Five Favourites: Autumn Candles

at my house, candles are always burning. Year-round. Nothing is more inviting than the warm flicker and unique scent they disperse through the entire building. As the dark nights draw in and the temperature drops, my house ends up looking like an episode of the American show, 'Hoarders' waiting to happen: pretty little glass and ceramic jars on every surface, matches strewn everywhere. The wick maintenance in and of itself has me shuffling around like a crazy cat lady, nipping away at the charred tips so they stay just ¼” long—optimal for burning and advisable to minimize smoking. I keep doubles - triples even - of the favorites, stacked in boxes just in case one should evaporate before I’d thought to restock. Of course, a nice candle also makes a lovely gift, and having a cache of the best ones means you’ll never scramble to a house warming/dinner party/office gifting empty-handed.

My current roster is made up of earthy, smoky, full-bodied scents that pretty much all fall under the umbrella of “sexy”. There are no springtime florals or sparkling citrus top notes over here between October and February. I want to feel like I’ve sunken into a silk velvet sofa in the lobby of a very chic, dimly lit French hotel, listening to groovy music that I’ve never heard of and having a glass of Pinot Noir with someone very good looking. In reality, I'll be sprawled along the sofa with some trashy TV or glossy magazine, but the candles (and a glass of wine) makes my fantasy much easier to visualise...

I've rounded up my five favourites of the past few weeks, so you can enjoy my indulgement of these mini-pleasures. 1. Catbird “Campfire” - This Brooklyn-based jewelry shop has been producing hand-poured candles in New York for a few years. Campfire is “refined and animalistic”, with notes of wood smoke, saddle leather and honey. This was a gift, and as I'm running low, I'm trying to convince the boy to take me to New York for another pot...

 2. Astier de Villatte “Yakushima”: Housed in the brand’s signature earthenware, this delicate blend of cedar, moss and wild Azalea from the Japanese island is a new addition of mine. 3. Christian Dior “30 Montaigne”: An oldie but a goodie, 30 Montaigne was created by Hedi Slimane to scent Dior’s flagship boutique. Think Cardamom, Star Anise, licorice, White Amber, Madagascar vanilla and Arabic incense. Amazing. 4. Diptyque “Curiosities”: A limited edition candle created by perfumer Olivia Giacobetti for Diptyque’s “34 Blvd Saint Germain” collection. The ceramic container was inspired by the brand’s signature oval labels. It’s a curious scent indeed…if you like cedar, you’ll like this. 5. Balenciaga “L’Essence”: Perhaps the most affordable thing from Balenciaga yet! Characterized by “the fragrant interplay of leaves, delicate flowers and soft mosses” and topped with a “sensual violet note,” this is the most floral of the bunch, but it doesn't veer off into girly territory. Cool and sophisticated—exactly what you’d expect from Mr. Ghesquière.

p r e v i o u s  f a v o u r i t e s  . . .

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rachelle xo