Holiday Gift Idea: Go Flameless with a Colonial Candle Tart Warmer and Simmer Snaps

When it was just my husband and myself (and our pets), I used to burn candles all the time.  It was one of the first things I would do when I got home because I just loved the way they made our home so cozy.  After our first child was born, however, paranoia set in.  I could not explain the feeling, but did not light a candle again for several years.  Back then, I used all types of candles, including votives, tealights, jar candles, and pillars.  I also used tart warmers, but they were the type that functioned by lighting a tealight underneath, so I still was hesitant to use them.

Today, now that my children are nearly 6, 6, and 9, I occasionally use tealights, but mainly only use candles during power outages.  It took me all these years to start using an electric tart warmer.  I was so excited to receive this Trellis Wax Melter and some Simmer Snaps from Colonial Candle.  If you are not familiar with Colonial Candle, it is a company that started out as a family business in Cape Cod, Massachusetts and eventually became the sister company to Partylite nearly a century later, and continued to be until last year.  I have used Colonial Candle products for well-over a decade and cannot say enough about the quality.

If you would like to go flameless or know someone who does, this and the other electric tart warmers offered by Colonial Candle would be a great Holiday gift idea.  All you need to do is plug it in, place the bowl on the warmer, put in a piece of your favorite Simmer Snap in the bowl, and use the switch on the power cord to turn it on.  The warmers retail for $20.00 and under and each Simmer Snap sells for just $3.00 each.  One Simmer Snap can be broken into six sections and lasts quite a long time.  There are currently 54 scents to choose from, including the new Cassis & Cyprus that both my husband and I love.

Visit www.ColonialCandle.com to find more great Holiday gift ideas.


Thank you to Colonial Candle for providing complimentary product samples for us to base this review upon.

Review: Febreze Home Collection "No Spill Wood Diffuser"

I am a huge fan of flameless home fragrances. I use to burn candles all the time, but now I think it's too risky with three young children plus four cats in the house. I was never able to try diffusers for the same reason I cannot display vases of flowers . . . the cats. They seem to be drawn to anything that looks like stems and are overcome with the urge to swat at these stems, causing the holder to tip over and spill. I am thrilled to report that our cats do not pay any attention to the new No Spill Wood Diffuser from the Febreze Home Collection. It's simple geometric shape, not only makes this diffuser family-friendly, but it also fits in with many types of decor.

This wood diffuser uses a thick wooden dowel as the wick to absorb the Febreze scented oil right into the stopper, which is a block of wood. It is a simple concept, yet ingenious at the same time. It only took less than a minute for the oil to start soaking through the wood. Of course, you do not want to handle the top once the oil has come through completely. I placed ours out of the way on our kitchen windowsill.

We requested something that was not too flowery or sweet. We received the Green Tea Citrus and I highly recommend it if you like an earthy citrus scent. We have an open floor plan on our main level and the scent reaches from the kitchen, through the dining room, through the living room, all the way to the stairs. It is wonderful to go downstairs to be greeted by this pleasant scent first thing in the morning. It might even be better than the aroma of coffee brewing.

Celebrity Brooke Burke recommends the Febreze No Spill Wood Diffuser as a family-friendly addition to your decor . . .

In addition to Green Tea Citrus, you can also find Willow Blossom, Pomegranate Mango, Cranberry Pear, and Honeysuckle Orchid. The suggested retail price for the Febreze No Spill Wood Diffusers is $14.99 to $16.99, but the price could vary depending on the retailer. You can find this product at most major retailers of Febreze products nationwide.

To keep up with the latest Febreze products, fragrances, and coupons, visit Febreze on Facebook and follow Febreze Fresh on Twitter.

Thank you to Febreze for sending us a sample diffuser free of charge to base this review upon.

Giveaway: Exclusive Hostess-Only 9pc PartyLite Margarita Set (ARV $150) [CLOSED]

Even though it might not feel like it in some parts of the country, summer will be upon us before you know it. To help you get into the mood, PartyLite has introduced 7 new fragrances plus new home accents and flameless fragrance products.

Amongst all the parties you will be throwing this June and July . . . a Father's Day celebration, 4th of July barbecue, family get-togethers, etc . . . one of those parties should be a PartyLite party! Why? Well, in addition to the usually PartyLite HostRewards, if you host a PartyLite party during June or July 2010, you will have the opportunity to purchase some or all of the pieces in this PartyLite Margarita Set at a drastically reduced price. These exclusive pieces will only be available for purchase by PartyLite hosts and hostesses.

This Margarita Set includes the following:

• Glass Pitcher
• Set of Four Margarita Glasses
• Three PartyLite Exclusive Scents of Illumination™ Margarita Trio – scent-filled glasses in:

Apple Orchard

Strawberry Fields

Ocean Berry Breeze

• Pineapple Passion Fruit Margarita Mix by Two Sisters® Gourmet

Also, July party hosts will be able to order one catalog item at 75% off. To learn more about hosting a PartyLite party, start by finding a PartyLite consultant near you.

Thank you to PartyLite for providing the prize for our contest and the information shared in this article.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive one PartyLite Margarita Set.

Limitations:

This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.

How to Gain Entries:

Browse the selection of new PartyLite products. Then leave a comment telling me which new product is your favorite. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.

2) For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3) For 10 extra entries, blog about this contest linking back to this post AND Partylite.com . Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments with the link to your blog post.

4) Friend me on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Facebook profile.

5) For 1 extra entry EACH, follow Partylite Gifts on Twitter and/or fan Partylite Gifts on Facebook. Remember to leave a separate comment for each (with the link to your Tweet or your Facebook profile) if you complete both.

6) Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7) Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8) Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9) Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

10) Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

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(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:

This contest will be closed on Monday, May 31st, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

Giveaway & Review: Glade Holiday Scented Oil Candles [CLOSED]

Since my first son was born, I have been very paranoid about using candles at home. The main reason is that I worry about the children or one of our cats tipping over the candle holder or even touching the flame with a part of their body or with something else that can catch fire. Through personal experience, I have also come to learn that sometimes glass can crack or pop from the heat, whether you are using a jar candle or a votive cup.

These Glade Scented Oil Candles in limited edition holiday tins eliminate most of my concerns. The low stature of the tin makes it more difficult to tip over. Also, there is no risk of any glass breaking. As long as I can keep this tin out of reach of my children and the cats, it seems to be fairly safe.



The Scented Oil Refills melt fairly quickly and truly fills the room with fragrance. The candle continues to burn until all the oil is gone. Then the flame extinguishes itself. Each candle burns for approximately 2 to 3 hours.

These holiday Glade Scented Oil Candle tins come in Apple Cinnamon or Bayberry Spice. Each tin retails for $3.49, which makes it affordable enough to add into a gift basket, to use as a stocking stuffer, or even to wrap in cellophane tied with a ribbon to hand out to your neighbors or co-workers.

You should be able to find these holiday tins most places where Glade products are sold.

This post was written as part of a program for Family Review Network and SC Johnson, who provided the product for review and giveaway. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary product.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive a Glade Holiday Scented Oil Candle in either Apple Cinnamon or Bayberry Spice. (The sponsor will choose the scent.)


Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.


How to Gain Entries:
Leave a comment telling me what scent is your favorite to smell during the holidays (could be something indoors, outdoors, something cooking, etc . . .). You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.

2) For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3) For 10 extra entries, blog about this contest linking back to this post AND Glade Holiday Scents. Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments with the link to your blog post.

4) Friend me on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Facebook profile.

5) For 2 extra entries, share the link to this contest post on Facebook. Then leave TWO separate comments with the link to your Facebook profile.

6) Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7) Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8) Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9) Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

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(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:
This contest will be closed on Monday, December 7th, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

My Photos (W/E 11-28-09)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We had a small dinner at our house and then we put the Christmas tree up the next day.

"Sitting Pretty"

"Make Me Melt"

"Inner Glow"

"Even Jedis Take Naps"

Thank you for taking the time to view my photos this week! If you'd like to play along or see more great photos, stop by to see Lotus at Sarcastic Mom.

Giveaway & Review: Bed Bouquet by Secret Scentsations (2 Winners) [CLOSED]

If you know someone who enjoys lightly scented bed linens or finds the scent of lavender soothing, then you might want to consider Bed Bouquet packets by Secret Scentsations. These are scent-releasing packets that go under the fitted bed sheet, so they stay out of sight. I think this is a safe innovative way to use scented oils.



In addition to the Citrus and Linen Fresh varieties we tried, there are also Lavender & Vanilla and Jasmine & White Rose scents available. I chose Citrus and Linen Fresh because my husband prefers scents that are not too sweet or heavily floral. I thought that the Citrus scent was a little too sweet for my taste. My husband thought the Linen Fresh smelled a little like cleaning products, but I actually enjoyed it.

Using the Bed Bouquet packets are very simple once you have figured it out. It would have been helpful to have the simple instructions printed right on the back of the packets though. To use the Bed Bouquet packets, all you need to do is peel off the clear seal, which covers the scent-releasing holes, using the white tab at the bottom front of the packet. Then you peel off the paper backing which reveals the adhesive rectangle. Now you simply place the packet under your bed's fitted sheet with the adhesive side down, making sure the only layer on top of the Bed Bouquet packet is your fitted sheet.

Since neither my husband nor I like an overpowering scent, I decided to try placing the packet about two feet away from the end of the bed. For a more noticeable scent, you could certainly place the packet near the head of the bed. Once in place, the flat packet is not visible at all. There is no mess involved with using this product. I have not had any problems with oil seeping onto my bed sheets.

I have only used this product for about a week so I cannot attest to how long the scent lasts. It is said to last up to 30 days, so we shall have to see.

I think Bed Bouquet is a product for anyone from tweens to college students to adults. It is a good alternative to using fabric softener sheets on your bed and messy linen sprays. A Bed Bouquet packet would definitely make a unique stocking stuffer for the holidays.

For a limited time, each person who orders a free sample of Bed Bouquet will receive a free Bed Care eBook. Please note that you do need to pay for the shipping and handling when ordering a Bed Bouquet sample from BedBouquet.com .

Thank you to Secret Scentsations and the Family Review Network for providing us with both a review product and a contest prize free of charge.



What you can win:
TWO lucky readers will each receive a Sample Bed Bouquet Pack containing 2 scents of their choice.


Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.

How to Gain Entries:
Visit the Bed Bouquet website. Then leave a comment telling me which two fragrances you would like to receive if you won this contest. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.

2) For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3) Add this blog to your Technorati Favorites. Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so and under what username. Add to Technorati Favorites

4) For 10 extra entries, blog about this contest linking back to this post AND BedBouquet.com . Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments with the link to your blog post.

5) Friend me on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment your Facebook username.

6) Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7) Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8) Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9) Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

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(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:
This contest will be closed on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!