Bittersweet and the little soap company

Lining it up

So many things going on at once, but they are all good. We're doing a medium remodel in our kitchen. New counter, tile, sink, and lighting. My dad and I went to this really cool stone factory on Tuesday and I picked out a granite counter. It just so happens that quartz is trending and in demand which means granite costs less. A complete turnaround on supply and demand. Things you learn along the way, are always a good thing. I think we're looking at about a two-week turnaround. We have to wait on the stone to be cut to fit. My living room is storing new lighting and faucet, etc. 

The other day while on my morning walk.

During my morning walk today, I had a fascinating encounter that made me pause and reflect. As I spotted a man stepping out to retrieve his morning paper from a distance, he bore an uncanny resemblance to his father that passed away a year or so ago, whom I used to pass by every morning. The fond memories flooded back, as his father would always greet me with a warm smile.

At that moment, it struck me how appearances may change from one generation to the next, yet certain traits and characteristics have a way of enduring and being passed down through the generations. It's a beautiful reminder that a little piece of us lives on, creating an everlasting legacy. There's something truly remarkable about the interconnectedness and continuity of our family lines, and it fills me with a sense of wonder and appreciation. It's truly a remarkable and cool aspect of life.

Picture of my Grandmother Lola in college. Little things mean a lot. 

My zinnias are finally blooming. I'm not sure what has happened but I planted Giant zinnia, and so far the blooms are not giant. I don't know if the seed packets had the wrong type of seeds or what. It's been a wonky garden year so far. We're experiencing a drought so all of my flowers are being held back some. That's what is interesting about each spring and summer, your gardens are never the same. Some years everything blooms, while other years they fight to survive. Kind of a metaphor for life. At any rate, I appreciate any little bloom that I can get my hands on. 

I'm waiting on the countertop guy to come and measure a template for our counter, and I'm headed out to cut some of those zinnias. 

The Fourth of July is right around the corner! Can you believe it? Once the fourth arrives you know summer is flying by. With all the construction work and goings-on at our home, we're keeping a low profile. I always freak out when it's this dry and hot around the fourth. One little spark! Elle gets mad at the fireworks and tries to chase them. 

Hoping that you have a great celebration of Independence. 

Jill  

 

 

Style

At Bittersweet, we believe that our look is not defined by a specific style but rather by a unique blend of our favorite elements. It encompasses both nostalgic elements from the past and forward-thinking pieces from the future. We embrace the versatility of style, allowing it to be shaped and customized according to individual preferences. That's the beauty of style—it can be whatever you want it to be, a reflection of your personal taste and creativity. We encourage you to explore and curate your own distinctive style that incorporates the things you love most. So often nowadays and especially with social media we're bombarded with certain looks that occasionally develop to look the same. I guess that's always the way it's been. Back in the seventies, everyone got on the avocado green kick and fondue. There's always something that hits and sticks. Sometimes it's refreshing to go against the grain. I've always felt a need to not follow the Jones, but prefer to stand apart with a personal take on style. I of course have folded with trends just like everyone else, but I've learned, and especially that I'm getting older and refined that my taste has followed. Takeaway, don't fall under trendy pressure. Design your home and wardrobe with your thumbprint. After all, you're the one that sees it most or wears it best. 

So next week we have a shipment of some cute summer dresses and flirty tops. All cotton, are my favorite fabric of life! Well with the exception of linen which would be first place. 

We've released Elderberry Soap which by the way is infused with the scent of summer. While we're on the summer kick I also made a Watermelon Lip Balm that smells and tastes amazing. I've started to incorporate a couple of Taste Lip Balms into our collection. We always have a variety of ten different Lip Balms to choose from and they are everchanging as the seasons churn. 

An update or modification on our popular Car Spice, but if you love the original we'll be happy to accommodate you. We had that happen over the weekend with a customer. She preferred the original. It's nice to have choices. Not too many like walking in the aisle of chips, but a happy balance that allows you to well, have choices. 

We also introduced a Coconut Milk Bath. I can't say enough about this new bath potion. My skin feels amazing after bathing in the rich frothy milk and the Dead Sea. Just amazing! Simple formula without any chemicals or fancy stuff. Pure to the bone. The way we love it!

Summer is here!

Happy Summer!

Jill 

 

 

Souls that shine.

Ah, the life of a soap maker and shop proprietor never ceases to surprise me! While most shops pick up the phone or jot down an order online, Bittersweet makes most of our inventory. Sometimes, we get stuck by not being able to receive a manufacturing or packaging item and everything goes on hold. So we depend on others some, but not a lot. This method of business offers a sense of peace that can't be duplicated. I'm grateful for these methods and the thoughts that surround them, and I never take anything for granted. 

Father's Day is here! Can you believe how fast summer passes by? We're offering a little promotion at the shop today in honor of Father's Day. With every purchase, we're adding a Lip Balm to your shopping bag! We typically make a variety of ten different flavors, and we have a great summer lineup. I grabbed a Black Cherry yesterday to wear over my lipstick and kept licking my lips with satisfaction. There's a three-letter word that stands out when customers try our Lip Balm for the first time. Without fail, a unanimous WOW!  The reason is that we formulate the rich coconut oil balm with oodles of great ingredients, and don't use a lot of beeswax. Beeswax makes a great emulsifier, but when it comes to Lip Balm I prefer a nonwaxy balm on my lips. One that instantly melts into your lips leaving them moisturized, soft, and subtle. Can you tell I'm a fanatic about Lip Balms?  

Our weekend is going to be filled with birthdays and Dad. Next week our soap production resumes as it does every week. Believe it or not, July marks the beginning of holiday soap manufacturing. I'm switching up our Holiday Soaps this year and putting a different take on how we present these special seasonal soaps. Yes, we're already planning. Before, in between, and after all kind of blend together here at Bittersweet, and it's been that way for twenty-six years. 

I feel blessed beyond measure to have the dad that I have! He's taught me valuable lessons that have guided my path. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't recognize my gratitude and thankfulness to God for assigning my dad to me!

In the studio, the scent of Lavender and Rose is floating along ever so nicely. The new soap will be arriving in the middle of July. We have so many amazing soaps coming in the next few weeks. I'm taking Elderberry to the shop today to start wrapping. It is one of my new favorites. I don't anticipate it being around for long. 

Our Bug Spray is back! So I've been researching natural bug spray and am convinced that a good chemical-free bug spray must contain citronella. Lemongrass is also a main ingredient. Both oils are in the same herbal family and produce a natural chemical that bugs hate to be around. As with any new formulation, time will tell. I'm not a great advocate because for some reason bugs don't bother me, knock on wood. I love your feedback and even constructive criticism. Well to a certain degree! All kidding aside, I have learned to listen to both negative and positive feedback and value both tremendously. The way of the world. Embrace it!

I captured the butterfly nipping on my spearmint last summer. My flowers are slow to grow this year because of little rain, but I noticed this morning that my zinnia is getting ready to bust some blooms. I also noticed the milkweed is almost ready to bloom too. Little things. I started keeping a garden journal so that I can study it from year to year and compare it. I've always had an extreme interest in botanicals and plants. I feel like if I lived in the olden days I'd be best friends with Lewis and Clark and Thomas Jefferson. All three were considered pioneers in botany. 

Lastly, I've come to realize later in life that changes outline my future. I've never been one to shy away from change, but rather adapt to its ever-changing platform. I've also learned to never say never. too. We all have different chapters in our lives where we evolve into the unknown. Embrace the unknown and trust that it has an amazing future. 

Here's to all the shining souls!

Jill  

 

 

summer breeze

It's challenging to put into words the transformative sensation when a shop proprietor revamps their store for the seasons. It's as if our shop is reborn, embracing a fresh perspective that brings a sense of renewal. The changes unfold, rewarding us with new discoveries in every corner.

This week has been quite a whirlwind! We kickstarted the launch of our new line, Summer Breeze, and we're almost finished curating our summer lip balm collection, with the delightful addition of Honey Peach. It's simply irresistible!

Our beloved Lavender Vanilla is back in stock, though it tends to fly off the shelves quickly. Within days or a week, it finds its way into the sanctuary of showers and baths, cherished by our customers.

Ah, the sweet peas are blooming! In my grandmother Lola's backyard, sweet peas adorned an old shed. I must have been a young child when she invited me to gather these fragrant blossoms. As we approached the shed, the pink flowers twined around it, captivating my senses even then. That's why I decided to plant sweet peas in my garden, to evoke the memories of my dear grandmother and the precious moments we shared. She was a unique soul who taught me invaluable life lessons. I consider myself blessed that fate bestowed her as my grandmother.

We recently acquired a captivating new scent that has stolen my heart: Clean Cotton. I've incorporated it into our range of Laundry Soaps, but I also believe it would be a wonderful addition to our assortment of indulgent skincare essentials.

Each time I catch a glimpse of the wooden spoons, they serve as a poignant reminder of the inspiration they sparked for my cookbook. Before I even started writing, I purchased those spoons, and their engraved phrase became the focal point of the book cover and theme. "Season everything with love." When baking or cooking a meal, I believe that the most vital ingredient is love. My son used to exclaim, "Put some love in that cooking!" The spoon brings back those cherished memories. It's the little things that matter.

As the summer breeze whispers through the jasmine of my mind, it evokes a feeling of tranquility and contentment.

The Soap Shop Poem

In a quaint corner of town, where dreams unfold,
There lies a soap shop, a treasure to behold.
Its scent-filled air dances with fragrant delight,
A haven of cleanliness, a pure and soothing sight.

Within those walls, a symphony of soap is born,
Crafted with passion, each bar expertly adorned.
From lavender fields to ocean's gentle breeze,
A kaleidoscope of scents, the senses to appease.

Bubbles of joy, swirling in a rainbow hue,
Whisper tales of freshness, as they softly imbue.
Handmade with love, with care and devotion,
Each soap a masterpiece, a potion of emotion.

The shelves are lined with nature's purest gifts,
Oils and butters, blended in perfect shifts.
Aromatic herbs and flowers, petals gently pressed,
Transformed into bars, where cleanliness is blessed.

For in this soap shop, magic lingers in the air,
A sanctuary of cleanliness, beyond compare.
Where dreams are captured in fragrant embrace,
And every cleansing moment is a moment of grace.

So step inside, let the scented journey begin,
Where soap becomes art, and cleanliness a win.
Discover a symphony of fragrances, untold,
In this magical soap shop, where dreams unfold.

Jill McDowell Lincoln

Summer refresh

What an exhilarating week it has been! The pace was fast and steady, and now that our sale is behind us, I can't help but feel a sense of relief. It was truly a remarkable success, with three-quarters of our merchandise finding new homes within the first thirty minutes. If you were one of the lucky ones to snag a beautiful rug, lamp, basket, or dress, congratulations!

In addition to the sale, we had the pleasure of participating in the annual quilt walk on Saturday. It always works out perfectly that the sale concludes on Friday, making way for the enthusiastic quilters to embark on their creative journey on Saturday. The energy and passion displayed by the quilters were truly inspiring.

With the sale behind us, my focus now shifts to the vibrant season of summer. It's a time of new beginnings and exciting possibilities. I am currently immersed in the creation of a fresh and captivating summer collection. While I want to keep the details under wraps for now, I can assure you that it will revolve around a single remarkable ingredient. Get ready to be swept away by the delightful products that await you!

As the calendar flips to June, it signals a time of transformation in our shop. We embrace the opportunity to revamp, clean, and create space for the arrival of new collections and exquisite soaps. I must confess, summer soaps hold a special place in my heart. Their vibrant colors, invigorating scents, and skin-nourishing qualities make them an absolute joy to craft.

I can't wait to unveil the wonders of our summer collection and share them with you. Stay tuned for more updates and announcements as we immerse ourselves in the spirit of summer. It's a season filled with warmth, beauty, and endless possibilities, and we are excited to embark on this journey with you.

Thank you for being a part of our incredible week and for your unwavering support. Your enthusiasm and love for our products fuel our passion and inspire us to continue creating extraordinary experiences. Here's to a remarkable summer filled with unforgettable moments and the purest indulgences for your skin and senses

We're not like most soap shops.

Just like the shifting seasons, our soaps evolve to capture the essence of each unique time of year. We believe in the power of embracing nature's rhythms and reflecting them in our products. As the seasons change, so do our soap creations, offering you a delightful array of scents and sensations to accompany your journey through the year.

From the refreshing and invigorating scents of spring to the vibrant and fruity blends of summer, our soaps are carefully crafted to evoke the spirit of each season. With each bar, you'll embark on a sensory adventure that celebrates the beauty and diversity of nature.

Experience the joy of seasonal transitions with our ever-changing selection of soaps. Let the fragrances and textures transport you, as you indulge in the transformative power of a bathing ritual tailored to the time of year. Discover the magic of our seasonal soaps and let them accompany you on your journey through the ever-changing tapestry of seasons. 

 

The excitement of growth fills the air as the micro greens in our garden start sprouting. Growing your own greens requires patience, but the rewards are truly worth it. The freshness and vibrant flavors they bring to our meals are unmatched.

Last week, we indulged in the irresistible pleasure of baking chunky chocolate chip cookies. The sweet aroma wafting from the oven was simply tantalizing. And now, the oven is working its magic once again, filling our home with the heavenly scent of a gooey butter cake. The anticipation of savoring its deliciousness is almost too much to bear.

Speaking of our home, I wanted to share a glimpse of our attic bedroom with you. Its simplicity and lack of frills reflect my personal style. I find beauty in minimalism and appreciate the calmness it brings. Moreover, I take joy in organizing my jewelry, scarves, and accessories, creating an orderly oasis where everything has its place.

As we embrace the essence of summer, I raise my glass to a refreshing and rejuvenating season ahead. Here's to the moments of bliss, the vibrant experiences, and the simple joys that summer brings. May each day be filled with warmth, laughter, and unforgettable memories.

Cheers to you and the delightful journey that lies ahead. May your summer be filled with abundance, growth, and the sweetness of life's simplest pleasures.

Jill