Testing my nose...

Yes, but just with scented candles, nothing more sinister. Last week I told you about the candles and diffusers by Landon Tyler and how I was enjoying using them as everyday items and how I'd tested my nose before I read the back of the box. Well today I'm sharing how I got on.

You might think that this is an easy challenge, but I'm not known for having the best sense of smell so I was intrigued to see how I got on.

First up, Dark Cashmere...

I wasn't sure what to expect. And to challenge myself further - because at the time it seemed like a good idea - I thought I'd share the results in pictures. And this is what I thought I could smell:

DARK CASHMERE: CLOVES AND CINNAMON WERE CORRECT, STAR ANISE LESS SO.

DARK CASHMERE: CLOVES AND CINNAMON WERE CORRECT, STAR ANISE LESS SO.

I raided my spice cupboard for what I thought I'd smelt. Out came the cloves, cinnamon and some star anise. I was impressed that cloves and cinnamon are indeed listed on the back of the box. There wasn't any star anise though, so two out of three didn't seem to bad. 

Also listed was vetivert, patchouli and cedar.

Well cedar I got although I was lucky I hadn't identified that as I'd no idea how I'd show that visually. But vetivert and patchouli, I'm not sure my nose would have known those. In fact I'm not sure my mind did. But with some investigation - thanks internet - I've learnt that vetivert is described as "deep, sweet, woody, smoky and earthy grass."  Patchouli I've learnt is part of the mint family. 

So there you go, now you know.

And the Winter Woods...

I was expecting this to smell woody, and I wasn't disappointed. There was a strong fresh smell and so I hurried off to find one of my bleached pine cones from last Christmas.

WINTER WOODS: I GOT CHRISTMAS TREES AND PINE!

WINTER WOODS: I GOT CHRISTMAS TREES AND PINE!

And I'm pleased to say I wasn't wrong. I got Christmas Trees and pine, although I only managed to get the pine cone in the picture! The back of the box says "A classic Christmas tree scent combining pine, fir, spruce, moss and cardamon" so I think I nailed it.

Maybe my sense of smell isn't as bad as I thought.

What's your favourite scented candle "flavour"?

* With thanks to Landon Tyler who sent me these candles to test, to see how I'm using these scents everyday please read: Treating myself with a scent-filled house

Post Comment Love 28-31 October 2016

Helloooo!  Friday again, and we've got something special for you today. And I mean really special, but we'll get onto that in a moment. If you're new here - welcome, and if you've been here before - welcome back. Either way, it's great to see you.

This week I've had a haircut and found myself rushing through Greenwich Park two evenings to make sure I'm out before the gates shut. With the clocks going back next week I'm going to need to rethink my journey home, or at least be prompt at leaving work!

I did get a chance to wander through the Flower Garden though one evening, and this shot of one of the hydrangeas made it all worthwhile. I really do need to get myself one for the garden. They are a bit of a blogger cliche, but they are still oh so beautiful!

A hydrangea in greenwich park, decaying but still beautiful

The #BloggerShowcase Questions: Morgan from Morgan's Milieu

We haven't had a #BloggerShowcase for a couple of weeks and we don't think that's because no one wants to take part, but we think having a blank piece of paper to start with might be making it harder than it needs to be. So we've put together some questions to bring some structure to this feature.

And we thought it would be fun to answer those questions ourselves this week. Below I'm sharing Morgan's responses and over on her blog Morgan is hosting my answers. Do pop over there and see how I've answered the questions and learn more about me!

Morgan from Morgan's Milieu (with new glasses!)

1. Who are you?

I'm Morgan, I'm 35 years old and a stay-at-home mum to my two boys, LP (7yrs old) and BP (12yrs old). I've been a stay-at-home mum since BP was born. I like spending my free time (when I get it) building Lego sets like my Taj Mahal and Tower Bridge and I occasionally enjoy piecing together jigsaws. I'm a bit of an introvert and prefer being on my own or in a small group of people. 

2. How did you discover blogging?

It was about 6 or 7 years ago, I'd just finished reading a great book by Heather Killough-Walden and did a search for more of her books. I stumbled across her blog and got reading, I was hooked. It was then that I began writing.

3. Why did you start blogging?

Unlike most parenting bloggers it was not to keep an online diary of my boys' lives. I began blogging as an aspiring author. I was writing a novel and spent a lot of time reading authors' blogs and learning about how I should be writing a blog myself. I started my blog as a writer but it was just because I thought I had to. It wasn't until I began spending more time on the blog than on the novel that I realised how much I enjoyed blogging.

4. What do you find most challenging?

Balance. The balance between being a mum and keeping the house running smoothly and blogging. Blogging takes up a lot of time and sometimes it can spill into the time I generally save for my boys. It's tough keeping them separate.

5. What is your favourite topic to write about?

Being a stay-at-home mum and being proud of that. Most of my posts come from my experience as a SAHM and through the years I've battled with self-doubt and loathing because I didn't earn the money. I'd like to think that my blog posts on this topic help other SAHM's realise that they're doing an important job and just because they don't earn the money doesn't mean they're not valued.

6. Are you blogging for fun or do you have goals?

I've always had goals with my blogging, it started out as an outlet for my author side and since switching to a parenting blog it's now my chance to do something helpful for others. Eventually I'd love to earn a living wage from blogging but I'm in no hurry. I don't need it to happen this year, or even in the next 2 years. I'll keep chipping away slowly at my own pace, I think this will help me not get burnt out and I'll still be around in 10 years!

7. What is your favourite thing about blogging?

The people. I know everyone says this but that's because it is true. Every single blogger you interact with is caring, helpful, and always on hand to answer questions if you need them. Even when I think I'm being totally rubbish and not helping others they're still there to help. Bloggers are a lovely bunch and I wouldn't want to be without them. 

8. Have you ever attended a blogging conference and if so, what did you think?

I have - I went to Blogfest 2015 (that was my first) and I attended BML 16 in June too. I loved them both but for different reasons. Blogfest was terrifying, mostly because it was my first conference and I had no idea what to expect, but at the same time I had a great day. I learnt a lot and it helped my confidence. BML16 (BritMums Live) was more about the people, meeting people I'd spoken to online hundreds of times, listening to other bloggers and their thoughts, finding like-minded people and knowing I was in the company of friends. They are a great way of meeting the people you interact with all the time and you may even learn a few things too. That's why I'll be going to Blogfest 2016 in a few weeks. 

9. What are your three best posts?

This is a tough one because it really depends on what mood I'm in, but here's 3 of my faves:

  1. Your weight doesn't determine who you are!

  2. Sometimes it SUCKS being a woman!

  3. Secrets

10. Describe yourself in three words

I do hate these questions (Grr Stephanie!) - erm... Busy writing mum, I think that about sums me up!

11. Are you a tea and biscuits or coffee and cake person?

Gotta be coffee and cake for me! I'll occasionally have tea but not often and I rarely have biscuits in the house but coffee is a must and well cake is just a given right?

12. What's your idea of the perfect night out?

The Hubby and I going to a quiet restaurant and eating a tasty meal then heading to the cinema to see a romantic comedy. Heading home knowing the boys are staying with their Aunt so I don't have to worry about morning breakfast duties. 

13. And the perfect night in?

Again the Hubby and I watching one of our favourite movies. Popcorn, snacks, and drinks are sorted and the boys are in bed so we can get on with the movie, uninterrupted. 

14. What would your best friend/OH/Mum or kids say is your best quality?

Grr to Stephanie again - I can never settle on something when asked these kind of questions. I'd like to think they'd say I'm caring, that I'm always there for people when they need me, but who knows, it depends what mood they were in when asked I guess!

Thanks Morgan, and apologies for those Grr questions. if it's any help I also found some of the questions - especially number 14 - hard to answer, but I managed!  How would you answer, get in touch with us, we'd love to share your answers.

And I'm so pleased we get to meet again at Blogfest!

Some new badges for #PoCoLo

I told you we had lots to share this week, didn't I?  I need to thank Morgan as she's been super busy over the past few weeks and has given our #PoCoLo badge a makeover, and I love them. I hope you do too.  And as well as a new badge, we've also now got a featured badge. So new questions, new badges, we really are spoiling you!

We would love to feature you and find out more about you, so whether you're a regular linker or have joined us more recently we want to share more about you. 

PoCoLo
Featured on PoCoLo

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.
Landon Tyler Dark Cashmere infuser providing delicate scent on the bookcase, a place where we walk past often, and it's been a big hit with us both

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

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.

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