Wicked Witch of the West

If the Voluspa Makassar Ebony & Peach candle is the good, Wicked Witch of the East, then the Black Forest Candle by Archipelago Botanicals is the Wicked Witch of the West. Where Voluspa takes deep ebony wood and balances it with juicy peach for a pampered stroll through the woods in an Alice in Wonderland carriage, Archipelago Botanicals speeds ebony wood over to the dark side.

The addition of the black currant in the Archipelago Botanicals Black Forest candle gives it a sharp bite. That tart accent mixed with bold Douglas Fir creates a fierce, unwavering combination that is unique and intriguing. A forest fragrance like no other.

The intense fragrance is matched with strong packaging - black container, seductive black wax and a silver box with a crocodile effect pattern. The AB signature badge seals the deal. It's Batman in candle form. Audacious, distinct and oh so sexy.

Fragrance intensity 3.5/5. Burn quality 3.5/5.

Tunnel Vision

To try and prevent a candle from tunneling burn it for a long period of time the on the first burn. For a candle in a container, you want to try and get the entire top of the candle liquid wax. For a pillar candle, burn until the liquid wax it to 1/4" of the edge.

The first burn sets the stage for the life of the candle. The opening of the candle will almost never get larger than the size of the initial wax pool. On a standard size jar candle, if you only burn the candle for an hour on the first burn and create a 1" wax pool, you'll be left with a significant amount of hard, dry wax around the edge of the jar that will likely never melt. It generally takes 1 hour per inch in diameter. Try to burn the candle for long periods of time as often as you can after the initial burn to keep the candle from tunneling later.

Creating a candle that doesn't tunnel is a combination of many things. The quality and type of wax is one component. Some waxes melt easier and quicker than others but may not necessarily be the one that works best with the fragrance or that provides the best fragrance throw. Many candle lines use a blend of different waxes to get the right combination.

A significant factor in preventing tunneling is selecting the proper wick for the wax, fragrance and container. Votivo uses the same wax for every candle but adjusts the wick and the fragrance for the proper burn. The trick is to find the wick that provides a large enough flame to melt the wax without overpowering it or the container. A well crafted poured candle will burn level within 1 1/2 to 3 hours after lighting. The larger the container, the larger the challenge. Some candle lines are trickier than others. Rigaud is the easiest.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for the candle. They know their wick, wax and container best. If the instructions list to only burn for 3 or 4 hours at a time - there is a reason. Best to follow their specific instructions.

Votivo Amberwood Candle

Smoky tea notes mixed with ginger, French dianthus, patchouli and sandalwood.

I've never met such an angry candle as Votivo Amberwood. It seems like it's going to come out of the gate fighting. I'll admit, from the cold throw, I was a little intimidated to try it. I was afraid it was going to beat me up. Maybe it was the ginger growling at me. Or the dianthus coming at me like hair raised on the back of a dog with it's spicy daggers. Luckily for me, it warmed up and mellowed as it burned. The bark on this candle is definitely bigger than it's bite. It goes from Doberman to Beethoven pretty quickly.

The warm throw is much smoother than I would have guessed, but it still has an edge to it. Like it could attack at any time but it's comfortable just hanging out for now. This candle could warm you to the core even in Alaska. It feels like a long, hot soak in a jet tub.

Dianthus comes across like a mix between cinnamon and clove creating an aggressive spicy note. The ginger gives it a real kick creating a 1-2 punch with the spices. Patchouli and sandalwood bring the the fragrance down to earth but are indistinguishable to the overwhelmingly spicy aroma. I'm surprised that this power-packed combination of scents isn't overwhelming in fragrance. It filled the room perfectly without strangling me.

I can't figure out why it's called Amberwood. There doesn't appear to be any amber or wood in it and the description doesn't reverence being lost in a cabin in Amberwood State Park. I think I'd name it Spice Market or Black Clove. I couldn't find any tea in it either, though the candle would go very nicely with a steaming hot cup of tea on a brisk day. If you need to be warmed deep into your soul, this is your candle.

Fragrance intensity: 3/5. Burn quality 4/5.

Votivo Champaca Candle

Trudging through the rugged Himalayans on 15th day of the dark fortnight, the journeyman pauses to gaze at the black sky. The inspiring aroma of rare sandalwood inextricably interwoven with the scent of the delicate champaca petals soothes his weary soul as the whispering smoke of the nearby village ascends into the heavens.

Champaca is a fragrance that is spun so many different ways in home fragrance that it can be tough to identify. Tocca takes a tropical twist with champaca flowers in their Bali candle and tries to create an image of swaying palm trees and sandy beaches. Voluspa Champaca Bloom & Fern is a heady floral coming across mostly as gardenia. The fragrance of the Votivo Champaca candle seems, to me, to be them most true representation of the champaca flower.

The cold throw on this candle comes across very much like the Nag Champa by K. Hall. Very natural, grungy and earthy. I feared of being swallowed up in an gritty, spicy blend. A few hours after burning, however, I realized that wasn't the case at all. I was surrounded by an exotic, soft floral fragrance that is almost elegant. While the spicy aspect remained, the scent was very warm and rich.

There's a sweetness in the fragrance as well. If I stand very close to it, there's an almost caramelized brown sugar scent. It reminds me of toasted marshmallows by a campfire. The sweetness is lost in the room, but the smokiness from the fire remains.

Votivo Champaca is a very soothing, curious scent. While the Votivo Gingersnap candle we tried the other night was very jeans and t-shirt, Votivo Champaca is very hippie chic. Alternative, edgy, unique and happy.

How Votivo Candles are Made

Votivo was acquired about 3 years ago by Grace Management Group. Many years ago, Bob Caldwell owned a bedding plant business with his wife. At a craft fair, his wife was so impressed with the amount of activity around one of the booths that she purchased the product and showed it to her husband. He recognized the material as scented vermiculite. Being in the bedding plant business, they had plenty of vermiculite on hand. They started making their own scented sachets to offset their seasonal plant business and their fragrance destiny was born. They created three fragrance businesses under the name of Grace Management: WillowBrook, Greenleaf and Bridgewater.

Having a nationwide sales force and a 300,000 square foot warehouse, they were looking to bring in another line that they could add to their distribution system. Votivo offered a luxury, high-end compliment to their exiting offering.

Votivo uses over 90% soy wax blended with other waxes for stability and rigidity so the candles don't melt while shipping. The wax is stored in containers in back of their factory. That way they can use the South Carolina heat to help keep the wax a 180 degrees to keep it from going solid in the tanks.

The wax is then brought into the factory in small batches and mixed with the fragrance oils. Votivo uses the same soy wax blend for every candle but they'll tweak the fragrance and the wick for the cleanest burn.

While the candles are not hand poured, Votivo candles are highly hand crafted as everything from that point on is done by hand. The wicks are centered on the bottom of the glass and then centered on the top. The wicks are trimmed to the perfect length and then the candles go under a heater to smooth out the tops of the candles.

All of the seals on a Votivo candle are threaded and pressed by hand. They are applied to the glass with glue and then secured with a light gun and the twine is trimmed by hand. All of the labels on the boxes and candles are applied by hand. Votivo candles are individually hand wrapped and trimmed before being placed in the box.

We were incredibly impressed with the amount of care that goes into creating a Votivo candle. We've always had a high respect for the Votivo brand, but after seeing the company and meeting the owners and the Votivo team, we left with an incredibly high regard for the business.

How Votivo Fragrances are Created

Trey Rollins, the Brand Manager for Votivo, starts all new fragrances with inspiration. Inspiration can come from his experiences, fragrance trends, voids in the current Votivo offering, and from other fragrances such as perfumes.

Trey creates a vision in his head of what he would like the new fragrance to resemble. He gathers pictures, photos and descriptions and creates a Fragrance Brief. The brief is submitted to the Votivo perfumer, Mike. Mike is IFF trained and he is also trained in Aromo Chemicals so he not only knows how to create a fragrance but also how the fragrance will react in the product.

Votivo has over 1,000 compounds in their library and they use, on average, 100 compounds to create a Votivo fragrance. Once the fragrance is created, it is submitted to the Votivo fragrance panel for review. There are approximately 25 people on the panel that rate the fragrance on a scale of 1 to 5. The fragrance has to score a 4 or higher overall to make it into the Votivo Collection.

Votivo Gingersnap Candle

A soul warming journey into the depths of comfort and relaxation, Gingersnap is a hearty blending of coarsely ground vanilla bean, steel cut brown sugar, and a dash of hand shaved nutmeg baked in a sun kiln oven to produce the best gingersnap cookies you've ever tasted.

We recently tried Votivo Gingersnap for the first time and we all fell in love. We had pumpkin whoopie pies for dessert and enjoyed this candle late into the night. A perfect way to welcome Fall weather.

Votivo Gingersnap is a delicious balance between not too sweet and not too spicy - leaning more towards spicy. The nutmeg gives it a slight edge that I like. It blends nicely with the vanilla bean and brown sugar to soften the sharp spiciness. When burning, the fragrance is just like the best gingersnap cookie you could imagine.

Votivo Gingersnap is relaxed and comfortable. It filled the room with fragrance without screaming at us or giving us a bellyache from sugar overload. I could live with this fragrance for hours.

Votivo Gingersnap is great anytime you are looking for an easy-going, reliable fragrance to warm you inside without smothering you in sweetness.

Fragrance intensity 4/5. Burn quality 4/5.

Tocca Havana Candle

Havana's constant salsa rhythm moves you as you enjoy the sweet yet spicy mix of sugarcane and rum. Let the excitement of this adventurous Caribbean city envelope your senses.

I love the slightly sweet and exotic blend in the Tocca Havana candle. Again, I admire Tocca for creating a fragrance that isn't feminine. This is a fun unisex scent. The sweetness of the sugar cane blends with rum to create an intoxicating and alluring fragrance. Tocca Havana is a scent I can enjoy year round - in the summer it's fun and festive. In the winter is seductive and soothing. I enjoy this fragrance particularly late in the afternoon and evening when it's time to wind-down and relax.

This time of year, when the weather is cool, the Tocca Havana candle pairs well with my favorite drink, Winter Rum. We found it at The London Bar in NYC, owned by my #1 idol, Chef Gordon Ramsey. It's a blend of:

• Montecristo Rum
• Liquor 43
• Fresh squeezed orange juice
• Real Maple syrup
• Lime juice
• splash of Black Seal Rum on top
• I add a whole clove. Dave likes to top it off with a whole star anise.

The drink is very similar to the candle - a slightly sweet blend of sugar and rum. Yum!

Fragrance intensity: 3/5. Burn quality 3.5/5.

Tocca Stella SPF 30+ Sunscreen Wipes

It seems strange to be writing a blog post about sunscreen in October, but that is exactly when I need these on-the-go wipes - when least expected. There have been a couple of occasions when the weather has been just stunning and I was going to be in the sun longer than I intended. I love the Tocca sunscreen wipes because they are individually wrapped, so I can stick them in my purse or car and be ready to go at any time. My skin is so fair that I can't be in the sun unprotected. I hate wearing sunscreen so I only use it when required.

The Tocca Stella sunscreen wipes pack a lot of sunscreen! Enough to cover as much area as I need to or to share with my kids. It isn't too heavy or greasy and has a nice fragrance. I wish it was stronger in that fresh, Stella Blood Orange scent, but at least it doesn't smell like coconut or chemicals. SPF 30 is perfect for me. No worries in sun without overkill.

Tocca 007 Leather Martini Candle

The 007 candle from Tocca infuses your living room with sparks of intrigue and desire. Encapsulated in the scent is the leathery interior of an Aston Martin and a dry Martini. A hint of mystery to stir curiosity, lavishly abundant in charm and ease.

I appreciate that Tocca, such a feminine candle line, isn't afraid to offer a very masculine fragrance. 007 smells like rich, soft leather inside a luxurious car. I imagine myself finely dressed alongside a stunning date on our way to an exquisite event.

While leather isn't a scent for everyone, this candle is a great option for those looking for the perfect fragrance for a man cave. Tocca 007 offers the most pure, simplistic option for leather. Unfortunately, the martini is lost on me. I find that to sadly be the case with any liquor reference in a candle.

Most leather candles blend themselves into cologne, books, tobacco or wood. The ones that try to be pure leather often come across as cheap, nauseous leatherette. The Tocca 007 candle, however, comes across as fine leather, simply done.

Fragrance intensity 2/5. Burn quality 3/5.

Tocca Home and Personal Fragrance Overview

In 1994 three friends got together to create an affordable clothing line that still had all the fashion and detail of designer clothing. They named the business TOCCA, after the Italian word for "touch" referring the the embellishments on the clothing.

Tocca beauty was launched in 1997 and started with a laundry delicate (that they are still well known for), their original solid perfume and a body product. The beauty division grew into several bath and body products and an extensive collection of candle fragrances.

A few years ago Tocca launched their first eau de parfum in their leading fragrances - Cleopatra, Stella and Florence. While the Tocca body product fragrances match the candle fragrance, the perfume is an interpretation of the candle scent. They turned the home fragrance into a personal fragrance by adding deep base notes to extend the longevity of the fragrance on the skin. They also layered the fragrances more intricately for a more robust scent. Rather than make a room and/or body spray out of their home fragrance scents to compliment candle sales, they created a whole new category for them to really expand their offering. The result has been a tremendous success.

Tocca now offers their eau de parfum in 7 fragrances: Cleopatra (cucumber grapefruit), Stella (blood orange), Florence (floral), Brigitte (papaya ginger), Giulietta (apple tulip), Bianca (green tea lemon) and their newest launch, Colette (sandalwood vanilla). They also offer Cleopatra, Stella, Giulietta, Brigitte and Florence in a solid perfume option. I love the new perfume gift set that contains a mini version of Cleopatra, Stella and Florence. It's incredibly charming and very well priced.

Tocca is an excellent example of "If you're going to do it, do it right". They take their bath and body category very seriously and it shows. They are regularly featured in beauty magazines. Tocca created a true perfume rather than a body spray and it's paying off in their success. Tocca believes that small indulgences go a long way. Hopefully you'll have the pleasure in indulging in a Tocca product someday. As the inside of the box states, "Love yourself".

Tocca Giveaway Blog Question

One way to win a candle during Tocca giveaway week is by answering the question in this blog post. You have until Sunday, October 10th to post your comment. We'll select our favorite comment from the entries below and announce the winner on Monday, October 11th. Please check back to see if you won.

Tocca fragrances are inspired by classic movie icons and exotic locals. If you were to create a home fragrance line, what would be the theme of your fragrance collection?

The winner will receive a 10.6oz Tocca candle (retail value $36) in a fragrance of our choice. We'll ship the winning candle to any address in the continental US. Good luck!

Tocca Colette Candle

Inspired by the French novelist and libertine, Colette, TOCCA's newest fragrance captures the seductive essence of a woman. Known for her romantic liaisons as much as her inspiring writing, Colette embodies the irresistible scent of a woman that lingers on the pillow long after she leaves. Warm, spicy and sweet, Colette is the perfect fragrance for the sensual woman in us all.

The weather is just getting cool so I'm gravitating more and more towards cozy, nurturing fragrances. Sandalwood and vanille work well for me so when I saw Colette I was drawn in from the start.

The eau de parfum has the following fragrance notes:

• Top Notes: Bergamot, Mandarin, Lemon, Juniper Berry, Pink Peppercorn
• Middle Notes: Jasmine, Violet, Cyclamen, Pine Needles
• Bottom Notes: Incense, Musk, Sandalwood, Amber, Vanilla, Cedarwood

Tocca candles are not always a direct duplicate of the perfume, but rather an appropriate compliment. Typically the candles are a simplified version of the perfume, so I'm not sure of all the notes in the Tocca Colette candle. What I do know, is that I'm crazy about it. Really crazy. Ok, I'm addicted to it.

I tried Colette last night to start to get to know her. We were off to a good start but still warming up to each other. I tried Tocca Colette again all day while I was working and we started to connect. Tonight she is by my side again. I've never gone through a Tocca candle so quickly. I'm in heaven. We're BFFs.

The candle is exactly as it says -"Warm, spicy and sweet, Colette is the perfect fragrance for the sensual woman in us all." It isn't your typical sandalwood/vanille combination. It isn't heavy or too sweet. It does has a feminine quality to is. It's sensual, intriguing and curious. Is it the playful top notes of juniper berry and pink peppercorn that tease me? Maybe it's the pine needles leveraging my love for woody notes to make me weak in the knees. Just like a temptress, Colette draws me in, wanting more.

Most sandalwood/vanille candles comfort me, wrapping me in a warm blanket. Sometimes they smother me. Colette, however, is tantalizing and seductive. Like a luxurious cashmere sweater. Soft, chic and elegant. She's surrounds me but lighter. More of a whisper. Sometimes she teases me and I have to find her. In the stairwell. Upstairs in the bedrooms. She's mysterious and I need more Colette candles to surround me in her sultry scent.

I highly recommend buying more than one of these candles or she'll leave you wanting more too. And I definitely need to get the perfume!

Fragrance intensity 3/5. Burn quality 3.5/5 - keep the wick trimmed.

Thymes Indigenous Collection

The Thymes Indigenous Collection features rare and original fragrances rooted in diverse cultures and exotic locales from around the world.

The Anjou Vert fragrance was inspired by the French countryside. It blends Anjou pears, rosebud petals, lilac and cyclamen blossoms with ginger, cinnamon and clove. The floral accents and spices compliment the pear. This is a very strong pear, sweet, fruity fragrance.
Thymes Blue Lotus is a very watery fragrance, great for gift-giving or for a fresh, easy-breezy scent. The inspiration for Blue Lotus comes from the Nile where arid land is transformed into a lush landscape. This fragrance blends blue lotus and water lily with amber and sheer, white musk. It is a light, simple scent that easily pleases.



I did a whole blog post on Thymes Malagasy Vanille - I love the scent so much. Malagasy Vanille is a great soothing scent. It blends Madagascar vanilla, creamy sandalwood, cinnamon bark, golden amber, bergamot, ylang and velvet musk. It warms me inside like a nice, hot toddy.


Tamarind Lychee blends white grapefruit, tamarind, lychee blossom and yuzu with ginger and smooth, creamy coconut milk. This is the most zesty fragrance in the group with yuzu and grapefruit coming across the most.


Neroli Blossom is a floral blend of neroli, gardenia and jasmine blossoms touched with vanilla. This is the most floral fragrance in the Thymes Indigenous Collection.


White Persimmon is a very fruity blend of white nectarine, pears, peaches, guava and sweet persimmons with a touch of vanilla. This is the most sweet/fruity candle in the Thymes Indigenous Collection.


Verbena Bamboo is a blend of tangelos, verbena, pamplemousse, peony and blue freesia against a backdrop of rare woods. The strongest scent in this candle is the verbena - coming across like a grassy lemon - very fresh and perfect for the kitchen.

These 9oz candles have a burn time of approximately 40 hours. Thymes candles burn cleanly and easily.

The Main Event Episode 83 Thymes Bath & Body

Thymes has many bath & body collections that feature one fragrance. In each collection, they tailor the packaging and products to the fragrance. For example, Kimono Rose and Moonflower have rollerball perfumes to attract a younger audience while the Goldleaf perfume is in a feminine, traditional perfume bottle. The soap for Eucalyptus is glycerin and translucent for the shower while the soap for Kimono Rose and Goldleaf are packaged as a 2-bar gift box in a more dainty size for a powder room.


TheThymes Goldleaf Collection is designed for a more mature audience with an old-fashionedfloral fragrance. Goldleaf has been in the Thymes offering for several decades. It has a loyal fan base and the packaging is lovely. The perfume bottle for Goldleaf is very feminine and the 2-bar soap set makes a perfect hostess gift.

Kimono Rose was created to attract a younger generation of floral fans. It's a flirty and fun floral and the rollerball perfume is great for young girls just getting into perfume or anyone that is looking for a playful scent. While light-hearted, Kimono Rose is highly fragrant in all products including the candle and body creme. I love how the packaging resembles origami.

Moonflower is a charismatic amber fragrance with cinnamon, clove and sugared quince, myrtle leaves, rich mahogany, dark amber and smooth cognac. This is a great soothing and sensual fragrance. I love how the rollerball perfume and body lotion have a little bit of glitter. Nothing like a little shimmer and a sexy scent to make for a fun night.

Ambersweet Orange is a great gift-giving scent with it's nondescript, natural and light (and yet highly fragrant) scent. The bar soap and the candle have a beautiful pattern that are a perfect compliment to the fragrance - delicate and natural.

Eucalyptus is a highly requested fragrance by both men and women. Eucalyptus is tough to master, though, with most blends coming across too medicinal. Thymes Eucalyptus, however, is a beautiful blend accentuating the fresh eucalyptus without altering it. The bar soap is glycerin and translucent and perfect for the shower. The body lotion is emollient and vibrant.

The Thymes Naia Collection is a refreshing watery blend that works well as both a home fragrance and bath & body scent. Everything about this collection is simple, basic and pure - just like the look of the bar soap.

The newest bath & body collection by Thymes is Agave Nectar. This is my absolute favorite Thymes bath & body fragrance across all product lines. The candle is fresh and clean for the kitchen. The room spray works well in your

vacuum for an instant room revitalizer while cleaning (thanks for the suggestion from our Facebook fan, Annie). I used the cologne frequently in the summer to feel bright and vibrant in the stifling summer heat. The Agave Nectar body lotion is moisturizing without being greasy or heavy and saved my arms from drying out over the summer. The bar soap is long lasting and wakes me up in the morning. I have the hand wash and lotion at my kitchen sink and love the fresh scent while I wash and it keeps my hands moisturized.

Thymes has found a way to master what very few fragrances companies manage to do - excel in both bath and body as well as home fragrance. Every fragrance and product is carefully crafted and pleases in both scent as well as performance.

Thymes Ambersweet Orange

The Thymes Ambersweet Orange fragrance is very curious, because it isn't overly amber, sweet or orange. Infact, the ingredients listed don't even include amber, so I'm not sure what they are referring to with "Ambersweet" in the name. The description reads "Delicate orange blossom, creamy almond milk, Tonka bean and vanilla swirl gently in the zest of nutmeg, sandalwood and cardamom. "

Orange is always tricky because most people immediately assume juicy orange or zesty orange. Orange blossom, however, is very floral. What I like about this candle is that it isn't overly floral. The creaminess of the almond milk and and sweetness from the vanilla come through to soften and mellow the floral from the orange. The spices are so subtle but add a little character to the scent. Sandalwood adds a nice earthiness to the candle to ground it without getting to heavy.

The Thymes Ambersweet Orange fragrance is a very nice, summertime fragrance. Neutral and soft. The fragrance works well in a lotion for a lighthearted, natural scent and the bar soap would be perfect in guest bath or as a hostess gift.

I love the pattern on the glass and on the soap. It is a perfect compliment to the fragrance - natural, feminine and delicate. While this fragrance doesn't stand up and take center stage, it does create a beautiful backdrop.

Fragrance intensity 4/5. Burn quality 4/5

Thymes Malagasy Vanille Candle

"Venture into uncharted territory, a place where the warmth and intensity of silken Madagascar Vanilla embraces notes of creamy sandalwood, cinnamon bark and golden amber, with a lush undercurrent of bergamot, ylang and velvet musk."

Finally, we have a nice, cool, Fall night. Perfect weather for the Thymes Malagasy Vanille candle. It's a yummy blend - soothing and relaxing. The vanilla, amber and musk blend seamlessly and come across like a nice hot toddy, warming me inside. The cinnamon bark adds a hint of spice bringing character to the fragrance and making it dramatically different than your common vanilla or amber candle but in the most subtle way. The bergamot and ylang are quiet but compliment the warmer scents nicely, creating a delicate balance and keeping the whole fragrance from becoming too heavy.

I could live with this scent for hours without growing tired or overwhelmed. It's like my dog, Lucy, at my side. Comforting me but not bothering me. It's just nice to know she's there, keeping me at ease.

Agave Nectar is my favorite spring/summer/bright/energizing scent from Thymes. This is definitely my favorite calming/soothing/fall/winter scent from Thymes. The individual ingredients are so common and yet come together in such a unique, comforting and delicious way.

Malagasy Vanille is part of the Indigenous Collection by Thymes. The Indigenous Collection features fragrances and cultures from around the world. When you can't afford to travel or don't have the time to get away, try and escape with an Indigenous candle by Thymes.

Fragrance intensity 4/5. Burn quality 4/5.