I am obsessed with candles, but I typically only get them from Bath and Body Works because of my allergies. Since I've become a connoisseur of sorts (my family and friends joke that there's never not one burning in our home), here are the things I look for, how to have them burn evenly, and what to avoid.

Favorite scent to burn in the...

Kitchen: Fresh. It should smell clean and simple, but not ever take away from the smell of food being prepared.
Living Room: white, light florals (think: jasmine, gardenia, etc.).
Bedroom: Something a little sexy and androgynous (sandalwood, vetiver, musk)
Bathroom: Pretty and fruity so that it masks any bathroom smells, but makes it a lovely experience for someone in there.

Best fruity candle: Mango Coconut by White Barn. It's probably the candle I've purchased and burned through more than any other one.

Best holiday candle: So i'll be honest, I HATE the smell of pine. My go-to holiday candle is Marshmallow Fireside 

Why it's worth it to splurge on candles: You don't need to spend an arm and a leg on a candle, but it's fair to assume that anything under $15 just isn't going to be high quality. That means it won't have a nice, well-rounded fragrance (they typically end up being cloying and far too sweet) nor will it burn evenly. Instead of buying multiple cheap candles, I'd suggest saving up for one that's going to make you happy every time you burn it.

Tip: Bath and Body Works always have 50% off deals, sign up for their emails!

Favorite time to burn candles: There's something very ritualistic about coming home after a long day, putting on music and lighting a candle. It adds such a calming ambiance and enough can't be said about the importance of the flattering light it provides. But that being said, I've never been one to save candles just for the evening. On a Saturday morning at home, when the sun's filtering in and the windows are open, it feels indulgent to burn a lightly scented candle to make the entire house smell nice.

How to properly put out a candle: Blowing out a candle is quick and effective—and the most obvious way to extinguish a flame—but it's not the best. You've probably noticed that as soon as you blow out a candle, the smoke it gives off replaces whatever pleasant smell the candle had. Instead, I use a candle snuffer—a small metal cone—that suffocates the flame and puts it out while keeping the nice scent in the air, with minimal smoke.