New Shop Name!

My new Etsy shop is open this evening. Stop by Barefoot Hippie Soapworks for all of your soapy needs. :) I'm slowly adding all of my products into my new shop - I still need to take photos of balms and scrubs with the new labels on them, but once I do, they'll be up too.

Hi, Everyone!

I know it's been quite a while, but things have been *very* busy around here. As many of you may know, we were expecting our first baby. So not only was I working on getting things ready to change the name of my soap business, but I was also getting ready for my sub at school, plus getting everything ready at home for little Zoey's arrival. So reopening my shop has taken quite a bit longer than I had originally expected. But never fear, I'll be up and open this weekend with soaps listed in my brand new, squeaky clean Etsy shop.

What, you want to know the new name?

Well, you'll just have to wait for this weekend! :)

But to tide you over until then, here are a couple of photos of Zoey Anne, born September 20 at 10:00 pm.

Get Ready!

My shops will be going on vacation soon so I can finalize all of the changes being made around here! (If you're not sure what changes I'm talking about, you can read about them here.) But be sure to keep following my blog, Facebook, and/or Twitter to get some sneak peeks at new products, and chances to win some of them once my shop reopens in September under its new name. Stay tuned!

Treasuries

Well, I had planned on sharing with you today the treasury I created yesterday afternoon (my first one!). Then this morning I logged into Etsy to discover that my Irish Cream lip balm has been included in someone else's treasury (yay!).

Abstract Landscape Inspiration Treasury - My Irish Cream lip balm is here.

Upcycled Blues Treasury - I featured EtsyVeg and Etsy Fort Worth teammates here (including this lovely cameo necklace from silentlotus), come check it out!

Please stop by, click and comment. You know you want to. :)

Hump Day Humor

I know I've said this before, but I'll say it again: Fail Blog is a hilarious website. And while it's mostly full of fail, every once in a while there's something that wins, like this car.

Rolly-Polly VW WIN - watch more funny videos

Change is in the Air...

...at Bohemian Rose!

Coming in September, there will be some changes going on around here (and I don't just mean little Zoey, who will be here sometime around the 25th).

Here is some of what you can look forward to:
New products (like the hand and body cream that some of you have been waiting for a long time!)
Reformulated products (they were great before... now they're even more amazing!)

and...

a new name!

Wow!

Keep an eye out here on my blog and on my Facebook page for sneak peeks and other exciting things.

Sunday Spotlight

Today's Sunday Spotlight is fellow Etsy Fort Worth teammate Heidy of Emma Alison Designs! She makes gorgeous jewelry, and you can shop from her on Etsy (follow the link above) or at the Cowtown Indie Bazaar during Labor Day weekend in Fort Worth, TX.

St. Lucia Necklace - Blue Green Gemstones on Delicate Silk Cord, $68.00
Paola Earrings in Silver, $18.00
Colette Necklace in Sterling or Gold Fill - London Blue Topaz and Apatite, $56.00
Angelina Earrings - London Blue Topaz and Labradorite, $57.00

Book Review - Chosen by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Chosen (House of Night #3)
by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Young Adult

Book Number: 4 (Summer "Beach Reads" Challenge)

Summary: Dark forces are at work at the House of Night and fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird’s adventures at the school take a mysterious turn. Those who appear to be friends are turning out to be enemies. And oddly enough, sworn enemies are also turning into friends. So begins the gripping third installment of this “highly addictive series” (Romantic Times), in which Zoey’s mettle will be tested like never before. Her best friend, Stevie Rae, is undead and struggling to maintain a grip on her humanity. Zoey doesn’t have a clue how to help her, but she does know that anything she and Stevie Rae discover must be kept secret from everyone else at the House of Night, where trust has become a rare commodity. Speaking of rare: Zoey finds herself in the very unexpected and rare position of having three boyfriends. Mix a little bloodlust into the equation and the situation has the potential to spell social disaster. Just when it seems things couldn’t get any tougher, vampyres start turning up dead. Really dead. It looks like the People of Faith, and Zoey’s horrid step-father in particular, are tired of living side-by-side with vampyres. But, as Zoey and her friends so often find out, how things appear rarely reflects the truth… (from Goodreads)

My thoughts: The focus of this book is not only the dramatic plot elements continuing from book #2, but in all of the bad decisions Zoey makes. Even though she is Nyx's Chosen One, she is still a teenager, and makes stupid decisions just like any other teenager. Except with Zoey, everything that happens is on a *much* larger scale. Parts of this book are painful to read, and I found myself trying to will her to not do some things. But this book will keep you reading, just to find out how Zoey will manage to work out the mess she's made of everything. And at the end, you want to read the next one, because it's clear that bad stuff is about to go down at the House of Night.

Hump Day Humor

Ah, Regretsy, how I love you.

Music Monday

This weekend we had a bunch of friends over for a cookout and game night, which turned into game weekend. Since I'm not currently not drinking anything alcoholic, I made a pitcher of sangria using a recipe from my Margarita Mama cookbook (which I *love*). The sangria was a hit - I even had to make a second pitcher! The only downside was that Ben and his friends decided that it was a good time to sing or whistle Sangria Wine over and over throughout the night. So since it's been stuck in my head all weekend, I thought I'd share it with you too. (Gee, thanks, you're probably thinking. Don't tell Ben, but I'm a little afraid the song is starting to grow on me...)

Enjoy!

Hump Day Humor

I've read this story before, but I have absolutely no idea if it's true or not. Either way, it's pretty funny. Enjoy!

Attached is some correspondence which actually occurred between a London hotel's staff and one of its guests. The London hotel involved submitted this to the Sunday Times. No name was mentioned.

---

Dear Maid,

Please do not leave any more of those little bars of soap in my bathroom since I have brought my own bath-sized Dial. Please remove the six unopened little bars from the shelf under the medicine chest and another three in the shower soap dish. They are in my way.

Thank you,

S. Berman

---

Dear Room 635,

I am not your regular maid. She will be back tomorrow, Thursday, from her day off. I took the 3 hotel soaps out of the shower soap dish as you requested. The 6 bars on your shelf I took out of your way and put on top of your Kleenex dispenser in case you should change your mind. This leaves only the 3 bars I left today which my instructions from the management is to leave 3 soaps daily.

I hope this is satisfactory.

Kathy, Relief Maid

---

Dear Maid -- I hope you are my regular maid.

Apparently Kathy did not tell you about my note to her concerning the little bars of soap. When I got back to my room this evening I found you had added 3 little Camays to the shelf under my medicine cabinet.

I am going to be here in the hotel for two weeks and have brought my own bath-size Dial so I won't need those 6 little Camays which are on the shelf. They are in my way when shaving, brushing teeth, etc.

Please remove them.

S. Berman

---

Dear Mr. Berman,

My day off was last Wed. so the relief maid left 3 hotel soaps which we are instructed by the management. I took the 6 soaps which were in your way on the shelf and put them in the soap dish where your Dial was. I put the Dial in the medicine cabinet for your convenience.

I didn't remove the 3 complimentary soaps which are always placed inside the medicine cabinet for all new check-ins and which you did not object to when you checked in last Monday. Please let me know if I can of further assistance.

Your regular maid,

Dotty

---

Dear Mr. Berman,

The assistant manager, Mr. Kensedder, informed me this A.M. that you called him last evening and said you were unhappy with your maid service. I have assigned a new girl to your room. I hope you will accept my apologies for any past inconvenience. If you have any future complaints please contact me so I can give it my personal attention. Call extension 1108 between 8AM and 5PM. Thank you.

Elaine Carmen

Housekeeper

---

Dear Miss Carmen,

It is impossible to contact you by phone since I leave the hotel for business at 745 AM and don't get back before 530 or 6PM. That's the reason I called Mr. Kensedder last night. You were already off duty.

I only asked Mr. Kensedder if he could do anything about those little bars of soap. The new maid you assigned me must have thought I was a new check-in today, since she left another 3 bars of hotel soap in my medicine cabinet along with her regular delivery of 3 bars on the bath-room shelf. In just 5 days here I have accumulated 24 little bars of soap. Why are you doing this to me?

S. Berman

---

Dear Mr. Berman,

Your maid, Kathy, has been instructed to stop delivering soap to your room and remove the extra soaps. If I can be of further assistance, please call extension 1108 between 8AM and 5PM.

Thank you,

Elaine Carmen,

Housekeeper

---

Dear Mr. Kensedder,

My bath-size Dial is missing. Every bar of soap was taken from my room including my own bath-size Dial. I came in late last night and had to call the bellhop to bring me 4 little Cashmere Bouquets.

S. Berman

---

Dear Mr. Berman,

I have informed our housekeeper, Elaine Carmen, of your soap problem. I cannot understand why there was no soap in your room since our maids are instructed to leave 3 bars of soap each time they service a room. The situation will be rectified immediately. Please accept my apologies for the inconvenience.

Martin L. Kensedder

Assistant Manager

---

Dear Mrs. Carmen,

Who the hell left 54 little bars of Camay in my room? I came in last night and found 54 little bars of soap. I don't want 54 little bars of Camay. I want my one damn bar of bath-size Dial. Do you realize I have 54 bars of soap in here. All I want is my bath size Dial.

Please give me back my bath-size Dial.

S. Berman

---

Dear Mr. Berman,

You complained of too much soap in your room so I had them removed.

Then you complained to Mr. Kensedder that all your soap was missing so I personally returned them. The 24 Camays which had been taken and the 3 Camays you are supposed to receive daily (sic). I don't know anything about the 4 Cashmere Bouquets. Obviously your maid, Kathy, did not know I had returned your soaps so she also brought 24 Camays plus the 3 daily Camays. I don't know where you got the idea this hotel issues bath-size Dial. I was able to locate some bath-size Ivory which I left in your room.

Elaine Carmen

Housekeeper

---

Dear Mrs. Carmen,

Just a short note to bring you up-to-date on my latest soap inventory. As of today I possess:

On shelf under medicine cabinet - 18 Camay in 4 stacks of 4 and 1 stack of 2.

On Kleenex dispenser - 11 Camay in 2 stacks of 4 and 1 stack of 3.

On bedroom dresser - 1 stack of 3 Cashmere Bouquet, 1 stack of 4 hotel-size Ivory, and 8 Camay in 2 stacks of 4.

Inside medicine cabinet - 14 Camay in 3 stacks of 4 and 1 stack of 2.

In shower soap dish - 6 Camay, very moist.

On northeast corner of tub - 1 Cashmere Bouquet, slightly used.

On northwest corner of tub - 6 Camays in 2 stacks of 3.

Please ask Kathy when she services my room to make sure the stacks are neatly piled and dusted. Also, please advise her that stacks of more than 4 have a tendency to tip. May I suggest that my bedroom window sill is not in use and will make an excellent spot for future soap deliveries.

One more item, I have purchased another bar of bath-sized Dial which I am keeping in the hotel vault in order to avoid further misunderstandings.

S. Berman

Book Review - Betrayed by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Betrayed (House of Night #2)
by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Young Adult

Book Number: 3 (Summer "Beach Reads" Challenge)

Summary: Fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird has managed to settle in at the House of Night. She’s come to terms with the vast powers the vampyre goddess, Nyx, has given her, and is getting a handle on being the new Leader of the Dark Daughters. Best of all, Zoey finally feels like she belongs--like she really fits in. She actually has a boyfriend…or two. Then the unthinkable happens: Human teenagers are being killed, and all the evidence points to the House of Night. While danger stalks the humans from Zoey’s old life, she begins to realize that the very powers that make her so unique might also threaten those she loves. Then, when she needs her new friends the most, death strikes the House of Night, and Zoey must find the courage to face a betrayal that could break her heart, her soul, and jeopardize the very fabric of her world. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts: In the second book in the series, we begin to discover that all isn't as it appears at the House of Night. Things that Zoey found odd in the first book--like seeing the "ghosts" of dead fledglings, and her instinct telling her not to confide in her mentor, the High Priestess--are revisited. But this time Zoey begins to discover that all isn't as it appears. While she learns that she can't trust her High Priestess, a student who was her enemy starts to become the one person who knows everything. There's also the beginnings of an uncomfortable storyline (at least, it's uncomfortable for me) between Zoey and all of the boys in her life. For me, the uncomfortable part is between Zoey and one of the teachers. Oy. Anyway, if you've read the first book, definitely give this one a go. It's just as well-written as the first, but now we're getting into the really juicy stuff.

Friday Five

This afternoon we're taking a bunch of old electronic things that Ben had stored in our computer room to the electronic recycling center in Fort Worth. Our nursery furniture is supposed to be delivered Monday, so this weekend we're finishing up taking the last of the stuff out of that room. (Yay!) So just for Ben, here's a geekery-themed Friday Five. :)

From fellow EtsyVeg teammate Karin Lorenc, Pi Mug in Red - 16 oz., $25.00
From fellow Etsy Fort Worth teammate Casey's Clutter, Googly Eyes Ring, $7.50
From Cherry Laurel Designs, I Said MEH glow in the dark binary beanie, $35.00
From Babywood, Mac Daddy Onesie, $14.00
From Sass & Peril, Open Your Heart Screenprint, $15.00

Music Monday

Ben played this song for me last week, and I didn't really appreciate it until Saturday afternoon when we heard them talking about it on the Ticket. They not only played the remix version I had heard already, but they played part of the original. I really think having some context of where the remix comes from is what makes it good. So listen to at least part of the first clip, then enjoy the second one. :)

Friday Five

I realized this morning that I'll miss having fresh blueberries on my Kashi cereal after blueberry season is over. Yes, I know I could buy frozen berries, or buy a bunch of fresh now and freeze them, but it's just not quite the same. Oh, blueberry, how I love you.

From Erin Reynolds Photography, Blueberries Kitchen Art - Fine Art Photograph (8x8), $24.00

From Magic Hands Workshop, Blueberry Sea Salt Bar, $5.50
From Etsy Fort Worth teammate Fitzy Sparrow, Blueberry Estate vintage lucite charm earrings, $14.00
From EtsyVeg teammate Caramel Diezel, Earthy Urban Organic Cotton Beanie - berry with cream, blueberry, lime and kiwi stripes - $22.00
From Bovine Bubbles and Hogwash Ltd, Blue Nectarine Jam, $7.00

Hump Day Humor

For today's Hump Day Humor I thought I'd share a funny story about my dog, Booger, that happened yesterday morning. I had turned on the water for the shower to heat up, and while I was getting ready to get in I was singing this song to myself (and the baby):



I love that song! :) Anyway, the dog comes in, looking up at me and wagging his tail. (He enjoys being sung to also.) Then as I kept singing, he starts jumping up, running in little circles, and whining. It looked pretty ridiculous, but I couldn't figure out why he was acting like that. Then I remembered. The song I had been singing had the word C-A-R in it. Put that word with R-I-D-E and you've got Booger's favorite pastime. I was just singing, but he thought I was asking him if he wanted to go for a ride in the car.
At this point I totally felt like the worst doggie-momma ever, especially when I got into the shower and he's still running around the bathroom and standing so he can see me better through the shower door. And I would have taken him for a ride in the car after that, but by the time I was out of the shower and finished getting ready, he didn't seem interested anymore. :)

Book Review - The Darkest Fire by Gena Showalter

The Darkest Fire (Lords of the Underworld #.5)
by Gena Showalter
Paranormal Romance

Book Number: 2 (Summer "Beach Reads" Challenge)
Book Number: 1 (Summer Romance Challenge)

Summary:
He is the guardian of hell, more monster than man. She is the goddess of oppression, more angel than woman. Together they will enter the flames to battle a horde of demon lords -- and discover a passion unlike any other... Discover the origin of the dimOuniak and the demon spirits trapped within.
(from Goodreads)

My thoughts: I've read the first three books in this series, and came across this prequel novella. It was good, but not nearly as good as the others in the series. It was interesting to read about how the Demon Lords first escaped and became trapped in Pandora's Box, which is discussed in the other books in the series. Overall, not the best book I've read in a while.

Music Monday

This morning feels like an Enya morning. Don't ask why, it just does. Enjoy!

Sunday Spotlight

Yes, I know what you're thinking. (At least, I know what Ben will be thinking when he reads this.) In any event, I'm signing up for another book challenge! *gasp* But Jenn, you've just started one? However will you manage two reading challenges with all of the things you're doing around the house, plus making fabulous soap and bath goodies? Never fear, I've got it under control. :) I read while the paper shredder is resting so I don't burn out the motor, or in the evening before bed, or in the car (while Ben drives, not if I'm driving, duh).

This challenge is the 2010 Summer Romance Challenge. Romances are some of my favorite books to read. And if I happen to read a romance, it can count towards my other challenge too. Two birds with one stone!

The challenge started back in June, but since it goes until Sept. 30, I think I can still manage. The challenge: read 8 romances by the deadline. Woo hoo! Come join me, it should be fun!

Book Review - Marked by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

For those of you who may not remember, I had entered myself in the 2010 Summer Beach Reads Book Challenge. My personal goal is to read 8 books by the end of the contest, August 30th.

Marked (House of Night #1) P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Young Adult

Book Number: 1 (Summer "Beach Reads" Challenge)

Summary: The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres have always existed. In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire--that is, if she makes it through the Change. Not all of those who are chosen do. It’s tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling. She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx. But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers. When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny--with a little help from her new vampyre friends. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts: I've read this one before, but it's been a while. And here's where my brother in law would laugh at me: I'm rereading this series in order to get to the latest book in the series, which I haven't read. And now that Cliff knows, I'm sure he'll give me a hard time. :) Anyway, I decided to reread this series because I have read so many paranormal/vampire books since I first read these, that I didn't really remember any details about the books.

As the first book in a series, some of this book is setting up characters and filling you in on Zoey's world. Although, since she's Marked as a vampyre in the beginning of the book, you're learning about it right along with her. In Zoey's world, there have always been vampyres, but that doesn't mean that they're socially accepted by humans. Zoey's step-dad is an elder in the People of Faith, which is the super-conservative mainstream human religion, and he, along with most of Zoey's human friends and family, think of her as a monster after she's been Marked. What's interesting to me is how Zoey is able to combine what she learns at the House of Night with her grandmother's Cherokee ways.

If you like vampire stories blended with some supernatural goings-on, definitely take a look at this book. It's a fast-paced, quick read that will have you wanting to read more, to find out what exactly is going on at the House of Night.