Our series of holiday gift posts continues; today we're covering home fragrances of all sorts. If you missed them, here are links to part 1 (scented body products), part 2 (travel sizes & coffrets) and part 3 (more travel sizes & coffrets). Coming up next: men's fragrances.
The 2011 holiday collection from Diptyque: Epinette in green ("Echoing the aromatic freshness of its needles and the resinuous notes of its pine cones, the Spruce Tree candle promises a wintry runaway in the depths of the wood."; in 3 sizes $32-$275) or Perdigone in red ("Concentrate of warm and fruity notes around a spiced plum that deliciously perfumes the house. Absolutely comforting in the depths of winter."; in 2 sizes $32-68).
From Esteban Paris, a reed diffuser in their Cèdre fragrance: "Esteban Paris Scented Bouquets are designed to diffuse luxury fragrances into your home. Each gift box includes a vase, its deco filler, a ceramic cap, 20 perfume sticks (8.5"h) and a scented bouquet refill 250ml/8.45 fl oz". $59 at Rain Collection.
From Santa Maria Novella, two winter-themed room sprays: at left, Natale — "Santa Maria Novella Natale Ambiance Spray evokes a christmas mood with fresh notes of sweet orange, almond, clove and cinnamon perfectly rounded with hints of carnation, musk and vanilla." and at right, Inverno — "Santa Maria Novella takes you to Geneva for the Holidays! Crisp cold snow, frosted cypress tress and winter spices make up this fresh and pungent blend. The most wonderful fragrance!" $80 each for 100 ml at Aedes.
From Fornasetti, a 'Scent Sphere' in the limited edition Cammei Oro design. It is meant to be used with incense sticks, scented rocks, or diffusing oil with ceramic wick (and I am not clear on whether or not any of these items are included). £350 at Selfridges in the UK.
From Carrière Frères Industrie, candles in Ebony, Firewood, Lily of the Valley, Tiare, Tomato and Tuberose. $45 each (50 hour burn time) at Luckyscent. (And apparently this brand is one of Oprah's favorite things for Holiday 2011)
At left, from The Laundress, a new laundry detergent scented with Le Labo Santal 33 (and don't forget, they also make one in Rose 31). $45 for 16 oz at Beautyhabit. At right, from Thymes, Magnolia Fig & Vetiver Home Fragrance Mist: "Evoking a hidden reserve dense with life and mystery, this eco-friendly, low VOC mist layers an alluring fragrance of rich woodland flora throughout your home." $16 for 85 g at Thymes.
From Joya, the limited edition Army Candle Project: "A striking double-candle housed in vintage British Army soap dishes marked 1945. Two scents are poured in a natural soy wax blend: Dawn (Amber Absolute) and Dusk (Bitter Orange Leaf) . The candles are packaged in British DPM camouflage that has been tailored by hand in the size of a traditional handkerchief. This can be used as a coaster for the metal candle, which may become hot while lit. Finally, the item is wrapped in olive green paracord--a simple, practical gesture reminiscent of Japanese packaging. Only 100 have been produced, and each fabric wrap is stamped and numbered." $68 each at Joya.
From Etsy, hanging lavender sachets shaped like kitty cats. £8.50 each at the inkmeup store, where you'll also find lavender sachets shaped like seagulls, squirrels, owls, magpies, cottages and ravens (and a search will reveal oodles of lavender sachets at other Etsy stores as well).
Epinette sounds lovely!!!!
And also Inverno might be worth a sniff-trip: I am craving pine-y outdoorsy smells lately!
…must be the season 😉
Yes, me too! Also recommend Annick Goutal Noel for the same sort of thing.
I bought a mini candle of the AG Noel and while I didn’t find it explicitly Christmassy, it is really pretty, and it doesn’t make me sneeze.
I bought Épinette, and it *is* lovely! I’m trying hard to make it last until Christmas…!
Hmmm, I was planning to buy Diptyque’s Epinette or Perdigone since I’ve been longing to get a decent scented candle for a long time now…
But now with describing Santa Maria Novella’s Natale, you made think about buying a room spray yet again Robin… Darn it 🙂
I have heard nice things (here) about the Perdigone, and see the comment above about Epinette. And I have never tried those SMNs, so pay me no mind! I just think they sound nice. I will say that ever since Kevin sent me a decant of the Annick Goutal Noel, I’m a big fan of room sprays. Before that, I mostly bought room sprays to use as (body) perfume.
I’m enjoying my Peridone to the point that I’m thinking of buying a back-up stock for the next years (Diptyque also has perfumed wax ovals for cupboards, nice stuff too)
oops, Perdigone
My Perdigone arrived last week and I’m loving it too! Buying a back up sounds like a pretty good idea, actually.
Thanks to Bee, Abyss and Amanda (below). I’ve been tempted by the description of the Perdigone candle but I’ve been disappointed by several of the candles I’ve purchased recently – both inexpensive and more expensive – and didn’t want to spend any more $ without seeing a review. Happy Holidays to all!
Is it really still relevant what Oprah Winfrey’s favorite things are? (*disclaimer…not an Oprah fan)
Beats me. I am neither a fan nor a non-fan, I just don’t pay much attention.
Those sachets have supplanted the Hello Kitty bling rollerball as my cat-themed fragrance lemming.
They crack me up.
Next time you really need to kill 2 or 8 or 20 hours, do a search on “kitty” at Etsy.
I must have missed the memo that scents need to be dispersed in reed diffusers. It seems like I blinked and they are suddenly *everywhere*!
I think many people find the easier to use than candles.
I’v been tempted by the Body Shop’s ginger and sandalwood one which is less pricey than most. I really like the idea because the space stays scented until the juice is used up. There is no need to light it, no risk of fire, no need to spray – it just makes more sense?
It makes sense unless you don’t want to smell it all the time — I personally prefer candles for that reason. That said, you can pack up and then reuse a diffuser.
I’m not sure its healthy to always have candles burning, and one very large one, did a real number on my ceiling. So I think a diffuser is a better choice to keep a room constantly fresh.
Just got my box in the mail today of my gift to myself, or so i say to make it different than the other things i lapsed into buying when i still am not done xmas shopping! The Perdigone is really warm and cozy, figured out what it smells like, the traditional Swedish Christmas drink glogg! Pronounced more like gloock amongst the people i was around who made it, but brought back some great memories of a fabulous drink, look it up for a recipe it will scent your whole house even more than the candle and keep you ‘toasty’!
Oh good!
Seems like everybody is loving Diptyque’s holiday candles indeed… Maybe it is worth a try then. I might take a shot at one of those cute mini candles 🙂
Besides room fragrances fade away so easily… (Or maybe I just haven’t bought any decent ones yet)
Okay… That was meant as a reply.
I bought a set of two Diptyque candles as a housewarming gift for a friend. I think they were limited editions because I don’t see them on the US site anymore. Anyway, the duo was named something like Beauty and the Beast (in French) and were meant to be burned together. When both were lit, the scent that filled the room? Le Labo’s Rose 31. Dead ringer. Wish I had bought a set for myself.
Oh, funny! Were that those candles they made together with some fashion illustrators I never heard of? If so, I had the exact same problem that I’m having now… And I feel bad now that you describe them as Le Labo’s Rose 31, a fragrance which I adore…
Well anyway, now I’m sure I’m going to buy Epinette or Perdigone! Thanks! 🙂
I bought them for myself luckily! I preferred “the beast” one actually, Together great (but not really Labo Rose 31, the “beast” gave it a more animalic-musky touch, not the cuminy-one I have with LR31). Unfortunately I didn’t buy a backup, that’s why I’m doing it for Perdigone
Yes, that’s exactly the set I bought as a gift. To think I gave them away!!!! ARGH!!!
They did sound very good indeed but I’m sure your friend loved them 🙂
He and his wife managed to burn through those candles in precisely 3 evenings. They loved them and were sad to see them go!
Ha! Those must have been some really good candles… I managed to do the same with Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier’s Outremer candle a couple of months ago
Diptyque’s answer to Jo Malone’s Pine & Eucalyptus and Pomegranate Noir.