Sunday, July 31, 2011

CBV Haul Review

It has been forever since I updated this thing!  Sorry about that!  I will kick off my return to blogging with a huge review from Candles By Victoria.  This is not our most recent order, but the order before it.  Cyn and I had recorded a video review for them, but I never got it uploaded... oopps!  I did get the video review from our most recent order uploaded to YouTube and you can find it (6 parts!!!) along with our other reviews at http://www.youtube.com/user/cbvcandlefreak

If you have never ordered from CBV, you should!  Victoria has over 650 scents to choose from and pours your order when you order it.  Her customer service is top notch. You can choose from candles in different styles and sizes, tarts (scent shots), reed diffusers, and even some yummy custom dessert candles that will make you drool!  The candles burn clean with no waste.. just keep your wick trimmed!  What more can you ask for?  You can find her website at http://www.candlesbyvictoria.com and if you want to join the CBV community, check out the message board at http://cbvictoria.proboards.com/index.cgi? There you can find a group of wonderful ladies (and a few men!) that can help you with any question you may have, along with loads of reviews on scents. 

Now.. onto the review!

Frenchville Coffee –Smells just like coffee with creamy vanilla

DKNY Delicious –get the crispness from yuza & cucumber, notes of tuberose and fresh greenery scent

Mermaid Kiss – reminds me of Irish Spring soap, get the ocean mist scent with the oakmoss, have tried both of those but this is a bit more earthy

Lemon Peach Pound Cake Preserves – smells so good!  Get more lemon pound cake but the sweet/juiciness of peach preserves with it

Flap Jacks – like pancakes with maple syrup….. what can I say?

Mango Smoothie – mango and papaya first, then peach, a little lemon in the background

Gain Island Fresh – really clean and fresh, just like the detergent, fruity/floral, get notes of greenery, salty air, and jasmine

Carmen Miranda – This is what I wanted Fruit Salad to smell like!  Get crisp apples, peach, and berries, like a big bowl of fresh fruit

Blueberry Monkey Bread – first blueberry scents I have tried… in love!  Get blueberry, cinnamon yeasty note, don’t get any banana on cold sniff, but I bet it comes out in warming

Blueberry Cobbler – like this one but not as much as BMB, tangy blueberry filling with crusty cobbler note.. similar to note in Apricot crumb cake, but I like it in this one.

Salty Sea Air – freebie in order,  clean and fresh air… a bit woodsy in the background, light florals, like ferns

Viva La Juicy – don’t know the notes in the fragrance, but I get almost a sweet sugary note like Pink Sugar, with a tart fruity note.. not sure what though

Mango Tango – another detergent scent from Gain, juicy mango, crisp apple and green notes.. smell floral which may be tiger lily

Tiffany D – inspired by youtuber Tiffany-D…. first I get honeydew and watermelon, then sweetness from cotton candy.  Not a lover of melon scents but if you are.. go for it!

Enchanted Apple – soooo yummy!  Smells just like Mac apples caught on the air with green grass/greenery mixed in

Mediterranean Fig – I get a a warm fruity/floral from this… not sure what a Mediterranean fig smells like.  Fresh greenery note

Tangerine Mimosa – just like a fizzy citrus alcoholic drink!

Whispering Winds – soothing mint, ferns, and a bit of banana… get the mint first but it is not a in your face mint.. mellowed by other notes

Lime Crystal Kisses – really strong sugary lime/lemon 

Cajun Cornbread – has to be a top fragrance…. Reminds me of a gooey peach cobbler with lots of crust!

Party in my Cabana – This is what the man of my dreams smells like, lol.  It is not overly masculine, so don’t let that scare u.  The down of amber, musk and patchouli must give it enough masculine scent, but the florals and fruits give it depth even though I can’t pick any one note out

Lemon Gingersnap Pie – I get mostly lemon pound cake and a bit of crust.. not much gingerbread coming thru on cold

Maple Bacon – get more of a beef jerky scent from it… want to mix it with flapjacks and frenchville coffee or hot maple latte

Heavy Metal – I get a paint thinner/varnish type scent from this… sorry.  Cyn loves it… like liquid sugar

Emperor’s Love – something in this almost burns my nose… I can’t really pick out any one note… Cyn gets rose and woods, musk

Sun & Sand – a stronger and better version of Yankee’s … ozone, fresh, a bit musky… a bit greenery notes.. really soothing and warm

Strawberry Taffy – sweet and super sugary strawberries.. a bit artificial, but that is what taffy is all about!

Who’s That Lady – very sensual and warm scent… but feminine.  Def. get amber, black orchid, and dark woodsy notes

Mango Peach Salsa – yankee dupe… so much better as well.  Peach, strawberry with a hint of citrus….there may be a hint of spice but not spice in your face cinnamon or anything… just a hint of … what is that?  Hmm

Cinnaberry – This one is strange to our nose.. we  get cinnamon… and then after stopping sniff.. clean diaper/powdery scent…. Weird.

Pink & Lime – I get less lime than when we first got it, a couple months ago.  More sweetness from the Pink Sugar… not bad…. Cyn loves it!

Grape Soda – just like the name.. fizzy and all!  

Whew!  That is alot, lol.  Hope ya'll enjoyed reading our thoughts.  It may be awhile before I post another CBV review.  I am going to visit a friend in Missouri and we just got back from seeing NKOTBSB in concert in Dallas, so funds are in short supply.  I am hoping to type up a blog soon about the concert though.. we had a blast!  Hope there is another tour next year... *crossing fingers*!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Economics... Blah!

I should be reading the first chapter in my Economics class but instead I am here!  I am just not feeling it today but my goal is to get through at least 2 chapter today so I can be 6 chapters in by the end of the week.  If I can continue this pace, I should be done in a month's time and have about 3 weeks to study for my finals.  Definitely want to be totally done with school by mid-June so I won't have that stress while Cyn and I are gone to Dallas to the NKOTBSB concert.  So ready for summer!

I am so sleepy today and reading about consumers, government and such is just not helping me stay awake!  I have got coffee and I am burning Chocolate Peppermint Splash by CBV in hopes that my eyes will stay open, but I think I am losing the battle. 

I have got to play around with putting photos on here.  I really want to post pics my CBV stash plus other stuff.  Another thing I was thinking about was doing book reviews... especially after I finish reading the Anita Blake series, which I have been reading for over a year now... geez!  After the one I am reading now, I have one more to read to be caught up with the ones that I have.  I think Skin Trade is out in paperback now, but I don't have it yet.  I am going to have to switch genres for a while after this... I am burnt out on vamp books at this point.  Probably switch to murder/mystery ones with a few bios thrown in.  Can't really read romance much anymore... too jaded I guess, lol.  Now, vamp romance is a different story! 

Ok, I am off to TRY to get some of this class done.  Wish me luck!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Different Week, Same Craziness

I know it has been a while since I have blogged.  There have been a lot of things going on and I just haven't had the energy or time for it. 
Spring break was consumed with working on a school project with my daughter, but many hot glue burns later, it turned out great!  This week has been crazy busy at work and I have been busting butt to get done with my Interpersonal Communications class done with so I can move on to my last class for the semester, Economics.  UGH. 
The divorce papers are all done now and I am just waiting for the meeting with the judge.  I will be so ready for it all to be over.
I am in one of those melancholy moods tonight... not sure why.  Maybe I am just tired of all the bullshit and stress.  Wish life had a pause button sometimes.  Just need to take some time for myself I guess.  I don't see that happening until June when my daughter and I go to Dallas to see NKOTBSB and some girl time.  Gonna be fun!
I think I am going to read and then go to bed.  I am reading "The Grand Finale" by Janet Evonovich.  It is just a fluff book but is hilarious!  Love her Stephanie Plum books, but I was in the mood for something really light and not a series.  I am also currently listening to the audio book of "Danse Macabre" by Laurell K. Hamilton.  For some reason, I was having a hard time getting through the written version and decided to use one of my Audible credits for the audio version.  I only have about 2 hours left in it, so by the time I finish it I should be done with the book I am reading.  Next to read will be the next Laurell Hamiliton book in the series, #15 "The Harlequin".  Finally getting to one that I have not read yet, lol. 
For anyone that reads this, feel free to leave me comments or questions, or any thing you would like me to blog about.  Have a good night!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Totally in love with our new CBV order!

Cyn and I did a video review on our new order of 30 scent shots, plus the freebie, but I just haven't uploaded it up on YouTube yet.  I have got to do a little editing first, which I am not good at. 
There were only two that I did not like and Cyn liked them all!  Some of the stand outs for me were:
  • Party in My Cabana - reminds me of an incense shop... alluring and sexy!
  • Cajun Cornbread - thought that Country Cornbread was a bit too much like popcorn, but this is heavenly!  The Peach Preserves sweeten it up... kind of makes me thing of a peach cobbler... yum!
  • Carmen Miranda - fruity goodness!
  • Blueberry Monkey Bread- OMFG!  I just want to eat this.. and I don't like blueberries!  I get blueberry but also the sweet and spicy notes of oatmeal raisin bread.
Some stand outs for Cyn were:
  • Plumeria Passion - really fresh and tropical
  • Grape Soda - fizzy and all!
  • Gain Island Fresh - smells fresh, clean and tropical all at one time
  • Lemon Gingersnap Pie - you get the Lemon Pound Cake mostly, but then a hint of spiciness from the ginger
Hopefully by tomorrow I will have the video up with a full review and I will have a full written review up on the CBV board ASAP.

I think overall, this has been the best order from CBV we have gotten, and we have ordered a lot!  There is a thread on the board about how many scents you have tried.. I have a spreadsheet I am working on but haven't had the time to finish.  I know we have tried more than 200 scents but I don't the exact number.  My goal is to try everything, but with the way Victoria keeps adding scents, I don't think that is possible!  She is at 630 right now!  LOL. 

Anyway, if you haven't tried CBV, you definitely should! 

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Movie Day

Cynthia and I have been watching movies all day.  We have watched Tuck Everlasting, The Haunting of Molly Hartley, Passengers, and now we are watching House on Haunted Hill.

Tuck Everlasting was really good, until the end anyway.  We didn't like how it ended at all. 
The Haunting of Molly Hartley was ok but we were disappointed in the ending as well.
We didn't finish watching Passengers.  I wanted to like it because I like Anne Hathaway but neither one of us could get into it.
I have seen House on Haunted Hill before but Cyn hasn't.  From what I remember, it is pretty good.

We should get to watch quite a bit of movies since Dish is offering free Starz channels for a year.  Between movies and watching Grey's Anatomy and Punky Brewster on Netflix, we are pretty well set! 

Friday, February 11, 2011

Candles by Victoria Top 15

One of my favorite candle companies is CBV, or Candles by Victoria, which can be found at  www.candlesbyvictoria.com . Victoria and her wonderful family hand pour each candle when ordered and currently she has 630 fragrances to choose from!   Over the years, I have become more of a tart fanatic but I still love having a flame sometimes.  I was going to do this as a top 10, but I just couldn't narrow it down that far and had to do a top 15, lol.  These are in no particular order.  

Sugared Spruce - a most unique scent that combines sweetness and greenery. If you are looking for something a little different this is the one.

Peace-this musky floral opens with citrus highlights of fresh lemon and sweet orange. Green herbaceous tones mingle with the fresh fantasy floral accord at the heart of this fragrance as warm earthy notes accent and add texture. The base note is complex of rich musk sweetened with hints of vanilla.

Sonny & Cher -notes of Verbena, Bamboo, Peppermint, Warm Vanilla Sugar and a touch of Vanilla Bean

Peppermint Bark-Bits of refreshing peppermint weaved inside rich and creamy white chocolate.

Country Berry Hotcakes-buttery country hotcakes right off the griddle, layered with mixed berries

Hello Dolly -My daughter and I came up with this mix to duplicate a dessert we make...Bubbling Butterscotch Sundae, Coconut Cream Pie, Fudge Brownie a dessert in a jar!

Neptune's Oasis -One of the most unique scents you will ever smell, this modernized version of a classic summer theme stimulates the senses with its freshness and vitality. The new botanical twist of an oceanic accord has dramatic tones of cactus with fresh green elements and unexpected texture. This vibrant green quality creates a shimmering top note that accents the fragrance signature of fresh sea spray. Unexpected salty accents add newness to the blend while elements of sea moss and warm driftwood create rich undertones that support the fragrance from within.


Elvis - peanut butter and banana

Cherry Fizzy Pop -Our wonderful Fizzy Pop with a splash of Cherry to make you say yummy!!You can even smell the fizz!

Raspberry Guava - really juicy and sweet!

Iris & Fern- Sniff this one and you'll easily picture delicate irises blowing in the wind surrounded by fronds of ferns

Tokyo Spring- A blend of fresh air notes and a hint of Japanese grapefruit, middle notes of spring melons, rose, lotus blossoms, and lily of the valley all sitting on base notes of bamboo and white musk .

White Pepper-top notes of orange, tangerine, and green ivy and middle notes of cinnamon bark, clove and jasmine blend into a base of birch wood, cedar, and musk.


Sexy in Stilettos -a touch of sweetness and oriental musk make this a must have scent for the summer

Why I Autumn-An autumn blend of lemon and apple; followed with middle notes of anise, cinnamon, and ginger; sitting on well-rounded base notes of woods, musk, and vanilla.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Happiness

Happiness.  It is such an elusive thing.  I am determined to find my happiness on my own instead of letting my happiness lie in someone else's hands.  As easy as that is to say, it is a lot harder to do.  I have to strive at it every day, sometimes every minute.  Why is it so hard to be happy?   I would like to think you could just wake up one day, say "I am going to be happy" and it just happens.  Not the case.  Nothing in life can be simple I guess.  I have things that make me happy, but the feeling never stays.  I kind-of feeling like that part in The Crow when Eric says "It can't rain all the time".   Well, live can't be crappy all the time, right?  But I guess you can't be happy all the time either.  Hey, I would settle for a little bit of sunshine peaking out of the clouds. 

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Made the Grade!

I just got my latest essay grade back and I am so excited!  I made a 98!  I was worried because this essay seemed almost too easy.  I didn't edit and revise too much but I didn't want to over-think it either.  I decided to go with my gut and just hand it in.  Two chapters, another essay, then 4 chapters and then I am done with the class. 

Anyway, sorry, just got excited there for a minute!  It is snowing AGAIN and we are supposed to get snow tomorrow and Tuesday as well.  I know we haven't gotten as much snow as usual but I am so sick of it already.  I am ready for spring! 

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Why?

I was looking around at some nail polish and makeup blogs and decided what the hell!?  Why not start my own blog.  I decided to name it Hit and Miss because lately I have felt that life itself has been a jumble of hits or misses... mostly misses.  I don't have a specific purpose to this blog.  Just a place to write my thoughts and musings.  I will probably write a lot about my favorite obsessions:  Candles by Victoria, books, my cats, and music.  Frustrations with life will probably peek their heads in as well.  I seem to have a lot of those.  Anyway, I don't know how interesting this blog will be, but if you are anything like me, I find that sometimes the most common lives turn out to be the most extraordinary.