CandlesToMyDoor.com Blog

Delicious Scents Part 2

2010-04-21T06:03:00.000-07:00

Colonial's Fresh Strawberry Rhubarb

This candle is very reminiscent of strawberry rhubarb jam. I preferred this particular scent over Yankee's Sweet Strawberry because Colonial's smelled more authentic. Sweet Strawberry is good, don't get me wrong, but it was more like a flavor than a scent; like Bonne Bell Lip Smackers. Fresh Strawberry Rhubarb is very faint when it burns, so if you are looking for something strong, check out Sweet Strawberry instead.

~lisa*

Delicious Scents

2010-03-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

Yankee's Black Cherry

Wow, from the instant I popped open the lid the black cherry fragrance came screaming out. I know many friends and family members who have raved to me about this candle, so once I finally gave it a whirl I discovered just how right they all were. If you, like me, are into fruit scents, this is one of the best.

~lisa*

Friend Favourites

2010-02-15T05:52:00.000-08:00

I recently asked two of my bestest gal pals what candles they liked the most. Noel's pick was Yankee's Vanilla Cupcake and I absolutely love it. It is exactly like a lemon cake with ton of delectable homemade vanilla icing. It's definitely one of the most edible tasting candles ever made. Nice choice, Noel.

Rebecca, on the other hand, likes Yankee's Lemon Lavender. It's more lemon than lavender which means it is tangy and refreshing which equals totally fabulous. Superb selection, Rebecca. Definitely check these two scents out, pronto!

~lisa*

Cashmere & Leather

2010-01-21T05:47:00.000-08:00

Two nice alternatives to the usual fruit and floral scents are WoodWick's Cashmere and Colonial's Leather. Cashmere's sweet scent smells, to me, like orchids blooming in a botanical garden; it's really refreshing. Leather, on the other hand, burns with a comforting woodsy aroma and reminds me of the smooth leather interior of my Grandad's Cadillac. Both truly sensationally scents.

~lisa*

Thirsty?

2009-12-09T15:38:00.000-08:00

Colonial Candle's Café au lait
For nearly five years I worked in a café as a barista, so clearly I have a great affinity for the smell of freshly brewed coffee. This candle took me back to those days of waking at the crack of dawn and preparing the day's Hazelnut blend for my customers. This is another new scent from Colonial and most definitely receives my absolute highest recommendation. It's utterly delicious.

Yankee Candle's Eggnog
Yankee managed to successfully capture the taste of eggnog with this excellent holiday candle. The nutmeg is subtle and the rum is strong, as should be when enjoying a fine eggnog. It's the perfect scent for a party consisting primarily of those struck down with lactose intolerance. (Y'know, cause if they can't actually drink it, they can at least enjoy the aroma.)

WoodWick's Cider
When the weather gets cold, it's definitely time for some hot cider. WoodWick has brought us a terrifically fragrant new candle that is chock full of sweet apples, fresh nutmeg, maybe an orange peel and a couple cinnamon sticks thrown in. I've taken to burning it alongside of Cranberry Fig and am incredibly pleased with the combination of the two.

Beanpod's Champagne
This soy candle smells like ginger ale and the tasty zip of bubbling champagne. It's so uniquely different from any other candle I've tried and I think mixing the soy beads of Champagne and maybe Strawberry Cream or Tangerine would make a fabulous blend fit for a New Year's Eve shin-dig.

~lisa*

Yankee Scents for Your Automobile

2009-12-05T15:33:00.000-08:00

Car Gel - Mango Peach Salsa
I was really impressed with the Car Gel as an alternative to the long reigning Car Jar and I found the Mango Peach Salsa to be juicy and totally delicious. As a Car Gel it was strong, but not to the point where it becomes overwhelming and gives you a headache. The mango and peach are served up in equal amounts but I did detect a pinch of lemon juice. All in all, it goes nicely in my little Saturn as I bebop around town to Victor Manuelle's "Travesía."

Car Jar - Sparkling Cinnamon
This scent rocks! It's exactly like freshly ground cinnamon and also, reminds me a bit of the clove cigarettes a friend of mine used to smoke - they always smelled so divine. I've decided to place the Car Jar back in it's plastic cover and am going to save this for late December. My niece and I have a tradition of taking long drives through the Pine Barrens as we listen to "Have a Very Merry Chrismukkah!" This scent will add the perfect ambiance as we sip hot cocoa and sing along. Yes, I am a huge dork.

Pump and Go - Coconut Bay
When I first picked this up, I stopped with it to my parents' house. I showed my father the Pump and Go and said, "This Coconut one smells like naked Hawaiian girls on a beach." To which he replied, "Well, there's absolutely nothin' wrong with that, now is there?" Clearly my Irish Mama wasn't home to hear this or he would have certainly been in the doghouse. But honestly, it really smells like Hawaiian Tropic Suntan Oil and that is definitely a good thing!

The Pump and Go is an ingenious little device that allows the owner to decide how much of the fragrance they want released. Once the A/C or heat kicks on, you will get some serious fragrance from that lil' Pump & Go. I recommend this over the Car Gel or Car Jar for those that smoke, because this is, I feel, the best of the three for getting rid of strong scents.

And by the way, all three of these choices come in a bunch of different fragrances, so get on over there and pick your favourite!!

~lisa*

Votivo - Red Currant

2009-12-01T15:30:00.000-08:00

Prior to writing this post, I had only heard of Votivo in passing while flipping through InStyle or O magazine. In fact, back in 2002, Votivo was actually included on The O List, and that's saying something. I mean clearly Oprah is used to the finer things and would only recommend the best of the best. Anyway, Red Currant supposedly is Votivo's most popular scent and after trying it, I say rightly so. It's an outstanding candle. However, the description tells of tart currants and vanilla ice cream with sugar cookies, so I was expecting something sweet and fruity. This is not so. I found Red Currant to smell of an intoxicating perfume from another era; like crushed English rose petals from an enchanted garden.

In researching Votivo, a company whose product I had never before had the pleasure of testing, I discovered just what it is that sets them into a class all their own. The fragrances are developed by perfumers and that is what truly makes all the difference. "A perfumer, however, needs more than a passably fine nose. He needs an incorruptible, hard working organ that has been trained to smell for many decades, enabling him to decipher even the most complicated odours by composition and proportion, as well as to create new, unknown mixtures of scent."1 It is this difference that makes Votivo so unique in a market so often plagued by mediocrity. Votivo's candles are created using high quality soy wax which enables the candle to burn slowly thus giving the consumer a long lasting product. Their fragrances, I read, were apparently famous for their ability to quickly fill a room. I put that theory to the test and I found that to be an understatement of gargantuan proportions. They actually engulf a room in what feels like the blink of an eye. But do not be mistaken by my phrasing, Red Currant was not overwhelming. It simply filled my home completely with the most beautiful aroma and lingered well after it had been snuffed out. It left a sillage, as the French would say. It felt as if it had become the natural smell of my home. That is why I can say without question that these candles are nothing short of totally spectacular.

From the design of the charming little box, to the strong glass candle that is wrapped delicately in tissue paper, everything about my first experience with Votivo was wonderful. I've already purchased two as gifts for the upcoming holidays, just in case CandlesToMyDoor should sell out. Next I look forward to testing the Vanilla Grapefruit. It smelled so delicious that I almost passed out in the aisle. I must admit that of all the candles I've had the pleasure to review, this is now by far my absolute favourite (sorry Olive and Patchouli, I've found another love.)

~lisa*

1 taken from Patrick Süskind's novel "Perfume" as translated by John E. Woods (In perfumery, the wake of lingering notes that follow a woman wearing scent are known as sillage. - inthenews.co.uk)

Hungry?

2009-11-20T07:01:00.000-08:00

Beanpod's Belgian Waffles
This fabulous soy wax candle takes me back to those late nights at Aunt Sarah's Pancake House down south at my BFF's college. They had the best Belgian Waffles this side of the Atlantic and it was the only thing I would order. Beanpod managed to include a subtle hint of maple syrup to the mix and make it irresistibly delicious.

Colonial's Golden Pear
One of a handful of new candles from Colonial is Golden Pear. It reminds me of my Aunt Ginni's Baked Sliced Apples. I now suspect that her secret ingredient may have been pears, because this candle smells just like her famous holiday treat. The mix of nutmeg and cinnamon with equal parts pear and apple make this particular candle unique and exotic. Another incredible scent from Colonial.

Illume's Angel Food
Illume has a knack of producing candles so exact that I often fear I may begin devouring the candle rather than burning it. Angel Food is no exception. No one makes a tastier Angel Food Cake than my mother and this smells just like her kitchen after she removes a fresh and fluffy cake from the oven. Illume also included a decent amount of warm vanilla, making the best just a bit better.

Yankee's Almond Cookie
When it comes to cookies, I'm a chocolate chip gal all the way. However, sometimes a little deviation from the norm can be a very good thing. This candle smells exactly like a homemade cookie from a tiny bakery in Little Italy and is powerful enough to fill an entire room. Being one who does not cook or bake, I like to keep this burning to give the illusion to guests that I do.

~lisa*

Scents for Thanksgiving

2009-11-12T10:19:00.001-08:00

So, there are a ton of great scents for the upcoming holiday and I am going to try to cover a good handful of them in this post. Here goes...

Beanpod
Cinnamon Spice - This scent smells exactly like cinnamon chewing gum; it's strong and super powerful. If you don't like Big Red, then you will not like this candle at all. I personally think it's fantastic.

Toasted Hazelnut - I think this scent is a nice change of pace from the usual ones that the season has to offer. But it still provides the warmth and delightful aroma that one would desire for this time of year. It actually smells like Ferrero Rocher tastes and c'mon, how could that ever be bad?

Yankee
MacIntosh Spice - This is such a simple holiday combination of apples and cinnamon, yet Yankee somehow manages to do it in an original and exhilarating way. It's delicious and is the perfect fragrance in room spray form. A little spritz goes a long way, so you definitely get a lot of bang for your buck.

Cranberry Chutney - I have been in love with cranberry scented candles since my days working at Pier 1 where I discovered their Cranberry Balsam candle. Cranberry Chutney is incredibly potent and really fills the entire room. Delightfully sweet and aromatic, it's one to definitely have on hand throughout the winter months.

Colonial
Pumpkin Pie - Mmm...pumpkin...my favourite pie of all time. I found this scent to be very easy on the pumpkin and strong with the spices. It burns nicely and is more than suitable for any holiday house party.

Warm Apple Cake - This is absolutely one of the sweetest candles I've tried. It is smooth and easy, with no one dominating scent. The apples, cinnamon and vanilla all combine together to bring a fabulous candle to the table.

WoodWick
Cranberry Fig - Completely different from Yankee's Cranberry Chutney, this cranberry is more tart than sweet, but just as satisfying. In regards to the fig scent, well, my only exposure to a fig would be via Fig Newtons and Fig Newmans. That being said, I do detect the smell of a freshly opened bag of those yummy treats. It seems WoodWick has brought us another wonderful candle for the season that perfectly melds these two great scents.

(WoodWick Green) Valencia Orange - "Wow" was my immediate reaction to getting a whiff of this candle. I have never smelled such a juicy, refreshingly sweet and tangy candle in my life. My mother argues that Illume's Valencia Orange is better, but I say nay-nay. Illume's is good, but not orange enough for my taste. WoodWick's is the one to own.

Hope this helps with your holiday candle decision making. Be safe and have fun!

~lisa*

Miscellaneous

2009-11-12T10:14:00.001-08:00

There are plenty of fabulous scented candles that I can review, but I think it's just as important to mention the unscented ones. I really respect a candle company that gives consumers a truly wide array of choices. There are plenty of people with allergies that cannot handle fragrances and then there are people who simply do not wish to have scented candles, period. I personally detest it when I'm in someone's kitchen or dining room and they are serving food while burning a scented candle. (That's a big no-no because the usually delightful aroma of WoodWick's Rum Raisin instantly becomes abhorrent as it puts me completely off the pizza I'm being served.) Both Beanpod and WoodWick have really nice unscented candles in jar form, with Tag offering them in pillar sizes. I like that there's more options than just the usual taper or tea light candles. (btw, Colonial Candle has unscented tapers that come in a wide array of brilliant colors.)

And finally, I have to mention the Flameless from Candle Impressions. I like them because they have timers and actually flicker like a burning pillar candle. My brothers have them all over their house and also, my grandmother enjoys the look of a real candle without the fear of forgetting to blow it out come the end of the night.

Just some thoughts and options to keep in mind with the approaching holidays. Thanks for reading and check back soon!

~lisa*

Three More for the Fall

2009-11-05T09:23:00.001-08:00

Yankee's Moonlight Harvest
When the cool weather rolls in, I am all about cider donuts and anything pumpkin. Moonlight Harvest definitely brings me back to those days out at Johnson's Farm picking out pumpkins to paint and carve just as the sun was going down. With the super dark purple color, this is a great candle for the season - inside and out.

WoodWick's Currant
I found Currant to be tangy yet sweet and it reminded me of those delicious Linzer Tarts that I used to get at the local bakery on Sundays. The currant is definitely present and accounted for but the citrus sweeps in and creates another gorgeous candle from WoodWick.

Colonial's Indian Summer
I love Indian Summer because it's a nice blend of my two favourite fall treats - ginger snap cookies and Mama's pumpkin bread. It's warm and inviting and I feel would be excellent on a coffee table when hosting a holiday soirée.

~lisa*

Illume - Hits & Misses

2009-10-20T13:31:00.001-07:00

Illume has four new scents this season; two I really liked, and two I really didn't. Let's get the misses out of the way:

Saffron Lavender This candle looks great, but then all of Illume's candles do, in my opinion. However, I was expecting more of a lavender scent and found this to smell more like soaps at a Howard Johnson's. It wasn't horrible or anything, it was just not my taste and definitely a tad too strong.

Linden Leaf I didn't know what to expect with this one, but one whiff and I felt like I was in a child's nursery. It was way too much like baby powder and I personally don't want that in a candle for my home.

Now...on to the hits...

Sweet Rhubarb
It's fall and that means that pomegranates are back in season! This candle stood out because it's very tart (like pomegranate seeds), but also has a subtle hint of fresh cut grass and berries. All in all, a decent scent that looks as good as it smells.

Blue Ginger This particular Illume candle has equal parts ginger, patchouli, and lavender. It's sweet and fragrant and the deep amber color works well with the upcoming winter season. I liked this one best of all.

Hope that this was helpful and please keep in mind that this is again, merely my opinion. Definitely check it out for yourself and let me know what you thought. Thanks for reading!

~lisa*

Yankee Candle's Good Air

2009-10-11T13:23:00.000-07:00

Three words: Buy. This. Candle.

Look, no one likes their home to smell funky, but often times firing up a sweet-scented candle does absolutely nothing to mask the smell of whatever caused the funk in the first place. Pets, kids, cigarette smoke or that delicious Indian meal loaded with curry can hold a room hostage in stink for what seems like an eternity. Everyone has their love or their vice, but few feel like smelling it all day, every day.

When I first cracked open Good Air I was immediately reminded of the laundromat we used back in '79 - not my favourite scent. However, this candle is designed to scarf down odor, not make my house smell a certain way. And scarf down the odor, it did. I tried it after a garlic laden dinner and after burning the candle for roughly an hour the smell of garlic could not be detected. Then I tried it in my parents' garage where my Dad smokes. Again, after an hour it was free of cigarette stink. Even if your home smells as you wish it to, I think that everyone should have a decent size jar of Good Air just in case. We've all burned popcorn at one time or another and frankly, few things smell as bad.

~lisa*

New Scents for Autumn

2009-10-04T13:13:00.000-07:00

Beanpod's Spicettes
For this selection I went with the soy beads, which I love. In creating the beads, Beanpod has made it so easy to mix and match different scents and make it your own. Spicettes smelled, to me, like Froot Loops. I asked my little brother for his take on it and he replied with one word: "Pez." And he's right. It's very sweet and candy-like, but with a hint of spices; thus making it a great alternative to the typical pumpkin or cinnamon scent that often dominate the season. Not that there's anything wrong with that....

WoodWick's Harvest
Harvest I really liked because it was an amalgam of some of the best under-used seasonal scents. It had equal parts berry and orange with a touch cinnamon (think Cinnaburst Gum) and a nice hint of vanilla.

Colonial's Farmer's Market
I burned Farmer's Market as a votive and found that even in a small room it was very faint. Honestly, I don't always need to have a wicked strong scent from every candle, so I enjoyed the light aroma it gave off. It was an easy blend of apple, plum, and clove with a teeny bit of citrus.

Yankee's Autumn Fruit
I wanted this candle for looks. The deep, dark purple immediately caught my eye and it smelled like Old Fashioned Grape soda and fresh picked blackberries. It's very sweet and packs a wallop in the scent department. A definite winner.

I hope this helped get you all in the mood for the upcoming season and check back for more real soon!

~lisa*

Yankee Brings You Halloween

2009-10-01T12:43:00.000-07:00

This Halloween, Yankee brings us two new scents, Boo! and Beware! Boo! is spicy (i detect a hint of nutmeg, but i could be wrong) as well as mildly pumpkin. It's a nice fall mix that's a bit different from the many other pumpkin candles out there. Beware! is a personal favourite because it's patchouli, which I looove, and Beware! totally delivers. The patchouli is super strong but there's also a touch of sweetness that helps it stand out. Grab these two while the gettin' is good, as they will soon be gone.

~lisa*

Colonial Candle's Tibetan Sandalwood

2009-09-30T20:15:00.000-07:00

Upon burning the two-wick jar size of Tibetan Sandalwood, I found it to be a little too subtle. I could barely detect it's fragrance as I ran about the house cleaning. Then I went out to grab my mail and as I came back in, I discovered that the entire room smelled incredible. Woodsy and musky. I was also impressed with how slowly it burned; after six hours it lost less than an inch worth of wax. After it was snuffed out, the room continued to hold the aroma of Sandalwood well into the next day.

Sidebar: The Buddhist belief regarding sandalwood's scent is that it can transform an individual's desires and also aid in keeping one focused while practicing meditation.

~lisa*

WoodWick's Applewood

2009-09-26T10:01:00.000-07:00

Surprisingly, Applewood wasn't as "apple authentic" as I expected. Instead I found that it was more along the lines of a room deodorizer, rather than a warm and pleasant aroma, as the name would lead you to believe. It had a definite Granny Smith tartness to it, but I could not detect any cinnamon or other spices. With a name like Applewood, I was expecting it to remind me of an apple orchard; sadly I was left a bit disappointed. This is another selection that I would recommend testing out in one of WoodWick's wax melts before purchasing a larger candle.

~lisa*

A Couple Sweet Scents from Yankee

2009-06-01T10:26:00.000-07:00

Kiwi Berries
Frequent readers of this blog know of my penchant for fruity scents and that's just why I went for Yankee's Kiwi Berries. My eye was first drawn to the fabulous shade of bright green and then I cracked open the lid and knew I'd found a winner.

Island Guava
Ever since spring began I've developed this bizarre obsession with grapefruit. Naturally, when my schnoz caught a whiff of Yankee's new Island Guava, it was instant attraction.

(psst...both of these scents are available in votive form for FREE to try out when you place an order. now that's definitely what's known as a sweet deal.)

~lisa*

Colonial Candle's Thai Silk

2009-04-20T06:36:00.000-07:00

At first I wasn't terribly impressed with this scent when I first broke open the SimmerSnap. But, I kept an open mind and after burning it I found it to be musky and clean. It comes across as very masculine and not at all overwhelming. Colonial Candle's Thai Silk isn't necessarily something I'd have selected, but in the end I was quite pleased with it and would definitely try it out in one of the Madison Round Jars.

~lisa*

Woo-hoo!! Spring Is Here!

2009-03-25T10:21:00.000-07:00

Now that warm weather is finally here, I've selected three delightful scents to welcome the season.

Yankee Candle's Tropical Fruit
Tropical Fruit is a new scent from Yankee and it's fantastic. It's fresh and juicy and the mango fragrance is super strong. I imagine it smells exactly like Carmen Miranda's famous head-dress.

Colonial Candle's Lime Grove
Lime Grove is more Mai Tai or Margarita than say Mike & Ike's candy, but its scent is intoxicating, soothing, and delicious. Makes one long for a cozy spot on a beach in the tropics...

Illume's Pink Grapefruit
Pink Grapefruit leans more to the sweet side than being overly citrus, which I actually enjoy. Because of its clean aroma, I placed my candle in the powder room, but I think it would be just as lovely in a bedroom.

Well, there you have it, short and definitely sweet, these are my picks for the new season. Hope they were helpful; now go on, get out there and enjoy the Springtime!

~lisa*

Primal Elements Icon Candle - Star

2009-03-18T19:29:00.001-07:00

I arrived at my parents' house today and lo and behold, Mama Rose had a little surprise for me. I pulled from the gift bag a black box with silver rhinestones in the shape of a star on it. Intrigued, I opened said box to discover a sleek black jar candle with the same silver star on it! Woo-hoo, a star for Star. I was impressed. I had seen the Primal Elements line, but only the sea shore ones. I had no clue that CandlesToMyDoor.com also sold ones in jet black with funky rock n' roll themes. The scent was spicy and calming; starting out strong, but eventually easing down to a nicer aroma that was not so ovewhelming. Definitely check out the entire line of Primal Elements because they absolutely have something for everyone.

~lisa*

Illume's Olive & Patchouli

2009-03-04T18:12:00.000-08:00

Ideally crafted in olive green, Illume's Olive & Patchouli is a sensation. Patchouli is one of those scents that is immediately recognizable and Illume managed to take this classic and add the relaxing aroma of olive oil. It's heavily perfumed and leaves any room with the lingering of this incredible scent for several hours. Personally, I tested it out in votive form, but frankly I think I'm going to purchase the reed diffuser, or maybe a bright jar...

~lisa*

WoodWick's Caramel

2009-02-26T19:11:00.000-08:00

WoodWick Caramel is a favorite of my three brothers. For the longest time I'd walk through their kitchen and wonder what that sweet, sugary scent could possibly be. It's warm and soothing and incredibly potent. Often times, my brothers merely removed the lid and without even lighting the candle, the room was filled with the scent of melted caramel. This one's a must have, and with WoodWick offering this scent in small & large reed diffuser, wax melts, and both 10 & 22oz. glass jars, there's most assuredly something for everyone.

~lisa*

WoodWick's Lemon Chiffon

2009-02-20T15:37:00.000-08:00

Once again, WoodWick creates yet another truly fabulous scent. It smells exactly like what a Lemon Chiffon pie tastes like. The tangy lemon mixed with a strong presence of graham crackers and a hint of vanilla make this particular candle very unique and incredibly refreshing. If you are a fan of delightful dessert scents, then I suggest that you head on over to the website and order this immediately!

~lisa*

Yankee Candle's Mountain Lake

2009-02-16T16:38:00.000-08:00

One of Yankee's newest candles was a bit of a disappointment for me. It reminded me of Pine-Sol mixed with a Calvin Klein perfume. I can see why it would be called Mountain Lake because of the strong presence of pine and cedar, but it just was not what I hoped it would be. However, if you want to judge the candle on your own, which by all means please do so, I'd recommend buying the tart or a votive. It's the perfect way to test out a new scent without breaking your wallet.

~lisa*

Valentine's Day Is Upon Us

2009-02-09T20:18:00.001-08:00

For Valentine's Day I've selected a handful of scents that can set the ideal mood for almost any kind of celebration. Whether you're in a couple or living the single life; have kids or still feel like a kid, this day is what you make of it. (As for me, my fellow single ladies and I have a tradition of getting together at someone's home, and this year it's my turn.) Here are some of the scents that I feel will suit any type of Valentine's evening.

Colonial Candle's Fine Merlot
This scent is incredibly rich and sensual. The grape aroma is astonishing and utterly delightful. It's sophisticated and posh and more than suitable for a beautiful candlelit dinner for two. I can hear Jackie Gleason & His Orchestra on the Hi-Fi as we speak...

Colonial Candle's Pink Champagne
The first candle to come to mind for the holiday dedicated to romance was Pink Champagne. It's a mildly sweet bouquet with a hint of sparkling white grapes. This is the perfect scent to accompany a quiet evening for two while relaxing on the couch and watching a classic love story. If it's good enough for Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, then it's most surely good enough for the rest of us!

WoodWick's Fireside
Musky and masculine, Fireside is an excellent choice for a nice romantic evening when you don't have the actual fireplace. It smells as well as sounds like a crackling fire. Could it be any more perfect? I should say not.

WoodWick's Cinnamon Chai
For those of us who operate outside the box and are looking for something outrageously delicious, this is the candle for you. If your V-day plans include ordering take out, jumping into your Hello Kitty or race car PJs early and crashing out on the sofa, this may be the scent for you. It's warm, comforting, strong, spicy, and ridiculously soothing.

Illume's Coconut Milk Mango
This is so my pick for this Valentine's Day with the gals. Illume is super chic and I went all out. I love this line because it allowed me to set up several pillars in different sizes on a large plate and create a dramatic centerpiece on my coffee table. To add a splash of color, I surrounded the candles with dried pink rose petals from my mother's garden. The fragrance is more mango than coconut milk, but extremely pleasant and fresh. (Clearly why I bought so many.)

Well, I tried to choose scents that could fit just about anyone's ideal Valentine's Day evening at home. Hope you fellow burners have a beautiful, fun, and fabulous holiday!!

~lisa*

Yankee Candle's Beanswax - Lime After Lime

2009-01-26T16:54:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I know I have a tendency to constantly go on and on saying how much I love every single candle that I review, but here's another one. Lime After Lime is just awesome. The scent is super powerful and it actually smelled like a freshly opened box of Froot Loops. Or perhaps a pitcher of Margaritas, but I prefer the Froot Loops!

Yankee really impressed me with this line because it shows that even the big wigs are thinking green and acting in the best interest of the world as a whole. The glass jar has been designed out of recycled materials and the lid is made from renewable wood so it can easily be put to good use after burning (hint, hint.) Also, the Beanswax candles are made from soy (in the USA!!), so they burn clean and leave no nasty soot behind. All in all, it's one heckuva candle and it gets my highest recommendation.

(ps~there's a cute little "eco" tip on the back of every jar...)

~lisa*

Colonial Candle's Mulberry

2009-01-15T16:58:00.000-08:00

Earlier in the week I forced myself to do a little light cleaning. One way to get myself up and going is to fire up a tart burner. This particular day was a little on the chilly side, so I selected Colonial Candle's SimmerSnaps in Mulberry. Once it got going, I noticed that it was light and sweet, almost like candy; but it left me with the impression that it may not be suitable for such a large room. Then I moved into the bedroom for a half hour or so, and when I came back into the sitting room, the entire area smelled completely fabulous. It was then I realized that it was absolutely designed for any size room.

Also, as a little sidebar, I think next time I may have to grab this scent in jar form, since Colonial has those cool oval shaped jars. Remember, save the lid and use that glass jar for something useful! My last WoodWick 22oz. is currently holding matchbooks from all the weddings I've gone to over the years.

~lisa*

Three More From Yankee Candle!

2009-01-11T15:41:00.000-08:00

Red Berry & Cedar
While burning one of Yankee's newest candles, I was struck by how the two scents were so perfectly equal to one another. So often I've found that blended candles have one scent that tends to outrank the other. Not so in this case. With Red Berry & Cedar, the mix of fresh cedar and tangy berry really do capture the embodiment of the chilly winter months.

Spiced Pumpkin
Now just because November and December are behind us, doesn't mean that we should neglect the delightful aroma of Spiced Pumpkin. Yankee's take on this scent is most definitely more spice than pumpkin, and there is absolutely nothing bad about that.

MacIntosh
This candle is pungent and strong, but to me it also seemed rather sweet and airy. You readers know of my love and adoration of those fruit scents, and MacIntosh fits right in. A great scent for the whole year.

~lisa*

WoodWick Reed Diffusers / Iced Pomegranate

2009-01-09T10:04:00.000-08:00

Let's talk reed diffusers, shall we? Now, most of us have friends and family with pets or small children. We also may have people in our lives that are uncomfortable with having candles lit in their home (oh how I pity these poor souls!) Well, reed diffusers had to have been designed with these people in mind. Recently, I was invited for a weekend stay at my friend's parents' place in Vermont. Being that our hosts have 3 cats and 2 large dogs, a candle would not be practical. Neither would a tart burner because of the hot wax. That's when I was reminded of the reed diffuser. What a perfect 'thanks for letting us crash at your place and pay for all of our meals' gift! I decided that WoodWick's Iced Pomegranate would be a good choice because it's a simple scent; pleasant, light, and not too strong. It seemed ideal for someone whose tastes I was unsure of and I hit one out of the park because they absolutely loved it. So...I recommend keeping not only Iced Pomegranate, but definitely reed diffusers in mind for housewarmings or gifts of any kind for these such individuals!

~lisa*

Yankee Candle's Candied Apple

2008-12-01T15:01:00.001-08:00

Another new candle from Yankee that perfectly suits the fall season is Candied Apple. I am especially fond of any and all fruit scents and this one hits all the right spots. The moment I began burning it, the air became filled with a mixture of delicious red apples enrobed in sweet sugar and the tangy aroma of freshly picked oranges. There was definitely a subtle hint of pear thrown in just to make it even more delightful. I'd say this is another fabulous scent for autumn, but in all honesty, I have every intention of burning this throughout the year.

~lisa*

Three Fall Favorites

2008-11-18T07:10:00.000-08:00

Yankee Candle's Harvest
This fall fragrance from Yankee is soon becoming a family favorite. The spicy mixed with the sweetness immediately made me think of going on a hayride at dusk on a gorgeous autumn evening. I was instantly transported back in time to one of those simple pleasures of childhood. Any candle that can do that has most certainly found a permanent place in my home.

Yankee Candle's Fall Festival
Fall Festival is a tantalizing blend of sugar, fruits, light spices and nutty undertones. It filled the house with an inviting scent that mingled perfectly with Harvest. With the tart burner, I cut small chunks of each of these three scents and burned them together. I always try to mix and match to create a blend that is able to suit my personal tastes in the best way.

Woodwick's Pumpkin Butter
This is a new scent from Woodwick and it is exactly what you'd expect; a savory mix of warm buttery spiciness combined with fresh pumpkin. And nothing beats the fabulous crackling of the wick. I recommend keeping this candle in mind in place of the standard old bottle of wine when arriving at any holiday gatherings.

~lisa*

WoodWick's Cotton Flower VS. Yankee's Clean Cotton

2008-11-08T13:17:00.001-08:00

In life, I try to be very objective and positive regarding all things. I make an effort to look for the good and more often than not, I tend to find it. However, I am unable to give an honest as well as positive opinion regarding WoodWick's Cotton Flower. I tested both this and Yankee's Clean Cotton in reed diffuser form and the difference between the two was incredible. I am a fan primarily of the fruit scents - cranberry, apple, mulberry, peach - so cotton is not a scent that I'm normally drawn to purchase. I found that Cotton Flower can best be described as powerful-very powerful. It smells fresh, but for me, it was way too strong. I immediately packed it back in the box and put it in the garage. I gave it a few days, and tried again, but I just didn't like it. Luckily, I mentioned this to a dear friend who LOVES Cotton Flower and was over the moon when I gladly handed it over. My advice is if you prefer a very strong fresh scent, well, this is designed with you in mind. (Also as a side note, WoodWick does sell the diffusers in small and large sizes, which is great, and the bottle has the same sleek shape as the candle jars.)

Now on to Yankee! I really wasn't looking forward to testing Clean Cotton after my reaction to Cotton Flower, so I waited a few days. I placed it in my living room and after an hour or so, I began to sense the soothing and slow effect the scent had in the room. Not at all overwhelming, it left merely a hint of a clean, fresh fragrance. I think it would be ideal in a laundry room or even powder room, because it definitely smelled like warm clothes pulled straight out of the dryer. I truly hate having to say anything negative about WoodWick, because I do so love that line, but I want to be honest, and anyway, it is just my opinion. More posts on the way, so be sure to stop back!!

~lisa*

Yankee Candle's Mulling Spices

2008-10-27T16:08:00.000-07:00

Mulling Spices is utterly divine. It smacks you in the face with the smell of hot apple cider, but it most certainly has a warm sense of chai tea to it. The cloves are undeniably rich and there is definitely a lovely touch of cinnamon throughout. This fabulous scent is without question, the essence of autumn. Do as I have; buy it, burn it and welcome in this new season with open arms!

~lisa*

Yankee Candle's Red Apple Wreath

2008-10-19T16:15:00.000-07:00

I was absolutely thrilled to test out one of the newest additions to the Yankee Candle line, for it truly is ideal for the upcoming season. The rich red color could not possibly suit the delicious, juicy, candy apple scent any better. Cinnamon is the next reigning ingredient with a slight hint of earthy sweetness. Recently I have become incredibly fond of using tart burners and I found that Red Apple Wreath in tart form was strong and fragrant, leaving the room with a delightful aroma that lasted for hours and hours. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in sweet and slightly spicy scents. More reviews to come, I know you can't wait!!

~lisa*

Presenting Ms. Lisa Star's Reviews

2008-10-18T12:29:00.000-07:00

Well hello there dear reader, and welcome to my first official review for the fabulous products found at CandlesToMyDoor! Today I wanted to tell you all about a personal favorite: the WoodWick line. I absolutely love the unique shape of the glass container; it's so chic and stylish. Being a café junkie I was first drawn to the Biscotti scent. It is perfect for my particular taste and the aroma is strong, but not overwhelming. The light crackling sound from the wick added a nice touch and after I burned the entire 10 oz. jar, I gave it a cleaning and filled it with colorful bath beads. (So be sure to save the lid!) I hope this was helpful, and of course I welcome any and all feedback. Happy shopping and stay tuned...

~lisa*

In-house Fragrance Reviews Coming Soon!

2008-10-18T12:11:00.000-07:00

With the approaching holidays, CandlesToMyDoor would like to present an ongoing series of in-house reviews. Each week will introduce a new post describing a specific product that we feel certain will provide you with helpful and honest information in a light and occasionally humorous way. So please bookmark our blog and check back for upcoming reviews!

Our Blog is Back!!!

2008-10-01T09:07:00.000-07:00

Now that a year has passed since we launched our blog, we are finally getting serious about blogging! We will be reviewing many of the products you'll find at CandlesToMyDoor.com. Please feel free to post your own reviews for our customers to use in deciding new fragrances and products that they may be interested in purchasing.

Stop back soon to see what we have reviewed!