Fall Fun Series: Fall Music and Melts!

Hey all! Thanks for coming back to my blog! Today, we're talking fall music and melts!

Today, we are talking fall music! To get me in the mood for fall every year, we blast the soundtrack for "The Nightmare Before Christmas"! It's one of our favorite movies and we watch it each November 1st because it's not quite a Christmas movie, and it's not quite a Halloween movie, it's in between! If you listen to the video I've provided, it'll play each track of the soundtrack at a time, the whole soundtrack! WHOA! :)

We are a BIG Halloween household. We don't have any kids, but decorate our house each year, so it's no surprise we identity fall with Halloween! "The Monster Mash" is, of course, one of the more old school choices for Halloween, but it gets the job done and has a funky feel!

The original "Ghostbusters" song is a more kid-friendly Halloween tune, and another fun choice! Always puts me in the spirit for ghoulies.

Is fall complete without Michael Jackson's "Thriller"? HECK NO IT ISN'T.

Ahhhhhhhh, "Tubular Bells," because nothing says "fall" like "What an excellent day for an exorcism"!

For some reason, the "Lord of the Rings" soundtrack screams fall to me. "May It Be" especially. I love the soundtracks to movies when they are so, so consistent and beautiful, and this is one of the best if you life music like this.

Now, for the melts! I hope you all don't mind...but these are not exactly fall melts. I KNOW. I KNOW. This is a fall series, but it just hasn't felt like fall yet! Maybe when we get out Halloween boxes down (which Josh is slacking on but still!)...this is as fall as it has gotten in our San Diego household. I typically *hate* coffee scents, but this Hazelnut Kona candle I received from my Flicker Box this month? AMAZE.

Extreme Lemon from Rosegirls/Not Rosegirls, it has a medium throw in our space bathroom. I love the way this smells on cold sniff, but while melting? It's much less. I have another one of these, too. :/

I put Watermelon Coconut on before we went to bed the other day and it was insane what we woke up to smelling...it was like all the watermelon had disappeared and all we had was coconut! Not complaining because Sugar & Spice is one of my top 5 favorite vendors, so I've come to expect no less than a high quality product each and every time. Shanna is an excellent vendor! This was one of those hyper pink warmer stainers, though, so watch out!

SPEAKING OF LORD OF THE RINGS, can we talk about how amazing Supertarts is? Now that she has a new ordering system, I've been able to order twice and have discovered Sam's Shire, which is fresh cut grass, watermelon, and rock candy. It is INCREDIBLE! So strong, such a great clean fruity scent. TRY THIS NOW!

Josh loves a good root beer blend, so luckily, I found some tucked away in my bathroom stash. This is super strong and even sort of fizzy, too! Syrupy root beer and sweet barrel notes. mmmmmm. (PS: Try alcoholic root beer by Not Your Father's, it'll change your life).

This bag of Wildberry Noel is old, REAL old, and yet it still has an incredible throw. This is one of my top 10 favorite CFTKR scents! Anyone buying from her this weekend?

See what everyone is doing this weekend:

Amanda at ThriftyPolished

Ashley at The Bohemian Sassenach

Hayley at Polished at Heart

Jessica at The Meltdown Blog

Julie at The Redolent Mermaid

Lauren at LoloLovesScents

Liz at Furianne

Stephanie at Imperfectly Painted
Sunnee at Our Sunny Life 

Fall Fun Series: Apples!

So, I didn't post when everyone else did past weekend because I have literally melted nothing but pink peppermint in the entire house. Not super fall-ish, right? I haven't been in a fall mood lately, to tell you the truth. I'm only sort of a seasonal melter, but I've found I have to be in a good mood mentally, physically, and emotionally to melt my favorite spicy/apple/fall scents.* {*read: I might also be a fall hoarder with my limited stash?} Also, we haven't even started to think about fall decor, and truth be told, we haven't been anywhere with a great selection of fall stuff. It's a shame, I know.

I did, however, want to showcase some APPLE STUFF! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, APPLES! There's nothing better than a good, strong apple scent in the thick of fall. Some of these are older photos because I don't have any of the good stuff at the moment, but they are previous melts reviewed on the blog. Here are some of my favorite apple things.

I haven't been on Bath & Body Works' website in a long, long time. And we need soap desperately. I just can't anymore...it's too tempting! Plus, ever since they raised the price of their candles to an exorbitant amount, it's not too hard to stay away. So, to answer my own question, no, I don't know if B&BW sells this Pumpkin Apple candle anymore, but I got it....I want to say last year? and have been only melting it when we have company. I looooooooooooooooooooove this candle. It's more apple than pumpkin, but it's still got a richer, deeper mix than if it were just straight apple. It's got a touch of spice, too, and when I put it in that owl candle holder (which was (A) on sale and (B) too hard to pass up because it goes with our decor), BAM. Instant success!

The. Best. Apple. Scent. In. The. World. No frills, no mess, no fuss. This is it. The creme de la creme. Go home, stop looking, you'll never find anything better than Beezy Tarts' Apple Clove Butter. Y'all know, I'll preach its amazingness until I die. It is insane. Spice and apple and that's it. Incredibly strong.

Lake Providence Lodge is a new favorite vendor of mine. I've never had an issue with her scents and have always found them to be highly fragrant and delightful (some haven't been my cup of tea, but that's a different story). It's not every day I get my husband to say "wow, what's that melting?!," but he perked right up the instant I put this bad boy in the warmer. We LOVE her Cranberry Apple scent. In fact, I need to order some more!

LPL's The Cabin is another spicy/apple mix, which you'll see is a theme of mine. The spicier, the better! There are some other fruit notes in the background of this one and even a touch of woods, too, but it's still incredible. Her apple blends are SO realistic!

Tiffany Candles was my second online vendor waaay back what seems like a decade ago (but was really more like 6 years ago, I want to say?). She has always been changing her blends, coming up with new ideas, and her Mac Apple Cactus & Sea Salt is one of my favorite fresh blends ever. There's a good balance of the two scents, and it's perfect for cleaning day!

I only had one teeny tiny little square of Glitterati's Mac Apple Cranberry Woods VBN, but I am *hooked* on this and am kicking myself that I didn't try to get on her custom sign-up list.*insert Napoleon Dynamite's UGH, FREAKIN' IDIOT sound effect here.* I am jonesing for some more of this! Each of the scents in this blend gets its chance to shine, but her mac apple...ohhhhhhhhh man...I can't think about it anymore, I'm only making myself sad! ;)

I have already blogged about my all time favorite fall recipe, Spiced Apple Cake with Orange Glaze, so I might be cheating by just including this link. I assure you, it'll be worth your time to check out! It has become a staple in our household around fall. It is uber spicy, mellowed out by apple butter and the orange glaze on top. Here's a photo. I am drooling on my keyboard. You can find the recipe here!

What are some of your favorite apple wax scents and recipes?? Take a look at what everyone else is sharing:

Amanda at ThriftyPolished

Ashley at The Bohemian Sassenach

Hayley at Polished at Heart

Jessica at The Meltdown Blog

Julie at The Redolent Mermaid

Lauren at LoloLovesScents

Liz at Furianne

Stephanie at Imperfectly Painted
Sunnee at Our Sunny Life 

Fall Fun Series: Fall Melting Stash!

Hey everyone! I'm here to show my fall melting stash. What I thought was a pretty big collection is actually quite small, and I *just* finished organizing it, thus the later than everyone else post! I cheated a little bit, I'm not taking photos of all of my candles because that would take too darn long, haha! Take a look!

One box. One. Lousy. Box. What's that? What's that, wax fairy?? You want me to buy some more fall scents??? Are you sure, wax fairy???

The most recent addition to the box comes from Butterfly Lane Scents, a favorite vendor of mine. Her Mountain Cider scent is to die for. Incredible fall blend. Had to have 2 bags, HAD TO.

Not sure why my stupid phone doesn't want to focus on her bags, but this is Amish Quilt, one out of two of my favorite fall time blends. Any vendor, any time, Amish Quilt is a go-to staple for fall!

The other of the two scents is Celtic Moonspice. I only have this little tiny scoopable from Rosegirls to sustain me. That wax fairy is getting pretty loud in my ear now...

A recent favorite addition to the fall blend favs, cinnamon glazed oranges from Rosegirls. Incredible. I've noticed these scoopables aren't as strong as some of the other RG wax I've had in the past, though.

I believe it's Julie who likes Cranberry Lodge from RG, right, J? I got this because someone is always raves about how wonderful it is, and for some reason, this strikes me as something Julie would like, too! It's lovely!

Country Charm from Candles from the Keeping Room is a scent I have been hoarding. I have one more bag somewhere in the house, but I can't find it. I bought 2 big bags like 2 years ago and have only used them sparingly. I know, I know, they are going to go bad eventually. But they work now, so that's all that matters! Her Mulled Cider is also quite fragrant and strong, it's definitely one to check out for apple and spice lovers. And more Amish Quilt, of course.

Sniff My Tarts is best known for their bakery blends, but her spicy scents are also excellent, if you can find the right ones! Farmer's Market is one of those scents. I should have got more when she opened last!

This pie is a year old and remains untouched. I love Brown Sugar Fig, but I haven't had the urge to melt it. I guess I should start soon.

These are the randoms. I have a couple of Christmas scents from Lasting Scent Candles from...last year? Earlier this year? I can't remember. And Mulled Apple Cider in the back from Dessa's is from Julie, I am melting it as we speak! It smells incredible and is wafting through the entire house as I type this out. I LOVE FALL!!

Sorry I don't have more melts to share with you, but if I buy any fall type stuff in the near future, I will be sure to haul it! What's in everyone else's stash?:

 Amanda at ThriftyPolished

Ashley at The Bohemian Sassenach

Hayley at Polished at Heart

Jessica at The Meltdown Blog

Julie at The Redolent Mermaid

Lauren at LoloLovesScents

Liz at Furianne

Stephanie at Imperfectly Painted
Sunnee at Our Sunny Life 

Fall Fun Series: Fall Tag Post & Introduction!

Hello there friends! This will be a new post series that myself, and a bunch of old and new blogging friends will be engaging in this autumn season. We will be covering our fall wax melts, candles, recipes, decorations, and more. Please feel free to join us in the comments when we post by telling us what you are melting or creating or loving this fall. If you are a blogger and would like to join us please let us know and we will send you the schedule of posts. Please welcome the following bloggers and check out their posts as well which will generally post Monday and Friday starting September and ending the day after Thanksgiving (some may post on different days or times):

Amanda at ThriftyPolished

Ashley at The Bohemian Sassenach

Hayley at Polished at Heart

Jessica at The Meltdown Blog

Julie at The Redolent Mermaid

Lauren at LoloLovesScents

Liz at Furianne

Stephanie at Imperfectly Painted
Sunnee at Our Sunny Life 

To kick off the first post we will do a Fall Tag!

1. What is your favorite thing about fall?

Well, besides Halloween, I absolutely love pumpkin baked goods. Pies, bars, cookies, cream cheese frosting with pumpkin, candies, anything! I know we're technically not limited to using pumpkin in the fall, but any other time just feels like blasphemy, doesn't it?!

2. Do you get fall colors where you live?

Unfortunately, no, we only have 2 seasons: warm, and warmer.

3. Favorite fall scent (wax, or anything)?

For wax, it's celtic moonspice, hands down. For candles, the Leaves one has always been my go-to. In general, you can't go wrong with a strong cinnamon apple clove blend!

4. Favorite fall food or drink?

I love a good iced pumpkin spice latte every once in a while, with an extra shot if you please. I also love pumpkin baked goods, and a hearty chili in the fall.

5. Football.....yay or nay?

Nay.

6. Do you rake, jump in, or burn piles of leaves?

I wish I could jump in! I'd probably just rake 'em.

7. Haunted house or corn maze?

Haunted house!

8. Have you ever gone on a hayride?
When I was younger, yes.

9. Cider or hot chocolate?

Tough call! I'd probably say super rich hot chocolate.

10. Carve a pumpkin or eat pumpkin pie?

Carve a pumpkin WHILE eating pumpkin pie!

11. Do you dress up for Halloween?

Depends on the year!

12. Candy corn.....yay or nay?

Like George Carlin says, you get them every year, only to be deceived because they are so cloyingly sweet...so yes.

13. Favorite Halloween movie?

Again, tough since movies are basically my life. I'd say the original "Halloween," "Poltergeist," "The Shining," and "The Omen," as far as classics go, "The Nightmare Before Christmas" for a family friendly choice.

14. Scariest movie?
Not many movie scare me, but the original "Halloween" is a fantastic choice.

15. Halloween or Thanksgiving?

Halloween.

16. Do you watch the Macy's parade?

Sometimes!

17. Apple pie or pumpkin pie?

Pumpkin pie.

18. White or dark meat?

Both!

19. Jellied or real cranberry sauce?

Jellied, lol.

20. Will you host or travel for Thanksgiving this year?

I'm not sure, it's too soon to think about it!!

How about you? Join us by giving some of your fall tag answers! Next post we will feature our fall melting stash.

Band of Bloggers: Vol. 9 / September 2016

Welcome to our September 2016 Band of Bloggers! By now, most people should be back in school. The weather should be cooling down. Department store shelves are stocking up on fall and Halloween decorations. Countdowns are beginning for the end of year holidays.

This month we will share that special moment, activity, sound, smell, or all of the above that makes us feel like Autumn has arrived! We will also recommend our favorite places to shop for fall decor. Please feel free to share your own answers with us in the comments below!

To me, Autumn is signified with the biggest, most boisterous cinnamon apple candle I can find. Since we don't really have seasons in San Diego, I have to compensate with smells. The leaves fall and turn slightly different colors, but nothing like you see in the movies. What little rain we do get also means Autumn to me as well as the pitter patter of droplets on our sunroofs signals the weather from warmer back to warm.

As far as decor goes, I love to browse Michael's for fall goodies. Also, the Spirit stores begin popping up starting now until the end of Halloween for more holiday-centric items. Yankee Candle often has some cute fall decorations as well!

---------------------------------------------------

Please visit these Band of Bloggers blogs
and help support the blogger community!

Deb, at It's Always Something.

Julie, at The Redolent Mermaid.

Lauren, at Lolo Loves Scents.

Liz, at Furianne. 

Michelle, at Waxing About.

Subscription Box Corner: June 2016's Flicker Box!

I KNOW, I KNOW, I HATE ME, TOO.

I am so behind on this blog, actually, I'm behind on literally everything in life, but still, never giving up! I just like to actually melt these candles before I review them. So, I am behind. SORRY Y'ALL.

Here's June's Flicker Box.

This month's card!

I had the opportunity to try Hawk + Hatchet from this box many months ago and really enjoy their products. I haven't been looking to buy many more candles since these subscription boxes fill me up in the candle department, but if I had to choose one vendor to go back to based on my experiences with these sub. boxes, it'd be this one. This Port Angeles candle looks small, but it packs a mighty, fragrant punch! I have used this candle clean to the bottom I loved it that much. Its sandalwood top notes can be smelled immediately after opening the lid. This is an earthy, very lovely scent, one of the few with patchouli I love. IMMEDIATE repurchase!

Illume has always called to me, though I've never bought from them outside of subscription boxes. Their Desert Tulip candle was quite excellent. The throw was a solid medium most days, but when I turned the fan on and burned it in the living room, it packed an even bigger punch! It's a delicate floral scent mixed with what one might describe as cactus-y, earthy notes, and a little bit of dirt-swept wind. This company rocks!

I am saving this candle from Armadilla Wax Works in Copper Canyon to give to a friend. It's much too patchouli for me, but I absolutely love the colors and texture of this candle!

Band of Bloggers: Vol. 8 / August 2016

Welcome to the August 2016 edition of Band of Bloggers! Record temperatures across the globe have us feeling the heat and looking forward to Autumn, especially those delicious scents that make our homes feel warm and cozy. 

This month we are sharing our favorite fall blend and also the vendor we would turn to first to order this blend.

My favorite fall blend it mixing celtic moonspice with any kind of apple cinnamon non-bakery scent. I'd probably turn to Rosegirls for something like this, though their celtic moonspice isn't the strongest I've ever had. Maybe Sniff My Tarts, if they opened more frequently!

In the non-wax related category, we're each recommending a book that we have read and loved.

The last book I read was "Me Before You" by Jojo Moyes before the film came out. I really enjoyed it! If I had to pick a recent book I enjoyed more, I'd say "Eleanor and Park" by Rainbow Rowell. Loved it! 

Please join in and comment with your number one fall blend and definitely give us your best book recommendations!

---------------------------------------------------

Please visit these Band of Bloggers blogs
and help support the blogger community!

Deb, at It's Always Something.

Julie, at The Redolent Mermaid.

Lauren, at Lolo Loves Scents.

Liz, at Furianne. 

Michelle, at Waxing About.