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*

 

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*

 

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*

 

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*

 

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*

 

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 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*

 

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*

 

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*

 

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*

 

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*

 

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*

 

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*

 

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*

 

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*

 

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*

 

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*

 

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*

 

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*

 

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*

 

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!