.

I've moved :)

2008-02-09T09:56:00.001-08:00

I've GOT to tell you...

2008-02-04T14:15:00.000-08:00

After weeks of curing, I finally was able to use my first ever batch of cold process soap yesterday. I have to tell you, it is amazing! Best soap I've ever used! I'm so pleased with it. The bars are super hard, and SUPER lathery! I mean, like, bubbles EVERYWHERE. And it's just so smooth and so nice...

Criticisms? It was only a one pound batch, first of all, and seeing as I haven't gotten any decent soap molds, yet, the bars came out rather small (only 2 oz). Also, it definitely needs more fragrance. I, personally, like things smelling very strong and fragrant! This has a very light coffee/chocolate smell. It's good, but I think it could use more!
Now...if only my shipment of lye would come in....

New Pictures

2008-02-02T12:12:00.000-08:00

I haven't updated in a few days. I've been waiting on my new labels to get here...which they finally did on Thursday. Since then, I've been printing like mad. Hopefully labels and tags for all of my items will be done by tomorrow.

I listed more soap on my shop just a few minutes ago. The last and only two bars I ever listed were sold a couple weeks ago! Speaking of which, I really need to make more soap sometime soon! I'm waiting on a shipment to get here, which has the lye that I need.

I might have just enough to make one more one pound batch this weekend. The next two fragrances of soap that I am going to make are Banana scented and Lemon Poppyseed scented. The Lemon scented bars will obviously have poppy seeds in them as an exfoliator.
Back to my Raspberry Oatmeal soap, though? I've actually been using it nonstop. And I only have three bars left! I never thought I'd actually like using my own homemade soap-but I love it! I've never been so clean. Sometimes I'll take a shower for no other reason than just to use my soap! I'll have to make more of that, soon, as well. I don't think I'll be able to go without it for too long! Here are some recent pictures I took of it. These are also on my shop now:

I've also been using my scrub quite a bit, too. I've been making this scrub for years now, and have never really used it up until now! I haven't listed these on my shop, yet, but here are a few I just took:

Vanilla Creme:

English Lavender:

Strawberry:

Anyway, I'm off to finish more labels and bop around on etsy and Indie Public for a bit!

PS, I figured out what I want to do with my life-I want to do my business and go to school for perfumery! Wish me luck :)

A la Carte

2008-01-30T05:05:00.000-08:00

I was out yesterday with my puppy, Grendel, when I got this great idea for my shop.
I call it "A La Carte Body Butter". It's a customized 8 oz. tub of lotion. In the description, the buyer chooses 3 out of 5 carrier, or base, oils, 2 out of 4 add-ons, and whatever fragrance they want. Here is part of the write up:

♥♥♥THE BASE: PICK 3♥♥♥

Coconut Oil- An amazing oil for dry skin and sensitive skin. Extremely emollient, and does not clog pores.

Cocoa Butter- A very rich and emollient butter with natural antioxidants. Good use when intense moisturizing is needed.

Grapeseed Oil- Rich in vitamins and great for damaged, dry or aging skin

Sweet Almond Oil- A luscious oil for dry skin. High in essential fatty acids and vitamins A, B and E.

Olive Oil- Also great use in skin care. Very rich in vitamins and essential fatty acids. Beneficial for all skin types.

♥♥♥ADD ONS: Pick 2♥♥♥

Vegetable Glycerin- As a humectant, drawing moisture into itself, this ingredient is great for dry skin.

Vitamin E. Oil- A great natural antioxidant. Provides extra moisture and protection from UV rays,

Aloe Vera Juice- Heals and moisturizes. Excellent for sensitive skin.

Whole Milk Powder- Adds a creamy texture and leaves your skin feeling extra soft.

Then it goes on to list all the fragrance options. I feel like it's a good idea, as I know how people loved customizing items. I don't know how it will sell, though. I guess I'll just have to wait and see. It also gave me the idea to do offer similar customization; scrubs, balms, etc. But I think I'll just stick with the body butter for now, and see how it works out. Hopefully it works out good! :)
I'm off to work for the day but I'll most likely be updating later tonight! xx.

Bleh

2008-01-27T18:27:00.000-08:00

One of those days. I made more bath bombs today than I know what to do with. My original plan was to make a chocolate, vanilla, strawberry trio, but...alas! I come to find I am all out of strawberry FO until next week. Tragic. I improvised, as perfectionists often do, and opted with a mix of vanilla buttercream and sweet orange essential oil, making it a delicious orange sherbert fragrance. The shapes are all made with an ice cream scoop, hence the ice cream oriented fragrances. Actually I know exactly what I'm going to do with them! I'm going to list them on my etsy shop. I haven't been updating my shop too much, lately, I've been waiting on my new labels to be fully ready, which is going to be very, very soon. A couple are already done. I hate waiting, but it gives me a little more time for fun experiments! Today I was able to make this new mix of "stuff", it's quite similar to my body whips, only it is going to be a shower scrub. It's very thick, but it's whipped, so it's also light, if that makes any sense. I'll have to post pictures at some point. I used a mixture of coconut oil and coffee bean butter:

I got this butter from From Nature With Love and it's amazing. Made from coffee beans, it's got to be one of my new favourite ingredients, despite it's PPO. I think it's the fact that it has caffeine? Or the that it moisturizes like crazy. Or that it's also a decent antioxidant. Oh, and did I even mention the smell? Undoubtedly, a rich aroma of coffee. It's truly amazing stuff. In fact, I used this ingredient in my first batch of cold process soaps. The mocha cream ones, that I am STILL waiting on to fully cure.
I think that I'm going to make the scrubs all coffee oriented scents? Vanilla Frappuccino, Chai Latte, and Mint Mocha, seeing as they will all be made with coffee butter.

I also am in the midst of making this new creamy body wash. I have to admit, I'm a bit disappointed at the outcome of this experiment. It's a great recipe: moisturizing and cleansing at the same time. But it just doesn't lather! Personally, I like my washes lathery but, I guess, some people don't, and some people don't care either way. This body wash is much more creamy than lathery. Then I have to decide on fragrances, which I know is going to drive mental. As much as I am in love with scents, having to be limited to choosing only four or five is next to impossible. It's like choosing which of your kids you love more! The one I chose just to keep around the house is almond scented.
Also, pictures of my new snoggables are here:

I'm really excited about these! They'll be up on my shop starting tomorrow or the day after.
Aside from that, it was a fairly boring day.

Oh, and by the way-this is very random but I promised myself that I would mention it on my blog at some point. I watched the film Premonition recently. With Sandra Bullock? Horrible , HORRIBLE film. The ending was so bad. I was so disgustingly disappointed with it. It was so good and interesting at first, too. It had potential and then it just...ended! And at the end I think I even said out loud, "This better not be the end. They better not start rolling the credits." And then the credits came. Please, if anyone watched this movie and actually liked it, write in the comments section and tell me why. I'm honestly baffled at the idea that anyone could actually like this film. Sorry for the rant! :p I'll be updating more frequently this week. Until then,
xx.

The first sign of addiction...

2008-01-25T06:10:00.000-08:00

Contrary to popular belief, it is NOT denial! Haha, it is scrounging about for change to support your habit. So, I don't get paid until next friday-yeah, I get paid biweekly-and I HATE it. Biweekly paychecks= Worst idea ever. Anyway, I NEED sodium hydroxide before than. My stock is dangerously low, and where will I be if I don't get my fix of creating my fragrant, coulourful, sudsy bars of soap?

Soap soap soap. I need to make it. It's my own personal getaway. Luckily, my mom loaned me her plastic-which I went a tad overboard with (oops!, sorry mom, if you're reading-I promise to pay you back! :p) but, hey, I need to do what I need to do.
AND, my labels will be ready by NEXT weekend. I'm so psyched, I can't wait to post them all on my shop. I'll be making more bath bombs today, most likely. I need a good way to package them, as I HATE cellophane bags, and I refuse to use them.

Obviously, I didn't know him personally, but I'd really like to mention the recent death of Heath Ledger. It's a very, very sad situation. *Hugs* to his family and friends. He was a brilliant and well respected actor, and will be missed. RIP.

Late nights

2008-01-23T23:51:00.000-08:00

Maybe I'm developing insomnia. I'll wake up in the middle of the night and just start working on my business. I can't stop myself. I wake up, start thinking about it, then just get on my computer and start surfing for new ingredients, recipes, ideas, blogs, etsy, or I'll make up some labels, type out ideas, add figures, etc. I woke up at 1am, and it's just coming upon 3am right now. I also have to be to work in 6 hours.
Damn work. If I had my choice I'd be home all day making soaps and lotions and testing out new recipes.

I did just find one really nice blog, that I'd like to share: Handmade Soap Blog. Amazing soaps from what I can see, and she lives in Australia! How exciting is that? I wish I was living in Australia making soap :)

I haven't taken any pictures, yet, but the grapefruit soap that I made over the weekend is curing fabulously so far. Even though I cut it too early and it's not a nice and smooth looking, the colour is turning PINK (it was orange before, remember...)! And the bars are getting a bit harder. The bars from my last batch, are practically rock hard, but they are looking a bit on the dry side. I hope they didn't come out lye heavy. I really like the recipe that I used for the grapefruit one, so hopefully it turns out decent. Although, it never can be TOO bad to make a bad batch, because then you get to experiment with making another. I'm still trying to think of what soap to make next? I'm leaning towards a coconut scent. I'm a hardcore fan of coconut. The FO I have-"Thai Coconut"- isn't to my liking at all, so, I might just experiment a bit more just to get rid of it. I only have enough lye to make one more batch of soap and then I'll need to order more. I hate lye, but I love soap.

Finally!

2008-01-22T13:45:00.000-08:00

My whole "new look" is FINALLY starting to come together. It still needs a bit of editing, as you can probably tell, from my banner, or if you've looked at my shop recently, but this should suffice for the next couple of weeks.

I FINALLY got my new Sony Vaio Laptop :) It's so brilliant and SO pink! I love it to pieces, despite the fact that I am having a little trouble navigating it. (I'm used to the macs)

I also finally got around to making my second ever batch of cold process soap! I'm not quite sure how it is going to come out, as it obviously still has a few weeks of curing to go, but as of now, it looks alright. It's scented in "pink grapefruit". Again, I went overboard with the essential oil, adding a whole ounce of oil to a one pound batch instead of a half ounce. Yeah...I'm still learning, but I'm having a lot of fun in the process.

Obviously, I'm still experimenting with the whole swirling technique, as well. Honestly, when I first did this batch, the colour came out orange instead of pink, as I didn't anticipate that the grapefruit EO would be yellow. So, when I mixed in the red dye, it turned orange...but it's toned down quite a bit as far, and looking more like a pink grapefruit than a creamsicle!

As you can see, I cut the bars way to early, they were still soft and broke apart as I was cutting them. I can't help it, though! I just get excited about my soap and want to see how my swirling came out! I'm sure they'll be fine. I can't wait to use them! They smell amazing, as you can imagine.
I'm off to bop around on the web, and maybe make up some more bath bombs.

I got tagged!

2008-01-21T05:51:00.000-08:00

1) Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.

2. Share five random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog.

3. Share the five top places on your "want to see or want to see again" list.

4. Tag a minimum of five random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.

5. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment in their blog.

So here it goes, the five random and/or weird facts about myself:

1. CHECK OUT PLAYING WITH SOAP!

2. First fact: I can speak conversational Russian and French
Second fact: My best friend is someone I've never met. (Yet!)
Third fact: I'm on my laptop at least 16 hours a day.
Fourth fact: I can play the piano.
Fifth weird fact: I can french braid my own hair :)

3. I want to see: Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, North America (the parts I haven't seen, yet, obviously.)

4. I've tagged:

The Soap Queen

Paris Chic Boutique

Morgan Street

Spa Therapy Works

Ida's Sketchbook

I'm off to notify everyone right now :)

Toast and Jam

2008-01-19T21:03:00.001-08:00

Before I started lotions and soaps, I dabbled in fashion for a while. But admittedly, sewing was never really "my thing". I find fabric stores overwhelming and sewing machines unbearably tedious. Yes, despite my love for lotions, soaps and fragrances, I always wanted to be a "crafty girl"-one who can make all different things. I've always admired people who can do this because not only are they so obviously talented at what they do, but they have the option to be fickle. They can make dolls, bags, clothes, accessories...and trust me: the list goes on!
This brings me to a newly discovered etsian, whom I will be featuring today Toast and Jam. Let me first tell you, if you haven't seen her shop, take a visit, because this gal crafts like it's her job! Her hats are beyond adorable! Here are a few of my select favourites:

Domo-Kun Hat:

Winter Owl Hat:

MTO Animal Ear Hat:

She also makes lovely handbags and plushies!

1) What is your craft?
My craft is sewing and at the moment crocheting!

2) What is/are your favourite materials to use?
I love fleece! I would say by now I could even be considered an expert in fleece, hehe. I also really love furry fabrics, like the ones I use in my monster bags! They have so many fun colors.

3) How did you learn your craft and how long have you been practicing it?
I learned how to sew from my Grandma Sutter when I was a sophomore in high school (I'm graduating college at the moment). She was the driving force behind all my craftiness, and I think of her every time I work.

4) What are your favorite and least favorite parts about your craft?
I would say that my favorite parts about sewing are the fact that I have a short attention span, and when you sew you see your work immediately progressing. This definitely helps keep my interest. Plus, making my own clothing, and seeing my hats on other people is one of the best feelings in the world.
My least favorite part would be the upper back pain from constantly bending over my sewing machine!!

What is your favourite...
1) Dessert?
Tiramisu

2) Month?
November (my birth month)

3) Quote?
"There are some things you want to do, and there are some things you have to do, and thats life."

4) Book?
The outlander by Diana Gabaldon hands down.

Any words of advice to others out there trying to sell their own handmade items?
Go with your insticts, listen to your friends, and always put your all into your craft. That way when people get you down, you can stand behind your work proudly and tell them they are wrong!

Thanks Toast and Jam! Best wishes to you and your shop! xxx.

Aria Images

2008-01-18T17:27:00.000-08:00

Life can be shit and life can be wonderful. I mean, that's life. It's a series of extraordinary moments and I think that there are relatively few people that can just stop, think and capture a decent moment. And no, I'm not trying to get all sappy and drift into the "kodak moment" cliche. I'm talking about art. Real art and real moments. Photography.
Some people see the world differently and can show the beauty in things that would normally appear mediocre and dull. They show us to appreciate the places and moments, that would most often go overlooked.
For my featured seller today, I chose to promote Aria Images. Not only do her photographs surpass any and all definitions in terms of "capturing moments", but her photos are beautiful as well as cosmopolitan. Trust me, from this shop, it was HARD to pick favourites:

Ancient Arches:

Cherry Blossom Series:

Arch Phantasy:

This is just a small preview of what you'll find in her shop. Her work ranges from colour, to black and white as well as series prints.

I took the liberty of asking a few questions for a mini interview. Take a peek:

1) What is your craft? Photography.
2) What is/are your favourite materials to use? Photoshop for sure. Its taken digital photography to a whole other level.
3) How did you learn your craft and how long have you been practicing it? I am totally self taught. Some of my earliest memories as a child were of taking photos so I guess for at least 20 years. I started treating it as more than a hobby about a year and a half ago.
4) What are your favourite and least favourite parts about your craft? Something I love about photography is that the more I do the more I seem to "train" my eye. I see more and more shots I would love to get (I really need to start walking around with my camera) and besides that its one of the best ways for me to personally express myself. Its not just something I enjoy. Its this inner hunger to capture that exact moment or angle. To show people what I see. I find it so exciting. I guess my least favorite aspect is that because I am totally self taught and just kind of professionally starting, I do often feel not as good as others I come across. I get frustrated by my own technical limitations. I am hoping study and time will take care of that though.

What is your favourite...
1) Dessert? NY Cheesecake
2) Month? September
3) Quote? You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do. -Eleanor Roosevelt
4) Book? The Woman in White

Thank you for being my first featured seller, Aria Image! Good luck to you and your shop! xxx.

Weekend Featurettes!

2008-01-18T16:06:00.000-08:00

I've decided that every weekend starting this weekend I am going to feature two etsians on my blog! One on saturday and one on sunday. I made a thread for it on the etsy forums and loads of people responded, so I guess I have my work cut out for me, huh?

P.S I made my business cards and they look FAB!!

Blogger VS. Typepad

2008-01-18T13:40:00.001-08:00

So, I haven't updated in a couple days because I've been experimenting over at typepad. I have to be brutally truthful, I'm somewhat disappointed. I've heard good things about it. After a few days entries, and messing around on this site, I have to say that I am still partial to Blogspot. There isn't too much more that you can do with typepad that you can't do with blogger, except paying fees. And who wants more fees? Let's all be honest.

I have a million things to get done. I just spent hours (literally!) making up labels. New ones! Hooray! Originally, I was going to have a graphic designer do them up for me, but I guess I changed my mind about the whole look of them and everything and decided it would be more convenient at this time to do them on my own. I will be buying a new banner for my etsy shop, though, and for my blog (if I can't figure out how to make one!)
I guess we'll see what happens. But, boy-oh-boy, do I love my new look. It's brilliant, and so much more "me". I know I'm going to have so much more fun with the products/names/packaging and just everything.

The banner is in the works for my shop as of now, and I'll probably post it on my blog, as well. I can't wait to get everything done! But, like I said before, I still have a lot of work to do.
Early tomorrow morning I'm making another batch of cold process soap, this time in "pink grapefruit". My last batch came out great (my first!), and I'm already jonesing for another victory. Ha.
In the meantime...I'm still looking for fragrances worthy of being in my up-and-coming line of homemade soaps. Wish me luck and let me know what you think about the new labels!

My first CP

2008-01-16T06:46:00.000-08:00

And it came out so beautifully. I have to admit, I was convinced it didn't come out good at all. When I put it into the molds, it was still a bit thin, like, having not quite reached trace, yet. But, this morning, I woke up to a beautifully crafted, swirled loaf of soap.

It is "Mocha Creme" scented. It still has to cure for a few more weeks, which really stinks, as I'm not one who likes to wait around for stuff. But...perhaps I'll be able to keep myself busy with making more soap! Not much else to say here, I guess, just wanted to show off the pictures.

Oh Happy Day...

2008-01-15T08:41:00.000-08:00

I've been surfing online since about 8.30am this morning (it's 12.00pm now!) and I'm still going strong! I've joined another soap forum that you should deffo check out if you're interested, Soap Making Forum, which has more information than I know what to do with at the moment! It's like just a whole world of bath and body junkies. Oils, butters, fragrances, soaps...it just goes on and on for pages! I'm obsessed. In my obsession-induced browsing Pixie Lee Soap Forums linked to the lye calculator. I'm going to be making my first batch of cold process soap tomorrow! I'll be sure to take pics and post them, as I'm going to be trying swirling techniques, too! I still haven't even decided what fragrance to use! I want it to be really good, even though it's only my first batch, but I'm having trouble deciding. Vanilla? Amber? Citrus? Give me ideas for my soap scent! What are your favourite scents everyone? I want to know!

The Joy of Snow

2008-01-14T14:29:00.000-08:00

16 inches. 8 hours.

I woke up this morning and there was NO snow. Not one flake. But, alas, my boss called within the hour to tell me not to bother coming in due to the bad weather. Sure enough, by noon, there was a good four inches on the ground and no sign of it slowing down. I also took my little monster out:

Don't let the cute, shivering face fool you. His name is Grendel and let me assure you, in no way is the name being misrepresented.

This weekend I had the pleasure of creating a couple of wonderful new products. A facial scrub, which is amazing, because it's made with one of my favourite exfoliants: fruit fiber. I chose blueberry fruit fiber, as the antioxidants in blueberries do wonders in skin care. It has a very dark, purple colour, which I love! It's also a very fine exfoliant, so you can use the scrub daily. I also made my first ever batch of bath bombs. They are made with avocado oil, so they make your skin really soft. They're huge and they fizz A LOT! They are in the shape of ice cream scoops and scented in vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. I think I'm also going to get an orange sherbert scent as well. Yum! I can't wait to post these on etsy! I think I'm going to wait until I actually get my new label designs though. My business is sort of in a weird spot right now, as it's the new year and I have a few more items I want to be up, but I really want to wait on my labels, tags, banner, business/promo cards. . .

Speaking of cards...Has anyone heard of "Moo Cards"? I've been hearing the name floating around on etsy and I've been interested in looking into them, but haven't gotten round to it, yet. They're supposed to be fab, though, so I'll have to check them out ASAP.

Not meaning this in a conceited way, but I'm so in love with my stuff. Even if everyone else hates it and never buys it, I'm still going to make them because they are amazing. I love love love them. I just wish I had more time to use them!

Bouncing Back

2008-01-11T06:17:00.000-08:00

I apologize for not having updated for so long, I've been sick with a stomach flu since sunday. I'm still somewhat ill, but getting over it. Stomach bugs are the worse!
Good news, though! I sold SIX items in my etsy shop over the weekend! Yayyy!! Thank you for your purchases, ladies, if you are reading. I've also joined a soap making forum, compliments of Soap Pixie at Soap Pixie Forums! I'm also quite excited to be a part of that, as I love meeting and talking with other soap/lotion makers! I've also been running into my all time favourite soapmaker,
Morgan Street in the etsy chatrooms! I was honestly so excited to meet her. Check out her etsy shop here.
But wait! The excitement doesn't stop there because I'm having my labels redone by a graphic designer. I've been reading a few of the threads on etsy and am realizing more and more how important labeling and packaging is. Most people say that nice labels, packaging and pictures are what are going to make them buy the product! So I am in contact with a graphic designer, via etsy, to do me up with brand-spankin-new labels, business cards, and a logo!
I was going to bring in my two ideas of making "The Body Cafe" and "The Sweet Shop", but I'm much more interested in soapmaking, and I also think I'm going to be adding a few facial care lines very, very soon. I will be starting my recipes for those on sunday. The only thing that will take a long time is the testing. . .
So, yes, it's been a lot of excitement for a week of being ill and I'm glad the week is over. I haven't any pictures to show for it, but I'll likely be snapping some today and updating later tonight. Until then.
xx

Rebatching.....and tacos, anyone?

2008-01-05T15:55:00.000-08:00

Well, blogging daily isn't as easy as I thought it would be! Not only am I incredibly exhausted (still!), but I have lots of work I need to be doing. Yesterday I milled a batch of soap I made a couple weeks ago. At first I thought it was going to come out a bit dried and cracked, but it didn't! And the smell...oh man. My whole house reeked of black cherry! It was terribly overpowering, but fortunately, the soap came out great and smelling delish!

Rebatching was fun, to say the least. Grating the soap was actually enjoyable! The soap was a yellow color, with little black specks (ground vanilla bean), and once it was all grated, my mother was going on about how much it looked like cheese! She went on to fantasize about how hilarious it would be to grate some up on April Fools day, cook tacos for dinner, and put a bowl of grated soap on the table in place of grated cheese! "No one would know the difference until they took a bite!" Good lady: my mom.

I'll be posting pictures of this rebatching affair a little later this evening. I have plenty of work to do right now. I'm off to rebatch more soap, cut up some soap, package some soap, shower with my soap, love my soap...hehe. Did I even mention how much I love my soap? Thanks for reading :)

The Cancer Link

2008-01-04T09:40:00.000-08:00

I was blogging around and came across a really great blog, Soap Pixie. One of her entries, I just had to share. I also would like to note, that I don't use ANY of the following items listed in this article and I never, EVER will. Don't forget to check out her blog. Thanks soap pixie!

Many chemicals used in cosmetics and cleaning products are "oestrogen mimics" and can increase suceptibility to cancer. Women and young girls use an average of 12 personal care products a day. What does this mean? It means that young woman around the globe are putting themselves at risk everytime they use a product that isn't natural.

Many of the so-called "soaps" you see at the supermarket are in fact detergents and not soap. One reason to buy handmade natural soaps is to avoid being exposed to harmful chemicals that exists in store bought detergents. Detergents are made from petroleum products and many contain parabens as a preservative; both are linked to cancer.

Nearly 90% of ingredients used in cosmetics/personal care products have not been safety tested and those ingredients that have shown to be estrogenic, like parabens, are not being pulled off the shelves. One way to protect yourself is to limit the chemicals you expose your body to.

Here are list of those most commonly used and some of the most dangerous chemicals lurking in our daily products:

Parabens: founds mainly in deoderants and moisturizers. Studies show parabens to be estrogen mimics and are absorbed through the skin.

Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA): Often used as an emulsifier or foaming agent. Toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time.

Phthalates: Used in hairspray, perfume, nail polish. Causes endocrine damage, particularly bad for children. They've been banned from children's toys but not from cosmetics and skin care products.

Triclosan: Found in deoderants, toothpaste, liquid soaps and mouthwashes. Sometimes isn't listed on ingredient list due to the "trade secret" protection. Dioxins linked to cancer are formed when it is manufactured or incinerated. Has been found in breastmilk.

Alkyl phenol ethoxylates: Used in shampoos, hair colours, shaving gels. This chemical is a hormone dysruptor, extremely toxic to fish and builds up in the body over time and doesn't break down quickly.

Toluene and Xylene: Woman exposed to this chemical may suffer miscarriage. Found in nail polish. Attacks the central nervous system, eyes, blood, liver, kidneys.

Formaldehyde: Commonly used in deoderants and nail polish. A human carcinogen. Can trigger asthma. Can damage DNA.

Petroleum Distillates: Possible human carcinogen. Found in mineral oil and petroleum jelly products. Prohibited for use in cosmetics in the Europen Union but not in the US. Can be found in mascara, perfume, foundation, lipstick and lipbalm.

Source: Kindred Magazine

Making Soap

2008-01-04T05:40:00.000-08:00

I'm ridiculously tired. I went to bed a wee bit too late last night, and woke up far too early. I get so into my business sometimes that I can't stop. Sometimes, I wake up in the night and just do research, or recalculate budgets and finance junk, or brainstorm ideas. It's fun to have a business and do what you love, but I just love it so much, that I have a hard time differentiating between "work" and "not work". Thank God I'm not married, as my husband would probably be neglected, hate me, and say that I've given new meaning to the term "workaholic".
As I've only just begun making soap, it's quite apparent that I'm still learning. And there is SO much to learn. To be honest, I'm still learning about the whole process in general, but more specifically, rebatching.
Yesterday's batch didn't go so well. The soap came out great, mind you. It's soap. It just didn't come out the way I was hoping. I attempted to do some swirling techniques and it didn't work out so well, heh. In addition, I must have added the fragrance in a wee bit earlier than I was supposed to, because it has barely any scent at all (and I added A LOT of fragrance oil). I was rather disappointed in that. I don't know much about rebatching-aka-milling, but I'm going to attempt it with this batch. I might wait a week or two, for it to fully harden first.

Here is the soap, just after trace, when you first begin to cook it. Is has a consistency somewhat like pudding:

It then begins to thicken, have a grainy look, which, personally, reminds me of applesauce:

When it gets thick enough, like a vasaline consistency, it's ready to be added to the molds:

It has to sit in the molds for a few hours before you can take it out, and cut it into bars. I've found that even after that, the bars are still really soft, and I find they fully harden after a couple weeks.

Today I'll be working on rebatching, body whips, etc. and most likely just working on my shop. I'll be updating later today, though, as I missed yesterday!

Oh. My. God.

2008-01-02T16:13:00.000-08:00

I got new fragrances! One of my favorite things about running a business is getting packages in the mail; it's like getting presents! Even though I already know what they are I am always excited. I get especially thrilled when I know I'm getting a package full of fun fragrances-such as today! Honestly, there is nothing like getting new scents to play with. My latest? See for yourself:

Black Cherry, Strawberry, Butterscotch, Thai Coconut, and Vanilla Buttercream! They smell so good and have so much potential.

I've finally gotten everything squared away as far as lines/scents go. My sweet shop will have the three scents: Butterscotch, Vanilla Buttercream, and Strawberry Shortcake fragrances. The Body Cafe will have Chai, Mint Mocha and Vanilla Frappuccino.
My specialty soaps, which are also in the works, will have the following scents available: Black Cherry, Old Fashioned Vanilla, Raspberry Mint Oatmeal, Thai Coconut and Lavender. I know I've already posted pictures of my vanilla soaps but here is one with the Raspberry Mint Oatmeal soap, as well:

As you can see, it turned brown. I later read that this is caused by vanilla, which I added to sweeten the fragrance a bit. Perhaps I added a bit much, though? Obviously I added vanilla to the vanilla soap as well, and that is still a tan color. I did, however, use different oils: grapeseed, olive and avocado oil. These all are green tinted, and more then likely caused the soap to be darker. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong! Either way, the soap is still fantastic. It's amazingly lathery and the oatmeal in it makes for a good exfoliator. I think I might start experimenting a lot more with exfoliating soaps once I get my routine down. To be honest, exfoliants are almost as fun as fragrances!
In the meantime, I'm trying to find some good information about milled soap, as I would really like to start doing that, despite how tedious and time consuming it can be. I have so many soap scraps and nothing to do with them!
Ah, and tomorrow, I'm making another batch of soap!

It's the New Year...

2008-01-01T13:44:00.000-08:00

..and I have to admit, I'm glad. There is something about New Years' that makes you feel like you're getting another chance at whatever it is you have been working at to improve.
Hopefully, the RC will survive the year. Sales have been slow, but I guess so has my work ethic, so...we'll just say that another new years resolution is to keep at it. Some days you just wake up and you know you have a million things to do, but you just don't where to start, so you end up not getting anything done.
More lotion, more soap, more labels, more sales. More Royal Coquette. Work, work, work. I guess I better get to it :)

My New Years Resolution...

2007-12-31T07:03:00.000-08:00

...to stop neglecting my blog! Hehe

Apparently, I have the day off of work because it's snowing out like crazy! More time to work on the RC- I'm so excited. I'll most likely work on pictures, my shop and labels! I've actually been doing quite a bit of work. Soon to be introduced to the RC are The Body Cafe and The Sweet Shop. They are both wonderfully crafted lines and I can't wait to get them off the ground. I'll be posting a lot more about both of these later as time progresses.
I made my first batch of soap last week, using the hot process method with a double boiler. It was so incredibly terrifying, working with lye and all, but the batch came out absolutely perfect! I'm beyond thrilled. I've made two batches so far. One batch I made vanilla scented, with ground vanilla bean (yum!) which turned out like a really old fashioned vanilla scent. The other I went a little crazy with the fragrances, as I often do-heh-and made it a delicious combination of raspberry, vanilla, peppermint and oatmeal. To be honest, I'm not too partial on raspberry scented things, but this batch came out great, and both batches of soap are SUPER lathery. I use a lot of coconut oil, so the fats make lots of suds and bubbles!

Here's a picture from my first batch:

I'm off to do some inventory, make some labels, etc. etc. I'll be back later! Happy New Years Eve!! :)

Vitamin E. Oil

2007-10-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

Alright, alright...For the longest time I'd always heard that I should buy such-and-such a product because it has vitamin E. Honestly, what is the big deal about this stuff? What benefits does it have for MY skin?

Now I'm afraid I'm going to have to go all "highshool chem teacher" on you for just a moment. Don't worry!-you don't need to take notes...this is just a very brief bit of information on this essential body care ingredient.

Vitamin E. is a series of 8 organic compounds: alpha, beta, gamma, etc. The potency of this substance is measured by it's alpha tocopherol content in IU's, or International Units, per gram. A 250IU/g tocopherol means that it has 250 international units per gram. Generally, the more IU's per gram, the better. Be careful, though, because a highly concentrated tocopherol can cost you a pretty penny.

The benefits that tocopherol can have for your skin are immaculate. As it is notorious to being an antioxidant, it can help to undo the damage of free radicals. Free radicals are the molecular result of things such as air pollution, ultraviolet rays, etc. and they cause damage to your skin. Vitamin E. acts as a stabilizer when used on the skin because of it's antioxidant properties. I know what you're thinking: "Huh??"
In simpler terms: our skin needs the antioxidants found in vitamin E. for protection from the harsh elements that surround us.

Other benefits? As an antioxidant, vitamin E. can help against psoriasis, eczema, erythema and even reduce your chances of skin cancer. It also reduces unpleasant effects of UV ray damage to the skin, heals burns and prevents acne!

As far as using tocopherol in your own skin care ingredients, I would use about 2-5% in lip and body balms, and 5-10% in creams and lotions. You should be able to find this item at a local health food store, drug store, or grocery store.

Don't forget to check back this weekend for my free recipes!! Until next time,
Royal

The Essentials...Part One

2007-10-29T20:52:00.000-07:00

Essential oils, depending on the fragrance, are used for various reasons. Lavender fragrance is notorious to having a calming or relaxing effect. I heard that they have now invented "bark collars" for dogs that, instead of handing out an electric shock, they spray citronella to distract the dog from barking. Personally, I use peppermint oil to keep the ants out of our kitchen! In this entry I am going to briefly cover the uses and benefits of essential oils in body and self care, though NOT medicinal.

One of the first things you should know about essential oils is that they are extremely potent. If used incorrectly, they can cause somewhat harmful or uncomfortable reactions. Please pay attention to the formulation in which you are using any essential oils. In most cases, 2-10 drops, for any formulation, is usually enough.

Essential oils have been used in beauty and body care for centuries. They can be put in just about any beauty recipe to create a delicious aroma, or to cause an aromatherapy-like effect.
Lavender Essential Oil- Lavender has been known for centuries to have a relaxing effect on one's emotions. It is used in many beauty concoctions and sleep masks. Spas around the world will often burn lavender candles, or even just open a bottle of lavender essential oil to create a peaceful, relaxed atmosphere. Some hotels spritz their freshly cleaned sheets with lavender scented spray. It can reduce stress, ease headaches and even help to heal burns. Add a few drops into your bath water or rubbing a very small amount on your temples to ease tension or remedy stress. Adding a couple of drops into your lotions or creams can also be very beneficial (please stay tuned for my entry on simple lotion/cream recipes!)

Delicious Aromas- Depending on what you are making and what scent you are looking for, essential oils are, of course, top notch when it comes to making an unforgettable aroma. As the cold winter months are approaching, I like to use "warm" scented oils. My personal favorite is Ylang Ylang. Ylang Ylang is an amazing fragrance and has a long reputed history of being an aphrodisiac. It is great in massage oils, bath oils (just a few drops, or diluted with another oil) and even in facial toners (add a few drops to witch hazel, for example).

Antioxidant- There are quite a few essential oils that work in an antimicrobial way and tea tree oil is one of them. Despite it's extremely strong odor, the oil contains germ-killing properties. For these reasons, I would definitely use it in any foot care formulations, soaps, and facial care. If you have dandruff or a dry scalp, add a few drops to your daily shampoo.

Essential Oils can be found at any health food store. Depending on the fragrance, it should also be quite easy finding them online. Here are some of my favorite sites to get you started:

www.fromnaturewithlove.com
www.essentialoils.org
www.thesage.com

I hope this helps you! There is so much to cover in essential oils that I will soon be adding a "Part Two" and more than likely, a "Part Three".
Also stay tuned for my weekend recipe posts!
Until next time...

Coconut Oil

2007-10-28T17:26:00.001-07:00

Without a doubt this is my favorite ingredient used in any body care regimen. It can do wonders for both skin and hair. Coconut oil has been used for centuries in body care. It is wonderful because it can be used on it's own as it absorbs readily into the skin without leaving a greasy feeling. It is rich in lauric acid (HEALTHY fats as well as antimicrobial properties!), doesn't clog pores, and is also gentle to those with sensitive skin.

If you have dry skin or just need a daily moisturizer and are trying to go the all-natural/organic route, coconut oil is a great suggestion. It comes as a hard, "butter" type substance, but melts almost immediately at your body temperature. Apply it anywhere on your skin as often as every day, or as little as a few times a week.

As far as hair care goes, coconut oil does not disappoint! It works wonders for dry hair when used properly. Depending on how dry your hair is, you will want to follow this regimen at least once a week:
Rub a decent sized amount (a tablespoon or so, but more if you have longer hair) between your hands until melted. Apply the coconut oil to your hair, starting closer to the scalp and working your way to the ends. You can leave it in overnight and wash it out in the morning, or if not, a couple hours will also be effective. Treat your hair to this at least once a week for best results. *Also please note that coconut oil works best for thicker hair types.*

It shouldn't be too difficult to get your hands on coconut oil. It's finding the DECENT kind that you need to be cautious of. Some coconut oils are sold cheaply, in which all of the fats and "good stuff" are removed. Personally, I use Nutiva. It is extra virgin and 100% organic. I found it by accident but I feel that it is some of the best stuff around. You can most likely find coconut oil at a local health food store, or even in the health food section of a grocery store (as it is also used as a cooking oil)

These can point you in the right direction if you are having any difficulty finding some:
www.nutiva.com
www.fromnaturewithlove.com
www.tropicaltraditions.com

Body Whips!!

2007-10-05T15:30:00.000-07:00

Hi all!! Well, I have a few new items that I defineately want to post about! Just yesterday I worked on RC for 15 hours straight! I created a new product which I am soooo in love with! They are called, "I'm spoiled..." Body Whips They are very VERY thick and creamy body moisturizers and they come in the most delicious scents! ~Raspberries & Cream~ ~Coconut & Cream~ ~Oranges & Cream~ and ~Bananas & Cream~ They are made with my NEW FAVORITE INGREDIENT 100% Organic Extra Virgin Coconut oil! When I came across this stuff it was absolutely wondrous! The creaminess and the scent!! YUMM!!! It is sooo lucious!! Take a look:
The finished product:

The whipping process in action:

The mixed ingredients:

The coconut oil:

Newest items!!

2007-10-02T10:31:00.000-07:00

Hello all!!
I am back and have given my business a complete makeover!! It is officially now "The Royal Coquette". And I have lotions, buffers, scrubs and balms in lovely flavors!!! Check back often!! :)

New items and a New Look

2007-09-08T10:16:00.000-07:00

Hello! I have been experimenting with a new look for the majority of the morning. My beauty and body care line was called "Beautiful", but I have now decided to change it to "The Royal Coquette". I have a font and lovely ideas and everything. I will try to post pictures...Also, I am going to be starting to make lip balm and body cream (a thicker more intense version of my lotion)...and perhaps a manicure/pedicure set? I have been doing trades on my shop and the people that I am meeting are just lovely!! <3 I'll try and get those pictures up ASAP.

New Items 2

2007-09-06T17:20:00.000-07:00

Hello again! I had soo much work to do today! Sometimes I feel like the day will never end...but it did, and here I am again doing what I love :D I am still positively glowing from my one sale the other day, and I am in the midst of a trade with another lovely lady who does GORGEOUS photography!! :) I am sooo happy!! This is one of the items I most recently posted on my shop. Enjoy! And don't forget to check out my shop!!! www.royalcoquette.etsy.com

New Items!!

2007-09-05T14:21:00.000-07:00

Hi all!! Well, I've added some new items to my etsy shop!! I'm sooo excited because I had my first sale yesterday!! :D
I am now making my body lotions in the four main scents that I offer which are: Orange Creamsicle (SOOOO yummy!!), Raspberry Ripple, Vanilla Vixen and Love-Me-Lavender. I actually made some orange creamsicle buffer and sugar scrub just for myself and am going to use it again later tonight!!!
RC out

My Etsy

2007-08-07T11:07:00.000-07:00

I have posted my three items on my Etsy shop! They are now available to purchase...more will be coming soon!

Coquette

2007-08-05T13:03:00.000-07:00

co·quette (Koh-KET)
n.
A woman who makes teasing sexual or romantic overtures; a flirt.

Pilot

2007-08-05T12:46:00.000-07:00

Well, this is my first post! How exciting! I have started my own fashion line, "Royal Coquette". The line will include both apparel and accessories. I am currently working on a collection that I call "Re-inventing the Black Tee". The line will also include skirts, hoodies and bags. I just finished my first bag design yesterday and will be have a picture of it in my next post, as well as my skirt and first black tee design. Stay tuned!
R.C out