We had a great time celebrating Mother's Day here at The Candle Bar! This was our first time making…read moreour own candles and we couldn't have asked for a batter instructor. We came in late (due to the limited parking) so I missed the name of our instructor but she was friendly and knowledgeable. I believe it's about $55-60 per person and each person gets to make two 7oz candles. Personalized touches Include: scent choice and naming the candle. The scents here are great! It was fun exploring all the different notes and profiles. The class is about an hour and everything is provided. As a "student" you get to melt down your wax, smell/ pick your scents, mix scents, pour wax, mix the candle, add your wick, and label your candle. The process is really fast. The longest part is waiting for your candle to cool down/ dry. We were given an estimate between 3.5-4 hours. So plan your day around the area or come in the following day for pick up. Overall, we had a great time and I would recommend this to anyone who is interested. Perfect for solo date, girls night, date night, etc.

Cute little activity for you and the gals!…read more You get to make 2 candles for 55+tax. Thankfully the steps were simple, so it wasn't hard to follow. Most of the struggle was picking the scents. You get a max of 3, and a little shot sized cup to pour your oils into. There's a coffee shop up front and several nice clothes/ceramics/other items for sale.

This is one of the cutest shops in Houston. From blind boxes to candles to stickers, they sell the…read moremost unique items that I rarely see elsewhere. Also, it's woman-owned! They sell their baggu items at retail price, so I grabbed a laptop sleeve that I've been eyeing for a while. Turns out the design I bought was sold out on the official baggu website, so I'm very happy with my purchase. The store was a bit on the pricier side, but it's also just a fun experience to look around. The worker that I talked to was super nice, attentive, and helpful!

Love this shop! I found it by chance after grabbing a latte at Un Caffe. You can place your drink…read moreand food at the waiting table in the front area while you shop around. The blind box wall definitely got my attention! Picked up some Smoko blinds but they had a great variety including Sanrio and Pokemon. I love the variety of merch here and super unique too! It is now my new go to for gift shopping. The only downside is the difficulty parking but worth visiting! The staff is super kind and welcoming.

The owner is amazing the store is clean and very organized. I went looking for the famous…read moretravelers leather cover and I found it. It's sold out everywhere. Xoxo! Thank you !

I've seen Genara on TikTok a few times now so knew I needed to swing by. Located in the heights,…read morethis is a super well-curated gift shop with many high quality goods. Pricing is reflective of that, but they do have some options to fit your budget no matter what it may be. Very homegoods/ scent focused. If you're looking for incense & accessories, candles, or a new perfume this would be a great shop to come to! They also have a small selection of stationary, notebooks, etc. Would recommend checking it out if you're like me and just hadn't made the time for a trip over. Compared to some other local gift shops, I felt like the selection beyond candles or incense could've been a little broader, but regardless a beautiful store with kind, warm employees :)

There was a diffuser making event at the Briscoe River Oaks. The reviews I see online are…read moreoutstanding, so hopefully this was just a fluke. Literally there was one employee to run this entire event from Black Phlox. We were not greeted at all. The AT&T vendor was also present did and that person went and got us the little form that you're supposed to fill out while you're making your diffuser. There were times slots you had to sign up for. This was not regulated or enforced if you will. People took our spots and mind you our slot was 630 so you know we could've gone to dinner or done something else. I just feel the whole thing was a waste of my time. We ended up leaving because literally there was no greeting, no interaction, no direction and no spot available despite our reservations big disappointment. :( Sorry about the blurry picture, but there was literally nothing to take pictures of.

Dr. Rica, Missy, and Tasha are a dynamic trio for an immersive perfume-making experience. This was…read moremy second time visiting Black Phlox, where I learned that "phlox" is a type of flower, and I'm so glad I returned. The level of attention, detail, and guidance throughout the two-hour session is truly unmatched. My table included six women celebrating a "Spring Into Friendship" social event. Together, we were able to try 72 different scents across top, middle, and base notes to create something unique and complementary to our natural body chemistry. I loved the clear instructions, the pacing of the session, and the R&B playlist that felt like a sweet throwback to my aunt's playlist she used to blast on her living room stereo set in the '90s. One of the things I love about Black Phlox is that every visit is guaranteed to feel new. Each table is given a different curated set of scents to work from, so no two experiences are exactly alike. Dr. Rica even pulled out a few special "vault" scents during our session that included deeper, more intense fragrances that are used sparingly, but added richness and character to the final blends. The interaction with Missy, Tasha, and Dr. Rica made the experience feel intimate and fun, like I was hanging out with my cool, older cousins. Not once did I feel rushed. Even when I had a little hiccup while pouring my scent into the bottle, Tasha and Missy jumped in to help me correct it so I could leave completely satisfied with what I'd created. The pricing was more than fair. You have the option to upsize your bottle, and they even offer 50% off if you return and remake the same scent, which is something I've never seen offered in other custom scent classes. The value, the experience, and the meaningful interaction make this a go-to recommendation for me. The icing on the cake is that you get to bring your own bottle of wine and/or alcohol for just a $2 cork fee. They provide cups and ice, and the space is filled with good conversation, plenty of cackles lol, and community energy you won't find anywhere else. After our session ended, we spent at least another hour laughing, taking pictures, and finishing our prosecco. Not once did we feel hurried or unwelcome. That kind of hospitality is rare and speaks volumes. I also learned that Black Phlox offers interactive perfume and cologne-making stations for events like weddings. We had two brides-to-be in our group, and they were thoughtfully gifted in-house made candle wax melts along with their custom perfume purchases, which was a beautiful and personal touch that made the night even more special. It's a beautiful space built by even more beautiful women, and I love hearing their stories and seeing how they've turned inspiration into a thriving business. I'm proud to support Black Phlox and will keep returning again and again.

My friend saw PaddyWax on Tiktok and wanted to go! We booked online which was an easy process and…read moreeven was able to use a Discount Code! The class is self-guided. You are given written instruction you read through step by step. The scents are already mixed, you just chose the one you want your candle to smell like. Overall, fun experience but I wasn't expecting it to be so short. I wish you could create your own scents. I wouldn't return for that reason but happy for the experience.

Tried this place out for their initial opening and had a blast! I will absolutely be going back. My…read morefriend and I had the best time and can't wait to pick up our candles (three hours after pour is what they recommend) and give them a try at home. They have a very laid out, step-by-step process that makes everything a breeze. Each set up has a little flip book of instructions as you go along, and you get different parameters depending on the vessel you chose. Surprisingly easy and quite fun. They also said they will do a $10 refill of your fragrance when you use it up. Such a fun idea!

I love this locally owned and operated gem off 19th. I have been shopping here for years and it is…read morethe perfect spot for finding unique and seasonal gifts. They have a robust baby selection surprisingly and wonderful cards and books. Love the owner and cannot recommend them enough!

Had a memorable and great time in this shop. I am from South Florida and was spending some time in…read moreHouston. There were several shops in the vicinity but this one stood out. I've never been to a place where I wanted at least one of everything. The best part was how nicely wrapped each item was as part of the service when checking out. The store clerk took great care to show the value. The gentleman running the shop was a pleasure. I truly enjoyed the experience. Even gave a chocolate Hersheys kiss in a small bag along with the stores business card. This is customer service at its finest. I would want my operation running as nicely as this beautiful shop. Truly unique items with a variety of sections. Great for gifts.....and splurging on some self items. I saved the receipt purposely to write a review. It took me some time as I visited in September but have thought of the place over a dozen times since visiting. I do not write reviews often but this place deserves a hands down praise. The cashiers name on the receipt is Sysadmin so I am not sure how to thank the amazing clerk. 9/24/24 11:59 AM. I wish they had a shop like this near me. Pleased to see that I can order online! I will never forget this place, forever burned in my memory. If I am ever back in Houston, I will be back at Bliss on 19th! J. Chapter

Such a cute spot to check out! If you're in need of unique trinkets for your space, definitely…read morecheck this place out. While it is a smoke shop, they have so many things there that could fit in anyone's home!!! My friend actually found a crazy cat lady magnet which apparently had been sitting there for a while according to the cashier but it was super cute (I wish I got a picture haha). Definitely somewhere to go if you wanna waste alittle time looking at cool stuff!

From top to bottom, rows full of stuff you can buy, prices vary but for the most part prices are…read moregood. Great variety of bongs and dab rigs. Service is great.

We often shop here for the holidays. It's fun to browse the aisles and you can find something for…read moreeveryone! Parking: They have a massive parking lot around the main building, as well as parking around the other buildings as well (since the shop covers several buildings and a pretty big area). They also have valet. Selection: Being such a large store, there's a ton of selection. You can spend HOURS shopping here. I rarely make it past the main building since the other parts have mostly furniture, linens, dishware, and such, but one day I do plan to explore all of them! The selection in the main building includes menswear, womenswear, kids, travel, stationary, games, makeup, kitchen appliances, books, pets, and holiday items. When you first enter, the displays there revolve depending on the season. Though a huge selection is great for finding a lot of things, it can also be overwhelming. I also find that they sometimes only have one of an item I'm buying or run out of items. Prices: The prices here are high, but what you would expect for the brands they carry. Service: The service can be hit-or-miss. In my experience you are rarely greeted or checked in on while shopping, which isn't a bad thing (as someone who likes to be left alone while contemplating my purchases I'm all for this!). However it does become an issue when you need help with something. There are also small service related moments that, while not horrible, can be frustrating. Most noteworthy is when you're trying to check out, the lines are more of a mob of people since the way to line up isn't clear (especially at the main central checkout). So you may get skipped or cut and the cashiers don't really handle this. Another issue for me recently was that I opted to get some Christmas gifts gift wrapped in store when the cashier let me know that was an option. Several things went wrong when I tried to pick them up though - First there was again no clear line and I accidentally skipped a lady that was waiting for a while. Then they could not find my items - a quick stop in to pick them up turned quite long because of this. Finally, they were wrapped (though quite well) in plain paper and Kuhl-Linscomb branding. While the branding was fine, the reason I opted for this option was for holiday paper (they were toys for a 2 year old for Christmas). This should have been made clear at the start, because I didn't have time to re-wrap them afterwards. Ultimately it wasn't a big deal, but frustrating to lose so much time to something that I won't be choosing to do again. Overall though I definitely recommend coming here and shopping around!

Well, where do I even begin? Today I stopped by Kuhl after leaving Target, and what should have…read morebeen a simple, pleasant visit turned into an egregiously disconcerting experience. Upon entering, I noticed a short Caucasian man near the Alabama Street entrance. At first, he looked like a regular shopper, but I quickly recognized him as the owner from previous store publications. What unsettled me immediately was seeing him peering into my Target bag, as if trying to assess what I had purchased. Perhaps he didn't realize I was watching him while he was watching me. As I walked through the store, the sense of being surveilled intensified. Every time I turned around, the owner was directly behind me. I also observed him on the phone, and shortly after, a man in a yellow shirt and khaki pants began following me as well. When I moved, he moved. When I paused, he pretended to rearrange items on the shelf. The behavior was blatantly obvious and deeply uncomfortable. To ensure I wasn't imagining things, I intentionally changed directions yet both men continued mirroring my movements. When I finally confronted one of them and asked, "Sir, are you following me?" he nervously replied, "No, no, no," even though the truth was painfully clear. This message is directed to the owner: Racial profiling your customers is unacceptable, demeaning, and profoundly unprofessional. I have patronized this store many times, and to be treated this way is not only insulting it is disappointing beyond words. PS: People of color spend money too.

The service was great. I was welcomed in as I walked through the door. They had so many variety of…read moresmells to choose from.

Loved my first visit to Simply Scents. Staff greeted me as soon as I entered, offered up great…read moresuggestions on what I should pick up. Great variety of product. Store is well organized with a great vibe. I love the "Sock it to me" & "Vanilla Bourbon" scents.

Miss it! Great for Perfume .. jewelry purses .. awesome staff. .. closed down over 15 years ago but…read morecan find them now just on line at notjustPerfume.com Owners Sylvia Aptekar's family has site.