Easy DIY Poured Soy Candles

When I shared the tutorial for my DIY Earl Grey Tea scented soy candle, I hinted that I'd actually made many more.  Did you spot them in Hello Holiday?  Customized candles are such a great handmade gift idea.  The instructions on Hello Yellow are a little more in depth, so if you're thinking of making some poured soy candles as gifts, check out the tutorial.  I used a variety of vintage vessels and that's really the key to making one-of-a-kind candles.

I think this trio is my favorite - I love the gold wheat sheaf design.  I thrifted the set and always hoped to find a fourth, but no such luck.

This grey sugar bowl - with an iridescent glaze and tomato red trim - was actually something I scooped up at from the good neighbor shed.  I had to save it - it was too beautiful to get trashed.

This beautiful gold dish was another thrift store score - I had been looking for more of these for years, hoping to make a set, but I never found another one.  I'm happy I could give it a new lease on life as a candle!  (Now I'll probably find a set of three at the thrifts...)

This set of four glasses just would not sell in my vintage Etsy shop and it was heart-breaking to see them languish on my shelf.  I love how the white candle wax really helps the design stand out now.

This pink milk glass goblet was picked up at a yard sale.

I have used this glass dish all over the house: as a mini planter, as a catch all and now, as a candle.

The matching creamer to this Sadler sugar bowl was broken, so I thought it was a perfect excuse to use it as a candle.

I'd been setting aside potential candle vessels for about year and while I can't say I loved making candles (it takes a long time and is kind of fussy), seeing the beautiful assortment of one-of-a-kind soy candles I created was definitely worth it!  This is such a great way to re-purpose vintage wares that might have otherwise reached the landfill.

I hope these ideas have inspired you to turn some lonely glasses and bowls into gorgeous soy candles!  Don't forget to check out Hello Yellow for all the details and tons of step-by-step photos.

How to Make a London Fog Latte at Home

I am going to start adding a few recipes here and there for Dinner, Dessert & Drinks Dans le Townhouse.  Some will be recipes we've tested and others will be ones we've created, but all of them will be tasty and easy-peasy because Hubby & I don't tend to linger in the kitchen.  When we want food (or dessert, yum), we want it now.

Sound good?

It is brrrr cold in the townhouse today so I'm warming up with a London Fog, also known as a Tea Latte.  I am hoping this warm, slightly caffeinated drink will pep me up because I need to be mighty productive today.  I have felt two steps behind since we rang in 2012.  Anyone else feel behind in their work?

 
Well, let me help distract you.  Want to make one of these foamy concoctions for yourself? 

Ingredients (per latte):

1. 1 cup of soy (or milk, if you prefer)
2. A smidge of vanilla extract (have any left from my DIY room fragrance recipe?)
3. 1 tablespoon of loose leaf cream earl grey or plain earl grey tea
4. Pinch of sugar (unless your soy/milk is already sweetened)

Supplies:

5. Large spouted microwave safe pitcher (I use a Pyrex multi-cup measure) 
6. Tea ball or paper tea filters (I prefer the latter)
7. Microwave
8. Milk frother (mine was $9.99 from a local shop)

How to Make an Easy Latte:

1. Heat the soy or milk for 1-2 minutes (microwaves vary)
2. Steep the tea in the soy for approximately 2-3 minutes
3. Squeeze the tea bag with a spoon to get every drop out
4. Add a pinch of sugar and a dash of vanilla
5. Froth milk for 30 seconds (your cup measure should be larger than your portion of soy because frothing is a bit messy)

6. Pour the latte into your mug, curl up under a blanket, and enjoy

A Note on Ingredients:

Why Do I Drink Soy?

I used to drink milk but stopped years ago because being diary-free alleviated my allergies.  But cheese is so delicious that I eventually got back on the dairy train.  Even though I started eating cheese and yogurt again, I found I couldn't drink milk anymore because, after years without it, it tasted too filmy.  Blech.  So I drink soy by choice.  I used to buy So Good but then I spotted Natur-a organic soy at Costco because the price was so fantastic.  It tastes great, especially in cereal, but needs a dash of sugar for drinks like this. I really like the fact that it is organic and can just be stored in the basement until it's opened which means we are never dashing to the store because we're out of soy.  We always have it "in stock". 

Loose Leaf Tea Seems Like a Hassle.

Years ago I worked in a tea shop and got hooked on loose leaf tea.  It takes a bit more fussing, but the tea tastes so phenomenal I think it's worth the effort.  Using a tea filter is much easier than a tea ball (which often lets tea leaves escape) and it has the added benefit of allowing you to pre-make a few bags at a time for transport or just ease-of-use.

If you haven't tried it, check out a local tea store - many offer small samples.  Loose leaf tea is often what coffee shops use and that's why their tea latte can taste so much better!

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