Blue: the color of calm

According to color psychologists, blue is relaxing to most people and can inspire creativity. Besides it being one of my favorite colors, I've also read somewhere that blue can be an appetitte surpressant and is not the ideal color to paint your kitchen (lol).

Here are some products that are sure to stimulate the creative senses:

Celtic Blue Heart Dish

image from Artyard Studio's etsy store

Summer Breeze

image from lestreasure etsy shop

And lastly, because the Cuban in me couldn't resist... 

 

Havana Soap Bar

image from Epically Epic Soap etsy store

Inspired by a Havana perfumery, this unisex soap is scented with patchouli, sandalwood and a hint of tobacco leaf.  I can't get over it's beautiful Caribbean ocean color. Check out their other cool wares here.

JerseyCats-- Yay!

Most of you don't know, but my real job is actually graphic design/photo-retouching for a well-known magazine.  Just recently, I was contacted by a friend of a friend to custom design a logo for their organization and their site just went live a few days ago!  I'm super-excited!!!


JerseyCats is a Northern NJ-based animal society that focuses on rescuing cats/kittens and finding suitable homes for them.  A great cause!  If you are looking for a cat, or two, and are in the tri-state area, I encourage you to check out JerseyCats first. You can check out their site (and my logo) here.

And, if there is anyone out there who needs any kind of design or retouching work done, feel free to email me directly at:  janiceventura (at) gmail.com

:)

Visual Catnip: Soaptopia!!

This is a great, hand-made soap site!  Soaptopia is a California-based company that specializes in handmade, junk-free body products.  Made with essential and organic oils, these colorful soaps are not only good for you, but they visually stunning!  I also like that they come with ultra-cute names like Petalmint Patty, Staying A-lime, and Somewhere Over the Bathbow  Check out their wonderful, no-frills site here.

 

Blue Pearl Jam from Soaptopia's Website

Oatmeal and Clover Over and Over from Soaptopia's Website

 

 Petalmint Patty (CUTE name!)  from Soaptopia's Website

Gifts for Her: Tampon Case

image from http://www.uncommongoods.com/

As a woman, I find this to be very appealling especially since the building security likes to rifle through all our bags.  As an act of difiance (and sometimes laziness), the bottom of my bag is littered with stray, indiviudally-packaged tampons (hey if they are going to be nosey...).  My problem is trying to fish one of them out quickly.  These cases are not only stylish and discreet, but are also an organized way of traveling with your tampons.  Can I get an AMEN!

You can get them here at uncommongoods.com

Need a Pick-Me-Up?

Image from cheezburger.com/

I'm a huge, huge, HUGE World of Warcraft fan.  I'm more of a weekend-warrior when it comes to video games, since my full-time job, hobbies and other responsibilities tend to keep me busy during the week, but I do love some all-day, weekend sessions with my Nightelf Druid.

These energy drinks are AWESOME-looking!  Fashioned from the game's mana (magic) and health drinks, these high-caffinated babies are just the thing to keep you awake during late night dungeon-runs. Each tiny shot is the equivalent of two Red Bulls or four weak cups of coffee.  While that's too much caffeine for me, I'm sure there is someone out there who needs the pick-me-up after playing for 24 hours straight. Talk about EPIC drinks!

You can find Mana and Health potions at www.thinkgeek.com

For World of Warcraft info go to: www.worldofwarcraft.com

Visual Catnip: Pie Soaps

I'm always amazed to see soap makers take their creativity to new heights. These beautiful, and realistic-looking, dessert soaps are 100% guilt-free.  Indulgence without the calories, now that's what I'm talking about!
Below are Apple and Banana Creme pie:

All images from soapcafe.com

Crystals, Gems and Stones (Oh my!)

And yes, they are soaps!

I've actually tried figuring out this process with a large hunk of melt n' pour soap and failed miserably.  While I don't have pictures of my wanna-be, ruin soap gem (It looked like a wadded up of coal with iridescent mica), I do have some lovely exhibitions of what true soap gems should look like!

Images from amethystsoap's Etsy Store

The question that comes to my mind is "how is it done"?  The amethyst facets and the polished turquoise stones look amazingly realistic.  Though the technique may  forever remain a secret, you can purchase your own amethyst or turquoise soap here.

Kitty Cat Ring Holder

So excited! I just snagged this adorable silver cat ring holder from chickything's etsy store.  I love this store! Their theme is very Marie Antionette.  They also have some amazing-looking, and no doubt amazing-smelling, vintage-themed finds!

Check out their cake perfume that smells like butter cream and their"Let Them Eat Cake" room spray.  C'est delicieux et tres chic!

All images from chickything's etsy store

Couture Soaps

I love, love, LOVE Gianna Rose Atelier for their amazing soaps!  I think they are truly inspirational.  Fashioned in cute and sophisticated packaging, these french-milled, vegetable-based soaps are visually stunning and make beautiful gifts! 

Below are some of my favorites:

Le Chat Sophistique (The Sophisticated Cat) soap is gently scented with tulip and hyacinth fragrance-- makes the purrfect gift for the ailurophile in your life.

If you are not a cat-lover, they also feature dog-shaped soaps in several different breeds.  My favorite is the Maltese (if you can't tell by now, I'm total sucker for anything pink).

And finally, Robin's Egg Soap (my second favorite color).  These little guest soaps are perfect for the bathroom or in the kitchen!

All images are from giannarose.com

Simple Food (and other) Delights!

Just wanted to unveil my newest blog that reflects my other passion, FOOD!

Simple Food (and other) Delights is a blog about simple culinary pleasures for the gourmand on the go!
Check it out here:  www.simplefooddelights.blogspot.com.

Bomb Alarm Clock?

Image from thinkgeek.com

Imagine waking up to a ticking time bomb? Well, that's exactly what this "Danger Bomb Alarm Clock" does.  As if mornings weren't hard enough, this alarm clock starts its count down, a minute from the assigned wake-up time (yippie).  To diffuse it, you have to (groggily) unplug the right color wire that's indicated by the flashing LED light.  Talk about a nice dose of stress right before you start your day!

While this is seems like a great novelty gift, I could never use it.  Somehow I could see myself hurling this against the wall, but for those who have trouble waking up, or are craving some good ole MacGyver adventure, it's perfect way to start the day.  Makes a great "evil" gift! Get it at www.thinkgeek.com.

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A Cat Mouse?

Image from GeekStuff4U.com

What a cute little invention! This Neko (Japanese word for cat) Mouse is simply adorable. It's laser mouse is shaped like a furry cat paw complete with left and right click buttons. While I'm not sure if I can fully get accustomed to a furry mouse, I think it's a great novelty gift for the cat-fancier in your life!
It retails at $2,500.00 yen which is about $25.00 USD. Check it out here at GeekStuff4U.

I Heart Green Tea!

Green tea is truly a wonderful substance. As a tea, it's antioxidant properties that help ward off cancer and inflammation. Topically, it's been documented that it can rejuvinate skin cells, increase elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Lately, I've just been crazy about green tea (must be my Japanese kick)! Check out these wonderful artisan soaps made with REAL green tea:

Image from SimpleTraditions Etsy Site

This handmade soap from SimpleTraditions looks wonderfully scrubby. It's a jasmine green tea soap with actual green tea leaves added for extra exfoliation! Talk about heavenly! The bars retail at $5.00 and can be found here.

Image from Dugshop's Etsy Store

I can't get over how neat this soap design is! Made from (yup you guessed it) Green Tea. This lovely castile soap contains other skin-nourishing elements like colloidal oatmeal and white kaolin clay. An exclusive mold, created by the soap company, Dugshop, guarantees that you won't find anything else on the market like it. They also create custom-scented soaps! Check them out here on Etsy.

All Things Japanese...

I'm actually quite fascinated with the Japanese culture from their cuisine right down to their beauty habits. Did you know that a high-touted Japanese beauty treatment involves massaging your face with a product made from nightingale droppings? Yup, yup... take a look here.

If you are interested to learn more about Japanese beauty trends, Marie Claire has a fascinating article on what it takes to look the part.

Gekkeikan Black and Gold Sake

I haven't seen it fully used in the soaping industry yet, but there are a few who have ventured into using sake, a Japanese wine made from fermented rice, into creating their soaps. Cherry Blossom Soap makes this wonderful rosemary/sake soap by cooking the rosemary leaves in sake first. Quite a refreshing concept. Check it out here.

Picture from Cherry Blossom Soap

Spring for Spring!

Easter is such a colorful holiday! I'm not religious, but I really do enjoy seeing our visual palette change from the drab darks of Winter to the pastel and vibrant colors of Spring. This time of the year makes me feel absolutely whimsical and giddy. It's like a trip back to childhood!

To celebrate the season, here's a bit of visual catnip:

Bunny Corn Cupcake Soap from Serah's

I've always been an admirer of Serah's soaps. Made from Shea Butter and glycerin, these well-crafted soaps are just absolutely adorable (and delicious)! They come in all sorts of thoughtful themes and make perfect basket or goodie bag stuffers. My favorites are the "It's a Boy/ It's a Girl" soaps, which would make a sweet gift for expecting parents! Check out this and all of here other soaps here.

All pictures are from serahsonline.com

Redesign!

The Soapkitten blog is currently under re-construction. New posts to come shortly!

In the meantime, please tell me what you think!

Happy soaping!

Life Goes On

My second apology to my readers, I've been MIA for quite sometime (again), but with good reason. I had to put to sleep wonderful companion of 13 years. As most of you know, he was sick for a little while, but it came to the point where the vet uttered the words "terminal" and a few months later, my little guy got so bad, he stopped doing the things that life's all about (eating, pooping, grooming etc).
Anyway--that's what has been going on. I'm at a crossroads now where I'm not sure if I should continue the blog or not.

Let me know your thoughts!

Bathe with Your Favorite Holiday Beverage?

We've all encounter sweet, smelling soaps that smell exactly like our favorite foods. Very rarely do we come across something that smells like a beverage (except for Brambleberry's Champagne fragrance oil. Talk about sniffing something that ACTUALLY smells fizzy).

In celebration of this holiday season (for me it starts on December 1st), I went on the hunt for holiday-esque soaps. Upon my search, I came across two soaps that fit the bill, Eggnog and Absinthe. While Absinthe isn't exactly a traditional holiday drink, I couldn't resists the whimsical green coloring (and who says you CAN'T drink it at Christmas time?) These soaps come in delightful little tins that you can use long after your soap has gone down the drain. Pictures were taken from Perpetualkid.com.

Christmas is near!

The first sign of cold, I mean really cold, weather seems to alert my senses that Christmas is near. On an impulse, and despite my better judgment, I purchased a Gingerbread latté. Although it wasn't nearly as good as Pumpkin Spice, I still drank it, indulging in the spicy liquid grittiness that reminds me of Christmas in the city.
After a long hiatus, I feel energized and ready to roll.

Here is some soap porn for your viewing pleasure.

Images from soapylove.com

I'm am just in soapy-awe on how perfect these soap pops are. They are the very epitome of winter and makes the perfect stocking-stuffer. Debbie, from soapylove, also has some other really unique looking pops that are executed beautifully and flawlessly. My favorite? Clearly Lovely, which has a yummy, not overly sweet, raspberry scent. Check them out here.

image from SoStinkingSweet's etsy store

A beautiful blend of peppermint, strawberries with a hint of vanilla, this beautiful candy block produces fluffy fragrant bubbles, making this soap a real treat (without the calories of course)! Check it out here.

image from ElegantRoseBoutique's etsy store

These bath bombs clearly remind me of the first snow in December, when it was still soft enough to make into fluffy snow balls. A relaxing combination of lavender, orange and a hint of patchouli, these bombs are the relaxation you need after a wintery snow fight. Check them out here.