Thursday, December 9, 2010

We have a WINNER! (three actually!)

I tricked you when I said I was picking A winner for these earrings by Trillium....I'm picking three! Thanks to everyone who submitted your favorite holiday traditions. I chose my three favorites...and here they are:

#1 Jen for her tradition
"My favorite tradition is being Elfy and Elfo with my sister for our 2 nieces. For the past 10 years Elfy and Elfo (2 of Santa's elves) have been sending and leaving little gifts for Maya and Grace during the several weeks leading up to Christmas." Thanks for sharing Jen! And thank you for teaching me the word/name Elfo...I plan on using it. A lot. I also have to admit, that when I went to your blog to find your contact info, I came across this photo of Mr. T. Quite frankly, Mr. T tipped the scales in your winning direction.

best. costume. ever.

Winner #2 Gets these great gold dangles...drum roll please.....Myisha! You Win! I loved your tradition of picking themes for the celebration. Great idea.

And our last (but not least) winner is Celeste B. Celeste won these snowflake earrings from Trillium. Her winning tradition is dressing up her dog Ollie in sweaters, drinking hot cider, and listening to non-traditional Christmas music. I love it!
So...big winners, message me with your address and I'll send you your prizes.
Happy Holidays Everyone!

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Field Trip!

Today I headed out to Olde Burien to visit some of my old friends and sell Sweet Petula at a trunk show. Olde Burien is where my first shop was located. I love Olde Burien! People who don't know about this great little area are often shocked at how cool it is. I have such good memories of this neighborhood. My trunk show was at Zizia, which is the old Sweet Petula. The photo above is of the Danish Bakery mascot, which is directly next door....dangerous.
(fyi: this is one of the best places within miles of Seattle to buy a birthday cake...the only trick is convincing the owner, Lola, to make it!)
Zizia
827 SW 152nd street
Olde Burien, Washington 98168
(for the record I HATE the "Olde"...it was "Old" for years. We voted. My side didn't win. I hate the "Olde"...but I guess I already mentioned that.)

More Zizia

I love these! They are baby t-shirts that predict the future of your child!

artwork at Fireweed Beads

Festive shopper. :)

Look who I found on my way out of town!
Santa!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

feeling lucky?

It's Contest Time!

I found these lovely little horseshoe earrings on Etsy the other day and bought two pairs...one for me and one for.....? You???

They are really very sweet and recently featured in Lucky magazine. I have a feeling mine are going to bring me lots of luck.

Want to win?

Here is what you do.

#1 Scoot on over to Facebook and fan Sweet Petula (if you haven't already)

#2 Leave a comment here or on Facebook telling me your favorite holiday tradition. I will pick a winner on December 9th and post on December 10th on our page. (check back, sometimes I can't message you directly via Facebook)

Good Luck!








Friday, November 26, 2010

please spend your holiday dollars thoughtfully.

"The only reason a great many American families don't own an elephant is that have never been offered an elephant for a dollar down and easy weekly payments." - mad magazine

(photo by Grand Ole Beastiary of Portland)

Friday, November 12, 2010

The Witching Hour


Inspiration always strikes after midnight. Right now I'm working on some custom wedding favors & I love the way they have turned out.


Night time is my favorite time to work. I can get more done between the hours of 10:00 and 2:00 then in an entire 8 hour work day. Unfortunately, my perfect schedule doesn't mesh with the masses, so I have to work in a few daylight hours every day. It is frustrating trying to balance when people want to interact with you verses when you feel like interacting with them. :) My Mom and my brother are the exact same way. Complete night owls.


For the happiest life, rigorously plan your days, leave your nights open to chance. ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Second Neurotics Notebook

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So on another note, I've gotten the new iPhone! Basically, I bought it for the photo apps. (see photos above) I'm having so much fun with it. If you like taking photos, I cannot recommend it enough. I'm pretty sure I'm driving the people in my life batty however. Just today, my English friend said, "Your a menace with that new iPhone"...which I think translated means, "I find your photographs fascinating...please show me more."
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nighty night. sleep tight.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

found it!

Best blush ever! After an almost year long search for the perfect blush...I finally found it! Try the color called "Radiance" (not the one pictured) it looks very unnatural in its container, a bright fuschia, but a little goes a long way. And is the most natural looking formula (and long lasting) I have found.


Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Scent Memories & My Perfume Shelf

Lately I've been dreaming in scent. Mostly scent memories. I won't bore you with the details, but I will share my favorite scents.
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From left to right:
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I wear this in the summertime. It is normally sold with the men's cologne, but it is in fact unisex. It is very fresh and summery....a blend of mosly different citrus fruits and petigrain. This one is pretty easy to find. I bought mine in the men's department of Nordstroms.
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2. Molecule 01
My secret weapon! I bought this in London at a beautiful lingerie shop called, Coco de Mer. It is touted as one of the worlds only working phermone perfumes. Basically, it is one ingredient called, Iso E Super. It smells slightly green and velvety with a bit of woods mixed in. The most interesting thing about this perfume is that some people cannot smell it at all, where others smell it instantly. I save it for special occasions. {winks}
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3. Lavender & Black Pepper Essential Oil Perfume
This I bought in the early 90's at the Ballard Farmer's Market. There was a woman selling pure essential oil perfumes and I had to have this one. It was very expensive, but a little goes a long way. I remember choking a bit at the price, but I'm so glad I made the purchase.
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Prade Tendre. Mostly neroli, bergamot, cedar, cardamon, plum, vanilla and vetiver. This one is very soft and sultry. It was a gift and I love it. It has been discontinued so I find I hoard it a bit.
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5. Voodoo Love
Bought at Bourbon French Parfums on Bourbon Street. This company has been making perfumes for over 164 years. They do custom blending right inside the shop. A must visit if you every make it to New Orleans. The shop reminds me of the perfumeries I visited in Italy. Although I think you can custom blend online it is so much fun to sit down and smell in person.
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6. Custom Sweet Anthem Perfume Blend
Meredith of Sweet Anthem made this one for me at our last custom perfume event. It is a blend of Violet, Amber...and a few other things I can't remember. I really should write these things down. {p.s. Meredith will be at the next trunk show with me at Capers}
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Made for ME! Me. me. ME!! How exciting...I feel like a Rock Star. This is so new I haven't even worn it yet. But the blend is a few of my favorites; Top Notes of Plum & Fir Needle {because I am so outdoorsy!}, Middle Notes of Lavender & Black Pepper, and sultry {her word..not mine, but thanks Meredith} Coriander & Sandalwood as a base.
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8. Republic of Women Perfume
Love the little purple bottle. It is a blend of bergamot, peony, jasmine, moroccan rose, musk and noble wood. It sounds very sweet but I find it slightly wintery. I bought the boy version for mine. It smells divine on him.
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My favorite scent memory that I have re-created into a Sweet Petula product? It is my Milk & Honey soap. It reminds me of my childhood...but mostly my Mom. She wore a very soft slightly sweet Musk perfume. It was reserved for special occassions...perhaps maybe 4-5 times a year and I'd always spray some on myself the moment she left for the evening.

Here she is! My Mom. She made this sundress...in fact she used to make tons of these for herself and both me & my sister. Flip-flops, a sundress, and a baby deer....doesn't she look like she would smell sweet?

Friday, August 27, 2010

hey, can I do that?

Every time someone sees how the soap bricks are cut at Sweet Petula, they always ask, "Hey, can I do that?" It is pretty nifty. So I thought I'd share photos of how it is done.
Photo #1 (above) The bricks. I make 90 lbs of soap, pour it into a large Plexiglas mold, then cut that big block into smaller bricks. These are those bricks.

#2 Each brick sits on the cutter (which has interchangeable bar sizes.....that is the white plate thing on the bottom)

#3, you push the grid over the brick & viola! Soap bars. This part is very satisfying. Think of cutting a 8 lb hunk of cheese at once. It just feels cool.

#4 Detail of the small end pieces that get cut off. These pieces (usually bigger than what you see in this photo) are where my soap seconds come from.

#5 It's like magic.

Friday, August 6, 2010

this makes me feel good.

"100% of customers would recommend this to a friend."
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This makes me very happy. Tonight I saw three reviews on Anthropologie.com of my Petite Shea Butter Soaps. All (very lovely) customers gave Sweet Petula 4 out of 4 stars!
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Here they are....
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SWEET SMELL!
Pros: beautiful paper package, quality, lovely smell
Cons: you will want more (I love her)
"I have purchased two bars and used them in my bathroom sink. With regular use they last about a month. Sweet Pea is my favorite with Milk & Honey a close second. They smell so clean, almost baby-like!"
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GREAT GIFT IDEA
"I love the look and smell of this soap. I haven't tried it yet, hope it meets my expectations" (It will, I promise)
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SUCH A LOVELY LITTLE SOAP
Pros: sweet scent and sweet packaging
"The scent of this tiny soap filled the large box in which my package was sent. It is a clean, sweet flowery scent that I found irresistible. The packaging is lovely as well"
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I think lovely should be the word of the day.

Monday, August 2, 2010

new solid perfume formulations

I've spent the last few weeks working on a new solid perfume recipe. The new formula is 100% vegan (the last one had beeswax in it.) And the scents are more concentrated.

You can see the 5 different scents we have available here. One is brand spanking new, Sweet Lily Blossom, and really my newest favorite thing. A bunch of you that attended Girls Night Out last week got a preview of this fragrance.

I've also discontinued Pink Garden Rose & Day Dream (these scents will still be available in the shea butter soaps, so don't fret.) If your interested in the last few of these, they can be found here.

Smell pretty.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Dear Single Man Friend,

Dear Single Man Friend,

Yes, I did invite you to Girls Night Out. No, I was not trying to insult you. I was being helpful. Do the math now. A ton of ladies gathered in one spot. Drinking, laughing, enjoying themselves. Did I mention the drinking? Use your head Man!

Your welcome.

-Cordelia j.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

New....Delicate Wash!

New from Sweet Petula....Dainty Wash! The perfect lovely smelling (lavender) gentle clothing & linen wash just for your delicates.

I've been working on this formula for a couple of years. It isn't for sale quite yet...but I will be giving away 25 4oz. bottles tomorrow at my trunk show in West Seattle. Stop by, say, "hi" and I'll give you a bottle.

Girls Night Out/Trunk Show
CAPERS
4525 California Ave. SW
in West Seattle
6:00-8:00
(drinks, treats....and more giveaways)

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

hello there...where have you been all my life?

I really really really want this table. I've been shopping for a dining room table for months...almost a year practically, and this is the table of my dreams. I like to buy things that will last years, if not a lifetime and I tend to have analysis paralysis when it comes to decorating my own home. But this table is it. I have chosen it. I love it. Made of reclaimed mahogany with cast iron bases (which are salvaged from a 100 year old leather belt driven metal lathe.) You can buy one here. Now where is that extra $2500.00 I had lying around?

Friday, July 9, 2010

Now all I need is a Ken Doll.

Love this Barbie swimming suit. Buy it here.
It comes in pink too!


Monday, June 28, 2010

Happy Birthday to my right hand Man!

(us this last weekend. aren't we cute?)
Today is my good pal Casey's birthday! He is the genius behind www.sweetpetula.com and one of my favorite boys in the entire world. He always keeps me on track. & he smells really really good. (like sandalwood...but back off...he's taken) Happy Birthday C!
(this was us in our kindergarten school photo! He is much taller now but still likes orange a lot)

Check out this hairdo circa 1989! And those specs! So very Sally Jessie Raphel!

(casey is the tall one in front, but my older brother is also in this photo...check out the moody fella in back)

(bring back those glasses.)

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Happy Father's Day!


The last month brought 2 additions to my family of little tiny baby girls. Soon I will have an army. An army of Little Sweetest Petulas. We will dress in tutus and march! (not sure what our cause will be just yet....I'm working on it) But, in honor of the two fellas that made my newest neices possible.....Happy Father's Day!
Above is my sister with her husband Leif and their first baby Anneka....just a few days ago little baby Ella was added to their sweet family. Let's call her LBE.

And above, my brother-in-law Steve with his little girl Reagan. Steve & my sister added Faith just a few weeks ago! (p.s. check out that glass of what I'm pretty sure is Crown Royal!)

Happy Father's Day to everyone, but especially these two new Dads.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

lavender lemonade

If (I mean WHEN) it gets sunny around here....I'm going to make lavender lemonade. I think mine will have gin in it.
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4 c. water
1/4 c. chopped lavender leaves
2/3 c. sugar
1 c. fresh lemon juice (about 6 lemons)
Lavender stems for garnish
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Bring 1 c. water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Combine the boiling water & lavender in a medium bowl. Cover & steep for 30 minutes. Strain the lavender mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl; discard the lavender leaves.
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Combine 3 c. water and sugar in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, and cook 1 minute or until sugar is dissolved. Combine lavender water, sugar syrup, and lemon juice in a pitcher. Cover & chill. (that's just good instructions there for anything...cover & chill) Serve over ice. Garnish with lavender stems.
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& for more lavender delightfulness...head over to Sweet Petula for our Fresh Lavender SALE! Its' lavender month!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

lavender, lavender, lavender!

Everyone always asks me what my favorite scent is. It is lavender. Herbal & fresh & clean, Lavender always smells good to me. It is one fragrance I never tire of and one of my favorite scent memories....(Tuscany, lavender plants outside my window, lots of rain, loss of power...I could go on, but I will not.)
I'm having a Lavender Month special over at Sweet Petula until June 30th. All Spa Luxury products in Fresh Lavender are 1/2 off!
Shop on-line before June 30th, and regardless of your favorite scent (lavender, lemon, bay....whatever you fancy) I'll throw in a bar of my newest Petite Shea Butter Soap in Sea Salt & Lavender.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Meadow Boutique

Just blocks from my house, Meadow on Queen Anne is one of my new favorite shops. Located at 1959 6th Ave. West, a bit tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city...but definately worth a visit.
Owner, Shelley, stocks Meadow with a well edited mix of apparel, gifts and home decor. I'm loving her selection of glasswear right now, and of course, her Sweet Petula! (there we are above in those glass jars)


Tuesday, June 1, 2010

things I like very much. philadelphia & polaroids

Philadelphia & Polaroids. I like these two things very much.
I just got back (well it's been a week, but I've been busy) from a business/fun trip to Philadelphia. It was my first visit and I can't wait to go back. While I was there, I had a chance to take some Polaroid photos....(see how I worked those two together?)
Sweet Petula soaps at Terrain. Terrain is one of the coolest shops I have ever been in. It is HUGE...thousands of square feet, and every detail is tricked out. I started making these soaps for Terrain a few months ago. Watch for new Sweet Petula products at Terrain 4th quarter (that's retail speak for October-November-December)
Indulgent spa section. There were a lot of Sea Salt products, both in the bath & body department & the kitchen/housewares department.

Garden-y ~ Glass-y Stuff

Culinary Sea Salts.

One of my favorite bath & body sellers For Strange Women, is also selling at Terrain.
Ferns ~ Soaps ~ Terrariums

more pretty soaps.