Bittersweet and the little soap company

thankful

The glorious season of thankfulness approaches. What are you thankful for? I try and find something to be thankful for each day. Believe me, there is always something to be thankful for! 

Today I'm thankful that the axe that fell and hit my head didn't do me in! 

I've been cleaning around home, and while sorting out under the porch the heavy killer axe fell from its nail above and hit me hard. I'm thankful that I have a hard head! 

I'm also thankful for strong arms and healthy body. Without it, I would not be able to perform the labor intense process of making soap. Everything starts fifty pounds!

As the weather cools and the north wind starts to blow, I become more thankful of my warm and cozy home. It's by far perfect to most, but absolutely perfect to me! 

Feeling thankful...

For so many things. Count them up! You will be surprised just how many thankful thoughts are roaming around in your head. 

This week marks the arrival of our Twelve Days of Christmas Soap! It starts releasing on Thursday, November 18, and we will continue to bring in two new holiday soaps each week for six weeks. Then it's Christmas! 

After that Bittersweet closes our store for a long winters nap. We usually shut down the shop for at least three weeks. Typically, and if this year is anything like years past, we sell out of almost everything that we, I make!

I continue to manufacture items as we sell out until a few days before Christmas. We get our inventory down to almost nothing.

Then after Christmas I'll start all over again making while all along being thankful. 

Don't let the all of the worlds problems rob you from your thankfulness. 

Keep your chin held high, and put that huge thankfulness smile on!

Keep the faith. 

Jill xo

 

joy

 

The word Joy is one of my favorite words! The meaning is powerful and well beyond a a simple three letter word. 

1: a feeling of great happiness Their sorrow turned to joy. I can hardly express the joy I felt at seeing her again.

2: a source or cause of great happiness : something or someone that gives joy to someone The flowers are a joy to behold! What a joy it was to see her again.

How does one go about obtaining joy? It is definitely a different process for each of us. Personally, I find joy in each day regardless of whether I'm having a bad day or a good day. That's the secret to finding joy. Sometimes you are required to look for it!

It feels great to bring back our Holiday Soiree! Honestly the entire past year has been nothing but a blur, and I don't even remember what we did last holiday. Do you feel that way too?

Our holiday gathering always falls on the first Friday and Saturday in December. Over the years that date has stuck, and it feels close to the holidays, but yet not too close or far away. 

Never in the history of Bittersweet have I ever released early holiday soaps! What's that saying? There's a first time for everything. 

Introducing, JOY!

It's softly scented with lavender and chamomile which creates a spectacular holiday scent!

We'll follow up this soap with a few other specially wrapped holiday delights that we know you're going to love. If you're wanting to get a jump on holiday shopping, which by the way I'm encouraging you to do that with any Bittersweet item including our soaps. 

I'm also constructing our unique crates of soap and lip balm. I'll be sticking the early holiday soap inside. I never grow tired of the Soap and Lip Balm Crates! The small box really is ideal for giving as a teacher gift or hostess surprise.

 This season I'm also putting together some other nifty offerings that for certain will bring some Joy into a loved one or friends life. 

 

Keep Smiling.

Jill xo 

Halloween Humbug...

I've mentioned many times how I'm not a fan of Halloween. When I was a kid it was enchanting, but as I've grown to be an adult I find it to be obnoxious. I thought I'd get that out there one more time. Why? I'm not really sure, but it feels satisfying to announce it once again!

The last of the fall scents have been released and as our anticipation grows with the arrival of our holiday soaps we can't help get excited about this year's collections. 

The Twelve Days of Christmas will start hitting our store shelves on November 18, and we will continue to release two new holiday soaps from the collection for six weeks. We're thrilled beyond thrilled with the packaging this year! We believe you will be too!

Since it takes a couple of months for Bittersweet to cure and get wrapped we are always ahead of the holiday game by now. The marketing promotions have been curated and the store designs are planned. Our winter designs are often inspired by nature. We continue with that favored idea as we approach the gift giving season. We also have a few design surprises up our sleeves that we just feel like waiting to share so that we're keeping our store fresh and new. 

I finally finished stripping my moms old library table. That is what she always called the table. I grew up with this table, and always loved it. When my mom passed it became mine. I was surprised to find that the table is maple. I'd always thought it was oak. I'm fond of maple. In fact it's one of my favorite woods. You don't see it often nowadays. I didn't apply any stain, but simply sanded in between varnish application so that the beautiful maple shines through. 

Bittersweet takes great pride in offering a variety of jeans. I practically live daily in my jeans. The cuffed pair shines! Even more when you have a beautiful model like Kelly to share the look. The cuff has a slit that allows your booties to shine too!

Honey Apple, let's say that again! Honey Apple! Fresh for the picking! The last of the fall soaps. Hurry....

Persian Pear, hurry...

Indian Summer, hurry...

Alice Bracelets, hurry, because I probably won't have time to make more with the rush of the season approaching. 

That fall hued prairie dress, hurry. It's going, going, almost gone! So cute paired with a jacket! 

This is a great time to visit our Scent Your Own and create an amazing new perfume, mix a bath salt, dry oil, or body spray. We have some super fall scents to choose from! Are you a floral, woodsy, or citrus girl? Always a great starting point question to ask before blending. 

Keep smiling.

Jill xo

 

 

October Day

Once the calendar turns over to October I can't help but light candles and instantly become a home body. The gardens need a good thorough cleaning, and I can feel the need to de-clutter our home. 

Most of my flower gardens are still going strong, even though we haven't had any rain. I try and hang on to their beauty for as long as I can. 

Last week I made a Banana Cream Pie for Lennis. It's been awhile since I've baked pie. Cream pies are my favorite. Their ingredients are basic and simple, but the homemade custard melts in your mouth. 

The shop is packed full with autumn soaps and apothecary, and I can't help but be anxious for the fall season to blossom!

Bittersweet is stocking some of your old favorites, and an inventory of new elixirs, jackets, and must have items that will help you move softly into the season change. 

Keep smiling.

Jill xo 

the fall haul...

From the statement canvas pillows to the aromatic scents that are floating around the fall haul has arrived! We're unboxing each new item and finding a perfect spot. I started fall inventory months ago, so we even have shop things sitting in boxes and on shelves in the studio. 

The Fall Festival is arriving this weekend and Bittersweet always takes a little break when it's in town. Our customers rarely venture downtown during the event simply because there is no place to park. They block off the downtown square so if they wish to make the journey to Bittersweet it can be a challenge. No hard feelings! I've simply learned from the many past festivals that it's a great time to take off. Years ago we used to show our artisan goods at the festival. I'm afraid that 's just not our thing either. It's a great thing when you learn what your thing is or isn't! It's even a greater thing when you can soak it all in without a hint of guilt! 

Our pretty customer dressed in the rosy dress matched our latest soap packaging! She was kind enough to let me capture the matching moment.

The fall scents are taking center stage. Indian Summer with it's top spicy pumpkin notes smells amazing!

It's suppose to start cooling off later this afternoon. I can't wait. My mind says fall, but the weather still says summer! I know that I'll miss her, but I'm ready for a change. I planted mums in our pots out front and I'm beginning to gather the pumpkins and gourds for a few outdoor vignettes. 

I have a new mattress sitting in the living room! That baby is super heavy! I'm waiting for some help to get it up our stairs. I'm also needing to take a trip to the home improvement store to have a large plywood piece cut to place under the new mattress. I love sleeping on a new mattress! 

My moms library table has been sitting outside on the porch covered with plastic for months. I'm planning on digging into it with a sander later this week after it cools off. It's one of those projects I've put off, but am in the mood to get it refinished and inside. 

Once we start getting some cooler temperatures our back porch will be our hang-out spot! It's almost time to clear flower pots and tidy up the deck. 

Happy Fall!

Keep Smiling.

Jill xo

play it again...

I'm probably beginning to sound like a broken record, but if I may once again play it again, I love, love, love each and every one of our new Bittersweet fall/winter collections! 

There's something about the newness of a fresh season. It is inspiring just thinking about it!

I am finding myself adding things here and there to the new limited editions. Being a manufacturer does have its perks and I plan to share some Bittersweet love with all of the new additions. 

One of the items I'm super excited about is Elderberry Honey! Have you ever scooped up a teaspoon of Elderberry Honey to your lips? I love anything elderberry, and I also love honey. The best of both beautiful worlds, and the flavor that the elderberry infusion adds to the honey is tantalizing! A lovely friend sent me a jar of Elderberry Honey while traveling, and I was hooked! Anytime I discover something that hooks me, I love sharing it with our customers. Share the love...The lip smacking honey love... The new sticky goodness will be added to our Sunday Morning Line. 

I've already dug deep into holiday soap manufacturing! 

You're going to love the scents that I'm using to flavor the holiday soaps!

The Sunday Morning items are trickling in and I'm hoping to have the collection presented this week when we re-open on Thursday. My end of making things for the line has come together so we're just waiting on the items that we ordered to arrive. As they do we'll be merchandising this self care addition to our store. 

That other line that I mentioned is also coming along. Two new lines for fall into winter! Exciting, and I know without a doubt you will love them both! The only problem I foresee is that since the items are limited, we will sell out quickly especially as it gets closer to fall and the gift giving season. If you see something, grab it while it's available because we won't be making more or ordering more as we will be working on our Holiday assortment of artisan goods right after the release. 

I dropped by our local home goods store the other day and spotted this plush fat pumpkin. I couldn't resist purchasing it. 

The picture of the chocolate bar...

What self-care line doesn't include chocolate? Just say' in. 

The brown eye Susan's are one of my favorite little flowers. They thrive in the hot dry air, and they remind me of sunshine kind of like a sunflower. 

My bountiful crop of hydrangea. I have so many that they're taking over our living room! The faded flowers will be added into dried flower arrangements when I get the time. 

I have some nifty plant wall vases coming and I think I'm going to cut the fig starters and do an entire wall with the fast growing plant. They begin to root after about four weeks. Once they start rooting, you are welcome to take one home and plant it. 

Most everyone is a transitional time once August arrives. Bittersweet is already in fall/winter manufacturing. Remember summer brings fall, and winter brings spring. That's how we work around here. 

Jill xo

 

 

falling in love...

It truly feels like Christmas in July, August at Bittersweet. In between soap making, which by the way is in stable condition! What I mean by that is while summer is a slower time for most retail stores, Bittersweet is busier than ever working on our new season lines, and collating our collections until we get them just the way we want them. It's a hard job, but a fun one at the same time. Every new season that rolls around also grants me the opportunity to get creative and style new prototypes that will line our shop shelves. So the changing of the seasons is an exciting time for that reason and more! 

It's funny that I never know before hand what direction I'll be going in when it comes to making new lines. It always seems to just appear, and then once those ideas begin to flow everything falls into place. 

Every fall, winter I always say the same thing. This is the best collection that we've offered, and each time that I've said that it's been genuinely sincere, however I do believe this season will top them all! 

With all of the everchanging world in which we live in...

I strongly felt that we needed a line reserved to self care. Not just any self care, cut a carefully curated bounty of make me feel better essentials. When it came to ponder a name for this new collection, there was no loss for words. 

Sunday Morning...

Perfect, I thought as I gazed upon the hand picked collection of fuzzy pajamas, herbal tinctures and soap, sheep lined slippers, and all of the other pampering essentials that help refresh you. 

Bittersweet will offer two new lines for fall into winter. The other one is equally as amazing as the first. Then believe it or not, I'll start working on holiday packaging. 

These next few month will blend and mingle with one another as they do every year, and I'm happy to extend some good cheer along the way. 

One of the new items we will be offering is an amazing assemblage of Artisan Sari Gift Pouches. Every now and then I happen upon a hand crafted item that blows me away. This is the case or in this instance the bag! Love them to pieces! The recipient of this beautiful bundle of artisan joy will be excited to receive such a treasured gift. After the aromatic soap is gone, the stunning bag will live on and on forever. This is a style of gift that I love...

The colors are rosy mauve and the mood is relaxing...

The scent that was chosen for our Sunday Morning Collection smells amazing! I can't wait for the soap to be completely cured, wrapped and displayed. 

Heads will turn and people will talk...

This we know.

We are also beginning to unveil our fall clothing medley. Once again, we're super excited to introduce lines that are crafted with fabrics that feel good and breathe while you're wearing them. 

Not it's time for me to start clearing tables and shelves to make room for the fall batches of goodness. 

Jill xo

 

 

quiet now...

It's been quiet today. These willow soft early summer days are appreciated and cherished. I don't know if it's ever going to stop raining! Every time I make plans to finish getting my herbs and flowers into the ground, it rains! I spoke about this on my last post. I imagine it will calm down and the summer heat will be with us as we head into June. 

I captured the downtown Liberty shots last summer, and I absolutely love the flowers and the old buildings that sit in the backdrops. Our historic downtown is unlike any other town and these photo's remind me of that. My shop is just around the corner! Our downtown farmers market will soon be sharing its bounty. The rain has probably stunted things a bit, but we should start seeing a healthy dose of fresh fruits and vegetables on display. 

I had been wanting to paint the decking of our porch forever, and the rain had been stopping me. I finally bit the rain bullet and managed to get the job done no sooner than, yes, you guessed it rain came a falling! It managed to dry though and all was well. Today the sun is shining and Elle took advantage of the rays. She loves laying out in the sun! I know she gets hot with her little black body, so I make her move to the shade after awhile. 

We have planted a lot of trees in our backyard, so it's not ideal for a garden. I've tried to plant a garden before in our shady yard, but it's always slow to thrive and produce. I did manage to have yellow squash, and jalapenos, but everything else bombed.  I've decided that container gardening is the next best thing, and have pots filled with lettuce and peppers. I've never seen so many peppers on such a tiny plant! They won't get real big, but they'll be the perfect size for salads and snacking. I've trimmed the spring lettuce at least twenty times, and it's still going strong since we've had mild days with rain. 

The Bittersweet Apothecary Shop is anxiously awaiting our big six day sale! I'm having second thoughts about hosting such a mega sale, but I also know it's the best option. I have a few surprise announcements to make regarding the sale, but I'm going to wait until the day before. June 3, 4, 5, and the following Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. It's going to be a six day sale! Oh my! Thank goodness we have cavalry coming to help!

I've been tweaking placement of things in the freshly painted and cleansed living room, dining room. The office got an intense cleaning and I'm slowly moving my way, room to room. It feels great to clear clutter and make spaces more functional. I'm not used to that! That huge brown leather chair is well, HUGE! I love the chair, but not the size. It drives me crazy to see one piece throw off the scale in a room. This is the case, and I believe there's a new home in the basement. 

Someone nominated Bittersweet to be featured in this magazine. I thought the article was perfect and to the point and detailed the operation of this modern apothecary business that I've so happily managed for twenty-four years! If you are the person that put in the good word, I thank you!

Sea Salt Soap...

If you only knew how labor intense that it is to make round soap! I'll share one of these days. At any rate, I love round anything, and especially soap, so I've bitten the bullet to make it once again. This I do for you! It's called soap love... An interesting story about round tables... Did you know this?

We made our favorite chocolate cake last night. 

I mentioned that it's quiet at the soap house on the hill. I'm taking advantage of the stillness to get this post in before the three day weekend arrives. We don't have a lot planned, just some quiet time with family and friends. A summer barbeque and brunch on the shop porch with Patrick. I feel like summer has officially arrived once Memorial day comes! Today was the last day of school and it feels so different that last year. In a good way, of course. I don't even remember this time last year! I guess I've blocked it out! 

Gray skies are gonna clear up Put on a happy face Wipe of the clouds and cheer up Put on a happy face... Who knew that old song would resonate a new meaning? At least this past year comes to mind when I hum it. 

Here's to summer sailing and moonlight walks while the crickets chirp and the warm breeze hits your face. 

Keep the faith. 

Jill xo

 

 

 

 

 

 

No stone unturned...

The clock is ticking and this soap girl is whipping around like there ain't no tomorrow in preparation for The Big Porch Sale!

It's been a few years since I've hosted a sale at the shop so I'm a little out of practice, but things are falling into place and we're getting closer to being ready. I'm excited and freaked out at the same time! My excitement grows from having the opportunity to cleanse the shop, while the freaking out comes from the knowing how fast paced and busy it's going to be. That's when I take a deep breath and say to myself relax and know that it will run smoothly and that all is well. A delightful way to deal with stress if you have learned this. It takes practice, for sure. I am a testimony to this. 

My amazing friends Rita and Debbie are coming to help! I'm most thankful for them, as I could never pull this off without them. I'm also looking forward to creating some new memories with the two. 

All of my home projects have been placed on the back burner for the next couple of weeks until the shop sale is over. Over the years, I've developed a talent for starting one project and quickly moving to another, and then coming back, taking on one more, and then coming back. That's how I seem to roll, and believe it or not, how things get done around here. Unorthodox as it is, it works.  

We received a shipment of super cute linen tops. Some adorned and some simple and timeless. Our shop offers a blend of cotton and linen garments that you'll love pulling from the closet for summer. We're mostly a white store, so we stock a large collection of neutral colored textiles. Our favorite hue that we love passing on to you!

Last weeks New Soap, White Ginger. Softly scented to perfection, if I don't mind saying...This weeks new soap is undecided. I'm contemplating several, but have yet to choose. It happens, and considered a luxury to have soap choices since the labor intense soap making and planning ahead is wrapped up in every bar! The curing period of four to six weeks outlines every long term soap making plan. Therefore, if I have four or five to choose from that means I'm on schedule with manufacturing. A method that I've grown accustomed to the past twenty-four years. Happily accustomed, I should say. Feeling blessed... There's not a bar that isn't planned!

I ordered the pink nasturtium seed online. I love this flower and especially fond of this color in a flower. They are super easy to start from seed, and they vine and grow incredibly fast. You will love them! You can eat them too! They turn a garden salad into a masterpiece! 

I have six containers of lavender and two Ruby Hydrangea to plant. It's been raining for weeks. I don't know if you've ever tried to plant in the mud before, but it just doesn't work. You have big mud clumps to deal with and the poor seeds or plant are screaming how they hate their new home! I love the feel of dry fine black dirt passing through my fingers! There's nothing like that feeling!

Keep the faith. 

Jill xo

 

 

 

 

 

spring events

 

There was a day when Bittersweet hosted fashion shows and special events!

We're happy to announce that we'll be hosting our May Day Celebration this year!

I just ordered postcards for this event and if you frequent our apothecary shop you can pick up a postcard at our shop. 

It feels good to bring back at least one of our events. Between our May Day event and our Porch Sale coming up we'll rolling right along. Hopefully we won't encounter any speed bumps along the way. 

I haven't yet decided on a date for the sale, but it will be coming up sometime soon as well. 

We just got these belt bags in and I absolutely love them! They're made of a soft leather and are going to be a great bag to carry you through spring and summer. 

I ordered some purple iris from the flower supplier this past week. Every time I looked in their direction a smile came to my face. 

 We also received some of our new soap wrapping papers. I'm loving this one! 

Our new soap for next week is Vanilla Rose and it will be wrapped in this pretty paper. Sniff, sniff...

We also launched a pretty paper line for Easter. It will be here briefly and only available for a week or so while inventory lasts. The little Easter Paper Pouches present a great gift!

Our Scent Your Own Department awaits you!

Keep the faith. 

Jill