The Joy of Hosting - Why It’s Worth It (Even When It’s Not Perfect)
If you’ve ever said, “I want to host more, but it feels like too much work,” you’re not alone.
As an interior designer and candle creator, I hear this all the time. People love the idea of hosting—inviting friends over, lighting candles, setting a beautiful table—but when it comes time to plan, the overwhelm creeps in.
Between cooking, cleaning, and worrying whether guests will feel comfortable, it can start to feel like more stress than joy.
But here’s the secret I’ve discovered: hosting doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be personal.
The Soirée That Started It All
Sabine with Premier Sponsors MAG Development, Inc.
photo: Dat Designs
photo: Dat Designs
Photo: Dat Designs
Photo: Dat Designs
Recently, I hosted the 10th Anniversary Soirée for Georgette Marise Interiors, and it reminded me of everything I love about bringing people together. The evening was filled with laughter, warmth, and connection. Guests mingled, shared stories, and enjoyed delicious bites surrounded by candlelight.
Was every detail flawless? Of course not. But when I looked around the room, what I saw were smiles. That moment reaffirmed something I deeply believe—hosting is not about performing; it’s about creating a space where people can relax and feel seen.
From That Experience Came: The Joy of Hosting
That soirée inspired me to write my newest eBook, The Joy of Hosting, which releases this Wednesday!
It’s a 20-page guide filled with practical, inspiring tips to help you host confidently—whether it’s a Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving dinner, or a casual Sunday supper.
Get your copy of my latest eBook The Joy of Hosting: Designing Dinner Parties that Delight
Inside, you’ll find:
✅ A step-by-step plan for how to host a dinner party without stress
✅ Easy ways to make guests feel instantly at home
✅ Table styling and ambiance tips for any occasion
✅ My personal checklist for hosting success
If you’ve been searching for holiday hosting tips or entertaining ideas for Thanksgiving, this eBook is for you. It’s designed to help you rediscover the joy of gathering, minus the overwhelm.
Visit the Soirée Exhibit
I’m thrilled to share that our 4 designed vignettes are still featured at the Philly Photo Spot Selfie Museum, open to the public until Thanksgiving!
It’s a visual celebration of the joy, connection, and design inspiration that come from opening your doors to others.
Mood Board concept of one of our exclusive vignettes.
from concept to reality designed by Georgette Marise Interiors
Introducing Maison Fraîche: A Candle Made for Hosts
As you prepare to welcome guests into your home this season, set the mood with my newest scent in The Belfong Candle Collection — Maison Fraîche.
Enjoy our newest luxury scent Maison Fraîche
It’s a luxurious blend of santal and coconut, inspired by that feeling of a fresh coastal breeze drifting through a beautifully styled room. The scent is calming, clean, and elegant - perfect for creating a warm atmosphere your guests will remember.
Shop Maison Fraîche Candle and Maison Fraîche Reed Diffuser
Explore The Belfong Candle Collection
Lighting a candle before guests arrive is one of my favorite home decor and hosting tips, it sets the tone for the evening instantly.
Hosting Is About Connection
When I think back to the soirée, what stands out isn’t the décor or the playlist however, it’s the laughter, the conversations, and the warmth in the room.
That’s what I want for you this season. Hosting isn’t about perfection…it’s about presence.
So whether you’re planning a festive Friendsgiving, a cozy winter dinner, or a just-because get-together, remember this:
Your guests won’t remember if everything matched.
They’ll remember how you made them feel.
Your Invitation
Download The Joy of Hosting this Wednesday.
Visit the Philly Photo Spot Selfie Museum exhibit before Thanksgiving.
Light a Maison Fraîche candle or enjoy the reed diffuser and rediscover the joy of bringing people together.
Because the best gatherings aren’t perfect - they’re joyful.
A Journey of Scent, Memory, and Legacy
As I sit here, surrounded by the warm glow of Luxe Noir and Élégant, I am transported back to the beginning of this journey. It began with a simple goal: to create scents that honor the memory of my late mother and grandmother. But as the process unfolded, it became so much more—a journey of scents that stir emotions, invoke memories, and connect people to places they thought they had forgotten.
I spent hours, days, weeks, and months, sampling essential oils, testing blends, and combining notes, all in search of the perfect fragrance to capture the essence of the two women who shaped me. The process was far more than just mixing oils and balancing notes; it was a deeply personal exploration of memory and scent.
Élégant: A Window into the Past
Élégant is, in many ways, a love letter to my grandmother Georgette. Whenever I light the candle or catch the scent of the room spray, I’m back in her Midtown Manhattan apartment. I can picture it now—her bathroom cabinet lined with delicate glass bottles, each holding a piece of her daily ritual. My grandmother was a woman who loved beautiful things, especially when it came to fragrance, from classic Elizabeth Arden perfumes to Lancôme products. One bottle that always caught my eye was her Jean Naté After Bath Splash. Its notes of bergamot, lavender, musk, lemon, and jasmine filled the room with a refreshing elegance, something clean yet deeply comforting. That scent—the way it lingered in her space—has stayed with me through the years.
Creating Élégant was my way of bottling that memory: a scent that captures the freshness of bergamot and lemon, balanced by the gentle floral heart of jasmine and soft musk. It’s a scent that feels like coming home and evokes the same refined simplicity that defined my grandmother. She was always so put together, effortlessly chic but approachable and warm, and Élégant captures that balance. It’s the scent of quiet strength and elegance.
the Belfong Candle Collection. A Journey of Scent, Memory, and Legacy
Luxe Noir: A Tribute to Timeless Sophistication
Luxe Noir was inspired by a different side of my grandmother—a side of her that was sophisticated and graceful, yet had a kind, welcoming spirit. She moved through life with a sense of poise that I admired, an elegance that made an impact without needing to announce itself. Luxe Noir mirrors that spirit. It has a depth that draws you in, with earthy vetiver and musk, while the vanilla orchid adds a subtle sweetness, a nod to the kindness and approachability she always showed.
Creating this fragrance was about more than just mixing notes; it was about capturing the essence of my grandmother’s presence. Luxe Noir is a tribute to her confidence, her class, and the warmth she shared with everyone she met. It’s a scent that carries an air of mystery and depth, but it has a softness that makes it feel like a warm embrace.
A Scent Experience Beyond Just Smelling Good
What I hadn’t anticipated was how deeply these scents would resonate with others. I’ve watched clients tear up when they smell Élégant, one even telling me how it reminded them of their childhood and their father, who has since passed. Another was brought back to memories of family gatherings, times that felt warm and whole. Hearing these stories has been the most rewarding part of this journey. It confirmed what I’ve always believed: that scent is tied to emotion and memory in a way that few other senses are.
“...scent is more than a pleasant aroma; it’s a bridge to the past and a foundation for the memories we build now”
These candles, diffusers, and room sprays aren’t just products; they are portals to another time, places that are deeply personal yet universally felt. They remind us that scent is more than a pleasant aroma; it’s a bridge to the past and a foundation for the memories we build now.
Share Your Memory
I created The Belfong Candle Collection to be exclusive for a reason—each piece is crafted in small batches, making it as special and unique as the memories it evokes. I invite you to experience Luxe Noir and Élégant for yourself. What memories do they stir for you? What stories do they bring to life? I would love to hear your experience, so please share it and tag us @georgettemarise.
These scents are available only through Georgette Marise Interiors, and once they’re gone, they may not return for months. Don’t miss the chance to bring one of these exclusive pieces into your home and see where the scent takes you. Pre-order your scents HERE and join us on November 16th, 2024 as we celebrate the launch of our diffusers and room sprays! RSVP >>>Click here.
The Importance of Adding Scent to Your Home
When it comes to designing a home, we often focus on the visual elements – the colors, the furniture, the layout. But one aspect that is often overlooked yet incredibly powerful is the sense of smell. Scent has the unique ability to evoke memories, create atmosphere, and tell a story. As an interior designer and a candle lover, I’ve always believed that a well-designed room engages all five senses. Here’s why adding scent to your home is so important and how it can transform your living space.
“Scent has the unique ability to evoke memories, create an atmosphere, and tell a story.”
Our scent experience during our Candle Launch Party
Scent: The Unseen Storyteller
For me, scent is more than just a fragrance; it’s a part of a home’s story. Growing up, the smell of flowers, spices, and herbs filled our house, creating a sense of warmth and belonging. These scents became a part of my daily life, tying together moments and memories that defined our home.
As I began my journey as an interior designer, I realized how deeply scents could impact our perception of a space. A well-chosen scent can instantly transport you to another place or time, invoking nostalgia, comfort, and happiness. For instance, a candle's fresh, citrusy aroma might remind you of a relaxing vacation by the beach, while a soothing lavender scent can bring a sense of calm and clarity after a long day.
customer experiencing our luxe noir candle
Creating a Unique Home Experience
Incorporating scent into your home design is about more than just choosing a pleasant fragrance; it’s about curating an experience that resonates with you and your family. Here are a few tips on how to do this:
Choose Scents with Personal Significance: Consider the scents that bring you joy and comfort. Maybe it’s the smell of fresh pine that reminds you of childhood holidays, or the aroma of jasmine that evokes summer evenings.
Use Scent to Enhance Your Mood: Different scents can influence your mood and energy levels. For relaxation and a sense of grounding, opt for lavender, chamomile, or sandalwood. For a burst of energy, try citrus or peppermint. For an increase sense of positivity try jasmine. To help with a sense of focus or clarity try peppermint.
Layer Scents Throughout Your Home: Don’t limit yourself to just one fragrance. Different rooms can have different scents that complement their purpose – a calming scent in the bedroom, a refreshing aroma in the kitchen, and an inviting fragrance in the living room.
Introducing The Belfong Candle Collection
With this philosophy in mind, I’m thrilled to introduce The Belfong Candle Collection. This limited edition line of luxury candles has been crafted to enhance your home’s story with scents that evoke relaxation, clarity, and nostalgia. Each candle is designed to be a piece of the puzzle that makes your home uniquely yours.
Luxe noir scented candle
The Belfong Candle Collection is now available for sale exclusively through Georgette Marise Interiors. Our official launch party at Expect Lace on June 27th was a huge success. Your overwhelming support has truly warmed my heart.
Now, here's the exciting (and slightly urgent) news: I only have 10 candles left for sale! Once these are sold out, you’ll have to wait for another three months before I release more. These limited edition candles, with their luxurious scent notes of bergamot and matcha or vetiver and vanilla, are designed to elevate your mood and transform your space.
So, if you haven't secured your Belfong Candle yet, now is the time! I don’t want you to miss out on this chance to bring a touch of elegance and tranquility into your home.
Our candles Élégant and Luxe Noir candle
Your home should be a sanctuary that reflects your essence, and scent is a vital part of that experience. Let The Belfong Candle Collection help you create a space that is not only beautiful to look at but also a delight to your senses. Head over to The Belfong Candle Collection to place your order before they’re all gone. Trust me, you don’t want to wait three months to experience the magic of The Belfong Candle Collection.
Light up your home with a story that’s uniquely yours.
