Thursday, July 6, 2017

Band of Bloggers: Volume 19, July 2017


As mid-summer approaches, my mind drifts to vacation times, getaways or mini excursions out and about. One tank trips. Parks to explore. 

Do you take a summer vacation or do small getaways? What do you have planned? If not, what would be your ideal vacation or retreat? What are your favorite local haunts? Give us some places to check out!


We try to take a week long vacation once a year in the summer time. In the past we would rent a house on Anna Maria Island and tool about on scooters and lounge by the pool and beach. As of recent, we have been Smoky mountain bound, renting a cabin in North Carolina. Last summer saw us visiting family in Cleveland, and though that offered new experiences and joy from reconnections, it wasn't quite a true vacation. In a few weeks we will be staying in Tennessee for the first time. Here is the cabin...


Honestly, I have caught the travel bug so day trips and weekend getaways are welcome anywhere. Adam, the girls and I have been enjoying our Aquatica passes this year (anything to cool off from the summer heat), trips to Lithia Springs and surrounding state parks. This fall brings my sisters and I to a long weekend getaway to NYC. In our enthusiasm to continue to travel together we also want to visit: Maine, the Pacific Northwest, Bali, Greece and more. Who knows if it will happen but day dreaming is fun.

I am not going to lie.... as summer starts revving up... I am catching myself not only daydreaming about vacation but also fall scents. I am sure it may be too early for some and others melt fall scents year 'round, but I must ask... where are you planning to order your fall smell goods from? It can be vendor wax, candles, bath and body or perfumes. <3 Just spill!

Dessa's Homespun Scents plotting has begun. Between Dessa and Carol at Candles From The Keeping Room, I think those two will make up the bulk of my fall wax ordering. Though I would love to score some MooScents and possibly something or another from a new vendor.  


As far as fragrances, Sonoma Scent Studio will be debuting a new fragrance called Mysa that will be perfect for fall (a chocolate, spice and patchouli scent), hopefully some Arcana Pumpkins Crave renditions will emerge, and maybe some other indie and artisan houses will roll out some apple, pumpkin and spice scents that I won't be able to resist. I am sure Solstice Scents will knock me out with some yummy offerings.

Future Primitive Owlette's End is one of my favorite fall soaps, hoping Tiggy will bring that one back. Cosmic Cleanse ScentSations is having a pre-order for Halloween later in the month and Donnie Darko Returns sounds like a great scent for autumn. 



Candles will be bought but not sure what or where yet. Do you have any fall candle must haves? I will probably pick up some Bath & Body Works Marshmallow Fireside and Pumpkin Woods. Hopefully they are good this year.

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18 comments:

  1. That cabin looks fabulous! I'm homebody but all your travel plans sound dreamy. I wish I had friends or family who were willing to go places. I think it would make things more fun and inviting than just hubby and I awkwardly trying to go somewhere.

    I think I'm skipping Dessa's this year. I'll be getting my usual Sweet Fixations fall/winter must-haves any day now, and I think that's all I'll do for indie orders.

    ~Deb

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    1. I cannot wait to get my fanny up there and start kicking up my feet in it. I hope there are birds to watch. Might need to bring some seed or suet. I will go places with you! Let's hit up old Ludwig's stomping grounds. I have a friend who is in Germany right now and taking pictures of castles. Totally made me think of you.

      I might have to check in with Sweet Fixations too here soon. She has a few I know I like too.

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    2. Ohhhh, I wanna see the castle pics! Which castles? What area of Germany? Soooo jelly....

      ~Deb

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  2. Ditto what Deb said -- What a view from the cabin! If/when my job ends I will getting my butt out of my apartment and going places too. ;)

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    1. I hope it is well taken care of... we will find out when we get there. The reviews are good for it though. We love to find our cabins and rental homes on VRBO.com... usually some good deals to be had. Here's to hoping you can find some time to strike out on some adventures of your own!!

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  3. I hope you love Tennessee, it's one of my favorite places to visit. Nashville is amazing, but I probably wouldn't leave the mountains if I was staying in that cabin ;).
    As far as fall wax, I'm looking forward to see what Ale from Golden Willow Waxes will be offering, since she's mentioned a Halloween advent calendar! She's relatively new, but I love her aesthetic. I've found her wax throws light to medium for me, so it's perfect for the bedroom. I hope to stock up on Sweet Luna's Orchard when she opens on Saturday.

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    1. I am thinking we will! The mountains are so beautiful! Hoping to find a few pottery treasures with my sister. I think we are aiming for a cute handthrown mug from somewhere as a souvenir.

      Golden Willow Wax and Sweet Luna's Orchard are both new to me! Thanks! I will have to keep an eye out for them. I love the idea of a Halloween advent calendar. What a cute idea. I am ok with wax being slightly less strong in my room too. Keeps things airy and atmospheric.

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    2. Whoops, my comment was confusing. Sweet Luna's Orchard is one of Golden Willow Waxes scents that I love. GWW is restocking on Saturday ;).

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  4. Alright.. I am intrigued by the comment about the Halloween Advent Calender.. *ears perk* that might be interesting and worth looking into.
    I really wish the hubbie and I had more time to travel and just get away! Enjoy life! I keep telling myself to keep trucking and maybe one day.
    As for fall fragrances I do want to maybe try to catch CFTKR if at all possible and than probably a Dessas. Who knows I'm sure there will be more. As for candles.. I have to get some marshmallow fireside as well!

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    1. I hope you guys can do that in the future too! It took Adam and I a while to be able to travel since we both started out at minimum wage jobs, but he was hugely blessed and pushed himself too and eventually we were able to take a vacation once a year for a week. As much as I enjoy "things" (especially smelly things) I would much rather have memories and experiences if I can swing it. <3

      I hope we can both catch CFTKR, I am SO happy Carol announced anyone can order from here on out. I am going to be angling for that pumpkin peppercorn like no one's business! Dessa=mmmmmmm and TDC has been calling to me too. Marshmallow Fireside FOREVER!!!

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    2. Pardon the butting in-Carol announced what now? This could change my fall game plan...

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    3. Carol posted that we don't have to skip opening now. I ordered last time so I was slated to sit this one out but now I can order. I am so happy because I really want that Pumpkin Peppercorn if I can manage to snag it.

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  5. Wonderful post! Thanks for creating the questions and I love your photos.

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  6. Tennessee, Tennessee, there ain't no place I'd rather be
    Baby won't you carry me...back to Tennessee~
    We listened to a traveling to Tenn playlist (rode down with friends) and that Grateful Dead song always brings me right back. Johnny Cash + June Carter had a good rotation too:)
    Gatlinburg/Smokies are such a perfect family place. I remember our cabin area having lots of bugs (big ones, weird ones) but as a Florida native, you probably won't bat an eye. I think there was also a little artist/craft trail we took on the edge of town, I'm sure you'll find cool handcrafted goodies. Hopefully the artists have recovered from the devastating fires from recent years. Shel's aunt lives in TN and says the air quality is better this year.

    MooScents on my possible list, as is Goldwillow-she features the prettiest waxes and embroidered products, but the scent range was lacking earthy, fresh or enough for me to order. A Halloween advent sounds like great fun, however.
    Mysa perfume, a nod to The Mother of Dragon's in GOT? Attention grabbed there, thank you. I hope BBW brings Pumpkin Woods back, thier collections are all over the place. Have you seen the new essential oils? They really caught my eye.

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    1. To funny! We love listening to classic rock and such on our way to North Carolina usually and James Taylor's "Carolina in my Mind" would come on. Johnny Cash, yes ma'am. I love Don Williams too.

      Yeah, the bugs are different up there for sure. We had a scorpion in the tub in one cabin and I had not encountered that before. But we took it all in stride. Bugs don't bother me unless they are cockroaches. But if a bear was breaking in I would take issue with that.

      She chose Mysa because it is a Swedish word that means along the lines of cozy, sort of like hygge. And it is a super duper cozy scent so far. I don't have the final scent but she sent me a tester of the in-progress scent and I am falling hard.

      Yes!! PLEASE Pumpkin Woods!!! I have no seen the new EO candles. I am still wanting to track down a Black Rose one a reader wants me to sniff. He thinks I will like it. But I have struck out everywhere I have gone.

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  7. Your mountain holiday sounds so, so lovely, and that cabin is just adorable! I hope you have the most wonderful time on your trip, and on all your adventures this summer (that trip to NYC sounds wonderful; I'm getting quite jealous/inspired by everyone's trips to the city!)

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    1. Thank you! We find it really cost effective to rent for a week and split with my sister and her husband. Plus driving instead of flying. We try to make sure the cabins have a nice view and a hot tub or pool table/foosball. Adam needs the vacation and we are all very much excited.

      My sisters are coming over today to watch Serendipity and hype ourselves up for NYC. I am in such a love affair with that city.

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