One thing that knows how to set the mood right is candles. Be it plain white or coloured; scented or non scented; just for decor or to add ambience to an evening. Over the past few years candles have grown, especially in the handmade community. I myself do love to burn a candle here and there, so I decided to test a few candles from a few local shops. Primark, Poundstretcher, Home Bargains and Wilko. The environment in which I burned all the candles, where in a large room with the door closed part of the way.
Let me begin with Primark. I headed straight towards where the candles expecting to see the usual lovely candles they had in the past. When I reached they had completely changed their stock. I was somewhat disappointed. Now I don’t know if this was the winter ones and the have yet to change over as most of the scents were quite wintry. I struggled to find one that I actually wanted to buy. Then I found one Patchouli and Tona Bean. Even though this candle came in a stylish glass with a silver metal lining, the cold throw on this candle was minimal. I had to sniff quite hard to get any scent. So I was not too impressed. That being said even with most of their other candles, it was the same result. This candle has a burn time of 30 hours. I burned this candle and I was really disappointed. The scent was almost non-existent. I had to call my son just to double-check. I let it burn for several hours and not much changed.
PRICE£3.00
RESULT: Poor would not buy again 1/10
I purchased these Wickford and Co candles from Home bargains. I was quite excited about these purchases cause the cold throw was quite intense. The large jar which is Apricot Blossom and has 95 hours burning time. The smaller jar, Sweet Pea and Rose has a burn time of 16 hours. With the same environment as stated above I lit the candles expecting a room filled with a glorious smell. I was yet again disappointed. The cold throw was stronger than the Primark candle, but not as strong once it was lit. I think in a smaller room, maybe the scent will be better received.
PRICE: Apricot Blossom £2.99 ……….Sweet Pea & Rose £0.59
RESULT: Not as good as I thought they would be 4/5
This cute little candle was purchased at Poundstretcher. The cuteness of it makes you want to buy it alone. The cold throw on this little jar of candle was intense and I had high hopes for this. I do not know the burn time but when I lit this candle the warm throw filled up the room. I was pleased with the amount of scent it threw out. The scent itself is nice. I am not mad about it but it is pleasant. I found that the wick was too big and created a large pool which almost drowned out the flame. I had to pour out some of the wax, apart from that, quite happy.
PRICE: £1
RESULT: Really liked it. 7/10
This white candle was purchased from Wilko. The scent is cotton and lily which are my favourite scents. The cold throw makes you want to put it in your wardrobe to increase the fresh smell of your clothes. It is really pleasant. It actually puts a smile on my face. The cold throw on this candle is a delight and quite strong. When lit this candle fills the room with a lovely scent. I am not disappointed by this candle and it delivers. This is one of my best pics for the scent and its throw.
PRICE: £1.50
RESULT: A beautifully scented candle and at a good price 9/10
There are so many candles out there on the market some are worth it and some are not. Until you try you will never know. If you think one shop can provide a cheap candle with great throw, you assume they all can. Candles are not all created equal.
Análaigh
I know, I know there are plenty of people out there who can not stand, shall I dear say it. Valentines day. There are so many negatives that are associated with the V word. Cheesey, exploitation, money, etc. For others, they like to take this day as a day of fun, happiness and a reason to go all out, when in normal circumstances, they probably wouldn’t have. Some people like to go the extra mile or two and others will spend their time moaning and groaning and giving out negative energy as to why they don’t celebrate V day. I mean who cares. If you don’t celebrate it and you don’t like it, then don’t celebrate it, but please stop moaning. No one needs to hear that type of negativity.
We invest so much into our lives. Cleaning house, food and clothes shopping, going out with friends, family do’s. Because of this we make the assumption that we are making our lives better. To some point we are, especially if we manage to keep on top of these things that I have listed above. Investing in yourself goes beyond just the obvious and the immediate especially if you are looking to grow as a person. If you are looking to overcome certain flaws and improve on characteristics that you lack. There is so much out there to get to that point; Online, books, TV radio; they are all out there for us to drink and explore.
What type of person are you? Do you like to go with the flow, see what is hot and what’s not or do you like to just do you? Is it all about the name or is it about what works for you? Do you feel pressured to conform to pick something and stick to it or are you comfortable in just going with what interests you? With social media presence on the rise and the need to be noticed to reach the height of success that you desire, what are you willing to do or not do to get there?
2017 is here and I have made it. I have had a really slow start to the new year. I am walking into the new year without my mum and a new path and journey is set for me. There is a lot of adjusting I need to do as well as stepping up my game in all my areas of my life. Business, hobbies, weight and more. Quite an overwhelming start to the year, hence probably to why I’m having a slow start. I am behind on some of the things that I wanted to be ahead in and some of my plans are only half done.
Why can’t I stop is a question that I found asking myself only a week into 2017. When I look behind me I see the dust of all the things that went on in 2016. I see al the things that I need to do in 2017 including all the things that I have not finished or even started in 2016. With all that looking I see a full and busy time ahead. With that said I see myself on a continuous train that shows no sign of stopping.