The Final Countdown

Well, after 21 days of stop-start-snow, stop-start-snow, I'm finally on the home stretch with the new workshop. I'm hoping to have the keys by the weekend. I'll be spending next week moving everything in there. Scheduled reopening date is Monday, February 14th. That's allowing plenty of time for snow days, of which we have two coming up immediately. Here's some photos I'd like to share with you. It's been a five year dream of mine and I'm feeling rather proud of it.

After a week interrupted with snow, the frameout finally received its drywall. This part of the new workshop is where my formulary area is going to be.
The ceiling is up, and a nice lick of paint is now on the walls. The formulary is beginning to look a bit more cheerful.
Here you can see the formulary really beginning to take shape. The cabinets are in, ready for the sink, and the freezer is in place, too. I can already see myself working here.
This is the far end of the workshop. It's a small opening at the moment, but there's a full sized door to be hung there yet. The alcove has been purpose built to house the curing shelves for the soap bars.
Here's the other side of the curing alcove. I'm hoping the wall with the sockets on is going to be the new computer station and my personal office space. It will be much easier than crashing Jason's techy space. Oh, and don't worry, the saw isn't staying there. :)
Snow permitting, the formulary is waiting for the next phase. Counter tops, double sink, tiling and overhead shelves. I'm looking forward to choosing the hardware for the cabinets. I'm thinking it's gonna be brushed steel.

Marcie Says

In the Manor Hall Have It All giveaway, Marcie said:

"My favorite product is your art house caffe soap. My mom gave me some for Christmas, and I love, love, love it. So creamy, and it smells great!"

Marcie has entered the "Manor Hall Have It All" giveaway. She's wanting the Caffe Art House Soap in her prize box.

Join the giveaway fun here and tell us what product you'd like in your $150 goody box giveaway.

Sweet Smell Of Fresh

I first made the Orange Tree Blast bar back in April of 2005. I wanted a nice bar for the shower. A fresh bar that could be enjoyed by both women and men, and also a nice hard bar that would stand up to a lot of use.

I love the citrus oils for their deodorizing qualities, but I also needed to incorporate an essential oil that was a warrior on bacteria so it could be enjoyed after the gym or pool. Tea tree oil was top of the list, and combining it with a healthy dose of sweet orange oil gave me the incredibly clean scent that I was after. But it was the addition of a shot of peppermint oil that created the real freshness that sets it apart from any other tea tree soap. Tea tree oil is great for antibacterial cleansing, but I didn't want the overpowering smell that is associated with it. The combination of the citrus oil and the mint oil tames it nicely.

I have always added soybean oil to my shower bar formula. It's a nice moisturizing oil, and used as an additive during the "trace" phase of the soapmaking process, it lends a nice lotioned after-feel to the skin. Of course, exfoliating is a neccessary where keeping the skin moisturiized is concerned, and poppy seeds never fail. They are spherical, and so they have a kind roll on the skin. They also create a little dotted prettiness in the overall look of the finished bar.

And so Orange Tree Blast was born. It's a must for any shower, and has remained a faithful in my classic Manor Hall line. Many love it for themselves, and many buy it as the family bar for the evreyone in the home. Me? I use it daily in the shower, and have done so for going on six years now. I never tire of the fresh awakening scent, and I've never brought anything home on my feet from the gym or pool. It's a little four ounce block of wonderful fresh fighting fayre for your skin.

Cold Weather, Hot Lips

Your lips take the punishment of winter. And because they don't have little oil glands of their own, they soon become chapped and dry. Exfoliate with a little sugar and olive oil. Moisturize with a little honey or jojoba oil. And exercise, with lots of little puckers and smacking together. Love your lips - naturally.

Lining Up

We're all lined up for Day 11. Oh, my word... I've just had to check on that. Is it really Day 11? Where have they gone to at all. There's supposed to be seven in one full week! One minute I'm announcing the workshop reno, and the next thing I know we're on Day 11.

Since Saturday, the frame out has been completed. The electrician has done his part, and the plumber came out to get my new sink and formulary area set up in readiness for the next phase. Which is... happening today! We lost two days because of the snow and ice. Today is clear of that, but we have another storm coming in after midnight tonight. I'm trying to hover just a little bit higher than feeling optimistic, but not quite as high as happy chappie.

This morning began early with the delivery of big packages of insulation. Forty minutes ago the delivery of dry wall arrived. We just need to guys to turn up now, and we have the three card trick. They said 9.00am. It's onto the live blogging. Let's see what today brings...

8.45am - Here's hoping we won't be on red for long. I'm looking at the materials that are laying in wait. "Get into position on that framing!", I keep telling the drywall. I so wish we spoke the same language.

9.05am - What is this? We are on green, that's what it is. WE ARE GREEN!!!

9.30am - Insulation rolls have all been carried in to the workshop. Yay! And I've plied the guys with some coffee. I want today to go so well. I'm hoping a shot of caffeine or six will fire them up!

11.08am - The insulation is in place, I think. Haven't a clue what they're doing now. I can hear noise of hammering, and a little whirring every so often. I think they may be driving many screws home. Drywall hasn't been carried in yet. Their radio has been turned lower. Dunno whether that's good or bad. But we are still green. And that's gotta be good!

12.25pm - I've just put a phone call in to The Barbara. Bless her beautiful heart. She is dropping everything and making the 3 hour drive to help with the clean up. My little wonder woman is gold! We're also aiming to load all my recipes and ingredients into a new database. Yes, she's rather handy with the techy stuff too! If you're new to The Barbara, you can meet her here.

12.53pm - Drywall being hung, and the guys haven't stopped for lunch yet. I think they mean business today. Maybe the coffee is working! ;)

3.45pm - And on to red. Deservedly so, I say. Apart from coffee, the guys worked through all day. I'm sure they must have had butties (sandwiches) in their little bags, but if they did they must have eaten them on the wing. 3 walls are done, and they're back tomorrow for the rest. 9.00am they said. And we're on a winter storm warning from midnight onwards. Ohhh, I am so saying my prayers this evening!

Avocado Hair Masque

Many factors can affect the way your hair looks and behaves. Like other parts of your body, the scalp has its own reaction to weather, stress, hormones etc, and dryness is often a symptom common to external or internal influences. This moisturizing hair masque is simple and effective, and can be made in minutes with ingredients from your kitchen cupboard.

The avocado fruit is rich in natural vitamins and essential fatty acids. It has deep penetrating properties, and is a wonderful natural stimulant for your hair. As with olive oil, avocado acts as a humectant, helping to hold onto and seal in moisture. Both offer thirsty hair a welcome handshake of friendly hydration.

Avocado Hair Masque

You will need:
1/4 cup of mashed avocado
1/4/cup of mayonaisse
Drizzle of olive oil

How to:
Using the back of a wooden spoon, or a hand blender, incorporate ingredients until smooth. Apply to your hair and cover with a shower cap for fifteen minutes. Wash hair with a mild shampoo.

Notes: Make sure to peel your avocado before mashing. Always test for allergies first. Be sure to throw away any unused masque, as it is not preserved.

Manor Hall Have It All Giveaway

Up For Grabs:
One Manor Hall Soap Company goody box filled with Manor Hall products and accessories ($150 value)

Dates:
January 17th - February 11th, 2011 Midnight EST

How to Enter:
Do one or more of the following, and post a comment below this post about each action you took. Each comment will count as a separate entry so your chances of winning increase, but only the first entry is required.

1. Required: Visit www.manorhallsoapcompany.com, pick a product you like, and leave a comment on this blog post with the name of the product. This product will be included in the giveaway goody box if you are the lucky winner.

Here are the added ways to enter:
2. Like Manor Hall Soap on Facebook (if you already Like us, make a comment saying so)
3. Post the competition on your own Facebook page
4. Follow @manorhallsoap on Twitter (if you already follow us, make a comment saying so)
5. Tweet this giveaway and leave URL: Enter to #win @manorhallsoap Manor Hall Have It All #Giveaway $150 Value http://bit.ly/i4qHoq
6. Follow Manor Hall Soap Blog in right margin with Google Friend Connect
7. Blog about this giveaway with an active link back to this post

Please remember each action requires a separate blog comment.

Giveaway Rules:
Open to USA only, age 18+ to enter. The lucky winner will be selected using random.org and announced right here on the blog on February 14th, 2011. Winner will be required to contact us via email with their full name and address including zip within five days of the announcement. Your state will be the only thing published. Only entries made here as comments on this blog post will count so please be sure to comment about each action you take!

UPDATE: Have It All Giveaway is now closed. 98 comments, minus 2 deleted comments from Shezzie in the UK. Total entries 96. "Have It All" winner will be announced soon.

UPDATE: Have It All Giveaway winner is "SOS". Please email customerservice@manorhallsoapcompany.com with your full name, US address, and zip to claim your $150.00 value goody box of Manor Hall Soap Company products and accessories. Congratulations!

The Second Lap

I've been working this morning on finalizing the big giveaway I'm gonna be running here at the Manor. I'm planning on making it easy for everyone to take part, regardless of their social media preference. I'll be making the official announcement later. And with what I have in front of me, I think we might have a great weekend in the making.

So, there's ten minutes to go before Day 6 gets underway. Here's hoping the frame out will be completed before work stops for the day. It's a shorter day for the guys today. It is a Saturday after all. And it's a Holiday weekend too. They could have so easily ducked out of it, had they wanted too. I shall make sure to keep them plied with refreshments.

8.50am - Maybe this should really be amber cos I'm kinda on standby, really. Okay... 10 minutes to green.

9.10am - Okay... so we're still red. Maybe I'm a bit more patient this morning, what with Saturday morning traffic an all. Hmm.

9.20am - Just keep your head in the giveaway, Susan. Time is not important right now.

9.35am - WE ARE GREEN!!!

9.51am - Now I am truly in love. The guys asked for music. Like... men after my own heart, or what? The "Music To Soap By" compilation is blaring out, and this place is rocking! Guess the guys love percussion too.

11.00am - I've just halted the guys for some food and coffee. Gotta keep them fed. It's a Holiday weekend here in Massachusetts, and they could very well have spent today doing something else!

11.20am - Work is underway again, and the sound from the machinery is sweet music to my ears. Think we got a couple of pics too.

2.30pm - I thought the guys would be packed up by now. They said today would be a shorter day, and I was thinking okay... well maybe that's around 1.00pm. I can't believe we're still on green!

6.17pm Frame out completed. The guys worked to get it finished, making tomorrow an off day. It's well deserved, I'd say. Y'know... it feels great to be on red! The electrician arrives Monday, all being well.

It's All Go

Okay... half an hour before the workmen are due to arrive, and I've been watching the clock since 6.15am. It's killing me! I'm gonna try something today that I've often seen, but never done. I am gonna do some live blogging. Well, "live" in the sense that I'm gonna keep updating this post as the day progresses. I have excitement like I've not had for years. It's running through me like I'm on a roller coaster. My poor heart keeps welling up to my throat when I think about it.

It's happening today. I'm looking at the empty workshop, its eerie echoes, and... I am in awe! So keep checking in, and come along with me for all the ups and the downs of the roller coaster ride that is my workshop renovation.

8.30am - Heart racing. I've been outside half a dozen times already, in the hope that I may see the first truck or car to arrive. Can't stay away from the windows.

8.50am - They're not here yet. Drumming fingers.

9.05am - The kettle's on for a cuppa. I am pacing the workshop floor. No, they haven't arrived yet.

9.20am - Sitting on a wooden chair in an empty workshop, cuppa tea between my hands. They said 9.00am!!!

9.30am - There's a reason these posts are in red. Green means go. Not that you would know it right now.

9.50am - Yup. Still in red. If you're wondering how it feels on my happy scale right now, lemme tell you: "What happy scale???"

10.20am - You know what? Handsome only cuts it so far. Needless to say that was a short crush I had. Nope... they still ain't here. Let's see how they feel about the song that's gonna be blaring out on repeat all day. Guess someone shouldda told them about what kinda gal I am.



10.45am - WE ARE GREEN!!!

12.10pm - Okay... get the happy scale back out. The guys are here! All the wood for the framing out has arrived, been unloaded, and is now sitting on the workshop floor. I'm surprised at how neatly it's all been stacked.

12.34pm - Oooh, didn't like that noise. Sounds like some machine they got hammering at the concrete. Nope... I'm not feeling that groove at all.

12.41pm - Guess the guys didn't care for that groove either. They just nipped out to get the right size metal pin thingies for the cleats. Still figuring out if I heard that right, but they were using some noisy tool and it was shooting something small when it should be bigger. We're now on red!

1.04pm - Yes... they are back and we have noise! A bit of hammering. A bit of sawing. Y'know... I think they're taking on that handsome appeal again.

3.07pm - Just popped my head into the workshop. OMG... they've framed one wall, framed out the utilities area, and they've gotten the footings done for the boiler room? Yes... I'm loving these guys right now!

4.32pm - The guys haven't stopped since we were last on red. I mean, come on... 3 cheers and all that! Dunno yet what time they're working till, and I can't wait to take another peek. I'm resisting that urge though. I don't want to bring their attention to the time.

6.39pm - Work has now stopped for the day, and I am one happy chappie! The guys have been gold. It's looking good in there. They're back tomorrow morning for a shorter stint to complete the framing out. They said 9.00am, and I'll be live blogging again tomorrow with a new post. So, see you at 9.00am then. Hopefully we will be green!

Under Starter's Orders

I finished work today a little earlier than I have all week. Consider the office tidy! To be honest, I don't think I've got much more lifting in me, so I'm not sorry to see the back of that chore. I couldn't have lived with it in a mess though, even if it isn't open. Okay... a couple of days, maybe. But no way was I gonna slalom between the chaos of dismantled shelves and packing boxes for two to three weeks.

So, it's the end of Day 4, and I've waited until now to make my post. I've been feeling a little skittish about tomorrow morning, and whether this renovation is ever gonna begin. Of course, it's gonna begin. It was only delayed because of the snow storm and though I've dreaded a phone call, none has come.

Work begins tomorrow morning. It's a few days later than I'd have liked... but I've got a great crew in the workmen and I know they'll make up for time lost. I'll see you tomorrow.

Snow Go Day

It's the end of Day 3, and today was a snow day. We got dumped on here, and then some. Only I could pit the first days of a workshop renovation against what's being called as the biggest blizzard to hit Massachusetts since 1978. The whiteout has been so bad that cars were actually driving down the wrong way of the Mass Turnpike. Like... get outta here!

The snow plows are still at it all around the city. I heard earlier that the schools are gonna be closed again tomorrow. The roads are pretty slick to say the least, and I also heard earlier from the contractor. The workmen won't be working tomorrow either.

I'll be working though. I'll continue with the TidyFest, and organization of the office the way I have been doing since the workshop was cleared out. I might even find time to sit and dream about my new formulary space. I was choosing the cupboards and counter-tops last night. I wish I could say what I'd done today was but a dream. Unfortunately it wasn't a dream, and I leave you with a pic of today's workload.

Ohhh Is For Olive

The olive tree has a commanding tenacity. No matter how harsh the winter, or burning dry the summer, it still grows strong and upright in stoic resolution to bring us a fruit renowned for its nourishment and salve. A very emollient oil, it has been used for thousands of years on the skin to calm, to cleanse and to moisturize.

The olive is very high in polyphenols. These are a broad class of antioxidants that include flavonoids and catechins, common also to red wine, chocolate, grape juice and tea. Antioxidants are useful in the aging process... they help slow it down.

But antioxidants also hold other qualities of importance to us. The phenols found in olive oil have an antifungal and antibacterial action. Phenols also prevent "Oxidative Stress", a highly oxidized environment within cells where there is an overflow of free radicals and a lack of antioxidant support. Oxidative Stress always leads to inflammation, a common aggravator in dermatitis and other similar skin conditions.

Olive oil is a great humectant. Attracting external moisture to the skin, it still allows normal function to take place such as shedding, sweating and sebum release. Olive oil doesn't clog pores, It is gentle, and hypoallergenic.

Wall to Wall

No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. Those boxes really do go as high as the ceiling, and if the lower foreground wasn't so chaotic right now, I'd have given you a long shot. Don't worry... that one should come tomorrow. I'm not spending all day lifting all those boxes in place and not sharing. Oh, did you think the workmen had done that? Not on your life, they didn't. That's all the work of Yours Truly. Just don't go trying it yourself if you don't know how to use a gym and free standing weights. Not that I didn't have anyone spotting for me, because I did. The real heavy ones are on the bottom though. I just wanted to make sure they all fit snugly in place, with no chance of toppling.

So... almost the end of day 2. Tomorrow I'll be continuing onwards with the rest of the boxes. I can't believe just how much stuff there was to pack away. I keep saying where did it all come from. But it's five years worth of my Manor Hall Soap Company, and right now I'm looking around and feeling rather proud of where I am.

Tomorrow is snow day here in Springfield. It's supposed to be really clouting us some. The workmen aren't showing up, but they've promised they'll be here first thing Thursday. I shall be in there with the camera, and you'll get a proper look at the start of their handiwork. But first, the snowstorm...

Cleanse And Go

This natural foaming facial cleanser is made from organic oils and formulated to cleanse your face without harsh chemicals or alcohol.

Our gentle blend contains Lavender essential oil, a naturally kind, calming antibacterial, and Clary Sage essential oil, a sympathetic oil which is amenable to all skin types. Lavender oil is a soothing antiseptic and excellent for stressed skin. Clary Sage is restorative and clarifying, helping to balance the skin's natural oils.

Morning After The Day Before

Okay... Day 1 down, and 20 to go.

I had fully expected to blog last night at the end of the day. We didn't finish until turned 10.00pm though, and all I could think about by then was bath and bed. I was so aching. But I'm an exercise junkie, and in that strange way that only exercise junkies can understand, it felt so good to be sore.

The workshop is all but emptied now, with maybe only a few hours more to spend in there. The office is upside down though, and it's driving me daft. I tried to keep everything organized as the stuff was carried around, but by late afternoon anything boxed up was just carried out and dumped in here.

So that's my job for this morning set out. The workmen can't be expected to navigate a snake pass to get to where they want to go with their huge 8x4 dry wall sheets. Day 2 is gonna be demanding, but I'm up for it!

Renovation Eve

Our office is currently closed for the month of January for workshop renovations. We will not be taking orders during this time. Please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and the blog for updates, and exclusive news on special contests and giveaways. Thank you!

The last of the order boxes have been packed and shipping notices have been sent out. The "buy me" buttons on the web site are now disabled and a notice of the workshop renovation appears on the home page.

We've made a start on dismantling shelves and emptying the workshop. It will soon be 8:30pm and what started as lots of excitement a couple of hours ago has now turned rather wistful as I see my work for the last five years being packed away.

It's only for a few weeks, though. The end of the month isn't that far away. We're still on our feet here with another couple of hours to go on the workshop. Tomorrow will be marked on the blog as "Day 1". I'll see you then!

Out With the Old

I read a quote this morning on Twitter: "The time is always right to do the right thing" - Martin Luther King Jr. The more I look at that, the more I see. Every year, we take a winter break over the Christmas holidays. Course, the office may be closed, but work behind the scenes continues as we clear everything out, replenish soap stocks, and get ready for the start of another year. I always set goals for the coming year. Knowing what you're aiming for helps keep the focus in case things start to get a little off course.

In the week that lies between Christmas day and New Year's day, me and Jason took a look back at our year. It began with major surgery, and was a tough time for us. He had two surgeries that first three months, and it wasn't until the summer that he could carry any real weight. Life's bumps in the road so often cause you to take stock of your life. Where you're going, where you've been... and where the heck you are.

So, the summer passed and I found my turnaround time getting more difficult to keep at three days. Okay... three to five days isn't too bad for a small business. I'm always working weekends, so no real problem there. Then come November I had to move that to five to seven days to keep up with product making. Knowing your business is growing is great in theory, but in practice it's hard to keep the plates all spinning.

My workshop is set up for a small business. It has grown over the course of the last five years, but essentially it's still the same workshop. I've added things as they were needed along the way. I used to buy bottles and jars in 2 dozen bags. Then it was four dozen. This last year has seen boxes now of 400. And... oh, my word... where do you store it all? Then there's the soap. Small batches of what was once a dozen bars became 36 bars, then 78 bars. And as I sat over the Christmas break, the reality of my fantastic December kicked in, and a realization dawned that my workshop is no longer equipped to carry me through my next growth stage.

Decision time ahoy!

Within days, Jason had guys round and plans were drawn. Ideas were floated, and I started to see just what the workshop should really be. But... it can't be done in a weeekend. It has to be re-modeled. What do I do? The next opportunity to close for the time required will be the Christmas break next year. I can't wait so long. I already know that I'd be in chaos by the time March comes.

Decision made. The workshop is being remodeled, and I'm having the whole place purpose built to suit my Manor Hall with room to grow even more. How's that for optimism? The work begins on January 11th. The office will not be opening as scheduled on January 10th. I've taken full use of the week just passed, and the contractor has assured me that all will be completed before the end of this month. I don't think that's too bad, so I'm going for it. I'm realizing a long held dream.

So, once all the shipping notices have gone out, the website changeover for January will go ahead as planned. The home page will be updated, but the office will be staying closed for another few weeks. No doubt you'll all be wanting your soapy stuff though, and I can't have you missing out on that. I'm gonna make sure you have an opportunity to get it. I'll be keeping things active here by running giveaways, and I'll also be keeping you up to date with regular posts and pics of what's happening.

I've dreamed of this day for five long years. Two years ago, I planned on it happening in 2012. It's barely 2011, and it's happening right now. Manor Hall is growing, and my many thanks go out to each of you for making all this possible. This coming year should prove an exciting one, and I hope you'll enjoy the journey with me.

Make It Easy

If you're wanting to lose weight, don't go on a diet. Change a little of your eating, sensibly so. Don't deprive yourself of anything, and aim for easy targets. Just a pound or two a week will make a difference spread over the course of time. And dance to a fave song from your teenage years, if you're not an exercise junky. Pound for pound, you know you're worth it.

Music To Soap By - Sugarland

Well, seems like last month's good fortune has spilled over into the new year. I got some news yesterday about something pretty big. Let me say first that it's not the same kind of something big that I experienced last month with the WholeFoods excitement. This is more of a personal pretty big. A longing I've had for five years. Something that I've actively worked towards for the last two. It's a something for my Manor Hall, and as I sat here facing Jason's major surgery a year ago, it was something that wasn't planned to be happening just yet.

Sometimes, life puts you in the right place at the right time. You're not sure whether to take the opportunity that's just come your way or not. And as is often, you just don't get too long to make your decision because of the expiry date life has put on it.

Hmm... yesterday I had to make a decision. Even great opportunities aren't without their dilemmas. First it was like... OMG... you're kidding me... that's brilliant! Then came the time sensitive qualifier. Oh, thank you very much for that.... you gotta be joking, right? Then it's onto the proverbial headache as you realise that the time and place makes it darned near impossible, yet you also see what turning down such an opportunity would mean.

I've been up most of the night. I'm like that when there's stuff on my mind. More so with big decisions. I don't fuss and fret or anything like that. It's more a case of needing to make use of every minute available for the focus required. I have to double the certainty that I'm complete in my resolve. I don't cry over spilt milk, you see. I invariably spend an absolute age when making decisions that might be life challenging, or life altering. This decision is both.

I'm never in a rush to rock my life's little boat. And I won't be pushed to hurry either. In fact, when I'm pushed my alarm bells ring like crazy and I distance myself even further from the situation on deck to gain a proper view from the crow's nest. But once I've decided which ocean I'm sailing, I wait for the right tide and set sail on it. It's always a full steam ahead, with never any room for watching the shoreline disappear. I'm neither impatient, nor blinkered. Eyes wide open for the challenge, I embrace the waters ahead whatever weather I may encounter.

So... I've had all night long to go over the decision I made late yesterday. It's now 8.10am. Far from being tired, I am wide awake and feel like I could go out for a morning run. I'm not doing though. The opportunity I've decided to take begins on January 10th, and I've a phone call to make at 9.30am. I'm making the call to give the go-ahead on something I've dreamed of for five years. A few days ago, it never entered my head that such a dream would be in my lap this next coming week. I'll be making the announcement soon, so stay tuned. To say I'm pretty up for this, is an understatement.

And with that comes today's Music To Soap By. It's already blaring outta the workshop on loop. Sing it loud with me, won't you?

Sugarland, 2004 - Baby Girl

Are You Set To Steam?

Facial steaming is a natural way of achieving the bright and clear skin we see in magazines, which very often owe thanks to a chemical peel. Steaming removes dead skin cells, and also helps to rehydrate the outer layer of the skin. It's easily done at home, and the benefits are many.

Steaming the face works by sweating the skin, causing the pores to open. The daily assault on the face from dust, dirt, and oil, clogs the pores and leads to breakouts, blackheads, etc. Steam penetrates the face, reaching deep into the pores. It's a once weekly simple cleansing method, that lifts away the deep everyday grime that dulls the skin.

Steaming also revives tired skin, and removes toxins, as well as improving circulation. It is also a great stress relief, and helps tremendously with colds.

Yay For The Barbara...

Workshop door is open. The Barbara is on her way. I got to thinking half an hour ago, that maybe she'd wanna look at the order invoices with me. Yes, I know the office is closed for the winter break, but maybe the Bounce Back body wash in my shower this morning has put some real bounce in my day.

I hear the sound of the shipping room wanting to be let loose. So, who says I should pack the order boxes a week early?