Updates, Changes, And a New Beginning

I have to apologize for for the lack of updates over the last several weeks.  Life honestly just got crazy. Before I get into that, let me say that I've finally bit the bullet and decided to merge all my blog content into one blog which is now at Jennswt.com.  I kept the swt for a throwback to my Spake With Twang blog and it better ties into my youtube channel of the same name.

What does that mean for this blog? 

Other than this post and any comments with questions that may arise, I will not be adding any new content here.  All my new content will be on jennswt.com.  All the bargain, wax, book, polish, and the whole mess that is me will be on there.

For the time being, I am going to keep all the old blogs live at the current urls.  So all the old content will be here at least for awhile as I've already got most the domain names paid for quite awhile.

Sorry for any inconvenience this causes for anyone.  It isn't easy for me to pretty much rebuild from he ground up either.  Truthfully, this move as been a long time coming. 

I think one of my biggest regrets was starting side blogs in the first place or trying to limit the content into specific subject matter.  It just didn't work for me and I felt boxed in.

As for why my life as been crazy, for those who are curious or nosy :)

Well, to start last year I pretty much unable to do much of anything due to health issues.  2015 was an all around crap year.  So, let's talk about the whirlwind that started late 2015.

Around September, I finally got put on some new meds that have really helped me a ton.  I went from being in constant pain and having no energy to mostly functional.

I was feeling so much better in fact that I applied to a retail job at one of my favorite stores for a seasonal holiday position.  This was also a desperate need as the magic pills I was prescribed come with a not so magical price tag.  Surprisingly, I got the job.  It was amazing as I'd been job hunting with zero luck for over a year.

If you've ever worked retail, you know how that time of year is.  You don't get to have a life.  I also got hired 2 days beofre Black Friday.  So, you can imagine.  It was very difficult for me to get back in the swing of things, but I managed.

After the holiday, I ended up being offered a permanent part time position which I am still currently working.  The hours dropped dramatically after the holiday madness died down.  I went from having 35 or more hours weeks to only having 10 hours some weeks.

So, I got so mad over my abysmal hours one week that I just went on a job search site and applied to a ton of jobs including some that were a distant dream.

I didn't hear anything back and just continued to work the retail job.

Fast forward over a month and I get a call from this place at which I could only dream of working.  It was surreal.  And after weeks of interviews, tests, security checks, and more, I got offered the job. 

It has regular hours, hour lunches, and even a restroom not open to the public.  (If youve worked food or retail, you know what a blessing that is.  Customers are nasty animals in public restrooms. Haha.)  It's a job in which I'm able to use my degree and has career potential.

That's where I stand right now.  I am working the new dream job and still working the retail job on nights and weekends until I am done with my extensive training.

Life has always been crazy for me, but I'm thankful it's the good kind of crazy for once.

Y'all truly never know what life has in store.  I was at rock bottom last year.  Things were not good at all.  In the last month and a half, I have felt like my life may actually go somewhere for the first time since I was a naive high schooler with delusions of grandeur about how the world worked.

It's weird to be in a decent place for once.  I'm not without problems.  Shoot, I still have some crazy health issues and things.  For once, I have a peace that I've never had.  A feeling like things are gonna work out and go somewhere.  It's oddly comforting.

And I have my snazzy new blog at jennswt.com.  (Had to end with some cheese)

Love y'all even if my sporadic posting didn't show it.

Fotune Cookie Soap Haul | Wax Melts

Fortune Cookie Soap makes some pretty awesome body and bath products which is their main focus.  I freaking love their cuticle and body butters!

But...I've always seen pretty lofty claims as to the performance of their wax tarts from reviewers.  I've seen people say they are the strongest they've ever tried or the scent lasts for days on end.  As they are a company that is very hyped on social media, especially youtube, I am always skeptical.  They have a lot of super fans, and that usually makes for quite biased reviews.

I was subscribed to the Fortune Cookie Soap subscription box for quite awhile, and each box came with a $10 off coupon code.  I saved them up, as I could never get on the site before the product I wanted was sold out, and decided to make a few small orders of their wax tarts to use them up.

Wax of the Day: Ava's Country Cupboard - Flannel Sheets | Wax Melt Review

Today's wax melt review is of Flannel Sheets from Ava's Country Cupboard.  I purchased this melt directly from the wax vendor's web store.

Official Scent Description: (couldn't find one)

Pink Zebra Home Haul: Wax Sprinkles | Mini Reviews

First, let me say, I am not affiliated or a consultant for this company nor do I personally know any.  I am just a curious, weird, and wax obsessed cat lady who made an order from the web site.

This is one of those brands that I've been curious about even since I first found out about them.  I had only seen glowing reviews, but I'd never seen a review that wasn't from a consultant from this direct sales company.

So when they had an awesome coupon code promotion going awhile back, I thought I'd pick up a few of the 3.75oz jars and see how they perform for myself.

Wax of the Day: ScenSei - Hippie Holidays | Wax Melt Review

Today's wax melt review is for Hippie Holidays from ScenSei.  I ordered this one directly from the vendor's website.

Official Scent Description: Wow! An earthy blend of fresh patchouli, herbal sandalwood and hints of strawberry and raspberry with base notes of peppermint and evergreen. A wonderful holiday scent!

Wax of the Day: Front Porch Candles - Harvest Treats | Wax Melt Review

Today's wax melt review is of Harvest Treats by Front Porch Candles.  I picked this little grubby tart up directly from the vendor's web store.

Official Scent Description:  Blend of Sweet Potato Pie, Marshmallow, Sugar Cookies, Caramel, and Angie's Famous Cupcakes.

Yankee Candle Lavender | Candle Review

Today, I am doing a candle review of Lavender by Yankee Candle in a large tumbler.  I picked this candle up from the company's website during a glitch sale.  The full retail price is $27.99, but there are promotions going on constantly.

Official Scent Description:  Powdered lavender bundles tied with heather that is both soothing and luxurious.

Wax of the Day: Goose Creek Candles - Carving Pumpkins | Wax Melt Review

Today's wax of the day review is of Carving Pumpkins by Goose Creek Candles.  I purchased this wax melt directly from the company's website during a promotion.

Official Scent Description: It’s a fresh outdoor pumpkin fragrance with notes of cinnamon, clove, bergamot, rose and woody. The bottom notes are woods, vanilla, and patchouli.

719 Walnut Ave: Mahogany Driftwood | Candle Review

Today's candle review is of Mahogany Driftwood from 719 Walnut Ave.  I picked this candle up from my local Walmart for the full retail price of $4.97.

Official Scent Description: The cologne of mahogany and cedar woods are rounded with light floral notes

UPDATE: Video review embedded below

Sassy Girl Aroma - Iced Lemon Cookie Noel | Wax of the Day Review

Today's wax melt review is of Iced Lemon Cookie Noel from Sassy Girl Aroma.  I ordered this directly from the wax vendor's web store.  It's best to join the Sassy Girl Aroma official Facebook group to learn about restocks, sales, and other related news.

Official Scent Description**:  Creamy lemon frosting on top of a sweet mouthwatering sugar cookie

Goose Creek Candle Haul - Fall Candles and Wax Melts

This is a Goose Creek candle and wax melt haul from awhile back with a lot of fall scents.

There will be a list of the wax melts and candles that I picked up, scent descriptions of each, as well as, cold sniff impressions.

Wax Empties #6: Candles | Fully Burnt Candle Reviews

It is time once again to dig through my candle trash in another empties review post and video.  If you aren't familiar with empties reviews, I basically save all the jars of the candles that I've burned completely down to give y'all my thoughts on how they performed and if I would repurchase them.

Video is embedded below, as well as, the complete included candle list in video order with short, mini reviews of each candle in case you are pressed for time or text is more your thing. 

Paula Deen Pear Crisp | Candle Review

Today, I am reviewing Pear Crisp from the Paula Deen Collection.  I picked this candle up awhile back at my local Big Lots store.

Official Scent Description: (couldn't find one)

Paula Deen Coconut Macaroon | Candle Review (Updated with Video)

Today, I am reviewing Coconut Macaroon from the Paula Deen Collection.  I picked this candle up at my local Big Lots for $7.

Official Description: (couldn't find one)

[UPDATE:  Video embedded and linked below.]

New Big Lots Winter and Holiday Candles 2015

I was able to stop in a bigger Big Lots store when I was out in the city earlier in the week and spotted 3 new candle displays.  They each had several different scents, styles, and accessories.  Lots of pictures and text goodness below.

Goose Creek Candles : Summer Sherbet | Candle Review

Today, I am reviewing Summer Sherbet from Goose Creek Candles.  The full retail price for this candle is $24.99, but the company often has sales on their website.  I've heard that many people also find these candles for less at stores like Homegoods and TJ Maxx.

Official Scent Description:  It’s summer’s favorite scoop. Summer Sherbet is a rainbow of flavors. With orange, lemon, lime, peach and raspberry.

Walmart Haul: Fall Candles and Melts

This is a small haul from my local Walmart from a little bit ago.  Product list, scent impressions, mini reviews of items I've used, and more will be below.

Yankee Candle Haul : Candles

This is a small candle haul from awhile back when I was able to use some of my reward vouchers with a promotion.

Walmart Wax Melt Haul

This is a collective haul of wax melts over the last couple of months that I picked up from Walmart's website with free ship to store.  A lot of times, they offer lots of 5 and 10 packs for a severely discounted price instead of the $2 per clamshell that you would pay in store. 

The prices change very often.  So, you do have to stalk a bit for the good deals.  It pays off as at times they put the 10 packs as low as $10. Most of the packs listed below are back at full price on the website in favor of more spring and summer type scents being discounted for the changing season.

Rose Girls - Chai Toffee | Wax of the Day Review

Today, I am melting and reviewing Chai Toffee from Rosegirls Chunk Wax Melts. 

Official Scent Description: [could not find one]