SAFE Team's Christmas Carol Challenge

Is that favorite Christmas song running through your ahead already? Is it Silent Night? Deck the Halls? Santa Baby? Or, I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas?

This month, SAFE team members were given the challenge to create a soap based on their favorite holiday tune. You job is to pick a favorite. Vote by telling which one gets you humming in the comments section and you'll be entered to win the winning bar! Good luck, and Merry Christmas!

1. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy - Goat's Milk Soap by greensprings0



I choose this song because every Christmas we watch our granddaughter perform the Nutcracker with her ballet school. This year is the first time she will dance on pointe. She has been waiting a long time for this moment.

Wanting a complex sweet scent, I choose lavender, rose, ylang ylang and pettigrain essential oils.

2. Away in a Manger Christmas Soap by LifeSoapSimple

Away in a manger,
No crib for His bed
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head ...

"Away in a Manger" is always the first carol that children are taught. Having two young children this song still touches me...especially when they are singing it. It is simple and says all that needs to be said about God's love.

"Away in a Manger" was originally published in 1885 in a Lutheran Sunday school book and this created the misconception that the lyrics were actually written by Martin Luther himself. The author is unknown. The music to "Away in a Manger" was composed by William J. Kirkpatrick in 1895. via http://www.carols.org.uk/away_in_a_manger.htm

Our soap rendition of "Away in a Manger" is made from our favorite Shea butter cold process soap formula. It is scented with a light, mysterious, and earthy blend of Amyris, Sandalwood, Vanilla, and spices. The Oat Straw (a gluten free alternative to oats) imparts a light grainy aroma and gentle exfoliation for a very mild bar, gentle enough for ... a baby, but fit for a king.

3. Holly Jolly Christmas Handcrafted Soap by Poshwashsoap

Have a holly, jolly Christmas;
It's the best time of the year
I don't know if there'll be snow
But have a cup of cheer ...

The Christmas song "Holly Jolly Christmas" sung by Burl Ives, was my inspiration for this soap. It's my favorite Christmas tune. It is a timeless, happy song, that never fails to get me into the Christmas spirit! I hope this soap will do the same for you.

This soap is scented with a blend of happy, holiday fragrances. Red, green and shimmering silver are embedded in a snow white soap. Each bar is handcut and weighs about 4.25 ozs. This listing is for one bar of soap.

4. Carol of Bells Soap by theskinyourein

Hark! how the bells
Sweet silver bells
All Seem to say,
"Throw cares away."
Christmas is here
Bringing good cheer
To young and old
Meek and the bold.

This new soap reminds me of one of my favorite Christmas songs, Carol of the Bells. It speaks of the scent of pine, frosty air, happiness, family and beauty all around.

This song flows with the mesmerizing sounds of bells and beautiful words.

Our Carol of Bells Soap contains Palm Oil (sustainable), Water, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Castor Oil, Fragrance Oil and skin safe colorants. The scent is called Winter Hearth and smells of pine with very subtle nuances of spice. It is the epitome of the scent of the Holiday Season.

5. Winter Wonderland Christmas Snowman Handcrafted Soaps by PacificParadiseSoap

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening,
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight,
We're happy tonight,
Walking in a winter wonderland.

My favorite Holiday song is Winter Wonderland. I learned how to play it on the piano at a young age.

My Snowman is made of 3 soap balls for a total of 11.7 ozs of wonderful soap. Luxuriously lathering soap is made from Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Palm Kernel Oil, Rice Bran Oil, Shea butter, and Mango butter. The soaps are snowman scented (a blend of spiced mahogany and plumeria). Merry Christmas!

6. Winter Wonderland Cold Process Soap by Anhoki

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening,
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight,
We're happy tonight,
Walking in a winter wonderland.

Christmas and Winter Wonderland for me is.....
Snow angles, snowmen, snowball fights, mistletoe, eggnog, sleigh rides, snuggling by the fire, midnight mass, driving around to look at everyone's decorations, PRESENTS.

What I love most about Christmas is family. Tradition for our family is to do individual family Christmas on the Eve or day before and then all gather together on Christmas day. The breakfast everyone feasts on is ginormously awesomical. Seeing everyone together is the best. Family you haven't seen in a while, those you would prefer to see less frequently....everyone is there. We don't always have a "white" Christmas where we live so it is truly a blessing when we do. I love Christmas.

To our favorite blend of olive, coconut, palm and canola oils we have added cinnamon, cedar, fir, clove, orange, pine, and sage essential oils. It's an amazing blend. This blend IS the Holiday season for me. Merry Christmas.

7. White Christmas - limited edition soap and shampoo bar by SwanMountainSoaps

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow.

Bing Crosby's beloved Christmas song was released in October 1942 and steadily rose up the charts. What really made it a success was its inclusion in the playlist of Armed Forces Radio. American GIs spending their first Christmas overseas during World War II wholeheartedly identified with the song.

"I sang it many times in Europe in the field for soldiers, and they'd holler for it. They'd demand it. When I'd sing it, they'd all cry," Bing Crosby said. "It's nostalgic, and it's kind of poignant, you know, particularly during the war years; you know, so many young people were away and they'd hear this song. And it would happen to be that time of the year, it would really affect them."

The song has special meaning for our family. When Papa Swan was stationed in Afghanistan a few Christmases ago, it was guaranteed to make Mama Swan break out in tears. Papa is safely home with us now, but we will always remember those who serve away from their families at Christmas. Our prayers go out to them.

Our White Christmas soap/shampoo bar features a wintery blend of Peppermint and Tea Tree essential oils for a completely cool and wonderful, chilly fragrance that both cleans and energizes your whole body!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So those are your choices - now go vote! And Merry Christmas!

THE SPLENDOR OF AUTUMN

The Splendor of Autumn the Safeteam way.

We all enjoy the colors of autumn leaves. The changing fall foliage never fails to suprise and delight us. Just like the wonderful colors nature provides us, at this time of year, so does our Safeteam. We are as different as the trees that cause the wonderful scenes you can see, while out for an Autumn Walk. We are all from different parts of the country, so we all witness a different scene, as our Summer's fade away to Winter, via Fall. In this challenge, our wonderful soapers were asked to reveal what they witness outside their own front door. We have from North, to South, to East, and to West just for your delight and pleasure. Please read through this entire blog, and admire and read about every soap and soap maker, then leave a comment at the end giving your vote for your favorite. A winner will be chosen at random from the comments for the most popular soap. Go ahead and enjoy each and every soap, leave your vote, then wait to see if you get to actually win your favorite bar. Go ahead and indulge and good luck.

Beyond The Picket Fence

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57574289/fall-harvest-reserved-for-safe-team

Fall to me is pumkin picking! No question! And YAY! The pumkins are early this year! I already have a stash beautifying by backyard deck. Can't wait to make them into some soup (I have already made them into soap) I think I have an addiction!

So, as you can see, this soap was inspired by my favorite fall farmers market treat...the Pumpkin! And the scent smells like the walk you take after you have picked your pumpkin and have grabbed your hot cider and are checking out what tree you might like to have come winter!

Lily Pond Soaps

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57567995/pumpkin-spice-seasonal-scent-hot-process

Fall in the Rocky Mountains:
Vibrant colors of gold, yellow, oranges and red in contrast to white bark of the Aspen trees and the dark green of the Pines.
Cool crisp air
Shorter days
Cozy fires
Crunch of the leaves
Scents of holidays

Scent: Warm, spicy scent of pumpkins!

Swan Mountain Soaps

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57741455/the-woodcutter-soap-warm-spicy-scent-for

Autumn in Alaska means rain, rain, rain. Fall comes quickly and doesn’t last long – by mid-August the leaves are turning and by September there is frost in the garden and Termination Dust (snow) on the mountaintops. It’s a mad rush to prepare for winter, whether you’re stocking the pantry with blueberry jelly and putting freshly-dug potatoes and carrots into the root cellar, or you’re a bear fattening up on salmon to prepare for a long winter’s hibernation. The swans teach their young ones to fly as moose chomp frantically on everything left that’s still green. Alaskans chop wood and go moose hunting, mend last year’s snow gear and await that first snowfall that will transform everything into a silent world of white. It won’t be long now … snow is usually on the ground by the first week of October.

The Woodcutter soap embodies the quiet rush that is Autumn in Alaska. Scented with bay rum, this soap has a warm, spicy quality that will make you want to snuggle up under a warm quilt and a cup of hot tea on a rainy afternoon. Men will love it, and so will the women who get near them.

The Skin You're In

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57595344/pumpkin-butter-autumn-harvest-soap

My area of Southern California is called Lake Balboa which is a district in the San Fernando Valley region of the City of Los Angeles. Even though we have yet to see any changing leaves into spectacular gold and orange colors, you can tell that cooler temperatures are on the horizon. We will see a vivid array of golden yellows, burnt umber, oranges of varying degrees and toasted browns. Our street is lined with beautiful magnolia trees and many other varieties of huge old trees with leaves that gradually change with the cooling temperatures and eventually drop to the ground, forming a carpet of of fall colors. It really is spectacular to see.

My Pumpkin Butter Autumn Harvest soap is made with Organic, sustainable Palm Oil, Distilled Water, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Castor Oil, Palm Kernel Oil, Mango butter and Cocoa Butter. It is scented with a delicious variety of pumpkin pie spices, rich and delectable! The skin safe colorants of orange, yellow and burnt umber depict the colors of the leaves in deep Autumn and the brown represents the rich and fertile soil.

Thistle Delight

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57341608/swirling-leavesluxurious-olive-oil

We live in the midwest, so we get some beautiful Fall colors. This soap was made to celebrate the Fall colors we get to experience in our area. The scent used in this soap, is so vibrant and perfect for a fall walk, while enjoy all the wonders that nature provides. This scent is fresh, green, woodsy, earthy, and way off in the distance, you feel you can just smell someone burning leaves. This scent encompasses all the scents you smell while out for a wonderful fall walk. The swirl in this soap reminds me of a windy Autumn day, where you are getting glimpses of the fall colors from swirling leaves.

As with all of our Luxurious Soaps, they are made with Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, and Shea Butter. This soap will clean your skin with a wonderful lather, but it won't dry out your skin like commercial soaps. With Real soap made the cold process way, all of the natural forming glycerin is where it should be, right there in your soap.

This listing is for one bar that can weigh anywhere between 5 and 5.5oz.
If you would like more, just drop us a convo, and we will make you a listing to suit your needs.

Anhoki

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57561173/changing-seasons

The Southeast region is filled with beautiful color. From the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee to the Everglades in Florida and marshes of Louisiana the South has something for just about everyone. Miles and miles of farm land, forests filled with every color under the sun. Nature trails filled with native wildlife just as curious about you as you are of them. Watch out for that bear. I love when the leaves begin to change and fall. The oranges and red are breathtaking...almost like a Bob Ross painting. Hop in the convertible and take a ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway....OR... take a boat trip to the Gulf or South Georgia and Florida. Soak it all in. It's pretty awesome.

Changing Seasons was inspired by my love for the Fall/Autumn season. Fall is such a beautiful time of year. The changing leaves, cooler temperatures, wildlife preparing for hibernation. It's amazing to watch.
The scent used for Changing Seasons is a custom blend created specifically for this soap. Earthy, wholesome and warm describes it best. Cedar wood, Dragon's Blood and Sandalwood come together to create a blend which perfectly describes Fall for me.

Made with olive, coconut, palm and canola oils each bar weighs at least 5.35 ounces. Happy Fall.

Bubble Tub Soaps

Autumn Beauty - Creamy Shea and Glycerin Soap Bar - Limited Stock

Behold the beauty of autumn and it's many colors. Here in Canada we are in full brilliance in September/October for gorgeous greens, oranges, reds and all colors in between. This soap is created to honor fall and all her glory!
The glycerin leaf is scented with 3 different fragrances:
Green is a fresh spruce meadow
Red is a crisp apple scent
Orange is pumpkin and spice
The outer body of the soap is made with creamy shea flecked with organic parsley to create a beautiful picture of the leaves settling in the grass. No fragrance was used in the outer body, as you use the bar you will notice the light fall fragrances coming out of the glycerin leaves.

Each bar weighs a hefty 5-6 ounces.

Uncommon Good Scents!

The SAFEteam's Perfume Challenge and Giveaway 2010

For this challenge, many of us were forced out of our comfort zones. Soapers were asked to create our favorite scent in a blend of our OWN. It could be a perfume, cologne, roll on perfume oil, or solid. We had to use two or more scents from fragrance oils, essential oils, resins, or absolutes in a blend that was uniquely ours.

Now it's up to you, the voters, to pick a winner. To vote, list your favorite in the comments section. We'll choose a commenter at random to win the winning perfume and a feature here on our blog.

And here are the contestants .....

1. Arrugginito Rosa by Anhoki

I remember the very minute we met. That little bistro in Brooklyn where I was sipping a Latte. You walked up, sat at my table, and handed me the most beautiful rose I'd ever seen. You said the rust color matched my hair. I blushed. For my birthday an entire field was filled with rust colored roses. The proposal was a wine tasting tour in Napa with a dozen roses handed to me as I walked through the double doors. The ring.... in a tasting glass. When we were married every guest was handed a rust colored rose. For the birth of each of our children you had our favorite florist send 3 dozen rust colored roses. SO beautiful. Time goes by so quickly anymore. It seems like just yesterday we began our journey together. Now I set here, alone, longing for you to hand me just one more rust colored rose. Until we meet again I will carry on our little tradition by leaving one with you.

Blended in a base of Shea butter, Virgin Coconut, Jojoba, Candelilla and Carnauba waxes Arrugginito Rosa (Rusty Rose) is oils and waxes of Jasmine Sambac, Rose Absolute, Rosewood, Petitgrain, Amyris, Amber, Ginger and Black Pepper. The complexity of this blend is overshadowed only by its warmth and subtlety. A truly beautiful blend for even the hardcore un-girly girls.

2. Whiskey Girl by Swan Mountain Soaps
At the corner of Bourbon Street and St. Phillip Street in the heart of the French Quarter stands a crumbled-looking stone building once used by the infamous privateer Jean Lafitte. History has it that Lafitte operated a blacksmith shop there as a front for his privateering operations. Today, the 200-year-old building is the coolest bar in New Orleans. And the home of one of the oldest cocktails ever invented - the Sazerac.

If you can imagine New Orleans on a foggy night in 1785, in a bar lit only by candle and hearth where absinthe and rye whiskey flowed, you understand the heart of Whiskey Girl.

Whiskey Girl perfume oil is our own all-natural botanical blend of essential oils, with warm amber and spice accords, hints of bourbon, clove and lemon, a touch of myrrh and sandalwood, and a whisper of absinthe that blend into a seductive, mysterious creation. Total strangers will ask what you're wearing. Answer them if you want ... or keep them guessing. In New Orleans, nothing is what it seems.

3. Autumn Faire by theskinyourein

Soft, sexy, spicy, warm and very slightly sweet, just like a cool, colorful Autumn day. Autumn Faire Perfume Oil is just what your soul needs to calm and soothe you after a long hot summer and it's easy on your skin because it contains Jojoba Oil, Essential Oils and a dab of buttery vanilla fragrance oil to round it all out. You'll smell spiced oranges, mandarins, grapefruit, nutmeg, a dash of cinnamon, a pinch of Bitter Almond Essential Oil, Vanilla Essential Oil Blend and the icing on the cake is the buttery vanilla fragrance oil. Interesting combination, you say? The scent comes full circle from the first whiff to the gentle aroma that lingers on your skin.

4. Tres Belle Perfume Oil by Posh Wash Soap

When dreaming about the romance so inherent in a French garden, one might think of Monet's garden at Giverny - soft, lush and almost nostalgic for a lost paradise. The French, a characteristically passionate people, infuse their gardens with this passion as well, which is readily seen in its wide array of plants, its abundance of growth and the marvelous splashes of color born out of the dark green beds of foliage.

My perfume oil is inspired by a French garden. A fresh, flowery & green scent that starts out with French Lavender, combined with hints of lilac, rose, carnation, muget, musk & much more. Tres Belle is a romantic, fragrant walk in a beautiful floral garden.

5. Grace all-natural perfume oil by oilandspice

Grace Kelly has for decades epitomized the essence of refinement and
elegance. Her beauty captivated audiences in theater and film and soon won
the heart of Monaco's Prince Rainier Grimaldi III. Known as "Princess
Grace" Kelly she continued to set the standard of the sophisticated woman. Even
to this day her legacy continues on the wealthiest street in the world,
Avenue Princess Grace, Monaco.

Capturing this same essence of beauty and refinement in a gentle blend of
scented oils is "Grace." French Lavender and Sandalwood combine with hints
of Rosewood to produce a scent that is worthy even of the Princess of
Monaco. Superbly cultivated and painstakingly blended, "Grace" brings out
the Grace Kelly in each of us.

6. Flamme by Amelia’s

Formulated in an area of the country and on a barrier island that breeds sultry nights, there’s good reason to call this roll-on perfume by its French name ….. Flamme.

This is a fragrance of many layers and undertones of florals --- with an extra edge. When sniffing it for the first time, most people’s eyes pop open with pleasant surprise and then they look up with a smile.

Flamme has another meaning here …. more like fire …. hot and flirtatious. That’s the essence of the pleasant edge.

What’s that funny saying? “Good girls go to Heaven, and bad girls go everywhere!”

Flamme could rewrite that into, “Good girls go to Heaven, and Flamme girls go all kinds of merveilleux places!”

“Flamme, eau de parfum --- Let it take you places.”

7. Hunterdon by LittleBatch

I love where I live. Hunterdon County, NJ is a gorgeous place, so I
created a perfume blend in its honor, with all of the scents that I love
and remind me of home. Clean air, freshly tilled earth, green grass from
the fields, farm stand vegetables (cucumbers & tomatoes), wild berries
(strawberries & blackberries), evergreen trees, majestic oaks, and flowers
(hydrangea, rose, peony, honeysuckle) & herbs (sage, peppermint) from my
garden are all represented in this scent. It smells clean, nature-inspired,
and definitely one-of-a-kind.

8. Sultry Passion Perfume Oil by Starlet Glam Bath & Body

Old Hollywood Glamour and style of the past: And the sexy glamazons like Marilyn Monroe, Katherine Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Veronica Lake. All such classic beauty and sirens on the silver screen. An era full of Pin Up girls, Burlesque temptress lounge singers with their slow and sultry songs, Sensual Boudoir photo shoots, Silent, Golden age and Post war films.

Sultry Passion Perfume oil was created and inspired with the magic of Old Hollywood of Sultry Love and Passion. A personal exotic sweet blend of Jasmine, Vanilla and Blackberry. With a hint of Chocolate, Almond and Sandalwood. Rich, Intoxicating, Sensual. And so seductive and perfect for passionate evenings! It comes in a hot pink perfume bottle.

9. Oakmoss and Sandalwood Natural Botanical Cologne by krugsecologic

Ituha - Native Americans use this word for "the mighty oak". This natural, uni-sex cologne blends Oakmoss and Sandalwood with a touch of Vanilla absolute for sweetness and citrusy lemon to top it off. This is a 100 percent natural blend.

Ituha reminds me of one of my favorite activities - running a trail in the early morning hours before anyone is awake, moving away from civilization. Everything is quiet. The only sounds are forest animals and birds, the wind through the trees. Before your eyes, lining the trail stand large, mighty oak trees. Calming you with their presence and simultaneously humbling you with their grandeur.

10. Purple Haze by Thistledelight

Purple Haze Pulse Point Perfume is so called, because I have dedicated this blend to Scotland's beautiful hills and glens. If you have ever visited Scotland, you will have noticed how the hills are covered with a purple hue. Most people think it is just the Heather, but it isn't, this purple hue even covers some tree trunks too. The scent is in the air, which is a mixture of heather, moss, woodsy, and greenery, with a hint of roses, jasmine, and the mountain springs. I have blended this perfume to remind me of my home. Just to wander our countryside and just breathe is a wonderful experience. It sends electricity through your veins and recharges the soul.

We need all of those scents in there together, as even Heather is not one scent. Heather is a complex scent because of it's beginnings, and why it graces our hills and mountains.

When God first made the world, He looked at the bare and barren hillsides and thought how nice it would be to cover them with some kind of beautiful tree or flower. So he turned to the Giant Oak, the biggest and strongest of all of the trees he had made, and asked him if he would be willing to go up to the bare hills to help make them look more attractive. But the oak explained that he needed a good depth of soil in order to grow and that the hillsides would be far too rocky for him to take root. So God left the oak tree and turned to the honeysuckle with its lovely yellow flower and beautiful sweet fragrance. He asked the honeysuckle if she would care to grow on the hillsides and spread her beauty and fragrance amongst the barren slopes. But the honeysuckle explained that she needed a wall or a fence or even another plant to grow against, and for that reason, it would be quite impossible for her to grow in the hills. So God then turned to one of the sweetest and most beautif ul of all the flowers - the rose. God asked the rose if she would care to grace the rugged highlands with her splendour. But the rose explained that the wind and the rain and the cold on the hills would destroy her, and so she would not be able to grow on the hills. Disappointed with the oak, the honeysuckle and the rose, God turned away. At length, he came across a small, low lying, green shrub with a flower of tiny petals -some purple and some white. It was a heather. God asked the heather the same question that he'd asked the others. "Will you go and grow upon the hillsides to make them more beautiful?" The heather thought about the poor soil, the wind and the rain - and wasn't very sure that she could do a good job. But turning to God she replied that if he wanted her to do it, she would certainly give it a try.
God was very pleased.
He was so pleased in fact that he decided to give the heather some gifts as a reward for her willingness to do as he had asked. Firstly he gave her the strength of the oak tree - the bark of the heather is the strongest of any tree or shrub in the whole world. Next he gave her the fragrance of the honeysuckle - a fragrance which is frequently used to gently perfume soaps and potpouris. Finally he gave her the sweetness of the rose - so much so that heather is one of the bees favourite flowers. And to this day, heather is renowned especially for these three God given gifts.

This blend is a combination of many scents, some of which are, white roses, sandlewood, geranium, lavender, and oakwood to name a few. This scent is a mixture of floral and sweet, but grounded by the earthy green undertones. This pulse point perfume was made using fractioned coconut oil since this oil absorbs into the skin quickly, then topped off with the wonderful fragrance blend. Each bottle is 10ml and is a roller ball application. Very neat and tidy to fit straight into your purse or pocket for easy top up. Rub some on your pulse points and enjoy the aroma all day long. Just a little dab will do you for quite a few hours indeed.

Safe Team Masquerade Parade

Got zits? Got blackheads? Got skin that just needs a boost? Come on in and see what SAFETEAM has for you. BUT!!! instead of just advertising our wares we have a MASQURADE PARADE for you. Here is how we take care of these nasty hassles in life. We not only make our wonderful MASQUES, we even use them, and here is the proof below. We love to have fun, and we are not afraid to show it. We also do not mind if you have a giggle in the process. All of these masques are available for purchase in our stores.

Dry facial masks or masques can consist of clays of all different colors and benefits, herbs, fruit powders, milk powders, powdered or ground oatmeal and sometimes other skin-loving additives such as cocoa powder, Vitamin C, honey powder, coconut milk powder and the list can go on and on depending on the function the facial mask will perform.   Since the mask consists mainly of dry ingredients, no preservatives are necessary, making this product very natural and also safe.

Here are a few of our SAFE Team members with the great masks they make:

Sandra Morrow of Thistle Delight

Got problem skin? Sometimes soap, cleansers etc, just don't do the trick. What better way to help your skin, and get to sit back and relax, than a Fabulous Facial Masque? This dry facial masque has kaolin clay, green tea extract powder, Yogurt powder, and colloidal oatmeal. 

To soothe and relax your face, put about the size of a quarter of powders in your hand or small bowl, put either water, milk, yogurt, or whatever you like to mix and moisten your powders with. Spread all over your face, avoiding the eyes and mouth area, sit back and let it dry on your face, should be between 10 and 20 minutes. Once your mask is nice and dry, wash off with warm water, and then pat dry. Enjoy your beautiful soft glowing skin. If necessary, add some moisturizing lotion or cream

You can check out her listing here:  Green Team & Yogurt Fabulous Facial Mask

Anhoki of Anhoki's Place

Skin Riche Dry Facial Masque

Skin Riche is packed with skin loving ingredients. 

Rice bran for exfoliation. 

Rose clay for gentle cleansing.  

Kelp powder with skin loving vitamins and minerals

Green Tea and Chamomile extracts

Lavender, Rosewood, Lemon and Patchouli essential oils.
A fun and very refreshing way to spend 10 or 15 minutes pampering your skin.

Here is Kristi from Life Soap Simple:

Me-Time Rose Geranium Dry Facial Mask:

A good  facial is one of my favorite ways to relax (aside from a good tub soak) because it is quick and makes me feel refreshed when it's done.  This particular mask is made with a blend of kaolin and rose clays, oat flour, honey powder, vitamin E, and a couple drops of geranium essential oil.  To this I add just enough water to make it sticky and apply it to my face avoiding eyes and mouth.  Let it set up (your skin starts to feel tight) then rinse thoroughly.  Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!  Of course the kids always look at me funny, but when I have my favorite chair in a sunny window no matter the season...I don't care what they think!

Erin Krugs from Krugs Ecologic

Chocolate Facial Masque

What do you get when you mix a choco-holic with a skin product enthusiast? This super-scrumptious, skin-a-licious, chocolate facial! Made with real dark chocolate, coffee grounds, and white kaolin clay this product not only is fabulous for your skin, but smells good enough to eat!
Also in this delectable concoction is natural tocopherol (vitamin e), and a TOUCH of lemon and sweet orange essential oils.
Each ingredient was carefully selected for it's inherent, beneficial qualities. Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants. Lemon and orange oils help to refresh skin, and provide astringent properties by helping to remove any excess oils. Kaolin clay is a fabulous detoxifier, and removes excess oils from your skin. Coffee bean seed is a fabulous exfoliator, helping to polish skin and give your face a gorgeous glow!

Lauren Durr of Ritual Bath

My Balance line French Green Clay Mask, free of Parabens, Vegan, and full of essential oils like lavender and tea tree. 

The Chocolate mask out of my Love Bath Kit. While soaking in the tub enjoy a luxurious chocolate face maskpowdered milk and rose oil. Enjoy and love yourself a little. with

Janet Amelia of Amelia's

Janet Amelia of Amelia’s Soap Co. will do anything for chocolate!  Of course, it’s usually the high calorie kind, preferably sticky and gooey too.

Janet also loves her Chocolata-Licious Face Mask with organic cocoa powder.  It must be the smell of chocolate that she loves because there’s no calories there.  (What?!!!  No calories?!!!)

This partiality must come from how the face mask makes her skin feel --- all smooth and tight.  Kaolin clay is known to remove impurities from skin and the finely ground coffee acts as a scrub when the mask goes on.

Getting great skin in a healthy way and having chocolate fun at the same time (and all “guilt free”), what could be better?!!!

Tracey of Tracey Gurley Bath & Body

It is me in a rhassoul clay mask.  I have the Mocha Latte Facial Mask in my shop with rhassoul clay.  

Sue Dixon of The Skin You're In

Strawberry &  Banana Smoothie...dessert for your face!  Well at least your face will feel indulged after being treated with this delectable facial masque containing Strawberry Fruit Powder, Banana Fruit Powder, Kaolin Clay, Honey Powder, Coconut Milk Powder, Yogurt Powder and Rose Clay.

Want to try one of these great dry facial masks, check these shops above.  Your face will love you for it!

Our Patriotic Challege

VOTING IS NOW CLOSED!

Let's first say what inspired this challenge theme. I, like many, have many friends who are either deployed or have been since the war(s) began. Being a PROUD military brat I want to see SAFETeam show some love to our AWESOME Military. Taking it a step further I want to show love to ALL active duty and NON active duty servicemen and women in our armed forces.

With this challenge we are going to take our support TO THE SOURCE OF THE INSPIRATION. We are taking it directly to the troops. This time we are going to take every bit of the funds raised from the entry fees and use it for Cup O' Joe For A Joe. I LOVE this idea. We all love coffee or tea and love taking the time to enjoy a nice cup from time to time. What about our troops?

Do they get to take the time to have a cuppa whenever they like? Do they even HAVE the TIME to make a pot of coffee to enjoy? Now they can just enjoy the Joe. Check out this link. http://www.greenbeanscoffee.com/coj/index.php

~Anhoki

----------------------------------------------------------------

Check out our entries! Check out our stories! and MOST of ALL check out that site!!

Remeber the holiday and where it comes from!!

Giving back just a bit can make someones day :)

I know I LOVE my morning cup!

Leave us a note in the comments section, pick your favorite and tell us your story!

Thanks!

the SAFEteam
-------------------------------------------------------------

Old Glory by Anhoki

A patriot is one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests. Freedom isn't free. Our military servicemen and women fight for the freedoms, rights and values this country was founded on.
My entry for the SAFETeam's Patriotic challenge is a tribute to each and every person who fights for my right to make pretty soap, complain too much, drink waaaaaaaay too much coffee, listen to loud music while my children shake their heads and giggle and get another tattoo....I've got an idea, ya know. :~)
Being a military brat I made this soap for my dad. He spent 21 yrs in the United States Air Force. Growing up in a military family was NOT easy. My dad was strict but fair. He expected you to conduct yourself with dignity and respect. He is definitely someone ANYONE can depend on and the kewlest Patriot I know.
Next time you see a military serviceperson, in uniform or not, do what I do and give them a hug and say thank you.
Made with olive, coconut, palm and canola oils we used orange, patchouli, lemongrass and clove essential oils to scent and oxides for color. Each bar weighs at least 5.5 oz in weight. Mr John made the stamp. :~)

U.S. Navy Blue and Gold by Thistle Delight Soapworks'

My Patriotic Soap is in Honor of our Wonderful Sailors in the U.S. Navy, and their colors of Blue and Gold. This is very near and dear to my heart. My Husband served in the Navy for 20 years, and now my son is in Navy Bootcamp. I have been a military person, been a Navy Wife, and now I am a Navy Mother. I am so proud of all our military, and even prouder of my Son. The best way for me to cope with my son leaving, is to make this soap in Navy colors in his honor, and in the honor of all of our Sailors. After all "All the nice girls, love a sailor" {:oD This soap was REALLY a labor of LOVE!!!!
This soap has also been scented with my most popular "Nautical" scent, so very fitting for everyone.

American Honey Sugar Exfoliation by Gourmet Soaps

I love the song 'American Honey' by Lady Antebellum. The song is about getting back to who we were before societal expectations pulled us into who we are today. It's about going back to a sweeter and a more innocent time, like summertime and American honey. It's not just what I wish for myself, but for America and for our troops who are putting their lives on the line, doing the job that the rest of us don't want to do. The fragrance of this sugar scrub is a duplicate scent of actual honey. It's not overpowering or flowery, but smells like it was scooped from a honey pot. And this Fourth of July, let's honor our Men and Women of the Armed Forces.

Whipped Cream patriotic body butter by Swan Mountain Soaps

The Fourth of July is a big deal for our family. A big picnic or barbecue on the lake, lots of friends and family to share it with, apple pie and of course fireworks! Dad and the kids will raise the flag on the lawn and we’ll remember the years when Dad wasn’t with us because he was being a soldier, and Dad will remember the soldiers who didn’t return home with him.

Instead of a soap for this challenge, we decided to layer our Whipped Cream body butter in good old red, white and blue. Our Whipped Cream is thicker than most moisturizing lotions and creams for heavy duty pampering, which is good when you’re thinking of wearing a swimsuit at the lake! The shea butter melts on contact with your body, soaking in instantly. No greasiness, just a wonderful smoothness that lasts all day long. The scent of Fresh Cut Grass is light and sweet, the perfect scent of summer!

Stars and Stripes by KBShimmer

Red, White, Blue, and oh so refreshing. The scent of peppermint fills the air, while hints of menthol refresh your body.

Two soaps, each bursting with patriotic colors, make up this duo. The first is complete with a swirled inset star, while the second features chunks striped with color, and the rare star popping through.

Old Glory by The Skin You're In

This original Old Glory was made and presented to a young Sea Captain William Driver by his mother and some young ladies of his native Salem Massachusetts sometime in the 1820s. It is a large flag, measuring 10 feet by 17 feet, heavily constructed and designed to be flown from a ship's mast, originally having 13 stars and, symbolic of its nautical purpose, includes a small anchor sewn in the corner of its blue canton. Captain Driver was very pleased with his gift and he first hailed the flag as "Old Glory," when he left harbor for a trip around the world in 1831-1832, as commander of the whaling vessel Charles Doggett.

Driver retired from the sea in 1837 and moved to Nashville, Tennessee. He flew his beloved flag on all patriotic occasions, using a rope suspended across the street, and Old Glory became well known to the citizenry. By 1861, it was modified to show 34 stars (the number of states then in the Union).

The Old World rustic charm of this New World soap is depicted in the blending of the red and nearly white stripes and the rugged blue stars. Old Glory soap is made with Distilled Water, Palm Oil, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Castor Oil, Mango Butter and Canola Oil. The red and blue colors are skin safe FD&C soap dyes and the scent is fresh like cotton and sea air.

SAFEteam's Help For Tennessee Flood Victims

Life's all about helping each other! That's why members of SAFEteam are providing soap (of course!) and making other donations to those affected by the tragic flooding in Tennessee.

Water-filled homes, businesses, cars, basements ... many TN people are spending countless hours sorting through what is left of their lives.

On May 6, the New York Times published a piece by TN author Ann Patchett which summed up what happened: "There is a charming expression in the South ... when someone says he'll see you soon, and you respond, 'God willing and the creeks don't rise.' I finally get it."

Well, since the creeks DID rise, there's mud everywhere. And there's nothing like getting washed and fresh after a long day of flood clean-up! That's where our soap team's donations come in!!

By the way, the idea for this and the actual delivery of items is the brainchild of Anhoki of Anhoki's Place ... thanks to all for a giving spirit!

And the winner is....

Congrats on your win! Enjoy your soap! Everyone stop by and check out Ocean Kisses! A wonderful talent and a valued Etsian!!!

Thanks for playing!!!!

Father's Day Challenge & Giveaway

Fathers Day is June 20th this year.

We want to celebrate Dad by showing off how he likes to spend the afternoon/evening.
Does the father figure in your life like sports?
Does he like to dabble in the garden, hunt or fish?
Is he a poker player, gamer, or does he love to watch the back of his eyelids?

The Rules:
Tell us the story of the father figure in your life. YES you can do it in your product and you do NOT need to submit a poem. Although a whimsical description couldn't hurt. :~)

Your Job:

Pick your favorite!
All you have to do is leave a comment stating your favorite!

While you are at it...tell us a bit about your dad, grandfather, uncle, or any other father figure you may have...we love a good story :~)

Voting will end on Monday June 14th!

Your prize:

The winning item! So pick wisely!

Motorcycle Lovers, Hawg Wash Soap by Amelia's Soap Co

Are you the man (or woman) who loves to ride a bike --- the kind with a powerful engine and polished chrome (or do you know someone who does)?! Well, this is my husband's favorite thing to do ... he actually came up with the name of this soap. And he would say this about a motorcycle ....

The metal flake paint job --- well, it grabs your attention. Your bike is truly a thing of beauty! That motorcycle has to look and sound perfect …. ready to ride …. hit the road …. wind in your face.

At the end of the day, it’s time to take off your leathers, clean up, crack open a beer, and relax …. think back over your awesome day …. vroom, vroom …. very, very nice.

Blue Pacific Ocean Waves by Pacific Paradise Soap

Our family use to have a vacation home at Sea Ranch. We would go for walks along the beach and watch the Blue Pacific Ocean Waves & sometimes spot wildlife. We would always see squirrels, many times deer, and occasionally whales at the right time of year.

My loving Father likes to work hard in the garden, at the lathe, make puzzles, cook exotic meals, enjoy a glass of good wine, solve sudoku, relax, have a beer, go for hikes & walk on the beach. This soap was made for the Father's Day SAFEteam challenge & to celebrate my Dad enjoying the Ocean Waves of the Blue Pacific. It has swirls of three different shades of blue and is scented with Ocean fragrance.

BLEU beard leave in conditioner. total care for your Daddy's face by The Soap Gallery

Father- another word for LOVE.

I remember when my dad used to take all us kids out camping.. we'd all be relaxing in our tent ( for some reason it was ALWAYS raining!) listening to the soothing noises outside our little universe. During the day we'd go fishing and biking. Little did we realize how much hard work my Dad put into our little trips - everything always seemed to run smoothly (in spite of the rain, of course!) and we always had a great time! I didn't notice (till later) that Dad always came home with quite the wiry beard, and smell of the outdoors. But, boy did my MOM notice! This inspired The Soap Gallery's latest creation, the beard conditioner!

Make Daddy's kisses a little softer with our new line of beard conditioner. I know Mommy will love it too!!

For the discerning gentleman who may have a dry skin condition under your well-groomed beard, we offer BLEU - our men's line of 100% delicious 100% manly bodycare. Just spray on as needed. Full of essential oil, vitamins, silk amino acids and proteins, it will leave your beard soft and touchable and the skin underneath conditioned.

Quietly Distinguished...Olive Oil Handmade Cold Processed Soap...For ALL DAD'S by Thistle Delight

This Soap is in honor of my Late Dad in time for Father's Day. My Dad was a very well thought of and admired man. He was a wonderful husband and Dad. He worked and lived just for his family. He was a very proud man, and very proud of his family too. He was always smart and well groomed. When I think of my Dad, he was always in a shirt and tie, even when dressing casual, he would wear a nice checked shirt, and one of his ties. This soap was made because of a challenge my team, SAFETEAM, was having. We wanted to make a soap that honored our Father's or Father figures in our lives.

What better way to celebrate the wonderful men in our lives, but to honor them in one of our wonderful soaps. Just like the wonderful Father's in our lives, they protected us, and our soap helps protect our skin from nasty dry skin {:oD

This soap is scented with Distinguished, which is another soap here in my store. It is quietly sexy, and very sophisticated too.

Indestructible by Anhoki

Meet Gellie. Cute, isn't she? With her pink piggtails and fashionable wardrobe she is definitely easy on the eyes. Gellie is a gnome. She is a magician who dabbles in Alchemy and Herbalism. WHAT does this mean, anyway??? Well....She is a magician which means she is very very intelligent, wise and spiritual. Gellie loves to cast spells, make healing potions and witches brew. After receiving request after request for an Indestructible spell she traveled far and wide in search of such an item. Alas, no luck.

One day Gellie, very perplexed, was setting in her favorite brew pub when along came Oddjob and Targalf. VERY "interesting" and friendly dudes, indeed.

Oddjob is one who is standoffish, shy and seemingly insignificant at first. Oddjob is all that and a bag of gems all wraped up in a tiny little package. Targalf is the outdoorsey type. He is one who has been everywhere and seen everything. If you are lost, in need of directions, or want to know the name of that dude who makes those awesome enchanted rings he is the go to dude.

Gellie, down on her luck, explained her situation to the two with little hope of positive outcome.

Targalf flashed a sly grin and encouraged the other two to join him on a mission of discovery.

Off they went, traveling the countryside in search of the herbs, spices and elements to make the ever so desired Indestructible Potion. Word quickly spread throughout the land. Folks from near and far traveled with the hopes of getting even a vial of the Indestructible potion. This is the good stuff. The stuff that makes you invinsible to dragons, monsters, wizards, magicians, you name it. NOTHING can touch you once you've drank the magic potion.

Along the way Gellie, Oddjob and Targalf opened up about themselves and came to know many interesting things about eachother.

Gellie, an orphan has always wanted to find her parents

Oddjob, a loner, has always wanted to find someone who "gets him". Targalf...well, he's old enough (but not "too" old) that he just doesn't care. He wants to get things done and not really mess around with too much drama.

After comparing notes Gellie found out that Targalf IS her father. Gellie was kidnapped by an evil Tauren as an infant never to be heard from again. Gellie and Targalf were pleased to have found each other. An instant bond took place. Targalf became VERY protective of Gellie and let everyone know...you DON'T mess with Gellie...his little girl. :~)

Throughout their journey all three could feel a force that was pulling Gellie and Oddjob closer together. After 5 months of traveling through dragon guarded kingdoms and serpent filled waters the Ingredients were finally gathered and Gellie could make the magical Indestructible potion. Oddjob made his feelings known to Targalf and received approval of the "marriage". Unbeknownst to Gellie and Oddjob it had been foretold that Gellie would come across, fall in love with and marry a gnome called Oddjob. In the end they married and had two little Druids....Babbles and Hoppy.... forever to torment Targalf and have him flash that sly little grin.

As you can tell Anhoki's dad (Targalf) and Mr John (Oddjob) LOVE to play WOW (World Of Warcraft) every chance they get. It is not uncommon for them to play for hours and hours and stay up until both are holding their eyes open with toothpicks. Anhoki (Gellie) doesn't play WOW but they are trying ever-so-hard to get her involved.

Whilst it may not be possible for a Dwarf to father a Gnome I CAN tell you this soap is wrapped around an actual potion found in the WOW game. The Indestructible Potion will increase your armor by 3500 for 2 minutes therefore making you Indestructible. Pretty awesome. The Indestructible SOAP is pretty awesome too. Made with olive, coconut, palm, canola and shea it is scented a VERY magical blend of black pepper, amber and cedar. Usage of Indestructible SOAP will make one feel and act Indestructible but we do not recommend leaping over buildings or attempting to hault speeding trains or planes. Happy Fathers Day. May yours also be magical and enchanting.

XOXOXOXOXOXO

Dad's Sea Cruise Soap by Posh Wash Soap



Help your favorite Dad escape with this fantastic ocean wave soap, with the scent of fresh sea air. The Dad in my life's favorite way to relax is on a fabulous sea cruise. With this soap in his bath, he can go there everyday!

For Dad

Our fathers toil with hands and heart
to make our lives complete.
They quietly brave the winter cold,
and endure the summer heat.
Our fathers' lives are busy,
but there's always time for us.
They boldly face the ups and downsand seldom ever fuss.
Our fathers are the greatest dads;
we know you know this, too.
And here's your chance to inspire escape,
from all his stress and strife.

This is a large bar, handcut and weighing about 4.25 ozs. The color is ocean blue, with swirls and curls of white on the top to resembele sea foam and waves.

Ingredients Include: Coconut oil, Palm oilSafflower oil, Glycerine (kosher vegan), Shea butter, Purified water, Sodium hydroxide (a saponifying agent), Sorbitol (moisturizer), Sorbitan oleate (emulsifier), Soybean protein (conditioner), Ocean Rain fragrance oil

Filthy Hands By Little Batch




Filthy Hands Vegan Handcrafted Cold Process Hand Soap Bar with Fuller's Earth and Fine Pumice

My dad's a quirky guy. He loves to get dirty. Never in my life have I seen my dad with really, really clean hands. There's always been something smudged on his hands or stuck under his fingernails. He used to be a roofer, so for most of my childhood he had black tar permanently stuck under his nails and in the lines of his hands. His pastimes... yard work, home improvements (mild ones), hunting... all translate into making messes. I made this soap for him and all the guys like him (including my husband) who consistently have filthy hands!

My husband and I have used this soap to successfully remove from hands: paint (dry and wet), tar, oil, grease, dirt, mud, and grass stains. It's lightly scented with satsuma (a sweet citrus) scent.

Fuller's earth is a natural clay known for its grease-busting qualities. Finely ground pumice is a natural exfoliant for scrubbing.

Olive oil makes a luxurious bar of soap that helps your skin retain its natural moisture, and draws moisture to your skin. Coconut oil adds substantial lathering power. Palm oil cleans well but is also mild. I use only organic, sustainably-harvested oils for my soaps.

Camouflaged By The Skin You're In



My father was such a hardworking man. He was the lead custodian at a local elementary school for several years prior to retiring. In his younger years he served first in the Navy then in the Air Force. He retired as a Staff Sergeant just prior to our impending transfer to Italy. For a period of time, after his military retirement, he worked as a chef at Cesar's Palace. Then when California beckoned the family, he took a job at Knott's Berry Farm as a trolley car driver and as a child that was my all time favorite job. He was so cute in his uniform. He held many different jobs for the benefit of his family that would allow his wife, my mom, to be able to stay home and care for us kids. I love you Dad and I miss you every day!!

I've had and still have many hard-working men in my life, my husband, my son, my brothers and I know for a fact how they can get so involved in their everyday activities.

I made this soap for the men in my life who are hard working, hard playing and can get really greasy and grimy. This cold process soap is made with Coconut Oil, Lard, Palm Oil, Olive Oil, Rice Bran Oil and Castor Oil. The brown, black and green Military looking colors are made with oxides and I chose these colors as an ode to my Father's military careers. The scent is an essential oil blend that smells a bit like root beer and is said to be wonderful for achy muscles. The soap will get the grime out and the scent will sooth away the soreness of the day.

Happy Father's Day!

Father Knows Best by Metropolis Body

"Don't worry, Daddy's here to take out the trash!"

Made JUST for Fathers Day, our newest limited edition vegan artisan soap! Father Knows Best is created with activated charcoal to help draw out dirt and toxins from the skin. The scent is an exclusive blend of herbal eucalyptus and fresh Virginian cedarwood to create a deep, relaxing scent

Blueberries and Sunshine soap by Swan Mountain Soaps

Father’s Day is hard for me. Not all dads are perfect, and that is something that took me a long time to come to grips with. My dad is one of the nicest, most considerate, hardworking, generous guys there is. He is also an alcoholic. There is forgiveness now, but he is not really a part of my life, other than a few phone calls a year. And that breaks my heart. I wish my kids had a grandpa like I did to take them fishing, on long walks, teach them to play checkers and Go Fish, and how to eat Eskimo Pies after a long day at the pool. But it isn’t going to happen anytime soon, and I know that.

Still, deep down inside, I hang on to the wish that someday my dad will be sober. And he’ll come to Alaska and visit us some Father’s Day. And our whole family will go up the mountain and spend the day picking blueberries and laying in the grass, occasionally splashing in the little mountain creek that is so icy cold it takes your breath away. And we’ll pack a picnic lunch with lemonade and cold chicken and chocolate chip cookies. And we will come down the mountain so tired from having fun that we will almost want to fall into bed, but instead we’ll take a dip in the lake, build a bonfire and roast hotdogs and marshmallows for dinner. Because there is nothing my dad needs more than a day of blueberries and sunshine with his family. That’s what I’d give him if I could.