Treating myself with a scent-filled house

I know it's often, but not always, a female thing, but I'm a fan of candles, so when Landon Tyler got in touch recently I was keen to try some of their range. My tastes in candles aren't often overly floral though, so I was pleased to see their scents went beyond this. I like rich and spice-laden or fresh, piney scents so when I received the Dark Cashmere and Winter Woods candle and diffuser I couldn't wait to try them out.

I'll admit I'm late to the world of diffusers, but I'm definitely a convert. They're a great way to add some subtle scent around your home. I have one in my porch and that provides a great welcome home, especially on cooler evenings when the heating has kicked in.

I've placed the Dark Cashmere diffuser on the bookcase between our main living room and kitchen, and we walk past it regularly on our way up or down the stairs. Since it's been there I've caught myself recognising the masculine smells of clove and cinnamon, and no doubt vetivert, patchouli and cedar although my nose may not know how to pinpoint the individual scents, or which one is which.

I know that my nose - and the rest of me - is a fan of this one. I've only used three reeds, because I want the scent to be subtle, and it's working.

I've even caught MOH notice the scent as he walks past. And this is the man that walks through a cosmetic department sneezing and leaves with watering eyes. I'm slowly converting him to a more delicate, but still masculine scent in our house. And if I'm honest a kind of masculine scent that I don't mind smelling...

Yes, exactly.

The good thing I've discovered about diffusers is they just provide scent without too much effort. In a way that candles don't. And that's great. I mean, when candles are lit you have to be present don't you, and alert. But that said lighting a candle can totally change the mood - often mine, and I've found that they're a great way to treat yourself without opening that bottle of wine. Especially if like me, occasionally you slip up and accidentally buy a bottle of low alcohol wine!  

Hmmn, yes, I still can't believe that happened.

Or that it's even a thing.

BECAUSE SCENTED CANDLES SHOULD BE FOR EVERYDAY

Having one on the side table by the sofa has meant we light the candle more often, and so we're treating ourselves more regularly. I can't promise there's less wine, but I'm enjoying the luxury of a candle. These have a burning time of forty hours, so I'm looking forward to enjoying its scent for a little while longer yet. 

The observant amongst you will have noticed that I've started my Landon Tyler scent discovery with the Dark Cashmere part of the range. It is my more usual go to scented candle and so that's partly because of the familiarity, but it's also because I'm saving the Winter Woods scent for nearer to Christmas. It's unlikely that we'll have a Christmas tree this year, and after testing the diffuser and candle I just know it'll bring that freshness of a Christmas tree indoors. And I'm looking forward to that.

It's described as having pine, fir, spruce, moss and cardamon and a classic Christmas tree scent. And I just know it's going to trick me into almost believing my little Christmas tree might be indoors once more.

I think the products are reasonably priced. The candles sell for £8 and the diffusers £10. As I already mentioned the candles have a burning time of forty hours, which is comparable with pricier candles. The packaging is good and looks classic and of good quality. I'm a bit of a magpie for cardboard for crafts and the boxes have migrated to my craft store. I found it hard to get the plug out of the diffuser, and so did MOH. I did manage it, but broke a nail in the process. But while it was hard to remove, it does show that they are well sealed so there's little chance of the liquid, or the scent escaping. 

And a final note, I could have styled these photos so the candle and diffuser look fancy, and I did think about that. But in reality that's not how I live. And as I've been enjoying these as part of my everyday life and not just for a special occasion I wanted to show that in this post. I did test my nose with their scents before I read the back of the box, and next week I'll share how I got on with that. I surprised myself, as well, I'm not known for having the best sense of smell!

If you're interested in trying these products you can find stockist details on Landon Tyler's website.

* This is a collaborative post but all views are my own.

I've been to the shops...

Last week I headed over to Canary Wharf one night after work, as MOH had promised to buy me dinner, and well he knows me well. He's been putting the hours in lately and if he's buying dinner then I'm there. After hitting the shops, we ate in Sticks'n'Sushi, which was brave for a fish-phobic like me. 

It was nice though, we took the guess work out of it and ordered a platter, the Table for Two. And enjoyed it all. Even MOH who normally says sushi doesn't fill him up, was full. I'd looked at their picture menu before our visit, and well, usually I'm not a fan of picture menus but this one worked. But that wasn't the point of this post, i thought I'd share what I bought that night, along with another recent purchase.

1. Being seen at night

I still haven't got around to cycling to work and now the evenings are getting darker, I've been using not having the right clothes as an excuse. MOH offered to lend me some of his neon cycling gear and that's when I knew it was time to buy my own. So I'm now the proud owner of a neon yellow and cerise trimmed lightweight top. It's quite bright, but as that's the point that's ok. 

It's lightweight as I don't feel the cold (thanks overactive thyroid!) and cycling uphill is going to warm me up anyway isn't it! To complete my outfit I also bought some black, white and grey very snazzy leggings. They've got some reflective strips, so there'll really be no excuses. 

2. Four candles

And two candlesticks. My plan was to position the two candlesticks together so they looked like one complicated structure. They look great on the table and remind me of one of those games where you have to move a wand along without touching the metal parts, to avoid it buzzing. 

These are part of the Loop Maison range by black+blum and available in John Lewis, we eventually settled on the shiny chrome finish over the matt version and some dark grey candles to use with them. I'm very pleased!  

It's only since then that I've realised they're by the same people as the iconic James the Doorman. And there's a whole Loop range, which could be dangerous...

Seriously though these are a great design, look fab and where just what we were looking for - although had you asked me beforehand I wouldn't have known what that was.

3. Sycamore cheeseboards

I bought these on my recent visit to Woodfest at Wisley from a local craftsman. And they are so, so smooth. They're very reasonably priced too, with the smaller boards at £5 each and the larger one a little more at £7.50. 

And they have a story, which I like.  

These boards originate from a felled sycamore tree in Nonsuch Park, Surrey. Some of you may recognise that as a well known netball venue from years gone past, or my years gone past at least. It backs onto the Nonsuch School for Girls which is where I played my first Surrey County netball game, and was somewhere where I've played a lot of netball. Occasionally parking in the park and nipping into the school through the side gate, but rarely actually venturing further than the car park, sadly.  

Now, I wonder why, but of course at the time I was probably running to get on court. But now, I like to think I'd have more appreciation for the surroundings. I'd probably still be running late or cutting it fine as I prefer to call it, but maybe after the game. And so, it's nice to have these boards, especially with our shared background as I'm pretty sure I've fallen over many times in that part of Surrey too!

They are the creations of Dr Tim Lawson, who after the 1987 storm retired as a GP to became a wood turner. I saw Tim and his wife at Woodfest earlier this month and it was great to talk to him about what is clearly his passion. Tim sells his products through some National Trust shops and on his Stormwood 87 website. They are stunning, and beautifully crafted and I knew I wouldn't be leaving Wisley without something from his stall.

These boards are suitable for culinary use, and despite the fruit on them in these pictures, I bought them for use with cheese. One is purposefully larger so it can accommodate those larger pieces of cheese without it melting over the edge. But like cake, cheese in this house doesn't last as long as fruit, which I think is normal, right?

And half-eaten pieces of cheese wouldn't make for such a pretty picture!

So quite different purchases, but each of them make me happy and fill a different need. What have you found in your shopping basket recently?

Christmas decor with TK Maxx and Homesense

Yes, I know. It's only October and I just said the C-word. Christmas. There I said it again. It is early to mention it, but I'm going to anyway. You see I've been sitting on these lovelies - not literally, obviously - since July. Yes July, that's when the lovely people at TK Maxx and Homesense invited me to their Christmas in July event up in town. It was in the very cool Ice Tank Gallery near to Shaftesbury Avenue, a great blank space, but as I later discovered not necessarily quite so good for photos. 

But I did want to share with you some of the glitzy gems I discovered, and am now seriously considering. I loved the bugle covered bauble, with its geometric designs. The other thing I think you'll be seeing more of are the sparkly word decorations, whether that's Joy, Hope or Peace.

There were also more warming and traditional reds. Everyone needs a stocking don't they, and candles. The scented candle, full of spices and richness is just made for Christmas isn't it?

There were wreaths with feathers and fruits, and a mantelpiece full of candles, stars and a snow dome. Hands up, and top marks, if you've already got a snow dome.

The tableware had a metallic theme too. And I loved the plate that told me to "Save room for dessert." It's good advice and something I always aim for. At least once. Sometimes twice. Yes it has been known. But occasionally that's ok.

I think you'll see lots of feathers this year in Christmas decorations if the TK Maxx and Homesense ranges are typical of other stores. And that's really no bad thing. Especially if they've got a touch of the metallics at the same time.

The thing that'll be going on my Christmas decor wish list, is the jingle bells. I don't know how I've managed without them for so long. That's a cue for MOH to roll his eyes, and no doubt he will. But it's ok, I'll tell him you all said it was ok. That's a deal, right?

So to me, I think this year our Christmas trees, tables and more will have the metallic look. And I think that's ok, as we all need some sparkle in our life.

Have you started to think about Christmas yet, or are you very much a Christmas is in December kind of person? Leave me a comment and let me know.

* With thanks to TK Maxx and Homesense for inviting me along to see their Christmas ranges.