Bittersweet and the little soap company

Engaging in Summer...

We're planning a fun-filled day. Christmas in July promises to bring fun and our much-awaited Pumpkin Spice Soap. Giveaways and if you sport a Christmas shirt, hat, jewelry, whatever, as long as it's Christmas related you're going to receive a free gift! We'll have cookies and punch too. It may be hot outside, but it's cool as a Christmas Cucumber inside!

Alice Bracelets. Simple inspiration stems from sweet Alice memories. My soft, sweet spoken mom made similar ones when I was a kid. 

We're welcoming back custom perfumes with a few modifications. Firstly, you choose your favorite scent or blend and we'll mix it and bottle it. The custom scent bar is open during shop hours, and we reintroduced it just last week. We're happy to announce that we've blended and created some great perfumes last week, and hope to keep introducing folks to new aromatic perfumes. 

That white shirt just seems to go perfectly with the skinny overalls! Just say'in. Love that 3/4 sleeve cotton blouse. New this week along with several other items. Big chunky Parisian rings arriving on Friday! My latest fascination, big chunky rings. The bigger, the better!

Straw hats rimmed with floral trims and white embroidery details finish the look. We're engaging in summer!

Peppermint Laundry Soap is a favorite at our shop. Each container holds up to fifty-six loads! Pure peppermint and Bittersweet Soap is included in the formulation. The secret formulation!

Our shop porch is decked out with its summer attire. The Fiddle Leaf Figs are flourishing. I'm hoping they'll continue to thrive when it gets cold and I bring them indoors. 

New last week...

Lavender Mint

New this week...

Pumpkin Spice and Honey, including a Honey Lip Balm

Brown Eyes Susans and Shasta Daisies finish this summer post. 

Feverfew, sweet grass, and white sage coming along nicely, but begging for rain. Cucumbers coming and tomatoes have been turning red for a while. Trying to keep the pesky hornworms from eating them all! Just the mere name of the green worms causes one to cringe. I picked them off with my hands but found out that both my husband and brother don't dare touch them. Leave it to a tomgirl to pluck off hornworms with her bare hands!

Keep the faith

Jill 

 

 

scrumptious summer

We just got in a box of these! May I just tell you that I'm obsessed with overalls lately. Short overalls, long, dress overalls, anything overalls. Overalls with calico straps, which by the way, are almost non-existent. I even visited our local thrift shops to locate, what else, overalls. I really want to cut off the straps and replace them with calico ones. Sometimes I seriously think about designing clothing. Possibly a Bittersweet line of duds. Simply because I envision all these different styles. If I can find it within myself, I'm going to cut off the denim straps and replace them with what I just mentioned. Watch for them, they're coming!

Summer projects are the best! I've been wanting to strip the white paint away this dresser for a couple of years. Every time the mood struck, something came up. This summer since it's been so hot and humid was not an ideal time, but the mood did strike, so I struck. The dresser sits in our bathroom and houses our towels. The wood is not anything special, but after I got the paint off, and the wood begins to shine through, it's really a pretty wood. I always go into these projects with somewhat of an expectation on how it will look when it's completed. Often, it does not fulfill those expectations, but in this case, it did. It took me about three days of working a few hours to get it done. I did not put a stain on it because I really loved the tone of the wood. I rubbed tung oil on it after sanding.

I'd also like to top the piece with a beeswax finish. 

I'm fond of the smooth waxy finish. A bit of a pain to mix but easy to apply once you get it mixed. 

Our next project is going to be this powder room. We continue to place the project on the back burner for now. Life...

 Summer evenings and early mornings are my favorite parts of summer. Since it gets so darn hot. The mornings and lightning bug evenings are usually calm and cooler. 

We have new soaps coming this week, and gearing up for Christmas in July on July 21. We'll be offering our signature Pumpkin Spice Soap!

Every day is a good day. 

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

favorite summer finds

These denim whites! I have searched through hundreds of clothing manufactures looking for a wide leg fringed pant. Either I'm ahead or behind, but let me say, that these pants are the comfiest jeans I own and they flatter you as well. I can't believe they were found here! I know, you're surprised too, right? I'll keep looking for a manufacturer so that I can offer them at the shop. 

Love, love these. They're amazingly comfortable and look adorable with skirts, dresses, or those white pants. You can order here. 

I'm pondering these for fall. 

Crunchy summer snacks. Recipe here. Super easy to make. We make a sugar exception. If you've never piped dough this is a great way to introduce yourself. 

A Bittersweet product that required six months of testing before offering them at the apothecary shop. They are formulated with steam distilled alcohol-free witch hazel. They stay moist for a very long time and are cooling and lavender aromatic. You can find them here. 

We're battling extreme heat. It's unusual to have this heat so early in the season. So very thankful for our air conditioner at both the shop and home sweet home. Without it, I'd be a grouch potato!

I know, I've already shared the fiddle leaf fig. I'm getting questions every day at the shop about what it is. I purchased two of them at our local improvement store for a reasonable price. They're low maintenance and I believe will transfer well inside once it gets cold. 

Summer music and they're local! A shiny new cd was just announced. 

Last but not least on my summer favorite list. We use our little ice cream maker all summer. You can find this model here. 

Happy Summer!

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

pumpkin face

So you think it's too early, do ya? We don't! It's hot, and if you look closely you can see my pumpkin face? Okay, my nose is scrunched up and I'm in total discomfort from this extreme heat. The thought of pumpkin anything is encouraging and welcoming during this heat wave we're having in Missouri. 

In the days to come, I'll be mixing up pumpkin this and that. Two -hundred bars of naked Pumpkin Spice Soap will be getting wrapped at the shop, and we're gearing up for a record crowd during our Christmas in July celebration next Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the shop. 

My aunt just sent me a picture of her Heart Geraniums. Such a hearty, pretty little flower. Humble and sweet, and I love the velvety feel of the leaves. I also love the smell of the leaves. Such a unique scent. We have a variety of geranium essential oil's that we use at the apothecary shop. There are more than several different types to choose from, and they don't smell necessarily like the plant. I love the scent of Rose Geranium! If you ever wish to add an earthy floral to blends, don't forget about geranium. The plant also contains unique aromatherapy properties. 

Since I started eating more low carb, sugar I've had one thing on my mind, and almost one thing only. Ice Cream! We ordered one of these little ice cream makers so that we can whip up homemade ice cream. I'll use coconut sugar over cane, and add fruit and vanilla bean. My friend Clarice makes ice cream all the time. She is always sharing unique recipes. The latest one, I shared on the last post. 

Honestly, when it gets this hot, I don't have much of an appetite. Fresh fruit, veggies, and low carb foods fit the bill this time of year. Fresh mozzarella salads, pesto, and fish taco's included on that summer menu of foods. Now Ice Cream! What's you favorite flavor? Do you think there's any truth to that?

We have a new shipment of clothing and jewelry that should arrive any day, and Pumpkin Spice Soap bars will line up like little soldiers tomorrow. 

I had a great guest on the show today. Amber Curry Hinton was our guest and she was fresh and delightful. If you happen to live in the Kansas City area, they have two locations. One in Blue Springs, and the other in Liberty. You can read more on the link above.  It's a great shop! Thanks Amber for being a guest on Liberty Live. 

Lennis just brought in a huge bag of fresh tomatoes! This sounds yummy. I would opt for coconut sugar and probably add fresh mozzarella or goat cheese.

Rolling, rolling, rolling... Summer is sure rolling along. If it continues to be this hot, I'd soon it roll a little faster.

Happy Summer!

Jill  

 

 

 

 

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Musical Bouquet

We welcomed the first day of summer with a musical bouquet of artists. Our big old shop porch makes a great stage. I can't begin to convey how happy this beautiful day of music makes me feel. It's nothing short of magical!

I'd like to thank the talented artists for choosing Bittersweet as their venue. You guys rock and roll! 

Sweet little Kate Rose is just one of the kindest people you will ever meet. Her talent, beauty, and light spirited personality shine along side her lyrics and music. She's a shining star!

Our wonderful friends Ted and Dawn hosted their annual Summer Solstice gathering, Tuesday eve. Their pad is amazing! Ted is an artist with wood, and Dawn is a multi talented chic. Their flower gardens are amazing! It was like walking though a garden magazine. Wild flowers are blowin' in the wind. Summer just would be the same without Ted and Dawns Summer Solstice Party initiating the season. 

Happy Summer!

Jill 

 

 

more pictures

We're putting together an assortment of gift boxes. We'll have a lavender box, a rose box, peppermint, and a baby box, at least for now. More to come. How about a Natural Home Keeping Box? How about a Spa Box? Maybe a Girls Night In Box too...

I'm working on contacting other artist's so that we can include a variety of hand made items. I don't want to spill the beans quite yet. Prototypes are in the works and the artisan items have been chosen. Such talented people in the world! Can't wait to share it all, soon. 

The other day I realized that I'm not taking enough photo's. I always want to share our amazing Saturday Farmers Market, new tile in the entry, the huge yellow squash, and the baby wrens popping their heads out of the bird house. It seems even though my phone is always close by, I don't capture the visual images. Why is that? I'm old school, and prefer snapping photo's with my Canon. 

I did capture some of the new baby line on my phone. 

Really excited about offering a gentle pH tested, unscented soap for baby. A rich Shea Butter Balm that contains Marula Oil and Vitamin E. 

Summer is always the perfect time to introduce new products. 

Inspired by this old song...

Summertime, and the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high
Oh, your daddy's rich and your ma is good-lookin'
So hush, little baby, don't you cry

One of these mornings you're gonna rise up singing
And you'll spread your wings and you'll take to the sky
But till that morning, there ain't nothin' can harm you
With daddy and mammy standin' by

One of these mornings you're gonna rise up singing
And you'll spread your wings and you'll take to the sky
But till…

 It's good to be a girl!

Next week we'll be celebrating the first day of summer on Tuesday!

The bees are enjoying the bee balm and lavender in the garden. See, there you go! My Canon is at the shop. Note to self, bring home your camera! I really enjoy capturing these kind of shots.

These pictures take my back to summers past. Each one different in its own way, but summer, sweet summer memories, just the same. 

I take a lot of flower pictures because I love flowers, and yes it's true, if I weren't in love with soap making, I'd be a Flower Shop Girl. Hey, the two complement one another. 

I also take a lot of picture of cake! Especially fond of this one with a piece missing. I can without a doubt tell you who had that piece of cake!

This is a favorite. The cornflower blue bachelor button sets the stage for the lemon colored bumble bee. 

Summertime, and the livin' is easy... Enjoy

Jill 

 

 

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b b b and b

The past couple of days and all I can think about is birds, bunnies, bats, and beauties...

Summer storms ushered in high wind and thunder. Then it knocked out electricity. Elle and I sat on the tree house porch and took in the sounds of mother wrens feeding her babies in the wren house that hangs from the cedars. After the rain, the rabbit scurried out from a bush to nibble on dewy grass. The sound of the train going through town faintly in the backdrop. Summer...

I guess while we were relaxing on the porch and when the screen door was open a bat flew in and made its way to our bedroom. Low and behold, last night after going to bed I kept hearing strange sounds. Then when Lennis got up and turned on the light, bat flying! We managed to capture it in a basket and release it into the starless night. Sorry no pictures. Really sorry I didn't capture audio, because you should have heard us. If you could imagine? No cuss words came out of our mouths, however I do believe the bat was cursing us in bat language! Once again, Lennis to the rescue, as I stood behind the bathroom door hiding and instructing him on what the next step should be.

Then late yesterday afternoon...

Beauty

The apothecary shop was the backdrop for a photo shoot. I took these shots behind the scenes. The really great images will be ready in a couple of weeks. Thank you to Laura Riddle the amazing photographer and the Beautiful models, Jordan, Stephanie, Alexa, Courtney, and Rachel.

The photo's will be incorporated into a variety of platforms. I can't wait to see the professional pictures!

The shop is summer busy. Soap manufacturing is at its peak! Well, not quite, but arriving soon. Autumn and Holiday scents will soon be filling the air I breathe. Clove and Cinnamon, Ginger and Vanilla. Then the bars will take a long nap before getting wrapped.

How can something so simple, be so powerful? Remember to treat other's in the way you wish to be treated.

Jill 00

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It seems fitting to share these beautiful blooms with you on this first day of summer.

Purple coneflowers and hydrangea, nasturtium, zinnia, tiger lilies, and roses, all in bloom. We're having an early heat wave in Kansas City! I've been watering, and watering to insure what I've waited for all winter does not fade before their time.

Happy Summer Solstice Day!

Past Summer Solstice Celebrations...

 
Feeling thankful for air conditioning and pools at the moment.

Today is a soap making day!

A new Green Tea & Lemon grass is curing and will be ready to cut into bars tomorrow. Then the long curing period which will make the soap ready mid July.

Another busy week only this one is lined with musicians performing on the shop porch. The venue is perfect. It's going to be hot, but hopefully the music will cool you.

The farmers market is filled with amazing fruit and produce!

I picked up a bounty of produce, and the heat has inspired me to eat fresh and light.

Making this for dinner and looking for an apricot cobbler, crisp type recipe. Haven't found what I'm looking for yet, but I'll know it when I see it. Maybe this recipe.

Summers bounty is plentiful and a blessing.

Blending, mixing, cutting, smelling, preparing, and enjoying this sultry first day of summer.

A full moon to boot!

If you're local, and looking for something fun to do tomorrow, join us on the porch!

Remember to treat other's the way you wish to be treated.

Jill 00

 

 

 

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here, there, everywhere

My friend Clarice left early this morning to catch a plane back to Washington. We enjoyed a great three day adventure.

Well, we traveled here and there, everywhere and we ate at some fabulous eateries. Some local, some not, all good.

First, if you're local and have never been to Liberty Missouri, we have some great restaurants and they're all located in our historic downtown district.

The picture above, Italian cuisine prepared at this one.

Then the next day, we ate lunch at a restaurant Clarice wanted to try, this one...It's not located in historic Liberty, but rather Kansas City.  We purchased some fresh sausage and burgers to prepare at home, but also split a burger. Love at first bite, and if you're a local K.C. person, I would highly suggest you try this eatery!

My days are kind of messed up. Monday we ate a fabulous lunch here. Again, we didn't have to travel far, this one is smack dab next door to the Italian restaurant we ate at Saturday night. Clarice loved the food and the atmosphere here. Oh I might mention, my friend Clarice is a food editor. Did I mention that?

Monday night I grilled the sausages and burgers that we picked up at Local Pig. Oh my goodness sake! You really must go get you some of that fresh sausage. Once you walk in the door, and gaze into the meat counter though it's hard to choose which ones you'd like to try. We chose a variety of different ones. Our favorite was the burnt end barbeque sausage. I might add, you should purchase a package of those stuffed sausage dates too!

 This is Jules farm. They call it Paradise Acres. We visited here too!

We traveled over the hills and through the Missouri hills to this amazing eatery. French cuisine at its finest. Very quaint, with an authentic French atmosphere. The food was classic, not fake French, but wonderful real French.

Afterwards, we browsed the shops.

The next day we ate dinner here.  Another local eatery. If you haven't been there, I would suggest you go. We actually ate here twice!

I love there fish taco's with mango salsa!

It's a foodie kind of day.

With Memorial weekend coming up, it's a great time to check out some of these fantastic local restaurants. You'll come away feeling great.

Jill

 

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Straw flowers, Yarrow, Sunflowers, Whisper Wheat, (that's what I call it), tied together to make an autumn bouquet bundle. When I look at them my mind wanders towards Fall. The bouquets are available at the apothecary shop on water street.

They're stuck inside pretty lace Kraft sacks.
 

One of my favorite Bittersweet's! Lemon Nail Crème in a push-up cardboard applicator. Also a favorite packaging item, cardboard push up's. Who knew?

Ready for my speaking engagement tomorrow and pink gift bags for the group.

Filled with, oops I can't reveal that!  I believe they will find the inside items useful.

A new phone and pre-ordering of some credit card upgrades. Chip readers. Technology is moving fast speed ahead. Great camera on the new phone, by the way and I really enjoyed turning off the tele with my phone! I'm a gadget girl!

Enjoy caring and sharing summer days.

With all good wishes,

Jill 00

 

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