Sunday, February 14, 2010

♥ Things I Love - Green Haven Soaps ♥

Interior Alaska Winters are long, brutal and drying to the skin. It was not uncommon for our skin to be itchy and flaky and develop dry patches on the elbows. Since switching to handmade soaps several months ago, the whole family has noticed an improvement in our skin - and no dry patches on the elbows!

I have purchased a lot of handmade soap in local shops, on my travels and over the internet. Some of the most delightful, outstanding bars I've used come from Green Haven Soaps on Etsy.

The bars are generously sized and highly scented with natural ingredients and essential oils. I could tell by the high quality of the bars that this soap maker does not skimp on ingredients. I've noticed some handmade soaps can get a bit soft and mushy after they have become wet. Green Haven's bars remained firm, yet still produced creamy, luxurious lather.

The soap is also presented beautifully. The bars came wrapped in a paper sleeve with a forest green embossed wax seal.

The shop is like a medieval fairy tale. With fanciful names like Avalon, Selkie, Quest and Tavern, beautiful photographs and descriptions of the soap, I felt like I had been transported to a magical land. Green Haven mixes scents in delicious combinations too - juniper, lavender, clary sage, peppermint are just some of the wonderful ingredients. I'm on the second bar from her shop and look forward to trying all the soap I purchased and will definitely be buying more.
I also purchased Green Haven Soap's Alchemy body wash. I didn't know whether to drink it or wash with it when I took my first whiff of this delightful concoction. It has an amazing scent of orange and honey. Alchemy truly looks like a magical potion with its lovely golden colour and is bubbly and wonderful and I feel so pampered when I use it!
Handmade soap is one of the last affordable luxuries. Such a great way to indulge yourself or give as a gift.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Etsy Beagles Blog Giveaway ♥ Enter to Win A Fabulous Prize!!

Cast your vote at the Etsy Beagle Blog: http://etsybeagles.blogspot.com/2010/02/etsy-beagles-hearts-and-hounds-team.html

We love dogs. We love Beagles. We are also proud members of the Etsy Beagle Street Team - made up of Etsy Sellers drawn together by their love of dogs. Periodically our team will pick a theme and participating members will create items to go along with the theme. Team members donate a portion of the proceeds of their entry to the animal charity of their choice.

Our latest theme is "Hearts and Hounds". You have an opportunity to win a fabulous pouch from the lovely Tricia of Kooky Handbags just for voting for your favorite team entry:
All you need to do is go to the official Etsy Beagle Blog and vote for your favorite team challenge entry by leaving a comment and voila! You're entered!

The winner is chosen by our "Flealess Leader" Miss Anomoly's handsome hound Flash.

Flash dives into a bowl where slips of paper with the names of the voters have been placed. His goal - the hidden Snausage. The first slip out of the bowl shows the winner. ♥


Our entry is the Hearts and Hounds Charm Bracelet.

$10 from the sale of the bracelet will be donated to the Loving Companion Animal Rescue in North Pole, Alaska. Visit their website to learn more about them.

Good luck to all!