Order of the Odor: Volume 12

Hello! This is the 12 installment of the Order, which means we have reached our one year anniversary! We all hope your summer is winding down beautifully and many happy memories have been made. Please join us in answering the question of the month:

What were some of your favorite scent experiences this summer?

My favorite scent moment happened at Blue Moon Elise in Murphy, North Carolina when I opened the door to that soap shop and pure peppermint eucalyptus heaven engulfed me. My mind calmed, my breathing came deeper, my heart slowed, my skin tingled. Other favorites were: the little campfire the girls made by the cabin, the cool mountain air early in the morning, the Hansel & Gretel candy shoppe, suntan lotion on beach trips, and the whole Le Labo store experience. 

The Bathing Garden has some seriously ornate wax tarts and if anyone can do them justice, it is Sunnee. Hop on over to her blog to read all about her latest The Bathing Garden order and see which ones stand out. And oh happy day!!! The Bathing Garden is open and has been open for orders for several months now.

Liz at Furianne found a lost waxy treasure and melted it recently. Check out what gem she found that is STILL performing after over two years old! 

Want the Bath & Body Works candle experience without the Bath & Body Works price tag? Deb hauled a few candles that fit the bill and will fill her home with fall cheer this year. You will want to read this!

Lolo gets to smell with the Rock is cooking... whenever she wants. And if you want to smell it too, as well as look at his cutie pie mug all over a candle... you must see what Lauren has recently acquired. Get ready for fits of "I NEED THAT!"

Candles From The Keeping Room recently moved over to Etsy, temporarily, and Julie placed an order on the first opening there. Read all about how the ordering process went and the abundance of scents she picked here. You can tell she went wild!

Michelle recently received and reviewed a Super Tarts sampler. Her precise descriptions and on point nose will leave you scouting for some of these scents. Find out what sampler she got and her thoughts on it. 

Order of the Odor: Volume 11

Happy Summer! We here at the Order hope your days are bright and sunny and the wax is melting in the warmers and not the mail boxes. Please join us in answering this month's questions:

If you could create any theme for a wax tart collection what would it be? What three scents would you have in this themed collection?

This was a doozy! I have so many ideas in my brain of themed releases I would love to see but my latest obsession won out:

Photo Credit: WomenWriteAboutComics.com

Twin Peaks

Twin Peaks Sheriff's Department- Surrounded by a forest of Douglas Firs, their resinous perfume wafting through the front door with each visitor, vanilla frosted cinnamon donuts piled dozens deep with meticulous care, and the ever present acorns that dangle from Lucy's neck. 

Agent Cooper Room 315- Cedar lined walls and redwood bedposts, the best black coffee darker than a moonless midnight sky cooling on the nightstand, and wood-smoke clinging to blue flannel linens.

Norma's Double R Diner- The best cherry and huckleberry pie in the tri-county area, topped with ice cream, accented by leather booth seats and Norma's come hither light musk perfume and violet scented red lips. 

Deb melted a tart from Dessa's recently that was so good, so strong that she is even saving it to melt and reuse again! It is a delicious fruity bakery that she thinks you need to try before she scoops them all up for herself. You've been warned.

Sunnee's Rosegirls sampler came this past month and it will full of brightly colored and highly fragrant chunks of happiness. See which ones stood out as her favorites and which just didn't make the cut. Get ready to feast your eyes!

Flaming Star Scents used to be Pic, Petals and Scents and Liz recently melted a nice huge chunk from PPS that has had plenty of cure time! So how did this old wax perform? And what has Liz been up to lately?

Subscription box popularity is going as strong as ever. Lauren bought a box recently that any waxy home fragrance lover would enjoy. It comes with three tiers of price points, amazing packaging and high quality candles to boot. Ready to be enabled?

Thirty Street Crafts creates a fun themed wax release about every month. June's release was built around a circus theme. Julie scooped up an order of her very favorite wax tart shape to date... any guesses?

Who doesn't love a "Favorites" post?! Michelle lays it out for us and lists her all time Top 5 Vendors for us and why in her most recent post. The best part? You can order from almost all of them right now!

Order of the Odor: Volume 10

Welcome to the Order! We are so excited to bring you two new members to the Order: Michelle from Waxing About and Liz from Furianne! These ladies write awesome blog posts about smelly stuff and we are honored to have them join us. Please chime in on our question this month:

Have you had any wax ordering frustrations?

Why yes, yes I have. But we are all people and people make mistakes and goof up and it is all natural. My biggest gripe is something that happened to me with a vendor a year or so ago. I ordered a couple dozen scent shots. The vendor messaged me to say about half a dozen of them were out and wanted to know if I would rather wait for the oils to come in or take different scents. I immediately replied and requested to wait. I wanted the scents I picked. About a week later my package arrives, and the scents were things that she picked out. Ugh. No thanks. I did not want those scents. Yet I had to pay for them. Even after I answered that I would wait. I can understand accidentally getting the wrong scents or something when packing orders. But that was just not fun. 

Over paying on shipping frustrates me. Shipping in boxes that are way too large for the amount of tarts frustrates me. Silent openings frustrate me. To no end. I suck at silent openings. 

Not ordering related but mean folks in wax groups frustrates me. They make it really hard for new people to come in. The rules are different for each vendor and not all of them are clearly posted. 

..............................

Deb hauled from a newer wax vendor and is quite impressed with their TAT, scents, throw and pricing. What new vendor has snared Deb's hard to capture attention? Come and find out, you will want to order too!

There is a vendor that Sunnee tries to never miss a sale from. Check out her most recent post showcasing just such a sale haul. Her gorgeous photos and blend picks are sure to create a lemming. 

Jamie Lauren Cupcakery and Confection in Wax (JLCCW), a old popular vendor who closed and is now slated to re-open (for the second time- fingers crossed!) has a reputation for cute and strong throwing wax creations. Liz was one of the lucky old crew that hauled a nice order before JLCCW closed and is reviewing some. Check out how JLCCW wax is faring years later.

Mystery tarts, custom brittle and scent shots that have lightening fast TAT are all great things but when the brittle is Pink Peppermint you KNOW that is the cherry on top. And you probably know who hauled it.... Lauren! Haul posts are rare gems from her, so make sure not to miss this one!

Lasting Scent Candles announced they are closing, but will still be selling off their stock on their website with announcements on Facebook, until they run out. Julie shares her recent LSC haul with wishes we can all grab some last stragglers before they are gone forever.

Plum Wine Sandalwood, Jasmine Vanilla Green Tea Peach, and M'Lady's Boudoir fragrances... can you guess what vendor these unusual and innovative blends hails from? Michelle shares her recent haul that includes these cool scents, great photos and ordering information.  

Order of the Odor: Volume 9

Welcome to the Order of the Odor! We all hope your May is warm and full of sunshine and flower scented breezes. Please join us in our question of the month and answer in the comments!

Do you scent your home with methods other than wax?

I enjoy burning candles and use spray fresheners when needed (mostly in the garbage can and 'round the porcelain throne). I have tried the reed stick things but they never throw well for me past the first day even with flipping the sticks so I don't get those any longer. I enjoy a good Wallflower from Bath & Body Works from time to time.

Photo credit: Lucky Scent

 The L'Artisan amber and lavender balls are on my wish list to try. 

I am also eyeing these new home fragrance diffusers from Diptyque. The run very spendy but a gal can window shop, right? It really isn't any worse than some Sniff My Tart or Rosegirls orders I have placed. Eep.

Deb takes us back to when she shopped Etsy to fill her tart cravings. She posted about two cute vendors that may get your Etsy antenna back on and quivering for some cute hidden gems. There is also a fun blurb about some handmade soap... mmmmm... smelly things.....

Sunnee has sung praises for her beau Beezy's Strip 'N Go Naked before but now there is a new scent on the block that she is loving. Come see what delicious hot new aroma has Sunnee itching to order more of in the very near future.

Starburst, Skittles and vanilla marshmallows? Strong throw, TAT like a bolt of lightening, and a company that is almost always open? You need to see what Lolo has been melting recently so you can get in on a piece of this yummy scent. 

Vintage Chic Scents has been cornering the wax market on awesome samplers as of late. Julie hauled one this past month that had her sniffing in bliss. It contained some old faves and new finds. Find out which sampler she nabbed. 

In Loving Memory of Fannie.

"A dog will teach you unconditional love. If you can have that in your life, things won't be too bad."- Robert Wagner

Order of the Odor: Volume 8

We hope your spring is blooming with beautiful weather and happy circumstance.

Have you been craving any particular scents this month?

Yes! Sweet florals and punchy fruity blends are what I have been reaching for as of late. Some favorites include: Sugared Jasmine & Gillgan's Brew, Serendipity anything, Spun Rainbow Sherbet, and Sea Salt & Yuzu. 

Are you a seasonal melter?

I am a seasonal melter for the most part. Spring and Summer I crave fresh, floral, fruity and tropical scents with maybe some vanillas and light bakery. In the Fall and Winter I want heavy spices, stewed fruits like cranberry and apple, along with pumpkins, and heavier bakery. But throughout the whole year I love to melt mints, Pink Sugar and cinnamon blends. 

Please share with us your answers to these questions in the comments and see what is going on in the following waxy blogs:

Deb, over at It's Always Something, has found a rich buttery sugar cookie tart that you NEED to try! Best part? It is really affordable and may be only an errand away! 

Pop over to Fragrance Obsessed to see what incredible blends Sunnee ordered from Sniff My Tarts, and find out what scent she is head over heels in love with enough to order a full sheet cake in....

Ready for another fabulous 10 out of 10 high performing tart from Lolo?! This one even smells like the much lauded London Calling candle from Bath & Body Works. Come check out what vendor creates this awesome tart!

As waxies, we are probably all familiar with Scentsy, but what are some of Julie's top Scentsy picks that stand out from the vendor crowd? 

Order of the Odor: We had a secret giveaway!

We hosted a sneaky secret giveaway on the Order this month! If you voted on any of the Order's blogs your name was entered in a drawing for a $30 Rosegirls gift certificate!

Congrats to: futurowoman!

Please send your email address so we can send your gift certificate!

Thank you for reading and participating in the Order of the Odor posts.

Order of the Odor: Volume 7

Welcome to the Order of the Odor! Please join us in answering the smelly question of the month and voting in a fun blending poll, by commenting with your choices.

1. If you could create any scent blend possible, what would it be?

I would love to blend a fresh herbal rosemary/realistic Honeycrisp apple/Meyer lemon/Orange blossom honey in wax. 

On a side note: I would also die and float to heaven on little angle wings if I could get a vendor to do high-end perfume dupes from houses like- Serge Lutens, L'Artisan, Diptyque, Malle, Creed, Tom Ford. 

2. Deb, Lauren, Sunnee and Julie each picked a single scent note they would like to explore further. They then created a blend for each other using that note. Please vote for which blend in each scent category you think you would enjoy the best by commenting.

All "A" choices are Deb's Blends, all "B" choices are Lauren's Blends, all "C" choices are Sunnee's Blends and all "D" choices are Julie's Blends.

1. Deb: White Tea

A. Sage/Mandarin Marmalade/White Tea overpour

B. Lavender Cucumber Sage/Honeydew Melon/White Tea overpour

C. Citrus Cooler/Pink Sugar/White Tea overpour

D. Sage/Apricot/White Tea overpour

2. Lauren: Strawberry Rhubarb

A. Waffle Cone/Vanilla Ice Cream/Strawberry Rhubarb overpour

B. Strawberry Jam/Cannoli/Strawberry Rhubard overpour

C. Monster Cookie/Marshmallow Smoothie/Strawberry Rhubarb overpour

D. American Cream/Orange Sherbet/Strawberry Rhubarb overpour

3. Sunnee: Raspberry Coconut

A. Lilac Lane/Watermelon/Raspberry Coconut overpoour

B. Celtic Moonspice/Dunk My Donut/Raspberry Coconut overpour

C. Lemon Biscotti/FL Key Lime Pie/Raspberry Coconut overpour

D. Serendipity/Strawberry Raspberry Guava/Raspberry Coconut overpour

4. Julie: Pink Chiffon

A. Serendipity/Whipped Cream/Pink Chiffon overpour

B. Pear/Cotton Candy Frosting/Pink Chiffon overpour

C. Fireside Marshmallow/Pink Sugar/Pink Chiffon overpour

D. Pink Chiffon/Peach/Gilligan's Brew overpour

What would be some blends you would create with those scent notes?

Sweet lemon bakery, strong throw, only $2.00 a clamshell? Come see what hidden gem Deb has found unearthed from an unexpected store.

If you are a candle lover like we are, you probably have noticed the price hike at Bath & Body Works. Sunnee shows us her candle collection and thoughts on the goings-on at the ol' BBW. Pull up a chair and bring your coffee and join the conversation!

With a potential Rosegirls opening looming in the near future, you want to check out these 16 sweet blends that Lauren posted from our recent Muffin Club haul. It is bound to get those creative juices flowing! 

Swing by The Redolent Mermaid to see what amazing blends Julie scored from Candles From The Keeping Room this month. You know you want to see what awesome samples Carol sent out!

Order of the Odor: Volume 6

We hope your 2015 is moving smoothly and pleasantly along. February heralds in with pink and red hearts bursting forth in store aisles. Pro-Valentine, Anti-Valentine, it makes no difference, love exists. Please answer these questions along with us!

1. What scents remind you of love? 

Adam's skin, Scarlette's hair, Savanna's toothpaste kiss, White Shoulders, suntan oil, and the ocean remind me of love. Fresh strawberries we pick in a field, orange blossoms when on evening walks that flow from behind our house from the near by groves, popcorn we share in the dimly lit movie theater, Haribo gummy bears in bed, baking his favorite oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, coffee that he brews just for me and brings into the bathroom while I put on my makeup in the mornings, the frangi pani flowers she picks for me from our yard, smoke from our family bonfires... so many scents bring me love and remind me of the love I am blessed to share.

2. What scent would you melt or what candle would you burn to create a romantic atmosphere? 

To set a mood I would burn a scent like Bath & Body Works Mahogany Teakwood or Sparkling Amber. As for melting wax, I would choose any amber scent or more specifically, Alamo Candelaria Dragonfly in Amber, Scentsy Satin Sheets or Vanilla Suede, or Better Homes and Gardens Soft Cashmere Amber.

Deb hit up her local Yankee Candle Outlet store and came home with quite an array of waxy smelly goodies. Want to know what treasures may be hiding out at your local Yankee Candle Outlet? Hop on over and check it out.

Tiffany Candles has been knocking it out of the park with her Chunklet wax tart shapes. See what amazing blends Sunnee picked up recently and her thoughts on them. 

"Rise up this morning', smiled with the risin' sun, three little birds each by my doorstep, singin' sweet songs of melodies pure and true" If you are in the mood to sing along with Bob and bring some tropical whimsy into your winter day you might want to pop this scent in your warmer like Lauren did.

Wax fiends who are bookworms understand the thrill of matching wax to book series. Julie has been waiting with baited breath for Alamo Candelaria's Outlander release and its time as come! Was it worth the wait?

Order of the Odor: Volume 5

This month we are doing a mini version of some of our waxy favorites of 2014, please let us know what some of your favorites were too!

Most Comforting Scent: Vanilla Noel from Front Porch Candle Company

Best Spa/Fresh Scent: American Cream by Up The Creek Scents

Most Energizing Scent: Pink Spearmint Snow Taffy from Rosegirls

Favorite Bakery Scent: Honey Gingerbread/Ice Cream Scoop Bread by Sniff My Tarts

Favorite Fruity Scent: Fresh Picked Strawberry from CFTKR

Favorite Wild Card Scent: Rosewood & Amber by Ten Digit Creations

Favorite Scent Trend: All the mints! Pink mints, spearmint, wintergreen, it is everywhere I turn <3

Husband's Favorite Scent: When pressed, Adam admitted he liked the menthol scents. "Menthol scents?" I asked. "Like Sinus Relief?" "Yeah sure. That." he said. Mmmmm hmmmm. About as much as I am like to get out of him. Stinky scents on the other hand....

Husband's Least Favorite Scent: Badger State Cocoa by Rosegirls and recently Wintergreen & Peppermint by Front Porch.

Stinker of 2014: 1970 by Front Porch Candle Company

Favorite Scent of 2014: Peppermint Coconut Mallow by Rosegirls

Have you been curious about the Yankee Candle Scenterpiece? Deb shoots straight from the hip on this review of Yankee's newest warmer. See if you need to put it on your wishlist or not.

Grab a napkin (to wipe the drool from your chin) and a cup of coffee and head on over to Sunnee's place to see what outstanding muffin blends this gal ordered and photographed for our veiwing pleasure. Oh! Bring a pen and paper too, you are going to want to write these down.

The best scent of all time?! Yes, of course it has earned a coveted 10/10. Come see what is making Lauren go gaga from a relatively new vendor.

Black Friday Deals abound! See what Julie's favorite haulage included this year in wax. It was a steal of a deal.

Order of the Odor: Volume 4

A two part question once again this month:

1. Are you planning on gifting wax to anyone this Christmas?

Yes I am! I have some wax boxed up and ready to ship somewhere for Christmas and another box of wax wrapped and ready to gift this year. I am also gifting a Bath & Body Works candle in Fresh Sparkling Snow to the girls' After School Care teacher. I believe that is it for wax related gifts. 

2. Have you asked for any waxy gifts for Christmas?

I usually ask for candles every year and Santa brings me either Yankee or Bath & Body Works. I did mention to one sister about Front Porch gift certificates when she asked what I would like. This year (and last year) I asked Santa for fancy candles but Santa has a mind of his own and fancy candles never seem to make the cut. But I don't mind ;-) What ends up under the tree is always wonderful.

Please let us know your answers in the comments! The ladies here at the Order are wishing you and your family the merriest of holiday seasons this year filled with love, joy and peace, and of course, lovely smells.

It's Always Something: Looking for some votives to scent your home and add firelight ambience for the holidays this year? Deb recently hauled some amazing scents from a well known company, and by the end of the post you will be enabled. Consider yourself warned.

Fragrance Obsessed: There is one rule about Pie Club. No zucchini scents. No, that's not it. We don't talk about Pie Club? No. Oh! I remember. You don't EAT the pies... right. Curious about Sunnee's latest Pie Club experience? I know I am.

LoloLovesScents: Social media may have its drawbacks: pestering in-laws, VagueBooking, and unsightly tagged photos from 90's big hair days via #TBT, but there are perks too. Lauren's quick draw McGraw fingers enabled her to snag a most excellent sampler. This one is multi-vendor! So, what all did she get? 

The Redolent Mermaid: Santa stops in Florida too, but getting in the holiday spirit can be difficult with swaying palm trees and 80 degrees of sunshine, but Julie has a trick up her sleeve. Come over and see what scent and vendor she is gaga over when it comes to the perfect Christmas scent. 

Order of the Odor: Volume 3

Two questions this month in celebration of Thanksgiving. We would love to know your answers to these questions too.

1. What does your Thanksgiving Day spread look like?

Adam makes fried turkey every year in our driveway. I make a garlic powder, black pepper, and salt rub and he slathers it on and fries it in peanut oil. Some things I always make: All Day mushrooms, cranberry pomegranate sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, rolls, canned cranberry sauce (for my father -in-law), a salad (pear, pancetta and arugula last year), some times sweet potato casserole, and usually fresh green beans (NOT in a casserole. Ew). For dessert I like to make Pumpkin Roll Ups (for my Dad), pumpkin pie (for Adam), Gooey Butter Pumpkin Cake (sisters), and pecan pie (me). I love to make it all from scratch, except the canned sauce. 

2. In what Thanksgiving traditions does your family participate?

The first tradition (and my favorite) is the Thankful Tree. Adam, Savanna, Scarlette and I each get our own color/shape leaf and we write one thing we are thankful for on it each day and tape it to our Thankful Tree that is on the wall. By Thanksgiving Day the branches are full of love and blessings. Guests like to laugh at some of the things we are thankful for too (mainly Adam's comments) and sometimes fill out a leaf themselves and stick it to the tree.

Our second tradition is having lunch at Alderman's Ford Park in Lithia Pinecrest. As a sixth or seventh generation Floridian on my maternal side, we have an old tradition of having our Conrad Family Reunion that day, I have not missed one since I have been born. Over 120 of our relatives all bring a dish and chairs and gather at the park to fellowship and eat yummy foods ranging from traditional Thanksgiving fare to venison and swamp cabbage to Aunt Pilar's famous eggrolls and noodles. We leave there stuffed in our bellies and hearts to go home and prepare for the dinner time feast. On a side note, I have been blessed to be able to know my great great grandmother, Grandma Keen  

Some midnight Black Friday shopping with my sisters does happen on occasion but only for a few hours and I am in bed by 2 am. 

Deb over at It's Always Something has the envious position of being able to visit the Rosegirl's Boutique. She did a pop over very recently and hauled some delicious smells.

LoLo Loves Scents melted a PERFECT 10 scent last week and we all know a 10 out of 10 wax tart does not come around often.... you might want to read about it so you don't miss out on this gem.

Sunnee at Fragrance Obsessed has had the pleasure of trying an up and coming new vendor with nice results. You have to see these gorgeous tarts; the shapes and colors are eye candy.

The Redolent Mermaid has started a new vendor interview series, see what great idea the owner of Vintage Chic Scents has come up with regarding the wax community.



Order of the Odor: Volume 2

 

What is your first or most cherished scent memory?

My most cherished scent memory is tied to a candle. Is that surprising? Probably not. Adam and I got married on Anna Maria Island and stayed in the cutest sea side hotel that weekend. I knew I wanted a beautiful and tropical atmosphere so I sampled many different candles and found perfection in (what used to be A.I.) Root Candle Company's Paradise. I purchased an abundance of votives and lit them around our room each night; the eve of our wedding and the night of our wedding. That candle takes me back to the most beautiful and sacred time of my life. A young exuberant husband, balmy nights and new love. A glass of champagne. We are now deeper in our love, more secure and mellowed. A mug of nourishing hot tea.

 

 

Fragrance Obsessed: A Rosegirls pie is one of the most coveted wax items around, but find out why Sunnee will take a Rosegirls loaf over a pie any day. You really want to see these loaves.... 

 

It's Always Something: The Fall Slut has very high standards regarding all things fall related. She has officially proclaimed her favorite, # 1, all-time BEST Fall Scent.

 

Lolo Loves Scents: Thinking of plotting a Tiffany Candles order soon? You'd be remiss to do so without reading this post first! Lauren, the master of swift and supersonic reviews, busts out 15 Tiffany scent ratings in one breath! Resulting in many lemmings.

 

The Redolent Mermaid: Julie waxes poetic about a vendor who is taking risks blending with gardenia (with great payoff), has gorgeous scent shots, and fun restock themes. Who is this mystery vendor?

 

 

We would love to hear about your first or most cherished scent memory! Please tell us in the comments and hope your October is full of spooky, festive smells.

 



Order of the Odor: Volume 1

Welcome! This will be a monthly highlight of some great wax related posts from the previous month. 

What is your ultimate fall scent comprised of?

I dream of an Autumn fragrance that illustrates a crisp Northern day strolling through apple orchards, gnarled trees heavy with scarlet fruit, dripping from the ends of branches. As I walk to the heart of the orchard, the snapping heat of a bonfire greets me. Burning apple wood, peppery and sweet sends tendrils of scent on the breeze. Fire, apples, leaves, bayberry. My perfect fall scent. What about you? What is your favorite, ultimate fall scent?

It's Always Something- Curious how Kim's Tarts are faring these days? Deb took the plunge and has had some great results.... to her husband's chagrin.

Fragrance Obsessed- Butterfly Lane is back open and trying new things, some work and maybe some need tweaking. Find out Sunnee's musings here.

Lololoves Scents- Ahhh! The power of a good donut. Lauren rarely praises a bakery... what prompted her to this time? She also laments finding a decent coffee creamer around town.

The Redolent Mermaid- Is your sniffer searching for something unique and complex? With help from her friends, Julie rediscovered a not-so-hidden gem.