Disclosure: I received product samples. Opinions shared here are 100% mine.

My sister’s house always looks warm and welcoming.  I could never put my finger on the one thing that made her house feel so inviting, until she commented about the fact that she had so many tea lights burning. Then it hit me.  She burns candles the way that other people flip a light switch!  The difference between her house and mine seemed so obvious after that.  The candles she burned gave a cozy glow that was so comforting. The gentle scents that waft through the air in her kitchen don’t always come from her oven; the candles add an amazing ambiance for the senses.  Since then, I have made more of an effort to burn candles anytime I feel like I need help to unwind.  Altered Sense offers a wonderful selection of handmade soy candles, wax tarts, and bath salts.  They might smell amazing, but they’re calorie free! I love that the site is so easy to search.  You can choose the product from the left sidebar, or search for your favorite item in the search bar at the top of the page. It was tough to select two items, but I finally narrowed it down. I chose the Hazelnut & Cream soy candle and the Cucumber Melon air freshener.  The two items arrived in perfect condition; they were well-wrapped in a sturdy box.  If you need to ship a gift for a faraway friend or loved one, consider going through Altered Sense!

The scents from both the candle and air freshener were pleasing yet gentle. They weren’t strong and overpowering, which sometimes becomes a problem with my sensitive-nose family.   The candle burned clean without leaving a lot of soot and residue on the side of the jar.  Also, the candle came with a lid so that it stores away nicely and doesn’t become dusty.  I put the air freshener in my classroom. Understandably, we are not permitted to use anything with a flame in the classroom.  Still, the air can become heavy with the odor of 6th grade bodies. What’s a desperate teacher to do?  The Altered Sense air freshener was a real blessing; it didn’t plug in, yet still provide effective relief from the ripe scent of adolescence. The jar is pretty enough to keep right in plain sight!  Many of my students have commented on how good the air freshener smells. The little scented beads are quite tempting for young hands; if necessary, put this out of arm’s reach.  I’d love to see a refill pack available so that I can just freshen things up again using the same jar and lid!  The air freshener is a great option for any closed space such as a doctor’s office, bathroom, or basement.

Which scents are your favorites?