Keeping It Cosy with Illumine Candle Co | Vanilla Hazelnut, Bakewell Tart & Enchanting Candles review

With temperatures plummeting once again this week, it's time to get all Hygge and cosy up with your favourite candles. If you're looking for some Shop Small inspo, why not treat yourself and bring some of the Illumine Candle Co into your home?

Instagram seems to be the place where I'm finding all of my new favourite small businesses right now and I couldn't resist having a look at the Illumine Candle Co when one of their ads popped up in my feed. From the get-go, this indie business immediately impressed me with a large range of beautiful luxury 3-wick, signature, and mini candles, as well as having their scents available as wax melts.

Hand poured in small batches in Devon, all of the candles are made from 100% natural soy wax, and are vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, palm oil free, and paraben free. 

With such an interesting variety of fragrances to choose from, you are truly spoilt for choice! After much umming and ahhing, I added these three to my basket.

Illumine Candle Co Signature Candle in Vanilla Hazelnut (£16.50, 300ml, 50+ hours burn time)

If you know, you'll know that I'm a sucker for sweet scents and a bargain, so of course I was drawn to the 'Candle Of The Month' which for February is Vanilla Hazelnut. Oh my goodness, this fragrance is decadently sweet, warm and cosy! As the name suggests, it's a delicious blend of creamy Chestnuts and Hazelnuts and there are some lovely soft and spicy notes of Cinnamon, White Ginger, Clove and a tiny hint of Coffee, to prevent it from being too sickly sweet. These are layered over a whipped Vanilla base which is really sublime. Grab one now whilst it's 20% off for just £12.38!

Illumine Candle Co Mini Candles in Bakewell Tart & Enchanting (£6 each, 75ml, 15+ hours burn time)

One of the few advantages of having an extremely tiny bathroom is that mini candles are perfect to use in there when you're having a long hot soak in the bath. With this in mind, I picked up two of Illumine's minis to try out and just like the larger signature candle above, these have an impressive scent throw and are great to use in small spaces. 

Bakewell Tart smells exactly how you expect; you get all of those yummy sweet and fruity notes coming through with that classic Vanilla, Almonds and Cherries fragrance that I can never get enough of. 

Enchanting on the other hand is completely different and is more like a luxury perfume with top notes of Bergamot, Grapefruit and Cassis, middle floral notes of Orris, Jasmine, Orange Blossom and Lily, and layered base notes of Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Praline, Patchouli, Cedarwood and Musk. Wonderfully complex and unashamedly feminine, this one would make a great choice for Mother's Day!

Discover the full range at illuminecandleco.co.uk

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The Weekend Post: Signs You May Need a Boiler Repair Specialist #AD

Keeping your boiler functional can be incredibly important. While many people might consider their needs in the colder weather, you may still require a fully functional boiler in summer too. Depending on the set-up of your home, the boiler may provide you with hot water, either on demand or on a timer, as well as central heating. Considering how unpredictable the summer months may be, it is entirely possible that you could require some level of heating function.

Spotting the different signs that indicate that you may need a boiler repair specialist in Glasgow can help you to rectify any problems before they get worse. This can be especially important when you consider the dangers of gas-related damage and leakage, and how it could affect your home and wellbeing.

Missed Service

In rental properties, landlords are required to have a boiler serviced every 12 months, at the very most. While it might not be a legal requirement for homeowners, it is still a good idea to follow this same rule within your own property. Servicing can help specialists to check that the boiler is working correctly, as well as to identify if any parts are worn, damaged, or need replacing. Theoretically, having a service every 12 months can also help to avoid larger amounts of damage, as problems can be spotted, and rectified, that much sooner.

Chance of Gas Leaks

A gas leak in your home can be a potentially life-threatening situation. While some gases may have a distinct odour, carbon monoxide does not. Having a CO detector in your home can help to alert you of its presence. If an alarm does sound, you should evacuate the property immediately, and call emergency services. This may require a health check for yourself and your family, to see how affected you are, as well as the presence of a boiler engineer who can locate the source of the leak, and put a repair into place.

No Heat

One of the most obvious signs that you may need a repair specialist can be that either your heating or hot water has stopped working. If you have spoken to your service provider and found there is no issue with your supply, and checked that your thermostats are working properly, the next step could be to ask a technician to come and have a look at the boiler itself. This could involve problems with the pressure within the boiler, as well as in the array of pipework both connecting it to the mains outside, and the other areas of your home.

An experienced repair specialist may be able to find and fix a fault quickly, allowing you to get back to your normal life. When you think about the dangers to your health, or even the fire hazard, that a broken boiler may cause, it is evidently clear why you should keep on top of boiler maintenance.

This is a Partnered Post with Checkatrade.com

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Home Decor: How To Utilise That Blank Wall Space #AD

When arranging your furniture sometimes you find yourself with a huge blank wall space that looks too empty. However, when you try and fill it with furniture, you may find that it looks too cluttered and cramped! A big blank space can really upset the flow of the room and nag at you every time you see it, wondering what you can do with it. Here are some tips for utilising that wall space without overdoing it.

Artwork or Prints

The most obvious choice for how to decorate a wall is to hang a picture or two. However, this might feel a little boring or basic when you are trying to create a trendy or chic space that accurately reflects your own personal style. You can get your photo printed on wood or order aluminum prints to create a display that is a little different. You can create your own photo collage display with varying sizes or use different coloured frames for a more quirky look. In building up your photo display you can also interpret script or scenic pictures interspersed with your personal photos which can be swapped and rearranged whenever you feel like it.

Hang some wallpaper

Wallpaper does not have to go all around the room, it can be used to create a cool feature wall. Patterned or floral wallpaper makes a blank space appear as though there is more going on without being too busy. A great invention is removable wallpaper which can easily be hung up and torn down without damaging the wall underneath. If you do not fancy the hassle of repapering or maybe you find yourself getting a little bored and like to change things up regularly, this is the perfect solution. This is also a great option for people who are renting because it does not damage the walls meaning you can redecorate without the risk of losing your deposit or upsetting your landlord.

Hang a decorative blanket or tapestry

Hanging a cool tapestry or blanket can be a really interesting alternative to traditional pictures. It can perfectly fit in with a hippie or bohemian vibe but if you pick the right piece it can also really help style a more modern space too. Consider the theme of the rest of the room and shop around for something that you feel will fit in without looking silly.

A mirror

I am obsessed with mirrors when it comes to interior decorating. Mirrors are miracle workers – they create the illusion of more space and make rooms look larger, they reflect light and make the place brighter and they provide a practical purpose too! This is a great choice if the room is already fairly full and you do not want to overcrowd it. Mirrors can also fit into any room and can accommodate any theme or style. Depending on the amount of space you can hang something large and ornate or use a series of smaller mirrors slotted together to create a sleek, modern display.

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The Weekend Post: Top 5 Eco-Friendly Cleaning Hacks That Actually Work #AD

Doing a little bit of cleaning here and there on a regular basis, is a lot less stressful than trying to tackle the enormous challenge of cleaning the whole house when family or friends arrive unannounced, or you have that all-important landlord check to pass. To make things even easier, here are my top 5 eco-friendly cleaning hacks that actually work - so you can get the job done without harming the environment in the process - win, win!

Hack 1 - Use White Vinegar & Water to Clean Windows & Mirrors

Lots of mainstream window cleaners contain butoxyethanol which can cause a sore throat if inhaled and can really irritate the lungs of asthma sufferers, so make your own natural window cleaner by simply mixing white vinegar and plain water (50/50 ratio) in a spray bottle. Spritz onto any window and mirrored surface to remove dirt and grease marks, and then buff to a beautiful shine with a reusable cloth.

Hack 2 - Get Rid Of Bad Cooking Odours With Essential Oils

Opened your oven or microwave and got a whiff of something nasty? You don't need to resort to using bleach-based products to get rid of those bad post-cooking smells. Instead, add a few drops of essential oils (citrus, eucalyptus or vanilla all work nicely) to a bowl of water and pop it into the oven or microwave on a medium heat setting. Allow the water to steam the inside surfaces until almost evaporated, then remove, switch off and wipe a cloth over the surfaces. It will smell so much better!

Hack 3 - Remove Tough Grime And Stains With Baking Soda

Baking soda can be used for so many different purposes and it works particularly well for removing those tough, built up stains on oven doors, as well as general daily dirt and grime in both bathroom and kitchen areas. Make a thick paste by combining baking soda with a little water, spread it onto the dirt/stains and allow it to do its thing for 15 minutes before removing with a damp cloth.

Hack 4 - Put Lemons In The Oven, Microwave And Dishwasher

It may sound strange at first, but lemons have natural antibacterial properties which can help to degrease ovens, microwaves and dishwashers. To use in the oven or microwave, cut them in half and rub directly onto the inside surfaces. Leave for 20 minutes and then wipe down with a damp cloth to remove grease and stains. You can also use lemons in the dishwasher to degrease and refresh - simply cut them in half and put them inside the top rack face down, then run the dishwasher on an eco wash. Compost the lemons after use and enjoy a sparkling clean and fresh dishwasher.

Hack 5 - Re-Use Your Old Toothbrushes For Cleaning Hard To Reach Areas

Save your old toothbrushes for cleaning those hard to reach/tricky areas around the house. The smaller brush heads allow you to angle into all sorts of nooks and crannies and remove dirt and grime found around taps, in between grouting tiles and at the back of washing machine drawers. 

Need some more cleaning hacks? 

Check out these cheap and easy DIY eco-cleaning methods from Pattersons below! Pattersons offer both commercial and household eco-friendly cleaning product ranges, so why not discover their eco cleaning products today?

[This is a sponsored post]

What are your favourite eco-cleaning hacks?

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Introducing: Yen Candles - 100% Organic Soy Wax Candle in Lemongrass review

I was thrilled to discover a new company called Yen Candles via Instagram recently, and you are going to want to add this brand to your gifting wishlist ASAP.

I love to give luxury handmade candles as gifts, mainly because of two reasons. Firstly, virtually everyone that I know always enjoys receiving them, and secondly, there's that old shopping mantra of 'buying one for someone else means that I can buy one for me', right?! 

Needless to say, my home is filled with candles from various brands, but over the years I have begun to seek out more of these wax-based beauties from smaller, independent and niche companies because they often specialise in creating candles that are 100% natural. I'll never forget the day when a friend brought me a ludicrously expensive Diptique candle and I had to hide my disappointment when I found out that it was made from cheap paraffin wax and synthetic fragrances (both of which contain known carcinogens, so you know, not the kinda stuff you want to be breathing in or have floating around in your living room atmosphere...).

So if you're looking for a healthier alternative, natural soy wax candles are the way forward. They burn 'cleanly', so no nasty black soot or harmful toxins will be emitted, allowing you to fully enjoy the mindfulness benefits of lighting a candle, or just the simple pleasure of scenting your home.

Yen Candles are made from 100% natural, organic and GMO-free Soy Wax and are hand-poured in my hometown of Stoke-on-Trent. They are also cruelty-free and vegan-friendly, as well as being environmentally sound too; all of Yen Candles' wonderful plastic-free packaging is made from recycled and recyclable materials, and their wooden wicks are sourced from FSC managed forests.

I was kindly sent their Organic Lemongrass Essential Oil Candle and I've been besotted with the scent ever since. Lemongrass has always been one of my favourite Summer fragrances due to its uplifting and zingy nature - it manages to make me smile whenever I smell it, even if I'm having a bad day!

The candle's fragrance is composed entirely from essential oils (so no synthetic fragrances here) and it has an impressive scent throw, even when you take into account its large 340g size. Lifting the lid and lighting the two wooden wicks was such a pleasure, especially as wooden wicks produce a rather satisfying crackling sound which I'm sure is popular amongst ASMR fans. 

Currently, Lemongrass is the only scent available from Yen Candles, but I'm sure more will be in development shortly, so keep an eye on their Etsy shop below.

Yen Candles Organic Lemongrass Essential Oil Candle* (340g, £18 with free UK delivery, link)

Do you only buy natural wax candles?

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Home Style: 5 Easy Ways To Add Colour To Your Home Without Redecorating

Add some colour to your home with a few tips and tricks, and you can update your favourite rooms in no time at all without ever needing to redecorate or paint another wall! Here are my top five snippets of home style advice:-

(1) Choose A Statement Piece Of Artwork

If you have a plain wall in your living room or bedroom that looks too bland and boring for your liking, hanging a large piece of artwork on a canvas can instantly add colour and it's an easy way to express your personal tastes and show off a beautiful piece of art at the same time. Measure the space first and then choose a piece accordingly, or opt for several smaller canvasses and create a bespoke rainbow of art along the wall instead.

(2) Tell The Time With a Colourful Clock

Clocks are a fun way to present colour in any room and depending on which shade you go for, they can perfectly complement any existing colour scheme that you already have. For example, if you have an on-trend grey kitchen, adding an eggshell blue coloured clock will liven up a wall, or choose a vintage-esque, deep red clock to fit a warmer colour palette in the lounge like this one from Roger Lascelles which is on sale via Lionshome.

(3) Add Colour To The Sofa Or Bed

Many of us have sofas, beds and chairs in plain neutral shades, so feel free to add pops of colours with soft furnishings such as cushions and throws. These are easy to add throughout the home and are a brilliant budget-friendly way to update your living arrangements. You can even change them to reflect the seasons if you wish; pick light pastels for Spring, bright corals and pinks for Summer, rustic oranges and reds for Autumn and metallic golds and deep navy blues for Winter.

(4) Think Small

Decorate and jazz up shelves, coffee tables and any other surface areas with small colourful accessories like vases, mini glass cups and jugs, plant pots and ornaments. This option is ideal for those who don't want to be overwhelmed by big blocks of colours in their home, but still crave some beautiful colourful items to breathe life in certain rooms. Adding small accessories works particularly well in the bedroom, lounge and also in the kitchen where you can make themed and curated shelves of your favourite kitchenalia. I found some stylish and affordable pieces on Lionshome.

(5) You Don't Have To Go Too Bright

A lot of people are wary about including bright colours in their home, so you can opt for more subtle shades from the pastel family instead - think baby pinks, light blues, pale mint greens, and even more subtle shades of yellow, or choose darker hues such as navy blues, deep purples, emerald greens and burgundy reds. They can look just as eye-catching as brighter colours and you can seamlessly style them to fit within and enhance your existing colour schemes. 

*This post has been written by me, in collaboration with Lionshome.co.uk

What ways do you like to add colour to your home?

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