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Confessions of a Liturgical Stickler Who Wants to Skip Advent This Year {And Advent Candle Giveaway}

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 This post is sponsored by Toadily Handmade Beeswax Candles.

My name is Haley (“Hi, Haley”) and I am an insufferable liturgical year stickler. I have spent the last 10 years doing Advent PROPERLY and not jumping the gun on Christmas until the actual season of Christmas. I have Advent playlists so we don’t start listening to Christmas music until the actual season. We save all the Christmas decorating and Christmas movies for the 12 days of Christmas. We have been known to sometimes wait til Christmas Eve to get our Christmas Tree. And as a result my children are liturgical year snobs who roll their eyes in the grocery store when the Christmas stuff is out when it’s “NOT EVEN ADVENT YET, MOM! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!”

Confessions of an Advent Stickler

“Christmas doesn’t start until December 25th. You’ll soon get used to the way things are done here. Properly.”

I have basically been the Lady Mary Crawley of Advent without even the slightest desire to break the “rules.” But this year, y’all, this year is different. Just call me Buddy the Elf because I want to just dive head first into Christmas. When the clock struck midnight on Halloween I started to feel the Christmas itch. Put up the lights!  Make paper snowflakes! Add maple syrup to pasta! (OK, so not that last one.) And it’s not even Thanksgiving yet!

Confessions of a Former Advent Stickler

What’s wrong with me? I’ve honestly never felt this push for Christmas glee weeks ahead of schedule. But I don’t think I’m the only one experiencing this. With a 2017 that felt like it was planned by dementors, “a grim mood has gripped the country.”

Confessions of a Former Advent Stickler

But in all seriousness, mass shootings, political….politics (let’s just leave it at that shall we), the threat of nuclear war, and just a sense of helpless despair seems to be hovering over the nation. So I don’t think I’m the only one that needs some Christmas, folks. I am ready as heck to get my caroling on. I’m in need of some freaking yuletide joy.

BUT I also don’t want to skip Advent which is always my favorite season of the liturgical year (and I still think there’s something valuable about following the wisdom of the Church in preparing ourselves for the Incarnation the way Christians have for hundreds of years). So instead of just stuffing it and skipping right to Christmas, I’m shifting my focus this year. In year’s past I’ve focused on the facet of Advent that I’ve desperately needed (usually quiet or expectation).  This Advent I’m focusing on joyful hope, because I think that’s what’s in order.

If you’re with me on really feeling the urge to start the Christmas party, but also don’t want to skip past the important season of Advent, here’s some ideas:

–Have fun with the beautiful traditions of Advent. Embrace that Nativity Scene! If you are not like me (AKA allergic to things involving daily consistency and many small pieces that are prone to get lost under your couch), set up that Jesse Tree! Advent isn’t a season of doom and gloom, after all.

–Take care of Christmas gifts early. I like to get this done before Advent every year because then there’s more space to focus on Advent and relieve some of the hustle and bustle. But this year it’s helping me scratch that Christmas itch. We keep gift giving pretty simple but I ordered books and board games for my kids and even got real wrapping paper this year (by my talented friend Katherine, you must check it out). And I might even watch Love Actually, my gift-wrapping tradition a few weeks early. I even splurged on stockings (we’ve never had them before!) because this will be our first Christmas with a mantle in 9 years.

–Don’t forget all the beauty of Advent. One thing that helps me save the Christmas music for Christmas is all the beautiful Advent music out there. Skipping straight to the Christmas stuff means missing out on the Advent goodness. I like to think of Advent as a candle in the window waiting for the guest (Our Lord) to arrive. There is something so hopeful and joyful about shining a light in the darkness, something so brave.

–Balance observing Advent with enjoying the joyful things your soul needs. Go see The Nutcracker! Watch a Christmas movie if you’re itching to. Decorate earlier than you have in the past if ya must. And don’t feel bad about it. Because decorating your tree before Christmas Eve isn’t a mortal sin. This year we may fudge a few things and I’m not going to sweat it.

I’m not exactly sure what this Advent of joyful hope will look like, but I do know it involves hot cocoa with the tiny marshmallows on top. And Advent candles, OF COURSE!

Confessions of a Former Advent Stickler

One of my family’s favorite Advent traditions is lighting Advent candles each night at dinner. Since Benjamin was a baby we’ve been ordering these beautiful 100% beeswax Advent candles from Toadily Handmade Beeswax Candles. And they also have gorgeous solid Advent candles.

How to Prep for a Stress-Free Advent!

When the kids got old enough, we started getting the Advent candle kits.

Finding Quiet in the Noise (Advent Candle GIVEAWAY from Toadily Handmade Beeswax Candles)

It’s the world’s easiest fun kids project for uncrafty moms like me.  And this year Toadily Handmade Beeswax Candles is giving a kit away to two lucky Carrots readers!

My kids LOVE preparing for Advent by making the candles each year. Look at these little goofballs all ready to craft!

And even four-year-old Gwen barely needed any help. I’m telling you, easiest craft ever.

Confessions of a Former Advent Stickler

And she’s been upgraded from bandage to bandaid! That’s a brand new fingertip poking out,  folks. The human body is amazing. (Didn’t hear about the time she severed her fingertip? Read all about it, folks.)

Miraculously, no one argued about what color candle they wanted to make.

Is Benjamin a teenager? Good grief. Can we flash back to a few years ago when I had a one-year-old with Rapunzel hair and a barely three-year-old Lucy?

My. word. We go way back with Toadily Handmade. I am such a huge fan of this company. Their candles are beautiful and 100% beeswax which is very important to me. And lucky you, they’re offering a 10% off discount code: ADVENT10. It’s good through November 15th, so be sure to order your Advent candles in time to enjoy the discount!

Confessions of an Advent Stickler

Giveaway! (NOW CLOSED)

Here’s how to enter the giveaway:

(Only for Carrots readers in the United States and Canada for shipping reasons)

1. Mandatory entry: Visit the Toadily Handmade website and then come back and leave a comment at Carrots telling us about your favorite candles.

2. Additional entry: Follow Toadily Handmade Beeswax Candles on Instagram and leave an additional comment saying you did.

2. Additional entry:  Visit Toadily Handmade Beeswax Candles on Facebook and leave an additional comment saying you did.

3. Additional entry: Pin this post to Pinterest and leave an additional comment saying you did.

I will choose the winners by random number generator. Giveaway ends on Sunday, November 12th at midnight EST. Good luck, friends!!

And don’t forget you can use the discount code ADVENT10 through November 15th to get a 10% discount so head on over to make your order.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. Review and giveaway items were provided by Toadily Handmade Beeswax Candles. All opinions are my own. I only promote products I would purchase myself and I love giving away wonderful things to my readers!

Comments

  1. I love the traditional solid taper candles for my advent wreath. So beautiful! But for everyday candles, I like all the hand rolled ones.

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  4. I order the advent candle making kit every year as well. The kids love it! Last year I ordered the tea light Christmas tree candles and they were so cute. I really like the new Santa votive. I think we’ll get that for St Nick Day. Love all their stuff. Thanks!

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  10. Thanks so much for introducing me to this company! I love the 100% beeswax. My favorite candle on their site is the sushi candle set ? I of course love the Advent candles as well.

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  12. I love the traditional solid Christmas ornaments pillar candle. Very pretty! P.S. Would you mind sharing your Advent play list? I have one Advent album that I listen to, but would love more options.

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  13. I love the hand rolled pillar candles! I love pillar candles and these come in all colours! I also love how they are non-toxic. So much for the budget….

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  16. What is Advent music?! I have always been a huge fan of Christmas but this year is the first time I’m celebrating Advent. Please share some favourites or your playlist! 🙂

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  20. I really love their advent candle making kit! So very cool, and fun even for mamas who are allergic to all things craft-related… ??

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  25. I visited the website, and I do want to try the beeswax candles this Advent. I’ve heard they smell wonderful, better than the ordinary tapers.

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  27. I love their hand rolled pillar candles!
    Would look great on a fireplace mantle.

    Haley, Advent is my favorite liturgical season too! 25 days away!

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  31. I think the Advent candles and kits are my favorite but I’m thinking the shushi ones would be a fun winter craft in our house because of our love for sushi!!

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  32. I follow them on Facebook and Instagram already. We ordered the advent candle kit last year and the kids loved rolling our own candles for our wreath. Love all their products, especially the roll your own kits.

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  45. I obviously am most excited about the advent craft package….but wowzers the Tree of Life!? So much to love on that site!

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  55. I love the rolled beeswax candles! I’ve never done those for an advent wreath but they look beautiful! But the craft package sounds so neat too, I would love to try that!

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  68. If you are OK with bending the no-decorating-before-Christmas – one way to bring it earlier in December is to do some lights on St. Lucia’s day (Dec 13th). It fits with the day and you have something different to help you look forward. If you are daring, you can also do the tree with lights only on or after Lucia Day and then the rest on Christmas (or whenever you usually do). Just a compromise thought.

    (I like the solid tapers)

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  73. We have the Advent votive candles and love them, although this year I’m really feeling the tall Advent candles. I’d love love LOVE to get a candle making kit for the kids this year though, and it would help to scratch my Christmas itch for sure!

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  74. I purchased an advent candle making kit from them a couple years ago and LOVE them! It was a great activity to do with my boys. I also love their decorative votives!

    And I

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  78. I’ve been following Toadily Handmade Beeswax Candles on Insta, but just checked out some of their more recent posts!

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  82. Just visited their Facebook page too, liked and started following them. I had no idea they were on Facebook too! Thanks for sharing!

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  86. First of all, why did you steal this post from my brain (BECAUSE LITERALLY YES to everything here.) Except my Dementor has a name – Harvey. *shudder*

    Hopped over to the Toadily page and I’m loving their colored pillar candles – thinking I might snag 3 purple ones and a pink for a many-years-worth Advent wreath. I think this is a good year to splurge a bit 🙂

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  88. We’ve been using Toadily Handmade’s candle kits since we learned about them right here 3 years ago! So this’ll be our 4th Advent using them. 🙂
    I love the spiral tapers and all the really detailed votives and pillars.

    Reply

  98. Followed, visited and all! My boys would love this! I am a convert within the last few years and last year was the firs year we did candles for advent at home! We paired it with some readings from a book I found for kids! Our oldest loved this and has been asking when we will start again 🙂

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  112. I pinned the post on Pinterest under “Advent Season”.

    I have a 19 month old daughter and I’m excited to begin celebrating Advent much more intentionally than I did growing up. I think it will become such a life-giving family tradition!

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    • Do you have any good ideas for celebrating advent with a toddler? I have a two year old, and we manage St. Nick’s day and that’s about it. :/

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  119. I love the make your own advent taper kit that has three sets of candles…one for our home and two to give to my kids’ cousins, one of whom is our godson and has not had an advent wreath in the past. Share the love 🙂

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  125. My favorite is the Advent candle-making kit! It’s SUCH a great idea and doesn’t look in the least bit messy! (I *did* visit the website, I just like the thing you posted about best. 🙂

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  132. I love their basic beeswax sheets in all the colors! I’m able to customize it to what sizes I need and also get to feel a bit like Ma Ingalls rolling my candles. Although she probably dipped hers. But WHATEVER.

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  142. I love the Advent beeswax candles and have always wanted to get a DIY to do with my kids! Maybe this year will be the start of a new tradition! I also LOVE the Easter egg votives!! So beautiful! Might have to keep that in mind for Easter next spring!

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  146. I love Buddy the Elf…

    In a totally unrelated vein, did you know Will Ferrell and MEL GIBSON are going to be in a Christmas movie this year?! How?! How did that happen?!

    Advent this year is going to be interesting with a new baby…ive actually been putting Christmas gifts together since May so I wouldn’t have to worry about a newborn and Christmas, lol. Haven’t thought about Advent yet though…hmmm…

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  148. Not going to lie. I love all their candles! Probably my favorites are the snowflakes and holly pillars. Like you, I’m so excited about the Christmas season this year. I also love the plain handrolled tapers as I use tapers more than anything else.

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  151. And, I pinned this to my Christmas board. I don’t have an Advent one yet. My oldest is 2 this year and I would like to do Advent devotions. It’s on my list to find something simple for her.

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  166. I looked at the website and I’d love to try their beeswax Advent tapers. I can never find Advent tapers that don’t drip! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  169. I like their beeswax candle making kits best. We began a tradition of making beeswax candles on St Lucy’s feast day so we could use a kit for this year!

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  176. Ah! Yes, I love it. I feel ya here this year. And I think it’s the perfect year to FINALLY purchase the Toadily Handmade candles, too, after eyeing yours every year. While hoping to win, of course, I think I’m set in buying anyway! I love, love the columns, but I wonder if there’s lots leftover come Christmas … so how long is burning time? Another question – do you know if the tapers could stand alone without one of the brass ring holders? (Could I maybe fernagle a bit of hot wax on the bottom to make them stand upright without a holder?) Answers to these questions might sway my choice, should I be the winner 😉
    Thanks!

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  190. The solid Christmas Ornament Pillar candle is especially lovely. I also have, in the past, bought the tea lights and enjoyed them very much.

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  207. I thought the Beeswax Sushi candles were really cute. (My daughter studied Japanese in college and would love them.) However, my favorite item was the angel Beeswax ornament. Classy and different!

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  210. Pinned to my liturgical year board! Thank you, Haley. I think “joyful hope,” will be a fitting focus for my family’s Advent season. Your posts always inspire!

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  214. I really like the hand rolled pillars as well as advent making kit! My kids and I have used these the last few years

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  218. I visited the web site and any of the solid pillars are my favorite. I especially love the basketweave looking one.

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  221. I think the ornament pillar is really beautiful! And I could actually use an Advent ring also. We’ve been using 3 purple St. Martin de Porres and 1 pink St. Rose of Lima votive candles that I picked up from the grocery store 3 years ago. So an actual set of advent candles would really up my game 😉

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  229. My daughter and I of course like the advent candle making kit, but I also like many of their candles. Thank you for the giveaway. God bless you and your family.

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  237. I have visited (and already like and follow) Toadily Handmade Beeswax Candles on Facebook. It’s all just so sweet.

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  241. I’m not usually one for votive candles but the Honeycomb Cube one is pretty sweet! I also really love the sushi ones. Hilarious!

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  243. I love the advent candle kit. We’ve done it for the last couple of years and that is how now how we do it according to my four-year-old. 🙂

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  244. First off, “a year planned by dementors” – an apt description and a little spark of humor in the darkness.
    I’ve loved reading about your advent traditions over the years as our family has been more intentional about making advent a separate season from Christmas. I really love the way blogs give you a peek into other people’s traditions! Catholic mama blogs have helped me identify and hone our family’s liturgical style.

    If you want an excuse to start things a bit early, here’s what we do… Advent is a season of preparation, so in addition to interior preparation I gradually decorate the house over the weeks of advent, usually lighting the tree on the feast of St. Lucy or going to see Christmas lights that evening. As an over planner, I spent the 9 months before my babies were born preparing their nurseries, so it makes sense to me to try to get everything ready during advent.

    Like you I try to have shopping out of the way early and avoid stores during advent. We do a Jesse Tree & Advent Wreath, O Antiphons and last year the kids unwrapped a book each day (not new, just wrapped) relating to Advent, Christmas or one of the feast days.

    We go big for St. Nicholas, Immaculate Conception, Juan Diego, Our Lady of Guadalupe (my gal!) and St. Lucy, but we also try to maintain an air of preparation rather than celebration. So far it has worked well!
    Another option would be a New Years party for the new liturgical year – a great excuse for some celebration.

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  246. Ah, I’ve been looking for a trusted beeswax candle source in the States. (We lived overseas, and there I could buy them on the street along with local honey.) I adore their whole site, but the Christmas ornament is stunning.

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  247. Haley have you listened to Elizabeth Mitchell’s Christmas album? I think it’s called Sounding Joy. It’s a perfect pre-Christmas treat!

    I went to their site and pretty much love all of the colorful beeswax tapers!

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    • Thank you for sharing about Elizabeth Mitchell’s Christmas album! We love her music and I didn’t know she had a Christmas album. The songlist looks wonderful!

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  250. I’m not a big candle person because of the wacky way they smell and make me feel when they are not beeswax. This is making me want to jump on the candle train!

    I love the look of the rolled tapers.

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  258. I love the Toadily Handmade advent candle making kit! We’ve bought a candle making kit from this company in the past and my daughter LOVED rolling up the candles — super-easy even for a little one.

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  259. I haven’t had candles around the house for years (since I read about how bad they can be, chemical-wise), but if it was in our budget, I would love beeswax candles like these! And those sushi ones are just too much!

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  263. Wish I had known about Toadily (and the discount) before I ordered my advent candles a few days ago! It’s hard to decide on a favorite – I’m in the Christmas mood too so probably between the floating holly leaf/poinsettia or the beautiful pillar snowflake or ornament! So fun!!

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  273. I have to say that last year I felt just like you. My son started having seizures on a daily basis the day after Thanksgiving and I found myself wanting to skip right to the joy of the season. We put up the tree before December 16th (our normal date), made cookies, wrote Christmas letters and the whole works. It was so therapeutic for me to sit in the glow of the Christmas lights during that rough patch. And I was so grateful we did that! Our true Christmas season was very short lived when (after a brief reprieve from seizures), we ended up in the hospital for 2 weeks.

    Wishing you and yours a hopeful and joyful Advent!

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  275. Love their candle making supplies the best! We make their advent candles every year,and some year (when the dollar is better) I’d like to give child made candles as a gift.
    I already follow them on FB 🙂

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  279. The snowflake pillars are beautiful! The idea of making our own Advent candles is intriguing. Thanks for hosting the giveaway.

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  282. My daughter and I just finished up our rolled wax kit. I’m planning on giving her creations to our family for Christmas this year!

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  294. I have always liked those rose pillars.
    Haley, I totally feel you regarding Christmas this year. I can’t wait for all that joy and hope, when even our parish’s mediocre music is transformed into beautiful echo of the angels’ song.

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  305. Ordered the solid taper advent candles and a pair of the solid taper ivory candles from Toadily Handmade Beeswax Candles today.

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  314. I visited the Toadily website and my favorites are the solid pillar candles, especially the ones with leaf designs!

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  321. My 19- month-old nephew is still too little, but I definitely want an Advent Candle Kit to make our own when he’s bigger! I love natural beeswax candles!

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  327. I love the advent candle kit! This looks like a wonderful tradition to start with my boys. They have so many lovely candles on their website, but my favorites are the hand rolled ones.

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  340. Kind of off topic but I completely agree everybody is super eager for Christmas this year! I felt it too and I’m usually a huge stickler for waiting until the day after Thanksgiving. It’s definitely a phenomenon this year!!

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  344. I know it’s a little late to post, amidst all the raffle posts, but where did you get your stockings!? I’m looking to get some this year !

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    • Hi Shannon!!
      I ordered them from Land’s End when they were having a 40% off sale. Apparently they have big sales pretty frequently so keep an eye out!

      Reply

  345. I’m falling in love with these! Ah too many on my wishlist now- but I’d say I’m partial to the pillars- especially the winter ones!

    Reply

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