19 October 2009

Favorite Things - October 19

It makes an evening more romantic. It makes skin glow. It adds extra excitement to an already joyous occassion.

Can you guess today's favorite thing? Its candles and candelight.

As sad as I am that the days have grown shorter, I am glad for the longer evenings because that also means more time for the soft glow and flicker of candles. I love a mildly scented candle to increase the gentle assault on my senses.

Two of my favorite new candle products are by Lucia and Woodwick.

Lucia is a Canadian company, whose wonderfully scented candles are made with 100% organic soy. The scent that I am currently most in love with is the Laurel Leaf and Olive Oil, but there are many others in the line which my nose has ferreted out for future experiments. (Hint... there are goat milk soaps in matching scents. As an added bonus, the candles come so prettily packaged. Just the perfect thing to take along as a hostess gift, or if you want to treat yourself to the added pleasure of unwrapping a gift to yourself.

One of my other favorites are WoodWick candles. Not having the luxury of a wood burning fireplace, I picked up one of these to provide a lit fireplace ambience. By far the most intriguing feature of these candles is the wick, which if you look at the name you would surmise, is wood. I thin slice of wood provides a slow burning wick that has the added bonus of a slight hiss and pop of burning logs. For added effect, they have even managed to concoct a "Fireside" scent. Admittedly, this might be an acquired taste, but they have many other enticing scents as well. For this time of year, the Harvest scent is quite divine. If you have scent sensitivities, they also have an unscented candle so you can still enjoy the auditory excitement.


Take advantage of the dark of winter and pull out a candle and indulge in the calming effects of candlelight.

(Note: Both of these products are available in Canada at Chapters/Indigo stores.)

8 October 2009

My Birthday Present to You!

Its my birthday weekend. I can't say that I am exactly excited to be a year older, but I am really looking forward to the weekend. And since, I intend to have so much fun, I thought I'd share the love.

So.... my present to you, is a free shipping offer in my etsy store. This offer runs from 12:01am October 9th to 11:59pm October 12th.

Seems to me like this could be a great opportunity to get started on that Christmas shopping.

5 October 2009

Enter to Win

Care to find out what inspires me? Well, here is your chance to find out, and to get a chance to win a pair of stringmealong flower hairsticks.

Fellow blogger, etsy seller and Canadian, - rikrak - is hosting a give-away on her very fun and beautiful blog. Click here to enter.

Be sure to check out the rest of her blog. It is so much fun to read. And check her etsy shop too for the most wonderfully fun and colourful eco-friendly goodies.


Favorite Things - October 5

My favorite thing today is something that is quintessentially autumn. I can't imagine a Thanksgiving or Hallowe'en without them, and I love to see a field full of them on a golden autumn evening.

PUMPKINS!

A couple weeks ago I mentioned that a favorite of mine was the fall fair, and the award winning fruits and vegetables that are a part of the grand tradition of the fair. Well, naturally the giant pumpkins are my favorite. But apart from that, the bring me joy in so many other ways too.

As a child, pumpkins provided my favorite part of Hallowe'en with the carving of the jack-o-lantern. There was so much thought and care that went into choosing the perfect pumpkin for carving. One had to be sure that it was a sufficient size, proper shape, and had a good heft. The heft is of course important, because that would ensure that there would be hidden within, a treasure trove of white seeds, perfect for roasting and salting for a crunchy, once a year treat. Once the pumpkin was sccoped out, seeds set aside, the pumpkin must be turned this way and that, while carving knife in hand, you decide on the perfect spot for the face. Ready? Carve out the eyes... happy, or diabolical? Carve a nose... triangle, upside or down? Mouth... toothy grin, or hollow 'O'? Lean back, twist the pumpkin slightly this way and that, and oh, isn't he perfect. The simple addition of a candle and he's ready to beckon trick-or-treaters and scare away the bogeys! Honestly, can you think of any other squash to whom you would entrust such a task?

As an adult, pumpkins provided my favorite part of Thanksgiving. Pumpkin pie, with just an added little dollop of whip cream is surely the most perfect after dinner treat. As I have gotten older, I've learned that pumpkins need not be kept for just a pie. Pumpkin muffins, scones, soup, risotto, pancakes... the list goes on and on. How did I not recognise the versatility?

I love the matte orange sheen of the pumpkin skin. I love even the elongated yellow bloom that preceeds it, growing along the slightly prickly green stem.

I love the look of a pumpkin reposing gently on a country home front porch; or correct little rows of them sitting at a market, full of undiscovered potential, just waiting for a buyer.


On a day that looks and feels truly of autumn, at the start of the month that heralds the harvest, the pumpkin seems like a perfect pick for today's favorite thing, wouldn't you say?