Nothing has the ability to bring us back to a time or place quite like a fragrance can. The memory may be tied to the smell of your grandma's garden, or baked bread from your favorite cafe. Fragrances can trigger a wide variety of vivid memories. Not only can fragrances bring back memories, … Continue Reading
Soap Queen Cuisine: Margherita Pizza with Cauliflower Crust
Who doesn't love pizza? With such a wide variety of topping options, there is a pizza for everybody. Personally, I prefer to keep pizza simple with a margherita style. Not only are they easy to make (you only need three toppings) but I love how the fresh basil, tomatoes and mozzarella really shine. … Continue Reading
Soapy Social Media Roundup
I hope you all had a wonderful week! Last week, we experienced a bit of a heat wave, with temperatures reaching 85 degrees. I'm sure for many of you that would be refreshing cool down. I have been trying to enjoy it as much as possible (with plenty of SPF of course!). This weekend cooled down a … Continue Reading
Facebook Photo of the Week (July 12th ~ July 18th)
This week was the beginning of the Roman Holiday series of tutorials inspired by the art, history, and architecture of Rome. First up is the easy to make Olive Oil and Dead Sea Salt Scrub. The combination of Pure Olive Oil and Fine Grained Dead Sea Salt creates a luxurious body scrub that's great … Continue Reading
Handmade Beauty Box Announcement + Contest!
We have a secret and we can’t keep it in any longer. Fine. We’ll tell you. You practically dragged it out of us. Here it goes. We’re launching a new website this November 2014 called Handmade Beauty Box and we could not be more excited to share the news! Update: You can now visit … Continue Reading
Tile Inlay Cold Process Tutorial
The architecture in Rome is stunning (don't believe me? Google Image Search Rome + Architecture). Within the various building techniques and styles, the mosaic is among the most popular and recognizable. Created by placing small, multi-colored pieces of stone within cement, mosaics can be found in … Continue Reading
Roman Holiday: Olive Oil + Castile Soap Tutorial
Continuing our emphasis on all things Rome (you won't believe the adorable Vespa soap roaring up and the awesome CP mosaic soap on tap), this blog focuses on simple and easy. After all, what did the earliest soapers use to soap with? Animal fats and olive oil were the two common oils. The name … Continue Reading
Interview with The Silk Soap Company
Several months ago, I received a magazine along with a kind note from Kristen Koscielniak of The Silk Soap Company. Kristen and her soapy business had landed the cover of Delray Beach Magazine, and Kristen reached out to share her exciting news. After a wide range of store-bought products left … Continue Reading
Olive Oil & Dead Sea Salt Scrub Tutorial
From now until July 25th, transport yourself to the romantic and cultured city of Rome, with the Roman Holiday series. Why Rome? Other than the amazing art, impressive history and stunning architecture, Rome is famous for its Roman Baths and the popular myth of Mount Sapo is said to have originated … Continue Reading
Run Toward Something Great
I recently attended a gathering of some of the top brand mavens in Washington state. With Seattle incubating some of the coolest, most hip brands in business, there were some heavy hitters at the table. I squeaked in because I knew the organizer. It was a heady dinner. The format was loose and easy; … Continue Reading
Facebook Photo of the Week (July 5th ~ July 11th)
Welcome to mid July, everyone! The sun is out, the surf's up and this week there was a collection of tutorials to get your skin looking its bronzey best. From the Bronze Lip Tint to the Magical Bronze Shimmer stick, these projects featured lots of nourishing oils and sparkling Gold Mica. Check out … Continue Reading
Shine Bright: Bronze Series + Bronzing Lotion Recipe
Whether you're taking an exotic trip this summer or tanning in your backyard, you're covered with this series of Bronze tutorials. First up, give your lips some moisturizing shine with the Beautiful Bronze Lip Tint tutorial. Featuring a special blend of Merlot Mica, Copper Mica and Gold Sparkle Mica … Continue Reading
Coconut Cream Pie Cold Process
If you've been dreaming of an exotic vacation, this is the soap for you. This Coconut Cream Cold Process tutorial is all the fun of a tropical beach getaway without the sand in your shoes! Made with 100% coconut water instead of distilled water, and featuring our brand new Coconut Cream Fragrance … Continue Reading
Guest Post: Making Tallow Laundry Soap
After Monday's great overview post on tallow, our guest blogger Eric Vought is following up today with a tallow soaping recipe! Tallow is rendered animal fat, and it is the original fat used in soaping. Some soapers still choose to use it because it's an excellent substitute for palm oil, has a … Continue Reading