Cheeky Maiden Blog

The Seven Year Itch (alternately titled: Natural Solutions for Allergy Season)

Mon, 14 May 2012 22:51:00 GMT

Some of y'all are scratching right now, aren't you?

It might not really last for seven years, but it sure can feel like it.

Winter fades away, the bees come out, and stuff starts blooming. And for lots of people (approx 20% of the US population), this means their skin starts itching, their eyes start swelling, and their noses start sneezing and wheezing.

Allergies.

We have one in our home who has atopic dermatitis (aka eczema) this time of year every year. I know that as soon as the first blooms appear, I'm going to hear these words: "Mommy. I'm itchy."

Even a soap making family has skin problems from time to time.

Keep in mind also that "Exposure to environmental sources is to blame, including chemicals and pollution (indoor and outdoor), highly processed low-fiber diets, overuse of antibiotics and stress." (Healthnotes Newswire [August 18, 2005])

Thankfully, we have a solution! Aside from our ultra moisturizing, unrefined shea butter (for the itch, not to be applied to broken skin or open wounds!), good soap (We recommend our Plain Jane Shea Butter Soap), and a good clean diet, nature has opened up her hands generously and provided us with...

Stinging Nettle.

That's right. It stings. But only when fresh. Once it's been dried and encapsulated, you can swallow it. Or if it's been dried and ground up you can drink it as a tea (or add it to your shampoo). The more stuff blooms, the more we do of both for our wee little itchy ones.

(Urtica dioica, aka Stinging Nettles. Photo courtesy of wikipedia.)

Nettles can be:

Applied externally
taken as an infusion or tea or tincture
cooked and eaten
swallowed in a capsule

Nettles are:

a natural anti-histamine (see this link for other natural antihistamine herbs as well)
rich in vitamins A, C, iron, potassium, manganese, and calcium.
a galactagogue, meaning that it stimulates milk production in mammals
is used in shampoo to control dandruff and is said to make hair more glossy
great for pregnant women to consume daily and in large amounts! (Please do!)
immune boosting

Our favorite way to ingest Nettle is by making a strong tea and adding orange or lemon slices to it.

During allergy season, we also buy the 365 brand of Nettle Capsules from Whole Foods Market and my itchy people take one capsule with every meal. Before we discovered this we were nearly driven insane by the itch! It works as our family's best defense against allergies.

Nettle is by and large one of my favorite most favorite herbs/foods. Every natural home should be familiar with and well stocked in Nettle!

Make it a part of your regular diet or supplement intake!

Additional Resources:

PDF on Allergies and Immune Support

Herbal Reference and Products from Gaia Herbs

Much Love and Wishes for an Itch Free Spring,

The F Word

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 03:41:00 GMT

It's true.

This time of year, we say the F word an awful lot in the soap room.

You hear it occasionally throughout the month of February.

But by March, it's all over the place.

Farmers Markets.

What'd you think I was talking about?!

We are getting applications in the mail, and plan to return to all of our usual spots.

We spring cleaned the soap room to get ready for the onslaught of insanity that is about to hit as we scurry to make enough soap for all our Farmers Market peeps.

So shiny and organized!

And of course this year we'll be letting Evie, our two year old, run the show again.

That's behind the scenes last season at the Homegrown Alabama market in Tuscaloosa.

You'll find us faithful every week at : Calera Farmers Market on Tuesdays from 3-6 pm, Homegrown Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Thursdays from 3-6 pm, and Helena Market Days on Saturdays from 8-noon. We hope to see you there!

**************************************************************************

And now announcing the winner of the ginormous giveaway for this month, chosen by a random number selection...

Andi L., who loves geocaching and letterboxing in the spring and shared the giveaway on Facebook, AND signed up for the newsletter! After all that hard work, you need some Cheeky Maiden, Andi! Email me your address at missi(at)cheekymaidensoap(dot)com and we'll get your prizes right out to ya!

Happy Spring!

Your Cheeky Maiden

If you're lucky!

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 04:32:00 GMT

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It's March! We've almost made it through the winter. (Was that winter we just has here in Alabama? Hard to tell!)

Not only are we here to help you get your skin ready to radiate in the sun, we have some new stuff to give away this month!

(Stick around for details on the giveaway below)

First, the radiating in the sun. Or sweating. Or glistening, like we Southern Belles do. We have a new flavor of Pitty Party for you! It's been my privilege to test this out and I am beyond thrilled. I put some Geranium Lime PittyParty on yesterday morning. It powered through my day with five kids at my heels. It kept me nicely scented all night long with a newborn, and y'all.... I still smelled great after my workout with Jillian Michaels this morning! I'd say we have a winner here! If you like to smell pretty at your pitty party, try some out!

Last summer, many of you got to try the Cedarwood and Lavender Pitty Party and have not ceased to ask for more. Finally, I am happy to present it to you as a nice manly addition to our line of under arm warriors. It's here to stay, people. Get it before it's hot. Hehe.

And finally, one last new kid. I've been wanting to make a lip balm that was slightly tinted and shimmery for a while now, and I finally did it. Oh, and I added a splash of Vanilla. Because anything yummy and shimmery should include vanilla. A little Pink Grapefruit and Vanilla shimmer for your pout!

We did sneak one in that isn't new, but it does look a bit different than you might be use to seeing. We are now infusing the Nettle extract into the oils we use in our Nettle Shampoo Cube instead of just sprinkling them in. Thus, it has a darker color now. We think you'll find it has made your favorite shampoo cube even better!

March Specials!

We had to do a play on March 17th being St. Patrick's Day. It's some sort of unspoken rule. So, we present you with 17% off our favorite get ready for the warm weather products!

And how about that Photoshop job, hmm? Pretty fancy if I do say so myself. And I do. Pretty fancy!

For the month of March you will get 17% Off:

All flavors of Pitty Party Natural Deodorant (Geranium Lime, Cedarwood Lavender, Spearmint Rosemary, and Clary Sage Lemongrass), only $4.14 this month!
The Ultimate Foot Scrubbie (PACKED with ground Pumice Stone. You will no longer be embarrassed to show your heels or exhaust your pedicurist. ) Only $4.14 this month!
Sleepy Feet Foot Balm (Unrefined Shea Butter with Vit. E and Lavender and Mint! Perfect for waking up tired feet or putting achy feet to bed. And great for those embarrassing heels as well.) Only $4.97 this month!
Chunkie Super Fat Soap. It's super moisturizing, but it's also super cool. We love that peppermint in the shower all year long, but it's super cool when the weather warms up. Also, we have a lot of it in stock right now. Only $4.14 this month!

The Giveaway!!!

One LUCKY winner will receive:

Their choice: Geranium Lime or Cedarwood Lavender Pitty Party
Their choice: Pink Grapefruit Lip Balm or Balmy Obsession Lip Balm (Should a man win, we assume you might not want a tinted shimmery lip balm.)
One Chunkie Soap!
One Foot Scrubbie
and stop the madness....One Sleepy Feet Foot Balm!!

How to enter:

Leave a comment on this blog telling us your favorite Spring Time activity
Follow us on Twitter and retweet our Tweet about the Giveaway. Then leave a comment here letting us know you did!
Follow us on Facebook and Share our Status Update about this giveaway! Then leave a comment here letting us know you did.
Sign up for our newsletter by entering your email address on our home page. Then leave a comment here letting us know you did.
Follow this blog! Add it to your reader or grab our RSS feed. Then leave a comment letting us know you did.
PIN your favorite Cheeky Maiden product to Pinterest, or HECK, Pin this giveaway onto Pinterest. (You'll have to use the Pin It button on your browser for the products, or use THIS BUTTON Pin It to pin the Giveaway) Then... you guessed it! Leave a comment here letting us know you did!

You can enter as many times as you want using the above actions. Make sure you leave a comment on the blog below letting us know! Entries will be closed March 17th. So, get to tweeting, pinning, and facebooking. But don't hurt yourself.

and GOOD LUCK!

Much Love,

Can I get an Amen?

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:31:00 GMT

Susy, from Texas is testifying about our Shampoo Cubes!

"Anyway, I wanted to tell you how incredibly impressed I am with the shampoo bar. I was a bit skeptical because another soap maker gave me some to try a while back, and I was...less than impressed. I haven't liked anything else I've been using, and I even reverted to nasty, chemical-laden, store-bought shampoo for a while for lack of good options. Well, I decided that since nothing else Cheeky Maiden has ever disappointed me, I should give it a try, and I'm SO. GLAD. I. DID. Thank you for never disappointing. I love that my hair is actually clean and not full of shampoo residues. I have some of the world's craziest thick hair, and now I don't have to put extra stuff in it to bring out its natural shine. I don't wash my hair but a few times per week; this stuff makes me want to use it every day. Why should I be surprised? Cheeky Maiden never disappoints."

Read our FAQ Blog about Shampoo Cubes to find out how to get great hair naturally!

Treating Cradle Cap

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:48:00 GMT

It's disappointing when your beautiful newborn begins to develop cradle cap. Their sweet little head is covered with yucky, oily scales at a time when you want to be able to show them off.

If you are still pregnant, evidence is mounting that consistent folic acid supplementation and possibly even probiotics can help prevent cradle cap.

But if your baby already has cradle cap, there is a tried and true remedy. (I've had five babies with various degrees of cradle cap.)

First, assemble your tools.

(Pictured: Cheeky Maiden Baby Balm and soft toothed baby brush)

Sweet Titus is modeling an extremely mild case of cradle cap.

Step 1: Soften a bit of Cheeky Maiden Baby Balm in your fingers and massage into the scalp. (If your two year old is helping you, you'll also need to help her rub some onto her hands. And arms. And nose. It's okay. Baby balm is good for all your parts.)

Do this just before nap time or bed time. You'll want to leave it on for a few hours.

Step 2: Once baby is awake and happy, use your soft brush to lift and loosen the flakes. Don't scrub, and take your time. If your baby has severe cradle cap, it may take more than one treatment to loosen it all.

Take your time and work slow and gentle. Here's a close up of all the flakes I was able to get off of Titus's head.

Step 3: Stick that baby in the tub and use Cheeky Baby Bar Soap on that soft brush to gently wash the scales away. You'll want to avoid traditional liquid baby shampoos. Unless you like cradle cap, in which case- carry on. I guess.

(Incidentally, this is my favorite stress-free set up for baby baths. Most baby bath tubs leak, are too hard, too expensive, too difficult to store, or make baby slouch uncomfortably, in my experience. A nice thick towel in your own tub, rolled at the top for head support makes baby comfortable and relaxed. And a nice bath is a staple in our household.)

Step Four: Gently dry your baby's scalp. Repeat the treatment no sooner than 5-7 days later if needed. Resist the urge to put oils on their scalp. Some studies show cradle cap is the result of over active sebaceous glands.

Titus's head after:

"Look, Ma! No scales!!" (Sorry. Couldn't resist!)

More tips:

Don't over bathe your baby! Unless they spit up a whole lot all the time, they only need to be bathed about once a week. Over bathing [with all of these commercial chemical-laden baby products especially] is a good start on the road to eczema and cradle cap problems.
Use only gentle, 100% natural soap on your baby. We prefer Cheeky Baby Bars for head and body.
When you lower your baby into the bath water, start feet first. Then gradually let their bottom down, then their back. This is much more peaceful than just immersing the body suddenly. Especially for someone who is still learning the tricky art of breathing and swallowing.
Look your baby in the eye and tell him how wonderful and special he is while he enjoys his little soak.

A special thanks to my sweet boy Titus for his help!

This product and information is not intended to diagnose or treat any illness. Use at your own risk. I know that sounds mean, but I have to say that.

Much Love,

***********************

The winner of this months Giveaway, a Love Shack Bath Bomb Gift Set is.....

Brandi Bryant!!!!

Brandi, email me your address and I'll get this right in the mail to ya! (missi@cheekymaidensoap.com)

Congratulations!!!

DIY Brown Sugar Vanilla Lip Scrub

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:44:00 GMT

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This time of year the heat is on and my lips are dry, dry, dry.

And Valentine's Day is coming up (in 24 days!!).

Perfect reasons to come up with a yummy scrumptious DIY Brown Sugar Lip Scrub recipe to share! This makes a perfectly sweet Valentine's Day gift. And even on a tight budget, you can make plenty.

What you need:

Coconut Oil
Brown Sugar
Vanilla Extract
Vit E capsules (optional)

Cute small containers to gift it in.

I got those sweet "kiss" and "love" containers for $1.50 each from the Dollar General store, and you could easily find even more options in the $1 section at Target or elsewhere.

My jars hold 2-3 oz each and I wanted to make enough for four. So. I measured out:

3 cups brown sugar

Melt about one cup of virgin coconut oil ( don't get it too hot or it will melt the sugar when you mix! Coconut oil has a low melting point.) Add this to your sugar.

Mix in 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Break open 4 vitamin E capsules and squeeze into your brown sugar mix. (I usually poke a hole with a safety pin) The vitamin E oil will help preserve your sugar scrub and also nourish the skin around your lips!
Mix it all up good!

Spoon into containers.
Make it a simple gift by picking up some treat bags

OR, make it an AWESOME gift and add a Cheeky Maiden Love Shack Bath Bomb and a Cheeky Maiden Balmy Obsession Lip Balm!

Either way, you'll want to include a little note with instructions how to use. (Scoop out with fingers and rub onto lips. It's all edible, so no need to wash off, just lick your lips! This could technically also be use on the face or feet. But you don't want to lick those probably.)

Wanna win that set for yourself?

Simple way to enter: Pin this item on Pinterest (using either the "Pin It" button on your browser, or this one: Pin It

Then leave a comment below letting us know you pinned it! Make sure to enter a valid email address so we can contact you if you win.

Winner will be chosen via random selection.

No purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law (just kidding, I don't know what that means.)

You have until January 31, 2012 to enter!

Edited to Add: We forgot to put the give away in our last newsletter so there will be TWO winners! One winner amongst the few who commented before the original due date, and one chosen from everyone else. New Deadline: Saturday, Feb 11th! Now get to pinning! If you are new to Pinterest, join, and thank me later! ;) No one else commented after this note, so we're just choosing one winner from the original commenters.

Happy Valentine's Day! Now, go share the love!

With Love,

Your Cheeky Maiden

Achieving CALM

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 03:59:00 GMT

You may or may not know, that I've got five kids. All under 8 years of age.

And we homeschool.

Do you know what this means? It means that I rarely get any time to myself. It means there is no quiet time in our house. It means that there is a lot of chocolate consumption. (Hey, we all have to cope.)

It also means that I take my own personal chill time (when I can get it) very seriously.

I will now share with you my expert tips on achieving CALM:

Create a nice environment.

Clean out your bath tub. It's okay if there is a week old ring in it because you share it with at least two of your kids. Just clean it first, for yourself. Please. (I like to use Magic Erasers. They are quick and effective.) Burn some candles. Fancy ones that are just for you.

Allow yourself permission.

Do not steep in thoughts of what you should be doing, the argument you had, or anything else stressful. Give yourself Permission to relax. You need rest. You need it to be able to do the things you should be doing and you need it to handle those stressful situations.

Lose track of time

A good soak should not be hurried. Whatever the stressful thing is that got you wound up will likely still be there when you are done relaxing.

Make room for a bath bomb.

Bath bombs are magical. They take an ordinary tub of hot water and turn it into a refuge. They fizz their little hearts out and give all they've got, and when they are done your bath water has reach perfection- perfectly moisturizing, perfectly relaxing, perfectly CALM.

(Pictured: Geranium Lime Bath Bomb with Shea Butter)

So, in the midst of making all your New Year's Resolutions make a resolution to have some CALM in your life. Everybody needs it!

And to make sure you get it, we're giving away a FREE Bliss Bath Bomb with Cocoa Butter on all orders $25 or more this month! Just enter the Discount Code FREEBLISS on the Shopping Cart Page (Offer expires January 31, 2012).

Happy New Year!

~Cheeky Maiden

Shopping for Natural Foods at Whole Foods on a Budget

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 17:22:00 GMT

With the economy hitting everyone hard, a lot of people think that they can't shop for natural food without it sinking their budget. But the truth is, the economy has caused the natural foods industry to work harder to provide value for consumers. Even Whole Foods Market has worked hard to tighten their belts.

While it's an overplayed myth that you can't shop natural on a budget, here are 6 tips for buying natural foods on a budget from Whole Foods Market.

Buy Private Label Whenever Possible. Whole Food's private label products meet all of the same quality standards that the name brands do... No artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, sweeteners, and hydrogenated fats. You'd be surprised that there are very few items in the store that don't have a private label version available, and a lot of times, with significant savings over national brands.
Know When it's Important to Buy Organic, and When it's Not. There are some foods that it pays to buy organic, and others where the pesticide residue may be so low that it may not be worth it to pay extra for organic. Here's a great article on knowing "When to Buy Organic."
Use Coupons from the Whole Deal. Whole Foods publishes a coupon book with many coupons from national brands, and even coupons for private label products. You can usually find them around the entrance or at the customer service desk. You can even print them off before you go to the store. Whole Deal
Check out the Weekly Flyer or other Local Store Deals before you go. You can visit Whole Foods Market's website, find the store that's closest to you, and see what local store deals they have going on. That way you can incorporate these items into your menu for the week.
Complete your menu and list before going. All retail stores thrive on up-selling customers. If you fail to plan adequately and stick to it, then all of the extra food you don't need will call out to you. Resist the temptation and plan out your trip. Our family uses the "Grocery IQ" app for Iphone. It allows you to enter the items you want to buy and the costs, then add them to a list, and then it syncs all of this together between our phones.
Buy Bulk when Possible. Most if not all Whole Foods locations have a bulk department where you can purchase many things like nuts, cereals, dried fruits, oats, dried beans, and more in whatever quantity you want. Best of all, it's almost always cheaper than buying the same thing packaged. For example, a pound of packaged rolled oats is $2.99 here locally for 16 oz., but they're only $1.19 per pound in the bulk section.

Shopping for natural foods on a budget isn't impossible, and with some thoughtful planning, you can shop healthier without sacrificing your budget.

Make Bombs, Not War

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 22:52:00 GMT

Today was one of those days. Half the family has a cold and is grumpy. Then one family member in particular is very pregnant and grumpy, but we aren't pointing any fingers here.

The grumpy pregnant one got mad. Then she made bombs. Bath Bombs aren't just therapeutic for soaking in it turns out. Because the grumpy pregnant one, at whom we are not going to point fingers, locked herself in the soap room and didn't come out until approximately 98 bath bombs later.

(Did you actually count them? Shame on you!)

I have a love hate relationship with Bath Bombs. They are difficult to make and insist on being made in tiny batches. Then there is a my obsession with above average bath experiences that compels me to make them. Why so many? I take DIY to a whole new level. Always have. Lucky you. ;)

I guess now would be a good time to introduce the newest bomb to the Cheeky Maiden Bath Bomb lineup.

Bath people, SnowBomb. SnowBomb, Bath people. Now that you've been properly introduced, let me tell you a little about SnowBomb. She looks sweet and innocent and pearly white. She has a little sparkle of Epsom Salt that mimics snow just right. And she has a major chill factor. In fact, after you settle into your nice warm tub and drop SnowBomb in, you might start to get a little confused at the slight chill you experience. You wonder if your hot water has run out. And then the chill factor takes it's toll... You chill out and melt into the bath. Is it hot? Is it cold? I don't care. Back pain, stress, worries, whatev-ah-- It's gone. You should tell her thank you before adding her to the bath though, because she really does explode and then melt away along with all your woes.

Know how I know? Because I'm soaking in one right now. (Please save your lectures about bringing electronic devices to the tub. I'm a professional. I know what I am doing.)

Since I...I mean, the grumpy pregnant one... was not the only person needing a good soak today, I/she came up with a treat for the little ones.

Tada! Kid Bombs!

Nicely scented with real lavender essential oil for your little people, it's a treat for Mamma too. Everyone knows that Lavender Oil brings on great sleep and scares away monsters. My kids are totally soaking tonight before bed. Hallelujah, Amen.

Available soon online: Blue Monkey, Pink Pig, Purple Mouse, and Gold Tabby Kitty. Make sure you like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter so you get first dibs!

Now, who wants to come help clean up the mess I made?

With Love,

Grumpy Pregnant Cheeky Maiden

Toot, Toot!

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:46:00 GMT

Have you seen the Forbes article circulating about the cancer causing agent that is in Johnson & Johnson baby products? The company is now under the gun because they have removed these ingredients from their baby care line in other countries, but not in the United States. In the good old US of A you have to pay double for their "natural" brand. And please read the ingredients before you do so. I think you'll find some pretty unnatural ingredients listed there.

I thought everyone knew that Johnson & Johnson products contained Quaternium-15 (aka formaldehyde) since it is clearly written on the label. But I've been surprised to see the surprise on several friend's facebook pages as they spread the news.

I thought everyone knew that the word "fragrance" listed in any ingredients list is actually an abbreviated term for what could possibly be thousands of different chemicals. Chemicals that are not listed on the bottle, and good luck finding out what they are.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics would have you believe that you should be outraged and demand legislation against these companies to "protect" you from these ingredients. You might be surprised to know that someone as staunchly stuck up and picky about ingredients as myself, does not think this is necessary.

It's been right there on the bottle for years, folks. Johnson & Johnson did not hide the fact that they were putting quaternium-15 in their products. This is why you should be reading labels for ingredients, not just for what you eat, but what you are putting on your skin.

Don't wait around for the government to "protect" you by banning these ingredients. Make the choice for yourself NOT to use products containing them! Vote with your wallet, and companies will stop using them!

I will take this opportunity to TOOT our own horn and remind you that we have NEVER used any synthetic or unnatural ingredients in our Cheeky Baby Bar. All of our products are free from carcinogens and any ingredient known to cause birth defects. It's because we feel responsible for what you put on your skin, since we made it.

(Pictured: Cheeky Baby Bar)

But ultimately the responsibility is yours. Put on your thinking cap and protect yourself. Read labels. Stick with the simple stuff.

Too good not to use...And Giveaway Winner Announced!

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:10:00 GMT

(Pictured: Chunkie Superfat Soap and Complexion Soap)

I hear it every now and then, but at our last fall event a lady kept saying it over and over again.

"So-and-so buys this lady's soap and they actually BATHE with it!"

My favorite, though, is when people approach our tent at a farmers market and aren't quite sure what they are looking at. Is it CHEESE?! FUDGE?! And horrifically enough, some have even indulged in biting into the free sample of soap they were handed. (I always feel really bad when that happens, but in our defense, we do say the word "SOAP" at least twice when we hand out a sample AND include a business card, also with the word SOAP on it, and our tent is fully decked out in Cheeky Maiden bling, which contains the word "SOAP" at least fifty times. Can you see how I get tired of saying the word "SOAP" sometimes?) Anyhow. Once they realize it's bar soap, then comes the $5 question:

"So...what do you do with it?"

Now, I was not raised in a hippie crunchy home. My understanding of salad ended with iceberg lettuce and I had no idea that one could make their own bread. But I knew what soap was for. Evidently the times have changed and people are use to bathing with chemical concoctions called "body wash"...or whatever.

My very favorite farmers market story comes from our Helena, AL market. A woman purchased some Bamboo Charcoal Soap for her Irish Spring's loving husband. He was skeptical at first. She happened to be standing outside the shower when he first tried our Bamboo Soap and the Irish Spring's was immediately rejected, sailing right out of the shower and into the trash. I like to think that our soap liberated his skin that day. Some people just don't know what a good shower is like until they try some good soap!

Still others seem to think that handcrafted soap is for sitting in a pretty dish on the guest bathroom sink, never to be used. I can't tell you how offensive that is when the soap contains super high quality ingredients that make your skin practically shout for joy. Bad soap should be sitting in a dish never to be used. But good soap? Y'all, for Pete's sake, use it! Actually bathe with it! Have an all out euphoric shower experience, even if you only have five minutes to spare.

We like to make our soap pretty.

(Pictured: Lavender Oatmeal Soap)

But that doesn't mean that you can't use it. Cheeky Maiden Soap is too good not to use.

****************************************

Now for some bloggy business. We need to announce the winner of the Great Blog Giveaway of 2011.

Using an online random number generator, the winner is Comment #72!

Aubrey Freeman commented on 13-Oct-2011 12:03 PM
Your in my Reader, darlin. ;) An just for the record, I would love to deliver chocolate cupcakes to your workroom. And help you eat them!

Aubrey Freeman, send me an email and lemme know which candle selection you want to call yours and we'll get your goodies right to your door! Congratulations!!!

The Fall Collection- A Blog Giveaway!

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:55:00 GMT

I don't know that I've ever been more excited about a season as I have been about this Fall. And you just might get to benefit! (Pssssstttt.....thar's a giveaway at the end of this here blog!)

Introducing The Cheeky Maiden Fall Collection!

We'll get right down to the good stuff: Pumpkin Lavender Soap.

Y'all. It started off as a mild curiosity. But I knew the minute I mixed that pumpkin puree into the melted olive oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter, that something great was on the horizon.

And this week you could win a pound of it to call yours!

Details on the giveaway are below, but first I want to show off our new candle line.

Three Little Birds Beeswax Candles: These are made from our own mold! Each bird is fashioned from unrefined beeswax that we get directly from local beekeepers. If you can bring yourself to burn them, they will actually emit negative ions and clean the air as they burn (all beeswax does this, but the more pure the beeswax, the better....and of course, Cheeky Maiden doesn't tolerate dirty beeswax.). You can get them by the bird or by the set here.

Faux Bois Taper Candlesticks: Our family went on a nature walk just to find the perfect tree branches to use to form the molds for these candles. My husband thinks I'm crazy, but these candles totally delight me! When we light them each night for our family dinner, they create a magical fall forest mood. And that means a lot when you've got four little ones gathered around. ;)

Each one really does look like it was taken straight from the trees! Every detail is perfect.

Finally, the Star Pillar and Pumpkin Candles. Of course, these candles are made from our very own molds too, which means we are extra proud. (Many thanks to my family for giving me an entire Saturday out in the workshop, hacking away, sweating and making a ginormous mess! I think these candles are worth it.)

It's important for you to know about these candles, because also as part of the giveaway you get to choose one set as your own!

Wrapping up the Fall Collection is our fall beer soap: Pumpkin Beer Soap, made from Buffalo Bill's Brewery Original Pumpkin Ale.

It's got the super smooth silky lather you've come to expect from Cheeky Maiden's beer soaps, but a really zingy licorice scent, created by mixing Patchouli, Anise, and Clove.

And you get a bar of this free too... if you win!

So, did you take notes?

You could win: A pound of Pumpkin Lavender Soap, a candle selection of your choice, and a bar of Pumpkin Beer Soap

How to enter:

Get our RSS feed for this blog (click on the little icon at the top), and leave a comment on this here blog to tell us your favorite fall tradition.
Follow us on Twitter, (@cheekymaiden), tweet about the giveaway, including a link, and leave another comment here letting us know.
Like us on Facebook, share the giveaway on your own Facebook with a link here, and leave another comment here letting us know.
Deliver large chocolate cupcakes to the soap room, and leave a comment here letting everyone else know. You think I'm kidding?? Try it.
You have until Sunday, October 16th, at midnight (Central time). We will be using a random generator to pick a comment number, so leave a separate comment for each entry! Comment on this blog please, not our facebook page. Thanks!

On your mark, get set, go!

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Introducing the Friday Photo Dump

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 02:01:00 GMT

Each Friday we'll be dumping photos from the week's happenings here in the soap room. You are now the lucky recipient of a bonafide backstage tour of Cheeky Maiden Soap Company. (We are twice as crazy as you think we might be). See if you can spot some new creations, available soon! Click on the thumbnails to view an enlarged picture. Have a happy and safe weekend, y'all!

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Salt Parties v2.0

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:21:00 GMT

Host a Cheeky Maiden Salt Party in your home this holiday season!

What is a Salt Party?

Glad you asked! It's when you get all your friends together in your home and Cheeky Maiden shows up with delightful bath salts from all around the world and teaches you how to mix your very own salt baths! She'll bring exotic salts, essential oils, and pretty flowers and herbs that you can whip into an impressive hand made gift or a nice treat for yourself.

We also provide fancy jars and labels (and y'all, the labels are water proof and super spiffy this year!). 8 oz jars can be filled for only $5 or 16 oz jars for $10.

Along with all of the bath salt ingredients, we'll also bring a selection of soap and other Cheeky Maiden goodies available for purchase on the evening of your party.

Oooooooooooh! When can I host a Salt Party?

We have a very (very) limited number of spaces available for Salt Parties this year, since Cheeky Maiden herself is mostly just good for gestating human life right now. But we think it's pretty safe to say that you can book your party between November 1st and November 20th if you live in or near the Birmingham, AL area.

What do I get?

You get 25% off your own entire order! (Just like that. No pressure. Just host, have ten friends show up, and you score big time.) And you get an evening filled with fun and good smellin' stuff with your friends!

What do I have to do?

Since spaces are very limited this year, we request that you have at least ten friends firmly committed to attending your party. This means you'll need to invite at least 20 people! We ask that you send out your e-vites or invitations no later than two weeks before your party date to give everyone plenty of time to plan to come.
Provide a table space for the salts to be set up, along with a table cloth, if you are concerned about damage to your table. Cheeky Maiden will bring her own table to display soaps and other goodies that will be available for purchase. Unlike other types of parties, you do not have to take pre-orders, or any other type of order, or be responsible for delivering or distributing purchased items at a later date.
Provide snacks and drinks for your friends, and let's face it... Cheeky Maiden is very pregnant and very hungry. And she likes chocolate. (Just kidding). OR organize a ladies night in and have everyone bring their favorite holiday treat!

Now, hurry up and get to planning! Our calendar is quickly filling up! Contact missi@cheekymaidensoap.com for inquiries and to book your party.

Best Supplement for your Skin Regimen

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 21:26:00 GMT

The best supplement for adding to a healthy skin regimen is a good probiotic. Probiotics are naturally friendly bacteria that line your digestive system.

A probiotic supplement helps to repopulate your gut with good bacteria. These bacteria in turn are the guardians of your digestive tract. They let good stuff in (vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients), and keep bad stuff out of your bloodstream.

They help improve the health of your skin by improving the health of your digestive and immune functions. Like other symptoms, unhealthy skin can many times be a reflection of what's going on inside your body.Read more about probiotics. Also, check out the trailer for this documentary on probiotics called: Microwarriors.

Probiotics should be taken while taking antibiotics and after a round of antibiotics. Antibiotics and a poor diet can hurt your gut's population of healthy bacteria.

Fermented foods such as yogurt or kefir contain probiotics. Supplements though, are the most concentrated source.

We recommend either Jarrow's EPS for everyday use, or Dr. Ohirra's Probiotic for those with serious issues. FYI, we don't make any money from recommending these products. :) We just think they're great.

Cheeky Maiden Blog

The Seven Year Itch (alternately titled: Natural Solutions for Allergy Season)

Stinging Nettle.

Nettles can be:

Nettles are:

The F Word

Happy Spring!

If you're lucky!

(Stick around for details on the giveaway below)

Last summer, many of you got to try the Cedarwood and Lavender Pitty Party and have not ceased to ask for more. Finally, I am happy to present it to you as a nice manly addition to our line of under arm warriors. It's here to stay, people. Get it before it's hot. Hehe.

March Specials!

The Giveaway!!!

How to enter:

Can I get an Amen?

Read our FAQ Blog about Shampoo Cubes to find out how to get great hair naturally!

Treating Cradle Cap

DIY Brown Sugar Vanilla Lip Scrub

Wanna win that set for yourself?

Achieving CALM

Create a nice environment.

Allow yourself permission.

Lose track of time

Make room for a bath bomb.

And to make sure you get it, we're giving away a FREE Bliss Bath Bomb with Cocoa Butter on all orders $25 or more this month! Just enter the Discount Code FREEBLISS on the Shopping Cart Page (Offer expires January 31, 2012).

Happy New Year!

~Cheeky Maiden

Shopping for Natural Foods at Whole Foods on a Budget

Make Bombs, Not War

Toot, Toot!

Too good not to use...And Giveaway Winner Announced!

The Fall Collection- A Blog Giveaway!

Introducing The Cheeky Maiden Fall Collection!

And this week you could win a pound of it to call yours!

It's important for you to know about these candles, because also as part of the giveaway you get to choose one set as your own!

You could win: A pound of Pumpkin Lavender Soap, a candle selection of your choice, and a bar of Pumpkin Beer Soap

How to enter:

Get our RSS feed for this blog (click on the little icon at the top), and leave a comment on this here blog to tell us your favorite fall tradition.

Follow us on Twitter, (@cheekymaiden), tweet about the giveaway, including a link, and leave another comment here letting us know.

Like us on Facebook, share the giveaway on your own Facebook with a link here, and leave another comment here letting us know.

Deliver large chocolate cupcakes to the soap room, and leave a comment here letting everyone else know. You think I'm kidding?? Try it.

Introducing the Friday Photo Dump

Salt Parties v2.0

Best Supplement for your Skin Regimen