Happy New Year, Already!

Is it really the end of 2008? It seems like it was yesterday that Serah's was introduced to the world. My how time flies...when you're having FUN!

Serah's and myself have had a GREAT year thanks to EVERYONE! Thank you, thank you!  I can't mention everyone by name but you all know who you are...my customers, my bloggy friends, fellow helpful entrepreneurs, everyone who has made this year a great success.

Serah's signature Cupcake Soaps have definitely been the headliner of the year. With their yummy fragrances and unique design, they immediately stole the spotlight. Next year, you can expect to see more cupcake soap designs from Serah's that are sure to satisfy your guilty-pleasure and help keep that pesky 2009 resolution that we all seem to have trouble keeping in the face of tempting sweets.

In 2008, we hosted and/or sponsored three giveaways and hope to host and sponsor more giveaways in 2009. After all, who doesn't love a free gift...I know I do!

We also closed out 2008 with our charitable donations to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure for breast cancer research and The Global Fund for AIDS research. We will continue to support those organizations in 2009.

Some other interesting things are in the works at Serah's but I don't want to ruin all of the surprises so you'll just have to keep coming back to find out all the juicy news. You can subscribe to our feed to get the latest updates.

All in all, 2008 was a GREAT year and we are looking forward to sharing an even more fantastic 2009 with all of you!

Check out some of our favorite posts from 2008:

• Have Your Life & Eat Cake Too
• Sharing the Love
• Cupcakes and the City
• Casting Call: Crafty Island
• Tagged II: The Little Girls in Me & Their Soap
• Happy Thanksgiving
• How NOT to Get Clean During the Holidays
• 
  

A Gift For Mrs. Claus

Santa gets millions of letters every year, including one from me
Asking that he leave that special gift under the tree.

Therefore, you can imagine my surprise
And I couldn't believe my eyes
Because Santa wrote me here at Serah's
Asking for the perfect handmade gift for Mrs. Claus.

"Not to worry, Santa," I wrote.
"A request from you...I'm happy to oblige."

I created for her a Night Light Cupcake Soap.
A special gift she'll like I like.

So I left out the soap and some cookies for him
And kept on the light so the room would be dim.

On a pretty piece of paper, I left him a note.
It wasn't very long and this is what I wrote.

Santa, her's your gift for sweet Mrs. Claus
Personally handcrafted from me at Serah's
And before you leave to get back on the scene
You've been down a chimney so use the other soap to get clean
Merry Christmas to you and have a good night
Enjoy the cupcake soap with the night light

Happy Holidays everyone!

The floral arrangement in the photograph is from Elizabeth's Garden.

Santa Barbara Female Entrepreneurs

On the evening of December 17th, I had the pleasure of being in the company of the delightful members of the Santa Barbara Female Entrepreneurs at the beautiful Epiphany restaurant.

The evening began at 5pm and as I walked through the door, I immediately recognized a familiar face...the face of Lisa Braithwaite.  Lisa and I connected through MySpace and Twitter and she informed me of the group and its events and introduced me to the group's coordinator, Jennifer Bragg.

This was my first meeting with the group.  Business cards were exchanged and connections were made.  The bevy of female entreprenueurs included a realtor, a public speaking coach, a web & graphics designer, an image and design consultant, a PR specialist, & a skin therapist just to name a few.

During the course of the evening, I had very insightful conversations which included topics from business strategies on how to approach bios and company fact sheets, cultural business differences, social networking and advertising to a very in-depth conversation of dermis and epidermis.  It's amazing how one conversation leads to another but I definitely learned information that I will remember for a lifetime.

At the end of the evening, our goodbyes were expressed with hugs because as one woman so warmly  stated, "that's what we women do.  "

The Santa Barbara Female Entrepreneurs group posts their events on Facebook.

My Best Friend's Soap

While watching the Phoenix Suns play the Los Angeles Lakers, I learned that Steve Nash (my favorite basketball player) lost one of his best friends, Raja Bell, because Raja got traded to another team. I took that as a sign that I had to write this post.

I’m losing one of my best friends to another state…all the way across the country! I am deeply saddened that she’s leaving but will always have the crazy, fun memories of us hanging out and her two-year old daughter. Not only is she my best friend, she’s also one of my funniest customers because she is my most interesting living advertisement and the person who the Almond Lover's soap was created for.
Comment Buddy

MySpace Comments

One day she called me and said, “Lisa, I’ve given your business cards to everybody on the train and the bus today so I need you to send me some more business cards when you get a chance.”

I asked if she knew these people and she said, “No, I was just talking to all of them.” That didn’t surprise me because she and I are a lot alike in this way. We talk to everybody! That’s actually how we met. We both just started talking to each other.

Another time she called me and said, “Lisa, everyone has smelled your soap and now Destiny [her daughter] is copying me.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I keep taking it out of my bathroom for everyone to smell it. Every time someone comes over to my place, I let them smell it and now Destiny does the same thing. It’s so cute.”

While visiting with her a week later at her apartment, her daughter disappeared into another room for a minute and then returned with the Almond Lover’s soap to her nose, walked over to me, took a big sniff, put it to my nose and said, “Smell.”

Then this weekend when I was helping her pack would have been the perfect opportunity for me to get a commercial for my cupcake soaps. Her daughter yelled “CUPCAKE!” while jumping up and down almost every five minutes. Unfortunately, she wasn’t talking about my soaps…she just wanted me to watch Strawberry Shortcake with her and sing the friendship club song. I think I know that DVD by heart now.

Before she left, she bought enough soap from me to last her at least a year and I told her that I’m going to have to put her on a subscription plan. Haha

I know she’s going to smile when she reads this. She’s been a truly great friend to me and I wish her all the best in her new state. If she changes her mind, she knows she can come back to California (although I’m not pressuring her too much, yet).

Please share a memory of you and your best friend in the comments.

How NOT to Get Clean During the Holidays

Yesterday, I was brainstorming ideas for a blog post relevant to the holidays. Tossing around the words holidays, Christmas, clean, and soaps in the ole noggin recalled a childhood event I thought would be great to share.  My company's tag line is Getting Clean Never Looked So Good but I am going to explain how one day getting clean never looked so BAD.

One year, my parents decided to have Christmas dinner at our house and Christmas fell on my week to wash the dishes. Not a good thing at all since I have a really big family. I begged and pleaded with my parents to let me use the dishwasher which we NEVER used ever. In our house, the children were the dishwashers and the appliance itself was purely for decoration. Although they said no several times at first, they finally gave in after our family left that evening leaving dirty dishes in the sink, the family room, and the dining room.

I was as thrilled as I could be until I realized, I didn't know how to use the dishwasher! Upon figuring out what buttons to press, I loaded the dishwasher with all the dirty dishes that would fit, poured Joy dishwashing liquid into the dispenser, closed the dishwasher door, and turned it on.

I skipped away to my bedroom when all of a sudden I heard, "Lisa!" in only the tone of voice you knew meant trouble.  I ran back to the kitchen with my sisters following to find my father standing in the kitchen with soap suds pouring out of the dishwasher all across the kitchen floor.



That day I learned there IS a difference between dishwashing liquid for the sink and dishwashing detergent for the dishwasher. My work load TRIPLED. Since we could not figure out how to stop the dishwasher, the entire time it was running, I had to stay in the kitchen with a mop to soak up the suds and water to keep the water and suds from reaching the carpeted rooms surrounding the kitchen. Basically, the kitchen floor ended up being mopped for about 3-4 hours until I got it completely dry.

And that ladies and gentleman is how NOT to get clean during the holidays.

Do you have a funny holiday story?  We'd love to hear it.  Please share in the comments.  Thanks!

Join the Club! The Cupcakes Club

Oh to be a little girl again! I have always been a baker and my favorite things to bake were muffins and cupcakes. For school bake sales…chocolate chip muffins, blueberry muffins, or cupcakes. For Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas dinner, once again, I was making cupcakes. Now as an adult, I’m making cupcake soaps.

And the perfect thing for me would have been a cupcakes club but since there wasn’t one when I was growing up. Fortunately, for those little bakers and all the little girls with all the right ingredients, there’s The Cupcakes Club!

The Cupcakes Club 

The Cupcakes Club was created by a mother daughter team Donna Benson and Audrey Benson Dunlop. Want to find out what makes a Cupcake girl extra special? Visit The Cupcakes Club to find out.

Serah's Cupcake Soaps on Your Carolina TV

Serah's Cupcake Soaps (the Pink Cupcake Soap and the Pink Mini Cupcake Soap) were featured on Your Carolina with Jack and Kimberly today in the Holiday Gifts Under $40. Thank you Taryn!

Here's a link to view the video clip hosted on Your Carolina's website:
http://www.yourcarolina.tv/ycvideo/entry/holiday_gifts1/

The clip is about 7 minutes long and it counts down backwards so if you want to skip to the segment of the show where Serah's cupcakes are shown, advance forward to 1:26.

If there is some delay, the video is buffering.

Your Carolina with Jack and Kimberly, December 5th

Serah's Cupcake Soaps will be featured in the holiday gift segment on WSPA (CBS Greenville/Spartanburg) Your Carolina with Jack and Kimberly.

The show will air on Friday, December 5th between 10 am and 11 am EST in my Everything Under $40 Guide.

Your Carolina TV

Christmas Delivery Guarantee 2008

Guaranteed delivery before Christmas is an essential part in keeping Christmas running smoothly and stress free which is why Serah’s is offering guaranteed Christmas delivery to help you achieve this with enough time left over to put the gift under the tree or in a Christmas stocking and leave some cookies out for Santa.

To guarantee delivery in time for Christmas....

• Your order must be placed on or before Wednesday December 17th 2008, before 5pm PST
• Applies to US mainland delivery addresses only (including APO/FPO addresses).
• Only valid on online orders placed at www.serahsonline.com.
• If paying by check/money order, payment must be received before December 17th 2008.

Looking for Christmas ideas?

Give sweets to your sweets. Serah's Cupcake Soaps & Mini Cupcake Soaps are perfect for the women and children on your list. Give the gift of relaxation with our Massage Bars. Let your gift help fight the battle against AIDS by purchasing select items that will benefit The Global Fund.

Get this at AllLayedOut.com

All packages from Serah’s are shipped through the United States Postal Service with delivery confirmation. Delivery will be confirmed using the delivery confirmation. If your package is lost in the mail, please contact your local US Post Office. Due to high postal volumes over the Christmas holiday season, we recommend you send your gifts as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

World AIDS Day 2008

December 1st is World AIDS Day. This is a day when individuals and organizations from around the world come together to bring attention to the global AIDS epidemic. 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and AIDS.gov are working with Bloggers Unite to multiply the power of the voice by thousands to share the knowledge about the AIDS epidemic and encourage participation in the fight against AIDS.

In the countries most heavily affected, HIV has reduced life expectancy by more than 20 years, slowed economic growth, and deepened household poverty. In sub-Saharan Africa alone, the epidemic has orphaned nearly 12 million children aged under 18 years. ¹

The latest estimates indicate that at the end of 2003, HIV prevalence— the total number of persons with HIV—was roughly 1 million (estimated range between 1,039,000–1,185,000) [1]. Approximately one-fourth (24% –27%) of HIV-infected persons are believed to be unaware of their infection, underscoring the need to expand opportunities for HIV testing.²

There is much to be done to combat the spread of AIDS starting with HIV/AIDS prevention.

As some of you may know, Serah's is committed to helping in the fight against AIDS. Serah's hopes to donate $1000 to The Global Fund. One dollar from the purchase of select items will go towards this contribution. To view the select items, please click here.


I WANT TO READ MORE...
Learn more about the AIDS epidemic.
Read the 2008 Report on the global AIDS epidemic.
Related Serah's blog posts:The Fight Against AIDS

References:
1. UNAIDS (2008) ‘Report on the global AIDS epidemic’.
2. Center for Disease Control and Prevention HIV and AIDS in the United States: A Picture of Today’s Epidemic

Christmas Cupcake Soap Giveaway

The gift giving season is here and Serah's has teamed up with Thrifty Jinxy to sponsor giveaway! Here is another chance to win a cupcake soap from Serah's - the Christmas Reindeer Candy Corn Cupcake Soap!

Visit Thrifty Jinxy for more details.

Happy Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving, how do you clean and dress a turkey?

Bathe it with Serah’s soaps and then let it wear whatever it wants
I couldn’t resist!  Clean and dress turkey had 5,690,000 hits on Google.  
If you have a funny Thanksgiving story, you’d like to share with Serah’s, please do so in the comments. We’d all love to read them and laugh after eating all that turkey.

Tagged II: The Little Girls in Me & Their Soap

This is the second time I have been tagged! This time by Maricel from http://www.sweetposydesigns.com/.  I realized that when I was a little girl on the elementary school playground, in the game of tag, I ran away from the person who was it. In the blogging playground, everyone wants to be it! Needless to say, I was thrilled once again to be tagged because I was excited to offer a different spin on my turn being it.

My seven random facts are presented as kid cartoon characters who represent me and what her favorite Serah’s soap would be.


Libby
from Jimmy Neutron
Libby's Favorite Serah's Soap: Pink Cupcake Soap

Libby is equipped with Palms to pagers to cellphones and if you're a regular blog reader, you know I am equipped with a Palm Treo but what you didn't know is that had pagers and a cell phone when I was around Libby's age.  I choose the Pink Cupcake Soap as Libby's favorite because Libby is my all-time favorite cartoon character and my cupcake soaps are my favorite soaps.

---

Iridessa
from Disney's fairies
Iridessa's Favorite Serah's soap: Princess Soap

Iridessa and I are both passionate about our work.  I choose the Princess Soap as Iridessa's favorite because even though she's a fairy, she's still one of Disney's princesses to me.

---

Orange Blossom
from Strawberry Shortcake
Orange Blossom's Favorite Serah's Soap: Strawberries & Cream Cupcake Soap

Orange Blossom and I are both friends to the earth & to anyone who needs a helping hand.  I choose the Strawberries & Cream Cupcake Soap as Orange Blossom's favorite because I can see her giving that cupcake soap to Strawberry Shortcake as a gift.

---

Susie Carmichael
from Rugrats
Susie's Favorite Serah's Soap: Baa Baa Sheep Soap

Susie is a super student and I went to private school on a scholarship from first-grade to eighth grade.  I choose the Baa Baa Sheep Soap as Susie's favorite because I Susie is the protector of the sheep (the Rugrat babies) against the wolf (Angelica).

---

Tempest Wits
from Teddy P. Brains
Tempest's Favorite Serah's Soap: Hearts of Hearts Soap

Tempest's favorite food is her mother's homemade seafood gumbo and seafood is one of my favorite foods as well.  I choose the Hearts of Hearts soap as Tempest's favorite because she seems like she'd put heart into everything she does.

---

LaShawn
from Bebe's Kids
LaShawn's Favorite Serah's Soap: Peanut Butter Cups Soap

Although as a kid, my arms stayed crossed and my lips pouted as much as Lashawn's, our similarities don't stop there.  Lashawn is one of Bebe's kids and I am one of Bebe's grandkids.  One of my grandmothers was nicknamed Bebe long before the movie and it is still a running joke in my family.  I choose Peanut Butter Cups Soap as LaShawn's favorite because I can imagine her sitting on the front steps enjoying Peanut Butter Cups candy with her brothers.

---

Penny Proud
from The Proud Family
Penny's Favorite Serah's Soap: African American Flag Soap

Penny has a cool suga mama who does Tae-bo!  And my grandmothers are my cool suga mamas too!  One of my grandmothers would pick me up from elementary school right after my parents dropped me off and take me on some cool adventures and drop me off one hour before my parents picked me up from school.  Sorry mom and dad.  Thanks Grandma!  I choose the African American Flag soap as Penny's favorite because her last name is proud.

What cartoon character would you be?

Now I have to tag seven more bloggers:

• http://happilyeverafterland.typepad.com/
• http://lizburr.com/
• http://mypenrunnethover.blogspot.com/
• http://www.funkyblackchick.com/
• http://fromayellowhouse.blogspot.com/
• http://notsosahm.wordpress.com/
• http://conjurethis.blogspot.com/
  

America Recycles Day

November 15

Help celebrate America Recycles Day and take the pledge.  

In Santa Barbara, recycle your old electronics at the County's Recylcing and Transfer Station.  Always FREE for Santa Barbara residents!

TVs, computers, monitors, printers, fax machines, telephones, VCRs, DVD players, microwaves, CDs, DVDs, video and cassette tapes, etc

For more information about Santa Barbara County's Electronic Waste Recycling Program, please visit www.lessismore.org or call (805) 882-3615.

Find a recycling center in your area and read other ways Serah's shares to Go Green.

A Clean Campaign

Serah's Presidential Candidates Soaps were featured in the cool stuff section of The Times Picayune on November 1, 2008 (hard copy).

A huge thanks to Stephanie!

Although the election is over, there is still time to get your Vote Obama and Vote McCain soaps.  They are available at SerahOnline.com until January 25, 2009...5 days after the inauguration.
Related Links:

• Blog Post on Presidential Candidates Soaps

I've been featured on EbonyWoman!

Twitter certainly has its perks! Of course the most obvious perk is social networking but a not so obvious perk is the priceless relationships you can form with the people you meet. I have one of those relationships with Teresa Johnson. You may remember Teresa from a previous post where she tagged me to write 6 interesting things about myself but in case you don't remember, allow me. Teresa is from Gottitravel and Ebony Woman and she has featured me on Ebony Woman!

Please visit Ebony Woman to read my feature and let me know what you think. While you're there, browse Teresa's blog for her insight on travel, entreprenuership, technology, health and personal development.

Cupcake Soap Giveaway

I am pleased to announce Serah's sponsored giveaway over at The Dirty Shirt! Enter for a chance to win not one, but TWO of Serah's Cupcake Soaps. Serah's Cupcake Soaps are created with glycerin and shea butter soap and scented with the Creamsicle fragrance which smells like a yummy vanilla cupcake! 

Head over to The Dirty Shirt for more details.

Christmas Reindeer Candy Corn Cupcake Soap

Remember Serah's Candy Corn Soap, well candy corn is not just for Halloween anymore! Behold, I present to you Serah's Christmas Reindeer Candy Corn Cupcake Soap! Our Christmas Reindeer Candy Corn Cupcake Soap is scented with the Holiday Candy fragrance.

One customer describes the Holiday Candy fragrance as "...a mixed berry scent that gives you an instant craving for a fruity drink! Sweet..but not too sweet."

Why is it called Christmas Reindeer Candy Corn? To be honest, I have no idea! I just named my soap after the candy. I did some Google researching but came up empty handed. If you know why it's called Christmas Reindeer Candy Corn, please let us know in the comments.

These soaps make great gifts and stocking stuffers for the holiday season! Get yours today by visiting us at Serah's.

Serah’s & Sharon Naylor Wedding Book & Rose Bouquet Giveaway

Two of the most popular days of the year couples get engaged happen during the winter holiday season. So if you are about to walk down the aisle to spend the rest of your life with your special love, this giveaway is for you!  Serah’s and author Sharon Naylor have teamed up to give one lucky Serah’s customer a personalized copy of Sharon Naylor’s 1000 Best Secrets for your Perfect Wedding and a You’re Special Rose Soap Bouquet. 1000 Best Secrets for your Perfect Wedding is Southern Bride Magazine’s Editors Pick and was given a 5-star rating from BestWeddingSites.com.

Sharon Naylor is the author of over 30 wedding planning books. She is the wedding Q&A specialist at iVillage Weddings, where she answers questions on the Ask the Bridal Expert board and runs the NBC/iVillage blog 'Planning in Peace,' contributing editor for Southern Bride, and a regular contributor to the top bridal magazines, including Bridal Guide, Southern Bride , and Bride's. Her podcast, "Here Come the Moms" is the newest monthly show on Wedding Podcast Network.com. Read more…

HOW TO ENTER:
Every time you complete an order at SerahsOnline.com between November 1, 2008 and January 1, 2009 you are automatically entered for your chance to win. We will pick the winner randomly on January 2, 2009.   You must be at least 13 to shop with Serah's. This contest is open to residents of the United States and Canada.

Happy Halloween!

Serah's wants you to have a safe and happy Halloween.

Itsy Bitsy Spider Cupcake Soap

Are you ready for October 31st? Have some fun this year with your children. Go trick-or-treating, throw a party, or give them gifts. Whatever you and your children decide to do, you’ll go batty over our Itsy Bitsy Spider Cupcake Soap!

The Itsy Bitsy Spider Cupcake Soap is a unique soap exclusively at Serah’s. I made the mold from my own two hands! It’s perfect for Halloween gifts.

Got a Spiderman fan in your household? The Itsy Bitsy Spider Cupcake Soap can also be customized in black, blue, and red for a Spiderman theme birthday party gift!

Is your child afraid of the creepy crawly spider? Teaching them about spiders is a great way to overcome arachnophobia. It’s the ideal gift to make their education just as fun as their bath time with our Itsy Bitsy Spider Cupcake Soap.

Our Itsy Bitsy Spider Cupcake Soap is made with extra lather glycerin and shea butter soap and scented the Creamsicle fragrance. Creamsicle smells like a yummy vanilla cupcake that everyone is sure to love.

Candy Corn has its day!

Candy corn is one of the most popular candies around Halloween in the US. The flavor can be absolutely addicting! Now you can get candy corn in a cupcake with Serah’s Candy Corn Cupcake Soap!

FUN FACT

from: the National Confectioners Association A cup of candy corn has fewer calories than a cup of raisins.

EVEN BETTER: Our Candy Corn Cupcake Soap has ZERO calories!!!

Did you know that October 30st is a National Candy Corn Day?

Tagged! My Confessions

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that my Twitter friend Teresa from Gottitravel and Ebony Woman tagged me today for the 6 Interesting Things Game! After she posted six interesting things about herself, she passed the buck to me. I post six interesting things about myself and then tag six other people.

My confessions won't be as melodic or chart-topping as Usher Raymond's but I thought long and hard to try to make them as juicy as possible. Enjoy!

1. I was almost kicked out of my high school.
2. I still have the 1st TV I EVER bought.
3. I chew ice cream.
4. I was on the panel for a talk show called "Teen Talk" in high school
5. I have gone white-water rafting, parasailing, AND jet skiing and I can't swim!
6. At one point, I spent so many nights in the Atlanta-Hartsfield Airport that the food court staff knew me on a first name basis.

Now, for the six people I want to tag:

• Wedding Author Sharon Naylor
• Caroline from Shop Just Because
• Erin from Everything Pink Papaya
• Sonya from A Day in the Life of a Bored Nappy
• Meaghan from I Kicked Cancer's Ass
• Ashley from Hippo Scraps

Win a Custom Blog Header!

Win a custom-designed header for your blog made by Sashwhy's Studio.
Freebies 4 Mom: Sashwhy's Studio Giveaway

Cutie Booty Cakes Diaper Cake Giveaway

Cutie Booty Cakes first blog giveaway! Enter to win a beautiful Lavender Beauty Cake valued at $50.00!
Cutie Booty Cakes: It's A Launch!

And I thank you…thank you!

Yesterday, I was shocked by some disturbing news from a fellow business owner and friend of mine. My friend asked another business owner for advice pertaining to their industry and was startled when she received an unflattering, discouraging, and discourteous response. I again must iterate that I, to say the least, floored!

Therefore, this post is to let everyone who has helped me know that you have been very supportive and I thank you…thank you! I have met some incredible people in my industry and in other industries that have been my conscious of good advice in business. Of course, also very instrumental to my success have been my customers who enjoy my products as much as I enjoy creating them and giving constructive feedback and I thank you. Thank you to the readers of this blog and those who leave me comments. Thank you to all my friends and family who have had my back.

Last but not least, there is 1 person in particular who chooses to remain anonymous who has been tremendously supportive and contributed greatly to the my success and the success of Serah’s and I THANK YOU! (You know who you are.)

Here's to all of you.

I Love My SITStas

I don’t remember how I found my SITStas but I am so glad I did! By SITStas, I’m referring to all the women bloggers at The Secret is in the Sauce (SITS). SITS is a community of bloggers (men too) dedicated to supporting each other by leaving lots of comments.



The brain children behind SITS are Heather and Tiffany, two self-proclaimed comment junkies. This supportive community has helped me build relationships and enter the interesting lives of some incredible women and entrepreneurs.

Please visit my SITStas, show them some comment love and tell them Lisa @ Serahs sent ya!

• The Pink Teapot – A Guide to Etiquette
• I’m an Organizing Junkie
• Common Sense Shopping using the Pennies in my Pocket
• Simply Stork
• Cherry’s Jubliee

Although we’re not blood-related, we’re blog-related and I love them just the same because blogging is thicker than water!

Tip Junkie's Mom-prenuer Shop-a-thon

As a woman-owned business, Serah's would like to share this information with you from Tip Junkie.

Buy from women this holiday season!

The purpose of this Mom-prenuer Shop-a-thon is to feature unique, fun, and creative gifts you can purchase for your friends, family and yourself this holiday season created by women.

Your friends and family are going to be blown away with your fabulous gifts this holiday season! Here's the link to the Shop-a-thon directory:

http://tipjunkie.blogspot.com/2008/10/mom-prenuers-shop-thon_03.html

Sharing Ways to Go Green

Our Commitment Serah's is committed to reducing waste across all areas of our business and encouraging our customers to do the same.

Check back on this page to see new ways we go green and how you can go green as well. Please add your recycling tips in our comments. The more the greener!

Ways We Recycle

• Ink Cartridges - Serah's recycles our HP Inkjet and Laser Cartridges through the HP Planet Parters Recycling Program. It's free and easy! Postage-paid return and recycling envelopes are provided free of charge in many HP print cartridge boxes. If you have one, just follow the instructions on the website to return cartridges to HP. If you don't have the envelopes, you can request an envelope for inkjet cartridges here and laser cartridges here at HP.
• Recycling Paper - Serah's makes every effort to purchase recycled paper and recycle paper used. According to eHow.com, for every ton of paper that is recycled, 17 trees live. You can recycle most paper including white office paper, newspaper and mixed-color paper through a local curbside recycling program.
• Recycling Boxes - Serah's recycles boxes through our local recycling program or provides them to others in need of recycled boxes. We encourage our customers to recycle our packaging also.
  
• Styrofoam Peanuts - Serah's does not purchase styrofoam peanuts but we do reuse them in other packages. This way, we are not creating a demand for styrofoam peanuts. As a consumer, you can do the same but if you don't have any packaging needs, take your peanuts to the nearest packaging store that accepts them and donate.

New Tips

• 2008/10/11 - This tip was brought to us courtesy of Women's Day Magazine, Volume No. 71, Issue No. 17, the best way to recycle CDs & DVDs: Mail discs to Back Thru The Future (cdrecyclingforfree.com), a woman owned electronics recycling and data destruction company
  

MomDot.com

MomDot is a mom blog listing site that is run by mommy bloggers, trisha, alicia, and bridgette.They run contests weekly, reviews on awesome (and not so awesome) products for family and kids, and talk about their lives. But more importantly, they feature bloggers and mom boutiques to give them an avenue to get thier name out there, also assisting in google links! You can head out and list your blog for free and talk to them about doing an interview about you. Head on over and see what MomDot is about!  Serah's is listed at MomDot.com and you should be too!

Casting Call: Crafty Island

This could be your chance!  You've heard of Fantasy Island, Temptation Island, and Survivor!  We're looking for women and men (all ages, all ethnicities) with an expertise to star in our all new reality show Crafty Island.  The show features real world people stranded on a remote island in the wild without any of their usual supplies.  NO communication with the outside world.  You all have to work together to survive but you are only allowed to use your area of expertise to aid in their survival for 1 month.  If you can't contribute to the group, you will be voted off by your teammates.  On the island are animals, trees with fruits and vegetables, a large pot, a glass container, and an ax.

All the members have been cast.  I'm the first cast member.  When I arrived on the island, I received a card that read, "How do you make soap if you're stranded in the wild?"  Luckily for me, I'm able to cheat.  Someone has already answered that question for me HERE and HERE.  (HAHA I've got a leg up!)

But if you're not crafty like my friend Jerod, his area of expertise is sales.  Therefore, his card read, "How would you barter resources from the wild if you were stranded in the wild?"  Jerod's answer was:

Since I don't have communication with the outside world, obviously I have to barter with the others on the island.  I would chop down all the trees and barter the trees for things I'll need to ensure my survival.  So I'd give some of the  trees to Lisa so she can make soap but she'd have to give me soap for the trees to make sure I stay fresh and clean.

Use your imagination...answer this question: As a cast member, when you arrived on the island, you received a card that read, "How do you (fill in the blank) if you're stranded in the wild?"

I'm a Featured Artist on Cinnamon and Honey Blog!

I have met some awesome people on the social networking scene. There are those people who have blogs and crafts that you hold in such high regard that you secretly hope their inspirational capabilities will somehow magically travel through cyberspace, to your computer's keyboard, up through your fingertips and into you. One person in particular is Robin from Cinnamon and Honey Blog! I am a featured artist on Robin's blog for The Handmade's Tale. Click HERE to read the post. The Handmade's Tale introduces you to self-taught, independent artists who toil away creating beautiful and inspiring pieces. (I'm so excited...do do do do...and I just can't hide it!) Forgive my singing (it could have been worse; at least you didn't have to hear it)!
Visit Cinnamon and Honey Blog not only for my feature but also check out Robin's handmade cards and to get your chance to be featured next!

Think Pink - Breast Cancer Awareness Month at Serah's

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Serah’s plans to donate 20% from the purchase of the following products to breast cancer research for the month of October:

• Pink Awareness Ribbon Soap
• Cupcake Soap (Pink only)
• Mini Cupcake Soap (Pink only)
• You’re Special Rose Soap Bouquet (Pink only)

Click HERE to shop.


As the owner of Serah’s, it is my true, sincere personality to be a humanitarian and to strongly support causes which are personal to me. My family and friends have died from cancer, are cancer survivors, or have been generally affected by cancer. For years through school and corporate America, I have give my time and money to supporting my causes. Now that I have my own business, it's only natural that I would continue to support those causes through Serah's.

Serah's also supports charities to help combat the growing epidemic of AIDS in Africa.

I am not trying to push my product to make a profit. I am not sitting around a conference room table devising a brilliant marketing scheme that makes tons of money while only donating a very small share to research. I would like to help find a cure…plain and simple.

If you would like to make donations for breast cancer or cancer research directly to the charity, please visit:

- Susan G. Komen for the Cure at http://www.komen.org/
- American Cancer Society at http://www.cancer.org/

Rock the Soap! Vote Obama or McCain Soaps

Presidential Candidates Soap
Originally uploaded by serahsonline

Rock the Soap! Show your support for Senator Barack Obama or Senator John McCain with our Presidential Candidates Soaps! Click here to get your candidate soap now! Each soap is handcrafted with shea butter and glycerin soap. Our Vote Obama Soap is scented with the Ocean Rain fragrance and our Vote McCain Soap is scented with the Red Apple fragrance.
You've heard of Rock the Vote...now you can Rock the Soap!

The US presidential election of 2008, scheduled for Tuesday, November 4, 2008, will be the 56th consecutive quadrennial US presidential election.
These soaps are not an endorsement of either candidate. Please post nonpartisan comments ONLY.

Fall 2008 Soaps at Serah's

Pumpkins are not just for pies! And I can prove it. Serah's now has Pumpkin Cupcake Soaps and Pumpkin Soaps! Make sure to get yours for holiday gifts! Add some pumpkin spice to your life!

For the kiddies, our Mini Pumpkin Face Soaps will make great Halloween treats to avoid the sweets! And remember you can receive 10% off your next order. See Serah's Store for details.

Fall is my favorite time of year here in Santa Barbara. It used to be Winter in other parts of the country because I loved wearing my turtle-neck sweaters. YES, I said it...turtle-neck sweaters! But in Santa Barbara, seasons are a bit unusual. I don't get to build a pile of leaves in my backyard and frolic around in them like I did when I was a kid. Fall in Santa Barbara hosts the time of year for my favorite festival! The Santa Barbara Harbor and Seafood Festival that is! Now don't be surprised if you see me out there from open to close because it's absolutely possible. Some of the other festivals that I hope to partake in are:

• Danish Days
• California Lemon Festival
• World Fest 2008

Enjoy the Fall 2008 season!

Stop the FDA Globalization Act of 2008!!

PLEASE Sign the Petition at the Indie Business Blog.

In a nutshell, I strongly oppose the FDA Globalization Act of 2008! At a minimum, the FDA Globalization Act of 2008 would impose a fee of $2,000 up to $12,000 per year fee on small indie businesses like mine, no exceptions. This fee maybe pocket change for larger companies but for small companies like my own, it's the kiss of death. I understand that the FDA is trying to tighten regulations but this law has unintended consequences.

Click HERE to watch a video on the subject for more information and please sign the petition.

Related Links:
Discussion Draft of the FDA Globalization Act of 2008 See Sections 301 and 401.

Sharing The Love

Here's hoping there's a smile on your face like the one that's on mine.

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Most nights while stumbling, I come upon some really cool and interesting sites, blogs, and flickr albums. Tonight was the first night I came upon one that really touched my heart and I thought I would touch yours.

Thanks Wake Up Tiger for touching my heart. Visit Wake Up Tiger's blog.

Hi, My name is (what)…My name is (who)

Make your own Name TagI’m letting the secret out or shall I say I’m letting the cat out of the bag. Truth be told, I didn’t even come up with my company’s name! A friend of mine did! (Thanks, friend!) We were having a conversation one day about our names (long before I opened my business) and he came up with Serahs using letters from my name. The only contribution I gave was the apostrophe and it became Serah’s.

I’ve learned cool things about this name since having it. One night while in an Etsy chat room, an Etsy member said “Did you know that your company’s name is Shares spelled backwards?” Then tonight I decided to Google Serah and learned this:

Source: Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary (late 1800's)
Serah, lady of scent; song; the morning star

Source: Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
Serah
abundance; princess, the daughter of Asher and grand-daughter of
Jacob (Gen. 46:17); called also Sarah (Num. 26:46; R.V.,
"Serah").

I found Lady of Scent to be fitting since I’m now also an artisan of scented soaps. Well there, I’ve told you! Now you’ve got to tell me yours. Tell me how you got your company name, blog name, nickname, or personal name.

Style.com mentions cupcakes!

Style.com mentions cupcakes!
Originally uploaded by serahsonline

Serah's Mini Cupcake soaps gets a mention on Style.com! Check it out at: http://www.style.com/stylefile/2008/09/the-clue-in-the-cupcake/

Thanks Lauren for sending me the link and thanks Nancy!

Eat My Phone

I cut it open!
Originally uploaded by serahsonline

When I thought of the name for this blog post, I said, "Why does that sound familiar?" It's because of the popular idiom, eat your words. Well, I'm probably the only one who can eat my phone. So there, I've coined a new idiom!

I shared my story with Palm and I'm so excited that they decided to feature me on their blog! Thanks so much, you guys! Check me out on Palm's blog.
http://blog.palm.com/palm/2008/09/this-treo-takes.html

Check out the first post related to this topic: http://blog.serahsonline.com/2008/08/have-your-life-eat-cake-too.html