holidays

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I love the holidays for a multitude of reasons, one being the smells. Smells can take you back to your childhood, remind you of your favorite vacation spot or person. My favorite scent of the holidays…cinnamon & clove! There’s nothing else like it. The smell just brings warmth and happiness.
I’m what my husband calls a candle horder, I LOVE my candles. The flicker of the flame & the warm glow they give off…I just love it. I go through candles like crazy so over the past year or so I’ve switched to more natural candles and if they are small business/handmade that is a major plus in my book!
In my hunt for new homemade natural candles, I happened upon Wax Buffalo who sent me a few of their holiday scents to try out. Wax Buffalo is a small batch naturally scented candle company represented in over thirty-five retail stores all across the country. It was started three years ago in the owner Alicia’s kitchen!
About Wax Buffalo
Ranging in price from $12 – $38, these small batch natural candles are:
Hand poured in small batches in the Midwest.
Designed for the well-curated modern home.
With scents like Sweet Tobacco, Blood Orange, Oatmeal Stout and Evergreen there is something likable for everyone.
Obviously, I was sent Cinnamon & Clove…let me tell you it does not disappoint! I get whiffs of it even when it’s not lit!
Wax Buffalo “Cinnamon & Clove”
One of our top Christmas candles. It’s classic. Red hot cinnamon, spicy and perfect with lovely notes of warm clove. Both of these oils are pure essential oils which makes this candle strong and lovely. Perfect to pair with an afternoon of wrapping presents and hanging stockings with care.
I was also sent their new Verona. It has a bit of a sweet scent that reminds me of my childhood when my sister and I would go blackberry picking.
Wax Buffalo “Verona”
Blanket spread wide on a grass-covered hill for a picnic of berries, banquettes and chilled rose’. The anticipation of a night under the stars watching Shakespeare with your favorite people in all the land. Salty skin, sun-blocked noses, orchids + peonies melting with the sunset, and stolen kisses create a hot summer bouquet of happiness and carefree living that this scent will inspire deep within you.
What is your favorite candle scent?
I’m thinking I need to check out their Autumn, Into The Woods and Rosemary & Mint! I’ll throw in a few extra Cinnamon & Clove just for good measure!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

This post may contain affiliate links which fund the My Sparkling Life blog.
Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Every year I get the job of stocking filler…I love my job! I get to pick out miniature things my boys love. My boys usually rush over to check their stockings first thing Christmas morning to see just what goodies are waiting for them. Picking out stocking stuffers shouldn’t feel like a chore…If you find yourself out of idea this holiday season here are a few tips to get you picking the perfect stocking stuffers.
You know your children better than anyone! When filling stockings make sure to tailor the stocking to not only your child’s age but their interests as well. My kids’ interests change yearly so most of the time their stocking goodies change yearly as well. But there are a few ideas I follow that will always keep it interesting & fun yet fimiliar.
I love to gift them something useful. Pencils & erasers are always appreciated in my house. Books & socks are other good ideas…I mean who doesn’t love a pair of holiday socks!?
My kids are obsessed with games! We go through card decks like crazy…mostly because my 4 year old loves to pull them out, then magically we are missing 5. So a new deck of cards are always a must in their stockings. You can also add crayons and a coloring book as well!
My kids always expect to find their favorite snacks in their stockings. Fruit, candy canes, Slim Jim Snack Sticks, & themed candies are all great options. You want to find the perfect treat that the whole family will love. My kids also love to bake, so anything that gives them that opportunity is a plus. You can even turn an oven mitt into a stocking filled with baking goodies!
You can’t forget to give something holiday themed…after all, it is Christmas! A stuffed holiday bear, ornament, reindeer ears or a Santa hat are always hits. We love giving the boys an ornament each year that is a memorandum of that year…for instance, my 8 year old received an A+ ornament last year because he always brings home good grades.
I grab a few goodies the other day while shopping at Walmart…stuffed bear, jingle bell ornament, pencils, candy canes & a mitt with baking supplies. Of course I couldn’t forget a 26ct package of Slim Jim Snack Sticks. My kids love to throw them in their bags for a bold on the go snack. These Slim Jim Mild Snack Sticks are not a sweet and it provides a perfect, pick-me-up boost to tide them over until dinner!
Right now, just like at Halloween, you can create your own virtual stockings at Slim Jim Bold Break for a chance to win a Slim Jim Prize Pack! Fifteen grand prize winners will receive a $250 Walmart eGift Card, two embroidered holiday stockings and two boxes of Slim Jim Original Smoked Snack Sticks!
I created mine! Let’s see yours!
Be sure to share your creation on your social channels and come back daily to enter the sweepstakes! *One (1) entry per person, per day limit.

This post may contain affiliate links which fund the My Sparkling Life blog.
Love is in the air! Whether you want to show your love bugs just how sweet they are or give that special someone something cute and cuddly, PEEPS & COMPANY® has got you covered. I’ve partnered with Peeps® to not only share with you the news of their delicious Valentines Peeps® offerings, but also to bring you a fun cupcake recipe & a giveaway…so keep reading!!
PEEPS & COMPANY® 2016 Valentine’s Day Offerings:
PEEPS® Valentine Hearts: Express your love with eight sparkly red marshmallow mini hearts. This new item is adorned with a write-on tag for personalized gifting!
PEEPS® Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Crème Flavored Chicks: Three delectable strawberry crème flavored marshmallow chicks dipped in smooth milk chocolate – perfect for the ones you love.
PEEPS® Marshmallow Hearts: Available in 2 or 6 count packages, these pink heart shaped marshmallow hearts help show your sweetheart that you do know the way to their heart!
PEEPS® Strawberry Crème Flavored Marshmallow Hearts: Nine red marshmallow hearts with the delicious taste of strawberries and cream are perfect as a Valentine’s dessert treat or as a fun accent to your favorite craft or recipe.
PEEPS® Cherries Drizzled and Dipped in Chocolate: Three cherry-shaped marshmallow flavored cherries dipped in and drizzled with decadent chocolate, perfect for sharing with that special someone.
PEEPS® Vanilla Crème Flavored Marshmallow Hearts: Nine vanilla crème flavored marshmallow hearts sprinkled with red flecks are a perfect snack to share, or delicious as a fun topper for hot cocoa.
PEEPS® Chocolate Covered Raspberry Flavored Heart: Individually wrapped raspberry flavored marshmallow heart covered in milk chocolate makes for a treat you can keep to yourself or share with your Valentine!
MIKE AND IKE® Passion Mix Candy: Feel the love of the season with the limited edition MIKE AND IKE® Passion Mix – a fruity and chewy assortment of Paradise Punch, Strawberry, Grape and Cherry in festive holiday colors.
HOT TAMALES® Fierce Cinnamon Candy: Spice up the special day with the original bold and fiery flavor of HOT TAMALES® Fierce Cinnamon! The festive box features a personalized tag – perfect for gifting in the box or using to craft something spicy for your favorite “HOTTIE”.
HOT TAMALES® Valentine’s Lollipops: If you’re feeling extra bold and spicy this Valentine’s Day, the HOT TAMALES® Valentine’s Lollipops are sure to deliver! Available in circle and heart shapes, this fiery treat is a cinnamon-lovers dream!
PEEPS® Plush Valentine’s Day Bunny: These fluffy 5-inch bunny-shaped plushes are squeezable and soft – perfect for hugs and cuddles. Available in red and pink, with a stitched heart that will show a special someone how much you care.
Get 20% off your next purchase, no minimum required, from January 11 through February 29, 2016 using Discount code: SWEETHEART
You can find all of these on peepsandcompany.com
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Connect with Peeps® Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
Connect with Mike & Ike® Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Chocolate Covered Cherry Cupcakes
Chocolate covered cherries
Chocolate Cherry Peeps®
4 c flour
3 c sugar
1 1/2 c cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp vanilla
3 eggs
1/2 c butter
1 1/4 c water
1/2 veg oil
Cherry Buttercream Icing
1/2 c softened butter
1/2 c shortening
2 c powdered sugar
1/4 tsp water
1 tsp cherry extract
Instructions:
Line baking cups with cupcake liners & spray with baking spray.
Drop 1 chocolate covered cherry into each liner.
In large bowl combine butter, eggs, water, oil, vanilla & sugar
In small bowl combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, & salt
Slowly add dry ingredients into large bowl while mixing. Mix until creamy.
fill cups 3/4 full (over the chocolate covered cherries).
Bake at 325 for 15-20 min
Let cool for 30 min to 1 hour
Mix together ingredients for icing. Place into piping bag.
Pipe on buttercream.
Sprinkle with red sugar & top with Chocolate Cherry Valentines Peeps® candy.
Want to WIN a Valentines Peeps® prize pack of your own?
One (1) lucky My Sparkling Life Reader is going to win a variety of Valentine PEEPS® andPEEPS & COMPANY® products. This giveaway is open to residents of the US who are 18+ until 12:00 PM EST Feb 11, 2016.
THE FINE PRINT: ENTERING THIS GIVEAWAY MEANS THAT YOU ACCEPT BOTH MY RULES & DISCLOSURE. I WILL NOTIFY WINNER VIA E-MAIL AND THEY WILL HAVE 48 HOURS TO REPLY BEFORE I AM FORCED TO REDRAW WINNERS. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. EACH HOUSEHOLD IS ONLY ELIGIBLE TO WIN THIS PRIZE VIA BLOG REVIEWS AND GIVEAWAYS ONCE. ONLY ONE ENTRANT PER MAILING ADDRESS PER GIVEAWAY. IF YOU HAVE WON THE SAME PRIZE ON ANOTHER BLOG, YOU WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN IT AGAIN. WINNER IS SUBJECT TO ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION. MANY WILL ENTER, FEW WILL WIN! PLEASE ALLOW 8-12 WEEKS FOR DELIVERY OF PRIZING. MY SPARKLING LIFE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOST OR MISDIRECTED PACKAGES. PRIZING PROVIDED AND SHIPPED BY PEEPS® AND PEEPS & COMPANY® . IN THE RARE OCCASION THAT A PRIZE DOES NOT ARRIVE (WHICH HAS HAPPENED), PLEASE NOTIFY ME.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”