11 GORGEOUS GIFT IDEAS FOR THE HOMEBODY - HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

I certainly cannot believe that the holidays are upon us and its gift guide season again. I love doing gift guides because it keeps me focused on shopping for really good gifts. I am typically buy one from them and one for me type of gal so this particular round up was one of my favorites. I guess thats perhaps why I finished it first. Ha!

So let me set the scene for you…It’s chilly outside, the sun is going down, you’ve got some groovy lounge music playing in the background. Candles are lit, wine is poured and you’re getting cozy on the sofa. This is called domestic bliss. So this gift guide is to accompany this gorgeous night in, K?

1. I always like to start off with a pretty silk mask because, not only are they useful but they are really cute too. They make a statement in any photo.

2. A Bliss face mask. Ok so, first of all I love Bliss spas. They really are so good, especially for skin care. They make great stuff. This mask is exceptionally hydrating which all of us need, am I right?

3. Pink furry slippers. Because, if you happen to shop at world market without picking these up, you’re missing out.

4. Ok, so these pajamas, are AMAZING. In fact, I am wearing them right now. They are on sale right now at Target for $20. So run and grab them before they are sold out. The thing about these pajamas is they are made of Modal, which is a breathable form of cotton that I am in love with. I love everything made with modal. They fit beautifully because they have a little spandex. My boyfriend loves them on me too. I have the black ones with pink piping and they are so chic and cute.

5. Okay so if you don’t have an oil diffuser in your home, I don’t know if we can be friends. Seriously, you must get one if you don’t and get ones for your friends and family too. I love burning mine with lavender at night and citrus in the morning. There are so many benefits, we can go in to detail in another blog post just for now, please get one. This one is really pretty.

6. DoTerra oils are the best quality so I highly recommend them. This set of 3 are the basics and you can’t go wrong here for a good starter pack.

7. How chic are these key covers? I always need these to help me know what key goes to what.

8. I am a Capricorn and very proud of it so when I spotted these gorgeous wine glasses with zodiac signs, I had to have one. It’s also so fun to give to my friends because they all know how much I love them for their sun sign traits.

9. Okay, so this thing might be my favorite on this list. I used to lay with a recliner pillow when I was in high school. Why on earth have I not been using one now? They are great for sitting in bed reading magazines, writing in the journal, etc. This faux fur lounge pillow is on my list for sure. It’s also a fun way for us ladies to have a little more pink around without killing the husbands vibe.

10. The Mokara candle is by far my favorite Voluspa candle. Everyone loves it so I thought I would add it to the list, just incase you missed my other favorites.

11. Naturally my book, Blissful Living, goes on this list because it is all about making the most of your home and being a homebody.

All the candle secrets you need to know to create a blissful ambiance

If you have been listening to the podcast, then you know just how important it is to make sure your home feels good to you. You literally will change your life, when you change your home.

My grandmother always taught me something about a home that always stayed with me. You always want candles burning in your home entryway just incase someone stops by. You want them to feel at home. Now, of course it sounds obvious to light candles. But have you ever really made an effort to continually let candles set an ambiance in your home?

It’s something pictures just never really do justice. When you walk into a home with candles going, there is just a different mood. When people walk in, they will always comment on how it smells and how cozy it feels. You want to set the mood in your space even when you are solo. It will totally change your own experience in your home.

HOT TIP: You can connect to your intuition & set stronger intentions when you light a candle.

The symbolism of lighting a candle is a very spiritual deal. Churches light candles to symbolize light in the darkness of life. Especially individual life, illumination. it is the symbol of holy illumination of the spirit of truth. AKA connecting to your soul. Each time you light a candle you are making a sacred space.

Lighting a candle is an ideal way to make saying your affirmations or positive thoughts even stronger. You can create your own special spiritual exercise or ritual that has great meaning to you. It is no surprise that candles themselves represent unity, peace and love.

Here is my personal candle method:

One in the entryway. I like to keep the scents in the entryway pretty neutral so that it doesn’t irritate anybody. I think Patchouli is a good one because its easy for everyone. As soon as it turns November, I start burning Black Forest. I promise you this is THE hands down best Christmas smelling candle EVER.

One in the guest bathroom. This scent should be clean. You want people to feel like a fresh feeling when they use the bathroom. Capri Blue Volcano is pretty much a favorite candle for everyone. It’s what Anthropologie burns at all times that smells so good. Yep. That one. You can get it in any color to match the decor in your home, which is always a plus. I am obsessed with the black one. It’s just super chic.

I like my hand soaps to smell incredible too. Have you ever tried Pecksniff’s Lavender & White Tea. I typically buy this stuff at HomeGoods or TJ Maxx but they don’t always carry the scents I like so I will refer to Amazon when I need to. God love Amazon Prime.

I like a mix in the living room. There is something very soothing about more than one candle going at a time. People are totally missing out on the vibes when just one candle is lit. Sure, it may seem a little much in terms of scent and if that is you get some unscented pillar candles and light them for ambiance. However, I love smells and I love to mix, just like I do with my perfumes.

I have my DW Sandalwood & Myrrh burning all the time. It is SUCH a good candle. Kinda masculine, musky scent that everyone looooooves. I light it with a Mokara candle. OMG these are just soooo good.

One In the bedroom. For me, its my black Baies candle. Always. This candle is definitely a must give for gifts.

Several in the master bath. Every time I take my bubble bath, I light a candle or two. Tuberose happens to be my favorite from the Diptyque line and I love burning it while I bathe. The smell is so feminine to me, it feels like a beautiful indulgence. I also keep several unscented white pillar candles in the bath. It seems like the more candles, the more relaxed it feels.

TIPS FOR KEEPING UP WITH YOUR CANDLES

• cut the wick. When the flame gets too big candles burn much faster. So make sure to get yourself a chic wick trimmer. They look really good on the coffee table too.

• always wipe the inner rim of candle to remove black smoke residue, the smoke soot will tarnish the smell.

• once they are finished burning, put them in the freezer to salvage the container. The wax will just pop out when frozen

• always keep matches around. sometimes when candle wicks are super low, its hard to fit a lighter inside.