Today we release our June Small Batch - TIKI...This is the perfect kickoff for the summer season! This unique offering is filled with tropical and beach-y scents - bamboo, coconut, pineapple, and much more. This is the ideal candle to light up late in the evening after a full day at the pool. Its equally at home on the front porch, next to a pitcher full of Mai Tais or Painkillers. Head to the shop to get yours today.
We've also added our May Small Batch, Triple Crown, to the site for you to purchase and enjoy. We launched this candle at last month's Mother's Day Market at Cahaba Brewery and it was a smashing success. This scent is a unique blend of fragrances: bourbon, sugar, and mint. Meant to be reminiscent of a Mint Julep under the sweltering sun, Triple Crown is a true winner.
To celebrate TIKI and Triple Crown, we're offering 15% off all orders for the remainder of June! No exclusions! No code required! Simply load up the cart and head out. Discount will be automatically applied at checkout. Enjoy!
What I'm reading - The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton. I first read this book about 6 years ago. Its beautiful and simple in its message and delivery. Thomas Merton was a converted, Trappist monk and the book tells of his spiritual journey and enlightenment. This is a great book for anyone even remotely spiritually inclined, regardless of persuasion. However, my favorite part of this book actually has nothing to do with the content. My favorite aspect is simply my own personal copy. I got this book used (I think from Thriftbooks?) and it is weathered and glorious. Looking at the publication information shows it was printed in 1973. It smells like an old book (In the Archives, anyone?). Pages are dogeared. Passages are underlined. I'm always caught in thought when I pick it up - who, and how many, owned this book before me? What stage of life were they in when they read it? And what did they get out of it?
What I'm watching - Under the Banner of Heaven on FX/Hulu. Based on the book of the same name by Jon Krakauer, this dramatized miniseries tells the true story of a gruesome double murder of a mother and her 15-month daughter in 1980's Utah. For anyone into true crime, this is sure to have you hooked from the get-go. Part mystery and part examination of the Fundamentalist Mormon Church (FLDS for the uninitiated), the show genuinely had me spooked over the course of all 7 episodes. This is a pretty bold statement but this is probably the best and most riveting show I've watched since True Detective Season 1. Andrew Garfield stars and is truly outstanding. Can't say enough about how good this show is. Start watching it this weekend. Thank me later.
What I'm burning - CLOTHO. Our power went out at our house on Wednesday evening. No worries though, we had plenty of candles laying around haha. I have a 9 oz Clotho on our mantle that I've periodically burned over the last 2 months or so. It really is a remarkable candle. Pro Tip - light up Clotho and Matzek Drive at the same time, in the same room. It creates a wonderful and unique blend I never would've thought to put together. Something about the baby powder from Clotho and the cinnamon apple from Matzek Drive really melded together well. That may sound weird, and I can't really explain it, but it was a pleasant surprise. Maybe we should start a City Candle Co. "secret menu" where we have patrons suggest odd fragrance pairings that some how really work well together.
What I'm listening to - Where You Are from the Moana soundtrack. Our son, Joseph, is obsessed. The kid loves Disney movies in general but Moana is by and far his favorite. "Where You Are" slaps and it may be the bop of the summer.
What I'm thinking about - our 2 upcoming Summer seasonals. We'll be releasing these two over the next 2 weeks and I'm really excited for both of these candles. Scents and fragrances are seasonal, of course. Summer may have the best. smells People are outside. Bodies of water are in play. The scents of flowers, food, and drinks are everywhere. I won't release the names just yet but I'll give you a teaser for the smells and spirit of each. Seasonal #1 is a nostalgic play for me. The main notes are Honeysuckle and Jasmine. It makes me think of playing on the playground in elementary school. Seasonal #2 is a little more timeless. The main notes are Sea Salt and Ozone. Think Gulf Shores or PCB. Enough said.
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at burncitycandles@gmail.com, or via any of our social media channels. Also, for any local Birmingham folks, we offer local pickup in Crestwood so we can meet all of your candle needs at a moment's notice. Hit us up!
-Seth, City Candle Co.