Holidays n' Packin'

Naughty Coal Soap by GardenTaleGifts

Okay, so I've been a little naughty, I haven't been updating my site as much as I like, but I have a good reason (I swear!).  I'm officially MOVING. This time, further south within NJ.  :) :) :)

Moving during the holidays is not only a real pain, but I find that, since I'm packing instead of decorating, that I'm missin' some good ol' holiday cheer!

To remedy that, I decided to find the best-looking, Christmas soaps:

Check out these fun Polar Bears! From Pigandthepeacock's Etsy Store

Spiced Cranberry Salt Bar (YUM) from asliceofdelight's Etsy store

Check out the layered swirl on this Christmas Soap! From Soap Rhapsody's Etsy store

Check out these cute peppermint twist soaps from Daisy Kays Etsy Store

Merry Christmas Ornament soap from Kokolele's Etsy Store

Pumpkin Pie Soap

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving! After a brief holiday and a loosened waistband, I'm back on the soapy saddle with new soaps.  Hope you all left room for dessert! :)

Pumpkin Pie Soap from my shop, HavanaSoapCompany

Fall Foods - Fall Soaps

For me, today marks the FIRST official day of Fall, since it hit about 30 degrees here in NJ/NYC.  Waking up to that crisp cool-blast of chill, reminds me of everything to look forward to: Turkey, eggnog, pumpkin pies (or any pie, really), cookies and finishing off the year with copious amounts of champagne.

 

Okay, I'm getting ahead of myself. I'll just leave you with a set of delicious-looking Fall soaps. Warning: these soaps look good enough to eat.




Eggnog Soap from SweetbathConfections Etsy Store



Pumpkin Soap from SunbasilgardenSoap's etsy store



LOVE the gradient!!! - Turkey Soap from thecharmingfrog's Etsy Store



SO CUTE---- Ginger Snap Soap from DailyRepose's Etsy store

 

 

Vanilla Champagne Soap from HookedSoap's Etsy Store

Soap Experiment: Part Two

I present to you, my soapy experiment from yesterday!

!!!

These came out FANTASTIC. I love how the design has depth to it, and the gold shimmers throughout. They smell like a gentle lavender breeze and you'll be able to find them in my etsy shop: www.havanasoapcompany.etsy.com.

Soap Experiment: Part One

I woke up this morning feeling like an "artiste", and very much inspired to try something new with my soaps. 

Of course, I started out nicely, skillfully flinging soap as if I were conducting a soapy symphony (that bottom layer looks nice, right?).

Unfortunately, I became overwhelmed with emotion and finished with an impatient soapy crescendo.

This may turn out to be amazing or a HUGE disaster.


Stay tuned...

Who Keeps Using My "Every Man Jack"?

This past Summer, I was a guest at a summer-share rental at the Jersey Shore. It was a house full of guys, me and 1 other girl.  I knew there would be guy-shenanigans of every kind: beer at 8am, missing toilet paper, an entire fridge filled with nothing but beer (not a big drinker, but it was fun to see).

It shouldn't have been too shocking when I found myself in the shower, soaking wet, with no soap options except for a body wash called "Every Man Jack".

I remember thinking, "Ugh, a guy's soap" as I thought of the horrid woodland musks of yesterday's past. Bracing myself for the horror, I tentatively sniffed the bottle.

It was citrus. Happy, wake-yo'-ass-up-orange!  I was even more thrilled to find that it had gentle exfoliating beads in it.

So, I did what any girl would do.  I started to "secretly" use it in small, rationing-type dollops.

Of course I had to stop that the day I heard: "WHO KEEPS USING MY EVERY MAN JACK?", but by then our shore-adventures had come to a close.

Thanks, Nick. :)

Soapy moral of the story: Don't judge a soap by it's packaging (or marketing for that matter). 

My Etsy Shop is LIVE! :)

Whoo hoo!!! Okay, so it's slow to start, but my etsy shop is now up and running. I have several projects cookin' so keep your eyes peels for new additions.

You can view my etsy shop here.

All About... Pumpkins!

There's no escaping "pumpkin" and it seems like its come back BIG this season. There's pumpkin coffee, foods, cakes, and then there's pumpkin-colored nail polish, clothes, shoes.  And of course pumpkin activities: picking, carving, throwing...

And of course, who can forget pumpkin soaps (because you know, your Fall soap should also be pumpkin-related).

Enjoy!

Halloween Favor Pumpkin Soap from PinkParchmentSoaps.

Reminds me of Brach's pumpkin-shaped candy corn!
From Blushie's Etsy Store.

Cinnamon Pumpkin Loofah Soap from SweetBathConfections' Etsy Store

Spiced Pumpkin Goat Milk Soap from Charming Goat's Etsy Store

Pumpkin Cheesecake (YUM!) from Oasis Bath Soaps' Etsy Store

xoxo

-SK

Crazy About... GLITTER!!!

Okay, so I'll admit it, at almost 31 years old, I'm still charmed by the light-reflecting effects of glitter.  It's sparkly, happy and definitely eye-catching. I don't necessarily WEAR glitter like I used to as a teen (imagine at 30!), but I still get REALLY giddy when handling a sparkly bar of soap!

Check out these sparkly creations, from talented soapers below!



Glitter Star Mini Soaps from Aqua Blossom's Etsy Shop

Seaglass Soap from Gourmet Soap's Etsy Store

Citrus Cold Process Bar (LOVE THE SWIRL) ffrom AlaiynaBsoaps' Etsy Store

Visual Catnip: Halloween 2013 Soaps

Fall is definitely my favorite time of the year, the air is crisp, the leaves start to turn, my birthday... But the BEST part of Fall (aside from my birthday... tee, hee...) is HALLOWEEN!!!!
Who can resists the magical powers of candy, costumes and good old whimsical fun?

And speaking of whimsical, check out these fun, Halloween-themed soaps:

Layered and sparkly Halloween soap from Carrie's Berries Etsy Store

A multi-layered, sparkly Halloween Soap from Kokolele's Etsy Shop

Dracula's Rubies from LovelyBody's Etsy Store

Black Licorice Halloween Soap from Daily Repose's Etsy Shop

xo,
-SK

Seeds of Inspiration...

One of the things that I find enjoyable about soap and the soaping industry is looking back on all the names and people's blogs that I was wowed with as a "newbie" soap-maker. These soapers are still a great source of inspiration, and I'm happy to report that many of them went on to grow their product further.

One of the first blogs that I started reading as a newbie was Lomand Soaps, which is a soap-making company based out of Scotland.  I remember being in AWE of their soaps and followed Corrie's journey from a home-soap maker, to selling her soaps at fairs.  Watching her soap design, packaging and logo change over time was a real treat.

As I was searching through my blog roll today and clicked on Loch Lomand's link. Much to my dismay, I saw that the blog was no longer active.  After a quick Google search, I was relieved to find that Corrie has a lovely internet shop as well as a brick and mortar store (and a new, lovely logo)!

Soap page from www.lomondsoap.com

Seeing her progress from craft shows and blogging to becoming a (what I imagine full-time) soap retailer/wholesaler, is truly inspirational and reminds me that hard work, time, patience and evolution are keys for true success, in whatever field you might be working in!

Til next time,

-SK

Sneaky Peek!

Just a little something I've bee working on... :)   Etsy shop to come... :) 

Happy Soaping! 

-SK

Soapy Seductions

Hello fellow readers!

I must admit, it's been a long (too long) time since I've last posted. I've been working on something pretty exciting and I can't wait to unveil it to you.  Anyone want to guess? (I'll give you a hint, it involves a soapy saddle. :) :) :)

In any event, I'm continuing the Soapkitten blog and in the near future, I'll be positing on a more regular basis.  

Until then,I'll leave you with a little bit of inspirational visual cat-nip inspired by different soaping techniques! 

Rainbow Cube Soap from Wizardatwork's Etsy Shop

Cupcake Soap from IndigoAmbiance's Etsy Shop

And last but not least-- a SOAPKITTEN fave! Majestic Autumn from TinyFavor's Etsy Store! 

Happy Soaping!

Love, SK

Visual Cat-Nip: Scentsy Premium Warmers

Here's a small peek of some of the exquisite warmers I have in my online store. They make puurfect gifts for all kinds of for anyone in your life! And, PS. They are pet-safe (meow)!

Forget-Me-Not Scentsy Warmer

Silvervine Warmer

Elemental Warmer

Cherry Blossom Warmer

All of these products and fragrance bars can be purchased directly through the link here or can be found at: https://thecandlecabinet.scentsy.us

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me here.

Rainbow Coasters

I saw these colorful coasters on my friend's Facebook page and  I was in awe. My friend purchased these on Etsy and immediately I went to the site to purchase a set of my own.  That was last year, and I've never regretted them.  Looking at these vibrant coasters make me just plain happy.

Made from reclaimed wooden branches, these eco-friendly coasters are handpainted with soy paint and sealed with an acrylic clear coat. I've had these for a year, and they are still as vibrant as the day I got them. And durable. Just ask my cat, who likes knocking them off the table. He's also responsible for the 6th coaster, who has since gone missing. I have no doubt it's rolling around under my furniture somewhere. 

You can find these vibrant coasters for purchase here. 

Soap Nerd

If you couldn't tell by now, I'm really a geek at heart.  Just take a look at my at my World of Warcraft post here and game controllers made out of soap here.

Although I haven't played video games in quite sometime, Zelda is one that stays close to my heart, and speaking of hearts, look what I've found . . .

Legend of Zelda Heart Container Soap

Image from Smallthingsforsale's Etsy store

And of course, who can forget rupees- Hyrule's currency:

Rupees
Image from Smallthingsforsale's Etsy store

This store has a really cute sale going on. Buy four heart pieces and get a heart container for free! 

Do-do-do-dooooo! 

Visual Cat-Nip: Happy Easter!

May everyone have a lovely Easter, a delightful spring and a blessed Ostara.

Easter Egg Soaps

Image from AJ'sSweetSoaps' Etsy Store

Marshmallow Chick Soap (also known as "Peeps" in candy form)

Image from TheBathTubBakery's Etsy Store

Get your "shine-on" with these sparkly soaps:

Image from DaisyKay's Etsy Store

Or "nibble" on a yummy confection:

Easter Petit Fours
Image from TimeOut4Me's Etsy Store

Back on the Soapy Saddle: Part 2

And this thing is just so slippery! Sorry I've been M.I.A.  Let's see, a job-change, a big move out of state, heck, even a broken engagement it's been a long year (or two) of projects, new job, moves, and lessons learned.  One thing I can't seem to leave behind my love of soap and writing.

2012 started with a bang of the worst kind (good, in hindsight).  Break-ups are never fun, broken engagements are worse. Like most of you can relate, it left me feeling uninspired, unmotivated and just awful. Did I mention I started a new job in the middle of it? Thank goodness for that, it gave me a focus that I desperately needed. My new job consists of working in customizing a very popular brand of notebooks. I won't say which one, as I don't want to drive my blog based on popular brand names, but I will say, it's a very good notebook.  I'll leave the guessing game up to you, my fellow readers.  ;)

And of course, I moved out of state, back to my fabulous homeland of NJ. Fortunately, I still work in NYC, so I feel like I just have the best of both worlds. A quite retreat in NJ, and the hustle and excitement of NYC, 15 mins away from my doorstep!

The best lesson I've learned from all of this, is that change is good.  It really is! I don't think I've ever encountered a point in my life where it's not.

And now that you know where I have been all this time, it's now time to celebrate with a barrage of visual cat-nip inspired by travel:

This pretty soap packaging reminds me of a sweet trip to Provence....

Jardin de Paris French Lilac Botanical Soap

Image from TerraViam Etsy's Store

Or how about a soap that makes you feel like a Grecian Goddess (I love the gold mica sparkles in this one)...

Goddess Shea Butter Soap

Image from Sherri's Scent and Soys Etsy's Store

Creamy NYC Soap (to wash out that city grit)...

Creative Juice Glycerine Bar

Image from NYC Metro Girl Etsy's Store