Friday, August 30, 2013

Influenster Invites!

Do you like free stuff? I know I do!

I love Influenster. I have had the chance to be part of 2 VoxBoxes, boxes of samples to try, with a wide range of products included. It is a very cool program, and I would love to invite YOU!!!

Would you like an Influenster invite? Leave your email in the comments section, or email me at: lololovesscents@gmail.com and I would be more than happy to give you one of 5 invites.

I promise you won't be disappointed! :)

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Haul: Sniff My Tarts Haul #2!

Sniff My Tarts is a fan-favorite vendors. Chunks are all the rage right now in the wax world. They got absolutely swamped with order from their December 1-2 (2012) sale, and I was one of the many, many people to place an order during it.

I got my first order a loooong time ago because, at the time, I was nervous about exact shipping rates. I placed an order for 8 scent shots (and received 16 because of the BOGO sale) that came in less than stellar condition. But, I got over it, because it all gets melted in the end, doesn't it?

Well, this order was placed either December 30th or 31st and I received it on May 29th or 30th; obviously this post is late, and it's because I wanted to let these things cure before I posted about them. I don't always do this, but SMT is definitely better when cured.

The turnaround time was 5 months, and it really doesn't bother me that much for a few reasons I will list:
  • They never gave any false information to me about my order (IE: said it was going to be done on X date, and then lied about it and never sent it out, which a few vendors have done both to me and to others), which is nice, but others did have issues throughout their order time.
  • They were always upfront that orders were taking a really long time to get churned out for customers. This shows that they were honest, but when people asked questions on their group page, some gals got their heads bitten off for simply asking questions. Not cool, but I didn't have this issue.
  • I did get pretty pissed when a different vendor kept telling me my order was almost done, then done, then she was busy, then she was just finishing, then she abruptly closed the business for personal/work issues and took almost 2 weeks to issue refunds and we kept having to harp on her about it [I know of at least 5 other people in the same boat], but that was the only time I've ever gotten really upset about an order. I wasn't upset here, but now that I am melting through this order and seeing some inconsistencies from my first one, I don't know if I just like to convince myself that it's worth the wait while simultaneously being paranoid, or I just forget and then get a surprise package.
  • I liked their products the first time around, *EDIT* but won't wait 5 months again. As I mentioned above, melting through my items, I have found some consistency issues with throw and general scent. I am a bit disappointed.
So, there's my take. Now, onto the haul! I know this is a few months late, but I wanted to release the post when I could actually melt the scents. I won't do it again, I promise. ;)
This is a sample. A SAMPLE. It's as big as my hand! The scent is peppermint mallow smoothie, which I am grateful for because I am running seriously low on peppermint scents. Creamy and minty!
My other samples! Here we have coffee orange danish (I have a history with SMT's coffee scents...ehhhh), a mystery cup, orange marshmallow something, ice cream scoop bread serendipity smoothie, and cookies & cream (which I didn't like, unfortunately, but I am grateful for the samples!).
So adorable!
I like shapes, so I ordered little grubby pie type things in Circus Concessions, Pink Sugar Baby (LOVE), and Camp Fire Dessert Latte (not a fan, too chocolatey).
Again with the shapes! I ordered stars in Pink Sweet Cream (which people swore wasn't milky, and I shouldn't have gone against my gut because I know I wouldn't like this), Willow's Cuppy Cake (a fan favorite but not my type of scent), and Pink Vanilla Butter Fudge (so, so good).
Samplers!! I got a pink sugar sampler, a fruity sampler, and a bakery sampler (what was I thinking? LOL).
The Bakery sampler includes:
  • Amish Friendship Bread: just okay, not my favorite. Very bready.
  • Lemon Bundt Cake: this smells like fruity pebbles to me, which I love.
  • Raspberry Turn Over: a bit floral, but nice.
  • Birthday Cake: sweet and buttercreamy.
  • Pumpkin Cream Brulee: very good, very spicy!
  • Sugar Cookie: fabulous sugar cookie scent.
The Fruit sampler includes:
  • Keylime: without the pie in this, it smells awesome. Love it.!
  • Grape: I've said before I didn't like grape, and it's true here too. I think Rosegirls is the exception.
  • Green Apple: a sour apple, really enjoy this, will be good on its own or in a blend.
  • Fruit Slices: just okay, some sort of fruit in this I don't like, but otherwise it's fine.
  • Honey Dew: love! Very strong on cold sniff.
  • Blackberry: too floral for me.
The Pink Sugar sampler includes:
  • Pink Sugar Baby: slightly clean, but I love it. Snuggly.
  • Pink Serendipity: so good.
  • Pink Sweet Candy: unfortunately, I don't like this one. I don't know what "sweet candy" is, but I've never liked it from any vendor.
  • Pink Cotton Candy: very nice scent!
  • Pink Marshmallow: love this one, creamy and I like this pink sugar in this scent.
  • Pink KeyLime: this was way too crusty for me.
Finally, some two-packs of grubby tarts in Serendipity Marshmallow Smoothie, Sticky Pink Serendipity, and Peppermint Sticky Pink Serendipity, all of which I love. They make a mean serendipity!

Have you tried Sniff My Tarts? Let me know what you love from this vendor!

Wickless Wednesday: Current Favorite Songs!

Alright, I have been long overdue for a music post. I am obsessed with music, it's one of my passions. Here are some songs I am digging right now.
Oh. My. God. I am not a Katy Perry fan, but her latest song "Roar" is so damn catchy I can hardly stand it. I am obsessed!
Imagine Dragons is a band that flew under my radar for a while. In fact, Josh was the one that pointed this song out to me. It's called "Radioactive," and I love it.
Funny story. I don't know if any/most of you have or use Instagram, but tons of celebrities do. I follow Will Sasso on Instagram because he makes hilarious videos on Vine (another video app). Well, he has many videos featuring this song, "Wouldn't It Be Good" by Nik Kershaw, so it has naturally been in my head for weeks, if not months.
"Same Love" by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis is more than some guy talking over a catchy piano beat. It's got a message, and I love and respect that message. It's also really good, in my opinion, I genuinely like this song. You should give it a listen.
Rocky Horror Picture Show is one of my favorite movies. It's so good. Little Nell has a B-side song from RHPS called "See You Round Like A Record" that I've recently discovered. If you like this movie, check out this song...IT'S SO GREAT!

Do you have any songs stuck in your head right now? Please let me know in the comments section below! :)

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Review: The Bathing Garden's Pink Lime

What's your favorite color?
I have two....
...okay, 3.
......okay, 6. But who is counting?
They are: yellow, orange, cerulean blue, dark purple, black, and...
This color green.
The limier, the better.
Lime green is flawless and I hope to get a car in lime green some day.*
* = Josh doesn't know this plan yet, so don't tell him. ;)

When "pink" is used in wax, it generally means pink sugar, which is a dupe for a popular fragrance, if I'm not mistaken. In The Bathing Garden's Pink Lime, this is not the case. Here's the description straight from Shannon's Etsy page:
Kaffir lime, Japanese grapefruit, tangerine, and lemon; middle notes of bergamot and strawberries; sitting on base notes of brown sugar and oakmoss.
This is absolutely the correct description. It's mainly a citrus scent, very bright and fruity, with hints of sweetness and earthiness.
It's perfect.
It's strong.
It's enough to make you want to get on with your day, if you're having a bad one.
It will change your mood...well, it did to mine! I had a headache and I popped this in the warmer and instantly felt better.

Maybe I just reserved all the good scents for the middle of my blog, but this scent is amazing. I love it. I won't melt my other 4 cubes until I get a spare. :)

~~~~~~~~~~
The Bathing Garden's Pink Lime
Cold Rating8.5/10; very strong before melting, and you definitely pick up individual notes of lemon, grapefruit and tangerine all on cold sniff.
Lit Rating10/10; flawless! This scent is classic pick-me-up. It's got a slight earthiness, which I like. No pink sugar, so be warned! Ahhhh, so, so good.
Throw Rating8.5/10; awesome throw, could smell this through most of the house.
Overall Rating10/10; if the word "lime" had to be defined by a scent, this would be it. Citrus trees and rainbows. Headache clearing. Seeing angels. Saving the best for last.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Review: Bath & Body Works Watermelon Lemonade 14.5 oz. 3-Wick Candle

Summertime needs to be over.
It has been hotter these past 2 weeks, and muggy, and gross, and I don't like it.
The heat and I "don't mesh well together" (name the movie!).

* = May not actually be me.
I have really been enjoying my Watermelon Lemonade candle from Bath & Body Works these past few weeks.
It has been the perfect summertime treat: fruity from the watermelon, a not-too-tart lemonade, and a powerful, awesome throw.
Let me tell you, this baby lingers and travels!
This photo doesn't really do it justice, but it's been a fabulous candle to burn, performance wise.
In addition to a bitchin' throw, the wax pools have always been even and deep every single time.
I am now finished with this candle and have been unable to locate more in store. SAD! I have one more left I may save for next year.
Bath & Body Works, PLEASE, bring this candle back! It's incredible!

~~~~~~~~~~
Bath & Body Works Watermelon Lemonade 14.5 oz. 3-Wick Candle
Cold Rating9/10; pretty close to greatness. Strong, and you get all of the notes in this.
Lit Rating10/10; as I said, perfect every single time!
Throw Rating10/10; brilliant throw, could smell this in ever nook and cranny inside the house, and could even smell whiffs of it outside, too!
Overall Rating10/10; sure, this doesn't exactly add up all the way, but this candle is perfect. Great scent, fabulous throw, nice performance, and a summertime winner!

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Lightning Round Reviews #8, Bedroom Edition!

So, I have a full box of empties from bedroom melts. I am going to give you a quick look at some of them today! :)
Streetman Candle Company's Pink Flamingo
Cold Rating: 6/10
Lit Rating6.5/10
Throw Rating: 6.5/10
Overall Rating6.5/10; I sort of went Streetman Snap Stick crazy a few weeks ago, and Pink Flamingo was a nice, juicy drink scent, very sweet with a decent throw. Possibly a bit of floral in this? I liked it a lot!
Streetman Candle Company's Pink Pomegranate
Cold Rating6/10
Lit Rating: 6/10
Throw Rating: 5.5/10
Overall Rating: 6/10; a bit weaker than it's counterpart above, but it was nice. Another fruity scent, but if I had to choose between the two, I'd pick Pink Flamingo.
Streetman Candle Company's Honolulu Hula
Cold Rating7.5/10
Lit Rating8/10
Throw Rating7.5/10
Overall Rating7.5/10; this scent was nothing amazing! Tropical, bright, strong, very "for summer!" Loved it, I hope Heather still has this available on her site!
Streetman Candle Company's Love Potion No. 7
Cold Rating7.5/10
Lit Rating8/10
Throw Rating9/10
Overall Rating8/10; brilliantly execused perfumey scent with much more depth and many more notes. Loved this! Insane throw.
Streetman Candle Company's Spring Meadow
Cold Rating9/10
Lit Rating9/10
Throw Rating9/10
Overall Rating9/10; another fantastic scent, but I don't think Heather carries this anymore. It's so green, so lush, you actually feel like you're in a field of flowers and greenery. Amazing, strong, great!
Streetman Candle Company's Green Apple Hard Rock
Cold Rating7.5/10
Lit Rating8.5/10
Throw Rating8/10
Overall Rating8/10; the best green apple scent I have smelled in wax. Very strong. Not overpowering, just bright and fresh. Sweet, but not overly so. Lovely!
The Bathing Garden's Pink Bunny Ears
Cold Rating7/10
Lit Rating8.5/10
Throw Rating7.5/10
Overall Rating7.5/10; red velvet cake on the bottom, serendipity on the top, these two scents don't sound like they'd go good together, but they do! Medium-high strength, I would have liked a little more...something. But good!
The Scented Princess' Birthday Cake Serendipity Toasted Marshmallow
Cold Rating6.5/10
Lit Rating7/10
Throw Rating6/10
Overall Rating: 6.5/10; if there's toasted marshmallow in this, I don't get much of it, but Dawn's birthday cake and her serendipity go well together Could have been a bit stronger.
Tiffany Candles Pink Grapefruit
Cold Rating7.5/10
Lit Rating7.5/10
Throw Rating7.5/10
Overall Rating7.5/10; bright, fruity, fun! Loved this so much I repurchased it in heart tarts. Perfect for guests who love citrus smells!
Candles from the Keeping Room's Pink Grapefruit
Cold Rating7/10
Lit Rating7/10
Throw Rating6.5/10
Overall Rating6.5/10; a skosh less strong that the Tiffany's counterpart, but still nice. I was on a grapefruit kick this summer!
Front Porch's Pink Lemonade (also a finished 4-pack)
Cold Rating6/10
Lit Rating: 6.5/10
Throw Rating6/10
Overall Rating6/10; another fantastic scent, but I don't think Heather carries this anymore. It's so green, so lush, you actually feel like you're in a field of flowers and greenery. Amazing, strong, great!
Candles from the Keeping Room's Frosted Sugar Cookie
Cold Rating5/10
Lit Rating6.5/10
Throw Rating7.5/10
Overall Rating6/10; on cold sniff, this smells off and stinky, but while warming, it does smell like delicious cookies with frosting! Yum! A bit buttery, but no harm done. Nice!
Candles from the Keeping Room's Mandarin Coconut
Cold Rating6/10
Lit Rating7/10
Throw Rating6/10
Overall Rating6/10; the mandarin mixed with Carol's coconut makes for an interesting, welcomed mix. Very unique and delicious smelling, I just wish it was stronger!
Candles from the Keeping Room's Cocomilk
Cold Rating6/10
Lit Rating7/10
Throw Rating6/10
Overall Rating: 6/10; the milk here is straight from a coconut, not like her "sugar milk" scent. Very nice, but not super strong, nice when paired with her coconut scent! MOON MAN!!
IHeartWax's Serendipity
Cold Rating7.5/10
Lit Rating7.5/10
Throw Rating8/10
Overall Rating7.5/10; super strong serendipity, I used the whole cookie because I didn't want to cut it, it was heavier on the coconut, but still nice.
Sniff My Tarts Mystery Chunks (lavender + cakey something??)
Cold Rating: 7/10
Lit Rating6/10
Throw Rating6/10
Overall Rating6/10; SMT's lavender can be cloying and sometimes grating. The pink isn't pink sugar, if it is, it's not strong, but there's definitely a cake note in this. Ehh, glad these are gone.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Review: Front Porch's Baby's Clean Laundry

What do you think of when I say the word "baby"?
Newborn humans or animals? A Pet name? Justin Bieber's hit song?
What about baby powder? Fresh clothes??
Front Porch's Baby's Clean Laundry was exactly what I needed while I was doing laundry the other day, but I'm not sure what exactly compelled me to buy this considering I am not a fan of "baby" scents.
This had a powdery laundry note, which I'm usually not a fan of, but the throw on this was medium, so it wasn't overly in your face.
Powdery tarts are very overpowering to my nose, even a slight detection of powder and I'm usually out of there, but this wasn't horrid. All in all, a clean scent I wouldn't mind repurchasing.
This filled up the kitchen nicely!

~~~~~~~~~~
Front Porch's Baby's Clean Laundry
Cold Rating6/10; decent strength on cold sniff, all I get is powder though.
Lit Rating6/10; more of a straightforward laundry note comes out while warming, but the powder always remains there.
Throw Rating: 6.5/10; not overly annoying as far as throw is concerned, it's not grating on the senses but still manages to keep me interested.
Overall Rating: 6/10; laundry days suck because I am the stainiest person that ever stained shirt. SERIOUSLY. No article of clothing is safe with me. This was okay.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Sale Alert: Up The Creek Scents!

Hi all, I have a sale to report!

I got an email last night from Up The Creek Scents saying that she was going to be reopening for 1 DAY ONLY, 24 HOURS ONLY, on August 22, 2013!

I have enjoyed her products, and this sale seems to include loaves, tart brittle, and heart tarts!

Anywho, buy from her one day only reopening if you want! WOOHOO! :D

Visit her website here: http://upthecreekscents.com/shop/

Review: Candles from the Keeping Room's Lime Leaf & Lily

As I get older, I feel as though I grow less and less tolerant of overtly sweet stuff in the air "just because." In wax, it doesn't seem to bother me, but like perfume? Someone else's food? General life situations? Call me Ebeneezer, but dang, something in my nose craves cleanness!
Lime Leaf & Lily from Candles from the Keeping Room is just about perfect.
It's strong, green, fresh, and amazing. It kind of, sort of smells like a non-alcoholic margarita lime, almost.
The sweetness here is from the lime, which is bright and fragrant.
The "leaf" isn't one that you'd smell that's grassy or dirty, it's just...clean!
I really love this scent. I would have never thought about something like this, and to tell you the truth, this specific scent is what opened the "weird clean scent" door for me in wax, truly!
If things, in this instance lime, can be added to green or fresh scents to combine and make something this amazing, I'm all for it.
This single little tart lasted a whopping 12 hours, and it would of kept going, but we needed to go to sleep.
It's clean enough for laundry day, but bright enough on its own to be melted any time. Another home run from Carol!

~~~~~~~~~~
Candles from the Keeping Room's Lime Leaf & Lily
Cold Rating8/10; super strong on cold sniff, even for paraffin. You get a very green note behind this lime infused tart.
Lit Rating9/10; so very, very good! Very strong, fragrant, nice mix of fruit and greenery.
Throw Rating8/10; Solid throw, even in a bigger room like the kitchen. Clean and green scents tend to be on the stronger side in the kitchen anyways, but this was welcomed strength!
Overall Rating8/10; love this scent, can't wait to buy more. Want and need for a margarita. Clean scent in the morning, pick-me-up scent in the afternoon, refreshing by night!

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Project Wax #2, Update #6!

Uggggggggggggggggggggh. This Project Wax box will not end, but I'm close. I am ready to be done with it so I can melt stuff that's transitional from summer to fall! Anyways, in a week I'll be done, so there you go. Here's this weeks melts!
Candles from the Keeping Room's Cranberry Bundt: 7/10, a very nice sweet cranberry mixed in with slight cakey notes. We liked this a lot. Medium throw.
Candles from the Keeping Room's Green Irish Tweed: 8/10, clean, green, and strong. Definitely a repurch, a great cleaning day scent!
Candles from the Keeping Room's Kiss & Tell: 7.5/10, fruity, flirty, fun summertime scent. Really nice, medium high throw. Would repurchase.
Candles from the Keeping Room's Lemon Noel: 6.5/10, not as good as Carol's other lemon scents. Medium throw, decent scent but not my favorite.
Candles from the Keeping Room's The Keeping Room: 4/10, wisps of spices but otherwise very light throw. I have wanted to try this scent for a long time but was completely underwhelmed.
Crabby Candle Co.'s Bliss: 5/10, super strong very cleaner lemon scent. This smells okay on cold sniff, but while warming it smells like disinfectant antibacterial wipes. Most of the points go to scent strength here.
Front Porch's Loopy Serendipity: 6/10, the first time this smelled weird, but I decided it was just me. Next time it was ok, but needed 2 tarts. FP's serendipity isn't my favorite. This was an ok blend. Not a repurch.
Front Porch's Pink Peppermint: 10/10, I have not found a pink peppermint quite like it, so I change my rating from 9.5/10 to 10/10. It's the best. So strong, so good. Love it.
JLCCW's Apple Butterscotch Cake: 4.5/10, JLCCW has a great, fresh apple scent, but the butterscotch cake was too sweet for me, and together they clashed. Nice throw, though.
JLCCW's Coconut Milk Lavender: 7/10, I am so tired of this scent, but this was nice and strong, especially for being one small heart tart.
JLCCW's Legally Blonde: 8.5/10, I am a legally blonde/blonde moment convert. SO GOOD. Fruity, delicious, slightly bubbly, YUM!
Lasting Scent Candles Sweet Vanilla Pound Cake: 7.5/10, so good. Medium high throw, not overly buttery, just the right sweetness, lingered throughout the house, loved this. Repurch for sure!
Pics, Petals & Scents Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Scoop Bread: 5/10, I've come to the conclusion that I don't like cheesecake in wax. It smells off to me. ICSB is hit or miss anyway, but this was just okay. Eh.
Pics, Petals & Scents Lemon Frosted Birthday Cake: 8/10, this, however, was incredible! Super bakery, lemon, and frosting mixed together, STRONG throw, loved it!
Rosegirls Macintosh Swizzle Sticks: 6/10, very sweet apple scent, low-medium throw, but nice.
Sniff My Tarts Camp Fire Dessert Latte: 5.5/10, I shant recap my horrible SMT coffee experience, but this was middle of the road. Not overly campfire-y or dessert-y, just a sweet coffee scent. Not my bag.
Sniff My Tarts Pink Sugar Baby: 7.5/10, nice pink sugar mixed with something sweetly clean. Nice throw too!
Streetman Candle Co.'s Blueberry Fritter: 8/10, Heather makes the only blueberry I like. This was incredible! Sweet, lovely, not overwhelming, yet strong. Great!
Streetman Candle Co.'s Lavender Sheets: 6/10, basically a lavender laundry scent. Nice, but it wasn't a good day for this when I melted it. Great throw!
Sweet Fixations Pink Lemonade: 3.5/10, cleaner lemon scent, not a fan. Throw was a medium though.
The Scented Princess' Serendipity Cotton Candy Pink Sugar: 8/10, amazing blend! So, so good! Great blend of the three equal scents.
Candles from the Keeping Room's Cinnamon & Spice: 9/10, finished the bag, it's such a great apple and spice scent. I love it, Josh loves it, so good.
Front Porch's Lime Cookies: 3/10, I think this tart went bad. It smelled quite curdled. Icky. Nasty. Not good.
Jack Be Nimble Candle Creations Mango Tangerine: 8/10, such a great, strong, fruity scent. The first mango scent I've really liked!
Sniff My Tart's Pink Keylime: 4/10, way too crusty, not enough pink sugar. Not a fan, though medium throw.
The Scented Princess' Pink Sugar OMG! Cake: 9/10, FABULOUS blend! Not an overly buttery cake, but enough to smell that it's there. Great pink sugar scent, medium-high scent throw! Repurch!
Two Timing Tart's Daydreamer: 4/10, manly clean scent, unfortunately not super strong. I should have let this cure longer.
Two Timing Tart's Still Not Ginger (all 6 cubes) 5.5/10, again, not very strong, slight ginger ale scent but nothing more than fizziness usually.