Love it! - Outdoor chic

For your outdoor 4th of July celebrations, go the unexpected route with these chic black and white pavilion, market umbrella and votive holders - then go Red White and Blue with table decor and mini flag accessories! But with these black and white classics from www.zgallerie.com reuse them year round for any occasion!




www.zgallerie.com - all available and more!

Love it! - Chain link pillar holders

If you haven't been under a fashion rock, then you've seen Michael Kors' fabulous thick chain link necklace - which I adore! In terms of interiors, I've always loved textiles with a chain link patten - so you can imagine my delight when I happened across these pillar holders at Zgallerie.com. A tabletop setting with the varying heights aligned the center - so chic!



www.Zgallerie.com - Link Pillar Holders 12"-15" $30-$35
Chainlink Necklace by Michael Kors $700

Love it! - Ethnic candle lanterns

Discovering the vibrant spice colors of these Middle Eastern style lanterns have me thinking, Summer soiree! Indoors or out, these metal candle holders throughout your patio, garden, hanging from tree limbs or atop your indoor ledges and tables will be sure to create a magical night! - and can you believe they are only $8 and $15 for a 10"-18"!







www.Zgallerie.com - Casablanca Lanterns $7.95 - 14.95 (6 colors)

Love it! - Ralph Lauren Holiday Scents & Custom Shop

What makes a better gift than anything from Ralph Lauren! Their candles and scents are classic and always appropriate, but the packaging alone is worth the price! And with their new Custom Shop, monogram any of their timeless treasures from key chains and jewelry to sweaters and shirts for only $10-15 - Now that's rich!






www.RalphLauren.com - Holiday Candles start at $34
The Custom Shop - Engraving, Embroidering, Create your own, Made to measure!

Love it! - Salt Crystal tealight holders

No, these aren't rose quartz - they're crystallized-salt tealight holders mined in the Himalayas. I have five of them - three in my bedroom and two in the living room! Hundreds of years ago, Mount Everest used to be under water. When that part of the ocean receded, all the salt remained and crystallized. These chunks of pure ocean salt do not dissolve when warmed by fire, only if placed in hot water. They work on two levels. When lit they create the most beautiful glow in natural shades of pink, orange and white. At the same time, when warmed by the fire, they emit negative-ions which neutralize the positive-ions that electronics and other forms of radiation emit into the air. Good for your health and for creating a mood - two birds with one "stone" or should I say crystal!


www.vivaterra.com $34 (set of 3)

Love it! - Asian candle holder

So I've been eyeing these pillar holders for weeks now. With their Asian pedestal base, scalloped top and Chinese-Red finish aged to perfection, they'll spice up any space. On the dining table or in the bedroom, there isn't a room their aura can't illuminate.


www.Horchow.com

Love it! - Pagoda candle holder

I just bought two of the smaller ceramic Pagoda candle holders at Z Gallerie. They give off a beautiful glow through the cut-outs creating a mood that's pure zen! Just lift the rooftop off and place tea lights or a taller pillar candle.


www.ZGallerie.com

Project - DIY spray painted lantern

So this is my first DIY project I'm sharing with you all. It started when I found these great metal pagoda candle lanterns, 20" tall. Luckily I got the last two, except I wasn't crazy about the existing color - a bit too traditional. I immediately imagined what they would look like if spray painted a bold color. Originally I was going to do yellow, but decided on a vibrant "Asian Red". So the first step was covering all of the glass panels with blue painting tape. Next was priming the entire lantern with white priming spray. Once that dried over night, I then spray painted the entire lantern red - 3 coats. After letting it dry completely, I then peeled off the blue tape covering the glass. The last step was using rubbing alcohol and Windex to clean the glass of any accidental paint mist. And there's the final product, sitting on my deck - what a difference a little spray paint can make!






Note: Whenever using spray paint, always work outdoors. The smell is very toxic and you should cover your nose and mouth as well. I used a large rag over my face to reduce inhalation. Children should never be in the vicinity.

Love it! - Pagoda candle lantern

As soon as I walked into Crate & Barrel and caught a glimpse of this vibrant "Chinese Red" pagoda tealight lantern I had to have it, or should I say them - I bought two for my back deck. They are too precious and so chic! The best part, they were on sale to boot!



Lantern $19.95 - www.CrateandBarrel.com
Note: this is a sale price so act fast!

Love it! - Room candles

Lafco is a wonderful hi-end company carrying beautifully scented products. I've already featured their Santa Maria Novella potpourri, but this time I had to highlight their House & Home candles. A variety of scented candles perfectly created to compliment the different rooms in your home - my favorite is the Family Room's Cortland Apple.


House & Home Candle Collection $52 each - www.LafcoNY.com

Love it! - Woven candle holders

With three sizes, these woven candle holders are ideal for any occasion. Perfect this Summer for outdoor entertaining - hang the large ones from a tree, or use the small tea light holders to adorn a table setting or align a walkway.


Woven Candle Holders $12-$59 - West Elm

Love it! - His & Hers candles

Love these His and Hers candles from Illume. Perfect for a couple, put one on each of your nightstands and let the fragrances merge! Or a perfect gift for any guy in your life. If he thinks candles are too feminine, he won't once he sees it's meant just for him! They are both slightly different, Hers obviously a little more feminine and His a bit more musky, but overall a light romantic blend of Tahitian vanilla, spun sugar and a hint of coconut cream.



His & Hers Boxed Glass Candles $20 each - www.IllumeCandles.com
Note: also available in pillars and small tins

Love it! - Tealight holders

When I saw these tealight holders, I was reminded of a posting I had done about drinking glasses incased in glass shells(Click for that posting) I thought these handblown candleholders from Crate & Barrel presented a beautifully graceful way to create an ambiance.


Crate & Barrel
Pixie Candleholder $9.95 each
Piper Candleholder $2.95-3.95

Love it! - Bamboo tealight holder

Love this tealight holder and the lattice pattern created by its bamboo shell. Very unique and sculptural - earthy yet contemporary.


Bamboo Tealight $14 each - www.renebyflamant.com

Love it! - Woven hurricanes

Love the earthy, tribal feel and resulting pattern of these woven candle holders with glass insert. Perfect for your next outdoor soiree, hang them from a tree or market umbrella to create a cool ambiance. Better yet, remove the handles and sit them atop any table or align them down outdoor steps. So versatile and great looking, you can't lose!


Woven Hurricanes $88 each - Williams Sonoma Home
7.5"Dia. x 9.5"H

Love it! - Nantucket wicker

Cute and functional Nantucket baskets. Decorate a summer table setting with plants, fruit, bread wrapped in a gingham tea towel. And how great are the votive holders! They complete the look by adding a warm and homey ambiance.



All available at: www.CarolyneRoehm.com
Nantucket Wicker Baskets Set/3 - $45
Wicker Covered Votive - $10 each

Love it! - Agraria's cane covers

Ok, so I would never recommend a scented product unless I have personally smelled it, used it and loved it. So while I have not used Agraria's Candles and Room Colognes, what I did go crazy for are their signature woven cane covers - Yes, this posting is just about the Cane Covers! What can I say, I'm a sucker for good design. So even after your candle has completely evaporated, don't fret, you'll still be left with a totally chic glass in which to put a new votive or tealight. But better yet, think outside of the box and use it as a pencil cup - Now that's bang for your buck!



available online at Agraria - www.AgrariaHome.com
Woven Cane Candles $50 each
Cologne Spray $40 each

Style Story - Tea light holders

Let me first give preface by saying that candles of any sort can be very hazardous if not monitored and placed in a secure location, so please be careful! Now with that said, I discovered some delightful tea-light holders that not only serve a purpose, but also enhance the mood and viewing pleasure!








Wicker $45/set of 6 (indoor only) - www.TracyPorter.com
Orla $9.95 each - Crate & Barrel
Whirly Hanging $3.95 each - CB2
Trix $3.95 each - Crate & Barrel
Mercury Pedistal $19 each - Pottery Barn
Campfire $15 each - Velocity Art & Design
Lotus $12.95 each - www.Illuminations.com
Quartz, Amethyst or Citrine $39 each - www.VivaTerra.com
Hayden Small $28 each - Williams-Sonoma Home
Arbor $20 each - Velocity Art & Design
Tiny Terra Cotta Pots $23.04/set of 48 - www.Save-on-crafts.com
Small Ghost Leaf Lantern $14.95 each - www.Illuminations.com
Petit Mint Julep $5 each(min. of 12 pieces)- www.Beau-Coup.com
Mercury Holder $16/set of 4 - Pottery Barn
Fuzz Votive Holder $16/set of 2 - www.2jane.com
Nest Tea Light Holders $40/set of 3 - www.VivaTerra.com
Floral Votive Holders $34/ set of 4 - www.TracyPorter.com
Mani Candleholders $16/set of 4 - www.AGreaterGift.com

Love it! - HENRI BENDEL Vanilla Bean

I know there are a lot of candles and scented things out there, but I had to share one of my all-time favs. Years ago, my friend had received this candle as a gift. I smelled it and loved it, so she in turn gave one to me as a gift. It's called Vanilla Bean by Henri Bendel. I'm usually very sensitive to strong scents, getting headaches easily, but this one was pleasantly different - for starters it doesn't hit you like a ton of bricks! While I normally like vanilla scents over anything floral or "perfumey", it's a vanilla unlike most. Hard to explain, but there's a slight trace of musk to balance out the typical cupcake "sweetness" found in most others. I guess I would say it's a toned-down, mature vanilla - unique. Available through Bath & Body Works, or Henri Bendel - the best part is that it's long lasting!


Vanilla Bean 4"H $30 - available online at www.HenriBendel.com and in stores.
Also available at select Bath & Body Works stores.