It's time to move along

In the seven years of RitualBath, I have met some amazing artists, business people and participated in great shows.

After months of careful consideration I have come to a decision to close RitualBath.

There are many reasons, some are business related (I have learned more about trademark law in the last few months than ever before, thanks Heather and Lela) and some are personal (my heart isn’t in it). I still think I will create balms and potions for myself and my extended family but it is no longer a sustainable business for me to supplement my family.

I learned that I do love the people connection and I am not quite as introverted as I thought I was, though still no extrovert. That is probably what started this, I love to teach, and talk to people. I keep going back to sewing and fiber arts, what I did when I procrastinated or should have been marketing RitualBath. Maybe one day I will have an education/studio/store who knows, I am letting go and lightening up.

So for the next few weeks I will be closing out my stock. Keep in mind that this in no way reflects quality and I will not restock. I have too much respect for my fellow indie beauty and bath peers to keep this pricing up for long. We all put hard work and quality materials in our products so please give them your shopping support in the future.

Thank you for everything,
Lauren D

Working on Wednesday

It's a rough day so here's a pretty to try and get me on the other side of the oh woe.

Happy middle of the week day,

Working on RitualBath Wednesday

Sometimes I have things on my to do list that keep getting bumped farther and farther down the line. Ever have items like that. Mine was my Etsy titles, which should have had more importance but it didn't so today was the day. I edited all the titles for more SEO and relevancy search words and I hope that will help just one of the many facets of getting my products seen.
What is Etsy relevancy one theory

Food Friday

What is it about an appliance breaking at the wrong time? No oven to bake a birthday cake this weekend, store bought it is. Oh well.
I have also had a hard time meal planning because everything I come across uses the oven. I will work around it no prob it's just funny how our mind freaks out when you "can't" do something, seems it's all you want to do.
Here are some of the recipes I hope to try in the future but in the mean time maybe you can enjoy!

Chicken tartiflette Recipe | delicious. Magazine free recipes


Mama Eats Clean Blogger

Happy heating,

Winter Skin Soothers

Winter, snow, dry air, fires, heat, all things that can cause our skin to become dry and flaky. Our skin is one of our organs and has processes to protect and moisturize itself. Diet, environment and genetics can all play a role in how well this organ handles the onslaught of dry air and rapid temperature changes, but we can also help it work smarter instead of harder.

Love Body Butter

Scent Series: Nag Champa

In this Scent Series I want to tell you about one of my favorite scents used in RitualBath, Nag Champa. I first came in contact with this heady earthy scent from the blue box of incense. Sweet, sensual, and calming all at once this scent is still a favorite.

Origin : India

Scent profile : Frangipani (Plumeria/champa flower) and Sandalwood

Found in RitualBath line Earth, body wash, body bar and body lotion.

RitualBath Earth Body Wash

Sugar Scrub Midnight Treat

Autumn at last

We are loving the seasons change, cool weather, sweaters, hot tea all make me cozy and happy.
Festivals, outside more than in, I really love this season.

Amber and the scent

Amber I love it, I have had jewelry with amber in it since my teen years and my first explorations
into personal scents were amber based. It is something I have been drawn to on a primal level
that I cannot explain. Whatever it is I love my amber, I hope you do too.

Me working on a teething necklace

Affirmations

My RitualBath products are designed around my desire for a more natural bathing experience and my love of affirmations. What are affirmations some might ask, they are positive self affirming statements spoken aloud, whispered or written with the goal of bettering our internal monologue. They were first introduced by French psychologist Emile Coué in the 20's and have been going strong in the self help realm for decades.

Do they work?

In an article from Psychology Today they discuss recent research into this practice. Some believers in affirmations claim that when put to conscious use they strengthen the chemical pathways in the brain. Making it more likely to transmit the same message again. New research from Carnegie Mellon was also discussed, it showed the first evidence that positive affirmations can protect against the damaging effects of stress. So the research points to yes they have a beneficial response to the brain, though it also found that statements too far from the individual's truth seemed to have an opposite effect.

"And gosh darn it people like me"

I have often used positive affirmations in my daily life from the calming "there is enough time" when I think I'm running late, to common "this too shall pass" when things get tops turvy. I find for me day to day the shorter the better. My first RitualBath affirmation is from the Balance line and it is still my favorite "I am a strong unique, creative individual and I can excel at whatever life has in store for me".
What affirmations do you tell yourself? The negative ones will always be there just imagine them as little clouds that float in and out of your mind's horizon and let them float away as you repeat your positive affirmations.

Sending a little light your way,

Back to School

Goddess series

We are back in the classroom. Public School is working for us for that I am very thankful, there was a time I thought I could homeschool our oldest, but she is loving her school and classroom. For those of you who will also be going back to school or education in any way here is a little visage of Minerva.

Kelly Morgan Jewlery

She is the Goddess of wisdom, education, arts and sciences. Similar to Goddess Athena.

There is another artist who has some gorgeous work of Minerva here, I love her illustrative style! 

Lynnette Shelley

 May you soar to new heights this year under her wing.

Love and light,

Face mask over the pond

My face mask was featured a few weeks ago with lots of other lovely masks and beauty products.

July 18 Face Mask Feature

We were on vacation at the time and I didn't get to post about it (the vacation was lovely, we got to spend time with some of our close friends who moved away and the oldest daughter got to play with the Savannah cats ((video off you tube not from my family, but so cute!)))

Thank you for featuring my beloved Balance Face mask PVB online!

Bright Blessings,

Head Bather

Natures juice box

"Kiddos morning juice"

 

My Granddaddy had orange groves, this is how he used to prepare juice for us kids

• Chill navel oranges (you need the thick flesh)
• Using a pairing knife (or a clean pocket knife like he did) peel off the first layer (zest) so the white pith layer is visible but not the juicy membrane.
• Core out a drinking hole in the center where the stem comes out of.
• Give it a squeeze and drink up the natural goodness.

 

 

Our first summer break and no plans

Summer 2013
Originally uploaded by ritualbath

We are rounding out our first month of a true summer break in our house. Oh, we have an active playgroup for fun in the sun and I have the kiddo doing chores and educational things but I've been keeping it a little loose. Mostly because that's what a break is, light on plans, heavy on recharging.

Fun things we've done so far
Build a fairy house or wild animal feeder, everyone has to eat and sometimes it's nice to share.

Dye white flowers, biology we are what we eat (mums didn't seem to work very well and the second after you cut it stick it in the water, I saw a difference in the flowers that I cut then set on the counter waiting to go in the dye water).

Get bored, let them get to the "I'm bored" point and don't fix it for them. This is not to be mean or a reminder of how much you do for them but a chance for their minds to explore, come up with ideas and problem solve. Sometimes life isn't planned.

Clearing

"But I'm not a good writer" I said, to which he replied "yes, you are but fine if you want to think that of yourself"

Our negative inner dialogue is strong, it takes daily practice to work against it sometimes. Like when I haven't slept well or taken my vitamins.

We are really our own worst critics, so today lets get out of our own way. Write, paint, sing, dance, cold call that opportunity, or just let your self sit still and breath in all your accomplishments large and small.

 

Head Bather

 

Auto travel for your family

Summer time is coming, for many that can mean family trips and excursions away from home. This is our last summer before the start of school for our little one and I hope we get good use of it. Here are some tips and games that have gotten us through long car rides (that is if your child or children like the car) and some fairly decent air travel.

Car:
We made up a game called PT Cruiser (instead of punch buggy) fireball, when ever someone sees a PT cruiser on the road or parked the first person to say "PT Cruiser Fireball" gets to choose who they imaginary fire ball gets thrown at, and that person (in a most dramatic way says "NOOooooooooo"). This could be altered for whatever make and model you like (we are just attached to our PT, and there are quite a few of them on the road here). The game keeps the kiddo's eyes active on the world around her and teaches her about good sportsman ship, sometimes you throw the fire ball, some times you don't but we can all have a good time and keep trying.

A small shoe size box with activity/coloring book and some small markers or crayons have helped make a LA commute not so terrible for the kiddo. The box keeps everything from rolling under the seats and accessible by almost everyone.

On long trips the ipod touch has been a life saver! A bit pricey I know but the amount of free PBS kids shows, and app games are that extra little bit of balm for a kid who's been in the car for more than three hours. We even bought a movie we already own and she has watched it off and on for the last two years. I haven't even mentioned how you can use the camera feature yet!

Stay tuned for the Air travel tips!
Head Bather

P.S. While we don't need it anymore one of my friends always has a small travel kiddie toilet in her vehicle. She has plastic baggies or something to deal with the "deposit" and it makes it so much easier on a long trip if your little one has to go NOW! Other tip is "Nature pee", gently stand on their toes and hold their hand while they squat back as you would. They aren't as balanced as we are so from about two to five or so we have used this method while out in "nature" and haven't had a problem.

Foundation that works, with a conscience

I have been on the search for a liquid or cream foundation for a while now, some have been fine but the wrong shade, others didn't agree with my skin. We are all different after all and our skin tends to adjust its needs with the seasons.

While wandering around Sephora on my birthday, just to play with all the pretty colors, a lovely young woman who worked there asked if she could help me. I usually just say "no thank you" but she said the magic words "would you like me to freshen up your makeup for your birthday?".

How could I refuse, I love to feel pretty and pampered.

They were doing a promotion for a new line in their stores by Josie Maran. The tag line is "luxury with a conscience" she uses Argan oil in many of her formulations. Famed for its multiple uses as a skin and hair oil, it is called "liquid gold" and has a very high Vitamin E content.

The foundation she used on my face was a light/medium color matching serum formula that changed from white to the best match for your skin tone. It's SPF 30 and wears like a dream, I have less dry patches and no oil slicks by the end of the day. I tried the pressed powder, concealer, moisturizer, and bronzing oil which were all outstanding.

After my make over (which was pretty and subtle) I though; splurge on foundation or moisturizer (I was in no way compensated for this review, I just wanted to let you know I found something I think is great). I choose the foundation and I have been using it regularly for the last few weeks. My face loves it, less redness and breakouts. Win win.

Head Bather

Re-crafting a tee shirts

I love to sew cloths. I also love a good tutorial. Here is a great one, I just wish I still had some old maternity tees or plain men's tees to use.

Source: sugarbeecrafts.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Head Bather

Fearless

Worldfest 2011
Originally uploaded by ritualbath

“Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” Helen Keller

Head Bather

I finally found a sunscreen I like!

I have been searching for a sunscreen/moisturizer for my face. After loads of fine print reading I found one who's ingredients didn't seem so scary (my sensitive skin has problems with even sensitive skin formulas) and had an SPF rating that I was comfortable with.

So I bought it.

A week later, my skin looks great! I have less dry patches, no cystic out breaks, and a bit less rosy cheeks (a touch of roseacea perhaps?). The product feels a bit tacky right after application but it absorbs into the skin well and is a great base for my mineral makeup.

I was not compensated for this review. I purchased this at retail at our local health food store. This is my own opinion and mileage may vary.