B&M Autumn Candles

I have been meaning to do a review of these candles since B&M started stocking them a couple of years ago but you know me, it takes me a while to get around to these things. You will have seen pictures of them on the blog a few times though!

When these B&M candles came out two years ago everyone in the U.K went crazy for them because they are a great dupe for Bath & Body Works Candles which we can't easily get hold of here. I had always wanted one of the B&BW candles but until last year I hadn't been lucky enough to own one!

The B&M Essence Candles range in price from £2.99-£3.99 (on sale for £3 in my local store currently). They cannot be beaten on price, I have not found another candle this size you can purchase in the U.K that actually gives off a good scent when burnt. 

This is now the third Autumn I have been burning these candles and all of the ones I own have been able to fill a room full of fragrance and I have found them to burn pretty evenly if you burn them for long enough (I would say at least 2.5-3 hours). However if you smell them in store before purchasing some definitely smell stronger than others even of the same fragrance, so make sure try them in store.

Some of the scents pictured above where purchased (in multiples which is why I still have a supply) in previous years but I have seen most of them still in stores along with the Autumn fragrance which I believe is new for this year! The marshmallow fireside is still available in the cooper lid version of this candle {featured on the blog here}, although I prefer the scent of the silver lid version, they're meant to be the same but I don't think they are, but both smell delicious, and I am sorry to say I don't know if they smell just like the Bath & Body Works candle of the same name as I haven't smelt it.

But since I have now had the chance to try out a few B&BW candles I can tell you my thoughts on how the B&M version compares. The B&BW candles come in a much larger variety of scents and they give off a much stronger aroma when burnt, they have become my favourite candles. The B&M ones feature a pretty design on the lid just like it's inspiration and they have been labelled similar. In the U.K you will be looking at around £18-£20 if you want to pick up a Bath & Body Works Candle and while I think they are far superior, you really can't beat the price of the B&M Essence Candles. So unless you are headed to the U.S soon (with an empty suitcase) and can take advantage of the amazing sales to stock up on B&BW ones, I think your best bet is to head to your nearest B&M store and grab a few of these candles before they sell out. I am hoping they will continue to bring out new scents in the years to come! 

Where To Find Pumpkin Candles in the U.K

Happy Wednesday! Who else is excited that Autumn is finally here?? I know I am and I cannot wait for this season to get in full swing. 

There are lots of things I love about the Fall, but one thing is all the candles, Fall fragrances are definitely the best. 

If you live across the pond then you will find find pumpkin everything this time of year, but here in England we don't quite have the same passion for pumpkins yet. It's the time of year when I start wishing that we had Target over here more than ever. 

It has definably become easier over the past few years to find pumpkin goodies in the U.K and I thought I would round up my favourite places to find pumpkin candles here for you all. 

Flash back to five years ago and the candle in this post here was the first pumpkin candle I ever found and I was so excited about it, I'm so happy they are easier to find nowadays! 

Anthropologie Pumpkin Souffle Boulangerie Candle

Anthropologie is always one of the first places I look for seasonal homewares. As they are an American company they were one of the first places you could find pumpkin goods. This candle is hands down my favourite pumpkin candle I have ever owned. This one is on the pricier side, so for me it was a treat when Anthro had a sale. If I could afford to I would burn this candle every day of Autumn. 

B&M Stores Pumpkin Waffles Candle

If you are looking for a budget friendly option then head to your nearest B&M stores. 

A couple of years ago B&M introduced a line of candles that looked pretty similar to the famous Bath & Body Works Candles, but the price range was only £2.99-£3.99. 

When they first launched they had a whole range of pumpkin candles {seen in my post here} and every year I keep crossing my fingers that they will bring them back  but alas they haven't yet. They do still have this pumpkin waffles candle in store though which has quite a subtle fragrance and a price tag that can't be beaten. 

DW Home Candles via T.K Maxx

My all time favourite place to search for pumpkin candles though? I'm sure it will be no surprise that it's T.K Maxx {or Homesense if you're lucky enough to have one nearby}. It's where I found my very first pumpkin candle. They use to appear rarely but now they have a huge selection this time of year, such a big selection in fact I always have a hard time picking out which ones to take home. DW Home is a common brand you'll find in T.K Maxx and one I personally love. They have a huge range of pumpkin scented candles in all shapes and sizes and I love all the different designed jars you can find. The wooden barrel was a find in Homsense last year {that will become a base for a flower arrangement one day} and the black and white plaid is the lastest one I picked up, I'm a sucker for anything plaid. 

And if you really crave one of those Bath & Body Works 3 Wick Candles then you can always pick one up on Ebay, I may have treated myself to one this year! 

I'd love to know if you have any favourite places to pick up candles this time of year, leave your suggestions in the comments below.  

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Autumn Decor Updates

It's hard to say whether I prefer decorating for Autumn or Christmas, I love all the warm colours of Fall. I haven't finished decorating completely yet but I've slowly been adding a few new pieces around my home to make it feel warm and cozy for the season.

Cute Prints from Lily & Val - Hot Apple Cider // Pumpkin Pie. My sister gave me these as a birthday gift and they make the perfect addition to any kitchen for some Fall inspired baking! 

Farmer's Market Flowers.

I love these Bath & Body Works Mini Candles that my sweet pen pal sent me last year, we can't get them here in the UK so I am savouring them and haven't burnt them! I also found another one of these gold frames in T.K. Maxx and framed my favourite pictured from a recent Apple Picking trip. The pine cones are ones we have picked up on our adventures and I love having them lying around the house this time of year. 

Another T.K. Max Find that I couldn't leave behind. this little rose gold squirrel is such a cutie! 

We can't get Bath & Body Works candles here in the UK but I did find some really similar ones in B&M Stores and they retail for only £2.99. I thought they probably won't smell too strong when being burnt, but surprisingly they actually fill them room with a warming aroma. They also had some pumpkin ones in the Halloween section which I picked up too. 

Yet another T.K. Max find, it is my favourite place to pick up Fall decor, they always have the prettiest pumpkins! 

Another Lily & Val Print  because who doesn't love everything pumpkin spiced at this time of year. I like to think the girl in this print from H Nichols Illustration has just stopped by Starbucks and picked up a Pumpkin Spice Latte, which I still need to do. 

What are some of your favourite ways to decorate around the home for Autumn? 

Stacey's Smiles

 My outfit for Easter Sunday!

New candles from B&M.

£1 pink sunglasses from Primark.

My latest T.K Maxx find - Sam Edelman Sandals for £12.99.

My favourite Easter Friend! 

Happy Good Friday!! 

DIY Valentine's Heart Print Apron

With Valentine's Day next week I decided to share a few little love filled posts with you this week, starting with a super easy and very cheap DIY project, a heart print apron, made from two tea towels, I found this set on sale at B&M Stores last year for just £1! 

You Will Need:

Two Tea Towels (or pieces of fabric) 

Scissors

Thread

Bias Binding

Start by shaping your first tea towel into the shape of an apron, I laid mine against one I already had then just cut off the excess fabric. Then edge the 'apron' with some bias binding.

I then used the other tea towel to make the pocket and the straps, but you could just use some off cuts of fabric. You can make the pocket any size/shape you want, after I made this I thought a heart shaped pocket would have been cute! 

The straps were made by folding the fabric in on itself and edging them so there are no raw edges on show. I then just stitched them into place and my apron was ready to go! 

I'll be sharing a Valentine's Day Breakfast recipe with you all later this week. 

Christmas Decor 2018

Frames: Ikea // Prints: SS Print Shop & Lily & Val 

Pillow: T.K Maxx

Gingerbread Pillow: Etsy Living with Amanda

Wreath: Ikea

Tree: Wilko

Pillows: Homesense

Tree: Ikea // Wooden Stand: Homesense

Candle: H&M Home

Pillow: B&M Stores

Garland: Ikea // Stockings: Homemade

Last year we didn't have too many decorations around the house, but this year we decorated more and I wanted share just a few snaps of our Holiday Decor with you all. We still kept things pretty simple and neutral, but added some pops of colour in, on the Hot Chocolate Bar, which I always love to get set up. I even added a wreath above our bed this year. I always use to decorate my bedroom back at my parents so I wanted to add something festive to our bedroom this year. 

We don't go crazy on decor or spend a lot, most things we already had, or I picked up on sale last year. We did add in a few new pieces I picked up in Homesense and Ikea, and we'll use those next year too. 

All of the decorations on our tree are either collected from our travels, locally sourced or from other family members trees, they all have a special memory or meaning attached to them and decorating the tree is my favourite part as I get to remember where we picked up each ornament as we hang it.