It’s soooo cold outside and I do not want to leave the house again today. (I have to though, I have to go buy food for the rabbit otherwise she will leave home). I spent a couple of hours walking the dog this morning, which lifted my mood and, looking around at the autumn countryside, I totally appreciated living in a village. I love it here – the trees, hedges and even the ploughed fields are alive with colours that paint a beautiful picture.

I love being in the house at night, when it’s dark outside and I can hear the wind blowing, or the rain tapping against the windows. I have an arrangement of tall twigs in a tall vase that are dressed in fairy lights and when illuminated they cast a cosy glow around the room (as well as making me think of Christmas, which just in case you don’t know, is five weeks today).

For the past few weeks I have also been lighting candles, loving their fragrance and the dancing flames that add to the comfy atmosphere in my living room. I’m a late convert to the power of candles – until recently I’ve thought them overrated, and then when Dotty was little I was worried about accidents. Now she’s 11 I don’t have to worry so much and as for being overrated, I’ve totally changed my mind about that. I don’t think I could bring myself to light candles all over the house, it would make me anxious thinking about all the possible mishaps waiting to happen, but I have come round to thinking that one or two on the go is a good thing.

I love my Christmas candle from Wax Lyrical. It’s a cheery red colour and the fragrance is rather festive. I don’t think it will last until Christmas though as I’ve had it lit in the evening for a few weeks now and there’s not a lot left.

Another current favourite is the Christmas candle from Neom, with cinnamon, mandarin and tonka bean. It smells divine. That’s the one I have lit at the moment, I don’t know why but it makes me feel content and secure. 

The final candle I want to tell you about is another Christmassy one – it’s the Hot Toddy from celebrity facialist Marie Reynolds. When I was at the press event launching this goodie I was invited to have a hand massage using the wax from the candle. I hadn’t heard of this before, but apparently the wax in this candle is so pure it can be used as a skincare treatment! The therapist just scooped out a little of the melted wax from the candle and massaged it into my hands. the fragrance is lovely and there’s a slight sparkle to it, which adds an extra festive touch.

I haven’t yet lit this one, or even opened it. I’m trying to save it for as long as possible., but I’ll let you know what it’s like when I do. Are there any other candle lovers out there?