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Aromatherapy Candles
Author: M J Plaster
Nothing turns a commonplace, ho-hum room into a radiant, inviting setting faster than the flicker of a few ordinary candles scattered strategically throughout the room. Add scented candles and you can quickly evoke childhood memories, transport your imagination to a tropical island, or infuse the room with the crisp scent of a pine forest. Aromatherapy candles add yet another dimension to the equation.

Aromatherapy candles release a small, but continuous stream of herbal and floral essential oils into the air as they burn. The chemicals in the essential oils enter your body as you breathe, and travel throughout the body, including the brain, through the bloodstream. You receive subtle benefits as the chemicals interact with your body. Don't expect to receive full healing benefits by lighting a candle, but aromatherapy candles provide the same dual benefits inherent in conventional aromatherapy in less concentrated doses: smell therapy and chemical reactions to the essential oils.

Burn aromatherapy candles to alter, enhance, and improve your state of mind while adding a touch of nature's pure perfume to your surroundings. What a pleasant, powerful quick fix to an otherwise rotten day, not to mention a less destructive alternative to downing a pint of ice cream or a pound of chocolate to chase away the blahs.

Let aromatherapy candles help set the right mood for others with whom you spend time. Your guests will only know that you have that "special something," that magical touch when it comes to hospitality.

Tips for Using Aromatherapy Candles:

Make sure that you purchase aromatherapy candles, not just scented candles. Look for labels that include "pure essential oils."

Select the right candle for the situation. The best way to ensure that you have selected the best candle to achieve your goal is to purchase a candle with labeling that reflects your desired effect.

Invigorate - Perhaps you arrive home lethargic and drained after a grueling day at work, and like so many other busy parents, your workday at home is just beginning—with no time for an intervening catnap. Treat yourself to a short break, and light an energizing aromatherapy candle. Invigorating candles typically contain some mixture of oils from the mint and citrus families. The mint essential oils—peppermint, spearmint, basil, and eucalyptus—provide quick stimulation, revitalization, and an extra dose of energy. Other invigorating essential oils include cedar, rosemary, cinnamon, geranium, cassia, and vanilla.

Relax – Sometimes a sense of accomplishment or closure leaves you wired. You know that feeling. You've finished a big project, and you're bursting at the seams with energy when you really want to kick back, relax and enjoy some quiet time. Light a stress-releasing aromatherapy candle, take a few deep breaths, and allow your mind to clear. Stress-releasing essential oils include lavender, chamomile, patchouli, geranium and rose.

Concentrate - Use aromatherapy candles to improve concentration when you need to tap into your creative powers. Nothing sparks creativity like the ability to concentrate and block mental and environmental distractions. Citrus essential oils help you to concentrate: lemon, orange, grapefruit, lemongrass, and bergamot.

Add atmosphere – You've planned a quiet evening at home with that special someone, and you've made every effort to impress. You've cooked a dinner right out of a Parisian bistro, fresh flowers grace your home, the table is set with china and linen napkins, the wine is chilling, and you've never looked better. Add the final touch with an aromatherapy candle containing some of the sensual essential oils: Ylang ylang, vanilla, neroli, rose, clary sage, sandalwood.

When using candles to add atmosphere, grouping candles together is fine, but less can be more. You're striving for natural and nonchalant: think elegant understatement, not sacrificial altar.

When you light more than one aromatherapy candle, burn candles with complementary, not competing essential oils. You don't want to burn candles with invigorating oils along with candles that contain a relaxing mixture of oils. Your body will receive mixed signals.

Why reserve your aromatherapy candles for special occasions or for company? Add an elegant touch and a little mood to your everyday life. What else can add so much pleasure with so little effort? Include aromatherapy candles in your repertoire to turn the mere ordinary into the extraordinary.

About the Author

M J Plaster is a successful author who provides information on shopping online for http://www.candles-4-u.com/candle_holders.htm , http://www.candles-4-u.com/aromatherapy.htm , and http://www.candles-4-u.com/soy_candles.htm. M J Plaster has been a commercial freelance writer for almost two decades, most recently specializing in home and garden, the low-carb lifestyle, investing, and anything that defines la dolce vita.

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Creating a mood with scents
Author: Jennifer Hall
Have you ever noticed how the warm scent of a candle wafting through the air can be uplifting, energizing, or make you cozy? Or maybe there's a certain body spray, soap, or perfume that just keeps you going through the day. Did you wonder why maybe that Key Lime candle smeeled yummy but also energized you or even motivated you to clean? Or why that Apple Pie scent really helped you appreciate fall? Wonder no longer, study after study has shown that scents do affect your mood! Take a look below of some scents that can really enhance your moods:

1. Citrus Scent - Energy
Need a pick-me-up? Grab a cup of java and light a citrus candle, citrus scents enhance energy and boost mood; so look for candles with lemon, lime, grapefruit, verbena, or orange scents.

2. Lavender Scent - Relaxation
When it's time to wind down try burning a lavender candle. In studies, lavender has been found to correlate with slower heart rate, lower blood pressure, and lower arterial pressure. It has also been found to decrease muscle tension. Other scents that have been found to have relaxing effects are bergamot and sandalwood.

3. Citris, Minty, and Pine Scents - Uplifting, Clean
If you want to create a cheerful, clean environment in your home, choose candles scented with citrus, mint, or pine. Often these scents can be not only uplifting and motivating, but just give that "clean" feel. When you or your guests walk in, these scents will be a fresh breeze to welcome anyone.

4. Lavender, Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie, Jasmine, Gardenia, Sandalwood, and Rose Scents - Romantic
Studies indicate that lavender, vanilla, and pumpkin pie scents are the most desire enhancing. Many also believe there's romance in the air if you're burning scents such as floral and woody scents, they give that wistful, romantic feel to a room.

5. Season Enhancing Scents
Delve into the season with your favorite candles scents! Autumn's a great time for burning pumpkin spice candles, as well as other baked good candle scents, as is winter. To create that cozy winter environment, choose cinnamon, apple, berry, and pine candles. Fresh candle scents such as cucumber melon are great for spring, as well as fresh cut grass candles which carry into summer. Nothing says summer like a nice citrus, like a lemonade candle scent drifting through the air.

5. Season Enhancing Scents
Delve into the season with your favorite candles scents! Autumn's a great time for burning pumpkin spice candles, as well as other baked good candle scents, as is winter. To create that cozy winter environment, choose cinnamon, apple, berry, and pine candles. Fresh candle scents such as cucumber melon are great for spring, as well as fresh cut grass candles which carry into summer. Nothing says summer like a nice citrus, like a lemonade candle scent drifting through the air.

If you love a certain candle, soap, or body spray - whatever the scent may be - don't do what I too often do, which is save it until that scent runs out! Light it and enjoy, it's sure to affect you in a positive way!

About the Author

Jennifer Hall is a writer who provides information on shopping online for http://www.candles-4-u.com/scented_candles.htm http://www.candles-4-u.com/aromatherapy.htm and http://www.candles-4-u.com/unity_candles.htm When she's not online, Jennifer's spending time with her family, gardening, or playing the piano or accordion.

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Candle Holders Add Flair To Your Home Decor!
Author: Wendy Yeager
Candle holders are an essential accessory for candles. The first candle holders, made of clay, date back as far as fourth century BC Egypt.

Of course, today we have a wide variety of candle holders to choose from. They are a colorful addition to home décor.

You can find candle holders for any variety of candles, including: tapered, pillar, votive, floating, tealites, birthday, etc.

Candle holders are available to match any style of décor. There are candle holders made from glass, pewter, brass – even some molded out of bamboo or coconut.

Choose decorative plate candle holders on which to set your pillars. Candle holders shaped like small lamps with shades add soft light to any room. There are also many beautiful glass cup candle holders to hold your votive candles.

For your floating candles, choose one of the many fancy bowls as your candle holder. You can even have a ready-made candle holder by choosing a candle in a jar with a decorative lid.

So, add a little flair to your home with some beautiful and scentsational candles and candle holders.

About the Author

About The Author

Wendy Yeager
Publisher
http://www.wenmarcorp.com/candles-go2/holders.html
mjy222@hotmail.com

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Soy Candles? What Will They Think of Next?
Author: M J Plaster
Quick: What comes to mind when you think of soy candles? Before my formal introduction to soy candles, I thought organic (read expensive) and BEIGE! And not just the color beige, but beige as an overall description for soy candles—blah like baby food, ground chick peas, and a pale winter pallor. I had no idea why it would even occur to anyone to purchase a soy candle.

I couldn't have been more wrong in my assessment! After gaining a working knowledge of candles, soy candles reside front and center in my growing candle collection. When you learn the facts, you will probably replace your paraffin candles with the soy version, at least on an attrition basis. If you're still at the beige stage, read on while we shed a little light on the subject.

Paraffin vs. Soy

First, clear your mind of all preconceived notions that you've conjured up about soy candles. Replace those thoughts with just two thoughts for now: clean and fresh. Traditional candles made of paraffin are actually petroleum-based products.

Oil is not only a finite resource, primarily imported from the Middle East, it recently made a new all-time high. You see it reflected at the gas pump, and you'll see it reflected in candle prices, if you haven't already. You pay no premium to reap the benefits of soy candles, because soy candles are priced competitively with their paraffin counterparts, and soy candles last up to 50% longer than paraffin candles.

Petroleum products do not burn cleanly. If you wouldn't voluntarily walk into a burning petroleum field, then why would you burn paraffin in your home? If you burn candles regularly, try this experiment. Move a picture on your wall. If you see an outline on the wall at the edge of the picture, soot from burning candles is the culprit. That same burning petroleum deposits itself in your lungs, and it's a known carcinogen. Soy candles are non-toxic, burn cleanly without smoking, burn cooler than paraffin candles, and use all-natural cotton wicks.

If you've ever spent hours cleaning spilled wax on your floor or carpet, you know what an exercise in futility it can be. Sometimes there is simply no removing it. Spilled melted soy wax cleans up with soap and water, and it does come out, unlike some paraffin spills. Biodegradable soy has its practical advantages as well as its health advantages.

Made in the USA! Soy is a renewable resource, made right here in the United States, and you don't see much of that these days. You're helping the economy by using soy-based products, and charity begins at home.

Scented Soy Candle

With all these good-for-you attributes, you may wonder if you'll have to settle for the aroma of melting soybeans. Not only are scented soy candles available, but they are typically scented with a natural essence rather than a synthetic fragrance. With "flavors" such as Crème Brûlée, Gingerbread, Jeweled Citrus and Banana Nut Bread, you can easily tease your appetite with soy candles. In fact, soy candles burn more evenly than paraffin candles, and the fragrance lasts through the entire candle, rather than burning off in the top half of the candle.

Aromatherapy Soy Candles

It would seem a contradiction of terms to use a pure essential oil in a candle of paraffin, but it's a common practice. The highest-quality aromatherapy candles use pure essential oils, soy wax, and cotton wicks. If you're going to pay a premium for aromatherapy candles, and there are numerous benefits in doing so, make sure that the candle is comprised of 100% unadulterated, natural products. Otherwise, why bother?

As an educated consumer, you have the power to further the advancement of superior products through your purchases. Every industry requires research and development to make advancements, and the natural candle industry will evolve at a rate that makes economic sense. Through your support of natural candle products, you can effect a healthy change while enjoying the benefits and the pleasures of burning soy candles.

About the Author

M J Plaster is a successful author who provides information on shopping online for http://www.candles-4-u.com/ in general and http://www.candles-4-u.com/soy_candles.htm. M J Plaster has been a commercial freelance writer for almost two decades, most recently specializing in home and garden, the low-carb lifestyle, investing, and anything that defines la dolce vita.

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Tickle Your Senses With Yankee Candles!
Author: Wendy Yeager
How many of us remember as kids creating our own candles from our broken crayons? We'd have mom or dad help us melt down the crayons on the stove, throwing in every color of the rainbow. Then we'd carefully pour the melted wax into old cardboard milk cartons. But, how many of us were able to turn the fun of creating candles at home into a profitable money-making business? Well, Mike Kittredge, founder of Yankee Candles did just that! In 1969, when he was 16 years old, Mike melted down his old crayons to make his mom a candle for Christmas. His neighbor liked it so well, that she bought it from him. He then had enough money to buy wax to make both a candle for his mom and one to sell. This was the beginning of a bright future for Yankee Candles.

Today, Yankee Candles are the #1 selling brand in the United States. The "Housewarmers" are Yankee Candles most popular candle. They vary in size from votives at 3.7 oz. to 14.5 oz. and 22 oz. candles in jars with a lid. These Yankee Candles burn anywhere from 25-150 hours-depending on the size of candle. Yankee Candles are not only available as votives and in jars, they also are available as tarts, tea lights, pillars, tapers, and floating candles.

If you'd like to add a little accent to your Yankee Candles, then try one of their many colorful accessories, such as: jar toppers, pillar and jar bases, jar shades, chandeliers, or holders for your tea light, votive, or floating candles. They have some very beautiful items to choose from.

The most exciting aspect of Yankee Candles are their fragrances. Yankee Candles come in every scent under the sun! Make your kitchen feel warm and homey by savoring the delicious aromas of Fresh Peach, Apple Cider, or French Vanilla. Arouse your senses with the delicious home-baked aroma of Banana Nut Bread, Blueberry Muffin or mouth watering Chocolate Chip Cookie. You can almost taste the Chocolate Chip Cookie melting in your mouth!

You can enjoy other scintillating Yankee Candles in the rest of your home. Soothe your senses with the heavenly scents of Lilac Blossoms, Fresh Cut Roses, Clean Cotton, Green Grass, or Hydrangea.

So, whether you want to arouse or soothe your senses, you can make your entire home inviting with the tantalizing fragrances of Yankee Candles.

About the Author

About The Author

Wendy Yeager
Publisher
http://www.wenmarcorp.com/candles-go2/yankee.html

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HOW TO MAKE THEM AND WHERE TO BUY THEM. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW IS ONLINE
Author: Dean Erickson
Whether you are interested in purchasing natural soy candles online or whether you want to learn how to make your very own, the web is the place to start.

Great deals can be found on soy candles just by executing a quick web search using keywords such as "wholesale soy candle". This search will bring up many sites that sell all sorts of soy candles and fragrances ranging from patchouli and lavender to lotus blossom and Mediterranean fig!

Soy candles are great purchase to make as they are made from 100% vegetable by-product, they are non-toxic, they burn cleanly, with barely any soot and are easy on people with difficulty breathing and ideal for those who get headaches from candles made with paraffin wax, a petroleum by-product. Natural soy candles burn much slower and last for about 30 to 50% longer than your average paraffin candle. Soy comes from the soy bean, nowadays produced in renewable quantities by American Farmers.

Soy candles are the easiest candles to make. All you need is soy wax, a jar, fragranced oil, dye and a wick. All of these soy candle supplies are available easily and cheaply online. Start with a web search for "How to make soy candles" and from there everything from instructions to supplies are at your fingertips.

Soy candles are easier to make than paraffin candles and the wax itself is actually easier to clean up. For beginners it is a good idea to purchase a soy candle making kit. In the candle making kit you'll find all your need to make natural soy candles. There are kits and instructions for making votive candles and container or jar candles. But there are so many types of candles you can make once you get started. There are scented soy candles, even triple scented and triple layered candles. Soy candles also make great aromatherapy candles.

In searching for your candle making supplies online do note that buying the right fragrance or mix of fragrances is the most important aspect of candle making. Double check that the fragrance you want is compatible with soy wax. As for the dye, dyes that come in wax forms are best because they can be melted with the soy wax. For container candles, make sure you start a collection of jars. Jars make for the best soy container candles.

The process is simple. You melt the soy wax, add dye and fragrance and pour into the container of your choice. The hardest bit involves placing the wick in the center and keep it there while the wax hardens, but when it does, you simply trim the wick and light your candle!

About the Author

Dean Erickson. Journalist, and web site builder Dean Erickson lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of soy-candles-center.info on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.

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Add Sizzle to Your Surroundings
Author: M J Plaster
Is your home décor lacking that extra something that spells the difference between comfortable and vibrant or between comfortable and tranquil? Candles might be just the polish your décor needs. Take advantage of the sparkling colors, rich textures, and fresh scents of candles without draining your decorating budget.

Some candles are best unadorned, but candleholders offer an additional opportunity to highlight their presence and beauty. You don't have to burn the candles; you can use them as objects d'art, incorporating them into displays, floral arrangements and centerpieces—alone as an accent piece, or in a grouping as a focal point.

Typical candles no longer exist—they belong to a bygone era. Tapers gave way to thick and varied heights long ago. Today, you'll find square candles, heart-shaped candles, fruit and vegetable candles, gingerbread candles, floral candles, Christmas tree and ornament candles, and candles with artistic free-flowing shapes. Within that variety of shapes, you'll find an endless array of adornments, such as beads and glitter, straw, botanicals embedded in the wax, still life scenes, etc.

Color, Shape and Texture

Today's candles come in a wide variety of hues and shades, and many add the dimension of shape and texture to their composition. Marbled, frosted, and sculptured candles are widely available in a selection of sizes, shapes and prices—ranging from votives to thick, oversized candles.

If your living areas are frozen in time with a monochromatic color scheme—you know the rooms we mean, they looked oh-so-good on paper until you lived in them for a month—use candles to rescue you from the monotony without the expense of redecorating. Marbled candles are a quick and easy way to work complementary or harmonizing color into the room.

If your home utilizes color well, but lacks excitement, accessorize with textured candles to add pizzazz to the room. Position the candles to create a focal point or to add just the right accent. Marbled candles incorporate several hues and shades of the same color, and variegated candles can tie all of the colors in your décor together.

Sculptured candles provide a warm substitute for expensive knickknacks and require a minimum of space. Add smaller sculptured candles to guest bathrooms along with guest hand towels and guest soaps. It's the attention to detail that rolls out the welcome mat for guests and creates the ambiance of a memorable stay.

If you've never used anything but wax candles, try one of the new gel candles. Gel candles are translucent and their shimmering glow is irresistible to the eye. You'll find gel candles ready to display in their own attractive glass containers.

Candles and Fragrance

Scented and aromatherapy candles make an excellent choice for the kitchen, bedroom or bathroom. Consider odor-neutralizing scented candles a necessity for the kitchen when you entertain. They serve triple duty by quickly neutralizing cooking odors, adding a pleasant scent and a touch or warmth. Larger scented candles often include interesting texture, shape and color variation.

Candleholders and Display Options

If you use your patio as a three-season outdoor room, float citronella votives in water on the patio for a lily-pads-in-the-pond effect. You'll scare away the mosquitoes and other flying irritants at the same time. Place all citronella candles a few feet from the table so that you don't run off the guests along with the insects.

Votive holders have blossomed into every imaginable shape, including butterflies, bejeweled beveled glass holders, and seascape holders. Many of the votive designs are ideally suited for an outdoor environment.

Hurricane lamps add light and atmosphere to the outdoor table in the evening. Eve lights can produce harsh lighting, and hurricane lamps provide enough light to see without detracting from the atmosphere. When selecting a candleholder for outdoor use, it's important to select one that shields the flame from the wind, and hurricane lamps provide ample protection from the wind.

If you haven't seen the newer tea lamp candleholders, you're not going to believe your eyes. These candleholders are every bit as elaborate and intricate as their electrical counterparts. If you prefer the formal look of a chandelier, consider a chandelier candleholder for a soft, diffused light. The next time a storm or tornado blows through your area, leaving you without electricity, tea lamp, hurricane and chandelier candleholders will be ready and waiting.

Whatever your décor, imaginative use of candles and candleholders allows you to change your décor as often as you change your mood.

About the Author

M J Plaster is a successful author who provides information on shopping online for http://www.candles-4-u.com/scented_candles.htm , http://www.candles-4-u.com/soy_candles.htm , and http://www.candles-4-u.com/candle_holders.htm. M J Plaster has been a commercial freelance writer for almost two decades, most recently specializing in home and garden, the low-carb lifestyle, investing, and anything that defines la dolce vita.

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10 Great Holiday Decorating Ideas...On a Budget!
Author: Kathleen Wilson
1.First things first. Set a plan or a theme for your Christmas decorating. It doesn't cost a thing to have a good plan, and when you are working with budget ideas, this is what pulls your ideas together, and makes everything you do look purposeful, and personal. Some theme ideas for Christmas? The rustic lodge xmas, a toyland xmas, countries around the world, Victorian, country, santa, snowmen, old fashioned, the list goes on and on!

2. Make garlands out of felt scraps. Cut Xmas shapes out of felt in miniature, mini stockings, holly leaves, mittens, and string together with needle and floss or strong fishing line to hang all over the house. Remember when you string each shape, tie a knot on both sides of the shape to hold it in its place. You can add more dimension to the shapes by cutting two of each, stuffing them lightly, them sewing the two together. Glue would work also if you aren't a sewer. Saved used dryer sheets are perfect for this kind of stuffing, or even tiny fabric scraps that are too small for other uses.

3.Drop a tealight candle in your cleaned out glass mayonnaise jars, tie a holiday ribbon around the neck, and you have a beautiful candle with xmas charm. You could nestle the candle in peppermints, nuts, or even sand if you wish. Try grouping several together for a dramatic evening effect. These also make great luminaries.

4. Start a Christmas collection. This can be a great tradition to initiate in your home. My girls and I starting collecting Santas 3 years ago, and it's something they look forward to, choosing our yearly Santa together. I know it will be a fond memory for them, and I plan to let each child choose a Santa to take with them when the day comes that they leave the nest and start their own home. By the way, this doesn't have to be expensive, or even store bought. Try sewing or crafting a new decoration each year together for even more memories! Or check out your dollar store…they have some really cute ceramic holiday decorations for a buck or two. Remember, it's the memories you're interested in here, not a collectable based on monetary value.

5. If you are looking to do a toyland theme for your Christmas decorating this year, try searching out teddy bears and dolls at your local thrift stores. Wash them in a pillowcase and put them in your dryer for at least 20 minutes, then dress them up with ribbons and holiday fabrics. Group them under your tree, on mantels, and on windowsills. Stack small squares of cardboard together and wrap as a tiny present, then tuck them under a teddy's arm, or wrap an empty box and use it as teddy's seat by the front door.

6. Place a few inexpensive glass balls in a bowl and embellish with a few sprigs of greenery or some leftover ribbon. If you don't have an extra bowl (it is the holidays, after all!) try decoupaging a box with leftover Christmas wrap, or cover with a little fabric and glue.

7. Take down your pictures and wrap them like a gift, then hang them back on the wall for great holiday cheer! You don't have to do this all around the house, how about just in the entry, or maybe the dining room?

8. Tie greens or ornaments to the chandelier with a little Christmas ribbon, just make sure they don't hang low enough for any candles on the table to catch them on fire.

9. Make your own gift tags out of leftover paper. Ok, this is not a new idea, but try punching it up a bit. Add details by layering shapes over the base paper, use paper punches and scalloped scrapbooking scissors to add style, use a gold calligraphy pen to add names. Or use the scalloped scissors to make old holiday cards into tags.

10. Sponge stars or other seasonal shapes on your window with paint! No, I'm not nuts. Just add a teaspoon or so of liquid dish soap to acrylic craft paint, (I like white or gold metallic) and after the holidays you should be able to wash it off with window cleaner. Use a non- scratching dish scrubber if you come across a stubborn spot.

There it is, the 10 best budget decorating ideas for Holiday decorating! Always remember the most important reason we celebrate, and the reason we take the time to make our homes warm and inviting…our loved ones! Have a wonderful holiday season!

About the Author

Kathleen Wilson is the author of "Quick Decorating Ideas Under $20:The Budget Decorator's Bible" and the editor of The Budget Decorator, a free ezine dedicated to the "budget impaired" home decorator. Visit her at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com for more great ideas.

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Sharp Christmas Gift Ideas to be Given TO the Hard-to-Please FROM the Uninspired and/or Busy Shoppe
Author: Susan Dunn, MA, cEQc, The EQ Coach
We've all got one or two people on our gift list that are just 'impossible.'

You could always send a box of candy, flowers or a can of popcorn, but that shows so little thought.

Here are some nice ideas, sure to please, easy to order, in differing price ranges, arranged by type.

1. Doesn't care about Christmas, but is patriotic to the core? Lives in Alabama but made a trip to see the scene of the terrorism? Get the Polonaise Forever ornament ( http://www.hsn.com/cnt/prod/default.aspx?webp_id=1417623&web_id=1417623&sz=0&sf=hs&dept=HS0026&cat=HS0027&subcat=&gs=&attr=&prev=hp !sf!dept!cat ).

Oddly named, this ornament is described as "a patriotic and symbolic show of support for NY City and the US." On one side the Twin Towers with three firefighters and an American flag with banner reading "Forever in Our Hearts". On the other side, Statue of Liberty in front of Twin Towers with banner in red, white and blue saying "God Bless America."

2.More into "Western" than anything else? Get the Western Christmas Tree Skirt ( http://www.hsn.com/cnt/prod/default.aspx?webp_id=1058898&web_id=1058898&sz=0&sf=hs&dept=HS0026&cat=HS0027&subcat=&gs=&attr=&prev=hp !sf!dept!cat ).

3. They've "been there, done that" and are kind of blasé, but not about their grandchildren. Get the recordable talking photo ornaments. Add photo of grandkids and their voices, or a Christmas carol ( http://www.hsn.com/cnt/prod/default.aspx?webp_id=1450443&web_id=1450443&sz=0&sf=hs&dept=HS0026&cat=HS0027&subcat=&gs=&attr=&prev=hp !sf!dept!cat ).

4 The heck with Christmas, let's get on to the Super Bowl? Try the Tailgate Blender ( http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/productview.jhtml?pid=46757500&pcatid=39064300&catid=35023500 ). Just plug it into the dash, half price now.

5 Classic. You can't go wrong with classic, and this is just-enough different. Fresh evergreen wreath ( http://www.hsn.com/cnt/prod/default.aspx?webp_id=1524686&web_id=1524686&sz=0&sf=hs&dept=HS0026&cat=&subcat=&gs=&attr=&prev=hp !sf!dept
), red bow, lights, indoor use.

6 Okay the holidays are here, but what's the weather going to be like tomorrow? And will there be snow in Arkansas where the kids are? For the fussy weather watcher, try the Personal Weather Station Five ( http://www.windandweather.com/store/Gift_Guide___For_Weather_WatchersID6688? ).

Description: "It monitors temperatures at your base station and up to three remote locations, without wires. The atomic clock – the most accurate chronometer you can get – features alarm and date. Big LCD readout simultaneously displays remote and base unit temperatures, with minimums, maximums, and trends."

Don't you just KNOW someone who needs this??

7. For the cell phone nut who can never remember to recharge it … which could be most of us, right? Get the SideWinder Cell Phone Charger ( http://www.windandweather.com/store/Gift_Guide___Gifts_Under__50_00GR2318? ). 2 ½ oz., says it works with "most" cell phones.

8. She's romantic and you have very little money. Try the floating star candles for the bath ( http://www.bath-and-body.com/productlist_candles.asp?department=15 ). 3-pack just $2. you can add the "bath experience"!

9. They've got everything but do entertain and go all out decorating? Try Christmas soap. Give this gift early so they'll have it for their parties. Swedish soap collection has soaps imprinted with "Be Good" and "Be Nice", peppermint star soap and more. http://www.hamptonct.com/index.cgi/cart_id=1070400750.18856/vendor=Swedish%20Christmas%20Soap

More family-oriented? Angel, snowman, candy cane, gift-wrap, Christmas delights, 3 wisemen ( http://gdoor.com/Csoaps.htm )

10Just a heckuva great gift at a very reasonable price? The 12 Days of Christmas Handpainted Goblets ( http://www.1800flowers.com/product.asp?section_id=0&pcode=8146&cc=1001&sc=1001&body_sc=1001&sku=goblet )

About the Author

©Susan Dunn, MA, cEQc, The EQ Coach, offer coaching for all your needs – career, relationships, self-esteem, emotional intelligence, strategy, transition, midlife, parenting. Mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc for FREE eZine. Susan is the author of "How to Live Your Life with Emotional Intelligence" – http://www.webstrategies.cc/ebooklibrary.html and other enlightening eBooks for your personal and professional development.

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The Romance Of Highly Scented Candles
Author: Marguerite Bonneville
Before the discovery and widespread use of electricity, candles and firelight were the only instruments humans could rely on to navigate after dark. But in the 21st century, they are two of the most effective stimuli for creating a romantic mood. And if you use a highly scented candle, you'll create an even more effective sensual experience.

Candles affect us on a number of different levels:

1. Gazing at a flame is a mesmerizing experience and relaxes both the eyes and the mind.

2. Because a candle throws light on a relatively small area, it creates a sense of intimacy among the people basking in its glow.

3. On an emotional level, a candle induces a sense of warmth, even though it emits very little heat.

4. A candle can also capture the eye through the beauty of its color and design, which are enhanced by the flickering flame.

5. A highly scented candle adds more pleasure to the mix by stimulating the olfactory senses.

You can use highly scented candles to create a romantic atmosphere during intimate evenings at home, or you can give them to special people in your life as gifts.

There are so many varieties of candles now available in the marketplace that you're sure to find one to suit every taste.

Candle Uses:

1. Aromatherapy

The study of how scent affects the central nervous system is centuries old. Modern day aromatherapists can evaluate a client's situation and prescribe a remedy in one short consultation. Highly scented candles can be used in the same way as essential oils to change a person's frame of mind in a calm and non-threatening way.

Here are some uses for highly scented or aromatherapy candles:

a. To help a person feel calm, give them a candle scented with chamomile.
b. A lavender candle will induce a feeling of serenity.
c. To help someone with flagging energy, give him or her a sandalwood candle.
d. To help restore a person's spirit, give a candle scented with ocean breeze.

2. Relaxation

a. Candles are often used in meditation, and suitable types include chakra candles and Feng Shui candles.
b. Meditators often use an aromatherapy burner fueled by tealights or votive candles.
c. Give highly scented candles to someone who enjoys taking baths by candlelight.

3. Color Therapy

a. Choose soft colors or light and neutral shades for people who love to relax.
b. Give strong colored candles to people who love to celebrate.

4. Celebration

a. Candles are regularly used in ceremonies such as christenings, birthdays, weddings and funerals.

Most candles are made from beeswax, paraffin, soy, gel and other materials such as resins. You can purchase clean burning soy candles if you or the people around you suffer from allergies or hypersensitivity.

Candle Shapes

Candles come in all shapes and sizes:

1. Long thin candles known as pillars and tapers
2. Small candles including votive and tealights
3. Geometric shapes, including balls, pyramids, squares and rectangles
4. Character shapes
5. Candles in decorative containers such as glass, wire or steel vases

All of these, with the possible exception of character shapes, make great romantic gifts. And even a character shaped candle can be romantic if it has a special significance. For example, a candle shaped like a snowman can remind her of the night you fell in love while building a snowman in her parents' yard.

Most women love candles of any kind, and men who take pride in their surroundings will also appreciate a beautifully crafted candle.

Choosing a Candle

Here are some commonsense tips to help you choose a great romantic candle:

1. Keep in mind the colors the person favors in his or her home. Don't give her a sparkling blue candle if her living room is decorated in shades of peach. Don't give him a red candle if his apartment is painted in olive tones.

2. Go for clean, classical lines when you buy, like elegant tapered candles or classic round candles, either short or tall, in clear, beautiful colors.

You can buy a more extravagantly decorated candle if you know the person will absolutely love it. Or you might buy a fun candle for someone with a great sense of humor. If you're absolutely stuck, buy white.

3. If you know the person well, you might choose a candle that fits in with his or her interests. A zodiac candle will thrill an astrology buff, while a pyramid candle will please an ancient history enthusiast. You can find a whole range of candle containers that feature dolphins, butterflies and other motifs that make for an excellent personalized gift. Choose a highly scented candle that features one of their favorite scents.

4. Take into account the person's allergies or beliefs about using natural products. Look for candles made of environmentally friendly materials like soy.

It's worth taking the time to think through the other person's preferences before you buy a candle for a romantic gift. People recognize when thought has gone into a gift selection, just as they sense when the choice was haphazard. Your thoughtfulness will add immeasurably to their appreciation of your gift.

About the Author

Marguerite Bonneville is a Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) whose passion is publishing information online. She is a contributing writer for http://www.romantic-gift-ideas-online.com , a resource site dedicated to helping visitors find the perfect romantic gift.

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Decorate for Christmas
Author: Caroline Shaw
It's your home/your apartment and you want to make it a special sanctuary this Christmas. How can you create a special place for your family and you? Well, we already have our centerpiece…see November's issue. Just replace candles and flowers. But how can you make your place shine with love and holiday spirit?

Your dining room table can have a nice Christmas cloth or runner. Replace the fall curtain scarf with Christmas co-ordinates to match your table cloth or runner. Look around your yard for any berries that you might use in your centerpieces. Be careful that little ones don't put these in their mouths. Make a wreath for your door using a grapevine base and ivy you might have growing around the yard….place berries strategically around the circle. Make a bow of fine vines and place in the center, a couple of pine cones. What a unique heart warmer for your guests to enter your sanctuary by.

At the doorway, hallway, foyer, greet your guests with cinnamon sticks and and cloves stuck in oranges and apples placed in a wooden bowl on a hallway table. Cover the table with a plaid green and red cloth. Your kitchen can have all the smells of holiday cooking. Place a nice lantern in the window to remind us of those guests who couldn't make it. Have a plate of finger foods for your guests. Simple things will do like a nice wooden bowl of cashews or give your guests something to do: serve pistachios.

Need something for the kids to do? Take tag paper and cut out a Christmas tree shape that is about 24 inches tall. Put it on a bulletin board, then make two different sized ornament patterns for the kids to use and have them trace ornaments on more tag paper. Let the kids cut the ornaments out. Take crayons and markers and decorate a couple to model how to decorate them for the kids. Provide some glue sticks and let the kids glue their ornaments on their very own tree.

In your living room or family room, create a warm feel with plaid coverlets thrown across your couches and chairs. If you have a mantel, string some berries into a garland….or use cranberries. Place wooden candlestick holders and white candles. Place ivy around the base….a very simple but elegant presentation.

After dinner have pie with coffee and tea. Pass out some carols and sing together. If you have a musical instrument, this would be a great time to accompany your guests. You can print some carols ahead of time. Make them into little booklets using old Christmas cards for covers. CHRISTMAS-CAROLS.NET - Rejoice in the Christmas Spirit!

Serve some spiced cider: 1 gallon of Apple Cider 10 cinnamon sticks Some whole cloves (about 10) Simmer on top of stove for about 15 minutes and strain into some nice Seasonal mugs…

Enjoy your family and don't forget to take photos. Merry Christmas!

About the Author

Caroline Shaw, Pittsburgh, PA
mom@amomslove.com
http://www.amomslove.com
Caroline Shaw holds a B.S. degree from Duquesne University. She is a mom to six children,editor and publisher of the Online Magazine,"A Mom's Love." with informative articles for WAHMs, single moms, working moms, and more.

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Decorate for Christmas
Author: Caroline Shaw
It's your home/your apartment and you want to make it a special sanctuary this Christmas. How can you create a special place for your family and you? Well, we already have our centerpiece…see November's issue. Just replace candles and flowers. But how can you make your place shine with love and holiday spirit?

Your dining room table can have a nice Christmas cloth or runner. Replace the fall curtain scarf with Christmas co-ordinates to match your table cloth or runner. Look around your yard for any berries that you might use in your centerpieces. Be careful that little ones don't put these in their mouths. Make a wreath for your door using a grapevine base and ivy you might have growing around the yard….place berries strategically around the circle. Make a bow of fine vines and place in the center, a couple of pine cones. What a unique heart warmer for your guests to enter your sanctuary by.

At the doorway, hallway, foyer, greet your guests with cinnamon sticks and and cloves stuck in oranges and apples placed in a wooden bowl on a hallway table. Cover the table with a plaid green and red cloth. Your kitchen can have all the smells of holiday cooking. Place a nice lantern in the window to remind us of those guests who couldn't make it. Have a plate of finger foods for your guests. Simple things will do like a nice wooden bowl of cashews or give your guests something to do: serve pistachios.

Need something for the kids to do? Take tag paper and cut out a Christmas tree shape that is about 24 inches tall. Put it on a bulletin board, then make two different sized ornament patterns for the kids to use and have them trace ornaments on more tag paper. Let the kids cut the ornaments out. Take crayons and markers and decorate a couple to model how to decorate them for the kids. Provide some glue sticks and let the kids glue their ornaments on their very own tree.

In your living room or family room, create a warm feel with plaid coverlets thrown across your couches and chairs. If you have a mantel, string some berries into a garland….or use cranberries. Place wooden candlestick holders and white candles. Place ivy around the base….a very simple but elegant presentation.

After dinner have pie with coffee and tea. Pass out some carols and sing together. If you have a musical instrument, this would be a great time to accompany your guests. You can print some carols ahead of time. Make them into little booklets using old Christmas cards for covers. CHRISTMAS-CAROLS.NET - Rejoice in the Christmas Spirit!

Serve some spiced cider: 1 gallon of Apple Cider 10 cinnamon sticks Some whole cloves (about 10) Simmer on top of stove for about 15 minutes and strain into some nice Seasonal mugs…

Enjoy your family and don't forget to take photos. Merry Christmas!

About the Author

Caroline Shaw, Pittsburgh, PA
mom@amomslove.com
http://www.amomslove.com
Caroline Shaw holds a B.S. degree from Duquesne University. She is a mom to six children,editor and publisher of the Online Magazine,"A Mom's Love." with informative articles for WAHMs, single moms, working moms, and more.

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Decorate for Thanksgiving
Author: Caroline G. Shaw
Years of having to make do have turned me into a…"There must be someway I can do this cheaper type person."
My old new house needs total make over. We are thinking about moving into my MIL's house. So I am walking around looking and thinking, my goodness, this will be way too much to do and then the old, "There must be someway I can do this cheaper type person" kicks in and I think, yah, there must.

First curtains need to be put up on the windows. I will check all of Grandma's fabric…and she has tons, and see if some of it can be salvaged for window treatments. Gee, today all you really need is a nice wooden Venetian blind and a swag or scarf.

I am thinking about sticking with the umbers I see outside this time of year (November). I already bought my border for the kitchen at a B&B we went to a couple of weeks ago, and it kind of has a sultry tone to it. You can do the same thing with fabric. Just take a quick trip to Wal-mart's fabric Dept. They are always getting rid of material at bargain prices. If you are doing a dining room for Thanksgiving, do swags/scarf for the windows and a table cloth, placemats and napkins.

It really wouldn't take as long as you think. Put up some lace curtains and make a scarf from the fabric you use for your table cloth..or maybe you have a plain white table cloth already available. Just make a runner that matches your window scarves,napkins and placemats.

Now what about the centerpiece? I like this idea on http://interiordec.about.com/cs/fallindex/l/blfallpr011.htm About.com . Just has some greens and Fall leaves, candles…well, take a look: The Centerpiece, It's one where you can just remove the fall leaves and replace with berries for Christmas. Saving time is what it's all about. Put up some wreaths on the doors and over the mantle. A simple grape vine with dried flowers in fall tones is nice. Use some wire ribbon to make a bow.

Put up plain candlesticks with fall colored candles and don't forget the whole theme of Thanksgiving is giving thanks for our bounty. Use displays of fruit and gourds, pumpkins and mums. Get out an old watering can and fill it with leaves to place on the porch, any old galvanized buckets? Put wheat or tall dried grass display in your bucket. Don't forget the grapes. Take a nice glass pedestal compote and cascade different varieties.

If you have a garden, pile the day's garden harvest into a wheel barrow at the back door.

Just remember …you don't have to use all these ideas. You don't want to have to take all this down to prepare for Christmas that's just around the corner.
http://amomslove.com/hg-recipes-thanksgiving.html Complete Thanksgiving Menu and Recipes by Lorrie Ann Danner
Copyright 2004 Caroline Shaw

About the Author

Caroline Shaw holds a B.S. degree from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA in Secondary Education, English. She is a mom to six children and Editor and Publisher of Online Magazine,"A Mom's Love," with informative articles for WAHMs, their children, single moms, working moms, and more.

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Easter Decorating Ideas for Your Fireplace
Author: Susan Penney
Sure you decorate your fireplace and mantel for the winter holidays, but don't forget this important focal point in your room as Spring approaches. Here are some nearly-instant ideas for springtime and Easter fireplace decorating:

Daffodils in crystal or glass vases on each end of your mantel bespeak the coming of Spring. Tie a wired chiffon ribbon in a soft spring hue in a bow around each vase for a nice touch.

March a line of fluffy chicks across your mantel. Five or more chicks, whether stuffed toys, porcelain hens, or craft store chickens, make a cute display.

And speaking of stuffed toys, now is a great time to find those old stuffed bunnies and ducks and turn them into mantel ornaments. Add Easter grass, and scatter decorated eggs along the mantel to keep them company.

Tie wired gingham-checked ribbons into bows, and attach them to the edge of your mantel. Let the ends of each bow hang down various lengths from one to three feet. At the end of each ribbon, open a plastic egg, tape the ribbon's end inside the egg, and force the egg shut. This creates a set of eggs dangling at different heights.

Bring out your glass, crystal, white, and pastel candle holders of different heights for your mantel. Select a trio of springtime colors such as lavender, pink and eggshell or aqua, pale green, and soft yellow. Use pastel candles in some of the candle holders. In others, perch decorated Easter eggs (real, plastic, wooden, or glass).

The ideas above are great for your fireplace's mantel, but what's a terrific way to decorate your fireplace itself? Fireplace candelabra are the perfect accessories. And using candles in the shape of decorated Easter eggs in your fireplace candelabra is a super-simple, but visually dramatic way to decorate for the season. (Just don't be too surprised if the Easter Bunny replaces one of the candle-eggs with a chocolate one!)

About the Author

Susan Penney appreciates simple ways to make our homes renewing spaces for our families. She invites you to visit http://www.FireplaceMall.com for fireplace accessories to serve your fire-less or your fire-filled fireplace.

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Thrifty Decorating Ideas for the Holidays
Author: Terri Seymour
Thrifty Decorating Ideas for the Holidays
© Terri Seymour of www.seymourproducts.com

Decorating for the holidays is a fun and exciting way
to bring the holiday cheer to your home. But, it can
also be very expensive. Over the years, I have used
many of the ideas below to save money and spruce
up my holiday decor.

Halloween

Use tin cans for eerie jack-o-lantern luminaries.
Before you throw those cans away, make more use of
them. Poke holes in them in a scary face design and
then use tealights or votive candles for lighting.
These are great for indoors or out.

Paint empty coffee cans to look like witches, goblins,
ghosts, pumpkins. They look adorable and are
great for holding, snacks, treats, etc.

Use pieces of plywood to make scary headstones for
your yard!

Thanksgiving

Make a beautiful Thanksgiving centerpiece, with a
pretty birch log. Drill holes in the log for autumn
leaves/branches, birds. Be creative and add what
you like. This is a great idea for a Christmas one
as well. You could also use a pumpkin for a pretty
Thanksgiving or Halloween centerpiece.

Fill baskets with leaves, mini pumpkins, guords, acorns,
and other natural autumn items.

Paint some tin cans to look like pilgrims, pumpkins,
or scarecrows.

Christmas

Evergreen boughs! These can be used for centerpieces,
mantle displays, arranged around candles, displayed on
your wall with bulbs and other items. Add some pine
cones, silk pointsettias, birds, etc. as well.

One of my favorite decorations is a pretty glass bowl
or basket filled with colorful glass balls, pine cones,
and little evergreen boughs. This makes a wonderful
centerpiece or coffee table display.

Make a pretty potpourri basket filled with pine cones,
evergreen sprigs, dried oranges/apples.

Decorate empty canning jars and turn them into
Christmas lanterns with votive candles.

Decorate your dining room chairs with pretty ribbon.

Turn old cds into mini-wreaths for your tree. Glue
small pine cones, glitter, cotton (for snow), evergreen
boughs, ribbon, stars, tiny glass balls.........the
possibilities are endless. You have never seen all
those free CD's put to such good use and what a fun
project for the whole family!

Look around your house and use your imagination.
Almost everything can be turned into a pretty decoration
with a little creativity and work. ;-)

About the Author

*************
Terri Seymour and her husband Terry offer
a no-cost, non-MLM home business opportunity.
They strive to help you build a successful home
business. They also provide a website building
service. Take advantage of the gifts, resources &
more provided for your home and business at
http://www.seymourproducts.com FREE ecourse at:
business-building-ecourse@getresponse.com

****************

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Decorating with Shabby Chic
Author: Johann Erickson
Are you ready to redecorate but have a limited budget? Do you have some great furniture but nothing matches? Do you love antiques but not stiff formal decor? Then think Shabby Chic, a fun decorating style that solves all these dilemmas and more.


Shabby Chic is one of the hottest trends in decorating, and for good reason. It is versatile, easy, and inexpensive. Shabby Chic is based on simplicity -- simple color themes combined with your favorite furniture and art.


Shabby Chic can be anything you want it to be, and is a great way to bring your personal style to any room. Most Shabby Chic decor is based on a white-on-white or beige-on-beige theme. Soft pastels are often used as accent colors, but with a little creativity, you can add just about any color you want. A classic example of Shabby Chic would be to cover couches and overstuffed chairs with white slipcovers, whitewash your wood furniture and hang white airy curtains. Then hang your favorite painting or artwork in the most prominent place in the room. Choose one or two colors in the painting as accent colors, and repeat the colors in http://www.onlinediscountmart.com/throw-pillows.html throw pillows , flowers, soft throw blankets, and http://www.onlinediscountmart.com/discount-scented-candles.html candles .
Another great feature of Shabby Chic is the worn and well-loved look. That http://www.onlinediscountmart.com/06-34353.html side table that has an interesting shape but has seen better days is perfect for Shabby Chic. Simply whitewash it and put a vase with flowers on top. Better yet, use an old china teapot or your grandmother's favorite vase for the flowers. It's the little details like this that make Shabby Chic work so well.


If you're on a tight budget, Shabby Chic is a great choice. Make your own slipcovers with any durable white or beige fabric, and cover couches and chairs to match. Pick up interesting accessories at yard sales and flea markets, and paint them all the same shade of white. Pull out your favorite pictures and put them in http://www.onlinediscountmart.com/32011.html frames painted white or coordinated accent colors. Throw in a few candles, flowers, and pillows, and you've got a beautiful Shabby Chic room.


Shabby Chic is also perfect for highlighting single pieces of furniture. Do you have a gorgeous, beloved antique but nothing else that goes with it? Decorate the room in Shabby Chic and let your antique be the center of attention.


Whatever your style, whatever your budget, whatever mismatched furniture you own, there's a Shabby Chic look for you.

About the Author

Johann Erickson is the owner of http://www.onlinediscountmart.com Online Discount Mart

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Decorating with Shabby Chic
Author: Johann Erickson
Are you ready to redecorate but have a limited budget? Do you have some great furniture but nothing matches? Do you love antiques but not stiff formal decor? Then think Shabby Chic, a fun decorating style that solves all these dilemmas and more.


Shabby Chic is one of the hottest trends in decorating, and for good reason. It is versatile, easy, and inexpensive. Shabby Chic is based on simplicity -- simple color themes combined with your favorite furniture and art.


Shabby Chic can be anything you want it to be, and is a great way to bring your personal style to any room. Most Shabby Chic decor is based on a white-on-white or beige-on-beige theme. Soft pastels are often used as accent colors, but with a little creativity, you can add just about any color you want. A classic example of Shabby Chic would be to cover couches and overstuffed chairs with white slipcovers, whitewash your wood furniture and hang white airy curtains. Then hang your favorite painting or artwork in the most prominent place in the room. Choose one or two colors in the painting as accent colors, and repeat the colors in http://www.onlinediscountmart.com/throw-pillows.html throw pillows , flowers, soft throw blankets, and http://www.onlinediscountmart.com/discount-scented-candles.html candles .
Another great feature of Shabby Chic is the worn and well-loved look. That http://www.onlinediscountmart.com/06-34353.html side table that has an interesting shape but has seen better days is perfect for Shabby Chic. Simply whitewash it and put a vase with flowers on top. Better yet, use an old china teapot or your grandmother's favorite vase for the flowers. It's the little details like this that make Shabby Chic work so well.


If you're on a tight budget, Shabby Chic is a great choice. Make your own slipcovers with any durable white or beige fabric, and cover couches and chairs to match. Pick up interesting accessories at yard sales and flea markets, and paint them all the same shade of white. Pull out your favorite pictures and put them in http://www.onlinediscountmart.com/32011.html frames painted white or coordinated accent colors. Throw in a few candles, flowers, and pillows, and you've got a beautiful Shabby Chic room.


Shabby Chic is also perfect for highlighting single pieces of furniture. Do you have a gorgeous, beloved antique but nothing else that goes with it? Decorate the room in Shabby Chic and let your antique be the center of attention.


Whatever your style, whatever your budget, whatever mismatched furniture you own, there's a Shabby Chic look for you.

About the Author

Johann Erickson is the owner of http://www.onlinediscountmart.com Online Discount Mart

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Decorating with Table Fountains
Author: Johann Erickson
With unlimited possibilities available, table top fountains can add understated beauty or grandeur to any room in your house. Fountains are a worthy investment even for those who hesitate to spend money on aesthetics. Beyond eye-catching appeal, you'll find that fountains have practical health benefits.


Cascading water reduces stress by bringing a sense of tranquility into a room as it engages the senses—sight, sound, and even smell. Research has shown that moving water can improve air quality by cleansing the room of dust particles and working as a humidifier. Fountains also do the following:

• Table Top Fountains soothe the soul with natural outdoor sounds.
  
• Table Top Fountains offer a visually appealing focal point to a family room or home work space.
  
• Table Top Fountains filter sounds like computer noise, a refrigerator hum, or next room telephone conversations.
  
• Table Top Fountains provide aromatherapy when candlelight is included in the design.
  

Options include table fountains, floor fountains and http://www.onlinediscountmart.com/wall-water-fountains.html wall water fountains . You can find a table top fountain to compliment your current decorative choices. Far more interesting than a http://www.onlinediscountmart.com/table-lamps.html table lamp and more appealing than a http://www.onlinediscountmart.com/decorative-candle-holders.html decorative candle holder , these conveniently sized fountains eliminate the mundane. Easy to set up and even easier to maintain, space saving compact designs come in http://www.onlinediscountmart.com/74-10778.html layered slate , granite sculpture, handcrafted wood, or any other material you desire.



Floor fountains compliment larger spaces than table top fountains. Floor fountains are a perfect choice for foyers, rooms with vaulted ceilings, and enclosed patios.
Floor fountains make a statement about a space and those who have decorated it. Choose the fountain according to the overall look you are trying to achieve in your decor. For example--antique copper and http://www.onlinediscountmart.com/polished-river-rocks.html river rocks present a rustic feel while a full-fledged waterfall makes an exotic impression.



http://www.onlinediscountmart.com/wall-water-fountains.html Wall water fountains are the most dramatic fountains of the three. You can mount a wall fountain in a prominent place or build it into a wall. An entire wall can be transformed into a fountain of calm trickling water or a rapidly flowing display. http://www.onlinediscountmart.com/wall-water-fountains.html Wall water fountains are often built with aluminum, concrete, river rock, copper, glass, or terra cotta. Features can include http://www.onlinediscountmart.com/decorative-planters.html planters , light, and mist.


Whether the water flows, trickles, and comes down in a solid sheet of reflection, fountains offer the versatility needed to create a unique home interior. The practical benefits alone make fountains a worthy addition to your interior design.

About the Author

Johann Erickson is the owner of http://www.onlinediscountmart.com Online Discount Mart

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Unique Tin Can Candle Holders
Author: jeremy gauthier
Unique Tin Can Candle Holders

Ah yes the good old Tin Can. The tin can has been around for years, providing many different projects to be made from tin cans. They are one of the most versatile mediums for crafts, besides wood and foam. Best part about them, they are cheap. Tin cans can be used to make all kinds of candle holders, providing a unique touch to your home or garden. In this article, we will share some ideas on how to make interesting and unique candle holders out of tin cans.

There are two primary size tin cans, soup cans and coffee cans. Both offer a wide variety of different craft ideas. Tin cans can be cut, punched, painted, weathered and modified in multiple ways. They can be set on top of a table or hung out in the garden.

Let's start with the basics. Most people will decide to punch holes into the can, which is the easiest. However you can use any type of cutting tools. A drill is handy, but even better is a Dremel tool. But for those who will be using a hammer or even a drill, let's start there. Before you start anything, fill the can with water and freeze it. This will allow you to punch holes easier, with out bending the can.

It always helps to have some kind of plan or design in your head or on paper. In fact drawing the design out on paper allows you to modify it and then tape it around the tin can as a template. Think about weather or not you may want to paint the tin can or weather proof it for outside garden use.

One example of a design is a simple western motif. Download of a silhouette graphic of a dog howling at the moon. With the Dremal tool cut out the scene on the tin can. After painting it black and punching two holes at the top, you can hang it in a garden. Simpler designs would include punch out designs such as creating a bunch of tiny wholes to create a night sky effect. Patterns also look great.

Once you have cut out a design, painting time can finish the look of your candle holder. Allot of times I'll choose black, because the light will shine through better at night or in a dim room. A light blue and white to match your kitchen décor will add a unique touch. You can add almost any type of embellishing to the can, such as colored stones or ribbon.

For those of you who want a more elaborate candle holder, try the larger coffee cans. They provide a larger area to work with. One idea for the larger cans is to cut wholes about half inch in diameter and attach pieces of stained or any colored glass on the inside of the can. You could create an entire stained glass tin can candle holder. The larger cans are also great for outdoors. Their large base is perfect for decks and walk ways, as they will not tip over easily.

By cutting slits down the sides of cans you can bend the edges downward, creating nice flared out look. Just remember to file down the edges, they will be sharp. For an added flare, twist the ends with a pair of pliers. There is a lot you can do with this method and even adding other cut out pieces to the cans. You could create angled top for the can, just like a lantern.

With a little bit of imagination and paint, you can turn any tin can into something worth putting on a table or mantle. So experiment and have fun. Don't worry about messing up; I'm sure you have plenty of cans lying around. To find more articles on Candle Decorating, Candle Scaping or Decorating Tips, visit www.expressivecandles.com.

Written by: Michelle and Jeremy Gauthier - info@expressivecandles.com
December 18, 2003 - This article is copyright by www.ExpressiveCandles.com
Expressive Candles offers Scented Hand Poured Candles and a growing collection of Candle Decorating and Candle Scaping articles.

About the Author

Jeremy co-owns and runs a small candle making company in Florida. Expressive Candles offers Scented Hand Poured Candles and a growing collection of Candle Decorating and Candle Scaping articles.

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Jar Lid and Jar Candle Decoration
Author: michelle gauthier
Jar Lid and Jar Candle Decoration
Create a personal look to your Jar candle and Jar lid
Written by Expressive Candles
Supplies Needed:
Most items can be found around the house or in a craft store.
Jar Candle with lid – with removable plastic bottom
Craft Glue
Paint
Scissors

Decorating Candle Jars and Lids is a fun and easy project for all ages. You can use many different craft items to embellish your jar and lid. If you are really creative, you could even make a snow globe out of the lid. But we are going to go over a few inexpensive ideas to turn your Jar into an attractive looking and still functional decoration.

Most jar lids come with a plastic under cap, which can be taken off by a screw driver. In this space you can add many different things, from dried flowers to an elaborate scene.

One of my favorite things to do is to add fake flowers and greens to my lid, typically using the same color flower as my jar wax. Everything can be placed at the top of the lid and adding green leaves to keep it secure.

Sand, Rocks or Marble pieces can add a different look to the lid. One great idea is to use different layers of colored sand. Just make sure you fill it to the top, because the under cap will have a little bit of space. You'll get the same look as those colored bottles that you can buy at fairs. For rocks, try using some Aquarium rocks, as they come in multiple colors.

You can add a more personal touch by adding a picture or personal message in the lid. Just cut the picture to fit the lid and put some kind of background behind it. One idea is to use a nice piece of colored felt or velvet fabric. By adding enough fabric, you can be assured the picture will stay where it is. I do not recommend using glue on the top of the lid, as it will be visible.

You can also just use a pattern fabric to place inside the lid. A great idea would to use a pattern that is in your room, maybe a leftover piece of wallpaper. Then you have a matching Jar to your room. Don't laugh, but I cut off a small piece of fabric from the underside of my chair to use in a lid, so that it matched my furniture.

The jar itself can be decorated in so many ways, its impossible to list them all here. So I'll show a design and some ideas that I thought would be great to give as a gift to someone.

One of my favorite designs is to use my old Christmas cards or a specific holiday card as a design on my jar. Cut the card it to fit the jar, and then glue it to the jar using crafters glue or glue dots. This is a great idea for a gift around Valentines or Christmas time. You could even use the inside of the card with the message. And to top it off, adding a picture of yourself on the other side of the jar, will add a nice personal touch.

There are many things you can do to decorate your jar. Using some of the ideas above, like the pattern in the lid, you can also use it on the jar. Some other ideas are, painting a scene or message on the jar, gluing ribbon strips vertically to add stripes, gluing flowers to the base, adding your own custom label and something as simple as red lipstick kisses all over the jar.

Your creativity holds no bounds. So have fun and try anything, I bet it will come out fabulous

About the Author

This Article was written by Michelle Gauthier – info@expressivecandles.com
02/20/04 – This article is copyright by www.ExpressiveCandles.com.
Expressive Candles offers Scented Hand Poured Candles and a growing collection of Candle Decorating and CandleScaping articles.

Optional image at http://www.expressivecandles.com/jarlid.jpg

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Jar Lid and Jar Candle Decoration
Author: michelle gauthier
Jar Lid and Jar Candle Decoration
Create a personal look to your Jar candle and Jar lid
Written by Expressive Candles
Supplies Needed:
Most items can be found around the house or in a craft store.
Jar Candle with lid – with removable plastic bottom
Craft Glue
Paint
Scissors

Decorating Candle Jars and Lids is a fun and easy project for all ages. You can use many different craft items to embellish your jar and lid. If you are really creative, you could even make a snow globe out of the lid. But we are going to go over a few inexpensive ideas to turn your Jar into an attractive looking and still functional decoration.

Most jar lids come with a plastic under cap, which can be taken off by a screw driver. In this space you can add many different things, from dried flowers to an elaborate scene.

One of my favorite things to do is to add fake flowers and greens to my lid, typically using the same color flower as my jar wax. Everything can be placed at the top of the lid and adding green leaves to keep it secure.

Sand, Rocks or Marble pieces can add a different look to the lid. One great idea is to use different layers of colored sand. Just make sure you fill it to the top, because the under cap will have a little bit of space. You'll get the same look as those colored bottles that you can buy at fairs. For rocks, try using some Aquarium rocks, as they come in multiple colors.

You can add a more personal touch by adding a picture or personal message in the lid. Just cut the picture to fit the lid and put some kind of background behind it. One idea is to use a nice piece of colored felt or velvet fabric. By adding enough fabric, you can be assured the picture will stay where it is. I do not recommend using glue on the top of the lid, as it will be visible.

You can also just use a pattern fabric to place inside the lid. A great idea would to use a pattern that is in your room, maybe a leftover piece of wallpaper. Then you have a matching Jar to your room. Don't laugh, but I cut off a small piece of fabric from the underside of my chair to use in a lid, so that it matched my furniture.

The jar itself can be decorated in so many ways, its impossible to list them all here. So I'll show a design and some ideas that I thought would be great to give as a gift to someone.

One of my favorite designs is to use my old Christmas cards or a specific holiday card as a design on my jar. Cut the card it to fit the jar, and then glue it to the jar using crafters glue or glue dots. This is a great idea for a gift around Valentines or Christmas time. You could even use the inside of the card with the message. And to top it off, adding a picture of yourself on the other side of the jar, will add a nice personal touch.

There are many things you can do to decorate your jar. Using some of the ideas above, like the pattern in the lid, you can also use it on the jar. Some other ideas are, painting a scene or message on the jar, gluing ribbon strips vertically to add stripes, gluing flowers to the base, adding your own custom label and something as simple as red lipstick kisses all over the jar.

Your creativity holds no bounds. So have fun and try anything, I bet it will come out fabulous

About the Author

This Article was written by Michelle Gauthier – info@expressivecandles.com
02/20/04 – This article is copyright by www.ExpressiveCandles.com.
Expressive Candles offers Scented Hand Poured Candles and a growing collection of Candle Decorating and CandleScaping articles.

Optional image at http://www.expressivecandles.com/jarlid.jpg

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Decorators' Top Favorite Instant Fabric Tricks for Unlit Fireplace Candelabra
Author: Susan Penney
Who doesn't appreciate flickering flames in a fireplace? For those who don't have the inclination or time for burning firewood in their fireplace, fireplace candelabra are the obvious answer. They provide that special glow without the hassle or, in warm weather, the heat. But how do you keep those fireplace candelabra worthy of the visual focal point of your home even for those times when you haven't lit the candles?

Even without burning candles, decorators have their tricks for using fireplace candelabra as foundations for eye-appealing displays in the fireplace. Here are three of their super quick and inexpensive techniques using fabric that you can try:

1. Heavy Fabric
Use a full-bodied fabric, such as tapestry, brocade, or velvet, which coordinates with the colors and style of your room. Casually interweave the fabric among the "arms" of your fireplace candelabra, leaving dramatic folds of fabric spilling onto the inner hearth and over parts of the candelabra. Tuck in the ends, out of sight. Now, replace those candles, but don't, of course, light them as long as the fabric is in your hearth.

2. Lace or Sheer Fabric
For a different, but equally appealing look, use a sheer fabric, such as chiffon or lace. Give it the same treatment as above, with visually interesting draping and folds of the material. This lighter, airier treatment is more appropriate for some rooms.

3. Tassel Magic
At your local fabric store, find three to five inch long tassels in a color, or a mixture of colors, to highlight your room and the metal of your fireplace candelabra. Buy a tassel and a few inches of coordinating cording for each candle on your fireplace candelabra.

Cut the cord into lengths a bit longer than the circumference of each candle. Either by sewing or by using your glue gun, make a circle of each piece of cording and attach a tassel where you join the ends of the cording. Each circle of cording should be big enough to easily slide onto a candle, down to its base.

Slip each cording-with-tassel circle over a different candle on your fireplace candelabra. Adjust the tassels so they are hanging over the edge of the candle cups, facing into the room.

These tassels so beautifully accessorize the candles of your fireplace candelabra, you may be tempted to leave them when you light the candles, but please don't. Remove them before lighting your candles and save them to put back on when you blow the candles out at the end of the evening.

A bit of fabric dramatically posed or some tassels elegantly dangling from your fireplace candelabra can be so charming, your fireplace candelabra can rightfully maintain the place of honor in your room's natural focal point, the fireplace, even when its candles aren't aglow.

About the Author

Susan Penney appreciates simple ways to make our homes renewing spaces for our families. She invites you to visit http://www.FireplaceMall.com for fireplace accessories to serve your fire-less or your fire-filled fireplace.

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Gold-Washed Etched Glass Votive Candle Holders
Author: Eileen Bergen


Gold-Washed Etched Glass Votive Candle Holders
By: Eileen Bergen
The Artful Crafter
http://www.theartfulcrafter.com

Supplies

Clear Glass Container(s) (I used votive candle holders, but
any size or type of clear glass container can be used in this
project.)
Delta Air-Dry PermEnamel Surface Conditioner
Delta Air-Dry PermEnamel White Frost Glass Etching Paint
Delta Air-Dry PermEnamel Clear Gloss Glaze
Delta Air-Dry PermEnamel Diluent
Delta Air-Dry PermEnamel Satin Finish 14K Gold Paint for Tile,
Glass & Ceramic
Newspaper
Paint brush
Small make-up type sponge
Cup or film canister for paint mixing
Bottom half of empty egg carton.

I decided to finish off my project by heat embossing some stars
around the rim of the candle holders. This step and the following
supplies are optional.

Detail Gold Embossing Powder
InkADinkADo Celestial Rubber Stamp Collection

Embossing Heat Tool
Clean sheet of paper to retrieve unused embossing powder.

Directions

1.Wash candle holder(s) in hot soapy water. Drip dry.

2.Place candle holder(s) upside down on newspaper. Brush
exterior with surface conditioner and let air dry. Once
conditioned, do not touch the surface to be etched.
The oils from your fingers will prevent the etching cream from
working.


3.Using a clean (make-up type) sponge, wipe etching cream
over the surface of the glass. Smooth carefully to be sure there
are no bumps. Let dry. I used three coats to get the level of etched
look I wanted.

4.In a small paper or plastic cup or film canister, mix equal
parts of 14K Gold Paint with Clear Gloss Glaze. Dilute this mix with
diluent (1 part paint to 3 parts diluent) to obtain a free-flowing
paint for the wash.

5.Turn the candle holder(s) upright. Pour the wash in and
carefully rotate the container to cover the interior with the gold
paint. When you are satisfied with the depth and evenness of coverage,
pour any excess paint into the next glass container to be painted or
into the film canister if there is enough to save. Invert the glass
candle holder(s) and gently set on the inverted egg carton bottom.
After a few minutes, tilt to a different angle so that the paint drains
without leaving drip marks.

If you decide to add embossing, proceed with the following steps.

1.Choose your stamp and press firmly into the clear ink pad
included in the Celestial stamp kit.

2.Carefully position the stamp above the glass. Since I embossed
the upper rim. I used my little finger to help position the stampings
equidistant from the top edge. Because you're stamping on a curved
surface, you need to stamp with a slight rolling movement, taking care
not to smudge the design. If you make a mistake, simply wipe the area
with surface conditioner. Move to another area to work while the
boo-boo dries.

3.With the clean paper underneath, tap a small amount of embossing
powder onto the stamped area. Tap off excess powder. If the design is
satisfactory, move the glass away from the paper so you don't blow powder
you are trying to save all over the place. I used detail powder because my
stamp has very small details which wouldn't be clear with regular embossing
powder.

4.Hold the embossing heat gun about 3 inches above the glass, turn it
on and move it over the embossed area until the embossing beads gleam. This
means they have melted and fused together and onto your glass. If you are
doing multiple stampings, the glass will build up significant heat. If it
gets "too hot to handle", set it down for a few minutes.

Whether you are making these gold-washed etched votive candle holders
for gifts or to sell, include a candle with each one. It doesn't cost you
much, but nicely completes your work.

To see a picture of the completed project, please visit
http://www.theartfulcrafter.com/candle_holders.html.

By: Eileen Bergen
The Artful Crafter
http://www.theartfulcrafter.com

About the Author

MS Bergen has had a varied career, first as a special education teacher and the, after getting an MBA degree, as a vice president for a major insurance company. For the past eight years, she has been making and selling her crafts.

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Add Some Light To Your Life With Candles
Author: Wendy Yeager
Candles first served as the main source of light for early civilization. They have made many changes through the years. The candles of today are not the same candles from hundreds of years ago.

Before the introduction of wicks, early Egyptians lit their reed torches by soaking them in molten tallow, which is fat from sheep or cattle. Romans later developed wick candles which they dipped into the tallow.

By the Middle Ages, beeswax was being used in the making of some candles. The candles burned cleaner than tallow and had a more pleasant odor than the tallow candles. However, they were more costly and only the wealthy could afford them.

In Colonial times, the settlers found they could boil berries from the bayberry bush to make a sweet smelling and clean burning wax for their candles. Unfortunately, it was tedious work and it took many berries to make just one candle.

By the 18th century, candles were being made from spermaceti, a wax which was crystallized sperm whale oil. These candles had an even better odor and would not bend and soften in warm weather.

In 1834, a machine was invented which mass produced molded candles. By 1850, we were using paraffin wax made from oil and coal shale. It was processed by distilling residues of crude petroleum refinement. Soon after, stearic acid was added to the paraffin wax and these are still the basic ingredients of today's candles.

Today, we have many kinds of candles to choose from. We have candles in all different shapes, sizes, and scents. Not only do candles add soft light to our home décor, they also add tantalizing aromas which can affect our moods. We have many aromatherapy candles to help us feel better. And how about those candles which bring back childhood memories—There's nothing like a deliciously scented chocolate chip cookie or apple cinnamon candle to warm up your kitchen on a cold winter day!

About the Author

About The Author

Wendy Yeager
Publisher
http://www.wenmarcorp.com/candles-go2
mjy222@hotmail.com

Publish in Whole

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Renew thyself daily, with candles! - A candle review
Author: Jennifer Hall
One of my favorite quotes is a quote of a quote in Transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau's Walden, a writing he found on the bathtub of King Tchingthang, which Thoreau describes, " 'Renew thyself completely each day; do it again, and again, and forever again.' I can understand that. Morning brings back the heroic ages." I agree, to wake up early, enjoy the dawn, and have a productive morning is some of my finest time. And there are little things that bring the beauty and productivity into fruition, little things that I don't take lightly - like the encompassing power os something as simple as a candle.

Having the perfect scent can completely vitalize my day, and studies have proven this. It is now known that certain scents physiologically help create moods, citrus scents rejuvenate and create energy, lavender scents are calming, and so forth. And then there's the primordial magic of the flickering flame, and poetry in certain scent combinations. So what do I renew myself with? Thai Market.

The Thai Market candle from Illuminations completely invigorates my morning, probably due to the citrus element: lemongrass. The candle also contains the scents of sweet litchee, basil, aromatic cardamom, and creamy coconut milk. This combination is like a master recipe - a work of art. The soothing coconut balances with the crisp lemongrass and the other scents add a touch of enchantment. They conjure up Asian secrets and always leave me inspired. Citrus is also known to leave a clean feeling, partly because some citrus fruits like lemon are used as cleaning items. Not only does it smell clean, but also this candle inspires cleaning! The energy, the crisp cleanliness, perfect for tidying up in the morning.

When the work is done, it leaves me inspired, I'm more likely to play music or write or do something I really enjoy with this little touch. It's these little things that can really enhance a day and shouldn't be taken for granted. Your environment is important to your life, and a clean, aesthetically pleasing one will surely give you the happiness and energy to accomplish more than you normally would. So find a scent that really appeals to you, and if the scents of the Thai Market candle appeal to you, I'd highly recommend trying it out.

About the Author

Jennifer Hall is a writer who provides information on shopping online for http://www.candles-4-u.com/scented_candles.htm http://www.candles-4-u.com/aromatherapy.htm and http://www.candles-4-u.com/unity_candles.htm When she's not online, Jennifer's spending time with her family, gardening, or playing the piano or accordion.

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Scented Candles – Take Me AWAY!
Author: M J Plaster
Remember the old Calgon commercial—"Take me away Calgon!" There's only one thing that can take you away faster than a Calgon bath, and that's a scented candle. Whether you want a breath of fresh spring air, or you want to transport yourself to a South Sea paradise minus the hassle of airport security, crowded, delayed flights and lost baggage, grab a scented candle, and travel wherever your imagination leads. Smell is a powerful sense, and you can use it to alter your mood within seconds with the flicker of a candle. In fact, why not keep a supply of scented candles in the bathroom when you don't have time to luxuriate in the bathtub. Envelope yourself in fragrance while you shower, dry and blow-dry.

Close your eyes and think of each season: winter, spring, summer and fall each evoke special "scentual" memories. If it's the dead of winter and you've already suffered through 73 days of snow cover, light a piña colada candle or a seaside candle and pop in your favorite Beach Boys CD. Inhale the scents of summer and forget about the cold for a few divine moments. Select a delicate floral candle or maybe a rain forest scent to remind you that April showers are right around the corner. If it's 102° F in the shade, there's nothing like a pine-scented candle to send a quick shiver up your back. Longing for fall? Light a pumpkin candle to evoke the Harvest Moon and the bounty of autumn. Whatever the occasion you'd like to recreate, it's only a candle away. That's the power of the sense of smell.

Holidays are incomplete without candles. If you think back to your favorite holiday gatherings, your mind will probably wander to your favorite scents. Think about your favorite Christmas tree, and you're bound to remember the crisp smell of pine or cedar. The traditional holiday season from Thanksgiving to the New Year provides a natural cornucopia of fragrance. From pumpkin pie to peppermint ice cream to vanilla, the scents of the holiday season are everywhere.

Perhaps you use an artificial tree instead of a fresh-cut tree each year. Simulate the scent of a Frazier fir with candles. Artificial trees are getting closer to their natural kissing cousins with each passing season, but they remain "flat" without the accompanying scent. They just can't bring the smell of Christmas into a home like the real thing. Light a few pine or cedar candles, and voila—you may never miss the genuine article.

Feel free to light several complementary scents at once. The seasons and the holidays are full of naturally occurring complementary fragrance. Each season contains a wealth of pleasing smell. The holiday season probably provides the most scent. Recreate the memories of Christmas past with gingerbread, vanilla, cinnamon, eggnog, clove, nutmeg, pine, peppermint candles. The scents don't compete, because they occur naturally, and you've smelled them from infancy. If you can think of a memory, you can find a candle to recreate the mood.

Look around your home. You've probably created a room or two around a theme. Perhaps you've created an indoor sunroom. Bring the scents of the outdoors into your sunroom to add authenticity. Perhaps you've built a room around a color. Add lavender-scented candles to that lavender room, rose-scented candles to a pink room, new-mown grass-scented and rain forest candles to a green room, vanilla or gardenia to a white room, and seaside to a blue room.

Don't forget the kitchen. Not only will you want to add scent, but you may want to eliminate odors as well. If you've created the perfect dinner for guests, the last thing you want is the smell of garlic, onion, or fish wafting through your home when they arrive. If the odor is overpowering, turn on the kitchen fan, spray a little odor neutralizer in the air, and light citrus-scented candles to replace cooking odors with the clean scent of fruit.

Cheaper than a trip to paradise, quicker than you can even say "banana bread," you can light a candle. If your mind can imagine it, you can create it with scented candles for mere pennies!

About the Author

M J Plaster is a successful author who provides information on shopping online for http://www.candles-4-u.com/candle_holders.htm , http://www.candles-4-u.com/aromatherapy.htm , and http://www.candles-4-u.com/scented_candles.htm. M J Plaster has been a commercial freelance writer for almost two decades, most recently specializing in home and garden, the low-carb lifestyle, investing, and anything that defines la dolce vita.

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