The Silver Lining

Mike and I just got back from a very relaxing weekend at the spa. We were celebrating Mike's birthday (32 today, Happy Birthday Baby!) and our 1 year engagement anniversary. A year ago this week we were in Alaska. I can't believe how much our life has changed over the past year. This has been a really tough year, I just hope the worst is behind us. I'm ready to get back to a normal routine. I'm ready to get back to work. I'm ready to have our life back. I mean there has definitely been a silver lining in all this. Mike and I have gotten a ton of quality time together, which at times maybe hasn't been such a positive thing! We've really been able to focus on our wedding planning and get a lot of things done that normally would have been difficult to do while working. I've been able to focus on a lot of hobbies and things I just didn't have time to do while working full time. I have to look at the positives, otherwise I would go crazy worrying about all the things I can't control, and right now that is a big list.  

Photo: Samantha Lamb

Green Tea & Peppermint Soap Bars

Just added to the shop! This is one of my favorites, it smells so clean and refreshing. Also available in mini sizes.

I'm here

Hey everyone who is still around and checking in on this poor neglected blog, I'm here! Sorry for the quietness around here, Mike and I have been settling in here in Florida and I've been busy with The Design Boards and the shop.

Florida is actually great, I can't believe how happy I am to be home. I don't miss New York as much as I thought I would....it's much more relaxing here, and I need that right now. I am now in the comfort of family and old friends and I love it. I promise to keep this blog updated a little more now that we are more settled. Have a great weekend everyone!

Changes

I have news but every time I sit down to write the post it is very hard for me to get the words out. Mike and I are moving out of the city next week. This decision comes with very mixed emotions. On one hand, we always knew New York was not a permanent location for us, on the other hand, I'm just not ready to leave it.

There's no way of really describing these feelings because it's hard to understand if you haven't lived here. Living here, you develop a sort of love/hate relationship with the city. There have been times where I've gotten so angry and annoyed and wanted to get the hell out but most of the time, I really and truly love it. The city gets into you, there really is no other place like it and that's one of the things that makes it so hard to leave. I can't move to another city in the country that is even going to compare to New York.

Tourists come here and they get a small taste of the city but they don't really get to ever see all the amazing things about living here day in and day out, like the crazy energy you feel on the streets when a warm day breaks through after 4 months of cold and everyone is out and about, restaurants have put tables outside and your radiator has finally stopped banging. Or going out at night and bar hopping from one bar to the next, every bar being completely different that the one before it. Or running downstairs to the corner bodega for something you ran out of while making dinner. Or just being able to walk everywhere, the freedom of not needing a car to get from point A to point B. The way the park looks in October when the leaves change or the way it looks in April when all the tulips start popping up. Grabbing Pink Berry or a falafel at 2 am and walking home while eating it. Or coming across the coolest shops when you are walking in SoHo or the Village.

New York has a lot of meaning for me. Moving here was the first big decision Mike and I made in our relationship. It is the first place we ever lived together, it's the place where our relationship went from being just "boyfriend and girlfriend" to being engaged. It's the place where Peewee had his $6000 surgery. It's the place where I had the idea to make soap. It's the one place where I always feel creative and inspired.

There have been a lot of tears over this decision, but I know that right now it is what's best for us. I am going to have a really hard time saying good bye to the city, but it will always be in my heart.

Shop Update

New items in the shop!

Free Shipping

Free shipping on soap orders of $10 or more, until March 23rd. Get an early start on your Mother's Day shopping!

Twitter Coupon

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Shop update

I've added a couple of new things to the shop today. A new soap, Chai Tea Latte, which smells fantastic, and lavender sachets.

Last week I added a couple of new soaps as well, Geranium & Honey which is a nice floral scent blended with honey to help moisturize the skin. Also, Sweet Ginger which has a warm and herbal scent and has been blended with dried orange peel for a soft exfoliation. All are available now in my shop.

There are a few more on the curing rack that I should be able to list in the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned!

New Stuff

I just sent off a few items to be included in the Sampler for the MTV Style Lounge goodie bags!! The opportunity came up through the Etsy Street Team I belong to, The New New. I'm a little nervous because instead of sending soaps I sent a new concept for my shop, screen printed grocery totes. I have been wanting to add a more diverse range of products for quite a while now and have been collecting ideas, this is the first one I have actually implemented. I'm very excited about the idea. I am very big on the "green" movement and Mike and I are extremely eco-friendly. We always bring totes to the grocery when we shop and I came up with a cute concept for a grocery tote. I was able to find these incredible tote bags that are made from 100% recycled materials and are a really good quality. I'm hoping to debut them in the shop by early next week. I was so into the screen printing process last night that I forgot to take pictures to post here! I am hoping to have a shop update on Monday so stay tuned!