Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Candles From the Keeping Room: Late Spring 2021



I forgot the month of Carol's last release at Candles From The Keeping Room but I want to say it was May? I stocked up well since I have been keeping my wax spending rather tame this year. And since Kyme at Bohemienne Life has retired from wax making, Carol is pretty much my go-to home fragrance supplier for wax tarts. Each bag is $6.75 for about 5-6 ounces of wax. This paraffin blend throws really well and stores for a very long time. I used to be slightly concerned about paraffin but further research into it has me no longer concerned at all. 

Caramel Apple Pie- This is a robust bakery scent. The crust is salty and buttery and thick. The apples are mildly sweet and softly spiced. This is the first time I have tried this one. I worry it might be a touch too bready and salty but things change once melted and it might surprise me. 

Cinnamon Cider- This is one have had before and enjoy. It is a nice fruity apple with mellow spice and lots of sweetness. It is almost like there are other fruits like citrus within as well. It certainly is not just a run of the mill apple cinnamon.

Apple Bear Claw- This was a fast favorite of mine. A sugary apple filled vanilla pastry with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. It is sweet but not too sweet. It throws strong and makes the home feel cozy. 

German Cinnamon Strudel- This one is newer I believe. This is my first time buying it. This is first and foremost a crumbly vanilla cake with ribbons of cinnamon filling weaving through it and sugar snowed on top. It is another rich bakery for sure. 


Caramel Sticky Buns- I don't think I have tried this one yet either. It has a toasted sugar and sticky toffee gooeyness to it. It is a lovely honey bun aroma.

Powdered Donuts- I was surprised by how much I loved this the last time I picked it up. It is hyper sweet with that powdered sugar and possesses just a touch of vanilla within the cakey donut. It has a wonderfully strong throw too. It tends to smell more balanced while melting rather than from just the cold sniff.

Grannies Vanilla Bean- This is a first for me, getting this scent. You know it had me at "vanilla bean." This is not a bakery scent at all. But it does have some candied caramel and butterscotch hints to it. The vanilla is creamy and candied as well. It will make for a very nice melt. 

Pumpkin Vanilla Cream- I had to try this one too, even though it is not anywhere near fall right now. You know I always keep my eyes peeled for good fall and autumn scents to bring home. They are my weakness. This scent reminds me a little of Pumpkin Crunch, or those pumpkin roll ups that are filled with vanilla cream cheese frosting. It is cake-like and dense with pumpkin but also creamy vanilla.


Vanilla Pumpkin Marshmallow- This scent I will melt all year long. It is lighter and fluffier than the Pumpkin Vanilla Cream scent. It almost has a coconut cream lean to it. I love it. 

Very Vanilla- A forever love. This is an epic vanilla that throws strong and combines the clarity of vanilla extract with the coolness of whipped cream. 

Warm Vanilla Sugar- I like this Bath & Body Works classic. I recently picked it up in a three wick candle during the last sale. It will be nice to burn the candle and have these tarts going at the same time. I love this musky vanilla beauty.


Boardwalk Marshmallow Clouds- I really like this one on cold sniff. That marshmallow musk with airy sandalwood and creamy magnolia is truly special. I don't think I have had the Bath & Body Works version but it must be nice. I hope this one throws well. 

Marshmallow Musk- This was a sample in the order previous to this one. I loved it. The sweet white musk and pillowy marshmallow that almost leans like vanilla candy floss is ethereal and wonderful. It doesn't throw mega strong, but it still creates a wonderful atmosphere. 

Campfire Marshmallow- I love my marshmallow scents, especially with added smoky notes. I got both this one and Marshmallow Fireside. This one is more like burnt sugar, the crispy, crunchy top of a torched creme brûlée, with a hint of wood and soft woodsmoke. It is candied and lovely!

Marshmallow Fireside- This one is more smoky and sticky and with that marshmallow musk that I love. Both are gorgeous scents and I am happy to have them. Both throw well too!


Vanilla Bean Noel- Strangely I don't think I have ever had Carol's Vanilla Bean Noel. I am thrilled to have this. It smells strong and rich, just like I would want my vanilla scents to be. 

Lush Vanillary- This was a favorite from my samples last time. I adore this scent. I used to wear it in a solid perfume format. I love how the vanilla houses tonka with a boozy backnote. Mmmmmm.

Vanilla Frosting- Another new to me scent. A great buttercream vanilla frosting. This does have some bakery notes in it on cold, so not a straight up frosting at the moment. Hoping this one throws well, but I don't see why it wouldn't. So much potential!


Nights of Autumn- This is one I always love to have on hand. It is a stunning scent. Dried apples, cedar, woods, a touch of earth and the perfume of dried fall leaves. It does have a wonderful floral musk to it that really elevates it.

Woodland Berries- This is a vibrant and bright scent! Juicy berries and a touch of woods. It kind of brings to mind a more complex and fruity version of Sugared Strawberry Spruce. It would actually be a perfect summertime fragrance.

Autumn Woods- This lovely scent blends leaves, pine and berries. It has a similar profile as Nights of Autumn, but less of the perfumed floral musk. They are both wonderful scents.


Fireside Type- This is a lovely scent. It is a soft and airy woodsmoke fragrance. Warm and burnished. It isn't sweet or acrid in any way. 

Country Gift Shop- I adore this one. It is Kirklands in a bag. Super strong throwing apples, fruits and cinnamon. Classic potpourri.

Warm Welcome- I always forget that this one has cherry-almond in it. But it is a spiced fruit aroma too, but with a cherry lean.


Christmas Past- Yes, I even picked up a couple Christmas scents. Christmas Past is a rich evergreen and cinnamon that is sure to bring some happiness during the holidays.

Balsam and Citrus- This is a holiday staple in my home. A strong throw, vibrant oranges and grapefruits, and the ubiquitous sugared evergreen scent of spruce and balsam. It really is perfection.


Fresh Picked Strawberry- If I am able to snag a bag of Fresh Picked Strawberry I am always happy to. I love this ripe and juicy strawberry. It throws strong and smells like a dream.

Serendipity Marshmallow Delight- This is an oldie but goody that I think Jacqui from the Scholarly Nail introduced me to. I don't really remember. It was several years ago. I do love it though. It takes the creamy vanilla sweetness of cherry and coconut serendipity to a whole 'nother level. 


Free Samples!
I gifted many away already but these were some of my favorites of the bunch.

Summer Boardwalking is taffy and popcorn. Just like the Bath & Body Works dupe. Nicely done!

Pink Fresh and Clean is divine. It has cheerful apple freshness with flowers and sweet musk. I love it.

Tropical White Musk is a gauzy fragrance redolent of mango and tropical drinks. It is lush and lovely.

Watermelon is one that is like a creamy watermelon taffy. Chewy and sticky.

Boardwalk Strawberry is very pretty. There is a squishy marshmallow musk that lifts the strawberry perfectly.


White Apple Oakwood is one I have not tried before and I quite like it. The apple is mild but pleasant. It reminds me of Winter Candy Apple but made for fall.

Berry Chamomile is smooth and almost has a vanilla creaminess to it. Like if you brewed a warm cup of chamomile tea and added a dash of cream. 

Blood Orange is incredibly intense and concentrated. A melange of tangerines, mandarin, clementine and of course, blood oranges. Citrus magnified.

Pink Sands is a classic fresh yet sweet scent that reminds me of lollipops on the beach. Or applying fruity lip gloss on a boardwalk.

Nectarine Blossom and Honey is light and lacy. A gentle blend of apricot and nectar.


Gingered Peach smells just like its namesake. Syrupy peaches and candied ginger.

Pear Brown Sugar Pound Cake is a nicely dense cake with slight caramel tones and a flowery pear accent.

Blackberry Cobbler Ala Mode is heavy on the melty vanilla ice cream and doughy cobbler with just a hint of dark blackberries. It really is marvelous.

Pumpkin Pecan Praline Pound Cake is super rich. I *almost* get a zucchini bread aspect to it. 

Gooseberry Birthday Cake is a fruity delight. Almost like lemons and grapes with a vanilla icing on top.

Spiced Honey and Tonka is molded into this fabulous honeycomb hexagon. This scent is powdery and gorgeous. The honey is velvety and warm. The tonka is like purring vanilla.  


Autumn Magic pulses with sugared brittle leaves.

Brazilian Strawberry Bums blends the joy of Fresh Picked Strawberry with the lushness of Brazilian Bum Bum wonderfully.

Sugar Cookie Dough is a dense bready cookie dough. 

Mr. Bear at the Fair smells like sugar cookies to me, or maybe funnel cakes.

King Cake is probably one of my favorites in this bunch. The cinnamon glaze is exceptional and the cake is just like a honey bun. Delicious.

Pumpkin Pecan Spice Cake is similar to the Pumpkin Pecan Praline Pound Cake but maybe a touch more spice. Both are very hearty blends.


Apple Jack and Peel is an intensely strong spiced apple with a focus on aged wooden cinnamon notes and very little sugar. I love it. Very rustic.

Celtic Moonspice is a long-time treasure. A perfect sugar and spice.

Apple Harvest Festival is a softer and sweeter version of Leaves I think. Sugared apples and gentle nectar.

Rustic Lodge is another wonderful fall apple scent. No spice, warm apples and maybe a touch of vanilla caramel within the juiciness.

Pilgrims Pie brims with woods and cinnamon and chewy dense toffee caramel. There is a bite to this one. 

I think Carol is opening up again in a couple weekends. She said it would be a huge restock with a ton of scents. I am already excited about it!




Thursday, June 17, 2021

Summer List 2021

 


My friend Giffe' and I visited Cassadaga, which is touted as the psychic capital of the world, and though we did not go and get our fortunes told we did have a rather nice time. This photo was taken on the fairy trail and I rather got a childish kick out of someone being so very generous with their herbs. 

Normally by now I have created a summer time bucket list of things I wanted to do or places to go with the girls. I am woefully behind. I just wrapped up my most current ESOL course, I am at work doing pre-planning all this week, and I caught a summer cold that lasted two weeks. So my summer is starting very slow. But here are some things I would like to do over the next month and a half:

- Kelly/Rock Springs swimming and tubing

- Bioluminescent kayaking in Titusville

- Hike a new state park or trail

- Finish two quilts

- Boba at three new places

- Weekend at the beach

- Biking as a family

- Read as much as possible

- Visit a used book store in Cleveland

- Make lots of iced herbal tea

- Swim two to three times a week


Any summer plans for you? We are headed to Cleveland to visit Adam's side of the family for a week. Other than that we will be hanging around central Florida, with the exception of a beach weekend which I hope I can make happen. I plan on lots of reading, gardening, hiking, sewing. I am proud that I did get one quilt done for Eloise. And I am almost done piecing the top to my sister Lindsey's quilt.