The Art of Home Fragrance

Recently, I was asked by a friend, about home fragrance and, what my recommendations are for keeping the home smelling good.  I am thrilled to share this information, because, in fact, keeping wonderful scents in my home is truly a long standing hobby of mine.  There is an art to making the home smell DELICIOUS and, inviting.


Here are a few ideas to inspire you to keep your home smelling so good....your guests will never want to depart.  I guarantee it....

1. Always be on the look out for candles and, very important, know your brands.   Here are my top 5 favorite candle brands and, they all can be found on the internet, OR, check local stores who may carry them.   *Flair Tip:  Don't know a lot about candles?  The next time you are in someone's home where a wonderful scent draws your attention- do not hesitate to ask the host what the scent is.  The host will be flattered that you asked and, you will learn something to help improve your home. 

• Trapp Candles,  TRAPP.   No. 61, "Quince and Pomegranate" is divine!   ANY of their scents are going to be well worth your money.   Very fragrant and, they burn slowly.  I have consistently used the scent "Orange Vanilla", over the years--- one of my staples. 
• Tyler Candles.  Tyler Candle Company.  Their "Limelight" scent is wonderful!
• Seda France.  SEDA FRANCE.  "French Tulip" and "Japanese Quince" are my Flair picks.
• Votivo.  VOTIVO CANDLES.  Their "Red Currant" is iconic and, I love the "Vanilla  Grapefruit"- you truly cannot go wrong with ANY of their scents. Their scents are a luxury to enjoy. 
• Aromatique. AROMATIQUE. These candles have been a MUST in my home for over 17 years (my entire married life!).  For Spring: "The Smell of Spring"; For Fall: "Cinnamon Cider"; For Christmas: "The Smell of Christmas".  I buy each of these scents in a large jar size and in the votive size. AMAZING scents that instantly send a message 'announcing' the season. 

     2.  The Candle Pantry:  I keep candles in their very own 'pantry' right inside a large drawer in an antique English pine chest that is in my entry hall.  I shop all year long for wonderful candles and, often, find candles on sale at stores such as: TJ MAXX and, TUESDAY MORNING.  *A great time to buy candles is after the season.  For example, after Christmas, shop the sales and, you will often find good candles for 50% off the regular price. Since my chest is full of all my favorite scents, when ever I have guests coming over, I know that I can 'dip' in to my drawer and, pull out a delicious smelling scent.  Readiness for a well fragranced home-- this is key. 

    3.  Light Bulb rings.  Place a brass or a ceramic ring on a lamp and add, 1/2 t. of a fragrant oil.  The heat from the light will send the oil scent wafting in to your room and, this is a great way to make your home smell good.  * The Aromatique company (listed above) make fragrant oils in all of their scents.  I keep 5 to 6 fragrance oils on hand at all times.  In the event that you have unpleasant odors arise in your home, these oils are a perfect way to combat them. Light Bulb Fragrance Rings .


   4.  Reed Diffusers.  Diffusers are a wonderful way to add a fresh scent to a space in your home.  These can be found at many specialty stores.  The reeds stick out from the jar of oil and, right away, your room will be fragrant. I like these products because they typically will last for 4-6 months. A good investment.  Check out the "Island Grapefruit" diffuser by VOTIVO.  Perfect!!! 


Get started on making your home a place filled with wonderful fragrances.  A home that 'welcomes' a guest with a fabulous scent TRULY is a home with FLAIR!  The 'Art' of a fragrant home....truly worth your time and energy. 

LAUNDRY ROOM BLUES

Whew!  We came in last night from being out-of-town for four days and, I had a PILE of laundry 'staring' me in the face this morning.  I don't know about you, but, a large pile of laundry can be overwhelming.  I decided to "fight back" today with a few of my "tried and true" FLAIR tricks for getting me in the mood for getting the laundry pile GONE!

STEP 1:  Make sure you LOVE the smell of your detergent!  Gain is my ABSOLUTE favorite brand.  Once you turn on the washing machine the wonderful scent of detergent will make you feel like singing! 

STEP 2:  Here is the PILE I was telling you about!  Do not stare at your laundry too long and get overwhelmed, instead, GET GOING and make it disappear! 

STEP 3:  Turn on a favorite television show to watch while you are folding clothes.  For instance, I really enjoy and gain inspiration from watching FOOD TV.  While you fold clothes, you are likely to get inspired about cooking dinner this week.  * Multi-tasking.....very important! 

FOOD TV

STEP 4:  This is a MUST!  Don a fun pair of flip flops or shoes to complete your laundry and other daily 'chores' in.  Every time you look at your feet, you will smile!  Fun shoes really do help make your mood better as you 'whistle around' your house!  I found this pair for $9.00 last week at Holliday's.

STEP 5:  Great music!  Play a favorite CD or use your iPod.  Turn up the volume as loud as you can tolerate and, work, work, work!  I LOVE listening to music while I am completing house work! 

AMAZON

STEP 6:  Brew a pot of coffee or, make a cup of tea.  You can sip the coffee as you are folding and putting away the laundry.  

STARBUCKS

STEP 7:  Light a favorite candle and, enjoy the scent while you work.  

SEDA FRANCE CANDLES

I promise, you WILL feel more motivated to get the laundry all finished if you follow my easy "tricks".  Do not let a large pile of dirty laundry dampen your day.  Use my easy 7 steps and, get going!  You will feel GREAT once all the clothes are put neatly away.  Now, this is what I call doing laundry with "FLAIR"!  Try this system out and, I would love to know how it works for you! 

FLAIR CANDLE OF THE MONTH

This candle burning in our home during the spring months makes me want to jump and shout, "HAPPY SPRING EVERYONE!".  Truly a luxurious scent and, the scent reaches across your house.  DIVINE!  By Seda France, the scent is FRENCH TULIP. 

Available at CANDLE LUXURY.   Order yourself one today!  You will not regret it! 


The body wash is sold in a pretty bottle and, the same awesome scent smells wonderful as you wash your hands.  FLAIR TIP:  I currently have this soap in our guest bathroom beside the sink.  A real treat for guests!  A great deal, on sale now, for $8.00.  This will easily last a year.  I change guest soaps each season, and, you will get one to two seasons use per bottle. This item can be purchased at SEDA FRANCE. 

Last week, I was shopping at a wonderful local stationary and gift store called The Stovall Collection and, this store had the FRENCH TULIP candle by Seda France in this GORGEOUS new container.  This would look AMAZING in a guest bathroom or in your living room.  STUNNING and, after the candle is finished burning, you could buy a replacement or, keep the beautiful container as a decorative piece.  

FLAIR TIP:  This would make an ideal gift for that person who can be difficult to buy for.  Who wouldn't enjoy such a beautiful gift?