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I’ve been spending a lot of time at home writing lately, so I’m going through even more candles than usual as I try to make a comfortable environment for myself to work in.  The newest one that I’m trying out is from the Soy Delicious line.  The candles are made with 100% soy (instead of paraffin wax) and they burn cleanly, with almost no smoke coming from the tin.  (Very nice for your health).  The scent I tried is called Karma, and it’s a relaxing blend of rich lavender and warm vanilla that immediately welcomes me into the room where it’s burning.  What’s really cool about these candles though is that once the candle liquefies, you can dip either your finger or the small spoon that’s included in the package into the liquid and use it as a moisturizing protein rub on your hands, feet, cuticles, or elbows.  (I’ve been using it on my cuticles and it’s made them really soft).  It sounds crazy, but the soy liquid is only slightly hotter than your body temperature, so there’s no chance of being burned.  (But make sure you blow the candle out first!)

The candles come in a wide variety of scents, so if you’re into more of an energizing fragrance, be sure to check out Orange Groves or Pina Colada.  (My next one is going to have to be Fresh Linen though, since that’s my favorite all time candle scent). The candles retail for $34 and can be found at www.soy-delicious.com.

We adore the candle line, Paddywax, created by Gretchen Hollingsworth. What started out as a whim, it is now a 14 year old company with many fans (like us!). Paddywax is probably best known for their gorgeously scented and imaginative candles with elegant packaging – together, making the product irresitable! Gretchen clearly has a “nose” for beautiful things, so let’s find out what she’s obsessing about this month! (more…)

The annual Macy’s Flower Show is underway for 2010, and it’s a fun, free way to celebrate the season! Called “Spring is in the Air,” it’s taking place from now until April 11th at five Macy’s locations: Chicago, Minneapolis, NYC, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. I was lucky enough to get the inside scoop on Chicago’s Flower Show, taking place at the historic store on State St., and I can’t wait to check it out for myself!

The State St. store features over 20 displays with over 100 varieties of exotic trees and flowering plants. There are also beautiful tablescapes by the Martha Stewart and Lenox collections that will definitely inspire how you’ll set your table. You can even take a guided tour hosted by a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener. Pictured above is an amazing 16-foot birdcage display in the Walnut Room on the 7th floor, featuring white spriea, orchids, tulips, daffodils, birds of paradise, blue hydrangea, and different ivy and grasses. And don’t miss this year’s centerpiece–a hot air balloon, reaching over 2 stories high, with a gondola filled with beautiful greenery and flowers. Be sure to check out Macy’s Flower Show at 111 N. State St. while you can, and click to see even more pictures! (more…)

I love that Easter is one of those defining moments of spring where it’s just a good excuse to eat good chocolate, wear bright colors and generally celebrate the season with your friends and family.  Every year I try to do something around the holiday just because I’m happy that the flowers are out, the grass is green and can finally look forward to sunnier weather.

This year I’m hoping to impress guests with one of the most genius Easter themed products I’ve ever come across: colored Happy O Wine glasses by Riedel.  The set comes with 4 glasses with 4 colored bottom rims-  red, green, blue, and yellow.   The glasses are really playful and fun in addition to being stylish and practical- they are appropriate for both red and white wine.   In addition, they  make such a pretty accent on your dining room table (or wherever you drink).  Each set retails for $60- making it appropriate as a gift or for yourself.  So far everyone who has seen mine has commented on how cool they are and every time I look at them, I can only think of sunny days and white wine.  I’m marking them as an obsession!

Whenever I am across the pond, I always have to stop by the amazing department store Liberty of London near Oxford Circus.  And by stop by, I mean spend half a day in the beautifully curated store, admiring and lusting after everything.  So naturally I jumped at the chance to attend a press preview for the new Liberty of London for Target collection that’s hitting stores nationwide this Sunday.  I snatched a few items to spruce up my apartment (see above) and have got the dish on all the goods you can expect to see. Liberty lovers will be excited to see their signature prints and florals on everything. For luck New Yorkers, there is a pop-up store in progress right now at 1095 Sixth Ave (at 42nd St) March 11-March 13 from 9am to 8pm. (more…)

Having recently moved, I always find that home fragrance is an easy way to make an apartment feel a little bit more like mine, even though there are boxes that need to be unpacked. When I opened the diffuser by Casa di Francesca, I immediately felt a sense of luxury and comfort.

From their collection of scents, I tried Pure Pear.  The scent captures the scent of lush white pear blossoms and the ripening fruit; in my apartment, it lends a sweet but also crisp and clean scent. The overall feeling is very sweet and rustic, and it makes me feel instantly relaxed…like taking a deep breath and going “ahhh.” What could make you feel more at home than that?

Ladies, let’s be straight here- buying stuff for your man is not that easy.  And honestly, he probably is NOT that interested in a shower kit- but beer?  Beer is another story.

Recently I discovered Spiegelau Beer Classics, collection of glassware specially made to showcase the varying flavors of different beers. One of my friends from high school grew up to manage a high end beer put and never drank beer out of anything but specialty glasses and from him I learned about all the little nuances that make beer The collection includes the Lager Glass, the Stemmed Pilsner Glass and the Wheat Beer Glass In addition to being function, these glasses are also stylish- a lovely gift for the discerning man (or beer snob). Best of all, the price point is perfect. Each type of glass is sold in sets of two for $29.90.

Valentine’s Day is a great holiday…if you have a significant other.  But if you don’t, all the advertising and hype can sometimes make you feel like you’re missing out on something.  Not fun.  Not fun at all.  Which is why I subscribe to the theory that if you’re single on February 14th, the best way to deal is to go out with your other single friends for drinks and dancing.  But if you can’t manage that, you have to at least treat yourself to something special or luxurious to make the day fun for you too.  Expensive chocolates or that pair of shoes you’ve had your eye on for awhile are always good, but here’s a few other options that are guaranteed to make you smile. (more…)

Not all candles, let alone soy candles are created equal. I’ve fully embraced soy candles recently because I can’t stand the black soot/smoke and wick trimming that come with their less-green counterparts (and admittedly, after watching Avatar, I decided I need to be a little kinder to Mother Earth.)

Past soy candles I’ve purchased were of the cheaper variety, and while clean burning, sputtered weak flames and didn’t quite emanate scent very thoroughly through my apartment.  I like my candle scents to be enveloping, without being overpowering; luxurious but without a $65+ price tag; and was recently introduced to Linnea’s Lights, a line of luxurious soy candles with a reasonable price tag that have become my new favorite hostess gift. (more…)