Tag Archives: candles

Girls night in

Contrary to last weekend’s forecast, it rained. I was looking forward to grabbing drinks with girlfriends on Saturday, but none of us felt like venturing out into the wet night. A cozy evening at my place with lots of red wine turned out to be just as fun! I love these shots from The Cherry Blossom Girl’s evening equivalent.

Astier de Villatte

Since I’m not planning a trip to Paris anytime soon, I will have to shop for Astier de Villatte’s new candles and eau de colognes when I’m in New York next month.  {Their new candles were spotted by my friend Cerise at ABC Carpet and John Derian, two of my never-miss New York shopping destinations.  And P.S.- she says the Honolulu candle is absolutely insane.}

How charming is their Paris shop?  Click here to see the interior…

Cire Trudon

Anyone who knows me, knows I am a Diptyque girl through-and-through, but sometimes a little variety isn’t a bad thing! I was recently introduced to Cire Trudon… I’d read about this age old candle maker based in (of course) France, but was only recently able to see and smell their candles in person. (The company started in 1643!) Barney’s here in San Francisco carries them, and you can also buy them on their website here.

The scents are really intense and quite unique…I don’t think I’ve ever come across a candle before that was created to remind one of the wooden floors of Versailles or the stonewalls of a convent! Most are quite gorgeous and lush- my favorites are Abd El Kader, which has notes of fresh green mint, pepper, tea and tobacco, and Trianon, which smells of jacinth, roses, white flowers, and wild herbs.

And the packaging is something you’ll never want to part with- the wax is poured into heavyweight, handblown ivy green glass jars and each has a luxurious embossed gold label. Word has it there is a gorgeous store in Paris- 78 Rue de Seine, Paris 6e-that I’ll have to check out on my next trip.