About

Hi, I'm Leah, and l'm the dreamer and creater behind Pretty Palaces.

Ever since I was little I've loved being creative and self-sustaining. I've baked and decorated cakes, painted (definitely not my forte), made soap from scratch, and recently I've been attempting gardening. I've tried my hand at a lot of different types of creativity so I'm surprised that it took me as long as it did to get into candles. I'm so glad I finally did because it has been quite the learning experience.

I spent a few weeks watching videos and researching what I'd need and what it involved and then I placed my first order for supplies. Those boxes of wax, and fragrance oils came in and I headed down the rabbit hole of candle making.

It started with opening a bottle of fragrance oil and getting hit with an almost instant headache. Now I know about phthalates and how they can be detrimental to our bodies. Now I know why a lot of candles gave me headaches!

My next lesson was the wax. I knew I wanted to use something more natural so plant based wax became my thing. It wasn't until I was asked where the wax comes from that things got serious for me. Of course it comes from plants but where exactly are the plants grown? What are the impacts of farming those plants?

One quick little google search and I was disappointed in the products I had chosen to create with. I try in my everyday life to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle and I don't want to play any part in deforestation and the impact that comes along with it. Apparently the wax I had been using was one of the top non eco-friendly options on the market.

I ended up on a mission to create something that I could be comfortable using in my own space and also be proud to share with you. I know I'll never be done learning. I'm sure there will be a ton more "Oops!" and "Aha" moments in my creating adventures but I'm willing to take it all in and better myself and my business with that knowledge.

I want anyone who purchases a Pretty Palaces product to know there is a real person behind each aspect of your experience with us. I am doing my best to consider the impacts my decisions make. Starting with the products we use in manufacturing, to the label and box your products arrive in at your door.

I am on a journey of learning and making the changes to be more healthy and sustainable in my personal life and my goal is to continue that endeavor throughout my business.