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Showing posts from 2018

CANDLE RETROSPECTIVE: Bronzeblogger's Best New Scents of 2018

Well, 2018 has certainly been interesting and I don't know about you but I for one am looking for to the oncoming new year. As per my tradition as a reviewer, I like to look back at the scents we saw throughout the year - we will never escape the constant onslaught of repackages and basic re-releases we did see a surprising number ol school scents from the vault as well as some newness..and that's what this post is about. So here is a list of my pics for the most nosegasmic newness from this year 10. Lavender Cacao Talk about a beautiful blend! And it actually was new and not just Hot Cocoa & Cream mixed with French Lavender. The blend was just perfection - the chocolate wasn't too artificial or too savory (as BBW's chocolate scents tend to be) nor was the lavender too herbal and astringent. For me, Lavender Cacao was the star of the show; it is unfortunate that most folks didn't get to experience it as it (and this entire collection) wasn't availabl

DROPPIN CANDLE KNOWLEDGE: Repackages of 2018

= direct repackage =+ repackage with a twist/added notes =? possible repackage Spring/Summer Pomelo Citron = Capri Citron Almond =+ Creamy Nutmeg Rose = Flower Shop Palo Santo = Desert Heat Honeysuckle & Freesia =+ Rosewater & Ivy Hello Beautiful =?Sunkissed Days Sea Salt & Linen =+ Orange Blossom & Driftwood/Coastal Oak & Sea Salt 2.0 Summer Terrace =+ Beach Sage & Mint Mermaid Lagoon = Happily Ever After/White Cedarwood/Wild Cedarwood Lavender Sea = Lavender Coconut Island Reef = Frozen Lake Island Papaya = Papaya Sunrise Golden Jasmine =+ Magic in the Air Honeysuckle & Freesia = Rosewater & Ivy Citrus & Sandalwood = Citron Cedarwood = Sandalwood Citrus Wildflower Meaddow =?Wildflower Valley Toasted Smores = Bonfire Smores In-tents Coffee = Paris Cafe May the Forest be with you = Evegreen Waffle Cone = Berry Waffle Cone Orange Cream Soda = Orange Creamsicle Miscellaneous GRL PWR - Strawberry Cupcake You give me

BLAST FROM THE PAST: Frankincense (2017)

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Products: candle and wf bulb Area used in: bedroom Time Period: end of November - New Year's Description: Frankincense, Clove, Amber With Christmas Day right around the corner, I couldn't think of a better time to talk about this candle.. y'know...birth of Christ (though technically he was born in the spring), Mary and Jospeh hangin out in Bethlehem, gifts from the Three Kings of the Orient following a star... yada, yada,yada. So this candle came out unceremoniously in the winter edition of the Elements collection back in 2017. Despite it being a new scent (as far I knew/know) and smelling genuine authentic, for whatever reason I completely slept it and its brother Myrrh . I think I was too focused on and enraptured by Peppermint Rosemary and Grapefruit Gin Fizz .  I would eventually pick one up later during the folowing SAS and it sat collecting dust until recently and I thought this Christmastime would be an excellent time to give it a try. So you may be wond

THIS IS THE BOMB.COM: Orange Chocolate Truffle

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Products: candle Area used in: living room Time Period: end of November - New Years So as you know, cuz it bears repeating, I am NOT a fan of sweet/bakery/gourmand scents particularly chocolate (with few exceptions) cuz most home fragrance companies (especially BBW) just don't get it right. So that in and of itself made me not give this candle any attention. Also I am very skeptical of and indifferent to scents that are overhyped on social media as 9xoutta10 said scents are undeserving. All that said, I was very ready to completely ignore this candle...that is until I sniffed and I found myself strangely impressed. I waited until Candle Day to pick one up and I'm so glad I did cuz I'm really enjoying it. The performance has been pretty stellar so far - the wicks have been sturdy, the flames have been dancing high and the pool has been consistently deep and even. Overall, it's a really gorgeous candle to burn, especially once it get dark outside and you have

NEWNESS UPDATE: Spring 2019 Test Candles

Well gang, it's not even Christmas yet and spring candles are in TEST stores...emphasis on TEST stores. Unless you live near one(DON'T ASK ME WHERE THEY ALL ARE CUZ I DUNNO), please do not schlep to your regular local stores cuz you'll find yourself very disappointed. Now from what I've heard, there's a definite likelihood that these will all pass test phase and will make to stores nationwide in a few weeks. Kinda to have so many candle collections debuting during SAS (which starts December 26th btw) but hey, I'm not complaing. So let's talk about we will be seeing... First off, you already knowing were getting a tropical/beach collection cuz it's just not springtime at BBW without one. The candles in the collection look rather nice; they have wraparound labels with various beachy scenes. At the moment, the only "new" scent is... Tahitian Coconut - Fresh Coconut, Cooling Sea Spray, Tonka Bean (my guess is that it's one of the ma

THIS IS THE BOMB.COM: Boathouse Row (2018 vers)

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Products: candle Area used in: bedroom (most likely) Time Period: summertime Description: Originally launced in 2013, enjoy a BBW favorite blend of green sage and fresh pomegranate with notes of bay leaves and moss It was a hot and sultry summer day, the humidity hung in the air like wet blankets on the line to dry. I was making my way to local BWW store to take in the recently released Lakeside collection - Touchthefiretwice's review still buzzing in my ears like a hungry mosquito. I nonchalantly each candle; each jar of scented ennui left me feeling uninspired. But then it happened, my eyes met the one I had been looking for. As I reached out, my heart began to race with anticipation. I removed the lid and I was then ovecome with an aroma the likes of which I never knew. I had to steady myself, afraid that I swoon, my delicate nature overcome by lusty desires. I inhaled the virile fragrance again and again and I knew in an instant that it was the one and it had to be mi

RANDOM POST OF THE DAY: Winter/Holiday Candle Inspired Aesthetic Moodboards

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So I'm really into moodboards.  I made some back in the fall inspired by fan favorite fall candles . I thought it would be make more inspired by winter candles. Liek back in the fall, I asked folks on social media which ones would they like to say and (sigh) all T all shade it wasn't entirely helpful as folks lazily just liked the post without commenting despite me specifically asking them not to..but whatever, it's all good. I did manage to do a tally before deleting my post out of frustration. The top 5 requested scents for moodboards were Merry Mistletoe (most requested), Chestnut & Clove (2nd place), Tis the Season, Winter and Twisted Peppermint. SO without further ado, here they are!                              And just for the sake of shits and giggles, I made a few extra ones!                                       

WALK 'N' SNIFF: Candle Day Collections

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Sorry posting this so late; after Candle Day, I had a guest staying with me so I didn't have a chance to write this or revisit BBW for second opinion re-sniffs. So I'll be talking about the candles that either came out on or after Candle Day and I'll only be focusing on candles that new or unfamiliar. Winter Woods (8312AGA4) As you may (or may not) know, this came out last year late in the winter. I heard someone on social media say that it wasn't the same and that this year's version was actually a repackage of the infamous NOOK candle. Unless there's another batch out there, I wholeheartedly disagree; it's the same Winter Woods from last...which I believe was a repackage of the practicaly unheard of WB exclusive Cashmere and Oak . It's a borderline unisex cologney scent; a little bit of woodiness as wellas a slight soft powderiness.And there's a sharp and acrid note (oak perhaps?) that always tingles my nose and set off my sinuses. After the Sn

NEWNESS UPDATE: Complete Winter 2018 Candle Collection List

Winter Woodland Collection Returning Scents – Apple Garland (failed test scent 2014) Evergreen Hot Cocoa & Cream Maple Cinnamon Pancakes  (repackage of Pumpkin Caramel Latte)  Marshmallow Fireside Flannel Sparkling Woods (online only) Spiced Apple Toddy New Scents - Blue Winter Sky  (repackage with a twist of Beach Sage & Mint) Campsite Coffee (repackage of Paris Café)   Toasted Vanilla Chai   "Christmas in NY" Collection Returning Scents – Champagne Toast Cinnamon Caramel Swirl Fresh Sparkling Snow Peppermint Marshmallow Sweater Weather   New Scents - Artic Berry (possible repackage for Juniper Berry & Pine) Cherry Frost Holiday Traditions Collection Returning scents – Champagne Toast Fresh Balsam Frosted Cranberry Sparkling Icicles Tis the Season Twisted Peppermint Vanilla Bean Noel  Winter Candy Apple  New Scents - Frosted Coconut Snowball  Popcorn & Pine (failed; replaced with Vanill

HOT MESS AWARD: White Pumpkin

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Products: candle Area used in: living room Time Period: end of October - Thanksgiving Description: White Pumpkin, Autumn Spice, Ground Cinnamon This is one of those few rare instances where I had to push myself to write a review because I just didn't have inate desire to. I thought, "oh well, better late than never" and so here we are. So as you know, I have a love/hate relationship with BBW's "pumpkin" scents so initially I didn't think much about this, Although based on the notes and what I heard on social media, I did wonder if were granted some Slatkin-era throwback; it sounded suspiciously like Creamy Pumpkin  - a former fall favorite/staple that eventually fell into test scent Purgatory (eclipsed by a similar smelling scent called Pumpkin Caramel Latte that grew to be more popular) and evebtually was completely forgotten. So I finally got to sniff it and I was about 85% sure that it was Creamy Pumpkin repackage (I had a 1wick of it b

NEWNESS UPDATE: Winter 2018 Candles Part 3 ~ Candle Day Surprises

Sing it with me everyone!!! "IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!!! So the ever so popular and infamous Candle Day is fast approaching and this year BBW is changing things up! Normally BBW waits until Winter SAS to give us throwback and one time only collections. This time around, we're getting them on..wait for it...CANDLE DAY! If you're ever so slightly dissapointed with the latest winter offerings, BBW has quite a few surprises in store. So BBW isn't quite done with Christmas yet as there are some holiday themed collections headin our way. Let's start with least interesting things andwerk our our way up First we're getting a quartet of the most basic (yet supposedly most requested) holiday scents; I'm sure you can guess what they are - Vanilla Bean Noel , Winter Candy Apple , Twisted Peppermint and Fresh Ballsack (although I do love me some Twisted Peppermint). And get's even more basic. *sigh they're quotes BUT it's act