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What? I’m doing an entire post on candles? Yes. Yes, I am. And if you’ve ever been in my home, you understand why. Let me lay some groundwork for you…
1. I always have a candle lit in my house. When I wake up, I light one. When I come home from running errands, I light one. I always want my house to smell delicious.
2. I buy candles with seasonal scents because it gets me in the mood for that season…winter, spring, summer and fall…every season has a scent in my opinion, and I have a corresponding candle to go with it.
3. When we moved into the rent house a few months ago, I had to make one trip in my car with just my candles. This is not an exaggeration. I stock up on candles, hoard them, whatever you want to call it…it required its own trip.
4. Growing up, my mom always had a candle lit and nice music playing in the house. It just made our home feel homey. I want my kids to feel that way too. Smells are so powerful! I want my kids to remember their mom’s house the way I remember my mom’s.
5. I use unscented candles in the dining room when I serve food…because the food should be the star.
6. I’m a candle snob. There. I said it. I am. Maybe not a snob…maybe, I’m a connoisseur. I’m not wasting my money on candles that don’t give off good results. I buy certain types and stay away from others. Here are my favorite brands…
Hands down, my favorite brand of candle is Circle E Candles. I’ve even been to their factory (which is about 4 hours from my house) at least 6 times. Hear me now…I am not getting free candles or compensated in any way for telling you about them. I just absolutely love their candles. Their candles smell terrific, the scents really do make a room smell nice without being too light or too powerful and they burn for a long time. They are WONDERFUL! You can find them in some boutiques, but I just always order them online and have them shipped to my house. They arrive quickly and are never broken. This box was delivered to my house last week…let’s just say, they are delivered to the Shull house pretty frequently…
These two scents are on the “discontinued” page…so, they’re at a great price. I loooooove them!
The Country Morning scent (on the right) smells like pumpkin spice. Need I say more?
These two scents are perfect for summer.
Their best selling scent is Bird of Paradise which would be great for Summer too!
If I’m not buying a Circle E Candle, I’m buying one of these…
…a Bath and Body Works candle. I used to not like Bath and Body Works candles because they smelled great in the jar but didn’t have a lot of scent once lit. However, now…they have changed. Their candles really are delicious and I buy them pretty frequently. One thing about Bath and Body Works…try and buy their candles when they go on sale (which is pretty frequently). Their large 3 wick candles are normally priced at $20 each but at least once or twice a month, they go on sale to $10 or $11 a piece. When that happens…stock up! They also come in other smaller sizes too. The next time you swing by to pick up bath products, grab you a candle!
The next time you’re home…even if you’re home by yourself, light a candle. Dim the lights a bit, turn on a lamp, pour yourself a cup of coffee, grab a good book and relax. It doesn’t take much to make a home feel homey…but in my opinion, it does require a candle.
Dinner tonight at the Mama’s house… Sundried Tomato and Spinach Burgers…yum!
Jennifer Cannon says
I Love, love , love a good Candle too Shay! You can find me burning a Pumpkin candle year round. I adore pumpkin smells.
I have found a couple candles I love from bath and body works. One of which is there peppermint one for Winter. Fab! and they have a white/cream colored one for Fall that i'm obsessed with too!
I totally agree that a candle make a house a home.
Have a blessed day!
Dina says
I am a candle freak!!! Looove pumpkin smell, cinnamon roll, and christmas I love apple spice by glade it smells sooo good!!!!
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
I mean. Let's just talk about the box. The industrial size box of candles. Hilarious!
Charla Liedahl says
My current fave is Bahama Breeze by Yankee Candle Company. It smells like an island vacation…and who doesn't love that?
Kelly Jo says
I love candles, too! I commented about my dad loving baseball yesterday, but today's post reminds me of him, too. He was a firefighter and used to shake his head whenever I had a candle burning.
Tonya says
If you haven't tried Candleberry candles, you should check them out! They are by far the strongest scented candles that I have found. The best is Hot Maple Toddy….my go to fall scent.
Now I wish I had a candle here with me at work 🙂
Audra Jahn says
I'm gonna have to test these out…I'm also a candle lover! (You might also call me a lover of all things scented).
Aubrey says
I had to laugh when I saw that giant box you had shipped to your door, but I'm totally with you on the candles! They make a house feel like a home, and scents are definitely linked to memory more than any other sensory experience.
My favorite candles of all time are from The White Company based out of London. Sadly they have ZERO stores in the USA, but they do ship internationally. I would totally buy you one for Christmas, but it would ruin you for life because no other candle measures up. I'm serious. This is not be being mean, this is me SAVING you. You're welcome.
Baby Mama Juice says
Candles are awesome! Think I may light one now! Target carries a line called Nature's Wick that we love! They're around $10 and smell amazing. I like to burn two scents at one time to create a new, interesting blended smell.
Aubs says
I sell Scentsy, so we don't have as many candles now but scent is like a love language for me!!! And circle e candles??!! THE BEST! That used to be what my mother in law would bring me every time she came to visit! Love that you order whole cases of them!!
dresselfamily.blogspot.com says
i love a good smelling house too, i used to always buy Gold canyon, i loved their ginger lime.. but then i hate blowing them out and having all that stuff in the air.. i was then introuduced to 'scentsy'. A WICKLESS wax that you melt in the pot.. no smoky air. I love them, but for sure have my fav smells!! To me in makes a house a home!
Farryn says
I'm with the above post!! Candleberry candles are the absolute best! Hot maple toddy is beyond amaaazing! Cannot live without it burning in my house! Everyone that steps foot in our home wants to know what that smell is! I have converted way too many people over to Candleberry! It is a MUST!!! You have to try one… Or four! 🙂
aprilparrish says
I love candles also and the plug ins from back and body works. My most absolute favorite is from bath and body works–frosted cranberry, which is for Christmas, but I love it year round!!!
Farryn says
As mentioned above, Candleberry candles are the best!! I cannot say enough of wonderful things about them! I also agree that Hot Maple Toddy is the bomb.. No, really… IT IS! I would eat it if I could ! Anyone that steps foot in our home wants to know what that smell is! I have seriously converted even the non- candle burner into buying Candleberry!! It is def a must try!! I guarantee if you buy one, it won't be your last =)
Angela says
Girl, I am a OBSESSED with candles, too!! We always have one lit! There's just something about the smell and look that makes everything seem peaceful.
Fha Hzh says
yeah me too. i am a candle lover. however, i have no time to play that romantic scent with candle. adore yr family life. 🙂 enjoy ur day!
Carlin Smith says
I agree that the scent of candle has to fit the season! Each season does have its own special smell! Have you ever tried Gold Canyon candles? I love those as well!
Olivia says
Agree 100%. Candles always lit in my house. Although I've been using Scenty's a lot too…the scent is just strong enough and decorative. I still love the fire a candle burns. I love Yankee candles.
Maureen W. (Maryland) says
I love that you wrote a whole post about candles. I received the Bath and Bodyworks ones as a birthday gift last October and have been hooked ever since. Just to show how good they are, even my HUSBAND has become a candle snob about them! The toasted marshmallow one got us hooked. XOXO
Emily @ LaForce Be With You says
Love BBW candles! I have a couple cinnamon nut bread ones I stocked up on that I can't wait to use this fall. Their "Wall flowers" are great too and make an entire room smell amazing very quickly! Any of the bellini ones like cranberry pear bellini smell wonderful!
Kaylyn Marie says
I couldn't agree more! I definitely associate candles with my mama's house too… very homey, comforting and warm memories there. I absolutely will be doing the same when I have kids too… heck, I already do it now! 🙂 Nothing like a little spiced apple or buttercream vanilla to make a night after work that much more relaxing.
Alison @ Get Your Pretty On says
Ha! I'm a candle snob too and have an empty linen closet devoted to my stash. Hubby knows not to buy a candle unless it's on the approved brand list. B&BW candles are my favorite.
{Hi Sugarplum!} says
I found a new fave this christmas, and I've been burning it sparingly since bc I can't bear to have it burn out! (it's only seasonal I think) Trapp White fir! aaaaahhhhhh
Trapp Orange Vanilla is my other fave.
sarah from the suburbs says
If you are ever in The Woodlands, you MUST try the Maggie's Blend candle from Maggie's
Mandi Moore says
Oh my, I'm so excited I just ordered mine! Thanks for the post, I'm lovin' fifty two shades!
Thanks again,
Mandi
MOORE Fun In Kindergarten
Dear Addilyn says
I used to buy Circle E candles all the time. My favorite was the Apple Strudle. Have you ever smelled the Leather??? Oh my…it literally smells like you are at a leather chaps making company…ha! A little strong. I would take mine outside to blow them out and let them stop smoking..seemed like a lot of smoke to have inside.
mel @ the larson lingo says
I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE candles. But what about Yankee candles?!?! Their pumpkin one is (in my opinion) the best smelling pumpkin one there is!
Anonymous says
Love this. I am certainly going to start lighting candles more often! They really do make a room/home feel warmer and more homey!
Jenna {Real Simple Girl} says
I got hooked on the Circle E candles last year after you mentioned them once! I LOVE them!! I need to try the Hawaiian Pineapple and Fresh Cake now! (I have all the other scents you mentioned!) Everyone that comes over loves them, too!
Emelie says
You should try Salt City Candle (based in Salt Lake City, Utah) They are fantastic better than Bath and Body Works in my opinion. Love Candles as Well!
Elizabeth says
I love candles too and always have to a different smell for each season! I'm going to have to try these circle E candles.
Anonymous says
Does anyone know if any of the Circle E Circle candles or the BBW candles smell like the volcano candle sold at Anthro? I love that scent, but the candle is sooo pricy!!
Great post!!
Cara Carroll says
AGREED!! Circle E candles are the BEST!!! Apple Strudel, Warm Cider, Banana Nut, and Birds of Paradise are all sitting in different rooms as I type 🙂 LOVE!! But after reading some of these comments, I think I want to try the Candleberry candles now! Not sure if I could ever convert, but I'm all up for adding something extra to the collection!!
Lauren M says
I LOVE Bath and Body Works Candles! My favorite is the cake batter one! YUM!
jen says
LOVE Shades of Shay and LOVE this post! I would love to see your candle closet one day! I have one too. You are not alone. Makes home an even nicer place to be!
Jeanette says
Love these – love the Bath and Body Works ones, especially the eucalyptus for stress relief. Love seasonal scents. Love soy candles. Love the Aspen Bay volcano and cinnamon beignet scents. Have also found some great homemade ones off etsy. Thanks for the post – can't wait to try Circle E and add it to my own candle closet. Yes, you are not alone! Although I probably don't have a carload full. 🙂
Anonymous says
Have you ever tried WoodWick Candles? They smell great and since they have a wooden wick when you burn them it sounds like you have a fire going.
I absolutely love them!
A Wedding Story says
I love Paddywax candles (Olive Tree scent), Archipelago (Havana, Savannah scents), and Trapp's Bob's Flower Shop candle. They smell so much better than more known brands.
Anonymous says
Great post! You have inspired me to order some Circle E candles. Do you mind telling what size you like to order? Thanks so much and thanks for the great advice.
Mix and Match Mama says
I honestly order all 3 jar sizes…however, the middle size is my favorite!
Anonymous says
Hi Shay! I sell the best HANDMADE candles ever. I do home parties. Once you burn one of our Luminescents candles you will be hooked! I would love to send you a FREE candle in your scent of choice. Checkout my Facebook page and message me what scent you would like!
http://www.facebook.com/LuminescentsHollyAnokaMn
Anonymous says
We love candles at our house too! Do you have a special way of putting your candles out? I can't stand the smell. Thanks! Love reading your blog!
Anonymous says
After I read this Shade of Shay I decided I needed some candles. I've been hunting for a deal and just had to share this with you! You might have already seen it but the 3 wick candles at Bath and Body Works are on sale! They are 2 for $22! But even better than that the site is having a %20 off sale with free shipping. So… I just bought SIX 3 wick jar candles that will show up right at my door step for $53. Now that's a deal. Can't wait for my house to smell fabulous. Thanks for the inspiration!! 🙂
Sue says
Great post! My favorite candles is Voluspa French Bourbon Vanille. It's amazing!! http://www.candlesoffmain.com/voluspa-vermeil-corta-maison-french-bourbon-vanille-candle.aspx I'll have to try Circle E. I've heard good things about them. They look very nice!
Anonymous says
I bought bbw candle in vanilla bean Noel and have to say a little disappointed that it is not more fragrant. Maybe I need to have several of this scent going to really smell it. Otherwise I love bbw candles. Nest candles is another brand that smells amazing. However they are super pricey for a candle like $30 bucks expensive.
T Brown says
Bath & Body Works had a one-day sale last week where their 3-wick candles were $8 each. I had a $10 off $30 coupon (well, actually several of them) and I stocked up on candles for me and my granddaughters college apartment. I love the scents Winter and Tis the Season!
Jennifer says
I was reading through a few of your 52 shades of shay and came across this fun candle post! I was just taking inventory on my own fall candle stash 🙂 and thought I'd mention to you another amazing scented candle. Hands down one of my all time favorites. It's Holiday by Nest. Anytime I have it burning and family or friends are over I get asked a hundred times what it is. Everyone loves it – especially me! Go to nestfragrances.com if you're interested in checking it out! Happy almost Fall!
Anonymous says
Recently started your blog, love it by the way. I am also obsessed with candles. I dont like Yankee candles or just any candle. Bath and body do smell, but also If you have never tried The Tyler Candle Co. their Pinapple Crush is to die for. My all time favorite go to candle.
Kim says
Pinapple Crush from Tyler Candle CO. is hands down my favorite candle. Can't wasit to try one of these to add to my massive, out of control candle collection.
Anonymous says
What are your favorite summer scent from B&BBW? Thanks!