tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48889332983507056932024-03-13T08:32:20.174-07:00Just Specialty ProductsEarth Friendly CleanTrustJusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109876946582462717noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888933298350705693.post-27258413966085090122011-09-29T20:19:00.000-07:002011-09-29T20:23:04.020-07:00More DiscolorationI was cutting soap today, and one of the bars caught my eye as a great example of discoloration. (see previous post for more info on various effects fragrances have on soap - other then "smell".)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXEyjLcDTqaygoCNW7Zm0kI-KXzMD7DB3AgK0nz7wQ816KvvLGJHjXh-5qwwCSq-tFn_Y8POP8iehYpVJEE8P3bLV7lP3T5ohiYPIu6ZpKFmOECjIW2R4DS_STvpb2fiBjSFDgyg1HWg/s1600/Frank-n-myrrh-2011-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXEyjLcDTqaygoCNW7Zm0kI-KXzMD7DB3AgK0nz7wQ816KvvLGJHjXh-5qwwCSq-tFn_Y8POP8iehYpVJEE8P3bLV7lP3T5ohiYPIu6ZpKFmOECjIW2R4DS_STvpb2fiBjSFDgyg1HWg/s400/Frank-n-myrrh-2011-e.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frankincense & Myrrh Soap, just after being cut. Before it's fully discolored.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
This bar will be a rather dark bar - in a couple of weeks. BUT, shortly after being cut, you can see very clearly how different the bar will soon look. How cool is that?!<br />
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And what's on the bars in the background, you ask? I added gold colored mica (it's bronze, actually) to the tops of the bar so that it's truly a "Christmas" bar of soap. Being Frankincense & Myrrh, with a bit of gold on top. :->TrustJusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109876946582462717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888933298350705693.post-44326964891184836172011-09-23T07:35:00.000-07:002011-09-23T14:17:47.867-07:00Fragrances and Discoloration<div class="MsoNormal">There are all kinds of important reasons to test new soap fragrances. Some fragrances don’t stick, some fragrances change completely when soaped (aka: morphing). Some cause problems while soaping (acceleration & ricing are two terms soapers use to describe potential issues with fragrances), some aggravate potential problems down the road. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This pic is a great visual for another reason to test fragrances. SOME fragrances cause discoloration in soap.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-iA3NxetSTLPhB3Ajz2QAQVEKks9FaLCW-jvPkqdEuLQqyMJpFYqWNbGERG9wcmhNRZHbpPPF08a7rVrCmFuof8gq_pj7Ze0tdXarcjek0Ki1J9SwkXNpUX87Bg5vAFgJL0fKuFauLk/s1600/Soap-Sample-Discoloration-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-iA3NxetSTLPhB3Ajz2QAQVEKks9FaLCW-jvPkqdEuLQqyMJpFYqWNbGERG9wcmhNRZHbpPPF08a7rVrCmFuof8gq_pj7Ze0tdXarcjek0Ki1J9SwkXNpUX87Bg5vAFgJL0fKuFauLk/s400/Soap-Sample-Discoloration-e.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pic doesn't show it, but the top right bar even has a tinge of green to it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">These 8 sample bars are from <b><u>one</u></b> test batch. The soap formula I used makes a rather white soap. I made one batch and divided it into 8 portions and mixed in the appropriate amount of fragrance. Each bar is a different fragrance. The results show a great variety of discoloration a simple fragrance can have on a bar of soap. And remember – the bars were made at the same time, in the same pot, all the exact same formulation… just divided into 8 portions, with 8 different fragrances. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Here's the other part of the equation we'll have to update you on later. Soap color can change over time. This pic was taken two days after soaping. Some will darken even more. Some won't change. Some will change color hues. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And WHY is this important? Let's say that I want to color my bar... and perhaps I have GREEN in mind. Fragrances B and C obviously won't have a good chance at being colored Green. They're simply going to be too dark. Yes, btw, the soaps have letters carved into the top ("A" is the top left, "B" is beneath it... and so on. "E" is the top right.) Matters not to you and the pic, really. But later, down the road - we'll still need to know which bar is which. I've made notes on the bottom of these bars as well.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We'll check back in with these soaps in a month or so... I bet they change even more. Until then, thanks for joining me behind the scenes!</div>TrustJusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109876946582462717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888933298350705693.post-24201563368738520492011-09-01T14:35:00.000-07:002011-09-23T07:43:49.372-07:00Beautiful WordsThumbing through a few blogs, I saw a program called <a href="http://www.wordle.net/create">Wordle</a>. Simply put in your blog or website address and it gives back the most frequently used words in a great graphic format.<br />
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Here's the one from my blog. Don't ya love it?!<br />
<i>(you can click on the pic to see a larger version)</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTD7cMHqIGOyep_eTiFztXrIRoyes2bOTmsOdGj2mOz1H0ZJJhAw2nHPk33gGprkSaFi50rHkq7HQ8D3U7xGCQeaXw8JBxJrUG00BJt7gukPWRCh2TLDkvCVS6f0c_42bV7DQlkDeZw4Y/s1600/Soap-Words.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTD7cMHqIGOyep_eTiFztXrIRoyes2bOTmsOdGj2mOz1H0ZJJhAw2nHPk33gGprkSaFi50rHkq7HQ8D3U7xGCQeaXw8JBxJrUG00BJt7gukPWRCh2TLDkvCVS6f0c_42bV7DQlkDeZw4Y/s400/Soap-Words.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>TrustJusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109876946582462717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888933298350705693.post-44695324753993680462011-04-05T15:02:00.000-07:002011-04-05T15:02:25.806-07:00Why Oats?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjkGG94stj5jd9ikHHe497ktD9cD7StRBVRJTOFVjNQXH8zct3sWOlMr5whtO9p7QJtThINA_-W_pCaO3ouXCezubiiBHiUZrrjOuIS7_Qq0dH3MtcH_uJGuF1Yras3-4KYk7oirfX_0/s1600/oats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjkGG94stj5jd9ikHHe497ktD9cD7StRBVRJTOFVjNQXH8zct3sWOlMr5whtO9p7QJtThINA_-W_pCaO3ouXCezubiiBHiUZrrjOuIS7_Qq0dH3MtcH_uJGuF1Yras3-4KYk7oirfX_0/s320/oats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">We use oats in our shampoo, face wash and in a special bar of soap because <b>oats are amazing!</b><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As I prepared to make our Avocado-Oatmeal Soap this week, it occurred to me that I spend extra time on this bar - and thought I could use this opportunity to explain why. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbvuxid8zBrQCT9eeAwSWDwn3rgsJa_D32_P4h1-ReIINFKP8FdsnfMa3IUE-8uLHomPJkikfZtptlEX9BcMpyN0zZTibJSFWgLAQhWET1qD7TywSkI45NpNgzQ6Fw1vFDl5j15Dv2YY/s1600/Avo-oatmeal-curve-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbvuxid8zBrQCT9eeAwSWDwn3rgsJa_D32_P4h1-ReIINFKP8FdsnfMa3IUE-8uLHomPJkikfZtptlEX9BcMpyN0zZTibJSFWgLAQhWET1qD7TywSkI45NpNgzQ6Fw1vFDl5j15Dv2YY/s200/Avo-oatmeal-curve-e.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avocado Oatmeal<br />
Just Bar Soap</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Oats are good for you! </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Hypoallergenic and anti-inflammatory, oats contain various proteins, lipids, enzymes, vitamins, saponins, and antioxidants. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Verdana; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Oats </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">soothe the skin and ease the discomfort of skin irritations and inflammation caused by rashes, dry skin, abrasions, insect bites, poison ivy, sunburn and chicken pox.</span> You can also count on oats to be gentle enough for babies, and to help with eczema, psoriasis, and acne. </div><div style="font: 12.0px Verdana; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Verdana; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Oatmeal Protein is actively substantive to hair and skin and is great for conditioning. As you can imagine, we feel that the benefits to the skin and hair are worth the extra effort to get them into our our products.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Verdana; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Verdana; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Sooooooo, there you have it. <b>Oats Rock! </b></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Verdana; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Verdana; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Verdana; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Verdana; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Verdana; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 15.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>TrustJusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109876946582462717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888933298350705693.post-1524707059403601072011-02-14T08:03:00.000-08:002011-02-14T10:37:23.224-08:00Soothing CalendulaI've been asked (many times) about our most popular bar of soap, and why it's so different than other bars.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePRmBlxx9zGi4vwdkSZJfA7mSLB-r-sjoqoUmu6-EFG4wd7JRSJBZgaTd-8DSZPHAHAQaIvWfTTLPIu1fvS1un__C7F1do1-OjOpTQCVfn-9piYa_-I1nxCWykPdK3NcRX2F4N8vUcXM/s1600/calendula+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePRmBlxx9zGi4vwdkSZJfA7mSLB-r-sjoqoUmu6-EFG4wd7JRSJBZgaTd-8DSZPHAHAQaIvWfTTLPIu1fvS1un__C7F1do1-OjOpTQCVfn-9piYa_-I1nxCWykPdK3NcRX2F4N8vUcXM/s200/calendula+flower.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Calendula officinalis</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sooooo, here's the answer: Calendula. <br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Much has been written about the powers of Calendula. A quick search will reveal thousands of articles about this amazing plant. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #3a3a3a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Therapeutic Calendula (</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Calendula officinalis</span></i></span><span style="color: #3a3a3a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">) is sometimes referred to as "marigold" or Pot Marigold, it is a very different plant from the common variety (</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tagetes patula or Tagetes minuta)</span></i></span><span style="color: #3a3a3a;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> found in our gardens. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Calendula has one of the longest histories as an herbal medicinal plant. Sometimes consumed to treat a variety of illnesses, the primary use of the plant has been a local, topical application. Boosting healing rates and preventing infections of wounds, Calendula in the form of an herbal tincture, an herbal infusion or as an ointment – has been used to help a variety of skin conditions that ranging from chapped skin to acne, diaper rash and chronic eczema.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cHv5OIQTuJNTToorPSKiZb6kJl6aDXlSKu32wTVqOmaD8QhrTQZczFQ1sn3dHflvvnTLVbZ3J1uGibSEHKZPQhcRyK4RBkmWlHJdMSoQRnEDMp9CkoPG1PDkeShg6ajrkZ7jvxjI6UY/s1600/Calendula+Singled+out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cHv5OIQTuJNTToorPSKiZb6kJl6aDXlSKu32wTVqOmaD8QhrTQZczFQ1sn3dHflvvnTLVbZ3J1uGibSEHKZPQhcRyK4RBkmWlHJdMSoQRnEDMp9CkoPG1PDkeShg6ajrkZ7jvxjI6UY/s320/Calendula+Singled+out.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our best selling soap not only has calendula petals in the bar, but we infuse the olive oil with calendula petals to make an extra soothing and very mild soap</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQX7hY_1c1yVjpzcdrFxhqVPrjfF8FykRWlDDXmRar8AajXw2kj1zAfw3g5vpN7EEpxDy7jU_JGK8qK9hJDFUM4s5b8H_Q5prwOvIEoIM9An7Hi2rY1IVmYH3qqd9MWaHuvMc-07tHtc/s1600/Calendula-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQX7hY_1c1yVjpzcdrFxhqVPrjfF8FykRWlDDXmRar8AajXw2kj1zAfw3g5vpN7EEpxDy7jU_JGK8qK9hJDFUM4s5b8H_Q5prwOvIEoIM9An7Hi2rY1IVmYH3qqd9MWaHuvMc-07tHtc/s200/Calendula-e.jpg" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is a bucket of calendula petals in olive oil – infusing the great qualities of calendula into the olive oil. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The yellow color comes partially from the high concentration of natural iodine (which may contribute to valuable healing properties). Calendula also has antimicrobial compounds and antifungal properties as well as high levels of carotene, lycopene and manganese. </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So now you know. The secret is truly in the bar - and in the olive oil we use to make the bar. Infused with the amazing properties of an amazing flower. It's all about Calendula.</span></div>TrustJusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109876946582462717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888933298350705693.post-44608365078164935222011-01-25T15:21:00.000-08:002011-01-25T15:21:43.328-08:00Tools<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">I was wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Honestly, I think men and their vast array of tools can border on hoarding. Just as my obsession with soap fragrances (and my vast collection) could possible appear on the “hoarding spectrum”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When my husband came into a room (at some point in the past - to tackle what ever task it was) with this portfolio of pliers and such… I likely rolled my eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamQxv_nghOtaUNXHI-qTneMb9DN_N78aP0W_GNaPwJI20aF3dzqWDgy3rd4Z7CKVOxKg9dI0CbWiRnKQdUQyyfx7MhdX4IfbdDesD81KegoI6YfaUr926sAeBDK7gZLqxewhwGIIosHY/s1600/Pliers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamQxv_nghOtaUNXHI-qTneMb9DN_N78aP0W_GNaPwJI20aF3dzqWDgy3rd4Z7CKVOxKg9dI0CbWiRnKQdUQyyfx7MhdX4IfbdDesD81KegoI6YfaUr926sAeBDK7gZLqxewhwGIIosHY/s320/Pliers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Who could possibly need so many of these babies!?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure I felt that the marketing genius that convinced people they need this variety of plier-type-things had done a great job.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I must stay I’m humbled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crow doesn’t taste all that bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">WHY?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why the change of mind?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed a bunch of the tools in this great little pack – just to do ONE job.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This is my soap cutter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the industry, it’s known as “The Tank”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cuts bars beautifully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It uses piano (or is it guitar?) wires to slice through soap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xHZEA6I1YDJCuFOv16J6Zrrn_Wuo20PJLNt5l68B_-X_SkH6MJHGdYqziAMEkxD_gzqCiIbpDdH0-4wgiYfpeekAccBBLvuBl8pVKDnHNQ1-tCHnSdxvfIsZYecUx5ecEghCIrl1G_k/s1600/Tank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xHZEA6I1YDJCuFOv16J6Zrrn_Wuo20PJLNt5l68B_-X_SkH6MJHGdYqziAMEkxD_gzqCiIbpDdH0-4wgiYfpeekAccBBLvuBl8pVKDnHNQ1-tCHnSdxvfIsZYecUx5ecEghCIrl1G_k/s320/Tank.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>I broke a wire recently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I tightened it too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either way, I had to replace it and it wasn’t pretty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally, it’s a straight-forward job, but this one broke in a way that I had to cut wire, and wrestle the old one out before I could put the new one in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">I honestly used 5 of these tools before the job was done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m happy to have this little tool kit around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now stay away from my fragrance oils… I NEED them. All.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> </div><!--EndFragment-->TrustJusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109876946582462717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888933298350705693.post-50707917814602938422010-08-11T11:21:00.000-07:002010-08-11T11:21:13.307-07:00Cucumber SoapSometimes I find cucumbers in our garden that have grown bigger than that "ideal eating" size.<br />
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Why don't we eat them? We're beyond overloaded with cucumbers right now. We've passed them on to friends and family to the point that they wince when we call or visit - worried we're going to drop more cucumbers in their laps. We've made traditional pickles. We've made salads. We've made refrigerator pickles.<br />
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The next logical cucumber project would be<b> - soap, </b>naturally<b>. </b><br />
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<b>Here's a quick look at how I make soap with cucumbers.</b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictETLUwTRTII7nawoh5DDbHsSJktBITh4jHZxeLq06K9hRPJlEtcbncS4wmtIforQOQ66DqqDxgcCgDgUkEBNcUIXRhZpKUGf3QEIbwbaL1Yv22TORafjOkoVwCfuEq68eTB0Fn7UB0Q/s1600/Cucumber-puree-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictETLUwTRTII7nawoh5DDbHsSJktBITh4jHZxeLq06K9hRPJlEtcbncS4wmtIforQOQ66DqqDxgcCgDgUkEBNcUIXRhZpKUGf3QEIbwbaL1Yv22TORafjOkoVwCfuEq68eTB0Fn7UB0Q/s320/Cucumber-puree-e.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First, puree the cucumbers. Skin, seeds and all.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8sH8YX5boGvVQ5dZoIkq9iK-S6-xqwm8JQTUmDN6m7o03rpKXckq6_5y1MJqam7OgK8Cocl6dh0cP7QaWKEHrJEPPm0zqUoMHC6k-9TF9wzlrLsPnp_eBHBi2weyzrfK1Em8IOcFnkU/s1600/Cuke-shea-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8sH8YX5boGvVQ5dZoIkq9iK-S6-xqwm8JQTUmDN6m7o03rpKXckq6_5y1MJqam7OgK8Cocl6dh0cP7QaWKEHrJEPPm0zqUoMHC6k-9TF9wzlrLsPnp_eBHBi2weyzrfK1Em8IOcFnkU/s320/Cuke-shea-e.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weighing the Shea Butter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbOzgd8wpaWrn7oSx4hgHj1AmXT7MRX_vGSV1ABqVwOUFj9cAnWEGkhWHWcYvv2HK9WFioSsBceRXkPITDRkMoPBn2AYf57l87c08Joy8K65RPhlbiw9uNnZMZaarsYRPz4QrmMORigw/s1600/Cuke+-+lye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbOzgd8wpaWrn7oSx4hgHj1AmXT7MRX_vGSV1ABqVwOUFj9cAnWEGkhWHWcYvv2HK9WFioSsBceRXkPITDRkMoPBn2AYf57l87c08Joy8K65RPhlbiw9uNnZMZaarsYRPz4QrmMORigw/s320/Cuke+-+lye.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cucumber puree with lye - going into the oils.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUFCudvXQyPLAAyGQrT-1SQBH7pX8vglPX_CfWrQzZYm6oPy55ZsyvQHUEVImSXn7177bgy9QLifZXJuCgXUgyBseuywHS3KnoN2O-d3D4L6vQldQA_EIG4di_D31G-AdwNRif432_Aw/s1600/Cuke-blending-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUFCudvXQyPLAAyGQrT-1SQBH7pX8vglPX_CfWrQzZYm6oPy55ZsyvQHUEVImSXn7177bgy9QLifZXJuCgXUgyBseuywHS3KnoN2O-d3D4L6vQldQA_EIG4di_D31G-AdwNRif432_Aw/s320/Cuke-blending-e.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blending the oils and lye.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxS8UdaWhQU24j2aSj72TGIfVg2q0g2DdmPMSnStcGA4L9HDpGlK_Nr_szr5zOxV5YdSHdr-ik_pvvWwB2UgLfyxTs_sigsMVP1yFzKcnjsgnvnz7pf-csjuqC4nBSaG3a7-sHzy-_D0/s1600/Cuke-buttermilk-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxS8UdaWhQU24j2aSj72TGIfVg2q0g2DdmPMSnStcGA4L9HDpGlK_Nr_szr5zOxV5YdSHdr-ik_pvvWwB2UgLfyxTs_sigsMVP1yFzKcnjsgnvnz7pf-csjuqC4nBSaG3a7-sHzy-_D0/s320/Cuke-buttermilk-e.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding buttermilk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3U9s99YEi2Hf0ih9a8Xz86KnbIddHkHWKsSObP7Rr6KHSLD1Yz4BSQoEFccYzNuCZGGpqUKfVuTwFDR8gDC49_Kog1uwLmIlZxPaH8tDclPmzM9HoAijHQDM2S10bQE5oT8sPLguAGk/s1600/Cuc-green-swirl-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3U9s99YEi2Hf0ih9a8Xz86KnbIddHkHWKsSObP7Rr6KHSLD1Yz4BSQoEFccYzNuCZGGpqUKfVuTwFDR8gDC49_Kog1uwLmIlZxPaH8tDclPmzM9HoAijHQDM2S10bQE5oT8sPLguAGk/s320/Cuc-green-swirl-e.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soap with green colorant being added back to batch for a swirl effect.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRi2ykLWb218LjDtAkVI3Hl-cR25E_VYxD_uBzN6hzSK2babRuivVadvMWYqjfF44AnfgHgsyvC9NoL8RGYw-229CAWRiBMpLQuTX2xQ0Gz0xOoM-jkEHzr_gyITW_lMOFQgFSgHElYbI/s1600/Cucumber-Buttermilk-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRi2ykLWb218LjDtAkVI3Hl-cR25E_VYxD_uBzN6hzSK2babRuivVadvMWYqjfF44AnfgHgsyvC9NoL8RGYw-229CAWRiBMpLQuTX2xQ0Gz0xOoM-jkEHzr_gyITW_lMOFQgFSgHElYbI/s400/Cucumber-Buttermilk-e.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cucumber Soap!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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</div></div></div></div></div>TrustJusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109876946582462717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888933298350705693.post-25014552295224662762010-08-03T15:12:00.000-07:002010-08-03T15:12:57.670-07:00Opposing H.R. 5786 - even though I firmly support Safe CosmeticsI've sent this letter to my representative. I've also sent it to the person running against him in the upcoming election and to the submitters of the bill. Basically - if they'll listen, I'll talk. As written, this bill stands to be the end of my company - and of many others like mine.<br />
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<div style="color: #1a1a1a; font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">August 3, 2010</span></div><div style="color: #1a1a1a; font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The Honorable Ron Kind</span></div><div style="color: #1a1a1a; font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">1406 Longworth<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div style="color: #1a1a1a; font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Washington D.C. 20515<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div><div style="color: #1a1a1a; font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; min-height: 13.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="color: #1a1a1a; font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Subject: Opposing H.R. 5786 Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010</b></span></div><div style="color: #1a1a1a; font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Dear Honorable Ron Kind,</span></div><div style="color: #1a1a1a; font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">How could anybody be against a bill with a name like the Safe Cosmetics Act? Sometimes what sounds like a good thing really isn’t. Supporters of H.R. 5786 (SCA of 2010) would lead you to believe that small companies like mine aren’t capable of making safe products and are willing pollute the environment and put unsafe chemicals in the bodies of consumers for profit. They use limited and misleading information to scare people without adequate frame of reference or any basis in fact. They play upon the emotions of caring people who, like us, want only the best for their families. They’ll have us believe that our houses are full of personal care products that are harmful to our families. This is simply not true.</span></div><div style="color: #1a1a1a; font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I unquestionably favor safe cosmetics, but as written, H.R. 5786 will have consequences far beyond what its title would suggest. It will undoubtedly put me and thousands of small companies like mine out of business, and for no reason other than to further the agenda of an uninformed vocal minority. Small businesses like mine are built on a commitment to using safe and natural ingredients. Our ingredients, along with those used by large corporations, are proven to be safe and effective in personal care products. The problem is, only multi-million dollar businesses will be able to absorb the onerous costs that will arise as the result of the Safe Cosmetics Act. The costs will undoubtedly be passed along to consumers. Small businesses will suffer, jobs will be lost, and the average consumer will needlessly pay much higher prices for personal care products. It’s a no win situation.</span></div><div style="color: #1a1a1a; font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I make biodegradable liquid hand wash and traditional soaps. I sell them at local co-ops, craft fairs, Farmer’s Markets and small grocery stores. I’m currently poised for growth and plan to expand my facility and employ 1 - 5 people. Unfortunately, H.R. 5786 is written so that small companies like mine will be pushed out of business and consumers will no longer have options to buy locally produced products that are handcrafted in small batches with fantastic results.</span></div><div style="color: #1a1a1a; font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Our country is great because of the opportunities that it gives its citizens. It is enriched by small businesses. When reviewing H.R 5786, please consider business like mine and allow common sense to prevail. </span></div><div style="color: #1a1a1a; font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="color: #1a1a1a; font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Please take a look at the key points below. Don’t fall prey to the scare tactics used by supporters of H.R. 5786 and stand up against its passage. The informed individual that puts trust in our scientists and our government will clearly see that the well-intentioned but grossly misleading Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010 is not beneficial to small businesses like mine, large multinational corporations, and taxpayer in general. It serves no benefit to the health and safety of our families, our communities, or our environment.</span></div><div style="color: #1a1a1a; font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="color: #1a1a1a; font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I would love the opportunity to talk with you further about this issue is you have questions for me.</span></div><div style="color: #1a1a1a; font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="color: #1a1a1a; font: 10.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Sincerely yours,</span></div><div style="color: #1a1a1a; font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; min-height: 13.0px;"><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="color: #1a1a1a; font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; min-height: 13.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div><div style="color: #679c3b; font: 16.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Key Points Highlighting Why I’m against H.R. 5786</b></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 16px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I adapted and amended points written by two beautifully written sources by fantastically smart business women: </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-size: 11px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
1. Donna Marie Coles Johnson, of the Indie Business Network, <a href="http://www.opposesca.com/">with an insightful blog </a><br />
2. Anne-Marie Faiola, aka The Soap Queen, owner of BrambleBerry.com <a href="http://soap-queen.blogspot.com/2010/08/report-from-dc-education-matters.html">with another well written blog</a></span></span><br />
</span></span>H.R. 5786 is unnecessary</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #181818; font-size: 11px;">. Small cosmetics companies have a history of producing safe cosmetics pursuant to current laws that require companies to clearly identify the products they sell, provide all manufacturer contact information and truthfully label products with ingredients.</span></div><div style="color: #181818; font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 22.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>H.R. 5786 contains unnecessary labeling requirements</b>. Current cosmetics laws already require small companies to list ingredients on labels. HR 5786 expands labeling requirements to include trace elements found inside those ingredients. For example, a product containing water (or any other natural ingredient), would have to contain a label listing the water and also every other trace element inside that water. Safe drinking water contains a number of chemicals, including nickel, lead, copper, silver and dozens more — depending on the water source.) Requiring small companies to include such a list on each label is onerous and unnecessary.<b>This is what a label for a lotion bar with Cocoa Butter, Olive Oil and Lavender Oil (3 ingredients!) would look like if H.R. 5786 is passed:</b></span><span style="font: 10.0px Verdana; letter-spacing: 0.0px color: #604918;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="color: #604918; font: 7.0px Verdana; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 22.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Ingredients: <b>Olive Oil </b>(Tri-Glycerides of Palmitic, Di-Glycerides of Palmitic, Palmitoleic, Stearic, Oleic, Linoleic, Arachidic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Squalene, Beta Carotene, Campesterol, Methylenecholesterol, Stigmasterol, Sitosterol, Fucosterol, 28-Isofucosterol, Stigmadienol, Brassicasterol, 7-Cholestenol,Ergostadienol, Avenasterol, Triterpene Alcohols, Tirucallol, Taraxerol, Dammaradienol Beta-Amyrin Germanicol, Butyrospermol, Parkeol, Cycloartenol, Tirucalladienol, 24-Methlene 24-Dihydroparkeol, 24-Methlenecycloartanol, Cyclobranol, 4-Methyl Sterols, Esters of Tyrosol, Esters of Hydroxytyrosol, Vitamin E (Tocopherols), Carotenoids, Oleuropein) <b>Cocoa Butter</b> (Tri and Diglycerides of Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Lead, Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Isoleic Acid, Beta Carotene, p-Hydroxybenzoic Acid, Vanillic Acid, Ferulic Acid, Syringic Acid, Phenylehtylamine, Theophylline, Aliphatic Esters, Aromatic Carbonyls, Caffeine, Theobromine, Diketopiperazines and Alkylpryazines), <b>Lavender Essential Oil </b>( Cineole Octanol, Octanone, Alpha Bisabolol, Alpha Cadinol, Alpha Humelene, Alpha Phellandrene, Apha Pinene, Alpha Terpinene, Alpha Terpineol, Alpha Terpinyl Acetate, Alpha Thujene, Alpha Thujone, Beta Bisabolol, Beta Pinene, Beta Thujone, Borneol, Bornyl Acetate, Camphene Camphor, Cineolealpha Terpineol, Carvone, Caryophyllene, Carophyllene Oxide, CIS Alpha Terpineol, CIS Alpha Bisabolene, CIS Carveol, CIA Linalol Epoxide, CIS Ocimene, Citronellal, Citronellol, Coumarine, Cuminaldehyde, Eugenol, Furfural, Geraniol, Geranyl Acetate, Geranyl Butyrate, Hexanol, Hexyl Tiglate, Isoborneol, Lavandulol, Lavandulyl Acetate, Limonene, Linanlol, Linalyl Acetate, Methyl Heptenone, Myrcene, Nerol, Neryl Acetate, Oleanolic Acid, P Cymene, Rosemarinic Acid, Sabinen, Terpinenol, Terpinolene, Trans Carveol, Trans Epoxy Linalyl Acetate, Trans Linanol Epoxide, Trans Ocimene, Ursolic Acid)</span></div><div style="color: #181818; font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 22.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>H.R. 5786 requires small companies to conduct unnecessary scientific testing.</b> Under the bill as drafted, small companies would be required to test all of the products they make, and be in a position to produce data to the federal government about the ingredients, components of ingredients, and also, components that may be produced when known ingredients are combined. Those are impossible (and unnecessary) standards.</span></div><div style="color: #181818; font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 22.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>H.R. 5786 specifically allows all 50 states to pass stricter requirements</b>. Even with the sweeping nature of HR 5786, it specifically states that each state can pass additional laws as it sees fit. This provision is Congressional permission for each state to pass whatever laws it wants, creating a patchwork quilt of laws that no small company can comply with.</span></div><div style="color: #181818; font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 22.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">If Minnesota adds labeling or manufacturing requirements that are different from HR 5786, and also different from other states, then no company will be able to sell so much as a quarter-ounce tube of lip balm without first checking to make sure they are not in violation of 51 separate cosmetics laws. No small company can do that (and most large ones can’t either).</span></div><div style="color: #181818; font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 22.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>H.R. 5786 does not contain an exemption for small business owners</b>. Many laws in this country exempt small companies because compliance would put them out of business without any real benefit to society. The same is true in this case. H.R. 5786 treats the smallest company making 50 products a day the same way it treats our nation’s multi-million dollar companies. While there is an exemption from the annual payment of fees, the testing and paperwork requirements in this bill place burdens on very small businesses that are unfair, overreaching, unnecessary, offensive and intrusive.</span></div><div style="color: #181818; font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 22.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>H.R. 5786 contains reporting requirements that are onerous and unnecessarily duplicated</b> Employee information is already reported to the government. Why should the FDA be required to handle that information? Income information is already reported to the IRS. Does the FDA truly need THAT extra paperwork? Listing my distributors, suppliers and ingredient formulations without guaranteeing confidentiality is beyond poor business sense. It’s downright draconian and unduly burdensome for small companies. Moreover, these requirements do nothing to protect consumers from unsafe products.</span></div><div style="color: #181818; font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 22.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>H.R. 5786 is based on bad science</b> Cosmetics are not killing you. Obesity, smoking, excessive drinking and other lifestyle choices are scientifically linked to death. Cosmetics have no conclusive link to cancer - especially cosmetics produced by small companies like mine. Yes, certain molecules have been linked to cancers when doused with or ingested in unrealistically excessive quantities. But small businesses like mine are formulating with natural, safe ingredients and yet will be the ones most affected by the bill. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px;"><img alt="pastedGraphic.pdf" src="webkit-fake-url://F1A4B0D1-9BB0-4732-9033-2C7C77FFD07D/pastedGraphic.pdf" /></div><div><br />
</div>TrustJusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109876946582462717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888933298350705693.post-59068730057998656272010-07-12T09:39:00.000-07:002010-07-12T09:39:59.735-07:00Fail. Succeed. And lots of Baths.We're expanding our product line!<br />
<br />
Exciting, I know. And what are we expanding it with? Shampoos, Conditioners, and Bath Bombs.<br />
<br />
I'm the Bath Bomb Gal. I want these babies to be luxurious - without being greasy. Fun, without leaving a colorful ring on the user's mid-section. (Yes, my youngest had a bath ring in the early stages of formulations, LOL!) Mainly, I want a product that meets our current standards! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpr1n1bUGJpIeVvxj3KMCwRAbfP8pClxJWMJX0oTAMjA4r8U6Tf5zpGj-tHptb0ahq63F-VJ3KL5ISBcA1_UVVa42cwgnq5Ct7Q0i01BGNju0SYbbkTqRD1gUXi72ZXrDMxmqKp3eo2Ys/s1600/Bath+Bomb+Fail+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">Here's a peek:</span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpr1n1bUGJpIeVvxj3KMCwRAbfP8pClxJWMJX0oTAMjA4r8U6Tf5zpGj-tHptb0ahq63F-VJ3KL5ISBcA1_UVVa42cwgnq5Ct7Q0i01BGNju0SYbbkTqRD1gUXi72ZXrDMxmqKp3eo2Ys/s1600/Bath+Bomb+Fail+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpr1n1bUGJpIeVvxj3KMCwRAbfP8pClxJWMJX0oTAMjA4r8U6Tf5zpGj-tHptb0ahq63F-VJ3KL5ISBcA1_UVVa42cwgnq5Ct7Q0i01BGNju0SYbbkTqRD1gUXi72ZXrDMxmqKp3eo2Ys/s1600/Bath+Bomb+Fail+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpr1n1bUGJpIeVvxj3KMCwRAbfP8pClxJWMJX0oTAMjA4r8U6Tf5zpGj-tHptb0ahq63F-VJ3KL5ISBcA1_UVVa42cwgnq5Ct7Q0i01BGNju0SYbbkTqRD1gUXi72ZXrDMxmqKp3eo2Ys/s400/Bath+Bomb+Fail+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Notice the GREEN BLOB in the center of the pic? That's a one of my "Failures". From crumbles to expanders - I've made 'em all! The good news is that I've wound up with a bomb I'm pleased to send to my testers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Friends and Customers with sensitive skin - or kids with sensitive skin have been my target tester. I figure, if THEY like the product - most everyone will! My kids, my friends kids, and many friends have been soaking and bathing like crazy. Me on the other hand - I'm ALMOST ready to come out of the <s>bath</s> lab.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For now, here's what you need to know. They fizz. They bubble. They smell fantastic, and leave your skin feeling soft. Most importantly, our release date is coming soon! </div>TrustJusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109876946582462717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888933298350705693.post-49173409955599897172010-06-08T15:43:00.000-07:002010-06-08T15:45:01.962-07:00HMSG Conference 2010<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">This video does a great job capturing this year's conference. It was a fantastic conference. I was inspired, re-charged - AND I learned a thing or two. The best part though was meeting all kinds of great people I'm looking forward to keeping in touch with.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; white-space: pre;"><object height="405" width="660"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tXJBW2h5qB0&hl=en_US&fs=1&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tXJBW2h5qB0&hl=en_US&fs=1&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="660" height="405"></embed></object></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #551a8b; font-family: Times, Helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: normal;">Handmade Soapmakers Guild 2010 Conference - Denver</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">While I was there, I took the certification test and am happy to say...</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">"I passed". Yup, I'm certified. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">As if I wasn't truly a soapmaker? </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Not at all, but since I was there - I thought I'd go ahead and take the test. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">And here's the result:</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9o4PFNRgVWE6rbMnUjTigWwt-S2l6YB6R4sqn1YZmvmbItpNIOEVWz2FRkv_VNcq6OrxmvHUv1fIzVXUw6RWcuYkUmeuZQFMWaAyllAxdJ9PBoPtiPtGMPf9vU9fvXDBUpg73U24PdU/s1600/CPHP1-Certified-JPG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9o4PFNRgVWE6rbMnUjTigWwt-S2l6YB6R4sqn1YZmvmbItpNIOEVWz2FRkv_VNcq6OrxmvHUv1fIzVXUw6RWcuYkUmeuZQFMWaAyllAxdJ9PBoPtiPtGMPf9vU9fvXDBUpg73U24PdU/s200/CPHP1-Certified-JPG.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Yay me!</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">All in all - I'd definitely call my time in Denver a rousing success. </span></span></span>TrustJusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109876946582462717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888933298350705693.post-33776875528199948822010-05-30T11:46:00.000-07:002010-05-30T11:51:42.837-07:00Asparagus Bug-a-sus<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">More Bugs. <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> {shiver}</span></i></span><br />
These are on the other side of our yard. And there are bunches.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsu8RS6j97H7HLufjvQ036y9qgH3tqwvhgPnXBjxpjTtNyM7Mg8n1njuUS5bvH49hlKT-Cj-Cd4Yx5UA_41IVn3YN3BPBSJlc7cLvJB401LngTB3Dn9_co8viADTknAZFHwlltsBDFPtU/s1600/BUGS-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsu8RS6j97H7HLufjvQ036y9qgH3tqwvhgPnXBjxpjTtNyM7Mg8n1njuUS5bvH49hlKT-Cj-Cd4Yx5UA_41IVn3YN3BPBSJlc7cLvJB401LngTB3Dn9_co8viADTknAZFHwlltsBDFPtU/s400/BUGS-e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
See the red guy in focus at the top right? And random out of focus bug-a-boos, here and there in the pic? <br />
<br />
They're Asparagus Beetles. We have two kinds. I'll spare ya the pic of the other type, I'm sure you get the idea.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Sooooo, soap to the rescue - again.<br />
<br />
<br />
Here's Steve - picking adult beetles off, and putting them in a bucket of soapy water.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBAN4s-I0-VsE5vzlNan4HMwZdiBd0spp41Mq7O73zcVZraozwfcxD4pOMdlN0tWq3DbJTbN7jPHL22y90XCuqVWKY51q8L8uo8dYJHQpfAyyErwa_ZxPMuWZy-8tjm-3XWx7GMUW7cQ/s1600/SW-BUGS-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBAN4s-I0-VsE5vzlNan4HMwZdiBd0spp41Mq7O73zcVZraozwfcxD4pOMdlN0tWq3DbJTbN7jPHL22y90XCuqVWKY51q8L8uo8dYJHQpfAyyErwa_ZxPMuWZy-8tjm-3XWx7GMUW7cQ/s400/SW-BUGS-e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
And then, we sprayed down the plants with our Fragrance Free Hand Wash - diluted with water. <br />
<br />
Absolutely NOT what I had in mind for our hand cleanser when we made it. BUT, I feel safe using it on our plants and in our yard.<br />
<br />
Tired of hearing about our bug problems? ME TOO. <i><grin></grin></i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
Of course, it <i><b>is</b></i> nice to know our soaps are multi-purposed. Still, I'd rather NOT need it for this.TrustJusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109876946582462717noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888933298350705693.post-19601846999673061582010-05-20T11:21:00.000-07:002011-01-07T06:22:59.240-08:00soapy rescue?Please, oh please - let the soap save the day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcTI9iZMsMKSVv9Jyifyq_o2LCq2Lln_NRZ1dJniMwgWuM6YloEiFEbCWvFRkSNVxjxDVrI92PQga8vmL7Qf8V_DELgQ_614ZeUhqtxm4CcMPpZITe6Dnut3yq9YtTkG_RVhY1UtVGAk/s1600/Lupines.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcTI9iZMsMKSVv9Jyifyq_o2LCq2Lln_NRZ1dJniMwgWuM6YloEiFEbCWvFRkSNVxjxDVrI92PQga8vmL7Qf8V_DELgQ_614ZeUhqtxm4CcMPpZITe6Dnut3yq9YtTkG_RVhY1UtVGAk/s320/Lupines.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><br />
Our lupines are just beginning to blossom. I was appreciating their beautiful start when I spotted the HORRIBLE infestation. <br />
<br />
Aphids! And not just a few. <shudder> More like colonies from near and wide having found nirvana on MY lupine.</shudder><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1nDnRQ-GAJbDKto8P6BiNPc0sKas6oYYR4s9vVuQ9ejepfhZLQCw83kP2EhacV7WJCc6eDZlO5PeOTEkvjZVMHYiJeEqqYMqW0SvWWvX0V-fv7vFjbSJAySCrp_D21nLO2nsEqW3ZC4/s1600/aphids.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1nDnRQ-GAJbDKto8P6BiNPc0sKas6oYYR4s9vVuQ9ejepfhZLQCw83kP2EhacV7WJCc6eDZlO5PeOTEkvjZVMHYiJeEqqYMqW0SvWWvX0V-fv7vFjbSJAySCrp_D21nLO2nsEqW3ZC4/s320/aphids.JPG" /></a></div>Fair warning... this ain't for the weak. All those tiny specs. <br />
Are BUGS! And every stem looks like that! What's a girl to do?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Here's what I'm going to do.</b><br />
<br />
<ol><li> Spray with a soapy solution with our Just Plain Clean (lavender blend).</li>
<li> Call the county extension.</li>
<li>Shudder a bit, because it's just plain ICKY to look at all those bug-a-boos.</li>
</ol><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTngBesI_mjX9K3xH4Ofrtx31ScUIMuuArBpn1VzOOhkXZQ1ZyTcmwYlctQEJBJ7WOqMzQW-v5BRa2w91JV0jp6o76B0GJjLkCFCdpmzQQvM9rQyQwzN0Y8LNjlzEse4HnS86jQCJ_Wrw/s1600/soapy+water.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTngBesI_mjX9K3xH4Ofrtx31ScUIMuuArBpn1VzOOhkXZQ1ZyTcmwYlctQEJBJ7WOqMzQW-v5BRa2w91JV0jp6o76B0GJjLkCFCdpmzQQvM9rQyQwzN0Y8LNjlzEse4HnS86jQCJ_Wrw/s320/soapy+water.JPG" /></a></div> I'll keep you posted.<br />
<br />
For now, know that our hand wash is our first line of defense against bothersome pests.<br />
<br />
It's biodegradable. It's definitely soapy. <br />
<br />
And... now our plants smell GREAT! Though, I'm (admittedly) aiming for a better outcome than lavender blend smelling lupine.TrustJusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109876946582462717noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4888933298350705693.post-90791532276528003672010-05-13T20:25:00.000-07:002010-05-13T20:25:45.635-07:00Shhhh... they're sleeping.We treat our products well! First naps, then a massage.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mwcmYscwuDJqZu_oWBYlm6Dmd3zldrJKvRNnNXiRYaAOJuKRiOnp4egxia7SaJCvsVvhRvUfLnDv8Wt7FKpn0VVMEFwBAg1gGz9yyH8wzCdgqSvldyjvvNgo8b_zhBOcMreweN-3YzE/s1600/sleeping-bottles-e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mwcmYscwuDJqZu_oWBYlm6Dmd3zldrJKvRNnNXiRYaAOJuKRiOnp4egxia7SaJCvsVvhRvUfLnDv8Wt7FKpn0VVMEFwBAg1gGz9yyH8wzCdgqSvldyjvvNgo8b_zhBOcMreweN-3YzE/s320/sleeping-bottles-e.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Anyone curious as to what’s REALLY going on?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Here’s a hint:</div><div class="MsoNormal">This is my 5-year-old – helping resolve the issue.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrmm0fXZSUUGRP411gAy1fuDGOABz-kUd71YMUZd22J6LR6byWT3Eko73tCEtNfhsTX_PzyEeb0YvseVcu_VXiTB-wqH0MgZC0lNhwVaJnCFn68iJvnkswGXAT8utTu3uppiZQjuQ1rk/s1600/Marley-Helping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrmm0fXZSUUGRP411gAy1fuDGOABz-kUd71YMUZd22J6LR6byWT3Eko73tCEtNfhsTX_PzyEeb0YvseVcu_VXiTB-wqH0MgZC0lNhwVaJnCFn68iJvnkswGXAT8utTu3uppiZQjuQ1rk/s320/Marley-Helping.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">It turns out that after labeling, boxing, taking photos, posting them to Etsy – and actually having delivered a case to a store… I <i>finally</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> noticed the recent batch of Just Foaming Clean™ has the WRONG front labels on the bottles. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">On one hand, we have good news. Our labels DON’T come off easily.</div><div class="MsoNormal">The bad news? The labels DON’T come off easily.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;">We ripped off old labels, washed off all the sticky stuff. Polished bottles and applied the appropriate labels. Bet ya THAT won’t happen again! <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/46307462/foaming-hand-wash-citrus-blend">Here they are</a> on Etsy, with the old/wrong label. The freshly applied ones say 8 fl oz, instead of our website. Shhhhhh. Don't tell anyone our little secret!</span>TrustJusthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109876946582462717noreply@blogger.com0