![unrecognizable ethnic woman with burning candle in glass](https://i0.wp.com/feelgoodesprit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/pexels-photo-5760925.jpeg?fit=867%2C1300&ssl=1)
I love a good candle. However my appreciation for the power of scents and aromas around the home really levelled up when I met my now husband.
I would visit his flat and be greeted by the most incredible smells.
I fell in love with them so much that I would often sneak his candles into the bathroom for my long soaks or light it before snuggling up into bed with a book. I couldn’t believe how potent some of those scents were. (He definitely got annoyed at times as to how often I’d burn them, these candles weren’t cheap!).
They say food is the way to a man’s heart, well in my case, scents were the route to winning me over.
You see I think of our homes as an exploration and explosion of sensory experiences.
This is something I was reflecting about the other day since having my daughter as I quickly realised we still have sensory play as adults too.
Why not tap into it by realising that this is what is helping you enjoy life that bit more and implement it to feel a sense of energy.
I tend to think of it like this:
Taste
There are some people who are all about exploring culinary delights. Experimenting with new flavours of foods, trying out new restaurants or savouring their favourite chocolate.
Touch
These folk are fans of textures whether that’s fabrics in their curtains, cushions or even the smoothness of a quartz work surface in their home.
Sound and Sight
There are those who focus on creating the right ambience through lighting and sound. Lighting is often overlooked but can make such a difference to your mood. It doesn’t have to be high tech either, just a simple lamp.
When it comes to sound this could be anything from having a fancy set up of music playing through bathroom speakers to the simple sound of fire crackling on Youtube. Please tell me I’m not the only one who has used this! I am a fan and have used it on a date night.
Smell
Finally the group who has a firm appreciation for the uplifting or relaxing environment that can be achieved through smell, and today that’s what I’m going to write about. I belong to all of these groups as do you. You probably never thought of it like this before.
However if you’re a busy mum who is seeking a sanctuary in the midst of chaos, you can create it through these sensory experiences. There may be one that calms you the most or energises you the most. Whatever that is, focus in on how you can make it part of your routine.
I’ve shared below some of the many different types of scents that I have around my home. I enjoy discovering new kinds. I’ve provided the type with some examples of what I have personally bought but these can be achieved however you wish with whatever budget you have as there are a multitude of brands to choose from.
Whatever the choice, the aim is simple: to create smells that are sensational for your mind, body and soul!
Plus they can be fantastic at disguising food smells after cooking or creating an inviting home for when you have guests over.
Here we go!
1. Incense sticks
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For me, incense sticks remind me of my honeymoon in Bali. It represents tranquility, a slower pace of life and a real spa-like ambience. What I love about incense sticks is how potent they can be. I find them to fill up a room very quickly.
You can however get it wrong with the choice of incense sticks. I’ve bought some on holiday only to be disappointed getting home with very dull scents that actually start to all smell the same.
However, we did find these at John Lewis. The Esteban range which is a French company. They do lovely incense sticks, and we’ve given their diffusers a go and so far we are enjoying that too.
Personal incense favourites from their range include Teck and Tonka and Cedre.
2. Oils
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Essential oils are magic. It warrants its own blog, but in summary, there are wonderful benefits of the various different kinds. Each one has unique properties to help with a whole myriad of challenges you may face.
Lavender for sleep, citrus for energy, peppermint for headaches. There are individual ones you can buy, or you can purchase ones that are already mixed.
You can use oils direct to your skin in some cases (be sure to read instructions to make sure you can). You can pop them in a diffuser (electric or non-electric). You can also burn them.
When it comes to this very topic, my go-to-brand is Neom. I love their essential oils and I also have the well-being pod diffuser which we love too.
3. Candles
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Now when it comes to candles, you really are spoilt for choice. Again, candles comes in all sorts of scents and it can be quite a personal thing. That said, there are some candles which I don’t think anyone could resist. Candles are as much about the scent these days as they are the design.
We received a candle recently as a gift which when finished can be used as a cute jar. Personally, after smelling the ones in my husband’s flat, I am now a fan of Jo Malone and Diptyque especially.
A few firm favourites include Jo Malone Oud and Bergamot, Orange and Blossom and Diptyque Baies.
4. Diffusers
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Once you’ve got your own set of essential oils, it’s actually really easy to make your own diffusers if you’re up for it. However when you’re pressed for time then you may wish to just get an electric diffuser or one off the shop shelf.
Esteban is the current one that is in my home and I like it so far. I’ve also given the Lidl brand a go, and it’s not bad. Esteban is still far more potent and it comes in the prettiest jar.
If you can splash the cash, then the electric diffusers are fab and allow you to get creative with the scents. These are particularly good in kitchen areas or the bedroom.
5. Wax melts
Finally, there are wax melts. I quite enjoy these when I want a really potent smell in a room but don’t wish to burn an expensive candle to achieve it. My first wax melt burner was a set from Yankee Candle. You can find an array of fragrances to go with every season. They are the cheapest form of scents alongside incense sticks to get going.
What is your favourite type of scent? Share below!