Spend Valentine’s Day With Us

The Most Creative, Romantic & Fun Date Night in Chicago

Let’s be honest.

Dinner reservations are booked. Movies feel… predictable. And you don’t want to do the same thing you did last year.

If you’re searching for unique Valentine’s Day date ideas in Chicago, something romantic and memorable, Above Average Candle Studio has you covered. This Valentine’s season, we’re turning date night into an experience —

one where you create, laugh, flirt, and leave with something meaningful. Here’s how we’re redefining love, one candle (and one memory) at a time.

Why Couples Love Spending Valentine’s Day With Us

✔️ You do something together

✔️ You talk, laugh, and connect (no awkward silence)

✔️ You leave with a keepsake you actually want to keep

✔️ It works for first dates, long-term love, and “we need something different” couples

Whether you’re newly dating or deeply in love, our couples experiences are designed

to spark connection—without the pressure.

Love After Dark

A Grown & Sexy Candle-Making Experience

When the lights go low, the vibes go high.

Love After Dark is our most intimate couples experience—featuring candle making under moody lighting, curated music, and a romantic atmosphere that feels equal parts cozy and electric.

Perfect for couples who want:

• A sensual, elevated Valentine’s vibe

• A night that feels exclusive and different

• A break from loud restaurants and crowded bars

This is date night… upgraded.

Roses Are Red: Typewriter Poetry + Candle Making

Romance With a Creative Twist

If your love language is words, this one’s for you.

Create a custom candle together while a live typewriter poet captures your love story—on the spot. From sweet and sentimental to playful and poetic,

you’ll leave with:

• A custom candle

• A one-of-a-kind poem

• A memory you’ll never forget

It’s romantic. It’s nostalgic. It’s Valentine’s Day magic.

Love Is In The Air

Fragrance Making + Couples Trivia Game

Looking for something fun, interactive, and full of laughs?

This experience blends custom fragrance making with a couples trivia game designed to test how well you really know each other. (Spoiler: it’s harder than you think.)

Expect:

• Friendly competition

• Playful banter

• “Wait… you don’t know that about me?” moments

Perfect for couples who love fun, energy, and connection.

Chocolate & Wine Tasting

Because Love Should Taste Good

Chocolate. Wine. Candles.

Need we say more?

This indulgent experience pairs candle making with curated chocolate and wine tastings—creating a multi-sensory date night that hits all the right notes.

Ideal for couples who want:

• A relaxed, romantic vibe

• A little indulgence

• A Valentine’s Day that feels luxurious but still fun

The Best Valentine’s Date Night in Chicago Starts Here

This Valentine’s Day, don’t just go out. Create something together.

At Above Average Candle Studio, love isn’t rushed, scripted, or ordinary—it’s hands-on, intentional, and unforgettable.

If you’re asking:

• “What should we do for Valentine’s Day?”

• “What’s a fun couples activity in Chicago?”

• “How do we make date night feel special again?”

You just found your answer.

How to Use a Massage Oil Candle

Turn Your Candle Into a Moment of Relaxation, Connection & Glow

A massage oil candle isn’t just a candle—it’s a whole vibe.

At Above Average Candle Studio, our massage oil candles are designed to melt into a warm, skin-loving oil that nourishes, hydrates, and sets the mood. Whether you’re planning a self-care night or an intimate moment with your partner, here’s how to use yours safely and luxuriously.

What Makes a Massage Oil Candle Different?

Unlike traditional candles, massage oil candles are made with skin-safe, low-melting-point oils. When lit, they melt into a silky oil that’s warm—not hot—so you can pour it directly onto skin for massage and moisture. Think: candle meets body oil meets spa-at-home. Our massage oil candles are made with all natural grapeseed oil and vitamin e. Candles are scented in your custom fragrance or the fragrance of your choice from our seasonal fragrance menu.

How To Use Your Massage Oil Candle Step by Step

1. Light the Candle

Light your massage oil candle and let it burn for 10–15 minutes. This allows enough oil to melt while releasing the fragrance into the room.

💡 Tip: Dim the lights, put on a playlist, and let the ambiance do its thing.

2. Extinguish the Flame

Once enough oil has pooled, blow out the candle. Always make sure the flame is fully out before using the oil.

Safety first—romance second 😉

3. Test the Temperature

Pour a small amount of the melted oil onto your fingertips or wrist to test the temperature. It should feel comfortably warm, never hot.

4. Pour & Massage

Slowly pour the oil directly onto skin or into your hands, then massage in smooth, intentional strokes. The oil absorbs beautifully, leaving skin soft, hydrated, and glowing.

Perfect for:

• Shoulder and back massages

• Arms, legs, and hands

• Romantic couples moments

• Post-shower moisture ritual

5. Let It Soak In

No need to rinse. The oil is designed to absorb into the skin, leaving behind moisture and fragrance—not grease.

Whether solo or shared, this is relaxation… done the Above Average way.

When to Use a Massage Oil Candle

• Self-care nights after a long day

• Date nights & Valentine’s moments

• Couples massages

• At-home spa days

• Before bed to relax the body and mind

Basically… anytime you want to slow down and feel good.

 Why You’ll Love Ours

✔️ Skin-safe, vegan ingredients

✔️ Low-temperature melt for comfort

✔️ Luxurious fragrance experience

✔️ Multi-use: candle + body oil

✔️ Thoughtfully crafted for relaxation and connection

Pro Tips for the Best Experience

• Trim the wick before each use for a clean burn

• Don’t burn longer than 30–45 minutes at a time

• Store at room temperature

• A little oil goes a long way

Light It. Melt It. Feel It.

Your massage oil candle is more than self-care—it’s an invitation to pause, connect, and indulge in the moment.

From Store Manager to Studio Founder

Proof That Dreams Grow When You Do

THEN: Ogi Emiabata As A Store Manager for Bath & Body Works

Before there was Above Average Candle Studio, before candle bars on wheels, diy bridal sewing studios, or dessert-inspired candles, there was a young woman learning leadership skills, providing great customer service and studying the art of fun & fragrance one shift at a time.

There was a headset. A floor set. A stockroom. A sales goal.

And there was Bath & Body Works.

As a Store Manager, Ogi learned more than how to sell lotions & candles — she learned how scent creates emotion, how experiences drive loyalty, and what leadership looks in real time.

She learned the science of fragrance, the rhythm of retail, and the magic that happens when customers feel seen and uplifted. Happy places must create HAPPINESS!

But what she didn’t know yet…Was that she was laying the foundation for something much bigger.

Now: Ogi inside of Above Average Candle Studio's North Park Location

The Spark That Would Not Go Away

Even then, the dream didn’t fit neatly into the job description. It showed up in curiosity. In late night brainstorming. In a quiet voice that said, “What if I built something of my own?”

What if fragrance wasn’t just sold — but crafted?

What if candles weren’t just bought — but experienced?

Here's a thought: instead of shopping for a fulfilling experience with the ones who matter most (besties, your partner or your mom), how about creating a fulfilling experience (with the people who matter most) that inspires shopping?

What if creativity wasn’t a side hustle — but a calling?

That voice didn’t fade. It grew louder.

Back In The Day: Ogi as a little girl

This is where it really began

Before titles.

Before business plans.

Before knowing what entrepreneurship

even was.

This little girl loved creating. She loved imagination. She loved the idea that her hands could turn ideas into something real.

She didn’t know the words brand, experiential retail, or multi-hyphenate founder— but she knew how to dream.

And somehow… she never forgot.

Building something Above Average — One Small Bold Step at a Time

Architectural Rendering Of Above Average Candle Studio's New Flagship Location - Coming Soon!

But step by step, Ogi turned experience into ownership.

• Above Average Candle Studio was born as a space where people don’t just make candles—they make memories.

• Above Average Vegan Body Care is a handmade, cruelty-free collection of natural lotions, scrubs, and washes — custom-blended by you to reflect your mood, memory, and personal scent story.

• The Mobile Candle Bar brought that magic on the road, proving creativity belongs everywhere at offices, weddings and outdoor events.

• Knot Your Average Bride diy sewing studio, reimagined bridal fashion as empowerment and sustainability.

• Sweet Dreams Candle Co. turned nostalgia, joy, and indulgence into scent.

  
  

Each brand different. Each brand intentional.

Each brand rooted in the same belief:

You are allowed to create a life — and a business — that reflects all of you.

This Is Your Sign

This story isn’t just about candles.

It’s about evolution. It’s about honoring where you started without being confined by it. It’s about trusting that skills gained in one season can fuel the vision of the next.

If you’re standing in a “then” season right now—wondering if your dreams are too big, too different, or too far away—this is your reminder:

You don’t have to see the whole path. You don't have to worry about who doesn't believe in it. You just have to take the next step. Because one day, you’ll look back at your THEN…And realize it was preparing you for your NOW all along.