6 Quintessential New York Gifts

We haven’t conducted any polls, but if we did, we’re willing to bet that New York City would rank No. 1 for most-missed city in America. How do we know? Well, for one, there have been books, essay collections, films and songs written about bidding it farewell (there are 12 songs with the word “goodbye” in the title in the Wikipedia entry on New York City songs, in case you were wondering). Plus, our New York City candles are big-time bestsellers, and if that doesn’t indicate longing, we don’t know what does. Things that smell, taste, look and feel like the place have a special way of bringing you back, igniting memories and making you feel like you’re still there, which is why the following gifts are so great for the former New Yorker on your list or anyone who’s got a deep affinity for the city that never sleeps. 1. A Candle That Smells Like a Spring Day in Central Park—Featuring top notes of bergamot, lemon and grapefruit with mid notes of concrete, this hand-poured New York candle is the closest thing there is to picnicking in Sheep Meadow on a Saturday in May (besides the real thing, of course). It embodies the energy and excitement of the place like nothing else on this list. Shop three sizes: Classic, Mini and Three-Wick. 2. A Copy of “Here is New York” by E.B. White—As one of America’s preeminent literary figures, E.B. White is best-known for penning noteworthy children’s books like Stuart Little and Charlotte’s Web, but one of his most underrated works is the short essay “Here is New York.” The piece has been called “the quintessential love letter to the city,” thanks in part to nuggets like this: “The city is like poetry: it compresses all life, all races and breeds, into a small island and adds music and the accompaniment of internal engines. The island of Manhattan is without any doubt the greatest human concentrate on earth, the poem whose magic is comprehensible to millions of permanent residents but whose full meaning will always remain elusive.”   3. A Dozen Bagels from Russ & Daughters—Cronuts, pastrami, those street peanuts that smell way too good to be true. There are just certain foods you’ll only find done right in New York–like bagels. Insiders know that it’s the (actually insanely delicious) New York City water that makes these round, doughy delights so good and so exclusive to the five boroughs. Give the gift of a dozen bagels and some lox from Russ & Daughters, one of the O.G. Jewish delis that’s been in its famous Houston Street storefront for more than 100 years.  4. A Bottle of Fragrance Oil That Takes You Back—Who says you can’t bottle up a place? With our  New York City Fragrance Oil, we’ve boiled down all the best parts about a warm day in Midtown into an oil you can diffuse into the air. Just like our signature candles, this oil fills your space with the essence of New York, complete with bergamot, lemon, grapefruit, sandalwood, musk and nostalgia-inducing concrete.   5. A Six-Pack of New York-Brewed Beer—For best results, give beer. Admittedly, New York has lagged behind other metropolitan centers in terms of the craft brewing scene (breweries require space, of which New York has little), but the stuff it does produce is something to write home about. Again, it probably has something to do with the water, at least that’s our theory. Some good options, beyond the obvious Brooklyn Brewery, can be found on Craftshack.com. 6. A Slice of Table 87 Pizza—We’re not saying it’s the best pie on the block—there are hundreds that claim that title on the streets of New York, of course—but Table 87 pizza will definitely satiate your craving for a giant, foldable slice of NY pie, even if you live on the West Coast. The real reason why we added this noteworthy joint to this list is the fact that they ship their coal oven pizzas, in frozen form, throughout the United States. Sign us up for repeat deliveries, please. Nothing beats the real thing, but if you can’t be in New York, these sweet gifts are a bit of a consolation. The key is to shower a longing recipient with things that appeal to the senses, with flavors, feelings and smells that remind them of being back in the greatest city on Earth.

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5 Homesick Candles That Smell Like Summer

Smells are a powerful way to stir up memories, so much so that we occasionally find ourselves transported to another place entirely with a single deep breath. And why is it that certain smells are so good at arousing seasonal memories? Psychologists and neuroscientists believe it has to do with the fact that the olfactory bulb (the part of the brain that receives and detects smells) is directly connected to two areas of the brain that are linked to memory and emotion. Smell is more closely integrated with the brain than any other sense, which is why the nose is often better at triggering memories than the eyes and ears.We’ve all had particularly poignant, seasonal memories: The dewy morning air arouses thoughts of waiting at the bus stop in your childhood neighborhood on a fall day or playing on the playground on the last day of school before summer break. At Homesick candles, we’ve worked hard to recreate and jar these memory-triggering scents so that you can enjoy them anytime. Here are the ones we’ve developed to take you straight back to summertime road trips, beach days, barbecues and those hot days that seemed to go on forever. 1. Beach Cottage Candle—Take a trip to the beach with a flick of a match with this summery candle that reminds you of the salt-worn, clapboard cottage where many of your favorite memories live. With notes of beach (sandalwood and cedarwood) and August flora mid-bloom (plumeria and bergamot), you’ll revive deep thoughts that make you feel warm, happy and relaxed, even if it’s snowing outside. 2. American Summer Candle—The smell of fireworks on the Fourth of July, logs smoldering in the campfire, burgers cooking on the grill. All of these aromas trigger thoughts of an all-American summer, complete with picnics, road trips and hours spent outside not knowing what time it is. Our nod to this specific place and time takes you straight back with notes of lemon, lime, watermelon, lily and peach, so you’ll instantly reminisce about biting into a perfectly ripe piece of fruit or sipping fresh-squeezed lemonade at the fair. 3. Backyard BBQ Candle—Our smoky and sweet backyard BBQ candle is for those of us who are instantly transported elsewhere through specific flavors. The sweet smell of hickory, smoke and brown sugar takes you back to the block parties, barbecues and beach grill-outs where many of your favorite memories were forged. It features rich notes that remind you of the best summertime flavors—black pepper, cumin, vinegar, maple, cinnamon, clove and peach—and the sweet smells that tend to linger in the thick summertime air.  4. Summer Camp Candle—How is it that just a few weeks of summertime could leave you with half of your memories from that whole year? That’s the power of a summer spent at camp. This sweet candle is meant to capture the exhaustion, friendship and pure fun of those unbeatable six weeks, with notes of green grass, lemon, lime, sunscreen and jasmine. Burning this candle ignites memories of jumping off the dock into the lake, staying up too late in a musty old cabin and drinking too much punch in the dining hall. 5. Road Trip Candle—There’s nothing better than hitting the pavement in the middle of the summertime, preferably with the radio up and the windows down. Our memory-igniting road trip candle is scented with all the romantic fragrances of the open road, including leather, lime, paper and cedarwood, making you think of spontaneous detours, national parks and quirky side-of-the-road outposts.     Fill Your Home with the Joys of Summer Whether you use them to arouse fond childhood memories or to fill your home with a sense of comfort and warmth when the temps outside are frigid, these summer-themed Homesick candles will surely spark memories you didn’t even know you had. You’ll feel great about burning these premium summer-scented candles, since they’re made with clean-burning soy wax and are hand-poured in the U.S. We’re sure they’ll make you want to enjoy the incomparable aroma of summer year-round!

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The Great Smoky Mountains

Like a good friend, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park would much prefer you remember them fondly as “The Smokies,” without fanfare or pretense. Recollections of the seemingly endless ridge of forests lilt and float in the memory like the famous mist synonymous with the land. It’s a symbol of the ancient coexisting with the present as the old growth forests thrive among the new. It’s the individual memory, but also the sense of belonging to a collective, cultural consciousness. Visiting the Smokies is a rite of passage for the young and old. It is true connection with the earth and its bounty. Straddling the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park hosts an astounding 11 million visitors each year, making it America’s most visited national park. In its massive holdings reside an International Biosphere Reserve with over 187,000 acres of old growth forest in addition to waterfalls, trails, and mountains. The name of the park has origins quite simple in nature; “Smoky” comes from the omnipresent fog that hovers over the mountain range. History is enmeshed in that beautiful, ethereal “smoke” that lingers across the lands.  Long before European settlement, the Cherokee tribe not only lived and hunted in the Smokies, but also found deep spirituality on this natural landscape. One Cherokee legend speaks of a magical lake hidden deep within the Smokies, inaccessible to humans. Another tale talks of the “rabbit place,” and foretold the mountain to be dominion of the Great Rabbit, the eponymous trickster in countless tales of Cherokee tradition. It holds ancient forests and conceals the wisdom of the ages in its stone. When it became a national park in 1934, the Great Smoky Mountains were unsealed to a world ready to marvel in its radiance.   It all begins at Cades Cove. The lush, green valley snuggled between the mountains is inarguably one of the most visited places in the Great Smoky Mountains. Watch for the parade of wildlife in this verdant sanctuary. Spy white-tailed deer, coyotes, and maybe even a black bear while enjoying the trails during the day and camping out under the stars at night. Feel the cool spray of the waterfall while walking Grotto Falls Trail. Head up high, 6,643 feet to be exact, to Clingman’s Dome, the highest point in Tennessee and the third highest in the Appalachian Mountain Range and breathe in the strong scent of spruce-fir as old as the Ice Age in the air. Finally, go low and hike the Alum Cave Trail. Pass Arch Rock and look out at the views at Inspiration Point and maybe even spy a peregrine falcon soar by. There is no shortage of natural gravitas here and it will remain so in memorandum. When the the Smokies' mist revisits your mind, it’s easy to retrace that serene journey anytime. From falls to forest, peak to path, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is just a wick away. Run through the wildflowers, inhale the fir trees, enjoy the brisk air at the top of the dome and feel that all-pervading mist dance across your nose once more in every breath.    

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Are you Homesick? Take the Quiz!

Life is full of changes. Moving is one change that can be unexpectedly more difficult than just finding movers, packing, and setting up a new home. The transition from one place to another hits us deeply. Often times, people get homesick during this transition time. Homesickness manifests in several ways. It can make people teary and anxious. It can upset sleep, eating habits, and focus. It can also be a lonely time that makes a person isolate him or herself, making the loneliness worse. It can make embracing your new city harder than it should be. Think you might be homesick? Take the quiz below to find out! Take the Homesick Quiz! Give yourself one point for every question where you agree with the statement.   1. I recently moved somewhere new, at least 50 miles from my last home. 2. Since moving, I have been inexplicably anxious, stressed, or tense on a   regular basis. 3. I think about my last home every day and compare my new home to it. 4. Nearly every day I think about what I am missing at my old home with my friends and family. 5. Since I moved, I have lost my appetite, have insomnia, feel very lonely, or just haven’t felt like myself. 6. I am not making the effort to go out and meet new people or engage with my new city in general. 7. I idealize my old home in my mind, making it more beautiful and fun than it may be. 8. I wish I was back at (old) home.   How Did You Score? Your Score: 0-1 You’re not homesick at all! While you love your old home, you look at it kind of like a superhero origin story – it contributed to you in all your wonderful awesomeness, but you are happy and excited to accomplish new things and go new places! Home is wherever you make it! Your Score: 2-4 It’s likely you’re a bit homesickness, not really enough to impact your everyday life. You may reminisce a bit, but it’s not stopping you from taking some baby steps to make your new digs feel like home. Vow to try something new each week, join a MeetUp group, or just find your new favorite coffee shop. Start putting down some roots! Your Score: 5+ You’re homesick. It’s okay, we’ve all been there at some time or another and it’s a completely human thing. We all long for our old homes because we like the comfort of the predictability, stability, and consistency of it. During transitions from old to new, we can often internalize our fear of learning a whole new normal. The best way to pull yourself out of your homesickness is to go out and meet your new city. Find the new place you will do your favorite thing. Love yoga? Try out all the studios until you find the one you love! Love beer? Check out all the nearby breweries to find out where you want to have your Friday night stout infusion. Once you start, you’ll find you want to find the best place for dim sum and tacos and everything else. Treat the experience like you’re on vacation and be a tourist in your new city for a month. The homesickness will fade eventually, and you’ll fall in love with your new home. When you’re homesick, it also doesn’t hurt to have a piece of your old home to hold onto. It may be a favorite chair or products from your favorite spa. Smells are also a great way to invite the nostalgia of that your past home into your new home with a candle that brings you back there, if just for a moment. All you have to do is flick a match and you’re home again.

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All the Wonder: The Grand Canyon

It’s one place where mere photographs cannot do it justice. It is more than a place; it is an experience for the psyche. It is more than an experience, it’s a series of experiences. It’s the hike, it’s asking a friendly mule to take you down the steep trail, it’s lazily floating on the Colorado River, and then it’s the moments where you just sit in silence and take in the enormity of this natural phenomena. A visit to the Grand Canyon is forever etched into memory. Two hundred and seventy-seven miles long, one mile deep, and up to 18 miles wide, the Grand Canyon came to be a National Park after first being a Forest Reserve and a National Monument. One of the seven Wonders of the World, it graciously welcomes over four million visitors each year.  Sculpted by air and water over eons innumerable, the Grand Canyon has been home to many people over thousands and thousands of years. Its indescribable beauty is a testament to what can be when a sacred space is preserved and protected; it defies description. It is that which must be beheld and explored. Listen to the wind to hear the story of countless tribes who have called this magnificent land theirs. Listen to the quiet prayers of the Spanish missionaries who made it their home away from home. See the dust swirl around the archeological digs that still go on to this day, finding treasures and traces of the lives that came before us. Wait on bated breath to hear the echoes of every “ah” of every visitor who’s beheld this colossal sight, as they bounce around the depth of the canyons.  Recall trekking the Bright Angel Trail to Plateau Point for unforgettable views of the river. Then hiking the famous Rim Trail for breathtaking views at Maricopa Point and Hopi Point. Days later stopping in the desert oasis, Havasu Falls, a glorious blue of gushing water in contrast to the rich reds and oranges of the canyon to enjoy a cooling dip in the dry heat of the canyon. Continuing the water-bound adventures by river rafting the Colorado. Recollect taking a well-deserved respite at Hermit’s Rest. Remember how you held your breath at first when crossing the Navajo Bridge. And finally, watching the reds and oranges change into pinks and purples as the sun sets over Lipan Point. The Grand Canyon is all the feelings, all the colors, and all the scents of nature at its most glorious and resplendent. A trip to the Grand Canyon is more than one to remember, it’s one to ruminate on often. Go there anytime by putting fire to wick like the ancients. Feel the warm vibration of the sandstone and smell sandalwood in the heady air. Recall the vibrancy of the orange and red landscape, artfully imprinted in the stone. Feel the winding rivers as they sculpt and refine your soul as you rode the rapids, the smell of the rushing water kissing your lips. Linger in the sunset that seems to both last forever and end too soon.

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Behind the Flame: The Symbolic Meanings of Candles Through Time

Psst. Don't forget to check out our new arrivals after learning more below! Shop HERE. Today, we light candles for many reasons. Some do it to set a romantic mood, others do it to relax, and still others just like the scent that emanates and the glow it casts. Our traditions are steeped in candles, specifically, the lighting and blowing out of the candles each birthday to make a wish come true. However, that is an old tradition coming from a variety of ancient traditions which believed smoke took one’s prayers to the heavens to be heard and answered. It’s easy to see why people throughout time have stared into the flame, there is something else, almost a meditative cultural consciousness that reverberates with every flick and lick of the flame. Candles Are Believed to Contain the Gifts of the Gods In ancient times, candles largely symbolized the divine. They are believed to contain the gifts of the godsas the Greek gods gave the fire to Prometheus for illumination and progress. The ancient Greeks used candles to light the temples of the gods and to offer sacrifice. Villagers would light candles on the sixth day of every month in celebration of the birth of Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, wild animals, childbirth, and virginity in order to win her favor. The Flame Holds Celebration and Remembrance The flame also holds festival, celebration, and remembrance. The sacred lighting of the candles during Hanukah reminds those of the Jewish culture to remember to have faith and that they are in the presence of God. The flame holds belief and conviction and reminds them of the triumph of good over evil in every wick lit during each night of the “Festival of Lights.” The belief is that so long as the candle burned, safety would abound. Another festival of lights, the Indian celebration of Diwali, is a five-day celebration of the power of light over darkness. It marks a time of wishes for the coming year. On Diwali night, candles are lit throughout the home and community to represent the power of light and floating candles are sent out on the water to Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity. The Flame Is Symbolic The flame also holds somber and sacred meaning for those of the Catholic faith. A candle is lit at the beginning of each mass to represent the illumination of Christ. The flame is symbolic of unity in the marriage ceremony, two lighting their separate candles and then bringing them together to form one perfect union of souls. Candles are used in every festival and ritual the Church performs. It is also used in the rituals lead by individuals, such as lighting a candle and watching the flame while praying, imbues fire of the heart for the person who is the subject of the prayer. The Flame Represents Home Finally, there is the tradition of putting a candle in the window which dates back to colonial times. It was one-part prayer that a special someone far away would return home safely and one-part a sign that someone was waiting for them and ready to welcome them home. The flame represented home.It’s no wonder then, that when we are far away from home, the sight of a burning flame brings us back to home no matter where we are, and quells the nostalgia and homesickness, bringing us peace and tranquility.

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The First: Yellowstone National Park

Nearly 3,500 square miles stretches over Wyoming atop a volcanic hot spot. Bedecked with deep canyons, alpine rivers, a kaleidoscopic spring, rich forests, and enthusiastic geysers, Yellowstone National Park is home to hundreds of animals and plays generous host to visitors near and far coming to stand in the grandeur of this highly revered natural landscape.  In 1872, Yellowstone became the world’s first national park. While people heard of the springs and geysers, interest didn’t peak until two men, Thomas Moran, an artist, and photographer William Henry Jackson brought the park’s beauty to life with their photographs and art. It wasn’t soon before Congress and Ulysses S. Grant joined together to make Yellowstone National Park the first of many national parks. Yellowstone welcomes over four million visitors each year and has taken up a space as the quintessential family vacation location. When visiting, there are many places to enjoy, all with their unique splendor that adds to the overall grandeur of Yellowstone. In the midst of forest and valley lies Yellowstone Lake. As the air skips the surface of the vast water, the smells of water and greenery sear into the brain with visions of crystalline water and lush vegetation. An enigmatic wolf peeks out of the magnificent flora. Your heart skips. The endless trails beckon as you venture to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone or the awe-inspiring sight of the Upper Yellowstone Falls. Who could forget a rainbow bursting from the ground?  A technicolor result of minerals and microbial mats, the Grand Prismatic Spring forever bubbles in the memory like its water so blue and powerful. Of course, you can’t miss that which most people clamor to see, Old Faithful. The air swirls around this magnificent feat with a softening mist that quells the scent of the excited asphalt gurgling up. Then you feel the heat and see the water surge miraculously from the earth. Yellowstone National Park is the epitome of sensory overload unless you live in each moment. The brisk air blows by, shortly followed by warm mist falling onto freckled faces and shoulders. Listen to the sounds of the springs gurgling, the birds calling, and kids wondering aloud at the splendor of nature around them. The eyes are greedily given more deep blues and greens than they’ve ever seen, while seeing rainbows within each spring erupt into the sky. Finally, the smells occupy the landscape as the freshness of air and water mingle with the foliage and flowers to create an intoxicating santal, warmed by the sun and energy of the park. There is nothing quite like the first and Yellowstone is no different. Revisit this epic park anytime with our Yellowstone candle. Take a moment inside or out, close your eyes and deeply inhale the nostalgia of that first visit or all the ones that followed. Take time tonight for a remembered walk in the verdant forests, the smell of water on the air, and the feel of the mist as it tickles your nose once again, if just for a moment.

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Inspired by Nature: Yosemite

Snuggled in the Sierra Nevadas, Yosemite National Park is a destination of many a bucket list. It's breathtaking falls, tall and proud Sequoias, and its deep canyons echo the sounds of a time long before. The stories of many walks of man are written in the ancient rocks as the natural flora and fauna run wild around them, undisturbed and primal. The smell of fresh, sweet water mingles with the earthy smell of the ground as the wind gushes by. The black bear, bobcat, and the Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep walk the same trails as their ancestors before them. It is life at its most simple, at its most beautiful and pure. The groundbreaking story of Yosemite reverberates through in its canyons. The story begins long before present day, stretching back thousands of years to when Yosemite was settled by the Ahwahnechee tribe. Thousands of years later, when the Gold Rush struck, the beauty of Yosemite was discovered by the European-Americans who went West to chase their fortune. It wasn’t long until various news stories and illustrations of the land stretched far and wide. The awe of this natural landscape inspired influential people to pursue every measure to protect this exquisite land.  Concerned that this resplendent space might be upturned by commercial interests, two prominent citizens, Galen Clark and Senator John Conness, helped prepare a bill to safeguard the historic land. This became the Yosemite Grant, which was the first instance of park land being set aside for preservation and public use, signed in by Abraham Lincoln himself. The beauty of Yosemite laid the foundation for preservation efforts all over the United States and lead to our current National Parks programs. There is so much beauty to take in at Yosemite, it’s hard to know where to begin. Every trip must include a visit to Half Dome, a strenuous but lifechanging trek to look far and wide at the majesty of the physical landscape. For many, it’s a transcendent experience. Take in the panoramic vistas at Glacier Point and see Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls. No visit is complete without time spent in the Mariposa Grove. Hug the giant Sequoias and marvel at their thousand-plus years of age. Wander through the California Tunnel Tree, which is a Sequoia that features a man-made tunnel through the center of its trunk. Then, visit the Fallen Monarch, the oldest Sequoia in the forest which fell several decades ago to be nestled by the ground below in its repose. Finally, head to the Tuolumne Meadows and venture down the parks less traveled path. Close your eyes and feel the peace of quiet, smell the green of the lush landscape, and listen to the bubbling rivers and creeks. Yosemite National Park is not only filled with the memories of the ancients but also the memories of a family vacation, a week of hikes with friends, or a place of contemplation and peace for one single human spirit. Go back there with our Yosemite candle. Smell the crisp fresh air of Half Dome, the lush green of Tuolumne Meadow, and the woodsy fragrance of the grand Sequoias. Go back any time you want to relive the memories or reinhabit the peace and beauty of the earth.

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What Causes Homesickness?

Oftentimes, homesickness is equated with kids at summer camp or college freshman out on their own for the first time. However, there are studies that show that anywhere from 70 to 92 percent of adults will feel homesick at some point in their lives. What makes homesickness such a universal phenomenon? Let’s deconstruct what homesickness is, why and how we feel it, and a few ways to help ease that gentle pining for home.  What is Homesickness and Why Do We Feel It? Homesick is defined most by attachment. It’s no wonder that when we feel insecure or uncertain about our lives, we want the stability and comfort of home. Our minds love the “known,” especially in the face of the unknown. In most cases, homesickness happens between home and new home, during a period of adjustment and change. According to mental health professionals, homesickness is a kind of grief, except it’s a longing for a place rather than a living being like a family member or pet. It can cause things like anxiety, insomnia, depression, and appetite fluctuations. Change often switches on our fight-or-flight response, and in turn, we feel homesick. Of course, sometimes we feel homesick when we run across pictures from a hiking trip, find a childhood teddy bear, or smell the familiar waft of Dad cutting the grass in the air. The Scent-Memory Link Many things can link us to home. People, specific places, and objects can all trigger feelings of nostalgia, but one particular sense is powerful when it comes to memory, it’s scent.  It actually comes down to the brain’s wonderous and mysterious anatomy. When a smell first wafts over to the nose, it is processed first by the olfactory bulb, which links two areas of the brain that are especially significant for emotion and memory: the amygdala and the hippocampus. Since the tactile, visual, and auditory senses do not pass through this processing center, it’s led scientists to believe that’s why scent is such a powerful trigger when it comes to memory and emotions. When scent runs through the brain, we can experience nostalgia. Not only is it a comforting feeling, it can also combat the loneliness that often accompanies homesickness.  5 Tips to Ease Homesickness: 1. Find a coffee shop, brewery, or restaurant to frequent regularly to create a sense of community. 2. Decorate your new home with some familiar items from your old home such as a family photo or a crate of your favorite aunt’s world-famous tomato sauce. 3. Get regular exercise! Aside from all the other reasons it’s beneficial, it also releases endorphins which fight anxiety and depression. 4. Practice positive nostalgia with a candle inspired by scents from home. Whether it’s Chicago, New Hampshire, or the UK, there’s a candle that can bring all the warm and fuzzy feelings back with the strike of a match. 5. Talk with friends and family from home and keep connections strong. Often times a little chit-chat can ease homesickness. Homesickness can be both a positive and negative thing, it just depends on personal perspective. Keep homesickness on the happy side of street with the tips above. Take a moment to reflect with love and warmth and appreciate the good times. Then, move forward and make more memories. You can always look back on them fondly later on down the road.

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How to Elevate Your CBD Wellness Routine

Undoubtedly, CBD is THE wellness trend of 2019. However, there are so many products flooding the space, it’s hard to know what to use and how to use it. More importantly, which products fill your greatest needs and how can you get into the habit of using them like your old favorites? Here’s a list of our favorite, most sophisticated CBD products and how to incorporate them into your every day. #1: Wake and Hydrate You’ve been blissfully asleep dreaming of Mykonos for last eight hours. Now that you’re up, head to the kitchen and get your morning water ready. Drop a little CBD oil to your morning glass of water to benefit from it’s anti-inflammation, pain relieving, and anxiety quelling powers. #2 Gummy Love on the Go Maybe you’re sitting on the train or sitting in traffic on your way to work, there’s no better time to pop a CBD gummy. It’s easy to take on the go as needed and is also a tasty treat to brighten your day.   #3: Get Handsy At your next masseuse appointment, ask for the CBD massage. It not only eases tightness but decreases inflammation and pain. It’s an ideal fix for a week of working out crazy hard or after that long hiking trip last weekend. Many therapists will use a CBD oil on the body and a CBD balm on the rougher spots like feet and hands. Prefer to go the DIY route? There are several high-quality oils and lotions out there – ask a friend in the know for a recommendation! #4: Manifest a Calm Center Light up, but in a different way. Homesick Candles’ Four Twentycandle is a must-have for every CBD wellness ritual. The brilliant mix of cannabis, bergamot, cedarwood, sandalwood, musk, and patchouli will take you from stress to decompressed in the time it takes to strike a match. Let the scents waft by as you remember good times with friends, listening to tunes, and just getting back to your chill, melty center. Play some music, pour a glass of wine, inhale, and relax. #5: Add it to Your Skincare Ritual CBD is also showing amazing skincare benefits. Used to fight acne, inflammation, and get a moonlit glow, CBD facial oils are one of the must-have skincare products this year. They are skin soothing and super hydrating. They can be used as a moisturizer as well as a great glow-giver when very, very lightly dabbed over makeup creating an ethereal aura. #6: Catch Those ZZZ’s Add a new tea to your bedtime ritual. CBD teas are just what you need to relax into a tranquil place when you have one of those especially trying days. These are especially good for people who may need a little help with decompressing or have chronic pain. Simple, pour, steep, and sip your way to a blissed-out body and mind. With any one (or two or more) of these CBD gems, your wellness routine will reach the next level.  

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10 Thoughtful and Unique Gifts for Mother’s Day

She does it all, so why not give her something she’ll really love (and use) on Mother’s Day? While gift cards and another “I Love Mom” mugs are sweet, upgrade Mom this year with one of these thoughtful gifts below. 1. Give Mom the gift that keeps on giving…literally. Gift her with one of many   subscription boxes. Choose a subscription box based on what Mom loves like beauty products, posh nosh, charity or nonprofit lifestyle boxes, wine, and tons more. They’re the perfect way to make Mother’s Day last all year long. 2. Help Mom get quality zzz’s with Under Armour’s Recovery Sleepwear. Not just soft and snuggly, these PJs have a special interior infrared pattern which reflect mom’s energy back in, helping her recover from her long days better.  3. Every mom needs a Home Hub in her base of operations. Smaller than Amazon’s Echo Show, the Google Home Hub is a more compact dynamo that works seamlessly with Google Photos, Google Assistant, and YouTube. She can gaze lovingly at your summer camp pictures, watch her favorite DIY videos, and have a much-needed assistant to boot. 4. Fill the room with sweet nothings with Homesick’s Mother’s Day candle. Ditch the card and wrapping paper because this candle covers both. You can write sweet notes to your mom with it’s fun Madlibs design. Made with fine fragrance oils, this candle will keep those loving feelings lingering in the air with top notes of bergamot, lavender, and sage, leaving a light, fresh floral scent in the air that makes Mom think of her favorite offspring.   5. Give Mom a spa certificate for her favorite service or if you’re not sure if she prefers pedicures to massages, just give her a straight dollar amount. For presentation, tie it around a nice lotion or bath bomb. 6. Speaking of, treat Mom to one or more of Herbivore’sfragrant and silky bath salts. In Calm, Detox, and Coconut, there’s sure to be one she’ll love. For bonus points, throw in their Coco Rose Body Polish so extra smooth, soft skin. 7. Got a sporty mom? Treat her to a new, bamboo yoga mat, a new pair of kicks, or a Hidrate Spark,the water bottle that tracks how much H2O mom is drinking each day. After all, 75 percentof Americans are dehydrated. Make sure Mom isn’t one of them. 8. Has Mom repeatedly mentioned she never finds time to read in her hectic day? Give her a gift membership to Audible. She can “read” the latest thrillers, inspiration novels, and everything in between during her commutes, during workouts, and any other time she wants to dive into a different world for just a minute (or hours). 9. Mom dreaming of France but you can’t afford the getaway you know she deserves? Give her a taste of Paris with a Le Creuset French pressand modern café au lait cups with croissant saucers. It’s the perfect way to start her day with a little extra sophistication. 10. Mom got two green thumbs? Treat her to a batch of succulents or an orange tree. Throw in a pot that matches her personality.  If you’re still stumped, go ahead and grab a gift card, but maybe make the card yourself.

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Creating and Crafting the Homesick Candle

Lighting candles has become a part of many people’s everyday lives. Whether it’s to unwind, set a mood for love, or fill a room with a gentle scent, lighting candles is a given. However, a true artisan candle summons a greater sense of feeling and pleasure. What is it that separates a luxury candle from the average candle on the market? While most would say it’s the price tag, there’s a much deeper reason at play. How the candle is made, from inspiration to manifestation, is what truly defines the high-quality candle.       Finding Fragrances that Tell a Story   Think about smells. Whether it’s grandma’s cookies or the fresh green smell of tomato plants, smell evokes memory and feelings. That’s where the Homesick candle begins – in the nostalgia of scent. Each candle begins with a feeling, an energy all its own that makes it unique and memorable. It transports us from a stressful day that’s been go-go-go since six am to a beach cottage from a past vacation or a Friday night football game with your high school sweetheart.   Homesick’s team of storytellers, researchers, and chemists come together to create each scent. The process begins with conducting surveys and creating focus groups of people who live in a given area to understand the scents that define the location and combine that with extensive research about the area’s landscape, history, traditions, and food culture. After all the information is gathered, the Homesick chemists create several scents, formulate a wax concentration, and take them back to the locals to smell and select the scent that best conjures the distinctive feeling of their locale. These complex, well-balanced scents are the first part of the creation process.     Crafting Candles with a Personal Touch A Homesick candle is an individual experience starting with how the candles are produced. We make our candles of a natural soy wax blend because it burns slower and at a lower temperature. This results in a clean candle with pure scent and burn power.  That’s why one 13.75-ounce candle boasts up to 80 hours of burn time. Homesick candles are also packaged in clever branding that announces exactly those places you hold in highest regard or the experiences that linger in your heart. They are great conversation starters or just quick visual reminders of those things held most dear.   Homesick Candles Creates “Home” Wherever You Are No matter the reason, whether it’s to personally escape back to a childhood in Maine or gift a far-away friend the scents of home after a big move, Homesick candles usher those warm, fuzzy memories into the present with the flick of a match. Designed by the locals who know, created clean and long-lasting, Homesick candles make sure you’re never far from home.  

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