Smells Like Mom’s Poundcake!
It’s intriguing how a scent can bring back cherished memories – memories that you thought were long forgotten. A certain smell can bring back a time and a place that you thought you would never see again. An aroma can be like an old friend that transports your mind to another place.
Nowadays, quality scented candles come in an array of unique styles, shapes and smells. The variety of fragrances is vast and the scent concepts are ingenious. Beanpod offer a set of tealights called ‘Denim Breeze’ which is perfect for any ex-50s greasers out there, or anybody that has a penchant for old Americana.
Before I found my passion for scented candles, I thought that they would only come in a few basic smells; floral, mint and perhaps herb. Little did I know that there were scrumptious baking fragrances like gingerbread or even hazelnut! Or even unique exotic fragrances like mango and coconut milk that have me on the beach in Hawaii within the comfort of my own home! Who would know that a candle could be so evocative?
I thought I would share a few recent memories of my own with you to show how effective lighting a scented candle can be.
Last week we bought a puppy…
and boy did he kick up a stink! My quiet household was transformed into a relative bombsite within twenty four hours of baby Hank’s arrival. Our cute little bundle of joy had morphed into a wrecking ball overnight! Coffee was spilt, cushions eaten and obviously, accidents did happen. So by the weekend, I had decided that it was time to pick some new scented candles to keep calm and give our (then puppy-scented) house a helping hand.
Each choice I made reignited a vivid memory in my head.
Mmmmmmmm…..
The first candle I chose was a ‘Vanilla Poundcake’ fragrance from Montag Candles. I had a choice of standard 8.oz size or a larger 14.oz candle. I opted for the latter, as Hank had recently torn the contents of the lower cupboard to pieces, and I hoped a fresh baking smell would turn his and my attention to something other than food and resulting carnage.
One minute after I lit the wick, my nose started to tingle, within five minutes of burning, my mouth was watering. The buttery vanilla fragrance tasted good enough to eat. I thought “Wait a minute, this reminds me of something” and it wasn’t until the next day when my sister visited that I realized. She asked “Mmmm, Is Mom baking her famous poundcake?” Bingo! I was instantly transported back to my childhood to the smell of my Mom’s legendary cake-baking. The rich smell was so gratifying that I decided to purchase a couple more and send them all to my siblings, and of course, one to my Mom!
Have you ever tried to meditate at home before?
Let me rephrase that, have you ever tried to meditate at home while a puppy is gnawing at the legs of your pants before? For your sake, I hope not!
I was in desperate need of some heightened meditation time so I chose a couple of Oval meditation candles in Cinnamon and Lavender to promote my calmness, well-being and focus. Meditation candles work on the same premise as aromatherapy candles by infusing essential oils that have a positive effect on your mind and body. These candles also came with meditation sayings that I was successfully focusing on, until, the smell of lavender took my mind away to a place of my past.
Lavender has always reminded me of my first date. Two fifteen year olds walking around the neighborhood, holding hands and strolling past pretty gardens with the scent of sweet lavender in the air. It reminds me of an age of innocence. Evoking such a fond memory is a gift and I thank the Meditation Candles. I emerged from my meditation time calm, invigorated and smiling.
Can’t find a particular scent? Then how about making your own candle?
If you still can’t find that childhood or memory-evoking scent that you are searching for, then why not make your own candle? There are so many quality candle making recipes and kits to help that I’m sure you would be able to find a fragrance, or concoct your own, that will have you back in a special place in no time.
So now my mind is refreshed, my house is refreshed and Hank is, well, still a cute and hairy whirlwind! But thanks to a few particular scented candles, I have managed to find solace somewhere between the wonder of my new puppy and my day to day life.
Tags: candle making recipes | candle making recipes | meditation candles | scented candles | scented candles | Montag Candles | Montag Candles | candles | candles
August 9th, 2008 at 4:47 am
matter: this is just to test, as I was trying to post the comment but it failed.
August 9th, 2008 at 4:51 am
After a long, hard day, light one of our calming scented candles as the perfect antidote for today’s frenzied, high-stress lifestyles. I like it…………
I like to Choose from a bouquet of fruity aromas, including citrus, orange, and lemon, or opt for such nature-inspired spring scents as ocean breeze, fresh rain, and pure cotton.