take me home

Ahh, the sweet scent of pikake.  Its heavenly smell takes me home sometimes, right back to Hilo and all of the memories that are as sweet as the scent itself.  Since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to wear a pikake wedding lei.  In 2010, when I got married, I opted for a rope pikake lei by Ainahua Florals.  It felt like a dream, walking down that aisle and the many deep breaths I took that day were all blessed with the scent of pikake.

Photo by James Rubio Photography

In my wedding suite, a Pacifica Waikiki Pikake candle burned on the sidelines and was witness to all of the laughs and stories we bridesmaids shared as we got ready.  Me and pikake, we formed a bond that day.

Since then, my indulgence has been Malie Organics pikake line of products.  Although not every day, I sometimes partake in some pikake love on days that I need that extra boost to cure a bout of homesickness.

Today is an exciting day, because I added my newest pikake find to my arsenal of pick-me-uppers.  Introducing… drum roll… Kauai-girl, Leilani Bishop‘s pikake fragrance oil.   This is a single note oil and alcohol free.  What this means this is as close to wearing a lei as you’re gonna get and the fragrance will last longer than a perfume.

Oil is packaged in this beautiful recyclable packaging.

The 10 ml of goodness swims in a gorgeous, gold capped vial that is inspired by a jewel-like antique vase.

Leilani Bishop Pikake Fragrance Oil, $62

The Daily Candy describes this scent as, “light, uncomplicated, and smells like being bathed in sunshine while eating a guava in Hawaii.”  Perhaps the scents of Hawaii bring back memories of chowing down on a guava, or they may evoke more sentimental memories.   Whatever the case, wearing a scent or filling your home with the smells of Hawaii is a way to take a little piece of paradise with you, wherever you go.  I’m looking forward to wearing some pikake, close to my heart, on days when I long to be closer to home… and all I’ll have to do is breathe in.