THE STORIES

One of my favorite Fall adventures is apple picking. A time for the family to get together, hop on a hayride & fill up baskets with far more apples than we could ever eat before they spoil.

As a kid, I remember the fun of using (sometimes successfully) those long handle contraptions to pluck ripened apples from the top of the tree that would have otherwise been out of reach. And I remember quickly discovering which varieties were baking apples after spitting out their sour fruit and which were the kind you could enjoy right off the tree.

This scent captures the unmistakable & delicious smell of freshly picked apples that fills the car on the ride back home.

The inspiration here comes from my work on the first two seasons of a television show that followed the folks who still make moonshine.
Apple pie moonshine may be a fancy cocktail today, but its origin is less about mixologists elevating their craft, and more about outlaws maximizing their cash.
The fruit was usually added to mask the awful taste of a bad batch so folks would buy it.
Apple Pie Moonshine features scent notes of apple, cinnamon and homemade moonshine. This candle has got a lot of southern charm with that kick you'd expect from a distilled spirit.

As a kid, I remember how the blue spruce stood out from all the other evergreens on my parents' tree farm. It always looked majestic with thanks to the cool blue-gray color of its sturdy bows that could hold up even after a heavy snowfall. It's well-known for its sharp needles but still loved for both its beauty and its bold evergreen scent. Bruce captures the signature scent of the blue spruce and highlights its strong earthy evergreen scent you find in nature out in the woods.

I spent many Thanksgivings in Massachusetts as a kid. My family piled into our station wagon and drove from Jersey to spend a fun holiday with family friends. This was my introduction to the magic that is autumn in New England - the vibrant colors of those last few changing leaves and crisp fresh air. Each visit filled with adventures that spark the unique joy I feel during the holiday season.

One of my favorites was our visit to a cranberry farm. The serene beauty of the bogs as the winter sun sets is, as the locals say, “Wicked cool!”

Cranberry Bogs conjures up that particular joy and serenity that our best holiday memories can stir in us, even years later.

In 2006, I drove home for the holidays. Not unusual, until you consider I live in LA, and my family’s over 2,000 miles across the country in NJ. My friend Julie and I (along with my dog Kennedy) explored so many cool places, including this candle’s inspiration, Dollywood. Nestled in the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee,
a world of butterflies, bluegrass, roller coasters and hot cocoa brings the holidays to life. Even on a cold wintry night, Dolly’s world is still warm and inviting.

I wanted to capture the cozy feel of the scenic Smoky Mountains with the smells of towering evergreens and smoke pluming from nearby fireplaces that fill that Tennessee air in December. So, this evergreen scent is a one of a kind... just like Dolly herself.

If you’re lucky, then you get at least one relaxing getaway to escape the daily grind. Whether it’s a week-long affair or a quick 3-day weekend, the idea is to enjoy yourself, and even bend the rules. So what if the clock still says AM? There's no place you need to be. What better time for "Day Drinking!" The candle will fill your space with the intoxicating smell of homemade margaritas. Whether you’re by the beach or stuck at home, no matter what season or time, this scent is here to remind you to relax and unwind. Enjoy! PS - Stay safe & alway drink alcohol and burn candles responsibly ALT. Summertime usually means you get at least one relaxing getaway to escape the daily grind. Whether it’s a week-long affair or a quick 3-day weekend, the idea is to enjoy yourself, and even bend the rules. So what if the clock still says AM? There's no place you need to be. What better time for "Day Drinking!" This candle scent will fill your space with the intoxicating smell of homemade margaritas. Whether you’re by the beach or stuck at home, whether there's cocktails or mocktails, no matter what season or time, this scent is here to remind you to relax and unwind. Enjoy! PS - Stay safe & alway drink alcohol and burn candles responsibily

Long before I drank my first blended pineapple and creamy coconut drink, I was captivated by a song that mentions it. The '70s hit, "Escape (the pina colada song)," features an unforgetable chorus reciting a personal ad that kicks off with "If you like pina coladas..." . I love this song. And it even has a plot twist as the protagnist seeks a fellow pina colada lover. No surprise to my story though. I grew up to be a pina colada lover, but a discerning one. If it's well made with fresh top shelf ingredients, I'm in. After all, a well crafted drink can transport you to another place. I apply these standards So, if you like pina coladas, then I think you will definitely love this "Escape."

Ever craved the feeling of spring, even in the dead of winter? That's the inspiration behind Flourish! I wanted a fragrance that captured the joyful mix of blooming florals and fresh fruits. But I also wanted it to feel light and airy. 
Imagine a field bursting with tulips and peonies, their fragrance mingling with the crisp scent of green leaves. Then comes  a burst of juicy peaches and ripe pears that adds a touch of sweetness without being overpowering. Flourish is a truly refreshing and inviting fragrance that will transport you to a beautiful spring day, no matter the season.

I attended countless Christmas tree grower conventions (yep, that's a real thing) with my family as a kid. As a result, I know a heck of a lot about evergreens... much more than you'd expect for a kid from the 'burbs. For instance, fir trees (Douglas, Balsam & Fraser) are the most common ones sold for the holidays thanks to their long-lasting needles, sturdy boughs, and strong fragrance. And it's the powerful & familiar scent of the Fraser fir tree that inspired this candle. As their name suggests, evergreens maintain their color and fragrance year-round. So, light your "Forevergreen" candle no matter the season and enjoy the experience... whether you're imagining a decorated tree in December, or envisioning a walk through a field of evergreens in June!

The naturally bold evergreen pine scent is mixed with an icy cool mint. It's like walking through a snow covered forest as the sun begins to set.

There sit the bags of freshly picked apples… and there is no freakin’ way those apples will be consumed before they spoil. So, it’s time to bake! This happened in our house every year. My mom and dad would begin the mad rush to turn the fruits of our apple picking labor into pie, sauce, cake, crisp & crumble. Oh, those big brown sugary crumbs on top of the apple crisp... I am salivating for one now!

"Get Apple Baked" captures the smell of apple cinnamon goodness baking in the oven.

Since I’m a life-long candle aficionado who’s obsessed with anything vanilla, it’s no surprise that the very first hand-poured scented soy candle by LARRABEE captures the comforting scent of baking cookies. Every time you light “Get Baked,” an incredible combination of vanilla, butter & brown sugar will fill your home. Just a few years ago, I decided to make a few candles at home for friends using equipment I'd stored away from a class I took eight years earlier. I needed something I enjoyed doing to take my mind off of a difficult year. And that was the beginning of this unexpected journey back to creativity and contentment. A journey that started and continues with the place I call home here on Larrabee Street.

I am a procrastinator. It's a habit that most of us battle in our pursuit of perfection. But I've recently come to realize that all we really need to strive for is excellence. Just do your best. Be kind to yourself. And enjoy every moment. That's how you get **it done. So, I created a candle to help us all do just that.

Burn "Get **it Done" and let the wonderful smell of fresh citrus feed your concentration while the gentler notes of strawberry and jasmine provide a finish to this fragrance that will help you cross the finish line & check **it off that To Do List.

My creative expression has taken many different forms. For many years, I ran an architecture firm… in my head. I was a kid with an active imagination, and my dad had brought home grid-lined paper from his office. I used it to design floor plans of extravagant homes. But it wasn’t until my 30s that I built my first home… made of gingerbread. My friend Kristin sent me an amazing kit as a surprise holiday gift after I had told her I couldn’t recall having ever built & decorated a gingerbread house.
The Gingerbread Haus embraces both creation & destruction. And I can’t think of a more delicious lesson in spiritual acceptance that our world is so damn paradoxical. So go ahead, Spice Up Your Life with “Gingerbread Haus.”

Pumpkin is a part of the entire holiday season, from Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas. This gourd is under a lot a pressure to show up at all the holidays.

Truthfully, I’m picky about pumpkin. Pumpkin pie isn't even on my favorite desserts list. But the smell of a baking pumpkin pie in my parents’ kitchen is something that I truly love. And when I did the first test burn of this candle, it was great! A strong baked pumpkin aroma with a slight sweetness. And spice notes that complimented the pumpkin, rather than overpowered it.

This is a pumpkin candle for all – even the picky folks like me love it. Hence, the affectionate name which has become an affectionate nickname for my lil’ pooch too.

I’m no sentimentalist when it comes to Valentine’s Day, but I think one of my favorites was while I was studying in London. It snowed on that Feb 14th and the city felt magical. It was only a month prior that my flatmates and I had arrived for our Syracuse University semester abroad and saw our first West End musical. It featured 70s disco hits and was called “Hot Stuff.” so what better name for the candle I created to smell like the red hot cinnamon candy I love so much. Every time you light “Hot Stuff,” the bold scent of spicy cinnamon will fill your home.

Not a fan of lavender? Same here. That's why I created a fresh take on the lavender-scented candle. Traditional lavender candles can be disappointing and way too perfumey. so I hunted for the perfect fragrance oils to craft a lavender scent even non-fans will enjoy.

Lavender and mint are a natural pair. Lavender's calming effect and mint's cooling sensation make this scent both soothing and refreshing.Think earthy and calming, not overly perfumey. It's like fresh lavender and mint leaves straight from the garden. It's perfect for unwinding after a long day or setting the mood for a "Netflix & chill" evening.

I remember one Christmas my parents took us to Midnight Mass as kids. Born a night owl, I was excited for the late night adventure. Everything was a little different at midnight mass from the dimmed lights in the church to the quieter mood. And at one point, the priest started swinging this metal thing with smoke pouring out if it. And then seconds later, a unique, earthy smell filled the air. This ritual used frankincense and myrrh – each derived from the sap of a different tree. Various cultures used them for thousands of years, as both fragrance and medicine. I wanted to create my own candle version of the church incense that highlights the distinct and interesting fragrances of frankincense, myrrh & smoky wood.

Snow days were the best days. When that call came through announcing school was officially canceled, the joy of venturing out into the winter wonderland created by freshly fallen snow kicked into gear. Eventually, the cold, wet snow demanded an indoor break - coming inside, shedding the wet snow gear, and sitting at the kitchen table with hands still red from the cold outside. Drinking hot cocoa with family & friends was the way to warm up. This mint cocoa scent takes me back to the early days before hot cocoa was replaced with peppermint mocha latte. It's sure to please the hot cocoa purists who still like a good holiday peppermint cocoa.

When my mom asked me to create a candle featuring one of her favorite scents, I knew the story started with one rose in a flower bed below my bedroom window. There was no rose garden, not even a bush. Just this singular thorny stem that produced one or two buds a year.
It was unremarkable enough that my parents don’t remember it. Yet, when I mentioned this rose to my sister recently, it felt like reminiscing about a childhood friend whose summer visits left a life-long impression. Experiencing this rose bloom year after year is why we never pass up the chance to stop & smell the roses today.

“Mom’s Rose” is like leaning into & breathing in a freshly bloomed rose. It’s a vibrant balance of bold and sweet.

It was a chore that came around for a few weeks every Fall growing up in New Jersey. The beauty of the tree foliage must end in ground covered in fallen leaves. And suburban yards fill up fast with leaves that need to be raked into piles that line the streets. The smell of the fallen leaves and the autumn rain is a familiar fragrance that fills the air. ‘Raking leaves” captures the smell of those fallen autumn leaves & cider. Another warm comforting drink that marks this time of year on the east coast. It’s a simple, yet completely unique and interesting scent that I love & miss (unlike the leaf raking, which I don’t miss one bit).

Introducing Sage ’Mary...origi known as So Green. Sage ’Mary delivers the same bold, vvid scent you love. Crafted with green-forward ingredients like rosemary and sage, it’s beautifully balanced with notes of cedar, pine, and eucalyptus.

The new name, Sage ’Mary, pays homage to the scent’s evolution. Originally dubbed So Green, the name referenced both the verdant ingredients and my own “green” status as a fragrance creator. While my goal was to create a subtle Sp

'I grew up in suburban New Jersey, but spent many weekends in upstate New York at my parents’ farm called Snowridge. Each December, we’d walk through the snow-covered fields to hunt for the perfect tree to bring back home for the holidays. Those fond memories inspired this 2nd candle I created for Larrabee.
And it has become a favorite scent for many since its launch. Every time you light Snowridge, the amazing smell of evergreens will fill your place. It brings the natural outdoors of winter right into the warmth and coziness of your home.

I bid farewell to the land of lake effect snow after graduating from Syracuse University 25 years ago. The fact that so many of the friendships that began at SU back in my college days still are an important part of my life so many years later is reason enough to honor my time there.
I created the 'Cuse candle in honor of all the important lessons learned, both in & out of the classroom. It celebrates my great SU memories shared with so many amazing folks who remain dear friends, 25 year later. Go Orange!

Now and then, the scent inspires the story rather than the other way around. Tin RoAnd then the line came to mind, “Tin Roof Rusted,” made famous by The B-52s, one of my favorite southern bands. A phrase that was sometimes used to describe the end of a relationship has taken a life of its own once the song, “Love Shack” became a hit & introduced the band to my generation. Luckily, the end of one thing usually marks the beginning of something else. This scent is my homage to a band that dared to challenge the norms of the South. Queer before it was cool. Defiantly true to self. What better name for this candle.

This scent transports me back to my parents’ farm, Snowridge, where I sit with family around the fire that my dad started. The peace and quiet of the night enjoyed under the light of a million visible stars in a sky unpolluted by city lights. We chat as we wait for the flames to settle down. The smell of burning wood fills the air as we ready our sticks at just the right height and angle to toast our marshmallows to the perfect brown. The sweet smell mixes with the smoke as we chat, laugh and enjoy this moment. The details of your toastin’ setting may be a little different but this scent will bring you to your very own mellow & happy place.

I'm no Picasso, but if candlemakers had phases, this one marks the start of my peach phase. I wanted this scent to have a "summer" vibe but avoid feeling predictable. So I chose to pair it with mint. The result turns out to be a scent that's refreshing and slightly unexpected... like a peach & mint summer salad! The scent's name "You do you" has evolved into a personal mantra over the years, but the connection here is an unexpected observation that stuck with me... Here are two fragrances able to stand on their own, yet they compliment each other perfectly. Neither diminishes the other. Instead, each allows space for the other to exist and be its best... and I just thought, "You do you!"

It comes just once a year. And its unmistakable aroma stirs up holiday nostalgia... even for folks who don't drink the stuff. I'm talking about eggnog, of course. The 'nog has always been on hand for the holidays in my family because my dad's a big fan. Nowadays I enjoy adding it to my cold brew coffee or bourbon. It compliments my two favorite adult beverages rather nicely. I crafted the Yule 'Nog candle to smell like my favorite spiced eggnog , highlighting 3 key ingredients - vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. It captures the essence of the classic holiday beverage in a blended scent that can appeal to all. So light up a Yule ' Nog candle & enjoy!

Growing up on the East Coast, I loved those chilly winter evenings when the crisp air and fading daylight created a serene magic. Riding bikes through the woods with friends, I was always struck by the stillness that winter brought—a feeling that inspired the Winter Night scent.

This scent is also a nod to the history of bayberry candles, once a rare luxury made from hundreds of berries to produce their natural, pleasant fragrance. Over time, they became symbols of good luck and prosperity, a tradition I hope this candle continues.

While I can’t guarantee good fortune, I can promise Winter Night will fill your space with warmth and a touch of that winter magic.