CBV Create a Scent Order Part 1

I placed this order with my $50 gift certificate that I won from the Blogging For CBV contest.  I was so shocked that I won!  All you basically have to do is do a blog concerning Candles by Victoria for a chance to win.  More info can be found at The Pouring Pot  .

Cyn and I had a video review of this order done but we were not happy with how it turned out with my new camera (still learning all the ins and outs of it) so we are going to try to redo it in the near future.  Until then, I wanted to get the written review up.

If you have been looking around on the CBV message board, The Pouring Pot, or the CBV Addicts Unite FB page, you have definitely seen the Create-a-Scent craze that has taken over!  If you have no clue what I am talking about, let me explain real quick.

CBV has the option for you to mix 2 scents from the massive scent listing to make a custom candle.. you can even pick the wax color and give your creation a name completely your own!  The choices for CAS candles are either a 16 oz jar for $12.75 or the 22 oz tureen with or without glitter for $18.50.  If you are not the daring type and can't bring yourself to order a candle not sure of how it will come up, don't fear!  I find the easiest way to test CASs out are by ordering scent shots (2 oz little cups of wax, no wick) to melt together in a tart melter.  I just cut them up into quarters and use a quarter of each.

My most recent order consisted of mostly scent shots to try out some of the CAS ideas, all of which came from the minds of others.  I am going to try my best to give the proper credit, but please forgive me if I leave a few out. 

 I did order two jars of crumbs, one in Peace and the other in Vanilla Bean Noel.  Peace is one of my favorite scents.... it is really hard to describe... kinda cologne like, musky, with citrus notes in the background.  It is a really warm comforting scent.  Vanilla Bean Noel is a Bath and Body Works dupe and is dead on when melting.  On cold sniff, it is has a bit more bite to it than the lotion ,but that smooths out when melting.  It is such a nice warm vanilla with marshmallow and caramel tones.  So yummy!  These do make an appearance in my CASs below.  These reviews are based on cold sniff only.  I will try to remember to post a short blog for each one as I actually melt them. 

Macintosh Apple + Cinnamon Donuts = Warm Apple Fritters 
This  mix was created by Ellie and is has now been added to the line up of scents Victoria offers, so it can be ordered as WAF now instead of getting two scents.  :)  These smell amazing together!  The Mac. apple is so fresh smelling and the cinnamon donuts seems to be a perfect blend of cinnamon goodness and the doughy scent.

Macintosh Apple + Deep Mountain Maple = Autumn in New Hampshire
This was created by Deb.  I am finding I am not a maple fan.  DMM is a fairly strong scent, I can't really say exactly what it smells like.  I was expecting the scent of opening up a bottle of maple syrup, but maybe I am too spoiled with the artificial kind, lol.  I think it will blend well with the Mac. Apple though. 


Spearmint + Vanilla Bean Noel = Eskimo Kisses
This one was created by Deb as well and is also a permanent addition to the CBV scent list!   My daughter Cynthia loves Spearmint, which smells just like the gum.  The addition of VBN is going to give it a great sweetness that just might make me enjoy the spearmint much more.  I love that flavor in my gum, but I am just not too keen having my home smell like it.  I could see Cyn wanting a candle in this though!

Sugared Spruce + Winter Snowflake/*Sweet Snow = Frostbite
Awbrey came up with this and I am going to absolutely love it!  We also ordered Sweet Snow for another mix and I think it could work just as well. Winter Snowflake is peppermint and pine, blended just right.  Sweet Snow is a blend of vanilla and peppermint.  I have a jar of crumbs is Sugared Spruce, which is another favorite of mine.  It is the perfect pine scent without being too much pine.  There is such a sweetness to it and I also get a little citrus in the background.  Mixing these makes me think of walking in the pine trees piled with snow.


Peach Preserves + Country Berry Hotcakes = ???
Ok... this is a take Peach Preserves + Wildberry Scone = Bed & Breakfast that was created by Deb.  I am not a huge fan of Wildberry Scone, but I love Country Berry Hotcakes, so I subbed it in.  I have never tried Peach Preserves and I can't believe I have waited so long!  It is amazing on it own.  I just want to get a spoon.. seriously!  Country Berry Hotcakes smells like yummy berry jam poured warm over pancakes.  Mixing these is going to take those hotcakes to a whole 'nother level!  I have no idea what to call it though.

Apple Cobbler + Pumpkin Eggnog = Home for the Holidays
Another Deb creation!  Apple Cobbler is a pretty good scent on it own as well.  I get apples, the cobbler note that is present in all of CBV cobbler scents and just a hint of spice.. not much at all.  Pumpkin Eggnog smells so good!  I get pumpkin and spices, plus the creaminess of the eggnog.  I have never been an eggnog fan in real life, but this is AMAZING!  I could totally envision the scent of these two being the scents in the air during the holidays.  Can't wait to try this one!

Cinnamon Gingerbread Latte + Caramel Cream Eggnog = Christmas Cafe
This one was created by Jandre.  Cinnamon Gingerbread Latte is one of my favorite coffee scents.  It is a great blend of coffee and the spices of the gingerbread.  Caramel Cream Eggnog is a creamy fragrance but I don't really get much caramel on the cold sniff.  It may need more curing time.  I think the CCE will bring a creaminess to the CGL.  I can see how this would be reminiscent of a coffee shop at Christmas time.

Shamrock Kiss + Fizzy Pop = Luck of the Irish
 Ryan Marie came up with this and I can't wait to try it!  The name is so cute!  Shamrock Kiss falls into my favorites and smells really clean and fresh.  To me, it is a very unisex scent.  It has enough fruity notes to be a bit feminine but it also has green notes to add the masculine touch.  Fizzy Pop is just like Sprite, including the fizz.  I think it could be mixed with just about anything!

I have about 7 or 8 more CASs to go thru but I don't want this to become a novel, lol, so I will post Part 2 later tonight or tomorrow. 

Tomorrow NKOTBSB are having a webcast of their concert in London and we are both excited to relive our concert this past summer!  I will probably be on a "concert high" so I should be able to get the rest posted!  Until then... share your CBV addiction! 

Quick CBV mix of scents

I just thought I would post a quick review of 3 Candles by Victoria scents I just put in my melter that I am really pleased with.  I don't have any pictures to go along with it, sorry about that.

The scents I mixed are Honeybee, Edward Cullen, and Berry Me Alive. 

Honeybee's description on CBV is warm honey with rose in the background, a touch of orange zest and a splash of cinnamon.  I get the honey and some orange zest.  To me, it smells just like Burt Bee's honey chapstick, which I do not like. I had half of a SS left of this.

Edward Cullen is pretty good on its own.  The description is sunshine, lilac and honey.  It is a really soft sweet floral.  Since I only had a 1/4 of a SS of this and it did have that honey note to it, I thought it would mix quiet well. 
Just those two would probably be pretty good together, but since I really don't like that honey note that much I wanted to mix something else to tone it down even more. 

I had 1/4 of a SS of Berry Me Alive, so I thought, what the heck?!  Berry Me Alive is an awesome fruity scent consisting of orange, banana, black cherry and raspberry.  It is SUPER strong! 

I am really enjoying these mixed together, surprisingly!  If you wanted to get a Create-A-Scent, you could only pick 2 scents.  I think I would go with the Honeybee and Berry Me Alive for that, but I am sure Edward and Berry Me Alive would be good too. 

Just wanted to share my concoction with you all! 

Candles By Victoria Super Bowl order review

Victoria had an awesome sale during Super Bowl... whatever the combined score was at the end of the 1st half would be the percentage discount with orders being taken from end of first quarter to start of 2nd quarter.  I know many of us were hoping for a larger discount and I know Victoria was rooting for us, but 19 percent was still a pretty good discount and I couldn't pass it up.

Victoria now has over 700.. yes, you heard me right... 700!.. scents to choose from.  On top of that, she also has a few special lines of candles (Black Label, Comfort, Sweet Treat and the new Bake Shoppe) and the new Love Potion #9 massage oil candle.  You can check out all the scents and candles at http://www.candlesbyvictoria.com Another new surprise is that Victoria's daughter Melissa has ventured into making soaps and perfumes in CBV fragrances!!!  Her website is http://www.cbvbathandbody.com/  Melissa also has shaving cream sundaes (so darn cute!).  Now onto the review!

Full Order w/ freebie soap

First up is the Black Label candle in Godfather.  This candle is 14 oz.  These fragrances are only available in this one jar and size.  Let me tell you, this candle is AMAZING!  It is a super complex bakery fragrance, but is not your typical bakery.  One thing I like about it is that even though it does have cinnamon, the cinnamon is not overpowering.  I know many people get mainly cinnamon when smelling many of CBV's bakery scents cold.  This is not like that at all.  I get more clove and nutmeg on cold sniff, as well as a background of pumpkin bread.  I am so in love with this scent and am so glad I got this one!  Another one I am wanting to try is 007, which is a relaxing, spa like scent. You can find the Black Label line on the 19th page of candle section. 

Next is the Create-a-Scent in Glass Slippers, which is the scents Sexy in Stilettos and Vanilla Bean Noel.  A member of The Pouring Pot, the CBV message board, created this originally, but I cannot remember who it was.  I love Sexy in Stilettos as is, but the notes of caramel and sweetness from the Vanilla Bean Noel mellows the oriental musk of SIS a bit more and smooths the fragrance out.You can make your own Create-a-Scent (16 oz in size, you pick the color of the wax and have the option to name your custom scent) with 2 fragrances on the 8th page of the candle section. The color I picked was burgundy. 

Ok.... prepare yourself for this next candle!  This sucker is HUGE!  This is the Decorative Cube candle and it is a whooping TWO POUNDS of wax!  You can find it on the 13th page in the candle section.  The cubes come in the color of the scent you choose and the overpour is white.  This makes for a stunning candle, unless the scent you pick is a white or cream colored one I guess.  I got this candle in Love Shack, which is a combination of Love Spell and Pink Sugar.  This scent is a staple scent of CBV, not a create a scent.  Love Spell is really fruity and girly with a bit of muskiness.  Pink Sugar is really sweet and candyish.  The combo is so fun and yummy!

Stunning!

Look at all those cubes!!!

Comparison with a Scent Shot to show size

Next in the lineup is a candle from the Comfort Line that I have been wanting for awhile.  I have had the Caramel Apple Ginger Crisp before and loved it, however, this one may end up knocking CAGC out of the top spot of the Comfort Line, lol.  This is Momma's Peach Cobbler.  These candles are 16 oz of yummy goodness and can be found on the 17th candle page.  The bottom layer is Maple Butter Crunch with crumbs in the same scent on top of that.  Next is a whipped layer of Cajun Cornbread, which is Peach Preserves & Country Cornbread scents mixed.  This is all topped with wax peach slices, maple butter crumbs, gold butter flakes, and real cinnamon!  I seriously just want to grab a spoon and eat this!!!!

Look at those yummy layers!

Isn't the top just so cute?

This next candle is one that my daughter wanted.  Initially, I was going to order one for her and one for me.  I ended up having to cut one off the list, so we rock, paper, scissor-ed for who gets their pick.  She won, darn it, lol.  This is Lemon Lime Fizz from the Sweet Treats collection, found on 18th candle page.  Lemon Lime Fizz smells just like Sprite, with the fizz included!  So freaking cool!  I think the difference between Fizzy Pop and this is there is more citrus in this scent.  Reminds me a little like Fresca soda without the grapefruit notes.  The top of this one has cute wax lime wedges and a dusting of green sugar crystals.  These candles are 12 oz. and are so adorable.  They are larger than you would think though.  One of the pics is a comparison with a scent shot.  

 

Love the top!

 

Comparison with Scent Shot

We also ordered two jars of crumbs, one in Cynthia's pick and one in mine.  Cynthia picked Mint Tea (brown), which is a new scent for us, and I picked Lavender Vanilla, one of my favorite relaxing scents.  We are divided in opinion on the Mint Tea.  Cynthia loves it and gets tea and peppermint.  It reminds me of those Bottle Cap candies, the cola flavored ones.  I have no clue why.  It is not bad, just not my cup of tea ( no pun intended, LOL). My jar is in Lavender Vanilla (purple).  The vanilla really tones down the sharpness of the lavender and I just love to melt this when I am reading or just relaxing at home watching movies.

  

In every order, Victoria and the crew pop in a free scent shot that they pick.  It is pretty fun because you never know what you might get and it is awesome when you get something that you might not pick yourself and end up in love!  This order we got Coconut Cream Pie, which we have had before.  This is a really yummy accurate scent.  You get coconut but it is not in your face because you have the creamy note of the meringue on the top of the pie.  You can see the scent shot in the comparison shots above... seems I forgot to take a individual picture of it.  

A new candle offered is the Love Potion No. 9 Massage Lotion candle.  This candle is 100 percent natural soy, apricot, and jojoba oil, as well as shea butter and Vitamin E.  The scent is very fruity ( I get melon notes but not as much as the Tiffany D scent if you are familiar with that) and a vanilla musk.  After you have melted the candle and put the flame out, you can pour the melted wax into your hands and massage into your body.  It is SUPER moisturizing and smells AMAZING!  As you can see from the picture, I have used it once.  The wax has a low melt temp. so there is no worry of the wax being too hot.  

I also ordered the soap in the Love Potion No. 9 scent and it has the same exact fragrance and just as moisturizing.  The soap is a deep purple with a darker purple drizzle on top with a sprinkling of red/gold glitter.  Both of these items can be found on the 20th candle page.  

Recently, Melissa had a giveaway on her facebook page for a Bathtime With Pooh soap, which is a favorite scent of mine and many CBV addicts.  The scent is a warm toffee/honey scent and is really comforting and soft.  This soap is SO adorable!  It is a honeycomb with honey dripping off one side and even a cute little bee lit on it!  I have not used this one yet, but from the feel of it in my hands, it is going to be full of moisturization.  Thank you so much Melissa.. I was so shocked to win! You can check out all of Melissa's CBV goodies at the link at the beginning of this post.  

  Well, that's all folks!  I hope you enjoyed our recent order.  Cyn and I also uploaded a video review of these on YouTube.  You can find it and past reviews under my username of cbvcandlefreak.  I don't know when my next CBV review will be.  I have started participating in Birchbox and I may start doing reviews of those products I get monthly.  Feel free to leave me comments below! 

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*!

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!

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!

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!