Love in the Bubble

Because life in my bubble is that good.

Jan 11

Hope and Trust and Pixie Dust

by denaige

FairyVillage.com 'Pixie Dust Fairy' by Julie FainI wouldn’t be able to recite all the words from the Peter Pan movie but I can tell you it’s message.  In life we all need a little magic, faith and hopefullness.  For us, we get that feeling every time we go to the Bubble Room.  With shelf upon shelf filled with an assortment of herbs, spices, essential oils, clays, colours, waxes and glitter, it’s hard not to feel creative and inspired.

We hope that we can build our company into the shining star we see it as.  We trust that all things happen as they should, whether the reasons are understood or not, and we put a little Pixie Dust (love) into everything we do. 

This room seems to be like life to me.  A hodge-podge of issues, some of them way back on the shelves behind other issues, with which we must deal with on a daily basis.  To make it through life we need to have the same hope that our lives will fulfill our dreams and trust that this will happen in due time.  Our lives need love too – because without the love and passion to bring any idea or hope to fruition, there just isn’t enough to get the job done.

So today, as we all head out into chilly winter air I hope you all know that some of my pixie dust is with you.  Have a beautiful day!

Bubble Hut Rants & Raves

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Jan 10

Day One of 30 Day Yoga Challenge

by denaige

This morning I woke up feeling tired, congested and water logged.  I think that I am fighting off a cold but the fact that I have a yoga addiction in the works plays a factor too.  My two week trial at a yoga studio in the city has run out and although I love a few of the instructors, I have decided to move my practice to a new studio closer to home.

So today, after fighting with computers and weigh scales with dead batteries, I finished my work and was off to town to run errands.  Outside of the house the world was still against me and my errands took 3x longer than expected.  Feeling confident that I was going to miss the 1:00 yoga class that I had originally planned on attending, I was excited to find that the class didn’t start until 1:30 and I was good to go!

So I quickly signed up for the 30 day challenge, changed into my tank top and capri’s (leg’s are still to jiggly to bare any further), and hit the mat.  The heat of the room blasted into my skin, setting me to ‘glow’ instantly.  Sinking into the mat I allowed myself to feel every kink and pressure point, knowing that every day would be a step forward from this point.  Right shoulder, left hip – that was all I was aware of for the next 10 minutes as I concentrated on slowing and deepening my breath. 

I was enjoying the moment of peacefulness, and somewhat more relaxed feeling, of this new yoga studio when the voice of Amy flowed over me like a warm waterfall.  Could it be?  The very same Amy from my city studio – the one who speaks so perfectly clearly and soothingly?  It was.  Perhaps this was meant to be after all.

The class felt like heaven.  Sweat rolled from my forehead, making visible droplets on my non-skid towel and providing me with continual satisfaction.  Day one – done.  Happiness ensues.

Road to Fitness

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Jan 1

New Year and New Wishes!

by denaige

ImageNever more than on the first day of the year is there so much promise for things to come.  We each have the same amount of time in this year but who will do the most with that time?  365 days to make a difference, create a change, put your mark on the world.

On this last day of the year I heard a great saying that I will carry with me for some time, “Reduce what you have, minimize what you want.”  This thought is a reflection of how we will start this new year.  As we clean house, purge our home of extra’s and prepare for a big move we are very aware that this is the time to rethink and reprioritize our lives.

2012 is sure to be a year of change but we would like it to also be a year of discovery and joy.  From us to you, we wish you all the positive energy and warm thoughts you need to create your own changes in 2012.  Enjoy your 365 days – every one.

Rants & Raves

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Dec 12

The Ongoing Road to Fitness

by denaige

We’re 25 minutes into our 60 minute date.  Only there are no flowers, no wine, and definitely no creamy carbohydrates in sight.  Instead there is the youthful, smiling face of my PF (personal fitness) instructor.  She is all smiley and happy – and why wouldn’t she be?  She sits on the bench cheerily encouraging me to do, ‘just six more!’

I know that I signed up for the PF program but somewhere along the line I thought that it would be at my pace, not that of some 18 year old gym goddess.  Really, she isn’t 18 but rather closer to 25 and she’s really a very nice person.  Unfortunately, as my right calf begins to charley horse and my hips are only 1/2 an inch off the ground instead of 6, I don’t see her as a vision of light and happiness.

Sweat rolls into my eyes and doesn’t sting like I thought it would.  The material of my fuschia t-shirt, which by the way seems to be the favorite colour of ladies 25-50, is wet and sticking to my lower back as I trudge through the sets designed to give me a great body.  I finish round one with not too much trouble.  My PF is considerate since I’m not wearing a sports bra and forgoes the jumping for today.  She gets her revenge though. 

At the end, when I am near tears because my legs simply do not want to hover just off the floor anymore, she is still all smiley.  I think she works part time at Disneyland – isn’t that the happiest place on earth?  With encouragement, I manage to finish my set, the big ball passed from feet to hands and back again with neither feet nor hands touching the floor.  My technique is shameful but I did it and that feels good.

It’s easy to make a commitment to others but making a commitment to yourself can be challenging.  Nobody really gives you the gears if you give up but in the end upholding that commitment to yourself feels 10x better than anything.  So with that in mind I will be back for another round of punishment on Friday and I don’t really mind.

Road to Fitness

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Dec 10

Secrets to Beautiful Skin – How to Make Your Skin Smooth and Silky

by denaige

With growing frequency people are commenting on the softness and fine texture of my skin.  This seems a little odd to me since I never really thought of my skin as anything extraordinary.  As my age increases however, I am beginning to notice that my skin remains plump, fine and youthful looking (minus a couple age spots!).  This photo is an un-retouched photo of me in December 2011 (I am 37.5 years old).

When traveling we often hear comments about how women in Canada can be recognized by their skin.  To others it is softer, smoother and of a finer texture than our southern neighbours which are exposed to a greater amount of sun (yay for cold weather!)

With that said, I still get comments from Canadian women about my skin.  So here is the scoop on what I do!

1) Wash skin 2x a day with a gentle cleanser.

I ALWAYS have a bar of Angel Baby Soap which I use at night to wash my face.  My morning wash is when I demo competitors’ products.  This gives me a chance to feel it on my skin and see what I like or don’t like about it.  See more in a future post.

2) Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.

My ritual is to apply a moisturizer with an SPF of 15 in the morning.  I don’t really like the feel of the SPF so if I am not going out for the day I will forgo this and use a face oil.  I am addicted to our Elixir XXII.  One try and you will understand.  I secretly think this is the only part of my skin care regime that really matters.

At night I apply a thick face cream.  I usually use Original Clean but also demo other products at this time.  Regardless, night time is when skin rejuvenates so put it on ladies!

3)  Special treatment.

Twice a week after I shower and my pores are open I slather (literally, slather) Elixir XXII on my face, shoulders and neck.  Then I hop back onto my bed and read a book for ½ an hour while it soaks in.  I rub it in every 5 or 10 minutes and hit the rest of my day.  If I am going out then I will towel any extra off but if it’s a day when I won’t see anyone then I let it continue to soak in as I do my work.

 

Bubble Hut

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Dec 5

The Beautiful Difference Between Him and I

by denaige

The partnership I have with my husband is unique.  We met, and fell in love, while working together and after a few years of working at different places, we are once again working together with Bubble Hut.

We both have retained our day jobs and choose to use part time help to support our second full time job of running this company.  We love it and it’s a good thing too since it takes up all our hours from 5pm to 12am on most nights.

That said, there are a few things that are too funny not to share so I will in my brief glimpse at what makes a beautiful difference between him and I.  I love you Keith and am so happy you are taking this journey with me!

Him Me
Thinks all things have a process which should be defined, ad nauseum Believe that only a couple of things require that much attention, and none of them in the soap room
Is irritated by confusion and noise Finds creative genius amongst the ruckus
Would do well at the 4pm geriatric buffet Is inspired at about 11pm and tries to sneak into bed without disturbing HIM at 3:30am
Is right too often for ME to hassle him too much Argues a good point until my last dying breath
Could find his way home from Ottawa blindfolded in a snowstorm Requires GPS directions after being spun in the driveway a couple times
Is distressed at the lack of quality our packaging has when he follows MY directions for filling with paper shred Needs to accept that ‘pack it well’ means a whole different thing to HIM than it does to me

Bubble Hut

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Nov 22

Gift of Health

by denaige

I have a fat butt.  This is the truth and not just some self-depricating, unfounded comment.  Now my hunny likes my butt the way it is, but I would like to see it a little trimmer, thank you very much.  So is this going to happen on it’s own?  Not a chance.  I thought maybe it would so I’ve spent the past few years letting it do it’s thing, but (lol, take the pun if you like) since I don’t like it’s own thing I need to step in.

Actually, I need to step it up.  I don’t make time for fitness.  It has always been on the back burner, waiting for the schedule to be free.  I used to really enjoy biking, running, yoga, pilates and hiking.  But I lost the groove after getting into a happy relationship.  The Alberta weather didn’t help either (I’m a BC girl).   So what’s a girl to do?  I enlisted the help of my daughter to give us each the ‘gift of health’.  I am refering to it as a gift because I like presents and this one makes me feel good.

I started at a local gym a couple weeks ago and have about 6 sessions under my belt.  At just 5’4″ tall I weigh in at about 140lbs.  My health issues over the past few years have made my weight bounce from a low of 117lbs to a high of 154lbs.  Right now I don’t mind my size and shape, but I do want to get it all tightened up.  So I found a great location where I got a run through of all the equipment, instructions for use and an outline of what I should be doing.

The personal trainer that I paid for missed our first appointment, then I got a flat tire on the night of our re-book, so I am looking forward to getting this scheduled finally since it will help with the overall plan.  Since starting working out on an ‘official’ basis, I feel better.  I feel prettier, sexier, stronger and like I got some of my will power back.  I am unhappy when I can’t make it to the gym in a day and can honestly say that I look forward to the days when I can go. 

This has been the best gift that I have ever given myself and I am looking forward to the next few months as I begin to transform in the person I think I should look like.  I hope you spend some time checking out my progress and sharing with me how you manage your fitness!  If you aren’t giving yourself the gift of health then I recommend you do.  It really is a wonderful thing! 

Just to put it out there… my goal is tight and trim by my birthday in April with a balanced weight of 126-132 pounds (depending on musculature).  yikes!  now I really have to do it!!

Road to Fitness

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Nov 22

Stretching is Not Always Good!

by denaige

I love yoga,  in fact when I was in a car accident in my younger days the only thing that got me moving around again was yoga.  So stretching is good.  Stretch marks – BAD! 

Like my love of yoga, only a ka-zillion times more powerful, is my love for our daughter.  Unfortunately, her birth required a lot of effort on my part and the help of some powerful medications to keep her inside!  The result was a 70+ pound weight gain and stretch marks that literally make people stop to stare.   I actually was asked one time if I was attacked by a bear.  Not a happy day.

During my pregnancy I slathered by body with Olive Oil to try and keep it moist and supple… no go – although I have heard it work for others (secretly I think they wouldn’t have gotten any in the first place!)  So it is because of this that I decided to make an oil that helped to alleviate stretch marks and stop them from forming in the first place.  Enter Elixir XXII.  The name is simple… and elixir is a fluid with great powers and twenty-two is my favorite number.  The oil itself is a blend of all things wonderful:

  • sweet almond, jojoba, apricot kernal, avocado and kukui nut oil (just some of the rich and moisturizing oils inside)
  • rosehip oil and camellia oil for added skin rejeuvenation
  • neroli, helichrysum, palmarosa essential oils

Together this combination provides the nutrients to restore skin to its finest, help promote cellular regeneration and soften skin to a silky finish.  The scent of the oil relaxes me almost instantly and although I originally intended for this oil to be used primarily as a face and stretch mark oil, I find that I use a few drops in the tub to soften the water (and my legs) as well as a whole body after shower moisture treatment.

I encourage all the ladies who are looking to fortify their skin care regime with natural and effective products to take a look at this body and bath oil.  It is delicious :)

Bubble Hut

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Nov 22

What’s in my Bubble?

by denaige

Recently I was having a conversation with my husband about the blog and how it relates to the company.  I almost want to have two blogs – one for me as a person and another for the business, but the truth is there just isn’t enough time to do a good job of them both.  So we decided that the company newsletter, which Keith issues, will cover the news of the business and free up the blog space to be a little more personal.

This is great news for me!  So what exactly IS in my bubble?  My bubble is a pretty enchanted place.  I live in a rural area south of Edmonton and work two jobs, plus am a mom, volunteer and wife.  My life is crazy busy, like most of ours are, and my biggest challenge is finding time for it all.  Here is a quick run down on my bubble:

Bubble Hut - my first company and true love.  Bubble Hut is all about good quality products that are safe, fun and skin friendly.  Check out the story to how I got into soapmaking here.  The focus of the company now is to grow enough to sustain a storefront.  We are planning for this within the next two years but it hinges on a couple of key things:

1.  we must move closer to the city

2.  we must have the capital to float the business for the first year

So with our eyes on the prize, we are diligently working to make these two things happen.

Sotera Safety - this is my second company and it pays the bills.  I am a consultant to over 10 companies and I love some aspects of the work just as much as soapmaking so it has been impossible for me to choose one over the other.  Recently I found a joy for building training programs and I intend to continue this as Bubble Hut grows and takes over my time.  The two will work well as the office space in Bubble Hut’s building can be used as my work space for Sotera.

Home – I love my family most of all and making sure there is time to dedicate to our daughter, my husband, our home, our friends and our interests is always a challenge.  We are a talkative family and like to play games together (boardgames, Wii, etc.) and watch a ton of movies.  Keith builds a theater room in every house we ever have and it is well used!  Our daughter is in grade 9 so the teenaged years have arrived – a big part of my bubble.  A couple of dogs and a few cats, and nearby friends and family are all in the bubble too!

So I hope you enjoy the personal view of the blog and that it keeps you up to date on us AND our bubble.

Up Close & Personal

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Nov 22

Christmas Spirit

by denaige

I am usually the first one in my family to get into the ‘spirit’ of things.  I decorate in November, can’t help but give the gift as soon as it is wrapped, and insist on having all the family sit down at one big table with REAL dishes.  Thankfully, my family loves me the way I am and takes it all in stride. 

We celebrate customs from a variety of faiths and don’t subscribe to any one way.  During the holidays I use ‘Merry Christmas’ and ‘Happy Holidays’ interchangeably, never giving it too much thought until recently I have noticed a wave of attention being given to the political correctness of ‘Happy Holidays’. 

For me, as a multi-faith person, Merry Christmas applies to the days and weeks around Christmas, to the exclusion of New Years; whereas ‘Happy Holidays’ encompasses Christmas Day, New Years and all other special days in and around November, December and January.  My use of ‘Happy Holidays’ isn’t to be politically correct, it is to cover a wider range of dates and activities.

The most important thing for my family at this time of year is to appreciate our family, our friends, our loved ones and to take things down a notch to remember all the wonderful things they represent.

For some people Christmas is a truly religious observance but for many others it has become this and so much more.  I choose to embrace the Christmas spirit for what it means to me and my family.  Regardless of my thoughts leading up to the season, the reason, I think, is the same.

  • Family
  • Love
  • Respect
  • Patience
  • Thankfulness
  • Joyfulness
  • Connection to Community
  • Faith

Up Close & Personal

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