Musings: National Association of Professional Women SCAM

National Association of Professional Women

This is an off topic post, but as I share my love of bubbles with you, I would feel remiss not to share other lessons I have learned.  As a business professional during my day job as well as having experience as a small business owner, I understand many of the common pitfalls that come with trying to grow a successful business.  I write my blogs mostly about products from small business owners, not only to help you as the consumer discover some hidden gems created by artisans who don't have major marketing budgets, but to also assist those small businesses reach a broader audience if possible.

So I write this quick blog to advice some small business owners not to fall victim to this and other predatory scams.  

Today at work, I received a letter from the National Association of Professional Women. 
The letter stated:

 Dear Ayieta,

It is my pleasure to inform you that your 2015 membership has been approved in the National Association of Professional Women.  You were considered for this honor because of your outstanding leadership, commitment within your profession and employment at ****.

NAPW highlights and profiles the country's most accomplished professional women in more than 200 industries and professions.  We provide an exclusive and powerful networking forum where our members can communicate and connect.

Inclusion in NAPW is a privilege shared by thousands of professional women throughout America each year.

 The letter goes on to insist that membership is limited and I must return my application in 5 business day or go online to reserve my membership.

At first I was flattered. My hard work in my chosen field has been recognized.  But then I began to think, how?  How did they approve a membership for which I did not apply?  I don't remember speaking to anyone about this association and I have only worked with my current employer for about nine months.  Why would I be recognized for my work here versus with my previous employer for whom I worked for five years and as the general manager, I networked and did much more outreach than I do now as an HR Director. 

Ego aside, something just didn't feel right.  I googled the NAPW and came across a "D" rating from the BBB as well as several blog posts and articles including this one.  Confirming my suspicion, that this indeed was just a way to usurp funds from me.

When deciding to join a professional organization, promotion or networking opportunity, before paying for anything, be sure to do your homework, ask questions and in the end, if you don't feel good about it in your gut, don't be afraid to say no.  I truly suggest you read this blog post.  It has some very good information about the tactics of such "associations".

Don't get suckered: National Association of Professional Women

Review: 8pm Beauty

8pm Beauty

With a name like "Give Peach a Chance", how can a soap go wrong?  This little diddy does not disappoint.  I received this quaintly named soap from 8pm Beauty along with a few other complimentary items in exchange for my honest opinion on them.

Give Peach a Chance is a cold process soap that has a wonderfully peach aroma.  The key ingredient is sangria, which adds a bit of a tart fruitiness to the fragrance.  The wine component of sangria is full of antioxidants that helps with keeping skin soft and supple.  

I also received another alcohol infused soap, "B is for Beer!".  Made with "Man of Law" Beer from the Southern Pines Brewing Company, this soap also contains goat milk.  The ingredients list does not list any type of fragrancing ingredients, so I attribute the light aroma to it being unscented.  It smells faintly like the give peach a chance soap.  At first I thought that was because they were in the same shipping package, but after a few weeks, the beer soap maintained an almost fruity aroma.

Both of these soaps are 5 oz bars and are priced at $6.00.  They lathered well and are firm.  These are good, hardy soaps at a good price.  To me, there was no exceptional "WOW" factor, but overall, especially at this price point, this soap is a great value and a must try!

Another item I received was a pina colada lip balm.  Now, I am not a coconut fan, but I did not find this lip balm to be offensive at all.  It has a subtle hint of coconut, but not over powering and gave me great coverage without over shininess.  There are several flavors available from 8pm beauty at $3.00 each.

I really enjoyed trying items from this small entrepreneur and I look forward to seeing her business grow and prosper.  If you're looking to try some thing new and affordable, check them out!

More 8pm Beauty?  Check them out:

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Review: Planned Perfectly

courtesy www.plannedperfectlyllc.com

I felt like "Pookie" when I received my complimentary items from Planned Perfectly.  Given to me in exchange for my honest opinion of the items (like how I got the mandatory FTC statement for disclosure of the receipt of free products in exchange for a review? LOL). Back to what I was saying... Don't front, you know who I mean - scratching my neck while doing a dance waiting on my next hit, lol!  Nicole, the owner of this bath and body company, lives in Jessup, Maryland - which is actually the same city in which I work.  She works in Laurel, Maryland, the city in which I live!  With her being in close proximity, Nicole offered to meet me in Laurel to hand deliver the samples to me.  Schedules clashed for a few days, but finally she was able to make the drop!

The package smelled amazing!  I really love the soap packaging!  It's like a little tray card that cradles the soap.  The little flower on the front was just cute as a dickens.    On the back, a sticker displayed the company logo, name of the soap and ingredients.  This 5 oz bar (nice size) sells for $6.00 on her website (nice price!).

I received the Pink Grapefruit Sorbet bar along with a sample size (2 oz, I believe) of the Green Tea Citrus Sugar Scrub (available on their website in 4 oz ($7.50) and 8 oz ($14.00) sizes).  Even though the Sugar Scrub was a sample size, I really appreciated the clear, easy to read label along with clear, easy to read, ingredients list on the bottom.  
 

The soap was really enjoyable.  It lathered nicely and is scented naturally with grapefruit and litsea essentials oils giving it a bright and uplifting fragrance.  Added sugar and paprika are to give light exfoliation during use.  I could barely feel it, which is great considering my sensitive skin does not like anything to abrasive.  Goat milk powder is also included on the label. Though this bar was delightful to use, I have found that I enjoy soaps that include a little clay helps give a bar more "glide".  All in all, I will continue to use this and would recommend it to those looking for a good soap at a good price.

As stated in my review "Three Scrubs in a Tub" I prefer creamy scrubs, but I was excited to try the green tea scrub.  The fragrance is a bit disappointing.  I expected to have a citrusy, green tea scent but the smell is almost medicinal.  Checking the ingredients, it includes green tea, but the only fragrancing agent is bergamot essential oil, which can be a bit sharp when not mixed with another fragrance or essential oil.  The scrub was nicely exfoliating, though a bit drier than I would like.  

Overall, I truly enjoyed my little bag of goodies from Planned Perfectly.  The price, especially for the soap is quite nice and their natural product line has some great options for those of us who want to treat themselves to wholesome body treats without breaking the bank.

Would you like to know more about Planned Perfectly, LLC?  Check them out on:

Website         Facebook          Twitter         Instagram

Peace, Love & Lots of Bubbles, LoveBuds!

A.

Review: Three Scrubs in the tub

 

THREE SCRUBS IN A TUB

I know I tend to focus mainly on soap in my reviews, but I cannot underestimate the importance of good exfoliation.  Without occasional exfoliation, dead skin cells, that cannot absorb moisture or nutrients, meaning you can't change their condition, would remain on the top layer of your skin.  Exfoliating exposes young, healthy skin that can benefit from the application of all of your valuable skin care treats.

Everyone's skin is different, so how often you exfoliate depends on your particular skin.  Mine is easily irritated by abrasives so I usually only exfoliate once a week or so.  Don't over do it.  You don't want to hurt when you exfolitate - you should only "tingle" :)

 

 Just happened to have these three scrubs sitting on the edge of my tub and it gave me inspiration to tell you a little more about them!  I will say that I prefer a scrub that is emulsified or creamed.  These scrubs have the oil portion thickened or whipped in a way that the oils do not separate readily from the sugar/salt.  When using these, I don't feel like I have to constantly mix them to keep all of the ingredients together or that I am wasting the oil that pools away from the sugar and or salt.

GRAPEFRUIT Foaming Sugar Scrub by Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium 

This sugar scrub had an amazing citrus scent.  I loved the sunny aroma of it. This is a foaming scrub, so it has some "soap" in the mix to make it lather up.  I was hoping for more of a bubbly lather with this and it really just foamed up a bit.  However the sugar scrub was a great consistency and felt great when applied and mixed with a small amount of water.  It rinsed away clean and left me smelling fresh and fruity! It is available in four sizes running from 2 ounces to 16 ounces with pricing from $4.50 to $32.00.

 
MANGO HIBISCUS Exfoliating Salt Scrub by Black Tie Market & Apothecary 

I'm not sure if this is still available from Black Tie & Market and what a shame if it isn't. 
This salt scrub is a powerhouse of awesome deliciousness!  It is creamy and rich and glides on great. The fragrance is tropical experience no one should miss.  I truly enjoyed using this.  I purchased a 5 oz jar for $9.50 from their Etsy store last March and have used it only a couple of times because it looks like I won't be able to purchase more. <sad face> 


LICK ME ALL OVER by Butterflies Soaps   

I found this little gem on Etsy, when I was looking for a soap of this particular fragrance.  I thought about getting some when remembering one of the many times in my young teens when my friends and I would venture to the local mall and purchase body oils from the vendor at the kiosk.  We would giggle at some of the names we found: "Sex on the beach", "Eat Me Raw",  and one of my favorites "Lick Me All Over".  Searching Etsy for the fragrance by name, I came across this small boutique and not only did they have the soap, but accompanying body butter and sugar scrub.
I really enjoyed this scrub.  It felt great, exfoliated well and was nicely scented with a fragrance very similar to the one I remember from my youth. It was $5.00 for 2 ounces and a 4 ounce version is also available.

Do you exfoliate?  How often and what is your favorite product to use?

Peace, Love & Lots of Bubbles!

A.

Review: Wyldewood Soap Works

I recently had the pleasure of experiencing a few handmade soaps available from Wyldewood Soap Works.  Below is a my YouTube review of these products, which were sent to me compliments of Wyldewood Soap Works in exchange for my honest review and opinions regarding their products.

Mentioned at the end of the video are the many samples sent with my items for review.  In more detail, here are the samples I received:

•  Honeysuckle - smells just like the sweet, sugary summer blooms for which it is named
• Peach Lime Verbana - very fresh, clean fragrance.  Almost reminds me of Irish Spring soap.
• Mint Mango Tea - A MUST SMELL!! This is minty and fruity and delightful!
• Kudzu - Another fresh fragrance.  Nice and herbal
• BLACK RASPBERRY VANILLA - YES, I meant to write that in all caps.  I do not know why, but for the life of me, I have always stayed away from this fragrance.  One of the biggest mistakes I have ever made!  This fragrance is amazing and now I see why everyone is so crazy about it.  I have a new found love for black raspberry vanilla and it is all thanks to WYLDEWOOD SOAP WORKS!!!!

For more Wyldewood Soap Works, check them out on:

Their website             Facebook           Their Blog             Twitter              Etsy


Until next time, Lovebuds ~
Peace, Love & lots of bubbles

A.

Company Profile: Alchemic Muse

 

As I travel down a long winding path, my nostrils fill with the heady jasmine and honeysuckle scented, damp, autumn air.  I skip along through the rolling mist as my game of tag ensues with the colorfully glowing sprites who light my way.  Under the cloudless night sky dotted with stars and anchored by a brilliant full moon, a sultry dragon flaps its wing as it flies overhead - first darkening the sky with its heavy presence, then quickly filling it with hot orange, yellows and reds with its breath of fire.  Our impromptu game of tag is joined by garden nymphs and playful fairies.  As I follow the gravel trail around the final bend, I see the gypsy's opulent trailer which is surrounded by a luminous glow from an unidentifiable source.  At first I am hesitant... The trailer is so beautiful, but ominous. I tiptoe closer and the door opens, fragrant air engulfs me, laden with ripe juicy fruits, warm spices and mystical aromas.  Her shadow proceeds her majestic presence and then she appears in the doorway.  Stretching out her manicured and adorned hand to me - with a wink and oh so welcoming smile, she guides me into her chamber where a glorious array of bath treats await...

This is how I feel every time I make a purchase from Alchemic Muse. I am unsure if this is the imagery Karen, the owner, wants to evoke, or if I just made it up in my mind, but her branding and labels always remind me of the gypsy fortune teller trailers of folklore - fully of mystery and mystical treasures.

Alchemic Muse opened up its doors on Etsy in 2008 and in the approximately seven years since then, can proudly boast (but never does) having over 17,000 sales.  Fans can now visit either the Etsy store or on Alchemic Muse's website to indulge themselves in the seasonally varying scented potions, lotions and concoctions offered.  From natural ingredients and coloring agents, Alchemic Muse creates cold process soap, body oils, body creams, cream soaps and perfumes in unique and intoxicating fragrance combinations.  Reading the artfully penned fragrance descriptions is an adventure all of its own.

   

 I have numerous favorites from this company including the body whips, cold process soaps and body gloss. My skin tends to be irritated by high levels of propylene glycol.  It can be used as an humectant (an agent that helps draw moisture into your skin and retain it) as well as an ingredient in preservatives.  As a preservative ingredient, the level of propylene glycol in a product is minimal and those I tend to be able to tolerate.  However, if used as a humectant, the levels of it in a product will actually cause me irritation.  This rules out a lot of commercial products and thus my extensive use of handmade body products.

 

photo credit: Alchemic Muse

One handmade product that tends to have high levels of propylene glycol are whipped soaps. Many, but not all handmade products makers tend to use a commercially prepared base for these, which in most cases use propylene glycol as a humectant. This being the case, I always shy away from them. Alchemic Muse changed that for me.

As you may be aware from following my blog and social media, I am a fragrance junkie.  Alchemic Muse only makes cold process soap for their general catalog of items - scents that are offered all year long.  Any of the seasonal scents only come in the cream soaps.  Absolutely loving the Peach Bellini scent, Karen forced compelled me to try their cream soap so that I could have a cleanser and a moisturizer in this fragrance.   Alchemic Muse's cream soap formula is gentle and cleansing and most importantly, non-irritating to my skin.  It does not lather like bar soap, but it is definitely a great alternative, especially when a bar is not available in a specific scent.

For my scent junkie jones, I love their Peach Bellini & Beguile (valentine's day collection),  Pomona (spring collection), Carnival, Mystique, Razzouli & Tropicana (general collection).

Reasonably priced (a 4.5 to 5.5 oz cold process bar is $6.50, 6 oz body whips are $10), high quality items with exotic fragrance offerings make Alchemic Muse an absolute must try for any fan of handmade bath and body products!

Have you tried Alchemic Muse?  What items do you love or are thinking about trying?  Have a recent product haul from them?  Post them on Facebook and tag me, 4 the love of bubbles and I'll share it with the world.  On Instagram, tag me and/or use the hastag #bubblelove and I'll share it as well! 

Peace, Love & Dragonfly wing breezes, LoveBuds!

More Alchemic Muse?  Find them here:

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Musings: My Soap Dish

In her group for soap enthusiasts, a friend asked us to share a picture of our soap dish.  Initially, I was hesitant because this friend, loves to see a list when you post your soap haul, of all the scents in the picture.  I looked at my soap dish for a couple of days.  This list was going to take awhile...

A few things about me:

1. I LOVE variety! (I say that a lot...but only because its true).  I cannot open a bar of soap and use it until it is done.  I use a different bar of soap each day, never repeating the use of the same bar on consecutive days.  I can honestly say that I may easily go a month or more before using a bar for the second time, unless I am doing a review of a new soap.  Then I use it 2 to 3 time consecutively to truly get a feel for it before writing a review,
2. Because of this love of variety, I handle my soap a little differently than some.  I store all of my wrapped bars in three drawer storage containers (yes, plural).  When I open a new bar, I usually (unless it is really small) cut it in half.  I store one half in a glassine wax bag in the storage container and the other, after using, goes on my soap rack in the bathroom.  

Hence:

This is my soap dish

Looking at this, it was hard to conceive a way to label each one of these beauties currently in my shower rotation.  However, after working at it for a couple of day, I came up with this:

 So here it is, my soap junkiness in all of its splendor.  This does not include uncut bars of which I have over 30 other varieties that are not even represented on this rack. I've heard some people say that their soap looses its scent rather quickly.  Storing my bars the way I do, 99% of my soap keep their scent for 2 years or more.  The Pear Tarlet soap on this rack hasn't been produced for over two years from Cream & Coco and is smells just as amazing as it did when I received it.  Sigh... this is probably the last bar on the planet of that great smelling soap.  Vic, if you're reading this - you really should make a batch of this.  I can wait until you return from maternity leave, lol!

What does your soap stash look like?  How do you store your soap?