Auntie Nikki

Meet Julien, my little nephew born October 29th at 11:30pm!

 My sister did great and I'm so happy for her and her fiance as they are now starting a whole new chapter in their lives. Congrats guys!

Halloween already?

I'm trying my best not to neglect my shop and blog but this week I've started a new job and my brain has felt like it's exploding most nights. I'm so happy with my decision to try something new and it's really a good fit for me so who knows what the future holds!

Apart from being busy with work, my sister was due last Saturday so it could be baby time any day now, which is pretty exciting!

And last but not least, it's Halloween! Hope everyone has a safe and happy weekend!

Admitting When I'm Wrong

So I am definitely okay with admitting when I'm wrong. A few weeks ago I decided that I wanted to be different with my picture styles and re-take all my product photos. I took them with different props from every season and then planned to switch it over every three months. As it turns out that was a crap idea and clutters up my whole shop, while making the background colour balancing a pain to manage. For some, it makes sense - Pumpkin Cheesecake Soap sitting next to a pumpkin, okay. Pink Grapefruit Soap sitting next to a pumpkin? Just weird. With that said I'm scrapping the whole thing and going back to regular plain photos.

Before:

After:

I still have SO much work to do because in my prop annoyance I was snapping pictures all over the place and rushing through the editing. The colour balance is off and there are shadows galore! This is a perfect example of when taking no shortcuts actually saves you a lot of time in the long run. So my photography days have only just begun and it will be another while yet before the shop is looking up to my standards.

Lesson learned.

New

Just a quick update with 4 new soaps!

Woodland Themes - A cedar/pine fresh masculine scent

Hot Cocoa! (with marshmallows too!)

Caramel Crunch

Sleigh Ride - Citrus-y and peppermint

Things are going to be getting crazy around here! I'm making some occupational changes and instead of working full-time with one company, I'll be working 2 part-time positions with 2 different companies. I think it will break up the week nicely and provide a less monotonous routine. So with 2 jobs and running my own business AND christmas coming?! Bring on the coffee!

Jackson

<3!

Las Vegas

Matt and I went to Vegas for 3 nights for his birthday and it was so much fun! We flew in Sunday morning and stayed in the suites at the Rio. For being an off strip hotel (and by off strip I mean right behind Caesar's Palace) I was really impressed! Normally I go nuts and take way too many photographs on trips but this time I tried to cool it and just enjoy the scenery as it is and not through a camera lense. I did manage to get a few shots of course so I thought I'd share some :)

This is the inside of the Palazzo which is fairly new. (When I was in Vegas in December 2007 it wasn't finished yet)

Matt and I enjoying a nice, sunny, HOT afternoon!

The view from our suite

Elton John! He was so amazing! Rocketman

More Elton, Your Song

Philadelphia Freedom

Circle of Life! So happy he played this song as his encore.

Matt and I outside the Bellagio.. Apparently someone didn't teach this guy that pictures taken from a lower angle are NOT flattering!

Bellagio fountains, never get tired of watching them

And again

Matt's photography skills!

The Rio

Helicopter Tour of the strip!

We were lucky enough to catch the fountains!

This picture is REALLY unfortunate.

Birdseye of the Stratosphere

All in all it was an awesome trip. I've never been much for gambling so that was the first time I really got into it and it turns out my favourite thing to do was just wander from casino to casino getting a free drink and playing a bit. I played mostly amateur games (who knew casinos had the game War?) but it was definitely fun! Highlights would definitely be the Elton John show, the helicopter tour, dinner at Vegas's best steakhouse, petting a lion cub and a really great sandwiche at Diablo's outside New York New York. Can I go back soon please?!

4 New Holiday Soaps!

I still have a ton of festive holiday scents to get out but for now, here is 4 new ones!

Creamy Cinnamon Chai

Apple Pie

Cranberry Fig

Peppermint with Ground Loofah

I'm also having a sale in my store for the whole month of October. Use coupon code HALLOWEEN for 15% off your total order! (Cannot be combined with any other discounts or wholesale pricing)

Also my store will be on vacation mode from October 9-12th as I will be in Las Vegas!! (Now that's what I call escaping the holidays!) :)

Pin It