I'm irritated. I'm not sure if it's justified though. My husband says it's 40% justified. My staff say it's 100% justified. Either way, justified or not, I'm irritated and spending entirely too much time on a $160 problem. We faxed a Purchase Order to a vendor and requested "Fed Ex" shipping. … Continue Reading
Can *you* balance a check book?
Some disturbing information came out recently from the American Institute for Research. Apparently, more than half of the students that were nearing graduation at a four-year college were found lacking in basic literacy skills to handle "complex tasks." Some examples of "complex tasks" were things … Continue Reading
The Seagull and the Starfish
On my amazing, beautiful, breathtaking run along Bellingham Bay on the official "South Bay Trail" (thank you citizens of Bellingham for passing the levy that paid for this trail), I came across a fascinating sight. I was almost done with the run and working up to a "You're almost done! Push! It!" … Continue Reading
They like us, they really really like us
This review from Epinions totally made my day! Here's an excerpt: Looking for a reliable on-line store for premium fragrance and essential oils, I Googled upon Bramble Berry in Bellingham, WA. With an excellent assortment of my favorite Milky Way Soap Molds, just the right how-to books, some … Continue Reading
I’m a little obsessed with cupcakes
My friend Jody owns Cupcake Royale. Prior to getting addicted to her tasty morsels, I didn't think much about cupcakes. I mean, I like them. I ate them occasionally but not more than the average person. But, after a few cupcakes from Jody, I started to crave them and got genuinely hooked. I knew … Continue Reading
Reading MSLO’s Stock Report
I've had a lovely morning thus far, started with coffee with my husband, followed by a 3.6 mile run along Bellingham's waterfront and I've settled into my office routine by reading the 2006 Stockholders Report for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. It's not secret that I'm a huge fan of Ms. Martha. … Continue Reading
The Martha Stewart Brand Values
(copied from the Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia 2006 Stockholder's Report) Every home is a canvas. Homes reflect our dreams and aspirations for living every day to its fullest. We are about the handmade, the homemade, the artful, the innovative, the practical, the contemporary, and the beautiful. … Continue Reading
I’m an information junkie
Until I went away for two weeks, I had not realized how out of control my insatiable need for copious amounts of information was. When I got back, much of my 6 foot tall mail stack was filled with magazines. I've now spent the better part of the weekend trying to read and digest all the magazines. … Continue Reading
Multi-Tasking, part four
I've posted a few times (here, here and here) about my inability to focus on one thing at a time for longer than about 10 seconds. The short recap is that supposedly I lose 2.1 hours a day in productivity because of my propensity to do 15 things at once. Check out my desk today - piles, mounds, and … Continue Reading
I’m back from Mexico!
I am back from Mexico. Muchas gracias to Amber for posting while I was gone! I am so proud of my staff at Otion and Bramble Berry. They kept the proverbial fort completely running, doors open, orders shipping within 24 hours and at Otion, soap bars going and all the classes running smoothly. I … Continue Reading
Everywhere we go, soap!
Hola! It's Anne-Marie, writing from Mexico. When we arrived at our lucious spa resort in the middle of nowhere (no cell phone coverage), our little butler boy (who is absolutely adorable, by the way) brought us to our beautiful little bungalow in the middle of nowhere. He opened up a very rustic, … Continue Reading
Foodie Soap
The connection between food and soap is a strange one. All of my favorite fragrances are food scents - Almond, Tangerine, Bread - but I have never been tempted to eat soap. And it seems that I am not alone in the fascination. Here are a couple of images of some amazing soap creations made by our … Continue Reading
Bath fizzies – good enough to eat!
Super cool Bath fizzies! with icing! We suspect that the icing is made with a baking soda, water type mixture and then piped on. Anne-Marie actually tasted some, much to the dismay of her hubby, and that's what she determined. The bath fizzy in the middle is an adorable two bath fizzy wedding … Continue Reading
Cool Soap from Biggs and Featherbelle
Hello there! This is Amber your friendly guest blogger while Anne-Marie is away. For my first post I'd like to share the fantastic work of Biggs and Featherbelle. Yes, their soap and toiletry products are superior but it's their awesome packaging that really separates them from the rest. In the … Continue Reading