Filling the room with a beautiful scent while allowing the glow of a single candle to flicker light around the room – what better way is there to set the scene? These hand-poured candles by Clare Makes are the perfect mood-maker.
Plus: win a Christina & Jim Martini candle and a cocktail on us! Read to the end to find out more.
It’s a well-known fact that our sense of smell connects to our brain more powerfully than any other.
Our noses can discern at least 1 trillion different odours, though – as science journalist Marta Zaraska explains – it’s not as simple or as obvious as that.
“Unlike our other senses, the olfactory nerves do not proceed directly to the brain’s thalamus, the gateway to consciousness.
“Instead, information feeds from the nose to cortical areas to arouse emotions and memories without our awareness. When it comes to smells, people can be influenced and not realize it.”
And these beautiful handmade candles by Sydney company Clare Makes are certainly impactful.
Clare’s clever company brings a predominance of aromas from Australian botanicals and flowers that fill your room with a beautiful scent – from the lively Quong: Lemon Myrtle and Ginger to the soothing Constance: Eucalyptus and Lavender.
And each candle is named after an iconic Australian.
The Quong is named after Mei Quong Tart who, among other things, helped with Australia’s Suffragette movement and the Constance is in honour of Constance Stone, the first non-indigenous woman doctor in Australia.
Each hand-poured soy wax candle is enriched with a carefully balanced blend of essential oils and burns for 25 hours (100g) or 60 hours (400g).
So when Clare asked us if we’d like to be included in her beautiful range, we were very honoured. Not that we took it to mean we were of the likes of Banjo Patterson or Henry Lawson (the Banjo: Lemon Squash and Henry: The Wattle), but I think our candle – the Christina & Jim Martini – is brilliant.
Using the actual botanicals gin distillers craft with – juniper berries, citrus, fresh rosemary and crushed ginger – Clare has created a cocktail in candle form.
And with the addition of balsam fir needles and cedar, there’s a distinct gin and tonic note to the aroma.
The result is a refreshing yet alluring scent that puts you at your ease while invigorating your senses too. It really is a G&T for your nose!
This candle comes in two types of 400g jar – a matte dark navy or an opaque gloss light blue – both with a burn-time of 60 hours.
Win a Christina & Jim Martini Candle + a drink on the house
Now’s your chance to be in the running to win a Christina & Jim Martini candle for yourself and also a free martini at Summer Hill’s excellent Temperance Society Bar, where were shot these beautiful images.
All you have to do is make sure you’re following us @mrandmrsromance, Clare @claremakes and the Temperance Society @thetemperancesocietybar on Instagram.
Then simply leave a comment on our IG post about the Christina & Jim Martini candle, tagging a friend.
You can enter as many times as you like, tagging one friend each time, and we’ll pick a winner this Valentine’s Day.*
For more romantic gift ideas, check out our quick gift guide here.
