I’d like to say that during this pandemic, we are all gravitating toward the simple joys in life. With limited travel, and much more time spent in our homes, finding comfort in the small things has taken precedence. And for me, candles can be such a simple joy.
Whether it brings you nostalgia or is just a lovely aroma, scented candles can transform your mood and your living space. Give me a cozy blanket, a warm cup of tea, a good book, and a lit candle – and I’ll see you in a few hours. 🙂
A few years ago the concept of Hygge became very popular. Have you heard of it?
Hygge (n.) – a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).
To be honest, the overuse of the term gave me an eye roll every time I heard it, but I can’t argue that candles seem to be the ultimate hygge necessity – especially in the dead of winter! After a quick Google search, there are even candles promoting that hygge life. 😉
Okay – moving on from hygge. Let’s talk candle types. Candles are everywhere. The grocery store, Target, Amazon, boutiques – e v e r y w h e r e! But, are they all created equal? Like most products, I’m gonna say no. In my opinion, a good quality candle has to have the following trifecta:
- Pleasant scent that disperses throughout a room well. (But, not overpowering.)
- Clean ingredients – like soy or bees wax, cotton or wood wicks, and fragrances free of phthalates.
- An attractive or unique vessel that can be used as decoration, or for another purpose after burning.
I’ve come to enjoy three candle companies that cover this trifecta, and I wanted to share the love.
Gold + Ivy
I first found Gold + Ivy via Brooke Gibson’s Blog when she did a post on clean candles. (P.S. Check it out – She has discount codes for Gold + Ivy and other clean candle brands.) Gold + Ivy is a small woman-owned business based in Nashville. Alexis, the Owner, does all of the candle-making out of her home, and I’m all for supporting small business!
Beyond that, Gold + Ivy’s candles smell amazing. I’ve made a few different orders and have not been disappointed with any of the fragrances. All of her candles are carefully crafted using all-natural ingredients such as soy wax, cotton wicks, and phthalate free oils. So, you can enjoy your candles safely. I also love the amber jars!
Alexis always includes a sample tea light with your order, and just this past month I received a mailer with a scratch off discount code – love the customer attention and marketing that she has implemented!
Wesbsite: www.goldandivy.com
Instagram: @goldandivy_
Antique Candle Co.
I liken Antique Candle Co. to an elevated version of Yankee Candle. They have classic scents, and I’m biased toward their fall and holiday candles. So good!
Beyond scent, I love their vessels. They carry their candles in the classic ball jar or blue jar, and, bonus – sometimes they release antique containers like vintage coffee tins and milk glass. So unique and one-of-a-kind!
Antique Candle Co. makes all of their candles with wax from natural, domestically grown soy beans and a natural cotton wick for a clean, long-lasting, and even burn. They are also poured with a hand-picked blend of non-toxic fine fragrance oils and essential oils.
Website: www.antiquecandleco.com
Instagram: @antiquecandleco_
Ferpie and Fray
Ferpie and Fray is the brand I am the least familiar with, but I enjoyed my first order. The Spiced Pear scent was my favorite! In addition to candles, they also sell linen and rooms prays, as well as really cute gift sets.
FYI – They also have a recycle program! For every 5 jars sent back to them, they send you a 20% off coupon code in return!
Website: https://ferpieandfray.com/
Instagram: @ferpieandfray
Tips and Accessories
- Wax has a Memory. When burning your candles, make sure you burn them long enough for the wax to reach the edge of the container. Wax has a “memory”, so if you melt the wax completely to the edges each time, it will ensure you are getting an extended burn life for your candle.
- Get a Wick Trimmer. Make sure you trim your wick each time you burn your candle. This prevents your flame from getting too big and helps reduce smoke stains on your vessel.
- Freeze Your Candles. I haven’t tried this yet, but I hear you can put your used candles in the freezer to get the extra wax out. The freeze helps the wax pop out easily, so you can re-use the container for something else or to recycle.
- Try an Electric Lighter. An electric lighter is a nice alternative to the traditional lighter. With a USB port, you can just recharge it when the power runs out. No more running out of lighter fluid!
Do you have a favorite candle brand? Let me know in the comment box below!
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