I am so sorry that I have been M.I.A.  Jamin (my fiancé was deployed with the Air Force for a few months and I have been planning the wedding.  So its been crazy around here with that and running the kids around.  My old car broke down (Land Rover needs a new engine.) But I bought a new car!  A 2012 GMC Terrain SLT-2.  I have never owned a brand new fresh of the press car before!  So anyway, I am back! 

Boo Land Rover!! This is now parked in my driveway until we can save the $5g to buy a new engine for it.

Hurray GMC Terrain!  

Still planning the wedding. So far the invites are almost all sent out.  The dress making will start in June.  I have lost 35 lbs since December,  so I can't wait to show you the perfect fit!

At this point I am trying to design my wedding bouquets for the bridal party. The wedding colors are White/Ivory, Malibu blue, Silver and Black.  My girls are wearing this dress in Malibu so I am leaning toward them carrying black roses.  I love black roses.  Some people think funeral whenever I mention the color black for my wedding.  Black is beautiful!!  My maid of honor is wearing a silver dress. My mom just finished my daughter's dress, I will show you later.

I am going back to bed, talk to you later!

My oh my this smells amazing! I have been waiting to make this for a long time. Let's just say, chocolate lovers, get ready! A truly delicious blend of natural French Cocoa Absolute and Blood Orange Essential oil. I kid you not, you definitely want to try this one! One of the many all natural soaps that will be coming out this year!

I found this yummy whole wheat pancake mix made by Aunt Jemima. It is so good. I added fresh blueberries and the kids just gobbled it up!

Somehow the kids downloaded a rogue program called System Fix, which is malware.  I suspect a fake Adobe update popped up while they were in Kidzui or one of the sites they frequent.  Despite having Macafee running 24/7 the program was still able to infect my computer.  It is so hard to remove.  I have tried every fix and tip found in Google, purchased Malware removal software andstill can't get it functioning back to where I need it to be.  It also somehow managed to wipe out my external hard drive, so I lost every file, every label design, and I am back to starting from scratch.  I thought external hard drives existed to protect you from these types of things.  I am definitely not buying another Iomega product.  Investing in a bigger Dropbox account and getting Apple's Time Machine.

This story ends well however.  My hands were becoming inflamed from doing so much work on the laptop…. So my sweety bought me a 27" iMac for Christmas. Thank you, rogue malware! This event led me to finally switching to Mac.  I can't believe I did not make the switch years ago.  Working on this machine is a dream.  Everything just flows, its fast, it does not freeze up on me, web pages load at lightening fast speed.  BEst Christmas gift I have received in a long time.

Linder Flower – Fresh Linden Blossom, Freesia, Pink Magnolia, Italian Mandarin, Rose, Jasmine and Lily with a hint of Lemon and Amber.

Lily of The Valley – Lily Of The Valley is a white flower blend of jasmine, rose, carnation and hyacinth with hints of lime, pear and cut grass creating the aroma of the small white lily bell-shaped blossom.

Vanilla Nut – Vanilla Nut is a sweet blend of Vanilla, Hawthorne, Cotton Candy, and Maple.

Rose Absolute – The scent of roses is hard to capture in a synthetic fragrance oil. What's a rose lover to do? Simply use a natural rose perfume! My rose blend is made with absolutes, waxes and essential oils: Geranium Rose, Monarda, Lemongrass citronella, Bulgarian Rose Wax, Beeswax Absolute, and Turkish Rose Absolute combine to create a lovely rose blend that transcends any rose aroma you have ever used.

Gardena Noir – An amazing rose blend of Geranium Rose, Monarda, Lemongrass citronella, Bulgarian Rose Wax, Beeswax Absolute, Turkish Rose Absolute, and Dark Indonesian Patchouli Essential Oil. Dark and sensual, yet floral and feminine.

Patchouli – Patchouli is one of those oils that you either love or you dislike. We love the oil because it brings its own touch and adds a certain grounded note in blends. Its the oils that brings everything together, so to speak. But sometimes, Patchouli is best left alone.
 

Egyptian Musk – Egyptian Musk has notes of roses and a light patchouli with a clean woody dry down. A very popular aroma.

Lavender – Lavender has a floral camphorous,herbal, woody aroma. Made with 100% Steam Distilled French Lavendula (Lavender) officinalis oil.

Apothecary – Apothecary is an uncanny blend of Jasmine, Green Tea, Rose and Lemongrass Essential Oil. A lovely balance with a top notes of Green Tea and Lemongrass, and a lovely Drydown of Jasmine and soft Rose.

Lemongrass Bamboo – Lemongrass Essential oil coupled with Fresh Lime, Mint, Crisp Air, French Lavender, and White Musk.

Fallen – Fallen has notes of Mandarin, Lemon Peel, Vanilla, and a touch of Honeysuckle.

Et Une Rose – Et Une Rose is one of our best selling fragrances. It envelopes you in a complex, multifaceted rose fragrance that will draw you in and never let go. Composed of several different types of roses: dune rose, musk rose and Bulgarian rose. Absolutely one of the most beautiful fragrances, being full-bodied, complex, with a warm peppery touch that seems to enhance its radiance.

Truffles – Truffles is a scrumptious, luscious, irresistible chocolate aroma! As comforting as cocoa, as tempting as a Grand Marnier truffle, as decadent as hot fudge. Straightforward, wearable rich decadent chocolate, with a warmth and richness that melts into your skin and a hint of caramelized sugar.

Embargo – Embargo is like nothing you have ever smelled before. It consists of a blend of sweet and resinous incense, soft vanilla, woods and a whiff of transparent cherry in the beginning, we also smell almonds in the mix, creating a delicious mixture of cherry marzipan offset by very dry wood and otherworldly incense.

Extract – Extract is an exquisite blend of vanilla bean, vanilla orchids, and vanilla extract. This is perfect for those who want a truly sophisticated vanilla fragrance.

Japanese Grapefruit – The Japanese Grapefruit is a hybrid of a Grapefruit and a Mandarin, so it is not as tart as your usual grapefruit. A full blast of citrus with notes of Grapefruit Blossom and a touch of Mandarin.

Karma Kaze – Wrap yourself in a meditative blend of patchouli, sweet orange, lavendin, pine, lemongrass and elelmi, with notes of incense, amber and musk. This will hypnotize you with its sensuality and real essential oil blend.

Black Orchid – Notes of Black Orchid, Bergamot Essential Oil, and Cassis.

Lime Coffee – Tart essential oil blend of Lime, Lemon and Orange combined with Cedarwood, cardamom, ginger, Indian Patchouli and coffee. Citrus and sweet with a "pick me up" finish.

Lilac – Smells just like a lilac bush.

Honeysuckle – Honeysuckle is a floral blend of Jasmine, Rose, and Lilac with a drydown of Honeysuckle.

Sands of Chergui – Named after a dry and hot wind in Morocco; this creation is a magical journey of Honey, Musk, Incense, Tobacco Leaf, Hay Sugar, Amber, Iris, Rose and Sandalwood.

London Lemon – London Lemon is made with real vanilla extract and touched with a delicate hint of sugar. Has notes of Lemongrass, Litsea Cubea, Orange Essential Oil and Vanilla.

Black Cherry – smells just like real cherries.

Cloverfield – Cloverfield is a fresh, green fragrance that reminds one of wild summer herbs growing in a field. A floral fruity medley of fresh Citrus, Green Clover and Jasmine Petals on a Woodsy, sweet Musk background with a touch of Aloe.

Simply Pomegranate – Envelope your senses with the sweet juicy aroma of Pomegranate!

Honeysuckle Lime – Notes of Honeysuckle with hints of Jasmine, Rose, Lilac: drydown of Tart essential oil blend of Lime, Lemon and Orange.

Love Dust – Love Dust is so tantalizingly sweet with notes of honey, chocolate, and cocoa butter.

Mystical Cashmere – Mystical Cashmere is a sheer feminine blend of fresh floral jasmine, scents of sandalwood & vanilla.

My Chamomile Romance – My Chamomile Romance is simply soothing and aromatic. Reminds me of a calming warm cup of chamomile tea, herbaceous and enhanced by lavender and rose. I added chamomile infused Olive Oil and chamomile flowers for an enriched blend.

Bonsai – Bonsai Tree is a pine and lime aroma on a background of greens and woods with a touch of floral undertones.

Cape Olive – Cape Olive is a very complex fragrance with notes of Yuzu Japanese Grapefruit, Fresh Osmanthus Sweet Olive, Watercress, rounded out with notes of Rose, Jasmine and Cassis.

Floralburst – begins with top notes of tea and bergamot with middles notes of jasmine, orchid, rose, and freesia. It melds into a warm, sweet dry down of Cedarwood, patchouli, amber, musk, and vanilla.

Acai Berry – Acai Berry is a miracle fruit that is being used worldwide for its high antioxidant levels and wonderful health benefits. This berry grows in the Amazon rainforests on the acai palm trees. Tropical and sweet, this juicy berry treat is perfect for your shower.

Gingered Lime – Tart citrus lime essential oil blended with tangy ginger, all on a slight sugary drydown.

Creme – Crème Brulé is my favorite dessert! Just picture your last Crème Brulé serving, and that is exactly how this smells, right down to the caramelized finish!

Chocolovers – Chocolovers is a delicious blend of sweet citrus hints of orange and bergamot, and malted hazelnut, followed by sweet chocolate and vanilla musk. lily of the valley and coriander lend a spicy and floral accord.

Juniper Cade – If you love Juniper Breeze, then you will adore Juniper Cade. This scent is a blend of ozone balanced with juniper, basil and berry with a slight musk undertone, and a dash of patchouli and sandalwood.

Brown Sugar and Fig – Brown Sugar and Fig is a slightly sweet scent with notes of fresh figs, peaches, and passion fruit, creamy coconut milk, vanilla orchid, jasmine, muguet, and freesia all balanced with vanilla beans, caramel, maple sugar, fig leaves, and musk.

Butt Naked – Butt Naked is an exciting medley of granny smith apples and honeydew melon, middle notes of strawberries and pears, with hints of spice.

Lick Me All Over – Lick Me All Over is a sweet yummy blend of fruity raspberry, cantaloupe, and watermelon, floral jasmine and violet, and citrus grapefruit and kumquat.

Lustspell – Lustspell is a sweet bouquet of mandarin orange, bergamot, and tangerine with by nuances of fresh peaches, strawberries, raspberries on an undertone of white musk.

Maharani – Maharani is a blend of heavy florals, oriental rose and night blooming jasmine led by silky sandalwood with strong incense undertones. Sweet vanilla and earthly patchouli emerge with whispers of a powdery musk, amber, and frankincense. This fragrance draws you in and envelopes you with its intoxicating allure.

Mango Papaya – Sweet juicy mangos mixed with sweet payaya, oh what a delicious treat for the senses!

Mineral Spa – Mineral Spa is a clean aquatic salty aroma with a touch of cyclamen, water hyacinth, jonquil, & white clover. Balanced with bamboo wood and musk.

Peppermint Java – Peppermint Java is a wonderful wake me up made with a rich straight coffee aroma, and a dash of peppermint.

Harajuku – a revitalizing medley of sharp citrus notes of orchard limes, grapefruit and tangerines atop of a velvety green heart of thyme with a smooth woody base.

The swirling inspiration came from this video by SoapSession. I usually do a similar swirl by separating my colors into large measuring cups and alternating pours with each hand. But they colors don't always come out as defined this way.  Not one to pass up a challenge, I decided to soap some Peppermint soap and color it white with red reef clay adding the red. This oil smells just like that favorite holiday candy we all love. 

Its so hard to get a good red in cold processed soap, so when I need red, I tend to stick with clays or natural colorants that will help me achieve the look that I am going for.

Made with one of my special recipes high in olive oil, coconut milk, Australian Red Reef Clay, and a bit of patience.  SoapSession uses a spoon, but I choose to use measuring cups due to the size of the batch.  I will post pictures once the logs are cut. Enjoy the video! And please feel free to comment.

Sneak Preview:

Cut soap:

I know, I have been M.I.A.  Its been a busy summer. Planning my wedding (July 14th, 2012), being summer camp mom, and getting new products made and ready for the holidays.  Plus we are moving this week, so the house is a mess full of boxes.  Stressful, but just wanted to stop by and say a quick hello.

I am in my 8th week of Lee Labrada’s 12 week lean program, and up until this week I was just balancing my meals by trying to not eat too much fat and staying within my calories. I am happy with the progress that I am seeing, but this week I decided to change my diet. I read about IF last week and decided to try it. I don’t know what happened, but the entire week I had splitting headaches and decided to stop that diet plan. I changed my diet plan to keto, and this is my fourth day. So far I am pretty happy with it. I have not purchased any keto sticks yet, but I have lost 2 pounds since Monday (probably water weight, but after having the scale stay in one spot since June, I am pleased.)

I am also on week 5 of C25K and up to doing a walk/run (3 minute walk, 5 minute run) for 35 minutes. I think this is really helping to taper down my waistline. I have never been a runner, although I was very athletic in college (I was a varsity sabre fencer and golfer) But running has never been my thing.

Not posting how much I weigh yet, lol. But I have lost 15 lbs since I started. Getting married next July, so hopefully I will be in the 170s by then (this is the weight range I felt and looked my best at.) I think I will see this weight by February.

I am slightly depressed. It has been raining almost daily here, and as you know I love to take pictures at my beach. The beautiful blue sky with the occasional puffy cloud makes a great backdrop for my products.  Well, with it raining cats and dogs, its been impossible to get out there. And I have so many new items to take pictures of and list. 

Anyway, I am getting rid of my body butter.  It take a lot of work to get each batch right every time, and I really miss my whipped shea butter. Remember the whipped shea I used to make years ago? I love making whipped shea butter, since it uses only one ingredient, and is virtually perfect for your entire body and for any skin type.  So I am holding a clearance for all the body butter in stock right now so that I can stock up the whipped body butter.  I will make a list of the butters available and list them later today.

The sky looks a little clear now, although I see some ugly clouds coming in.  So I am going to rush out and take pictures really fast before the rain comes in.

PS, its Bernie's 3rd birthday.  He is the first animal I have ever had that I knew the exact birth date for (I was there when he was born) and holds such a special place in my life. I love this cat!  Happy birthday Bernie!