My Time At The Architect

November 3, 2026October 26, 2026 MstldelanoLeave a comment

This summer, I spent several nights in DC so that I could take care of some in-person office tasks, and also so I could meet up with my friend that was visiting from California. For two of my stays, I chose to book The Architect, a boutique hotel near the White House and Dupont Circle. This popular location buzzes with activity all day and also during the evening, so I was looking forward to spending some time in the area.

The Architect is a charming hotel, with comfortable, impeccably clean rooms, featuring hardwood floors, beautiful exposed brick accents, and a spacious layout even in the standard size room. My room did not have a tub for soaking, nor did it have a refrigerator (I missed those details while booking), but I liked the bed, the size of the bathroom, and the overall room layout. There are no ice machines on the guest room floors, so if you like a cold beverage, be ready to visit the basement (I actually enjoyed walking around and seeing things behind the scenes).

The best parts of this hotel (other than its charming layout) is the location! It was a short walk to Dupont Circle, where there was all sorts of socializing. During the warmer season, this is the perfect option for recharging after sightseeing. It’s close to several things that I enjoy (Chocolate Chocolate candy shop, The Mayflower Hotel [love their restaurant], Alhambra [the only place in DC where I’ve found pavlova], Sephora and Morton’s the Steakhouse), so this is an ideal place for me to stay.

I love boutique hotels, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that there are a few sacrifices you make to enjoy a one-of-a-kind stay. First, the elevators may not be particularly quick: The Architect had a couple of minor elevator delays, but this is important to note when staying somewhere new. Allow additional time when you’re planning on leaving the hotel. The last thing you want is to time your travel down to the minute . . . Then your entire schedule is thrown off because every other guest is leaving out at the same time, too.

Also, this is not a hotel you reserve for the room views: a standard room may well have a window facing a brick wall. That was fine for me, but if you really want awe-inspiring views of DC from the comfort of your bed, this is probably not the hotel for you. The best sights will require you to leave the hotel and explore on your own.

That being said, this is a fantastic option if you want to stay somewhere cute, unique and comfortable. A little tip: if you need to call the front desk, dial “111”. It wasn’t listed on the room phone in either of the rooms I reserved, so I asked the concierge for that info. Another little tip: entering the front door is a little tricky, so push firmly and you’ll be fine.

Fun little diversions in the Architect lobby

If you find yourself heading to DC, consider whether the Architect figures into your travel plans. I recommend it if you want a lovely room that’s near the action!

health · Uncategorized

Fibro Friday – Anger, In Retrospect

October 30, 2026October 22, 2026 MstldelanoLeave a comment

When it comes to chronic illness, it’s very easy to get so lost in symptom management that you lose sight of your emotional life. Figuring out your new lifestyle is a massive undertaking and doesn’t give you a lot of space to think, and act, and feel, simultaneously. You often have to forgo examining your feelings in order to figure out how to get the pain under control, and you put those difficult emotions on the shelf while you do the work of figuring out what’s happening with your body. Many times, those hard-to-describe emotions . . . are anger. Anger over the excellent health you may never enjoy again, anger over the misdiagnoses, dismissive attitudes within the medical profession, anger over the people who simply don’t understand what you’re going through.

So you do the doctor visits, buy the medicine and supplements, try adjusting your routine. You do a few things, figure out what’s working, then revise as needed. You do this for weeks and months, and hope that you’ll finally figure out a recipe for wellness that you can sustain over the long term. And while you do all of that . . . the anger sits.

And trust, that’s all the anger does. It sits, and it doesn’t budge an inch. It waits for you while you run around and try to put out the fires with your health condition. It doesn’t go anywhere until it’s processed. So, it stands by as you try to do everything you need to get your health back on track.

When you finally get things under control, or when you just accept what your life will be with your chronic condition, then the anger bubbles up. The lucky ones of us have a few times where the anger explodes, gets processed quickly, and it’s on to the next thing. But for some of us. . . it doesn’t happen like that. It may not feel like white-hot rage initially. It may feel like discomfort, being a little less patient with yourself and others, a repressed or otherwise forgotten memory reappearing and knocking the wind out of you. It doesn’t always look or sound like anger, that is, until you start peeling back the layers.

After you inquire within yourself, “Is this sadness? Disappointment? Frustration? Fear?” and find that none of those emotions fit, then (if you’re honest with yourself) it’ll hit you. You’re mad. Furious, even. Mad at your body for not responding to your medication, improved diet or modified routine. Enraged at the many doctor visits that didn’t get you an answer despite you always telling them your laundry list of symptoms. Fury over how little your family, friends, or acquaintances believe or understand your discomfort. And yes, white hot rage over the insurance systems, employers and government frameworks that make it more advantageous for you to suffer and expire than to get real help on your path.

Your anger may not appear at the beginning of your journey. It may appear in retrospect, like mine did. And it’s still just as holy, justified, and worth acknowledging as it was when you first felt it but didn’t realize what it was.

Give your anger space, and give yourself grace for feeling it. It is part of your journey, and it deserves space. And then, when the rage has cooled down, care for yourself, and press forward. Your improved health is on the other side of your process.

beauty · life curation · style

Perfume Review – Calvin Klein CK In2U Eau de Toilette

October 28, 2026October 23, 2026 MstldelanoLeave a comment

Three years ago, I finally reviewed a scent that I’d had in my collection for a while. As a longtime fan of Calvin Klein scents and fashions, I added CK In2U Eau de Toilette into my collection without much thought. This was a regift from my mom, who didn’t enjoy the scent profile but figured I would probably like it. I spent a lot of years enjoying CK One – it was an extremely popular unisex scent, worn and loved by both men and women – though I’ve never worn it myself. So exploring another Calvin Klein scent seemed like a fun, nostalgic nod. As mentioned, CK In2U is an eau de toilette, so it’s a less concentrated scent that doesn’t have the wear time of an eau de parfum, but lasts longer than a cologne. I went into this review knowing that this fragrance is here for a good time, not necessarily a long time.

The top notes are pink grapefruit, Sicilian bergamot and red currant leaves. This gives it a bright, citrusy opener that has a slightly fruity spiced and herbaceous undercurrent. As a general rule, I don’t prefer the sour and bitter citrus top notes (think lemon, lime and grapefruit), but I thought that the bergamot note (which is much sweeter to the nose) would balance it. Unfortunately, the bergamot balanced the grapefruit to the point of neutralization, rendering the two citrus top notes somewhat nondescript in this fragrance. The currant leaves were a pleasant contrast to the citruses, and gave the scent a little more personality in the opener.

The mid notes are sugar orchid and white cactus. Similar to the grapefruit and bergamot, I found these notes underwhelming, though I’m sure that they serve to give the fragrance a bit more complexity and body. I could detect the orchid note, but the white cactus was not identifiable to me: I’m guessing that’s because I don’t have any other fragrances with cactus notes, therefore I had no basis for scent comparison. Overall, my impression of the mid notes was pleasant but not impactful.

The base notes are vanilla, red cedar and amber. Now these three notes are very familiar to me. I love amber scents, and I enjoy the opulence and sweetness that comes from this note. Red cedar is normally one of my favorite notes, and it happens to be VERY prominent in this fragrance. If you don’t like woody notes, then you should just go ahead and bypass this one. The vanilla is timid in this scent, but it’s there, and it adds a little extra sweetness to the base. It isn’t doing any heavy lifting, but it’s a good addition.

Despite having amber and red cedar in the base, this scent is listed as being crisp and clean. I actually agree with this scent description: the citrusy top notes and floral mid notes significantly softens the woody base. I liked the scent overall: it’s a fantastic summer option that works really well for indoor/outdoor events (I think it would be really delightful for a day on the yacht or brunching with friends). It’s easy to wear, has an uncomplicated profile, and allows the wearer to shine. I think what I like best about this scent is how it’s crisp without being acidic: it’s fresh and outdoorsy without being rustic. That same fresh profile is why, even though I think of this as a summer fragrance, it could easily transition into the fall (particularly, the base notes work well with cooler weather). Fresh scents work all year round, since they are usually pretty inoffensive and smack of cleanliness.

It’s worth noting that this scent has the CK signature: something about the formulation is tremendously reminiscent of several other popular Calvin Klein fragrances (like CK One). If you don’t usually like CK scents, then this one should be avoided. Something about it definitely reminded me of CK One and Eternity. This isn’t unusual for perfumers: many of them will have a basically template that they use, adding different top and mid notes until they come up with something new but not completely original. So if you enjoy the signature, you may like this scent. I also want to note that the scent can be found several different vendors, though I recommend Amazon, FragranceNet or Walmart for the best prices. It retails for around $20 per bottle.

Here’s my review of CK In2U on YouTube:

art · beauty · career · culture · life curation · style · travel · wine · writing

Returning To Myself . . .

June 24, 2026June 23, 2026 MstldelanoLeave a comment

As I write this, I recently kicked off a 3 week vacation from my day job. I love the work I do, but I’ve been feeling burned out and uninspired. I’ve always been clear on the fact that my occupation is not the source of my fulfillment, but I realize that work has an indirect connection to many of the enjoyable experiences that I’ve shared on this blog for years. The exhibitions I’ve discussed, food I’ve tried, travel and other adventures I enjoyed, books I’ve read, classes I’ve taken, and people I’ve met and loved have mostly all been in some way connected to work. My career began with commuting to a major city for 3+ hours every day, and the adventures I had during that time were numerous, life-changing and priceless. I love that I’ve created a life where there is a lot of pleasure alongside my work.

But recently, I’ve felt particularly disconnected when it comes to the things I enjoy. I traveled extensively over the past few years, and while I loved those times away, I still felt like something was missing. Something just wasn’t . . . clicking. I felt like I was going through the motions instead of really LIVING. During some meditation and reflection time, I saw exactly what I needed to do, to bring back the joy that I no longer possessed.

I need to return to myself.

The question of “Who am I?” has come up a number of times this year, particularly in sessions with my therapist. The question forced me to examine who I’d allow myself to become, in order to have the things I wanted. I adore the person that I am, but my current life doesn’t have the depth that I desire. I reflected back on the times when I felt most joyful and vibrant, and I noticed a recurring theme. Always, I felt my most alive when I was deeply engaging my senses. My senses of sight (artwork and natural wonders), hearing (live musical performances and listening to rainfall), smell (perfume, candles, and other home scent), taste (chocolate, international foods, whisky, wine), and touch (luxurious fabrics and exquisitely textured items) were all front and center when it came to sensory engagement. I even wrote a book on how our five senses help us to manifest our dream lives (Come To Your Senses)! My senses are crucial to how I enjoy my life. I’d even venture to say, that my senses are how I LIVE my life.

So I’m returning back to that. I’m making my five senses the focus on my writing and vlogging experience. I need to get back to the beauty of pleasure that I can measure with my body. And that’s what I intend to do. I don’t know how long I can keep up this focus, but I know that I will be closer to my ideal existence if I start centering my senses again. I hope you plan to stick around for this phase of my journey.

art · beauty · food · life curation

Springtime at VMFA’s Floris

June 4, 2026June 2, 2026 MstldelanoLeave a comment

Several months ago, I enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea at Virginia Museum of Fine Art’s Floris Restaurant. Luckily for me, this darling tea room updates its menu quarterly or whenever a new exhibit arrives at the museum, giving visitors a chance to try new dishes throughout the year. I returned to Floris a few weeks ago, when they debuted their spring menu (they have since changed their offerings: their current menu reflects their latest exhibition, India’s Great Mughals: Art, Power and Opulence (more details about this exquisite collection coming soon!) I was excited to try the spring selection before the museum changed to the latest themed menu.

The tea service started with two pots of tea: one for me and one for my daughter. We decided to try the Shenandoah Blue and the White Tapestry tea blends to start. Both teas were bright, flavorful, and refreshing. We were then brought scones and bread, served with jam and a delicious soft butter. A short while later, our tower arrived.

First tea option, and the wine, beer and cider menu

On the bottom layer were the savory items: smoked salmon finger sandwiches, potato and leek pastries, charred broccoli bites, and boursin quiches. The salmon sandwiches were light, and the herbed lemon cream was a nice touch, but I found the flavor of this dish a little underwhelming, though pleasant. The potato and leek pastries were flaky and flavorful, and the salsa verde on top was just enough to keep the bright flavor profile that captured the energy of springtime. The broccoli bites were chilled, and while I think I would have enjoyed them more as a warm dish, the bacon crumbles on top offered a delightful crunch and enhanced the taste of the broccoli tremendously. My favorite was the boursin quiche: warm, cheesy, rich, buttery, and the little garnish on top was cute and tasty.

Bottom layer (left to right) smoked salmon finger sandwiches, potato and leek pastries, charred broccoli bites, and boursin quiches

The middle layer of the tower were two of the sweet treats. On this layer, we found the sweet potato crumble slice and the chocolate and sesame cookie cake. The sweet potato crumble slice was such a fresh interpretation of coffee cake configuration: we’re so often served sweet potato as a pie or as a side vegetable, and seeing it in a crumble cake was lovely. The flavor was tasty, and I love that it was combined with ice cream on the top layer. The chocolate and sesame cookie cake was another unexpected treat: this was one of those rare “not too sweet” desserts. The sesame provided an earthier flavor and more texture than is usually expected from chocolate desserts. I liked it, though I can’t say that it’s something that I’d clamor to recreate in my own kitchen.

Layer 1 (left to right) sweet potato crumble slice and the chocolate and sesame cookie cake; Layer 2 – savory items (previously discussed)

Finally, the top layer featured the passionfruit glazed madelines and raspberry macarons. The madelines were, hands down, my favorite dessert of the meal. Sweet, soft, fruity, bright, a little tart, and unmistakably tropical, these delicious spongy cakes with the incredible glaze were so divine, I could have eaten ten of them! The saddest moment of this meal was when I took the last bite of the madelines and knew that there were no more left. Finally, I ate one of the macarons, which were perfectly executed and tasty.

Top layer: macarons and passionfruit glazed madelines

We sipped our tea and enjoyed the time together. The tea room only had a few more guests, so we were able to enjoy a fairly quiet experience at Floris. It was notably busier during my last visit in the late fall, but I appreciate how the restaurant always offers fantastic service regardless of how busy things can get.

This was another fantastic Floris experience! I can’t wait to return and see how the chefs design the menu around the latest exhibition!

books · culture · life curation · reading list · writing

Springtime Reading List

May 28, 2026May 28, 2026 MstldelanoLeave a comment

It’s been a while since I shared the books that I’ve read recently. One of my goals in 2025, that I’ve carried over to 2026, is reading daily. I read more books last year than I have since I was in school, and I’m on track for reading even more books this year. Now seems like as good a time as any to share the books I recently read, as well as what I’ll be reading until mid-June.

Sky Full of Elephants by Cebo Campbell – a speculative fiction gem that asks the question, “What would the United States be if there were no White Americans left?” It centers on the redemption arc of a man wrongfully accused of rape, and the daughter that never knew he existed until after losing all of her family to the tragic tragic event that left the US without White citizens. I enjoyed the story a lot, and it re-invigorated my love of fiction. The story left me with a lot of questions, primarily, what does redemption look like? How can I create “heaven” now, without requiring the intervention of a cataclysmic event? What does it mean to be truly self-sufficient and secure? And what happens when the status quo changes? Campbell did a great job of balancing the sensitivity of the subject of loss and grief, with the optimism and hope that remains after. I loved this one, and would happily read it again in the future.

Hellenismos by Tony Mierzwicki – I have friends who are exploring traditional forms of worship, including paganism and ancestor veneration. One of them recommended learning about the Greek pantheon, and I was intrigued, so I picked up this book. I LOVED it! Thoroughly researched, practicable, and easy to read, I enjoyed how the author took time to introduce not just the gods and goddesses of ancient Greece, but the lives of the devotees. Mierzwicki eloquently explains how worship of these deities was so intricately woven into the lives of the Greeks, and the line between religion, business, love, family and leisure were consistently blurred. While I’m not interested in following Hellenism, I feel like I’ve grown tremendously just by learning about it through this book. The daily practices that were outlined for the entire calendar year was particularly useful, as it was a great reminder to me that faith is a daily practices.

Your Faith Is Your Fortune by Neville Goddard – This is one of several books I’ve recently read by Goddard. I am a believer in mental discipline and focus, so I spent a considerable amount of time studying thought leaders and their works. I’ve read some of Goddard’s books before, but I recently got the Neville Goddard Complete Reader, and I’ve been methodically making my way through the entire thing (I’m anticipating being done with it before the end of June). Your Faith is Your Fortune is unlike any other book I’ve read: Goddard takes a number of specific Bible verses, and interprets through the lens of (as he describes it) a “psychological drama”. These “dramas” have traditionally been interpreted in a literal way, and Goddard encourages us to see the dramas as creative expressions that correspond to much more personally significant behaviors and choices. For people who have grown up in Christian (Bible-centered) households, this is an enlightening read that pushes the boundaries of how biblical instruction can be interpreted and applied in our lives.

The Power of Awareness by Neville Goddard – This book is a full explanation of the power of the law of assumption: how to use it, how to overcome challenges when using it, as well as case studies (success stories) of those that have used it. The heart of the book is the understanding of the power of “I AM”, and how these words form the world we live in. According to Goddard, “If man’s concept of himself were different, everything in his world would be different. His concept of himself being what it is, everything in his world must be as it is.” Goddard takes the time to explain what consciousness is, how important it is to control the imagination and sustain attention, and how crucial it is to “renounce evil” (concentrate your attention on what you’d prefer to experience). This was a fantastic book that deepened my understanding of the law of assumption and helped me become more effective in my usage of it.

Out of This World by Neville Goddard – This book by Goddard also deals with the law of assumption, and how our assumptions precede the experience. It has one of the most concise explanations of the law of assumption that I’ve seen in all of his works. It states, “Define your ideal and concentrate your attention upon the idea of identifying yourself with your ideal. Assume the feeling of being it, the feeling that would be yours were you already the embodiment of your ideal. Then live and act upon this conviction. This assumption, though denied by the senses, if persisted in, will become fact. You will know when you have succeeded in fixing the desired state in consciousness by simply looking mentally at the people you know.” This paragraph perfectly sums up how Law of Assumption works, and how persistence is the key to realizing the reality we desire. This book is shorter than some of the other Goddard books I’ve read, but I found it very easy to follow and instantly applicable.

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler – I’m currently reading this book, and WHEW. This is a heavy one, for sure. It’s not surprising to anyone that’s familiar with Butler’s work that this is a story that changes you as you read it. Personally, I’m a fan of Octavia Butler, and I’ve read several of her books (Wild Seed is a favorite) but I had not read Parable until a couple of days ago. Butler was nothing if she was not a seer, with a number of her stories ending up as the lived reality in America more than 30 years after she first wrote them down. It’s uncomfortable reading where she thought the US would go, and it’s even more disturbing how accurate she was. I love it, and it’s breaking my heart with every subsequent chapter. I’m roughly halfway through the book, and it’s painful, but I’m determined to complete it. If you want to read a book that will haunt you long after you put it down, this is worth checking out.

These are my springtime reads! What are you currently reading, or have you read any of the books I mentioned? I’d love to hear your thoughts below!

art · beauty · life curation · luxury · relaxation · travel

Fun Times at Mission Hills Inn

April 16, 2026April 15, 2026 MstldelanoLeave a comment

When spending time in Southern California, my dear friend took me to a famous landmark in Riverside. The Mission Inn Hotel and Spa is a beautiful space that has been the #1 Best Historic Hotel in California. I arrived at the perfect time to tour: I came to the hotel right after New Year’s Day. Fortunately for us, the Christmas decorations were still up, including the Christmas lights and gingerbread house. While the hotel was busy, there weren’t nearly as many visitors as they had before Christmas. Here are some photos from my time at The Mission Inn.

The stunning archway leading to the entrance of the hotel

The most unique and fun part of the hotel was the life-size gingerbread house, which was made of real gingerbread and candy. It smelled heavenly, and the hotel had signs up, asking guest to not touch or eat the house!

The lobby sported several stunning Christmas trees, which kept the festive spirit alive. I loved seeing the exquisitely decorated trees.

As an art lover, any statue in my vicinity gets a double take. This marble beauty was no exception. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a photo of the plaque identifying the work.

On the exterior, there were tons of striking lights. There was a timed display that lit up the side of one of the buildings that made up the hotel.

Me with my favorite person outside of the hotel

I’m so glad I had a chance to enjoy the Mission Inn during the holiday-adjacent season. The lights were such a treat to my senses, and seeing the other decorations was glorious. I can’t wait to return and spend a little more time at the hotel!

beauty · life curation · luxury

Room Spray Review – Velvet Nights by George Foster the Lifestyle Market

April 13, 2026April 9, 2026 MstldelanoLeave a comment

During my trip to Temecula at the beginning of the year, I got a chance to relax, connect, and enjoy some much needed time away from the East Coast. While I was there, I enjoyed tea time at Corbeaux, checked out the glorious Mission Inn, and I also visited one of my friend’s favorite shops. She was emphatic that we must check out this shop, praising both the owner and the products offered. She knows how I feel about anything elegant, scent-related, and unique. So off we went to George Foster the Lifestyle Market, an exceedingly elegant space that features custom fragrances and skin care supplies, among other things.

We got there on New Year’s Eve, and they were closed. However, the owner’s son recognized my friend and let us in. That right there spoke volumes about the kindness and community that the shop prioritizes. I met George a few moments after his son let us in, and they were both so incredibly warm and welcoming. And the space? Absolutely beautiful: it was well-curated, intentional and elevated. George has a background as an interior designer, so it should not be surprising that his space is perfectly appointed. You can tell that he is someone that understands layers of beauty, and that the environment is just as important as the products presented within it.

So I’m in the shop, smelling everything, figuring out what unique item I must buy. Then I come across a scent, and it stops me in my tracks. I know THIS is the one. It was, of course, Velvet Nights. And yup, I bought it. But as I purchased, I found out that it was the last one in the collection: it was a limited edition item, only available for the winter season. And if there’s anything I love, it’s exclusivity, so naturally, I knew I’d made the right choice. It smelled too good, AND it wasn’t mass produced: I knew it had to come home with me.

So while I love the fragrance, I was hesitant to do a review, because it was limited edition, no longer available, and so good that I kind of want to keep it to myself. But, George’s shop deserves a spotlight, so here I am. Even though Velvet Nights isn’t available, I have another recommendation that may work for you, so keep reading to find out about that.

Let’s talk about Velvet Night’s scent profile. It’s a lush amber, with notes of incense, subtle evergreen notes (either pine or cypress, perhaps juniper). If you know anything about ambers, you know they can be . . . a lot. They can come across heavy, syrupy, and overwhelming, depending on the formulation. In older fragrance profiles, amber scents were very dense and intense. However, this scent has none of those cloying notes. It’s clean, crisp, and effervescent, giving you the warmth of an amber without the weight.

This scent is beautifully balanced. It has the warmth of amber, the light smokiness of incense, and the crispness of evergreen notes. And nothing is too dominant in the formulation; each note dances beautifully, creating a harmonious blend that captures the duality of the winter season. If I could describe it, it would be, a walk in the woods on a snowy evening. Yes, I had to borrow from Robert Frost for this one, but that’s exactly what Velvet Nights brought to mind, but with a twist. Yes, you have the chilled air, the quiet around you, and the beauty of nature at rest. But also, you have the warmth of a velvet lined cape, the the gentle crackle of a fireplace, and the lush flavor of a steaming mug of your favorite winter beverage.

Now, aside from the scent’s exquisite profile, I found another reason to love it. It performs spectacularly. After coming home, I had the bottle sitting on my dresser, with the cap on. I hadn’t sprayed it yet. I left the house for a bit, and came back, and as I was settling in, I wondered, “What is that beautiful smell?” I knew I hadn’t lit a candle, so I wasn’t sure what I was smelling. Then I realized: it was the spray. THAT’s how potent it is! As a result, I’ve used it a number of times, but sparingly, because once it’s gone, it’s GONE. And I won’t be able to get it again until next winter (assuming George brings it back). I’m pacing myself, but I also can give it a little break, as the seasons are changing and I start rotating my lighter room sprays.

Now, just because this scent is currently unavailable doesn’t mean that all is lost. Here’s what I suggest:

If you’re near Temecula, go visit George Foster the Lifestyle Market
Ask George about similar scents
Explore the other room sprays (I recommend The Market room spray, which has a scent profile of bergamot, Persian lime, other citrus, and musk).
Order online if you’re unable to get to the shop in person

I loved it and had to review it on my YouTube. Here’s the video:

This scent was a 10 out of 10 for me, and I cannot recommend it enough! Even more impressive was the entire experience: the space, the intentional curation, and the people connected to it. I know for sure that I will be back!

beauty · life curation · luxury

Candle Review: The Gooch Gardener Orchid & Teakwood Candle

April 9, 2026April 8, 2026 MstldelanoLeave a comment

As someone who absolutely adores home fragrance, I’m always on the hunt for a candle or room spray that feels elevated and memorable. I love putting my personal touches into my space, and that means making sure that the aroma of my rooms match the mood I’m trying to invoke. Something about scent – how it decorates a space without visuals or sound – is practically magical to me!

I recently had the pleasure of being contacted by The Gooch Gardener Candle Company, and they kindly sent over two of their candles for review. The first candle that I tried is the one that I’m sharing today, the Orchid and Teakwood scent. Let me tell you, this one made quite the impression on me!

Let me start with the basics of the company. The Gooch Gardener Candle Company is a business that’s local to Virginia (Goochland County) and they participate in farmer’s markets, however, the candles are also available on the website. The scents range between $29 and $37 per candle, depending on the size selected. The scents reflect the beauty of nature, through floral, citrus, woody and fresh notes. Before I lit the candle, I was struck by the care in presentation. The packaging was secure and clearly designed to protect the product well during shipping. Inside, I found a handwritten note from the owners and, as you all know, I love those sorts of details. The note shared that the Orchid and Teakwood scent is one of their bestsellers, which I’m happy to share has been restocked since I got my candle. After experiencing the fragrance, I can see why it’s a fan favorite.

The candle itself is substantial: it’s 16 ounces and features a 3-wick design, a hefty glass container and a perfectly fitting wooden lid to preserve the fragrance when unlit. It has a grounded and understated elegance that works well in a variety of home decor themes.

When I opened the candle, I was met by a lush and layered fragrance. It’s a beautiful blend of floral notes and woody tones: it’s a great dance between soft and structured elements. But what really struck me was the subtle watery notes that came through: I wasn’t expecting that, especially since marine notes weren’t listed in the candle fragrance description. I loved this unexpected touch, which makes the geranium, orchid and lavender transition seamlessly into mahogany and teakwood notes. In fact, I’d argue that the marine notes are what actually tie together the floral and woody notes, eliminating the jarring experience that can happen when two distinctly different fragrance families are combined. There’s a compelling duality in this fragrance: it’s very yin and yang, which makes it so broadly appealing. This balance between delicate and rich notes is a key factor in what takes a fragrance from simply pleasant to truly unforgettable.

Funny enough, I accidentally tested this candle in ways that I usually avoid. Normally, I don’t let my scented candles burn beyond two or three hours at a time. However, I lit this candle and forgot to extinguish it before I left my home to run errands. I returned home – 12 hours later – and was met at my front door with the most luscious scent I’ve had in quite a long while. Please, don’t leave your candles burning that long. And also, please know that I enjoyed the scent lingering in the air for the next 36 or so hours.

Even with my mishandling, the candle performed beautifully. It burned clean and evenly, and there is still a lot of product left in the container, even after my extended burn time. The scent remained extremely smooth and filled the space without overwhelming it.

I love that this candle is versatile, working for a variety of different seasons and occasions. It’s light enough to enjoy during the warmer months, and rich enough to be suitable for cooler weather. It’s effortlessly adaptable, making it a great investment as a home fragrance.

This candle was an absolute pleasure. It’s beautifully designed, thoughtfully crafted, and performs well. If you’re searching for a luxury candle that has a strong scent throw, balanced floral and wood fragrance, and high quality soy wax, then this candle is one that you must check out. I love it so much that I did a video review of it, too. You may view that video here:

If you’ve enjoyed The Gooch Gardener Candle Company, please let me know! I’d love to hear which fragrances you recommend that I try next!

food · life curation · luxury · travel

Dining At Corbeaux – Tea Time in Temecula

January 15, 2026January 11, 2026 MstldelanoLeave a comment

My daughter and I recently took a trip to Temecula, CA, and spent some time with one of my good friends. During my time there, she took us to several places, including Old Town Temecula. The highlight of our time in this charming neighborhood was brunch at Corbeaux Wine and Tea House. This lovely restaurant features delicious food, beautiful decor, and an easy elegance that dwells in the sweet spot between welcoming and exclusivity. This tea house does a great job of feeling luxurious without the stuffiness that often comes with luxe experiences.

I knew, quickly, that our trip to Corbeaux had to include caviar, so we ordered the caviar tasting platter. We also got the charcuterie board, and I ordered the cucumber and apple salad for myself. It may sound like a lot of food – and it was! – but we were splitting it between three people, and we were famished. It was our first meal of the day!

Despite looking at the menus in advance, we missed the disclaimer that explained how the afternoon tea service needed to be reserved in advance. However, not one to be deterred by a disclaimer, I figured I’d gently inquire whether we could get some of the items available for tea. Fortunately, our server Tiffany explained that there was one tea tower available for a walk-in customer, and I quickly told her that I wanted it!

I was entranced by the lovely decor in the space. I particularly loved the gallery wall near the rear of the restaurant. It has some fun interpretations of classical portraits, a few still life paintings, and a picture of Marilyn Monroe’s famous subway grating moment from “The Seven Year Itch”. The wall is a blend of art styles, periods, and media, all combined together beautifully.

The decor was great, but the food was spectacular. Let’s start with the caviar. The tasting platter featured three different types of caviar: Polish osetra, Siberian sturgeon, and smoked trout roe. Hands down, the Siberian sturgeon was my favorite (though they were all delicious). It was slightly smoky, earthy and salty and did not have the strong fishy flavor that I usually associate with caviar. It also had a buttery finish that I wasn’t expecting. Oh my, it was delicious! I enjoyed the Polish osetra and smoked trout roe tremendously, too: these tasted like what I expect when enjoying caviar, with the salty, fishy flavors that play really well with creme fraiche and blinis.

Caviar platter (left to right – Polish osetra, Siberian sturgeon and smoked trout roe)

The star of the meal was definitely the tea tower, along with the delicious tea served with it. The tower consisted of honey tea cakes, apple and chai caramel cream puffs, pumpkin tea shortbread cookies, rosemary lavender salted scones, mushroom quiches, assorted seasonal fruit, and three types of sandwiches: baked cinnamon apple and brie, curry chicken salad and egg salad. We ate the delicate pastries and sandwiches as we sipped on the maple cream oolong tea. My favorite sweet pastry was a tie between the honey tea cakes and the apple and chai caramel cream puffs. My favorite savory sandwich was the curry chicken salad. The entire tea menu was spectacular!

Tea tower with fruit and butter on top, pastries on the middle layer, and sandwiches on the bottom layer

My cucumber and apple salad was perfect: crunchy, sweet, tart, and fresh. It was a great dish to balance out the carb-heavy tea tower dishes. It was light and effervescent, which was a nice contrast to the rest of the meal. I really liked that the salad incorporated miso for savory notes, and peanuts for earthier flavors.

The charcuterie board was divine: three different meats (I can’t remember each one, though I’m pretty sure one was soppressata, and another was calabrese), and three different cheeses (again, I can’t remember each one). I tasted a little of each, but I didn’t consume too much, because I had already had a fantastic time with the tea tower and my salad.

I loved our time at Corbeaux, and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Temecula. I enjoyed brunch but I saw the dinner menu and I was equally impressed with the offerings. If you’re looking for a beautiful brunch experience, Corbeaux is a must!