hushed.life

I’m seeing a lot of recommendations for Autumn/Fall candles at the moment. It’s just a shame most of them would set us off with paraffin wicks and bases, and synthetic fragrance oils that, frankly, make me feel queasy.

You can buy non-toxic candles, of course, but it is much easier and cheaper to make your own – which also means you can control what you are breathing in, too.

I tend to buy plain soya candles – I find beeswax smells too strong – and add my own essential oils. It’s pretty simple. Just light your new tealight or candle and wait until there is a small pool of wax. Then, blow it out and add a few drops of your favourite oils. Let it harden again and the next time you light it, it will smell divine – FAR nicer than any shop-bought one you could get, and for a lot less cost!

So, which oils could you use? Depends on what you want to achieve, but a good Autumn/Fall mix would be deep spicy cinnamon, the foresty scent of cedarwood, and a dash of orange or mandarin for cheerfulness. Or you could buy a blend like this Warming Spice one from Napiers.

When your candle runs out of fragrance, add a couple more drops of your oil just after you blow it out, and next time you light it: good as new.

If candles aren’t your thing, why not do as our grannies did and bundle up some fresh cinnamon sticks with some allspice, and stud an orange with cloves? Delicious scents, right there.

Or, you could forage some wooden branches and greenery from your local area and pop that in a vase.

I can smell it now, can’t you? Enjoy, and happy Autumn x