Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Soap making class

I've taught soap making for a while now, but always in really small groups.  Like one-on-one, and in my own home. This past Saturday on the Upper West Side of Manhattan was my first time with a large class and an outside location. What a great group of women to start with!

Measuring the lye

Adding the lye to the water


Adding the lye water to the oils

Mixing and adding some ground oatmeal to the soap

Class picture
Maureen Harris of Heaven Scent Beauty was my assistant and she kept me on tract. It was so much fun I could have easily lost track of time. I can't wait till next time!

Yours in Gratitude,
Angela

Monday, July 29, 2013

Gratitude List 7.29.13


1. My dads continued recovery from his lifesaving surgery
2. A 120 bar private label order that came in on Tuesday
3. Taking home leftover tulips from a biology lab
4. A lead on a new store to carry my soaps
5. A great Saturday night soap class with 8 new students

What are you grateful for this week?

Yours in Gratitude,
Angela

Monday, July 22, 2013

Gratitude List 7.22.13


Brian

1. My dad's homecoming from his hospital stay, he gets stronger each day
2. Pam, the visiting nurse who came to check on my dad Sunday
3. A visit home from both my son and daughter
4. A break in the heat wave
5. My husband Brian, who loves to BBQ and who has been cooking all week so I can be with my parents.

What are you grateful for this week?

Yours in Gratitude,
Angela

Friday, July 19, 2013

Update on my dad 7.19.13


My dad with his favorite (and only) granddaughter
Exactly one week after my father was admitted to the hospital (almost to the hour), he is home and doing well. Truly grateful!

Yours in Gratitude,
Angela

Monday, July 15, 2013

Gratitude List 7.15.13


When I started putting together my blessing list on Thursday I had a collection of some pretty usual things. My back garden, breakfast with some old high school friends and celebrating 33 years of marriage with my husband. Then Friday came, and my dad needed emergency surgery.  My list suddenly changed.

1. The ER doctor who quickly diagnosed my dad and got him into the OR stat
2. The surgeon, who successfully did my dad's surgery
3. The nurses who took care of him all through his stay so far and the nursing care he continues to receive in the ICU
4. My dad's strength and courage to heal as quickly as he can
5. My dad's sense of humor, which is still apparent despite his recovery pain

What a difference a day can make. 

Yours in Gratitude,
Angela

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Rose Patchouli Soap

Geranium Rose Patchouli Soap with Rose Clay

My friend Charna of Providence Perfume makes the most amazing natural perfumes. I love them all. In the winter, when I like a heavier scent, I am partial to Rose Boheme. The website description of this perfume says "A decidedly bohemian rose scent created with rich aged patchouli, fir, red tea, rare white rose essence, agarwood, saffron, turkish rose and artisan rose petal infusion."  It won the Best Natural Perfume award in 2012.  I wanted to make a soap that would work with the perfume. I blended Geranium Rose and Patchouli essential oils and added some pink clay for color.  I didn't get fancy with this soap, no layers, swirls or embeds.  I was focused on the scent alone. My result is nowhere near Charna's masterpiece, but it smells great and I like to wash with it before wearing Rose Boheme.

Yours in Gratitude,
Angela

Monday, July 8, 2013

Gratitude List 7.8.13




1. Coincidence.  During the thunderstorm and pouring rain Monday, I was driving home. As soon as the song "Here comes the Sun" by the Beatles came on the radio, the sun comes out from behind the clouds and the rain stops.
2. The flower baskets on my front porch
3. Sitting on my back porch, listening to the "Tink" of my infusions and tinctures and thinking of my friends Melissa of Naturally Good Soaps, Rosie of Brooklyn Bath, and Yolanda of Londa's Body Care. I was remembering the day we all spent together and raced to say "Tink" when we heard them pop.
4. An impromptu visit from Melissa on Saturday! I don't get to see my soaping friends enough
5. Air conditioning


What are you grateful for this week?

Yours in Gratitude,
Angela

Friday, July 5, 2013

July Customer of the Month


 
Maria and her husband



Since Maria didn't tell you about her company I will. Maria is co-owner of Digho. Digho is a design house that specializes in business image marketing and invitations. The foundation of the business is fine art with a flare of craftiness. Digho Image Marketing focuses on business branding, package design, advertising and marketing materials. Digho Invitations specializes in working hand in hand with event hosts to design the perfect, unique design that will run through out the life of the occasion. See below for a sample of her work. Maria and her partner designed my logo and labels.
 
One sample of the amazing invitations that Digho does!
 

Tell me about yourself and your family.I am a wife, mother, friend, artist, designer and fun!!!  I am trying to be great at all of those. I enjoy creative things that keep the hand in the project. I have a wonderful husband  who gave me two children that my world revolves around.  I own my own company with my best friend and we try and put the creative edge into businesses or events. I run an art club to stay creative in a crowd. I love to cook, host, and dance and sometimes I bake!!

How long have you been using Alegna Soap products? What product is your favorite? Since day one of Alegna Soap!! The lavender Lemongrass and Gwen. My daughter loved the limited edition chocolate bars!!!

What do you like to do in your spare time? Draw, cook, watch a movie with the kids.

Do you watch sports? Which one? What is your favorite team? No... I don't watch TV.

Do you have any pets? A bird, a fish, shrimp in an eco-sphere and an ant farm. I had no choice... they were gifts!!!

What is your favorite movie?  The Count of Monte Cristo,

Movie star? A whole bunch...anyone who is entertaining me at the time.

What was the last movie you saw? Django Unchained (excellent)!!

What was the last book you read? Color: A Natural History of the Palette by Victoria Finlay

What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail? Run a marathon.

Describe your perfect day. Getting a lot done before 10am, the rest of the day getting nothing done and just hanging with the kids and Eric!!

Mountains or seashore? Seashore

Tea or Coffee? Hot chocolate!!

Are you a morning or a night person? I was a night person... then I had kids so now I am a morning person!!

Favorite color? red

Favorite food? Mexican!!!

Favorite season? fall

What inspires you? Colors and other artists.

I love my logo, my labels and your work Maria! Thanks!

Yours in Gratitude,
Angela
 

Monday, July 1, 2013

Gratitude List 7.1.13

My kitchen table during my Open House

1. Italian ices and gelato, and my friend Sue of You Scent Me, who I think of every time I eat gelato.  Love you Sue!
2. My washed and vacuumed car, thank you Brian!
3. My friend Joni's continuing recuperation from back surgery
4. A friendly and enjoyable Open House this past Saturday for my customers
5. The birds that sing outside my window and wake me up so peacefully every morning

What are you grateful for this week?

Yours in Gratitude,
Angela