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Conversations through the middle

Life from a (slightly) more mature perspective

Winter ambiance – fragranced candles

November 20, 2012

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?

Filed in: Uncategorised • by Lisa •

Christmas crackers

December 18, 2010

Why is it everybody has to have the perfect Christmas? Every magazine I pick up at the moment has ‘handy hints and tips’ on how to achieve it, or even a complete countdown to the big day, from when to wrap presents to when to carve the turkey? Surely it’s just one big lesson in how to become completely stressed out over an occasion that should be fun and relaxing?

‘Relaxing’ I can hear you shout from here. ‘Christmas, relaxing, how mad is she’? Well quite, as it turns out, but that’s another story. Think about it – does it really matter is you’re still shopping for gifts on Christmas Eve, never mind wrapping them? Does it matter if the dinner isn’t ready dot on three, or the potatoes are out of synch with the bread pudding? Everybody will enjoy the meal anyway and you will certainly enjoy it a lot more if you are more chilled and less frazzled.

I think we all risk forgetting this is supposed to be a happy time, and whether that’s because of the expectations heaped upon us or us heaping them on ourselves I don’t know. I’m not being bah humbug, I love Christmas and the build up to it. I just don’t see why it should be a time that puts so much pressure on people. There is no right or wrong way to celebrate, to cook dinner, to shop or spend time with family and friends, just the way of the individual – that’s what matters. And if you eat your dinner at 5 and forget all about the Christmas pudding, that’s up to you, and not some cookery editor on a magazine somewhere.

Filed in: Uncategorised • by Lisa •

I live in the countryside with my dogs and cat, and I love horses, yoga and running (sometimes). Writing is what I do - I've tried other things, but keep coming back to it. And I'm learning to meditate.
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