We’ve all heard the saying: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” While I’m not sure whether that daily habit holds true (anyone want to share their daily apple eating experiences?), the saying does have strong ties as to why students across America have historically presented teachers with a shiny, red apple. Surprisingly, apples have somewhat of a strange history here in United States with plenty of ups and downs. However, over time the apple and most apple-related treats (hello, apple pie!) have transformed into one of the country’s most patriotic symbols – similar to bald eagles and baseball. But, how did it become a cultural tradition to present a teacher with an apple? According to Smithsonian Magazine, back when teachers taught students on the vast frontier, families were often supposed to provide the teachers with housing and sustenance. With apples being publically promoted at the time as a way to “keep the doctor away,” they were a sign of good ...

By Kristin Curtis She’s dragging her feet as she crosses the lot And you watch, her shoulders slumped low. Her arms are full of the things she just bought From the grocery store just up the road. A frown on her face and her keys in her hand, She fumbles to unlock her truck. The tie in her hair drops one single strand So she shifts and gives it a tuck. In that moment her keys slip from her grasp And she groans and stares at the sky. Her tiny, strained voice comes out in a rasp As she quietly murmurs, “Why?” You shake yourself free from your stupor of thought and pick her keys up for her. You take from her arms the things that she’s bought And help get them into the car. She thanks you again and again and again And you insist it was nothing so great. She gets in her car and gives you a grin And you return to your home slightly late. Life is about giving more than you take And February’s for showing love. Doing something kind for a stranger’s sake Is ...

‘Tis the season for at-home entertaining – food, friends, family, fun and yes, even fires. Fire fighters respond to calls of nearly 400,000 home fires each year, according to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA). Many fires occur in cold weather months as more people bring warmth into their homes with things like traditional candles or holiday lighting. These fires result in more than 15,000 civilian deaths or injuries annually. Fire-proof the holiday season with these tips that safeguard your family and your home: Go flameless Reduce your risk of fire by using Scentsy flameless candles. Though they look and smell like real candles, they don’t pose the same safety risks. Scentsy Wickless Candles provide the light and ambiance of traditional candles without the smoke, soot or an open flame. With more than 80 fragrances to choose from and 100 styles of warmers available, there’s a fit for every fragrance personality and home decor style. Avoid outlet ov ...

Halloween is quickly becoming the most decorated holiday, trailing only Christmas in popularity. Whether it’s your front lawn that turns into a graveyard or your entryway into a spooky haunted house, you can bring the Halloween fright throughout your house with Scentsy! Many of the new styles of Scentsy warmers are inspired by current trends in holiday decorating. Have a favorite already? See what other ideas you can use with your essential holiday Scentsy warmer. Alive or Nearly Dead? Bringing back the dead for just one night seems frightfully exciting, especially for your treat-seeking guests. Skeletons, zombies and tombstones bring the almost human element to an eerie night. “He’s Alive” can be the centerpiece to any “lab” or treat table at your Monster Mash. Ghostly Visitors Receive a visit from spooky white specters! Decorate your home in black and white this season, giving it the feeling of an abandoned Victorian home filled with residents of the past. &l ...

I've never been a huge fan of numbers. Particularly when connected to freshman calculus or credit card bills. But here are a few numbers I can’t help but celebrate: 25, 12, 14, 2, and 75. This season, as part of our NEW Fall/Winter 2012 Catalog, Scentsy fans will be able to shop 25 NEW warmers in varying colors, shapes, and sizes, 12 NEW fragrances to spoil the senses, and 14 NEW scent offerings in our Layers by Scentsy line! Not to mention 2 entirely new personal care products sure to have you soaking and scrubbing in no time. All this and plenty more rolled into 75 glossy catalog pages—our biggest book yet! Let’s take a walk through the fantastic new products found in Scentsy’s Fall/Winter 2012 Catalog, starting with a few of the show-stoppers: Silhouette Collection Last season we introduced this fabulously functional line of warmers and interchangeable wraps to let you build a collection of easy-to-update, stylish ways to warm your favorite Scentsy Bars. Each glowing cor ...

A huge theme in home décor this year is COLOR! Lots and lots of color. Bright colors like oranges and pinks coupled with neutral grays and taupes. For drastic changes to home decor, accent walls, large furniture pieces and rugs in bright colors will work. For small changes and seasonal accents, accent pillows, florals, and wall decor can add small bursts of color.  Wine, water, mason, and food bottles have appeared lately in centerpieces and decor. They are being painted, wrapped in twine, died and colored with chalk paint, and filled with spring florals. With the economy still weak, the trend continues for up-cycling and restoring old furniture to new uses. The DIY movement is far from over. Design on a budget is nothing to dismiss. Unique cost effective ways to improve homes are in. Try spray painting a thrift-store lamp or frame a bold color to bring it back to life and add a pop of color to any room in your home.    A fun tip for spring cleaning and decor is to or ...