Soapy Social Media Roundup Archives - Page 2 of 4

Soapy Social Media Roundup

October 31, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy Halloween everybody! I hope you are all having a wonderfully spooky, fun and safe day. This past week has been eventful and full of both ups and downs. Some of the “ups” include attending the Whatcom Women in Business charity (college scholarships) event and making some successful batches of soap. One “down” included Lily sticking peas up her nose and requiring a visit to the doctor to get them out. Below, Lily (aka “pea-bandit”) and I visit the doctor to get the peas out of her nose. At least we got a good story out of it! =) Or rather, a gross story. You don’t even want to know how I got those peas out of her nose ….

Today, we are enjoying the holiday with trick-or-treating and plenty of candy (and, I have full-sized Play-Dough for trick or treaters at our house too). Halloween photos and more will be up on the blog, get ready for the cuteness! =) If you’re not trick-or-treating and need some crafty projects, check out my favorite social media links from the past week below:

Pinterest:

Left to right, clockwise:

I love the combination of green and purple in these beautiful Mulberry Frost Soaps by Emily of Soap & Restless. They are just a tad-Halloween-y, while still being appropriate all year.
Perfect for Thanksgiving, these adorable Oreo Turkey Cookies would be a hit with the kids.
Packaging your soap is a great way to add interest and personality to your projects. This post by Rebecca of Soap Deli News has some awesome ideas!
Fall and winter is the perfect time of year for soup. This 5 Ingredient Cheesy Cauliflower Soup looks like a delicious, easy and healthy soup recipe.

Instagram:

If you love licorice and anise as much as I do, be sure to check out the tutorial for these Star Anise Melt and Pour Bars. They are scented with anise and 10x orange essential oil, and colored with a combination of green zeolite and spirulina powder.

We have been working hard on creating the perfect red color in cold process soap. It’s difficult to do, because the white base of soap tends to create pink, or berry shades. Below are the first round of colors; which one is your favorite? We are working on perfecting these blends, and will have a blog post soon.

Twitter:

Could women be able to detect odors and tastes better than men? Some believe so!
I love, love love to read! You can check out my reading list here, at the bottom of the page. I’m over 50 books for this year already.
This small village in Alaska will soon be underwater. Extremely sad, but interesting read.
Is honey better than corn syrup? A recent study said no…but not so fast! Is that study worthless?
This Target Halloween ad includes a girl with a disability dressed as Elsa from Frozen. This is so great!

I hope you’re having a great Halloween weekend! To keep up with the latest soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube and Snapchat. To watch my ‘stories’, which include sneak peeks into future projects, add me. I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat. Don’t forget to tag your soapy projects on Instagram with the hashtag #SoapShare so I can see what you’re making! =)

Soapy Social Media Roundup

October 17, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

This past week has been a little out of the ordinary. Rather than a jampacked schedule filled with work engagements, I took the week off (mostly) to relax and unwind with the family. I have still been on social media, but for the most part this week has been a vacation. I’m a bit of a workaholic (what can I say, I love what I do!) but it has been refreshing to spend the week focusing on family. Next week I’ll be back in the office full time, and I’m looking forward to getting back to the swing of things.

Here on the blog, the collection of sparkly tutorials came to an end with the Midas Touch Bath Bombs and Gold Mine Cold Process Tutorial. The team and I have been working on rustic inspired holiday tutorials, so be on the lookout for those soon. They are the perfect projects if shimmer isn’t your cup of tea. =) In the meantime, here is my favorite soapy inspiration from around the web!

Pinterest:

Left to right, clockwise:

This Roasted Carrot Lentil Salad with Tahini Dressing looks and sounds delicious! The hearty vegetables and lentils are perfect for fall.
I love the soft swirls and mica dust on these Holiday Spice Cold Process Bars by Sarah of Spicy Pinecone. Read my interview with Sarah here.
If you’re hosting a fall gathering, these Gold Leaf Pumpkins would make beautiful centerpieces.
Speaking of fall parties, this Pumpkin Chocolate-Spiderweb Tart is perfect for a Halloween party! It’s almost too pretty to eat. =)

Instagram:
If you’ve worked with honey in cold process soap, you know it can be a little tricky! The additional sugar makes the soap quite hot, and can lead to an extreme gel phase. You can see this gel phase in action below. Be on the lookout next week for a post about using honey in cold process soap.
We are working on a collection of rustic holiday projects, including anise melt and pour. I love the smell of anise, I’m a huge fan of black licorice. =) On the right are the Midas Touch Bath Bombs, one of my favorite bath bomb recipes in recent memory! See the tutorial here.

Twitter:

The weight loss industry brings in $60 billion dollars a year in the U.S. Why are Americans still struggling with obesity? It could be because the $60 billion diet industry is dwarfed by a $300 billion fast food industry.
Pesticides have been linked to the decline of the bee population.
If you use social media, integrating your platforms can be a great way to increase your audience. These three website mistakes are great examples of what not to do.
A venture capital firm crunched data from the past 10 years and found that female founders outperform their peers.

I hope you’re having a great weekend! To keep up with the latest soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube and Snapchat. To watch my ‘stories’, which include sneak peeks into future projects, add me. I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat. Don’t forget to tag your soapy projects on Instagram with the hashtag #SoapShare so I can see what you’re making! =)

Soapy Social Media Roundup

October 10, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy weekend everybody! I’ll be mostly out of the office this week but still blogging and on social media. If you want to see peeks into my trip, you can follow me on Snapchat. My username is Bramble-Berry. Follow along to also see what the team is up to at the Bramble Berry office. I posted a sneak peek for tomorrow blog post last night on Snapchat =)

What are you up to this week? If your weekend includes crafting, I’d love to see! I’m always inspired by all the creative soapy projects I see on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Tag your photo on Instagram with #SoapShare…I check that just about everyday. =) If you love browsing through social media for inspiration, check out my favorite links below.

Pinterest:

Left to right, clockwise:

These Raw Vanilla Almond and Fig Tarts look amazing! The figs on top really bring the wow factor.
I love the idea of adding fun phrases to basic accessories, like in this Good Vibes Clutch Tutorial. All you need are some paint pens!
Made with Cranberry Fig Fragrance Oil, these Cranberry Fig Cold Process Soaps by Jelena of Soap Techniques is stunning. The colors are perfect for fall.
Who doesn’t love a mason jar craft project? This Mason Jar Fall Luminary Tutorial would make great centerpieces.

Instagram:
Next week, be on the lookout for the tutorial on how to make these gold sparkle bath bombs! Covered in King’s Gold Mica, these bath bombs give the skin a soft shimmer.

Testing out bath bombs! These are covered in King's Gold Mica and leave a soft shimmer on the skin. They smell like mimosas!

A video posted by Anne-Marie (@brambleberry) on Oct 5, 2015 at 2:56pm PDT

On the left is a super delicious smelling cranberry sugar scrub, made with Cranberry Fig Fragrance Oil. We are currently testing the recipe now, look for it in a few weeks. On the right, my 8-months-pregnant-bestie and I finished our second race this season! It’s so nice to have a partner during the events.

Twitter:

I love living in the Pacific Northwest, being surrounded by trees and the ocean. According to the USDA Forest Service, Drexel University, and the University of North Carolina, trees may lower the chance of heart attacks and strokes.
Dave’s Killer Bread is one of my favorite brands of bread. In this video, learn how the company is giving second chances to those in their community.
I’ll put avocado on just about anything. This list of creamy avocado pasta recipes has me drooling!
This entrepreneur gave up on social media, and you’ll never guess how it affected her business.
Every wonder why kids act 800% worse when their mother is around? According to this article, it’s because mothers are the garbage disposal of unpleasant feelings and emotions. Ha!

Soapy Social Media Roundup

October 3, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Another week, another wonderful weekend. Last Saturday I was busy running the Bellingham Bay Half Marathon, and that went so well that I’m doing it again this weekend. Run Like a Girl Marathon is today and my pregnant friend Patrice and I ran while the kiddos and Chris did the Home Depot Kids Project. Below, Jamisen and Lily congratulated me at the end of last weekend’s race. I like to think that watching their parents train for marathons is teaching lessons about hard work, determination and accomplishing goals. I guess we will find out! =)

If you’re enjoying a low key day and are in need of some soapy inspiration, check out my favorite pins, tweets and ‘grams from this week below!

Pinterest:

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I love this quote. It’s up to you to make your life worth loving…nobody else is going to do it for you!
I’m a huge fan of ombre soap, and this Raspberry Cream Cold Process Soap by Ruth of The Sirona Springs Blog is gorgeous.
Who doesn’t love a rainbow color palette? These Unicorn Magic Bath Bombs are so striking. The layers and colors really pop!
Speaking of unicorns, how adorable is this Unicorn Invitation Printable? These might be perfect for Lily’s next birthday.
Pink flamingos would be such a fun and unique party theme. This party decor from Poppies For Grace is inspiring!
This Tiger Stripes Soap by Jelena of Soap Techniques is jaw dropping. The layers are beautifully done.

Instagram:

This week felt like fall, which means it’s time to bust out the candles! Look out for the tutorial for these silver glitter candles next week.

While the temperatures have been dropping in the Pacific Northwest, the weather was perfect for the Bellingham Bay Half Marathon last weekend. I’m so glad to have finished the race with friends by my side. You can read more about the race and my experience h ere. On the right is a super girly confetti cold process soap made with the new Bramble Berry Juicy Couture Type Fragrance Oil. It smells amazing!
It was only a few months ago that the team and I created 30+ recipes during the photo shoot for my upcoming book, Pure Soap Making. The book doesn’t come out until February 2016, but you can pre-order now! Psssst: free goodies for pre-order friends.

Twitter:

Do you feel like your productivity plummets at the end of the day? This study suggests that working in shorter, more intense bursts may help.
If you’re thinking about changing up your hair (I just dyed mine pink!) Check out fall’s must-have hair colors.
I’m patiently awaiting the new Pantone “color of the year” for 2016. In the meantime, check out this list for next years most fashionable colors.
Do you drink enough water? This post is full of water consumption info.
These adorable DIY Soap Gems by Brie of Like the Cheese are so pretty and simple.

I hope you all have an wonderful weekend! To keep up with the latest soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube and Snapchat. To watch my ‘stories’, which include sneak peeks into future projects, add me. I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat. Don’t forget to tag your soapy projects on Instagram with the hashtag #SoapShare so I can see what you’re making! =)

Soapy Social Media Roundup

September 5, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

I hope you’re all having a great start to the long Labor Day weekend. Here in the Pacific Northwest, the past week has been full of rain and wind. Not that I’m complaining; Washington was in desperate need of rain with all the wildfires throughout the state. The dreary weather has me in the mood for fall. This means darker color palettes, rich scents and everything pumpkin! Get ready for some pumpkin inspired tutorials next week. =) In the meantime, check out my favorite pins, tweets and ‘grams from the week below!

P.S. Grandpa Faiola is reading the kiddo’s favorite ‘magazine’, babybug! We love it because it’s made of paper that can’t be easily torn and has a serial character (“Kim and Carrots”) that has continuing adventures that our kids really look forward to reading. I highly recommend it for all little readers ages 1 through 5.
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How amazing are these DIY Tie Dye S’mores? The colors are unbelievable! Looking at how they are made; it reminds me a lot of swirling soap.
Speaking of amazing colors, this Ocean Waves Soap by Empire Soaps is stunning. I love the bright blue against the white layer. The mica line really helps it pop.
The girls over at A Beautiful Mess really know how to transform furniture, and this Nightstand Table Makeover is a great example!
I think donut soap is just about the cutest thing ever. The sprinkles and “glaze” make this Chocolate Dipped Sprinkle Doughnut Soap look so realistic.

Instagram:
I adore swirled soap, and this 12 Color Linear Swirl Cold Process from the Soap Crafting Book might be my all time favorite! I just love how every bar looks completely unique.

On the left is a sparkly melt and pour project that will be on the blog later this week. It is made in the new Tray Floral Wallpaper Mold. On the right, Lily got into my lipstick and proceeded to apply it to her lips and face. Such a mischievous one!
Twitter:

It’s no surprise that exercise is good for you. But did you know it’s really, really good for you? This video is full information, and explains how easy it really is to get active is.
Instagram has been full of changes recently. The most recent update allows back-and-forth photo sending similar to SnapChat.
Football season is starting soon, Go Hawks! If you need a chuckle, check out this video of Marshawn Lynch selling Skittles. So funny!
If you have ever wondered why there is no sunscreen tutorial on Soap Queen, click here. Long story short? It’s super complicated!
If you feel like your entrepreneurial energy could use a boost, check out this awesome article by Donna Maria.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! To keep up with the latest soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube and Snapchat. To watch my ‘stories’, which include sneak peeks into future projects, add me. I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat.

Soapy Social Media Roundup

August 29, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy Saturday! I hope you’re all having an amazing weekend so far. Today the family and I are going to watch the Bramble Berry team compete in the Muds to Suds event! We compete every year – check out these shots from 2013. It’s fun to watch everyone make it through the different mud pits annnnnd, this year the entire team is going as zombies so that’ll be extra awesome. It is raining, but that just makes the event more fun. Also, the rain is much needed here in Washington state. The wildfires are now the largest in the states history, threatening and destroying thousands of homes. So please, stay as long as you’d like rain clouds!

In soapy news, my new book, Pure Soap Making, is now available for pre-order! The book will hit stands February 2016, but you can be among the first to reserve your copy now. Each pre-order will also include a free Hanger Swirl Tool. This book has been such a labor of love, and I can’t wait for you all to get your hands on it! Click here to learn more.
In the meantime, checkout my favorite pins, tweets and ‘grams below for more soapy inspiration!

[Read more…]

Soapy Social Media Roundup

August 15, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy weekend! I hope you’re all having a great Saturday and week. The past week has been beyond full and to tell you the truth, a little overwhelming. Work-wise, I’ve been busy finalizing recipes for Soap Queen TV and approving new products galore. The team and I are filming three new full length SoapQueen.TV videos on Saturday. The projects include cold process cupcakes, melt and pour gems and a sugar scrub. If you haven’t already, be sure to checkout the newest video that was released on Monday, the Silky Berry Cold Process Soap!

At home, the kids and I are busy making the most out of the warm summer weather. Below, Lily is enjoying her cousin Alise’s outdoor play house. That girl can spend hours on anything that involves climbing, jumping and sliding …it was definitely a good investment because she keeps asking to “Go see Baby Alise.” I’m pretty sure she’s asking to “Go see Baby Alise’s Play house.” =). Jamisen has been attending several summer camps and has been having a blast. I love listening to his stories about all the various activities (gnome hunts!) and projects when I get home.

Below, check out my favorite pins, tweets and ‘grams from the past week!

Pinterest:

Left to right, clockwise:

These Peanut Butter and Jelly Ice Cream Sandwiches look absolutely amazing! Most kids love peanut butter and jelly, so I’m sure these would be a hit anywhere and everywhere.
This pink and multi-colored layered soap by Simply Soap is so girly and happy looking…I love it! The stamp really adds a great finishing touch.
Back to school is right around the corner. This Back to School Teachers Gift would be a great way to start the year on the right foot.
I love the pink and green color combination in these Handmade Sea Salt Spa Soap Bars from Emily of the Soap and Restless. They remind me a little bit of watermelon =)

Instagram:
If you haven’t already, be sure to checkout the latest full length video on Soap Queen TV! This Silky Berry Cold Process Project is made with real silk and a delicious smelling berry fragrance combination.

Learn how to make this Silky Berry Cold Process Soap in the latest full length Soap Queen TV video! Visit SoapQueenTV.com to watch =)

A video posted by Anne-Marie (@brambleberry) on Aug 11, 2015 at 4:12pm PDT

Last weekend, the Bramble Berry team and I enjoyed watching a Bellingham Bells game, a local baseball team. On the left, Lily is enjoying all the action. On the right is the amazing bounty from the garden. This summer has been quite warm and my garden is loving it. The kale is taller than Lily is at this point!

Twitter:

According to Facebook, “LOL,” is dying and “haha” is on the rise. Dar; I feel not-trendy! =) Haha.
McDonald’s is working hard to reinvent themselves to help their slumping sales. Here are 3 reasons why it won’t work, along with great business takeaways for every business owner.
If you find yourself covered in mosquito bites during the summer, help is on the way!
For most, a coffee stain means a stained white blouse or rug. This artist turned coffee stains into true works of art.
Did you know many of our favorite foods including energy bars and deli meats were invented for soldiers? Click here to read more, including what the military is currently working on that will be in supermarkets in the future. Hint…it involves cheese!

Soapy Social Media Roundup

July 18, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy weekend everybody! As you can tell from our Snapchat feed (user name: bramble-berry), the kiddos and I enjoyed a morning throwing rocks on the beach. We feel so lucky to leave in town with access to the water. I hope you enjoyed the fun Summer of Love projects that were on the blog this week. These projects included the Groovy Peace Sign Melt and Pour, Psychedelic Spin Swirl Cold Process and the Tie-Dye Bath Bombs. All three projects featured bright colors and groovy scents including the new Flower Child Fragrance Oil. This new scent is a complex blend of floral, patchouli, vanilla and musk that does not discolor. It’s a new office favorite! For more crafty project ideas, check out my favorite pins, tweet and ‘grams below!

[Read more…]

Soapy Social Media Roundup

July 11, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy weekend everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Fourth of July. Ours was full sunshine, good food and a few fireworks. Below is my adorable niece Alise celebrating the holiday with lots of red, white and blue. =) The weather continues to be sunny and warm in the Pacific Northwest. The sky is also a little hazy from the wildfires in Canada and Eastern Washington.

Be on the lookout next week for a series of tutorials inspired by the psychedelic 60’s. The projects include lots of bright colors and groovy scents. In the meantime, here are my favorite pins, tweets and ‘grams from the past week!

Pinterest:

Left to right, clockwise:

I’m usually not a huge coffee drinker, but I do love the flavor. This decadent Double Coffee Affogato recipe looks like a great way to enjoy coffee during hot temperatures.
The swirled embeds within this World in My Soap cold process created by The Sirona Springs look absolutely beautiful! The embeds were dusted in mica to give them dark and crisp edges.
If you’re looking for a guilt-free dessert options, these Healthy Banana Quinoa Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting fit the bill.
I’m blown away by the intricate swirls within this Black and Red Spiral Swirl Soap. It reminds me of a kaleidoscope!

Instagram:
My new book is scheduled for early 2016, and I have been busy editing for the past few weeks. The book is all about natural soapmaking with essential oils and natural colorants. It has been such a labor of love, and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it!
On the left is the first attempt at a cold process soap inspired by the Swiss Alps. Overall I love the look, but I think I can improve on it. Sometimes a soapy project takes a few tries! On the right is the most recent melt and pour tutorial, the Thai Tea Melt and Pour Bars. Melt and pour soap is swirled to create the look of creamy milk and tea.

Twitter:

This Beauty Advice for my Daughter blog post by Cupcakes and Cashmere really hits home for me. As Lily grows older, I need to remind myself to act confidently and not criticize my body.
If you like making tallow soap, check out this Mahogany Tallow Soap Tutorial on the Otion Soap Bar blog. It’s made with the manly Mahogany Fragrance Oil, and features a unique color palette.
This year I am making an effort to make my garden bee-friendly. Click here for tips on how to welcome bees into your garden.
Speaking of bees, this TED Talk reveals four reasons why they are disappearing. It’s a must watch.
Instagram is one of my favorite social media outlets. This Indie Business Network article is full of great tips on how to create profitable partnerships on Instagram.

Soapy Social Media Roundup

May 30, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy weekend =) Today the family and I are busy getting everything sorted into our new home. There is still a lot of work to do, but it’s slowly coming together. Last weekend was Lily’s 2nd birthday (post on that tomorrow), and it was great to start filling the new house with family memories.

In soapy news, the winners of this month’s Great Cakes Soapworks Challenge were announced. Bramble Berry gave the grand prize winners $100 each, and new fragrance oils for the runners up. Below is the grand prize winning soap, made by Teressa of Nourishing Handmade Body Care. I was blown away by the detail in these adorable mini dessert soaps. It’s hard to believe they are not edible! If you’re looking for more soapy inspiration, check out my favorite tweets, pins and ‘grams from the past week.

Pinterest:

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I love the fresh green color of this Cucumber Aloe Vera Soap by Riens Hnadmade Soap. The textured top makes it look so creamy!
These Easy Refrigerator Dill Pickles look awesome. I love adding pickles to salads, or having them for snack.
Francois et Moi made this beautiful Pull Down Style Botanical Wall Hanging out of wrapping paper. It looks so professional, chic and classy.
Brussels sprouts are one of my favorite veggies. This Pesto Pasta with Chicken Sausage and Roasted Brussels Sprouts looks right up my alley.

Instagram:
On Thursday, the tutorial for this American Flag soap went out via the Bramble Berry Newsletter. It took three tries until I was happy with the final soap…those layers were tricky! Click here to sign up for the newsletter to receive exclusive tutorials and information about new products and upcoming sales.

I made these lavender and lemongrass hot process bars for Soap Queen TV last week, and have been using them non-stop since. I can’t wait for you to see the video. On the right, Jamisen “helped” me make butterscotch cupcakes for Lily’s birthday. Look for the recipe tomorrow =)

Twitter:

Facebook’s new “Critics’ Reviews,” will allow reviews on select restaurant pages in the US. I wonder how this will affect Yelp in the future.
Speaking of food, this oatmeal hack could totally change your breakfast.
This list of 25 Businesses You Can Start for Less than $100 is incredibly interesting. Also, soap making made the list!
Contouring with face makeup seems to be all the rage right now. If you don’t have an hour for makeup in the morning, this 1-minute Contour Look is helpful.
I don’t have a TV in my house, and this list of 10 Reasons You Should Stop Watching TV reaffirms my decision.

I hope you all have an fantastic weekend! To keep up with the latest soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube and Snapchat. To watch my ‘stories’, which include sneak peeks into future projects, add me. I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat.

Soapy Social Media Roundup

May 23, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone! I hope the weather is allowing you to get outside to barbecue and enjoy the outdoors. Yesterday, the team and I filmed four full-length Soap Queen TV videos. The projects include a bath fizzy, cold process, hot process and eye product. I can’t wait to share the videos with you.

Jamisen and his buddy enjoying the sunshine! I hope you’re able to enjoy the weather this Memorial Day weekend.

Tomorrow is Bellingham’s annual Ski to Sea race, and this year Bramble Berry is participating. The race has seven legs, including running, biking, canoeing and sea kayaking. It’s an intense race, and I can’t wait to cheer on our team. I’m not participating this year…but maybe next year. =) If the weather has you stuck inside, check out my favorite pins, ‘grams and tweets for some crafty inspiration.

Pinterest:

Left to right, clockwise

These Bahn Mi Spring Rolls look amazing! I love spring rolls; they are a great alternative to salad.
I love the orange and white color palette of this soap made by Titania’s Dreamy Delights.
The marbled effect of this Melted Crayon Rock Art is beautiful! Jamisen and Lily would have a blast with this project.
Now that I’ve tried the petal technique with soap, it’s time to try it with cake! The blue color palette on this Blue Ombre Petal Cake is stunning.

Instagram:
Have you tried hot process soap before? On the left is a hot process project scented with the yummy Espresso Fragrance Oil. On the right are some of the salts that you can use in your bath and beauty projects. Click here to learn more about salt.
Weekends are for fun! Last Saturday, Jamisen and I had a blast putting together a pillow and blanket fort.

Twitter:

What’s the right amount of exercise per week? This article suggests 150 minutes per week.
Eating healthy doesn’t have to be complicated! These simple rules for healthy eating are both useful, and totally doable.
The Cannes Film Festival banned some women not in heels from the red carpet. Unsurprisingly, there has been plenty of backlash.
Do you use hashtags? Learn the do’s and don’ts of hashtags here.
If you’re scared of spiders, you probably shouldn’t click this. Hint…spiders falling from the sky. Eeek!

I hope you all have an fantastic Memorial Day weekend! To keep up with the latest soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube and Snapchat. To watch my ‘stories’, which include sneak peeks into future projects, add me. I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat.

Soapy Social Media Roundup

May 9, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy Mother’s Day weekend! I hope you’re able to spend some time with your mom or loved ones tomorrow. This weekend is especially fun for me because it’s my birthday week as well. I had a fabulous celebratory day; my friends and family all made me feel extra special. Today, I plan on spending lots of outside time with the kiddos and straightening our new, empty house (but that’s a blog post for another day). It has been so warm and beautiful here in the Pacific Northwest…it officially feels like spring!

Above, I spent some time this week in Jamisen’s classroom. It’s so fun to watch him interact with his classmates and teacher; it really makes me realize how fast he is growing up. I would love to be able to lead a crafty project with his class and have just the perfect project for little hands: bath fizzies. If you’re looking for crafty inspiration for yourself, check out my favorite pins, grams and tweets from the week below.

Pinterest:

Left to right:

I love this Rainbow Ombre Cold Process Soap by Kenna of Modern Soapmaking. The LabColors give a gorgeous, subtle bleeding effect.
This Healthy Mexican Salad is full of color and texture. Any salad with lots of avocado is alright by me =)
This tutorial for Color Beans for Play and Art looks like something Lily and Jamisen would love.
Plain wooden bowls from the thrift store are made modern again with a little paint in this tutorial.

Instagram:

I love the sparkle that mica colorants give soapy projects. If you’d like to learn more about micas and how to use them, check out this Sunday Night Spotlight post.
Last weekend, Lily spent the day playing with her baby cousin Alise who is getting so big, so fast(!). The weather was so beautiful! On the right is the final design for an upcoming Soap Queen TV video. This drop swirl is scented with a blend of berry fragrance oils…I can’t wait to film!

Twitter:

I love the crisp layers in this Homemade Gardener’s Soap made by Simplistically Living. The exfoliants on top are perfect for removing dirt from gardening.
In 2014, Tory Burch’s company brought in more than $1 billion in revenue. Her story is so inspiring; click here to learn how she got started.
Have you heard of the YotaPhone? Released last year, the phone features two displays.
I’m a huge fan of eggs; they are a great way to add extra protein to salads. This article dives into the terms associated with industrial egg farming to help you choose the highest quality egg.
Want to turn your blog into a career? The Minimalist Baker has some great tips. My favorite? You gotta hustle!

I hope you all have a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend! To keep up with the latest soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube and Snapchat. To watch my ‘stories’, which include sneak peeks into future projects, add me. I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat.

Soapy Social Media Roundup

April 25, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy Saturday! After the book photoshoot and Soap Guild Conference, I’m happy to spend a weekend at home. And by home, I mean the home of friends and family. Our house is still not safe after the boiler explosion and won’t be for some time. Jamisen’s birthday was this week, and we are celebrating tomorrow. I can’t believe he is already 4 years old! Time flies.

In soapy news, in an effort to update the nation’s regulations of personal care products, Senators Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced the Personal Care Products Safety Act. To read more about the Act, click here. If you would like to be kept up to date on laws pertaining to small businesses in the soap and cosmetic industry, join the Coalition of Handcrafted Entrepreneurs (COHE). The COHE enables the voices of small business owners to be heard with calls to action that will help lawmakers make more informed decisions.

Here in the office, the team and I have been busy creating new recipes for Soap Queen TV. If you have any projects that you’d like to see me tackle, leave a comment and let me know. I’d love to hear your suggestions. Currently we are working on a hot process tutorial, cold process, bath bomb and eye care product. Shown above is one of the test trials for a drop swirl soap, made with alkanet root powder and activated charcoal. I can’t wait to share the final projects with you! In the meantime, checkout my favorite pins, tweets and ‘grams from the past week.

Pinterest:

Left to right, clockwise:

This Vegan Berry Crunch Bowl is the perfect way to use fresh produce during berry season. Yum!
I love the soft and simple colors in this Palm Free Fruity Cold Processed Soap. If you’re looking for more palm free recipes, check out the Palm Free In-The-Pot Swirl and the Layered Lilac Loofah Cold Process tutorial.
These DIY Watering Can Vases are an adorable way to showcase flowers. They would also be a thoughtful gift for Mother’s Day.
I love the beautiful packaging on these Hand in Hand Soap Bars. If only I could paint like that!

Instagram:
These gorgeous rainbow soaps made by Soapwithhope are show stoppers! The even layers and vibrant colors create the perfect rainbow effect.

I’m so happy to finally have my Master CP/HP Soapmaker Certification from the Soap Guild in my hands! On the left, Courtney and I showcased the newest Handmade Beauty Box project on King 5 News, click here to see the video.

Twitter:

Do you enjoy your coffee from a Keurig? The inventor says he feels bad that he created it, click here to find out why.
If you’re a fan of red wine, you’ll love this study! It makes the claim that a glass of red wine is the equivalent to an hour at the gym.
This video made by fitness star Cassey Ho of Blogilates shows her “photoshopping” her body to conform to modern day beauty ideals. It’s a must watch.
Looking to make an impact on SnapChat? You may want to follow DJ Diplo’s lead.
A new study from the New England Journal of Medicine has good news about preventing peanut allergies.

To keep up with the latest soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube and Snapchat. To watch my ‘stories’, which include sneak peeks into future projects, add me. I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat.

Soapy Social Media Roundup

April 18, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

This week has been a complete whirlwind. The photo shoot for the upcoming book (coming in 2016) was both amazing and exhausting. Thirty-three cold process recipes were prepped and created in four days (39 if you count embeds!). That’s an average of 8 cold process recipes everyday. The team did a great job of prepping all the recipes beforehand; This enabled each recipe to be ready as soon as the previous was made. All the hard work paid off; each soap turned out amazing and I can’t wait to share the book with you!

This weekend I’m attending the HSCG Annual Conference in Indianapolis. So, if you’re here, come find me! I was so thrilled to run into Lela from Lucky Break Consulting, Ellie who has helped save 70 orphaned baby elephants with her soap, and Toushonta who spotted me in the airport after a long day of flying. I’ll be here tonight and tomorrow so if you’re at the show, please come say ‘Hi.’ I love talking soap!

Soap Guild Show Fun

Here on the blog, we have been sharing a collection of milk recipes including this Goat Milk & Oatmeal Cold Process Soap. This Buttermilk Bastille Baby Bar on Soap Queen TV shows you how to create soap using fresh buttermilk and carrot puree. Want more soapy inspiration? Check out my favorite pins, ‘grams and tweets from this week!

Pinterest:

Left to right, clockwise:

I love the simple yet sophisticated look of this Palm Free Lavender and Vanilla Cold Process Soap by Humblebee & Me. The mica painting looks fantastic!
Speaking of beautiful purple soap, the color combination in the Flirt Gourmet Handmade Soap from River City Soapworks is so eye catching.
Purple tones also look stunning in food. Want proof? This Earl Grey Lemon Cheesecake is topped with frozen blueberries, giving them a lavender hue.
Mother’s Day is less than a month away. This Mother’s Day Matchstick Holder and Candle Gift is a clever and adorable way to show her love.

Instagram:
If you follow me on Instagram, you know I was busy soaping up a storm making soap for my new book. Below is one of my favorite recipes, a Dandelion Zebra Swirl soap made with real dandelion petals and an annatto seed infusion.
On the left, is a negative space embed recipe colored with natural colorants. On the right is a soap made with pale ale instead of water. I was so relieved that the swirl design turned out for the shoot…that technique requires a steady hand and I was a little shaky!

Twitter:

The article, “Secrets of Woeman Running Billion-Dollar Companies,” is full of great advice and insights into the pros and cons of being a CEO. In particular, I related to how hard it is to have true “balance.”
Being constantly creative is hard! If you need some tips on keeping your creativity flowing remember…no idea is too weird!
Love shopping online? I do! These three apps are online-shopping game changers.
The “experience economy,” is a term used to describe consumers growing love for experiences, rather than only services. Click through to learn more about wowing your customers with experiences. It’s what we try to do at Otion with our classes & crafters corner!
Jerome Jarre has mastered Vine and SnapChat with 7.2 million followers. The going rate for one Vine video is $25,000! But it wasn’t always that way; click here to read his fascinating story.

To keep up with the latest soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube. And Snapchat! To watch my ‘stories’, which include sneak peeks into future projects (including all the soaping I’m doing this weekend), add me. I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat.