Earth Hour: March 29, 8:30 - 9:30 PM

Earth Hour 2014 will be happening on March 28 from 8:30 - 9:30 PM in 7,000 cities and towns across the world. During that hour participants will turn off all non-essential lighting to join the symbolic movement that unites people under one common goal: to protect the planet. 

Earth Hour has grown into a large movement that encompasses a variety of environmental issues and has spurred many successful political initiatives. For more information on Earth Hour, please visit the official website here.

EARTH HOUR & CANDLE IMPRESSIONS® 

Candle Impressions® is celebrating Earth Hour again this year and encourages our entire community to do the same. Whether you support a specific cause or just want to show your love for the Earth, Earth Hour is the perfect time to pay homage to our home and reflect with friends and family. 

Since celebrating Earth Hour requires participants to turn off all non-essential lighting, many people use candles for light. According to the National Fire Protection Association, using candles as a source of light drastically increases the chance of a fatal house fire occurring. 

Please use Flameless Candles as your safe light source during Earth Hour to prevent a tragedy from happening in your home. Tweet a picture of you using Candle Impressions® during Earth Hour with #FlamelessEarthHour to join the community.

 Candle Impressions® is available at a variety of retailers, click here to find one near you. 

CANDLE IMPRESSIONS® GOES BEYOND THE 60 MINUTES 

Want to celebrate the Earth beyond 60 minutes? Use Candle Impressions® Flameless Candles as a safe & environmentally-friendly candle alternative. 

Here's why Candle Impressions® Flameless Candles are environmentally-friendly: 

1. Candle Impressions® Flameless Candles do not release any toxic soot or smoke, unlike most lit candles
2. Candle Impressions® has the longest battery-run times in the industry. One set of 2 "C" batteries can last up to 3,000 hours. That means less battery waste! 
3. Candle Impressions® products run perfectly on rechargeable batteries. Combined with our long battery-run times, that means little-to-no waste!
4. Traditional candles quickly melt down and need to be replaced. Since Candle Impressions® uses durable and high-quality materials, our candles last for years.
5. Candle Impressions® manufactures rechargeable candles for restaurants, spas, and hotels who otherwise would go through hundreds of candles a year!

EARTH HOUR FACTS

• Earth Hour originated in Sydney, Australia in 2007
• Earth Hour was started to educate people on climate change, a theory many denied in 2007
• The Earth Hour Logo (60+) symbolizes the need to address our environmental impact beyond the 60 minutes of Earth Hour 
• 7,000 cities/towns participate in Earth Hour across the world
• Earth Hour is held in March because the northern & southern hemispheres both experience equinox (day & night are of equal length); this maximizes the visual impact 
• Earth Hour is a WWF (World Wildlife Fund) initiative 
• Earth Hour 2013 was the largest yet 
• Spider-Man is the 2014 Earth Hour ambassador and calls everyone  be a planet superhero with the "Use Your Power at earthhour.org" tagline

DIY Bunny Night Light

Some of my most fond childhood memories took place around Easter. To me, Easter meant robin eggs, blooming lilies of the valley, soft pastels and, most importantly, time with my mom. 

Every Easter my mother and I would make some kind of Easter-themed craft together: from something as simple as painting eggs, to as complex as sewing bunny purses. These crafts have turned into keepsakes and memories that I continue to cherish. I share them with you in the hopes of inspiring some crafts of your own. 

Whether you celebrate Easter or not, spring is the perfect time to embrace new life, the awakening earth, and spend time with your family. These Bunny Night Lights featuring a Flameless Tea Light are just one of the many Spring crafts we have in store for you.

Because of the needle, scissors, and superglue, this is a craft best for older children with constant adult supervision and assistance. The superglue is just as dangerous as the scissors. If you manage to get your fingers stuck together, do not let the glue set because it hurts—trust me!

Adding the toilet paper is optional. It gives more definition to the head, but prevents light from shining through. Up to you to decide which you prefer! To clarify, the outline of the bunny was sewn, but the pink was glued on. 

All that's left to do is place the felt bunny over top a Candle Impressions® Flameless Tea Light, available at Walmart, and add the wire whiskers!

These adorable Bunny Night Lights are perfect for kids and there's no need to worry about a fire hazard with the Flameless Tea Lights. We decided to incorporate them into a fun spring vignette design, but the possibilities are endless! Please remember this craft is not suitable for young children due to choking and safety hazards. 

Happy crafting! Comment with any questions.

Garden Lighting by Paradise®

If you love Candle Impressions® Flameless Candles, then you'll love Paradise® Garden Lighting. Paradise® has a number of Outdoor Décor products that feature the same Realistic Wick Design Candle Impressions is known for. The Flameless Candles used in Paradise® products cast a beautiful amber light, perfect for creating a feel-good summer atmosphere. With Paradise® lighting you'll never have to worry about a candle knocking over and causing a fire, let alone the constant inconvenience of it blowing out in the wind.

Paradise® offers a wide rage of lighting products designed for a variety of yards and patios. Whether you're looking for accent pieces, basic property lighting, or unique lighting effects, there's a garden light for you. Here's a sneak peek at what you can expect from Paradise® Garden Lighting this summer.

Rattan Solar Baskets

Paradise® has introduced a new line of basket solar lights that are made of rattan with a Flameless Candle enclosed. The first thing you'll notice about these solar baskets is the quality: the rattan is perfectly constructed into a spherical basket with durable materials and an obvious attention to detail. From the comfortable handle to the weather-resistant Flameless Candle inside, these baskets are designed to last and will look gorgeous in any backyard, day and night. 

Solar Ceramic Tabletop Owl
Solar Ceramic Jar

What's not to love about these ceramic garden lights? Solar powered and the ideal size for tabletops or picnic tables, these ceramic lanterns cast a flickering amber light, making them as practical as they are adorable. Try hanging these on flower basket hooks to create a focal point on your patio or front porch.

Mini Metal Lanterns

These battery-operated Mini Metal Lanterns make for great patio decor and add a splash of color to any yard. Hang them from trees or along an overhang to create a fun party-look and the ultimate summer paradise for your family to enjoy. 

One of the best parts about decorating with Paradise® lanterns is knowing the look of the lantern will last. Lighting candles in lanterns damages the base with wax and blackens the glass with soot. Paradise® lanterns are lit by Flameless Candles that eliminate that damage and the risk of fire while still providing you with the beauty of candlelight.

Outdoor Metal Lantern & Plastic Lantern with Candle

Whether you prefer traditional or modern style, Paradise® has a lantern for you. The perfect size for placing directly on your deck, these gorgeous lanterns really make a statement. You can jump on the latest trends by grouping them together to create a decorator's dream in your own backyard. Since the Flameless Candles in these lanterns are battery operated, you can even incorporate them into your indoor decor. 

Metal Lantern with Flameless Candle 

This modern and sleek Metal Lantern is our absolute favorite. Battery operated and made of stainless steel, this lantern looks gorgeous with its Flameless Candle flickering inside. If you're like us and can't part with this fabulous lantern during the winter months, bring it inside beside your fireplace or your favorite accent chair for a special winter look. 

These Paradise® Garden Lights will be available at a variety of retailers Spring/Summer 2014. Stay tuned for information on their official store launch and visit www.paradisegardenlighting.com for more information on Paradise® Garden Lighting.

Click here to find out where you can buy Paradise® lighting products and subscribe to their YouTube channel for product information and lighting advice. 

Outdoor Flameless Candles

The nights are warm and the days long. That’s right: it’s patio weather!

Okay, maybe the nights aren't warm quite yet, but if you’re going to take full advantage of the summer this year, you better get ready now. Those nights go fast!

 Imagine this:

The sun is setting. You lean back into a chaise lounge on your patio and take in the smell of the fresh cut grass. You exhale—you’re relaxed. As the sun finally sinks below the horizon, you angrily raise to find a lighter for your candles. Then… tah-dah!

The candles instantly light and you remember you switched to Outdoor Flameless Candles by Candle Impressions® this year. You’re a smart cookie and turned the timer on for 7 PM. You relax again.

Now that your Candle Impressions® Outdoor Flameless Candles are on, you take in the soft glow they cast around your yard. It looks entirely different at night, like a whimsical wonderland. Best of all, you don’t need to worry about a fire starting every time you go inside or the wind blowing them out.

Sounds too good to be true? Let’s take a walk around my backyard…

The Outdoor Remote Control Flameless Pillar Set is a must-have for patio lovers. All of our Outdoor Flameless Candles are made of weather-resistant plastic so they won’t melt in the sun or blow out in the wind. They also all come with a Timer Option and this wonderful set comes with a Remote Control Option, too. The remote is great if you like using lanterns—place them up high, maybe even in a tree, and light them from the ground. Perfect! 

These Summer-Color Flameless Outdoor Pillars can add a pop of color to your patio and create a fun atmosphere for your family to enjoy. Equipped with a 5-Hour Timer, they are great for people who enjoy eating outdoors and are perfect for barbecue decorating. Line these colorful flameless candles along your pool to set the stage for the best pool party of the summer... but you better invite us!

Speaking of pool parties, these Flameless Outdoor Pillars have become popular host & hostess gifts. Bound a thank you card around them with ribbon to give a gift that can be used every night of the summer, each time reminding your friend of the fun night you shared together.

Now these are something to get excited about. The Premium Flameless Outdoor Pillars are available in 3 inch and 6 inch diameters, with heights ranging from 4 – 12 inches. The 6” diameter pillars are new this year, and wow, are they ever gorgeous.

These chic Flameless Pillars truly make such a statement. They’re large enough to place on the ground as stand-alone pieces and cast a beautiful, warm light on their surroundings. Place these beside a large terracotta planter or underneath a low hanging tree and you’ll feel like you’re at an exotic resort.  

Here’s the quick scoop on the features of Candle Impressions® Outdoor Flameless Candles.

Patented Realistic Wick: All of Candle Impressions® Outdoor Flameless Candles take advantage of our exclusive patent on the Realistic Wick Design so they look real, on or off.

Weather-Resistant Plastic: The Flameless Candles in our Outdoor collection are all made of weather-resistant plastic specially made to look like wax. This prevents the candles from melting in the sun.

Timer Option: Whether it’s the 5-hour Timer or Programmable Timer, the Outdoor Flameless Candles all come equipped with a timer for easy lighting.

Remote Control: The Outdoor Remote Control Flameless Pillar Set has an easy-to-use remote control that is the epitome of convenience. Perfect for distance lighting, especially high-places, the remote feature is a must have for decorators.

Let your summers begin! 

- Elle E. Diva

Garden Week!

We take back posting that Radiant Orchid is the Spring 2014 color. Who are we kidding? After the winter we all just had, green is the only color that's in. 

We have good news for all of you vitamin D-deficient people out there: spring is here! On that note, we also have some bad news: the groundhog lied. 

If you're wondering why March 20th marks the first day of spring, it's because day and night are both equal length. The only other day this happens is on September 23rd, the first day of autumn... but let's not go there.

To celebrate the first week of spring, we're going to be showing off our 2014 Outdoor Flameless Candle line and give you some ideas on how to decorate your yard with Candle Impressions®. We will also be showing new products from our friends at Paradise® Garden Lighting. You're going to be some of the very first to see these products, so get excited, and please, tell us what you think! 

Outdoor Flameless Candle Feature - March 21, 2014 
Paradise® Garden Lighting Feature - March 24, 2014

Easy Does It Day on QVC!

It's Easy Does It Day on QVC! 

What does that mean? Today, March 10th, everything is on 3 easy payments or more. This is a perfect opportunity to pick up those flameless candles you've been wishing for.

Click here to visit the Candle Impressions shop or visit http://qvc.co/-Shop_CI

Here's a few of our favorite picks... 

Candle Impressions S/3 Embossed Jar Candles 

Candle Impressions Adjustable Flameless Candle Holder

Easter is around the corner, so take the time to consider your candle inventory for family gatherings and dinner. There's no safer family candle than Candle Impressions Flameless Candles. 

Happy shopping! 

Light and Mirrors

Using the reflection of mirrors to manipulate the size of a room is a common decorating trick. By strategically placing a mirror, you can give the illusion a room is twice as large. Even though people are aware of the illusion, it doesn't take away from the effectiveness and feeling that a room more open. What's not as common is using mirrors to manipulate light, in addition to the size of a room.

Reflecting an area of your house that is dark will bring down the energy of the room and make the room seem smaller. To get the most of the technique, place mirrors in relatively clutter-free areas on an angle in which they can reflect natural light. To take full advantage of the mirror into the evening, place Candle Impressions® Flameless Candles in front of it, as we did below. 

How-To Decorate with Mirrors & Flameless Candles

1. Select a location for your mirror. We recommend placing the mirror in an area it will be hit by natural light and in a relatively clutter-free zone. The room can still be small, but if it looks busy a mirror could end up making it look more cluttered and therefore smaller. 

We chose a wall that was parallel to a large floor-to-ceiling window and in front of a patio door onlooking a balcony. 

2. Determine how you would like to display your Candle Impressions® Flameless Candles. To avoid blocking too much of the mirror, we set the silver tray from our Flameless Candle Vignette on a small folding table stand. 

3. Begin strategically placing your Candle Impressions® Flameless Candles. Unlike with a typical vignette, you now need to consider that the back is going to be reflected, too. This means you can now place smaller candles and objects towards the back because they will be seen in the reflection. 

By placing Candle Impressions® Flameless Candles in front of a mirror, you can manipulate your candle supply and your light source—it will seem like there is double of each. At night this looks especially gorgeous and works as a focal point for a room. Best of all, the mirror will radiate a comforting and soothing atmosphere for you to relax in. 

Decorating with Mirrors: Dos & Don'ts

Dos

• Use them in small rooms or spaces
• Reflect the outdoors—remember that mirrors reflect everything in a room, including a mess, so it's much safer to reflect good old mother nature
• Place mirrors at the end of hallways 
• Make a mirror the focal point of a room, as we did in our example 
• Use mirrored furniture to your advantage, but make sure it's in an open space and not just reflecting its immediate surroundings 
• Angle a mirror in the corner of a room, it will reflect the entire space! 
• Place a mirror at the end of a dinner table... but you may find it's very distracting for new guests
• Place mirrors on tables reflecting the ceiling

Don'ts

• Place a mirror on a wall that reflects nothing interesting—or worse, something unappealing, like a messy kitchen 
• Lean a large mirror against a wall without anchoring it... one tiny bump or even small earth quake could send it crashing to the floor
• Place something directly in front of a mirror, unless it's less than 1/2 of the mirror's height
• Mount mirrors on ceilings... just don't! 

Let us know if you have any other ideas on how mirrors can be used in decorating.

Good luck!

- Elle E. Diva 

Preparing for a Natural Disaster

With flood and tornado season around the corner, it's time to begin preparing for the worst. 

Flood Season: Spring/Summer (during spring thaw, snow melts, and excessive rainfall) 
Tornado Season: March - July (the further south you live, the earlier it starts)
Atlantic Hurricane Season: June - November (peaks in September) 
Pacific Hurricane Season: May - November 

A proper Emergency Kit should be a staple in every household as a flood, tornado, or hurricane can strike with nearly no warning.

EMERGENCY KIT CHECK LIST

Food: According to the Red Cross, your kit should have enough food and water supplies to last your entire family 72 hours. Keep the food in a separate, easy to carry bag in the event you need to move locations. Refresh your water supply every 6 months and food every year. 

• Drinking water ... 4 litres per person, per day (consider pets)
• Food ... non-perishable food that does not require cooking, water, refrigeration, or heat (consider pets) 
• Hand can opener
• Basic utensils and dishes 

Non-Food Items:

• First aid kit (include personal medications) 
• List of medical conditions, allergies, and medications of each family member
• Flameless Candles *
• Crank-operated flashlight
• Crank-operated radio
• Extra batteries (stored in a sealed bag)
• Blankets or sleeping bags 
• Personal hygiene supplies, including garbage bags with twist-ties, feminine products, and toilet paper
• Spare house & car keys 
• Extra cash in small denominations 
• Spare pair of glasses for each applicable family member (avoid contacts)
• Emergency contact information, including your family doctor 
• Rain gear and a change of clothes for each family member, including walking shoes 
• Photocopies of personal documents for each family member (birth certificate, marriage certificate, passport, will, licenses, etc.)
• Mobile phone ... after the disaster strikes and your family is together, turn off your phone to conserve the battery in the event you need it later 

Additional Items:

• Pocket knife
• Duct tape 
• Whistle
• Plastic sheets or tarps
• Local map 

Don't just scatter these items around your house: have them in a central location and somewhere easily accessible to all members of your family. It could be months or years before a natural disaster strikes, so you should continually remind your family of the safety kit: where it is, and what's in it. Also, make sure you're updating it with new supplies and ensuring nothing in it has expired, including medications. 

MAKING A BAD SITUATION WORSE

© Copyright Colin Kinnear and licensed
 for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Although no reputable organization recommends including traditional candles in emergency kits, thousands of families do.

In 2005 - 2010, candles used as a source of light caused...

• 117 fatal home fires
• 177 deaths 

In many of the above situations, candles were lit because of a power outage. Some of the fires killed more than one family member, even entire families. In 2005, a house fire was started by a lit candle that killed 11 members of a Louisiana family when they were without power; the youngest was only 6 months old. 

How do fires start?

• During a power outage, it's hard to see possible fire hazards near the candle you are lighting.
• People will leave lit candles unattended in rooms, especially bathrooms, which is how 20% of all candle house fires start. 
• The added chaos of a power outage creates more situations where a candle could be knocked over or forgotten.

Flameless Candle Alternative 

Besides being a source of light, during a time of chaos and uncertainty there is a familiar comfort in sitting by candlelight. Rather than further endangering your family, put a Candle Impressions® Flameless Candle in your Emergency Kit to keep everyone calm and safe. 

Why add Candle Impressions® Flameless Candles to your Emergency Kit? 

• They are flameless, making them family and pet safe
• They have battery run-times of up to 3,000 on 2 'C' batteries
• The light and flicker is identical to traditional candles 
• Outdoor Flameless Candles are available if water is a concern

Hopefully your family never experiences a natural disaster. But as the old saying goes, "better safe than sorry." Having an Emergency Kit equipped with Flameless Candles will keep your family comfortable and minimize the inconvenience of being without power, even during brief outages.