Friday, December 12, 2008

Last SALE of the Year!



Click on the image to access the shopping site.

Enter code DEC35 to receive 20% off your entire order + free shipping. Offer expires December 17.

NOTE: Holiday delivery NOT guaranteed.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Moody Music

Today I received a newsletter from Dark Candles that included an extra treat in addition to notice about their holiday shopping deals and deadlines. This bonus was a link to a unique downloadable album called "A Scary Little Christmas."

The compilation is arranged and recorded by classic pianist Kris Knight. On it, Knight takes familiar holiday songs and gives them a delicious little twist. Those who love Halloween as much as Christmas should get a kick out of this fun collection.

Visit the Website to hear samples and download the album. It could make a great stocking stuffer for that person on your list with an unusual sense of humor!



Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

The Great Outdoors (in my Kitchen)

My husband decided to make himself fish for dinner a few hours ago. It looked like he enjoyed it, and he did clean up after, but the odor of his culinary adventure was lingering in the kitchen. Something needed to be done.

People say that Gold Canyon's Fresh Orange candle has an especially powerful scent and can cover any smell. Unfortunately, I didn't have one on hand. Besides, I needed to get rid of the offending smell this time, not just mask it.

The hall closet still houses various candles and other scented products that haven't yet been consumed by my new just use it policy. One of the unopened remnants in there was an Oust™ Candle in the Outdoor scent. So, I gave it a try.

As the candle melted into a pool of scented wax, the kitchen did start to smell much fresher. The scent was OK - maybe not one I would have chosen in another candle, but fine for the task at hand. By the time it was gone, the fish odor was, too, which was all I was looking for tonight!

Monday, December 8, 2008

In Memoriam








In Memory Of John Lennon

John Lennon - Hit singles 1969


1940 - 1980

40 years of age

New York City
The United States


Hit singles 1969 "Give Peace a Chance" (with The Plastic Ono Band) #2 UK; #14 US 1969 "Cold Turkey" (with The Plastic Ono Band) #1...





I lit a virtual candle today for this tremendous loss. Visit the online memorial to place a flower icon or light a candle of your own.

Related links:
  • John Lennon - the Official Site
  • The Night Lennon Died
  • John Lennon's Inductee Page at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  • Sunday, December 7, 2008

    It's Beginning to Smell a Lot Like Christmas

    Holiday scents are some of the most inviting available in candles and other fragrance products. Whether you opt for baking scents, woodsy outdoor offerings or spicy and minty blends, you are bound to find something delicious to get you in a merry mood this winter. If you haven't found a scent you can celebrate with yet, maybe something from my personal Top 5 list of holiday scents will strike your fancy:


    # 5
    Cozy Christmas by Gold Canyon
    One of my new favorites this year is a comforting combination of cinnamon and clove mixed with soft undertones of apple and orange. Like a hot drink on a cold day, this candle warms the atmosphere and evokes all the comforts associated with being wrapped up in a blanket by the fireplace on a wintry night.


    #4
    Peppermint Swirl by Yankee Candle
    It can be fun to select complimentary scents and heat them together to create a new, even better aroma. For years a favorite combination of mine was to blend Cranberry Peppermint with Jack Frost (which the Yankee Candle website describes as an "icy cool peppermint and sweet vanilla snow cream") in a tart warmer. One day I walked into my local YC store and discovered that they had done the combining for me in the form of a beautiful, large jar candle called Peppermint Swirl. It's fantastic!


    #3
    Sleigh Ride by Gold Canyon
    Sliding into the third spot is another of Gold Canyon's seasonal selections. This gorgeous light blue candle is part of the Homespun Holiday collection and fills the air with a cool combination of pine and evergreen touched by vanilla and a dash of cinnamon.


    #2
    Winter Candy Apple by Bath & Body Works
    Every December I look forward to buying body mist, antibacterial soap and lotion scented by this crisp blend of apple, orange and pineapple topped with cinnamon spices. This year when I placed my order, I discovered that the winter scent I crave is now available as a jar candle, as well! I lit it for the first time this evening while writing this post and it really set the mood.


    And my #1 holiday candle of the season is . . .


    Naughty or Nice by Dark Candles
    I discovered the delectably mysterious world of Dark Candles while searching for gothic candles this past Halloween. Fortunately, they have unique offerings for other seasons of the year, too, such as this decadent French vanilla candle accented with rich mocha and a sweet marshmallow blend. This heavenly combination comes in sizes ranging from tea lights to pillars and is also available in a line of body products. I have the body mist in addition to the candle and it is divine.


    With these and other scents filling every room in the house, I'm officially ready to enjoy the holidays!

    Saturday, December 6, 2008

    Safety First

    Yesterday I wrote about the candles I've collected over the years that I haven't burned. In addition to a desire to "save" those candles for the perfect occasion, I was also reluctant to burn them in my home because I have always had rambunctious cats. I still have rambunctious cats - and now I also have rambunctious children - but I have finally realized that candles, cats and kids can co-exist safely if a few simple precautions are taken.

    Below is a list of basic candle safety guidelines. Most of this is just pure common sense. But safety is important, so these things are worth repeating:

    General Candle Safety
  • Always be sure to trim the wick to about 1/4 inch length before lighting.

  • Never burn a candle near curtains, paper, or other flammable objects.

  • Never leave a burning candle unattended.

  • Do not burn candles for more than about four hours at a time.


    Candles and Animals
  • Place lit candles on the highest stable structure you can find to prevent animals from walking around them and knocking them over.

  • Never leave a burning candle unattended.


    Candles and Kids
  • Place lit candles on the highest stable structure you can find to prevent children from touching them or knocking them over.

  • Instruct children about the dangers of fire and forbid them from ever lighting candles without you. Then hide the matches.

  • Never leave a burning candle unattended. (Are you sensing a pattern here?)


    If you still feel uncomfortable having flames around pets and kids, there are other ways to enjoy your scented candles. If you have a coffee-cup style tart burner, remove the portion that holds the tart wax and place a jar candle on the heating pad. Note: Never place a votive or pillar candle on a heating device.

    An innovative product is now on the market that takes candle warming a step further. It's called the Candle Lamp and it heats your candle from the top down. This looks like such a fantastic idea that I've put the product on my holiday wish list. If I get one, maybe I'll do a review for this Blog in the new year . . .

    Warming devices still need to be kept away from children and animals because warm wax, hot heating surfaces and electrical outlets present hazards of their own. It is advisable to never leave a heated candle unattended even if it isn't lit by a flame, and don't keep the warmer on for longer than is suggested by the product's manufacturer.

    Whether you opt to light or to warm, keep safety in mind and you can enjoy the mood enhancing fragrance of your favorite candles when ever and where ever you wish!
  • Friday, December 5, 2008

    What Are You Saving Them For?

    A few years ago an anonymous anecdote circulated through email Inboxes as people forwarded it to everyone in their address book. It told a story about a man and a woman going through items in a closet. The woman selected a gorgeous dress and asked "What about this one?" The man sighed. "She's never worn that. She was saving it for a special occasion." Then they deliver the dress to a mortuary so the man's wife can be dressed in it for her funeral.

    This story really struck me and has stayed in my mind for years because I am guilty of hoarding and saving lots of things: scrapbook supplies, fancy dishes, and, of course, candles. But I am slowly coming around on the issue of saving things for some elusive "special occasion." If something is too good to be used for its intended purpose, there is really no reason to have it. It only takes up space and it is ultimately a waste of the money that was spent on it. And when all is said and done, you know, you can't take the stuff with you. Enjoy the things you like in life by actually using them while you have the chance.

    Recently I've begun a massive organizing effort in my home. I now have several labeled boxes of beautifully scented candles that I have collected over the years. Many of them have never been lit. Until now. Since starting my candle business, I have begun using candles in my home on a daily basis. In the process I am depleting my stash of candles purchased at other places and I am gradually becoming familiar with the products in the line of candles that I sell. And I am having a blast doing it!

    Admittedly, the saving impulse isn't quieted overnight. I have a decadent Chocolate Milk scented candle on the landing of my stairway that smells wonderful every time I pass by it even without being lit. I'd love to burn it, but it is not currently listed in the catalog I bought it from and I'm afraid I'll never be able to get another one like it. So it is taking me a little longer to apply the "just use it" mantra to this one, but I will do it. Soon.

    In this day and age, almost everything can eventually be replaced. If I use that perfect scrapbooking paper on a not so perfect layout, chances are I can find that design - or an even better one - at a scrapbook store or search for it online. If I burn the best smelling candle in the world and it becomes discontinued, I'm sure I can find somebody somewhere who makes a scent that is pretty close to it.

    So from now on unless I have a specific occasion in mind for something, the things I buy are fair game for use. On any day, for any reason.

    What about you? What are you saving your stuff for?
     

    Design By:
    SkinCorner