Favorites| Candles!

Today I thought I'd share a few of my all time favorite candles that I've purchased over and over. I never quite understood why candles are so pricey, but after trying so many of them, I usually find that they're worth the price. It's certainly a luxury item- they're absolutely not necessary, but it's a nice little indulgence once in a while. I'm pretty awful at describing scents, but I'm giving it my best shot!

Feu de Bois//Diptyque

$28 2.4 oz

$60 6.5 oz

available at nordstrom

Diptyque was introduced to me by a friend a few years back. We were out on a shopping spree and she convinced me to pick up a few (after she purchased 3 for herself!) I must say that it's lived up to the hype. I've tried quite a few Diptyque candles, and the quality is amazing. These candles burn for a really long time, and a light scent fills the room rather quickly, and lasts until long after the candle has been blown out. This scent is reminiscent of a campfire and burning wood...but better. It's the perfect winter scent. Really warm, subtle, but unmistakable. 

French Cade Lavender//Voluspa

$18 6.2 oz

$24 16 oz

available at beauty.com

This is suchhhh a beautiful scent. It smells clean and slightly floral and woodsy at the same time. I would even say it smells a bit like clean linens as well. Lighting this candle in my bedroom makes it smell like it's just been cleaned- if that makes any sense! The scent fills the room quickly and lasts a good amount of time. I never get sick of this scent. On another note, the packaging is absolutely beautiful. The one I have is the 6.2oz one, that comes in a gorgeous scalloped-edge glass jar. I'm thinking it'll make a nice makeup brush holder when I burn through the candle.

Mahogany Teakwood//Bath & Body Works 

$20 14.5 oz

The scents of fine woods - mahogany, cedarwood and oak highlighted by delicate lavender and geranium notes conjure up an escape to a cozy library on a fall day

There's been so much hype about this candle in the beauty community, but it lives up to everyone's obsession. Agreeing with so many other beauty bloggers, it does remind me of the Abercrombie store scent, but I think it's a bit less potent. It smells woodsy and clean, but not overbearing. It smells a little less "fresh" than the French Cade Lavender, but certainly more so than the Feu de Bois. The Bath & Body Works candles burn out a lot faster than the Voluspa and Diptyque, but they are less expensive.

What are your favorite candles?

Mid-Week Haul

Amidst all the fuss post-Sandy, I made my efforts to run all my errands at once to save gas (don't even get me started about this one. I spent nine hours in line on Sunday to fill up my car. It's like the 1970s again- pictures on my instagram!) and time. I dropped by the mall for the post office and some skincare items, and also picked up a few things for the apartment (and myself).

Being a candle addict, I took advantage of the sale currently going on at Bath & Body Works. All the small candles (4oz) are $5 (on sale from the usual $10). Of course I couldn't help myself, so I picked up 4. I made my best efforts not to purchase a ton more. The large 3 wick candles are about 14oz, and I figured that buying 4 of the small ones (total 16oz) actually gives you more candle than one of the large ones (14oz total). I figured it was a better deal, and I could get more scents for the same price!

(A little note about the burn time of the 4 oz candles vs 14oz candles; the smaller candles seem to take longer to burn off the top layer (for the entire top part to melt) in comparison to the larger candles. So if you don't that much time, perhaps light a big one!)

Nutmeg and Spice - I think this one is either the same or very similar to last year's Kitchen Spice scent, which was one of my absolute favorites! I'm not sure if it's been discontinued, but I couldn't find any. This one smells just as good though.

Mahogany Teakwood - There's been a ton of buzz about this scent, and how it smells like the Abercrombie store (which it does, but more understated and less potent). To me, it smells like cologne, and leaves my apartment with a light lingering scent. It's perfect. I got two of these!

Sandalwood Vanilla - Smells like comfort in a blanket. Such a warm smell, but not overbearing. I can't stand overbearing scents!

This part isn't that exciting, but I needed some hand soap.

Fresh Market Apple

Warm Vanilla Sugar

Iced Ginger Bread (smells exactly like it)

Coconut Lime Verbena

I mentioned in an earlier post (here) that the bismuth oxychloride may be causing me to break out from the BareMinerals. I went back to the store and exchanged it for the matte version, which does not have that ingredient. Will report back later with results and reviews!

I went to Sephora next, and picked up a new perfume. I haven't purchased a new perfume since...last year when I got Black Orchid//Tom Ford (lovely scent! but it can be a bit heavy). I've been wanting Rose the One//Dolce & Gabbana. I loved the sample I had, so I went for the full size. I purchased The One Gentleman for my boyfriend, and it smells absolutely delicious. I also took advantage of my 100 point perk and picked up the Lancome Hypnose Star mascara. I also picked up Origins Clear Improvement charcoal mask (not pictured). Super excited to give it a try!

I hope everybody is having a good week!