It's Christmas! In between opening presents and eating way too much food, we wanted to take some time to update you on a special cause we've been working on all year!

In March, Cyclone Idai hit the coast of Southern Africa, affecting over 3 million people across Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Mozambique was the worst affected country, with the city of Beira almost completely submerged by water and over 60,000 people left displaced. We decided to help play a small part in the recovery effort by donating £1 from every Maputo candle sold in 2019 the Oxfam Cyclone Appeal. At the time I didn't realize Maputo would go on to be our best selling scent of 2019 but I'm happy to say we've tallied up the numbers and we've been able to raise £142!

We've just made the donation and I want to say a big thank you to everyone who helped make it happen. If you have any causes close to your heart or know of any organizations in need of help in 2020, please get in touch. We're keen to do something similar in the new year.

Merry Christmas everyone.

-Lola

Since the summer, Young Mary's become a one woman show with with Sam away on tour in Afghanistan. He just confirmed this week that he'll be back home over Christmas and I couldn't be happier! Needless to say, this means we'll be going on a short hiatus over the holidays before he ships back out again. A lot of military families don't get such good news so I consider myself very lucky :)

Although it's hard to pinpoint exactly how old Young Mary's is (established in 2017 but didn't sell our first candle till 2018) on this day one year ago, I sat my family down after thanksgiving dinner and made them sit through a PowerPoint presentation about a new idea I had been working on. A year later and that idea has become something real and tangible with these little jars and tins popping up in places I would never have expected (just shipped off a candle to South Korea earlier this week).

Needless to say, we wouldn't be here without those of you who happen to be reading this so from the very bottom of my heart I say thank you, truly, for being part of the Young Mary's family.

Here's a look back on this past year, there's no doubt in my mind that my grandma Mary is looking down at all of us and giggling at how far we've come.

Well, we’re officially in the holiday season and it seems all the late nights and 2am candle making sessions may finally be starting to pay off?

But before we get there, November’s going to be exciting...

Not only are we turning one, but we’ve teamed up with Ishq UK and you can now find our candles on the high streets of Notting Hill! (Eek)

We’ll be featured throughout November and December at B Collect Lifestyle W11 2RH. Its a bit crazy to think that time last year I was putting together a PowerPoint presentation to show my family after thanksgiving dinner. A year on and these candles have made their way to an actual store in London. Woot! Woot!

The next step is actually to sell some candles so if you’re in London, stop by to show some small business love.

As if that wasn’t enough, I’m really happy to announce that we’ll also be featured in the City Inspired Subscription Box.

City Inspired is a subscription box service that aims to bring London's Black creatives to your door. It’s a new idea that’s the brainchild of Baindu Kallon, a fellow American who’s now calling the UK home. She’s been working on this for months so I’m really happy all the hard work’s finally coming to fruition. And more importantly I’m proud to be able to play a part in this amazing concept. The launch party is next Friday so if you’re reading this, you’re invited.

We still have a few of our original paneled jars in stock on our Etsy page. The discount code ‘YM321’ gets you 15% off any purchase the next two weeks. EVEN ON SALE ITEMS :)

That's all for now! Till next time xx

-Lola

There's a new addition to the Young Mary's family!  Introducing our new wax melts (or wax tarts or candle tarts...or whatever else you call these things!) They're easy to use, especially for those with small kids/pets who are weary about candles with open flames. Each clamshell comes with 6 breakaway tarts made with 100% soy wax and they're compatible in both electric wax warmers and tea light warmers.

One square is strong enough to scent a large room so head over to Etsy to order :)

After spending the past few weeks toiling away in the kitchen, I'm happy to announce we've finally found our apothecary containers in the UK! I absolutely loved using these candle jars while I was back in the States and was disappointed I couldn't get my hands on them sooner, but as they say - better late than never! 

We'll be introducing the new jars slowly throughout the markets we have planned for the rest of the year. You can get your hands on them now though, if you head to our Etsy page. Just leave a note requesting the new jars for any candle you order. You can get 20% off for the next two weeks with the code "CANDLELOVER".