Vellabox Monthly Candle Subscription Review

Vellabox is a candle subscription box where you will receive 1 to 2 candles monthly depending on which price level you subscribe to. Details on each price level will be listed below. All candles provided are all natural, 100% soy wax. Vellabox works with companies, big and small to put together the perfect package on your doorstep each month. This company also allows you to purchase individual candles of your choice whenever you are so inclined. This feature is perfect for those who prefer to choose a scent as opposed to being surprised. Lastly, Vellabox lets you 'gift' subscriptions to those you love. These are available in 3, 6 or 12 month options. Price points for these are identical to that of a personal subscription. Candle amounts and ounces are also identical.

Subscription Options:

The Standard
- 1 Candle/Month (4 oz.)
- Approx. 25 hrs. burn time
- +$2.00 Shipping/Handling
$10.00/Month

The Aficionado
- 1 Candle/Month (8 oz.)
- Approx. 50 hrs. burn time
- Free shipping
$20.00/Month

The Luxe
- 1 to 2 Candle[s]/Month (Approx. 12 oz.)
- Approx. 75 hrs. burn time
- Free shipping
$30.00/Month

Vellabox's packaging is simple, but very cute! Mine was wrapped in a couple pieces of burlap and tied with a basic jute bow! Upon unwrapping the candle, the jar/label were also simple, matching the packaging.

   
*Click to enlarge*

Don't let the 'simple' fool you when it comes to scent! I received the handmade Amber & Moss candle by P.F. Candle Co. All it took was a twist of the cover to discover the fragrance. To me, the scent is that of mens aftershave/cologne or maybe a shower gel/body wash. Is it something that I would pick out on my own? Probably not. However, that's part of the fun of this subscription, you never know what you'll get.

These candles burn very clean and are long lasting. I had mine burning for about 4 hours before blowing it out and there was no soot whatsoever to be found. As far as the candles burning for the mentioned amount of time (20-25 hrs.), I can't comment on that as I didn't want to burn it up in just a couple days. The scent also disperses very well. Within 5 minutes of lighting the candle on the main floor, I could already smell it from the upstairs of my home. It gives the entire house a very clean, fresh scent.

Overall, I was quite pleased with Vellabox and the quality of products that they offer. Though $10 may seem on the spendy side for a 4 oz. candle, they are very high quality unlike something that you could buy at a big box store. Plus, you are left with a cute little jar to use in crafts once the candle is gone. This subscription would also make the perfect gift!

-Unboxing and First Impressions-


Vellabox on social media
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter

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I received the mentioned product complimentary for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own.

20 Questions - 21 Answers

So I've been blogging on here since July of 2012 but I feel like I have yet to tell you about myself aside from the tiny bio at the bottom. Not that anyone cares or that it's important, but sometimes I like to know about the writers of my favorite blogs, so maybe others do too! To solve this issue, here is a blog post dedicated to....me....which you probably will never see again on this blog. I'll ask myself 20 questions and provide you with the answers and that should do it! Now...I'm not going to ask what my favorite colors are (which are orange and purple), because well...that's just not fun...or interesting.

1. If you sat at a 'Mean Girls' table in High School, which would it be?
"I'd be sitting over there with the art freaks."

2. Where did your blog name come from?
Well, when I was totally new to the world of blogging, I started a few separate blogs for multiple WOM marketing sites. Then I realized I really only needed one generalized review blog for all sites. I transferred all of my posts to 'Pieces of Influence' because that blog name was my favorite out of the ones I had. 'Pieces of Influence' was originally made for reviewing items from Influenster.

3. What is your phones current ringtone?
Leave the Night On - Sam Hunt

4. Where is your dream vacation?
I'd LOVE to visit Australia!

5. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Pushing! Literally. When you're in the store...or anywhere, it's so easy to just say 'excuse me', but instead so many choose to just nudge you out of the way. Ugh!

6. What are your favorite animals?
Well, I adore dogs, cats and horses...but those are too basic! Aside from pets, I love love love owls, squirrels....and black bears. Lets just say, I love all animals. ;)

7. If your closest friends had to describe you with one word, what would it be?
Dork

8. What is the last movie that you watched?
Well just now, while writing this, I'm watching 'Living with the Enemy' on LMN.

9. What was your first job?
When I was 15-ish, I babysat for the neighbors on nights and some weekends for many years.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Roast with sauerkraut and peeled potatoes all in one dish! Though, I don't really eat meat, so that part gets passed on.

11. Were you in any extra curricular activities in high school?
Yes, I was in FFA and loved it! Wish there was an 'after graduation' version of FFA.

12. Early bird or night owl?
Well...I'm def. not a morning person! I wouldn't say I'm a complete night owl either though...kinda in-between.

13. Besides blogging, what are your hobbies?
LOTS of things! I play guitar, scrapbook, do photography, spend time with pets, workout, and a whole lot more.

14. Do you have any nicknames?
Nah. When I was little, sometimes people would call me Sara Bear, but that didn't last long.

15. What did you want to 'grow up' to be?
For a long time, I wanted to be a cosmetologist, but that has faded. Oh how things change!

16. Guilty pleasure song?
Pretty much any Spice Girls song. After all...I was in a Spice Girls club when I was in elementary school. Lol! xD

17. Do you have any weird talents?
If bending just the tip of my left index finger forward is a talent, then yes! However...that may just be because it accidentally got smashed in a car door when I was little.

18. Would you rather travel back in time or into the future?
I'd go back to the 80's because....who wouldn't want to?!?

19. Which chore do you dislike most?
Dusting! Ugh! I'd rather clean toilets all day...well....maybe not!

20. Where is your favorite place to shop?
Target.

Well that was rather quick and easy! Hope I didn't completely bore you with the questions. Now....back to doing reviews and DIY's! (:

Neil Diamond "Melody Road" Album Review

If you've ever caught yourself humming along to "Sweet Carolina" (So Good, So Good) or one of Neil Diamonds other hits, you'll be pleased to know that he has recently released "Melody Road". It has been 6 whole years since Neil has released a new album and his first since signing with Capital Records. With a physical album purchase, you will also receive a 36 page lyrics and guitar chords pamphlet. To help you get a feel of the album.....

"Melody Road" (the song)is a calming 'melody' about songwriting. With such a simple theme, it is easy to just sing along and leave all your cares behind you. Any time you need a little pick me up, this would be a perfect choice.

Then we have love songs like "Something Blue". This song is a story about a man who found the 'perfect for me' spouse. Somebody who may not be perfect, but is perfect for them. Once again, the lyrics are on the simple side, but with tremendous meaning, care and love. Couples of any age will appreciate Neil's idea of saying "Goodbye to my little bit of something blue".



Fans of Neil's 2 most recent albums will certainly enjoy this one just the same. Through out the album, you will even see a few similarities between some of the songs. Don't take my word for it, buy the album for yourself and have a listen.

Order Melody Road on:
iTunes
Amazon

Neil Diamond Online:
Website
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube

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I participated in the Neil Diamond Melody Road album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided a free album to review but all opinions are my own.

Piczzle Picture Puzzle Review & GIVEAWAY!

Your own picture in puzzle format? Yes puh-lease! Simple, affordable and would make such a great keepsake. Piczzle picture puzzles are the perfect gift for any age and for every occasion! Puzzles can be made with anywhere from 6 to 2,000 pieces! They can even be made in several shapes and sizes. Why not personalize them for a special occasion...Piczzle allows that too! How cool would it be to ask your hunny to marry you by putting together a puzzle asking "Will You Marry Me?".

-or-

"Happy Birthday"
"Happy Anniversary"
"It's A Boy/Girl"
"Congratulations"
"Welcome Home"

Or 'Just Because' - The possibilities are literally endless! Any picture with any saying (70 characters max)!



Pricing
Due to customization, prices vary greatly. With prices as low as $14.95 (plus shipping) and as high as $289.95 (plus shipping), there is likely something for your price point.

Packaging
Too cute! Puzzles come shrink wrapped in a customized country-esque cardboard box with your photo on the front! Thick cardboard that will hold up...not the flimsy, paper-like stuff. Once you pop open the top, your pieces are nicely placed in a zip lock baggie. Again, could this be a more perfect gift?

Quality
You know those times that you go into the store to buy a puzzle and find out that the puzzle pieces just do not fit together properly? Or...the pieces are so extremely thin, that they just want to bend/rip/break when you try and take the pieces back apart? I hate that. Going into this, I hoped for the best but was prepared for the worst. Much to my surprise, the pieces were very sturdy. Please keep in mind that these puzzles can be bought standard or wooden format. The ones that I am referring to are just the standard. The very first time I started piecing mine together, it was slightly difficult to get them to fit correctly. However, the second and third time around, I had no problem.

Then comes the picture quality...
I do not know how in the world these are printed, but wow...just wow! I thought hands down that I would get my puzzle together and see...well....pixels! Boy was I wrong! These picture puzzles are legit! I literally had a replica of my original photo on a cardboard jigsaw puzzle. Don't take my word for it....take a peek at the two side by side!

     
Click to enlarge

Piczzle Online
Piczzle Picture Puzzle
Piczzle Picture Puzzle on Facebook
Piczzle Picture Puzzle on Youtube

I know...I know, the part you've all been waiting for!
Piczzle was kind enough to offer one lucky reader a customized small cardboard puzzle to try for FREE!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Rules
-Reply to winning email within 48 hours or a new winner will be drawn-
-You may not win Piczzle from more than one blog-
-Open to U.S. residents only-

Winner will be verified.

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Fresh Fruit Vinegars by Mange Review

Yep, more food related products to review! Can someone say YUM??
This isn't some snack that I can just pop into my mouth...but it sure makes some delicious condiments! No, this is NOT your everyday vinegar! Instead it has a kick of fruit flavor. While these vinegars come in a wide array of flavors, I was sent White Peach and Passion Fruit to experiment with!

While I found my own recipe to use my vinegars in, the company was kind enough to send a couple along. Unfortunately, while they sound delicious, it just isn't something that I would make. Maybe one of you would like to try and let me know how it tastes? Okay, thanks! (:
By clicking on the picture, I hope you will be able to read the ingredients. If not, let me know and I'll gladly write them out for you!
 Though I don't exactly recommend taking a sip of vinegar (yikes!), I did dip my finger to give it a taste. Of course the main thing you taste is the vinegar. However, there is def. a fruity 'zing' to them. The white peach was delicious and literally tasted like fresh peaches! Then there's the Passion Fruit. Quite honestly, I don't know what passion fruit should taste like as I've never had it before. To me, it smells and tastes a bit like green tea. While I like green tea, I wasn't a huge fan of this flavor. It would probably be good in the right recipe. I just haven't found that one yet!
So on to what I did with my vinegars! Well, I made a vinaigrette! I absolutely love salads so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to try them out! I didn't want to go crazy with it, so I browsed the internet for a simple recipe. I was able to find this one courtesy of Ina Garten:

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Ingredients:
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup good olive oil
Salad greens or mesclun mix for 6 to 8 people

Directions:
In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard, garlic, vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. While whisking, slowly add the olive oil until the vinaigrette is emulsified.

Place the salad greens in a medium bowl and add enough dressing to moisten. Sprinkle with a little extra salt and pepper, if desired, and serve immediately.

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    Of course when I made mine, I swapped the Champagne 

Vinegar for these fresh fruit vinegars. I also

added a bit of italian seasoning to give it a bit more color and texture. Otherwise, I felt like I was just eating olive oil with bits of garlic!

I have bought raspberry flavored vinaigrette before, so I had high hopes for this! Then came the taste test! Once again, the White Peach dressing was very good! It obviously wasn't quite as 'peachy' as before, but it still had a hint. The perfect amount of fruit flavor in my opinion. With the Passion Fruit vinegar, I really wasn't able to pick out the flavor that much. It may have had almost a bit of bitterness....or maybe not... I guess I'm just not really sure.

In conclusion, I really just think that the flavors are hit and miss! I would definitely buy the White Peach again. The Passion Fruit..not so much! Hopefully at one point or another, I'll get the chance to try more flavors and let you all know what I think!

If you would like to buy some vinegar for yourself, you can do so HERE!

Also, help keep this product 'Made in USA' and more by donating HERE and receiving a delicious gift!

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.