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Made in Michigan: Lemon Verbena Soy Candles by Green Daffodil Soy Candleworks

candle You know that segment on Oprah where she shows off and gives away her Favorite Things? Well, this is my version of that. “Colleen’s Favorite Things” has a nice ring to it, eh?

I am a scented candle fanatic. My entire family knows that if they don’t feel like buying yet more gardening stuff for me, a gorgeous scented candle is always a hit. Right now, I’m absolutely crazy for these Lemon Verbena soy candles from Green Daffodil Soy Candleworks.

First off, I’m a sucker for the container–a pretty, square stainless steel tin with lid and a very pretty label. But these candles are all about the fragrance, and I can tell you that it’s absolutely phenomenal. If you love lemon verbena you will adore these candles. These are high quality candles: they do not smoke, and they just seem to burn forever. I often have one burning while I’m working during the day. Just gorgeous.

To give you some background about the company, it was started by two friends from Ferndale, who started the business during one of our long, cold Michigan winters. They sell the candles at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center and through their Etsy shop.

So, because I love them, and because I love my readers even more, I’m giving away one awesome Green Daffodil candle in your choice of fragrance to a lucky ITGO reader. But you have to work (just a little!) for it. In the comments, tell me: if you could capture any fragrance in the world in a candle, what would it be? I’ll pick my favorite, you’ll pick which nature-inspired scented candle you’d like me to send you, and you’ll end up with an awesome Michigan-made product.

Deadline for comments is Sunday at midnight.

(And here’s the fine print, for those of you who may be wondering. I don’t know either of the ladies at Green Daffodil, and I am most certainly not being paid or otherwise reimbursed for mentioning the company. I love my state, and I want to start promoting some of my favorite locally-made products. I hope whoever wins the candle will spread the word about this great, eco-friendly company.)

15 comments

15 comments to “Made in Michigan: Lemon Verbena Soy Candles by Green Daffodil Soy Candleworks”

Kirsten, May 29th, 2009 at 8:45 am:

My desired scent? Lilac. I know, I know, there are plenty of lilac candles available. But none of the ones I’ve found have managed to capture this scent accurately. They all seem too sweet and/or overpowering for me. I have a bouquet of lilacs on my dining room table right now and as soon as I woke up this morning I could smell the delicate fragrance–all the way on the second floor. I ate my breakfast at that same table and, even sitting up close, the scent was noticeable, but soft. Delicious. If only they bloomed longer.

Marty, May 29th, 2009 at 7:36 pm:

I would have to say oleander.
I remember going to Bermuda with my family when I was in sixth grade, and my father bought my mother oleander perfume.
Many years later, I was able buy some over the internet. Smelled just like I remembered.
Whenever I use it, I’m transported back in time. There’s nothing else quite like the smell of oleander…

Rosengeranium (Indoor Gardener), May 30th, 2009 at 4:05 am:

Hm, rose for me – eventhough I know this is pretty “vanilla”. I have a thing for roses, but I want that special mild rose scent – not the stingy wild one often used (eventhough I can live with that too), hence I’ve spent much of my life looking for the exactly right rose soap etc. The bad thing is once I find it the brand usually discontinue that special lable within months

If I could chose something more unorthodox, though, I’d chose ‘your own sleeping toddler child’*. That scent is instantly soothing, I guess I would use the candle if I needed to fall asleep and add some self extinguishing mecanism to it.

*Clean toddler that is

Sharon R, May 30th, 2009 at 5:08 am:

My favorite scent is Gardenia. Such a beautiful flower with a lovely fragrance.
When they bloom I usually cut them and then let them float in a bowl of water and the fragrance fills the whole house.

Sarah, May 30th, 2009 at 6:14 am:

I’d like a scented candle that smelled like the fragrance that was wafting out at me when I was snipping a dried up Christmas tree with pruners the other day.(cutting it up to make mulch, and it’s the most fragrant mulch, I must say!) It may have been balsam fir, not overwhelming, just fresh, woodsy + beautiful.
Failing that, if a candle maker could go back in time and replicate a particular incense I had in 1968 when I was listening to the White Album, I’d buy a truckload of it. I’ve never been able to find it again.It was called “musk” but any incense I buy called musk these days just doesn’t match it: overpowering, or wrong somehow.

Failing that, the lemon verbena candle you described sounds delicious. I find lemon verbena swoonworthy, and keep it in a pot over winter so I can crush the leaves, and breathe in.

Chiot's Run, May 30th, 2009 at 10:21 am:

A long time ago a threw out all of my old candles when I read about how toxic they were. I’ve been wanting to switch to soy, I just haven’t been able to find a small place that makes them locally. Since I’m trying to buy as much stuff from small businesses as possible, these are GREAT! I’ll definitely be checking out their shop.

I’m thinking though my bees will keep me in candles after next year.

Carol, May Dreams Gardens, May 31st, 2009 at 4:33 am:

What gardener doesn’t also enjoy the earthy smell of a well kept greenhouse full of tropical blooming flowers in the middle of winter? Maybe that’s not quite right for a candle, so how about Freesia scent?

Colleen Vanderlinden, May 31st, 2009 at 4:35 am:

Hi Kirsten–I know what you mean about lilac candles. They’re never quite right, are they? I had a big vase of lilacs on my desk last week, and the whole house just smelled amazing.

Thanks for stopping by!

Colleen Vanderlinden, May 31st, 2009 at 4:35 am:

Hi Marty–
Now I have to find out what oleander smells like!

Thanks for stopping by!

Colleen Vanderlinden, May 31st, 2009 at 4:37 am:

Rosengeranium–

Love how you made it clear that “clean toddler smell” is what we’re going for I agree that it’s an instantly soothing scent. With you on rose scented candles, too—it’s hard to find one that’s not a bit overpowering.

Thanks for stopping by!

Colleen Vanderlinden, May 31st, 2009 at 4:40 am:

Hi Sharon!

Gardenia is a gorgeous scent! The only time I’m able to smell them here is when I visit the nursery and they’re blooming in the houseplant area. How lucky you are to be able to grow them!

Thanks for stopping by

Colleen Vanderlinden, May 31st, 2009 at 4:43 am:

Sarah—I thought my husband and I were the only ones who snipped our Christmas trees to use as mulch! I agree, they make a wonderful, free, super-fragrant mulch. And it is hard to find that perfect scent in a candle. Love your comment about your 1968 incense, too.

Thank you for stopping by and commenting!

Colleen Vanderlinden, May 31st, 2009 at 4:44 am:

Hi Susy,

I cannot wait until we can keep bees! Between the honey and the beeswax, I will be in heaven. Until then, these are a great substitute

Colleen Vanderlinden, May 31st, 2009 at 4:45 am:

Hi Carol,

Hm. Maybe it’s a bit unorthodox, but if I were ever able to find “Midwinter Greenhouse” in a scented candle, I would totally buy it

Freesia’s nice too.

Thanks for stopping by!

Mr. McGregor's Daughter, May 31st, 2009 at 4:12 pm:

I’d love a candle that smells like Phlox divaricata. It would take me back to the perfect moment in spring.

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From the Archives

Made in Michigan: Lemon Verbena Soy Candles by Green Daffodil Soy Candleworks

15 comments

15 comments to “Made in Michigan: Lemon Verbena Soy Candles by Green Daffodil Soy Candleworks”

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