Tag Archives: candles

Paranormal Activity Pt. 3

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Paranormal Activity Pt. 3

Hi! So as all of you know, I have experienced some paranormal activity in my apartment. The major occurrences happened when I first moved in and the last activity before the most recent one took place about a month ago. This spooky situation came about on Friday the tenth around two in the afternoon and it had me SHOOK. So, let’s discuss:

I always have the afternoons off on Friday and some of the days are spent running around doing errands while others involve curling up with a good book and a cup of coffee. This Friday afternoon happened to be one of those days, so I lit my candles, got myself comfortable, and cracked open one of my comic books.

All was going well and I was enjoying my time relaxing when a piece of paper I had on my coffee table FLOATED ON TOP OF ONE OF THE CANDLES. This paper was sitting on top of a board game that was about a foot and a half away from my candles and when I adjusted my head I saw the paper in the air.

Luckily for me, the piece of paper landed on a candle that was burnt down enough that the flame wasn’t going to touch it. But, the candle that it did fall on was about six inches away from a brand new Yankee Candle that I got for Christmas whose two wicks were burning close to the top. Yikes!

Needless to say, I freaked out and phoned my parents who know about the haunting situation in my apartment and they freaked out too. Lol, it was such a crazy thing to have witnessed and I still get goosebumps when I think about it. There was just no way that that paper floating could have happened on its own. It had also been sitting there for months and a situation even remotely similar has never happened.

I have come to associate my “friend” in my apartment with being a man. When I first moved in, I always seemed to hear heavy footsteps at night coming from the office in my top floor apartment. In fact, I used to have to go downstairs to make sure there was no one there.

There is also a mirror in my loft bedroom with a skylight shining directly on it. And, at night when the light from the outdoors is coming in, the shadowy shape that forms behind the mirror looks like a poor silhouette of a man to me. Believe you me, nothing makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up like when I see that at bedtime.

The paranormal activity I had in my apartment in December seemed to be a friendly one but this last occurrence was anything but. I think it will be a good long while before I light my candles again!

What did you do to deal with paranormal activity if you’ve ever experienced any? Does anyone have any advice for me? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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How To Make Your Home Feel Like Christmas

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How To Make Your Home Feel Like Christmas

It’s winter, the days are shorter, and the feeling of wanting to stay inside and watch movies is getting stronger by the minute. Not to worry, most of us have had the winter blues at some point. Christmas is an excellent opportunity to get into the festive spirit, decorate your home, and invite friends and family over to enjoy the holidays with you. Here’s how to make your home feel like Christmas for your celebrations:

Make it smell nice:

Having scented candles around the house can do wonders for getting you into the festive spirit. Feel free to change candles throughout the week, and try pine-scented candles as well as clove and cinnamon. Along with candles, if you have a real Christmas tree, the natural smell of pine will go beautifully with other Christmasy scents. Feel free to make your own candles if you’re feeling particularly adventurous!

Make warming recipes:

A delicious way to dine this Christmas is to create wholesome dishes that will keep you warm this winter. While you may want to save yourself for the big day, the Christmas period is a time for indulging so don’t feel bad for having a few extra treats. Recipes that taste particularly good when it’s cold include soups, stews, and roasted vegetables. Traditional recipes and comfort food can be enjoyed in abundance during this time. Try to cook this recipe for homemade chicken and drop dumplings, a delicious recipe that is both seasonal and harks back to grandma’s cooking.

Light it up:

Placing lights around your house will automatically give it a Christmas feeling. Keep the lighting warm and low, with soft lamps and candles rather than overhead lighting. Outdoor lights will go wonderfully in your backyard, especially when the sun has set and you look outside your window in the evening. There are many kinds of lights that you can go for, but consider using energy-saving lights, as the cost of lighting decorations and electric lights over Christmas can be very expensive.

Set up treats around your home:

Setting up bowls or jars around the house filled with Christmas goodies is a nice way to enjoy some sweet treats while also functioning as decoration. Cute ideas include filling these bowls or jars with candy canes, chocolate coins, and marshmallows. Having these treats on hand is great when you’re making hot chocolate, as you can grab a couple of marshmallows or chocolate pieces to add on top.

Blankets, throws, and cushions:

Staying cozy at home with a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate or mulled cider automatically makes me feel Christmasy. Having blankets and throws on your couch adds a nice winter feel, especially if you are lucky enough to have a natural fire. Thick knit blankets and woolen cushion covers are both comfy and fashionable additions to your interior design.

Spending time with loved ones is the best way to enjoy Christmas. After all, that’s what the season is all about. How ever you choose to enjoy the winter period, keep it festive with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Bath & Body Works Holiday Haul

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Bath & Body Works Holiday Haul

Hello! Some of my favorite go to gifts to give are candles and bath and body care. These are things that your friends and family might not splurge on for themselves so they are always sure to please. And, who doesn’t like a little pampering?! To get some of the presents that I needed to purchase for the holidays out of the way, I hit up Bath & Body Works and got some delicious smelling stocking stuffers for all of my favorite lady friends. Check it out:

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It is always exciting to see all of the holiday themed decor and scents available in store. Bath & Body Works is completely filled with wall to wall holiday scented goodies, which made coming to a decision a difficult task. But, I am really happy with the products that I purchased.

I am not too wild about the super sweet holiday scents like snickerdoodle and hot chocolate and I despise the spicy fragrances like cinnamon and nutmeg. The Frosted Cranberry candles, Winter Candy Apple hand soap, and Fresh Sparkling Snow lotions and shower gel all smell appropriate for the holidays without being overpowering. They are also scents that you could get away with using after December 25th, which made them the perfect candidates to purchase.

Some might say that the candle and bath and body care route is an overdone one. BUT I SAY DIFFERENT! Probably because I would love to receive these gifts, myself. I know for a fact that all of the products above will go over well and, although B&BW can be a bit pricey, they were worth every penny. I am slowly but surely checking all of my giftees off the list and am eager to be completely done hopefully come December! 😀

How far along are you in your holiday shopping? What is your favorite holiday scent? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Fall Is In The Air

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Fall Is In The Air

Okayyyy okay, so fall technically isn’t in the air yet but that doesn’t mean that my apartment can’t smell like it! Because my dumbass thought that burning cigarettes out into some of my candles was a good idea, I needed to restock because none of them will light now. But, lucky for me, Michael’s was having a three for ten dollar deal for their fall scented candles. And, at six dollars apiece originally, I just couldn’t pass that deal up! Check it out:

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I never quite understood people’s obsession with candles until moving into my apartment. And, now, I can definitely see why because the first thing I do when I get home from work in the evening or have a free afternoon is light one up. There is just something about the soft glow of the flame, the delicious scents, and the general atmosphere that is so relaxing when combined with your quiet time reading a book or watching a movie.

I always thought that giving a candle as a gift was kind of basic but OMG would I love to get all of the candles as prezzies now. But, until gift giving season is upon us, these fall scented delights from Michael’s will do just fine. I like all three fragrances that I picked out but the Butterscotch Spice is divine and I’m looking forward to having it lit on my coffee table as a scary movie plays and the crisp autumn wind howls outside.

What is your favorite fall scent? What is one of your favorite “basic” presents to receive? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Moving On Up: Family Dollar Haul

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Moving On Up: Family Dollar Haul

Hiya! The discount stores during my shopping hauls for moving have been my most frequented. And, my neck of the woods has a ton of them. Lol, us Akronites are partial to our Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Dollar General, and Five Below. 😀 But, for good reason. I was able to knock off some items from my “to buy” list for a fraction of what I would have paid at Target or even TJMaxx, ready for when the movers come. Take a looksee:

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As I’ve mentioned in a few of my previous posts, the lighting in my apartment sucks on ice. It is really dark in there with not a ton of windows so I’ve been on the prowl for different lamps to brighten things up. I paid twenty bucks for the two lamps seen above, which will be perfect for my office and my bedside table. I also purchased four jumbo candles for five dollars apiece to create a nice glow that will smell really good! Especially the watermelon one – yum!!

And, finally, my storage bench. I have always loved these, but I have not been able to find just the right one so I was really happy to have snagged this one at Family Dollar. I got it for thirty-five dollars, which I consider a steal. I love the fabric and the shiny silver design and the inside storage is actually very deep so I’ll be able to fit a lot my things in there that I can’t quite find a place for. A successful haul, indeed. 😀

What is your favorite discount store? How do you create good lighting? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dollar Tree Deals

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Dollar Tree Deals

Hi! We all know that Lil Red loves to shop but, the trick is, is that I am all about the discount stores to save copious amounts of cash while I partake in my favorite hobby. In today’s post, it’s all about the Washingtons, because I began my Christmas shopping early at the Dollar Tree and got six fairly decent sized candles for a dollar apiece. Check it out:

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The beauty of discount stores, aside from the immense amount of savings from shopping there, is that no one is the wiser when they receive their presents. I plan on attaching sets of three of the above candles with a festive bow as part of gifts for friends and family and, for all they know, I could have gotten them at Target. Not only is the size of the candles relatively big for a dollar deal but, they smell amazing, too! The Pineapple Upside Down Cake is my favorite and I know that it will be a hit for my giftees. 🙂

What is your favorite discount store? Who has started their holiday shopping already? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Gephardt Daily

Christmas Surprise Pt. 3

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Christmas Surprise Pt. 3

Hey! For as long as I can remember, my BFF Lea and I have exchanged presents for Christmas. Earlier this week, we had our annual best friend jamboree, where we gave each other our prezzies, drank wine, and had hella girl talk all while lounging on my basement futon. It was a blast! Lea and I love to shop for each other, and this year, she knocked it out of the park with my gifts. Take a look:

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The Haul:

  • A bottle of wine (Already used!)
  • An elephant tealight holder
  • A minion ornament!!!
  • Bath and body goodies (Bath salts, lotion, and a scrub)

Lea knows me all too well, because I seriously loved everything that was in my gift bag. Wine is a must, and we shared the bottle together during our afternoon hangout (“It’s five o’clock somewhere”!). I love knick knacks so the gorgeous elephant candle holder and minion ornament were perfect. And, what girl doesn’t love bath and body products?! I’m always looking to add to my B&B care hoard, so it was great to put some extra goodies in my stash.

Even if Lea and I hang out once a month or once a week, depending on our schedules, we always pick up right where we left off. She really is the best friend a girl could ask for and we will be going on ten years of BFFhood in the new year. I LOVE HER SO MUCH!!!! :*)

How do you and your BFF celebrate the holidays? Is your best friend easy or hard to shop for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Enjoying An At Home Spa Day

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Enjoying An At Home Spa Day

Many of us love the idea of heading to the spa for a day of total relaxation. Slipping on that white fluffy robe and slippers, indulging in a massage, a facial, a manicure, or pedicure. Lounging around on those beds reading a magazine and maybe enjoying a glass of champagne. It can be a girls’ dream day, but it can also be an expensive one. However, there is no reason why you can’t get the same level of relaxation at home from your very own bathroom.

There are simple things that you can change in your bathroom to make it feel more spa-like, and there are certainly bigger investments that you can make to improve how your bathroom looks. But every girl deserves a place to chill, and the throne room can be that little piece of heaven that you crave at the end of the day. Creating an at home spa experience isn’t all that difficult, so let’s discuss how to do just that:

Major Changes (If You Want!):

One of the biggest transformations that you can make to your bathroom, and also the most expensive way to achieve a new look, is to replace the bathroom entirely and fit a new suite. You could use this opportunity to change the layout and even consider something a little different like a free-standing bathtub – companies like Kardiel have a great selection! Whichever way you want to go, replacing your bathroom can be the ideal way to create an at home spa experience. While it can cost you a fair bit to remodel, it can also increase the value of your home, meaning the investment is never truly lost. Talk about a win/win!

Making Simple Updates:

If you don’t want to replace the whole bathroom, you could choose to update it in other ways. Changing the tiling you have on the floor, swapping the basin for a vanity unit, or painting the walls in a more neutral tone could really brighten up the bathroom area and change the way that it looks and feels. You don’t even have to be as extreme as getting the paint brush out, sometimes just investing in some new towels and colorful accessories or prints for the wall can give your bathroom the update that it needs.

Light All The Candles:

One of the great ways a spa can help you relax is because they have a clever use of low lighting, and one way to achieve that is through candle light. You could consider oil burners, which takes advantage of the light as well as an essential oil scent to help you relax even further. Lavender or eucalyptus are always good ones to consider. Candles also help to relax the mind, so having a nice warm bath by candle light could be the perfect remedy for a stressful day.

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 What’s your favorite candle scent?

Smartphone Savvy:

While you may be thinking that the last thing you want to be doing while relaxing in your bathroom is to be messing around on your phone, please reconsider! There are some great apps that you can download to recreate the sounds of a spa. Mood music or even listening to some guided meditation can be a great way for you to channel your thoughts and enjoy your R&R time.

DIY Treats:

Part of the spa experience is to enjoy a treatment or two, and while a massage might not be in the cards unless you have a willing partner, there are other treatments that you can easily do at home. You could consider putting on a face mask, which is a great way to deep clean your skin and pores, and adding a few slices of cucumber over your eyes might help you feel like you are actually at the spa. You could also give yourself a pedicure or manicure by filing and shaping your nails and adding a splash of color with some vanish. There are some great DIY beauty methods you could also try like coconut oil added to your hair for a conditioning treatment or creating a body scrub from coffee. You can find a ton of articles online full of ideas and recipes!

Pop Some Bottles:

Finally, whether you enjoy a glass of bubbles, your favorite wine or beer, or even just a hot chocolate or a good cup of tea, arm yourself with your favorite drink, put on your best robe, and get ready for a soothing evening in. Enjoy!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

How To Create An Aromatic Atmosphere In Your Home

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How To Create An Aromatic Atmosphere In Your Home

There’s a lot that can be determined about a home based solely on the smell of it. You can tell if kids are present or not, if the owner likes to bake in their spare time, how often they clean, and what products they are partial to to get it smelling the way that they want. Our sense of smell is a powerful tool. It lets us know if something is bad or good, but also helps to take us back in time to a nostalgic point that we associate with certain scents, bringing back memories that we want to indulge ourselves in or would otherwise wish to forget. So, in essence, it’s quite an important thing to get right in your home; to help us feel safe, to feel comfortable, and happy with where we live.

Eliminate The Bad Odors: It can be particularly hard to pinpoint a scent if you don’t know where it’s coming from. A lot of offensive odors aren’t immediately obvious to us because they’ve had to take time to develop to get to what you’re smelling – so they often aren’t within our sight or a place that we can easily reach. One prime example is a toilet; a lot of odors are stopped within a plumbing trap, but if it’s defective or there is something else wrong in the system, then it can be hard to get to the source of the problem; there is more information about different types of plumbing traps at http://theplumbinginfo.com/plumbing-traps/ to give you more of an idea as to what can be done to solve the problem.

Just fixing this one issue could completely get rid of the smell that was causing the disruption to your home. This is just one example, so try and think outside of the box when it comes to narrowing down where a smell is coming from, especially when there are pipes involved. Always hire a professional to come and deal with the problem at hand so as not to create more work for yourself.

Focus On Your Favorites: Think of your favorite scent; the one that makes you happy but would also appeal to others who are visiting your home. It’s this that you need to aim for and spread around your house. It’s available to do in a lot of different forms; candles, wax melts, air fresheners, and so much more, so there really is no excuse not to have some on hand to give you that extra boost. There are a good selection of different smells for you to peruse at https://yankeecandle.com that aren’t just limited to candles, so you don’t have to worry about the safety aspects of ensuring that a flame is correctly put out in order to get your home smelling amazing.

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Candles are a must!

Consider Your Hygiene: Unpleasant smells are more likely to jump out at you than nice ones, but often our noses are trained to accept them if we don’t deal with it straight away. It may take a good time away from our home to realize that that’s what our abode actually smells like to other people, so it’s always important to keep on top of a good cleaning routine in order to ensure that you are keeping the space that you live in not just smelling good, but hygienic for you. There are certain things around the house which trap odors within the fibers, such as carpets, rugs, and curtains, so it’s imperative that you are keeping on top of the cleaning of these items. That way, you are ensuring that you are removing any staleness that may be clinging on as well as caring for your fabrics.

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Lather up!

Mental Health: There are certain scents that have been proven to relieve stress and anxiety that you may be feeling. It’s been long said that lavender helps you to relax and drift off to sleep more easily, so why aren’t we using this knowledge in other rooms of our home? Vanilla candles are the most common scented ones that you can buy, and these have been cited to help put us in a better mood and even combat some pain signals that are being sent around our body. There’s never been a more important reason to get your home smelling nice and fresh, if it’s impacting your health directly!

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Beach scents are also very popular!

Focusing on the scent of your home will make for breathing easy for your family and guests!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Creating A Restful Bedroom

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Creating A Restful Bedroom

Your bedroom should always be your sanctuary. It should be that one place where you can really let yourself go, relax, and rest after a stressful day. Of course, it is easier for all of that to happen if your bedroom is set up to be as restful and relaxing as possible! Here are a few ways that you can improve the peaceful mood of your bedroom and turn it into your favorite place to kick back and unwind:

Blow the Budget on a Good Mattress: If you do nothing else to transform your bedroom into a more restful space, you should splurge on a brand new mattress. If you’ve never had a really good mattress before, it’ll be impossible for you to truly understand how much difference a comfortable, supportive mattress can make.

When buying a new mattress, it is always a good idea to visit a bricks and mortar store to try out a few styles, because everyone’s comfort levels are different. Once you know which mattress suits you best, you can always check out http://www.us-mattress.com/ to save a few bucks off the in store price of your chosen bed.

Invest in Better Bedding: Of course, the comfort of your bed is about more than just the mattress, which is why you should also take a look at http://www.down-comforter-info.com/ where you will find the warmest, softest comforters you’ve ever had the joy to sleep with. You should also probably check out more supportive pillows and high thread count sheets made from natural fibers if you want to be able to rest and relax without any aches, pains, or irritations.

Can the Clutter: It’s impossible to rest and let yourself go when you’re surrounded by clutter. Not only are piles of clutter visually stimulating, whether you want them to be or not, they can also be a source of stress, which gives you the feeling that you should be cleaning instead of taking some me time. Luckily, getting rid of your bedroom clutter is as simple as visiting http://www.ikea.com/ and buying a few storage baskets and boxes where you can hide your most unsightly clutter.

Ditch the Desk: If you have a desk in the bedroom from which you sometimes work, it might be time for a rethink. By associating the bedroom with work, even just occasionally, you are ruining the area’s reputation as a restful location for relaxation and sleep. Ditch the desk and replace it with a pretty dressing table for a serener space and leave work for the home office!

Serene in Green: If your bedroom decor is currently bright, bold, and in your face, a visit to http://www.homedepot.com/ might be in order because those crazy colors are doing nothing to help you relax. In the bedroom, you want to keep things nice and chill. Toned down colors like mint green, pale blue, white, and cream are all good options that won’t stir up the senses too much.

Add Comfy Furniture: One mistake that many homeowners make is that they do not add enough comfy furniture to their bedrooms. Sure, they’ll have a nice bed and perhaps a chair at the dressing table, but what about the big comfy armchairs, couches, and chaise lounges? These are the things that will make spending time in your room easier, more comfortable, and infinitely more relaxing. So if you have space, add a couch or recliner and you’ll get much more use out of your bedroom.

Blackout Blinds: If you like to relax in a slightly darkened room with some classical music and a nice scented candle, blackout blinds are your best friend. They will filter out the harsh light of the sun, allowing you to create a comfy, cozy atmosphere at any time of the day or night. They’re great if you have trouble sleeping due to excess light, too.

Candles: Candles should be a staple in any bedroom. They provide a good source of soft, warm light, which is perfect for relaxing after a hard day at work. AND, they can make your room smell wonderful. Choose candles scented with lavender and chamomile if you want to de-stress and fall into a restful sleep.

Transforming your room from uninviting to restful and relaxing may take a little time and effort, but it is well worth it when you have a space where you can truly unwind and sleep like a baby! Zzzzzz….

Featured Image By: Flickr