Monday, November 30, 2009

Fall Flashback!

Let's flash back to some of our favorite Winter projects from years past, including some yummy (food) recipes that would be great for the holidays!

Recipe: O' Christmas Tree Room Spray

Recipe: Revitalizing Bath Salts

Recipe: Natural Vapor Balm

Recipe: Temple Tamer

Recipe: Vanilla Mint Body Butter

Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Body Scrub

Recipe: Gingered Pear Crisp

Spotlight: Taza Mexican Chocolate

Allison B. Kontur
www.BathBodySupply.com

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

The Infamous "Secret Squirrel" Project


secret ('krĭt) n. - Something kept hidden from others or known only to oneself or to a few.
squirrel
(skwûr'əl) v. - To store up (tangible items or intangible ideas), usually well beyond one's needs. Hoard, stockpile, treasure.
secret squirrel
('krĭt - skwûr'əl) adj. - 1. Something top-secret; 2. A nickname for intelligence officers and their activities; or 3. A cartoon squirrel spy satirizing James Bond.

What the heck is a "Secret Squirrel" anyway? In my family, a "secret squirrel" anything is something deemed super-secret or top-secret. Therefore, a "Secret Squirrel Project" is a project that is top-secret.

If you follow us on Twitter and our Facebook Fan Page, you may be wondering about our "Secret Squirrel Project"...

Our Secret Squirrel Project has been a nearly year-long search for a new warehouse to house BathBodySupply.com! Since January of 2009 we have been viewing properties, looking at retail locations and warehouses and researching locations until we located a building which suits our immediate needs with the ability to expand as necessary.


We have had several locations fall through over the last few months for various reasons, so we made a collective decision to wait until we were nearly ready to move in to announce the news. We still have a building re-inspection and an occupancy inspection to complete over the next couple of weeks before we can set a move in date, but we are tentatively planning to move between the Christmas and New Years holidays.

The new facility will not be open to the public due to sanitation requirements and zoning which prohibits retail shopping. However, local customers will be able to place orders online and schedule a pick up from our new facility to save on shipping costs.

We will be updating you as each of the next few phases are completed. We thank each and every one of our loyal customers who have helped to make this expansion possible. We look forward to continuing to serve you in 2010!


Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com

Monday, November 23, 2009

On Sale! Natural Lip Balm Base

Our Natural Lip Balm Base offers exceptional protection for lips. Containing castor bean oil, hemp oil, olive oil, shea butter and meadowfoam seed oil, this base is ideal for chapped winter lips. With added vitamin E, it is very stable to oxidation. The hemp oil contains additional vitamins, minerals and Omega 3 & 6.

For every 16oz container, you can expect a yield of 64 - 1/4oz pots.
This base is not acceptable for Lip STICK type containers.

Before you Start

You will need a double boiler, thermometer, ladle, rubber spatula for stirring, glass or plastic pitcher, lip balm pots or jars:

  • Place Lip Balm Base into double boiler and set your burner to medium.
  • Items will melt in less than 1 hour, if you have a thermometer, check temperature, it should be around 65-70c / 140-160f.
  • Use Micas or Pigments for these oil based products. Add your colors and mix thoroughly. Pour a small amount in a clear container and wait for it to set for 20-30 minutes. You will notice the colors tend to lighten as the product goes opaque.
  • Only add Flavor Fragrance Oils deemed suitable for Lip Products. Strength will vary on the type of scent.
  • Pour into your choice of containers.

Tip

If product is poured too hot, you will notice when cooling a well or dip in the center of the product.

Allison B. Kontur
www.BathBodySupply.com

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Video Tutorial: Whipped Shea Butter

This video shows how to make Whipped Shea Butter from just 2 ingredients!
You will need:

Allison B. Kontur
www.BathBodySupply.com

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Tei Fu Essential Oil Blend

Tei Fu Essential Oil Blend is derived from an ancient Chinese formula used to soothe aching muscles and stiff joints. Applied to the temples and back of the neck, it often relieves headaches. However, the oil must not be near the eyes or they may be irritated by the strong fragrance. The scent of this essential oil blend has been described as a "Be My Valentine" candy heart!

For congestion or just to enjoy aroma in the air, place a few drops of the oil in a small pan with water. The hotter the water, the more these oils evaporate into the air, acting as a disinfectant, deodorizer, and mood enhancer.This blend is safe for diffuser use as well. This is a pure, concentrated essential oil blend, if using for massage then it needs to be diluted in your favorite
carrier oil or massage oil.

Tei Fu Blend contains camphor, peppermint, wintergreen with some sweetening floral oils and absolutes as minor components.
Camphor Oil is an effective stimulant. It stimulates circulation, metabolism, digestion, secretions and excretion, thereby helping problems and ailments associated with improper circulation, obstructed secretions etc. Camphor can be toxic if ingested and should be used topically in small amounts. Camphor Oil is an excellent disinfectant, insecticide and germicide. The strong penetrating aroma of Camphor Oil is a powerful decongestant. It immediately opens up congestions of bronchi, larynx, pharynx, nasal tracts and lungs. It is therefore used in many decongestant balms and cold rubs.

Peppermint contains menthol, which helps in clearing the respiratory tract. It is an effective expectorant and therefore provides instantaneous, though temporary, relief in numerous respiratory problems including nasal congestion, sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, cold and cough. As a result, it is used in numerous cold rubs. When these cold rubs are rubbed on the chest, they assist in clearing nasal and respiratory congestion. Peppermint oil can be used externally to provide relief from pain. It is believed that the presence of calcium antagonism in peppermint oil aids in removing pain. It is cooling in nature and therefore helps reduce fever.

Wintergreen Oil
increases circulation of blood and brings warmth to the application site. The relaxing and stimulating effect of this oil fights spasm in the respiratory, muscular, nervous systems and gives relief from congestion in chest, breathing troubles, asthma, spasmodic coughs, muscular cramps and nervous disorders.
This blend is excellent in massage oils and lotions or use it as is in a diffuser or humidifier.

Allison B. Kontur
www.BathBodySupply.com

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Holiday Hours & Lead Times

We are getting positive feedback that shows and holiday venues have picked up considerably which means the number of orders entering production has increased dramatically. Order processing times have increased to 3-4 days. Please plan accordingly.

Orders containing Custom Scented/Colored items will not ship same day, regardless of delivery method chosen. Please add 3-4 business days processing time to UPS time in transit to estimate delivery of your order.


As a reminder, there is limited UPS service the week of Thanksgiving. BathBodySupply.com warehouse and offices are closed on 11/26 & 11/27.

Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com

Monday, November 16, 2009

Back It Up (Or Lose It)!

I'm not referring to some obscure dance or operating heavy machinery, I'm talking about your data! One of our company PC's has been exhibiting the warning signs of failure for about a month.

To be fair, it's a dinosaur of a PC and had already been slated for replacement. When the first warnings appeared, I made a mental note to speed up the replacement process and then I manually updated all of the backup systems we have in place (especially on this particular computer).


What's that, you say? You never back up your systems? You don't store external copies of your data on an external hard drive, online or on flash sticks?
Let me explain what would happen if our system did not have a backup in place:
  • Our PC's run corporate accounting software. Without a backup, we would lose all accounting information for this year. It's November. That's a lot of data to have to re-calculate.
  • Our PC's house stock images and advertising materials. Without a backup, all of this expensive material would be rendered useless.
  • Our PC's store batch data for all of the products we make, product formulas, supplier information and other sensitive information. Without a backup, things would quickly get cranky and confusing around here.
  • Our PC's run Outlook for email. Without a backup, all of that data disappears in the blink of an eye.
Backing up your data (all files, folders, programs), means you'll need to save your data to a disk, CD or location other than your computers hard drive. For example, you can save your data to:
1) Zip disk - You'll need a zip drive.
2) CD or DVD - You'll need a CD or DVD burner.

3) External hard drive - These are less expensive now than they used to be. Compact flash drives are now available that can hold a few backups with room to spare. We use a
Seagate external hard drive.
4) Secure, Web-based file storage service - These are online services where you can save your data. The benefit here is that your data is stored in a physically remote place so floods and fire or other catastrophes in your office area won't affect them.
Carbonite is a web-based system recommended by another business owner.
Most importantly, you will need to change your habits and make backing up a common occurrence. Some companies back up data once a week (usually Friday). We back up our most sensitive data like Quickbooks daily and boy are we glad we do! While backing up does not ensure you will never lose data, it stacks the odds in your favor that more of the data will be recoverable.

Allison B. Kontur
www.BathBodySupply.com

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Limited Edition Body Scrub Poll

Each quarter, we are now introducing two (2) Limited Edition Body Scrubs to be available seasonally.

The Limited Edition Body Scrubs for Q4 of 2009 are:


Pumpkin Sugar Scrub

Frank & Myrrh Sugar Scrub

These two Limited Edition Scrubs will be laid to rest in early January. In December, we will introduce the two NEW Limited Edition Scrubs for Q1 of 2010.


We need your help! Which scrub fragrances from the poll listed in the right hand column embody January-March? Stand and Be Counted by selecting your choices from the poll!

You can view our stock Body Scrub Bases here! (Limited Edition Scrubs are offered in addition to stock bases for a 3 month period of time before they are replaced.)


Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Last Day To Win Is 11/30/09!

We want your feedback! Did you know you can review the products you purchase from us at the bottom of any product pages of our website? Your comments help other shoppers make informed decisions regarding the purchases they make!

Plus, from now until the end of the year, we will choose one comment per month to be featured on our blog and to receive a
$20.00 gift certificate good towards goodies at BathBodySupply.com!

You may only review products you have purchased in the past and you must be logged into your account online to be eligible! Wednesday is the final day to submit your feedback for the month of September and Thursday we will choose the winner! You can submit feedback on as many products as you wish as long as you follow the pre-stated requirements! More entries under your account means more chances to win!

Allison B. Kontur
www.BathBodySupply.com

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Save 10% on 16 oz Massage Oil Bases

It's a great time to try out (or stock up on) our Massage Oil Bases!

Massage is the practice of soft tissue manipulation. The word comes from the French massage "friction of kneading," or from Arabic massa meaning "to touch, feel or handle". An older etymology may even have been the Hebrew me-sakj "to anoint with oil". Massage oil is used as an aid in this treatment to provide "slip" in the manipulation of the skin.

All of our massage oil bases will accept fragrance or essential oils; including the very popular CERMT Aromatherapy Blend highlighted yesterday. The natural color of these bases ranges from Amber to Yellow.


For a Limited Time, you can save 10% on all 16 oz Massage Oil Bases!

Allison B. Kontur
www.BathBodySupply.com

Monday, November 9, 2009

CERMT Aromatherapy Blend

CERtified Massage Therapists and Aromatherapists used this blend on the rescue workers during the 9/11 crisis in New York City. CERtified Massage Therapist Essential Oil Blend contains oils including Wild Crafted Lavender, Organic Rosemary, Organic Eucalyptus, Organic Fir, Organic Naiouli, Organic Tea Tree and Peppermint Super. Originally developed to go into massage oil, this blend is safe for diffuser use as well. This is a pure, concentrated essential oil blend, if using for massage then it needs to be diluted in your favorite carrier oil or massage oil.
  • Lavender essential oil is probably the most well-known and most-used essential oil. It promotes burn and wound-healing, is safe to apply 100 percent neat to the skin, and is also good for bruises and scrapes. Lavender essential oil has a characteristic fragrance. Lavender also has a profound affect on the mental and emotional affect, with low doses acting as a sedative and high doses as a stimulant.
  • Rosemary essential oil is a warming, stimulating oil, with the characteristic fragrance of the rosemary herb. Its stimulant properties include its affect on the nervous system and brain. It is also sometimes used for treating headaches (with other oils like lavender and peppermint). Another common use for rosemary essential oil is for alleviating muscular aches and pains or rheumatic pains, for which it is classed as possessing analgesic properties. It is also sometimes used in skin-care, and especially in shampoos. However, high percentages can be irritating in some people.
  • Eucalyptus essential oil is well-know for its use (in steam inhalations) as an expectorant, for colds, coughs, flu, etc. Of all the different varieties of eucalyptus, the radiata is considered by most aromatherapists to be the best choice for most therapeutic uses, as it is milder than most of the others, yet just as effective. Eucalyptus oil is also cooling, stimulating, anti-infectious, astringent and anti-inflammatory.
  • Fir Needle essential oil is mainly known by aromatherapists for its excellent expectorant properties, making it ideal for use in steam inhalations for head and lung infections. Its other properties include as an analgesic for the relief of muscular pain and rheumatic and arthritic pain. Fir essential oil also is reputed to help alleviate anxiety and stress.
  • Niaouli essential oil is one of the oils from the family that tea tree belongs to. It is higher in cineole than tea tree, and lower in terpinen-4-ol, so its properties could almost be described as being intermediate between tea tree and eucalyptus. This oil is strongly antiseptic and also has expectorant properties, so is often used in steam inhalations for respiratory tract infections. It is also recommended for use in cleaning wounds and burns, as it also has analgesic and antirheumatic properties, it is sometimes used in the relief of joint pain and muscle aches and pains.
  • Tea Tree essential oil is so well-known that most people have some familiarity with its properties, including its very strong antiseptic and antimicrobial action. It is often the oil of first choice for use against any form of bacterial, fungal, or viral infection, including flu, colds, skin infections and head lice. It also has immunostimulant properties, in that it stimulates the body's immune system into action. Tea tree essential oil is also often used for its strong antiseptic properties for cleansing wounds of all types, including insect bites, stings, and also burns.
  • Peppermint essential oil is one of the most stimulating of all the oils. Its unique fragrance is unmistakable and uplifting. It is also a very cooling oil, great to apply a drop or two neat on the forehead for a tension headache, but be very careful to keep it well away from the eyes and other mucous membrane areas, as it stings these areas severely. Alongside its cooling effect, it also has vascoconstrictive properties, ie. it constrincts the blood vessels, which also is associated with it being a tonic for the lymphatic system.
This blend is excellent in massage oils and lotions or use it as is in a diffuser or humidifier.

Allison B. Kontur
www.BathBodySupply.com

Friday, November 6, 2009

We're in Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine (Nov 2009)


Our Old Fashioned Root Beer Body Scrub is on page 49 of this months Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine!








Check us out in the column titled "Get Your Fix" - Safe Indulgences for Pregnant Women





The Root Beer Scrub shown is available at our sister site: www.SmellNoEvil.net



Allison B. Kontur
Smell No Evil, Ltd.

Video Tutorial: Simple Pumpkin Sugar Scrub

This video shows how to make a Pumpkin Sugar Scrub from just 4 ingredients!

Not feeling crafty? We carry pre-formulated Body Scrub bases ready for you to scent or we can Custom Scent our pre-made base for you from over 100 stock fragrance choices!

Allison B. Kontur
www.BathBodySupply.com

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Life Support System: Letting Your Soul Catch Up

When you own your own business, it isn't uncommon to burn the candle at both ends. It's important to find balance between your work life and your personal life and although these are often one and the same, sometimes you just need to take a break.

One of my favorite guilty pleasures is reading and I am a big fan of
Steve Goodier's Life Support System. Click the link below for some very wise words from Steve about balance:




Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

New! Natural Kraft Gable Box

Handy Gable Boxes are great for gift sets or as an alternative to a bag for lighter, take away items. Natural Kraft boxes offer a versatile look that can be personalized any number of ways (labels, stamping or other decorative accents).

Made in the USA of 100% recycled kraft paper, you can feel good about buying local and protecting the environment!


Box dimensions measure: 8 x 4.875 x 5.25"


Looks great paired with our Natural Crinkled Paper Filler!


Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com

Monday, November 2, 2009

October Product Feedback Winner!


Kim, you have won yourself a $20.00 gift certificate good towards goodies at BathBodySupply.com! Check your email for your coupon code!

We appreciate your feedback! For more information on how to enter, visit our blog post here! Remember, we will be choosing one comment per month through the end of 2009. You can re-qualify each month by giving more feedback on products you have purchased!
The more feedback you give, the more times you are entered to win!

Allison B. Kontur

www.BathBodySupply.com