Monday, February 14, 2011

Tomslitehouse Natural Hand Poured Soy Candles- review and giveaway!



This past week I've had the pleasure of working with Karen of Tomslitehouse. I was sent some clamshell tarts to review, but first let me tell you about their company. They really know their stuff!


Tomslitehouse is a home based business founded in 2007. Their motto is 'Go Green- Try Soy!' Karen and Tom turned to soy after realizing all of the black soot left by the traditional paraffin candles. Upon taking a candle-making class, Karen began crafting her own for friends and family. They were such a hit they began selling out at craft fairs, too. Tomslitehouse candles are 100% natural, hand poured soy candles. This isn't just a marketing ploy, they truly use no chemicals or additives of any kind! The fragrances used are all organic and body safe. So why soy instead of traditional paraffin? 


Did you know paraffin is a byproduct of petroleum refining? Let's just put aside the fact that it's a non-renewable resource for now and focus briefly on the chemical components in some of the scented paraffin candles: acetone, trichlorofluoromethane, carbon disulfide, 2- butanone, 1, 1, 1-trichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethene, tetrachloroethene, chlorobenzene, ethylbenzene, styrene, xylene, phenol, cresol, cyclopentene, lead, carbon monoxide, particulate matter and soot.

Quite the mouthful, right? Or should I say lung-full. No one wants to expose themselves or their families to these toxic chemicals- some of which are known carcinogens! And no, we're not crazy hippies about this. Even the EPA cites paraffin candles and incense as 'possible sources of indoor pollution.' Who knew? I just wanted my house to smell better after that diaper blowout!

There is so much information on why to choose soy over paraffin, more than I can compact into this review. Check out Tomslitehouse for more Benefits of Soy, how to properly care for your soy candle and to shop! 


Now for my review! First of all, Karen is a peach. What wonderful customer service, communication and plethora of information. I really learned a lot. Karen sent me 3 fragrances to try: Basil, Lilac and Tuberose. The Basil wasn't my favorite, but that's not a concern as smell is so subjective. The Lilac, on the other hand, is perfect. The fragrance is very gentle; you won't be knocked off your feet by too much scent. The size of the tart is another thing. Maybe a Goldilock's analogy works here: It is just right! Some tarts I've bought in the past are too large for my warmer and I end up having to take a knife and cut them up. These are the perfect size and easily broken into their sections with my hands. Each tart melts quickly. (The Tuberose was nice, but sort of got short-changed as I smelled it after the Lilac. And I really like the Lilac.)

In addition to the clamshell tarts I reviewed, you can purchase warmers, tea lights, refillable jars of different sizes, and even a refillable heart shaped bowl candle! Planning a wedding or shower? Consider them for your party favors! Karen and Tom do all sorts of wonderful things for weddings, fundraisers, parties, showers and gifts. 

WIN IT
Karen has generously offered to give one of our readers a twin pack of clamshell tarts in winner's fragrance of choice!

Entry options
Enter by your methods of choice below. You can do one or all! Please include your email address and a separate comment for each entry.

1- Visit Tomslitehouse and tell me what other product you love and your favorite fragrance!
1- Follow Tomslitehouse on twitter
1- Become a facebook fan of Tomslitehouse
1- Become a facebook fan of Adventures in Green Living


That is a total of 4 available entries! 

Now for the fine print: I was not compensated for this review; I was sent product to aid in giving my fair and honest opinion. This giveaway ends 12/18 at 11:59 pm CST. Open to US residents only.

23 comments:

miamia said...

I'm a fan of Tomslighthouse on FB.

miamia said...

Already a fan of Adventures in Green Living.
(and sorry, I didn't mean to post 2 comments previously...I don't think I even hit the submit button twice).

miamia said...

I think I would really enjoy the Amish Quilt scent and the Illumination Fragrance Warmer (and their jar candles, too).

RaisingGreenRichmondKids said...

I like the plug ins and the Avalanche scent really interests me.

Klemm Family said...

Follow Tomslitehouse on twitter. @momtoemmett
skklemm at gmail dot com

Klemm Family said...

I'm a facebook fan of Adventures in Green Living. Stephanie Klemm
skklemm at gmail dot com

Klemm Family said...

I like the plug-in warmer and I'd love to try Fresh Squeezed Oranges. MMM.
skklemm at gmail dot com

Klemm Family said...

I'm a facebook fan of Tomslitehouse. Stephanie Klemm.
skklemm at gmail dot com

Mama Bee said...

I "liked" on Facebook. I had no idea about traditional candles! Scary!!

Mama Bee said...

^^ mama bee is Emily

emily at halousa dot com

tbonecats said...

I love cinnamon-scented anything so I'd like Hot Iced Cinnamon Buns. Also liked the BBW Honeysuckle scent when it existed, so Honeysuckle candles would be nice. I think the plugs in would be great with our new (to us) house.

tbonecats said...

I'm a facebook fan of Adventures in Green Living
cenewhard@gmail.com

tbonecats said...

I'm a facebook fan of Tomslitehouse.
cenewhard@gmail.com.

Unknown said...

I like the plug INS and the orange scent. Mmmm :-)

Unknown said...

I'm a fan of tomslighthouse on fb.

Leslie Family said...

My favorite scent is Hot Iced Cinnamon Buns and i really like their white round warmer!
prdmilitarywife12 at yahoo dot com

Leslie Family said...

i follow on twitter
prdmilitarywife
prdmilitarywife12 at yahoo dot com

Leslie Family said...

i follow on FB
RachelLeslie12
prdmilitarywife12 at yahoo dot com

Leslie Family said...

i am a FB fan of yours already
rachelleslie12
prdmilitarywife12 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I'm a fan of adventures In green living on fb

Tina Deanette Gower said...

I like the plug in warmers and the coconut scent!

mom2_3boyzz at yahoo dot com

Tina Deanette Gower said...

I like "you" on Facebook
(Tina Deanette Gower)
mom2_3boyzz at yahoo dot com

niteglow26 said...

I like Tomslitehouse on Facebook

 
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