Validation is such a powerful tool! One we often don’t use enough. Each and everyone of us want and need validation. Have you ever wanted to hear?

-You matter to me
-I see you
-You’re good at…
-You’re smart
-You’re talented
-You’re desirable
-You’re worthy

To validate someone’s feelings we give the gift of validation not only to them but to ourselves. When we reach out to really “SEE” someone; we touch their hearts!

Remember, we are all in this together!

Validation for doing the right things for the right reasons feels GREAT!

“O” The OPRAH Magazine constantly validates Carved Solutions for our personalized soaps, monogrammed soaps, custom soaps and inspiring soaps! It is with great pride and responsibility that we are known as “The Most Desired Brand of Monogrammed Soaps & Candles“.

Repeatedly, being featured as an “O List” item is a reference we take very seriously.  At Carved Solutions, we strive to constantly bring you the best the market has to offer, the highest quality possible, client care beyond reproach, an ever-growing product offering and we’re Made in USA – Certified (USA-C)!

When the Oprah Community is willing and desirous to give you their seal of approval you know you are doing the right things for the right reasons (and if you have followed Carved Solutions for a while you know how important that is to me, personally).

For the Journey is completely OPRAH inspired.

On your JOURNEY you’ll DISCOVER how to SURRENDER to your authentic self where you will AWAKEN and CREATE your DREAMS into reality.

Lavender : Carved in Arial “SURRENDER” Lavender : Carved in Arial “DREAM” Satsuma : Carved in Arial “DISCOVER” Satsuma : Carved in Arial “JOURNEY” Wild Blue Lupin : Carved in Arial “CREATE” Verbena : Carved in Arial “AWAKEN”

Refresh, rejuvenate, and spoil with only the finest personalized soap deserving of your discerning taste. Our Signature Spa Collection is a gorgeous blend of today’s most intriguing and sought after colors & fragrances all in one! A complete sensory experience.

Just in time for Mother’s Day, Birthdays, Wedding and Anniversaries! Doesn’t that special friend need a little spoiling for the Journey?  You know YOU deserve it! Grab the June Issue of O, The Oprah Magazine to discover what other surprises are in store for you.  The Oprah family asked us to sweeten the deal just for loyal Oprah readers and that we did!

Thank you for joining us on our journey – we are honored to be walking yours with you!

Smiles always!

♥ & ☼

~Dawn

Shirley A. (Doane) Faverty found herself, the oldest of 5 girls, raised on a Vermont dairy farm.  To escape the farm (yes, there are Vermonters who don’t want to  farm) this beautiful, young blond joined the Marines! Because somehow during the Korean War that was a better option than the farm!

Side note, my Mom is a lady through and through.  She’s a neat freak, doesn’t like to “play in the dirt”, won’t touch worms, is afraid of mice, and doesn’t like anything gross.  It’s actually humorous that her life started on the farm and progressed to the Marines!

Long story short, this beautiful Marine met a tall, dark and handsome Navy Sailor and the rest is history.

My Dad passed away in 2004 but part of his legacy is how he raised us to love and respect our Mom.  My Dad raised us to give her the utmost respect; you don’t swear around a lady, you help your mother because you only have one, you do what you are told, you don’t sass your mom and you thank God every day that she exists to love you.  It’s actually amazing what a remarkable job my Dad did in instilling this respect and undying love for my Mom.  You see, my Dad was an active alcoholic up until his death.  Somehow he climbed the corporate ladder, provided for a family, shared his generous spirit with family and friends and worshiped this woman amidst his own demons. I believe at the core this “respect of mother” comes from his own mother passing in his arms when he was just a teen.

How my Dad raised me to value my Mom is one of the most priceless gifts I have received in this lifetime.  He always said (and I encourage you to really meditate on this) “You only have one Mom and it is your job to do everything you can to care for her, to help her, to protect her, to love her.”

In summary, my Mom (who is so much like the character Aunt Bea from The Andy Griffith Show) has raised three girls and is a serious SURVIVOR!   Mom has freed herself from codependency, survived breast cancer twice, skin cancer multiple times, and even lung cancer but our newest journey looks like it’s going to give us a run for our money – Alzheimer’s.  We are still early on in this journey and I’m hopeful for as much time as possible in this early stage.  I’m completely aware of the battle we are beginning to march into.  Additionally, I’m forever grateful for my beloved husband (and President of Carved Solutions), Mike.  He cares for my Mom daily exactly how my Dad would have wished.  In fact, the last words Mike shared with my Dad before he passed were, “Don’t worry Chuck, I’ll take care of your girls.”  I honestly believe it was those words from Mike that set my Dad free.

In time, I hope to write much more about my Mom so I can share this beautiful, rare angel with you.  Otherwise, shame on me for keeping her to myself!  When Mom visits us at Carved Solutions she is greeted with hugs from all and I constantly hear “I LOVE YOUR MOM!”.  Which is priceless, because she so deserves this love!

The whole conversation that started this blog came from Kathy Ireland’s (@KathyIreland) twitter post about Leeza Gibbons (@LeezaGibbons) and Leeza’s Place.  The timing must have been inspired because I (@CarvedSolutions) had just tweeted “Memory clinic meeting w/Mom today. Always looking 4 the silver lining in the journey #alzheimers. TY @alzassociation 4 all u do 2 #endalz.”

What Leeza has created at Leeza’s Place is priceless and this Mother’s Day Carved Solutions is going to do all it can to support the cause.  Our gift to you is that all Mother’s Day gift sets are on SALE! And our gift to caregivers is that profits from this Mother’s Day Sale are going direct to Leeza’s Place!

Because like my Dad said, “”You only have one Mom and it is your job to do everything you can to care for her, to help her, to protect her, to love her.”

Smiles always!

♥ & ☼

Dawn

Back at the Market, “Dawn of a New Day” soaps with inspiring aromatherapy and messages were a huge hit!  As our retailers were searching The Mart for “The New“, “The Exciting“, “The Next Best Thing“, “The All-Time Favorites” and that special “Feels Good, Inspiring” products, personally, I was touched when I saw their eyes light up as they took in everything Carved Solutions has to offer.  And what were they saying?

One retailer to another, “Can I witness for you?  We love Carved Solutions!  Their products are gorgeous, always on time and they are so easy to work with!”

Overheard from three retailers buying for their stores.  Retailer #1, “SEE the difference?  THAT’S the difference!” Retailer #2 “I do! Wow, I had no idea.”  Retailer #3 “It’s a no-brainer, it takes care of every gift all year long”!

A Retailer that was considering “Dawn of a New Day” point of purchase. “Now this is what we’re looking for, this is the type of product that makes Carved Solutions so different than the rest.  It just “feels right” working with Dawn and her team”.

I always feel re-energized and validated returning from a show.  Having our retailers confirm that we are doing the right things for the right reasons and their continued trust and loyalty to us is a priceless feeling for all the hard work we put into a show.

In Atlanta, we enjoyed watching the Market launch of Dolma Fair Trade.  Dolma specializes in high quality accessories and home décor handmade by fair trade artisans in India. In addition to abiding by fair trade principles of fair wages, women’s empowerment and environmental responsibility, they donate 15% of their profits to schools for girls and women living in poverty.   Dolma Fair Trade is the creation of Melinda Haselton (who also happens to be the beloved wife of our own Programmer/Operator, Dusty Haselton).  Melinda’s vision for Dolma is inspiring and proof that one person can make a difference in our world.  The buyers in AmericasMart could not get over the quality of products that Dolma Fair Trade‘s artisans produce!  In signature Carved Solutions’ style, Melinda makes sure that her products stand head and shoulders above the rest!

NYIGF is always on the heals of AmericasMart as we start our year of trade shows.

Even though it’s tough work running from one trade show to the next it’s always a pleasure to reconnect with the vendors who are starting their year of show circuits with us, plus catch up with the buyers we just saw in Atlanta and see the NYIGF buyers that are fresh to the market post holiday season.

2012 Winter/Spring shows have given remarkable report outs from our retailers.  They all had a stellar holiday season, their clients are buying again and they are all singing a very positive tune.  Looks like great things are to come from 2012 for all!

New beginnings, new products, new facilities – 2012 is the year of NEW and we are thrilled to share it all with you.

Dawn of a New Day has taken the retail market by storm.  It’s the perfect grab and go for today’s insightful, inspired consumer.  Inspired aromatherapy combined with inspirational and motivational thoughts create the perfect gift for every occasion and every recipient.  Everyone deserves hope, kindness, forgiveness and encouragement combined with the pure spa experience found in our Vermont Made Signature Spa, Triple-Milled, Soap Bars

and our Hand Poured, Soy Blend Luxury Candles.

Once your Dawn of a New Day candle has been thoroughly enjoyed each glass vessel is a reusable high ball glass, a catch-all or even a small planter.  Also available as a personalized candle (engraved with your initial, monogram, name, phrase, icon or logo).  “Live Positively” with our refreshing lemon, feel “At Home” with our grounding Vanilla, “Love Unconditionally” with our balancing Lavender and spread the light with our unscented “Just Flame”.   What a unique keepsake!

We couldn’t just stop there.

Personalized Living comes to your kitchen and what better place to start than the quintessential kitchen tool … the cutting board! Especially, a world renowned Vermont crafted favorite!

The Everyday Board Collection

Integrity Cutting Board Collection

Cattail Cutting Board Collection

You’ll instantly fall in love with the touch and feel of each and every Vermont made board. In fact, the first time we held one in our hands we couldn’t resist caressing it! Each and every detail is crafted with the highest integrity.

Different than anything else you’ve ever experienced! Personalized to your desire with a classic initial, a timeless monogram, a modern name, a custom phase, an icon or even a logo!

With almost 5 decades of craftsmanship we guarantee gift-giving success each and every time. In fact, once you purchase as a gift we are certain you’ll be back to purchase for yourself!

We seal and hand rub each board with our proprietary finish. Care is simple, wash in warm soapy water, the use of a nylon scouring pad is encouraged, then dry thoroughly, no dishwashers, please.

Just in time for Mother’s Day a gorgeous French Cherry Rolling Pin “rolled” into our lives.  It’s beauty complimented our new Artisan Wood line so well we just had to have it!

Our fine VT craftsmanship captures the “tree of the heart” in Cherry wood. The understated elegance of our French Favorite’s long and balanced line is lovingly hand turned with style and grace. Once this pin touches your hand you’ll know you are holding a serious kitchen tool. Choose a classic initial, a timeless monogram, a modern name, a custom phrase, an icon or even a logo! Can be engraved in the center as a display sign too! I hear Paula Deen has one!

The quality you expect, the personalization you desire … Made in Vermont

Mother’s Day is such a special time of year and celebrating Mom is something we love to do every day!   Carved Solutions always has the perfect gift for to help you to spoil Mom.   We create products that always remind her how special and loved she is.   Carved Solutions make it easy too – all Mother’s Day Luxury Soap Gift Sets are 20% off!

From our timeless Eco-Luxury … the only safe for sensitive skin and noses in the personalized soap industry!

To our exciting Signature Spa Collection Personalized aromatherapy at its best!

Mother’s Day is a wonderful time to not only celebrate our own Moms but also a time to recognize all the women in our lives.  From being involved in our simple day to day or our life’s milestones each of these women have added to the shape of not only our lives but if we are parents, the lives of our own children as well.  Whether that lovely lady is a Grandma, Aunt or Sister by relation or adopted into the family these women unconditionally empower, guide, support, encourage and love us every day!  Our Sarah is so fortunate to be loved and supported by Grandmas, Great-Aunts, Aunts and a handful of remarkably gifted women in our lives who are beloved Aunties.    You can be sure that we will be spoiling each one of them!

Oh! I just realized I didn’t even get to share with you the news about our NEW factory!  That will have to wait for my next post.  I promise photos too!  We moved in about 3 weeks ago and are starting to feel settled.  We love everything about our new location and know you will too!

Until then…smiles always!

XOX,

Dawn ♥ ☼

With every passing year I always find myself “measuring” things.  You should have seen the look on Mike’s face the other day when I reminded him that we met 30 years ago and started dating 27 years ago! We will celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary this year and our daughter Sarah will turn 12.  Funniest part is, I’m 42 and he’s 43 … we’ve been together for a long time and he works with me all day, every day!! (LOL Mike is really resilient!).

2012 will be the 8th year since my Dad transitioned from this life’s journey to the next, my Father-in-Law will celebrate his 32nd year sober and my Mom will be celebrating 16 years free from breast cancer and 11 years free from lung cancer!  Amongst many other milestones Carved Solutions turns 6!

Why do I measure?  I think because I’ve always been on a growth path.  I’ve always been the kind of person that could get lost in the “self-help” section of the bookstore; searching for tools to improve myself, to become a better communicator and a person of compassion and empathy.  I’m always in pursuit of the positive and sharing the positive.  I’m always on a mission to “see it, feel it, be it, believe it” thanks to my Dad, Chuck Faverty.  I’m a huge fan of Oprah’s Master Class, Oprah’s Lifeclass and Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday.  I’m also a huge believer in the value of “OPM” Other People’s Minds because I don’t know it all.

One may think that this new chapter in Carved Solutions product offering came from me but this next stage of product creation is Mike’s brainchild.  “Dawn of a New Day” was his way of creating a vehicle to spread the positive.  “Dawn of a New Day” is Mike’s way to share the power of positive thinking and the uplifting energy found in the sense of hope.

“Dawn of a New Day to me, ” says Mike “Makes me think of Dawn because she’s always positive and always spreads the positive either by direct encouragement of others or the positive messages she shares as Carved Solutions on Facebook and Twitter.  The New Day is always the opportunity to start fresh, to do better, and to give more in every aspect of our lives”.

Needless to say, I’m beyond honored that Mike, a self-proclaimed “realist” spending his life with an “optimist”, would still find something inside me as an inspiration 30 years later!

I’m so proud to start unveiling this new line for you.  Photos will come from AmericasMart this week.  If you are at the Mart you can come discover it first hand.  You’ll find us in Building 3, Floor 5, Booth #2700 with the “Lucky 7″ known show after show for consistently the best lines at market!

Who are the “Lucky 7″ at AmericasMart?

Carved Solutions

Dolma Fair Trade

Uncommonwares

The Pink Monogram

Survive Design

Wanda Web Jewelry

Patty Anderson Jewelry

Hope to see you at Market ~ Time to pack!

Safe travels!

Smiles always,

Dawn

I know, I know… we English majors can be a pain sometimes.  We’re the kids who actually LIKED to diagram sentences on the board in 5^th grade.  During math class, of course, our palms would sweat and we’d ask for bathroom passes.  But if it involved words and ideas, we seemed to understand at an early age that following the rules would mean we’d be understood.

Which brings me to my blog post today… the mighty apostrophe.

At Carved Solutions, our job is to help you communicate your special message.  So here are a few rules about how and when to use an apostrophe in your customized carving and engraving, whether it’s soap, candles, glassware or any of our great products.

1.  When putting a name on something you don’t need an apostrophe to make it plural:

The Warrens refers to the Warren family.

The Warren’s means this bar of soap belongs to them (probably not what you’re trying to say).

2.  If the name already ends in an “s” or “z” you can either add an “es”, or just use the name without  putting “The” before it:

The Joneses, The Hernandezes (correct, but it looks kind of clunky)

Jones , Hernandez (preferable)

3.  If the name ends in a vowel  and you want to make it plural, just put an “s” on the end:

The Moores

The Moore Family (another good option)

One final word about CAPITALIZATION.  In our media-saturated world, all caps is a common way to get people’s attention, to shout a bit. If your statement is EXUBERANT then use those caps!!  But if you’re just putting a name on something, the old rule of capitalizing the first letter of the name will probably serve you well.

We will, of course, fulfill your custom carving and engraving order exactly as you submit it to us, so when in doubt, ask the nearest English major to check your order before you hit send.  And rest assured that your thoughtfulness and good taste will shine through any grammatical errors.

Enjoy!

Jane Warren (Guest Blogger Extraordinaire)

Carved Solutions 24-48 hour turnaround time keeps us all in constant motion to make sure what you are hoping for under your tree, the gift you are expecting for the hostess with the mostess, your Hanukkah celebration, your team or staff appreciation, the gift for that special caregiver and unsung hero arrives when you need it.  In December, I often find my head hitting the pillow late and my days starting way before the sun does.  There is not a lot of opportunity to pause. 

This morning, as I took a moment to close my eyes and stop the hurry of my shower, I realized that I was enveloped by an amazing aroma.  A fragrance that I experience as part of my everyday existance at Carved Solutions but for a moment it was different.  My brain stopped racing and I allowed myself the pleasure of time, the pleasure to take in the devine fragrance of Green Tea and Bergamot.  Elegant yet innocent.  The bright notes of Green Tea and Bergamot simply fresh and soothing.  Green Tea, with its unique and subtle aroma married to Bergamot’s exquisite and refreshing with a core of orange, a hint of lemon yet slightly floral.

As I held this beautiful bar in my hand I couldn’t help but reminisce in the simple pleasures of this truly luxurious soap.  The triple-milled, creamy lather of Vermont made goodness.   This beautiful bar, with Green Tea & Bergamot’s aromatherapy properties that heal and rejuvinate. 

To top it off – it had been personalized just for me!  It reminded me why we do what we do.  Personalized Soap whether it’s an initial, a classic monogram or even a name or a phrase is a thoughtful, practical yet so very elegant way to spoil someone (even yourself!).   

It was exactly what I needed to start my day.  Thank you, Mike, for placing such a lovely gift in my shower today.  Oh, and so the rest of you know, my bar said “Believe”…

Smiles always,

Dawn

I’m grateful for childhood memories that bring my Dad back to me, memories that fill my parents’ home with 30 plus folks who traveled from near and far to celebrate in gratitude together.  We were thankful for one another, for the plenty of food before us, for Dad’s humor and Mom, the hostess with the mostess, for Grandma and Grandpa who have since passed, and the Aunts, Uncles and all the cousins who have now grown with family and traditions of their own.  Family always grew every year by friends that became family and belonged in the warmth of my parent’s home.   But it was there, in my childhood home, where our traditions began.  For those memories, I am grateful.

Today, Mike and I find ourselves surrounded by a community in our own backyard, a social network community with Twitter and Facebook, a community of co-workers,  clients,  vendors and a community of peers.  Each one of you touches our lives, probably in ways that you will never know.  The gratitude for each of you is overwhelming at times.  Our friends and neighbors who have supported our dreams, our social network who have connected, encouraged and have become true friends, our co-workers (our beloved staff at Carved Solutions) none of this would be possible without you, our clients who make it all real, our vendors, who really are our partners and our community of peers, often found at trade shows, you are my sisters and brothers at heart.  Today, we want to share that gratitude for each of you, with each of you.

The Season of Gratitude celebration at Carved Solutions, you’ll find 20% to 33% off!  Our way to give a little something back to you!  YOU are the reason Carved Solutions is “The Most Desired Brand”.  As we grow our line of personalized and monogrammed soaps and candles into personalized and monogrammed tabletop (barware, stemware, glassware and servingware) your personalizations, monograms and initials keep coming.  The trust and faith you put into our products and service is humbling.

Today, we hope you find yourself surrounded by friends and family, surrounded by the love of old traditions or new traditions.  If for some reason you find yourself with nothing to do today – dinner is at 1pm – don’t be late!

With smiles always,

Dawn

Summer has come and gone since we last shared a conversation.  The floods this spring in Vermont really challenged the water quality of Lake Champlain.  As avid boaters, swimmers and fishermen we, as a family, are on the lake anytime we aren’t working.  Our 11 year old, Sarah (whom many of you have come to know), developed a very strange rash from exposure to the water.  It made the summer challenging as I’m sure you can imagine how hard it is to keep a “fish” out of the water!  In many ways, the situation was a gift, and you’ll now find a great way to give back to the health of Lake Champlain through Carved Solutions.  Just add “Save Lake Champlain LCI” in the special request field and 50% of your purchase will be donated to saving our beautiful Lake Champlain! “…because a swimmable, drinkable, fishable Lake Champlain is the only option.”

The summer also brought a lovely, young lady into our lives.  Miss Riva Dumont, crowned Executive Associate and introduced to the world at August’s NYIGF booth 2448!

Riva and I are two peas in a pod!  She’s an instant Carved Solutions family member; a hug hello and good-bye, filled with “I love you’s and appreciate you’s”.  Riva is one of a kind and has been a wonderful addition to our family.

August also brought IRENE to Vermont (as well as many other places!).  Vermont may be a state but we really are just one big neighborhood. Summing up The Vermont Way one of my favorite reports on Vermont during Irene clean up (which still continues today).  From the CBS report Paul had me at minute mark 2:55!  With so much appreciation for all the “Paul’s” in Vermont that just GET IT DONE!  We are Vermont Strong!

September brought more family support.  Walk to end Alzheimer’s! Who would know, with 19 years between us, that Riva and I would both have a parent with Alzheimer’s (plus we both hate mustard and love Mary Cassatt)?  Her Dad with early onset and my Mom at 76 just starting her Alzheimer journey.   Together (with Riva’s boyfriend, Gary) we Walked to end Alzheimer’s at the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, VT.  It was an unexpectedly beautiful day and gave us a wonderful opportunity to be together to support our parents; the three of us in a sea of purple!  Of course Carved Solutions supported us all the way.

OK so this is Shadow “cheering” Sarah at a field hockey game but it cracks me up so I had to include it!

Do you remember “Aunt Bee” from Andy Griffith?  Her kind manner, loved everyone, did everything for everyone, funny and yet still naive?  That’s my Mom through and through; all of 4’11″ of her.  Born on a Vermont dairy farm in the 30′s, the oldest of 5 girls, a marine that married a sailor (she’s so gentle  that you’d never guess it)!  My mom (besides surviving lung cancer and skin cancer) is a two-time breast cancer survivor and October is always special at Carved Solutions.  The Oprah Blog Life Lift shared our Breast Cancer Awareness soaps for the month of October to aid in our fundraising for Susan G. Komen for the Cure 50% of all gross proceeds of our Satsuma (Vermont Made) Soaps and Candles are donated to SGK for the Cure! We also love Cocktails Curing Cancer!  My Mom, Shirley A. Faverty is the perfect example of a SURVIVOR!

Finally, we reach November! It’s always a perfect time to be grateful and November is a wonderful reminder with Thanksgiving right around the corner.  Gratitude really is a wonderful state of mind to find yourself in, to put yourself in.  When you come from a place of gratitude it changes your outlook on every single experience in your day, it changes your opinion of everyone in your life, it even changes how you look at yourself.

To begin our “Season of Gratitude” we are offering (for a limited time) an unheard of 20% off of select Signature Spa Collection soaps. Just in time for the holidays!

There are many exciting surprises coming in the next few weeks – so keep your eyes open!  Have you joined us on Facebook or Twitter yet? If not, please do so as you’ll be the first to be in the know!

I would be missing an opportunity to shine a light if I didn’t mention Jason from Yahoo! Hosting Help Center.  When WordPress couldn’t help me reset our password to our blog – Jason, out of the kindness of his heart had us up and running in 15 minutes flat!  So thanks to Jason; I’m back!

Always with smiles,

Dawn

I don’t think that men truly appreciate the gift of fatherhood until they become one, themselves. As I watch my own husband interact with our daughter, Sarah, I see the priceless appreciation in his eyes and the wonder of how his heart got out of his body and became this beautiful little being that one day will grow up and he will have to set free.

When I was pregnant and we found out we were having a girl, I couldn’t help but be excited for Mike to experience the love, power and affect that “Daddy’s little girl” has on a man’s life, heart and beliefs.

With great pride, I watch him add feathers to her wings every day preparing her for that flight. He does a much better job giving her feathers than I do.

Sarah reminds me of myself as a young girl. How not only does she have her Daddy wrapped around her finger, but he holds her heart in the palm of his hand, the great protector. Watching the two of them makes me reminisce about my childhood experiences with my Dad and allows me to remember the joy he did bring into my life. How I wish he was here now so he could enjoy Sarah and Mike too.

With much gratefulness and appreciation we do still have the gift of Mike’s Dad, Jack (photo below). Jack has been in my life since I was 12 years old (I’ll turn 42 this August~shhhh!). It is with great love and honor that I call him “Dad” and he is in every since of the word a wonderful father to me. Jack has always offered to me his support, guidance, love, patience and humor! I often wonder what he would say about me if I wasn’t in the room. I would bet on one hand he’s proud and loves me very much and on the other hand finds me challenging at times, and wonder’s where I come up with my “ideas”. For me, he’s priceless and I’m so glad Sarah has a Grandpa like him!

Whether we come from “dysfunctional” families or even the perception of perfection in the Cleavers or the Cosby’s our Dads have a remarkable impact on who we are and who we’ll become. Be aware of the impression your Dad has made on your life. If it was good, seal it in your heart and strive to equal it, if it was less than desirable, learn from it and make your life easier now.

An important belief that my Dad always impressed on me was to love, respect and protect your mother because you only have one. I think my Dad finally was able to find peace and let go of this existence when Mike told him not to worry about his girls because he’d take care of them. The best Dads I know have deep respect for their Mothers and their wives.

Ahh, the joy of fatherhood!!!

Chris…you’ve come a long way baby! Bud, you make me proud! Jack you are my shelter in the storm! Daddy, I miss you!!!!

Got a special message for the Dads in your life? Let us know, if you’ve got a suggestion, we’re willing to try anything so let us know what your soap should say! www.carvedsolutions.com

Always with smiles,

Dawn

Super-sized is often presented in flashy packaging, with a fragrance that either repulses you or pulls you in. You often walk away with more than you bargained for; unhealthy weight gain, cardiovascular and metabolic morbidity (highly processed, lots of saturated fats, hydrogenated fats and refined sugar, salt by the teaspoons, very little fiber, very few vegetables and fruit) add to that heartburn, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Sure, the serving is huge; typically enough food for three but it’s really what’s inside that counts. When you give in to that “but it’s cheaper” mindset, you do get what you pay for and so does your body.

A healthy meal (whether prepared at a gourmet restaurant or at home with your family) is presented naturally and organically. It’s pure aroma is irresistible. With portions that are just the right size, filled with herbs, spices and natural vitamins and minerals that build your body, your immune system and keep you healthy and happy. Not only is family time a luxury these days, but time for a healthy meal is too!

The same holds true for luxury soaps. It’s not about the size of the bar or the flashy overseas packaging it’s about the entire experience.

Where did your soap bar come from?

Did it start with Fatty Acid Neutralized Soap Base (ours) or Kettle Saponified Soap Base (theirs)?

The size of a bar is no reflection of the luxurious quality of a soap bar. Many other brands use a (yellow colored) soap base that was created using a kettle saponification process. A kettle saponification process limits the quality of the end product, limits the color stability and also length of time the scent is carried by the bar. In regard to soap base (vegetable being the medium we are using) kettle saponification has no option to break down the fatty acids of the palm and/or palm kernel oils.

Our bar is produced using fatty acid neutralization. What this means is that we are able to break down the fatty acids of the palm and palm kernel oils to create ratios that produce the highest quality bar, most stable color (won’t fade back to the yellow base of a kettle saponified bar, as our base starts snowflake white), and a harder bar with more lather (thus a longer lasting bar – even if smaller because short chain fatty acids are removed). Carved Solutions doesn’t use heavily perfumed, inexpensive fragrances often found in the marketplace to try to entice you into thinking something is luxurious – don’t fall for their smoke and mirrors! With a range of natural ingredients and essential oil scents we bring you the simple purities and true aromatherapy experience you desire.

A popular way to create soap is using what we refer to as “lab technique” manufacturing (we only produce hand/leg pressed bars when we are specifying new products). Typically, a manual leg press creates the pressing of the mold(s) by “hand” or actually stepping on the mold machine to create the product.

Our manufacturer supports us with an extrusion and pressing operation consisting of eight soap manufacturing lines. Each line is optimized for the quality and innovation that the most demanding cosmetic companies require. With several different press types we can produce almost any conceivable bar soap shape and look with weights that range from under one ounce to one pound. Using a true manufacturing process with quality that has earned our manufacturer the reputation of being the most innovative private label soap manufacturer creates a homogenized, uniform and consistent product.

Top that all off with our proprietary carving technologies and you’ve got a personalized gourmet meal, I mean luxury soap bar awaiting your quiet bathing escape.

Carved Solutions Nutritional Value

* Pure white, fatty acid neutralized soap base
* Triple milled manufacturing process
* Natural ingredients
* Gentle and pleasing essential oil scents
* Personalized aromatherapy
* Deepest carving in the marketplace
* Detail and quality beyond reproach
* Carved Solutions signature 5 Star Client Care
* 100% Fat Free, Sugar Free, Salt Free, Calorie Free
* Eco-Luxury Made in Vermont
* 100% Guilt Free Pampering

Smiles always,
Dawn