In the earlier 2000s, I used to make frequent purchases of scented candles (and room sprays and "wax tarts") from any number of brands. Nowadays, I buy candles from an independent candle-maker in my own city and my home fragrance cravings are pretty much satisfied. One exception: my annual purchase of a holiday candle from Diptyque, an indulgence I never regret.
This year's Holiday 2019 collection is titled Porte Bonheur ("good-luck charm") and features illustrations by Olaf Hajek. I've chosen the "blue" option every year for nearly a decade, because it's usually something deep and incense-y. This time, after pondering all three candles in the Holiday 2019 collection, I gravitated towards the "red" choice. Its official name is Flora Fortuna and Diptyque recommends burning it "for good luck." Its glass canister is decorated with "symbols of good fortune from around the world such as the four-leaf clover and maneki-neko cat...while the red color brings us the energy needed to seize its luck."
Diptyque's red holiday candle often has some kind of citrus pomander fragrance, but this year, it's a spiced floral. Flora Fortuna is scented with rose, anise and clove. According to the Diptyque website,
Carefully crushing rose petals between their fingers, the soothsayers of antiquity predicted luck, love or success to those who consulted them. In the Middle East, the smoke of cloves purified a house and in the South of France, anise seeds were thrown at newlyweds to wish them prosperity.
Will this "lucky flower" bring success and prosperity to my household? I hope so. We're no longer newlyweds but we can always use a little extra good fortune. (Who can't?) This is a warmer and duskier rose scent than Diptyque's Roses candle — it's not really rich or strong (I actually wish it had more "throw"), but when I burn it in a smaller-sized room, I can detect the anise and cloves beneath the true rose note. The clove is smooth, not sharp, and the anise adds some subtle licorice-y sweetness.
I can't think of any other candle that smells quite like Flora Fortuna (and that's one reason I end up buying so few candles lately — they all smell alike). I wish I could also wear Flora Fortuna in perfume form, since a delicately spicy rose is always something I savor. So far, this candle been burning evenly and cleanly (I know Kevin has had some less-than-positive user experiences with Diptyque!). When I've used it up, which won't be for a while, I'll save the whimsical container and use it to hold a tealight candle or some perfume sample vials.
In the past I've always waited until Christmas to open and light my new Diptyque candle, but this year I decided to start enjoying it earlier. This felt like an appropriate gesture in memory of a friend who passed away last week. She loved good scents and small luxuries, and I think she would have approved.
Are you planning to enjoy any seasonal home fragrances in the coming weeks?
Diptyque's Flora Fortuna candle are available in a 70g mini (burn time 30 hours) or a full-size 190g candle ($72; burn time 60 hours).
That sounds wonderful! I’m sorry about your friend.
Thank you, Calypso!!
I always dream about these but never have been swayed. This one does sound lovely and I’m excited to seek it out. I love anything clove and anything anise.
I hope you can give it a sniff! It seems like a really unusual (yet pleasant) blend to me.
I’m sad about Gaia’s passing. I always choose her reviews whenever I’m googling something and an entry she wrote popped up.
I got the 3 mini candle set during Sniffapalooza Friday. I have not burnt a candle at home in forever but your post makes me want to do it…as soon as I get one of those candle snuffers.
I’m sad too, her comments were always so honest and entertaining. I’m still working on last year’s set of Diptyque holiday candles.
It’s crushing. I still can’t believe it.
This sounds like a wonderful candle. I bought my first Diptyque candle only the other day. It’s Baume d’Ambre and is very nice.
Very sorry to hear about your friend, I think it’s a lovely gesture to burn your candle in her honour and memory.
I also love their Feu de Bois, Baies, and Violette…wish they’d bring back Oeillet!
Thank you.
I feel the same way, so sorry to hear of your friend’s passing. It is a lovely gesture and I hope it brings you treasured memories and peace during this holiday season.
Thank you…All my memories of her are so colorful and joyful. I just regret that I hadn’t seen her recently.
It is such a beautiful candle and the way you discribe it is so great.
I will burn it tonight and sending a tought to you to say I’m sorry for your loss, dear Jessica.
Thank you, dear N. It’s hard news for everyone who knew her.
I totally understand.
I didn’t know her, but I enjoyed her blog so much.
I don’t really spend over $25 for a candle. Just waiting for the big candle sale from Bath and Body Works. A 3 wick candle for $8, sold.
I like my local candle maker for her prices as well as her scents and packaging…but when I deviate, I go big!
So sorry for the loss of your friend, Jessica.
Thank you, Koyel. I really appreciate it.