Review: Melt Candle in Joy

I love scented candles and usually try to keep a few around the house for relaxing evenings. Since my life has been turned upside down this month I've really been craving one of those nights! Starting a new job and moving home are so ridiculously stressful and doing both at the same time have left me with zero down time. Luckily I was sent a gorgeous handmade scented candle from Melt* and finally now have the time to tell you all about it!

I really love the modern monochromatic packaging. It goes with everything and lends an elegance to the candle. The pattern even matches my current quilt cover which was an unexpected but pleasant surprise! I also love that it comes in a box - many candles don't. It's a bit shallow but I appreciate the "high end" feel I get from boxed items. For me personally, a huge plus of Melt candles is that they're handmade in England. This means that we get to support our economy and reduce the harm done to the environment that's caused by importing which makes me feel a little bit better about spoiling myself!

Joy is described as "A sparkling citrus floral on a complex woody and musk base, over a rich, floral heart of iris, rose and lily" which is pretty accurate! I mostly picked up on the rose and wood scents which are some of my favourites. I actually have Lancome's Midnight Rose perfume which is a similar sort of fragrance with the addition of blackcurrant so it's definitely a winner for me. This size of tumbler will burn for up to 25 hours and the fragrance really fills up a room. Besides the gorgeous fragrance, my favourite thing about this candle is how evenly it burns. The entire width of the candle melts which means nothing is wasted. One of the worst things about larger candles is how they can leave such an enormous amount of wax around the edge. It feels like such a waste having to cut it down!

This size candle will set you back £21 which to be honest, I don't think is too bad. Other brands charge a lot more for very similar products and I think the quality and longevity of this one makes it worth it. I would definitely be up for trying another of the 30 scents. I currently have my eye on Violet and Black Pepper! Perhaps a cheeky first pay day treat.

Final Verdict: A beautifully scented candle handmade in England. Definitely worth a try if you love brands like Neom and Jo Malone.

Have you tried any of Melts candles? Which fragrance should I try next?

Lauren

Zalando Home and Storage Mini Haul

A little while ago I was contacted by a company called Zalando to see if I'd like to review anything from their website. Zalando to me is like a giant online TK Maxx. It's a great mix of European designer and high street products to match all budgets. Naturally, I immediately said yes and went shopping. I first started trawling through all the beauty items and was very tempted to try a Shiseido lipstick but as I was exploring the website I absolutely fell in love with the homeware. Zalando is best known for it's women's clothing (here) and extensive range of fabulous shoes (here) but nothing in the plus size range jumped out at me and the only shoes I need are trainers (functional but painfully boring to review I fear.) In the end I plumped for the cutest little candle holder I've ever seen and some brand new makeup storage.

This adorable and surprisingly massive candle holder was only £4 and I love how it looks when it's lit up. I think this is going to be perfect to take away to University with me to remind me of home. The only slightly infuriating thing about it is that it doesn't lift off the base so you have to physically reach in to put the candles in and light them. Luckily it is really wide so you can get your arm in easily but it's such a pain! I can forgive and forget though since it's so beautiful. Coincidentally, the Yankee samplers are amazing. It was just what I needed to give my mood a boost and remind me that Summer will eventually come. I definitely recommend the scents if you haven't tried them yet.

And here is my storage. This was by no means cheap at £25 but I definitely think it was worth it. My collection just, and I mean just, squeezes in completely. It's an absolute dream to not have lying all over the house. So much more organised! I really like the milky, translucent acrylic. Very neat. It feels really sturdy and you can open the drawers all the way without any ominous creaking. It's also fairly light and easy to transport which is a big plus for me. Even being completely filled I can easily carry it up the stairs without wobbling. As you can see, I've included a photo of my favourite drawer - the lip drawer! Let me know if you'd like to see any collection posts. I've actually shamefully added to this since I took the photo...oops. 

I have to say, Zalando shipping is great. Free delivery and returns no matter what you order and it's really fast and well packed. I definitely recommend having a least a browse! I have my sights trained on some jewellery... and maybe a handbag or two!

Zalando Home Tealight Holder £4* (sadly no longer in stock)
Nomess Copenhagen Bathroom Storage £25*

Have you bought anything from Zalando before? What do you think to my picks?

Lauren