Manor Hall Soap Blog

Music To Soap By - T-Rex

2012-01-18T08:31:00.003-05:00

The first of the "back to work" orders are headed out of the door today. I'm aiming to have all orders shipped by the end of the week. It feels good to be back in the saddle.

On loop and blaring out of the workshop today is this one. Originally a seventies hit in the UK, but enjoyed a second life with the gritty working class film "Billy Elliot". I couldn't embed the dance scene video, but it can be seen here.

Whatever you're doing today, boogie on.

T-Rex, 1976 - I Love To Boogie

Music to Soap By - Slade

2011-12-15T07:42:00.006-05:00

I was there for this one. I remember it being released. Course, I was waiting for its release cos this was my fave band during my teenage years. OMG... I played this one so loud my bedroom windows vibrated. I made myself hoarse screaming out the chorus.... and my poor dad made himself hoarse yelling at me from the bottom of the stairs to turn it down!

That Christmas was memorable for me. 1973, the year that saw gifts such as Chopper bicycles and the game of Mastermind on most childrens list in England - including my brother. For me, it was serious wow time, as I took the wrapping off a desperately longed for new record player.

OMG... it played three different speeds. 33, 45, and 78s. It was stereo, and even had two speakers that I could position around the room. And the piece de resistance I discovered by accident... that if I pulled the record stacking arm back, it played the one song on repeat F-O-R-E-V-E-R! One record of my choice, over and over again? It was hook, line and sinker for me right there and then, and I have never lost the love for playing songs like that.

The workshop door is open. Order boxes are being packed, and the music is on repeat. The office may be closed for Christmas break, but behind the scenes is never still. Sing it loud, now.... "Merry Christmas Everybody!!!"

Slade, 1973 - Merry Christmas Everybody

Holiday Hours Reminder

2011-12-14T09:02:00.001-05:00

Just a reminder that the office closes at the end of today for our annual Holiday break. All orders placed before 5.00pm today will be packed and shipped by Friday the 16th. Happy Holidays!

A Bit Of Raw Video

2011-12-11T07:37:00.003-05:00

You'd think having a techy guru like I have in Jason, that we'd have a state of the art video camera. We don't. Jason's a still-shot kinda guy.

On a "Snowflake" photo shoot in the workshop a few weeks ago, Jason switched his Nikon over to movie mode. He was experimenting to see what it did, and gave me no cue at all other than: "I wonder what it'd be like if I switched to video. Hmm...okay, we're live".

The first minute of film was me asking him what was he talking about, and then a short back and forth happened between us about testing sound and focus etc. While the movie mode continued its few minutes run, I picked up a log of the Snowflake soap Jason had just been photographing and started talking. Surprisingly, when we played back the three or so minutes of film, we found a half decent minute's worth of raw video worth sharing.

The movie mode on the Nikon only runs for a few minutes, but it's shown us that it's long enough to give a proper glimpse of life behind the scenes. There's the camera placement to sort out and some restrictions on focus that will need to be respected, but with a bit of understanding of what our limitations are, I can see me doing more of this kinda thing.

A Mug Or The Soap

2011-12-08T08:26:00.002-05:00

A good day's soapmaking is always measured by the mess left behind for the clean up. Oh, and the tea mugs. It wouldn't be a work day without an army of empty ones scattered about the workshop.

And office.

And packing room.

And... oh, every room you can imagine. Yes... it's a close call between which I love best - making soap or a cuppa. Please, don't ever make me choose!

Music To Soap By - Guster

2011-12-05T07:03:00.002-05:00

It's taken me all week long to track down this one. I first heard it last weekend on a telly commercial and was hooked. Needless to say it's already on loop in the workshop, and I just can't get enough of it!

It's feeling so good standing at the workbench right now that the soap bars are almost wrapping themselves!

Guster, (unsure of year) - Tiny Tree Chrstmas

Music To Soap By - Darlene Love

2011-12-02T08:27:00.003-05:00

Okay... we're into December! On loop in the workshop today is this one from Darlene Love. I actually heard her sing this live on Letterman earlier in the year... and despite the years having gone by since her original was recorded, the woman can still belt this out - and then some!

To the families of all those who serve our country... I know you know the lyrics to this one only too well. I thank you for lending us your loved ones in keeping us safe.

Darlene Love, 1963 - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

Night Time Is The Right Time

2011-12-01T09:34:00.007-05:00

It's an absolute joy to be popping this third level freebie into the order boxes from Thanksgiving week.

The smell of "Night Time" is incredibly aromatic with its synergy blend of Chamomile, Lavender, and Plumeria. Wonderful extracts of oat and green tea help soften and soothe, and all that's left for you to do is pour... and breathe the day away.

In the November order boxes now, compliments of the freebie page!

Beams From Honey and Sonny

2011-11-30T06:38:00.002-05:00

Nothing beats the wide smiles of grandchildren to get the day off to a good start. Here's Honey and Sonny with some early morning feel-good cheers, straight from my email box. I love today's technology!

Holiday Season Ahoy

2011-11-29T21:02:00.003-05:00

Order boxes from the Thanksgiving sale have been packing today. Shipping notices are flying tonight. It's been a busy week of it all. Having the office closed for the four day weekend gave me the chance to really go to town on a soapfest. I did get the chance to watch some television too.

December is almost upon us. Are we really ready for the festive season? Somehow it still feels like summer's end. I haven't a clue where the Fall went to. I know the winter is here though... the trees are bare, and it's frosty in the mornings.

Hope your Thanksgiving weekend was as nice as mine. It won't be long before I'm wishing everyone a Happy Christmas!

WrapFest

2011-11-27T06:12:00.003-05:00

I've been on a wrapfest since Friday evening. Two batches left to get through and it's back to the soap making. Roll on 8.00am!

Meet Snowflake

2011-11-25T05:36:00.004-05:00

Meet Snowflake... in her full Art House glory. I so wish you could smell through the computer. I am in love with this scent. It's light and clean, sweet but not cloying, with a beckoning of a real winter's tree somewhere in the background.

Try as I might, I can't walk away from the bar without making the trip back to it for another whiff. Is it the light of the nutmeg... or is it the mystery of the clove? Maybe it's the vanilla. I'm not sure, but I love the way the Holiday evergreen pulls it all together in an incredible tease.

I have a new fave!

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T10:34:00.002-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from all of us here at The Manor.

Music To Soap By - Rod Stewart

2011-11-10T09:56:00.003-05:00

On loop in the workshop since yesterday is this one. I just can't get enough of the drum beat right now.

I'm working on four batches of soap, master batching sugar scrubs, logging up, slicing and shelving yesterday's bounty... then lining up the Holiday gift selection for tonight's photo shoot. And while I'm working I am so feeling myself cantering on horseback with the wind in my hair as Rod belts it out!

Wherever you are in your day today and whatever you may be doing, stay... forever young!

Rod Stewart, 1988 - Forever Young

Olive Oil

2011-11-10T06:27:00.001-05:00

The olive tree has a commanding tenacity. No matter how harsh the winter, or burning dry the summer, it still grows strong and upright in stoic resolution to bring us a fruit renowned for its nourishment and salve. A very emollient oil, it has been used for thousands of years on the skin to calm, to cleanse and to moisturize.

The olive is very high in polyphenols. These are a broad class of antioxidants that include flavonoids and catechins, common also to red wine, chocolate, grape juice and tea. Antioxidants are useful in the aging process... they help slow it down.

But antioxidants also hold other qualities of importance to us. The phenols found in olive oil have an antifungal and antibacterial action. Phenols also prevent "Oxidative Stress", a highly oxidized environment within cells where there is an overflow of free radicals and a lack of antioxidant support. Oxidative Stress always leads to inflammation, a common aggravator in dermatitis and other similar skin conditions.

Olive oil is a great humectant. Attracting external moisture to the skin, it still allows normal function to take place such as shedding, sweating and sebum release. Olive oil doesn't clog pores, It is gentle, and hypoallergenic.

Blade Runner

2011-11-09T07:29:00.002-05:00

Trimming the block of Orange Tree Blast with my blade, Art House style of course. Other batches waiting in the wings for the same are: Almost Sunset, Sweet Neem, Twist of Lemongrass, Ooh La Lavender, and Golden Jojoba. I love this part of the art... I could do it all day long.

Seasonal Buy 2 Get 1 Free

2011-11-08T11:46:00.003-05:00

Get into the Thanksgiving mood with a "buy 2 get 1 free" special on our Seasonal page.

Just select your flavor, "Sugared Pumpkin" or "Hot Apple Spice", enter 2 into the quantity box and we'll give you a third one free. Use coupon code "BUY2GET1" at checkout. Offer ends midnight on Thursday November 10th and applies only to the products on the seasonal page.

Keep dry skin at bay the Manor Hall way. Happy shopping!

Lost Week Of Snowmageddon

2011-11-07T08:55:00.008-05:00

Well, that was certainly the week that was! It's just like a lost week.

Friday the 28th came and went as normal. Saturday was productive, and we left late afternoon to attend a neighbor's Halloween get-together. We walked over the threshold to an eerie "Hah Hah Ha!" coming through speakers as the front door was opened, and less than five minutes later it was absolute Bedlam outside with tree limbs crashing around, falling on cars, garages, rooftops and power lines to boot. To add to all this craziness was the thick falling snow, set against a pretty backdrop of gold and reds of the Autumn leaves - still on the trees.

Snowmageddon. Complete power out for six full days and nights. No electricity, heating or phones. National Guard called in, and power workers from states far and wide traveling in convoy to help put things right. Incredible. Absolutely unreal!

And so here I am, where I was expecting to be a week ago... only it isn't Monday October 31st. It's Monday November 7th, and it's like we just skipped a week. Puff. Gone. Just like that! The website changeover is waiting in the wings. New Holiday products are waiting to go live on the website. Oils weighed out in the pans waiting to soap, and shea butter whip about to be whipped.

I'm pleased to say that all orders held up because of the Lost Week of Snowmageddon are packed and ready to ship. Yay! Tracking numbers will be sent out this evening. Thank you everyone for your patience and understanding. Normal service has now resumed!

Falling For Snow

2011-10-29T14:47:00.002-04:00

Tall white pines and beautiful Fall trees. It's 2:30pm in Springfield, MA and the snow is here.

Pretty Me Pumpkin Mask

2011-10-27T11:18:00.002-04:00

It's almost the start of the Halloween weekend, and many a good pumpkin will be hollowed out and candled this next few days. But hold on before you trash the goodness you've scooped out, because pumpkin is a wonderful natural ingredient for your skin, and a simple facial treat can be made in minutes with ingredients from your kitchen cupboard.

Pumpkin is naturally soothing on the skin, and is also very moisturizing. Used as an ingredient in facial masks, it acts similarly to a carrier oil, and helps to carry the nutrients from other ingredients deep into the skin. Pumpkin is also rich in vitamins A and C.

Pretty Me Pumpkin Mask

You will need:
3 tablespoons of pumpkin (cooked)
1 tablespoon of honey (gently warmed)
1 teaspoon of cream/milk/or yogurt

How to:
Cook fresh pumpkin in a little water, then mash with a fork. Add the warmed honey and your cream/yogurt, then blend smooth with the back of a spoon. Apply the paste gently to the face, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for about ten minutes. Wipe away with warm damp face cloth.

Notes: Always test for allergies first. Be sure to throw away any unused mask, as it is not preserved.

Lip Smackin' Packin'

2011-10-21T08:11:00.003-04:00

Lipskippers lip balms are sporting new labels, and also... boasting two new flavors. Cinnamon Sin, is hot to trot, and Darling Clementine is so holiday citrus.

Now is the time to get that pucker in place. The cooler weather is no friend to your delicate pout. Keep it soft and pretty by sealing the moisture in.

If you're shopping today, you can enjoy 20% off your entire order by using our autumn lovers newsletter promo code. Just type in "AUTUMNLOVER" at checkout, and enjoy the deal. You'll have to be fast though. Offer ends tonight at midnight. Pucker up pretty now, won't you!

Posh Frocks For The Stocks

2011-10-13T12:50:00.001-04:00

Just sharing more of the new look with you from the cleansing grains page.

It feels like a dream as a more uniformed look is beginning to place around the stock room. I can't wait to see them make it to the shelves in shops around the country as our drive for more wholesale accounts gets underway.

How convenient would it be to have your Manor Hall faves in stores local to you, hey? I hear you. We're working on it!

Finally The Fall

2011-10-12T08:33:00.002-04:00

With the website changeover finally in the last stage of completion, I'm hopeful that today will prove to be a little calmer for techy guy hero, Jason.

The holiday weekend was one of those crazy times where whatever could go wrong, did so. Oh, all was well in the workshop for me... but this hot seat was a different story as one thing after another just wouldn't play ball for the TeamManor techy guru.

So, here we are two days into the working week, and the new seasonal line is now on the website. Yay! Product descriptions are following. Don't ask where five hours of copy work went to. All I will say is that I really must get the hang of creating files and then saving them! :)

Music To Soap By - Bay City Rollers

2011-10-10T08:35:00.004-04:00

Summer is well and truly going gone, and the HAD2WAIT orders are following suit.

On loop today with plenty neat footwork from yours truly is this one. Crank up the volume, get ready for the drum beat and enjoy the Columbus Day workshop bye bye party that's taking place here all day long.

Bay City Rollers, 1975 - Bye Bye Baby

Manor Hall Talk On YouTube

2011-10-09T09:31:00.003-04:00

Here's Lindsay from blackandblondeone talking about a couple of her Manor Hall faves. She's posted it to her youtube channel. Like wow! Thank you so much, Lindsay!

Holiday Weekend Tears Of Joy

2011-10-08T08:22:00.005-04:00

I've just received an email from my mum in the UK. A cancer survivor of 12 years, she's never been able to come out here to visit us because of health insurance issues.

It was huge surgery that she had - whipples surgery. She's over 70 years of age now, and she's just found travel insurance through her cancer society. Flight for April looks certain.

I'm all of a blubber right now. My mum is gonna get to see where I live and what opportunity America has given to me. Wow!

A Whole Foods Market Symphony

2011-10-07T14:20:00.003-04:00

Another shipment of Manor Hall is headed to Whole Foods Market Symphony Store on Westland Avenue in Boston. Their Whole Body team is absolutely fantastic to work with.

Check out the Whole Body dept next time you're in the area for our foaming facial cleansers, facial grains, face masks, complexion bars, classic soap bars, liquid handwash and bodywash gels. All natural, and all perfectly Manor Hall at Whole Foods Market!

Family Friday

2011-10-07T08:36:00.002-04:00

Here's my little BigGirl, Gayle, when she was four years old. It's one of my fave pics of her. It's past her bedtime at the funfair, and she's tired. She has terrific drive, and always has had. Always knowing where she's going, she has great resolve. With two children under the age of three, she's just started a master's degree this week. I'm feeling pretty proud this Family Friday. You go, Gayle!!!

Onward My Chariot

2011-10-06T11:35:00.003-04:00

My chariot is arriving on Tuesday. It will carry me through the ten days that follow as I move into a time of better production, ahead of more growth.

A time when more music will blare out of the workshop. A time when my home will be tidier than the MerryMaids could ever shine on it. A time when my legs will ache from silly dancing. A time when I will feel tired but absolutely fantastic.

Roll on Tuesday the 11th. That's when The Barbara arrives. She is one helluva chariot, and her wheels spin so fast they don't touch the ground!

Hearting Family

2011-10-05T08:23:00.002-04:00

Today is a birthday, and yesterday was a birthday too. This was in the mailbox today. Family are so wonderful to have, and it feels good to know that there's a whole generation of little ones to continue the traditions through tomorrow of the things we hold so close today.

September Break Time

2011-09-18T14:17:00.002-04:00

I'm busy finishing up things today ahead of our annual September break. Much to do over the next two weeks in preparation for the busiest 13 weeks of the shopping year. During last year's break we had family from England to stay. This year, we're prepping for my son's wedding. We're gonna have a new Mrs in the family come October 1st, and it's gonna see me all misty eyed.

Kings, Queens And Court Jesters

2011-09-14T15:51:00.015-04:00

Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, where have you been?
"I've been to London to look at the queen."

Okay... so it wasn't London, and it wasn't the queen. But for me and my small soap company at Boston Statehouse yesterday, it might as well have been.

There was a hearing for a cosmetics bill or two, where in well meaning wisdom a suggestion had been put forward that it would be great for Massachusetts to turn the label of a pot of creme with three simple ingredients into a ticker tape roll measuring four foot seven inches long:

If you want to know what it was all about and who was there with me here's some links for you. These folks are far more eloquent than I could ever be on the subject.

I'm still trying to make head and tail of the individual state laws, and can't believe what is planned for New York!!!???!!!

Having to learn the federal regulations is a hard enough task for small business owners like me, but learn and respect them we must. I really don't know how I'm expected to do business with all the other states if they each decide they want their own regulations. Do I follow FDA rules and regs... or do I follow state regs? Which law will trump which? It's going to be very confusing for me and every other small business like mine. I think it's also going to be very confusing for the customers who want to buy from us.

What do you think? How would something like this affect you? Maybe it's affecting you already. I welcome your comments.

We Will Always Remember

2011-09-11T08:58:00.003-04:00

These photos are from my own personal collection. Each are from a different visit to the World Trade Center site.

Never forget those who died there in the towers, at the Pentagon and on a plane in Pennsylvania. Never forget those whose lives were changed forever on that awful, awful day. Never forget the brave souls who were rushing up the tower stairs, while so many others were rushing down for dear life. We will always remember them all.

Rolling With It

2011-09-09T21:19:00.002-04:00

9pm and the night shift is just starting. My feet are still going strong in my trusty Reeboks. Can't say the same for my fingers, though! Contingency plan into action, and it's ditch the pretty parcel wrap and straight into wax bags with them.

Song still on loop. Roll, roll, roll. Wrap, wrap, wrap.

Mattoon Street Arts Festival

2011-09-09T08:54:00.004-04:00

This is my dreaded task for today. And tonight. And into the small hours of tomorrow morning. There's nothing I love more than a good WrapFest but with 16 batches of 56 bars per flavor to go, I so badly wanna get it all behind me. My big local show set up is tonight, the show is tomorrow and Sunday. Monday I shall be fit for nothing.

The Mattoon Street Arts Festival is a great one, and always takes place the weekend after Labor Day. I absolutely love it! Mattoon Street is a beautiful historical tree lined street in Springfield, Massachsuetts. Over the festival weekend it is alive with white canopies, wonderful artists who are true to their craft, and live music. It's a fantastic family atmosphere.

As relieved as I may be to get the WrapFest all out of the way today, I am so looking forward to the weekend. I'll see you there!

Music To Soap By - Lenka

2011-09-06T10:34:00.001-04:00

It's a creative day ahead for me and I'm in aqua and grey for it. It's been a crazy weekend... full of surprises, set backs and sagas.

On loop and blaring outta the workshop today, is this one by Lenka. I just can't stop shouting out the chorus as I'm finalizing the master batches for the new seasonal line. Cooler mornings, and cooler evenings. Guess fall is knocking at the door.

Wherever you are, and whatever you're doing... take a leaf out of Lenka's book and just roll with it. I know I am!

Lenka, 2011 - Roll With The Punches.

Blade Runner

2011-09-01T07:15:00.003-04:00

Turning out another slab of Art House soap from the molds.

I love this part of the job. It's completely "hands on". The feeling of the blade in my hands is a great one as I first use it to free the snug block from the sides of the mold. I use it again to angle the tops of each log, and then one last time with it to slice off each bar.

Oh, yeah... new Art House soaps for the Fall are on their way!

Meet "Midnight".

2011-08-29T11:49:00.001-04:00

Remember the black squirrel I told you about a while back? Yes, well... Jason snapped him as he was paying our birdbath a visit. He's a fast cutie, but wasn't quite fast enough the other day.

Meet "Midnight", our very own black squirrel. How handsome is he then, hey?

Nuts4Stuff Manor Hall Giveaway

2011-08-24T21:05:00.004-04:00

Over at the wonderful Nuts 4 Stuff, they're having a giveaway of Manor Hall products!

I adore these products and definitely want more from Manor Hall Soap Company. I know you would love their products once you discover them. Watch their journey since they began in 2004 with their YouTube video and visit their site.

Thanks to Manor Hall Soap Company, five lucky Nuts 4 Stuff readers in the United States can win the pictured 1st place prize ($100 value) below, 2nd place prize, ($50 value), and 3rd, 4th, or 5th prize ($25 value).

Go there now to see the prize details and find out all the ways you can enter and win your Manor Hall faves.

Mary B. is hosting lots of giveaways over there, so you definitely want to go check it out and see what else you can win. Entries are free... what have you got to lose?

My Memorable Monday

2011-08-22T09:06:00.003-04:00

This isn't Family Friday, but it is a memorable Monday. With a mound of work ahead of me today, I get this in my personal email box. It's from Gayle, my eldest daughter, and it's a smack bang up to date pic of my grand children, Honey and Sonny.

Plowing through work is always much easier when braved with a smile, don't you think?

Bella Coconut

2011-08-21T07:02:00.003-04:00

Dreamy, creamy caribbean coconut with a backdrop of tantalizing fresh persian lime. Bella Coconut. So tropically trelicious!

Family Friday

2011-08-19T20:52:00.001-04:00

Not too late for family Friday. This one is Shez and Gary - again. It's such a feel good pic though, and right now as I set to work into the small hours of the morning, I just needed a boost of feel-good. What gives you a boost of feel-good when you need it most? Family always does it for me.

Bouncing Back In Pink And Black

2011-08-16T09:27:00.008-04:00

Being a soap maker means I don't get to have a wardrobe of posh frocks to parade around the workshop in... but that doesn't mean I can't have great clothes to choose from when starting my day. I'm a Reebok girl, and have been for a number of decades. My working week sees me sporting either pink and black, or grey and aqua. Colors can do an awful lot to the mood of the mind, and I wear my working day colors according to how I think I'm gonna need to be feeling for the day ahead.

It's a pink and black day today. Pink and black gives me a determination that I don't get to feel when I'm in grey and aqua. Same clothes stitch for stitch, but yet change the color scheme and my head just doesn't seem to yield the same focus throughout the day. If I'm in a business call, you can bet I'm wearing pink and black. If I'm spinning plates, you can bank on the same. If I have a mountain to climb, then it's pink and black all the way to the summit. Needless to say, I'm in another nineteen hour day today.

The mood-fueling color doesn't stop at my work clothes though. I have a color that begins in my morning shower. Way back in the early days of Manor Hall I created an essential oil blend specifically designed to bring instant oomph on those days when the only letters my body could assemble spelled out a weak "phhtt". I'm as human as you are, and although I love my work and my business I do get days where I just feel blah.

The mood boosting energy essential oil blend of cedarwood, pink grapefruit, lavender and patchouli has stayed with me and Manor Hall all these years. You'll find it in the Take Five Collection under the scent of "Bounce Back". Yes... this guy is pink for a reason, and I always reach for it whenever I want to go from the slump of "blah" to a rally crying "Rah Rah Rah!"

Today I'm dressed in pink and black, and head to toe in full Bounce Back. What color does it for you?

Behind the Bar: Honey Me Smooth

2011-08-15T18:58:00.002-04:00

My hands are in water a lot. When I'm soaping, they tend to take the brunt of it all. Yes, I wear rubber gloves, but I take them off whenever they're not needed for protection. I watch the ads for soap on television, but as mild and gentle as they claim their products to be... they're only mild and gentle compared to other detergent bars. A commercial detergent bar just cannot compete with real handmade soap.

With my hands constantly in water, my wrists seem to feel it the most. The skin where the hands meet the lower arms dries out much faster than the rest of me when I'm soaping. I suppose the rubber gloves don't help either. Making my own soap affords me to pick and choose my ingredients according to what I want them to do. When I first started to make soap, I quickly discovered my hands needed a little more protection than just a pair of rubber gloves.

So, a purpose made bar was the order of the day. Of all the ingredients on my shelf to choose from, there were two that I wanted to build a working-hands bar around. Honey, and almonds. I often used both together as a paste... it's great on the face, and on the hands. Actually, it's great as a gentle exfoliating scrub for the whole body too. I'd warm the sweet almond oil with the honey, and add a heaping of almond meal. It's probably one of the best home made beauty recipes around. It's basic, it's simple, and it offers one of the richest moisturizing treats you can give your skin.

Honey is a humectant. It grabs hold of the moisture from the air, and keeps hold of it. It forms a barrier on the skin, and protects it. It's also anti microbial, so it does the duty with the nasties too.

As for almonds? Oh... boy. When ground fine the almond fruit doesn't half yield some wonderful skin softening properties. Sweet almond oil is very similar to our own skin's natural oil. It's gentle, and helps with the relief of dry itchy or sore skin. It boasts naturally occurring vitamins, including the valuable anti-oxidant Vitamin E. It's considered to be anti-inflammatory, and is very emollient. It's a light oil, readily absorbed without greasy after-feel, and it is often the oil of choice for use with skin troubles such as eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis.

Almond meal is what remains after the pressing of the almonds used to yield the sweet almond oil. As with sweet almond oil, the meal is very gentle and anti irritating to the skin. Dry, dead and flaking skin cells form a hard barrier on the skin, which prevents it from absorbing much needed moisture. Almond meal is moist with the oil from the pressing and gently exfoliates these cells.

And so "Honey Me Smooth" was born. It's my soapmaking bar. A bar for hard working hands. It protects my hands, and smooths any dry that might be flaking around. It's one of the few bars that doesn't have any essential oils in it. They weren't needed. The simplicity of the ingredients alone were enough for what I wanted. I wanted to be able to wash my hands often, and not have my skin take a pounding.

"Honey Me Smooth" is great for summer skin... and it's an absolute champion for sore and chafe. There's not many jobs out there that beat soapmaking for repetitive wear and tear on the skin. And there's not many soap bars that take on the duty like "Honey Me Smooth" does. It was made for sore hands. Those hands were mine. And for me, this bar is just what they need.

Family Friday

2011-08-12T08:41:00.004-04:00

Here's bright light Shezzie, on vacation with us last September. Husband Gary now serves as a fireman in the UK, having served his country on different tours of duty in the middle east. The two of them never fail to bring a smile to my face.

Family pics are so precious, and the memories they bring last forever.

OMG... Big Deal Mania is Here!!!!

2011-08-09T19:37:00.004-04:00

Summer is in full swing and a new kind of mania is reigning at the Manor. Huge savings on all your favorites right throughout the store. Major discounts, Bulk Buys, Buy 2 Get 1 and Freebies. So many of your faves are on sale, and there is a raft of One-Timers up for grabs. Will you be the one to snap up the awesome one-timers? Get them before someone else does!

Check out all the Big Deals here!

Music To Soap By - Showaddywaddy

2011-08-08T08:55:00.003-04:00

Workshop door is open and the olive oil is in in the pans. Today is gonna be a great soaping day, I can feel it in my bones. On loop and blaring out right now is this one.

Showaddywaddy was a great English band of the seventies. All their songs are hard to stay quiet to. And rather like the soap I make... so addictively pleasing. Get ready for the chorus!

Showaddywaddy, 1978 - A Little Bit Of Soap

Family Friday

2011-08-05T08:54:00.003-04:00

Just received some family pics via email from Gayle, my eldest daughter in the UK. Meet Honey May, my grand-daughter. She's with her Aunt Shezzie, the bright light that you all know as my youngest daughter. I'm nominating Friday, as Family Friday. If you've any fave family photies of your own you'd like to share, please do so over on the Fan Page. Family feels so good!

Bella On The Block

2011-08-03T08:30:00.006-04:00

Another soap making tutorial is waiting in the wings.

Here's a shot of Bella Coconut fresh out of the mold, having it's paper lining peeled away. I love handling the big blocks of soap. They're so large and heavy and yet... so so delicate.

The end product is pretty much the same too. Heavy 5oz chunks, and yet... so delicate on your skin!

Posh Frocks And Soap

2011-08-02T08:28:00.002-04:00

More order boxes going out today. For now, it's a nice early start for me as I climb into my soaping clothes. Yes... beats a pretty dress any day of the week!

Just Another Manic Monday

2011-08-01T11:45:00.003-04:00

First of the month means a new order box freebie page. Jason will be updating today.

Order boxes are also on the move, and all orders placed since the website launch date will be shipped by the end of this week. Thank you so much for your patience.

Yay! Hello to August!

While The Cat's Away

2011-07-30T07:36:00.002-04:00

It's my big day at Boston today. While I'm out, I thought I'd share with you some recent batches of my Art House soaps.

All logged up and waiting to be hand cut into big 5oz slices. From top to bottom: Bella Coconut, Beached, Dunes, and Patriot.

They smell so truly divine. Enjoy!

Oh, To Cool My Heels

2011-07-29T14:19:00.002-04:00

I'm still dreaming of the ideal day away from it all. I'm packing order boxes right now, and I have to say... it's not a bad second choice to being barefoot on the swing. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Nunzio of Your Business

2011-07-28T14:40:00.010-04:00

On Tuesday, I filled you in about Alfonso Santaniello, the first of two very special guests that will be appearing with me this Saturday July 30th at the Boston Indie Summer Sizzle.

The other guest I wanted to talk about is Nunzio Bruno, the man behind Financially Digital (not just another financial and tech blog) out of the Greater Springfield Area. In addition to his ultra-informative blog, and his duties as professor of economics at Bay Path College, Nunzio Bruno is a financial coach. I will let him describe what he can do for you in his own words:

I take my education and experience and coach those who need that little extra push. Not just your everyday budgets and expense charts, each experience is a dynamic one and focused on making lifestyle changes. How many times have you heard about people crash dieting only to see them eating terribly again after they lose a few pounds, that’s not what happens here. Whether you’re looking to get a second opinion on that portfolio that used to make sense or someone to hold your hand while you’re considering life changing purchases or plans, we take the time to evaluate the situation and create real strategies to get you there. Over the last few years I have successfully put the worries of retirees to rest and started fresh college graduates on paths to financial freedom. It’s not a chore, it’s a lifestyle.

If you'd like to learn more about the valuable help Nunzio offers (including Business Coaching and Sales Coaching), check out his other offerings on his consulting page.

On top of all this, Nunzio has just launched a show called Uconomy over on the Businews Channel, where he and co-host Thomas J. Fox dispense everyday economic advice in easily digestible bite sized morsels for us regular non-economic folk to understand.

I'm thrilled that Nunzio will be at the Summer Sizzle in person to conduct a workshop on creating a Business Plan. Okay, so nobody likes doing them, but they keep your business on track, banks and investors generally require them for loans, and there is a right and a wrong way to do them. Nunzio is going to be there to talk about how to do them right.

So won't you join me, Nunzio and Alfonso at Maggiano's Restaurant in Boston on Saturday? The registration details are here. It's going to be a fantastic time and I really can't wait to meet you there!

Really Bringing It Home

2011-07-27T14:27:00.007-04:00

Yesterday afternoon at around 4.20pm, we got battered again by another angry storm. It seems tornado activity was indicated on the weather radar/scanner thingies that they use to confirm these things. It didn't touch down though, but oh my giddy aunt... it blew through our little part of Springfield at what I swear was a complete horizontal, taking trees, debris, and branch missiles along with it.

Power, after flickering on and off wildly, went out with a bang... causing me and The Barbara to jump out of our little skins! Hail was the size that hail has no right to be, and after a crazy three to four minutes of if all... I got to go outside. My neighbor's pine tree was down across another neighbor's garage. My garden looked like no one had tended it for months, and the street was littered like some truck had whizzed through there spilling its load of forestry waste! On the corner was a gathering of folk, and we walked over to see if everyone was okay. They were. Just a few folk badly shaken up. Oh... and also a big tree with many big limbs was sitting there across someone's lawn having picked a fight with the overhead power lines and lost!

You know what? Community spirit was fantastic. It reminded me of the old days back home in England, where the elderly mixed freely with the young, offering sage advice and wisdom. There must have been four generations of us all out there, if not five. Many had never met before, even though we've all lived in the same proximity for years.

Power didn't return til this morning at around 10.30am. But Me, Jason and The Barbara sat around our little house in candlelight playing charades, and talking many memories of years gone by. I don't think I could have bought a night like that if I'd have had a million dollars to spend. It was such a feeling of home, and what home actually means. Sometimes, we need reminders of what family and community is all about. It's just a shame that it all too often needs a serious bolt of weather to bring it forth.

And the picture I'm leading with today? Nothing to do with yesterday's storm... but in today's aftermath, I so wish I could be at my quiet out of season beach with only me and the wildlife. The seagull enjoyed many fingers of food that I held out to him that day. It's a genuine pic.

I took a look at our huge pine tree this morning. It's split vertically. It really was a nasty thing that blew through here yesterday, and the big old tree has to be taken down. I don't know how many years it's seen, or how many squirrels and birds are gonna be without their homes once it's gone. I hope a good community spirit will prevail among the wildlife whose trees are gonna be gatecrashed by the displaced cuties that need to rebuild their nests and dreys. I'm hopeful.

Santaniello's Coming to Town

2011-07-25T18:52:00.006-04:00

If you're an avid reader of this blog, you will know that this Saturday, July 30th is the first Boston Region meetup of the Indie Beauty Network. At this lunch and mini-conference, along with yours truly, there are going to be other very special guests. I'd like to take this post to tell you a little about one of them.

Alfonso Santaniello, social entrepreneur, started the Creative Strategy Agency in 2009 at the age of 25, an innovative marketing agency offering marketing, video marketing, web marketing, branding, public relations, advertising and more. Clients included: Agway, LTW Custom Cosmetics, The Love, Mich Collection, Capri Pizza, WhatsUpAndWhere.com, The Still Bar and Grill and many more.

He has just launched his second business, The Businews Channel, a business web channel airing 25 original business web shows sharing business insight the way it should be - fun and entertaining. The channel, coincidentally enough, launched on July 18th.

He is a member of the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield and sits on the marketing committee, a member of BNI, Board Member and Director of Marketing for The Agawam Small Business Assistance Center which offers free monthly seminars and workshops for businesses and professionals. He adds that if he has free time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and running.

With his expertise in business and marketing, I am extremely excited to have Al there as a guest, speaking on the topic of "What You Can Do Today to Earn Holiday Sales Tomorrow".

Saturday is really going to be an excellent day, where hopefully we can all do a lot of learning, sharing and growing. A professional marketer like Al sharing his tips and insight will be an invaluable addition, and I am really looking forward to his presentation and to the workshops that follow!

If you'd like to attend and meet Al, you can read more about the event and register here.

Little Darlings

2011-07-25T08:42:00.003-04:00

Monday morning, and the base oils are in the pans. I love my soap making. Later today I'll be playing around looking for a way to package these little cuties. Yes, new samplers are on their way. Do I bag them, box them, or tie and tag them?

The Wonderful Oil That Is Olive

2011-07-22T13:10:00.000-04:00

No Place Like Home

2011-07-20T12:11:00.007-04:00

Yes... the launch day happened. Seven months in the making, a project followed to the letter, and a very successful conclusion.

It's hard getting a make-over. And just like the makeovers you do on any room in your house, you end up with a different look... yet the house you happily moved into once upon a time, is still the same house. Solid foundations, a sturdy roof, and a welcoming front door.

I do hope you enjoy exploring the new website. It still has the solid foundations, the sturdy roof, and the welcoming front door that has always been my Manor Hall. Please, step inside and make yourself at home. I'll just put the kettle on for you...

The Barbara in Pic

2011-07-17T08:03:00.005-04:00

So... it's 8.00am now, and I'm sitting here waiting for The Barbara to wake up. She ain't no morning person, and I so want to spill to her about the website home page that I woke up to early this morning.

She's making the drive today. Yes... I shall be silly dancing to 70's and oldies songs with my Sally mom until Thursday. The workshop will be alive like you wouldn't know. I mention The Barbara often in my postings. She's a real right hand man for me. I've been waiting eleven years for her to moan about some of the tasks and duties she does in the name of family. I've yet to hear anything resembling misery or griping from her. She truly is a rare gem. You can't miss us whenever we're out together. We're an odd couple from different sides of the Atlantic, yet we've so much in common. You know... sometimes odd is just the right place to be.

Spot the pair of us in this pic taken by Jason last summer along the beautifully scenic cliff walk in Newport, Rhode island. Click on the pic to see closer. I doubt you'll miss which one I am. The Barbara is right next to me in her shades, grinning her head off. Cool mom dude or what?

The What???

2011-07-17T05:48:00.001-04:00

It's 5.30 am and I have just missed my mouth with my morning cuppa. I was checking on the countdown clock getting ready to post, and it's gone. I'm hoping this isn't a joke, but take a look at the home page!!! The what??? I am totally shocked!

Remember

2011-07-14T19:01:00.002-04:00

Just a reminder that all the "buy me" buttons on the website will be disabled at midnight tonight as the prep begins for the launch of the brand spanking new... website! Countdown clock is reading: 3 days, 5 hours, 3 minutes. Deep breath!

Avoiding Burnout

2011-07-13T11:01:00.006-04:00

I've been so headlong into 18 hour days this past three weeks that I'm fast approaching burnout. I'm tired... my skin is breaking out... I'm eating on the wing... and a whole host of other things that are just not good for anyone's general health or personal well-being.

Jason to the rescue! He suggested I start a Manor Hall garden and enjoy time outdoors, where I get to have some separation from work and play while still being Mrs Manor Hall. You know what? He sure knows me inside and out. There's no way I would sit on the sofa and take time out, or be cajoled into chilling with a hobby.

It's been years since I last enjoyed any kind of gardening. All Ive been doing is living and breathing soap and letting Jason whizz over the gardens at breakneck speed with the lawnmower. I'm already relishing the thought of beautiful lavender plants... herbs... and flower after flower after flower!!!

So, meet the first project in the Manor Hall garden. It's the neglected area under my huge acorn tree. It's been left to just grow as it wants to, season after season for a good few years. That's gonna change. I'm planning on creating a peaceful place, where the wildlife can bring me much joy again. All in the name of Manor Hall of course. I mean... I can't be caught slacking now, can I?

Oh, Hurry Up Already

2011-07-12T08:47:00.002-04:00

Only five days remaining. This is what you call really gathering speed. Oh, how to convey how I feel?

It's like... waiting for Santa when you're five years old. It's like... getting parental permission to have your best friend along on the family vacation. It's like... that first kiss. It's like... acceptance to the college you prayed for. It's like... catching the bouquet. It's like... the bended knee proposal you thought would never come. It's like... the birth of your first child. Heck... it's like the birth of your first grandchild! All. Rolled. Together.

Just to give you the heads up - as if you need it. Work on the website will be happening over this coming weekend. Jason will be disabling the buy me button on Friday to avoid confusion for those who may arrive at the website via a bookmark or search engine link.

It's gonna be a great weekend here for me. I dunno about you, but... I am officially giddy with it all.

From The Archives: Blast From The Past

2011-07-11T09:54:00.003-04:00

One week to go to the launch of the new website. Well, 6 days, 13 hours and 50 minutes according to the countdown clock. I've been putting the new labels onto the Art House soaps, and they look great!

In a week's time the future beckons, and I'm feeling rather wistful as I approach my seventh birthday of soapy stuff. I thought I'd share with you a re-post from the blog archives. It's about where it all began, and what's behind the name of Manor Hall Soap. Enjoy:

Monday, February 22, 2010: Blast From The Past

This was me, back in July 2004 full of the excitement of embarking on my new venture. I was Susan Mann. I'd been living permanently in America for two whole years, and I was a soapmaker. This was going to be my office. It was going to be my workspace. This was my Manor Hall. In my hand is my hang tag. Oh, I was so proud, but it would be another nine months before I settled on the real identity that would become Manor Hall.

Back home in England, manor houses were grand. They were a picture of great british establishment, standing on land passed down through generations and dating way back to the 1200's. Where knights carried off ladies on the back of their horses, and the Lord and Lady of the manor reigned supreme.

My Manor Hall was originally intended to be a black and white affair. Modelled after the Tudor homes that so grandly stand with huge black beams, interspaced with white facings. I was ordinary folk, but setting up my little soap empire afforded me the opportunity to be the Lady of my own Manor. Being Susan Mann, it also played off my name nicely, and the thought of my grown up children being able to tell all their friends that mother owns a Manor Hall amused me greatly.

So, for a while, my fairy tale Manor Hall Soap Company was black on white...

...until Jason gave me the splash. You can even see it in the corner of the original design. I fell in love with it straight away, and as those first few months of the development stage passed we came up with many designs in search of the right glass slipper for our Cinderella of soap.

Every year since 2004, we've taken a break over the Christmas holidays. We use this to sit and reflect on our past year, and chew the fat over what's to come for the new year ahead. This year things were delayed a little due to him needing major surgery, but that didn't stop us plotting and planning and setting our goals while he was in the hospital.

My little soap company has grown every year since it began, and although this year has started a little late for us, new growth is planned. The office is having a much needed makeover, and the new flatpack furniture we bought back in November from IKEA, will finally be opened. But first comes the painting. The room in the photo above, once more finds itself empty. The computer and other office essentials have been moved temporarily into the shipping and stock room, so as not to interrupt the flow of day to day soapy business. By the weekend, I should be doing the happy dance once again.

It's strange how things sometimes come full circle. There I was back in 2004 with a black on white vision for my Tudor styled soap company. That soon gave way to a splash of color, and here I am all these years later looking around that empty room again where it all began. I'm painting a nice modern neutral, and guess what I'm filling it with? Yes, I'm filling it with a chic look of black furniture. And you just know that it'll be accessorized with... a splash of color. All from IKEA of course. For although I may dream of being titled English gentry... I'm just ordinary folk. And ordinary folk can't afford Chippendale stuff.

P.S. - Chippendale is antique English furniture dating back to the mid-18th century. My husband just read this and told me what "Chippendales" is in America. :D

The Four Musketeers

2011-07-09T09:55:00.003-04:00

Meet the boardroom table. I've spent more time around it this last seven days than I have around any table in my whole seven years of soap making. Morning, afternoon, early evening... and late night. Some days, sleep has been so short that I've considered throwing a nice fluffy pillow onto it and kipping there for the night.

I currently have four projects on the go and I'm at the helm of each and every one of them. All of them are big and will complete the journey to take Manor Hall Soap into the next chapter. All will be reaching conclusion before the last day of July. I thought I'd share a little of life as it is behind the scenes right now for me, so here are my four musketeers:

Project Splash.
Project Storm.
Project Slice.
Project Cheese.

Yes... even round the boardroom table I can't resist being myself in keeping things light and fun where possible. Project Splash is the new website launch, and if you've seen "The Journey" video through to the final frames, you'll know why it has that name. With only 8 days remaining, the heat is on in bringing everything together for a smooth July 18th launch.

At 10.30 this morning, I'll be round the table again checking up on some final details, chasing up on errant details, and bringing into play a few new details which are only just becoming relevant across the four projects as this new week approaches. As for Project Storm and Project Slice? Well, there goes that tease mode of mine again. But with only three more weeks of July left to go, it's not gonna be too long before you'll be finding out.

Oh, and Project Cheese? Don't take the name too seriously... I am not gonna be making Stilton - or selling it! ;)

A Classic Special Weekend

2011-07-08T23:07:00.003-04:00

So, here we are into the birthday month. In two more weeks, my Manor Hall will soon be seven years old. Like... wow!

While we're all eagerly awaiting the reveal of the new website in 9 days time, I thought I'd get a great soap bar special going over the weekend. So, from now until Sunday the 10th at midnight, buy two of the classic soap bars and I'll give you a third one for free. Simply enter 2 in the quantity box when making your Classic soap bar purchase, and I'll throw a third one of the same product in your order box... for free. For every two you buy, I'll give you a third.

Please remember that this special is for the regular classic style 4oz soap bars only, and not the big 5oz Art House style. With the regular order box freebies waiting in the wings as well, you can really make it a soap bar special to remember. Happy weekend shopping, and roll on July 18th!

Come One, Come All

2011-07-05T11:56:00.003-04:00

OMG it really has been an exciting week. It seems right now like it's just one good thing happening after another.

Anyone who has followed Manor Hall for a while has probably heard of Donna Maria Coles Johnson, the CEO of the Indie Beauty Network, mainly because I'm always talking about her. If you have followed along, you'll know that she has been a huge inspiration to me and many others. Donna Maria leads a 7,000 member network of small business owners, bringing us together and helping us all improve our daily grind.

One of the latest brainstorms from Donna Maria is splitting the U.S. up into Indie regions so that her members can get together and bring our power together locally. I have had the great honor of being named the representative for the Boston region, and I'm really excited to announce that the first meetup is going to be on Saturday, July 30th, at the Indie Business Summer Sizzle Networking Luncheon in Boston.

I recommend that if you have any kind of small business and you think you can get to Boston on July 30th, you go and get more info over at Indie Business Blog. This is a great opportunity you absolutely don't want to miss.

In addition to meeting yours truly and Donna Maria, you'll also get the chance to make contact with two others. Speaking first is the amazing business coach, financial analyst and professor, Nunzio Bruno (catch him at his informative financial blog, Financially Digital). And speaking second will be the wonderful marketing strategist Al Santaniello, host of the awesome Businews Channel (launching on July 18th!). I will be posting a little more about those two as the day approaches.

One of Donna Maria's favorite sayings is that "a rising tide lifts all ships". Well, Donna Maria is that tide, and she has helped lift me up, along with thousands of others. This is going to be a really great event and I can't wait for it.

Red, White and Blue To You

2011-07-04T07:40:00.000-04:00

Our office is currently closed for the Independence Day Holiday Weekend and will reopen on Tuesday, July 6th. You can still place an order through the web site during this time. All Fourth of July sale orders will begin shipping on Tuesday when we reopen. Our estimated shipping time remains at 3-5 business days from when orders are placed. Happy Fourth of July!

Of course, the office may be closed, but I'm still going to be working today. Some of it will be fun, as we thrash out new Fall scents and products.

The Manor Hall Soap Journey

2011-06-29T17:35:00.005-04:00

Okay... right now, I'm shaking. There's an absolutely incredible feeling running through me. I've been waiting to announce the date of the new website launch ever since work began at the end of last year. The announcement is now here.

You thought you were going to be reading the announcement I've been teasing you all with? No, it's a video, and I am so excited for you to see it. There's a little button on the lower right hand corner (with four arrows) to play it full screen, which I suggest you do. I also suggest you make sure your volume is on.

I know you can't wait to watch it, and I can't wait for you to watch it, so what are we waiting for? Here you go... the launch date of the new web site:

Putting on my Co-Hosting Hat

2011-06-28T18:04:00.004-04:00

Last Monday, I was a guest co-host on #SmallBizRollCall with Donna Maria Coles Johnson, President and CEO of Indie Business. I've been a member of her trade organization since 2006 and she has been a guiding light to me and my Manor Hall Soap.

The video is below, and I'm going to let Donna Maria do the introduction. She said a lot more, and if you'd like to read the full article, you can do so here. Without further ado, I hand you over to Donna Maria...

If you missed last week’s #SmallBizRollCall, you may have missed the first live streaming video fed via satellite split screen, from Ustream to a FaceBook Page. I don’t know of anyone else who’s ever done so (do you?), and I’m so pleased that, with the help of my business partner husband, we pulled it off. My guest was Susan Mann, IBN’s new Boston Local Director. She joined live from her studio in Springfield, Ma, and you can watch the recorded show here. (I apologize that the audio is choppy until 1:37 — it’s clear after that. I am also told that some a few people in certain parts of the country cannot see the video at all. I am apparently one of those people, but I have heard from others that is plays without a hitch.)

One Step Ahead

2011-06-25T21:41:00.005-04:00

The summer is a time to show off your summer glow – and this time of year there is no excuse not to make sure every part of you is looking its best. While you may exfoliate and moisturize as part of your bathing routine, do you remember to include your feet? It is recommended that we take 10,000 steps each day, which takes its toll on our soles. The feet do not have any oil glands to soften them which often causes dry and cracked skin.

Good foot care is important to keep rough dead skin and calluses under control. After bathing, while feet are still damp, use a pumice stone or an abrasive foot scrub to remove the dead and rough skin. You should moisturize daily to keep skin nourished and soft.

A footbath is also good relaxation technique after a hard day’s work. Put a handful of children’s marbles in a foot spa and roll your feet around on top of them to stimulate the nerve endings. Pick up the marbles with your toes, flex and contract your feet and toes and then let go off the marbles. This will allow the arches and muscles of the feet to stretch. If you have essential oils at hand, add a few drops of lavender, rosemary or peppermint into the warm water for extra indulgence.

While you can pamper your feet, ensuring you have a good pair of shoes is just as important in maintaining the health of your feet, and making certain you put your best foot forward. Every time you buy new shoes, have your feet measured - while standing and not sitting as the shape of your feet changes with daily pressures. Your feet are also likely to expand and lengthen with age as well as during pregnancy. If you wear the same pair of shoes daily, buy a new pair after six months as well-worn shoes lose their ability to support your feet properly. This can lead to feet, leg and back fatigue and problems.

It is also beneficial for your feet to be exercised in their own right. It is heavenly to walk bare feet on the grass, slowly stretching each foot as you walk. Walking along a sandy beach makes for great exfoliation.

For a simple foot stretch indoors, sit on the floor with your legs in front of you. Loop a towel around your feet. Keeping the heels on the floor, pull the towel with both hands to draw the middle foot and toes towards your body. Hold for a few seconds and then loosen towel and relax. Repeat five times.

For an ankle stretch, sit with your legs stretched out in front of you with toes pointed down. Then bring toes upwards then bring it towards you as far as is comfortable. Hold for a few seconds, then relax and repeat ten times.

Following these tips and exercises should help keep you one step ahead, all summer long.

Facial Cleansing Grains - Lemon & Rosemary

2011-06-24T18:03:00.003-04:00

These all natural cleansing grains are a convenient way to give your face a smooth and soothe cleansing treatment, preparing your skin to make the most of your moisturizing routine.

Suitable for all skin types, these grains will make light work of dry and dead skin, while nourishing and improving surface circulation. Made in combination with finely ground Manor Hall olive oil soap, these facial grains foam nicely as they are worked into your skin, loosening and lifting the dead cells from the surface. Together with soothing oatmeal, skin brightening lemon oil, and the balancing cleanse of rosemary these all natural grains bring a healthy glow, leaving your skin soft and baby smooth.

Take a tablespoon in the palm of one hand and add a little bit of warm water to form a creamy paste. Fingertip massage into wet face avoiding eye area. Gently wipe away with damp face cloth, rinse face, and pat dry with soft towel.

Facial Steaming

2011-06-22T06:14:00.001-04:00

Facial steaming is a natural way of achieving the bright and clear skin we see in magazines, which very often owe thanks to a chemical peel. Steaming removes dead skin cells, and also helps to rehydrate the outer layer of the skin. It's easily done at home, and the benefits are many.

Steaming the face works by sweating the skin, causing the pores to open. The daily assault on the face from dust, dirt, and oil, clogs the pores and leads to breakouts, blackheads, etc. Steam penetrates the face, reaching deep into the pores. It's a once weekly simple cleansing method, that lifts away the deep everyday grime that dulls the skin.

Steaming also revives tired skin, and removes toxins, as well as improving circulation. It is also a great stress relief, and helps tremendously with colds.

Finally Letting the Cat Out

2011-06-18T19:39:00.013-04:00

Okay... this is it. This is the day I've waited for since an idea back in October became a project. I've mentioned the big project by way of a tease in a few previous posts, and although I've enjoyed teasing everyone with it, the reason for the tease is because I've found it very difficult to keep it to myself. The truth is I've been absolutely bursting with it.

I can go on all day and night about how excited I really am, but I'm not going to do. I'm just gonna tell you right now.

Our new web site is coming soon. I wish it was here this very minute to show you, but it's still being tweaked here and there, so you're going to have to settle for a little pictorial history.

So join me for a little trip down memory lane. I warn you, though, whatever went before is not what's coming next...

This is where it all started. We bought the dot com, prepared the basic design for the site, and Jason put this teaser page up. I couldn't stop clicking on the page and ogling it. This was going to be my web site. This was going to be Manor Hall.

The original home page that went live on Day 1 in December of 2005. The soap is Orange Tree Blast. Photographing the soap with the oranges and the mint in a puddle of rain was an absolute blast, if you'll excuse the pun. Take a look at it closely for a moment. It's not a puddle of rain. It's a birdbath in my garden. And the rain? Well, the rain is me holding a garden hose sprinkler from a height like you wouldn't believe... while Jason clicked away.

This was the second home page, circa the end of 2006. This photograph is real. The seagull truly did come down for a look at the Four Seas Spa Bar. The horizon on the bar really did match the horizon in real life. We hadn't touched the photo up other than to add the text. I thought it reflected well the natural philosophy of my soap and skin care products, and so it made the home page.

July 2008. Full website revamp. I've always loved the simplicity of the frame that the three color bands create. It was achieved by design. I've never been very techy, and I've never been ashamed to admit it. We all excel at different things, and I love the way the world works like that. Because of my "shyness" where computers are concerned, I wanted a web site that was as easy as possible to navigate and fun to be on. What I really mean, I suppose, is a web site that I could navigate, and I could have fun on.

And so... where to next? Well, I'm calling it a "return to my roots". What does that mean, exactly? It means you're going to have wait a little bit longer. Did you really think the answer was going to be anything different?

Stay tuned... the launch date is coming.

Trumpet Blare

2011-06-17T13:17:00.004-04:00

Okay... I have been waiting since last November for this day. The "Gathering Speed" announcement will be appearing here very soon. Watch this space!

Succeeding in Small Business Interview

2011-06-14T17:23:00.006-04:00

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of "sitting down" with Jeanne Yocum, a local public relations specialist and ghostwriter, for a Q&A interview on her Succeeding In Small Business blog. It's a great blog for those in business and I've been reading it since I discovered it at the beginning of this year.

With all the goings-on this past couple of weeks, I never managed to post the alert here, so I'm posting it now. So head on over to Succeeding In Small Business and check out my interview there. I really enjoyed answering those questions!

Surrender To Splendor

2011-06-10T08:41:00.004-04:00

I'm pen-pushing this morning. Not my fave thing to do. As soon as I start to do the math, I get Art House soap ideas popping into my head, complete with the most alluring visual images of a new bar!

The Lemon Poppo Mint in the pic above will not leave me alone while I'm clearing the curing shelves of soap to check-in the stock numbers for the website.

Okay, Lemon Poppo Cinderella. You shall go to the Art House ball. Never more will you be just a chip off the old-style block!

Small Act, Big Feeling

2011-06-08T17:21:00.005-04:00

Yesterday morning, I took a box of soaps downtown to help with the tornado relief in Springfield. Many thanks to WWLP and Sy Becker for highlighting me in the brief video above (click to watch!), and how we can all help those in the Springfield and surrounding areas who are in need right now.

Also, deep gratitude to those in the community who are working tirelessly to help, including St. Francis Chapel on Bridge Street in Springfield. This was just my small part.

See You At Whole Foods Tonight

2011-06-06T07:50:00.003-04:00

I will be at The Whole Foods Market "Symphony Store" tonight between 5.00pm and 7.00pm, for their Local "meet and greet" evening. The store is on Westland Avenue in Boston. Come and meet me, let me hand you some samples, and pick up your regular Manor Hall faves right from their shelves. New liquid soap isn't on the website yet, but Symphony Store has it. YAY!

Debris.

2011-06-05T16:00:00.002-04:00

I haven't posted since the day before the tornados ripped through Springfield. I've wanted to, but I haven't quite known where to start. There's been no shortage of things going round in my head, but emotions have been running high in me... and well, it's never a good thing to write on the internet when the heart is holding the brain hostage. I've seen a lot since Wednesday afternoon. Close up... like, real close up.

In the wake of much upset, this morning I moved to a place that I always go to when emotions are difficult for me to handle. It's a place on the floor... cross-legged, behind pen and paper. I so love the comfort of the written word. The blank page I held in my hand brought to mind images from the tornados that tore through our city. Debris. Huge heavy slices of stuff, being puffed around like paper. It's hard to look at debris. It's difficult to comprehend. Debris is one of those words that says a lot... and yet says nothing of what it really is.

Debris.

It's the roof of a house spinning airborne.
It's concrete, in freefall descents.
It's trees slamming up against front doors.
It's glass, sharding classrooms and creche.
It's picket fence impaled through kitchens.
It's bed linen, coddling bare boughs.
It's mail found on lawns many miles away.
It's the whys, and the wherefores and hows.
It's the pleas in the eyes of the helpless.
It's the open mouth stare of aghast.
Much more than six alphabet letters.
It's Debris: wretchedness unsurpassed.

-sm, 6/5/2011

"Debris" flowed with ease from my pen this morning, having watched the video below. Now that it's freed from the dark of my mind, I'm hoping I can concentrate more and put my head back into the soapy stuff.

Last Day First Day

2011-05-31T09:46:00.002-04:00

It's the last day of the month and I've a busy day ahead. I was in the workshop early this morning on a wrapfest and that's gonna be the flavor of the day. I love wrapping the soap bars. It's relaxing, and it's so satisfying to pull them off the shelves and start the prep for cleaning and dressing them.

It's the first of the new month tomorrow. That means it's the web site changeover. Jason will be in the hot seat this evening, so if you're shopping please try to bear that in mind. I've already chosen the order box freebies for June. All made and lined up in their rows. Every one of them ready to do the happy dance as they go into the order boxes.

Website changeover for June, happening this evening. The new month is almost here!

Memorial Day 2011

2011-05-30T15:22:00.002-04:00

Local Night At Whole Foods

2011-05-26T19:51:00.001-04:00

Another shipment of Manor Hall will soon be on its way to Whole Foods Market Symphony Store in Boston. I've also been invited to their local evening, taking place on June 6th. I will be there between 5.00pm and 7.00pm, handing out samples and meeting and greeting customers. I'd love to say hello to you if you're in the area, so mark your calendars and I'll see you there!

Art House of Almonds

2011-05-23T18:47:00.005-04:00

Meet House Of Almonds. Layered in pink and cream, with swirls of every shade between. She holds plenty sweet almond oil to keep skin feeling soft, and a beautiful scent that could never be mistaken for anything else.

Curing now and available to buy on June 3rd, 2011.

How It's Done: Rainy Day Sunrise Part 4

2011-05-19T23:23:00.017-04:00

This is Rainy Day Sunrise Part 4. If you missed Parts 1, 2 or 3, you can grab Part 1 here, Part 2 here and Part 3 here.

Okay, so here's the great slab of soap. Since unmolding, it has sat on the prep shelf for a further 24 hours. This time varies from soapmaker to soapmaker, but I find that a further 24 hours gives me a drier product to work with. In the photo, you can clearly see the end result of the bamboo skewer. I'm pondering. Maybe when I make this batch the next time, I might swap the finery of the skewer for the handle of wooden spoon. I think I'd have preferred a good blaze of white rather than the delicate streaking the soap has now revealed.

Time to break out another one of my complicated tools... otherwise known as a guitar wire. I'm slicing the slab of soap into logs. The mold I'm using at the moment yields four from each batch, which is three twangs of the guitar wire. I'll be showing you how to rig this nifty little tool up for yourself in an upcoming post. For slicing logs, it's a breeze!

The beautiful moment of the long awaited cut. It's the first peek inside, and I'm well pleased. You can see that the orange main body has given way to a golden yellow. It will morph a little more yet. I'm absolutely thrilled with the white I layered on top. Looking at it, I think I was right ditching the orange line. This bar is Rainy Day Sunrise and the rain flows freely from the skies above. For me, an orange line would have created a hardness when I really wanted to portray free flowing without restraint.

The row of freshly cut logs. The mold I'm using at the moment yields four from each batch. I really do like the white line sitting underneath the ripples that I painted on top. It is rather like water with its gentle wave of movement.

With each log standing upright on the workbench, I like to shave the corners off the long sides of the top. This is called "bevelling". Bevelling is used in many different ways by soapmakers. Some will shave their bars along four sides. Some will shave their bars along every edge they can see. For my Art House Soaps, I just like to create a little roof on top of them. Angled like a wooden picture frame, it's the finishing touch for the canvas I've been working on.

Now comes the feeling of the adrenaline rush that you get when riding the steep hill of a rollercoaster. I'm just getting to the top of it and as I push the blade down to make the first slice of soap, I'm finally gonna get to see what it really looks like inside. I know the barbecue skewer worked and I also know that the lines were fine ones, but has every line I drew worked? Did the skewer go far enough down every time I used it? Fingers crossed as the roller coaster peaks the crest and heads for the descent.

Oh yes, full tummy turnover! The canvas is hung on the wall. It looks good close up, and with a few steps back I'm happy with what I've painted. It's an Art House Soap. It's Rainy Day Sunrise and I've portrayed it wonderfully. And you know what? I don't think I'm going to be using the broad brush of a wooden handled spoon next time. I think the finery from the bamboo skewer has given me the nice flowing fall of rain. What does the artist in you say?

How It's Done: Rainy Day Sunrise Part 3

2011-05-18T22:30:00.009-04:00

This is Rainy Day Sunrise Part 3. If you missed Part 1 and/or Part 2, you can grab Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

Picking up now from yesterday's Part 2 post, I'm going back to one of the two jugs that contain the reserved color from the pan that held the main body of the soap. I'm gonna add some more turmeric to it. I'm looking for a deeper color to contrast with the color of the main body pour-off in the other jug. I really like this shot, by the way. It's a true action shot of me stirring like crazy with a stainless steel teaspoon.

Believe it or not, after a minute or two of stirring feverishly, this is the color I end up with. It's going straight into another one of those complicated tools, otherwise known as a squeezy ketchup bottle. Love the way it actually looks like ketchup, wouldn't you say?

And here is the partner to the ketchup bottle. Yes, it's the mustard bottle. And what have we got sitting on the wax covered countertop? That's right, a drop from the pour of the jug containing the reserved main body soap. At the moment, it would appear that one is a bright red ketchup color, and the other reflects the color of the mustard bottle. Don't be fooled... these colors will have changed dramatically in less than 24 hours. In soapmaking, we refer to this as "color morphing".

Okay... this is more like it. This is what I've waited for. And if you think you've waited, believe me when I say the less than 15 minutes it took me to get to this stage from the first trace felt like 15 days. I'm getting jiggy with the ketchup, and it's feeling good.

Now I'm getting jiggy with the mustard, and it's feeling even better.

And here's the long shot. Oh, I'm loving it now!

And I bet you thought I'd finished! If you look at the spatula spoon, you'll see a totally different color. It's the creamy colored soap that I decided to leave a little bit in the bottom of the poured off white colored soap jug. You see, when I changed my mind about the colored line, what I didn't tell you was that in making the snap decision to abandon the idea, it was because I'd decided to drizzle the top with white. In my head, the vision of my original drawing suddenly changed. I considered that a darker orange line would fight with a white drizzle. Take note of the four cheese pizza sitting in the mold, and remember what I said about "morphing".

36 hours later... and here's what I've got when I've turned it out of its wooden box. Suddenly not looking like a four cheese pizza anymore. And look at the main body. Not exactly the same bright orange that it was when it first hit the bottom of the mold. But hey... have you noticed the work of my trusty bamboo skewer? Just wait until tomorrow, when we get to log it up and slice it into bars...

Almost there! Come catch Part 4 here.

How It's Done: Rainy Day Sunrise Part 2

2011-05-17T19:22:00.012-04:00

This is Rainy Day Sunrise Part 2. In case you missed Part 1, you can catch up here.

So as you'll remember from yesterday, I reserved a jug from the pan containing the main body of the soap, which is orange, but will turn yellow as the curing stage gets underway. I've now got a smaller jug and I'm splitting it in half and setting both aside. This is still a thin trace. I need it thin like this so I can play later.

Here we have the main body of the soap sitting in the mold. I helped the trace thicken a little bit by stick blending the turmeric when I added it to the pan. The main body has sat for about ten minutes while it thickened even more. To the right is the jug of creamy white soap I reserved at the very beginning before I added the color. This too has thickened.

At this point I made a snap decision against the dark orange stripe I originally intended for the bar, and went straight to the next layer. My Art House soaps develop as they go along, often into something I could have never put on paper. My original drawing serves as just a guide to keep the creativity reigned in, yet allowing my mind to run free.

Here I am carefully pouring the white soap on top of the main body, over the back of a spatula spoon. I have the spoon very low to stop the white from sinking into the orange. This is a really fun stage and I love it.

I'm working around the sides of the mold here until eventually I end up in the center. I'm trying to keep it level without being perfect about it. It's really like pouring cream on top of black coffee, but on a bigger scale. I always loved doing that as a kid.

For this next stage I'm using the great complicated tool otherwise known as a barbecue skewer. I'm pushing it through the soap, dragging a little of the white through the orange, in a straight line. I'm hoping this will give a nice "trickle" effect inside the cut soap.

Now it's feeling good! Evidence. I can see that it's worked. If there's orange being dragged out at the end of every line, that means I've pushed a little of the white down. I've not even started to play yet, and already my excitement levels are up.

And this is what I leave you with today. We've still got another half to a quarter inch of the mold left to get really creative with. It's looking nice and level (thank you new workbench!) and the soap has really behaved itself. I already know it's gonna feel great to use.

So, what have we got now? We're down to two jugs of orange soap that I split in half from the one big jug that I poured off from the pan way back at the beginning. Tomorrow I'll be getting my little artist beret on while I start to paint. I'll see you then...

Oooh, look! Part 3 can be found right here.

How It's Done: Rainy Day Sunrise Part 1

2011-05-16T23:45:00.024-04:00

I thought I'd really let you in behind the scenes. This is a new era for me and Manor Hall Soap. A number of you have been with me from the beginning and know Rainy Day Sunrise has been here since then. This is the journey of the new Art House style Rainy Day Sunrise, which will be replacing the classic style bar.

The above pic shows my worksheet, which contains my "artist's rendering" (in this case a conception of the new bar) together with some of the key ingredients, such as infused olive oil, and turmeric, which you can just barely see behind the sheet. The pot on the extreme left is the essential oil blend of lemon, may chang and rosemary.

My collection of tools for the job, white spatulas and barbecue skewers. Believe it or not, every one of these will probably get used for the one bar.

This is me standing at my workbench. I'm never out of these pink and black boots while I'm working. Or the striped socks. I usually push my toes under the bottom of the bench. Don't ask me why... it's a comfort thing.

Jug of lye meet pan of melted oils. They call it the "cold process" or "cold kettle" method of soapmaking, but these components are usually around 120 degrees Fahrenheit when they're added together. Soapmakers have their own favorite temperature, depending on their recipe. For me, I liked around 120 degrees for the classic soap bar batches. Because I want to be able to play more with the soap, the Art House bars are being soaped at just under 100.

I've used a stick blender to get it to a light trace. Trace is the stage where the mixture leave a "trace" on the side of the pan. The consistency of a trace is often described as being like mayonnaise. I don't want mine like mayonnaise for the Art House style because I want to be able to get artistic with the soap and I don't want it setting up fast on me. I'm pouring off the creamy white soap into a jug which I'll be using later on when I start layering.

Here, you can see the very light trace on the side of the pan. I'm mixing in some turmeric to give the soap a nice light yellow cast. I've added it to small amount of olive oil to help it blend into the soap easier.

I've poured off a jug of the colored soap and I'm reserving it to use later when I start painting with it. Although this looks bright orange, the color will fade as the soap cures and hopefully it's going to leave me with a pale yellow.

This is the rest of the soap in the pot and this will be the main body of the batch. I'm pouring it into the mold and as you can see, I've got another inch in the mold to play with.

So here's what we've got so far. Two jugs of soap reserved, one creamy white and one pale yellow (eventually). The main body of the soap is sitting in the mold, and there's an inch or so for me to play artist with. I'll see you tomorrow as I begin the next stage of Art House style Rainy Day Sunrise soap...

Never fear, Part 2 is here.

Gathering Speed

2011-05-13T18:01:00.003-04:00

The new Art House style soap making is really underway, and they'll be appearing on the website as each classic style flavor is sold out. The new soaps weigh more at 5 ounces each. They're noticeably chunkier and feel absolutely great sitting in the hand. I've been able to buy my ingredients in larger quantities, and this has meant that I can pass the savings on to you. The cost per ounce will drop from $1.46 per ounce, down to $1.27. I feel really good about being able to do that.

I've always been one to lead, and this means moving with the times... or even keeping ahead of them. The big project that's been happening here behind the scenes all year is really gathering speed now. Like many projects, there are phases to implement as it all gets brought together in one conclusion. Back in February when we opened the new workshop, a phase of the project got underway. I reformulated a few products from my product line. Packaging styles come and go, ingredients increase in price due to natural disasters, and new ingredients become more desired as suppliers bring the latest and greatest to market. I'm thrilled with the new formulas, and also the new packaging and label design that will be accompanying their launch.

The first of the new formulations to make their debut on the website will be liquid soap and shampoo. For now, they are all marked out of stock and their pages are being prepared for their launch. More news on this will follow later in the month as production of them nears completion.

Brand new products have also been decided on, and these are in production too as we get set to make the summer one to remember.

Sadly, a few products will be making their goodbyes. This has been the hardest of all the decision making for me. I can't possibly keep my blooms in continual growth without pruning a little. One of the first to go will be the SinkSiders foaming hand soap. It's been a tough decision, but the bottles that were once affordable, no longer are. At 16 ounces, these bottles are also huge and with subsidizing shipping the way that I do, I take a serious hit on costs. I'm looking for a smaller 8 ounce bottle in the hope of bringing them back one day. But for now, they are making their goodbye as soon as they are sold out.

This is an exciting time for me right now. I'm enjoying the tease as I make my announcements. Over the course of the next four weeks I'll be making other announcements... and then I get to unveil the biggie with everyone. I don't know how I'm gonna stay quiet for so long!

Shout About Your Blog Day

2011-05-11T06:16:00.004-04:00

Here we are again. Come one, come all! If you blog, I'm inviting you to come on over and tell us all about it. Boast, brag, shout it loud, shout it proud. Many of you have blogs and many of them are unsung. From embroidery through to rock climbing. From baking through to belly dancing. From budding author through to poodle parlors. From photography through to coupon finders. From lipstick though to the best shoes ever!

Whatever your passion is, whatever you blog about... today is your day here at the Manor. Share your blog, share your passion. Today is Shout About Your Blog Day. Come on over to our facebook page. Make sure to Like us, and then let the world know you're out there.

Wednesday May 11th, 2011. Shout About Your Blog Day. All day long. You're invited. Come Like, and come share. Come Shout About!

Gallery - Lime 'n Thyme O'Lyptus

2011-05-10T10:42:00.001-04:00

A Sneak Peek Into What's to Come

2011-05-06T12:26:00.009-04:00

I'm smack in the middle of a long SoapFest. It's part of the reason I had to bring my annual May family break forward at short notice. I'm sharing here with you a small slice of change which will be taking place behind the scenes of my little soap empire as a large project nears its end and starts to gather speed.

Last October, plans for a huge project here were drawn up. With growth you cannot stay where you are. We had initially slated spring as the launch date for the project but as December got underway, having Manor Hall on the shelves of Whole Foods Market meant the project had to take a back seat for eight weeks in order for the workshop renovation to take place.

Workshop completed, we got back on track as we opened in February. Part of the project is a complete new look for the soap bars. I've enjoyed the Art House soaps this past year. It gives me a chance to be creative in my work, but it was always meant to be a place for one-off limited editions, where when I had time to myself on a day off I could still enjoy my creativity without it having to be work.

Over the coming weeks you will notice the classic soap bars steadily being replaced with the look and style of my Art House collection. This is me. It's who I am. It's what I enjoy the most. I love making soap. I love making good soap. I believe it to be the best. In the beginning, my wax wrapped jackets were beautiful. There was nothing like it out there in the hand made arena back in 2004, but as each year of Manor Hall has gone by, I've found it harder and harder to keep up with the wrapping. I even got The Barbara wrapping them too and she grew the nimble fingers over last summer.

Then came mid-October and the run up to the Holiday season was upon us. Even with me and Barbara on serious late night wrap fests, I found myself having to train Jason. That was absolutely ridiculous. He's the techy guy, and if he's wrapping... he isn't available for the many demands that the techy stuff requires. I try to run a tight ship, and pride myself on customer service. Something had to give, and give fast. Manor Hall had to grow, and that meant a few changes.

Today I'm unveiling the first of a series of exciting changes for me and The Manor. New style Classic soap bars are making their debut soon. The size has increased. Soap bars will now be weighing in at around 5 full ounces instead of 4. This means, despite a small price increase, more soap for your purchase... and in turn means less on shipping for you. The packaging will also be new, to more suit the style of bar.

Meet Sweet Neem. She is absolutely beautiful. Kind and soft in the extreme. Calmingly layered, she's swirled on top in her true beauty. Soft and gentle doesn't have to be plain and boring. Enjoy her soothing kiss on your delicate skin.

Music To Soap By - The Supremes

2011-04-27T14:49:00.009-04:00

It's happening. It's been gathering speed all week long, and it's happening. What's happening? The Happening, that's what's happening.

William and Kate!!! The happening couple. And I am so happening with it.

Okay, hands up... full admission here from yours truly. I am a soft mush at heart. I am so feeding into this wedding it's unreal. I'm having one long snackie party come Thursday night that's gonna stretch right through till late Friday night at least!

I did invite The Barbara, but she isn't getting here til Saturday. 'Course, I know she really loves her sleep too much. She's not fooling me with her "Oh, I can't make it I have commitments on Thursday and Friday." It's not washing with me. Lemme tell you... she ain't no 5.00am in the morning person that one isn't. Yah boo!

So, with Jason being cut from the same cloth as his mom, I'm gonna camp out in front of the telly alone with an assortment of English triangle butties filled with ham, eggs, tuna, roast beef and much much more. English scones with strawberry jam and Kerrygold butter, too many Cadbury chocolate bars to count, and an absolute mound of cream cakes. That's "fresh cream" cakes, and not the adulterated variety with sugar, or confectioners powder, or any other kind of whipped cream. Nope... fresh cream, whipped stiff the way we have it in England. And it's gonna feel great with a non stop supply of my fave staple drink... Tetley tea, milk, with no sugar please!

So, raise your glasses to the royal couple with me. On loop all through this evening while I'm packing the order boxes is this one, and I dedicate it to William and Kate. May they both enjoy many happening years together. And although the lyrics may make it seem a strange song to dedicate to the Royal couple, you know what? They split... and they just couldn't say goodbye to what they had found together. It happened... get over it media. What they've got is working for them. Roll on 4.00am Friday morning. Roll on The Happening!

I'm fancy footworking it all across the packing room floor to the loop. Wherever you are, whatever your happening is... let your hair loose some and yell out the whole nine yards with me.

The Supremes, 1967 - The Happening

Trumpet Blare

2011-04-26T21:42:00.003-04:00

Every year I always take a two week family break towards the end of May. I do believe family is important, and even moreso when you're at the helm of a growing business. It's all too easy to get wrapped up in days that are as long as 21 hours straight. Okay... those kinds of days for me only happen when I'm balancing things that are exciting to say the least. And only then when I need to keep on track as big projects approach completion date. If you're following on Facebook you will have noticed that Sunday was one of those 21 straight hour days for me. Believe me when I say that I truly enjoyed every minute of my sleep last night!

As is the norm here, I will be combining my usual May family time with work behind the scenes. This year though, I'm having to bring my break forward. I have a completion date approaching for a major Manor Hall project we began while the workshop was being renovated over the Christmas family break. There have been three target dates to this project so far and we've hit every one of them on time.

The next target date was set to coincide with the scheduled family break in late May, after which would come the completion of the project that I so want to shout out loud. With every intention in the world, I was set to take my family time from May 20th for the usual two weeks. But this project is too big to get behind on, so I'm having to bring my break forward if I want to be able to enjoy that time.

I was planning on making the coming weekend a four day weekend because of the royal wedding, which I just have to watch on telly. I haven't been invited, but I'm not offended. It makes sense to me that if I'm gonna be bringing my break forward, I might as well incorporate the days that were gonna see the office closed anyway. So, from Thursday 28th at 5.00pm, I will be closing the office for family break and re-opening on Monday May 16th.

I will of course still be here behind the scenes and you can keep up with what's happening on the blog, on Twitter and on the Facebook page. Orders placed before the office closes will of course be packed and shipped without a problem.

Earth Day Triple Play

2011-04-20T17:23:00.002-04:00

Friday is Earth Day and to celebrate, there's a Two Day Sale going on at the Manor. From now until Friday the 22nd at midnight, buy two of anything on the website, and get a third for free. Yes, that's right... buy two of your Manor Hall Earth-friendly favorites, and get another one free.

Simply enter 2 in the quantity box when making your purchase, and we'll throw a third one of the same product in your order box. For every two you buy, we'll give you a third.

Just use coupon code "EARTHDAY" at checkout to claim your triple play. (Sorry, no mixing and matching flavors)

And don't forget... you still get the April order box freebies, and shipping's still only $6.00 to anywhere in the U.S.!

How's that for an Earth Day celebration? Have a great one!

Five Soap Vanity Jar

2011-04-19T20:53:00.003-04:00

Keep Manor Hall on standby with this pretty glass jar filled with five half sized bars of Classic soap. The jar has a snug fitting seal to make sure the scent stays put, so that when you or your guests reach in to break open a bar, it's still as fresh as the moment it was wrapped.

Each hand cut bar weighs between 1.8 oz to 2.0 oz. All are individually wrapped and labeled complete with ingredients. The only thing left for you to do, is decide which cutie is going to be the flavor on your sink.

Digitally Yours

2011-04-13T22:20:00.004-04:00

Nunzio Bruno, the man behind Financially Digital (not just another financial and tech blog) out of the Greater Springfield Area, has just put up his latest interview - me. You should head on over there and check it out.

But don't think it's just a boring number-cruncher of an article. Far from it. It's yet another glimpse into my crazy soapmaking world.

And in addition to interesting interviews, Nunzio writes about technology and social media, and even dispenses useful everyday advice like what to do with your tax return.

So click away and get a little more of the story behind your Lady of the Manor.

Curing Shelf News

2011-04-12T08:18:00.003-04:00

Over the weekend I did my usual curing shelves check for the soaps that are reaching their due dates. There are three bars that were set to reach their curing dates this week. Spearmint Grapefruit, Carrot Complexion, and Sweet Neem.

It's normally a safe bet to estimate curing, but the percentage of olive oil used in the Spearmint Grapefruit and the Sweet Neem means that these two soaps are needing every day of their four to six week curing time. I'm never in a rush to push soap out of the door until it is ready. I like a harder bar, and so these two faves will not be back in stock until the end of the month. My apologies if you've been waiting on them.

It's not all bad news though. The Carrot Complexion bar will be back in stock as planned on Friday the 15th. And some new soaps will be hitting the website later this week. Yay!

Gallery - She She Shea and Lavender

2011-04-10T23:03:00.002-04:00