Ten Things I Love about Being Indie

I've been tagged! This post is part of the Indie Beauty Blog Tag Party being conducted by Donna Maria at http://www.indiebeauty.com/. Kelly at Southern Soapers tagged me to write a post on the topic “Ten Things I Love About Being Indie.” Then, I get to tag five other Indie Beauty members to do the same.

1. My family - I don't have to worry about missing my son's baseball games, band concerts, track meets, whatever he has going on. I'm here in those crucial few moments when he first gets home from school and actually wants to talk for a minute. I'm also more tuned in during the evening hours than when I had worked 9 hours in an office and we have more quality family time together as a result.

2. Creativity - I love the science of formulating soap and other bath and body products, as well as the creative aspects that allow me to try new things, create new things, and explore new things.

3. Flexibility - I like to work, I work a lot, but as an indie I can work when I need to and stop when something comes up. I can work all night if that's what needs to be done, or I can take off a sick day when needed.

4. Doing what I love - In addition to all the other aspects I've mentioned that I enjoy, playing with new scents makes me positively giddy. :)

5. I am my own boss - I make the rules and never have to compromise my values. I know that my success depends on me and that makes me work even harder.

6. Bringing joy to others - It makes me happy to know that people are enjoying my products and that I could put a smile on someone's face.

7. No gridlock - Our large basement is set up as my workshop so I no longer have to tackle hour long commutes, or worry about the time it takes to get home while a sick kid is waiting (or say locked out of the house).

8. Local Community - Not being strapped to an office desk all day has allowed me to get out and meet members of our local community. We've been in this area for 2 years and now I'm feeling more connected with the community.

9. I am always learning - Being excited about my job means that I'm always seeking out new information and constantly learning new things. Which leads into my next point:

10. Other Indies - I have learned so much from my fellow indies! I've made some wonderful friends and met some very inspiring people. This is my favorite aspect of being indie.

The five indies that I am tagging are:

Erin Keys-Pink Papaya

Jennifer Hardaway- KLEAN Bath & Body

Lori Homeyer- Prim 'n Purdy

JoAnn Bassett- JoAnn Bassett Perfumes

Stephanie Rountree- EdenSong Organics

LM Creation

I just bought this great business card/credit card holder from LM Creation! I had a little pocket in my purse that I used to stash my business cards, but they kept falling out, getting bent. In general I wound up trashing cards, losing them, never having them when I needed them. So I went looking for a solution and found LM Creation. What first attracted me to her site was all the cute styles she has to choose from...I actually had a very difficult time picking out just one. I may have to have a couple to change out, one with each purse maybe? :) They fit my business image well because they are cute, but not "young" cute--you know the kind of cute that screams "I wish I was still 17!". They're hip, stylish, and yet professional, too. This card holder also has a key ring on it, so you can use it as your key chain and stash your ID and credit cards for a quick trip out. Run to the coffee shop to get a latte without dragging around your entire bag. I can see many uses for this holder! Check them all out at http://LMcreation.etsy.com She also makes great shoulder bags and wristlets!

Party at Bella Casa!

It's a Mr. Linky party for Etsy shops now-Fri Jan 30 at http://bella1104.blogspot.com
If you have an Etsy store, stop on by and post a link to your blog and/or Etsy store and promote your business. Even if you don't have an Etsy store, pop on over and check out some cool people and shops...and enter to win in the giveaways. Oh yes, I said giveaways. There are 18 giveaways this week! One of the items you can win is my Brown Sugar Pecan Soap bar. Come party and enter to win! :)

My New Scarf!

A few weeks ago, I entered a contest at Sedruola Maruska's Yarn Obsession blog to win one of her Custom Chunky Scarves: http://yarnobsession-2.blogspot.com. I have had my eye on this scarf and had it in my Etsy favorites (as well as several other of her lovely scarves!). And I won!! I was the January winner! So excited, I got to pick my color and she made it just for me--so honored! It came in the mail today and brightened my day--possibly my entire weekend. ;) So impressed with the workmanship and coziness I actually wore it around the house all afternoon since I didn't have anywhere to go. :) Soft and warm, and so pretty, too. I picked the lime green because I thought it would look perfectly with my dark brown winter coat and it really is a lovely color combo. If you need a scarf to warm you up during this long chilly winter, or need a gift for someone special, I highly recommend this scarf. Looks like she is running this contest again, so hurry on over and enter to win!! http://yarnobsession-2.blogspot.com/ Here's me (in front of an antique toboggan with a giant snowflake behind my head!!)...it's even prettier in person.

Body Balm Love

I love body balm (solid lotion bars) in the winter. My skin gets so dry from the lack of humidity, cold wind, and the dry heat blowing constantly inside. Sometimes my skin is so dry, itchy, flaky, and irritated that extra moisturizing is necessary. That's when I break out the body balm. Like a lip balm for your whole body, the butters and oils in a solid lotion melt on contact with your skin. With the candellila wax added to the formula, the balm works to actually seal in moisture providing long lasting protection. It helps prevent that moisture loss during the day. It's also portable, travel friendly, and a little goes a long way making it last a good long time. I like to use it right after showering as a lotion. Sometimes if my skin is especially dry, I use it while I'm still IN the shower right before getting out. This really helps lock the moisture in my skin. Then I blot myself dry gently with a towel. I also use it as a cuticle cream to soften and soothe. And you can also cut off a small chunk and use as a moisturizing bath melt. Or smooth it on someone special and use as a massage bar. My husband loves the Chocoholic scent because he says it makes me smell absolutely edible. :) I'm also working on making these in several more scents. What scents would you like to see them available in?

I love Mac N Cheese

I think this is just about the best homemade Mac N Cheese ever! That blue box stuff almost ruined Macaroni and Cheese for me for life until I had some good stuff at a restaurant. It was like gourmet Macaroni and Cheese, no joke. So we went looking for a recipe that would do the humble dish some justice. Now when we're feeling a little more ambitious, and searching out comfort food, we bake this (modified from a Barefoot Contessa recipe). What is your favorite comfort food?

Ingredients:

• salt
• Vegetable oil
• 1 pound elbow macaroni
  
• 1 quart milk
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 12 ounces Gruyere, grated (4 cups)
  
• 8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (2 cups)
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cups prepared bread crumbs
  

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.

Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large (4-quart) pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into a 3-quart baking dish.

Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, combine them with the fresh bread crumbs, and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.

ModRocks

ModRocks is such a great name! It's an Etsy store with beautiful Earth inspired jewelry. Earthy colors and shapes makes this a very welcoming store. Cute owl earrings, a chic leaf necklace, a bracelet inspired by the vibrant colors of the Caribbean, and these fantastic Spicy boho brass drop earrings pictured here that I received for Christmas! I ~love~ these earrings! They make me feel saucy! They look perfect with jeans and a sweater, instantly spicing up the outfit. With a dressier ensemble, they add just the right touch of sexy elegance. I have my sweet sister-in-law to thank for these earrings, and I'm enjoying checking out the other fun jewelry in this shop. Check it out at: http://ModRocks.etsy.com

Valentine's Gift Set Trio--Champagne and Chocolate

I just listed a new gift set for Valentine's Day! This set, themed Champagne and Chocolate, contains a Tiny Bubbles soap bar (champagne scented), a Tiny Bubbles Bath Soak (champagne scented fizzy bath salts), and a Chocoholic Body Balm (heart-shaped lotion bar, smells like chocolate truffles). These 3 products all come in a Chinese take-out box covered in candy hearts. What do you think of the new gift set? See more details at http://soaprehab.etsy.com.

Brown Sugar Pecan back in stock!

My best selling soap, Brown Sugar Pecan, is back in stock! This one is one of my favorites, too. Sweet but not cloyingly so...just the right blend of brown sugar, toasted pecan nuttiness, and warm creamy vanilla. A bit like a pecan pie without the crust, but more like Aunt Sally's Pralines from New Orleans. Delish!

Wordless Friday

Sedruola's Crochet Washcloths--Special Promotion!

Etsy seller Sedruola Maruska has great talent with yarn! She has beautiful hand knit and crocheted items in her shop. Big chunky scarves, stylish wraps, cozy wrist warmers and neck warmers...a lovely assortment of things to warm you up this cold winter. It's been a rough winter here already in Michigan...lots of snow, frigid windy winter days, and icy evenings. So, I have my eye on Sedruola's warm looking knits! She also now has some luxurious crocheted washcloths in her shop. They are so soft, well made and durable. Especially great for your face, removing eye makeup, or all over extra pampering when washing, or even for washing baby. :) I've partnered up with her on these lovely washcloths, so for a limited time each of Sedruola's washcloths will ship with a sample size Soap Rehab soap AND each Soap Rehab soap order will ship with a free crochet washcloth! You can see all of Sedruola's fabulous creations on her Etsy site: http://sedruola.etsy.com. Specifically, the washcloth listing is here: http://tinyurl.com/9ttcr6.

What I got for Christmas part 2

Here's another gift I received for Christmas that I wanted to share: Rub a Dub Dub Soap Bar Earrings from CuteAbility. They are adorable, comfortable to wear all day, and have the added benefit of inquiring minds asking why I'm wearing soap bars on my ears. And I do like people asking about soap! :) They're also fun, adding a nice funky style to my everyday wear. I love unique jewelry pieces like this...makes jewelry a conversation piece. Check out the other fun jewelry from CuteAbility here: http://CuteAbility.etsy.com.

January "Flavor" of the Month

Calm Me! Is your body signaling an S.O.S.? January Flavor of the Month -- 10% off "Calm Me Lavender" products during the entire month of January! Lavender is said to be calming and soothing. The Calm Me line includes a creamy, bubbly soap bar made with mango butter, a nourishing shea body butter to hydrate your skin, and a moisturizing fizzy bath soak. Check them out at the Soap Rehab Etsy store here: http://tinyurl.com/9l4tzv