Ebb & Flow: November 2019

The highs and lows of the month.

Perfume:

Solstice Scents Hidden Lodge

Perfume Oil:

Nocturne Alchemy Crystalline Holiday Spiced Cake

Body Oil:
Kings Road Apothecary Kava and Rose

Soap:
B. Perry Studios #PSL Sassy

Shampoo:

Future Primitive Conditioning Shampoo bar

Conditioner:

Future Primitive Conditioning Rinse in White Witch

Skincare:

Blood Moon Botanica Moon Dew

Candle:

Bath and Body Works Fireside

Wax:

Sniff My Tarts Pink Peppermint

Eating:

Coconut coated cashews

Drinking:

 Sleepy Time tea

Reading:

These Shallow Graves by Jennifer Donnelly

Watching:

New episodes of The Great British Baking Show and Mystery Science Theater 3000

Listening:

Don Williams and The Carpenters

Awaiting:

The festivities that come with the month. My birthday. Christmas. Small activities like driving around looking at lights and watching Christmas movies tucked into a pile of blankets.

Dreading:

I took too long to get my tooth looked at I think. Making the appointment on Monday. Too much pain. Hoping I don't need a root canal.

Hit:

Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce creamer at Target

Black Friday batteries on sale at Lowe's

Plant Shopping

thin mouth guards

remote control electric candles

Miss:

The dang 3 hour long wait to ride the new Hagrid ride at Universal. When will it go down low enough so I can ride it?!

Low:

Too much to talk about. In a funk without a doubt.

High:

Focusing on the positive. The blessings. The things that are right. Dinners out with the girls and Adam. Pushing them on the swing outside. Bonfires during cool evenings. Antique shopping with them while Scarlette wears a bowler hat with playing cards sticking out of the band and twirls the new cane I just bought her for $5. Savanna steering clear of the creepy dolls. Family over for Thanksgiving. Watching my plants grow. Morning cuddles with Toddles.

How has your November been? Are you looking forward to anything next month?

Candlefind Holiday Gift Guide

These products were provided free from Candlefind for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

Andrea at Candlefind reached out to me about featuring their Holiday Gift Guide and I figured it would be fun. If I had to make a gift guide this year I would probably just put more sleep, used books, plants and a kitty snuggle or two on it. Since those things aren't very useful for boxing and sending as Christmas gifts this is a nice next-best-thing. Candlefind.com is a website that employs multiple people to review candles, wax melts, soaps and more from many vendors.

It was neat to see some familiar faces in their holiday guide like Rosegirls, Sanari and Hannah's Candlemart. 

Indulgence Bath Bakery was the bath and body vendor chosen for this box. They make vegan creations that are cruelty free and phthalate and paraben free. Blackberry Jam was the soap ($9) and Bumbleberry was the bath bomb ($6). I couldn't find much about the people behind the company. I am definitely a Handmade in Florida, FuturePrimitive, Bohemienne Life, B. Perry Studios kinda soap gal. But I have been spoiled that way. These smell strong and fruity and look fun but are not really the types of bath goods I gravitate towards.

I do enjoy Hannah's Candlemart. Her Timberwock candles always make me happy. That crackling woodwick. Mmmm. Reminds me I need to pick one up here soon. This box features Forest Retreat  with notes of amber, clove, cinnamon, smoky heartwood, patchouli, oakmoss and vanilla. It is a brilliant spiced woods scent that I will happily melt any time of year and would thrill to see it sticking out of my stocking and at $2.49 the price is just right.

Tara's Candle Cottage created a custom secret blend called "Candlefind Happy Holidays." Two ounce scent shots are $1.95 from Tara's. I don't think I have ever tried her wax before. This scent is a little cherry-ish for my nose. It could a a sugary cranberry mandarin spin or an apple type but it reads cherry to my nose and I have a friend who loves cherry so this will go to her. 

Another new-to-me wax vendor is in this box and that is Mary Melts with a Blueberry Cobbler and Caramel Pumpkin Swirl set of tarts. It looks like a variety of scents and shapes are offered with clamshells running $4. The Blueberry Cobbler is very strong and super fruity and sweet while the Caramel Pumpkin Swirl is a deliciously spiced pumpkin cake aroma.

I have burned and enjoyed Sanari Candles in the past and would recommend them to people who prefer plant-based, health conscious made candles. This one is scented in Crema Bucca which blends vanilla bean, clove and cinnamon but I think it's small size keeps me from being able to smell it well. I tend to have trouble with teeny tiny candles and throw. But I do enjoy Sanari. 

This candle I can smell and it is divine. It is a Fairhope Candle Company Creme Brulee in an 11 ounce soy wax candle for $21.99. It burns beautifully, making a level wax pool with a strong wick and flame. The scent fills a bedroom with creamy vanilla comfort. This is gift giving at its best.

The Potter's Hand out of Athens, Alabama created the beautiful blue dish I put the candle on. There wasn't a website I could find but if you live near Athens, Alabama definitely pop-in. Rosegirl's contributed some Mini-Melters in Strawberry Jam but since I have been blogging about them since the blog first started I am sure you know that any Christmas gift with Rosegirl's is a welcome one indeed.

Overall, this is a find collection of fragrant goodies that any person would be happy to have. And if you ever want to read up on some Yankee candles, Bath & Body Works or Goosecreek, go check out Candlefind!

Melting Basket 146: Thanksgiving

Looks like the melting basket it becoming a monthly holiday tradition since the last one I posted was Halloween. I won't recap what I liked from the last one so onward to this one!!

Candles From The Keeping Room- Apple N Spice

Candles From The Keeping Room- Pumpkin Lager

Candles From The Keeping Room- Mulled Wine

Candles From The Keeping Room- Pumpkins At The Fair

Vintage Chic Scents- Cozy Jackie O

Vintage Chic Scents- Chef Wendell's Cinnamon Squares

Vintage Chic Scents- A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

Vintage Chic Scents- Vanilla Swirl

Lasting Scent Candles- Pumpkin Panna Cotta

Lasting Scent Candles- Pumpkin Spice Beignets

Lasting Scent Candles- Pumpkin French Toast

Rosegirls- Butter Pecan Cake with Pumpkin Frosting

Rosegirls- Apple Fritter and Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice

I am ready for these cozy cinnamon scents. 

The girls and I went on our first little hike here in Orange county at Oakland Nature Preserve. The maples were ablaze with color and the air was a brisk 60 degrees. It felt amazing. Today we will all be cooking and eating and enjoying the full tummies and family time that come with Thanksgiving. 

I wish you a happy day with friends and family or friends who are like family. I wish you full bellies and mouths brimming with laughter. 

Happy Thanksgiving.

Mintie Bean: Halloween Wax Tarts

The following wax tarts were sent free from Femme Fatale for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own. 

Sophia, the owner and master mind behind Femme Fatale and Obscurus, has embarked upon a new venture in the home fragrance with her new brand Mintie Bean. This vibrant and playful line debuted with this Halloween collection and can be found on Femme Fatale. 

Candy Pail- Notes: Lemon sherbert, orange frogs, watermelon lollipops, apple slices and a strawberry pop.

Zingy Jolly Ranchers and fizzy fruity candies float up from a colorful tart topped with hearts, sprinkles and gummy bears. This is a fruity sour candy dream. <3

Boo & Stuff- Notes: Sugar cookie, caramel, hazelnut and candy popcorn. 

Mocha coffee and chocolate drizzled popcorn. Rich and thick. Snacks to savor under sherpa blankets in the deep darkness of a fireside fall night. 

Bubble Brain- Notes: Pink bubblegum, creamy vanilla, raspberry, banana and pepper berry. 

A rainbow of bubble gum spheres clinking and colliding in a tightly clutched plastic bag. The visit to the local candy store was a success! This tart is sugary sweet and the perfect illusion of a classic bubblegum scent. 

Monster Munchies- Notes: Toffee apples, nutmeg, pear, caramel peanuts and buttery popcorn.

A bold and festive fall blending of popcorn coated in a candied pear shell, crunchy and sweet like caramel popcorn. 

Lazy Bones- Notes: Coffee buttercream, chocolate biscuits, maple syrup and hazelnut.

Another mocha coffee blend but with the added smoothness of maple syrup rather than the crunchy buttery saltiness of popcorn. It does smell like a lazy Sunday morning. 

Wicked Good- Notes: Golden pie crust, blueberries, lemon zest, caramel cream and autumn spices.

Blueberry pancakes made with cinnamon in the batter. At first it was a strange combination but the more I sniffed, the more I liked. This is a creative blend to melt during the holidays. 

These tarts are a lot of fun! These run at about $6 a pop for about 2-3 ounces of wax. The throw is about medium-strong to strong. The Wicked Good filled the whole kitchen with spiced blueberry goodness and the Candy Pail one was delicious. The coffee and popcorn ones will be gifted to friends who I know enjoy those types of notes. Do you enjoy a cute-made tart?

Vapid Wax: Fall Fragrances

These wax tarts were given free from Vapid Wax for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

A little while back I featured Poison Apple from Vapid Wax and today I will be sharing a few more scents that came along for the ride in that box. I believe Vapid does a pre-order for a couple weeks then closes to make orders. The shop is currently closed at this time so scent descriptions and prices are not available for me at the moment. So if you decide to stick around it will definitely be just for some sniffing and dishing. I do have several samples to giveaway at the end of the post along with other wax and a few perfumes. So that will be nice. And hopefully make up for the lack of other pertinent information? 

Bloody Mary

Wouldn't it be kind of funny if this smelled like a V8 spiked with vodka? Bloddy Mary isn't too far behind on that green sharp nightshade component of the tomato vine. It has that green bell pepper tang but there is an underlying sweetness that is reminiscent of cotton candy and berries. A bold mixture for sure!

Mushroom

Vanilla, brushed suede and a pinch of earthy tonka. There also lurks within some leaf litter and woods. I love this brilliant blend.

Black Amber & Lavender

A gorgeous lavender. Balanced between herbal and sweet, very realistic. The black amber is simply a polished vanilla base that the lavender is perched upon. It melted with a medium-strong throw and remained a blissful lavender.

Mallow Mint

A two toned mixture where the base is candy canes and the top reveals itself to be airy marshmallows. I can never go wrong with this. It melted strong in the kitchen area. Would love to melt it again.

Vanilla Vixen

Vanilla with a hint of almond. A soothing and mellow blend that is sure to quiet a racing mind. It melted at medium strength and was very pleasant.

I find Vapid Wax to melt on the medium-strong to strong side. I would repurchase many of these if I were able to catch an opening. I think the next one will be in December or January. Follow Vapid Lacquer on Facebook for the wax updates. 

I will be giving away some Vapid samples as well as other wax and perfumes. The first to comment below will get them. Thank you for still tuning in. 

Future Primitive Soap: Conditioning Shampoo Bar

My adoration of Tiggy's craft is a known thing. After many years of using her Conditioning Rinse I still laude it as my very favorite conditioner. I am now going to sing Future Primitive's praises for her Conditioning Shampoo Bar. It runs about $7 and is chock full of nourishing ingredients such as shea butter, pro vitamin B5 and plant based keratins. It lasts ages too. Tiggy states about 80 washes and I know I have been using mine since August and it is about half used after 90 days. She scents these disks in her Rook & Raven, which I adore, but it is only lightly scented so it won't interfere with a competing conditioner. I will say I love how it makes my hair feel cleansed but not dry. I have been struggling with our well water and most shampoos and conditioners are proving tricky so I just fall back on my old faithfuls. 

I used this in conjunction with Sylph and White Witch. Many days followed where my nose was buried in my curls and inhaling deeply. Very, very deeply. 

I have found myself using up many of the back up scrubs, lotions and body care items I used to have to hand. I have been weeding through my perfume oil stash and gifting many away. I will probably host another wax and perfume giveaway here soon. I know it has been a week since I have been on. Suffice it to say it was the most stressful week I have had to date. I am officially off for a week for Thanksgiving and I will be using this time to spend with my mom and the girls and Adam and anyone who stops by. I hope to lay my nose on some perfumes, melt some wax and write about some candles. I understand if you have moved on. I am going to still hang on. This platform gives me joy and I love to share the joy of fragrance. 

How have you been? What do you wash your hair with?

Arcana Wildcraft: Haint, Sleepy Hollow, Mongolian Death Worm, Mad Monk

Good morning, beautiful friends. I have been sitting on this post for way too long. I bought quite a few fall and Halloween-ish scents from Julia at Arcana Wildcraft about a month ago. This set is from her Halloween release and the next set will be from her new Craves line and website. Julia recently released another collection of witchy-based scents and I picked up two of those too. Use code WITCHES until November 8th for 15% off your order.

You probably recognize Haint. It is a cult classic from Arcana and I have blogged about it before. I found myself wearing it so often that I required a second bottle to have on hand as my original gets dwindled with each wearing. It is a soft and silken vanilla that holds a dusky tint of age and wears a crown of white pepper like a dust mote halo. Here is my previous review:

Haint- Notes: The sweet, melancholy essence of a Southern ghost drifting through dark mountain hollows and neo-classical mansions. White musk, vanilla musk, Madagascar vanilla, sugarcane and a faint trail of white pepper.

Haint is a legend among Arcana fans. Often revered and highly sought after for years, Julia was able to bring it back to life after a long hiatus. If I was to be an indie perfume blogger worth her salt I needed to buy this. I am glad I did. It is lovely, indeed. On my skin Haint hovers like a vanilla skin musk ever so gauzy and gossamer. The white pepper lends a human element to the musk so that it is more earthen and suggestive rather than scrubbed clean. A Gothic beauty in every way. 

This one kinda makes my heart quiver. Five years ago I featured some Arcana soaps (here) and Sleepy Hollow was one of them. I loved it so much. I never was able to get my hands on the perfume version, however, I did nab another soap. As soon as I saw this reborn I knew I had to have it. 

Sleepy Hollow- Notes: Fresh pumpkin, spiced apple brew, and bonfire smoke.

Charred eye sockets of desiccated Jack O'Lanterns ooze discontent from lonely door steps, woodsmoke clings to a scarf tightly wound around a chilled mouth and October bids farewell as the last leaf is crushed underfoot. November beckons from the vial. On the wrist that same charred smoky black pumpkin ekes out a ghostly existence. The smoke diffuses, making way for the boozy spiced apple cider. Warm dark spice laced with damp and decaying wood trails off into the haunted hollow, leaving apple peels and black vanilla behind. A spooky good scent that will be worn with pleasure during fall and winter.

Mongolia Death Worm- Notes: Barren sand dunes, cardamom, sandalwood, yellow silk, cinnamon, powdered ginger, and mare's milk accord.

I am such a sucker for anything that reminds me of Beetlejuice and this makes me think of sandworms. I also happen to have recently bought the book, Dune, so double the sandworm pleasure. The notes in this one already have me saying "yes." From the vial creamy sandalwood highlighted by soft ginger and cardamom slither into reality. The merest touch on the flesh imparts the same pale sandalwood but a lemony sheen appears as well. It could be the citrus hues of lemongrass or perhaps it is the tones of ginger. I have even sniffed some green cardamom with these gingery lemon flavors. There is a tang of earthiness to it that makes me think of lemongrass though. As the Death Worm morphs pale, peppery cinnamon tickles the senses along with a creaminess that brings to mind horchata while the feathery ginger still lingers about. The whole scent is underscored by the shifting amber hued sands that act as a golden musk. The Mongolian Death Worm is quite attractive and I can see why someone would be lured into touching it. I want to slather it all over. It is like a golden milky musk shimmering with gilded bergamot mica. 

Mad Monk- Notes: Golden amber resin, Siberian fir needle, Holy Terror accord (frankincense, sandalwood, myrrh, beeswax), coarse brown bread, and warm fur.

Mad Monk was a gift with purchase over the summer but it was such a hit that Julia brought it into her classic line and it is available right now. This is a Rasputin inspired scent and such a magical maverick is certainly intriguing enough to warrant one. Pine needles strewn among the cobbled stone floor as heavy boots walk in from a snow storm. Incense smoke hanging like tapestries in the air and the faint aroma of a crusty heel of bread left on the wooden table. These images lie within the potion inside this bottle. Fresh on the skin Mad Monk does mysterious things. When sniffed up close the pine needles poke and prod the nose with delicious outdoorsy intent, however, when wafted from afar the bread appears like a holograph, infused with incense as if left on a Catholic alter after communion. The incense gets more and more corporeal until the classic perfume of Holy Terror makes itself known. The addition of amber and fir shifts Holy Terror from a dark nave into a gilded forest fogged with frankincense and myrrh. There is a touch of that furry warmth that reminds me of Sea Wolves and I adore it. Almost like guaiacwood or agardwood smoldering in there under the incense. Mad good. Wicked good.

Remember, Julia offers samples now! They start at $6 while a regular 5 ml bottle is $26. 

If you could have a scent created from any legendary monster what would you choose? I am thinking a Wendigo or perhaps even a Boo Hag. But for now I will be content to smell of the Mad Monk. All these scents are still available for purchase.

Rosegirls: Halloween Sampler and Muffin Pre-Order

My sister, Lindsey, picked up some Rosegirls wax a month or so ago and her sweet little haul had me missing those sugary fall scents that I enjoy from Jenny and her crew. This was definitely a nostalgic haul. I picked up several muffins and a Halloween sampler. Each chunk muffin is around 2 ounces and runs $3.75. The Halloween Sampler was $44.

Light As A Feather Stiff As A Board- Notes: Leaves, amber, sandalwood, vanilla and toasted marshmallow.

I always think this one will be a natural hit for me, but the leaves are really clean and soapy in this. It is still very much a lovely scent but not as warm and sweet as I expect it to be. 

Apple Clove Butter, Vanilla Sandalwood and Campfire Marshmallows

This one makes my toes curl. The Apple Clove Butter is a softly spicy and sweet foil to the vanilla sandalwood. I love this scent blend.

Sweet Pumpkin Pie, Cider Lane and Marshmallow Smoothie

Cider Lane's creamy caramel heavy tones are given extra richness with Rosegirls' marshmallow smoothie blend, while the pumpkins add depth. I will happily melt this soon.

Octobers- Notes: Lavender, apples and oak, Snow White's honeycrisp.

A beautiful blend of sweet, perfumed apples and a touch of clean lavender linens. I wouldn't call this a typical fall scent and it will be just as welcome in the spring. I will probably save this one for March or so. 

Florida Key Lime Pie, Serendipity and Vanilla Ice Cream

This one is a total throw-back to the Rosegirls heyday for me. I always loved Jenny's Key Lime pie blend and the added cherry vanilla serendipity just makes it that much more delicious. I will save this one for summer time. <3

No Worries- Notes: Spearmint, peppermint, eucalyptus.

How could I say no to that? Especially with cold and flu season up us. I have already been sick and Savanna has too but I am sure some more sniffles will head my way and when they do I will be armed with No Worries to clear my sinuses and lend comfort. 

Are You Ready For Some Football?- Notes: Vanilla Crunch Donuts, cinnamon, apple, citrus, peach, raspberry and clove.

This blend has intrigued me for a while. It is a tart fruity blend with vanilla bakery on the tail end and warm spice throughout. This is like eating a softly spiced danish with fruit compote baked in the middle. 

Apple Pumpkin Crunch Donuts

A sweet and creamy blend of golden apples and light pumpkin spiced with the tiniest pinch of cinnamon. This one might be my favorite of the bunch. 

Coconut Pumpkin Marshmallow Cupcakes

This reminds me of that Bath and Body Works candle that was all the rage a couple years back. A thick custardy coconut cream with dense pumpkin puree swirled in. Divine.

The Halloween sampler came in this adorable black drawstring bag that sported two huge google eyes. Most scents in the bag came with two small chunks or a 1-2 ounce shaped mold.

Butter Pecan Cake with Pumpkin Frosting

An edible smelling blend of nutty sweet bakery with a touch of cream cheese frosting scent. There is a tiny bite of something that reminds me of Pumpkin Pecan Waffles with buttermilk.

French Vanilla Latte and Vanilla Hazelnut Mocha

A powerful chocolate and coffee blend that will put hair on your chest. 

Fireside Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Bonfire Bliss with some vanilla laced frosted cookies. A sweet and smoky blend that I will enjoy melting.

Candy Corn Streuselkuchen

Man. I miss me some Streuselkuchen. And to top it off, it is easily the most fall-like wax chunk ever with that candy corn layering. Sweet cinnamon sugar dusted coffee cake with extra vanilla candy crunch. Top notch.

Skittles Bubblegum

Not my cuppa. Old fashioned bubble gum that comes in the yellow and blue wrappers and is dusted with powder. Pink. Ridged. Hard as a stone. That gum. 

Pumpin Carbs- Notes: Breads, donuts and cookies with pumpkin.

French baguette. 

Pumpkin Coconut Latte

A really well blended pumpkin coconut like the chunk muffin above with some added creamy coffee. I will keep this one for a cold winter day.

Ooey Gooey Pears

Pears. I have never really liked the pear fragrance oils out there. It has a weird backnote to me. 

Apple Puff Pumpkin Pie

A nice blend of spiced apples and flaky crusted pumpkin pie. It is almost a hair too bakery bready for me but I will give it a whirl.

Cranberry Macintosh Donut Holes

I am excited to melt this cranberry scent! A nice blending of tart cranberries with sweet melon-like Mac apples. 

Apple Fritter and Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice

A nice, classic apple pie scent. 

Tricks or Treats- No idea.

There is some cinnamon and spice in this one and perhaps some apples or harvest type fruits. I like it and will happily melt it.

Blueberry Pumpkin Patch

Candied blueberries in syrup top a pumpkin pie.

Pumpkin Smoothie Peeps Cake

An almost sweet potato leaning pumpkin with vanilla marshmallows baked into a dish.

Blueberry Lemon Mousse Cake

This scent reminds me of Deb. It is a really tart and sweet, delicious smelling blueberry and lemon creation. Saving this for summer time. 

Caramel Kettle Corn Nilla Noel

Saving this for a giveaway. The popcorn smells like puppy toes. 

Huckleberry Cheesecake

Grape candy.

Ghoulfriends- Notes: Pumpkin sugared donuts, Nilla pumpkin, Noel Fluff Puffs.

An excellent creamy cinnamon pumpkin cake treat.

Sweet Lavender Pumpkin Pie

An interesting blending of fabric softner lavender sheets and soft pumpkin spice. I want to try it out though. It might just work.

I am very happy with the new Rosegirls additions to my melting selections. Samplers always run the risk of being a motley assortment of scents that might not always work but I am pleasantly happy to like all but five of them. And I tend to think I am rather picky sometimes with wax. 

Have you picked up any Rosegirls in a while? Any samplers you loving? I saw Vintage Chic Scents is making a 12 Days of Christmas advent calendar. That kinda perked me up.

Vapid Wax: Poison Apple Indie Pick Up Scent

This wax was sent free for reviewing purposes from Vapid Wax.

Vapid Wax is a new-to-me wax vendor who also has a nail polish line as well as some indie bath and body products. Jenn reached out to me and sent me Poisoned Apple which will be a wax scent featured in the Indie Pick Up November release from November 1st (today) through the 5th for pre-order for $5. 

Poison Apple- Notes: A candied caramel apple with notes of cotton candy, vanilla and coconut with a base of woods, smoke and magick. 

Cold sniff reveals a softly smoky play on Bath and Body Works' Winter Candy Apple. Two cubes threw strong in my kitchen and made for a sweet apple experience. I look forward to melting the rest of the scent. 

Are you a fan of apple scents? What notes are you going to be melting over the next week or so?