Unprofessional?

This past weekend I participated in a Toy Drive Fundraiser to benefit Christmas Unlimited and I had a great time. I met some awesome ladies and I had a good time promoting my product. I was also located across the aisle diagonally to the Lemongrass Spa lady. This did not bother me at all, we both have different products. The products are similar, but there are different scents and I could really go on, but I won't.

I had a lady stop at my table to smell my soaps (which are sooo good) and she asked what the difference between my products and the Lemongrass products is. My response was this: "My products are handcrafted by me, which gives me the freedom to make what I want, when I want. I also get to experiment and if I come up with a great idea, I can start selling it right away; where a larger company like Lemongrass would take more time getting it produced and out to the public. Other than that, our products are similar, we have a similar idea, and a similar committment to give our customers great products. We do offer different scents and different choices in products, so between the two of us, you are sure to find what you want."

The woman looked a little taken aback at my answer. I don't know if she was expecting me to bash Lemongrass or what, but I'm sure that my response was not what was expected. I think I handled the question well and honestly. I can truly say that Lemongrass produces some wonderful products and while I'll admit I'm biased and think my stuff is better; I did not mind being near the other woman at the show. I think it was great that we were both able to have a variety of products there and that variety helped to serve a greater number of people.

Has anyone else ever been put in a situation like that? I mean, was the woman honestly looking for an answer or was trying to see if I would behave unprofessionally? Maybe I just haven't been doing enough shows and that question is quite common, I just don't know.

Water Discount in Soap

I read about how you can discount the amount of water you use in a batch of soap so it will get harder, faster. I tried this for the first time a couple of days ago when I was making my chocolate mint soap (which turned about beautifully, my swirls are much nicer). I didn't really think it could make that big of a difference, but the difference was amazing.

I made a batch of my lavender chamomile soap and my chocolate mint soap on Sunday. I discounted the water for the chocolate mint, but not the lavender. Monday I unmolded and started cutting, the chocolate mint soap was already pretty hard, but the lavender soap was quite a bit softer. It was much easier to cut, but it also mushed easier so I had to be very careful about moving the bars.

I checked on the today and the chocolate mint bars are very nice, you would honestly think they have already been curing for 1-2 weeks not 2 days. They will of course sit and cure the full month, but I'm very excited by this. I worried that something horrible would happen when I mixed the lye or it would do something funny when I was mixing, but I had no problems. I love the results and think that I will start doing this with more of my batches.

By the way, my soaps look and smell AMAZING! I get so excited every time I make a new batch, even if its a recipe I've been doing for awhile.

Don't Forget One Stop Shop TODAY!

The Multi-Purpose Bldg
1025 Ford St, 80915
10am - 4pm

Bring a new toy or a cash donation to benefit Christmas Unlimited.

No More Criticizing

This is something we all do and we are harder on ourselves than we are on others. I don't think there is anything wrong with having higher expectations for ourselves, but there is something wrong with putting ourselves down. You know what I mean, we do something we swore we wouldn't do and then we beat ourselves up over it. I wasn't going to eat that next piece of pumpkin bread, I meant to work out and I can't believe I didn't. Really, the list just goes on. I know I'm not perfect. I need to lose weight, I need to learn to balance everything better, and I need to spend more time with friends and family.

I do work at all of this and sometimes I slip up, I eat things I shouldn't, I don't get things done, and I just don't keep in touch. What do I do when this happens? I beat myself up. I can spend days thinking to myself "YOU ARE SUCH AN IDIOT, WHY CAN'T YOU JUST DO WHAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO. ITS NOT LIKE ITS THAT HARD!!!!" Wow, that solved...nothing.

FL!P: I Simply ACCEPT
This is what I need to do. I need to accept that I am not perfect and move on. Sure, I still need to work on my problems, but that doesn't mean bringing myself down. Especially since I'm an emotional eater. I need to accept myself for what I am, excess weight and all, and set goals to change what I want to change. I need to accept that mistakes will happen and I will have set backs, but that doesn't make me an idiot or a failure. I need to accept that I can reach my goals and continue to work towards them. I know in my heart I can be successful and now I am accepting that I will be successful and there will be roadblocks for me to overcome.

I will overcome them because I expect good things.

I hope everyone else will do the same for themselves. Accept what is and move on with your life. Don't beat yourself down because of what you didn't do; lift yourself up because of all the great things you have done. Can you go forward and accept more and criticize less? I'm going to try.

Sleep

Ah sleep, how we all need sleep and so many of us don't get enough. When we rest we allow our bodies to recover and rejuvenate, but when we deny ourselves the sleep we need it will show up on the surface. Lack of sleep can lead to puffy eyes, sagging, lackluster skin, dull hair, and other emotional problems.

I know with kids, jobs, and everything else we do, it is very hard to fit in enough sleep. I don't have kids, but I do have a full-time job and a business to run. I know exactly what its like to have too much to do. It is so tempting to just stay up a little late to get a few more things done. But, I have learned how it effects me to do that. I am grumpy, irritable, and I just don't look or perform my best. So, take care of yourself and get the sleep you need.

One Stop Shop Toy Drive

I am in a toy drive fundraiser this weekend to benefit Christmas Unlimited here in Colorado Springs. Christmas Unlimited provides toys and other Christmas goodies to needy families in the area and they are expecting to need more toys than last year! Please come out and support this awesome event. 30 vendors will be available for you to do your Christmas shopping and everyone has donated gift certificates. That's over $600 in certificates and all we ask is that you bring a new, unwrapped toy.

When: Sat, Nov 7th from 10-4

Where: The Multipurpose Bldg @ 1025 Ford St 80915 (east of Powers of Galley & Ford)

Why: Help provide Christmas to underprivileged families

Website is UP!!!

I know I've been saying its coming, but my website is finally up. We had a few minor glitches and photos to get done, but it is up and running. I'm so excited and I think it looks AWESOME! We are still working out some of the kinks and links, but go check it out and let me know what you think.
www.honunaturals.com and if you happen to notice any issues, please let me know.