Candles Are My Crack (Also Lip Gloss and Throw Pillows)

 I'm a terrible snob about candles. Some of the more popular brands, which shall go unnamed today, give me the worst headaches and trigger my asthma. And I really dislike anything that smells like a baked good. I know it may seem crazy to spend a lot on a candle, but here's why I think it's worth it: remember that friend's house growing up that had that weird smell? Yeah. Scent is such a strong memory-association trigger, isn't it? 

The following are gorgeous and of the best quality--no synthetic blueberry pie scents in the bunch.

Diptyque Baies has been my old standby for years...

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I branched out a bit and burned this one all winter long; it has that yummy fireplace smell that's just perfect in cold weather.

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This has been my recent obsession, now that the weather is warming up a bit.

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I'm tempted to try these Cire Trudon candles after seeing them in Tomas Maier's boutique in Palm Beach.

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Aerin Lauder's entered the candle domain with these understated looking votives.

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I always see these Tobi Tobin candles in my local beauty supply store, and they're Victorian-feeling label is so appealing.

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I first saw these Belle Fleur candles in Domino years ago. I think they would smell like a   high end florist's shop.

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You can't go wrong with a massive Jo Malone.

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I love that you can have the Le Labo label stamped with your name. So cute.

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The names alone of Byredo's candles are enough to get me to buy one. I went to a party on Saturday night in a very Nancy Meyers-esque home, and I noticed how nice it smelled as soon as I walked in. Then I saw the Byredo candle burning in the entry...

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Have you tried any of these? (Click the caption for purchase info) What's your favorite candle? 

I Love Aerin Lauder

Aerin Lauder first popped onto my radar when Domino featured her office back in the day (Oh, Domino...). This utterly feminine yet completely modern image of her desk stuck with me for years...

...as did this photo of her closet. I mean...

When Architectural Digest featured her redesigned office a few months back, I was smitten again (would you or would you not sell an organ, like an important one, for that Sciolari??).

And I've seen her new cosmetics collection at Bloomingdales but haven't had an opportunity to check any of them out yet. They look beautiful, which is half the battle, and with the Lauder brand behind her, I'm sure they're gorgeous. This compact alone would look so very pretty in my purse, don't you think?

Never met a lip balm I didn't immediately buy three of...

Bronze illuminator? Yes, please.

Adorable little makeup bag.

She has also forayed into the home design arena. I'd buy this candle for its color alone.

Trio of serving bowl loveliness...

Adorbs.

 Don't smoke, don't care--I want it.

Pyrite paperweight fabulosity.

Can't wait to see what other gorgeousness comes from this stylish lady!

xoxo

All products available here/ All editorial images from here

On My Mind: Winterized Beauty

If you know me well, you know I am a bit of a product junkie. C likes to tease me about it, but I've always had a really hard time with skin care, and I've experimented with almost every brand under the sun. Unfortunately, I've found that any change in climate causes a reaction for me, and ever since the heater has come on, I've had to switch to my "Winter Routine." Here's the breakdown, in painstaking detail.

AM

Clarisonic + Lancer Dermatology Cleanser:

 

First and foremost, a humidifier is a must for me; the air is so dry here that the first few years I lived out here, I would get sinus infections every winter like clockwork. A nice side effect is that it makes a huge improvement in skin tone. I've also had a LOT of luck with the Lancer Dermatology line and have used this cleanser for almost three years, which is like a world record for me. I can't recommend Dr. Lancer's products enough! I also can't live without my Clarisonic. I follow the cleanser with Lancer's Nourish AM/PM cream and Lancome High Resolution eye cream, which is okay:

 Lancer Nourish AM/PM cream + Lancome High Resolution Eye:

I smush some of Lancer's sunscreen into my face and neck, and follow the whole thing with a Mario Badescu Facial Spray misting.

Mario Badescu Facial Spray:

PM

When I'm super dry, I take off my makeup with Lancome's Creme Confort Mousse, but I'd like to give this Bobbi Brown cleanser a shot when I run out. I follow with the Lancer Nourish AM/PM mixed with a few drops of Josie Maran Argan Oil or sometimes just the straight oil.

Bobbi Brown Hydrating Cleanser + Josie Maran Argan Oil:

 

Nothing beats Kiehl's Creme de Corps, especially when mixed with a few drops of the Josie Maran oil:

It's a total splurge, but I often use La Mer lip balm as a salve on super dry patches:

Kiehl's Amino Acid Shampoo + Frederic Fekkai Glossing Olive Oil conditioner:

 

Followed by a mix of these two miracle workers on ends only before I blow my hair out.

Pantene Beautiful Lengths Smoothing Hair Balm + Moroccan Oil:

...and voila! My winter-proofed ritual.

What's your routine? I love hearing about other people's product experiences.

xoxo