Soap Queen

Tutorials on soapmaking, bath fizzies, lotions and more

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Quiz: Which Essential Oil Blend is Right for You?

Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

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We have four new essential oil blends perfect for every occasion – Deodorizing Blend, Spa Blend, Massage Blend, and Outdoor Blend. If you’re curious to find out which one is perfect for your personality, take this fun quiz! You do need to include your email address, which will sign you up for the Bramble Berry newsletter. But don’t worry, we never sell or give away your email address.

If the quiz isn’t working on your phone or tablet, you can take it by following this link.

Once you’re finished with the quiz, share your results below! You can also share your results on Facebook and Twitter by clicking the corresponding icons at the end of the quiz.

Don’t Forget to Play

Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

“Life is more fun if you play games.” ― Roald Dahl

Happy Easter Weekend =) We did an Easter Egg hunt with Jamisen. He was beyond euphoric about the whole concept of sugar. Trying to explain to him why Easter happens was a little tricky. The internet was no help either. I stumbled over an explanation to him but had vastly underestimated the need for an actual explanation. Jamisen didn’t ask one single question about why he was made to get dressed up, carry a pink basket and go find plastic eggs filled with candy. Ah, so sweet: childhood innocence.

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Happy Girls

Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

“Happy girls are the prettiest.” — Audrey Hepburn

Ah, isn’t that the truth? I recently was reminded that beauty fades but smart is forever. I’m hoping that happiness is forever too! I just started reading a new book about parenting, “All Joy and No Fun.” I tried to convince my book club to read it but they’re all about fiction right now (we just finished Eleanor & Park; highly recommend). So, I’m reading the book on my own and marveling at how universal the struggle of parenthood is.

It’s no secret that moving from one child to two children is like moving from one to a herd, a passel, a gaggle and a mutiny. There is so so little sleep, so little productive work around the house (I’m pretty sure my car has a kiwi that molded under the front seat 2 months ago that I haven’t had the time to go find), and no time to sit and marvel at the miracle your toddlers are because you’re too busy chasing after them.

And then, something like this happens and it gives me just the slightest lift; enough to grin and bear it for one more day:

Because if it's not on social media, it didn't happen

And yes, that is a screenshot from my Instagram account. Because we all know, if it didn’t make social media, it didn’t happen.

Three cheers for the weekend; maybe this will be the weekend I actually find that molded kiwi in the car. (pause) Meh, who am I kidding? This is the weekend that I will be a train conductor, engage in crawling races, build forts from pillows and use the vacuum 1466 times to clean up after “Look who just learned to eat solids” Lily. Here’s to a weekend full of joy …

Class is in Session

Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

In the digital age of email and texting, receiving a physical letter is a rare treat. So when a letter from a group of elementary school kids in Ohio arrived in the mailbox a few weeks ago, the whole office was delighted. The students had used Bramble Berry supplies and Soap Queen tutorials to raise money for a local charity, and they were excited to share their experience with us. You can read their letter below. Don’t be surprised when a few “Awwwwws” escape your lips.

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Bramble Chili Cook Off + winning chili recipe

Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Competition was fierce at the Bramble Berry office for our first annual Bramble Chili Cook Off! The only requirements were to cook up the heartiest, spiciest, best possible pot of chili, and there was no shortage of entries.  From vegetarian to Cincinnati-style to extra spicy, for a blissful afternoon, the office was a hardy chili lover’s dream.

You can’t have chili without corn bread! This was a delightfully spicy jalapeno cornbread made by our Customer Experience Manager, Kevin. It paired perfectly with everyone’s chili.

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New Creative Outlets and Rivalries

Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

One of the joys I have in life is creating; it’s how I got into soapmaking. I love crafts of all types (don’t believe me? My crafty boards on Pinterest have a veritable lifetime of awesome craft ideas for me to try). I knit. I have a flower press. I have newly started gardening. I adore cooking. I rubber stamp. I like to color. And, I now consider myself an expert play dough sculptor.

When I was tasked with developing a 2.5 day retreat for my Entrepreneur’s Organization group (that’s us at the Inn at Langley enjoying an amazing meal cooked by Matt Costello), I jumped at the chance to make our team building exercise creative.

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