Soap Heaven

Photo via Lauren Ross Photography.

Photo via Glen Allsop Photography.

Sometimes we need a space for escaping. A spot to relax, unwind, create, imagine. A space simply to be.

You can create such a space in your home with the right mindset, a nice candle or two, and a lovely spa in your very own bathroom.

I highly suggest soaps and dead sea salts from Sharilynn Studios on Etsy to do the trick. Shari creates dreamy handmade products that are awesome for daily use as well as for special at-home spa days. 

My husband and I have been enjoying her well-crafted, gentle, and lovely-smelling soaps for a couple of weeks now and we both love them. I also love knowing that they're made from all-natural, healthy ingredients that are great for my skin. Plus, she's got a great variety of scents that aren't overly feminine or masculine, so they are great for anyone.

Our favorites so far are the eucalyptus spearmint zen and the coconut lime verbena flavors. Amazing!

A few of Shari's amazing soap and dead sea salt products I've been trying. Love them!

On days when I feel tired or a little stressed, a bath featuring her amazing sea salts helps immensely. I can finally warm up, let go, and enjoy a good steamy bath with no distractions, no conversations, and no negative thoughts in my mind.

Sharilynn Studios also has awesome back scrubbers and pumice stones for sale, so you can get that little extra "oomph" in your cleaning routine.

I also love that Shari's site features artwork and art supplies for sale. She is a talented artist with an inspired, insightful eye for beauty. Swing by her Etsy shop to find out more-- and tell her I sent you :)  You won't be disappointed!

And believe me, when that lovely box shows up on your doorstep with goodies inside (like it did for me), you'll be on your way to luxe and joyful goodness!

Photo via Sharilynn Studios on Etsy. Artwork for sale.

The Little Ones

Photo by Anna Rummey of Rummey Bears.

Photo by Tyler Branch.

Today's post is the latest in the Beyond Childhood series, which features conversation about living love, putting your family first, and how to enjoy marriage and parenthood.

Photo (and all photos below) from the Little Sapling Toys shop.

Today I bring you Little Sapling Toys, a lovely Etsy site with all natural and safe infant and toddler toys. 


Shop owners Nick and Kimber would like to offer 10% off any order to all Alive in the Fire readers. Use the coupon code ALIVE10 when checking out (valid until February 14th).


More about the shop:
We all have a hand in design, production, business, or packaging in some way. During those necessary breaks we play hide and seek, eat, bike or jog. On Sundays we go to church, eat and play games together.

Toys: We brought life to the classic wooden teether by offering the widest selection of shapes available. We have designed and produced a solid selection of organic developmental toys and blocks. Our newest endeavor is the land of personalization with Blue, our laser engraver.

Our Philosophy: Here at LST, we are committed to quality toys and a healthy earth. We plant a tree for every toy sold, use FSC Certified hardwoods, recycled content packaging and participate in our local green power program.

Each toy is handmade in our workshop (which is in transition right now between Boise, Utah and Minnesota). We design our toys to help young children develop creativity, pattern recognition and fine motor skills. However, the most important toy any child can have is his or her caregiver. For this reason, our educational toys are most effective with interactive play.

Read more on Little Sapling Toys and keep up with their sales and giveaways on their Facebook page or their main site.


Get shoppin' for your little ones!

Check out this adorable stacking toy. And what a cute picture!

Little Sapling Toys makes a ton of cute teethers, like this guitar.

Or an airplane, if your little guy loves things that go.

Minneapolis Giveaway: Soulful Soap

 

More intriguing photos by Minneapolis photographer Alec Soth.

Our other Minneapolis giveaway features Sacred Suds soaps. You can find them on Etsy as well as their main website products page.

The shop owner Andrea is offering one reader an Om orange, mandarin and cedar soap.

Tune in. Transcend worldly worries and attune with universal bliss with this soap inspired by Om (or Aum), sacred Hindu syllable representing the Absolute. When intoned, Om connects our deepest self to the All, the world-soul. This soap is crafted using the hot process method of soap making, and as with all of our yoga soaps, the glycerin and skin-conditioning oils contained in the Om bar create a luxurious lather that will leave your skin soft, supple, and deliciously moisturized. This soap is a favorite for meditation and yoga practice, and is a suitable unisex soap for both men and women.

Andrea's description of the shop:

Sacred Suds is inspired by my belief that by giving something our attention, either through prayer, meditation, or the simple ritual of mindful bathing, we give it power to grow and manifest in our lives. My mission with Sacred Suds is to provide soulful soaps that help channel positive energies into our customers' lives. I craft the soaps with intention using cues, like scent and colored labels, to help tune in to certain feelings, like joy, passion, and confidence. In harmony with the sacred intent of the soaps, I am committed to non-violence in the crafting of our products. Sacred Suds soaps are earth-friendly, cruelty-free, detergent-free, and dye-free, and I am proud that our soaps now contain organic, orangutan-safe palm oil.

More on yoga and what inspires Andrea to create:

When I lived in Florida, I had an incredible yoga instructor, and her class was the highlight of my week.  She taught a Power Yoga class that pulled from Ashtanga, and I am now hooked on the powerful progression of that Vinyasa style.  During Savasana, she would rub her hands with peppermint oil and come around to each of us to smooth our brows and give a quick temple massage.  That peppermint oil compelled me to breathe deeply, and it inspired the Prana soap.  More soaps soon followed, including Om, Ganesha, Laughing Buddha, and Kuan Yin.  I have created all of these soaps with the hope that they will help you carry the benefits of Yoga from your mat into your life. 

I have not yet found another instructor now that I've moved to the Twin Cities, so if anyone has any ideas, I'm open to them!  I currently practice at home using some of my favorite DVD's (Yoga Shakti with Shiva Rea, Total Yoga with Ganga White and Tracey Rich, and Power Yoga with Beryl Bender Birch), but I hope to find another class.  Being in class with an instructor and other students is so much more exciting and energizing than doing the same DVDs over and over again.  

Andrea's tips for keeping clean and smelling great after a sweaty yoga class:  

• I like to use a wonderful deodorant that my husband makes at home by mixing 1 part baking soda with 6 parts cornstarch.  I apply it using a cosmetic brush, but you could also use a cotton ball or other applicator.  You only need a light dusting, it goes on invisible, it is all natural, and it doesn't stain clothing.  

• For both your mat and your body, you can make a super easy spray by filling a spray bottle with water and adding 10 to 15 drops of your favorite essential oil.  Lavender, peppermint, pine, and orange essential oils are all very pleasant, cleansing, and energizing.  You can spritz your body if you can't get into the shower right away, and you can also use the spray to spritz your mat and wipe it down after practice.

• Yoga practice is very purifying to me, and after sweating out all of those impurities, I think it's important to rinse them away in order to retain the cleansing aspect of yoga.  To me, the synthetic detergents and fragrances found in most commercial soaps feel and smell unnatural, and they feel like contaminants.  To maintain the pure feeling that yoga imparts, I recommend using natural handmade soaps, which retain the glycerin of the soap-making process, and that are scented primarily with natural essential oils.  Because essential oils carry aroma therapeutic properties, using soaps scented with essential oils can reinforce the lessons from yoga practice and help smooth the transition from yoga to life.  

To win the Om soap, please:

• Leave a comment below listing your favorite soap from Sacred Suds.
• Add Andrea on Twitter and send her a little message.
• Add Sacred Suds on Facebook.
• Leave a comment on Andrea's lovely blog.
• If you go above and beyond by offering Andrea a suggestion for where to practice yoga in Minneapolis, you'll triple your chance to win!

Domestic shipping only. Good luck!

• 
  

Minneapolis Giveaway: iPhone / iPod Touch Case

 Top photos by Alec Soth.

His "From Here to There" show is being featured at the Minneapolis Walker Art Center 'til January. If you go, write me a guest post!

Happy December, Minneapolis! I'm sad to hear about the Metrodome cave-in, but here's a little something to cheer you up. As a tribute to the Twin Cities, my wonderful cousins and our lovely Thanksgiving trip to MN, I'm featuring TWO giveaways from the land of 10,000 lakes.


What do you love about Minneapolis? 


Our first MN giveaway comes from the hip Etsy seller LandmarksAndLions. Canyon Crosby of Landmarks and Lions is giving away this iPhone/ iPod Touch case of of a wonderfully soft wool blend felt. See below for contest details!

More about the iPhone / iPod Touch case from Canyon:

The idea for this case was to create something that was not simply functional, but vibrant and fun as well. Not only does the iPhone and iPod Touch fit perfectly snug in the case, but there is another space designed for business cards, credit cards, or whatever else can be slipped in. The wool felt makes it comfortable and easy to handle, while also providing protection against the environment. 


About Canyon:

Landmarks and Lions came to life as a result of lots of planning for my upcoming wedding next year. We are having a destination wedding in Italy and so the original thought was to design a few things that my fiancée and I could use during our travels. I started out with totes, which led me to iPhone cases, and so on. Then at some point my fiancée suggested I design collections of these items, create an Etsy account, and see what happens. Well, here we are and I am having a great time. 

My sole inspiration is the Mediterranean and the dreams we have had when planning for this experience, and so I like to use a more lively color theme in the design process because I feel it suits the place and lifestyle perfectly. Each accessory is handmade from our home / studio here in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where I design, cut, sew, and photograph everything you see.

On her goals for next year:

My primary focus is on the wedding. We have been looking forward to this for a long time now, and it is going to be one of those amazing experiences that we will be able to share with our family and friends. I am also really looking forward to creating more collections for Landmarks and Lions and seeing it grow into something that I could transition into full-time. I would be thrilled to see it become successful and to have the opportunity to work for myself.

To enter the contest, please:

• Follow Alive in the Fire.
• Leave a comment below describing your favorite item from LandmarksAndLions on Etsy. 
• Check out Landmarks and Lions' main site. 

Shipping for the contest is international, so anyone can apply!


If you choose to do any of these, your chances double... you can contact Canyon here. See more shopping options. Add Landmarks and Lions on Facebook. Be sure to let me know to enter your name twice in the drawing. 

Finally, we have a winner for the 105 Yoga giveaway! Congrats to Dre. Please contact me with your email address so I can put you in touch with Nancy. Thanks!

Seeking: Delicate Necklace

I miss you, pretty necklace.

Lovelies, I could really use a replacement for the beautiful pineapple-cut aquamarine necklace my mom gave me for graduation. Sadly, it was lost during the Minnesota Thanksgiving trip. I had been wearing it since the wedding, too!

I'm desperate to find a new one... something super delicate and feminine. Something that will hold up in the shower and the Hot Room and can be worn every day. Something light as a snowflake.

Here are some I'm currently drooling over. Many thanks to Joanna's style over at A Cup of Jo for inspiring (and finding) many of these!

From Satomikewakita.

From NeedSupplyCo.

From Favor Jewelry on Etsy.

 

From BRVTVS.

From Laura Lombardi.

From COATT. And yes, that's Morse Code for "love!"

Know of any others? Know of any Etsy sellers who would be willing to donate one for review on the blog? Here's to delicate things and generosity!

From the Island: Eco-Friendly Hand-Sewn Goods

Next up in the Winter Extravaganza is NuovoVerde from Etsy. Her shop features eco-friendly hand-sewn goods.

I love Ingrid's earthy, colorful style for her headbands, bags, clutches, business card holders/ coin purses, and hair accessories.

She is offering one lucky reader a practical and beautifully-handcrafted mini purse made with organic cotton canvas. As she says, it's a hip and modern way to carry your money or credit cards! The purse is hand-painted and made with low impact inks, so it's super green.

This is your last chance to win a handmade item from Puerto Rico, so enter now!

More from Ingrid about her shop:

NuovoVerde means "The New Green" in English. This refers to the main goal of the company: to focus on fusing ethics and aesthetics. Garments are unique or limited-edition pieces, crafted via a combination of reclaimed, recycled and organic materials mostly by me, Ingrid Iglesias in Puerto Rico (Caribbean Islands). 

Educated as an artist but with a continuous interest in all design and art themes, I've being looking forward in my creative ventures and also responding to my conscious awareness of the environment.

I have experimented with lots of materials and techniques and this shop is a reflection of that. NuovoVerde features a variety of accessories, paper goods and other cool stuff inspired by art, good design and sustainability. We're hoping to expand soon, so keep an eye out for new products in the near future!

As Ingrid says, all items in her shop are handmade, hand-painted and embellished with much love in her little studio. All pieces are unique, one-of-a-kind and are designed to express individual personalities. Maybe yours? 

Advice on what to do in Puerto Rico:

In Puerto Rico, you can't miss the beaches. Excellent beaches can be found almost all around the island, but the best for my "needs" are Gilligan's Island in Guanica (south side of the island) and Flamenco Beach on Culebra Island (one of the municipalities at the east of the island). This beach has been classified as one of the 14th best beaches in the world. 

Also, be sure to visit El Yunque rainforest, nominated as one of the seven marvels of the modern world, and finally, the walled city of Old San Juan, part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. This is a very important spot for culture, history, good food, music, and a lot of fun!

To win the coin purse, please:

• Leave a comment below with your favorite item from NuovoVerde's Etsy shop.
• Leave feedback and favorite the Etsy shop.
• Add NuovoVerde on Twitter and Facebook.
• Utilize the 15% discount in the store through January 15 by entering ALIVE12 as a coupon code when you check out.

Finally, we've got a winner for the BijouxHibou necklace! Congrats to MommyYogini. Please contact me with your email and I'll connect you with Wandie so she can mail it to you.

From the Island: Handcrafted Clay Necklaces

Next up in the featured Puerto Rican Etsy sellers is BijouxHibou. At this shop, you can find beautiful artisan necklaces and tiles in a style described as "Raku meets tie dye."

One lucky Alive in the Fire reader will win this mango-inspired necklace.

Beautiful, right?

The pendant measures 1 1/2" in diameter and it comes with a 26" rust colored satin cord with sliding knots so you can easily adjust the length.

Wandie's description of her shop:

Painter, sculptor, animal lover, dreamer, island girl at heart.  I'm an artist + illustrator from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico and I create small, skillfully wrought, abstract pieces of art in clay. I created my shop, Bijoux Hibou, pronounced bee-zhoo ibu, which is French for Jewel Owl, as an oasis I could escape to and let my imagination and love for color run wild.

My tile pendants are created to look like natural and rustic pieces of pottery. The color and texture creates personality to bring out the best in each piece. I like to think of them as abstract pieces of art on clay. I enjoy creating a variety of color combinations and design elements that evoke emotion, self -expression and inspiration.

On enjoying the outdoors:

I love horseback riding and I took Hunter/Jumper lessons in Texas for two years and I'm a mountain biker.  Since I'm active I don't wear alot of fine jewelry but when I do, I like to wear one of my pendants while tackling some single-track on my mountain bike.

To win the necklace, please leave a comment below and check out BijouxHibou's shop on Etsy.

Also, BijouxHibou is offering a 15% off deal on all orders by Alive in the Fire readers until 12/17. Simply enter the coupon code BHSURF15 when checking out. Enjoy!


Finally, we've got a winner for the lovely silk scarf by SilkMari! Congrats to Ms. Copsey. Email me so we can coordinate getting the scarf to you.

From the Island: Silk Scarves

Next up in the Winter Extravaganza are three lovely Etsy sellers from the island of Puerto Rico. 

First up is SilkMari, a shop where you can find gorgeous handmade and hand-dyed silk scarves by Marina. She's offering this dreamy blue scarf to one lucky reader.

Here's her description of the scarf :

The blues, greens, teals, sea-foam and aqua in this hand dyed silk scarf are the ocean color as seen from above our coastal waters. It is 8" x 54" chiffon silk and could be worn as a headband or around the neck tied in a bow for a sexy sultry look. Each scarf is signed on the lower left-hand corner.

About the shop:

Each of my silk scarves is individually hand-dyed and/or hand painted. Batik, tie-dye and silk painting are some of the techniques that I love to explore and use. Each scarf is unique by the process used, making it a one-of-a-kind work of art. I took a basic course in Batik and the rest is self-taught with experimenting.

  

On Living in Puerto Rico:
Although I was born in Puerto Rico, we moved to NYC when I was about five years old and did all my schooling there. I returned to Puerto Rico and have been involved with the Artisans Market for some time. I love the weather in Puerto Rico and all the wonderful natural wonders it has. The beaches are breathtaking, the rain forest a must see, we have warm water baths and outrageous caves. 

Recommendations for Travelers:
Definitely visiting the Old San Juan is number one on the list. It's referred to as the Fortress City because it is surrounded by huge imposing walls which were built to protect the city from invaders and pirates. From there you must go visit at least one beach. I recommend Luquillo Beach which is in the skirt of the rain forest.

To win the aqua scarf, please leave a comment below telling about your favorite time at the beach. Also please visit the shop at SilkMari and include in your comment which other scarf you like best.


Good luck and namaste!

Winter Wear Coupon

Beautiful rope chain scarf from hurleysashimi on Etsy.

Hubs and I just missed the big snowstorm in Chicago so we won't be needing our winter gear for a few days, but I'm still thinking of all you snow bunnies out there! To celebrate, I'd like to offer all Alive in the Fire readers a 15% off coupon from lovely Etsy seller hurleysashimi who makes cozy neck warmers, hats, scarves, and these awesome hybrid beekeeper scarves + hoods. Amazing! 

Simply enter the code NAMASTE when checking out for your discount. Valid until 12/31/10. For holiday orders (guaranteed delivery by December 23), orders must be placed by 12/9/10.

Great scarves for guys and girls.

You'll be happy to know that 5% of hurleysashimi's orders are donated to charity and go to benefit communities in the Philippines via Kamay at Puso (Hand & Heart). Stay warm, celebrate, and give back! Place your order with hurleysashimi today.

The beekeepers are my favorite. Genuis!