It’s All Fun and Games Until the Spa Smells
It was my birthday last March. Well, ok – every March is my birthday. Anyhoo – my Mom and I love a good spa day, so to celebrate we decided to try out a new Spa, which in the spirit of the holiday season shall remain unnamed for reasons you’ll see in a sec….
We were super stoked to spend a day chilling, getting facials, massages and enjoying a Ladies’ Lunch (as Oliver would call it) by the pool. Pulling up to the spa, we gathered our totes, leisurely walking into the reception area – expecting to be greeted by the intoxicating scent of essential oils that just say “Spa-hhhhh.” Instead, our noses were assaulted by the smell of stale, old air. Like, did someone just change a diaper in here? Ewww! WTH?
Scrunching our noses, feeling slightly agitated instead of calm and relaxed, we slipped into our spa robes and went to have our respective massages. This oughta be better, right? Nope. The massage room smelled like dirty socks. Face down on the table, the sheets smelled stale. The smell so inhibited our ability to enjoy and relax, that we ultimately left early. That’s the power that scent can have on our experiences and state-of-mind.
Vanilla makes guys think of sex. I’ll take another bottle please.
Scent plays such a powerful a role in shaping our experiences, sense of well-being and perceptions of others, it’d be crazy not to use it to your advantage – so let’s learn to do that now, shall we? Use it to create the vibe of your home environment, improve your mental well-being and create your own personal signature scent!
The scent of your home totally sets the mood & influences everyones overall experience. That’s why we love filling our homes with scents like fresh pine, sage, pumpkin and persimmon during the Holidays! It totally puts everyone in the holiday spirit and a happy mood!
Some real-estate agents use the subconscious power of scent by brewing coffee and baking cookies during Open Houses. They know that these particular smells trigger feelings of home, comfort and family which then helps spur sales. Upstairs, scents of Vanilla are preferred – because Vanilla makes guys think of sex. Lol – doesn’t everything?? Think of how many perfumes and fragrances have vanilla notes. Just sayin’.
Sultry, Sexy Vanilla-Based Favorites
Bourbon Vanille Candle, VOLUSPA
Tobacco Vanille Fragrance, TOM FORD (My personal evening “Signature scent”)
Baltic Amber Body & Room Spray, VOLUSPA
Baltic Amber Reed Diffuser, VOLUSPA
Capture the Power of Scent for Yourself!
Home + Mind + Body
Think about how you want people to feel when they walk into your home. Calm? Relaxed? Uplifted? Grounded? Cozy? You can use different Scents to create those feelings for yourself and others. Use the same scent in areas close to one another so there is cohesion (translation – not a cluster of smells that clash) but consider switching it up in the powder room and bedroom where you may want to set a different mood.
Home
Seasonal Home Scents
I switch up our home fragrances seasonally – just because! In Spring and Summer I like fresh, light, clean scents like NEST Ocean & Salt Air or Bamboo. Both are simple, clean and fresh. In the Fall when it gets colder, I want a warm, sexy, sultry scent. I just bought and love (so I got 4 more, lol), the mini VOLUSPA Baltic Amber. It’s got a soft, sultry Sandalwood, vanilla, orchid scent. Better in a larger area vs a powder room.
For holidays I am all about classic, elegant home fragrances that just ooze with holiday spirit the second you walk in the door! Think delectable blends of Pomegranate, Mandarin, pine, cloves, cinnamon with a smidge of vanilla and amber. I usually get a combination of reed diffusers and candles – because I love a gorgeous, scented candle in the powder room for guests!
Elegant Holiday Home Scents – Top Picks
Winter Candle, THE WHITE COMPANY
Pomegranate Reed, THE WHITE COMPANY
Classic Holiday Reed, NEST
Holiday & Birchwood Pine Candle Duo, NEST
Crisp Champagne candle, VOLUSPA
Crisp Champagne Reed, VOLUSPA
Mind
Aromatherapy Essential Oils – Calm + Energy + Focus + Clarity
Scent is a powerful way to aid our emotional and physical well-being. Lavender for example, is known for promoting calm, relaxation and aiding sleep. Spritz a little on pillows and sheets for a more restful sleep. Rosemary is calming yet invigorating, while Lemongrass gives an energy boost – try these scents near your workspace.
If you’ve never used Essential Oils in a Diffuser – you are in for a treat. I like to control the way I feel with meaningful tweaks. Whether that’s eating nourishing foods to feel incredible or using essential oils to enhance, balance, calm and uplift. An aromatherapy diffuser with essential oils is my personal preference for the bedrooms and my office, because of the powerful effects that essential oils have on mood and disposition.
I use the Gather Ultrasonic Aromatherapy Diffuser. It’s a room diffuser that was designed by Wellness experts. You just fill it with water, add 5-7 drops of your favorite essential oils, plug it in and that’s it! Within a minute the essential oil starts to disburse in a fine mist…..close your eyes and just breathe in all the goodness! You can literally feel your body, mind and mood start to take on the effects of the oil.
Ultrasonic Aromatherapy Diffuser, GATHER
Fir Firewood & Spiced Cider Essential Oils, ANTHROPOLOGIE
9 Most Popular Essential Oils, Therapeutic grade
Lavender Pillow Spritz, Bath and Body Works
Body
Create your own Signature scent!
You know how some women have a signature fragrance? A particular scent that she wears so often, it reminds you of her every time you smell it. I had a friend in high-school who wore Gloria Vanderbilt perfume to school every single day. It was soft, calming and really pretty. To this day, the second I smell Gloria or anything similar – I immediately think “Theresa,” and I’m a high-school freshman all over again. Without the huge hair.
Happy, CLINIQUE. Chic Modern
Idole, LANCOME. Sporty Fresh
Basil & Neroli, JO MALONE. Fresh Floral
Amber Musk, AERIN. Sultry
Alien, MUGLER. Sexy
The Difference Between: Parfum, Eau de Parfum & Eau de Toilette
The difference between the 3 is simply a matter of the amount or concentration of oils in the fragrance. The highest concentration is in pure perfume (or Parfum), which is always the most expensive. Next is Eau de Parfum and finally Eau de Toilette which is the least expensive and most watered down – that’s why it may not last or wear very long.
Because pure Parfum has the highest concentration of oils, it will wear the longest and you don’t need to use as much product. Just a touch! Eau de Parfum is usually what higher-end brands offer (oddly enough, you won’t find a lot of actual Perfume offerings). If you can, Eau de Parfum is worth spending a little extra. It just smells richer, more luxurious and it will last much longer!
Start creating your own Signature scent! It should reflect who you are, what you want to communicate to others – but most of all, you should just absolutely love it!
Happy holidays
