Honey Body Wash Recipe

Lately I’ve been working on something pretty exciting! Not only am I making goodies to get ready for my summer event where locals can find me at the North Vancouver Canada Day craft show at Waterfront Park, but I’m also lucky enough to be collaborating along with others for a 30 day Beauty Detox Program! If that interests you, not only will this feature locally based wellness experts (to Vancouver), it will also be free! More on that in the next few days…

In the meantime… this collaboration inspired me to look making an easy soap based recipe. I’ve concocted a mosturising, good for your skin, Raw Honey Body Wash. Not only is this simple to make, but you can customize it with a scent that you love… such as Relaxing Lavender, Uplifting Sweet Orange, or Floral Ylang Ylang and Jasmine essential oils. Continue reading

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Good News + Bad News = GOOD NEWS!

I recently had a couple of chances for some really important feedback. The first was positive. I put my products in front of a jury for the first time and they were judging on presentation, packaging, originality, scent, price point, etc. I felt on top of the world having been approved to be in my city’s Craft Fair and I was relishing in their kind words. The other situation wasn’t as positive. I had shipped some product and I was upset to hear that they didn’t meet their expectations. It caused me to take a step back and I actually started wondering if I should even do my Little Soapy Biz stuff any more. Yep, I’m that dramatic.

As a person that is always striving to make the best natural goodies that not only works for myself, for my family, for my friends and for people I’ve never met; it was hard for me to receive some critical feedback since I put my heart and soul into this! I usually get really positive feedback and feel so proud of what I create. Heck, I use this stuff everyday and so do many others. I just haven’t had too much negative feedback and I’m used to being the main one criticizing my own work and then improving on it! However, I really appreciate it when people are candid and honest with me. While it may have taken me aback at first, I began to strategize on how to make those particular products even better.

Continue reading

Natural Dry Shampoo & Travel

From March 21st to April 6th, A Little Soapy Business will be closed for vacation! We will still be accepting orders and they will ship out upon return.

When planning for a trip, I usually think about compact sizes and items that I can take that won’t leak all over my clothes even if there is an altitude change (flight/mountain elevation) or that don’t need to fit into that tiny zip lock bag if I want to take my carry-on my luggage on the plane.

These are my top 3:

  1. Conditioning Shampoo Bar – this great bar saves space because it’s not only a 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioning bar, but it’s actually a 3 in 1! You can use this great bar as a shaving bar as well. This is perfect for both women and men!
  2. Solid Lotion Bar – amazing preservative-free moisturizer without the liquid.
  3. Dry Shampoo – For those times I don’t want to or don’t have time to wash my hair, I can reduce the oiliness by using my trusty natural dry shampoo between washes. Find the recipe here below.

What do you find is the best in your travel kit? Add your comment below, I’d love to hear your ideas!

Here’s the dry shampoo recipe:

Ingredients:

  • arrowroot powder or cornstarch
  • baking soda
  • cocoa powder – just make sure it’s unsweetened! Sweetened cocoa powder will turn your hair into a sticky mess.

Items you need:

  • a funnel
  • a container to store it in – I like using an old spice jar with a shaker top
  • measuring spoons

Recipe:

  • 1/4 cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon baking soda
  • Optional: 0-2 tablespoons cocoa powder.
    • For light hair, you don’t need to add any.
    • I usually add about 1 tablespoon as I have medium brown hair.
    • If you have dark hair, you can add 2 tablespoons.
  • Optional: 10 drops Essential Oil for scent. I usually add lemongrass. Its such a great uplifting scent!

Combine the arrowroot powder or cornstarch and baking soda in a container. Mix well – if there are clumps, you can use a fine strainer to help remove them.

After the dry mixture is mixed, you can add your essential oil if you choose to. You will need to ensure it’s well incorporated as it will form clumps from the drops. I usually use my fingers and crumble the clumps to mix it in.

This will make a enough dry shampoo for many uses. If you seal it well, it can be stored in the bathroom.

Directions:

It is easy to use, but use it sparingly as a little goes a long way. Here’s how I normally do it:

  1. Shake a small amount of dry shampoo out into your hand – approx 1/4 teaspoon.
  2. Rub your hands together over your head to disperse the dry shampoo on top.
  3. Pat the areas of your hair that you’d like to shampoo – I focus on the front bangs and the very top of my head.
  4. Tousle your hair with your fingers and rub in the dry shampoo as best you can – you’ll want to really shake it up to get it all in!
  5. Brush if you still see any spots of dry shampoo. I find a natural boar bristle brush works well.
  6. That’s it!

I hope you enjoy this recipe! Let me know how it goes!

We’ve Turned 1!

I am so excited to share that A Little Soapy Business has just turned 1 year this month! It’s been such an incredible journey and I appreciate you all for sharing your feedback, being my guinea pigs and sharing my passion for natural products.

An anniversary can only mean it’s time for a give-away! Yeah!!!

Contest

Enter here to win an all-natural, preservative-free gift basket from A Little Soapy Business valued at over $100!

Gift basket includes:
– Handmade soap
– Natural pine soap dish
– Brightening face polish and mask
– Balancing skin toner
– Spritz on deodorant
– Solid lotion and massage bar
– Susan’s amazing herbal salve
– 2 hand-poured lip balms
– Bath truffles
– Bath salt fizz
– Sugar scrub cubes

Contest ends February 28, 2015

Click here for Contest rules and details.

Contest listed on:

http://www.allcanadacontests.com”>Canada Contests at AllCanadaContests.com

Sensual Massage Oil Recipe

DIY Massage Oil

Looking for a thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift? (or for birthday, or anniversary)? I’m going to share a lovely massage oil recipe that you can make yourself. What could be more romantic and personal? This is such a special way to take care of your Valentine and spend some intimate time together.

Valentine’s Day Massage Oil Recipe

Ingredients:
28 grams Carrier Oils:
16 grams Grape Seed oil
8 grams Sweet Almond oil
4 grams Jojoba oil

6 drops Essential Oils:
2 drops Ylang Ylang
2 drops Sweet Orange
1 drop Lavender
1 drop Jasmine

Feel free to use all of the above carrier or essential oils or make a special blend of your very own. Just make sure you calculate the total amount.

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Instructions:

Add 6 drops of essential oil to a 1 oz glass dropper bottle or clean container of choice. Using a digital scale, weigh out the oils into a separate clean glass jar or beaker and pour into the final container with the essential oils.

Customize with label and decorate the container if wish. Use a sticker label or paper and adhere with tape over top.
I used a rubber stamp on precut label paper for my label. Simple. You could also draw or print your label.

Please note that allergies or skin sensitivities should be considered when making any blends.

Enjoy! Let me know what you think!

DIY Massage Oil & Stamp

BC Family Day Pop-Up Market

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A Little Soapy Business at the Family Day Pop-Up Market – Monday Feb 9

A friend of mine, and owner of Compass Fitness, is organizing a Family Day Pop-Up Market at South Bonson Community Centre in Pitt Meadows. Many local vendors and A Little Soapy Business will be there and it’s going to be a lot of fun!

If you’re in the neighbourhood, come check it out! This is a family friendly event and is a great way to support your local businesses. Also, Valentine’s day will be less than 1 week away, so you can find that something special for your Valentine!

For more details, the latest information or to simply RSVP for the free admission event, check out the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1528847790713912/

A Little Soapy Business at the Edge

Edge Event Banner

I’m super excited to share that myself and 3 other artists have created a pop-up event at the Edge Cafe in Vancouver! This is my first official show and I’m incredibly excited about it!  It will be on Saturday November 22, 2014.

If you are able to attend, you will find local handmade items and special one-of-a-kind gifts so that you can check off some of your holiday shopping early or get some goodies for yourself. We will also have live music and food and bevvies available from the cafe. Fancy a latte, or a glass of wine while you peruse? They’ll have it!

For more details, the latest information or to simply RSVP for the free admission event, click the link below.

https://www.facebook.com/events/206558026179801/206558029513134/?notif_t=event_mall_commenta