Archive for the ‘The Lamp Stand’ Category
It’s not often a person sits down and thinks about the history and imagery of candles but if you sit down by a candle and gaze into the flickering light on the wall across from you a calming sense will overcome you and it will be very clear that the history behind the candle is an interesting one.
There is a phrase, “if I could be a fly on the wall.” Well this writer wishes they could be a candle in the room of history. Candles have born witness to countless historic events. They helped to shed light on our founding fathers as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were penned. They stood by and lighted the path way of Paul Revere as he warned of the British were coming and they undoubtedly lighted the way for many of the most cherished writings of John Lennon. It’s even somewhat comical to think that Thomas Edison invented the modern light bulb under the watchful eyes of many a candle that gave their lives so electricity could be born. A simple companion or even a bystander of historical events but where would we be now if not for the glowing light of yesterday’s candles?
If the real world history of candles hasn’t moved you it’s likely the cinematic imagery of candles has played a significant part of your life. Who can forget the candle laden castles in the old Dracula movies? Candles served as the only light for unsuspecting victims in many a monster movie. What served as their only connection to the world usually gave them away to a grueling end. Candles helped to shape the golden era of monster movies!
They also helped to usher in the golden era of romance movies. All love movie addicts will melt of the thought of all of the scenes where their favorite Bo entranced their beauty over a candle lit romantic movie. You cried! Everyone has cried at one point or another. If you haven’t then you need to set up your own romantic candle lit dinner with your significant other.
As with our busy life styles candles have evolved over the last few hundred years. They’ve become a work horse for many by providing refreshing smells. For example, Village candles give off an aromatic smell that can bring back memories, freshen up small areas and give an overwhelming sense of calm to anyone in the room. It’s proof of the continuously adaptive behavior of candles. We no longer need candles for their warm glow so now they are serving a different utilitarian purpose for those who just can’t live without them.
What’s interesting is that the Village candle you use to freshen up your living area in your home can revert back to it’s previous incarnation as a light source at any given time. The ability to regress is not native to many items but a cancel can become that old time source of light when the Edison’s electric light bulb fails to produce for you. Not only has the cancel evolved to remain a vital part of your daily routine, it can simply revert to meet all of your previous needs!
As you can most clearly see, candles have been overlooked as utilitarian tools that are just simply there to service a purpose. The next time you light up a candle for some mindless task take a few minutes to gaze into it and think about the history that candles have seen and you’ll likely develop a deeper appreciation for them.
Kimberly Green is not only a history buff but a candle lover too! Village candles and WoodWick candles are always found in her home.
Often you’re reminded of that romantic weekend at the shore. The smell that fills the room when you first light one of those WoodWick Spill-Proof Reed Diffusers that you purchased to enhance the romance brings you right back to that night every time you light one. The power of sense can bring you back to places you really never want to leave.
Many people experience life altering events that have an immediate and lasting imprint on their soul. Often a song or a smell can immediately take them back to that moment in time and stop them in their tracks. What was one moment in time can end up being a moment that can be relived over and over again. It’s amazing that the memory can fade and for years you won’t think about that special night until out of the blue that song comes on the radio and you’re instantly taken back to that memory just like it happened. These cognitive powers are the strongest in the human mind because they are powered by emotion.
It’s easy to build in this cognitive recognition if you know you’ll want to remember that vacation or that time spent with a loved one for the rest of your life. People are creatures of the senses and will unconsciously go out of their way to build in these remembrances without knowing it. However, you can still do it knowingly and it will still have the same affect. Long after remembering that you planted the aromatic smell of those WoodWick Spill-Proof Reed Diffusers you’ll remember the feelings you felt when that smell creeps back into your consciousness. Smells are the foundation of all memories and there will be times that a smell will take you back to your childhood and to a time too far gone to really remember but that smell will give you a sense of overwhelming security and happiness.
The sense of hearing also has huge impact on your ability to recover lost memories. That song that played during the last dance of your prom will bring back memories of that night twenty years after the last time you heard it. Although time dates music, music dates memories and you’ll find those old tunes a welcome sound when the memories start to fade.
When you’re expecting a big day and you want to have a memory that will last for the rest of your life find a unique smell that is pleasing or a song that has impact on you. Take the time to immerse yourself into the sites, smells and music around you to enhance the overall recognition for future use. You’ll certainly be able to recover those memories with the impact that it would take to stop you in your tracks while it takes you twenty years into the past.
No matter how you achieve it, if you plan it or if it comes natural, you’ll always have cognitive recognition of smells and sounds that bring old feelings back like a flood. It’s up to you at which extent you plant this or to which extent that you let it work its own magic.
Kim Green’s choice for making areas smell nice have always been reed diffusers and now even WoodWick Spill-Proof Reed Diffusers as they work extremely well!
With summer bringing higher temperatures and a few extra hours of sun to boot, chances are that after a long day of closed windows and locked doors, your house is not going to smell as fresh as you would like after a long day at work.
Unfortunately, prolonged heat and stagnant air will make any odor that might be lingering in your house- trash can, cat litter, bathroom, etc.- all the more pungent and no amount of cleaning or disinfecting will keep it away. Instead of surrendering to the power of the rank odors (something none of us want to do), you have several ways to fight them. Here are a few obvious- and not so obvious (you’ve probably used candles but never heard of reed diffusers) things to use to make your house, apartment or dorm room to keep them smelling wonderful after a hot, boxed in afternoon.
-Candles-
Candles are not a secret; in fact you probably have some in your house right now. And while candles are pretty user friendly, the biggest problem the average consumer will run into is shifting through the sheer volume of candles available. With so many different companies offering candles and accessories, the biggest mistake you can make when purchasing one for your place (besides leaving it unattended while lit- that’s a big no-no) is not taking the time to take a whiff of the product. Seems basic enough, but you have to remember that not all vanilla candles smell the same. With dozens of different companies offering the same scent, chances are there are going to be different nuances in the smell. Sometimes a candle can smell so sickly sweet that just being around it will make you feel sick. If you’re ordering the candle online make you sure trust the company and have some experience with the smell. If you normally hate peaches this might not be the time to experiment.
-Reed Diffusers-
Here is something you may have not thought of. When we think of scents and sticks we usually think of incense. The problem with incense, though, is that they can be a little messy and the smell can sometimes be… how to put this… a bit collegiate. Reed diffusers, on the other hand, look elegant, don’t leave a smoky, sooty mess and smell sophisticated. They work like this: there is a bottle (usually colored glass) that is filled with scented oil. A few reed diffusers are then inserted into the bottle and the scent is slowly released into the air. No fire, no smoke, and a good smell to cover up that liter box that has been sitting in the sun all day.
-Room Deodorizers-
Chances are you already have one of those sweet smelling deodorizing sprays in your house. But while many of us rely on a scented room deodorizer spray to cover up a smell with something called “Spring Rain” or “Vermont Forest”, why not try a deodorizer that doesn’t just cover up smells but instead actually deodorizes them out of the air? There are a lot of companies offering odor canceling room deodorizers and while they might cost a little more than the typical smelling sprays they can be totally worth it for anyone fighting odor throughout the day.
You can check the internet for more information on these products and they available through most chain stores as well as specialty stores and via the internet. Good luck and remember: pick something that works for you.
Kim Green’s choice for making areas smell nice have always been reed diffusers as they work extremely well!
Are soy candles better than wax candles? That is the question keeps popping up now and again. Let’s take a look at the benefits of soy candles such as Beanpod Candles.
Soy candles last much longer than candles made of petroleum-based paraffin, the ingredient found in most candles. In addition to lasting longer, they burn slower and cooler which helps to better distribute fragrance, are non-toxic, less likely to trigger allergies, clean up with soap and water, and produce very little soot.
The advantages of soy candles are as follows:
• Soy candles are made from soy wax, which is hydrogenated soybean oil.
• Soy wax is a new alternative to paraffin wax that is cost effective.
• Soy candles are environmentally friendly! Soy wax is not made from petroleum, like paraffin candles. Burning soy candles does not increase the CO2 level in the atmosphere.
• Made from American-grown soybeans, it’s biodegradable, a renewable resource.
Since soy candles are less likely to trigger allergies, those who have pets and/or small children are more apt to burn soy than any other type of candle. There are even health benefits to burning soy candles vs. the traditional type candles. Most traditional candles cause soot. If you’ve ever seen a black film lining the jar of a candle or even if you’ve seen a black mark on the walls or ceiling near where a candle is being burned, then you’ve seen soot. Soot is caused by the toxic elements in traditional candles that are released when ignited. Soy candles are all natural and do not contain any toxins, which means very little to no soot. This is true with Beanpod candles, which are loved by many!
When burning a traditional candle, here is what happens; carcinogens are released into the air – carcinogens can cause cancer, and other health related problems. There is actually new research that shows links between candles, charcoal, and other burning devices as cancer causing. While thee is not enough definitive information on this issue, it is a fact that soy candles do not produce carcinogens.
Here is a little known fact; did you know that soy candles have a memory? A soy candle should burn 1 hour for each inch of its diameter, until you receive a full melt pool. For example: a soy candle 2″ in diameter should be burned for two hours to establish its memory. If a soy candle isn’t given a proper memory burn, especially on the first burn, it will cause the soy candle to burn in a tunnel down the center and you will not get a good scent throw from the candle.
As with any candle a lit soy candle should always be within your sight. Never leave a burning candle unattended. Never burn a soy candle on or near any object that could be reached by the flame. Most importantly, keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.
Author K. Green has been buying scented candles for years and has finally found the type of candle to recommends to everyone. Beanpod Candles are at the top of the list.
Aromatherapy is the use of volatile plant oils, including essential oils, for psychological and physical well-being. Fragrance lamp oils can be made from the essential oils used in aromatherapy.
A bit of history; How Did Aromatherapy Get Its Name?
During the earlier part of the 20th century, a French chemist by the name of René-Maurice Gattefossé became interested in essential oils for their medicinal properties. Previously, he focused on the aromatic use of essential oils in perfumery application, but his interest in their therapeutic use grew after an accident heightened his curiosity. While working, he burned his arm rather badly. By reflex, he plunged his burned arm into the closest liquid, which happened to be a large container of lavender essential oil. The burn he suffered healed quickly and left no scar. He attributed his remarkable healing to the Lavender Essential Oil, and that lead to his ongoing study of essential oils. It is Gattefossé that is credited with coining the term aromatherapy in 1928
The aroma of a natural essential oil stimulates the brain to trigger a reaction and when inhaled into the lungs, the natural component (naturally occurring chemicals) can supply therapeutic benefits. For example, diffusing eucalyptus essential oil will help ease congestion. While physical and emotional well being is a major benefit of using essential oils, there are other common uses as well.
Essential oils can be used in household and laundry cleaners. Some oils act as a natural insect repellent and pesticide. In the summer, many people tend to use citronella candles to keep mosquitoes away. Citronella essential oil is the ingredient in the candles that is responsible for repelling the mosquitoes.
More and more people are turning to essential oils for room freshening or just household freshening in general. It’s becoming very popular to use fragrance lamp oils and diffusers these days. Diffusion is the process of dispersing essential oils so that their aroma fills a room or an area with the natural fragrance. There are many different methods that exist for diffusing oils into a room. Three easy methods can be done with things you probably already have in your house. In addition, there are numerous diffusers and diffusing devices available for purchase from aromatherapy vendors and companies who provide diffusers, fragrance lamps, fragrance lamp oils and other fragrance lamp accessories.
When shopping around for fragrance lamp oil, you will find not only essential oils but also oils that have sentimental scents. Certain scents can bring back a feeling or a memory and because of that, people love to smell that scent over and over again. That in itself can be a form of therapy!
Author K. Green has been studying aromatherapy and uses fragrance lamp oil and reed diffusers on a regular basis.
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