Thursday, October 30, 2008

Forest for the Trees


It's a cool fall night and I'm sitting by the fire surrounded with tree-fragrance candles. I don't know if it's that the earthy scent grounds me or if it reminds me of the woods in New England where I grew up, but tree fragrances sooth and comfort me, and I need a little of that right now. (Are you seeing a pattern?) I love to layer tree fragrances to be able to distinguish the differences. Tonight it's Le Cherche Midi's Balsam (a new favorite!), Voluspa's Sawara Cypress and red flower's Himalayan larch. They are each unique and completely fantastic. Le Cherche Midi's Balsam candle is a clean, watery-like balsam. Very honest and fresh. A little subtle in scent but definitely gorgeous! I give this a 2-3 on the flower scale. Voluspa's Sawara Cypress stands it's ground. "I am Cypress, here me roar" type scent. Very distinct, no muss about it. For me it's moderately fragrant (a 3-4 on the flower scale). I can definitely smell it but it's not overwhelming. red flower's Himalayan larch is the most soft. red flower candles are beautiful because they liquefy when they are burning to highlight the color of the natural wax. The small size is misleading since even the little ones last 15 hours! I like this scent but it's best in a small room or in a place where their isn't any competition for your nose. A mere 1-2 on the flower scale. This is a delicate and delightful scent. I love all of these tree-fragrance candles because they are all clearly woodsy and not at all Christmas-y.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Help Blogs with Great Content but No Readers

Thanks to Chris Brogan from Twitter for helping us join Chuck Westerbrook's mission to help websites with great content but few readers. We're hoping to increase the number of readers for our blog. If you'd like to join the mission to help under-appreciated blogs receive more attention, please click the link above.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Candle for Health and Prosperity


Back in the early days, candles were rendered from animal fat (tallow). The candles produced a foul odor and did not burn cleanly. In Colonial times, bayberry wax was discovered by boiling the berries from the bayberry bushes in New England. These candles were clean burning and had a pleasant, sweet smell. Since it takes 1 1/2 quarts of berries to make one taper candle, bayberry candles became a precious luxury saved for special gatherings. Thus began the New England tradition of burning bayberry candles on Christmas and New Years Eve for heath and prosperity in the year to come.


"A bayberry candle, burned to the socket, puts luck in the home, food in the larder, and gold in the pocket." - a New England tradition


We burn bayberry candles regularly, especially on special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries. Bayberry candles are our favorite hostess gift any time of year since they are thoughtful and natural in color and scent. When you shop for bayberry candles, be sure to look for bayberry candles that are made from true bayberry wax, not artificially scented bayberry candles made from generic wax. Most bayberry candles are blended with a touch of beeswax for added strength.


I don't know anyone who couldn't use a little prosperity right now!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

American in Paris


Le Cherche Midi arrived today! The candles are absolutely gorgeous - beautiful wax (like Rigaud and Slatkin), incredible packaging and we love all of the fragrances. My favorite is the Limited Edition CT 01 candle. It has an amazing fresh balsam fragrance - perfect for the fall/holiday season. Now to get the candles online...

Friday, October 10, 2008

2008 Best Off Main Awards


I finally finished something I've wanted to do since we started - create "awards" for the Best Fragrance, the Best Candle Line... Hopefully it will grow and refine into a really fun and successful event to celebrate the best in home fragrance. Please vote now! We really appreciate your input and participation and we hope you have fun.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Frozen in Time


It seems like everyone is frozen right now. Too afraid to do anything. Afraid the ceiling is going to fall in. It's not a fun time right now, especially in retail. It's times like these when value is King. At the risk of sounding like a Voluspa blog, I'm hesitant to say that value is one of the reasons why Voluspa is one of my favorite candle lines and the candle we burn most at home. The quality is outstanding, the fragrances are gorgeous, the packaging is beautiful and they last so long! And all at a great price. A staple in our shop is the 3-wick tin that lasts 80 hours for just $18! The new Seasons Collection has new nickel-plate jars that are so sophisticated and last 85 hours (same as the candlepot in the Creme & Black Collections). You can't beat it! And the scents are stellar - not too strong, not too subtle and very unique. My favorite fragrance is Makassar Ebony & Peach. Is so grounding and delicious. The other thing I love about Voluspa is that everything is hand-poured and made in the US. Including all the packaging. Go Voluspa!