Our Home’s Signature Scents
Smells have always been my memory’s most loyal companions. I can still catch the faint, sweet notes of antique wood from my grandparents’ gift shop, the damp, earthy scent of Wisconsin morning dew at summer camp, and the smooth warmth of bourbon sipped on a crisp fall gameday. Scent is integral to memory—and part of getting older is realizing that memories don’t just happen. They are intention and love, carefully crafted by the people who care about you. That’s why I keep signature scents in my home year-round: little acts of curating nostalgia for the here and now for myself and my loved ones. By rotating these scents year after year, each one becomes a bookmark in time. When the air turns crisp or the first flowers bloom, lighting the right candle instantly transports me—not just to a season, but to the memories that live within it.While I love mixing in the occasional gifted candle or a trendy new diffuser oil, below I share the tried-and-true fragrances I stock up on year after year. My criteria are strict: the scent must be sublime, and the vessel must be aesthetically pleasing enough to blend seamlessly into my space. I’ve turned down many a gorgeous fragrance for looks alone!So, I invite you to come in, strike a match, and inhale - these are the smells of our life.FALL
Pumpkin Soufflé by Anthropologie Boulangerie
Pumpkin Soufflé is the longest staple in my collection, as I've been lighting it since the fall of 2014. It's rich, warm, and sweet—like a perfectly spiced dessert just out of the oven.
White Pumpkin by Bath & Body Works
Since the Anthropologie candle only comes in a single wick, I layer it with White Pumpkin from Bath & Body Works, which adds a soft, creamy balance. Together, they make my home smell like the coziest autumn afternoon.
CHRISTMASTIME
Holiday by NEST New York
The ultimate holiday fragrance—think sparkling pomegranate, crisp pine, clove, and cinnamon. It’s Christmas in candle form without being too pine forward.
LATE WINTER
Blue Cypress & Snow by NEST New York
This is usually the most difficult time to set an olfactory scene, as you're past the baking spices of the festive season but not yet ready for the fragrant blooms of spring. Cypress & Snow perfectly bridges this chasm, capturing the hush of a snowy forest in late winter: aromatic cypress, juniper berry, and a touch of smoky incense. It’s clean yet grounding.
SPRING
Bamboo by NEST New York
Fresh, green, and luminous—Bamboo smells like an open window on the first warm day, with notes of white florals, lush green accords, and a whisper of citrus. It’s airy, elegant, and instantly uplifting.
SUMMER
Grapefruit by NEST New York
If you’ve ever stepped into a SoulCycle studio, you know this scent. Bright, citrusy, and cheerful, it’s a sparkling blend of pink pomelo, watery green notes, and a hint of lily of the valley. Perfect for long, sunny days.
ALL YEAR LONG
Some scents are too timeless to belong to just one season. These are the ones I return to no matter the month.
Baies by Diptyque
A cult favorite for a reason. Lush blackcurrant and Bulgarian rose combine into something simultaneously fresh, fruity, and elegant. It’s refined without being fussy, and it never feels out of place.
Peony & Blush Seude by Jo Malone
Feminine but grounded, with soft florals balanced by the smooth warmth of suede. This one feels like a freshly arranged bouquet on a polished wood table.
Red Currant by Votivo
Bright, tangy, and a little tart, like a bowl of ripe berries sitting out in the sun. It adds just enough energy to a space without overwhelming it.
BONUS!
Acrylic Match Striker
The perfect finishing touch to my ritual is a chich striker and matches! The length is ideal for lighting three-wick candles without a singed finger, and there’s something delightfully old-fashioned about striking a match instead of clicking a lighter. That first whiff of fresh sulfur is like a tiny ceremony—the usher guiding you toward settling in, candlelight flickering, scent filling the air.
