Best Scented Candles for Spring

The first signs of spring have finally sprung, and that means it's time to put away the spicy, heady home fragrances that filled our spaces with warmth all winter and welcome the new season with lighter, breezier scents. From freshly cut grass to citrusy blossoms, these candles evoke all the wonderful newness of spring. 

Jo Malone Green Tomato Leaf Home Candle
"Glasshouse tomatoes. Earthy, leafy and full of sunshine. Crisp with stem-green galbanum. Lively with artemesia, fruity with cassis, resting on a cushion of moss. Tangy and evocative."

Henri Bendel Linen Signature Candle
"...fresh clean cotton line-dried in the breeze. Notes of lavender, rosemary, and floral jasmine...notes of cedar wood and fir in this pure, light fragrance."

Nest Fragrances Orange Blossom Classic Candle
"Orange blossom, orchid, tiare flower and freesia are combined with tangerine, lemon and musk."

Kobo Green House Candle
"A spring promenade through your favorite florist in full bloom. Notes of grassy green and crisp asparagus blend with budding hyacinth, orchid, rose and jasmine."

Yankee Candle Meadow Candle
"...a clean, fresh scent filled with green fields, golden sunshine and blue skies."

Tom Dixon Earth Candle
"...a fragrant mysterious blend of mint, guaiac wood, and cedar wood creating a rich mossy freshness."

How to Be an Awesome Party Guest

Spring is on the horizon, and with it, plenty of reasons to celebrate, including St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, and the onset of wedding season. Whatever you're feteing this spring (or any time, really), do yourself a favor and make sure you're the party guest who gets invited back by following these tips.

1. It's always fine to be a little late (never show up early unless you've offered to help set up), but anything more than 30 minutes, especially to a dinner party, is a bit excessive. If you know ahead of time that you won't be able to make it on time, let your host know. And obviously it's completely distasteful to show up late to a wedding. 

2. Of course your host won't expect anything, but it's always nice to arrive with a little gift in hand. A bottle of wine is always a safe choice, but if you know the party host is a scotch drinker, pick up a bottle. Fresh flowers, a box of chocolates, or French macarons are also good options.

3. Make an effort with people your hostess introduces you to. If they've created a seating arrangement or pull you over to meet someone, chat up the new person--your hostess probably introduced the two of you  for a reason. 

4. Take a hint! If you notice that the party has dwindled down to just a few stragglers, or if the host is ever-so-subtly starting to clean up (or not so subtly turned off the music and turned the lights back up), it's time to make your exit. 

5. If you've offered to stay and help with the clean-up afterward, then do so, even if everyone is relocating to an after-hours bar or someone else's house. Never leave your host in a lurch if you've made a commitment to them.


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Monday

image via Instagram (@therealdebbieallendanceacademy)

International Women's Day

There are so many women to celebrate and so many reasons to celebrate being a woman, today and every day. We are strong, brave, soft, beautiful; we are thinkers and doers and speakers. We are, in the words of the incomparable Maya Angelou, phenomenal. 

Today I honor my mother, aunts, cousins, and friends. I honor women who have helped change the world; the women who have paved the way for other women; the women who seek to inspire. I honor my two precious little girls--the women of tomorrow. Stand up and roar, ladies!

Friday Favorites

It's been sort of a miserable week; I came down with something nasty on Monday (fever, chills, coughing, aching--the whole nine) and haven't been able to fully shake it. My fear is that I might pass it along to my little ones, so I've had to keep kisses and cuddles to a minimum (I was blessed to have my mom step in and take care of them on Monday and Tuesday since my husband wasn't here). I'm hoping to get some rest as we go into the weekend so I'll be back to my normal self next week and can resume smothering my little babies with all the kisses. I hope you have a fantastic weekend; stay well and God bless!

Dolce and Gabbana's motherhood-themed Fall 2015 runway show.

This DIY gem mirror.

The easiest breakfast on the planet. 

New children's wear from Kate Spade. 

Chicken soup for the soul. How cute is that heart?