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Thursday, September 8, 2011

We have all had that poor candle that has had issues. a drowning wick or wicks or perhaps it’s tunneling.  Don’t worry.  More than likely you can save the candle.  If I buy a jar candle from Yankee Candle I always make sure I have my Illuma-lids around to cover the top.  It is supposed to prevent drafts from messing with the flame.  If your flame is flickering and dancing all about it might not be a good place for your candle to be sitting.  Here are some of my Illuma-lids:

20110908_4220110908_43

20110908_45

This one is from McCall’s candles.  They were a dollar when I purchased them and I got 5.  They fit however they will not lift off easily but I use something to get it off the top of the jar.  It does the job, a nice deep wax pool!

20110908_44

Can’t spend money on these?  You don’t buy jars, you only purchase tumblers?  It’s okay.  You can wrap your candle in foil.  Here is my Pumpkin Brulee and my Pumpkin Patch swirl.  The Pumpkin Patch is wrapped on the top and it has an Illuma-lid.

  20110908_7720110908_72

I know it doesn’t look pretty but it works.  Once you get the wax pool all the way to the glass, you can remove the foil if you want to.  I normally will keep it for a couple of burns before taking it off.

Here is Pumpkin Brulee.  It’s a tumber and the Illuma-lids do not fit on it.  20110908_6720110908_48

I just wrap it where the heat needs to be distributed. You can see how well the wax is melted all the way to the glass.  Before I light the candle I normally would trim my wicks, however if the candle is tunneling and if I cut the to the recommended height, it might drown once it gets the wax to completely melt. 

Drowning:
Now, it looks like it’s drowning and I have had this problem with this candle. I have taken some of the wax out and put it into a ramekin. When I am ready I just put the ramekin on the tart warmer. **an electric tart warmer that is two pieces..I just place it on the warming plate. I figured a ramekin is made to withstand heat from an oven so it should be able to handle a warming plate.** 

How do I get the wax out?  Well I typically blow out the candle and wait until it gets a little cooler.  I like to be able to scoop the wax out without worrying if it’s going to get all over the table or on me.  When it is soft, I get my tools out:  A spreader from an old flatware set that I had.  I would use a spoon but I don’t always take out wax, actually most of the time I do not have to contend with wax removal.  If my candle has started to tunnel and I will use the spreader to fold or pull the wax away from the glass so it melts with the rest of the wax and wrap some foil around it for good measure.  It’s more like a multipurpose tool.

 20110908_63

I added the wick trimmers to the picture so you can see I have two different types.  I like the smaller silver pair.  I like how the handles are shaped and it has a little wick clippings holder so it won’t fall into your candle.  It’s thick on the bottom so you could sit it down on the candle, trim the wick and it would be the perfect size height.  I believe Yankee candles are to have a 1/8 of an inch wick. 

I don’t always have to work on my candles.  However, for the price that I pay for them I want to make sure that I use as much of the wax as possible.  When you get to 1/2 of an inch left you are supposed to discard the candle (Yankee’s directions, others may vary).  I never throw it out!  I place it in the freezer for a bit, to pull the wax away from the glass.  I score the wax so it will break apart and I bag the left overs for tarts!  I pay a lot for my candles and want to use every last bit!

The Sock Method:
I have heard that some people use a sock and wrap it around the candle instead of foil.  I have tried this and I couldn’t get a full wax pool.  I have seen several pictures of candles that have beautiful wax pools that are wrapped in socks and crocheted tubes that slide over the candle.  You can try it out.  Let me know if yours works better for you! 

I hope this helps someone.  Please see the Tips/Help category if you need to know more about tunneling or drowning.

We have all had that poor candle that has had issues. a drowning wick or wicks or perhaps it’s tunneling.  Don’t worry.  More than likely you can save the candle.  If I buy a jar candle from Yankee Candle I always make sure I have my Illuma-lids around to cover the top.  It is supposed to prevent drafts from messing with the flame.  If your flame is flickering and dancing all about it might not be a good place for your candle to be sitting.  Here are some of my Illuma-lids:

20110908_4220110908_43

20110908_45

This one is from McCall’s candles.  They were a dollar when I purchased them and I got 5.  They fit however they will not lift off easily but I use something to get it off the top of the jar.  It does the job, a nice deep wax pool!

20110908_44

Can’t spend money on these?  You don’t buy jars, you only purchase tumblers?  It’s okay.  You can wrap your candle in foil.  Here is my Pumpkin Brulee and my Pumpkin Patch swirl.  The Pumpkin Patch is wrapped on the top and it has an Illuma-lid.

  20110908_7720110908_72

I know it doesn’t look pretty but it works.  Once you get the wax pool all the way to the glass, you can remove the foil if you want to.  I normally will keep it for a couple of burns before taking it off.

Here is Pumpkin Brulee.  It’s a tumber and the Illuma-lids do not fit on it.  20110908_6720110908_48

I just wrap it where the heat needs to be distributed. You can see how well the wax is melted all the way to the glass.  Before I light the candle I normally would trim my wicks, however if the candle is tunneling and if I cut the to the recommended height, it might drown once it gets the wax to completely melt. 

Drowning:
Now, it looks like it’s drowning and I have had this problem with this candle. I have taken some of the wax out and put it into a ramekin. When I am ready I just put the ramekin on the tart warmer. **an electric tart warmer that is two pieces..I just place it on the warming plate. I figured a ramekin is made to withstand heat from an oven so it should be able to handle a warming plate.** 

How do I get the wax out?  Well I typically blow out the candle and wait until it gets a little cooler.  I like to be able to scoop the wax out without worrying if it’s going to get all over the table or on me.  When it is soft, I get my tools out:  A spreader from an old flatware set that I had.  I would use a spoon but I don’t always take out wax, actually most of the time I do not have to contend with wax removal.  If my candle has started to tunnel and I will use the spreader to fold or pull the wax away from the glass so it melts with the rest of the wax and wrap some foil around it for good measure.  It’s more like a multipurpose tool.

 20110908_63

I added the wick trimmers to the picture so you can see I have two different types.  I like the smaller silver pair.  I like how the handles are shaped and it has a little wick clippings holder so it won’t fall into your candle.  It’s thick on the bottom so you could sit it down on the candle, trim the wick and it would be the perfect size height.  I believe Yankee candles are to have a 1/8 of an inch wick. 

I don’t always have to work on my candles.  However, for the price that I pay for them I want to make sure that I use as much of the wax as possible.  When you get to 1/2 of an inch left you are supposed to discard the candle (Yankee’s directions, others may vary).  I never throw it out!  I place it in the freezer for a bit, to pull the wax away from the glass.  I score the wax so it will break apart and I bag the left overs for tarts!  I pay a lot for my candles and want to use every last bit!

The Sock Method:
I have heard that some people use a sock and wrap it around the candle instead of foil.  I have tried this and I couldn’t get a full wax pool.  I have seen several pictures of candles that have beautiful wax pools that are wrapped in socks and crocheted tubes that slide over the candle.  You can try it out.  Let me know if yours works better for you! 

I hope this helps someone.  Please see the Tips/Help category if you need to know more about tunneling or drowning.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

I thought I would give a little insight to what I do when I get tarts or melts in the mail.  I usually sort my tarts/melts by vendor so if I order from Front Porch then they all will go in one drawer in the candle closet.

After I give them a day or two to rest from their long travels I pull them all back out.  If they are in a cup like a Candles by Victoria scent shot, then I pop it open, lay the shot on the lid and slice it into quarters.  Once I’m finished I snap the bottom over the shot and snap it to the lid.  Easy cutting and I’m not wasting a crumb!

Here is an example of when I received my Front Porch order:

20110905_1120110905_1220110905_1320110905_1420110905_1520110905_1720110905_18

The knife is my candle knife and is no longer used on food.  It sits in the candle closet with everything else.  I have a cutting board too but when they have the lids on them I don’t bother with it.  If it’s a sold in a bag like Front Porch grubby tarts and tarts from Kim’s, I just slice them up on the cutting board and either put them back into the bag they came in or I place all the chopped up pieces in a ziploc bag. 

Although I get more for my money by doing this (not just throwing the whole tart in the warmer for two days and then throwing it out) I find it’s harder to get the wax out when I finished.  It’s thin and doesn’t just fall out every time.  Sometimes I have to score the tart while it’s in the bowl and that will help some of the wax break away and then I can get the rest to come out.

 

I hope this was a helpful.  I just hate wasting wax, especially when it’s expensive.  I want to get all the bang for my buck!

Enjoy!

I thought I would give a little insight to what I do when I get tarts or melts in the mail.  I usually sort my tarts/melts by vendor so if I order from Front Porch then they all will go in one drawer in the candle closet.

After I give them a day or two to rest from their long travels I pull them all back out.  If they are in a cup like a Candles by Victoria scent shot, then I pop it open, lay the shot on the lid and slice it into quarters.  Once I’m finished I snap the bottom over the shot and snap it to the lid.  Easy cutting and I’m not wasting a crumb!

Here is an example of when I received my Front Porch order:

20110905_1120110905_1220110905_1320110905_1420110905_1520110905_1720110905_18

The knife is my candle knife and is no longer used on food.  It sits in the candle closet with everything else.  I have a cutting board too but when they have the lids on them I don’t bother with it.  If it’s a sold in a bag like Front Porch grubby tarts and tarts from Kim’s, I just slice them up on the cutting board and either put them back into the bag they came in or I place all the chopped up pieces in a ziploc bag. 

Although I get more for my money by doing this (not just throwing the whole tart in the warmer for two days and then throwing it out) I find it’s harder to get the wax out when I finished.  It’s thin and doesn’t just fall out every time.  Sometimes I have to score the tart while it’s in the bowl and that will help some of the wax break away and then I can get the rest to come out.

 

I hope this was a helpful.  I just hate wasting wax, especially when it’s expensive.  I want to get all the bang for my buck!

Enjoy!

Monday, September 5, 2011

Want a yummy pumpkin without all the spice from nutmeg, cinnamon and clove? Want a warm inviting scent throughout your home? Did another company's Pumpkin Buttercream fail to please? Look no further! My bakery lovin' friends the search is over!!

pumpkinIt’s that time of year when all the candle/wax loving people try and find the best fall scent.  I have tried another company’s Pumpkin Buttercream and it was, well, too much my for taste.  sometimes the simple things work best so I took a chance with Front Porch Candle Co.’s Pumpkin Buttercream.  Words can’t express how perfect this is!!  I was happy when I read on Facebook that FP had a fantastic PB.  I wrote it down and made to sure to add it to my first order.  Un-real.  UN-REAL!  It’s sweet instead of spicy and creamy.  It’s like taking my version of pumpkin pie (which does have all the spicy stuff in it) and mixing it with thick fluffy creamy buttercream frosting.  All it needs is a cake to go on and a hot cup of coffee to wash it down with….ahh.  Being a foodie/bakery person I was hesitant to burn this in the bedroom since I didn’t want it to over power the room to where I couldn’t walk in.  So happy I did though.  It was the only warmer in the house that wasn’t being used.  My room had every aspect of fall!  I actually moved my computer and turned on my tv show in there just so I could enjoy it!

  Let’s just say I will be ordering more of this seeing how it’s only September 5th!  If you are looking for a great pumpkin scent, give this a try!  Well balanced, has a nice strong throw and is the ideal fall scent.

Enjoy!

Want a yummy pumpkin without all the spice from nutmeg, cinnamon and clove? Want a warm inviting scent throughout your home? Did another company's Pumpkin Buttercream fail to please? Look no further! My bakery lovin' friends the search is over!!

pumpkinIt’s that time of year when all the candle/wax loving people try and find the best fall scent.  I have tried another company’s Pumpkin Buttercream and it was, well, too much my for taste.  sometimes the simple things work best so I took a chance with Front Porch Candle Co.’s Pumpkin Buttercream.  Words can’t express how perfect this is!!  I was happy when I read on Facebook that FP had a fantastic PB.  I wrote it down and made to sure to add it to my first order.  Un-real.  UN-REAL!  It’s sweet instead of spicy and creamy.  It’s like taking my version of pumpkin pie (which does have all the spicy stuff in it) and mixing it with thick fluffy creamy buttercream frosting.  All it needs is a cake to go on and a hot cup of coffee to wash it down with….ahh.  Being a foodie/bakery person I was hesitant to burn this in the bedroom since I didn’t want it to over power the room to where I couldn’t walk in.  So happy I did though.  It was the only warmer in the house that wasn’t being used.  My room had every aspect of fall!  I actually moved my computer and turned on my tv show in there just so I could enjoy it!

  Let’s just say I will be ordering more of this seeing how it’s only September 5th!  If you are looking for a great pumpkin scent, give this a try!  Well balanced, has a nice strong throw and is the ideal fall scent.

Enjoy!

As I have stated before I have this love of all lemon scents. Doesn't matter if it's bakery, straight up fruit, blended with popular fragrances to make a lemon twist. I thought about lemon spell today. Where could you go wrong if you love lemon and Victoria's Secret Love Spell.
I bought some of these when Angie was having a sale of buy a grubby tart and get one of the same scent free.

 20110905_33
Love it!! Lemon tang with the sweetness of love spell. Very bright, great strong throw. I actually didn't even use this in the kitchen, it was in the bedroom.  If I could have my love spell be a custom blend just for me….this would be it!  Absolutely going to reorder this blended scent and if you like both lemon and love spell give this a try.  Angie’s tarts are inexpensive and she offers free shipping all the time!  YAY!  Here’s the web address to Front Porch Candle Co. 

---> Front Porch Candle Co.

Enjoy!


Tia~

I haven’t really talked about Scentsy that much.  Truth be told I only have one warmer and well I think it’s a love it/ hate it kind of thing.  I like it but haven’t ordered enough goodies to really give an opinion.  I like the fact I can use the warmer like a night light.  the products are reasonably priced and they have a decent selection of scents.  When it was shipped, the Scentsy Bars were wrapped in an ice pack and weren’t soft when they were delivered.  They were sitting outside all day while I was at work and this was during the summer (end of July/beginning of August).  The order was processed pretty quick and I received an email from my consultant letting me know that my order would arrive the next day.  This is my warmer:

20110825_16  It’s a cupcake!  The only thing that I don’t like about this warmer is that it’s a cupcake!  It’s very cute however sometimes I want something not so sweet looking!  So I have to admit maybe I needed to rethink my warmer choice.  Anyway I am going to make another purchase the next time I get paid and I think I’m going to add another warmer to the list.  Another turn off for the Scentsy warmer, it’s picky!  You can only melt certain wax in it.  I believe they must be soy based or palm.  Don’t know but I do know that it does not get hot enough for a Yankee Tart. 

If you look over the minor things you can be a proud Scentsy owner!  Just like anything else, it has it’s pros and cons.  I will order more Scentsy bars at least.  I really enjoy their scents and I did get some that were part of the Bring Back My Bar sale.  That’s when they had the scents that were discontinued available for purchase.  I bought two lemon scents which I was happy with one of them.  The other I didn’t really smell anything so I might have to add another block to the warmer and see how it turns out.

If you use a Scentsy, please share what products you have purchased.  Since I’m pretty new I haven’t been able to really review any scents or any of the wall warmers.

As I have stated before I have this love of all lemon scents. Doesn't matter if it's bakery, straight up fruit, blended with popular fragrances to make a lemon twist. I thought about lemon spell today. Where could you go wrong if you love lemon and Victoria's Secret Love Spell.
I bought some of these when Angie was having a sale of buy a grubby tart and get one of the same scent free.

 20110905_33
Love it!! Lemon tang with the sweetness of love spell. Very bright, great strong throw. I actually didn't even use this in the kitchen, it was in the bedroom.  If I could have my love spell be a custom blend just for me….this would be it!  Absolutely going to reorder this blended scent and if you like both lemon and love spell give this a try.  Angie’s tarts are inexpensive and she offers free shipping all the time!  YAY!  Here’s the web address to Front Porch Candle Co. 

---> Front Porch Candle Co.

Enjoy!


Tia~

I haven’t really talked about Scentsy that much.  Truth be told I only have one warmer and well I think it’s a love it/ hate it kind of thing.  I like it but haven’t ordered enough goodies to really give an opinion.  I like the fact I can use the warmer like a night light.  the products are reasonably priced and they have a decent selection of scents.  When it was shipped, the Scentsy Bars were wrapped in an ice pack and weren’t soft when they were delivered.  They were sitting outside all day while I was at work and this was during the summer (end of July/beginning of August).  The order was processed pretty quick and I received an email from my consultant letting me know that my order would arrive the next day.  This is my warmer:

20110825_16  It’s a cupcake!  The only thing that I don’t like about this warmer is that it’s a cupcake!  It’s very cute however sometimes I want something not so sweet looking!  So I have to admit maybe I needed to rethink my warmer choice.  Anyway I am going to make another purchase the next time I get paid and I think I’m going to add another warmer to the list.  Another turn off for the Scentsy warmer, it’s picky!  You can only melt certain wax in it.  I believe they must be soy based or palm.  Don’t know but I do know that it does not get hot enough for a Yankee Tart. 

If you look over the minor things you can be a proud Scentsy owner!  Just like anything else, it has it’s pros and cons.  I will order more Scentsy bars at least.  I really enjoy their scents and I did get some that were part of the Bring Back My Bar sale.  That’s when they had the scents that were discontinued available for purchase.  I bought two lemon scents which I was happy with one of them.  The other I didn’t really smell anything so I might have to add another block to the warmer and see how it turns out.

If you use a Scentsy, please share what products you have purchased.  Since I’m pretty new I haven’t been able to really review any scents or any of the wall warmers.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

A few weeks ago I purchased Banana Nut Bread in tarts.  I figured I love bakery and I often make banana nut bread from scratch so I might as well try it out. 

When I gave it a sniff while it was cold I could get the bread and light banana and some hints of nuts.  Honestly I wasn’t sure how the throw was going to be since it wasn’t super strong cold.  Shockingly it was quite strong and very true to a banana nut bread baking in the oven.  Interestingly enough, when I was in the family room I could get a really awesome baking scent but once I walked into the kitchen it was almost too much.  I was not sure what I was smelling but it was not BNB.  It wasn’t sweet nor did I smell any banana.  It reminded me of a buttered bread.  It was a yeast smell which was not appealing at all.  When I left the kitchen, it once again worked itself out, which still to this day I do not understand why.  I feel that it could have used a bit more sweetness like some sugar or vanilla extract but that it totally just my opinion.  I still feel that it was a true, authentic scent that most bakery/foodie fans would like and should try. 

Have you tried BNB?  What did you think of it?  Most people I have talked to really liked it.  I will try it again and perhaps I will do a little mixology with it it.  I’ll post what I come up with and if it made it like my homemade bread.

Enjoy!

A few weeks ago I purchased Banana Nut Bread in tarts.  I figured I love bakery and I often make banana nut bread from scratch so I might as well try it out. 

When I gave it a sniff while it was cold I could get the bread and light banana and some hints of nuts.  Honestly I wasn’t sure how the throw was going to be since it wasn’t super strong cold.  Shockingly it was quite strong and very true to a banana nut bread baking in the oven.  Interestingly enough, when I was in the family room I could get a really awesome baking scent but once I walked into the kitchen it was almost too much.  I was not sure what I was smelling but it was not BNB.  It wasn’t sweet nor did I smell any banana.  It reminded me of a buttered bread.  It was a yeast smell which was not appealing at all.  When I left the kitchen, it once again worked itself out, which still to this day I do not understand why.  I feel that it could have used a bit more sweetness like some sugar or vanilla extract but that it totally just my opinion.  I still feel that it was a true, authentic scent that most bakery/foodie fans would like and should try. 

Have you tried BNB?  What did you think of it?  Most people I have talked to really liked it.  I will try it again and perhaps I will do a little mixology with it it.  I’ll post what I come up with and if it made it like my homemade bread.

Enjoy!