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Spring Collection: Behind the Scenes at Illuminate Apothecary

Writer's picture: JonathanJonathan

I need your participation in this blog post! There’s a question I need you to answer below.


Spring is here, bringing the promise of new beginnings, fresh scents, and a story that delves into themes of resilience and growth. I’m so excited to give you a behind-the-scenes look at the inspiration, process, and personal touches behind this season’s collection and accompanying book. Plus, I have a fun question at the end, so stick around!


What inspired this collection?


Spring is the perfect time to embrace new beginnings—letting go of things that no longer serve us and creating space for new and better habits. It’s like a “spring cleaning” for your life. I wanted the collection to reflect that feeling of renewal with scents that remind you of opening windows, fresh air, and, of course, some beautiful florals.


Do you have a favorite scent in the Spring Collection?


Golden Hour has my heart this season. It’s inspired by the scent Beautiful Day, and it truly is just that—a beautiful, fresh, and stunning scent. It evokes the same reaction I had when I first experienced Alluring Amber and Vanilla Cedar. I’m incredibly excited for everyone to try it. A close second has to be Black Lavender, which is bold and soothing at the same time.


How do you balance creating scents and writing the book?


It’s definitely a long process, but one I’ve come to love. I work a season ahead—once everything is finalized for one collection, I start mapping out the next book, selecting scents, and planning the overall theme. It’s a dance between creating and storytelling, and I’ve learned how to pace myself to avoid burnout.


What can readers expect from the Spring Book?


Expect some emotional moments, surprising twists that make you pause, and moments that bring a smile to your face. This is a story about resilience, inspired by my own experiences this past year—losing my beloved cat, stepping away from antidepressants, and navigating life’s challenges. While the story doesn’t directly mirror my life, it reflects the universal idea of overcoming your lowest moments and finding the strength to create something better. That’s the heart of this story: to keep going, no matter what.


Can you share a moment from your personal life that inspired a scene or character in the book?


Several characters have storylines that pull directly from my own experiences. Owen, for example, is ambitious yet cautious. He aspires to start his own business but hesitates, wondering if he can truly rely on his own accomplishments to succeed. Four years ago, I felt that same hesitation while stuck in a job I hated, feeling like it wasn’t going anywhere.


Tayla’s storyline also reflects my own year—starting rough but finding resilience through it. Despite everything, I introduced an immersive experience with my books and found a way to keep moving forward.


How did you choose the title for your book, and what significance does it hold for you?


The working title was actually A New Beginning. However, late into the writing process, there was a moment, now early in the book, that encompassed a symbolic message between that scene and the title To the Moon. It clicked instantly, and I knew this had to be the title.


Were there any themes or messages you consciously set out to explore in this book?


After experiencing a challenging start to the new year, I knew many could relate to feeling defeated after a difficult period. I wanted to introduce a storyline that was relatable yet carried a realistic message. I aimed for readers to see themselves in these situations and consider how they would handle them personally.


What research did you conduct for this book, and did you uncover anything surprising or fascinating?


Whenever medical aspects arise, I need to do some research. Luckily, Patrick has a medical background, so I can consult him for accurate information. Morgan has a moment in the book where I needed to be careful with how I portrayed medical details. Beyond that, it involved meticulous planning, outlining each chapter to ensure the story flowed seamlessly. I enjoy watching television and observing moments within moments, not always presented linearly. In this book, we switch between characters, as in previous books, providing a constant sense of anticipation.


How do you approach world-building in your writing?


I’m not primarily a fantasy or science fiction writer, though I do enough a good series like the “Silo” trilogy written by Hugh Howey but I find that type of world-building challenging. Instead, I draw from realistic environments and adapt them. In this world, it’s meant to feel like New York City, yet it’s our own makeshift New Camden.


Exciting News!


I’m thrilled to share that we’ve matched the same number of Spring Bundle sales on launch day as we did this past winter! While our Winter Bundles sold out prior to the official launch day, we still have time to match those sales. Can we do it? For those who haven’t purchased their bundles yet, we only have 3 large bundles and 4 small ones left. I’d love to sell those out! Click here to: SHOP NOW.


New Feature: Badges


I’ve added “Badges” to your profiles on my website. These are fun collectibles that you earn from purchasing a specific book, gifting forward, or being a bundle collector. It’s just a fun way to display your incredible support for me.

Check out the badges in your profile now.


I Need Your Feedback!

When you think of being a child, what scents stand out as being nostalgic? Is it the smell of fresh-cut grass, new books, or chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven? Give me some ideas! And if you want, include how many badges you've collected so far!

Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support means the world to me, and I can’t wait for you to experience the Spring Collection. Here’s to new beginnings and the scents that make them unforgettable!

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32 Comments


Sarah A.
Sarah A.
Feb 02

The most nostalgic scents to me are the ones tied to my favorite memories. Baking pies/cookies with my grandma, smelling the little “fancy” soaps in my grandparent’s bathroom, the body sprays that my friends and I would share during sleepovers, my dad’s shaving cream, sneaking into the peach orchard down the road and tasting them. I feel so lucky to be able to have so many happy memories that are tied to scents!

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Jonathan
Jonathan
7 days ago
Replying to

I love that scents hold so much meaning to our memories and emotions. Whenever you get a hint of that scent out and about, it’s a beautiful remind of that memory or loved one. 🫶🏻

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Meagan Zigrye
Jan 25

The smell of fresh lillies always made me feel better or rested.

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Jonathan
Jonathan
Jan 25
Replying to

Lillies and Lilacs seem to be great suggestions!

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Hmm... love the smell of a campfire, freshly baked apple pie, smell of grass or lavender.


2 badges so far. =)

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Replying to

I was a new patron as of the Winter Collection so I'm not aware of the Fall collection scents. I look forward to trying out Black Lavender when it's launched. =)

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I can't wait to see what people think of these candles. I know everyone will love them. I'm patiently impatiently waiting for the wax melts versions. I love the constent aroma the wax melts give.

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Jonathan
Jonathan
Jan 24
Replying to

You won’t have to wait much longer! 🫶🏻

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it would be cut grass , vanilla scent ( cake ) and lavender

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Jonathan
Jonathan
Jan 24
Replying to

I think/hope you love this new Black Lavender!

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