Friday 27 September 2013

YANKEE CANDLE ON TV – QVC SHOWS REVIEW 26/09


Not one, not two – but a hat trick of Yankee Candle TV shows yesterday on home shopping channel QVC and with Brand Ambassador Steven Corfield at the helm!
Not only that but three of the very best QVC hosts all bringing something different to the broadcasts. The new Yankee fan enthusiasm of Jackie Kabler, the calm warming tones of Catherine Huntley (I’ve almost made her sound like a Yankee Candle there!) and last but not least the excitable Craig Rowe making sure we didn’t drop off to sleep during the late show!
Anyway on with the products and as usual I include some of Steven Corfield’s descriptions to help you make an informed purchase with your candles.
First show of the day was co-presented by Jackie Kabler and her great new found enthusiasm for Yankee Candles is infectious. How many of us know someone new to Yankee Candles who has just got the ‘buzz’ – it’s part of what makes this hobby special. Jackie’s collection has raced up to 16 candles already!
We were to see the ‘Lost In Paradise’ USA exclusive collection at various points in the day but Jackie noted that over 7000 sets had been sold since the TSV launch one month ago.
A very Christmassy feel to all the programmes and ‘Cherry Delight’ was one of the sets offered. A 30 piece Cherries On Snow collection with small jars, samplers and tea lights. Steven mentioned that it was one of his favourite Christmas fragrances and that because of its fruity notes it could happily be used all year round. Also it was one of many scents on offer today that have been retired from the Yankee Candle collection.
 
Cherry Delight from QVC
 

Much more Christmas was to come and Steven said that the fragrances at Christmas get him really excited. I think most Yankee fans were nodding their heads in agreement!
Two large jars of Christmas Tree and Red Berry and Cedar were in the show with Steven describing Christmas Tree as being a “pure unadulterated Christmas Tree” and Red Berry and Cedar as having “Eucalyptus and Pine with slight fruit and also notes of Ivy and Fern.”
There was also a nice Sparkling Snow mixture with jars, samplers and tea lights and an elegant set of 3 large pillar candles.
The pillar set has Honey and Spice, Cinnamon Stick and Black Cherry. Appearances can be deceptive with these pillars giving almost the same burn time as a large jar at up to 140 hours. Also with the pillars you only need burn them for about an hour and a half (instead of roughly 3 hours for large jars) due to the smaller circumference.
Steven said of Honey And Spice that it creates a cozy feeling on an autumnal night and he pointed out that some of its warmth comes from cocoa being in the mixture of fragrance (you actually do learn something every day in the world of Yankee Candles!). He also noted Black Cherry’s ripe delicious cherry flavour and how the scent of Cinnamon Stick always whisks his thoughts back to time spent in America.
 
The elegance of the pillar collection..

 
 
There were also a  couple of phone callers into the morning show including Yankee Army member Sarah. She noted that it was Midsummer’s Night burning at a friend’s house that converted her to Yankee Candles. Once bitten, forever smitten!


Onto the afternoon session and always a touch of class and luxury when the lovely Catherine Huntley is presenting.
Steven and Catherine spent quite a bit of time discussing the previously mentioned ‘Lost In Paradise’ USA imported collection.
Steven said that Golden Sands is an amazing, calming fragrance and is ideal for an afternoon burn with notes including amber and musk and its fruitiness comes from Orange.
Midnight Oasis he described as “just stunning”. He pointed out its notes of Sandalwood and Vetiver which make it quite a romantic fragrance.
Lastly, Honeydew Melon he noted as a great morning fragrance and he described it as uplifting and zesty and being a candle that would lift your mood and get you optimistic for the day.
 
Lost In Paradise...

 

Another highlight was a trio of Christmas Large Jars – again, all retired fragrances. Red Berry And Cedar once again with Sparkling Snow which reminded Steven of Christmas at his parents with its ‘pine covered with snow’ feel. Christmas Cupcake rounded off the set and Steven mentioned its light cupcake aroma with desiccated coconut and vanilla. He later noted the buttercream notes and that you ‘just want to dip your finger in the jar’. Yum!
There was also a festive sampler and melts selection and a choice of large jars with illuma lids.
 

Then later on and to close off the day it was a big aloha to Craig Rowe!
Highlight of the show was probably the one time only offer featuring 3 individual mini Christmas melt warmers with accompanying Christmas scents. A really lovely choice. Eagle eyed Yankee fans will have noted the inclusion of the hard to get hold of Mistletoe and Fig fragrance being included.
Two large jars of the American version of River Valley (called Over The River) was on offer with Steven noting the scent bringing thoughts of  a walk in the woods on a Sunday afternoon and its fragrance being like water but with woodsy notes.
The autumn tea light and sampler set sold out quickly and then a nice set of 3 medium jars with the new Yankee fragrances was brought to screen. Lake Sunset (‘pink skies and serenity’), November Rain (‘the smell of autumn flowers, leaves and woods in the rain’) and Vanilla Chai (‘takes me off to New York’s Central Park drinking a Vanilla Chai’) were the collection. (Descriptions courtesy of Mr Corfield of course!)
Another nice seasonal inclusion towards the end was a snowman tea light burner with six festive boxes of tea lights.
Craig gave lots of shout outs to tweeters and the yankee army during the show and I noted Julie was burning Red Velvet from her recently bought ‘Tea Party’ collection for the first time!


3 absolutely terrific shows and if you are left wanting more or missed them – fret not – Steven is back on QVC next Tuesday 1st October at 11am for more Yankee fun!
 
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