Concrete & Wax - The Modular Collection: Tealight Trio in All Sage

It’s nearing to the end of August and we can feel that slight autumnal bite in the air. Shorter days and longer nights are not far away and the candle season is almost upon us. This is why at The Amazing Blog we thought we’d introduce you to one of our first #amazingfinds for the autumn. Meet the contemporary styled and hand-poured candle company Concrete & Wax with their versatile Tealight Trio in All Sage from The Modular Collection which are stackable tea lights where you can build them vertically or burn each one independently. 

They were founded in 2018 by Alex Sommer and Laura Keller (AKA Mr. Concrete and Mrs. Wax) who among many other things, are also expert trend forecasters in the fashion industry. They came up with this conceptual brand, which offers the consumer a variety of design choices with mix and match concrete modular and interchangeable candleholders, together with uniquely fragranced soy wax candles. The holders are available in six plain colours and three unique camouflage designs. They’re cleverly adaptable and fit into almost any interior style whether it’s a minimalist contemporary penthouse or rambling country cottage. At each stage of brand development Concrete & Wax, wanted to make sure that they kept their sourcing of materials and suppliers as sustainable as possible. And as a true testament to artisan craftsmanship, they produce all products in their Suffolk workshop where everything is hand-poured, finished and packaged. They say: “When it comes to the finishing touches, we scour the local market to source as much as we possibly can - our aim is to support local business and to keep our footprint as small as possible.” The general perception of concrete is a rough, heavy industrial material; however, here we see it being used as a smooth material taking on streamline and stylishly statuesque shapes. They produce a selection of reed diffusers, in black bottles with concrete tops that double up as a tealight holder. Also not forgetting the recent addition of coasters in all the different colourways including a new splatter design.

Concrete & Wax very kindly sent us the Tealight Trio in Sage these are three hand-poured sage green concrete tealight holders in varying heights. As mentioned, they can burn independently or be stacked to make one tall tower. Each of these concrete holders has natural cork feet making them appear as if they’re slightly floating, plus the cork offers protection for heat-sensitive or polished surfaces.  We preferred to arrange these all nestling together for an extra twinkly effect. All candles (including tealights) are made of 100% vegan blended soy wax with a choice of fragrance. We’re fans of soy wax as it’s clean-burning and tends to hold scent longer than other varieties of wax due to the slow burn which releases the scented oils gradually.

There are four candle fragrances. The Lime, Basil & Mandarin is a citrusy fragrance that is relaxing and energising all at once. Lime is known to help clear the mind, the basil is thought to boost mood, and the mandarin soothes tensions. Secondly, we have Tobacco & Oak, this is considered as a very earthy aroma with smoky tobacco and dark oak mixed with leather, spice and musk. It’s very masculine, but not overpowering. This autumnal scent makes you want to hunker down and snuggle up in the warmth. The musk here will also help elevate your mood and give a general feeling of wellbeing. Thirdly, Sandalwood & Black Pepper, which according to Concrete & Wax, this scented candle is the most luxurious in the collection. Sandalwood is believed to be beneficial in treating anxiety, fatigue, and insomnia and the warming scent of black pepper will help relieve stress. Last but not least, Amber Noir, is the latest addition to the collection and is warming, intoxicating and mysterious. Tropical and exotic, burning this candle will spirit you off to far and distant climes … Top tip: These tealight candles will also fit into the Slim Holders. We love the pick ‘n ‘mix and the interchangeable aspect, which allows us to swap fragrance, colour or style of container all on a whim to fit our mood!  To see the full range from Concrete & Wax see here starting from £22.

Heathcote & Ivory's Salsa Silks Collection

When you find a product that you love, there’s nothing better than discovering that there is a whole collection too. One that we are loving at the moment, is Salsa Silks by Heathcote and Ivory. We’re no strangers to this brand at The Amazing Blog, having featured their Vintage & Co. Baubles & Belles Festive Bath and Body Tin in our Gifts for Her feature in December. The Salsa Silks collection is vibrant, and contains three scented gifts (for a loved one, or yourself) encased in elegantly decorated packaging, and inspired by the colourful rhythms of salsa. Intrigued? We were too.

As a brand that embraces the world of interior design and the great British outdoors, Heathcote & Ivory are known for their mix of bright colours and floral patterns, in both vintage and modern styles. The Salsa Silks Collection is no exception, containing only the finest essential oils and actives, it is a luxury collection, without a luxury price tag.

The first product that we tried, was the Hand Wash. This vitamin E infused product helps to cleanse and purify, releasing the energising scents of lime, lotus flower and cedarwood. The uplifting essential oils of lemon and sweet orange really make it feel like a spa retreat at home, and the luxurious formula left our hands feeling soft and nourished. We were also pleased to discover that it didn’t leave our hands feeling dry, something we struggle with at this time of the year.

Secondly, we tried the Heart Soap In A Tin. This lovely triple-milled soap is presented in an embossed heart-shaped tin, and is blended with shea butter and glycerine, helping to gently cleanse and soften your skin. Additionally, and thanks to the beautiful packaging, this isn’t only a pleasure for your skin, but also gives your bathroom a touch of design sparkle. Gone are the days of a boring block of soap on the sink.

Finally, we were also pleased to discover that this collection contains a Lip Gloss. Delivered in a smaller heart-shaped tin, this moisturising peach lip gloss is made of beeswax and olive extracts, helping to keep your lips perfectly soft and, most importantly, kissable. The soft peachy smell of the pink glittery gloss is also a highlight, taking away the often chemical smell of other lip glosses on the market. It is also nourishing and less sticky than competitor glosses, something we’re thankful of!

To try this collection for yourself, check out the Heathcote & Ivory website here where you can find the Hand Wash for £9 (320ml), Heart Soap In A Tin for £6 and the Lip Gloss for £5. Perfect for a February birthday or as a treat for yourself.

Pure Style of London's Reed Diffusers

Having a well-scented home can make a huge difference to a first impression. So walking into a hallway that is less than fragrant with the aroma of damp dog and musty coats is an absolute no-no. Finding a solution to produce a continual mood enhancing fragrance all day is a tricky one. From a safety perspective however pretty candles are they cannot be left alight all day. Therefore the trusty reed diffuser offers a more practical solution. This is why we at The Amazing Blog, were very happy to try out three fragrances from Pure Style of London’s Room Diffusers.

With popularity of e-commerce subscription-based purchases are trending, Pure Style of London had the clever idea to create their Home Fragrance Club. Here you can customise your own home fragrance gift with a choice of different sizes, colour of the containers, caps and reeds and more importantly, the fragrances. Offering high-quality and locally hand-crafted room diffusers, Pure Style of London’s aim is to make people’s lives more convenient, adding fun value to everyday life. On their website, you can choose between a one-time-purchase gift set or a subscription to be delivered to your doorstep all year round. Either way, you’ll find it easy to change your order at any time, with no contract, and therefore, no commitments.

For us a well-scented office is a must and is what helps us to kick-on throughout our busy day. One of our favourite combinations from Pure Style of London is their Bergamot & Lime diffuser which we chose to put in their very chic white glass container with white reeds - it is almost ethereal looking. The fragrance is lively, stimulating and bright creating a deliciously fresh atmosphere all day long. Another must-try is the Earl Grey, which reminds us of drinking a well-deserved cup of tea, delicate but equally refreshing. However, we mustn’t forget to mentioned that we also particularly liked the Fresh Linen. This delivered a blend of cotton flower and mimosa, offering a refreshing aroma to remind us that spring is not far away. That said, all nine premium fragrances are guaranteed to emit a beautiful and long-lasting scent. Check them out here.

The Fragrance Club works with a simples 3-step process: Select – Choose – Personalise. Decide on your preferred fragrance, size and the colour of your bottle and diffuser reeds,. Their packages start from £10 monthly, or £29.50 as a one off, click here to see for yourself.

Captain Fawcett - Triumphant Moustache Wax

“Here today, up and off to somewhere else tomorrow! Travel, change, interest, excitement! The whole world before you, and a horizon that's always changing!” - the wise words of Mr Toad in the Wind and the Willows. Played by Rufus Hound, his thespian talents are not his only distinguishing feature - thanks to his extraordinarily well-manicured facial fuzz. He has since teamed up with Captain Fawcett, a brand providing top quality shaving and grooming products since 2011. Thanks to the highly successful vibe they have created, it is fair to say that the range has now snowballed in both form and profits. Their website even transports you to a bygone world of Dickensian charm, but with an up to the minute interface, encouraging us chaps to lavish some attention on our personal grooming regimes. Having previously tried their Million Dollar Beard Oil (see here), and from reading up on some of Captain Fawcett’s newest adventures, we at The Amazing Blog HQ found ourselves researching for 3-piece tweeds, pipes and baccy…and none of us smoke!

Back to the point, and more importantly, the product which our friend Rufus Hound has collaborated with Captain Fawcett on: ‘Rufus Hound’s TRIUMPHANT Moustache Wax’. Part of the Signature Series, where ‘The Captain’ has teamed up with a string of perfectly coiffed hirsute faces (literally), we were keen to see what Mr Hound’s tin would provide.

Fragrance-wise we have a delicious recipe on offer - there’s bergamot, lime and ylang ylang, with blackcurrant, clove and galbanum. If that’s not enough, then this wax also has earthy notes of sandalwood, ambergris and musk, producing a richl and indulgent pong that sits well on the top lip area. The 15ml tin may be small, but a little goes a long way If you too believe a ‘tache should be primped ’n perky, £12 is a small price to pay. Be warned though, appropriate application is definitely required for the perfect result - use just the flicker of a fingernail amount and ensure it is warmed thoroughly to achieve an even spread throughout. The hold is firm, and once you have styled your moustache, you can be sure that your creation will stay in place for the day.

Available through the Captain Fawcett website for £12 (15ml), you’ll also find a plethora of other goodies to investigate, including information, advice, and updates on The Captain’s latest adventures!

Heathcote and Ivory – Drawer Liners

With the summer months upon us, The Amazing blog has been using Heathcote and Ivory’s scented drawer liners to pack away all of our winter clothing. These sheets are designed for drawers, cupboards, and shelves, and keep our clothes smelling fresh with a subtle fragrance. Last May we covered the company’s Sweet Pea and Honeysuckle scented sachet and Eau de Toilette, so when we saw they came out with the same scent in a drawer liner, we couldn’t resist!

Sweet Pea and Honeysuckle’s floral scent isn’t overwhelming, but rather the smell of white jasmine and gardenia flowers which is both light and refreshing. The Neroli and Lime Leaves fragrance is a combination of Neroli flowers, lime leaves, white blossoms, and precious woods, sweet amber and rich musk.

The liners are an ode to spring with its pastoral colours, and floral pattern etched onto each. The sheets come with a thick paper folder with a Velcro fastening – complete with a ribbon bow. Heathcote and Ivory pays close attention to the intricate and feminine details of the product and packaging.  With five 33.5 x 50cm liners, all you have to do is cut them to the size of your drawer and lay them at the base.

You can purchase The Neroli and Lime Leaves Fragranced Drawer Liners here for £7.00. The Sweet Pea & Honeysuckle Fragranced Drawer Liners can be purchased here for £6.50.