this year. I didn't think a Walmart brand candle could have such a great throw, scent that is true to what it smells like unlit when lit, and an even, long burn time. It truly smells like you are baking caramel apples. It was my favorite new candle find in 2015.

Top 3 Christmas Picks:

1. Sir Elton John's Fireside Classic by NEST - I received this as a gift 3 years ago, and for the past 2 years, this candle is the one (actually ones, because I purchase several) that I light up on Christmas Eve and let burn through Christmas and the days following. There is no other candle that smells like this, and the quality is top notch. It will take your holiday home from a warm and cozy holiday space to a rich, elegant home. It literally kicks up the environment several notches in class. I could go on forever, but will just leave it here and say, "get one."

2. Evergreen by B&BW - This is the scent that reminds me of a traditional Christmas growing up. The pine scent isn't too strong, and the mix of spices that they throw in capture a traditional Christmas home with an elegant punch.

3. Winter by B&BW - Spicy and cozy. This one works all winter and provides comfort on a cold night. I burn this a lot in the bedroom. Even after you put it out, the scent lingers, and even can be detected when you wake up the next morning.

Sorry for the long post! I'm interested in hearing your picks, and maybe getting some new ideas. I hope mine helped you to do the same. Thanks, everyone!

Re: Your Scented Home - Long Post

BornToShop — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 20:13:08 GMT

Peter, your opening paragraph is precisely the reason I quit burning candles & now I am a self-proclaimed tart melter aficionado. Years ago, I was the biggest Slatkin candle/tart fan. His candles were nothing short of outstanding. He then discontinues the tarts and his candles started going downhill; wick drowning, poor pooling, inconsistent scent throws. I divorced Harry & then he leaves BBW so I move on. Oh, the money I spent & enjoyed every whiff! With that said, I find it intriguing Harry Slatkin is now the CEO of Partylite whose candle/tart line is pretty darn good. I expect him to bring back his talents to elevate Partylite to the next level and I will be all too excited if this happens. I love their decor lines of which I have some beautiful pieces.

1. Off Season Scents; Dragon's Blood (Old Hickory Candles) Little Black Dress (Can Do

Candles) Abercrombie & Fitch Fierce ( Candles By Victoria)

2. Summer Scents; Sea Salt & Lotus Blossom (Candles By Victoria) Sea Salt Moonlight

Champagne (Front Porch Candles) Bamboo & White Grapefruit (Candles by Victoria)

3. Autumn Scents; Autumn Woods (Old Hickory Candles) Tuscan Herb (Candles by Victoria) Amber Desire (Can Do Candles)

4. Christmas Scents; Mountain Twilight (Scentsationals Walmart). Winter Ski Resort (BH&G Walmart) Silent Night (Candles by Victoria).

I'm glad you started this thread; can't wait to see what others are burning!

Re: Your Scented Home - Long Post

PeterDM — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 21:16:45 GMT

@BornToShop wrote:
Peter, your opening paragraph is precisely the reason I quit burning candles & now I am a self-proclaimed tart melter aficionado. Years ago, I was the biggest Slatkin candle/tart fan. His candles were nothing short of outstanding. He then discontinues the tarts and his candles started going downhill; wick drowning, poor pooling, inconsistent scent throws. I divorced Harry & then he leaves BBW so I move on. Oh, the money I spent & enjoyed every whiff! With that said, I find it intriguing Harry Slatkin is now the CEO of Partylite whose candle/tart line is pretty darn good. I expect him to bring back his talents to elevate Partylite to the next level and I will be all too excited if this happens. I love their decor lines of which I have some beautiful pieces.

1. Off Season Scents; Dragon's Blood (Old Hickory Candles) Little Black Dress (Can Do
Candles) Abercrombie & Fitch Fierce ( Candles By Victoria)

2. Summer Scents; Sea Salt & Lotus Blossom (Candles By Victoria) Sea Salt Moonlight
Champagne (Front Porch Candles) Bamboo & White Grapefruit (Candles by Victoria)

3. Autumn Scents; Autumn Woods (Old Hickory Candles) Tuscan Herb (Candles by Victoria) Amber Desire (Can Do Candles)

4. Christmas Scents; Mountain Twilight (Scentsationals Walmart). Winter Ski Resort (BH&G Walmart) Silent Night (Candles by Victoria).

I'm glad you started this thread; can't wait to see what others are burning!

Thanks, @BornToShop. Thanks for all this info. There's a lot to think about here. Since reading your post, I've been researching some of these companies. Candles by Victoria has me intrigued, but I found their website challenging to maneuver. They have so many scents, and the fact that you have to choose the candle size before you choose the scent category and actual scent seems very counterproductive. Maybe when I'm feeling more patient, I'll go back and give them another shot. Thanks, again!

Re: Your Scented Home - Long Post

poohbear1 — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 22:00:07 GMT

all time favorites-Crossroads buttered maple syrup and Candleberry Hot Toddy..tried both of these after reading posts on the forum..

also love Goosecreek dark vanilla bean and cranberry vanilla as well as Crossroads Kettle Corn

Re: Your Scented Home - Long Post

BornToShop — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 23:52:29 GMT

@PeterDM, I never noticed Victoria's site so difficult as I always reorder the same scents never really perusing her site for anything else. Her tarts have a fabulous scent throw & she has been very consistent in her quality & service. I have been contemplating ordering from Pure Integrity Candles. They have outstanding reviews, great selection of scents; Fresh Linen, La Reserve, Lemongrass & Clary Sage, Mineral Springs & Tropical Beeze that are on my radar. They even rate the scent throw strength which I appreciate. I require a strong throw. I'll post back after I try this line.

Re: Your Scented Home - Long Post

Quackeroo — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 02:01:58 GMT

@PeterDM

Was at BB & B today on another errand, while there grabbed a WW Trilogy Warm Woods--based on your recommendation. Crackling sound is cool.

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!

~Quack

Re: Your Scented Home - Long Post

Marsha2003 — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 02:52:13 GMT

My sinuses cannot tolerate burning candles, so I will place unlit ones in warm places like atop the cable box or on a sunny window sill. The warmth will cause a candle to give off a whiff of scent as I pass, just enough for me to enjoy it. My favorites are Aquiesse Cinnamon Tabac and Agraria Bitter Orange. I also enjoy BB&W Leaves in the autumn and whatever brand of Lemon Verbena I can find in the summer.

Re: Your Scented Home - Long Post

ANewHue — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 03:44:01 GMT

@PeterDM I so enjoyed reading your post as well as hearing everyone's favorites. I loved Slatkin candles when he was doing the scents for B&bw and still have a few tucked away. I also used to enjoy Virginia candles. I have basically been purchasing many YAnkee candles but I have cut down on burning them since I have new animals and don't want to take any chances. I recently purchased Yankee candle's scenterpiece system and purchased the pumpkin and snow scents to start off. They have filled the void for now. I would like to purchase some Pure Integrity candles because they get rave reviews here as well as Gooseberry. Your recommendation on the Sir Elton John candle intrigues as do a few others from your list and others as well. Thanks for posting, it's nice to get to learn about new brands and scents.

Re: Your Scented Home - Long Post

rustysmom — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 16:05:58 GMT

Buttered Maple syrup and Kettle corn, my two favs from Crossroads.

Re: Your Scented Home - Long Post

IamMrsG — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 16:45:12 GMT

I've said it before on threads about candles -- Swan Creek candles are the best I've found for both burn time and aroma. I like to burn different fragrances at either end of the house, combining them in the middle, as it were.

Thai Pear, Cilantro Clementine, Olive Verbena and Roasted Espresso have been my favorite scents, but I just looked at their Spring Fragrance List, so that may be changing soon.

Re: Your Scented Home - Long Post

WSfan — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 16:51:14 GMT

@ANewHue--I also have pets and am VERY careful with candles around them, yet still don't want to give up burning them. This is what I do-I find containers that I can place the the jar/tumbler/glass candles down into. That way I can burn the candle, yet not worry about my cats getting their noses and tails close to the flame. Yankee seems to have a nice selection of containers for this purpose, or you can use a glass sleeve. Also glass hurricanes that I have collected over the years. Have purchased Yankee's Scenterpiece warmer, and that works great also. Like that they have a timer, so you can set it and forget it. I also like tart warmers, again because the candle flame is contained. I have a couple of larger ceramic pieces from Slatkin, when he was at B&BW, that hold their 3 wick candles, (snowman and haunted house) that do a great job of keeping the candle protected.

This is a great post and several of the scents mentioned by the OP are my favorites also. I would like to add Fresh Balsam by B&BW, and Balsam & Cedar and Mistletoe by Yankee as 3 of my favorite holiday scents.

Re: Your Scented Home - Long Post

poohbear1 — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 19:48:17 GMT

Hi Rustys mom - i found the crossroads candles because of you and just love them.. Have you ever tried the hot maple toddy by candleberry? I think you would really like that one too-the only thing i don't like about it is that it only has one wick...but it smells wonderful! Have been burning my candles all weekend during the big storm..tobi

Re: Your Scented Home - Long Post

susielong — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 19:57:11 GMT

@IamMrsG wrote:
I've said it before on threads about candles -- Swan Creek candles are the best I've found for both burn time and aroma. I like to burn different fragrances at either end of the house, combining them in the middle, as it were.

Thai Pear, Cilantro Clementine, Olive Verbena and Roasted Espresso have been my favorite scents, but I just looked at their Spring Fragrance List, so that may be changing soon.

Love the Olive Verbena!! And I agree about the Swan Creek candles being the best!!

Re: Your Scented Home - Long Post

BornToShop — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 23:46:10 GMT

@IamMrsG wrote:
I've said it before on threads about candles -- Swan Creek candles are the best I've found for both burn time and aroma. I like to burn different fragrances at either end of the house, combining them in the middle, as it were.

Thai Pear, Cilantro Clementine, Olive Verbena and Roasted Espresso have been my favorite scents, but I just looked at their Spring Fragrance List, so that may be changing soon.

I am a big Swan Creek Drizzle Melts fan! Never tried any of their candles. I love their packaging with actual herbs, etc. My favorite melts are Tennessee Whiskey & Sweet Tobacco, Bourbon Maple Sugar, Melon & Sea Salt and Summer Rain. I have read some reviews on this forum a while ago that some were not happy with the scent throw. Come to find out, they were ordering from a secondary vendor. I have always ordered directly from Swan Creek, love their fast shipping & quality consistency. As a matter of fact, I am melting their Pomegranate & Blood Orange; another winner for me!

Re: Your Scented Home - Long Post

Lucky Charm — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 00:30:17 GMT

I love Partylite candles.

Don't know why, but I can't stand most B&M store candles.

Some make my throat scratchy, even after they've been snuffed out.

Others just smell nauseating.

I like something that throws a little scent. I also like the aroma from unlit Partylite candles. Not all scents, no no no. But there are many different ones, some even discontinued.

I would hate to have to admit how many I have in my possession.

Re: Your Scented Home - Long Post

BornToShop — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 00:35:11 GMT

@Lucky Charm wrote:
I love Partylite candles.

Don't know why, but I can't stand most B&M store candles.

Some make my throat scratchy, even after they've been snuffed out.

Others just smell nauseating.

I like something that throws a little scent. I also like the aroma from unlit Partylite candles. Not all scents, no no no. But there are many different ones, some even discontinued.

I would hate to have to admit how many I have in my possession.

Do you think Harry Slatkin becoming the new CEO for Partylite will change the dynamics of their line of scents? I have a few of PL's melts & their home decor line is outstanding.

Re: Your Scented Home - Long Post

rustysmom — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 15:55:03 GMT

Tobias, I remeber when you first tried Crossroads after I posted about them. Glad you are still enjoying them. No I have not tried any candleberry candles but maybe I will. I did try he Goosecreek and was not real impressed with them. They tend to smoke alot and the throw was ok but not what I expected. They have great sales on them right now but I think I will pass. Crossroads just had a great sale recently but I did not the extra $ to get in on the sale, plus I stocked up on B&BW candles ) my other favs.) in the Fall so I am good for now, but hope to try the candleberry when I need more. Thanks for the recommendation. I did win one of Crossroads contests and got a free candle. It was not a scent I would normally buy, I am a foodie scent type, and this is more woodsey but I have burnt it and like it. Wish I had won one of the buttered maple syrup candles though.

Re: Your Scented Home - Long Post

Hoovermom — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 20:53:04 GMT

@PeterDM - Have you tried Lampe Berger's? I used candles for years looking for that perfect scent and was pretty disappointed. Now I use the lampe berger and love it.

Re: Your Scented Home - Long Post

poohbear1 — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 21:25:22 GMT

Rustys Mom - i agree with you re Goose Creek- some of their scents are good but the buttered maple syrup and kettle corn from crossroads are the best. I'm looking for a blueberry candle-had one last year from goose creek which was pretty good but am thinking of trying the crossroads blueberry pancake..have you tried that one? i got my son the roasted expresso at christmas time and he and his girlfriend love it. just wondering about the blueberry??

Re: Your Scented Home - Long Post

PeterDM — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 21:49:45 GMT

@Hoovermom wrote:
@PeterDM - Have you tried Lampe Berger's? I used candles for years looking for that perfect scent and was pretty disappointed. Now I use the lampe berger and love it.

@Hoovermom I have not tried the Lampe Berger line of products. The only lamp designs that I like are over $500! They sell the oils in Hallmark stores in my area, but I've never taken the time to smell any of them. I've not had much look with diffusers in my home. The scent never throws very well, plus I really like the ambience of a candle. Do you have more than 1 lamp in your home? Is the scent throw good?