Thursday, January 26, 2012

The Business of being Mom

I had a difficult time deciding what to write about today, thus my late entry.  I prefer to talk about what new products I am adding or what fun things I have been working on but something hit me today as I was posting my latest addition to my Valentine's Day Products, the business of being a mom who owns a business. 

Starting and running a business is in many ways a huge task.  Any of you who have ever owned a businesses or currently do, can attest to the time, energy, and effort put forth in an attempt to make you business work and be successful.  For me it's very much a blessing and passion!  The difficulty many times comes in attempting to balance work, business, and family.  While my children are my biggest supporters and greatest inspiration, they also need mom!

So I'm sure many of you are now wondering what this has to do with my business and the products I create?  That's where the mom part comes in.  Being a mom and a business woman mean finding creative, resourceful ways to be a good mom.  And, allowing the mom in you to be your creative energy.

As many of you may already know, my business started as a desire to find a better product for my kids and their sensitive skin, in addition to finding a way to take the headaches out of bath time.  The culmination of the two resulted in my initial products; my bug, butterfly, snake, lizard and frog soaps.  While adding fun, they keep the basic principles of natural ingredients that nourish and care for sensitive skin, as the primary focus.

As moms, going the extra miles for our families is an everyday occurrence, which many times goes unrecognized.  So, any ways we can devise to make our tasks easier while showing our love for our family is a bonus.  That's the design and desire behind every one of my products.  I hope you find them to have the same benefits for you and your family and would love to hear your stories about what being a business owner and a mom (or a dad) means and how you balance the two.



Thursday, January 19, 2012

Why Teas & Herbs?

As many of you know, one of our most popular products is our Back To Basics Tea & Herb Line.  I wanted to give you some more information about our line and answer the question I have heard so many times over, "What are the benefits of Tea & Herb Soaps?".

For hundreds of years teas and herbs have been used to treat a variety of ailments and conditions.  Prior to our current forms of medine and medical treatments, teas and herbs were used in combinations to heal everything from upset stomach to snake bites.  While we now have more information and changes in science have greatly affected our current methods of practice, the natural benefits from some of natures most beautiful ingredients can't be ignored.  I am in no way suggesting substituting teas or herbs for medicines or advice from doctors or professionals.  Instead, consider adding them to your existing routine for additional benefits.

Honey is a natural skin moisturizer, reduces acne, has anti-bacterial properties.  Our honey based glycerin soap can be found in our Honey, Ginger & Oatmeal Soap as well as our Honey & Oatmeal Facial Line.

Sage is derived from the Latin word meaning health or healing, used by the ancient Greeks and Romans for everything from snakebites to promoting longevity.  Sage is great for reducing swelling in joints as well.

Apple is high in antioxidants helping to reduces wrinkles and has anti-aging properties.

Raspberry has astringent properties making it ideal for skin irritations and improves skin firmness making it great for aging skin.  And combined with our moisturizing glycerin soap, won't dry your face.

Mint is a beneficial ingredient for skin care because of its ability to act as an anti-pruritic agent. That means that its juice can soothe and calm skin that's itchy or infected. You can even use it to help heal bites from mosquitoes, wasps and bees. Because mint contains vitamin A, it may strengthen skin tissue and help reduce oily skin.  You've probably never considered rubbing mint oil on your face to prevent pimples from popping up or to treat wounds and rashes. Mint oil, however, has served as a natural astringent, and people have used it to treat these problems for a long time. What makes mint helpful in treating inflammations such as acne is its high content of salicylic acid.  This acid, which is found naturally in mint, is an active ingredient used in many skin care products. The acid loosens up dead skin cells, allowing them to shed easier. That has the potential to prevent your pores from clogging up, resulting in fewer pimples and clearer skin.

Coffee, the caffeine in coffee has a number of benefits for your skin, from treating redness and inflammation, to reducing the appearance of under-eye circles, to getting rid of cellulite. By incorporating caffeine into your skin care routine, you can reveal evenly toned, smooth skin all over your body.  Although caffeine cannot completely erase hereditary dark circles, applying caffeine under your eyes will reduce the puffiness and inflammation associated with dark circles. Additionally, caffeine reduces the build-up of blood under your eyes which contributes to dark shadows. Coffee also acts as sunblock and prevent sunburn and wrinkles and absorbs and neutralizes strong odors such as fish and other smells.

Oatmeal functions as a skin protectant -- it protects the skin from irritants and helps soothe skin that's itchy, painful or irritated. You can find oatmeal in one of our newest additions to our product line, Old Fashioned Milk Bath along with a variety of our soaps.

Chamomile is used for muscle twitches, wounds, burns & scrapes, skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, chickenpox & diaper rash.

Cinnamon has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, astringent, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.

Cherry clarifies, brightens and energizes the skin, improves skin showing:  early or advanced aging, uneven tone, or if you smoke or face environmental stressors.

If you take a look at you local supermarket or store you most likely won't find any of these on the shelves, instead you are more likely to find an array of chemically based products suggesting they can cure everything or fix anythings.  My products are all natural and made from the natural ingredients.  I won't promise to make you look 10 years younger or take away every wrinkle mother nature has so kindly given, but will guarentee if you try my products you will see a difference in your skin!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

New Year, New Image

Happy New Year!  As I look forward to 2012, we are excited about all of the changes and growth to come.  I want to thank all of our customers and loyal followers throughout 2011.

I wanted to start this year off right and with the help of Angela Allwine of MyDeas On Line I have a great new logo to show off :)  But, this is only the start of what's to come.

I am truly excited about all of the great new products that will be coming your way.  I am in overdrive creating some fantastic things for everyone.  So, here are just a few of the great new products you can find at Bugs & Bubbles Soap Company this year-----  Love Bug Soap Collection (includes ladybugs, butterflies, bumble bees, and flowers), Old Fashioned Milk Bath (comes in a number of great combinations and will give your skin the extra protection it needs from harsh weather and the elements), Cupcake Soap (chocolate, vanilla, & strawberry), Conditioning Shampoo (comes in too many fragrances to mention), Foaming Bath Whip (truly luxurious and so fun), 8 fl. oz. lotion (choose your favorite fragrance), Rich & Creamy Body Lotion (with added palm butter, a masterful, moisturizing combination), and Circles (bright, fun, kids love 'em). 

And let's not forget our brand new accessories, holiday gift baskets, and wash clothe line!

My new year's committment is to blog every week, giving you tons of information about my products, updates on shows and fairs, and highlighting a new product or design.  So check back next week!

(Old Fashioned Milk Bath-Oatmeal)