There's Lilac and There's Lilac

And no matter what sort of lilac it is, I adore it.  Seriously, it's my favorite flower and was the one bloom I really wanted to carry in my wedding... and was so happy when the florist told me I could!

(Flowers designed by Angie at the Metropolitan Plant Exchange,

Photography by Sharon Ann Curia of Sharon's Wedding Art)

And so when Eric and I were making our latest batch of candles, I lobbied for Lilac.  In keeping with our new look, we did them two-tone pink and purple, but the scent is gorgeous, springy, unadulterated Lilac, and they're already a hit with customers.

The 15" round pillar has already sold, but you can find the square pillars here, the small round pillars here, and the votives here.  If you're not sure how much you'll love it - or the other spring candles we've made - you can also try one of each votive in our sampler pack!

But back to the lilacs.  I can't forget about them for too long, that's for sure.  The lilacs.  I love lilacs so much that one year my sister and I got a small lilac shrub for our mom for Mother's Day from the NJ Botanical Gardens.  OK, that gift wasn't quite as self-serving as it sounds.  My sister and mom like lilacs too, and mom likes to have nice, flowering plants around the yard.

Well, back in September, Eric and I moved here to Franklin Lakes, where we have a nice little house... with a whole lotta land.  There's a forest in our backyard, for real!  Well, OK, it's a small foresty area but still.  It's foresty enough that we've had not only squirrels and chipmunks but also possum, a bunny, deer on more than one occasion, and at one point... bear tracks in the snow!  And the rest of the back yard and all of the front is a lot of lawn.  Lots and lots of lawn and trees and bushes.  So I was lobbying for a lilac shrub for our own yard.  I was hoping that during their annual plant sale earlier in the month, Eric and I could go to the NJ Botanical Gardens in the hope that they had lilacs again.

Didn't need to.

Just a week or so before, I was getting into my car for work in the morning and I glanced at this big tree that was on the other side of the driveway.  It was budding.  It was budding purple.  I went for a closer look... and quite literally danced around the driveway.  Lilacs!  A whole huge lilac shrub the size of a tree!  All mine!

It's been blooming ever since, and the smell makes me smile every time I pass by.  It makes me so, so happy.  And while we've added Lilac Candles to Reef Botanicals, I've added a new photo to Fabric of my Mind.

That beauty can be found right here, if you want your own print of it.  Can't you just smell them?

Ah, I'm smiling again.  Just can't help it!

New Stuff - And a Mother's Day Pre-Sale!

Eric and I have been seriously busy.  We've got a new spring line of candles that smell just amazing and are gorgeous too!  We've gone with a new look, that we sort of started with the Home for the Holidays candles for the winter season.  We like color.  Love color.  So we've given each candle two of them!  The colors, of course, go with the scent.  First, I'll introduce you to the new kids in the shop, and I'll get to the sale in a minute.  So take a look...

Country Garden

These are pale yellow and a pretty pink/lavender, and scented with our own gorgeous blend of hyacinth and honeysuckle.  Seriously awesome.  The 9" pillar is here, the square pillars here, 3" pillars here, votives here, and tea lights here.

Ginger Peach

These pretty candles smell exactly like they sound, and like they look - ginger and peach!  Fresh and fruity, with a bit of spice.  Awesome.  The 9" pillar is already sold, but the square pillars are here, 3" pillars are here, votives are here, and tea lights are here.  Getting the two colors actually requires three pours of wax and close attention to temperature, and we've got it down to a science at this point!

Cucumber Cantaloupe

These are the most colorful of the new line, in light green and pale orange, and for those who aren't into the flowers, these are also the freshest and most fruity.  It's a great, clean scent.  And all of our new line of candles have a pretty, rustic, mottled look.  You can find the 9" pillar here, the square pillars here, the 3" pillars here, and the votives here.

Eastern Serenity

These are the least colorful of the new line, but in our opinion, the most amazing.  With a very subtle color, half cream and half a very, very light peach, the impact of these candles is in the scent... sandalwood and jasmine.  It was Eric's idea to try it, and wow, did he come up with a winner.  I can't even describe what this smells like, other than to say it's incredible.  I wish I could do a scratch-n-sniff post for you, I really do.  The cool thing, too, to me at least, is that both sandalwood and jasmine are from Asian countries, both highly valued, and both used in various rituals.  You know I like things with a story like that.  The 9" pillar is already sold, but the square pillars are here, 3" pillars here, votives here, and the tea lights are here.

The amusing thing is that Eric loves sandalwood, and to me it's too musky, a little dusty.  But I love jasmine, which Eric finds too flowery.  With these, each scent cuts and complements the other just enough to make it work for both of us.  A friend of ours, who's also not a jasmine fan but likes sandalwood, commented that he liked it because the floral was cut with the wood, and that it's good for both men and women as a result.

Personally, I think these all are perfect for Mother's Day, which leads me to the pre-Mother's Day SALE.  Finally!

From now until midnight on April 21 (a full two weeks), we'll be offering 10% off all candles at Reef Botanicals, plus you'll want to browse the rest of the shop, because there's free shipping on all orders over $35, including gift baskets.  The adjustment for a refund of shipping charges will be made by me through PayPal after the sale has been completed.

Happy shopping!

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So... June's Almost Over

It's hard to believe that we're into summer & June's almost over already.

I've been keeping busy, obviously.  I'm working on another washcloth for the shop, and taking breaks to knit something for myself for the very first time, a sweater!

I've actually done a bunch more since this photo was taken; it's at about 9" now.  In 5" I'll have to start accounting for the armholes.  Yikes!  This is my first article of clothing aside from scarves.  Eric is happy I'm doing something for myself, though.  It seems I really do make everything for everyone else or the shop, not much for me.  And this is an easy way to start; it's just a sleeveless shell which will be great with jeans or even under a suit jacket.

I've also been watering the wildflowers I planted.  There's a lot of green happening & the occasional flower.  I was kind of hoping for this burst of color... besides green.  At least they seem to be healthy, which for a brown thumb like me is huge.

And we had our annual Mardi Gras in June party, at which we serve crawfish & other Louisiana-themed food.  I made two pecan pies and two dozen cupcakes.

And it was fun to watch the two-year-olds.  Our nephews (center and right) and the next door neighbors's son, also 2 (left) were completely enamoured with the fish.

That's all the fun stuff.  On the not-so-fun side, I got into a car accident that's had my car in the shop being fixed for over two weeks now, and it's driving me crazy (I'm fine, don't worry).  And we found out we have to move, so we're house hunting.  I hate moving, so I'm not looking forward to this.

So... that's been our June.  Hope yours has been all fun with none of the other stuff!

Bright 'n' Cheery

A few more things have gone into the shop, so it's time to share.

I found this cute star mold and made several sets of Mini Star Crayons.  They're small, cute, bright & cheery, and they'd make great stocking stuffers when that time rolls 'round, but right now they're great as party favors, "just because" gifts, or a gift for that creative type who's already got everything else.

Each set of 10 crayons, made from only the top brand, is similar to the one in the photo, with crayons in reds/pinks, oranges, yellows/light greens, dark greens, light blues, dark blues/purples, fuscias, light browns/white, dark browns, and black/greys/silver.

These are a lot smaller than the Jumbo Dolphin Crayons, so they're not for the kiddies under 3.

Also new in the shop are two photos.  One is of Blarney Castle in County Cork, Ireland, taken in April of 2009.

The other was taken in my yard in June of 2010, and is of orange daylilies.

Be sure to poke around the shop when you've got a chance.