Portland locals, join us and 49 other vendors February 13th and shop with your Valentine, Galentine or Palentine! For safety, tickets are now available at staggered time slots to ensure low numbers and plenty of space for social distancing. Click here for tickets.
To say that I am grateful to still have a business is an understatement. Like many of you, I am also a parent managing the schooling of 2 young kids during a worldwide pandemic. I use the word 'managing' loosely as my goal is often to just make it through the next hour without raising my voice, rolling my eyes or threatening to take away 'fun screen time' for the next gazillion years.
I learned the hard way to differentiate between 'fun screen time' vs. 'screen time' as my son bounced around the house chanting "I can't go to school because mom took away ALL OF MY SCREEN TIME". I had to remind myself that he is 7 and I am....not. I remind myself of this often.
Sweet Anthem has been neglected, all of my beautiful summer releases have not been released and I am behind on fall releases. They will just have to wait until next year.
I created 3 new Home Sprays out of necessity (available in the store). We are all working and going to school together in very tight quarters. The need to spritz a fresh scent every now and then is morale boosting in our home.
So this year for the holidays I am focusing on simplicity while supporting other small businesses. Sweet Anthem will be offering some of our favorite handmade gifts from craftsmen and artists from across the country. I am currently putting together the cutest little gift baskets stuffed with handmade chocolates, s'mores kits, embroidered towels, jewelry, and of course Sweet Anthem Home Sprays and Solid Perfumes. You know it's good when you want to keep everything for yourself... Check back soon to get a sneak peek at our new arrivals.
And on a personal note, hang in there. This s**t is hard right now and many of us are struggling. We are resilient, we are strong and that looks very different for each of us. Big hugs friends.
]]>Our 3 limited run perfumes coming out this summer are a fun example of the evolution some of our fragrances undergo.
Edith - lilac, orchid, Seville orange, rosewood
Edith is an old favorite and our only fragrance to feature the intoxicating lilac. Since her initial release nearly a decade ago, her notes have held fast with one change this year- a synthetic honey note has been dropped to make way for a more natural note. The change is subtle but will be noticed by Edith fans. So far the reviews are stellar and wearers find the subtle change uplifts the lilac into something deliciously complex and inviting.
Anahita - mimosa, heliotrope, bright greenery, amber
Anahita is a distant descendent of Charlotte. The bright greenery in Charlotte was always a favorite of mine and I wanted to keep those appealing welcome notes while reimagining this old fan favorite. A few of the notes in Charlotte have become unavailable leaving lots of room to play. In the end, Anahita is a walk in a cloud of nectar florals. Light and soft, powder and greens. Buttery mimosa blooms brightened by the summer sunshine and carried gently by the breeze.
Grace - green tea, peony, cassis, cedarwood
As one of our most requested fragrances to bring back, it was with a heavy heart that I had to retire Wendy. Le sigh. From her ashes, Grace arises. Keeping the undercurrents of peony, cedarwood, cassis, and gardenia we have infused this luscious mix of florals with a splash of green tea to add some zing. A deliciously wearable symphony of all that is good and uplifting.
Keep the requests coming friends! I have more old favorites in the works and would love to hear what you are looking for. Lenore, Vivian, Catherine, Joan...
]]>Let's start with the base used in Sweet Anthem's Solid Perfumes, a proprietary blend that includes organic shea butter. Shea butter is naturally rich in Vitamins A and E as well as essential fatty acids full of skin-replenishing helpers. A little dab on brittle knuckles, cracked cuticles, or on the back of my dry hands and it's a buttery soft reprieve from the harshness of the weather.
Add a few drops of essential oils to our shea butter base blend and good things really start to happen! There is a reason that essential oils and aromatherapy have long been used, studied, and integrated into overall wellness practices. The benefits of taking a few minutes out of your day to literally stop and smell the roses encourages a sense of harmony, overall happiness, and well-being.
Taking a minute out of your busy day to add a little dab of fragrance is an easy and quick way to nurture yourself amidst all of the chaos. Here are a few of my choices for taking a "breather" during the day:
Solid Perfume | Essential Oil | Benefits |
+ Alice | Tuberose | Tuberose is known to stimulate and improve blood circulation. Great for when you feel stuck and need to get those ideas flowing. |
+ Cybele | Saffron | Saffron is considered one of the most nutrient dense essential oils and is often used as a mood booster. Studies are confirming that just 20 minutes of drawing in saffron has the ability to lower cortisol levels (your stress hormone). Another great tool to keep in your pocket to contend with the stressers we face every day. |
+ Juliet | Clove Bud | Clove bud is a favorite warming and stimulating essential oil among aromatherapy practitioners. Benefits include stimulating your metabolism by improving your blood circulation and lowering your body temperature. Great to help counteract those post-lunch afternoon slumps. |
+ Annabelle & Lucille | Jasmine |
Jasmine has been identified as a particularly soothing essential oil and can help induce sedative hormones to counter anxiety and promote relaxation. Along with getting some help unwinding with jasmine, the sweet aroma is also known to increase libido by inducing faster breathing rates increasing the saturation of oxygen in the blood. |
Breath deep and smell good!
*Perfumes mentioned may be seasonal and no longer available. Please email us at hello@sweetanthem.com if you have any inquiries or requests. Thank you!*
Resources:
Read on to share in just 3 of the reasons we love our new Sweet Anthem candles today.
1. Coconut Wax. Coconuts are organic and eco-friendly to harvest. Growing coconuts does not require pesticides or herbicides and coconuts are harvested by hand which are both good things for the environment. Coconut wax also burns longer and cleaner than soy wax. This is due to the fact that coconut wax burns cooler so it lasts longer and can hold a higher fragrance concentration. Translation, our candles pack a wonderfully smelly punch!
2. Wooden Wicks. Many candles on the market have a cotton wick that has been treated with a chemical solution to make them flame retardant (otherwise your wick would burn out before it could use the wax in the candle as fuel). And up until 2003 some candles still contained lead in their wicks.
With all of that alarming news, I was overjoyed to find wooden wicks. Most wooden wicks (including ours) are eco-friendly, non-toxic and have been harvested from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified mills. They have little carbon buildup, debris, or sooting. And my favorite part is the pleasing crackling sound wooden wicks make when burning!
3. Fragrance. I think we have all heard the warnings that high levels of phthalates can cause a whole host of health issues. Even today many of our household products (including candles) contain phthalates. Rest assured that all of our fragrance oils used in our perfumes and candles are phthalate free. And just like our perfumes, our candles are also cruelty-free and vegan.
Best of all, the sense of smell is connected to memory so choosing fragrances you love can anchor you to beloved memories or strengthen the creation of new traditions. What better reason do you need to light one up!... Still talking about candles.
Click here to check out our new candles!
Extra credit reading (or checking in with the really smart folks who know the really big words).
Scientists uncover new connection between smell and memory
Phthalates are everywhere, and the health risks are worrying. How bad are they really?
]]>Our award-winning perfumes have been sorted into Hogwarts Houses...
Steeped in ancient traditions and artisanal secrets, the fun lies in the magical history of the notes carefully gathered for this collection. There are a few Easter eggs for the uber fan of both Harry Potter and the Fantastic Beasts universe, lots of whimsy, and hopefully a dash of magic. Now for the first time, a sneak peek at Sweet Anthem's Parfum Notes Extraordinaire!
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2018 Holiday Gift Guide
WingostarrJewelry - I have been coveting these beautiful smudge sticks made with organic flowers and herbs for months! What a fantastic idea for a stocking stuffer or housewarming gift. I might just have to buy myself two, one to display and one to burn.
Mister Speckles - I love these whimsical prints by Dutch artist Annemiek of MisterSpeckles. Not only are they educational, but such a joy to gaze upon. I originally got the solar system print for my son's room but once I framed it I loved it so much it went up in the family room for everyone to enjoy.
Oko - For those of you who like to find lovingly used, one-of-a-kind treasures Oko is sure to please. An amazing collection of vintage and antique jewelry has me drooling all over their Instagram feed. I am in love with this antique Georgian gold book locket. Please, someone, buy it, I need to know it will go to a good home ;).
Parcel - For family and friends who live too far to visit during the holidays I love sending them a perfectly curated gift box from Parcel. Packed with artisanal and handcrafted products from the Pacific Northwest, like Owl's Brew mulling spices, limited edition playing cards, and Woodblock Chocolate. Gift themes include Cocktail Night, Deluxe Winters Rest, and Morning Ritual to name a few.
Houha Designs - These beautiful 3D model kits are perfect for family downtime over the holidays. I am always struggling with what to give the hubby, and I really like the idea of giving experiences or projects that include multiple family members. Not to mention the finished products are so wonderfully displayable!
Until next year friends! #smellgood
]]>Being the proprietor of Sweet Anthem has put me in touch with some incredibly wonderful and creative shop owners. I love the community not competition mindset and can't wait to pass on my cool gift finds to you. Not only do I have high-quality, lovingly made gift recommendations for you, but knowing that you are buying it from really exceptional people who love what they do too, makes the season even brighter! Enjoy!
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Jewels by SJB
I love finding out new ways to wear perfume, and when I found out one of my favorite jewelers also made a bracelet that diffuses scent I was over the moon! These beautiful and versatile bracelets are made with lava rock beads which are highly porous. Just add a few drops of your favorite scent or give them a quick spritz and you are good to go. Oh, and did I mention that this is also another vegan / cruelty-free woman-owned biz?
Noun - A Persons Place for Things
I am highly addicted to Noun's Instagram feed of curated vintage treasures! Most everything in the store is a one-of-a-kind collectible just waiting for the perfect home. But because most items are one-of-a-kind, you need to act fast if something catches your eye! Noun is a local store here in Portland, however, if you see something you like on their Instagram feed they are more than happy to wrap it up and send it out!
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Restless Yeti
Restless Yeti is THE place for Outspoken Apparel! I love the positive messaging encouraging our fellow humans to speak up. I swoon for their trucker hat shown here and just bought myself one of their 'feminist' shirts. The dynamic duo, Emily & Shawna, who run this biz looked long and hard before finding the perfect shirt to grace their thoughtful designs. My shirt is soft, true to size and of course, looks amazing with jeans!
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The Wild Unknown
The Wild Unknown Spirit Animal Deck is a beautifully drawn magical journey created by local Portland artist Kim Krans. This has become a favorite in our household with the littles. They love picking out cards daily and reflecting on the qualities each animal brings to our world and what that means to them. "The qualities of the five elements interweave with each creature’s habitat and behaviors to deepen and inspire the wild spirit within you."
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Missionary Chocolates
Missionary Chocolates has become my go-to for a chocolate fix. These mouth-watering, decadently over-sized, confectionary delights are also allergy friendly (nut free, gluten free, dairy free) and VEGAN! As far as I'm concerned, these are as close to guilt-free as you will find!
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Sage & Sea Apothecary
Sage & Sea Apothecary, Year of Well Wishes Candle Set is incredibly charming! I am in love with the packaging as each candle comes in its own milk carton container (I also love that you can gift this as a complete set, use for a holiday party favor, or handout individually as gifts!) Order early, the lead time on this gift is a couple of weeks, but well worth the wait for these clean-burning, beautifully-scented candles of peace and happiness.
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I would love to hear about your favorite go-to shops and items for the holidays in the comments below. I am always on the lookout for that unique and wonderful item!
Happy holidays friends!
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Fatum Est Tua Dulce ~ Welcome to Sweet Anthem, fine fragrance purveyor to both muggle and wizarding worlds alike!
I am reading the books for the FIRST time with my daughter and I am so swept up and enchanted I couldn't wait to incorporate the wizarding world into my perfume world! I have spent endless hours daydreaming, researching, and learning so many hidden gems about Hogwarts and the Houses that I can't wait to share the fun with you. And what better time than the holidays to immerse yourself in magic? Thank you Potter friends for joining in the fun and please don't hesitate to leave me a comment, suggestion, and most definitely let me know what house you proudly belong to!
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Based on tradition, craft, and artistry, each House has been carefully matched with Sweet Anthem fragrances.
Haven't been sorted yet? Here are a couple of our favorite sorting sites...
And for a deeper dive into the magical perfume notes and their history click here.
Fantasy notes mixed with earthy florals are the best bet for introverted dreamers. Quirky, willful, and scholarly, your perfume matches your cleverness and creativity. Click here to find out your house perfumes.
*Perfumes mentioned may be seasonal and no longer available. Please email us at hello@sweetanthem.com if you have any inquiries or requests. Thank you!*
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TRUST - Lavender
Why | Recommended Fragrance |
Lavender is known for its relaxing and calming properties, but did you know it also promotes trust? Thanks to Frontiers in Psychology's article, A question of scent: lavender aroma promotes interpersonal trust, you can turn to lavender in times when you need a little extra boost building those interpersonal bridges. | 2020 Hope, our go-to for a lavender scent wrapped in a vanilla and yuzu embrace! Phoebe is also an excellent front-runner for a lavender fix. |
HAPPINESS - Florals
Why | Recommended Fragrance |
It looks like the scent for happy is floral according to two researchers at Rutgers University. "The floral odors can make you happy and promote social interaction", says Haviland-Jones in the article for LiveScience. Anything that will bring a smile to our faces and a little extra pep in our step is well worth it! |
ENERGY - Citrus
Why | Recommended Fragrance |
Skip the coffee and reach for your citrus scented fragrance to give you that mid-afternoon boost! Countless studies have delved into the wonder of citrus and its invigorating properties. I highly recommend keeping a Solid Perfume in your desk drawer, pocket, or purse for that easy to reach recharge. ;)
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Emily & Peter are both zesty choices! (psst. did you know that Emily also has notes of coffee and mocha along with the citrus notes of yuzu? It really could be the perfect boost!) |
*Perfumes mentioned may be seasonal and no longer available. Please email us at hello@sweetanthem.com if you have any inquiries or requests. Thank you!*