A Cozy DIY for the Halloween Weekend

Fall — our favorite time of year. Although the weather here in LA doesn’t drastically change as it does in other parts of the world, the magic of the season is undeniable. The low slung sun reminds us of the shorter days newly upon us, and the crisp air hints at the new season’s arrival. During this special time of the year, we instinctively retreat to the warmth of our homes to indulge in nostalgic activities while we prepare for the holidays ahead, including the festivities of this upcoming Halloween weekend! Here’s what we’re planning on doing to really get into the mood of the season:

LET’S CREATE THE ATMOSPHERE

We love a cozy, welcoming space, and the perfect way to create it is with candles, of course, but we like to take it up a notch. Cue: simmer pots. This tradition reminds us of those times when a generous meal is simmering away and filling our home with welcoming scents of a warming meal. This go-to DIY is straight from our book, “At Home With Fragrance,” along with many other DIYs + all the fragrance info you need to become an expert yourself.

WHY WE LOVE SIMMER POTS

1. They’re easy to customize.
2. You can use items already in your kitchen, even food scraps!
3. You can use a slow cooker if a stove is not available.
4. The simmering warmth is so welcoming.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

A simmer pot can contain an assortment of ingredients, including herbs, fruit, spices, and extracts and here is the short list of items you’ll need:

• A medium saucepan (or crockpot)
• Your choice of fruit, herbs, spices, and/or extracts
• Water

HOW TO MAKE A SIMMER POT

Now for the easy part! Simply fill your saucepan or slow cooker with enough water, depending on the size, and bring to a boil. Add the ingredients and continue to boil for a few minutes, then turn the heat down to simmer. Add water as needed, usually every 30 minutes or so.

If remembering there’s something on the stove is a hassle, you can also use a slow cooker! Here’s the recipe we’re using this weekend, but remember, you can create your own customized fragrance profile using your favorite ingredients. That’s the beauty of simmer pots, they’re easy and customizable!

Rosemary & Lemon Simmer Pot (aka Williams Sonoma Signature Simmer Pot)

• 3 sprigs rosemary
• 1 lemon, cut into slices
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. black peppercorns
• 8 cups (64 fl. oz/1.9 l) water

Simmer pots are great to pair with our line of scented soy candles, made with 100% domestically sourced soy wax and pure cotton core wicks! Grab our seasonal scents before they’re gone and make your home cozy and festive.
For more DIY ideas to fragrance your home or create your own handmade holiday gifts, grab our book “At Home With Fragrance.” In addition to DIY projects and how to use fragrance in your home, we break down fragrance knowledge in an approachable and fun way.

[ GRAB THE BOOK ]