Coconut Oil...Skincare Superstar!

Personally, I love coconut oil. It has many interesting uses and is incredibly versatile. From moisturizing skin, to replacing the high fat butter in cooking, coconut oil has been around for centuries.

Coconut oil is loaded with mostly medium chain fatty acids that consist of about 50% Lauric Acid. From what I understand, breast milk is the other Lauric Acid superstar; protecting newborns and helping them thrive.

Fresh Container of Coconut Oil

The shelf life for coconut oil is usually about 2 years due to its high content of saturated fats. It is also slow to oxidize and go rancid, making it very stable - hence the giant container I typically have on hand. Well, that and I use a TON of coconut oil! As it has a melting point of 76 degrees, coconut oil actually looks more like a butter until it melts to a clear liquid.

In soap, this little gem produces large, fluffy bubbles. Without ingredients like coconut oil, soaps need to use additives like Sodium Laureth Sulfate (also known as SLS) and other possible carcinogens to make lather. The Seattle Soap Shop uses only coconut and castor oils for bubbles; leaving out the chemicals.

Finally, coconut oil is great for those with skin sensitivities and won't clog pores. What else can I say? Coconut Oil is truly a skincare superstar!

Wash yourself with...sugar?

One of my favorite products I used to love were body scrubs. You know the ones. Heavily scented, heavy with oils, large grit sugar or salt (ouch), and usually pretty expensive. Not only that, but they made your shower or tub very slippery and left a gross residue behind. Why did I love them so much? Well, because they made my skin incredibly soft and smooth. My solution? Invent my own, much improved sugar wash.

Jojoba and Olive Oil Sugar Wash

What is a sugar wash? Well, our sugar wash is a skin-loving combination of both Jojoba and Olive Oils and a medium-fine grain sugar. In addition, we have added an organic Castile liquid soap that not only cleanses you; it also prevents that build up of oils in your tub. Our wash cleans, exfoliates, and moisturizes you in one easy step; leaving your skin ultra soft.
Net Wt 7oz (198g)



Choose between Lavender Citrus, Rosemary Eucalyptus, and Spearmint Mandarin

$12.99 at the Seattle Soap Shop

Lavender Citrus: Organic Sugar, Organic Castile Soap, Jojoba Oil, Olive Oil, Optiphen (a phthalate & paraben-free preservative), Coriander, Lavender, Pink Grapefruit & Mandarin Fragrance

Rosemary Eucalyptus: Organic Sugar, Organic Castile Soap, Jojoba Oil, Olive Oil, Optiphen (a phthalate & paraben-free preservative), Rosemary, Lavender, & Eucalyptus Fragrance Oils

Spearmint Mandarin: Organic Sugar, Organic Castile Soap, Jojoba Oil, Olive Oil, Optiphen (a phthalate & paraben-free preservative), Organic Mandarin & Organic Spearmint Essential Oils

The On-the Go Remedy Stick is back!!

Several years ago, over wine and appetizers, I had my best girlfriends over to test out formulations I was coming up with for my organic skincare line, Plein de Vie (meaning 'Full of Life' in French). While testing out lotions, and oils, and scrubs, one of my friends grabbed a jar off my counter which was not supposed to be a part of the sampling group. I told her to ignore it because it was a diaper balm formulation gone wrong and I had a ways to go before it was ready for feedback.

Of course, the girls all ignored me and decided to try it out anyway. What I discovered that evening was that they loved the balm - not as a diaper balm, but as a healing balm. The idea for a healing balm in a tube was born that night! After several months of research and testing, I formulated the final product: The On-the-Go Remedy Stick.

On-the-Go Remedy Stick

Designed to help with cuts, scrapes, rashes, sunburn, windburn, chapped lips, dry skin (especially during pregnancy), diaper rash, and as a mini-massage stick, I also learned that it had also been helping people with significant razor burn, eczema, and mild acne outbreaks as well. In fact, it was such a handy little healer that it was named "Best of Beauty" by Seattle Magazine, was an Editor's Pick in 425 Magazine, a 'Must Have' item in Seattle Metropolitan Bride, and was featured in the Teen Vogue Blog and the Bellevue Reporter (among others).

Best of Beauty

The .5 ounce tube easily fits into any purse, diaper bag, or first aid kit.  Boasting an impressive 85% certified organic ingredient list, the only ingredients that aren’t considered organic are Vitamin E Oil, Wild-harvested Sea Buckthorn Berry Extract, and Candelilla Wax; a Vegan alternative to beeswax.

So why didn't this product make it to store shelves? Well, to be honest, life got in the way, things changed, and I closed Plein De Vie. Now that I am back in the business with The Seattle Soap Shop, I knew the right thing to do was to bring the On-the-Go Remedy Stick back.

You can only get it on the Seattle Soap Shop website. Check it out and let me know how it helped you!

HELP A GREAT KID!

Full Disclosure: The great kid is mine. He really is great, and he really does need some help. 

Nate and I a couple of years ago when he gave me his lacrosse 'game ball' as my Mother's Day gift.

A few weeks ago, we received an e-mail from the Issaquah High School Varsity Lacrosse coach inviting Nathan to join an elite lacrosse team (Team Washington) over the summer. This team is made up of the 20 best lacrosse players in Washington State by age group and is invite-only. There are no tryouts. You are scouted and invited.

As an eighth grader, you can imagine how excited Nate was to be recognized by the Varsity lacrosse coach. You can also imagine how excited we were as parents for such an opportunity for our son. The problem, is that we will need approximately $3700 to send him. Money we don't have right now.

Team Washington will be traveling to both Long Island and Baltimore to compete in tournaments. Not only would it be a wonderful experience for Nate to have, but the tournaments are heavily scouted by D1 Colleges for possible future scholarships. In addition, most of the boys who have been on this team have been accepted into and/or given college scholarships for lacrosse in the D1 colleges.

Nate is truly a fantastic kiddo. He gets great grades, is sweet to his new baby brother, has a kind and compassionate heart, treats people with respect, is athletic, a good artist, a leader among his peers, and LOVES playing lacrosse.

Any money you can give would be a huge help. We can't thank you enough for helping us to support Nate. Please know that Nate will be working quite a bit to earn money in addition to the money we are trying to save.

You can donate online via the website You Caring using this link:

http://www.youcaring.com/other/Nate-Holbrook-s-Lacrosse-Fundraiser/44274#sthash.B7HN8BPG.dpuf

 http://www.youcaring.com/other/Nate-Holbrook-s-Lacrosse-Fundraiser/44274

http://www.youcaring.com/other/Nate-Holbrook-s-Lacrosse-Fundraiser/44274#sthash.B7HN8BPG.dpuf

If you would prefer to mail a check to us, please mail it to Shelly's business address:

Shelly Holbrook-Ebeling
4957 Lakemont Blvd SE, Ste C4, #362
Bellevue, WA 98006

Thank you again for your help!!

A few weeks ago, we received an e-mail from the Issaquah High School Varsity Lacrosse coach inviting Nathan to join an elite lacrosse team (Team Washington) over the summer. This team is made up of the 20 best lacrosse players in Washington State by age group and is invite-only. There are no tryouts. You are scouted and invited.

As an eighth grader, you can imagine how excited Nate was to be recognized by the Varsity lacrosse coach. You can also imagine how excited we were as parents for such an opportunity for our son. The problem, is that we will need approximately $3700 to send him. Money we don't have right now.

Team Washington will be travelling to both Long Island and Baltimore to compete in tournaments. Not only would it be a wonderful experience for Nate to have, but the tournaments are heavily scouted by D1 Colleges for possible future scholarships. In addition, most of the boys who have been on this team have been accepted into and/or given college scholarships for lacrosse in the D1 colleges.

Nate is truly a fantastic kiddo. He gets great grades, is sweet to his new baby brother, has a kind and compassionate heart, treats people with respect, is athletic, a good artist, a leader among his peers, and LOVES playing lacrosse.

Any money you can give would be a huge help. We can't thank you enough for helping us to support Nate. Please know that Nate will be working quite a bit to earn money in addition to the money we are trying to save.

If you would prefer to mail a check to us, please mail it to Shelly's business address:

Shelly Holbrook
4957 Lakemont Blvd SE, Ste C4, #362
Bellevue, WA 98006

Thank you again for your help!!
- See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/other/Nate-Holbrook-s-Lacrosse-Fundraiser/44274#sthash.tzk

A few weeks ago, we received an e-mail from the Issaquah High School Varsity Lacrosse coach inviting Nathan to join an elite lacrosse team (Team Washington) over the summer. This team is made up of the 20 best lacrosse players in Washington State by age group and is invite-only. There are no tryouts. You are scouted and invited.

As an eighth grader, you can imagine how excited Nate was to be recognized by the Varsity lacrosse coach. You can also imagine how excited we were as parents for such an opportunity for our son. The problem, is that we will need approximately $3700 to send him. Money we don't have right now.

Team Washington will be travelling to both Long Island and Baltimore to compete in tournaments. Not only would it be a wonderful experience for Nate to have, but the tournaments are heavily scouted by D1 Colleges for possible future scholarships. In addition, most of the boys who have been on this team have been accepted into and/or given college scholarships for lacrosse in the D1 colleges.

Nate is truly a fantastic kiddo. He gets great grades, is sweet to his new baby brother, has a kind and compassionate heart, treats people with respect, is athletic, a good artist, a leader among his peers, and LOVES playing lacrosse.

Any money you can give would be a huge help. We can't thank you enough for helping us to support Nate. Please know that Nate will be working quite a bit to earn money in addition to the money we are trying to save.

If you would prefer to mail a check to us, please mail it to Shelly's business address:

Shelly Holbrook
4957 Lakemont Blvd SE, Ste C4, #362
Bellevue, WA 98006

Thank you again for your help!!
- See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/other/Nate-Holbrook-s-Lacrosse-Fundraiser/44274#sthash.tzkHTQV8.d

A few weeks ago, we received an e-mail from the Issaquah High School Varsity Lacrosse coach inviting Nathan to join an elite lacrosse team (Team Washington) over the summer. This team is made up of the 20 best lacrosse players in Washington State by age group and is invite-only. There are no tryouts. You are scouted and invited.

As an eighth grader, you can imagine how excited Nate was to be recognized by the Varsity lacrosse coach. You can also imagine how excited we were as parents for such an opportunity for our son. The problem, is that we will need approximately $3700 to send him. Money we don't have right now.

Team Washington will be travelling to both Long Island and Baltimore to compete in tournaments. Not only would it be a wonderful experience for Nate to have, but the tournaments are heavily scouted by D1 Colleges for possible future scholarships. In addition, most of the boys who have been on this team have been accepted into and/or given college scholarships for lacrosse in the D1 colleges.

Nate is truly a fantastic kiddo. He gets great grades, is sweet to his new baby brother, has a kind and compassionate heart, treats people with respect, is athletic, a good artist, a leader among his peers, and LOVES playing lacrosse.

Any money you can give would be a huge help. We can't thank you enough for helping us to support Nate. Please know that Nate will be working quite a bit to earn money in addition to the money we are trying to save.

If you would prefer to mail a check to us, please mail it to Shelly's business address:

Shelly Holbrook
4957 Lakemont Blvd SE, Ste C4, #362
Bellevue, WA 98006

Thank you again for your help!!
- See more at: http://www.youcaring.com/other/Nate-Holbrook-s-Lacrosse-Fundraiser/44274#sthash.tzkHTQV8.dpuf

Making Soap Curls

In a previous post, I talked about embedding soap curls in soap. Although it takes a lot more work to do, embedding makes for a fun and interesting finished product. Here are a few examples:

Honeysuckle Soap with soap curls

Bubble Gum Soap with soap balls

Girly Girl Soap with pink soap shreds

One great thing about making soap curls, shreds, balls, etc. is the opportunity to reuse leftovers from soaps that may not have turned out as originally planned. It also allows the soap maker to test out new colors without wasting extra ingredients. The Rosemary Mint Soap inserts were made when I tried out a new red mica. The color was not the true red I was looking for originally, but was perfect as an addition to my Rosemary Mint Soap.

Rosemary Mint Soap with vertical soap inserts

Soap curls are actually very easy to make. First start by selecting the soap you will use. Using a potato peeler or handheld cheese slicer (similar to what you see in this picture),carefully cut semi-soft soap into thin pieces. You want them to be thin enough to curl, but not so thin they are not able to be manipulated.




Using a pen or pencil, wrap the slices around the base and roll on a hard surface. Slide the curl off the end of the pen or pencil and voila! Soap curls!

Rolling the soap curls into shape using a pen

Soap embeds air drying before use

Finished soap curls

Easy and fun. Let them air dry in a plastic bowl or another open air container for a few days and they will be ready to use in your next batch of soap.

We love being social!

We are happy to announce the launch of The Seattle Soap Shop Facebook page!


Facebook will be the first place to go to learn all about what is going on at The Seattle Soap Shop. Our Facebook page will be the 'go to' place to:

 - Hear about new product announcements
 - Give us your feedback
 - Find out what soap scents are low or out of stock (so you can snag them before they're gone!)
 - Request your favorite scent or product
 - Ask us general questions
 - Learn about special Facebook only discounts and offers
 - Get great gift ideas for special occasions or just for fun

Please make sure you visit our page and 'Like' us, because after all...we 'Love' you!

Check our page our HERE