empties

what to do with your uber trendy candles after you've burned all they have to offer?

make the empties useful. and pretty.

a trick i've learned from my mama-- place your empty candles (with that last bit of useless wax you can't get out to save your life in the bottom) in the freezer for a bit. the wax shrinks just enough to where you can pop it out. you might have to pry it out with a butter knife but it usually does the trick easily and painlessly, and without that giant mess of wax bits everywhere.

hope you had a great weekend,

JILL

{images from daily crushes and made by girl}

trapp private gardens

jill and i had the opportunity to participate in a focus panel for the candle company, trapp private gardens, back in october! it was a fun experience getting to have input on many different fragrances that trapp is considering as they expand their line in 2011.

i just received a thank you box full of a fabulous spread of trapp products and couldn't be more thrilled!!! everything smells delicious from the home fragrance mist to the hand-poured candles and reed diffusers. i also received a few products from the evoque line by trapp. i love the stylish evoque packaging with their metal boxes and lid that contains a gift tag, information about the candle, and matches...

while out shopping around kc this weekend i spotted trapp candles several places and was reminded of the wonderful seasonal collection fragrances. white fir, orange clove, and holiday are all perfect ways to feel festive at home this holiday season. and what a lovely stocking stuffer for a mom or sister or a hostess gift for all of those holiday parties coming up!!!

it was an honor to be a part of your panel, trapp, and thank you for all the fabulous smelly good goodies!!!

xoxo

elle.

crazy for glassybaby

my photo

i had the privilege of stopping in the adorable glassybaby store on hudson street last saturday morning. it was an all around delightful experience.

after being introduced to glassybaby last november by my very soon to be sister-in-law, who lives in seattle, i was thrilled to learn there was a store in new york.

these vibrant glass candleholders, cups or vases are available in the most beautiful colors and have such an impact all alone or in the masses.

via glassybaby

via glassybaby

the glassybaby started in the late 90's by a woman named Lee Rhodes- she received one of these handblown glasses as a gift from a family member while undergoing cancer treatment. she put a candle in the glass and it brought her serenity. she then began giving the glassybaby to others as gifts.

my photo

via glassybaby

my photo

there are now 4 glassybaby locations, 3 in washington (seattle and bellevue) and the newest location in new york.

my photo

located in the former home of jane jacobs, an urban activist known for her successful fight to save greenwich village, the new york store on hudson street has a very local, organic, and friendly feel, much different from the fast-paced, cut throat environment the city can often ignite. the store has stayed true to its west coast upbringing and has relied on friends finding their way to glassybaby after hearing about it from friends, stumbling upon it, or receiving one of these vivid pieces as a gift and coming back for more.

my photo

the glassybaby comes in over 70 fabulous colors that can be mixed and matched millions of different ways. a select group of colors benefit local and national organizations contributing to cancer patient care and cancer research.

what a special story and meaningful gift. a symbol of love, hope and strength.

xoxo,

elle.

after regaining her health she learned to blow the glass herself, and by 2003 she established her own company.

via glassybaby

via glassybaby

my photo

'til the wee hours

via style me pretty

my husband and i grabbed dinner last night at a fun new restaurant on horatio because we realized summer is quickly coming to a close and we haven't taken enough time to enjoy ourselves.

via marataba safari co.

via martha stewart

i suggested we find somewhere with fresh mussels and a cold glass of rose. somewhere with outdoor seating as it was a beautiful night.

via real simple

via real simple

via sunset magazine

we did find most of those things (and a few undesirable whiffs of ny summer).

via australia entertains

via coco+kelley

but i couldn't help but wish we had a backyard where we could entertain our own guests alfresco.

via martha stewart

...a place where we could laugh and share stories under the warm glow of candlelight until the wine runs out and the sun comes up. someday ;)

xoxo

elle.

via real simple