Finding a scented candle that works well during the hot summer months can be a bit of a challenge. Even if the fragrance is delightful, just the act of striking a match to create a spark can be utterly unappealing on those days when the sun is beating down relentlessly and you can fry an egg on the pavement outside. Diffusers are perfect for the summer season, while candles — in my house at least — tend to be set away for rainier days or the coming autumn.

Sometimes, though, one comes across a good deal, and one feels almost compelled to pick up a candle (or, ahem, two) at a bargain price. Such was the case for me with my most recent candle purchase, the Shanghai candle by Tocca. Even though I knew the summer months were here, I was intrigued by the description:

China’s peony flower seduces the soul with a subtle sweetness and exotic beauty. Inspired by the vitality and pulse of one of the world’s great cities, Shanghai intoxicates with an indulgent, glamorous fragrance…

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