Well, the first day didn't go exactly as planned...

I decided to try a buttermilk powder instead of a straght up milk powder in my "Purple Cow" soap mix.  Who knew that buttermilk was so damn clumpy and sticky???  I had to get out the mixer, which then put a bunch of bubbles into the mix, so I'm not sure it turned out perfectly.  I need to let it age at least 1 day, if not 2, before I try it.  If it didn't work, no real loss, because I can just mill it into shavings and remelt it.  This is definitely trial and error and a big learning process!!!

As for the exfoliant I made today, I think it is perfect except one thing - I can't and won't use artificial colorings, and it seems as though natural colors are as rare as a damn unicorn.  The exfoliant is made from dead sea salt and 7 types of oils.  So, it smells great and will be heavenly for your skin but, quite frankly, it looks like gray nast.  Not something that will draw the crowds, knomsayin?  I need to learn how to make natural colorings before I make any more exfoliant.  Which will have the added benefit of being able to also color my soaps.

So, that's the first day of Live Love Alive.  Not a barn burner, but a start nonetheless.  Tomorrow I'm going to make the "Sweet Tea" soap - a fine combo of chamomile, green tea butter, honey, and jojoba oil with a lemon/peppermint scent.

Here is a picture of all of my supplies gleaming on the shelf:

Jenn