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.