Bittersweet and the little soap company

sweet dreams

We're getting excited about our holiday open house! The past few years have put a damper on our shop parties, and we're looking forward to getting back to the good old days. I'm also glad that those days are behind us. I made our famous sugar cookies and we're going to also serve our festive Christmas punch. The recipe will be included in Taste & Eat, Season Everything With Love, but I thought it would be nice to share it now since the cookbook won't be published until after the holidays. 

I'm picky about my cookie toppings. I really love the look of these not-so-over-the- top beads. 

Hot cocoa in the house! I just put in an order for Dutch cocoa. It makes the best homemade hot chocolate. I also really like cinnamon in my cocoa. Just a sprinkle or two. I also love to gift the cocoa. 

Before I left the shop on Saturday I gazed over our soap inventory and thought, WOW! We make and wrap, and I make and wrap thousands of bars this time of year. It is truly an incredible site to see once they're wrapped and out for the picking. I'm not wanting to come off as arrogant, but WOW! I always hesitate to believe that we will sell it all, but we always do. In fact, especially since we're only open eleven more days before our winter break, there will not be one bar left! The beautifully wrapped soap bars really do offer an affordable and luxurious gift, especially this time of year. Feeling fortunate and blessed. 

We have a pie shop below Bittersweet and they have the most amazing take-and-bake chicken pot pies! I decided that tonight would be a good night to bake it. I can smell the veggies and crust as I type. 

I have brought back Snickerdoodle Lip Balm! I added a tiny drip, drop of vanilla to the popular healing balm stick. So good! That reminds me too, that I need to add it to our webshop menu. I'll head over and do that soon. 

We're working hard to keep all of your favorite Bittersweets in stock. Every holiday season there's always a hot item, and no matter how hard I try to figure out what it's going to be before it's hot, I can't seem to get it. So I'm always caught off guard. Whatever is hot multiplies, quadruples, and flies out the holiday door. One of the items that seem to be hot and something that we outsource is our warm and wooly flannel pajamas along with the fuzzy faux rabbit slippers. Well, of course, I mean who doesn't want to snuggle up with both? I've put in one last order, but I won't be ordering any more. We tend to practice this method of purchasing with outsourcing. We prefer to make our inventory and in turn, present a unique offering of goods that stand out from the crowd in both aesthetics and quality.  Both are equally important in our industry. 

We hope to chat and visit with you on Friday and Saturday during our Holiday open house. We are wishing you a joyful and happy holiday!

Seasons Greetings and Joy To The World. 

Jill 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A fresh new day

It's a fresh new day! A huge thank-you to everyone that shopped in our small shop yesterday. The truth is we can make it, but if nobody shows up to purchase it, we would not be here so thank you for supporting us and loving our products. We are truly grateful. I have to be honest and tell you that I get annoyed with small shops that feel like they are obligated to lower prices and discounts during both black Friday and shop small day. We don't offer any discounts or as some call, deals, however, our pricing is lower than any of our competitors and our competitors do not offer quality ingredients. At least most do not. I can't honestly speak for all. A personal pet peeve and I guess that I feel this way is because I'm aware of just how much work goes into making the products that line our shelves. I'm not telling you this for any particular reason other than it's true. 

The Twelve Days of Christmas Soap is flying high! We will be up to numbers five and six next week. I'm always in awe of just how quickly the holidays come and go.  I think about the time invested in wrapping thousands of bars of soap, and how quickly it disappears. Again, thankful. 

We're hosting our Holiday Open House on Friday and Saturday. I always look forward to this event simply because it offers a more laid-back vibe at our shop than the past two days. Our customers are the salt of the earth, and we love visiting with them this time of year. When I looked at the calendar and saw that we're only open for eleven more days it shocked me. How does this happen? I realize that some families are struggling this year. The cost of living is high and some families are struggling to make ends meet. This makes me sad, and I think about it often. What is supposed to be a happy time, turns into a sad time for some. What can we do to make it better? I'm so happy that you asked that! Donate to the Salvation Army or any organization that helps the less fortunate.  I've always felt like the Salvation Army was a reputable and honest company. Their beginnings are humble, and I see often how they come to people's aid when they're down. 

Winter break is also fast approaching, and this soap maker already knows what she's going to be doing. I'll have my head buried in book writing. The finishing chapters are already being tossed around. I've come to realize that writing is a gift that keeps on giving. Not in a materialistic way but rather in a soulful heartwarming way. I believe that's the attraction. At least it is for me. Always remember, if you are thinking of writing a book that there will always be critics, but there will also be folks that love your stories. Even the not-so-great books that I've read have brought something to my table, so always read a book with an open mind with those thoughts tucked in the back of your mind. 

Seasons Greetings!

Jill 

 

 

 

 

Giving Thanks

 

Sending Thanksgiving well wishes to everyone. We're having a low-key and laid-back Thanksgiving. In fact, those are the kind of Thanksgivings that I treasure. Gone are the days of running around hurrying to go here and there. I don't miss those days one bit. The holidays are stressful for some, and designing a holiday that fits your family is a good thing for everyone involved. 

There's a whole lot of soap wrapping going on around here. Yours truly is the top-dog soap wrapper. I've hired people to help wrap soap in the past, but this year I was able to get a jump ahead on things so I'm wrapping thousands of bars. You may not know this about me, but I can wrap one-hundred bars in an hour! I'm up to number ten, and the rest is history!

Tomorrow the house will be filled with food smells over soap. I'm preparing a pumpkin pie and homemade rolls for our Thanksgiving dinner. I always use the hands-down favorite pumpkin pie recipe that I've used for years. I'll put the recipe in the upcoming Taste & Eat Cookbook too. 

I've been entering my favorite recipes, and it's almost finished! We have an early twenty-three release on Taste & Eat, Season Everything With Love. 

I've managed to sneak in one of your favorite soaps. Nag Champa is back. Hurry, please hurry it won't be on the shelves for very long

I also brought back the Body Butter Lotion Bar. I'm pondering only offering certain products at specific times. Think of these skincare essentials as winter treats. 

I'm in love with the French Knot hats! 

I feel like we have a great selection to choose from. In fact, I put another order in. Consider these well-made winter caps as an heirloom. They are timeless and classic. I think my personal stash of these hats consists of several. I love, love them. If you're wishing to WOW someone these hats fit the bill. 

The lovely, ever so lovely, Mint Chocolate Chip, or as the picture shows Chocolate Chip Mint. I guess my logic is built on the fact that the luscious lip balm scent is more chocolate than mint. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

We'll be running full speed ahead on Friday and Saturday, and the ball starts to drop from there. I put together the holiday hours and to my wondering eyes should appear that Bittersweet is only open for a few more days! It happens every year, but I always get caught off guard. 

Lastly, we scout the world for our soap wrapping paper! This holiday we're rolling out what we believe to be the prettiest ever!

Giving thanks. 

Jill 

 

 

 

 

forest green

This past week has been filled with hours of reviewing apothecary recipes and configuring. Favorite Bittersweets are once again available, but just for a short time. A new Body Butter Sugar Scrub is divine! I pondered several scent options but happily chose Orange Vanilla. Not only does it smell yummy it also provides ultra-healing to dry winter skin. The new hair treatment is getting a final review, and our popular Twelve Days of Christmas Soap lands on Thursday! From now until December 23, this girl is going to be burning the midnight oil. Let's see, Bittersweet is open seventeen more days before our winter's nap. 

I was planning a get-a-way and flying out on Christmas, but have decided against it. I'm not sure why, but I'm trusting my instincts. 

The shop is being adorned with new shipments of holiday dream boats. Meaning, the items that we outsource match the quality of the items that we make. This season's offerings have topped all of the seasons before! You're going to love what we're bringing in!

Another stash of winter candles glow, and those baby's bottom soft facial brushes are on the way once again! Fresh bundles of preserved cedar arrive today. We won't be re-stocking the greenery. This is our second order of the season. The preserved bundle of holiday joy lasts forever as does the fresh cedar scent. I have some in my home that I've had stored in bags for almost ten years.

Butterscotch Lip Balm is back! Tomorrow I'll be crafting a hundred or so gift crates and they'll be stashed with some of that lip balm. 

The Buffalo check pajamas with our soft faux rabbit slippers. Hello Winter!

Those new leather earrings! They won't last!

Fuzzy and warm winter hats should be arriving any day from our favorite little maker. 

Those boots! I can't reorder they're already sold out! We have two sevens, and one eight, and that's it. 

I'm stuck on forest green this holiday! The dark green velvet ribbon that we received last week is stunning!

Typing out recipes for Taste & Eat. Aunt Vivian's Pinto Beans. A great winter meal accompanied by home-baked cornbread hot out of the oven. Put more garlic in the beans. 

I made hot chocolate last night. The warm milk helped me to sleep like a baby. 

We also have orders for fuzzy scarves and warm fleece jackets. A few holiday sweaters and a fancy holiday dress with sparkles. 

We're honored to bring to you our fastidious artisan curations. Each one is hand-chosen with an eye toward detail and originality. 

Behind hat number one, is a delightful smorgasbord of artisan-crafted essentials that are soulfully constructed and made with love. Winter must-haves that put a smile on your face for many years to come. 

Seasons Greetings!

Jill 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday to Saturday

We're traveling from Saturday to Saturday winding around projects and holiday assembly. A continued effort to construct an assortment of holiday gift packages like scrumptious soap and lip balm, soaking salts, facial serums, and the merry list goes on. I'm in love with those travel bags! We offer a variety of styles and colors at the shop. They would make an amazing holiday gift, hint, hint. 

Bringing back some of your bittersweet favorites, like nail creme and shower spray. Both essentials have been improved with even more healing and natural ingredients. This week I'll be working on a new body polish and hair treatment that I mentioned a few posts ago. 

The holidays feel different this year. Do they to you? I believe we are approaching our busiest holiday ever and that there will be challenges to keep items in stock. Folks are definitely shopping early, and I believe that's a great idea. Bittersweet is so very different than a shop that stocks premade items. We make up about eighty percent of the inventory that we sell at our store. From the very beginning those twenty-five-plus years ago I saw a need for stand-out inventory. Items that are fastidiously crafted by hand with a steady eye on detail and quality. I can't tell you how many times I've purchased something only to be disappointed and disenchanted. When you make your inventory you don't have to encounter this simply because you are able to guarantee that it does and is what it says it is. Blessing. The years come and go, but that has always been front and center in all that Bittersweet does and is. We don't want to meet your expectations, we want to blow you away and exceed them! 

I must confess this little one that started as a soap business and birthed into a modern apothecary has blossomed and transformed into a beautiful gift. The most precious gifts are those that stand tall with glory and admiration, and mostly thankfulness. Being thankful for each and everything no matter the size or shape. Little things. 

Hard work and determination are still very much a common denominator in life's undertakings. 

We're expecting a rush of holiday shoppers from now until December 23. Our holiday open house is on December 2 and 3. In between and after wrapping several thousand bars of soap in record time, on December 23, I'll do what I always do at the end of the day. Turn down the lights and take in the memories of the moments that were presented to me this holiday season. Then a long winter's nap is on my Christmas list.

Wishing you peace and joy as the holiday approaches.   

Jill 

 

 

 

Before me

I'm just peeking in for a few minutes. My car is in the shop for its annual winter check-up, and I've been blowing leaves and trimming bushes before old man winter arrives. I picked up all of my Thanksgiving groceries early and turkey and pumpkin pie are on my menu. I have the tree up too! I'm not sure and for whatever reason, I was eager to put the Christmas tree up this year. I captured the shot of Elle sitting on the living room rug and thought about how that would make a great Christmas card. The shop window is filled with warm hues and our home is decked out with sugar pinecones and white tassels. Thoughts of blessings and thankfulness filled my heart last night as I pondered my life and the people that are in it. How glorious it is to not have any wants or needs, and along with those feelings realize some do not share those thoughts. Feeling blessed each and every day. 

My little Norfolk pine is thriving. I gave her a healthy trim and cut-off dead branches. She was singing a happy song, and I also believe her branches were swaying. There's a story behind that, but it's a personal one. I'll share someday. 

My mind is traveling back and forth with ideas for holiday packaging. We ordered these cute little Christmas tree bags, and I love the idea of an all-white bag with ribbon. A simple piece of greenery as embellishment. We've offered these packaged soap items before, and they remain timeless and one of my favorite things about the holidays. 

The picture of my dad and me from back when. This picture sits in my shop and reminds me of blessings gracefully given by God.  I love it when customers ask me about the picture. There are also pictures of my aunt and my great-grandmother Lucy at my shop. Every now and then I gaze up and look at the pictures to remind me of just how darn lucky I am to have such amazing people in my life and a part of me realizes I am who I am because of them. 

A delightful story. 

Step one, make the best soap ever with the recipe that you’ve fastidiously developed twenty-five years ago, Step two, tenderly cut the bars. Step 3, allow the soap to cure for four to six weeks so that it ages to perfection. Step four, wrap the moisture-rich bars in stunning paper and design labels to perfection. Step five, happily wrap and offer a new soap each week because we love soap, and the ability to offer you an aromatic delightfully wrapped bar of new goodness every single week is our jam!

We're coming upon Shop Small Day! It doesn't seem possible, but we are. A while ago I played out our shop hours and realized that Bittersweet Apothecary is only open 19 more days before Christmas and our annual winter nap. Every year I also am taken by surprise at how quickly it arrives and how fast it's gone.

We made Cherry Crumble last night. This is such an easy recipe, but it's one of those desserts that gets rave reviews each and every time that you serve it. My ex-sister-in-law shared the recipe with me years ago.  I've been making it for years. Here's the recipe if you want to try it. You can change the fruit filling with apple, peach, blueberry, etc. Most of the time I make everything from scratch, but every now and then I'll find an easier version of something that compares with scratch. It's almost time to share my toffee recipe too. 

Blessings to you. 

Jill  

 

 

 

 

Style It Green

 

 

I'm always drawn to a specific color once the holidays edge their way closer. This season it's green! We should be getting our annual shipment of preserved cedar. If you're not familiar with preserved greenery it's real cedar that has been preserved to last forever. It doesn't crumble or shed and along with the stems staying green and flexible, so does the cedar scent. It's been one of my favorite accessories to use in styling our home and shop for the holidays. It's stunning on the mantle or even if you stick a sprig in a stocking. I store it in a plastic bag and bring it out every holiday. The stash that I have has been around for almost ten years! It still looks like the first day that I opened the bundle.  

We couldn't help ordering the buffalo plaid pajamas in. We're on a pampering and relaxing kick lately. We also have furry jackets and suede boots with fur toppers. So cute! 

The soap studio is packed full of holiday soap and I've already begun wrapping the Twelve Days. You're going to love the papers that we've chosen to wrap this seasonal and special soap! It's stunning!

I love the skinny birch trees. They were actually picked up last year at my local craft store. I believe that I like them, even more, this season.  There are great selections of holiday lights and when I saw these my heart skipped a beat. Star Gazer lights probably won't catch on this year, but I can guarantee you they will next year. I love keeping my decorations to a minimum. One piece is all that you need for the eye to focus. 

The paquets are back, but I can safely say that they will not be for long. These bundles of soaps are time-consuming to assemble and with the holidays approaching full speed ahead they will be in limited quantity. We call it the nature of handmade. The packages that we offer our one of a kind and soulful. Much consideration has gone into the process of design and packaging, and the prize is the actual product itself. 

Those little match holders with strikers are the cutest! What a great gift along with a candle. Perfect. 

We also received our shipment of artisan stockings. I love the print on these very well-made stockings. We switched out some white stockings with these and it completely changed the look. Another favorite holiday essential that I've used to style for many years is the sugar cones. The extra large cones add the perfect touch if you're into natural styling. You can pick up a bag of three here. 

There were quite a few other pictures to share, but it seems that there experiencing issues with the platform. 

We look forward to seeing you at the shop!