Every Scent Has a Story ™

 

Agapao

As I was out shopping one evening to “clear my head”, I came across these beautiful alabaster vessels. Thinking they may be perfect for candles, yet a little expensive, I hesitantly approached the cashier to pay for my wares. As she looked at the empty boxes, she said “What a beautiful candle”. In shock, I asked her to please repeat herself. She said it again, “These are beautiful candles”. I said, “Those are empty containers, however, that is what I’m buying them for-to turn them into candles”. She smiled in affirmation. I couldn’t believe it. This complete stranger saw something that was only expressed in my thoughts and silent prayers. Well then, I knew I was on the right path. Candles they would become.

What initially drew my attention to these containers is that they immediately reminded me of a story of a woman who once ‘loved’ Jesus by pouring expensive perfume on his head and feet from an alabaster box (jar). His buddies thought her gesture was a waste, but Jesus saw things differently. He came to her defense saying that “she loved much”. The word for love in this statement is translated from the Greek word “agapao”. It’s the same translation for love used to describe God’s love for us in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world….”

Therefore, I imagined how the anointing perfume of this special woman may have smelled.  I then created an original fragrance, “Agapao” with notes of amber, rose, almond and citrus.

Bangkok Lemongrass

As a travel enthusiast and international health nurse, one of my most favorite medical mission trips was to Thailand. In addition to it beautiful people, varied landscapes and unique culture, Thailand has some of the best food on the planet-and one staple in Thai cuisine is lemongrass.

With the fragrance of sweet grass with a hint of lemon, Bangkok Lemongrass, takes me back to dining at the Zeppelin restaurant at the Don Muang Hotel. 

Fragrance Collection: Thailand

Briefcase and Wingtips

My dad is, by far, one of the hardest working men I know. For over 30 years, he was a dedicated service technician for IBM, fixing their broken products from cash registers to computers. He could repair anything! Not only would he provide excellent service, but he did it all while wearing a suit and tie and wingtip shoes. 

The fragrance, Briefcase and Wingtips, reminds me of growing up watching my father selflessly going to work every morning. It contains notes of leather and sandalwood. 

Cairo Cotton

For my 30th birthday, I went to Egypt. Needless to say, the experience was amazing. In addition to seeing some of the more common landmarks (i.e. The Great Pyramids, Valley of the Kings, the Sphinx), I had the opportunity to explore a factory where Egyptian textiles were being crafted. That's where I first discovered the rich history of superior Egyptian cotton.

The fragrance, Cairo Cotton, boasts the smell of freshly laundered Egyptian cotton sheets, with notes of lily of the valley, lilac, and jasmine.

Collection: Egypt

Castelul Bran

At 16 years old, I embarked on my first mission trip to Romania. After spending several days renovating an orphanage in Bucharest, my team set out for holiday in the Carpathian Mountains. One of our most memorable visits was to Castelul Bran, the home of the infamous ruler, Vlad Dracul. Vlad Dracul, also known as Vlad the Impaler, is quite possibly best known, as the real-life inspiration of the blood-phyllic villian, Count Dracula. 

The fragrance, Castelul Bran, is an enticing clean, fresh scent with notes of aldehyde with citrusy & floral bottom notes-how I envision Count Dracula may have smelled.

Fragrance Collection: Romania

Costa Maya Healing 

As as young teenager, I became a survivor of sexual assault while on vacation in Cancun, Mexico. At that time, I swore, I would never return to that country ever again. Fast forward 25 years later, I found myself on a family cruise, headed to Costa Maya, Mexico. Filled with anxiety and anticipation, I chose to face my fear and get out of the boat. With my sister and sister-in-law by my side, I disembarked. Not only did I leave the cruise ship that day, but I chose to leave the emotional "ship" that had lead me down a path of shame and bitterness for the majority of my life. 

The fragrance, Costa Maya Healing, is reminiscent of Mexican vanilla with soft notes of soothing lavender-It represents relaxation and letting go of the past. 

Fragrance Collection: Mexico

Frontline Warrior

Having been a nurse for over 20 years, it is important to me to pay homage to my fellow healthcare workers, who work tirelessly taking care of others. After working a long shift, often times of more than 12 hours at a time, all I thought to do after getting home was to eat, shower and relax.

So I created the fragrance, Frontline warrior to provide relaxation after a hard day's work of the caregiver. It has notes of freesia, jasmine and sandlewood.

Grandpa's Cone O' Cream

One of the many joys of  visiting my grandfather as a child, was when he would invite his grandchildren to go get ice cream. Being from the country, he spoke in the local vernacular and he'd ask "Ya'll wanna cone O'cream?" It is such an endearing memory. 

Grandpa's Cone O' Cream, is a rich vanilla fragrance that takes me back to hot summers in Turnersville, Kentucky, eating ice cream cones with my grandpa. 

Fragrance Collection: Childhood 

Irene's Fried Apples

My grandmother, Irene, was the Queen of Breakfast. I loved when she would invite me to help her peel apples in preparation for her to make her fried apples for breakfast. And we didn't use one of those fancy hand-held swivel peelers either. No, I learned how to utilize a good ol' fashioned sharp kitchen knife at about 6 years old. The best part was when she taught me how to master the art of effortlessly rotating and peeling the apples in one smooth motion, resulting in a beautiful long coil. 

Irene's Fried Apples smells of warm and sweet, thinly sliced apples with a hint of butter and cinnamon, just like my grandmother used to make. 

Fragrance Collection: The Kitchen

Korat Kaffir & Ginger

Located on the Northeastern plateau of Thailand, Korat (also known as Nakorn Ratchasima) was one of the cities in which we stopped as we set up mobile medical clinics throughout the county, in partnership with local churches. After providing care, our team explored the sights and culture of Korat, including their amazing restaurants.

You will often find the interesting looking, bumpy skinned Kaffir lime or makrut lime, used in Thai cooking. It is commonly paired with ginger, another Thai favorite, to make very delicious savory dishes, as well as, desserts.

One such sweet treat is ginger ice cream with kaffir syrup, of which the fragrance Korat Kaffir & Ginger, is inspired.

Fragrance Collection:Thailand

 

Mother's Flapjacks and Bacon

My grandmother, affectionately called "Mother" by her children, used to make these epic skillet-sized pancakes for breakfast. They were HUGE! I could only eat one, while my older brother could eat two, on a good day. She would pair these sweet, buttery confections with perfectly-cooked, chewy bacon. Yes, chewy bacon, not crispy. LOL. 

Mother's Flapjacks and Bacon smells like Saturday morning and a plate of fresh jumbo pancakes swimming in maple syrup with a side of bacon. 

Fragrance Collection: The Kitchen

Mr. Softee

One of my happiest summer memories was when the ice cream man, Mister Softee, paid a visit. It usually happened something like this-I'd be outside playing with my friends. From afar, we'd catch the sound of the ice cream man's jingle. No matter what we were doing, our world would stop as we tried to figure out how close he was.We'd dash inside, pleading with our folks for a buck or swiping some coins from our piggy banks, all to get our hands on a frosty delight!

One of my all-time fave ice creams is the orange dreamsicle.

So in honor of the ice cream man, the Mr. Softee fragrance smells of a delightfully creamy vanilla ice cream hugged by tangy orange sherbet on a stick, just like the orange dreamsicle. 

Mustache and Afro

My dad is very handsome. I mean, seriously, he could have easily given Billy Dee Williams a run for his money in the 1980's. He actually evoked Richard Roundtree (Shaft) vibes. He sported a nice tapered afro and always had a mustache and a "soul patch", you know, the little tuft of hair under the bottom lip. 

The fragrance Mustache and Afro is reminiscent of my dad's Blue Magic hair grease, with hints of bergamont and sweet musk.

Norwegian Sky

Spending time with family is a gift I don't ever want to take for granted. A tradition we held for several years was to go on a yearly family cruise. So every winter, I'd leave the cold Midwest, meet my family in Miami, and set sail for the Caribbean. Our ship's name was called the Norwegian Sky. 

Norwegian Sky has citrusy and floral notes of jasmine and musk which reminds me of sailing across the open Caribbean Sea.

Fragrance Collection: Vacation

7-Layer Salad

As a young girl, I remember my parents frequenting the salad bars of local grocery stores. One my favorite foods on the bar was the 7-Layer Salad. The salad consisted of various heterogenous layers of vegetables and meat (sometimes fruit) and no two salads were the same.

Therefore, as with the popular 80's salad bar item, our 7-Layer Salad scented candle is stratified with multiple randomized fragrance layers. It's like having 7 (sometimes more) candles in one.

Soweto Rose

In 2017, I again, returned to South Africa on a mission to learn from anti-apartheid leaders and others who lived through this crime against humanity. While there, my team and I visited the township of Soweto, where we participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for a new community empowerment center.

A beloved son of Soweto is, Dingaan Thobela, a former professional boxing champion. It is said that Thobela used to give roses away to beautiful girls, ringside, earning him the moniker, "The Rose of Soweto".

The fragrance, Soweto Rose, carries the sweet floral aroma of fresh cut roses in honor of all the ringside gifts, presented by one of Africa's most legendary boxers. 

Fragrance Collection: South Africa

Turnersville, Kentucky

As a child, I loved visiting my father's family in Turnersville, Kentucky. One of my fondest memories was going to the barn, where my great-uncle showed us where the tobacco was being hung to dry.

The fragrance Turnersville, Kentucky has the warm, and masculine aroma of fine pipe tobacco and patchouli, which reminds me of my grandfather and great-uncle.

Fragrance Collection: My Father

Vinyl Records and Soul

Growing up, it was a treat for me when my father played his vinyl records. He listed to anything from the gospel music of Mahalia Jackson and F.C. Barnes, to the melancholy blues of Son House. I loved these moments, not because of the music, but because this was one of the few occasions I would dance with my father. He would take my little hands, shake my skinny arms, and swing me around the room. It was better than any amusement park ride or toy on Christmas Day, to have that time with my daddy as a child.

Vinyl Records and Soul takes me back to the smell of my dad's cologne and us dancing to his 45's in the family room. It boasts a warm velvety aroma of bergamot, sandalwood, and musk.

Fragrance Collection: My Father