5 Minutes with Cat Sanders - Owner & Creative Director of Grace and James
Cat is a passionate pursuer of beauty and sits in the drivers seat of Grace and James Candles. A creative visionary with an amazing sense of style, she is often found with her gorgeous children, and being inspired by travelling the world!
Follow Cat on Instagram @catsanders_
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BURNING THE GRACE AND JAMES CANDLE FOR?
Nearly 7 years now! When I met Emma (original founder of Grace and James) she gave me a Moroccan Mango and Honey (now known as Casablanca) to try, and I never looked back. I quickly wanted to get my hands on all of the flavours, and I can honestly say they were all amazing and I just wanted one in every room of our house!
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE FRAGRANCE? WHY?
Casablanca is my favourite!
I think because it was the first one I ever burned! But the boldness of the aroma that wafts through my house when it’s burning, ohhh man,I want my house to smell like this every minute of every day!
MANY HOURS ARE BEEN POURED INTO EACH COLLECTION, WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE PROCESS?
My favourite part is designing new packaging. I have a background in advertising, so being able to create fun designs and explore ideas around each candle scent is a dream for me! I also enjoy the scent development process. Deciding what each candle would smell like was so fun! It was a lengthy process, but the final product is exactly what we want, and every new scent we release is amazing!
DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT MORNING.
My perfect morning is something I don’t get very often.
I have 3 children, (I love them so much), but when I wake up in the house with no one there (my husband has taken them out for a walk or something!) and I can shower not worrying about the girls getting up to mischief, I can make a coffee and drink it ALL before it goes cold, and sit down and watch the numerous TV shows I have recorded. Blinds shut. Grace and James candle burning. BLISS!
FAVOURITE BINGE WATCH?
Housewives of New York!
TV SHOW YOU JUST CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF?
Offspring! I’m always left wanting more!
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN THE WHOLE WORLD? WHY?
Venice, California. The palms, shopping (Abbot Kinney Blvd), restaurants (Gjelina is my fav, and Butchers Daughter is my go to for coffee), sunshine, the relaxed vibe going on, the beautiful Venice canals to stroll through and the cute bars to hang out at for a cocktail (Rose Café is my favourite). I just love LA in general! I can never get enough of it!
BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE?
It’s a tie. Marrying the love of my life (Travis Sanders, Founder and Director of our group of businesses - Vine & Paddock Group) 7 years ago was the most beautiful day. We are both really relaxed and chilled out, so we decided to say our vows in a cathedral of trees, on a fire track, in the forest. We sent 20 of our closest family and friends a pin drop where we would be saying I do, and had the most intimate and emotional ceremony. We then had a big party later that day in a warehouse back in the city. It was absolutely perfect.
And the birth of my first baby, Hazel, was another best day of life. I love being her mum, and I love being able to take her on the journey of life. I am obsessed with her!
FAVE PLACE TO SHOP?
Soho NYC. There is such a mix of bigger chain stores (Zara, Bloomingdales, Free People, & Other Stories, Zimmermann) and also cute little designer boutiques that you will only find in NYC. It’s my absolute favourite.
FOOD WISE – WHAT’S YOUR GULITY PLEASURE THAT YOU JUST CAN’T SAY NO TO?
French Fries! I could eat them everyday….
IF YOU COULD ONLY LISTEN TO 3 ARTISTS FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE WHO WOULD THEY BE?
Anything John Mayer. He has been one of my favourite artists for a really long time. He even said he loved me at one of his concerts!
Anything Brooke Fraser. I love all of her music. I can listen to her on repeat for weeks at a time. And Matt Corby. I walked down the aisle to ‘Resolution’. That track brings me to tears every time I hear it!