Top 5 Thurday - Yankee Candles

I am a mega candle geek! I love buying votives and burning them whenever I'm relaxing or working. I've tried most of the Yankee Candle votives and today I'll be showing you my Top 5!

 

1) Vanilla Cupcake

 

To be fair I love anything with vanilla in it. I left the votive out next to my study desk and I could always smell a hint of vanilla in the air regardless of if it was lit or not. The constant sweetness in the air made me concentrate a lot harder - maybe because it helped me relax. 

 

2) Summer Scoop

 

In the store I thought the votive smelled of raspberries but when I lit it for the first time, it smelled more of strawberries. Nevertheless it's a summery feel-good scent which lingers long after it's been blown out. It makes me think of summer picnics with my friends or beach and ice-cream days. 

 

3) Clean Cotton

 

This votive was just so fresh!! I actually lit it for the first time after coming back from my Duke of Edinburgh expedition. You have no idea how amazing it was to smell soapy freshness!! I have to admit it does smell like clothes fresh from the washing machine but I don't think that's a bad thing! 

 

4) Fireside Treats

 

I actually got this in a small jar for my birthday and I love it. I use it a tiny bit at a time because it reminds me of Christmas!! Sweet marshmallows and campfires is what spring to mind when it's burning. It's also a lingering candle and I'm pretty sure I can smell it in the air two or three days after I blew it out!!

 

5) Cinnamon Stick

 

Another of my Christmas favourites!! You can't have any other scent around the festive season (apart from Mulled Wine mmmmm). It is a little overpowering if its left burning so if you were to use it I'd recommend a little a day. I do love cinnamon scent though!

 

And that's another T5T over!! There was a lot more candles I wanted to put into this post so I might do a Candle Empties post soon!! Stay tuned and I'll see you next time! 

Top 5 Thursday: Teen Novels

Forget tbt, Top 5 Thursday is what it is all about and today it is Top 5 Books.

Reading is my favourite relaxation activity and I always read something before I go to sleep. Today I am recommending 5 books that I have read and reread and reread again!

1) The Fault In Our Stars - John Green
I love Green's take on teenage cancer. As a teen with an increased chance of cancer I found that the realistic view on the horrible disease quite comforting. Too often is the story "child gets sick child gets miraculously better" told.Greens new angle on cancer recovery is so heartfelt and so realistic it's hard not to get hooked in!

2) The Perks Of Being A Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky
No spoilers! Chbosky has an incredible take on problematic situations for 'wallflower' Charlie after his close friend commits suicide. I found the book quite confusing on my first read and it's not until the last chapter until everything makes sense. After that its a must to reread and pick up all the clues given to the reader that we've brushed over.

3) The Divergent Trilogy - Veronica Roth
Who doesn't love a trilogy!? I've read and reread this brilliant series. It combines love with adventure and unlike "The Hunger Games" -which by the third book I became tired of Katniss' love struggles- I became enthralled by Tris' strength and courage to battle on regardless. They are currently being made into movies so read up, buy the first one and watch for the second one  - released this month.

4) Thirteen Reasons Why - Jay Asher
I'm seeing a trend in my favourite books. In this book thirteen reasons why Hannah committed suicide are on thirteen sides of tapes and sent to those thirteen people who are behind the thirteen reasons. This book tells Clay's side of the story from when he receives the tapes to when he sends them on. An uncanny realistic plot which I really enjoyed reading.

5) Looking For Alaska - John Green
So it's the same author as number 1 in my Top 5 Thursday but with a completely different plot which wraps me in every time! It tells the twisted story of a young boy in his first year in boarding school and trying to work out a mystery with his new friends. It is really worth a read if you haven't already and it's also meant to become a movie soon!

And that is my first T5T! I hope you really enjoyed reading this. I'm hoping to make this a regular feature of my blog so watch this space and I'll see you next time!