Finding Your Scent: What Does Rosemary Smell Like?

  Source: Maren Winter/Shutterstock.com Rosemary offers a delicious herbal taste to a number of dishes and cuisines. But this herbal evergreen is used in far more than just food. The scent of rosemary is added to everything from cleaning supplies, hand soaps and shampoos to aromatic candles. And, although we might know its taste all too well, what does rosemary smell like? In this scent guide, Homesick explores the aroma of the calming rosemary herb.  What Is Rosemary? Today, we mainly use rosemary needle-shaped leaves as an herb. Yet, the herb derives from an evergreen bush that often grows in the Mediterranean region. However, before it was used as an herb, rosemary was used as a scent. As a mint family member, rosemary was once commonly burned like incense at both weddings and funerals for ritual cleansing, for luck and to evoke positive and long-lasting memories. It’s not surprising that it was used as a cleansing ritual in important ceremonies. Very much like sage, it has a cleansing effect and was once used to fend off witches. In addition, the direct Latin translation comes from “ros,” meaning dew and “marinus,” meaning the sea.  Become One with Nature & Browse Our Earthy Scented Candles What Does Rosemary Smell Like? Source: New Africa/Shutterstock.com Since rosemary comes from the mint family, the freshness of mint does carry through. However, above all, there is almost an evergreen pine scent (it does have pine-like needles, after all) that smells more woody than herby. It can be an extremely pungent smell — often strong enough that it is used as a base note or foundation that lifts up other scents and fragrances.  Similar Rosemary-Like Aromas Rosemary has a very aromatic scent that is not too far off from similar herbs and woody evergreen-like plants. As mentioned, sage shares some of the same air-cleansing, disinfectant properties that rosemary does. A similar scent to this is camphor and eucalyptus. Camphor also falls in line with the purifying scent of rosemary; it’s even used as a moth repellent.   Love Rosemary? Try These 4 Homesick Candles #1 Gemini Candle Light up the Gemini candle to invite heavenly florals and rosemary into the space. The rosemary top note mingles with delicate jasmine and zesty lemon, as contrasting as this mercurial sign’s dual nature. Mid notes of cyclamen, gardenia and tonka bean carry the scent of the Gemini candle and allow it to linger. Vanilla flower and cashmere musk base notes add a grounding foundation that this Air sign needs.  Find Your Sign: Shop Our Horoscope Candles #2 South Dakota candle The South Dakota candle features a strong top note of rosemary, married with the similar scent of lavender and carried through by a refreshing river water. Grounded by base notes of woodsy and musky sandalwood with a subtle sweet touch of tonka bean and warmth of amber, the South Dakota candle transports you to the wide open prairie grasslands of the Mount Rushmore State. #3 San Diego Candle If you love this southern California city with its world-renowned taco trucks and sun-kissed beaches, then you won’t get enough of the San Diego Candle. Rosemary and lavender, two similar scents, combined with marine make an elegant top note that carries the aroma through the space. Mid-notes of sea air along with sandalwood further remind you of the bay and its salty summer breezes. To add to the warmth of this candle’s scent is an amber mid note, along with a floral patchouli undertone paired with sea moss.  #4 The Maine Candle While our Maine candle doesn’t exactly feature rosemary as a main ingredient, it does offer many rosemary-like notes. With a lavender top note and cedarwood mid-note, it gives off an earthy scent like the evergreen-filled Appalachian Trail and Acadia National Park. Blueberry scents, of course, burst through this State candle, along with a bouquet of wildflowers like honeysuckle and its moss-covered rocky shores.  Explore All Our Calming Homesick Candles Rosemary, lavender and more! Explore all the calming scents we offer. Looking for a gift for someone special? Homesick candles can be customized with a personal, handwritten note on the packaging to make it extra thoughtful and meaningful. Just like the old days, give the gift of a rosemary-infused candle for a wedding to commemorate the ceremony. Create a gift basket and round it out with a wick trimmer to ensure the candle lasts as long as possible. 

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Perfect for Winter – What Does Clove Smell Like?

Spring and summer bring about the scent of flower blossoms, summer rains, ocean tides and sandalwood. It’s invigorating and fresh and leaves one feeling optimistic and ready for adventure. But once the autumn season rolls around and heads into the crisp chill of winter, we long for something more warm and homey — like clove! Clove is just one of those scents that you probably know, but you can’t place. So let us remind you. What does clove smell like? In this ultimate guide, we will discuss the clove spice in full detail, explain what it smells like and offer a list of our many candles with clove notes.   Where Does Clove Come From? Before we dive into what clove smells like, let’s talk about what it is and where it comes from. Clove is essentially a spice used in a lot of desserts and cocktails. This spice, which resembles a small nail, sometimes a crooked nail, is actually a dried flower bud taken from the clove tree. Clove trees are a type of evergreen tree that is native to the eastern Indonesian Maluku Islands, also called the Spice Islands.   What Does Clove Smell Like? To many, clove calls to mind delectable desserts and drinks like cookies and mulled wine. Some think of little pomanders, tree decorations made of clove-stippled oranges. So one could easily say that clove smells a lot like Christmas or the winter season. But that would be underselling this lovely little culinary spice. When, in fact, clove can present a wonderful grounding scent for a lot of candles, reed diffusers and other aromatic products that are for much more than the holidays.  But to someone who is not used to its unique wintry scent, what does clove smell like exactly? Clove is often described as being spicy and sweet, but with a warm and woodsy foundation. Often, it can even have a fruit top note that further lends to the sweetness.  The Benefits of Clove Clove offers several benefits, many of which have been known about and used for some time now. And, no, it wasn’t always used in pies and drinks. In fact, cloves have been incorporated into medicinal aids as far back as the 6th century BCE. The Charaka Samhita recommended cloves and cardamom to be used as a digestive aid. The clove and cardamom mixture was wrapped in betel leaves and betel nuts and chewed after meals, which is said to increase saliva production to help digestion and, conveniently, also make someone’s breath smell better.  Today, we still use cloves in the same way. Only now, we understand how it works. Cloves, or more so its oil, creates an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory compound called eugenol. Eugenol is frequently used to help relieve pain through its numbing qualities, which is why chewing on a clove bud is often recommended as a natural pain-reliever. The Charaka Samhita also suggests cloves as an aphrodisiac.  What Scents Go Well with Clove? Clove is a warm, spicy scent that pairs well with other autumn-like scents. Woodsy scents like sandalwood and musks also lend themselves well to clove too. When choosing a Homesick candle with a clove note, pay attention to the other complementing fragrances. Fruity notes like orange, plum and apple are perfect with clove.  And it’s safe to say that anything else nutty and spicy lends itself nicely, enhancing the clove bud aroma too. Cinnamon, which is essentially dried tree bark, as well as cedarwood, sandalwood and more woodsy aromas are a safe bet, as are warmer resin-derived scents like amber and Frankincense.  Miss Your Grandmother's Cooking? Order a Grandma Candle That Smells Like Her Kitchen 10 Clove-Scented Candles and Scents from Homesick Clove is a scent that will warm your heart and lift your spirits. And igniting a Homesick candle with notes of clove will do the exact same thing. So if you love the smell of homemade mulled wine simmering on the stove during winter or the aroma of freshly baked cookies straight out of the oven, we have the perfect clove-scented candle for you. Of course, many of our scents are also offered in reed diffusers too. Here are some of our most popular candles with the lovely scent of clove. We hope you love them as much as we do!  #1 The Grandma Kitchen Candle Nothing beats the delightful smell of Grandma’s kitchen. If you have memories of crowding her cooking space, eagerly awaiting the timer to go off for her freshly made pies and snickerdoodle cookies, then the Grandma candle will make you salivate. And – more than likely – make you want to pick up the phone and tell her you miss her.  With top notes of butter, apple and cream that offer a savory touch to the sweet cinnamon and clove, this delectable candle calls to mind Granny’s warm apple pie a la mode with a scoop or two of ice cream. Sugar and spice and everything nice –– you have to get your hands on this dessert- and treat-inspired candle with its clove notes.  #2 The Apple Orchard Candle If you love Granny’s famous apple pie, then we guarantee you’ll also love the Apple candle. With top notes of red apple and mandarin leaf paired with mid notes of clove, cinnamon sticks and pear, the sugary fruitiness really shines through. Igniting the Apple Orchard candle will transport you straight to an apple-picking farm in autumn, where you drink hot apple cider along with a sugar-dusted apple donut. It smells like fall, y’all!  Enjoy the Smell of Clove? You'll Love Our Apple Candle! #3 Aquarius Candle As part of our Zodiac collection, we present to you the Aquarius candle. An idealist who appreciates love and honesty, this Air zodiac-sign-inspired candle will waft its way into your heart. With top notes of dark, moody fruits like fig, plum blossom and cassis, paired with mid notes of refreshing mandarin, coconut and tamarind, this candle offers many of the same warm, spicy scents that the clove spice does. Base notes of ylang ylang, pomegranate and rose mimic the scent of a bowl of hot mulled wine on a winter evening cozied up by the fire.  #4 The U.S.A. Candle Hello, hello Miss American Pie! Nothing is as American as apple pie, with a puffed up top crust full and bulging with tart Granny Smith apples. And lighting up one of our U.S.A. candles will inspire you to plan a cross-country road trip from sea to shining sea. With top notes of apple, of course, along with spices like clove, nutmeg and cinnamon, it offers a sweet and savory fragrance that mingles together nicely. Round it out with underlying base notes of vanilla, tonka bean and musk for an industrious city-like scent too. What does Tonka Bean smell like? Tonka bean smells a bit like an Old-Fashioned cocktail with an amarena cherry on top. Deep, warm and rich, tonka bean is commonly used as a base note in many Homesick candles to help blend other scents. The best part? The longer a candle burns, the stronger the underlying tonka bean shines through.  #5 The Autumn Hayride Candle The smell of clove is associated with winter goodies, but it can also bring to mind autumn too. Luckily, Homesick has an entire collection of candles designed with autumn-inspired scents for those who love the season of fall too. We already introduced you to one — the Apple Orchard candle — now let’s show you the rest.  If you love the crisp fall air blowing in your hair and the scent of fresh hay, then you will love our Autumn Hayride candle. This fall-inspired candle features all your favorite Amun scents poured into one exclusive candle. Top notes of warm amber both soften and accentuate the clove, shining through brilliantly. More warm spicy scents of nutmeg paired with a woodsy birch and maple bark will make you want to visit a Vermont maple farm too. Rich tonka beans paired with patchouli and oakmoss add a depth like no other.  #6 Pumpkin Picking Candle Another fall-inspired candle is our Pumpkin Picking Candle. After all, autumn hayrides and pumpkin patches pretty much go hand in hand. In this candle is a cool fall day filled with colorful fallen leaves that twirl with each gust of wind and a mug of warm apple cider. Top notes of pumpkin and nutmeg carry this pumpkin picking candle, as other warm spices like ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg elevate it into the final result of your jack-o-lantern: delicious pumpkin pie and toasted pumpkin seeds.  #7 Oktoberfest Candle While clove is often used in mulled wines, this little but powerful spice is no stranger to beer either. Beer and Brewing lists clove as a key ingredient to pumpkin ales and Christmas beers — no surprise there! Since clove is a classic end-of-year spice, it really fits the bill for candles that smell like October and beyond. But instead of mimicking pumpkin patches and holiday cocktails, we wanted to also pay tribute to another harvest holiday — Oktoberfest!  The Homesick Oktoberfest candle has all the scents of this seasonal celebration: golden hops, pumpkin ale, allspice and more. Igniting this candle will make you feel like you’re gathered around a picnic table with friends, each toting a stein filled with beer. Prost!  #8 The Backyard BBQ Candle Oktoberfest is a huge beer festival. But if kicking back with a beer is your everyday thing, then you’ll appreciate our Budweiser Backyard BBQ candle. This perfect American pairing features top notes of tangy lemonade, nutty allspice and warm clove to give it a hoppy, celebratory scent. Overall, this candle smells like you’re hanging out watching the fall football game with good friends and a cooler of cold brewskies and a hot grill on standby. This summery Backyard BBQ candle might not be winter-inspired like the rest, but the clove will kick off the end of season like a solid touchdown.    #9 The Nutcracker Candle Since clove is such a quintessential Christmas scent, we can’t complete this list without a holiday candle. The Nutcracker candle is the perfect candle for folks who absolutely adore a good spicy, nutty aroma. Cinnamon, clove and pecan offer a warmth to this candle's scent, as sandalwood, wintermint and vanilla carry it throughout your festive home during the holiday season. Light this candle on a winter’s night with a crackling fire to feel like you’re surrounded by loved ones and family. The Nutcracker candle also makes a perfect holiday gift for friends and coworkers too! #10 Spring Cleaning Candle If you love the smell of clove all year round, then get yourself the Spring Cleaning candle. Since clove is often used as an antiseptic, the scent is one that leaves us — and our homes — feeling refreshed and clean. With top notes of lime for a zesty punch, along with bergamot, clean linen and clove leaf, this Homesick candle will give any room that rejuvenating spring scent. Musk, vetiver and basil balance it all out. It’s not just for the sprint, either — pick up a Spring Clean candle anytime of year! Shop Homesick Candles with Clove and More! If you love a nutty, spicy yet sweet scent, then you will love clove. Explore all of our eight Homesick candles with clove bud scents and clove-like scents to make your home feel festive, whether it’s for fall or winter. Clove adds a warmth that simply makes you feel good inside. And with a Homesick candle, you can make your home smell exactly like Grandma’s kitchen, a pumpkin patch, or a winter mantel during the holiday season. Shop Homesick candles today to find the perfect scent for you!   Image Credits YummyBuum/Shutterstock.com Scisetti Alfio/Shutterstock.com pilipphoto/Shutterstock.com New Africa/Shutterstock.com

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Let’s Toast! 6 Best Cities to Get Brunch In

  Source: Chiociolla/Shutterstock.com Brunch is the perfect meal. You get to sleep in late on the weekends and roll into a restaurant or cafe as casual (or classy!) as you want. And if you’re lucky, you live within a few miles of a handful of brunch spots that offer all the favorites, from French toast to egg bennies and beyond. However, if you’re totally obsessed with finding the best brunch on your travels, too, you don’t have to look far. Here’s a list of popular cities for the best brunch spots.  The 6 Best Cities for Brunch  #1 New York   Source: Clc2020/Shutterstock.com If you love lavish brunches like the ladies of Sex in the City, then NYC is the place to be. And in the city that never sleeps, brunch can be found just about anywhere. But for the top-rated brunch spots, you might have to linger outside an hour or two before grabbing a table. With hair-of-the-dog brunch cocktails like Bloody Marys with maple-flavored bacon stirs to Mimosa flights and Bellinis, NYC libations start you off.  With an abundance of diverse cultures and cuisines, you can get a hold of anything from Huevos Rancheros to Challah French Toast. But, above all, just be sure to pick up a famous NYC bagel with a schmear of cream cheese and a slice of lox at one of the city’s countless fresh bagel shops. The Big Apple offers some of the best brunch in the U.S. And if you’re a fan, then you’ll love the New York City candle with its scent of Central Park grassy knolls in spring with Water Lilies on the Reservoir and the Lemon and Grapefruit top notes that leave your space feeling alive as the city itself.  #2 Los Angeles On the other side of the country is Los Angeles. With its warm weather, sun-filled days and bright mornings, you can dine al fresco on a rooftop bar or terrace any time of the year too. In LA, you will experience an eclectic barrage of foods from vegan California menus to satisfy conscious celebrities to European cuisines like Moroccan baked eggs from Gjelina.  Whatever dishes satisfy your LA brunch cravings, you can more than likely wash it down with bottomless drinks. Grab an early brunch in Los Angeles and, who knows, you might be rewarded with a celebrity sighting. If you love the LA brunch scene, then the Los Angeles candle is for you. Ignite this candle and your space will smell like you’re grabbing mimosas at a trendy seaside brunch spot. Citrus notes pair with florals like rose, ylang-ylang and jasmine for a delightful bouquet. Spark Your Day Off with a Dunkin Donuts Candle #3 Chicago   Source: NoirChocolate/Shutterstock.com The Windy City is the home of deep-dish pizza and their brunch dishes are no less decadent and thick. With everyday brunch staples like eggs benedict and breakfast burritos, you can also find a variety of rich dessert-inspired brunch meals like monkey bread and Nutella pancakes. One particular decadent dessert Chicagoans adore is a vanilla- and malt-custard-dipped brioche French toast by Chef Jeffrey Mauro. If you love brunch in the Windy City, then get yourself a Chicago candle, complete with decadent chocolate notes paired with sandalwood, bergamot and fresh water that calls to mind the Chicago river. #4 Miami Miami is no stranger to a good brunch scene. With Cuban-inspired meals taking center stage, however, you can find brunch dishes like fresh ceviche, street food like breakfast tacos with braised short rib and French toasts with tropical fruits like guava and coconut flakes. And since the Magic City is situated near the Atlantic coastline, you can find a number of umbrella-shaded tables peppered along the palm-tree-lined beaches. The Miami candle presents the scents of the city, complete with sea breezes, swaying palm trees and notes of coconut, lemon and lavender.  Browse All of Our City Candles #5 Las Vegas Las Vegas is all about the nightlife and all-you-can-eat dinner buffets; this much is true. However, the Neon Capital of the World tends to get a little quieter when revelers stumble out of their posh hotel rooms with hangovers and more. So Las Vegas is no stranger to a hair-of-the-dog cocktail and, of course, brunch buffets as well. Of course, in a city that has replica Venice canals, the Eiffel Tower and other international icons, you know they offer anything and everything in terms of cuisine. The Las Vegas candle, with its sweet and spicy notes of cinnamon, clove and tonka bean, will light up your room. And if you love cinnamon, check out our best cinnamon candles too. #6 New Orleans   Source: G Allen Penton/Shutterstock.com New Orleans may not be as eclectic as NYC, but the brunches they do — they do well! In New Orleans, you can find a Sunday brunch spot with a live jazz band and Bloody Marys. A southern state with a Creole history, you will undoubtedly find dishes like shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, chicken and waffles and Bananas Foster French toast. Not to mention the city’s infamous sugar-dusted beignets.   The New Orleans candle gives off a sugar and cinnamon aroma of King cakes and beignets, combined with the Allspice, Vanilla and Musk reminiscent of its chicory-flavored coffee from the famous Café du Monde.

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The Scent Guide: What Does Coriander Smell Like?

  Source: Halil ibrahim mescioglu/Shuttersrtock.com Homesick has put together a large collection of scent guides to help you find your all-time favorite aromas. From flowers like gardenias, magnolias and iris to the wood-derived frankincense, oak moss and balsam, scents come from all kinds of places. Scents can even come from food — like pumpkin, cinnamon and coriander.   However, many of us are already familiar with the autumnal smell of pumpkin or the spicy scent of cinnamon. But coriander? It’s not a scent that many of us are familiar with. So what does that smell like exactly? In this scent guide, we reveal where coriander comes from, how it’s often used and the unique aroma it gives off. And if it’s a scent you think you might love, we’ve gathered together a collection of our best-selling candles with notes of coriander and coriander-like scents you can light at home. The Coriander Plant Coriander is a plant and a variation of the parsley family. However, like parsley, this plant produces several edible parts that we use as ingredients in our foods and fragrances. One of the most well-known ingredients and parts is cilantro, which is used all around the world. In fact, “cilantro” is the Spanish translation for coriander. But there is another ingredient that we use as well: that of the small coriander seed. Like cilantro is used as an herb, the light tan-hued coriander seed is often used as a spice in a broad range of dishes from Thai curries to Indian garam masalas.  Discover More Spicy Candle Scents What Does Coriander Smell Like? Despite what you may assume, coriander both smells and tastes different from cilantro. While the cilantro herb has a citrusy or soapy or stink-bug scent (depending on your senses) and taste that lends a fresh aroma to dishes, coriander seeds offer a warmer and spicier taste and scent, very much like cinnamon or cumin flavor profiles. And if you are one of the many people who share an aversion to cilantro’s soapy taste due to an individual genetic trait, don’t be! Despite coming from the same plant, coriander doesn’t share the same soap-like effect.  Since coriander lends a spicy and nutty aroma with a hint of the citrus cilantro is known for, it pairs wonderfully with warmer notes. Think of other spices like ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. To bring forth the subtle citrusy notes, lemon, grapefruit, lavender and even woodsy notes like sandalwood and cypress are excellent pairings as well. The scent of coriander also offers a few benefits. It can give off a calming effect and a mild stimulant that boosts the mood and offers clarity. All in all, coriander makes a lovely scent in a variety of candles.  Pair It with a Pumpkin Candle Homesick Candles with Coriander Notes Coriander lends a warm and spicy note to many of Homeisck’s scented candles. And if you love the spicy scent of coriander, you’ll love many of our other candles with coriander-like fragrances of cinnamon, nutmeg and more too. Here’s a collection of our favorite Homesick candles with coriander and coriander-inspired notes.  The Austin Candle Austin candle is one of candles in our City Candle collection that offers a mid note of coriander, merged with amber and daffodil. Carrying the underlying citrusy notes through the warm spice, this candle features top notes of grapefruit, bergamot and fir needle. To counterbalance this striking scent that brings to mind mornings on Lady Bird Lake, the Austin candle offers sultry and smoky base notes of suede and smoked cedar. Even if you’re not a Texan or Austinite, this candle is the best coriander-infused scents Homesick offers! The Spring Cleaning Candle Ignite the Spring Cleaning candle to give your home a fresh scent. But don’t worry — the coriander notes won’t make it smell soapy like the plant’s cilantro leaves. Instead, this coriander-scented candle blends elegantly with notes of basil and lime to enhance the refreshing zesty fragrance. Grounded with musk, agave and vetiver undertones, it balances out the bright and nutty notes of coriander and clove leaf. It smells just like clean linens and open windows.  Of course, if you love the Spring Cleaning candle, then take a look at our other Spring candles, including the Gone Hiking and Wildflowers candle.  Cinnamon Candles As mentioned, cinnamon pairs rather well with coriander, lending to its spicy and warm scent. So if you like coriander, chances are you will love candles with notes of cinnamon too. But instead of listing just one cinnamon candle, we encourage you to explore all of them! Our best cinnamon candles include the Pumpkin candle, Nutcracker candle, Apple Orchard candle and Grandma’s Kitchen — among others!

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Finding Your Scent: What Does Magnolia Smell Like?

Source: olrat/Shutterstock.com From the giant white Southern magnolia blossoms to the pink-hued Chinese magnolia buds, magnolia trees and their flowers are beautiful and inviting. They beckon you to take a seat on a nearby bench or fold out a picnic blanket and take a midday nap — and for a good reason! Their scent is not only lovely but gives off relaxing chemicals. But what does magnolia smell like? In this quick guide, we break down the scent of this exquisite, lovely flower. And if it seems like a scent that you would love or which takes you home, we’ve also offered a list of candles with magnolia notes.  What Does Magnolia Smell Like? Source: Olechka K/Shutterstock.com Magnolia comes in a variety of tree species: Chinese, Yulan and Anise magnolias. However, in the United States, we are most familiar with the Southern magnolia, which grows tall in the southern regions of the country and boasts huge white blossoms that start as a goblet shape and unfold as big as your head. So, while there are many magnolias out there, each with its unique scent, the Southern magnolia scent is one that Homesick frequently uses in many of our southern State candles and more.  So what does magnolia smell like, exactly? Overall, you can expect magnolia notes to be sweet floral punch like a rose, but with a citrusy lemon edge and a slightly earthy, musk undertone. Sometimes, you can pick up the scent of anise, licorice or vanilla too.  Jasmine pairs quite well with magnolia. What does jasmine smell like? With an exotic, super-sweet floral scent, jasmine alone can be a bit too much. But when paired with magnolia, the overly saccharine smell of jasmine can be tamped down, bringing balance to a candle or other scented product.  The Benefits of Magnolia Scents As we mentioned, resting beneath a Magnolia tree can bring you relaxation. This is due to its linalool alcohol, a natural compound that calms the brain. Linalool essential oils are commonly used in aromatherapy and are traditionally used as a sedative. As a candle or reed diffuser, magnolia scents can make a room or space feel peaceful and inviting and help to relieve anxiety and reduce stress. Paired with the right scents –– like lavender or citrus –– it can either help you fall to sleep or give you a boost of optimistic energy.  Enjoy the Smell of Magnolia? You’ll Love Our Flower-Scented Candles 8 Homesick Magnolia-Scented Candles The scent of magnolia can bring back memories for some folk, especially those who hail from the southern states. But magnolia is simply a wonderful floral scent for everyone. So whether it’s front and center or a subtle base note, here are some of our most-loved candles that feature that sweet and lemony magnolia scent.   #1 Flower-Scented Candle As you might expect, the Flower-Scented candle features a variety of blossom scents. But deep down is a Magnolia base note that grounds it with Rose and Sandalwood. Top notes of Jasmine are balanced out with the magnolia base note, while top notes of lavender lend a restful scent, making it perfect for bedrooms too.  #2 Indiana Candle If you love a bold magnolia scent, then the Indiana candle is a must-have. This magnolia-scented candle can transport you to the Hoosier state with magnolia trees lining cotton and cornfields. With base notes of vanilla and sugar, it brings forth the subtle muskiness of magnolia even more.  Transport Yourself Home with an Indiana Candle #3 South Carolina Candle Paired with Grapefruit and Lemon, the mid notes of magnolia shine through in the South Carolina candle. Grounded with Vanilla and Black Tea base notes, this candle smells like a refreshing glass of sweet tea on a humid southern day.  #4 Louisiana Candle Like the magnolia-lined Bourbon Street, the Louisiana candle will transport you to the Deep South, where southern hospitality reigns. Mid notes of Magnolia and Honeysuckle paired with citrusy top notes of Orange and base notes of Tonka Bean, Vanilla and Musk bring out the full complexity of the magnolia aroma.  #5 Tennessee Candle The scent of Southern magnolia trees mingle with the citrusy scent of Lemon in the Tennessee candle. Top that off with a splash of Tennessee Whiskey and Guaiac Wood and Musk undertones, and this Homesick candle will transport you to the Blue Ridge Mountains or Nashville –– wherever you call home.  #6 Georgia Candle If Georgia is on your mind, then you need the Georgia candle. With top notes of Peach and base notes of Musk and Coconut Water, you can travel the entire state from the hot concrete landscape of Atlanta to the magnolia-peppered Savannah squares and the shores of Tybee Island.  #7 Alabama Candle With notes of Maple, Blackberry, Orange and Musk, the Alabama candle calls to mind giant southern magnolias wet after a summer storm. Sweet Caramel and Sugar notes along with Orange and Blackberry also give off a lively, invigorating scent.  #8 Arkansas Candle Revisit the Ozarks with the Arkansas candle, featuring notes of Maple, Pecan, Sugar and base notes of Vanilla and Musk that call to mind the freshly blossomed magnolia trees that line the great Natural State. Love the scent of magnolia? Then you’ll love any one of these eight magnolia-scented candles with their uniquely sweet, citrusy, floral scent.

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The Scent Guide: What Does Balsam Smell Like?

Source: Jesse Seniunas/Shutterstock.com If you’ve ever visited a tree farm or decorated a Christmas tree, the smell of balsam is all too familiar. Balsam fir trees, part of the evergreen tree family, have a tapered conical shape with thick dark green needles. When crushed in your palm, these needles are what give off a unique scent. So, what does balsam smell like exactly? Let’s explore this woodsy scent a bit more in-depth and offer a few suggestions for Homesick candles and reed diffusers with a balsam-inspired fragrance.   What Does Balsam Smell Like? What does balsam smell like? Crushing fir needles creates a balsam sap or resin, which gives off a strong camphorous smell, very much like a medicinal balm with benzoic acid. Hence, the name. Some would even say it’s a bit terpenic like a sweet and rich balsamic vinegar with a grounding woodsy fragrance that balances it all out. Notes of cinnamon, which is derived from bark, also come through in balsam.  Balsam trees have a distinct scent, but it’s not too far off from many other freshly scented evergreen trees, such as cedarwood, juniper or even spruce. However, spruce and pine woodsy scents can be richer and deeper like a tannin-infused fine wine. Sandalwood is another scent that pairs nicely and mimics balsam in many ways. So what does sandalwood smell like? Woodsy and warm with exotic and sweet notes, sandalwood is a unique fragrance that makes a great base for more complex scents like balsam.  Benefits of Balsam and Evergreen Scents Balsam scents offer lots of benefits. Used in many household cleaners and medicines, balsam acts as a natural antiseptic and decongestant. In addition, balsam oil has been found to be an effective natural disinfectant, killing bacteria like listeria and salmonella.  However, when it comes to a balsam scent itself, the aroma can be used to energize and stimulate, boosting your mood and more. With a balsam or evergreen-scented bedside candle or reed diffuser, you can reduce your anxiety and fall asleep easier.  Been Looking for Your Sign? Find a Scorpio Candle Here! 4 Balsam-Scented Candles and Reed Diffusers Love a deep woodsy scent or even the smell of sandalwood, pine trees or other evergreens? Explore this list of four balsam-scented candles and reed diffusers to make your home smell amazing.   #1 Scorpio Candle With top notes of Balsam and Fir Needle, the Scorpio candle is one of our favorite balsam candles. Paired with mids notes of Evergreen Forest, Willow and base notes of Eucalyptus and Patchouli, this enchanting candle makes you feel like you’re forest bathing in mystical woods to gain insight on your next adventure. As part of our Horoscope candle collection, the Scorpio candle is perfect for resting on a home office bookcase and igniting when you need some extra perseverance. Give the Scorpio candle to someone celebrating an October or November birthday.  #2 Taurus Candle Celebrating a birthday somewhere from the end of April to mid-May? Then you need to get yourself the Taurus candle, infused with a sophisticated blend of earthy oakmoss and agave that brings forth the mid notes of Balsam and Blue Cypress evergreens. Sandalwood and Musk ground this woodsy sensory fragrance. Present the Taurus candle to a special someone who, like many Earth Signs, would prefer to spend their time in pastoral fields like their bull spirit animal for a bit of relaxation.  #3 Book Club Candle With base notes of Balsam and Amber, this book scented candle will beckon you to curl up with a favorite paperback novel for a rainy day read. Orange and Nutmeg top off the mid-notes of Cinnamon and Sandalwood to make this candle smell like wood bookcases lined with old leather-bound books. And remember –– we also carry the Book Club Reed Diffuser if you prefer a flameless scent near your library collection.  Enjoy the Smell of Balsam? Then You’ll Love a Book Scented Candle #4 Four Twenty Reed Diffuser If you love the scent of balsam, then be sure to check out our Four Twenty Reed Diffuser. With mid notes of Cedarwood and underlying base notes of Sandalwood and Moss, this cannabis-inspired scent will take you back to long nights of listening to your favorite albums as you laugh with good friends over snacks. So flip these reeds and don’t worry about a thing.  If balsam is a scent that brings back holiday memories of decorating the tree or walking through the woods, then be sure to check out our Holiday candle collection too. With candles like Holiday Mantel, Gone Hiking and more, there’s a woodsy scent you are sure to enjoy.

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8 Valentine’s Day Gift Basket Ideas Your Partner Is Sure to Love

Valentine’s is around the corner. And whether you celebrate V-Day with a long-time partner or are learning all the quirks and charms of a new flame, you want to show them your devotion by showering them with gifts. But if you’re not sure what to get your S.O. this Valentine’s Day, we have you covered.  In this guide, we offer a list of eight Valentine’s Day gift basket ideas. Instead of sticking to one gift, gift baskets can combine several to encompass all the things you know they love. Plus, add a Homesick candle in one of our romantic candle scents or something that brings back a sentimental memory.  #1 The Newlywed’s Valentine’s Day Gift Basket Newly married or engaged? Shower the love of your life with an elegant and bubbly Valentine’s gift basket. Fill this Valentine’s Day gift basket with a Let’s Toast candle for some aphrodisiac scents. If you were married especially recently, continue to commemorate your special day with our Just Married candle. Top notes of mandarin and grapefruit citrus combined with a foundation of pineapple and champagne grapes offer an energizing and — dare we say — arousing aroma for a Netflix and Chill kind of date-night-in or to elevate some take-out.   Along with your Champagne-inspired candle, top off this Valentine’s Day gift basket with a  bottle of Dom Perignon, a set of champagne flutes and some of their favorite treats. Go classic V-day with chocolate-covered strawberries or a cheese pairing with Gruyere, Triple Cream or Camembert along with sweet jam and crackers. You could also round out this gift basket with other types of indulgences, like a plush robe, matching silk boxers and undies and a bottle of skin-nourishing oil to give each other a sensual massage.  We love this Valentine’s Day gift basket idea because it can be as refined and sophisticated as you want it to be. So give it to a new S.O. or even a newlywed couple that you know.  Celebrate Your Valentine’s Together with a Champagne Toast Candle #2 Date-Night-In Valentine’s Day Gift Basket Are you planning a low-key date night or testing the waters of a new relationship? Then you might want to keep your Valentine’s Day gift basket ideas a bit more casual. Luckily, we have it all planned out. For this gift basket, drop in our Date candle to really set the mood for the romantic evening. With notes of sultry cashmere and a woody patchouli, this candle aroma invites you to cuddle up into the sofa as you watch a rom-com movie.  Keep your date night casual, ordering take-out or making a home-cooked dinner (maybe a spicy pasta dish you wish to share) with your new love. With dinner covered, fill out your Valentine’s Day gift basket with dessert. Think of a box of fine Belgian chocolates or truffles to go along with a bottle of Zin or a Cab-Sav or a decadent port for a nightcap. You could even add a pint of ice cream.  For dinner, stream some music from a romantic playlist and, for dessert, cuddle up on the sofa for a pre-picked movie. Is your relationship relatively new? Get to know one another better with a couple’s game like 36 Questions. You never know — they could be the one.  One great thing about this gift basket idea is that it doesn’t have to be overbearing. If you are still getting to know someone, a small gift is all you need to show them you care. A few well-thought-out items to accompany the Date Night candle can round out this Valentine’s Day gift basket.  Make It a Perfect Evening with a Date Candle #3 Sports-Themed Valentine’s Day Gift Basket Know someone who loves their sports? If you’re hunting for Valentine’s Day gift basket ideas for your guy or even a gal who loves her sports, they will love this collection. Start with the Bud Light Tailgate Candle or even our Budweiser Backyard BBQ Candle and add other team-specific gifts. Get your special Valentine a jersey or baseball cap of their favorite team and a six-pack to enjoy as they watch the game, along with a koozie to keep their beers chilled. Fill this sporty V-Day gift basket with some snacks like pretzels, gourmet nuts and caramel popcorn.   If you really want to surprise them with something extra special this Valentine’s Day, present them with two tickets to a game. This way, you can schedule another date in the calendar, accompanying them to the arena or stadium as you root and cheer for their favorite team right along with them.  #4 A Valentine’s Day Gift Basket for Wanderlusts  Do you enjoy spending time outdoors or traveling the world with your partner? Even if you can’t jet set to some far-off destination, these Valentine’s Day gift basket ideas are sure to transport them and bring back fond memories or a particular place, honeymoon or vacation you shared together — or have on your bucket list! Miss the sand in your toes and long romantic walks on the beach? Fill this Valentine’s Day gift basket with tropical candles. Choose from candles like the Great Barrier Reef, featuring a citrusy and salty aroma that will make you feel like you’re deep-sea diving among vibrantly colored fish and coral. Or present them with the Galapagos Islands candle, filled with top notes of Prickly Pear, Rainwater and Sandalwood for an earthy adventure.  You can even recall your honeymoon glamping in a “hale” along the Maui shore. Give them the Hawaii candle, infused with scents of sweet sugar cane and coconuts, cyclamen flowers and salty ocean tides. Also inside this Valentine’s Day gift basket, present your special someone with a bounty of tropical fruit, earthly scented lotions, or even a photo book of all your past travels. Then show them how much you can’t wait to explore together with a set of matching luggage tags.     #5 A Long-Distance Valentine’s Day Gift Basket Have to spend your Valentine’s Day apart? Absence makes the heart grow fonder but, in the meantime, cheer them up with this sweet Valentine’s Day gift basket. Send your long-distance love a romantic gift basket to show them how much you miss them.  Of course, a long-distance V-Day gift basket wouldn’t be complete without the Love Letters candle. With notes of Rose Petals, Jasmine, Sandalwood and Peony, our Love Letters candle smells like a shoebox filled with mementos from your first date and polaroids of vacations and road trips you took together. While you may be gone, the Love Letters candle and this V-Day gift basket will undoubtedly send your adoration. Signed, sealed and delivered — let them know “I’m Yours!”  Inside this charming Valentine’s Day gift basket, be sure to add your own sweet mementos too. Add a framed photograph of the two of you and other sentimental gifts that bring back a tear to the eye or a smile to their face. You can even write a letter yourself, expressing how much they mean to you after all these years and how you can’t wait to see them again.   The Love Letters candle is perfect for a Galentine’s Day gift basket too! These Valentine’s Day gift basket ideas are even perfect for a special family member like a grandmother or mom who loves the holiday. Slip our Love Letters candle inside for a nostalgic scent that will remind them of their first love or the one you call Grandpa.  #6 Brunch-Themed Valentine’s Day Gift Basket Love sipping on Mimosas, Bellinis and Bloody Mary’s after sleeping in with your love? Then your Valentine will love this brunch-themed gift basket. Fill the basket with breakfast treats and morning luxuries. Let them roll out of bed in their new plush robes and comfy slippers, with treats waiting. Think of roasted coffee beans from a local roaster, pastries from your favorite bakery and a fancy tin container of salt to line the rim of your coupe or flute for your brunch cocktail.  If you have a knack for cooking, whip up a hearty, warm breakfast of pancakes and serve them breakfast in bed, served with your freshly made coffee too.  With this Valentine’s Day gift basket, you can add a City candle from the city where you often visit downtown for brunch. Last but not least,  you could also present them with the Let’s Toast candle to complement the sparkling brunch cocktails.  #7 Snowy Cabin Getaway Valentine’s Day Gift Basket In some parts of the country, Valentine’s Day still sees a bit of snow, inviting you to rent a little chalet or cabin in the mountains for a romantic getaway. But even if you can’t seek out the snow that easily, you can still hibernate right at home. So present your snow bunny a Valentine’s Day gift basket filled with cozy, cabinesque treats and gifts to make it feel just as romantic.  Make your home smell like a cedar-beamed ski chalet with a crackling fire with the Ski Trip candle. Scents of Cedarwood mingle with Frosted Air, Warm Amber and Cocoa to transport you to a cozy mountainside cabin and a snowy night. Complete your snowed-in cabin staycation gift basket with packets of hot cocoa and marshmallows, stoneware mugs and a faux fur blanket to curl up in together.  #8  Zodiac Valentine’s Day Gift Basket Ideas Show them your love was written in the stars. As two compatible signs that truly deserve one another, these Valentine’s Day gift basket ideas lean into your love’s character and personality traits. In a new relationship? Now’s your chance to ask, “What’s your sign?” without it sounding cheesy or desperate. Or, simply ask for their birthday and find their zodiac.  Once you figure out their element (fire, water, air or earth), along with other tidbits like their sign’s color and stones, flesh out the gift basket ideas from there. For example, if you are a Libra and Sagittarius, otherwise known as a match made in heaven, then you can fill your gift basket with colors like pinks, lavender and deep violets (perfect for V-Day!) and stones like topaz and turquoise and jade. Not sure how to incorporate these colors and stones? Think jewelry or a piece of art they can hang on their wall to enjoy.     Of course, whatever sign your match is, this zodiac-inspired Valentine’s Day gift basket wouldn’t be complete without one of our Astrology candles. From January’s Capricorn to December Sagittarius, we have a candle inspired by all 12 of the zodiac signs.   Add a Sweet Sentiment to Your Homesick Candle As you build your Valentine’s Day gift basket, remember to personalize your candle too! Give the love of your life, valentine or galentine a handwritten note on the candle package that expresses your love and admiration: a sweet sentiment that will remind them of you and the special moments you share together.  Of course, to ensure their most treasured candle lasts as long as possible, treat it with care. Slip in one of our wick trimmers to help them maintain the candle and keep it burning clean and bright.  Give Your Love a Gift Basket They Will Cherish Always We hope these eight Valentine’s Day gift basket ideas inspire you to put together the perfect present for your special someone.  Once you create your gift basket, show it off! Tag Homesick and share with us and everyone online just how much you cherish your partner. Tell us which Homesick candle you picked for them and the sentimental reason why. We love to hear a good love story!    Image Credits Romanova Ekaterina/Shutterstock.com

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Where to Put a Reed Diffuser – Finding the Best Spot

Source: Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock.com Did you recently get a reed diffuser as a gift from someone special or for yourself and are unsure where to place it? While you might think that just anywhere will do fine, there are better places than others. But don’t worry, we’re here to take all of the guesswork out of it and tell you exactly where to put a reed diffuser around the house to make the most of its amazing scent.  Why Your Reed Diffuser Placement Matters How long do reed diffusers last? Homesick reed diffusers include an approximately 118 ml oil bottle, which should get you anywhere from two to three months of continuous use with proper care. One tip for proper care: Learn where to put a reed diffuser around your home to keep it away from drafts and sunlight so you can preserve the scent and make it last as long as possible.  Of course, it also helps to know where to put a reed diffuser so that you can actually enjoy the smell too. Keeping it tucked in a corner that you never pass by does little good. So, take our advice and discover all the best places you can put a reed diffuser so you can appreciate it each and every day.  Browse Our Reed Diffuser Collection to Find Your Scent Where to Put a Reed Diffuser OK, so where should one place a reed diffuser? Here are some of the best spots around your home. Let’s break it down room by room.  The Bathrooms Bathrooms are an excellent space to put a reed diffuser. Spacious vanity countertops that you pass by each time you wash your hands can carry the scent all the way through. For bathrooms, you can choose all kinds of scents and aromas too. You can go with something floral to conceal other bad odors or something citrusy and zesty to make it smell clean and pure. Reed diffusers also offer essential oils that can offer antibacterial properties. At the very least, the right reed diffuser can offer a joyful start to your day and make you feel energized.  Main and Guest Bedrooms Source: Enjoy The Life/Shutterstock.com Want to place a reed diffuser in the bedroom? There are several places you could put a reed diffuser, from a nightstand to a dresser. However, we recommend placing the diffuser on the nightstand so that the scent can relax you as you unwind at the end of a long day. For your bedroom, choose your reed diffuser wisely, sticking to relaxing scents like lavender, jasmine or ylang ylang. Fun fact: Ylang ylang can also simultaneously soothe the mind and boost your libido. Just another reason to keep a reed diffuser on the nightstand. If you find your reed diffuser too strong that close to the bed as you sleep, removing a reed or two can soften the scent.  The Mudroom Mudrooms pick up all kinds of funky smells, from your wet dog to running shoes and so much more. So we highly recommend adding a reed diffuser to this area. If your mudroom has an entryway table, place it there! Whenever you pass through with your pup or go to hang up a raincoat, the scent will waft around, cutting through any stench or unpleasant smells.  The same thing goes for your main entryway foyer. Sure, your boots might be stored away in the mudroom, but a New Home reed diffuser, with its clean, fresh linen scent will give this area of the home a friendly welcome to guests. One extra tip: Install a convenient and discreet PURA Smart Home Diffuser in a compact entryway so that you can emit a scent before you arrive home yourself –– all from the Homesick phone app. Control Your Home’s Fragrance from Your Smart Phone with a Pura Smart Home Diffuser The Kitchen Area The kitchen area is a wonderful place to put a reed diffuser. Stick with floral and food-inspired scents –– think lemons, apple pie, pumpkins or cookies –– to integrate into this cooking space, resting the diffuser on an island countertop or breakfast bar where family often gathers. Whenever your kitchen smells of strong odors like garlic or onions, flip the reeds to cut down the cooking smells and make the space smell fresh again. An Office Space An office space is a smart place to add an extra-special reed diffuser, especially one you don’t necessarily want to share. Put a reed diffuser up on a bookshelf or even on your deskspace (so long as you are not facing a window) to get the most out of it. Of course, stick to scents and notes that help you stay focused and alert, such as sandalwood or mint.    Now you know all the best spots to put a reed diffuser. Keeping your diffuser away from drafts and windows will preserve the oils so you can enjoy your reed diffuser for a long time. But with these optimal spots, you can appreciate the scent too.

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5 Clean-Scented Candles to Make Your Home Smell Elegant

   Are you looking for a candle that leaves your home smelling fresh, clear and bright? Then look no further. From a candle that smells like you spent hours spring cleaning your home to a candle that invites in the energizing and uplifting smell of the outdoors, we have the candle for you. Below, Homesick has listed five clean-scented candles to make your home smell elegant and polished. #1 New Home Candle As neat and pure as an empty home ready to be filled with memories, our Housewarming candle has got to be one of the most clean scented candles you will find in our candle collection. With subtle floral notes of Jasmine and crisp Lime paired with undertones of Sandalwood, Oakmoss and Musk, the New Home housewarming candle smells like a home with newly painted walls and a blank canvas with open arms, inviting your family to stay for many years to come.  The New Home candle is perfect for new homeowners too. Say hello by sending a welcome gift basket to your new neighbors with the Homesick New Home candle inside. Or give the New Home candle as a small gift to a newlywed couple who just moved into their first home. Remember to add a personalized note, too, and send them well wishes on their new digs.   Nothing Like a Housewarming Candle to Make a Home Smell Clean! #2 Gone Hiking Candle Go forest bathing without ever leaving home. Homesick’s Gone Hiking candle is one of our top clean scented candles — as clean and fragrant as Mother Nature herself. With hints of Sandalwood, Moss and Ivy elevated with top notes of Fresh Waters and Pine, igniting this candle will make you feel like washing yourself beneath a waterfall.  This clean-scented candle is the perfect gift for wanderlust friends and loved ones who are always up for a good adventure and appreciate being one with nature and heading outdoors.   #3 Spring Cleaning Candle Without a doubt in our clutter-free minds, another one of our clean scented candles has to be the Spring Cleaning candle. If you want your home to smell like Marie Kondo just paid a visit, this candle is sure to spark a little joy. With the scent of a fresh start, ignite this candle when you crave the arrival of spring and all the new beginnings that come along with it. Top notes of invigorating Lime, Bergamot and fresh Clean Linen will make your space feel as clean and refreshed as ever, while base notes of Agave, Vetiver and Musk bring the aroma back down to earth.  Perfect for every season, the Spring Cleaning candle will make an apartment feel spacious and refined. Offer the Spring Cleaning candle to a friend who just got the keys to their first apartment or even to a friend who simply loves a squeaky clean space.  #4 Beach Candle If you love the beach, we guarantee you’ll fall in love with this clean scented candle. Our Beach candles offer the same salty ocean air that clears the lungs and rejuvenates the soul. With a warm glow, the Beach Cottage candle will provide the fresh scent of drying driftwood and a warm sandy beach smoothed over by the afternoon tide. What does sandalwood smell like? Learn all about this unique scent and see for yourself with the Beach Cottage candle. Nothing Smells Cleaner Than the Ocean! Check Out Our Beach Candles #5 Home Office Candle Keep a tidy desk free of clutter? Then you’ll appreciate the Home Office candle. For remote work-from-home moms and dads, the Home Office candle offers an energizing scent that is there to help you get your day started and hit the ground running — all while offering a clean scent. Separate your workspace and achieve the perfect work-life balance. With soothing and warm notes of Amber and Vanilla, along with Water Lilies and Fresh Air to invite in the outdoors, your deskspace will feel more welcoming.  Maintain Your Clean Scented Candles So They Last Forever If you love clean scented candles, chances are you love to keep other things in your life neat and tidy too. To maintain your clean scented candle, make sure to learn all candle maintenance through our Candle Care guide. In addition, pick up a wick trimmer to ensure your wicks are trimmed down properly to a one-quarter inch length for a cleaner and safer burn. Homesick candles offer roughly anywhere from 60 to 80 hours of burn time, so make the most of your favorite clean scented candle! Speaking of a cleaner burn, you will be happy to know that each Homesick candle is hand-poured with non-toxic, natural soy wax and made with premium cotton wicks too. A clean scent means more than the smell of fresh linens — it also means a candle wax- and wick-free of lead, plastics, parabens and more.  One thing’s for sure: Homesick makes the safest clean-scented candles you’ll find!

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How to Use a Wick Trimmer for Your Candle

Source: Enjoy The Life/Shutterstock.com Don’t pinch that mushroom top off your candle’s burnt wick. Use a wick trimmer instead!  Wick trimmers have been around for quite some time now and, along with candle snuffers and wax dippers, are one of the most useful tools for candle care. Wick trimmers provide lots of advantages and can also look rather stylish on your table centerpiece along with your candle collection. Using a trimmer is quite easy! In this guide, Homesick teaches how to use a wick trimmer, so you can adequately care for your candles and make them last as long as possible.  Why Is a Wick Trimmer Necessary? You love your Homesick candle and want it to last forever and always. Luckily, there are lots of ways to give your candle the best care to make it last, like keeping it away from drafts and extinguishing a flame before it grows too high or big. However, one wonderful tool that comes in handy is a wick trimmer. Why exactly is a wick trimmer necessary? A Wick Trimmer Is the Perfect Candle Tool Using a wick trimmer is a lot easier than trying to reach into a candle container with a giant pair of scissors or even your hand. If you’ve ever tried to cut a candle wick with a pair of scissors only to pull your hand away with a smear of soot, you know what we mean. Plus, even if you get your hand inside the jar, often you can’t even see the wick to cut it.  Also, unlike scissors, a wick trimmer features a plate-like cutter with a raised edge designed to capture the burnt wick you trim away. However, even if you have small enough scissors to reach inside the candle jar, once you trim back the wick, it will shed burnt ashes onto the wax, which can smear and be challenging to remove.  A Wick Trimmer Helps Candles Burn Brighter, Cleaner and Safer  It’s important to understand how candles work. A properly trimmed candle wick will help your candle burn brighter and safer. When a wick gets too long, it can create a higher flame, which can melt your special candle that much faster. Not to mention, a higher flame can create embers and become dangerous.  Furthermore, a trimmed wick burns cleaner, maintaining a clear candle jar without that smoky, sooty interior. Keeping the tip of the wick close to the wax also enhances the scent of your favorite candle without causing “mushrooming,” which is carbon buildup. A Wick Trimmer Looks Sophisticated and Stylish A well-placed wick trimmer next to your favorite candle or candle collection elevates the home. With a sophisticated candle tool like the wick trimmer, it also lets your guests know you take great care of your home and possessions, even your candles. Plus, the Homesick wick trimmer offers a minimal design and is made of a dark tone metal that lends an elegant beauty and weight to a styled centerpiece.    Learn How to Light a Candle Without a Lighter in Our Guide! How to Use a Wick Trimmer Now that you understand some of the benefits of a wick trimmer, let’s teach you how to use a wick trimmer correctly.  Before each use, trim the wick when the wax is completely dry. Keep the wick trimmer nearby to remind you to do so and never attempt to trim back a lit wick.  Reaching inside the candle container with the wick trimmer, make sure the cutter’s blades are aligned and straight to avoid trimming the wick askew or at an angle.  Trim back the wick to roughly one-quarter of an inch. This will remove the burnt, mushroom-looking tip to give it a cleaner look and help it burn safer. While the wick trimmer offers a disk-shaped plate to contain the burnt clippings, they can fall over it. Be sure to remove any debris or soot from the wax before igniting the wick.  A candle may be left to burn for about four hours. Then you can extinguish it (with a candle snuffer, ideally). Again, allow the wax to cure completely or even overnight before trimming the wick and igniting it again.   Wondering How Do Candles Work? Find Out Here Whether you want to prolong the scent of a Memory candle that transports you to a special time or a City or State candle that reminds you of home, a wick trimmer can help. Take home the Homesick wick trimmer today. Each trimmer also comes in a custom cloth bag that can store it safely away in a drawer nearby too. 

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Top-Notch Scents: Homesick’s 6 Best Reed Diffusers

Candles give off wonderful scents. But when you want to avoid using flames around the home, a reed diffuser is certainly the next best thing. Some might even argue they are better and more convenient. Lending an aroma to the home 24/7, you can walk in the door to a lovely fragrance without needing to strike a match or maintain your candle’s wick. Prefer reed diffusers over candles? Homesick offers a large collection of reed diffusers that match some of our most popular candle scents, from cities and states, as well as memories and celebrations. Here is a list of our six best reed diffusers that we know you’re sure to love.  #1 New Home Reed Diffuser The New Home reed diffuser lends a minimal, elegant scent to a space and is perfect for homes and apartments alike. With warm, woodsy notes of Cedarwood and Sandalwood, paired with bright, fresh scents of Lime and Jasmine, the New Home scent is offered in a candle, but is also one of our best reed diffusers. Like the smell of freshly pressed linen sheets and clean air, the New Home reed diffuser can make any space feel inviting and open to possibilities.  Furthermore, the New Home reed diffuser also makes a lovely housewarming gift for welcoming new neighbors and couples who bought their first home.  #2 Beach Cottage Reed Diffuser Love the salty ocean air and beachy scents? Then you’ll love our Beach Cottage reed diffuser. Base notes of Tonka Bean and Amber offer a warm foundation carried by mid notes of Marine, floral Plumeria and Musk. Top it off with Bergamot and Sandalwood, and you’ll be transported to a driftwood-scattered shoreline during the afternoon tide.  Whether you simply want your home to smell like your family’s beach cottage to bring back memories or want a little seaside bungalow of your own, the Beach Cottage scent is definitely one of Homesick’s best reed diffusers.   #3 Let’s Toast Reed Diffuser Celebrate life every day with the Let’s Toast Reed diffuser, featuring the bubbly and citrusy scents of flowing Champagne. This Champagne-inspired scent is one of our best reed diffusers and is suitable as a gift for countless types of celebrations, from engagements and weddings to milestone birthdays and much, much more. With invigorating notes of Mandarin, Grapefruit and Pineapple, the scent of this reed diffuser will have you raising a glass in no time. Celebrate for yourself and or send a salute to congratulate a special someone.  #4 The Book Club Reed Diffuser If you visit the library simply to take in the smell of paperbacks and leather-bound books, then get a whiff of our Book Club reed diffuser. One of Homesick’s most beloved, best reed diffusers offers hints of warm Vanilla and Nutmeg, Balsam, Sandalwood and Orange that makes you feel like bundling up on the couch with your favorite novel. This reed diffuser makes a wonderful gift for yourself or any other bibliophile.  Browse Our Reed Diffuser Options to Find Your Scent #5 The Pura Smart Home Diffuser Extend the life of your reed diffuser even longer. Introducing the Pura Smart home diffuser, a smart home fragrance diffusing device that allows you to customize exactly when and how much scent you wish to use. Simply install the Homesick candles app, available in the Apple Store, and personalize your scent experience. Plug it into an outlet and tweak the scent intensity levels and even create a custom schedule to put out a scent before you arrive home. Never waste your favorite diffuser scents again with the away mode too.   Control Your Pura Smart Home Diffuser from Your Phone! #6 Holiday-Themed Reed Diffusers Get in the holiday spirit with any one of our holiday reed diffusers. Whether you love the smells of fresh-cut spruce or Fraser fir Christmas trees, holly berries and sugar plums or sweet sugar cookies, we have the holiday-inspired reed diffuser for you. Choose from our Winter Mantle Reed diffuser, The Nutcracker or Holiday Stroll to transport you to a bustling holiday market filled with twinkling lights and delicious hot cocoa.  Take Home One of Homesick’s 6 Best Reed Diffusers Today! If you are partial to using a reed diffuser, you can’t go wrong with one of our six best reed diffusers. Explore our entire collection of reed diffuser scents and fragrances to find the perfect one for your home.  When properly maintained, reed diffusers can outlast a candle. How long do reed diffusers last? With each four-ounce bottle, Homesick diffusers are designed to last two to three months.   Looking for more scents and prefer a candle? Explore everything Homesick has to offer, from candles to car fresheners too!

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10 Homesick Gifts for Your Friends and Family Missing Home

Home is where the heart is. But, sometimes, we can’t always be where the heart wants to be. Kids and adults alike are no strangers to homesickness. So if you have a special someone who is longing for places and people they miss, cheer them up with something that speaks to their heart.  At Homesick, we believe candles make great gifts but at Homesick our candles are more than a gift, they're a memory. Whether it’s a candle that smells like their hometown or country or merely a memory that takes them back to their childhood stomping grounds, it will surely bring a smile and maybe even a tear to their face. We are proud of our candles through and through. Made with a natural soy wax blend, our candles are safe for the home and produced sustainably. Each of our candles is even hand-poured right here in the U.S., reducing overseas shipments and our carbon footprint. Combine this with the fact our candles feature 100 percent organic cotton wicks and are poured into reusable glass containers, and you got yourself one stellar candle gift. So here are ten homesick gifts for those long-distant friends and family members who are missing home, from candles to reed diffusers to taking home on the road with you with a Homesick car freshener.  #1 Memory Candles Recall more than a place or destination. Psychology experts agree that even a subtle scent can bring back homemade memories. That’s why we believe Homesick’s collection of memory candles makes a wonderfully nostalgic gift for those missing home. Inviting memories is as easy as lighting a candle with scents inspired by holidays, celebrations and merely special moments.  Choose from holiday-inspired scents that bring back the memories of Christmas traditions attending an annual Nutcracker ballet or taking a Holiday Stroll shopping the bustling boutiques downtown. We even have a Hanukkah-inspired Latkes and Lights candle with scents of savory latkes, applesauce and jelly donuts. Miss the smell of freshly fallen snow in winters? We have a candle for that, too. Whatever traditions you had, these candles will transport you home for the holidays.  Winter holidays aside, Homesick offers a series of summer candles and fall harvest candles. Did your friend or family member miss out on summer vacation at the beach or the cabin? Send some warmth their way with the beach cottage candle with notes of salty ocean air and warm sand or the summer camp candle with notes of wildflowers, fresh grass and evening bonfires.  If you have a friend or loved one who misses Granny’s cooking and would do anything for a taste of her warm apple pie fresh from the oven, they’ll cherish the Grandma’s Kitchen candle. With notes of sugar and spice, ignite this charming candle, and you’re instantly transported to a cozy and welcoming home where Grandma spoils you with snickerdoodles and hugs.  #2 A Custom-Made Item with Home’s Coordinates Even better? You can add the coordinates to the back of a homesick candle along with a message. That way, they can keep it forever, repurposing the glass container even after the wax has melted away. Another excellent gift for homesick friends and family members is a custom-made item with the coordinates of their home. Personalized items like these are sweet and sentimental, but they can also be functional.  Did they just move into a new home or apartment far from the rest of the family? Give them a way to hold onto their brand new keys with a customized keyring, designed with a faux leather tag stamped with home coordinates. Or give them a piece of jewelry like a necklace or bracelet that features engraved home coordinates. Do they need some decor for their new furniture? There are all kinds of comfy pillows and graphic prints that can be embroidered and framed to add a sentimental touch.  #3 Home State Candles From the purple mountain’s majesty to the amber waves of grain, our great nation has a variety of scents. To try to capture the United States in one candle is just impossible. That’s why we created state candles, each with its own unique aroma of the landscape, state flowers and other undeniably distinct scents the region holds. Unlike our Country candles, we have a candle for every state in America. Technically, we offer 51 state candles; California is so vast it calls for two distinct scents: Northern and Southern Cali. So, whatever home state they hail from, we’ve got a candle for it! Explore our entire collection of State candles. #4 City Candles Of course, we also have city candles. Whether they are a proud Bostonian Red Sox fan from Massachusetts or a whiskey-loving southern gentleman from Nashville, homesick has a large selection of city scents sure to take them home in a single whiff.  From the palm-lined streets of Miami with its balmy summer nights to the coffee-shop-filled neighborhoods of Seattle on a rainy morning, Homesick captures some of the most iconic cities across America. We even carry Canadian city candles like Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver for our Canadian friends.  #5 Country Candles Have a college friend or coworker who came from faraway lands? Okay, maybe it’s not even that far away, but just the next country over. Regardless, they might love one of our country candles, inspired by countries from all across the globe. While we don’t carry as many candles as there are countries, we carry quite a few. Remind Those Abroad of Their Home with a Country Candle You will find country-inspired candles for America’s neighbors to the north and south, a Canada candle and a Mexico candle, respectively. But you can also find candles that smell like the United Kingdom for our friends and loved ones that live right across the pond.  #6 Reed Diffusers Many Homesick candle scents that would remind them of home are also offered in reed diffusers. Homesick has a large selection of reed diffusers, featuring a glass vial filled with a hand-crafted, non-toxic solution with the finest essential oils. Reed diffusers are a smart gift option for those with kids and pets. When they have rowdy little ones around and furkids, they may prefer to avoid candles with an open flame. This is where a reed diffuser comes in as a nice alternative.  To keep the scent fresh, simply flip the reeds. If they wish to lighten the scent or make it last longer, remove the number of reeds from the bottle. Your friend or family member can also choose to cap the bottle, preserving it for those times when they are truly missing home.  #7 Hometown Memento Care Package  Give your homesick friends and family a few mementos, swag and trinkets from their old stomping grounds. Whether it’s a koozie from the local town bar, a t-shirt from a restaurant or treats from a local bakery or chocolatier, it will remind them of home and send good vibes from the places they miss visiting. Is there a local coffee shop they miss hanging out with friends at? Pick up a bag of their favorite roast and a branded mug.  Collect a few items and ship them as a care package. Even if grandma is their favorite local bakery, have her make a special batch of her famous brownies, snickerdoodles or fudge, sealing it in a tin container they can reuse. Know someone who loves to bake? Take it a step further and send the dry ingredients along with a handwritten recipe card. Then, all they have to do is add the eggs and milk to whip up a batch of mouthwatering memories.  #8 A Framed Photograph or Portrait What better way to let a friend or family member know you’re thinking of them than with a framed photograph or portrait? A family portrait of everyone together on vacation or the last family reunion works wonderfully. If the gift is for a homesick friend, send them a framed photograph portrait of just the two of you or the entire close-knit group.  A family portrait can be as simple as a photograph. Search your newer digital files (you know, those you don’t print too often) and print a favorite. A black and white photograph always lends a nostalgic touch, but color works nicely too, especially if the photo was taken at a beautiful destination like the beach at sunset. Find a minimal black frame that complements their style and send it to them as a gift. Have too many great photos to choose from? Create a custom-printed photo book or hand-made photo album with all your favorite moments together they can flip through when missing home.  Have trouble finding a photo with all of you together? Easily solvable! Explore places like Etsy for artists who can make a custom-illustrated family portrait with characters. This way, you can send them photos of each person (not necessarily in one shot), and they can create a montage of everyone together. It will remind them their family back home is thinking about them and is always there for them.  #9 A Print or Photograph of Home On the same lines as a photograph or illustration of family, a graphic print or photograph of the place they call home is a nice alternative. If they miss the sights and landscapes of their home country or state, this is the perfect homesick gift. Send them a coffee table book of photographs by a local artist or, if you have some creative skills, create a photo book yourself, capturing the locations and spots that mean the most to them.  A printed calendar offers them 12 images of their favorite places they are missing, whether it’s the national park in their home state, the beach where they vacationed with family or merely the vibrant, fallen autumn leaves they don’t see much from where they are now.  Printed illustrations and graphic posters are also a nice gift. Have one created by an illustrator to capture the feel of a particular place or even the front facade of the home itself. If home is a well-known city like Paris or a landscape like the Rockies, you will undoubtedly discover all sorts of illustrations you can print at home and send to them. #10 A Self-Care Basket A self-care basket is a lovely way to cheer up someone who just moved to town. Even if you only very recently met and don’t even know their roots, a self-care basket can get them through a bout of homesickness.  So, if you don’t know someone well enough just yet, what kind of gifts can you add to a self-care basket? Think of consumables like homemade soups and fresh-baked goodies, along with some soothing tea or a nice bottle of wine. One thoughtful idea is to create a list of your favorite restaurants or a binder of takeout menus.  A self-care basket may also have body care products. If they just moved to the west coast, help them prepare for the sunny days with sunscreen. Are they settling into their place and bracing for a cold, snowy winter for the first time? Throw in a pair of warm wool socks, a bottle of hand moisturizer and a summer-scented homesick candle or reed diffuser to beat the winter blues.  A Reed Diffuser Is Great for Those Who Don’t Prefer Open Flames Make Your Homesick Friends and Family Feel Welcome One of the best gifts you can give to banish the homesick blues is totally intangible. Making new friends and new families feel welcome to the neighborhood and your area can help them get through tough times. Whether you take them out for dinner, show them around town or hang out for a weekend barbecue to get to know one another, it lets them know you care and empathize with how much they miss home.  This is especially true for new homeowners who may not know very many people yet and are still adjusting to a new way of life. So, make them feel welcome by opening up your home to make them feel more at home too. Send some gifts for new homeowners to assist with the transition and help them settle into their new place. Eventually, a house will feel like a “home.”   Image Credits New Africa/Shutterstock.com Takoyaki Tech/Shutterstock.com Prostock-studio/Shutterstock.com

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