Yes, it’s the season. A very generous friend gave me an iPad Mini for Chrismukkah and so I decided that it needed a case. In my case, I decided the case I wanted was a Lilly Pulitzer one in one of her searing, retro-fabulous shades of pink. Results? Not. So. Much. The iPad didn’t really fit and the fabric was sort of cheap and shiny looking. I guess it’s somewhat okay that I’m only out $7 for the return shipping, but at a dollar a minute that thing was (not really) on my iPad before I came to the conclusion that it was junk and needed to go back, that’s pretty pricey. I am a bear about covers for Apple products though, so I’ll get something soon.
I know I’m going to be at the Mall this weekend buying a gift for a friend. I think L’Occitane something will make her happy. But since I actually have more than two food stamps to rub together this year, I was thinking about what I should give myself? A new CTS was first on my list, but it would have to be in 1/32nd scale and read “Hot Wheels” on the bottom.
I was thinking a home fragrance item. I hate returning home and smelling the Trader Joe’s potstickers I nuked earlier in the evening.
This is where you, Tonstant Weader, come in. I don’t want anything that burns. I like reed diffusers, Santa Maria Novello pot pourri is nice as well, but do yo any others that aren’t the price of a new Cadillac and actually work, but don’t choke? Please let me know in the comments, all will be greatly appreciated
Image: Internets
I don’t have this but Diptyque makes an interesting (but $$) hourglass diffuser, and also some hanging wax scent thingies.
My favorites are Diptyque room sprays in Musc and Safran but they’re probably discontinued.
Also, depends on what you’re looking for, but I also love beeswax and use the candles just for their scent without burning. There are crafty people who make beeswax shapes to hang up which give off their scent for a long time.
Ditto the Trapp scents and diffusers. The Amber and Bergamot is very nice as well. I love my candles, but incense is also wonderful, and nice when it’s warm and a candle seems superfluous.
😛
I love the smokeless incense from Nippon Kodo. My long-time favorite is the Seiun Chrysanthemum.
Oooh, I need to find me some of this, it sounds gorgeous.
Interesting- I’ll have to look into it. Thanks!
I’m a candle and incense girl myself, but I do have a ceramic ring that fits on a lightbulb which I can drop some scented oil or essential oils on. When the bulb heats it diffuses the oils. Pretty low tech and cheap. I don’t really use any of those diffusers that plug in and I’ve never really had a reed diffuser that projected much fragrance. That’s probably because I’ve never tried any of the real nice ones I guess.
I agree that reed diffusers have the least throw of any home fragrances. Some brands are definitely better than others, but all in all, I’d say they were definitely more skin-scent than sillage monsters, so to speak!
What are some of your favorite incenses?
I can’t claim to be any type of incense snob. I usually just grab whatever seems to smell good through the packaging. I really like the actual church incense which my mom will get for me in a few weeks for Epiphany.
They actually don’t sell lightbulbs anymore here. They want everyone to use those cfl things that are filled with mercury. No plastic bags at the grocery store either anymore. Which means for the first time in 25 years rather than using my paper bags from the grocery store as trash bags (recycled by the company that picks up the trash) I’m buying plastic trash bags.
I really wish someone could tell me how that much mercury is better for us than a regular bulb. I’m sure the trash bag makers are happy to have people buying those small bags again though. Somehow some of these efforts to be “green” seem a bit wrong.
Well I for one would not mind returning home to the smell of pot stickers, but I’m a hillbilly, and “someone’s been fryin’ food” is a comfort scent to me! 😛
Votivo have great diffusers, and I have never met anyone who didn’t like their Red Currant. If you can stand the shame of the name, they have one called Lock Your Love Hot To Handle that is kind of interesting, as well as the equally cringe-worthy Votivo Lock Your Love Hold Me Tight, which I am undecided about. Under 50 bucks; I have seen them on sale online for less than 30. Also, Saint Parfum diffusers are gorgeously scented ( my fave being Fresh Cut Bouquet), but more spendy. (They usually have pretty good sales right about now, though)
And my mama likes Seda diffusers; I find them to be a little perfumey, but the quality is pretty good overall and they’re fairly cheap.
Yes, yes, Tammy — seconding you on the Seda France diffusers! And the curvy bottles with tassels are nice, too. I bought one on deep clearance in a scent i didn’t care for just to get the vaselike bottle. And they sell refills, too, which I love.
I LOVE their bottles. And they do work great as vases, especially with sweet peas!
I’m seconding you on the smell of potstickers in the house. 🙂
That emoticon down below was meant for you! And now I’m craving pot stickers! (Which are rather thin on the ground in rural Arkansas)
Thanks for the tip!
Tom – Hippo Hollerdays, Two Ewes! (I used to date a guy who gave me cards like that. 30 years later, the damn things are still stuck in my brain)…..Ann already mentioned my beloved Agraria – the Bitter Orange is my favorite but the new one (which I review on Wed), Golden Cassis, has a very neutral-gorgeous scent. So you can burn potstickers to your heart’s content.
Another fave is Trapp Candles diffusers – they’re out of Kansas City . I like them a lot but the one I LUUUURRRVE is Bob’s Flower Shoppe. Here’s a link to shoppes in your neck o’ the woods. http://trappcandles.com/results.aspx?rad=25&zip=90210
xoxoxA
I will check that one out, thanks! Have a great holiday!
I love the Marshmallow Fireside scent from BBW. The candle isn’t so great, but their scented oil wallflower works great. It is a wonderful smoky vanilla that doesn’t get tiresome.
Thanks!
Howdy, Tom! So nice that you were gifted the iPad Mini and that you have a bit more moolah for YOU this year! If you have a Nordstrom nearby, try out the Antica Farmacista line, if you haven’t already. They have small (powder-room size), medium and large diffusers and a nice choice of scents; they range in price from $25 to $92.
And the Agraria line is lovely, too (waving to Musette). Just checked Neiman’s and Saks sites and it looks like the small one goes for $45 and the large (with those crazy cute petals) for $110. And they do come with a nice mirrored tray.
I KNOW! on those petals – aren’t they just THE CUTEST? And if you go with the darker oils (like the blue Jasmine or the reddish purple of the Rose)….imagine how adorbs it would be to watch the petals slowly change color!
xo
I will definitely do that- after the holiday. The nearest Nordys is in The Grove, which is a nightmare right now.
Sorry Tom,
I use Indian, Korean and Chinese incense or Oil Burners. Can’t help you I’m afraid but I am SO THRILLED you’ve got a bit extra to splurge for you. BRAVO buddy.
Portia xx
Have a happy holiday, friend!
Hi, Tom! Do you have Branche d’Olive over there? They make lovely, quite plain diffusers, and my favourite is “Garrigue” which smells a lot like Eau Sauvage. The price is reasonable, and the throw and longevity are good. I find a lot of diffusers use quite an unpleasant base, so it’s great to find one that smells good.
Have a really wonderful Christmas.
I haven’t seen them here, but I’ll keep a look out for them. Thanks1