Put Your Records On

We’ve had a nifty little day here at the shop.

I love Saturdays so much because Nate comes to work with me. He could make being stuck on an ice burg seem fun.

Today, we brought in the portable record player that he scored a few weeks ago from Heavenly Treasures. We have been spinning everything from Glenn Miller to Johnny Mathis with the sound track to My Fair Lady thrown in just because we can. The sun has been shining so warm and bright that we couldn’t resist leaving the door wide open and letting the fresh breeze in. A great way to end our second real week of being open.

I’ve been testing all the new candle I made and the shop not only smells extra lovely but it’s extra romanical looking. Perfect mood lighting for this time of year and completely matches the cheesy red and white hearts that I’ve used to decorate with this month.

I had the pleasure of seeing my dear friend Diane. She’s looking great and I hope she enjoys the new goodies she got. I can’t wait to see her again.

Also got to see the lovely Ms. Gloria from Southeast Publications. She introduced me to one of our local photographers, Evelyn Hill. It was great to see you ladies – I’ll have your lotion ready real soon.

It’s days like these that I cherish more than I could ever describe.

Well, Nate says it’s time to go have cuddles and cocktails.

See y’all Tuesday!

With Soapy Love,
Carrie

P.S. Geaux Saints!!!!!!

Updates! Updates! Updates!

Okay, even my titles have ADD. Blame it on the double chip peanut butter cookie I had for breakfast but really – it’s because I’m so excited to share all the good things that are happening here at Dirty Monkey Soap Co.

After many mess-ups I finally settled on a nice clean and uniform design for my product labels. If you saw the sadness that they were before – you’d totally understand.

A few pics of the new look of the goods:

Getting all that straight finally let me really set up my Etsy shop too. You can find me there at dirtymonkeysoapco.etsy.com

Store hours havve finally been solidified too!

We are closed Sundays & Mondays
We are open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m to 5 p.m with the earliest closing time (for super slow days) being 3 p.m.
Of course you can always order online or by phone at anytime. Just check my contact info and I’ll be glad to be of service.

We now have shampoo! It’s been requested but I had to find a formula that was gentle but effective and as eco-friendly as possible. Our current shampoo scents are Cherie-Almonde and Lotus Bloom. They are 8.00 for a 9 oz. bottle and as always come with a free pump. Sample sizes will be available soon.

Next up – Candles. Awesome smelling, clean burning straight up soy candles. I’ve just about got the burn and scent throw to my level of satisfaction and will be offering them by next week in a range of sizes including tea lights.

Mardi Gras is upon us and downtown will be celebrating with it’s annual parade. We’ll be in the shop all day with some fun specials. Please stop in and don’t forget to catch out ad at Kbay radio with the lovely Carol’s voice telling you all about us.

Preview for March _ think green, think party, think make-up.

To my wonderful ladies who stopped in today to make a special purchase – thank you so much. You were great fun and really made my day!

Enough of my chatter for now. Talk to you all soon.

With Soapy Love,
Carrie

Be My Guest

Nate’s sweet momma gave me an all-in-one scrap booking kit for Christmas. I may not be much of a scrap-booker (is that a real word?) but-this gift inspired me to create something for the shop. So, I took many of the cute little components and used them to decorate the book, attached a pen and viola – we have the official Dirty Monkey Soap Co. guest book. See…see…see?

The cute cover to the book made things easy peasy.

The heavy duty scalloped edge scissors are pretty rad too.

I got stickers f-o-r-e-v-e-r.

Ta-Da! My hospitality- let me shows you it.

Digging Through

With all of the recent global tragedies that have occurred as of late – it feels weird to come on here and spout off about what a pain in the rear consistent construction at the shop has been. I’m just damn lucky I’m safe and have the luxury of finding such things inconvenient.

The events in Haiti this month have brought back our experience with H.Katrina and the man-made disaster known as the failure of the levees to come slamming back to my mind in ways that have me dreaming of water and murky despair once again.

So, for today all I ask is that you look around you and hold tight to anything you are fortunate enough to call your own. Times are hard but, if you can – give a little. Every little bit counts.

Back In The Saddle (Sorta)

After the freaky whirlwind that is known as Pre-Christmas, I finally admitted that maybe something wasn’t so right. Like the fact that I was feeling like absolute crap day in and day out. So, I took a break. Truthfully, Nate made me take some time to actually do this thing called sleep. Yeah, I know. What a concept! In between I took a small design job and that filled my time for the past few weeks. Work is done now and client is happy. I can go back to being workaholic nows? Yes, please.
So, as of today – the shop is having (as in I’m lugging it all around) a floor move. I installed a new counter setup, moved my work desk behind that. Then, cleared the table for large work projects and still my actual workspace is a true mess.
The most awesome news is- before next month we will be featuring a textiles section with redone clothing and some vintage along with finally launching mineral makeup and lip colors.
Yeah Baby!

One Last Week

Finally. Christmas is really over and we made it through. The kids are super happy and grateful for all their goodies and I am more than grateful to have so many people in their lives that make such a positive impact. We ate till we nearly burst, drank until we glowed and laughed until we cried. I’m tired now. It’s time for a glass of wine, the new issue of Simple Living and some sweet blessed sleep.

Cheers to all!

With Soapy Love,

Carrie

Wake Me When It’s Over

I know- I’m supposed to blog every day. Well, tell that to the never ending tangle of shopping with nearly no money and trying to run a shop during the worst holiday season I’ve ever seen. Basically, I’ve been pulling the covers over my head and wishing that a magic fairy princess would grant me enough wishes to make as many people happy as possible. The snag in my plan is of course – it’s an impossible wish.

I can’t take the pain away from those who miss my beloved Ed as much as I. I can’t fix years of hurt for others in my life who are now facing some harsh realities. I have no way to give my children half of what they want (even though they’ve really not asked for anything) *I just – can’t. It’s a word I hate. Can’t. I’m not used to admitting it or even entertaiing such a thing but alas, I just can’t.

My world is in fact a good one. I have a roof over my head, my kids are the happiest they’ve been in two years and, I have hope for the year ahead.

I know I have it better than many and for that I am so grateful. I know all of this. Today though – I’ve had enough and I don’t feel very strong. No, not strong at all.

Humpty Dumpty Dumb

I don’t know if it’s the weather that’s got me down or this time of year but man am I feeling extra-crunchy this week. I’ve got a lot to do and nearly zero ,motivation to do it all with. My Etsy shop was just opened and I’ve yet to make a banner or to upload more than two products – both of which have not the best labels. My cafe press shop is in stasis and I can’t for the life of me get a handle on how to make efficient and eco-friendly labels that are also professional looking. To top it off – the new jelly soaps are not jelling!

IT DOES NOT HELP THAT DOWNTOWN IS AS SLOW AS MOLASSES -For the love of gravy people please, shop local. Just a little? I too love to shop a variety of places – online as well as out of town but, I try very hard to spend my money where it’s earned.

Okay, throwing my hands in the air, taking a breather and hoping inspiration and energy strike all at once.

P.S. The one cool and shining star of my day was finding Suki -my shop cat- using the toilet all by herself like a big girl. She’s never been trained to do this but lo and behold decided to copy mommy (I guess) and today I heard a noise only to find her very lady like perched on the commode. She is awesome.

With Soapy love,
Carrie

Pass The Ladle Please

In typical Georgia fashion the weather can’t figure out what it wants to do. One second we’re wet and cool – the next gray and hot. There’s no wonder as to why our allergies are on overdrive. Sniff – Cough – Sneeze.

This weekend was the first I’ve managed to get any shopping done for my girl’s Santa. Both are at an age where toys are no longer on the request list. More like new hand bags and treats form Sephora. They get so much from their extended family that I usually ask outright what they really want and get that among a few other simple items. They are some pretty fab little people though and are always grateful for anything they receive. Which of course makes me want to give them the world even if I can’t.

I’m in a soup mood but not motivated enough to make any from scratch so tonight – Nate and I will be going old school with a bowl of doctored up tomato soup and grill cheese sammiches.

I’m working on a new scarf and we’ve got some new brit-coms to snuggle up with. Seems like a good way to ease into a week like this one.

With Sopay Love,
Carrie

Two Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed

Due to my poor timing – the girls ended up with a day off today in order to go to their check up with the amazing Dr. Spoon.

Side note: I don’t feel too guilty about their absence at this time of year anyways. Not much is going on education wise due to the fact that the school in it’s extra push to move into the new building and the whiff of a twenty three day vacation is in the air.

Anyhoo, the kiddos got some at home cozy time after getting the all good from their angel of a physician.

Once I got to the shop I was serenaded by saws and nail guns thanks to the crew working their butts off to get the other side ready to rent. It made my head feel ever so craptastic inside but- I was much soothed when I found out that I wi;ll finally be getting hot water. Hot. Water. OMG!

My big accomplishment was to design an ever so cute monkey face logo for the shop:

She is cute, yes?