Showing posts with label Yankee Candles. Show all posts

7/07/2026

Star-Spangled Blueberry...Yankee Candle

Native to North America, blueberries have been enjoyed on the continent for thousands of years. Long before commercial cultivation began, wild blueberries were gathered for food, medicine, and preservation. Today, the fruit is widely associated with American summers, appearing in everything from pies and cobblers to pancakes and muffins, and remains one of the country's most beloved berries, as well as one of my own favorites.

For a collection celebrating America's 250th anniversary, blueberries feel like a fitting source of inspiration. While many people might have expected something centered around apple pie, I appreciate that Yankee Candle chose blueberries instead, as they are equally tied to American traditions and summers.

Star-Spangled Blueberry is classified by Yankee Candle as a Fruity fragrance inspired by blueberry pie, a staple of summer picnics and neighborhood gatherings. Combining notes of juicy blueberries, creamy butter, and baked vanilla, the fragrance is designed to capture the comforting appeal of this classic American dessert.

Top: Juicy Blueberries, Ripe Strawberry, Grape, Orange Zest

Mid: Dash of Cinnamon, Crisp Apple, Sheer Cyclamen, Creamed Butter

Base: Baked Vanilla, Sweet Musk

A single wick in blue colored premium plant wax.

As someone who loves blueberries, I was always going to be biased toward this candle. Blueberries are one of those things that immediately get my attention. If I see something blueberry-themed, I'm definitely going to be interested and most definitely going to buy it.

When I first removed the lid, I was greeted by a sweet blueberry aroma that immediately reminded me of blueberry cotton candy. There is no mistaking that this is a decidedly sweet fragrance.

While Yankee Candle's description centers around blueberry pie, that's not really what I get. To my nose, it smells more like blueberry syrup drizzled over a snow cone with a generous splash of vanilla mixed in. At other times, it reminds me of a sweet blueberry jam or blueberry pie filling, again with vanilla swirled in. What I don't get much, if any, is a bakery note. Despite the listed notes of creamed butter and baked vanilla, I'm not picking up a pie crust or flaky baked pastry accord.

As for the individual fragrance notes, all I really smell is blueberry and vanilla. The cinnamon, apple, strawberry, grape, and most of the other listed notes largely escape me. There is a hint of warmth in the fragrance, but that could just as easily be coming from the vanilla. It may be the butter note, but if it is, it's very subtle. Blueberry and vanilla unquestionably dominate the fragrance.

Whatever the exact interpretation, I think it's beautiful. Juicy, sweet, and unmistakably summery. There are many different ways to interpret blueberry in fragrance, and this is simply another one that I enjoy.

While it may not smell like blueberry pie to me, it absolutely succeeds as a delicious blueberry fragrance, and I love it.

The wick arrived a little wonky, but it didn't affect the burn in any way.

Now that I've had the opportunity to experience all four candles in the Happy Birthday America Collection, I discovered that three of the fragrances are actually repackaged versions of previous Yankee Candle releases. Heritage Oak is Vanilla Oak, Liberty Bloom is True Rose, and Star-Spangled Blueberry is Blueberry Scone. Denim Dreams, however, appears to be the only original fragrance createdspecifically for this collection.

I never owned any of these fragrances in their original releases, so I can't compare them firsthand. However, after checking Yankee Candle's website, I don't see the original versions currently available. If you're a fan of any of these scents, this collection may be a good opportunity to stock up while they're still around.

7/06/2026

Red, White, and Blue Jean...Yankee Candle Denim Dreams

Originally designed as durable workwear for miners, ranchers, and laborers in the late 19th century, denim eventually transcended its utilitarian roots to become a symbol of individuality, freedom, and self-expression. More than a century later, what began as practical work clothing evolved into a fixture in wardrobes around the world, cementing denim's place as one of the country's most recognizable fashion and cultural exports.

Yankee Candle describes Denim Dreams as a Fresh & Clean fragrance that combines notes of white florals, fresh air, and ambery musk. Inspired by the comfort of a favorite pair of jeans and the carefree spirit of summer, the fragrance is designed to evoke the simple pleasure of relaxation.

Top: Fresh Air, Crisp Cotton, Red Berries

Mid: Orris, Jasmine, Lily of the Valley

Base: Ambery Musk, Cypress Wood

Denim Dreams may end up being the easiest candle in the collection for me to describe because, rather than focusing on individual fragrance notes, my mind immediately went somewhere else entirely.

To me, Denim Dreams smells like an ex-boyfriend. Seriously, it smells exactly like an ex-boyfriend of mine.

It's the first thing that came to mind when I smelled this candle. While I can pick up on the clean, crisp characteristics described by Yankee Candle, what I get is a fresh, masculine cologne scent. It's been eons since I've smelled Paco Rabanne, but Denim Dreams immediately transported me back there. In fact, if you handed me a bottle of Paco Rabanne and this candle and asked me to smell both, I'd say they smell exactly the same. To my nose (and memory), this is essentially Paco Rabanne in candle form.

A single wick, in white premium plant wax.

My overall impression of Denim Dreams is that it's a crisp, clean, fresh, sexy, masculine scent that I find incredibly appealing.

Needless to say, I love it. In fact, this was one of the candles in the collection that made me want to purchase a backup almost immediately...and I did.

7/05/2026

Sweet Land of Liberty Bloom...Yankee Candle

Long before Ronald Reagan officially designated the rose as America's national flower in 1986, it had already become one of the country's most enduring symbols. Often associated with love, honor, remembrance, and sacrifice, the flower has appeared in American gardens for centuries, including those at Mount Vernon, where George Washington was known to grow roses. For a collection commemorating America's 250th anniversary, I feel the rose is a thoughtful and intentional choice, showing the considerable thought and care that went into this collection's overall concept.

By the way, I should mention that I purchased all four candles from Yankee's Happy Birthday America Collection without reading their scent descriptions. As someone who loves a good theme, an occasion, or a celebration, if you will, and, yes, as a patriot, I bought them purely because of the concept.

According to Yankee Candle, Liberty Bloom is a floral fragrance inspired by America's national flower, the rose. Blending lush floral notes with grounding woods, the fragrance is designed to celebrate the spirit of possibility.

Top: Rose, Watery Green Ozonic Notes
Mid: Plum Blossom, Honeysuckle, Muguet
Base: Velvet Woods, Clove, Guaiac Wood

When I took the lid off Liberty Bloom, I instantly smelled the rose, and being someone who steers clear of roses, I was immediately a little apprehensive.

On cold and while burning, Liberty Bloom remained consistent. The rose is unquestionably the star of the fragrance, but it never comes across as overly perfumey, powdery, heady, or matronly. Instead, it's fresh, velvety, and perhaps even a little romantic. Accompanying it is a distinct watery green quality that gives the fragrance a dewy character, while the additional floral notes add depth and softness. Beneath it all, the woody base notes provide a gentle foundation that keeps the fragrance grounded.

One note I couldn't identify at all was the clove. Despite being listed in the fragrance notes, I never picked up any noticeable spice.

This candle succeeds for me because of how well everything around the rose supports and complements it. The watery green notes, soft florals, and woody base act like a supporting cast, each contributing to the overall composition. The result is a beautiful rose scent that reinforces my newfound appreciation for rose fragrances.

A single wick, red colored premium plant wax.

I think I'm having a bit of a scent identity crisis, or maybe some sort of fragrance evolution, because I'm finding myself increasingly more receptive to rose fragrances, when I used to shriek away from them. I blame True Love from Homeworx.

As for performance, I would classify the throw as medium, and I'm perfectly content with that. Given that Liberty Bloom is primarily a rose-forward floral fragrance, I'm not sure I would want it to be any stronger. Thankfully, the villainous heat and humidity that are synonymous with Tokyo summers hasn't gotten the memo yet. But when they do eventually arrive-and they will-this is about as strong as I'd want a fragrance like this to be for the season.

7/05/2026

One Nation Under Oak...Yankee Candle Heritage Oak

Before the American Revolution, there was a famous elm tree in Boston known as the Liberty Tree. Beginning in 1765, colonists gathered beneath the towering elm to protest the Stamp Act, one of the most controversial British taxes imposed on the colonies. Those gatherings helped plant the seeds of what would eventually become the American independence movement. The tree became such a powerful symbol that British soldiers cut it down in 1775.

Another candle company commemorating America's 250th anniversary is Yankee Candle. The brand has joined in the festivities with its limited-edition Happy Birthday America Collection, a quartet of patriotic fragrances inspired by various aspects of Americana, from iconic symbols and traditions to classic summertime comforts.

First up is Heritage Oak, the most woodsy fragrance in the collection.

While Heritage Oak isn't inspired by the Liberty Tree specifically, the connection immediately came to mind when I learned this candle was designed to evoke relaxing beneath America's national tree while waiting for fireworks.

Heritage Oak is built around a layered woody-aromatic structure:

Top: Lavandin, Sage, Anise
Mid: Ozonic Notes, Geranium, Jasmine
Base: Woody Oak, Musk, Vanilla

On cold, what stands out most is the interplay between all the scents. The earthy sage and oak, a gentle herbal brightness from the lavandin, a soft sweetness from the vanilla, and a cologne fragrance that I believe comes from the ozonic notes all meld into something more grounded and atmospheric.

What I experienced on cold largely carries over into the burn. The oak, sage, vanilla, and other supporting notes are so well balanced and blended that no single element dominates the fragrance. Nothing feels sharp or abrasive. Instead, the scent unfolds with a gentle, mellow quality that makes it incredibly easy to enjoy. The soft sweetness of the vanilla, the earthiness of the sage and lavandin, and the warmth of the woods work harmoniously together creating a fragrance that feels both calming and inviting.

A single wick, beige colored premium plant wax.

As for performance, I was pleasantly surprised. Yankee Candle's Original Large Jar candles can be somewhat hit-or-miss in my experience. Some have performed beautifully, while others have struggled to throw much scent at all. Fortunately, that wasn't the case here.

In fact, all four candles in the Happy Birthday America Collection performed remarkably well. Heritage Oak had no trouble filling my main living space, and I could even catch traces of the fragrance drifting into both bedrooms. While I live in Japan and my home may not be directly comparable to a typical American house, my apartment is quite spacious by local standards, making the candle's performance all the more impressive.

The burn itself was equally trouble-free. Burning the candle for three to four hours at a time, I experienced no tunneling or other performance issues. I should note that I always use a lid topper with my Yankee Candle jars, which can help promote a more even burn. Even so, the candle performed beautifully, pooling out nicely and maintaining a consistent fragrance throughout each burn.

1/01/2021

Smell The Thrill in The Air, Christmas Eve!

I want to say I discovered Yankee Candle's Christmas Eve around 8 or 9 years ago, and it's been one of my favorite holiday candles ever since.

Christmas Eve's fragrance notes are:

Top: Orange, Almond, Lime, Lemon

Mid:Red Berry, Cinnamon, Nutmeg

Base: Violet, Amber, Creamy Praline, Vanilla

I wish Yankee would go back to their larger labels instead of these cropped images. Just seeing all the vacant space on the jar is esthetically unappealing.

On the website, Yankee Candle describes the candle as a, "Traditional holiday scent of a warm hearth, sugared plums, and candied fruits."

To me, Christmas Eve smells of candied fruit, cinnamon, with a swirl of vanilla and amaretto as well as a smidgen of citrus zest and smoky wood.

The only downside to the candle (and this can be said about most of Yankee Candles) is the inconsistency of their throw. Some batches can fill up a room where others have a faint aroma that can only be detected when in close proximity. I just remedy this by purchasing two of the same candle and place them on opposite sides of the room.

Anyway, I love this candle, and it smells just like Christmas to me, like one of those Christmas specialty stores to be exact. The cozy, sweet and mild spicy fragrance of Christmas Eve is a nice departure from the pine notes usually found in most holiday candles (which I love as well).

12/09/2011

By The Fireside

Yankee Candles Tarts Wax Potpourri in Fireside, retails for $1.99

Fireside is one of my all time favorite scents from Yankee Candle. During the Fall/Winter seasons, from morning to night, fireside is constantly burning throughout my entire apartment.

I got this wax warmer from a Yankee Candle store but it is available online and retails for $14.99

Yankee Candle describes 'Fireside' as being "cozy and rustic...the scent of a warm crackling wood fire" and I couldn't agree more. Fireside is just that, a cozy warm woodsy aroma, capturing the harmonious blend of cedar and spice.

yankeecandle.com does accept international billing orders, but you must be shipping with the U.S., Canada, APO and FPO.

Back view of the warmer

I highly recommend Fireside (in any form, jar candle, tumbler, tea lights, votive candle, or wax potpourri) for the colder seasons but be forewarned, there is nothing fruity or sweet in this fragrance!