Best Candle Companies of 2021

candle near christmas tree

CANDLE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

No matter how crazy our day goes, I always try to light a candle to set a calm mood in our house.  The flickering of the flame and the relaxing scent sets the tone and a calmness washes over us.  Candles are the perfect Christmas gift for someone special…family, teachers, coaches, bus drivers, holiday housewarming hosts, etc. They are also wonderful ways to pamper yourself.  (We all need some of that!) Take a peek at some of the best candle companies of 2021.

Southern Elegance Candle Company

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS COMPANY

candles, room fragrance, wax cubes, air freshener

I love a candle that has the ability to transport me to a comforting place.  Southern Elegance is proud of their southern culture and have created candles that take you to a time when life was simpler.  They blend their candles with unique scents that scream southern charm with images of a cool glass of sweet tea, slices of delicious pound cake made from scratch, and the swaying of massive magnolia trees.  Take a PEEK HERE at all of their signature scents and PEEK HERE for their fall/winter scents. I love the farmhouse feel of the labels and I especially love the ones in mason jars. These hand-crafted soy wax candles are made in small batches in the heart of North Carolina.

WHAT PRODUCTS DO WE LOVE?

sweet tea candle

RAISED ON SWEET TEA AND JESUS

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Best Coffee and Tea Companies of 2021

iron tea pot with small tea cups and loose tea

The simplest form of relaxation is wrapping your hands around a warm beverage, inhaling deeply, and taking a long sip. A rich cup of coffee gets me out of bed in the morning and a soothing cup of tea helps me fall asleep at night.  Tea and coffee make the perfect gift.  It is an inexpensive way to show someone they are appreciated.  Don’t forget all those people that help keep your life running smoothly like teachers, coaches, bus drivers, postal carriers, etc. Here are the Best Coffee and Tea Companies of 2021:

Amora Coffee

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS COMPANY

2 bags of coffee

One of the great things about Amora Coffee Company is their coffee is roasted in the USA by fifth-generation Master Roasters devoted to bringing you the perfect cup.  They only roast the beans after you order and then they are hand packed in foil-lined bags, while still warm, to protect the flavor and aroma. I also like that you get the choice to have whole bean or ground in regular or decaf. I’ve tried several flavors of their coffee and I’ve loved them all! Amora beans come from Central and South America, Indonesia and Africa, and when you are sipping your warm cup of coffee you’ll feel like you’ve been transported there. I love to support philanthropic companies and Amora is helping to bring clean water and sanitation to over 10,000 people in the remote Jabi Tehnan district of Ethiopia.

WHAT PRODUCTS DO WE LOVE?

two bags of coffee

Birthday Cake

$14.95

(This sweet flavored 100% Arabica bean coffee is a medium roast coffee with flavors of sweet, creamy vanilla frosting with undertones of buttery vanilla cake.)

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Best Skincare Companies of 2021

Self-care is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give someone.  Taking a few minutes every day to do a face mask, nourish your skin, apply a body butter, or take a deep breathe of an essential oil can add up to a stress-free day.  I have found some amazing companies this season that have fabulous products that my family and I have tested and are obsessed with.  I am very conscious of what my daughters and I use on our bodies and these companies share the same values.  Here are our top picks for skincare and body products.  Enjoy the Best Skincare Companies of 2021:

Wicked Good

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS COMPANY

sugar scrub, roll on perfume,

Wicked Good is the one stop spot to creating a spa day at home.  They have everything from bath soaks, scrubs, lotions, bath tea, etc.  They have over 150 unique scents (created in small batches) and you will definitely have a problem choosing just one.  I love that they believe that aroma is at the heart of every wicked good experience!  They also have a candle line that is not only hysterical, but also smell great. Their products have clean, consciously crafted fragrances and are vegan and cruelty free. Want a gift that keeps on giving?  They also have a Scent Club.  Get an exclusive, limited edition perfume delivered to you every month along with 2-3 other scented goods.

WHAT PRODUCTS DO WE LOVE?

SUGAR SCRUB

sugar scrub

$21.95

(Scent: Pumpkin Pecan Waffles)

 

A coconut oil-infused brown sugar scrub that polishes, exfoliates, and hydrates dry skin for a gorgeous glow.  Solutions for: – Dryness, dullness, uneven texture, and uneven skin tone.

Your whole shower will fill with the aroma of pumpkin and you won’t want to get out!  The scrub is not too scratchy and will leave your skin so soft.

perfume oil

BLUEBERRY PUMPKIN PATCH perfume oil

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Jolie Tea Company

Jolie Tea Company

You know I love a good cup of tea!  I had the pleasure of going to Jolie Tea Company in Salem, Massachusetts, and it was so great I had to tell you all about it.  Because I really wanted the full experience, I didn’t just go for a cup of tea, I did a High Tea!

After I was seated, I had to take a minute to take in the beauty of the room.  The room has seating waiting for guests. I love the pink light that showcases the wall of teas. Good luck trying to buy just one.

Look at how lovely each place setting is! I love the porcelain tea cup and plate.  The gerbera daisy is a fun touch!

I was pleasantly surprised that they bring out a hibiscus iced tea to enjoy while you look over the high tea menu.

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First Class…Behind the Magic Curtain

I know I’ve said it before, but I have one of the sweetest husbands around.  Last February, on our way home from Europe he sat with the girls in coach for our 9-hour flight and gave his mom and I first class seats! We felt like queens up there and it was a trip home we will never forget.  If you’re like me, you may have wondered what it’s like to sit up there behind those magical curtains. Could it really be worth it? Here’s a peek at our first experience traveling in first class! (Remember that all planes are different, so experiences will vary.  This was our United flight from Switzerland to Boston.)

OUR SEATS…

The seats were probably one of the best things about our flight.  Our seats lowered into that dark area where your feet go so you could recline it as much as you wanted to, even making it completely flat.

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Love Celebrate & Bloom

Natalie worked part time as a skincare specialist at a spa and wellness center in Orlando, Florida. She loved helping people learn how to take care of their skin and decided to go a step further and created her very own skincare line. She carries skin scrubs, lip scrubs, organic soaps and all things body care! I love how often she changes her line to match the seasons.

All of her products are handmade, by herself, in her home. You can see the love she puts in each of them by looking at the details.  Look at this gorgeous soap!

WHAT PRODUCTS DID WE GET?

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Laki Naturals

One of my favorite rooms in my house is the master bathroom.  It is my oasis and has become a place of relaxation and restoration.  Nights were spent in a warm bubbly tub sipping on wine while wearing a face mask. Showers involved dry brushing, scented soaps, and moisturizing body butters.  I’ve discovered lots of companies that turn your bathroom into a spa experience.  Laki Naturals has some amazing bath products that I’ve loved using.

WHY TRAVELERS WILL LOVE THEM

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Wild Lily Organics

You all know I’m crazy about spas and I’ve been so sad that I haven’t been able to go to any this past year.  However, just because you can’t go to a spa doesn’t mean you can’t bring the spa experience to your home.  Whenever I travel, I try to find unique spa experiences, and Wild Lily Organics has taught me some amazing ones!

WHY TRAVELERS WILL LOVE WILD LILY ORGANICS

As travelers, you sometimes need to step away from the norm and try something new.  Wild Lily Organics takes a different approach to skincare and once you try it you will become hooked! They offer TONS of tutorials on Instagram.  I love watching her reels and Instagram Stories and then trying out the different techniques.  There are so many uses for these tools.

WHAT WILD LILY ORGANICS PRODUCTS DID WE GET?

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Busy Girl Bath Bakery

This last year has taught me the importance of self-care and taking time out of my day to focus on myself in a calm environment.  Baths have become my new ritual…dim lights, glass of wine, soothing music. What has made the biggest difference are the bath products I started using.  Busy Girl Bath Bakery has some amazing products that I’ve loved using.  They make baths a relaxing experience.

WHY TRAVELERS WILL LOVE THEM

My daughters and I have sensitive skin, so I often think twice about using new skin lines and bath products when we are traveling, in case we have a reaction.  I love how soothing my skin felt after using these products. They smelled incredible and I love that they use natural ingredients. You will feel just like you stepped into a luxurious spa when you use these products!

They also have the most beautiful artesian soaps that would make wonderful gifts for anyone.

WHAT PRODUCTS DID WE GET?

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Peckboard Review

If you’ve ever been to my house for dinner or for a party, there’s a really good chance there was a charcutier board. I’m pretty obsessed with them! We love tasting all the different cheeses, crackers, spreads, fruit, mustards and much more goodies that go into them.  Peckboard is the perfect solution if you are a charcutier newbie or a pro that is looking for some inspiration. They give you all the material you need to create a fabulous looking board!

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THEM

Making a good board involves more than throwing some cheese out…it’s an artform.  Peckboard includes a guide to making a beautiful board. It also is a wonderful way for you to learn what different pairings you can do on a board.  I would have never thought to add a fig loaf.

It also teaches you different tips.  For example, I learned that you should take your cheese out of the fridge an hour before you’re serving it.

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