Top 50 Baby!

This blog has been given new life! I received an email the other day, and to my complete surprise, I was informed that I was named one of the top 50 soap making blogs by Nature's Garden. If you don't know Nature's Garden, you better get your life, and go visit! I buy many, many of my supplies there, and I must say that this post was totally unsolicited. I perused the list, and I am in excellent company:)

I'm really honored because my blog has been collecting dust for most of the year, but I'm back baby! I have been in the lab kitchen cookin up some new goodies, so I'll be back to posting at least twice a week if not more. I've been re-tweaking my formulas, and brainstorming new ideas. My head hurts...

Thanks again to Deborah and the team at NG for this dubious honor. I've once again been inspired and motivated...

Merry Christmas!

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To all my friends and followers, have a safe and happy holiday! It’s been a great 2011, and I know 2012 will be even better. And yes, we will all live to tell after 12/21/12!

 

I’ll be M-I-A for a few weeks, so I’ll talk to ya’ll next year. Peace be with you-always!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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May your Thanksgiving be filled with joy, happiness, and remembrance of those less fortunate. Eat lots of turkey (or tofurkey....) and stuffing and pie and stuff. Then rest up on Friday. Then get ready to support all small businesses (like mine) on Small Business Saturday!

Stay blessed...

The Big 4-0!

Me...at various ages...sizes...degrees of happiness...

So, yeah, today is my birthday. It was 40 (I can't believe I'm saying that) years ago today that I made my entrance into this crazy, beautiful world. It's really surreal to be 40. I remember when I was a teenager, and I thought 40 was ridiculously old. But 40 is the new 20. Right? Age is a state of mind. Right? I honestly feel 25. I am the healthiest physically than I've been in 10 years. I've endure so many hardships in my life-growing up with drug-addicted parents; being evicted from home after home; not knowing if there would be dinner on the table...But I've also had some beautiful experiences-going to Africa; falling in love; learning to make soap!

So as I start this new chapter, my heart is filled with such joy! There were times that I never thought I would make it-mentally, spiritually, or emotionally. Now, I am so grateful for every day that I open my eyes that I could just shout it from the rooftops. I am learning the power of forgiveness and living in the present. I am learning to love myself once again! So yes, I am 40 years old today, because my 39 year old self could never write these words and mean them with the strength and conviction that my 40 year old self now possesses!

And now, I shall have some cake....

I'm A Versatile Blogger?!

And I thought all I talked about was soap, lol...Thank you Amy at Great Cakes Soapworks for bestowing the honor of being a Versatile Blogger upon me. Here's how it works:

1. Link back to the person who awarded you. (Done)
2. Name 7 random things about yourself (Click this link and you'll find 100)
3. Award the award (ha ha) to 7 discovered bloggers and contact them to let them know they've won (Ok, ya'll read me on the regular, so...SURPRISE if you see your name:)
1. Burnt Mill Candles and Soap
2. Random Creative
3. Duni's Studio
4. Beaded Tail
5. Crazy Cool Groovy
6. IttyBittyFreeForm
7. Living The Gourmet

Happy New Year?!

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I'm not big on celebrating New Year's...I like to quietly reflect on the outgoing year, and make a bunch of you-know-damn-well-you-aint-gon-stick-to-this resolutions-but no more! I am declaring 2011 the year of ME! I'm going to own it in every since of the word. I'm getting my finances in order, my health in order, and my business in order. I'm going to stop living in the past and start living in the NOW.

I salute all of you who take the time to visit this crazy blog. Have a safe and happy new year, and let's make 2011 the best year yet!

Merry Christmas!

I’d like to interrupt my regularly-scheduled post to wish everyone who visits this page daily, weekly, monthly, or randomly a very Merry Christmas-even if you don’t celebrate or believe in “Christmas.” To me, Christmas isn’t about giving or receiving gifts (although I must admit it’s a nice perk), but it’s about celebrating the life of Christ-Jesus Christ. I believe in Him. I feel His presence around me daily and not just this time of year. It’s because of Him that I’ve endured through some of the most painful periods in my life, and I attribute that to my faith-not luck or wishful thinking or the love of family and friends, but my faith in the Lord. So, I leave you with this:

 

Every day and every year we live, we are given another chance to do something, say something, and/or be something that we didn’t do before.  When our actions are positive, unselfish, and for the benefit of others, we are rewarded tenfold.  So say a sincere prayer this Christmas for yourself and others, look back on 2010 as a learning experience to improve upon, and step out on faith in 2011 -- you will not fall or fail. 

It's The Little Things...

that make me happy like winning giveaways! Peep this gorgeous candle I received from Erica of The Bonnie Bath Co. The packaging, the candle, the scent...all lovely. I don't want to burn it! It's scented in Farmhouse Cider. Thanks Erica for the lovely candle!

Goodies From CR Nest!

I have met some wonderful people online-people I'm ashamed to say I probably would not be friends with if I didn't make soap. It's not because of who they are or where they are, but it's because I am notoriously shy. Yes, I am. The web allows me to be anonymous in a sense, but it also allows my true personality to shine. If we were all in a group setting, I would hardly say 2 words other than Hello and Good-bye. But I digress...

One on my newest friends is Courtney from Courtney Robyn's "Nest." I love her! She's such a sweetheart and truly supportive of her online friends:) Well, I didn't know Court had a FB Fan Page ) because I sometimes read my favorite blogs with blinders on). I can't even remember how the whole thing played out, but I notices she only had 99 fans, and I like even numbers, so I decided to become her 100th fan (I would have fanned her regardless). So I went on FB to brag about it, and I won some goodies! Now isn't that lovely? Yack, yack, yack...Here's the lowdown on the loot:

1. A full-sized lip balm called Honey Bee-and it's made with emu oil. Me likey! It smells like fresh honey. This will go in my office desk drawer because I'm eating salty peanuts all day so my lips are constantly dried out...
2. Brown Sugar Scrub Balls. Now that's original! And oh-my-gosh, they smell like cinnamon donut holes. I wanna eat them-seriously!
3. Lily of the Valley CP soap slice. Okay, I'm not a floral lover, but lily of the valley gets a pass! This one's made with lard, shea butter, and avocado oils-loves it! I've liked this scent for a couple of years now after getting a sample from another soap maker. I even bought the fragrance with the intention of making a soap, but it never materialized. Now, I must revisit that idea...
4. Green Clover and Aloe Castile Soap slice. Fresh and delicious! This is an old throwback Bath & Body Works scent, and I love it! 

Thanks Courtney! It was a wonderful, delightful, and inspiring surprise:)

Wow, I Don't Feel 39!

So yeah, today is my birthday. I am 39. I feel 29. I wish I were 19. Not because I'm afraid of getting older-far from it, but I wish I could do some things over. Like stayed in college and gotten my degree. Gotten married when I had the chance (But I'd be a widow now...). Not taken so many jobs just for the money. Discovered soap making sooner than later. Traveled more. BUT.....

Today is a new day! I'm so thankful for so many things. I'm alive. I'm healthy. I'm independent. I have all of my mental and physical faculties. I have friends. I have family. And I have YOU. I'm off for a few days of fun and sun. Talk to ya'll soon....

Neo Deo Now Available!

After much tinkering and tweaking, I've finally listed my Neo Deo all-natural deodorant! A very special thanks to all my lovely testers (Anna, Courtney, Myia...) who gave it a try and gave me some good feedback. One minor change to the formula is I had to put a little carnauba wax (vegan alternative to beeswax) in it so that it would firm up in these tubes. My original formula was way too soft, so the wax really helped things out.

I've been wearing my Neo for about a month and a half now, and it's held up nicely during these 100+ degree days we've had here in DC. I've been getting my aromatherapy in too with this deodorant. I love how I can smell all the delicious essential oils when my body temps rise. Check it out here!

Ok, Where's The Soap and Other Good Stuff?

Admittedly I've been in a funk, and I want to thank everyone who commented on my post about my feeling not good enough. I appreciate your support-I really do. I think I'm a pretty confident person when it comes to most things-like I never compare myself to others as far as looks, intelligence, and financial status goes, but I've always had a competitive spirit when it comes to things like sports, games, and creativity. I let that competitiveness overshadow my accomplishments sometimes, and I thank you all for knocking some sense back into me! Now, enough of the pity party, let's talk soap-and stuff! Actually, it's more stuff than soap.

I gave a sneak peek to my Facebook "likers" (what happened to fans?) a few weeks ago of my new perfume roll-ons. I first made these last spring, and they were okay, but I wasn't crazy about them. This time I decided to go for more "seductive" packaging, and  go with a black bottle. Love these! I'm still tweaking the label, but these are perfect for the warmer months. The oils are very lightweight (a mix of fractionated coconut and jojoba) so they absorb easily and quickly into the skin so you won't have a big ole oil glob on your neck, or wrist, or wherever you like to rub your perfume. These will be making their dee-but (as I vividly remember a kid in grade school pronouncing it) sometime next week. I can't quite get the label right, #@%$*!

Next up are my new Stick-O-Buttas. They were called Skin Quenchers, but I've revamped the formula. They're now made with added shea butter so they're super, uber (another favorite word) moisturizing.  I'm now offering them in a trial size of .75 oz. These are great for travel or trying before committing to the larger  2 oz stick.

Lastly, I'm expanding my Crack Is Wack ( (Whitney Houston: Thank you so much for such a memorable catch phrase!) line to now include three scents: Orange Chocoholic, Mangomaniac, and Pearilous. These multi-purpose butters come in a 4 oz tin (which will last for-practically-ever), and the best thing about them is you can use them everywhere-even the lips! The formula is the same as Stick-O-Butta, but the ratio is quite different-it's a lot smoother and softer.

Well, that's about it til now. I'll be back next week with more stuff!

P Is For...

Perfect gifts! I had a wonderful Christmas yesterday, and I hope you all did too. I just wanted to show off a little bit:) I didn't ask for anything in particular because I don't need anything (but I want EVERYTHING!) There were a lot of surprises under my tree this year like a Garmin GPS (Somehow I think this will be both a blessing and a curse....), and a

Flip Video Camcorder (That means more videos-good ones though!)


But the ones that meant more to me than anything were all the monogram (ok, single-letter) doodads my sister bought me. I l-o-v-e these washcloths. I absolutely needed some dedicated face cloths, and these came at just the right moment! You can never go wrong with note cards and sticky notes. I'm famous for writing notes-just because....

I look forward to playing with all my gadgets. I have a feeling I'll be doing a lot of traveling now-just because...

Not One, Not Two, But Three Treasuries!

Oh, how sweet it is! I'm not talking about to be featured in a Treasury, but that someone finds value in what you do! Sometimes, I get so down because I feel like I'm doing this for my health-well, I kinda am. Making soap has been so therapeutic for me, I can't even begin to put it in words. It's gotten me through some rough periods when I thought I wouldn't make it. It keeps my mind and my creativity sharp. And it keeps me from blowing my money on wasteful things LOL!

Anyhoo, I'm featured in 3 great treasuries today. Check em out while they last!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=65748

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=65748

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=77765

Weekly Wrap UP!

I'm having a lovely weekend special in my Etsy shop only. All of my body scrubs (sugar and salt bubbles) are 25% off. Now is the time to try them if you've been curious. No other discounts will apply, and to sweeten the pot, I'm offering a 1 oz sample of another scent of scrub with any purchase. Sale ends 10:00 pm Sunday.

Speaking of lovely, I'd like to give a shout out to Sharon of Rose of Sharon Jewelry for bestowing yet another Lovely Blog Award to me! Thank you Sharon. It's so gratifying when someone finds worth in what you do. I love my readers xoxox!

Next up: Come visit me at I Heart Handmade Summer. I did the spring event, and I thought it was rather successful (Hell, a sale period is successful in my opinion!) I can't believe I'm only one of two B&B artisans participating. I'm not complaining though-the stage is mine (heehee).

And last, but certainly not least, don't forget about the Etsy Artists of Color Treasure Hunt: Today's phrase: HERE COMES THE BRIDE. For details on how to play, click here:

I'm Such A Lame Blogger Buddy!

Don't you think when someone takes the time to not only read, but follow your blog, then bestow an award upon you, you should take the time to acknowledge them? Well I do, but I'm such a hypocrite! In the last month, I've gotten two Lovely Blog Awards, but I haven't even taken the time to publicly thank the two lovely ladies who gave them to me. WELL, I AM TAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PUBLICLY THANK:

PATTIE @ Structured Chaos and

JULIE @ Creations With A Heart

Thank you so much! I'm glad you find my blog lovely, and I appreciate your following. I know I'm forgetting someone (or two) because she sent me an e-mail telling me she sent me an award, but I didn't acknowledge. Girlfriend, I'm sorry. If you're reading this, please comment, so I can thank you too! I'm so lame, but I promise I'll be better next time. Charge it all to my head-not my heart!

I pass this award on to everyone I follow. If you didn't have a lovely blog, I wouldn't be following you in the first place. Now I'm off to drink myself silly to hide my shame....

Happy Mother's Day!

To all the mamas out there, I wish you a Happy Mother's Day!

I'm usually bummed on this day because my mother is no longer with me-physically, but I feel her spirit all around me. When I look in the mirror, I see her reflection staring back at me. When I spew a string of cuss words, I feel the energy of her wrath. When I'm shopping for a new dress, I channel her awesome fashion sense. When I feel like giving up, I hear her screaming in my ear: "QUITTERS ARE LOSERS, AND I DIDN'T RAISE NO LOSERS....."

Friends, tell your mothers how much you love them. I know they can piss you off sometimes, but you'll regret it if you don't. My mom and I fell out with one another not too long before she passed, and when we started to bridge the gap, it was too late. Life's too short. The one thing we can never get back is time.

Enjoy your special day!

Seven Somethings Art Award

I have been fortunate enough to be given this award from my dear online buddy Arnita over at Creating Naphyri. It's called the Seven Somethings Art Award and the gist of it is very simple: You list 7 things or people that you are passionate about, then bestow the award to 7 bloggers you love. This one was tough (Aint that sad??? I'm getting better though!)

7 Things I'm Passionate About:

1. My faith in God (You don't have to be a religious zealot to love and believe in the Lord)
2. My sister (She's my best friend and the only person who'd take a bullet for me.)
3. My cat (She's brought me from the depths of the deepest depression and back.)
4. Soap making (It's the crack of crafting in my opinion.)
5. Getting enough sleep (I am a straight bitch when I don't get enough rest.)
6. Laughing (If I don't have a hearty laugh at least once a day, something's terribly wrong.)
7. Paying my rent and having enough to eat (When you grow up with two drug-addicted parents, it's the little, basic things in life you hold most dear.)

7 Lovelies I'm Passing This Award To:

1. Milk and Cookeez


2. Burnt Mill Candles & Soap


3. Bullfrogs & Butterflies Baby


4. Meka Candles & Scents


5. NY Blaque


6. Skincare By Heather


7. Structured Chaos

In addition to the 7 I just named, I'm passing this award to all my followers. Although I don't comment on all your posts, I am reading-regularly and with interest. I love you all!

Kreativ Blogger Award

I'd like to publicly thank Lenox Knits for bestowing the Kreativ Blogger Award upon me. Nothing is as gratifying as the love of your cat (or pet) and someone who truly admires and appreciates what you do! The rules of this award is to pass it on to 6 or 7 bloggers whom you think is deserving of this award. I'd like to give this award to these very deserving ladies (If you already have it, oh well, you're getting it again:-D)

• Milk and Cookeez


• Meka Candles and Scents


• NYBlaque


• Ozark Scents


• Skin Care by Heather


• The Copper Cauldron Soaps


• Pegasus Handmade Soaps


• I Can Make That

Okay, that's 8-sue me already!

Addicted To Blogs

My blog list is growing, and growing, and growing! I am seriously addicted to reading blogs now. It used to be magazines, but I've "graduated." I'm almost afraid to see who my followers and those I follow also follow. I get overwhelmed easily, and when my brain is on overload, I shut down. It's a sick obsession, I tell you! Every morning, I go to my dashboard and read all the updates. When I get home from work, I do the same thing again!

Thank you friends and followers for introducing me to all these wonderful, exciting reads!

Speaking of exciting, head over to TheLostBoys who's having a giveaway!