More on Scent and Perception

Did you know that just the thought of walking into a room where the fragrance is pleasant is enough to cheer us up a little bit? Pleasant smells have a positive effect on our sense of well being. This might explain why some of us enjoy entering certain locations more than others (think bakery versus hardware store). Next time you’re entering a location such as s store or someone’s home, think about this and see if it’s true for you. Then pick up some pillar candles or votive candles and try it out at your house.

Making A Dramatic Statement with Black and White Comforter Sets

I’ve heard people say that black and white is so, well… vanilla. In other words, it’s boring. But it does not have to be. One can make a dramatic statement with black and white. By setting up your room with both colors in the right patterns, you can draw a person’s eye to a specific feature. Or you can get patterns that actually mess with people’s eyes (in a fun way).

A very dramatic effect in a room that is primarily black and white is to add splashes of bright color. For example, if you have a black bed frame and a white comforter, and white shelves with some black vases, and a white floor, toss in a bright red pillow on the bed and a bright yellow vase on a shelf. Those splashes of color will just about pop out of the scene and look very cool.

Chandlers

Did you know that a candle maker is known as a chandler? Over time many devices were invented to hold candles, and one of them was a chandelier? It is always interesting to find out where words came from!

Decorate Your Pillar Candles with Flowers!

To create an impressive centerpiece that both looks and smells good, purchase some floral scented pillar candles (for example Gardenia, Rose, Magnolia, Sunflower, etc…). Also purchase some actual blooms to go with those candles. Heat up a kitchen spoon (not too much) and then press it against the side of the pillar candle until the wax is softened. Then press your bloom into the side of the candle. The wax will harden and hold the flower in place. This can be done for just about anything you’d like to decorate your candle with.

Get a Little Extra Warmth This Winter

In New Zealand, they routinely put a heating blanket underneath the fitted sheet. There is nothing like crawling into a pre-heated bed and snuggling up in your favorite comforter for a great night’s sleep.

Votive Candles in Luminaries

Are you thinking about using luminaries to light up your next event? Consider cutting designs out of the bag so that the light will shine through them. You can use a paper punch if you have one that does designs, or cut a design yourself. Draw out your design on one side of the bag. Then lay it flat on a pile of scrap paper or even newspaper. With that padding underneath you can cut right through. Then weight the bag down with some sand, place in your votive candle and light it. It will look beautiful.

Comforter Sets and Preferences

The reason there is a such a wide variety of colors and patterns available when it comes to comforter sets and duvet covers is that everyone has their own taste. Something I think is gorgeous may not appeal to you. It could be that a particular color or pattern reminds you of something you don’t like or something unpleasant that happened at one time. Or it could be that you associate another color or patter to something really great and so that becomes your favorite. No one’s subjective choices are right or wrong. That’s the beauty of it.

All Kinds of Candles Keep Mosquitoes Away!

When we breathe we give off carbon dioxide and octenol. It also oozes from our skin. This is what is so attractive to those pesky mosquitoes. They can smell is for dozens of feet. Citronella candles have been popularized as mosquito repellent, and they do provide some protection. But so do ordinary candles. It turns out that, though not quite as effective as citronella, any burning candles will keep some mosquitoes at bay. But you must be near the smoke of the candle to get any benefit. This is true as well for the citronella candles.

What Is Sateen?

Yesterday we mentioned that Percale is a plain weave material that is typically 180 thread count or higher. Sateen, on the other hand, is very smooth and shiny. It is a cotton weave but instead of one over and one under, it is four over, one under. The four threads line up in such a way to provide softness and that shine. It drapes better than a plain weave.

For more tips, or to browse our great selection of sheet sets, visit www.cozycottagedecor.com/sheetsets

What Does Percale mean?

The word “Percale” means a fine closely woven cotton cloth variously finished for clothing, sheeting, and industrial uses. Typically it is a single weave material, which means it has one thread over and one thread under. However, percale sheets are at least 180 thread count or higher. So though they are a single weave, they have a higher thread count than a plain weave sheet.

For more tips, or to browse our great selection of sheet sets, visit www.cozycottagedecor.com/sheetsets

Putting a Trick Candle to Work For You

Everyone knows how obnoxious trick candles are. But they can really come in handy when you find yourself somewhere and an ordinary flame won’t stay lit. Are you in a windy place? The trick candle will keep coming back and coming back, long enough to get that regular candle lit. Trying to start a fire? That trick candle will just keep reigniting over and over, and eventually your fire will get lit. No more lighting match after match.

Bedspreads or Coverlets… Is there a difference?

Someone asked what the difference was between a bedspread and a coverlet. The answer is pretty simple. A bedspread will cover the entire bed and hang to the floor. It also has enough extra length to completely cover the pillows and be allowed to be tucked in. A coverlet only partially covers the bed and it hangs about halfway to the floor. It will not cover the pillows, but sometimes it comes with matching shams to complete the look.

Comforter Sets and Sheets in Bamboo – More Benefits

Another benefit that Bamboo has over cotton is that it is renewable. Bamboo grows very quickly and is plentiful. In the time it takes to grow one crop of cotton, two or more bamboo crops can be grown and harvested. What this means to us is that although bamboo is just as soft as cotton it does not have to cost more money. And that means we can have a superior product but not a high price!

Vanilla Scented Candles and What They Do For You

Did you know that smelling vanilla candles can fulfill some inner need and actually trigger some of us to eat less?

Surprise, surprise! It turns out that smelling something sweet, like vanilla, a common ingredient in sweet foods like cookies and cakes, can give you the same sensory input as eating them does. Since the craving is fulfilled just by the smell, we might eat less and lose weight!

For more tips, or to browse our wide selection of candles, visit www.cozycottagedecor.com/candles

High Thread Count is Important in Your Comforter Sets and Sheets, But So is Quality

We’re always hearing about high thread count, and yes, it is important. The higher the thread count the more sturdy and soft will be the sheets and comforters. But just as important as high thread count is the quality of the thread. For example, a lower quality thread in a high thread count sheet will not feel as soft or last as long as a higher quality thread in a lower thread count sheet or comforter set. Certain types of threads are of a higher quality than others, for example Egyptian cotton. This is why a sheet made from Egyptian cotton with a 200 thread count will feel softer than an ordinary cotton sheet with a higher thread count. It will also give you more years of service. So consider both when purchasing new sheets.

For more tips, or to browse or selection of Egyptian cotton and Bamboo sheets, visit www.cozycottagedecor.com

I received a tip for a wonderful idea on how to revitalize old curtains. A contributor said her curtains looked old and worn out, so she took them down and laid out a simple pattern, then sewed beads along the pattern. When she hung them back up they looked completely different. At night they also caught the light and looked brand new. Very clever!

Bamboo for Comforter Sets and Sheets

I was surprised to discover that bamboo is used now to make bedding. I can’t imagine who thought of it, but someone tried bamboo fiber and it is as soft as cotton (some think it’s softer). I am always amazed that someone thinks this stuff up and then figures out a way to get it done. To check out some great bamboo sheets, visit www.cozycottagedecor.com.

Alternative uses for Candles

Did you know that candles make good caulk? Use taper, pillar or even votive candles by dragging them around a window frame and along the sill. The wax will fill in the gaps and instantly seal that window against drafts! It also works well for cracks in the walls and holes left by pictures that were hung. In fact, it is even better than toothpaste. Visit www.cozycottagedecor.com for more money saving tips.

Hello everyone,

We are inches away from launching our store. Just a couple more minor tweaks and we are good to go. I am so excited about this. We added some fantastic candles products (piller candles, votive candles, and floating candles) and also some curtains that match some of the comforter sets and duvet cover sets we already have in our store. www.cozycottagedecor.com!

Hello everyone,

We sent off our first newsletter today, and everyone was so pleased. We plan to group a few of the best tips we have received every month, along with links to helpful articles. We will also feature a new product or two!