8 Hanukkah Menorahs Inspired by Nature Celebrate Jewish Festival of Lights

Celebrations

1st Night of Hanukkah is Tonite

Tonite Jews around the world light the first candle on the branched menorah candelabra. This Jewish holiday commemorates the miraculous victory of the Maccabees who were greatly outnumbered by the Greeks and the rededication of the Second Temple in the 2nd Century BCE. The first night of Chanukah is always the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar which usually falls sometime in mid-December. In a very rare occurance not to happen again in our lifetimes the first night last year fell on the earliest possible date at the end of November during Thanksgiving weekend.

Image by Joyful Jewish

The main custom associated with this religious celebration is lighting of the menorah on each of the eight nights of the holiday which is also called the Festival of Lights. So, I thought it would be fun to share eight beautiful functional and kosher menorahs -- also known as Hanukiah (singular), Hanukiot (plural) -- one for each of the eight nights of Chanukah. What makes a menorah kosher you may be wondering? The candle from which one lights must stand higher in its holder than the eight other candles as you'll see from each of the images below.

Moss & Ivy Menorah, DIY, DesignMegillah
What a clever and easy idea this is to make, by combining natural materials such as moss and ivy with a simple brass menorah. This is so simple, yet so elegant.

Image by DesignMegillah

Pomegranate Pottery Menorah by Michal Ben Yosef, $144, Gans
This menorah, constructed of individual pomegranate shaped vessels is a decidedly modern take on the traditional candelabra. It's still kosher since it includes the required single higher candle holder for the shamash (lighting candle). 

Image by Epicurious

Jay Strongwater Floral & Vine Menorah, $2,700, Neiman Marcus
This 12.75" tall lavish tree, vine & flower menorah is made in cast metal that has been handpainted with enamel and handset with sparkling Swarovski crystals. Made in USA

Image by Neiman Marcus

Moose Menorah, $119.99, Menorah.com
Here's a fun menorah that builds on the natural rack of antlers that male moose are known for.  It's crafted by hand from rustic metal and measures 15-1/2"h x 15"w.

Image by Menorah.com

Michael Aram Botanical Leaf Menorah, $199, Macy's
This exquisite menorah, part of a lovely Judaica collection, is nickel-plated and reaches up 14" from its white marble base.

Image by Macy's

Oversized Ice Menorah, Cornell University Chabad
Leave it up to Chabad to arrange for an outdoor carved ice menorah sculpture on this college campus in honor of Hanukkah. From the photo it appears to be over 6' tall.

Image by Chabad

Handpainted Ceramic Fish Menorah by artist Susan Garson
I love this Judaica art piece. As you can see it's a one-of-a-kind menorah in shaped like a fish evoking the story of Creation with the ocean waves forming the base and the moon and stars creating the candle holders and the multi-color fish in between.

Image by Madison Metro

Tree Branch Menorah, DIY, Martha Stewart
This menorah made from a branch painted silver is extremely beautiful in its simplicity with silver candles for a monochromatic look. Martha shows you how to make this easy craft on her site. 

Image by Martha Stewart

If you enjoyed this post, definitely visit this MBE blogpost, too
12 Beautiful DIY Menorah Crafts to Make With Kids

FTC Disclosure: I did not receive any payment or compensation for this post and opinions here are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Microsoft Store Day #9 Deal - FREE Yurbuds w/ FitBit Flex or Charge Activity Tracker Purchase

Deals

Day #9 Deal

Microsoft Store has a new BIG deal daily for 12 days during their 12 Days of Deals promotion. Yesterday's Deal sold out before the day was over so you'll probably want to move quickly to grab this special. Today ONLY starting at 8 am ET for the Day #9 Deal get FREE Yurbuds ARV $39.99 when you buy a FitBit Flex or FitBit Charge Activity & Sleep Tracker Wristband starting from $99.95.

Image from Microsoft Store

Get Today's Deal

FTC Disclosure: I did not receive any payment or compensation for this post and opinions here are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Proactiv+ Review Getting Rid of Adult Face Breakouts and Attaining Radiant Skin Made Easy

Beauty

I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Influence-Central for Proacitv+. I received samples of Proactiv+ to facilitate my review and a thank you item for participating.


When I was a teen acne breakouts were a fact of life and a daily obsession -- I can't even remember all the brands of skin cleaning and medicated products I cycled through back in those days to fight that uphill battle. At the time, I recall all I could think of was how much I couldn't wait to get into my 20s so I wouldn't have to deal with those ugly red pimples anymore. 

Long story short is that my 20s, 30s and 40s all came and went and I still was cringing whenever I noticed the occasional annoying blemishes on my face. That all changed when I started using the Proactiv+ skincare system about six weeks ago.

Proactiv+ 3-Step System and Skin Purifying Mask, MommyBlogExpert

In fact just a few weeks after I started using Proactiv+ twice a day, I noticed my skin returning to it's pre-teen pre-acne state. Granted I have a few more wrinkles and fine lines on my face that weren't there when I was a tween but I now have my blemish-free skin back which was a pleasant surprise.

Me with blemishes before trying Proactiv+, MommyBlogExpert.com

Unlike others I have tried, this skincare line is accessibly affordable, easy and quick to use. In fact, it only takes five minutes twice a day, morning and night, to go through the whole routine of exfoliating, cleaning and moisturizing your skin.

Me AFTER using Proactiv+ for 6 weeks, MommyBogExpert.com

As you can see by my before and after pictures in this post the results are noticeable. These products fight breakouts and make your skin look and feel healthier. Proactiv+ system provides enhanced hydration, skin smoothing and mark reduction which all become more prevalent as we age. These also promote an overall improvement in the texture, tone, and pore appearance of the skin via one elegant suite of facial products.

Watch this short clip to see & hear me talk about the products I tried for this review.



The Proactiv+ core system includes just 3 easy steps

• Step 1 - Skin Smoothing Exfoliator
• Step 2 - Pore Targeting Treatment
• Step 3- Complexion Perfecting Hydrator

MommyBlogExpert.com

Cleanse with Proactiv+ Skin Smoothing Exfoliator 
This 6 ounce tube of exfoliator has a wonderful light fragrance that reminds me of a breeze at the beach. The cream cleanser formulated with prescription-strength micro-crystal benzoyl peroxide gently washes away dead skin cells while working to encourage smoother, new skin to resurface.

MommyBlogExpert.com

Treat with Proactiv+ Pore Targeting Treatment
Follow up the Skin Smoothing Exfoliator with this product which comes in a 3 ounce push pump bottle. The cleansing gel, with SMART TARGET Benzoyl peroxide 2.5%, feels light and gentle as you smooth it on your face in the affected areas, avoiding eyes, lips and mouth. The product's advanced fomula helps guide medicine directly into pores to clear existing blemishes as well as prevent new ones from erupting.

MommyBlogExpert.com

Repair with Proactiv+ Complexion Perfecting Hydrator
After your skin is cleaned and treated it's time to moisturize with this silky rich hydrator. This step is particularly important since you definitely want to combat dryness and return moisture to the skin. Not only does applying this product featuring salicylic acid and botanicals to help brighten skin and hydrate your face and neck, this is also designed to improve texture and skin tone resulting in a more radiant overall appearance.

MommyBlogExpert.com

Deep Clean Pores with Proactiv+ Skin Purifying Mask
To complement the Proactiv+ 3-Step System, I also received a 1 ounce tube of Skin Purifying Mask which deep cleans pores with sulfur to draw out impurities while cooling koalin clay extracts excess skin oil. As recommended on the box instructions, I use this three times a week all over my face routinely in addition to applying as an overnight spot treatment when I notice face trouble brewing.

Whether you are 17 or 40+, you don't have to feel self-conscious and worry about your skin breaking out if you take proper care of it. Proactiv+ is the solution for me because it works. No matter what your age, if you want your skin to be blemish free so it looks its best, this product collection is worth trying. 

About Proactiv+
The Proactiv+ 3-Step 30-Day kit is currently available direct online from Proactiv+ for $29.95 including an Instant Radiance Duo Gift and free shipping. The "plus" in Proactiv+ alludes to "more" with more advanced skincare benefits for you to achieve a more luminous complexion. Learn all about the line of products as well as purchase them on the official website. You can also keep up with everything Proactiv+ is doing by following them on Facebook and Twitter.

FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I received the Proactiv+ products featured as well as a promotional item as a thank you gift to facilitate this #mc #sponsored post on behalf of Influence-Central. However, opinions here are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.