Candle Warmer/Candle Lamp review

Candle warmer

After much consideration and research, I finally invested in a Candle Warmer/Candle Lamp, and I’m really enjoying it! I’m especially thankful that I found one I like during this season of great sales—because who doesn’t love a good deal? 😄

Here’s my take on the pros and cons:

Pros:

• No soot: Unlike traditional candle burning, the warmer eliminates black soot buildup, keeping the air and candle jars clean.
• No smoke or soot from extinguishing the candle ensures a cleaner and more pleasant experience.
• Enhanced fragrance: The warmer melts the candle evenly, releasing a stronger and more consistent aroma throughout the room.
• Quiet: It’s completely quiet—there are no crackling wicks or background noise, making it perfect for peaceful relaxation.
• Timer feature: This prevents over-melting your candle and helps conserve its lifespan. (mine's come with 2hour, 4hours and 8hour settings)
• Control over melting speed: With adjustable light intensity, you can control how fast or slow you want the candle to melt. (mine's has 3 settings)
• Safe and fire-free: No flames mean no worries about fire hazards! You can enjoy the ambiance of your candle without the risks of working with an open flame.
• Heats evenly—unlike candles that rely on properly placed wicks, warmers melt the wax evenly. Say goodbye to candle tunnelling!

Cons:

• No "burnt candle" scent: If you love the slightly smoky scent that comes from burning candles, this might feel like a missing piece.
• No sound: While the quiet operation is a pro for some, others may miss the ambient crackling sound of a candle wick burning.
• Requires a container to hold the wax—standalone candles can drip wax onto the base without one.
• Not ideal for every candle type: Some candles with a lower concentration of fragrance oils might not release much scent when melted on a warmer. This could lead to a less aromatic payoff.
• Requires a power source: Unlike traditional candles, which can be placed anywhere, a candle warmer needs to be plugged in, limiting where it can be used.
• Limited ambiance: While it’s great for releasing fragrance, a candle warmer lacks the warm, flickering glow of a lit candle that creates a cozy atmosphere.

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Candle warmers don't burn the wick, I used a pre burned candle here

What to Look for in a Candle Warmer/Lamp

After extensive research, I realized that not all candle warmers are created equal. There are several types out there, and selecting the right one can be a bit overwhelming. Based on my experience, here are the key features I think are worth considering:

1. Timer Feature:
   Look for a lamp with a built-in timer to prevent over-melting your candle. It ensures you don’t waste wax and allows you to safely “set it and forget it.”

2. Adjustable Height:
   This is especially useful to accommodate candles of varying sizes—whether it’s a large jar candle or a smaller one.

3. Sturdy Base:
   Stability is key! A sturdy base will prevent your candle from toppling over and causing potential accidents. Candle Warmers will liquify your wax, so it is extremely important to have one that is stable, solid and well-built.

4. Adjustable Light Intensity:
   Having control over the strength of the light allows you to customize how much of the candle you want to melt, giving you the ability to stretch the candle's lifespan and adjust the fragrance release.

5. High-Quality Materials:
   Opt for a warmer made from glass, wood, or metal. These materials are safer as they don’t overheat or pose fire risks like some plastic components might.

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Investing in a Candle Warmer/Candle Lamp has genuinely been a game-changer for how I enjoy my candles. While there are a couple of small trade-offs, the benefits far outweigh them, especially if you value cleaner air, stronger scents, and a more controlled way to enjoy your candles.

If you’re a candle lover like me, I highly recommend exploring your options and finding one that works for you! You just might fall in love with the experience too. 😊

Score: 10/10
Website: Amazon has the best selection available.

McDonald's Baked Peach Pie review

Peaches are one of my all-time favourite fruits, so when I heard that McDonald's was offering Peach Pies for a limited time, I was very excited! As someone who loves trying new seasonal menu items, I couldn't wait to get my hands on one of these pies and see how it compares to their classic apple pies.

McDonald's Peach Pie

Impressions

Gooey & Moist:

Right off the bat, the texture of the Peach Pie stood out to me. It was much gooier and more moist than the usual apple pies McDonald's offers. The filling had a soft, almost jam-like consistency that added a rich, luscious feel to each bite.

the pie couldn't hold its shape

Fragrant Peach Flavor:
The peach filling wasn’t overwhelmingly sweet, which I appreciated. Instead, it had a beautiful, fragrant peach flavour that came through without being cloying. The peaches didn't seem fully ripe, but surprisingly, the pie still delivered a delicious flavour. Despite the slightly under-ripe fruit, it was still enjoyable. I appreciated the pie's mild sweetness, which was balanced without the sugary overload you might expect.

smaller peach "chunks"

Smaller Peach Bits:

While the peach filling was flavorful, I did notice that the peach pieces were much smaller than the chunky apple pieces typically found in McDonald's Apple Pies. I would've loved a bit more texture from larger chunks of peach, but the small pieces still packed plenty of fruity goodness.

Additional Thoughts:

Golden, Crispy Crust

As with McDonald's other pies, the crust was golden brown and perfectly crispy, offering a satisfying contrast to the gooey, tender filling inside. The outer shell had just the right amount of crunch without being overly greasy, making it easy to enjoy. However, due to the gooeyness of the filling, the pie struggled to maintain its shape, but the crispy outer shell still held up well, making each bite enjoyable despite the soft interior.

Verdict

Overall, I really enjoyed McDonald's Peach Pie. While I was expecting more substantial peach chunks, the fragrant filling and gooey texture made up for it. If you're a fan of peach-flavoured treats or just love trying new seasonal items, I highly recommend giving this a try before it’s gone. It's a perfect blend of sweetness and fruitiness, wrapped up in McDonald's signature crispy pie shell. Definitely worth the indulgence!

Score: 7.8/10
Website: https://www.mcdonalds.com/ca/en-ca/product/peach-pie.html

Bikaji Chips Pudina Treat (Mint Potato Chips) review

I'm always excited to try out different snacks, and a few days ago, I came across these Pudina potato chips. For those unfamiliar, "Pudina" is the Hindi word for mint. However, simply calling them "Mint Potato Chips" doesn't quite do them justice—the flavour profile is far more complex.

While the mint flavour is present, it’s more of a subtle note rather than the main star. Although mint is high on the ingredient list, it’s gently balanced (and occasionally overpowered) by a variety of other herbs and spices that give these chips their unique taste.

ingredients

To better understand the flavour profile of these chips, let’s take a closer look at the ingredient list. These chips are packed with a unique blend of spices that give them their distinctive taste. I’ve highlighted the key herbs and spices that make this flavour stand out:

Ingredients:

Potatoes (58%), Edible Vegetable Oil (Palmoline Oil And/Or Cottonseed Oil), Mint Leaf Extract (1%), Ground Spices And Condiments (Lode Salt, Garlic Powder, Dignan Powder, Coriander , Cinnamon, Turmeric (Color & Spices), Nair Salt, Red Chilli, Fennel Seed, Nair Pepper, Bishop's Seed, Fenugreek, Dry Ginger, Cardamom, Clove Glau, Mustard Seed, Nutmeg, Mace, Dextrose, Maltodextrin, Starch, Acidity Regulator (INS 330))

Pudina/Mint potato chips

There’s a strong taste of traditional Indian herbs and spices that gives the chips a rich, flavorful profile, while the mint adds a subtle, refreshing twist. However, don’t expect the mint to be overpowering—it’s just a gentle hint in the background.

They have interesting Volleyball facts in the back of the package

Impressions:

• Not very crispy 
• Unique flavour profile 
• Strong "Indian" herbs and spice taste 
• subtle spicy hot (it builds, though)
• Subtle mintiness 
• Chips are thicker than typical kettle chips, which makes them less crispy but gives them a hearty texture
• Addictive

Pudina/Mint Potato Chips

Verdict: 

While these chips weren’t exactly what I was expecting—being a fan of mint, I was hoping for a stronger mint flavour—they were still surprisingly addictive. The blend of Indian herbs and spices created a unique and flavorful profile that kept me reaching back for more. Although the mint was subtle, it added just enough freshness to complement the rich spices. That said, I did find myself wishing the chips were a bit crispier. The thicker texture, while hearty, lacked the satisfying crunch of a typical potato chip. Overall, if you're open to trying something different with a hint of mint and a bold, spice-forward taste, these are definitely worth a try!

Score: 8.9/10
Website: https://www.bikaji.com/pudina-treat-chips.html?srsltid=AfmBOooO5bTTFd_zNuE4NN4cSzmVIDVHchsnANeFx-ekdAB_5fdWYV5A

Flamin Hot Cheetos review

I finally found them!!!! I FINALLY FOUND THEM!!! YEAH!!! I've been craving something I have not tried before... and today I finally got to try them!!! YEAH!!!!

For the past 5 years, people have told me about these flamin' hot Cheetos and I have fantasized about them whenever I craved Cheetos or hot and spicy foods.

first impressions:

• less cheesy... is there even a cheesiness to them?
• the hot and spicy aspect builds up
• They are so much hotter (and a different kind of hot than I thought)

The Cheesiness:
When I fantasized about these Cheetos, I thought they would be super cheesy with a hot twist (like a warm, hot chilli pepper), but to my surprise, they are nothing like I thought they would be. 

cheesy claim

They claim these have a cheesy taste... but I couldn't taste a single bit of cheese :(

The Spice:
seasoned with chilli peppers and other flavouring to give them a distinctive heat. There is more heat than depth, more hot than spice.

list of ingredients

To my surprise, I couldn't find "chilli" as part of their ingredients. Cheddar cheese is part of their seasoning but I couldn't tell it was there :(... 

Texture:
Similar to the signature Cheetos crunchy texture. They are made from cornmeal.

close up of the Flamin Hot Cheetos

They are on the red side compared to regular Cheetos (which are very orange-looking).

Verdict:

While these are good and can satisfy your hot and spicy craving, I wanted more spice and cheesiness. In fact, I hoped there would be at least SOME cheesiness, but there isn't. :(

They are quite hot, so if you enjoy the heat that spicy foods give, this is for you. But these are not for you if you are looking for a hot version of the signature Cheetos with a cheesy twist.

Score: 6.5/10
Website: https://www.cheetos.com/products/cheetos-crunchy-flamin-hot-cheese-flavored-snacks

Youtube Morning Walks & Adventures

 

Join Me on My Daily Morning Walks!

Over the past few months, I've been documenting my morning walks, capturing beautiful moments with nature and wildlife. If you're a fan of nature, and animals, or simply want to accompany me on my adventures, I'd love for you to join me! ❤️ 

Click here to follow along on my YouTube channel :)

Links:
YouTube Shorts:  https://www.youtube.com/@StephanieNg/shorts 😊
(where I actively post updates) 

Main channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StephanieNg
(I'm still looking for inspiration to post longer format videos)

O'Sole Mio Ravioli with Boursin short review

Ravioli

I love Boursin cheese and ravioli, so when I saw this at Costco I immediately grabbed a pack <3 

After doing some research, I discovered that O'Sole Mio specializes in ravioli. No wonder these were so deliciously made.

These did not disappoint at all!! <3 <3 <3 

it is so good <3 <3 <3 

it is exactly how you imagine they would taste, ravioli with Boursin cheese filling <3 <3 <3 

My only complaint is that you don't have to leave them simmering for 4 minutes! I tried my first batch and some of them burst open... 2.5-3 minutes is more than enough :)

(and please read the instructions! They clearly state that these should not be boiled!)

I almost made the mistake of boiling them, keeping the water hot but not boiling.

score: 9/10

website: (no website, keywords led to Costco's product page)

Honolulu Cookie Company Chocolate chip macademia mini bites short review

Amid the Olympics, I have grown a sweet tooth. I found these at my Costco and wanted to get them for 2 reasons: they will satisfy my sweet tooth, AND I really like Macadamia nuts.

If you read the small print, these are actually shortbread cookies.

impressions:

they are pineapple-shaped
no chocolate or macadamia nut taste

strong caramel taste

a dry shortcake cookie

tiny pineapple-shaped shortbread bites

When I checked the back of the packaging, I couldn't find any red flags... and I was surprised that these cookies only contain 1.4g of sugar per piece!

I'm disappointed there was hardly any Macadamia nut or chocolate taste (as the name suggests it should!), but these shortbread cookies are good at the end of the day. I like the strong presence of caramel in each piece.

score: 7.8/10
website: https://www.honolulucookie.com/cookies-gifts-chocolate/mini-bites-snack-pack-7oz.asp