I gave out a hint last week. I wonder how many of you guessed the product was... soap?
Environmentally conscientious Etsy shop owner, Trish of Pink Parchment Soaps is holding a divine giveaway for the month of June and I am happy to host the contest! The prize is any three currently available bars in Trish's shop. Not surprisingly, being an expatriate means I do a lot of online shopping and gift-giving for my family back home in America. I stumbled upon Pink Parchment Soaps while looking for birthday gifts for both my mom and step-mom. The best thing about Trish's soaps is that they are vegan and smell divine! Mom called to say that she had finally used up her first bar, the Lemon Verbena, which had lasted her over a month of daily uses! She said that's three times as long as her usual store-bought brand.
I've had the opportunity to chat with Trish about her shop...
Kate: How long have you been making your soaps?
Kate: What caused you to make vegan soap?
Trish: There are several environmental and ethical reasons to make and use Vegan soaps.
True soap is made from oils - either animal fat (tallow) or vegetable oil and sodium hydroxide. Most commercially-made soap is currently made from tallow and/or synthetic detergents. Tallow usually comes from cattle and sheep. Besides the serious health, environmental, and ethical questions regarding raising animals for consumption, tallow is known to block skin pores and can cause breakouts. Detergents may have phosphate in them. Phosphates are a known contributor to algae bloom, which has an adverse effect on the health of people, marine organisms, marine mammals, birds and sea turtles. Even phosphate free detergents have toxic ingredients that inhibit the ability of aquatic organisms to breed. Today, we have so many wonderful vegetable-based oils and ingredients available – olive oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, to name a few – that are both environmentally and skin friendly that there really isn’t any reason to use tallow or detergents.Kate: What's your one favorite product in your shop?
Kate: What is the best/most fun/most interesting part of the soap-making process?
Trish: The best part of soap making is when you are trying a new color and/or new scent. In both the hot and cold process methods, both the colors and scents morph – so you never know what you are going to get. The first time we made cucumber melon, I had this great vision of how beautiful a light yellow top with green bottom would look. When we un-molded it, it was florescent yellow and bright purple. It was rather striking, just not what we had in mind!
Kate: What is your next up and coming scent (or) what's currently curing (or) what haven't you tried making yet that you'd like to?
Trish: Up and coming is an unscented (real) cucumber shea butter facial soap, currently curing is a lavender/rosemary shampoo bar, and I’m not telling LOL!
The giveaway is open worldwide with a prize value of $20-32 USD (including shipping)! To enter the giveaway:
1. Go to Pink Parchment Soaps Etsy shop and select the three bars you'd like to receive should you win. Come back here and post one comment to this post with your three picks.
2. Follow me on Facebook networked blogs (see right-hand column), then come back and post a comment to this post stating that you're FB following.
3. Follow Expat Kate directly through this blog on Google Connect (see right-hand column), then post a comment stating that you're EXKate fan.
4. Blog about this giveaway and post a comment with the link to your blog's post.
5. Buy an item from Pink Parchment Soaps etsy shop, and comment here, including either what you bought or your Etsy name.
6. Stumble me, then comment to this post.
You can enter this giveaway up to six times in the aforementioned manner. The contest is open until midnight EST, Tuesday June 30th. The winner will be randomly selected from Random.org, and will be announced on this blog on Wednesday, July 1st, so check back here to find out if you've won! The winner will have three days to contact me at zenagent at yahoo dot com, or another winner will be chosen and subsequently announced! Good luck!
Hugs...
first, I'm a fan:)
ReplyDeleteand my fave soaps: White Birch Bark Shampoo Bar - never tried one before, Caramel Coffee Soap- sounds soo delicious!!! Blackberry Sage Soap- I LOVE blackberries!! So many more soaps I love, but top three is this. Fingers crossed!! (I know that first answer never wins, but one can hope:) All the best:)
ReplyDeleteStumbled you. ^_^
ReplyDeleteMy 3 fave scents are:
ReplyDeleteRaspberry Parfait
Peppermint (Gotta take the maker's own recommendation!)
Lavender Spa
They all sound amazing! I hope I win. ^_^
abigail.lee{AT}gmail.com
Chamomile
ReplyDeleteOatmeal, Milk, and Honey
Basmati Rice
catherineh_78 at yahoo.com
They all sound so delicious, but since I have to pick only three, here they are...
ReplyDeleteCreme Brulee Goats Milk
Island Coconut
Simply Corona Beer Soap (I am sooo curious!)
bridgit.burns_at_gmail.com
And I signed up to follow :)
ReplyDeleteThese are my favorite:
ReplyDelete- Lemongrass Calendula Soap;
- Green Apple Soap - Vegan Friendly;
- Strawberry Fields Soap.
They look great!
Thanks a lot.
I am a follower on Facebook. (username: Lilly Papers)
ReplyDeleteOrange Creamsicle, Pink Grapefruit,and Raspberry Parfait are my three choices! There are so many great scents it was hard to decide! Thanks for an awesome giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteluvmybabyblue@yahoo.com
Great article! If I win, I would like peppermint, clove goatsmilk, and white ginger, and you can bet I will blog about it! Best wishes, Cherie
ReplyDeleteMonkey Farts - lol!
ReplyDeleteGreen Apple - My favorite fruit
Island Coconut - Perfect summer smell
Thanks so much for the giveaway! I'm crossing my fingers ^_^
rebekahjpool@gmail.com
The Chocolate Heaven, Mango Madness, and Sandalwood soaps sound great.
ReplyDeleteThanks for having such a great giveaway!
Oh, it's always so hard to choose! But if I have to...
ReplyDeleteWhite Ginger Soap
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19994847
My hip-length hair wants to test the White Birch Bark bar:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24857619
And the rest of me wants to try Basmati Rice!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16342649
Creme Brulee Goatsmilk Soap
ReplyDeleteLemon Candy Soap
Caramel Coffee Soap
You have such awesome flavors, it was hard to pick!
lesjoujou AT gmail DOT com
Ok... it was really hard to choose just three soaps because there are so many I'd like to try! I think I've narrowed it down to these:
ReplyDeleteWhite Birch Bark Shampoo Bar
Creme Brulee Goatsmilk Soap
Old World Rose Soap
jenniferbrown04@gmail.com
I'd like the Green Apple Vegan Friendly, the Pink Grapefruit Vegan Friendly, and Mango Madness soap.
ReplyDeletenoveltynotion@gmail.com
Here are the three soaps I would love to win:
ReplyDeleteCaramel Coffee Soap
Chamomile Soap
Strawberry Fields Soap
audreyscountrycrafts@gmail.com
I would love to have the
ReplyDeleteWHITE GINGER
ORANGE CREAMSICKLE
MONKEY FARTS
tnayainjville@yahoo.com
Hi Kate :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love the Vanilla Sugar Soap
the Orange Creamsickle
and the Blackberry Sage
yum!
thanks for the chance to win!
I'm followin :)
ReplyDeleteand I Stumbled it (Doll-In-Laces)
ReplyDeletebasmati rice, lemon verbena, and white ginger. great shop!
ReplyDeletestumbled this giveaway...username is juliaas
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous giveaway! I love me some handmade soap. :)
ReplyDeleteI would love lemon candy, key lime pie and... vanilla sugar!
gosh I'm hungry now.
FB following! :)
ReplyDeletestumbled! :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this; what great soaps! My favorites are Jasmine Powder, Pink Grapefruit, and Green Apple.
ReplyDeletekb3388@hotmail.com
I would love to win: raspberry parfait, blackberry sage, and mango madness.
ReplyDeletecarethediva[at]hotmail[dot]com
I'd like to win the lemon verbena, jasmine powder, and basmati rice!
ReplyDeletemichelleharrod@comcast.net
I would love to win the Pink Grapefruit Soap, Lemongrass Calendula Soap, and Chamomile Soap!
ReplyDeletelensimpressions AT gmail DOT com
I thumbed you up on StumbleUpon!
ReplyDeletelensimpressions AT gmail DOT com
Umm...
ReplyDeleteVanilla Sugar
Raspberry Parfait
Chocolate Heaven
I could get Jasmine Powder, Monkey Farts, and the Strawberry cheesecake.
ReplyDeleteI follow!
ReplyDeleteI would love to try the following scents:
ReplyDelete-Caramel Coffee
-Orange Creamsickle
-Raspberry Parfait
Thanks for the chance to win!
I would choose
ReplyDeleteVanilla sugar
white ginger
and to give my dad the
Bay rum!
Thanks for offering
It is so hard to pick, but I would choose the Spicy Chai Tea, Basmati Rice, and Peppermint soaps.
ReplyDeleteurchiken at gmail dot com
My favorite item from the Pink Parchment Soap shop is Green apple, the Oatmeal Milk and Honey Soap, and the Key Lime Pie Soap. I bet I'd love them all!
ReplyDeleteLadytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com
These are my favorites
ReplyDelete1.Green Apple Soap
2.Orange Creamsickle Soap
3.Peppermint Soap
I would love to try these out! thanks!
I'm so glad you introduced me to this shop because I'm a huge fan of handmade soaps. My three picks would be:
ReplyDeleteRaspberry Parfait
Green Apple
Blackberry Sage
What great soap scents! I like Island Coconut, Orange Creamsickle, and Key Lime Pie Soap! Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteunforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail.com
Monkey Farts
ReplyDeleteChocolate Heaven
White Ginger
oooh i cn't even begin to say which ones are my fave. i like:
ReplyDelete1)Apple Cider Soap
2)Monkey Farts Soap
3)Mango Madness Soap
I like:
ReplyDelete1. Lavender Spa Bar - Vegan
2. White Ginger
3. Island Coconut
Thank you!
janetfaye (at( gmail (dot) com
I follow on Networked Blogs - Janet Fri
ReplyDeletejanetfaye (at( gmail (dot) com
I follow on Google friend - janetfaye
ReplyDeletejanetfaye (at( gmail (dot) com
Blogged:
ReplyDeletehttp://grammyjanetsplace.blogspot.com/2009/05/june-giveaway-list.html
janetfaye (at( gmail (dot) com
These all sound yummy:
ReplyDeleteLavender Spa Bar - Vegan
Green Apple Soap - Vegan Friendly
Key Lime Pie Soap
designsvanessa@gmail.com
wow I love soap, here are the 3 I picked
ReplyDeletekey lime pie soap, green apple soap and orange creamsicle soap`thanks for this great giveaway
lagrande2tall4u@hotmail.com
Vanilla sugar, Chocolate Heaven and Orange Creamsicle sound the yummiest! Thanks for the giveaway. mybabyappleseed(at)yahoo(dot)ca
ReplyDelete1. Rose Garden
ReplyDelete2. Lavender Spa Bar
3. Gardenia Splendor Soap
aikychien@yahoo.com
I'm a follower.
ReplyDeleteaikychien@yahoo.com
If I'm the winner, I'd choose these:
ReplyDelete1)Pink Grapefruit Soap (Vegan Friendly)
2)Lavender Spa Bar - Vegan
3)Rose Garden
~Evelyn~
eggyc@hotmail.com
I love :
ReplyDelete1) Gingerbread Man Soap
2) Strawberry Cheesecake Soap
3) Pink Grapefruit Soap
jinghuilee (at) gmail.com
I love pinkparchmentsoaps and have purchased from her several times as gifts and everyone has been really happy with them.
ReplyDeleteThe 3 scents I absolutely love are cucumber melon, green apple and usually the 3rd I leave up to trish to surprise me.
I recently bought these as a custom order and I absolutely love them. Theyre soooo cute!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=16538710
and this for my bestest roomie from college:
http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=16503130
I blogged about the giveaway:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.jewelrybysolange.blogspot.com
I blogged about this giveaway:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.jewelrybysolange.blogspot.com
Chocolate Heaven, Bay Rum (for the hubbie!) and Orange Creamsicle - yummy!
ReplyDeletejamieandandre at bellsouth dot net
Let me first say choosing only three was a difficult task.
ReplyDelete1. Raspberry Parfait...it looks good enough to eat!
2. Spicy Chai Tea Soap
3. Apple Cider Soap
I would have listed peppermint, but I didn't see it in the shop.
Stephanie@eyeballgirl.com
Lemon Candy
ReplyDeleteCaramel Coffee
Oatmeal, Milk, and Honey
The Rosegarden
ReplyDeleteRomantic Sandlewood
Lavender Spa Bar
aunteegem@yahoo.com
I have bookmarked her shop as one of my favorites...
I am a follower of your blog through Google
ReplyDeleteaunteegem@yahoo.com
My 3 faves are Chocolate Heaven, Strawberry Cheesecake and Raspberry Parfait Soap!
ReplyDeleteI'm a Google follower!
ReplyDeleteOrange Creamsickle Soap
ReplyDeleteOatmeal, Milk, and Honey
Island Coconut
Yum!
ashley
ashlomb at yahoo dot com
jepeux.etsy.com
My fav:
ReplyDeleteIsland Coconut
The Rosegarden
Chocolate Heaven
thanks!
cal_rubies at yahoo dot es
Beautiful soaps! They all look amazing but here are the three I would choose:
ReplyDeleteRose Garden, Jasmine Powder, and Chocolate Heaven
Following on FB Blogs
ReplyDeleteFollowing your blog
ReplyDeleteI blogged about your giveaway here: http://oceansidecreations.blogspot.com/2009/06/this-weeks-giveaways.html
ReplyDeleteAdded you to stumble
ReplyDeleteI would love to try:
ReplyDelete1. Juicy Pomegranate
2. Orange Creamsickle
3. Pink Grapefruit
I'm following you on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteI'm following your blog on Google.
ReplyDeleteI follow and love Pinks soap!!
ReplyDeleteJuicy Pomegranate
Island Coconut
Monkey Farts :)
Melissa
melissa33brew@yahoo.com
I love handmade vegan soaps and im a vegetarian....I would buy
ReplyDeletevanilla sugar
monkey farts
iced gingerbread
helen
malfie@care2.com
I would pick... lemongrass calendula, juicy pomegranate, and white ginger. Thanks : )
ReplyDeleteacm211 [at] gmail [dot[ com
I would choose Lavender Spa Bar, Bay Rum and
ReplyDeleteBlackberry Sage. So yummy!
clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com
These soaps sound so fresh and delicious!
ReplyDeleteI'd choose
Key Lime Pie http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26737524
Orange Creamsickle http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25124165
Lemon Candy http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19075559
you have so many nice sopas and delicious that i could easily eat!:)
ReplyDeletebut i like those:
green apple soap,
bellad wedding scrup
rasberry parfait
blackberry sage soap!
thank you for this chance!
great shop!:)
Orange Creamsickle,Raspberry Parfait and Chocolate Heaven sound delish!
ReplyDeletei follow your blog!
ReplyDeletePeppermint,Spicy chai tea, and lemon candy sound awesome!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to try Pink Grapefruit, Lemongrass Calendula and Lemon Verbena soaps. They all look wonderful!
ReplyDeletetylerpants(at)gmail.com
I'm a new EXKate fan!
ReplyDeleteMy fav trio consists of Juicy Pomegranate Soap,
ReplyDeleteWhite Ginger Soap - Vegan and Basmati Rice Soap - Vegan. Thanks.
lubaska dot k at gmail dot com
I follow you via google friends
ReplyDeletelubaska dot k at gmail dot com
i can taste and eat:
ReplyDeletegreen apple soap,
bellad wedding scrup
rasberry parfait
blackberry sage soap!
thank you for this chance!
good luck to all guys!
ReplyDeleteThe three "flavors" I would pick are:
ReplyDeleteOrange Creamsickle
Lavender Spa
Island Coconut
sgregg78 at yahoo dot com
I follow your blog!
ReplyDeletesgregg78 at yahoo dot com
I stumbled! (kiddo47)
ReplyDeletesgregg78 at yahoo dot com
White Ginger Soap, Key Lime Pie Soap, and Pink Grapefruit Soap are my faves!
ReplyDeleteI follow!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI would love the Island Coconut, the White Ginger and the Creme Brulee Goats Milk Soap!
ReplyDeleteshan_da(at)hotmail(dot)com
1) Creme Brulee Goat Milk
ReplyDelete2) Key Lime Pie Soap
3) Lemon Candy
digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net
I follow on Blogger
ReplyDeletedigicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net
I follow you on Facebook
ReplyDeleteCarol Anderson Ezovski
digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net
If I am the super lucky one my picks will be
ReplyDeleteGreen Apple soap,Cranberry Citrus Sangria Soap and Island Coconut!
Thanks bunches for the giveaway=)
Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net
hmmm, my 3 favorites are: lemongrass, Island coconut and white ginge :)
ReplyDeletequiltingdiva.etsy.com