Batty's Bath: Handmade Soap Canada

THE BLOG HAS MOVED!

2011-12-29T12:24:00.002-05:00

THE BLOG HAS MOVED TO:

BATTYSBLOG.COM

See you there!

xox Batty

What I Wore - Dec 27, 2011

2011-12-28T03:29:00.001-05:00

What I Wore - Dec 27, 2011, originally uploaded by She's Batty.

Cozy winter wear for a snowy day! I've realized that I don't really like wearing jeans or normal "pants" that much. If I can wear super comfy tights and get away with it outside the house I do! I'm all about comfort and spend must of my time in jiggers (those are sweatpants for those not in the know) or onesies!, And I usually feel like leaving the house is such a hassle because I have to put on uncomfortable clothes -- but, just like every winter when lots of layers is a must and my flare ups are at an all time high, tights + skirts/dresses = my best friend!

Sweater dress is from giant tiger.
Tights are from ebay.
Leg warmers are from buycostumes.com

Plus I got a hair cut!! Thanks to Ashley for giving my hair mad style yo!!! The shortness is actually a welcomed surprise! It was time to get rid of the crispiness from all the dying I do and start 2012 with some fresh locks! Yes, the color is horribly faded, but that will hopefully be freshened up before the new year too! As per Ashely's advice (seriously the only gal I trust with my hair!), I'm going to give my hair a break and just use dyes that don't include any lifting agents (which means it will be manic panic type dyes all the way)! ... it will also be a time of me having to embrace my roots lol. This is what hibernating for the winter is all about though right? Ashely gave me some new purple dye to try (can't remember the brand right now - I've never used them before) and I'm excited to see what happens! fun fun fun :)

Happy Holidays from Batty & Drew!

2011-12-24T15:27:00.001-05:00

How to Use Shaving Soap Bars by Batty's Bath

2011-12-20T01:45:00.001-05:00

What I Wore - Holiday Festivities

2011-12-14T06:33:00.002-05:00

We had a big family gathering to celebrate the holidays so what better time to break out my ugly sweater outfit!

The dress is from repurposeful punk on etsy. The rest is just from my stash of random bits and pieces I've picked up throughout my travels.

LAST DAY FOR THE SOAP DRIVE!

2011-12-06T15:46:00.000-05:00

PLEASE PLACE YOUR SOAP DRIVE ORDERS TODAY!

The soap drive has been a great success! I'm still getting inquires about purchasing soaps to help support ARF Ontario and Cedar Row Farm Sanctuary so please please please place your orders online TODAY so you don't miss your chance to help these hard working charities!!!!! You can pick up your soaps at the Met on Dec 17th & 18th if you order before the online shops go into vacation mode. Use the coupon code THEMET to remove the shipping charges from your shopping cart.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!!!!

Click here to go directly to the Soap Drive

Early Shop Closure Announcement!

2011-12-05T16:19:00.001-05:00

Early Shop Closure Announcement!

Thank you for all your support!!!

Due to the overwhelming number of orders that have come in the last few weeks, I've made the tough decision to close my online shops earlier than expected for the holidays. I'm closing them early to ensure that all the orders that have come in will be shipped before the Christmas shipping deadlines.

~~I HAVEN'T CLOSED THEM YET!!~~

~~They will be closed mid this week, likely on Wednesday evening. If you've been planning on placing an order, now is the time to do it!~~

** UPDATE: Dec 8th - The online shops are now closed for the holidays! **

LOCAL NEWS:

If you're in the London area, we are at the Met for two more weekends.After the shop closures, I'll move all unsold stock to the Met so it's available for any last minute shoppers. The last weekend we will be at the Met is Dec 17th & 18th. The Met is open Saturdays from 10am to 6pm, and Sundays from noon to 5pm.

Thank you again for all your support!
I'm so excited to see so many people embracing natural skin care!
I'll see everyone in the new year! Be safe and stay soapy!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

http://www.battysbath.com

What I Wore - Bright Colors for a Dull Rainy Day

2011-12-05T15:56:00.003-05:00

The last few days have been rainy, dull, and dreary. When getting ready to go to the Met, I decided I needed some color.. ok, lots of color! It's kind of funny because I'm a bit Jekyll and Hyde about my sense of style and motifs I'm drawn to. I LOVE bright pastel, rainbow colors, but also can't get enough of black, skull covered halloween inspired palettes. Rather than thinking of these two diverse interests as an indentity crisis, I like to think I'm well balanced - enjoying both sides of the spectrum.

So usually do a run down of where I got everything but this outfit was put together of old and new pieces that I got from random shopping events. The sweater dress is the newest piece and I got that in the states over the weekend at a mall (I can't remember the name of the store), but it was on clearance at the very back of the store! I couldn't believe it when I found it! The belt is from ebay. And the leg warmers are from McCulloch's in London, ON. The shoes I've had for well over 8 years - they too were a clearance mall find but in Canada. Actually, come to think of it, the jacket (you can see a bit of it in the second picture. I'll try to get a better picture of it from my pal Sarah) was on clearance about 5 years ago too! haha. This outfit was one of the cheapest outfits EVER and yet it got a lot of attention! Almost too much attention... I'm used to standing out in a crowd due to my hair but so not used to people actually coming up to me to stare at the knitted work that went into something I'm wearing. It would have been very flattering if I had made the sweater dress lol.

UPDATE: Here's a picture i mentioned above

Great Natural Stocking Stuffers!

2011-12-05T15:55:00.000-05:00

Are you looking for great natural stocking stuffers? Everyone deserves some skin loving natural goodies around the holidays (.. actually, all year long in my opinion LOL!), but stocking stuffers is a great place to start and a great way to introduce friends and family to the wonderful world of natural bath, body, and beauty! I have a whole section of my online shop dedicated to natural stocking stuffers and thought today would be a great time to share what you can find there! The holiday shipping deadlines are fast approaching on online orders (Dec 7th for US orders, and Dec 14th for Canadian orders), so whatever time than now to order unique stocking stuffers! :)

Mint Balm in Snowflake Locket	Holiday Cold Press Soaps (Christmas Cranberry & Winter Vanilla)
Gingerbread Solid Perfume	Kisstletoe Holiday Lip Glosses
Holiday Body Butter Snowman Gift Pack	Hot Chocolate Holiday Soap
Gnome Soap Gift Pack	Gingerbread Man Holiday Soap
Peppermint Snowflake Soap	See more at the BattysBath.com shop!

Vacation Notice

2011-12-03T07:52:00.000-05:00

I'll need to catch up on my sleep by Christmas!

As you know, we are right in the middle of the busiest time of year for BB! At the end of every year I take a couple weeks off, and keep product availability limited in Jan so I can relax and recharge before jumping head first into another busy year. That being said, here's what you need to know about the upcoming shop closings:

All online shops will be closed starting on Dec 20th and will reopen Jan 11th.

Product availability may be more limited than usual while I prepare the new (more eco-friendly) packaging.

It's best to plan to have enough of your fav products to see you through to February

Keep Your Containers! Plus a Look at the New Year!

2011-12-02T13:50:00.000-05:00

Keep Your Containers! Plus a Look at the New Year!

Just a reminder to keep your 2oz containers! In the new year, all plastic 2oz, 4oz, and 8oz jars will be replaced by 4oz biodegradable jars. This means that all the facial creams, scrubs, and body butters will come in jars that are the same size as the current body butter jars. So why keep your plastic containers? If you prefer to continue to use plastic containers, or don't think you'll go through 4oz of facial cream in 6 months, then you'll love that I'll be offering refill packs in biodegradable bags - these will be a bit cheaper as the packaging cost will be reduced and I'm hoping that they will be flat enough to qualify for a shipping discount with Canada Post! Also, please note that the current recycling program will be discontinued and replaced with a program that will still offer discounts for packaging that is returned that we can reuse. I'll announce all the details in the new year :)

Christmas Crush Bath Bombs

2011-12-01T15:39:00.002-05:00

Christmas Crush Bath Bombs, originally uploaded by She's Batty.

Bath bombs are back in stock at battysbath.com! The current offering is Christmas Crush which smells like berry cherry! A great warm pick me up during the winter months :)

2 Ingredients to Watch for Under Your Christmas Tree!

2011-11-25T15:46:00.003-05:00

Today I was reminded of why I started making skin care products - even the "natural" companies, aren't living up to their promises! In my mailbox today I found a newsletter (more like a newsPAPER!) from one of the biggest commercial companies toting the natural vibe. Now although this big company (that starts with an "L" and ends in an "H"), makes products that are better than a lot of what's available out there, they are still using two ingredients (in the majority their products) that are on most "dirty dozen" lists of ingredients to avoid.

I previously talked in length about one of those ingredients, parabens, in a previous blog post. A summery of their danger is that they mimic hormones and are readily absorbed into our skin. You'll find these at the end of the "Big L's" ingredients lists for many of their products.

The second shameful ingredient that the big L adds to pretty much anything that bubbles, suds, or fizzes, is SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate). I'm sure I've mentioned this problem ingredient on many occasions but since I don't have a blog post summarizing what it is and why you'll want to avoid it, now is the time! The last thing we all want is to start a new year bathing and soaking in chemicals! Without further a do, here's what makes SLS so shameful!

What Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) are:

They are forming agents in the most basic terms. They create bubbles, form, and clean. They are some of the most widely used sulfates because they cheap. The almighty dollar strikes again. You'll find these sulfates in all kinds of bath and body products including bath bombs (the big L is notorious for SLS in their bath bombs), shampoo, body wash, bubble bars (I've never seen one made without SLS or SLES), tooth paste, dish soap, bubble bath, shaving cream, etc. SLES is said to be the milder of the two, but its effects seem to be much more long lasting.

Why they should be avoided:

Concentrations as low as 0.5% can cause irritation.
Concentrations of 10-30% can cause skin corrosion!
Rashes, scalp scabs, canker sores, dry skin patches
Color stripping
Stripes shine from hair
Penetrates skin easily and can't be metabolized by our liver
Possible endocrine disruptors
Not just skin and scalp irritants, they are also eye irritants
Contamination with 1,4 dioxane (cancer causing)

How to spot them on labels:

They will be listed exactly how I've listed them in this post (minus the abbreviation):

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium Laureth Sulfate

Today's take away:

Read labels! It's the only way to see through marketing hype to know if you're getting a natural, safe, skin loving product, or you're getting something that seems wondering but actually contains cancer causing ingredients! Again, watch out for any ingredient ending in -paraben, and watch out for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate

What's New for Winter!

2011-11-21T15:48:00.000-05:00

Check out the limited seasonal releases that are available now at BattysBath.com! They are selling out fast so don't miss out :)

Minty Balm in Snowflake Locket
This lovely snowflake locket has something very special inside! Batty's Minty Balm is blended with the cold Canadian winter winds in mind! Keeping winter woes away from your lips is as easy and natural this year with this super moisturizing and tingling balm! This balm conditions and nourishes lips by restoring moisture so they look and feel soft and smooth no matter how many dates you have with jack frost this year!

BONUS - this balm doubles as a solid perfume! You can smell like a splendid minty snowball all season long AND taste fresh peppermint on your lips at the same time! Find out more here.

Holiday Cold Press Soaps
'Tis the season to enjoy great soaps! Great cold press soaps from Batty's Bath that is ;)

Winter Vanilla
Enjoy the warm and comforting scent of vanilla! This isn't just any vanilla! It's our winter vanilla that is as warm was vanilla can be with exotic hints of coconut! This soap will have you feeling warm and relaxed every time you lather up!

Christmas Cranberry
The tart and familiar scent of cranberries will put you in the Christmas spirit and keep the bah-hum bugs at bay!

Both these soaps are available here.

Gingerbread Solid Perfume
This Gingerbread Solid Perfume couldn't be a more tempting scent! Fresh out of the oven, comforting aromas of warm cinnamon & ginger swirled with drops of golden butter makes this a delicious baked treat. A holiday time favorite - warms away the winter chill.
Click here for more info

Holiday Gift Packs!
Make your holiday shopping (and spoiling) easy this year with Batty's Bath gift packs! Each comes in a handmade stocking (made by Momma Batty) and includes shampoo, body wash, and lip gloss. These perfect little packs are gift giving ready and are gifts that keep on giving (giving your skin, hair, and lips nourishment from natural moisturizers!).

There's six varieties:

❄ Baby it's Cold Outside ❄
Shampoo & Body Wash - Chocolate
Lip Gloss - Cafe Latte

❄ Gingerbread ❄
Shampoo & Body Wash - Frosted Gingerbread
Lip Gloss - Gingersnap Cookies

❄ Glistening Snow ❄
All - Marshmallow

❄ Winter Wood Land ❄
Shampoo & Body Wash - Citrus Spruce
Lip Gloss- Wintergreen

❄ Candy Cane ❄
All - Peppermint

❄ Sugar Plum Dreams ❄
Shampoo & Body Wash - Sugar Plum
Lip Gloss - White Chocolate

Find out more here

Kisstletoe Holiday Lip Gloss Pack
For the first time, Batty's Bath is offering lip gloss! And not just any lip gloss, it's holiday lip gloss made from natural ingredients!! Each is rich, creamy, and tastes amazing! They give a light shimmery hue to your lips while nourishing them with moisturizer! This natural lip gloss will keep your lips looking (and feeling) great all winter long!

With Kisstletoe Holiday Lip Gloss Pack, all your lip glosses come packaged in a handmade mini stocking (made by Momma Batty!) and includes one of each of the following lip glosses:

❄ Baby it's Cold Outside (Cafe Latte) - Dark Brown
❄ Gingerbread (Gingersnap Cookies) - Light Brown
❄ Glistening Snow (Marshmallow) - White Glitter
❄ Winter Wood Land (Wintergreen) - Blue Spruce Color
❄ Candy Cane (Peppermint) - Red
❄ Sugar Plum Dreams (White Chocolate) - Pink

They are available in a pack that includes a cute handmade stocking or separately here

Holiday Body Butter Gift Pack
Treat someone special (perhaps yourself?) to Batty's Bath limited edition holiday body butters! They come in this adorable snowman packaging that is perfect for gift giving or for decoration! You can even stuff him with recycled paper, newsprint, or something similar after the body butters are gone!

This year the body butter scents are:

* Christmas Crush (berry cherry)
* Silent Night (marshmallow)
* Cinnamon Vanilla

Each body butter is 4oz (the same size as Batty's Bath's regular body butter). This pack is around for only a limited time, and there will only be a limited number made. Get them before they are gone! ☃
Check out more pictures of this adorable snowman here

Peppermint Laundry Soap
Peppermint Laundry Soap is the seasonal release for the winter!! Have your clothes smelling as fresh as the crisp norther air!

See all my laundry soaps here

Behind the Scenes in the Batty's Bath Studio!

2011-11-21T06:49:00.003-05:00

I thought it would be fun to share some pictures of us working on Saturday! I didn't get very many, but they are still fun to share :)

Check out this panaroma picture of my sisters and Momma Batty working in the studio! Click the picture to make it bigger!

Yup, even I got caught by the camera in my onesie! At least the color of my hair matches the color of my onesie! lol.

What I Wore - Plus the bottom of my bookshelf

2011-11-17T14:39:00.000-05:00

I've decided to jump on the "what I wore" bandwagon (yes, I'm always late to the party haha). I don't know how frequently I'll post in this category as I don't leave the house much (I work from home!). But, I figured since leaving the house is usually the only time I put any thought into what I'm wearing (and I actually get out of my onesies), it's something to document!

This picture was taken in the Fall.

Here's what I'm wearing:

Sweater dress from repurposefulPUNK

Tights (had them so long I can't remember where they came from)

Skeleton shoes (my wedding shoes!) from BuyCostumes.com

Spider web necklace (my wedding necklace!) from beat black

Soap Drive Soaps! Raising Money for Animals in Need

2011-11-16T18:01:00.000-05:00

The first every Batty's Bath Soap Drive is under way! Thank you to all who have shown their support so far! If you haven't bought your soap drive soaps yet, don't worry! You have until the end of December to place your order! (Or until Dec 18th to pick up one of the soap drive soaps at the Met)

What is the Batty's Bath Soap Drive?
Batty creates a special soap dedicated to a local charity and all the proceeds from the sales of that soap go to that charity!

Facebook Fans voted for their charities of choice!
The two charities we are raising money for this year are: A.R.F Ontario and Cedar Row Farm Sanctuary.

Read descriptions of the specialized soaps below:

A.R.F. Ontario Soap:
Glycerin Heart Soap with a Paw Print inside. Scented with "Sugar Plum".

Cedar Row Farm Sanctuary Soap:
Glycerin Pink Piggy Soap. Scented with Pomegranate Mango.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE SOAP DRIVE

My Wedding Skin Care Routine

2011-11-16T05:10:00.004-05:00

I have had SO many requests wanting to know what "Batty did to get ready for her big day"! One of the questions I've been getting the most is my skin care routine. Although I didn't change it up TOO much from my normal routine, I did increase the amount of clay masks and quick stick applications I did. Below is a breakdown of my routine 10 days before the wedding! I want to stress that the routine I decided to do was with MY skin in mind. I wouldn't suggest it for everyone as we all have skin that is at different stages, has different "problem areas", etc. I'm open to putting together a personalized routine for any brides (or anyone else!) out there who would like one! Contact me for more details (jamiesabot AT gmail DOT com). Now on with the "Batty as a Bride" routine! ;)

Here's the products I used:

Black Charcoal Cold Press Soap

Facial Primer/Day Moisturizer

Tea Tree Facial Scrub

Patchouli Facial Moisturizer

Dry Clay Mask

Kabuki Brush

Unscented Facial Scrub

Exfoliating Bath Glove

Quick Stick Acne Fix

Mild Unscented Jojoba Facial Scrub

Here's the routine I followed:

Thursday October 6 - TIME TO GET SERIOUS!

When I got up:
Washed with black charcoal cold press soap.
Applied Facial Primer/Day Moistuizer.
Before I went to bed:
Washed with tea tree facials scrub.
Applied Patchouli Moisturizer.
Waited 30 minutes, then applied dry clay mask with kabuki brush (went to bed with clay mask ON!)

Friday October 7, Saturday October 8, & Sunday October 9 - CLAY DAYS {DETOX}

When I got up:
Washed face thoroughly with unscented facial scrub (read: washed off clay mask).
Followed up with a light washing of black charcoal cold press soap, and exfoliating bath glove in any areas that needed it (usually around my nose)
Applied quick stick acne fix on any blemishes
Applied Facial Primer/Day Moistuizer.
Before I went to bed:
Washed with black charcoal cold press soap.
Applied Patchouli Moisturizer.
Waited 30 minutes, then applied dry clay mask with kabuki brush (went to bed with clay mask ON!)

Monday October 10 - DEALING AFTER DETOX

When I got up:
Washed face thoroughly with unscented facial scrub (read: washed off clay mask).
Followed up with a light washing of black charcoal cold press soap, and exfoliating bath glove in any areas that needed it (usually around my nose)
Applied quick stick acne fix on any blemishes
Applied Facial Primer/Day Moistuizer.
Before I went to bed:
Washed with black charcoal cold press soap.
Applied quick stick acne fix on any blemishes
Applied Patchouli Moisturizer.

Tuesday October 11 - DEALING WITH DETOX PART 2

When I got up:
Washed with tea tree facial scrub
Applied quick stick acne fix on any blemishes
Applied Facial Primer/Day Moistuizer.
Before I went to bed:
Wash with tea tree facial scrub and followed up with a light washing of black charcoal cold press soap.
Applied Patchouli Moisturizer.
Applied quick stick acne fix ALL OVER.

Wednesday October 12 - ROUND 2 OF CLAY DAYS

When I got up:
Washed face thoroughly with tea tree facial scrub
Applied Facial Primer/Day Moistuizer.
Before I went to bed:
Washed with black charcoal cold press soap.
Applied Patchouli Moisturizer.
Waited 30 minutes, then applied dry clay mask with kabuki brush (went to bed with clay mask ON!)

Thursday October 13 - DEALING WITH DETOX

When I got up:
Washed face thoroughly with unscented facial scrub (read: washed off clay mask).
Followed up with a light washing of black charcoal cold press soap, and exfoliating bath glove in any areas that needed it (usually around my nose)
Applied quick stick acne fix on any blemishes
Applied Facial Primer/Day Moistuizer.
Before I went to bed:
Washed with black charcoal cold press soap.
Applied Patchouli Moisturizer.
Waited 30 minutes, then applied dry clay mask with kabuki brush (went to bed with clay mask ON!)

Friday October 14 - STARTING TO FOCUS ON CALMING

When I got up:
Washed face thoroughly with unscented facial scrub (read: washed off clay mask).
Followed up with a light washing of black charcoal cold press soap
Applied quick stick acne fix on any blemishes
Applied Facial Primer/Day Moistuizer.
Before I went to bed:
Washed with black charcoal cold press soap.
Applied quick stick acne fix on any blemishes
Applied Patchouli Moisturizer.

Saturday October 15 - CALMING IS A MUST

When I got up:
Washed face with mild unscented jojoba facial scrub
Followed up with exfoliating bath glove in any areas that needed it (the last few days, I haven't needed this much)
Applied quick stick acne fix on any blemishes
Applied Facial Primer/Day Moistuizer.
Before I went to bed:
Washed with black charcoal cold press soap.
Applied quick stick acne fix on any blemishes
Applied Facial Primer/Day Moisturizer

Sunday October 16 - THE BIG DAY

When I got up:

Washed with mild unscented jojoba facial scrub (and used exfoliating glove for any extra spots - I didn't really need it, but I wanted to make sure I had the smoothest possible skin to work with!)
Applied Facial Primer/Day Moisturizer
In the afternoon I gave my face just a quick wash with black charcoal soap and reapplied the facial primer before diving into my makeup routine! I might share that on the blog in the future ;)

Batty's Bi-Weekly BOGO

2011-11-09T15:54:00.001-05:00

Click here to go to the shop!

Slideshow of our wedding photos

2011-11-09T12:44:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone!

I've been swamped with orders this week but promised many of you that I would share pictures from our wedding this week on the blog! You may have already had the chance to see these pictures on flickr, or the facebook fan page, but here they are in a slideshow for those who haven't yet seen them. :) Click this image to go to the slideshow: or, click the picture of me to go to the set on flickr :)

Enjoy :)

GREAT NEWS FOR LOCALS!! PICK UP ONLINE ORDERS AT THE MET!!!

2011-11-05T21:31:00.000-04:00

Normally I can't offer any order + pickup arrangements however, we've received SO MANY requests to be able to pick up online orders at the Met that we had to do what we could to make this service available to all of you! Drew (who drives into town for work - we moved out of London in September) and I were able to work out a system that will allow us to offer pick-ups at the Met for any orders placed and paid for online! We are really excited to be able to save our local customers the shipping fees! When you order from the battysbath.com shop, use the coupon code "THEMET" to remove the shipping from your shopping cart! You'll receive an email from me when I pack your order letting you know when your order will be ready for pick up at the Met! Hooray!! :)

(If you can't see this video, view it here on the Facebook Fan Page)

Sneak Peek into the Batty Studio

2011-11-02T06:23:00.001-04:00

Sneak peek time!! Here's a picture of a few of the things I'm working on right now. Left side: piggy soaps for the BB soap drive (Cedar Row's soap!). Top right: holiday lip glosses! Which is your fav color? I'm in love with the "glistening snow" lip gloss (white with slight pink refections and the perfect dose of glitter). Bottom right: heart soap with paw print inside - for the BB soap drive (ARF's soap!)

Be back soon

2011-10-26T03:42:00.001-04:00

I'm sure you've noticed a lack of activity around the blog lately. That's because we got married last Sunday and have been on our honeymoon! I'm back to work on Thursday so the Etsy shop will reopen and the orders that have been places at battysbath.com will be filled and shipped. After orders are caught up I'll be working hard to get all the holiday release up in the shops. I'm hoping to have that done by the end of next week and get back to my normal work schedule (which includes blogging) after that. I'll be sure to make a special wedding post since I've had a lot of requests to see pictures from our big day :)

Video: New Studio & Office Tour!

2011-09-27T09:19:00.001-04:00

BattysBath.com

Autumn in the Air... and the Witch's Hallow (2 Seasonal Bath & Body Gift Packs Celebrating the Fall)

2011-09-23T09:38:00.000-04:00

Shop for them now in the SEASONAL section of the BattysBath.com shop.

Seasonal Gift Pack by Batty's Bath

2011-09-17T06:08:00.001-04:00

Seasonal Gift Pack by Batty's Bath, originally uploaded by She's Batty.

Batty's Bi-Weekly BOGO

2011-09-12T22:45:00.001-04:00

Click here to go to the online shop.

Studio Sneak Peek: Halloween lip balms

2011-09-01T08:58:00.001-04:00

Halloween lip balms, originally uploaded by She's Batty.

My Week So Far: It's a Batty Life - Overdue Update

2011-08-26T05:33:00.004-04:00

Last night I said a final good-bye to the make-shift studio I've been working in since Batty's Bath launched.

After moving the finally bits and pieces out of my sunny yellow studio, it dawned on me just how much I accomplished (and crammed) into this little room. At one point it was merely a spare room, but it took on so much more than that.

I have to say, as much as I'm excited about moving upward and onward, a small piece of me is going to miss that room. I remember Drew and I first converting this space from a bedroom into a "craft space". In that craft space, I dreamed, pondered,.... and wondered if this space would ever turn into anything more than a hobby room. If I told myself back then what I know now, I doubt I would have believed it.

I'm still trying to fathom that what was once a craft space, turned studio, ended up being too small for all the work that needed to be done! It's amazing what a dream can turn into when you need to succeed to keep food on the table and a roof over your head.

I don't think it's the mere fact that the business is doing well that keeps me amazed, but more the way that people have responded to what I create. There truly is a need for alternative bath & beauty products. Drew isn't the only one who's body is telling us that so many of the ingredients in major brands are seriously bad for us and the earth. My heart overflows every time I take a moment to think that we are really doing something great here... and when I say "we" I don't mean ME, but I mean us.... The whole Batty family (which include every single soul that has supported this journey). Together we are all saying that natural, eco-friendly, skin loving, ingredients matter to us and that picking products that take care of our skin is worth it. We are making the choice not to support companies that offer ill-conceived values, morals, and products. It feels like a mini movement of sorts. And maybe this all seems a bit dramatic, but this is truly how I feel... like we are making a small but meaning full change... from a spare bedroom came a hope for healthier children, families, and communities by refusing to use toxic chemicals, cancer causing carcinogens and harmful contaminates. The simple, pure, clean, bio-degradable products that I once made only to keep Drew's skin from reacting in horrible ways, has urged me to investigate more, formula better products, and source out the best ingredients that nature has to offer.

And its even helped my health. I'm less stress now that I've realized the pure relaxation that can be felt by soaking in a tub with a fragrant bath bomb, or skin loving salts (my body thanks me by being less sore and achy! less pain means less stress). My diseases are more controlled than ever now that I can work from home on my own schedule. Mentally I'm stretching and strengthening my mind each and every day. Emotionally I feel like I'm making a small but meaningful difference, and am satisfied.

This update definitely turned into something other than what it was intended - a simple update.... a much needed update on what's been going on behind the scenes - as I like to do every Thursday as time allows. If you're a regular blog reader you've noticed that I haven't been able to post a "my week so far" update in some time. I'm in a season of change and chaos right now with moving, a wedding, and what feels like a new chapter in my life. Seasons like this rarely follow a routine or schedule which as been apparent with my limited online presence and lack of updates. I do try to post here and there on the facebook fan page so you know I'm still around and working away like a busy bee in the studio getting orders out and prepping for the holiday seasons ahead. And if you're read this far, thanks for listening! I hope this detour from the normal format sits ok with you - I normally keep to the basics, but tonight I was too inspired as I reflected on the week to give you the barebones update. Sharing pieces of me has always been a part of Batty's Bath, and from the feedback, many of you enjoy getting to know a bit more about the gal behind the soap and the journey I'm on.

So what's ahead? Hopefully more updates lol.... but my prediction is that they wont be as frequent as I would like, particularly with articles. I love to write informative posts and help educate those who are interested in what's in their products - it's definitely a part of my usual routine that I'm missing.. I have lots of ideas for posts, just no time write them.

The next few weeks for Drew and I will be living out of suitcases in a temp location. We've moved out of our old house and are now in limbo until we can move into the new one. I've got the temp studio all set up and buzzing already. So for now, the studio is up and running like normal, just not as organized or efficient as I would like since I'm having to work out of boxes a lot of the time. After a few weeks though, phase 2 of the move will kick in and we can start moving again, but this time, into our new home. The studio will be one of the first things unpacked and set up so downtime should be minimal.

Of course you can guess that the weeks following that will consist of lots of cleaning, unpacking, and making the place feel like home. We hope to have everything unpacked and setup before our October wedding... which is another thing that's keeping us busy! Phew... I'm starting to get tired just thinking about how busy the past 2 months have been, and how the pace wont slow down until sometime in the new year (Sept - Feb is the busiest time of the year for Batty's Bath).

My health has been up and down with all that's going on. I'm still doing better than ever, but am having a lot of mild flare ups - particularly of fatigue. So the more I have to do, the more hours I sleep, and the less hours there are to work. I'm thankful that I'm sleeping though. There was nothing worse than the insomnia I dealt with for so long. I'm also thankful that for the most part I can sleep when I need to and work when I find the energy.

I suppose this lengthy update is needed as the move and wedding will keep me busy until November. And, if this year is like last year, the business will keep me busy after that until the slow down in mid-February. This post can serve as an answer to the question "where are all the new posts?" :)

With that said, I will try to update the blog with new information and updates when I can.. I'm not giving up yet! lol. But I do want to be realistic with all the things competing for my time right now and making sure my family comes first, then my health, then the aspects of the business that can't be put off (like making/shipping orders, stocking retailers, and answering emails). Unfortunately, as much as I love blogging, it's near the bottom of the priority list.

Wow. This is getting BEYOND lengthy. haha. If you've stuck with me this far, THANKS! I'd hate to leave you with nothing for all the time you've spent reading my ramblings, so use the coupon code BUSYBATTY in the main shop (battysbath.com), for 10% off your next order. This coupon code will expire Sept 4th, 2011 so be sure to use it before then.

Poll - Pick the scent for our baby line! Click here.
The BattysBath.com shop gets a facelift! Click here.
Limited Edition Release: Beer Soap
Seasonal Releases: Halloween Goodies!
Soap on Sale: Click here.
New Release: Laundry Soap
New formulas: for the shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and bubble bath
Seasonal Release: Pumpkin Spice Laundry Soap
New Release: Mineral Makeup Foundation and Kabuki Brushes!
Summer Blow Out Sale: There are some items left! Click here.
New Retail Location: The Yew Tree Spa, London. Click here to see all our locations.
Local Delivery Service Cancelled: Click here for more info.
New Release: Body Balms are now available in larger 4oz containers (as well as the original travel size)
New Release: Redness Reduction Kit
New Release: Clear Skin Starter Kit
New Release: Dead Sea Salt Facial Soap
New Body Butter Line Up: The line has changed! Check out the full line here.
New Release: Berry Blast Leave-in Conditioner.
New Release: New Solid Perfume Scents! Click here to see them all.
New Release: Dry Shampoo
New Release: Quick Spritz Oil Fix
Easier Shopping for Unscented Products! Just click here to see them all.
New Videos: Click here.
On Sale: Natural Bug Repellent

natural handmade liquid laundry soap

2011-08-17T06:39:00.001-04:00

natural handmade liquid laundry soap, originally uploaded by She's Batty.

now available in both online shops :)

Noel approves Batty's Bath Dog Shampoo ;)

2011-08-17T06:38:00.001-04:00

Noel approved Batty's Bath Dog Shampoo ;), originally uploaded by She's Batty.

Batty's Bath Natural Laundry Soap is Here!

2011-08-16T10:46:00.000-04:00

Washing machines REJOICE! Batty's Bath Natural Laundry Soap was JUST released in the BattysBath.com shop!

The seasonal pick for fall is PUMPKIN SPICE!

The regular lineup for laundry soap is:

*Lemon Lime

*Chamomile Meadows

*Unscented.

Please Help Me Welcome Jena to the Batty Team!

2011-08-09T08:40:00.004-04:00

I'm so excited to share some SUPER exciting news! Jena has officially joined the "Batty Team" as my personal assistant & Batty's Bath consultant! The business has grown so much that I couldn't put off adding Jena to the team any longer!

Jena helps with admin, marketing, packing orders, customers service, labeling products, and basically Jill-of-all-trades outside the studio. So when I'm knee deep in orders and I don't leave the studio for days on end, Jena will be available to help with anything you might need!

Jena's interested including being a scent connoisseur, being a mommy to the cutest little pumpkin around, Ava (that's her in the picture!), and caring for any and all animals that come her way! She fits in here so well! I love that she shares so many common interests with me, and keeps us on track so everything gets done (and done right)!

I'm such a perfectionist and very guarded with the work that goes into my livelihood that I never thought I'd be comfortable with an assistant, but with Jena, adding her to the team just felt so natural! I didn't have any reservations about her becoming extremely involved with the business which was so refreshing! That's how I knew she was a perfect fit! I knew it was the perfect timing when I realized no matter how much I wanted to do everything myself, it just wasn't possible anymore! Jena's been helping "un-officially" for some time now so I knew making the transition to being an official Batty Team member would be easy peasy!

I hope you all will help welcome Jena to the Batty Team! She can be reached at her new batty email addy: jena@battysbath.com

Thanks so much to all the support of our customers, fans, friends, and families! It's because of you that Batty's Bath is growing everyday!! Thank you all from the bottom of my soapy heart :)

2011-08-04T14:01:00.001-04:00

SURPRISE!
I'm having a HUGE
Summer Blow Out Sale!

betcha didn't see that coming ;)

As a thank you for your continued support, I'm having one big blow out sale before my holiday season prep starts!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

The sale is taking place in my ETSY SHOP. You wont find these deals anywhere else!

All the items on sale are already marked down (so no need for coupon codes) and can be found under theSALE section.

I've listed multiple quantities of many of the sale items. Check the quantity under the green "add to cart" button to see how many are left.

Many of the items on sale will not be available until next year (if ever!) after they sell out. If there's something you love and you see it on sale, stock up in case it's discontinued for good!

I'm discontinuing my cucumber facial soap! The bars I have left are part of the blow out sale! After all the cucumber facial soap bars are sold out, I'll be replacing them with another facial soap that's good for all skin types.

THIS IS THE LAST MONTH TO GET
FREE DELIVERY IN LONDON!
We are moving out of the city and will no longer be able to continue to provide free deliveries after this month.

Don't worry though, we have 3 different retail location within London and online shop is open 24/7 (all orders are $10 for shipping within Canada no matter how much you order, or $12 to the USA).

Click here to go directly to the summer blowout sale!

Have a great week,

http://www.battysbath.com

Ador-A-Bull Dog Rescue

2011-07-29T02:41:00.001-04:00

Ador-A-Bull Dog Rescue, originally uploaded by She's Batty.

Video: Booth Setup at the Canterbury Folk Festival, Ingersoll Ontario

2011-07-12T13:55:00.002-04:00

Canterbury Folk Festival Booth Set up.

See my list of upcoming events here.

How to Manage Curly or Wavy Thick Hair - Part 2

2011-07-02T04:09:00.001-04:00

Video: Happy Canada Day Plus What You Need to Know About Sunscreen

2011-07-01T23:29:00.002-04:00

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!!

Original Blog Post:
What You Need to Know About Sunscreen

How to Manage Curly or Wavy Thick Hair - Part 1

2011-07-01T23:26:00.001-04:00

Skin Care: Skin Type & Products Talk (the video version)

2011-07-01T06:54:00.002-04:00

See the original blog post here.

Skin Care: Factors Influencing Your Skin Type (the Video version)

2011-06-28T10:06:00.002-04:00

Part 2 of the skin type talk.
See the blog post here:
http://battysbath.blogspot.com/2011/05/skin-care-factors-influencing-your-skin.html

Skin Care: Your Skin Type (the Video version)

2011-06-28T08:19:00.001-04:00

Batty's intro thoughts about skin types
See the blog post here:
http://battysbath.blogspot.com/2011/05/skin-care-your-skin-type.html

Finally have the last laundry basket full of orders ready to load up and bring to the post now that the Canada Post strike has ended

2011-06-28T05:31:00.001-04:00

Finally have the last laundry basket full of orders ready to load up and bring to the post now that the Canada Post strike has ended, originally uploaded by She's Batty.

How To: Natural DIY Hair Gel

2011-06-22T08:40:00.000-04:00

I recently got asked on the Batty's Bath Facebook Fan Page about natural hair styling products. I wont be adding any to the Batty's Bath line any time soon because they are super easy for you to make at home! This natural hair gel is so easy to make I almost didn't think it was worth a whole blog post lol! But, since it's not common knowledge and makes a great gift for those hard to buy for boyfriends, husbands, brothers, and dads, I couldn't help but share it here! Bookmark this post so when you get stuck for what to get those dudes for their birthdays or Christmas you'll have a quick and easy solution! :)

It's interesting to note that this recipe is versatile and rich in omega 3s - omega 3s encourage hair growth! Another interesting point is that the flaxseeds you'll use in this recipe are the same thing that many companies use in their products and it's what flappers used in the 20s to create that pin-curl look!

Enough with introductions though, let's get to the recipe...

NATURAL DIY HAIR GELL

What you'll need:

Ground Flaxseeds
Water

What to do:

Boil 1 cup of water
Add 1-2 tablespoons of flaxseeds
Mix

Tada! You're done! I told you it was super easy! You just created a frothy gel-like consistency that makes for a nice, strong hold (plus sexy shine) hair gel!

Natural Bug Repellent - a special summer release

2011-06-19T04:40:00.001-04:00

Natural Bug Repellent - a special summer release, originally uploaded by She's Batty.

This has been a big hit so far this year!!

Batty at the Car Free Festival 2011

2011-06-19T04:36:00.001-04:00

Batty at the Car Free Festival 2011, originally uploaded by She's Batty.

Parabens - How to spot them on labels

2011-06-13T10:46:00.004-04:00

In the past I've talked about what parabens are and explained why all of my products are paraben free but I feel it's worth repeating. The point of this post isn't to just repeat a post I've written previously, but instead, I'm going elaborate on my previous post by including how you can spot parabens by reading the labels on your favorite beauty products.

First, let's do a quick review....

Parabens are preservatives used in over 70% of all beauty products. This is why you NEED to know how to spot them because you can bet that if you've bought something from the drug store, mall or department store lately, there's a good chance it has parabens in it.

Why you should avoid them

one study showed that they can age the skin with exposed to UV light
another study showed that they mimic estrogen
they have been found in breast tumor tissue
contrary to what was previously thought, they can penetrate the skin and migrate into body tissue

Now let's learn how to spot them!

If you have never read an ingredients label on a beauty product before, now is the time to start. When you do - don't freak out! If it's a commercially made product, the ingredients list is going to be HUGE with super long unpronounceable words, but I'm here to help you out! There's lots of things to look for on ingredients list, but we're going to start with baby steps and ease into things. If there's anything I've learned from my university years, it's don't try to learn EVERYTHING all at once. Instead, start with something that's manageable and build your knowledge bank from there. Today we're going to start with parabens.

The great thing about starting with parabens is that they are pretty easy to spot on a label because the name of the ingredient generally ends with "paraben"! Parabens aren't awesome but it's awesome that some of the most common ones include the word "paraben"! There are a few that are a bit tricker to spot but thankfully the list of incognito parabens is short

Here's the most common parabens you'll find on ingredient lists:

methylparaben
ethylparaben
isobutylparaben
propylparaben
... (other variations ending in paraben can be spotted as well)
hydroxybenzoic acid
hydroxybenzoate

There you have it! Go grab the products you use everyday and check out those labels! You'll be glad you used your new label reading skill to protect you and your family!

Stay tuned to the blog or join the mailing list for more "ingredient spotting baby steps" you can take!

What You Need to Know About Sunscreen

2011-06-07T05:29:00.007-04:00

The signs of summer have certainly shown themselves lately. Over the past few weeks I've been asked more times than I can count about natural sunscreen; mainly, "Do you make natural sunscreen or know where I can get a good natural sunscreen that isn't gross?"

After a lot of consideration, a discussion the fan page, and mulling it over with a close friend, I've decided NOT to make natural sunscreen, at least not for sale. I'll be making it for myself and my fiance, but I decided not to offer it for sale mostly because of the regulations AND my fear that with a natural sunscreen in hand some people will throw everything they know about being "sun safe" out the window. That scares me more than anything!

So if you can't get a natural sunscreen from Batty's Bath, what should you look for? Well, I'm going to answer that question by informing you on what to look for in a natural sunscreen and what to watch for (i.e. run away from)! There's a few ingredients in "chemical" sunscreen, and sunscreens claiming to be "pure" or "natural" that you need to learn so you can steer clear of them! Let's get started...

First up, the good guys...

When looking for a natural sunscreen look for ingredients that protect you from the sun by physically blocking & deflecting the sun's UVA and UBA rays. These include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. One thing to note though when looking for sunscreen with either of these two natural ingredients is making sure that they are not used in nano form. What does nano form mean? Well Nanoparticles are very controversial right now. It refers to the size of the actual minerals and at the smallest size, they can penetrate the skin easily. Because of this, some experts are concerned about particles entering the body and accumulating in body tissue or getting into place they shouldn't be (for example, your cells). So what do you need to now to avoid purchasing a product that could have nanoparticles? First you need to know that you want the particles to be larger than 100 nanoparticles. If the packaging or description doesn't say, ask!

Next up, the bad guys.....

This is not one of those times when going after the "bad boy" isn't as exciting as it was when you were teenager! In fact, playing around with these "bad boys" can have much more serious effects than a good cry over a tub of ice cream! This group of ingredients are found in chemical sunscreens and protect you from the sun by absorbing UV rays before they have a chance to damage your skin. When looking for this list of bad boys, check out any products with "SPF" on the label, especially if they don't mention that it is a mineral or physical blocker that's protecting you. So who are the bad boys? Without further ado, here's how you'll find them on an ingredients list: padimate-O (PABA), benzophenone (oxybenzone), homosalate, and octylmethoxycinnamate (octinoxate).

So what makes these ingredients so bad?

First, padimate-O (PABA) is a physical blocker (not a bad thing) but it is also a suspected carcinogen. Second, Oxybenzone (benzophenone) has shown endocrine disruption in animals, although the relevancy of this finding is debated as some experts claim that it doesn't enter the human bloodstream in any meaningful way. Third, the remaining ingredients are suspected of messing with hormones. Yikes!

So why care about the effects of the sun in the first place?
According the Canadian Cancer Society, "Natural sunlight is important for good health. But too much exposure to the sun’s rays can cause skin cancer and eye problems. Being safe in the sun can go a long way in protecting yourself and your family. There is no safe way to get a tan. Tanning beds and sun lamps are not a safe alternative. The more you use tanning beds and sun lamps, the greater your risk of getting skin cancer." - Canadian Cancer Society Website.

So we're not talking about the difference between being pretty in pale, and being tremendously tanned, ... we're talking about keeping you safe from too much sun exposure that causes skin cancer! If you haven't taken this seriously in the past, this is the year to start!

Hoping to see all you lovelies the same shade this summer as you were this winter ;)

Friday Favs

2011-06-03T14:07:00.002-04:00

Here are my favs from around the web this week!

Click the pictures for more info & credits.

My Week So Far: It's a Batty Life

2011-06-02T10:01:00.000-04:00

Is it Thursday already?? Wow! It's weeks like these that make me realize how whole month can go by so fast without feeling like you've got much done! This is how my week has planned out so far....on Monday a fatigue flare up had me sleeping.. for over 24 hours! Because I didn't get up once in that time period, I didn't take my medication which put me into withdrawal (think flu like symptoms). Sigh. I didn't recover until late... very late Tuesday. Actually, so late that it was almost Wednesday. Wednesday was spent at the hospital having a test done - still looking for answers with my eye - and recovering from that... and now here we are at Thursday! I've got a lot to catch up on including filling orders and trying to get my inbox under control so understandably this is going to be a short update. Besides, there's never much to report if my health conditions have had me "down and out" for the majority of the week....

BUT!!! THE GOOD NEWS..... Amanda at Kind Over Matter featured a video I made for her blog yesterday! It's about my story and how I overcome 2 chronic illnesses while building a business! Check it out here :)

NEW RELEASE: Bath Salts
NEW RETAIL LOCATION: Tabby's Treasures, St.Thomas (beside Animal Aide)
NEW RETAIL LOCATION: Red Bird Design, London (will have goodies soon!)
SALE: Bath teas are on sale as well as a few season items
POLL: Pick what will be released next! Click here to vote.

Skin Care: Skin Type & Products Talk

2011-06-01T03:44:00.003-04:00

If you're a follower of the blog, you've probably read my previous posts Your Skin Type and Factors that Influence Your Skin Type. Today I'm going to address something very important!

The products you're using COULD be dictating your skin type!

For example, you may think you have dry skin naturally, where in fact the harsh cleanser or toner you're using is actually the cause. Another example would be using a moisturizer that is making your skin oily due to being poorly formulated (or made for other areas of your body that are known for being super dry - for example, your feet).

What does this mean for you?

It means that a quick look and feel of your face can't tell you for sure what skin type you are. You need to take a review of the products you're using and be objective - how do they make your skin feel after use? Are you using one product, only to follow up with another one as a result of the first (the best example of this is using a "cleanser" (read: NOT REAL SOAP) that strips your natural moisturizer barrier and then following up with a super heavy cream, balm or serum to try to replace the natural oils that were stripped). It may take some willpower to put down those products that you've been loyal to for years but it's worth trying. Truly look at what the products you use day in and day out are doing to your skin - are they worth exposing your skin to? are they worth your money? your time? Our skin is great a balancing it's natural moisture barrier if it's not being exposed to detergents or other harsh ingredients. Remember that and seek out products that will help your skin, not hinder it.

You maybe starting to notice a trend here:

"Skin types" are nothing more than categorizing the condition of your skin which, will change often and frequently meaning that holding on to or identifying with a skin type is mostly a waste of time - retrain your brain to disregard being put into a skin type box! Instead, monitor your skin and care for it by addressing it's changing needs. The more in tune you are with the state of your skin, the closer you'll get to being able to give it what it needs, when it needs it.

We Have a Winner!

2011-05-31T16:50:00.003-04:00

According to Random.org the winner of the "Help Batty Pick Her Wedding Do" Contest is Comment #2: Martine!!!

CONGRATS MARTINE!!!

You've won a bottle of shampoo and a bottle of conditioner from Batty's Bath!

Thanks to everyone who participated and for all the great wedding hair style ideas!! :)

My Week So Far: It's a Batty Life

2011-05-26T22:23:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone! It's been a couple weeks since I gave you a "my week so far" update... maybe I should start calling them "my every few weeks" update haha. That would be a lot more fitting wouldn't it? ;)

Let's start from the last update... since then I've made my monthly visit to the Covent Garden Market which was fabulous as usual! Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hi :) Two weekends before that, I was honored to attend the Handmade Festival in London for the 2nd year in a row. There were less vendors this time but there was no shortage of smiles :)

Today my mom, my aunt, and I took a special day trip to hunt down fabric for my wedding dress. After all day of searching we finally found what I was looking for! .. and not at a bad price either!! It was an exhausting day but so worth it to finally see a fabric and go "THAT'S IT!!" :) Now my mom has a LOT of work ahead of her to turn that fabric (along with other fabrics and pretty things) into my wedding dress!

In other news, there's been a few thunderstorms over the last little and the poor Sassy girl (that cute doggie in the picture) has been so stressed out! Her and Princess are terrified of storms (I know many of you doggie mommies out there can relate to the toll it takes on our fur babies!). Sassy and Princess have been getting LOTS of sleep in between storms which makes for a really productive environment for me because I'm able to stay in the studio much longer without any doggies pacing outside the door or work on the computer in the living room for HOURS without any doggies coming up for cuddles. hehe. Although I'm getting lots done I miss those furry cuddles!

Tomorrow I'll be going to see a specialist about my eye. If you remember from a previous update, the vision in my left has become extremely fuzzy in the past couple of months. To the point that it's giving me a lot of headaches, making it hard to read, etc. I'm hoping the specialist has some answers about what's going on and hopefully what they can do to stop it from getting worse.

P.S. If you haven't entered the current blog contest, you have until May 27th to do so! Don't miss out on your chance to win shampoo & conditioner from Batty's Bath! Click here to head over to the contest post.

New radio episodes have been recorded
New videos have been recorded
Bath Teas are on a clearance sale (they have been discontinued).
NEW RELEASE: Mild Facial Scrub (with jojoba beads)
NEW RELEASE: Leave-In Conditioner (in 6 different varieties)
NEW RELEASE: Quick Stick - Acne & Blackhead Spot Treatment
NEW RELEASE: 4 New Sugar Scrubs
New RELEASE: 4 New Salt Scrubs

Want to get Batty's Bath e-newsletter delivered right to your inbox? No problem! Sign up below:

Skin Care: Factors Influencing Your Skin Type

2011-05-25T08:07:00.004-04:00

In a previous post I started a discussion about skin type. This post continues that discussion with a look at what factors influence your skin care type. As I noted before, our skin type changes often, which means the needs of our skin changes. I will go into more depth about the needs of skin types in the future, but first I'll share why you skin experiencing these change in the first place!

There are two types of factors that effect our skin type: external factors and internal factors.

External factors include:

The climate our skin is exposed to
Over or under moisturizing
Over or under exfoliating
Using irritating or drying products
Using inappropriate products
Unprotected sun exposure
Prolonged sun exposure
Secondhand Smoke (see)
Pollution (creates additional free-radical activity that damages collagen and the skin's genetic stability)

Internal factors include:

Hormonal changes
Pregnancy (hormonal changes)
Menopause (hormonal changes)
Menstrual cycle (hormonal changes)
Rosacea
Psoriasis
Dermatitis
Genetic predisposition of skin type
Smoking (one cause of necrotic skin which occurs when not enough blood and oxygen are supplied to a given skin region.)
Medications (note: some birth control pills can increase oily skin & breakouts while others can improve skin's appearance)
Diet (although a small factor, there is research showing a diet high in antioxidants & omega 3 & omega 6 can help). Also see this blog post.

Skin Care: Your Skin Type

2011-05-24T11:53:00.007-04:00

We've all heard about "Skin Types" such as oily, dry, normal, and combination skin. Have you pinned down which category your skin falls under? If you're like most, your skin never fits in one category indefinitely because our skin type changes from season to season, and even week to week! In the winter we may consider our skin to fit into the "dry skin"category, whereas in the summer it fits into the "oily skin" category.

So why do we bother having skin types at all? Well, mostly because they are a great marketing method for skin care companies! It's much easier for them if you consider yourself to fit in one category and one category only so you continully buy their "{insert type here} skin care line" over and over again without considering any other options.

The truth is that your skin will never fall into just one category all the time. Several other categories have also been marketed such as sensitive skin and acne-prone skin. Instead of describing what the surface of your skin is currently experiencing (such as excess oil), they describe REACTIONS to products that your skin experiences. With that in mind, I'd be more apt to say that ALL skin types are sensitive and acne prone under the certain conditions.

Not only will the category of your skin change (due to internal or external factors), it will also change over time AND can fit into more than one category at once.

Additionally, the "normal" skin type category is the one we'd all like to fit into because it's considered to be the skin type with no problems or visible flaws. However, the majority of women, including those who seem to have a "flawless face", do not consider themselves to have "normal" skin. And the ones that have said they have "normal skin" in the past, often change the category they feel their skin fits under in the future. This is a good representation of how everyone's skin type changes... or rather, the needs of our skin changes often! It also points out that even women who have skin that makes us totally jealous, aren't always happy with their skin and don't consider it to be "normal", or perfect all the time. I'm not pointing this out to say that you'll never have "normal" or "perfect" skin, I'm trying to drive home the point that we're far too critical of a few fine lines, a hint of red, a blemish or two, or even freckles (which by the way, are beautiful so flaunt them if you have them!). What we need to do is learn to love our skin by focusing on it's NEEDS and the condition of its overall state, rather than focusing on tiny areas that can only been seen THISCLOSE in the mirror or by losing sleep over what an ad on TV has told us to worry about! (I would love to put in a perfect example of one of these commercials here but I'll save it for the youtube or blogtalkradio version of this topic!).

I have a LOT more to say about Skin Types so stick with the blog over the next little while as I will be discussing skin types in more detail! Also, in the future I'll share this info on blogtalkradio and possibly youtube so tune in/subscribe to those channels to hear or see me talk about Skin Types while adding in extra info and stories that I haven't included here. :)

Video: Blackheads - what they are, and how to get rid of them

2011-05-23T06:12:00.003-04:00

See the blog post for this video here.

See all of Batty's videos on youtube.

Friday Favs

2011-05-20T13:00:00.002-04:00

Here are my favs from around the web this week!

Click the pictures for more info & credits.

THIS FRI & SAT: Batty is at the Covent Garden Market in London

2011-05-18T14:35:00.000-04:00

Join Batty's Bath at

The Covent Garden Market

- London's local, fresh, and friendly market

THIS FRIDAY & SATURDAY!

Located at 130 King St, London, ON

We'll have a table set up at the market on

Friday from 10am - 7pm

Saturday from 9am - 6pm

You can check out the Covent Garden Market online at: www.coventmarket.com

To check out more upcoming dates for

Batty's Bath at the Covent Garden Market,

check out the events section at BattysBath.com

DIRECTIONS TO THE MARKET

Coming from the East

Take 401 West until you come to Wellington Road North exit 186
Exit North and continue going on Wellington Road
Turn left (West) onto York Street and proceed West 3 blocks to Talbot Street, turn right (North)
Turn right (East) onto King Street. Underground Market parking is a 1/2 block to your immediate left

Coming from the West/South

Take 401 East until you come to Wellington Road North exit 186
Exit North and continue going on Wellington Road
Turn left (West) onto York Street and proceed West to Talbot Street, turn Right (North)
Turn right (East) onto King Street. Underground Market parking is a 1/2 block to your immediate left

 Coming from the North (Lucan, Exeter, etc.)

Take Highway #4 South which turns into Richmond Street
Cross Fanshawe Park Road
Continue on Richmond Street South
Turn West onto York Street
Turn North on Talbot Street, turn right (North)
Turn East onto King Street. Underground Market parking is a 1/2 block to your immediate left

The Benefits of Soy Butter

2011-05-17T10:36:00.000-04:00

Soy Butter is used in our "wet" clay mask. Out of all the wonderful butters that nature has to offer you might be wondering why I picked soy butter. There wasn't just one reason to pick soy butter, but many! It's such a wonderful ingredient that has so many good qualities! Check out the list below to learn about what's so great about soy butter!!

Since it is made from soya beans, it is extremely high in lecithin, sterolins, vitamin E, omega 3 fatty acids and isoflavones.
It penetrates easily into the skin which makes it an effective moisturizing agent.
It re-hydrates and replenishes the skin’s lipid barrier to help hold in moisture while softening dry, chafed, and damaged skin.
It exhibits good spread-ability on the skin, making it ideal for a facial clay mask.
It has an extremely mild scent making it great for people who are sensitive to strong orders, fragrances, and scents.

Skin Care Facts: Blackheads - What are they really?

2011-05-16T11:24:00.005-04:00

Let's Talk Blackheads!

So what are they?

Blackheads may make skin look dirty, but they are unrelated to dirt. They are actually created before the oils in your skin even react the other layer!

Where do they come from?

Blackheads are formed when:

**hormones cause too much oil to be produced**

**dead skin cells get in the way of oil trying to exit the pore**

**the pore is impaired or misshapen**

These 3 things add up to having the exit where oil exits, to be blocked... and viola! A clog is created! As this clog nears the surface of the skin, the mixture of oil and debris oxidizes and turns, you guessed it: black.

So What Can We Do to Get Rid of Them?

You cannot scrub away blackheads, at least not completely. Using a topical scrub removes the top portion of the blackhead, but does nothing to address the underlying cause, so they're back again before too long. The best way to deal with blackheads is to combined several strategies to address all the reasons that they crop up!

Here are Batty's best tips and tricks to work into your skin

care routine to avoid & clear up blackheads:

Be diligent in exfoliating your face with a good facial scrub daily!
Keep dry skin at bay but making sure your skin's natural moisture barrier is taken care of -- moisturize after washing your face & use a facial soap that wont strip your skin's natural moisture barrier -- because the combo dry skin & dead skin cells will just create more blackheads!
Let your makeup do some work: wear a primer with natural detoxifying clays.
Introduce your skin to a detoxing dry clay mask (here's a how to video!) and follow up with a good facial scrub. This process will pull up some of those clogs to the surface of your skin where they can be scrubbed off.
Switch to mineral makeup - it's less likely enter & clog pores (and if it ever does enter the pore, it's easily pushed out)
Check out this blog post to see if a vitamin deficiency might be causing your skin to produce extra oil
Change your pillow case frequently - oils from your hair & face, plus dead skin cells and other debris hangs out on your pillow case and that's just asking for problems! Keep your pillow case clean so your face can stay clear!

Correction!

2011-05-11T02:21:00.001-04:00

Ooops! Posted too early!!

If you saw this post earlier it said that Batty's Bath is at the Covent Garden Market this weekend which is incorrect! Batty's Bath will be at the Covent Garden Market May 20th & 21st!! Sorry about the mix up!

Quick Stick - Acne & Blackhead Fix Has Arrived!!!

2011-05-10T22:25:00.001-04:00

Quick Stick - Acne & Blackhead Fix, originally uploaded by She's Batty.

Now available in my Etsy shop and at BattysBath.com

Sometimes we need a little extra fighting power against acne & blackheads! That's where the Quick Stick comes in! This handy spot treatment combines natural ingredients all known to be beneficial in clearing up breakouts, imperfections, and blackheads. Apply when needed to stubborn spots to show them who's boss!

3 Things You Can Do This Weekend to Spring Clean Your Skin Care Routine

2011-05-10T11:23:00.002-04:00

1. Clear out any "cleansing products" that aren't REAL soap. If it's not a natural body wash, natural castile soap (liquid or solid), or handmade soap, get rid of it. "Beauty Bars" aren't real soap (that's why they can't put soap on the label) - same goes for "Facial Cleansers". These products use harsh detergents in place of skin loving glycerin soap so they gotta go!

2. Say goodbye to industrial made toners because they are usually one of the worst things you can do to your skin! They strip your skin's natural moisturizer barrier which results in breakouts, dryness, redness, and irritation. No, they aren't going to magically get rid of blackheads (sorry!), so you're wasting your money and hurting your skin! If you're trying to control oil and switching to a handmade soap and mineral makeup isn't doing the trick, try Batty's Quick Stick that includes nature's toner: witch hazel.

3. Break up with your shampoo & conditioner if your hair is still frizzy, dry, unruly, and your scalp is itchy! I could write an essay on this but for this post I'll just stick to the very basics! Industrial made shampoos & conditioners don't wash clean - you know the promise of "smooth, straight hair"? They try to live up to that promise by leaving residue in your hair that weighs it down. What's wrong with that you say? The problem is that residue damages your hair and makes the problem worse. The slippery part of this slop is that your hair gets more frizzy and dry so you continue to use these "speciality" shampoos for frizzy hair not realizing that they are making your hair more and more frizz every time you use them! Not cool!!! Instead, switch to a handmade, natural shampoo or shampoo bar, and conditioner that wash clean and prevent damage to your hair in the first place (for example by detangle your hair to avoid breakage). It's also important to note that it usually takes 2-3 weeks for a natural shampoo & conditioner routine to completely wash out all the previous residue left behind by those "other" shampoos & conditioner & for your hair to adjust to "natural life".

What Olive Green Clay Really Does for Your Skin

2011-05-09T10:14:00.000-04:00

Our primer has it, our facial masks has it, and even our cucumber facial soap has it... what is it? It's Olive Green Clay!

Olive Green Clay is our "go to clay" around here because it's strengthening for all skin types! This clay has got it going on ;) It's the strongest of all clays for detoxification - something that is essential to keeping skin clear and health which makes it vital in the care of acne-prone and oily skin.

So what else is so great about this clay? The detoxification properties already make Olive Green Clay absolutely amazing but it does more than just that! The minerals in the clay help to rebalance oil flow (another essential element of controlling breakouts), strengthens the skin, and aids in the repair of scars (an added bonus for those of us who have scars left over from previous or long-term breakouts!). The repairing properties for scars also makes Olive Green Clay ideal before, during, and after pregnancy where stretch marks are of concern.

So the next time you're applying our primer, facial masks, or soaping up with our cucumber facial soap, you know exactly what that wonderful clay is actually doing for your skin! It's a good feeling isn't it? :)

Caught Princess sleeping on the job today! Lol

2011-05-08T19:12:00.001-04:00

Caught Princess sleeping on the job today! Lol, originally uploaded by She's Batty.

Friday Favs

2011-05-06T11:54:00.000-04:00

Here are my favs from around the web this week!

Click the pictures for more info & credits.

*Just a few quick favs this week because I've got lots to catch up on*

Packed up several orders today that are bigger than my head lol

2011-05-06T10:41:00.001-04:00

Packed up several orders today that are bigger than my head lol, originally uploaded by She's Batty.

My Week So Far: It's a Batty Life

2011-05-05T10:14:00.008-04:00

Drew and I had a great weekend off! It was nice to have the time to go around to some of my fav spots, run errands, and enjoy each others company! The picture to the left is from our Value Village haul!! We found LOTS of goodies which was a surprise because it was close to noon and usually all the best things are picked over by then on a Sat. We lucked out and I scored more cookie jars to store bath bombs in, plus a polaroid camera!! I always look at the camera section but usually there isn't anything there other than a few old point and shoot film cameras so this was an exciting find! I have another polaroid camera around here somewhere but I haven't been able to find it! I'm hoping that when ever we move it will turn up! I can't wait to get some film and test my "new" polaroid camera out!!

I totally jumped for joy when Drew pointed out the light up jack-o-lantern that was buried at the back of a shelf!!! Halloween finds are the ULTIMATE thrifting treasure to me, especially something as cool, big, and in great shape as this jack-o-lantern!! He's now in his new home on our microwave along with some creepy decor :) Oh, and what's that orange and black fabric you ask? Well it's a dress!!! I rarely look through the clothing, and almost never find something I like (or is in my size) when I do look but I spotted this from a few rows away!! I had to run over and see what the black & orange garment was.. and long behold it was an awesome cord dress! I'll be sporting this fab find SOON! ;)

On Monday night I stayed over at my parent's place because I had a couple of doctor appointments in my hometown. My first appointment was a bone density scan to see if I can stay on one of my medications or need to figure out an alternative plan of action. The second was an eye appointment because I've noticed that my left eye has really gotten blurry over the last few months. My left eye has always had vision that was less than perfect, but I would only really notice when I was tired. Now I notice all the time. Last time I was the eye doctor I could read the second last line of the random letters "test" with my left eye, and on Monday I couldn't even read the top one - even when she increased the size! It turns out that prescription lenses wouldn't make a difference and she couldn't figure out why I was having this drastic change in my vision so I'm being referred to a specialist. Hopefully I don't have to wait a super long time to get in but I was warned it could be at least 2 months before I could see anyone. Let's hope my vision doesn't continue to get worse in that time! Between appointments I took my parent's dog - Shadow - for a walk. This dog LIVES for walks like no other dog I've known! He's the laziest bum ever until it's time for a walk lol. And that's saying a lot because I have 2 senior dogs and a greyhound mix who thinks she's a senior lol! I love walking Shadow because he never pulls and knows exactly how long the lease is (so he'll run with in that distance and then do a quick turn or stop when he knows he's near the end lol). We even stopped to enjoy a random patch of tulips that had sprouted on someone's lawn. It was nice! During our walk I notice how QUIET it is in small town. I grew up there but since being in a bigger city, I've forgotten. It's always lots of noise where we live - cars, people, buses, lawnmowers, dogs, etc. When I was walking shadow I could actually here his footsteps, a bird chirping, and two kids talking on the other end of the street! It was surreal and makes me want to move out of the city that much more!

Monday night and Tuesday were spent in the studio and packing up orders. I got lots of restocking done but still need to do a lot of labeling (the plan for tonight). Tuesday night I took my weekly needle which sometimes knocks me out for a day or two and sometimes just makes me a bit tired. This week was definitely the former because within an hour of taking it I was in bed and didn't have the energy to get out of bed again until this morning. I'm behind in my work schedule by a day now and am trying to catch up although I don't totally feel up to par. My pain level is quiet high and it's making it difficult to concentrated, and even though I'm sleepy, the pain keeps me from having a nap. Blah. I'm hoping for a boost of energy to catch up and a boost of energy to help me cope a bit better with this back pain. I'm thinking a soak in the tub is in order!

This Saturday Batty's Bath will be at the Handmade Festival at the Central Library in London, ON from 10am - 4pm.
New Release: Mild Unscented Facial Scrub
New Release: Buttercream Icing Solid Perfume
New Release: Sun & Sand Cologne
New Release: Fabulous Foot Scrub (updated formula!)
Contest: There's still time to enter the current blog contest! Click here!

Spring Clean Up Sale

2011-05-02T07:20:00.004-04:00

Sunny Spring Greetings from Batty!

You many have heard over at the facebook fan page or in a recent blog post that I've been squirreling away in the studio preparing for several new product launches!

That's right, the warm breezes and sunny skies wont be the only new things around here! BUT, before I can release all of the new products I first need to make some room on the inventory shelves & tables! That's where the Spring Clean Up Sale comes in!

The Spring Clean Up Sale is happening RIGHT NOW in the Batty's Bath Etsy Shop with deals starting at only ONE DOLLAR!

Click here to see all the sale items!

What are we cleaning out? Well, we're cleaning out all left over holiday & seasonal releases!
You don't need a coupon code for this sale, all the sale items have been marked down and have been moved to the "Gift Giving & Sales" section. Additionally all stock quantities have been updated so the number that is listed in the shop is all that's available. Once the items are gone, the sale is over and we can move on to releasing NEW PRODUCTS!!!

P.S. Did you know that anyone who is signed up for the Batty's Bath mailing list received notice of this sale early Sunday morning? Yup! They also got a list of all the new products that will be coming out! Would you like to know about sales before anyone else and receive insider information? No problem! Simply sign up for the mailing list and you'll get our next update delivered to your inbox!

Friday Favs

2011-04-29T20:33:00.001-04:00

Here are my favs from around the web this week!

Click the pictures for more info & credits.

Links

Off the Grid and Constantly Aware - now this is the way to live!

My Week So Far: It's a Batty Life

2011-04-28T14:31:00.002-04:00

Here we are at another weekly update. I know I ask this every week but I have to ask it again, where did the week go?! I have so many projects on the go in the studio right now that I feel like the only thing I've done all week is either sleep or squirrel away in the studio! I usually like to finish one project before moving on to the next but unfortunately I've had to work a bit differently lately because:

- I've got to keep stocked on products that are apart of my regular line which means there are times when I have to stop what I'm working on and stock another product ... or ...

- I've been waiting on ingredients or packaging to arrive .... or....

- I'll get a new product ready to release but then get distracted with restocking or working on something else before I take pictures and get them up online.

Some times with so many ideas and having a huge creative spurt really gets me off my usual routine - I'm sure many creative types can relate to that. If you're able to, when the inspiration strikes you just want to roll with it :)

I'm pretty sure I could work around the clock for a month straight and still not feel totally caught up with all the ideas running around in my head. But instead of burning myself out I decided that it's better to pace myself and try not to listen to the workaholic voice chirping in my head or the creative juices running through my veins :)

I told you about getting organized in last week's update. I also carried the "non burn out path" into this week and I took Good Friday off to spend with my family! Those two cutie pies in the picture above are my nephew and niece (did you notice that my niece got into my mom's make up? lol.. so no, she doesn't have two black eyes, she's got, and i quote "pretty purple eye shadow on"! haha). They are both so cute I'm sure they are going to grow up to be heartbreakers ;) I also took some time almost each night this week to spend with friends! It was definitely a different feeling to wake up and hang out with friends for a few hours before starting work! I totally felt spoiled! It was great to see them all and I'm glad so many of us had schedules that could fit in some friend time. I'll definitely be booking in more "friend weeks" in the future. Friends are good for the soul :)

Some Batty's Bath goodies will be at the Handmade Collective booth at the MET's grand opening this weekend!
After a long winter, Sun & Sand Glycerin Soap is back!
Bubblegum Lip Balm is back in stock.
Orange Chocolate Truffle Lip Balm is back in stock.
Upcoming product releases: leave in conditioner, quick stick acne fix, mild unscented facial scrub (with jojoba beads), green apple shampoo & conditioner, new foot scrub, a new solid perfume scent, and a new solid cologne scent.
I also have several other products in the works that are currently being tested by my lovely family & a few friends. Stay tuned for more updates.
One of the summer shows I was signed up for (the SchoolHouse Studio show in Komoka) has been cancelled so I'm on the look out for another show or 2 home parties to fill in that weekend (June 25th & 26th).
Many of the shows and events that have been confirmed are now listed on the Events page at BattysBath.com. I'll be adding more event listings as they are confirmed.

How to Make Your Own Natural Air Freshener

2011-04-27T11:36:00.001-04:00

A little while ago I was asked if Batty's Bath offers natural air fresheners, which we don't. Why? Because making your own is so super easy anyone can do it! Today I'll tell you exactly how!

What You'll Need:

Candle Warming Plate (available at most craft stores & where candles are sold)
Old candle glass jar or tea cup
Candle wax (most local craft stores have a variety of different waxes)
Essential Oils (check your local health food store) - my fav of the moment is lemongrass

What to Do:

Place the old candle glass jar or tea cup on the warming plate and turn it on.
Cut the wax into cubes - enough to fill your jar or tea cup 3/4 full.
Place the wax cubes into the glass jar or tea cup
After the wax has melted, add your favorite essential oil(s) as well as more wax if needed
Before long the scent of the oils will fill the room (and possibly your house!)
The amount of time this will last will depend on how big your jar/cup is and how much essential oils you put in. You can add more essential oils as you need them - the wax will last for a LONG time! I haven't changed mine in 6 months!

Lovely flowers for my birthday from the wonderful Weezi!!!

2011-04-27T08:35:00.001-04:00

Lovely flowers for my birthday from the wonderful @weeziclothing !!!, originally uploaded by She's Batty.

5 Reasons to Buy Handmade Soap

2011-04-26T09:43:00.000-04:00

5 Reasons to Pamper Yourself with Handmade Soap!

1. You value the largest organ in your body - your skin - and know that without the 3000 square inches of skin on your body, you wouldn't survive. It's definitely worth taking care of!

2. You don't want to have your skin rough, red, and dry after a shower or bath! You know that industrial manufactured soaps have harsh chemicals & detergents that cause just that! How? These harsh ingredients strip your skin of its natural moisturizers, irritate may people's skin, and even CAUSE may common skin problems!

3. You love that handmade soap is free of harsh ingredients and instead is made with natural oils, butters, and clays in particular combinations for various skin types! It's designed with specialized skin care in mind - not profits or bottom lines!

4. You LOVE Glycerin and each and every bar of handmade soap contains loads glycerin. Why do you love glycerin so much? Because glycerin draws moisture from the air into your skin! Is your skin craving moisture? If you're using industrial manufactured soaps you can bet it is because the glycerin is removed from these soaps and sold off for profit! Since the glycerin is removed from these industrial manufactured soaps, they replace that skin loving glycerin with poor quality fillers and detergents

5. You value affordable luxury and know that the simple things in like bring the most joy! Using handmade soap is like treating your skin to some serious pampering everyday! If you ever wanted to feel totally pampered on a small budget, handmade bath & body products are the way to go!

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T13:04:00.000-04:00

Cutting and packaging soap

2011-04-23T21:04:00.001-04:00

Cutting and packaging soap, originally uploaded by She's Batty.

Neapolitan on the left.
Sun & Sand on the right :)

Friday Favs

2011-04-22T14:58:00.000-04:00

Here are my favs from around the web this week!

Click the pictures for more info & credits.

Links

My Week So Far: It's a Batty Life

2011-04-21T23:34:00.000-04:00

Greetings everyone! It's been a few weeks since I posted a "my weeks so far" update. Why? In a nutshell - craft shows, an exam, and illness! The great news is that studying for an exam will NEVER again be something that will stop be from updating the blog because I'VE FINISHED MY BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE!!!! ... yup, I'm pretty excited! Through chronic pain, fatigue, and running Batty's Bath I've finally finished!

I've gotten asked by a few people "so what are you going to do with your degree now?".. my answer: NOTHING! lol! Batty's Bath is really taking off - enough to keep me very busy and is bringing in enough financially for me to stay home and take care of myself (which was the goal all along). It's so wonderful to be doing something I'm really passionate about that is also allowing me to live a lifestyle that keeps my flare ups at bay! I really couldn't ask for more than that!

In other news, we've been getting some wedding stuff done lately including figuring out my dress! Yes, I had one already from a previous engagement that's gorgeous but it just isn't "me" anymore (the one pictured). I've found another one that I'm absolutely in love with that mom is actually going to make for me!!! It's great coming from a family of "makers" :) I've put the first dress up on Ebay here and am hoping to sell it to pay for the materials & fabric for the next one ;)

In May during my mom's holidays, we'll be going on a mega fabric hunt for the PERFECT threads to make my new dress with. I'm so excited about it and would love to show everyone what we have in mind but I don't want to spoil the fun! But, I can share what the Save The Dates looked like now! They really fit in with our halloween theme!

As you can imagine, the past few weeks have gone by quickly but I've gotten myself more organized! I slept through several days in a row each week lately and woken up to feeling horrible (imagine not moving for over a day and a half, not taking any needed medication, not having anything to eat or drink, etc). The worst part for me was missing that medication. It took me another couple days to start to feel normal again (which meant no studio time). Instead I worked on getting organized on my computer and really figuring out what was sucking up a lot of my time. The forced days "off" from the studio and the days I had to take off of everything to study for that last exam really helped me to evaluate where I was running in one place or spinning my wheels. I updated my daily bookmark folders, my google reader, and a few other things to really slim down to just the essentials. It's been great for my soul because I'm not wasting hours on time suckers, or getting caught up reading millions of articles (my biggest weakness to staying on schedule!). I've also schedule out new product creations that breaks down releases by seasons. When I worked everything out on the calender I realized how much time things really do take! It made me feel a bit better because I sometimes feel like I'm not getting enough done each day but working out the steps showed me that I really do get a lot done in a short amount of time. Now I've spread out projects so each can one can get the attention it deserves while giving me enough time to keep up with my regular line, craft shows, and.. oh ya.. breathe! lol! I'm looking forward to working with this new schedule because it feel like I will be making important steps forward each day for Batty's Bath! I'm feeling more prepared for the busy craft season already!

This week I ordered some new business materials that I'm really excited about including business cards with a new design, banners, brochures, craft show signage, etc. I didn't need them right away so I opted for the slowest & cheapest shipping - but now I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for them lol! They wont be here for about a month so the excitement will fizzle by the time they arrive BUT I know when they arrive it will be like Christmas morning! haha. Yup, it's geeky little things like this that make me giddy!

That's it for this week!

Have a great Easter weekend everyone!

New bath bomb packs! These are a great value and customers get to pick their own scents!
Customers have been having their say with these surveys: spring survey, bath bomb survey, new scrub scents. If you haven't had your say, they surveys are still open! Go ahead and fill them out :)
Many new products are in the works! There will be lots of updates in the near future so sign up for the mailing list, watch the facebook fan page, and check the Etsy shop for all the news
Body Polishes have been discontinued! There are a few in stock if you'd like to snag them before they are gone. They have already been removed from the BattysBath.com shop.
The body scrubs are here to stay and in fact, there will be a number of new sugar & salt scrubs coming out soon!

Traditions Mom Taught Me

2011-04-21T10:20:00.000-04:00

With Mother's Day coming up quickly after Easter (I can't believe how quickly Easter has snuck up!), I thought I'd share a few of the traditions my wonderful mom has taught me! This is a great exercise to do every once and a while for the most influential people in your life. It's a wonderful way to remind us how truly blessed we are with the little things in life.

Traditions from mom..
Grill cheese & tomato soap is the best supper on Halloween!
Sweet sixteen gals should get their birthstone in a pretty little ring.
Christmas morning means Pillsbury turn overs for breakfast!
You get to pick what we have for supper on your birthday!
Handmade fabric bags are the best kind of packaging for gifts of all sorts.
Morning coffee on the weekend should be drank outside in the summer

Mom taught us more than traditions she also taught us..
If you can make it rather than buy, do it!
Hugs heal
Ask for help when you need it
Sleeping in on the weekends is well deserved
Reading and quiet time should be valued
The best thing mom ever taught me.....The best things in life aren't found in quick flashes, but rather in life long friendships & simple everyday luxuries.

Packing orders...

2011-04-18T03:40:00.001-04:00

One of Sunday's orders all packed up! I'm loving this one because of the natural green leaves & soap bubbles!, originally uploaded by She's Batty.

One of Sunday's orders all packed up! I'm loving this one because of the natural green leaves & soap bubbles!

Help Me Pick 2 New Scrub Scents!

2011-04-16T15:37:00.002-04:00

It will be quiet around here this week

2011-04-11T17:09:00.004-04:00

Four years ago I started studying psychology at university. The picture to the left was in 2008 during mid-term exams. I've studied every summer, on top of the regular school year and now I can finally say that THIS FRIDAY will be my LAST university exam EVER!!! I'm pretty excited to finish this chapter of my life! But before, I can do so, I have to spend the week studying for that last exam. Things will be quiet around here until next week while I prep. After that, I wont have to set aside any more time for school, and I will officially be FREE to live each day to the fullest! Yes, as you guessed, I'm burnt out from school and although I'm grateful for being able to attend (and complete) university, I'm also so inspired & passionate about my work that I just want to spend all my time making, creating, and sharing! With that said, I've got to hit the books! While things are quiet around here, please complete the two quick customer surveys below. They will be used to guide the direction of Batty's Bath in the future :) Have a great week and wish me luck :)

Bath Bombs from Batty's Bath! Have Your Say! (Customer Survey)

2011-04-10T23:13:00.002-04:00

Customer Survey - Spring 2011

2011-04-10T22:55:00.001-04:00

Packaging orders and decorating them with these cute nesting dolls! My fav is the one in the middle :)

2011-04-07T10:06:00.001-04:00

Packaging orders. My fav is the one in the middle , originally uploaded by She's Batty.

How to Make Your Soap Bars Last

2011-04-06T10:36:00.000-04:00

Once you've tried handmade soap you want every silky skin loving bubble to last! Thankfully I wont stop making handmade soap any time soon BUT I know you want each and every bar to last even longer than they already do! No problem! Here's a few tips on how to make them last!

Don't leave your handmade soap in the tub while you're soaking in the tub.
Make sure your handmade soap isn't in the water stream - keep it in a corner of the shower or tub where it wont be constantly hit by water.
Use a soap dish that provides appropriate drainage so your soap bar can completely dry out between uses.
Rub your soap bar onto a wash cloth & use that to get clean rather than rubbing the soap bar right onto your body.
Keep your soap bars in their packaging, in a cool dry place until you're ready to use them.
Consider cutting your soap bars in half and only putting one half in the shower at a time.

THIS FRI & SAT: Batty is at the Covent Garden Market in London

2011-04-05T14:21:00.001-04:00

Join Batty's Bath at

The Covent Garden Market

- London's local, fresh, and friendly market

THIS FRIDAY & SATURDAY!

Located at 130 King St, London, ON

We'll have a table set up at the market on

Friday from 10am - 7pm

Saturday from 9am - 6pm

You can check out the Covent Garden Market online at: www.coventmarket.com

To check out more upcoming dates for

Batty's Bath at the Covent Garden Market,

check out the events section at BattysBath.com

DIRECTIONS TO THE MARKET

Coming from the East

Take 401 West until you come to Wellington Road North exit 186
Exit North and continue going on Wellington Road
Turn left (West) onto York Street and proceed West 3 blocks to Talbot Street, turn right (North)
Turn right (East) onto King Street. Underground Market parking is a 1/2 block to your immediate left

Coming from the West/South

Take 401 East until you come to Wellington Road North exit 186
Exit North and continue going on Wellington Road
Turn left (West) onto York Street and proceed West to Talbot Street, turn Right (North)
Turn right (East) onto King Street. Underground Market parking is a 1/2 block to your immediate left

 Coming from the North (Lucan, Exeter, etc.)

Take Highway #4 South which turns into Richmond Street
Cross Fanshawe Park Road
Continue on Richmond Street South
Turn West onto York Street
Turn North on Talbot Street, turn right (North)
Turn East onto King Street. Underground Market parking is a 1/2 block to your immediate left

Making scent sniffing samples for the upcoming craft show season

2011-04-05T04:25:00.001-04:00

Making scent sniffing samples for the upcoming craft show season, originally uploaded by She's Batty.

Getting deliveries ready. About 1/3 done.

2011-04-03T03:44:00.001-04:00

Getting deliveries ready for tomorrow. About 1/3 done., originally uploaded by She's Batty.

Contest: Help Batty Pic Her Wedding Do!

2011-04-02T14:36:00.003-04:00

My wedding is coming up on October and I need some help finding the perfect wedding hair do! I thought to make things more fun, I would turn my hair do hunt into a contest so one lucky fan can win some Batty's Bath hair products!

What's Up for Grabs?

Batty's Bath Shampoo
Batty's Bath Conditioner

How to Enter:

Find or take a picture of a hair style that you think would be PERFECT for my wedding day.
Post the link in the comments of this blog post.
Be sure to include a way for me to contact you if you win!
Deadline for entries is Friday May 27th

For Extra Entries:
Any of the following will count towards an entry (be sure to post a new comment for each entry with a link to your extra entry!)

Tweet this blog post
Share this blog post on Facebook
Blog about this contest

A Few Things You May Want to Take Note of:

I'm looking for a dramatic big up do or half up do.
I'll be including black & orange flowers in my hair.
My hair will likely be mostly black, with orange on my bottom layer
I don't want my bangs to be swept back or pinned up
My wedding is halloween/gothic themed and VERY untraditional. I'd like my hair to match :)

That's it! Good luck everyone!

Friday Favs

2011-04-01T19:31:00.000-04:00

Here are my favs from around the web this week!

Click the pictures for more info & credits.

Links

APRIL FOOLS TEETH SOAP ARE BACK!

2011-04-01T08:42:00.002-04:00

After being a huge hit last April Fools, I couldn't help but bring back these awesome teeth soaps!!! They are now available in my Etsy shop but only for a limited time! --- and that's no joke :)

I've got a batch of primer on the go too!

2011-04-01T06:45:00.005-04:00

I've got a batch of primer on the go too!, originally uploaded by She's Batty.

Making a batch of patchouli facial cream.

2011-04-01T06:45:00.004-04:00

Making a batch of patchouli facial cream., originally uploaded by She's Batty.

My Week So Far: It's a Batty Life

2011-03-31T11:27:00.003-04:00

It feels like I just wrote one of these posts! How could a week have gone by already? This week has gone by super fast so far. I've been in a funk the past few days. You may have noticed that by the lack of updates around the blog. I'm hoping to crawl out of this funk soon!

On Sunday Drew and I went to the mall for the afternoon. We rarely go to the mall but sometimes it's nice to just walk around and people watch :)

The great part about the weekend was I could get away without wearing a big winter jacket to go between the car and mall!

Above are pictures that I know some of you have been waiting for - the results of my latest dye job! In most light the purple looks purple, but sometimes it still looks very blue! Usually indoors it looks purple, and outdoors in the bright sunlight it looks blue. In the last picture you can see the "true" color of the purple in one of my longer layers - that pretty lighter purple. I'm interested to see what it looks like as it fades out (if I leave it that long lol).

Above is a picture of a frame we picked up a few months ago. I absolutely love it! It's empty because we're saving it for our wedding photo. The wedding isn't until October but it's just too lovely not to put up - empty or not :)

The girls! If you're following me on instagram you would have seen that when I took this picture, I said something along the lines of "surrounded by loved ones but still in sucky mood". I'm still surrounded, and still feeling the funk. (to find me on instagram just search battysbath)

While we were at the mall on Sunday we picked up some nail polish! I almost never buy nail polish but I've been in the mood to do my nails lately. I couldn't resist when I found "mood swing" nail polish that changes color! The one I got goes from light to dark teal. Dark teal is supposed to be "passionate" and light teal is "shy". I'm obsessed with glitter so I couldn't leave just the plain color on. I added that beautiful blend of purple, blue, and pink glitter. I don't think I've seen a more pretty blend of glitter! It inspires me - perhaps a new hair color? ;)

Lots of spring items have arrived!! Check out the seasonal section of the Etsy shop for all the new goodies including gift packs, soaps, hand cream, and bath bombs!
Honey Bee Mine Lip Balm has arrived
Body Scrubs have been restocked
Finalized my schedule from now until November! Lots of craft shows and covent garden market dates have been booked! I've left a few openings for home parties. Watch the events section at BattysBath.com, the side bar of this blog, or the Facebook Fan Page for updates.

Alternative Uses for Vodka

2011-03-30T10:50:00.000-04:00

Treat Poison Ivy
For many, one of the hazards of enjoying the great outdoors is an encounter with poison ivy, oak or sumac. It can lead to a nasty, long-lasting rash. Unfortunately, poison ivy is spreading, thanks to global warming. To avoid the uncomfortable reaction, immediately pour vodka on skin that has come into contact with poison ivy, and the alcohol will wash away the itchy culprit, urushiol oil. Some have said that the vodka needs to be at least 100 proof to work. Others have argued that straight rubbing alcohol works better.

Freshen Laundry
You can keep your clothes smelling fresher with vodka — really! Simply spritz your duds with the stuff, then hang to dry in a well-ventilated area. (Do a spot-test first to be safe.) Vodka kills odor-causing bacteria, but doesn't leave a scent when dry.

Shine Your Fixtures
Moisten a soft, clean cloth with vodka, then apply a little elbow grease.

Preserve Flowers
If vodka can help you find love, then it can also help you preserve it — or at least the symbols of it. Add a few drops of vodka and a teaspoon of sugar to the water in your flower vase. It should help keep your flowers fresh longer. Change out the mixture with fresh ingredients daily.

Repel Insects
Who knew that vodka can kill pesky insects? Pour a little of the saucy spirit in a spray bottle and squirt on the little buggers, or yourself as a repellent. But please don't take aim at any beneficial bees!

Soothe Jellyfish Stings
For vegetarians and others who don't travel with meat tenderizer (or who don't feel comfortable asking friends to, um, relieve the pain), take heart. Vodka can also disinfect and alleviate some of the bite of a jellyfish sting. (Batty Bite: When I was younger I was stung by a jelly fish but we were told by the lifeguard to rub sand on it. It was way too long ago for me to remember if it actually worked but I do remember the sting being very painful!!!)

Clean Away Mold
Fill a recycled spray bottle with some bottom-shelf vodka. Spritz on, then let sit for 15 minutes. Scrub away with an old toothbrush

Make a Soothing Lavender Tincture
Do you find the scent of lavender soothing? Did you know that herbalists have used it for generations to naturally ease aches and pains? Here's a fun DIY tip: Fill a clean glass jar with fresh lavender flowers, then top off with vodka. Seal the lid tightly and place in the sun for three days (same idea as making sun tea!). Strain the resulting liquid through a coffee filter, and poof! You have a homemade tincture to rub into aches and pains. You can pour into smaller bottles, decorate them and give them as unique gifts.

Ease a Toothache
Got a toothache? Your first priority should be to see a dentist. But sometimes you can't get an appointment right away, or the professionals tell you it will just have to heal on its own. In that case, try swishing a shot of vodka over the affected area. It can help disinfect, and should numb some of the pain in your gums. Just beware that your honey may accuse you of smelling like a saloon.

March is Umbrella Month

2011-03-30T00:02:00.001-04:00

Cuba Gallery: Cinematic / rain / landscape / umbrella / beautiful / lightroom preset / rose vogue / romantic / water / love, originally uploaded by ►CubaGallery.

Friday Favs

2011-03-26T03:20:00.003-04:00

Here are my favs from around the web this week!

Click the pictures for more info & credits.

I LOVE this app :)

All the e-books you could ever ask for AND read them on your iphone! This has made reading before bedtime so much more enjoyable because I don't have to lug my laptop to bed with me anymore!

LINKS:

Ghost Towns - just an extension of my abandoned buildings obsession!
Lovely Eye Shadow - absolutely gorgeous!
Bedroom Deco - Love the window treatments!