Colourful Candles, Brighter Home

One thing amazing about candles is that if it's used as a decor or lit in a room, it can magically transform any room from drab to fab.  It can add warmth and beauty and it makes the room feel cozy, romantic and inviting.  You can use it on special occasions or on any regular day when you just want to feel special. 

Why do I love candles so much? It's because with candles, your decoration options are endless.  They come with so much variety that you almost never run out of ideas on how and where to use them.  They come in different colours, shapes, sizes, designs, containers and scents.  All of them are very useful in any decorating projects.  My eye candy would have to be the colourful candles.

I appreciate the different candle designs like the beautiful KasseL candles but when it comes to simplicity and the effect it has on me, I'd go for the coloured candles.  I love looking at the vibrant colours and it just makes the room feel more alive than ever.

KARMA SENSES Pillar Candle
Sea Spray Scent

MiKeRa  Natural Soy Candle
Coconut Rum Scent

Do you know that candle colours have meanings too?  If the different scents can create such big effect on one's mental, emotional and spiritual well-being, so does the candle colour.

• White candles: White is perhaps the most common color that we identify candles with.  It represents purity, healing, truth and unity.  It can bring peace and can help you focus on what you want.

• Blue Candles:  It's my favorite color because it brings about inspiration and happiness.  The color also represents peace and tranquility.

•  Red Candles:  Red has always been a powerful color that is associated with love, passion and sexuality.

KARMA SENSES Pillar Candle
Strawberry Ice

• Purple Candles: This color is associated with wisdom and healing.  It can also be used to obtain success and power.

MiKeRa  Natural CoCoSoy Candle
Juicy Currant Scent

• Orange Candles: The orange color is very much associated with creativity and intelligence.  Use an orange-colored candle if you want to attract good things and succeed at it.

MiKeRa 'forest secrets' Natural Soy Candle
Mountain Wattle Scent

• Green Candles:  Green candles are linked to financial success and healing.  It represents prosperity and good luck.

MiKeRa  Natural Soy Candle
Apple Martini Scent

You can choose the colour of the candles you want to use base on the things you want to achieve.  Or if you want, you can choose the colour that compliments either the colour of the room or the motif of the occasion.  It’s up to you.  Either way, I'm pretty sure your home will still look fabulous!

What's your favorite colour?

Feng Shui and Candles

Chinese or non-Chinese, people are now getting into the Feng Shui craze.  But what is Feng Shui?

                              

Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese’ art of decorating your homes in such a way that positive energy is harnessed.  The house or the room is positively transformed and energized so that anyone who enters will be affected visually and emotionally.  The five elements -- fire, earth, water, metal and wood -- and how they interact with each other determines whether it is positive or negative energy is flowing within.  In Feng Shui, you are not only looking at the layout of the house but also the decors used and how they are positioned at home.  The goal is to increase the positive energy inside the house and to make the space more comfortable and enjoyable.

Do you know that candles play a role in Feng Shui?  You would have thought that the presence of candles, its colors and its scent are only used in aromatherapy practice.  Think again.  In Feng Shui, candles represent the fire energy.  This energy is considered the strongest in summer.  They can be the fire energy that is missing in your space.  When decorating with candles, you have to consider three things -- the location, color and the fragrance.

Location.  One very important tool in Feng Shui is the Bagua map.  It is an octagonal map that is used as a guide depending on what kind of aspect you want your life to improve on.  Do you want your career to flourish?  Place the candles on the North part of your room.  Do you want fame?  Then south is where the candles should be.

MiKeRa Green Coloured 'Apple Marini'
Scented Soy Candle

MiKeRa White 'Coconut Rum'
Scented Soy Candle

KARMA SENSES red coloured 'Strawberry Ice'
Scented Soy Candle

Colors and Fragrance.  The colors of the candle that you use makes all the difference too because each colors (or scents) mean different things.  For example, green represents healing and new growth especially when combined with the scent of eucalyptus.  It also represents wealth because it is considered as the color of money.  Red on the other hand, is the color of passion; of love and lust.  A red-colored candle with an apple or cinnamon scent that is lit in the South part of your house can bring you the fame that you wanted.

KARMA SENSES yellow coloured 'Lemongrass tea'
Scented Soy Candle

Feng Shui is somehow like aromatherapy practice.  You identify which end results you want to have and study the different scents and colors and how it affects you and your overall environment.  Believe me, it gets easier each time.

Have you used Feng Shui at home too?  We’d love to hear from you.

MiKeRa Orange coloured 'Tangerine Delight'
scented CoCoSoy candle

MiKeRa blue coloured 'Ocean Breeze'
scented palm wax candle

Romance and Aromatherapy

The effects of aromatherapy are simply amazing.  It does a lot to improve our mental and emotional well-being.  Did you notice that when you are surrounded with a pleasant smell?  When you dab your sweet smelling perfume on your wrist, it somehow takes you to that happy place.  That’s how powerful our sense of smell is and it plays a very important role in practicing aromatherapy.

There are several essential oils that are used to initiate a romantic mood.  We have to admit that sometimes our schedule gets so crazy at work that our relationship with our love ones takes a back seat.  Either we’re too tired or we’re too busy thinking about other things.  Most couples spend a lot of their hard earned cash on vacations and couples therapy when in fact there is a more affordable way of rekindling that romance and get your relationships back on track.  You bet there are ways in spicing up your romantic life.

KasseL UltraGlow decorative premium candles
Rose Scented

Love Scents

Rose has long been used as the symbol of love.  You see them being given out to women during courting stage and it is the most common flower being given out during Valentine's Day.  Its seductive floral fragrance can evoke the feeling of love and affection.

Other scents that are also known as aphrodisiacs are lavender, sandalwood and vanilla.

KasseL UltraGlow decorative premium candles
Rose Scented

Utilizing Aromatherapy

One perfect way to start a romantic evening is by switching off the lights and burning scented candles.  Aside from filling the room with its pleasant smell, the light emanating from them brings about that romantic mood.  When you choose to go this route, make sure that you only get candles that are of high quality.

Dispersing the essential oil into the air is another way of getting you started.  Use one of those fragrant reed diffusers and make sure that you use the essential oils that evoke the "love feeling."  You can also use fragrance sprays and spray it on your sheets, lingerie or blankets.

Have fun with the essential oils and add them on to the bath water.  Then take a bath together, relax and enjoy each other's company. If that will not bring back the spark, I don't know what will.  And after your bath, you can give each other a massage while basking in the glow of the scented candles.

May I just add too that you turn everything off -- your phones, your laptop, tablets, and focus on each other? 

Candles as Christmas Gifts

The countdown to Christmas has finally begun and I’m sure you already have your list of who you will be giving gifts to.  Let me guess.  I’m pretty sure that the names of family members, friends, colleagues and even neighbors are there.  Creating a list is just the start.  The most challenging part would be thinking about which gift to give them that will fit your budget.

Candles are one of the best gifts that anyone can think of giving this Christmas.  Some would argue and say that people give candles as gifts only because they couldn’t think of anything else.  I say, it’s not entirely true.  They have you in mind that’s why they got you that gift.  Perhaps you still haven’t realized yet how much a candle can alter your outlook and your mood especially if you got one of those scented ones.  The quality essential oils mixed in the candle wax can make you feel more calm and relaxed.  Your friend may be thinking that you deserve a stress-free time that’s why she gave you that gift.  Now, isn’t that thoughtful?

If you are considering giving candles to your friends, family members or colleagues, we’ve listed a few Christmas gift ideas that you can use or modify depending on who you will be giving the gift to.

KasseL Decorative candles
contain real botanicals

KARMA SENSES Vanilla coated pillar candle pack

• Decorative Candles.  What’s great about giving decorative candles is that it is extremely beautiful as it is.  You don’t have to do much.  This is a great gift for someone who loves candles and who have a handful of them at home.  They make great ornaments and centerpieces.
  
  

• Bath Basket.  Create this bath basket for your lady friends.  Get a few scented candles, a bubble bath, colorful bath sponge and a towel. Arrange everything in one small basket and tie a beautiful ribbon.  Make it extra cute by adding a small stuffed animal in the center.  This can be a great gift for couples too.
  

KasseL AquaGel candles also make an
attractive lantern after burning has finished

• Romantic Gift Basket.  Instead of giving two separate gifts for your friends who are couples, why not create a romantic gift basket that both of them can enjoy?  In a small wicker basket you can arrange a romantic CD, a few candles, a pack of incense stick or aromatherapy diffuser and massage oil that they can use for their romantic getaway.  We highly recommend the vanilla scent or rose scent because this invokes the feeling of love.  

No matter what you give this Christmas - candles, clothes or any other item, the important thing is that it should come from the heart.

Outdoor Candle Decorating Ideas

Summer is almost here and I always look forward to then.  I like basking in the sun, wiggling my toes in the sand and getting a tan.  It is also the time when my friends, family and I would get together in the patio or in the garden, sharing stories over drinks and barbeque under the clear summer sky. 

How great is that?! It doesn’t get much better than summer times.

When it comes to decorating outside, I always seek the help of my trusted partner -- the candles.  You can never go wrong with them because they help create that beautiful atmosphere not just inside your home but outside as well. Plus, there are several ways in incorporating them with your outdoor decor so your guests can have that sense of enjoyment and relaxation.

Pillar Candles.  Use a range of different coloured and sized Pillar candles to decorate the garden and poolside. Bunch a few different sized pillar candles together and lay small stones or coloured glass beads at their base. Scatter around small arrangements and single candles, around the garden and poolside. Make sure the burning flames are not near anything flammable!

KARMA SENSES Scented Pillar Candles

Floating Candles.  Do you have a pond or pool? Add ambience to your pond or pool with some floating candles and a few flower petals, and even sit some floating candles and some fresh tropical flowers on top of lily pads.

KARMA SENSES Unscented Floating Candles

KARMA SENSES Unscented Floating Candles

Candle Lantern

Candle Lanterns.  They are perhaps one of my most favorite because they are such a versatile piece of decor.  You can hang them on trees if you plan to have your get together outside the garden.  You can place two or three candle lanterns of varying sizes on a patio table or you strategically place them on the floor.  This will surely set the mood.

MiKeRa Palm Wax Pillar Candle
with Frosted Glass Base

Candle Wall Scones.  If you have one of those at home, now is the perfect time to utilize those beauties.  They are very attractive and durable if the right wall mounting hardware is used. Perhaps the only limitation that you have is that they can only be limited to some areas outside since they need to be mounted.

Candle Centerpieces.  This is by far the easiest and this is where you can be most creative.  Creating one can be enjoyable because the ideas are endless.  You can get a big clear bowl filled with water, get a few floating candles, add flowers and throw in a few flower petals on the table and that can be perfect.

Another idea is to get a bowl and fill it halfway with white sand.  Put two or three different-sized candles and then add a few sea shells.  This will make a great summer-y feel.

The KasseL NatureGlow candles are perfect for decorating outdoors too because you don't need to do so much.  The candles are extremely beautiful as it is.  All you need is to get a really shallow bowl, fill it with sand and a few pebbles and then arrange them beautifully.

KasseL UltraGlow Candles & Decorative Sea Shells

How about you?  How do you decorate your outdoor space?

Why Buy Candles Online?

Candles have been used for different purposes for thousands of years.  Nowadays, candles are known to be useful not just in illuminating the room or space but it can be used to set the mood, practice aromatherapy and even fix stuck drawers or mend shoelaces.  I think it’s great to have candles at home.

Everyone would probably agree with me that candles are evolving.  Different types of waxes are now used in candle making.  Aside from standard paraffin, there's natural alternatives with many benefits, like beeswax, soy wax and palm wax. 

Candles now come in tapers, pillars, jars, tin cans and even those adorable decorative candles like KasseL candles.  Buying them wholesale or for personal use even gets easier with online shopping.

KARMA SENSES Scented Pillar Candles

KARMA SENSES Soy Candle
in frosted Glass Bell Jar

Personally, I love buying things online and candles are just one of those that are on my list.  Besides, there are different benefits that you and I can get from buying candles online.

KARMA SENSES Scented Soy Candles
Glass Jars with Lid

• Convenience is definitely on the top of the list.  There's no need for you to dress up and deal with the traffic or parking space if you need to buy candles.  There is no shop hours that you need to remember because you can shop online anytime.  It doesn't really matter if you shop at 3pm or at 3am.  If the item you want is available, all you need to do is select it and pay for it. Some online shops offer free shipping so all you need to do is sit and wait for your beautiful candles to be delivered right at your doorstep.

• Big Savings.  It is actually cheaper if you purchase directly with the importer & distributor or the designer.  Aside from that, there are some online stores that offer rates and products that are only offered online.  However, the savings doesn't stop there.  The truth is, you can save more by buying online.  Think about the miscellaneous expenses that you incur when you leave home to shop for candles.  I'm talking about the parking tickets, gas, food and drinks.  Buying candles online can prevent you from buying unnecessary things on impulse.

MiKeRa Scented Soy Candle in Square Glass

• Variety.  Believe it or not but the choices online are endless.  Online stores like Alma Importers have value packs of mixed scents that you can get to maximize your savings.  Value packs are perfect for those who aren’t so sure about which candle scent to get.  Online shopping also allows you to check the different types of candles and designs depending on what you need

• Prompt Customer Service.  The beauty about buying candles online is that you are provided with full customer support.  You are given different means of reaching out to the company with the least amount of effort.  If you have questions about your purchase, you can give them a call, send an email, leave a message through their Facebook or Twitter accounts or leave a comment through their blogs.  You will also get a response almost immediately.

MiKeRa Scented Soy Candle
in Glass jar with Wooden Lid

Have I listed enough reasons to convince you to buy candles online?  Check out Alma Importers’ wide range of scented and unscented candles on our website. They are the designer, importer and distributor and can do doubt help you out with choosing from their wide range and with a special deal.

Also, Alma Importers currently have a special free freight deal for you: FREE FREIGHT for orders $60 and over!

KARMA SENSES Scented Soy Candles
in Decorative Tins

MiKeRa Scented CoCoSoy Candles
in Glass jar with Metal Lids

The Truth About Soy Candles

Soy Candles have been recently gaining popularity.  In fact it has even sparked a discussion on whether using soy wax is better than any other candle wax.

There are different types of waxes used in candle making.  To name a few are soy wax, beeswax, paraffin wax and palm wax.  Each candle wax has its own unique characteristics and properties and as a candle user, you’d have to decide which works best for you.

People nowadays are gearing more towards anything natural and organic. Mostly because they are taking into consideration how it affects the environment and their lifestyle.  This is also one of the reasons why most people now have strong preference to soy candles.

Soy Candles are made out of soy wax which is an alternative to paraffin.  Compared to paraffin which is a by-product of the crude oil refinement process, soy wax is made from soybeans.  It is in fact a type of vegetable oil.  However, regardless of how they are produced, both of them are tested safe, contrary to what others believed.

100% Natural Soy Candle in Reusable Coloured Glass

100% Natural Soy Candle in Large Frosted Bell Jar

Why Soy Candles Then?

Soy candles are all natural.  Soy wax produced by hydrogenating soybeans has low melting point with a not so solid texture.  This type of wax is suitable for making container candles because of such characteristics.  Our Soy candles are made from 100% natural soy wax that contains quality essential oils and pure cotton wicks.

Sustainability.  Soy wax comes from a renewable source.  One can always grow soy crops to maintain a steady supply of soybeans in order to produce sufficient amount of soy wax used for candle making.     

Tropical Delights 100% Natural Soy Candles
in Glass Jars with Wooden Lids

100% Natural Soy Candle in Decorative Tin

Soy wax burn slower compared to paraffin.  That means more time for you to enjoy the scent of your candles. Because it is slower to burn, this makes it more economical for candle buyers.

Soy candles only burns at 2 degrees above body temperature.  That's because soybean oil is incorporated in the wax resulting to a low melting point.  This also causes the scent of the candles to disperse faster because of the large size of liquid wax pool around the wick.  This wax pool is where the aromatic oils are before they evaporate into the atmosphere.

Wax spills from soy candles are easier to clean.  All you need is a hot soapy water as soy wax is water soluble.

Soot.  All candles produce soot including soy candles..  The only difference is, the soot produced by a soy candle is lighter that it's almost negligible, unlike the thick black soot produced by paraffins.

Whether you prefer paraffin or soy candles is up to you but we’re here to make the decision easier.  Alma Importers have a wide range of natural soy candles in different glass containers to choose from.  Feel free to visit our website and browse through our large range of soy candles.

Tropical Delight Coconut Rum 100% Natural Soy Candle

100% Natural Soy Candle in Jar with Lid

Bridal Shower Basket Ideas

When you get invited to a wedding or a bridal shower, you want to make sure that you give something to the bride that will make her feel special.  One purpose of the bridal shower is to equip the new homes of the newlyweds.  At the same time, gifts are given in celebration of the bride's upcoming wedding.

One fun and creative way of gift giving is creating a gift basket.  It is a delightful way of wishing your friend or your loved one well.  Besides, who doesn't love receiving gift baskets?  They are perfect for almost every occasion.  Any bride would appreciate a gift basket especially if you put in so much thought on what to include in that package.  Here's what you can do:

●     Start by picking out a theme and it can be anything.  Think of something that the bride or the couple love doing together.

●     Be creative.  A gift basket doesn't necessarily mean that all the stuff needs to be inside a basket.  Try using an oversized bowl or a medium sized laundry basket or even a metal tub.

●     Set your budget. These small gifts can sometimes add up too quickly so keep track of what you're spending.

To give you an idea, we listed a few themes that we hope will get your creativity started.

Color Basket  

Think about what the bride's favourite colour is.  If it's pink, then let that guide you on which item to put in the basket.  If she likes to write then throw in a couple of pink journals, a pink pen with a pink ink.  Add a MiKeRa GuavaCocktail soy candle in a pink glass jar to add to that relaxing mood when she writes.

 

MiKeRa Tropical Pleasures Natural Soy Candle in Coloured Glass - Guava Cocktail Scented

Honeymoon Basket

After the hectic planning and preparation for the big wedding day, any couple would like to take a break from it all and spend time with each other.  It would be nice to create a honeymoon baskets with things that the bride may need.  You can throw in a sexy lingerie, massage oils, a bottle of wine or a CD of romantic music.  You can also throw in a couple of KARMA SENSES scented pillar candles that they could use to light the bedroom.  Choose scents that are considered aphrodisiacs such as vanilla, lavender, rose and ylang ylang.

 

KARMA SENSES  Quality Scented Pillar Candles

KARMA SENSES Aromatic Reed Diffuser

Relaxation Basket 

When the honeymoon is over and its time to go back to the real world, there will be times that the bride may want to unwind after a hard day’s work.  This relaxation basket will do the trick.  You and your friends can create a spa-day basket.  Fill the basket with bubble baths, facial masks, lotions, relaxing  music,chocolates, tea, a bathrobe and some soft comfortable slippers.  Include lavender-scented KarmaSenses aroma diffusers and/or incense that can help her achieve a state of relaxation.

 

KARMA SENSES Incense

The ideas for bridal baskets are endless.  Just remember that when you do create one, always have the bride in mind.  Think about the things that she loves and she enjoys doing and for sure she will love the thought and the effort that you put up in creating this wonderful gift.

Tips For Decorating a Modern Home with Candles

I'm sure many of you will agree that candles make great decorations.  They make great additions inside the room.  They are able to enhance anyone's mood with their light and scent.  They add personality or a splash of colour in neutral rooms making it more attractive and it adds a pleasant smell when lit.  With candles, how can you go wrong?  So, we listed a few decorating ideas for your modern homes.

MiKeRa Crystallised Palm Wax Pillar
Scented Candles

Simplicity

Simplicity is one word to describe a modern home.  Simple but definitely not boring.  Find a few spots at home where you can place your candles.  For example, the coffee table in the living room.  Choose candle designs and colors that go well with the table.  You can get a shallow bowl, put a few handful of red or brown rice and arrange different sizes of MiKeRa pillar candles.

Bright Colours & Scents

Guava Cocktail Scented Natural Soy
Candle in Coloured Reusable glass.

What about scented candles?  The truth is, there's a lot you can do with them but perhaps the best place where I'd say I'd put them is at the bathroom or the bedroom.  Scented aromatherapy soy candles can do more than just set the mood.  They create a soothing and relaxing environment and that's how primarily you should feel when you're in your bedroom or bathroom.  You can keep them together in one corner or you can put some on the windowsill.  You can use bright coloured candles like the MiKeRa soy candles in coloured glass jars or those amazing MiKeRa crystallised palm wax pillar candles.  The bright colours and beautiful crystallised texture will add heaps of character to a monochromatic bathroom.

Scented Natural Soy Candle in Square Glass
Apple Martini Scent. 

Welcoming Candles

Candle decorations also work well in the foyer.  I think it's a great way of saying "hello" to your guests as they arrive.  Once they step in they will immediately be welcomed by the scent and the glow of the candle.  Try adding a vase filled with fresh flowers too.  Flowers and candles make a great combination.

Decorative KasseL Candles

Another personal favourite would have to be the KasseL decorative candles. They are handmade and decorated with dried fruits, flowers and herbs.  It’s already attractive as it is and that’s exactly what I love about it.  No need for frills or ribbons to enhance these candles' beauty.  You can just immediately place it on your coffee table or on mount it on wall sconces.  Believe me, when the flame is gently swaying and the candle is glowing through with embedded real flowers, fruits and botanicals, I can stare at it forever.

Using candles as an accessory to decorate your homes can be fun and exciting.  What’s even better is that they work well within my budget. One can never have too many of those because they are beautiful and also functional as scented candles have aromatherapy powers and are great for creating lighting effects and ambience. Try decorating with candles at home and do drop by and share with us what you did and how you feel about it.

Premium KasseL AquaGel lamp Candles

KasseL UltraGlow Candle - Purple Gerbera Scent.