Dessert du Jour....

Juggling Social Networking...What To Say??!

2010-01-21T14:32:00.004-06:00

I have recently started getting requests from customers to start a Facebook page. They'll send it in the form of an email and some will even mention it in the Comments section when they are placing their order.

Now, I personally have a Facebook page for myself that I set up for friends & family. It's a wonderful tool to re-connect with old classmates, co-workers, and family around the world. But when I started getting friend requests from customers, I decided it was time to change my settings to 'Private' and set something more professional up! Here is a link to the work in progress. Feel free to become a fan or friend or whatever, I promise I will leave the settings open to anyone!:-) :

http://www.facebook.com/pages/TheBodyBakerycom/386189820273?ref=ts

That now means we officially have a blog (you're reading it now), a Twitter account, and a Facebook page. The questions is, what the heck to write about in all of these places?!! I can barely come up with 140 characters to answer a basic Twitter question let alone having to come up with something more interesting and considerably longer in length for 2 other social sites!

Don't get me wrong, I think I have a lot to say (just ask my husband) but it's coming up with a topic after I've spent the entire day wearing at least 6 other work hats. By the time I actually sit down to work on updates, my brain switches off and my mind thinks ahead to the next day's schedule. So, I sit...and sit...and wait for inspiration to strike like a lightning bolt. Sometimes it does, and other days, no matter how hard I try...nothing.

So, forgive my absence from updating this blog as frequently as I should and feel free to email me on possible topics you'd like me to write about pertaining to our products and company. I am always happy to share insight or suggestions with my readers & customers.

Until next time...

Stay Sweet & Thanks for Reading!

Lia<3>

Tale Of The Tortured Tootsies

2009-07-24T19:38:00.002-05:00

Personally, I don't know anyone who's feet are as abused as mine. I just don't (ever) give 'em a break.

When I'm not running (outside or on the treadmill), I'm biking and when I'm not biking, I'm on the elliptical, and just when as I can swear I hear them begging for mercy, I keep them crammed into my Nike's (only the BEST shoes will do!) for squats, lunges, and 45-degree leg presses. So why am I shocked when I take off my shoes to find that they are dry, cracked, blistered, and swollen?!

Now believe me, I TRY and take care of them by giving them an express pedicure every 2-3 weeks to keep them visually appealing, but nooooooo that's not good enough. They look all nice and fresh for about 4 hours and then, they look as if my dog chewed on them like a bone.

So imagine my dilemma when trying to find the perfect foot balm to add to our upcoming pedicure line. Like Goldilocks with her porridge, it has to be 'Just Right'! Not too runny, not too thick, and definitely not too greasy!

It got me to thinking about you and your feet (not in a creepy way, but in an interested one!). What foot cream do you find works the best for you and why? How often do you get or give yourself a pedicure? Just curious to know. Think of it as 'Market Research' and drop me a line!

Stay Sweet and Thanks For Reading!

Lia

Dessert du Jour...Summertime Creations

2009-06-29T19:24:00.003-05:00

Shame on me! Has it really been over 3 months since my last post here?? Well in my defense, it's because we have been SO busy that by the end of the day, my brain is too drained to think of anything interesting to write about!

Busy with what you ask? Brainstorming new product & scent ideas and have realized that there are just not enough days in the year to introduce everything that we come up with but I wanted to let you in on a sneak peek of some of the behind-the scenes creations that we are working on and then thought it would be fun to get your input on things you would like to see us create! I am not going to reveal the actual product names or provide too many details other than to just tell you of the concept so you'll have something to get excited about:

-Bath Bombs: I know many of you were heart-broken when we discontinued the Tubby Time Cupcakes, but we did so for a very good reason. While they were adorable to look at, they were a dud to use. The frosting wound up floating in the bathwater and did not dissolve which to me made it not worth the time or cost. It also was one of the only items we out-sourced and we just got word last week that the company has gone out of business. But not to worry, our new item is SO super fabulous it will blow your mind and I have just made the first trial batch a few minutes ago and know they're going to be a HUGE hit!

-Pedicure Products: Ok, I have been dragging my feet on this one (no pun intended) going back & forth on products, scents, & names but I think we've got it! Again, you will totally love the fun names and the products are outstanding both in quality & performance. We will whip those rough heels into shape!

-Designer Soaps: Totally by accident, we came up with the idea to make our best-selling Soap Cakes in fun & whimsical shapes. While the standard bar is awesome to shower with, these will be smaller, decorative shapes that are designed to sit in a soap dish next to the sink. We guarantee that anyone who goes potty & washes their hands (which we HOPE that they do!) will get a chuckle when they use them!

So, what's YOUR brainy idea? Have you seen a fun, unique, or creative product that you would like to see us carry? Do you have your own idea of a product that you think others would love to use but don't have the means to make your idea a reality? We want to hear! Send me an email at: Lia@TheBodyBakery.com and I promise to personally respond to each submission even if I don't think it's a winner!

I'm waiting to hear from you!:-)

Thanks for reading & Stay Sweet!

Lia

St. Patty's Day is Coming..IRISH it was Spring!

2009-03-03T15:17:00.003-06:00

With Winter keeping its' tight grasp on the weather, it's hard to believe that Spring is almost here! Despite the chilly temperatures outside, we decided to get in the festive, St. Patty's Day mood and create 6 delicious GREEN dessert scents for the season!

Jill & I have more fun brain-storming the scent collections and while the ideas go from 'mild' to 'wild', it's usually her Libra personality that has a tough time deciding while my Leo personality makes the final decision or it would be never-ending!

We decided to stick to traditional Irish Desserts this year rather than push the envelope with 'Red-headed Drunk' or 'Long-legged Leprechaun' that came up in our session and think you'll enjoy the wide variety of different scents that offer something for everyone!

Along with the new scents comes the return of our uber-popular but temporarily discontinued Car Cookie Charm. The artist that creates them exclusively for us was thinking of shifting her focus to other projects until we received so many emails wondering where they were, we begged and groveled until she relented! :-) We are SO happy that they're back in stock and hope to sell through them very quickly to let her know just how wonderful the customers think they are! Once you hang one in your car, you'll be hooked and never go back to that tacky cardboard tree!

We are also in the process of creating a brand new body product that should be available in the coming weeks and one we are very excited to introduce! So, be sure you're a Newsletter member to be the first to see it!

As always, we are truly grateful for your continued business and referrals. We are thrilled by your wonderful feedback, both in email & review format, and we promise to continue providing you with the outstanding products & Customer Service that you have come to expect from us. We know that you have many choices and it means a lot to us that you choose us for all of your Bath, Body, Beauty treats!

Stay Sweet & Thanks For Reading!

Lia Schmoldt

Owner

www.TheBodyBakery.com

Desser du Jour...Holidays Can Wait..Just a bit longer

2008-11-07T11:14:00.004-06:00

As we begin to get prepared for the impending Holiday season, we struggled with the decision of whether to introduce a Fall Collection of scents or to just go straight into the Holiday theme early this month.

With nearly all of the major retails trying to maximize their final shopping days of the year, I was surprised to hear that nearly all of them have decided to try and jump-start the frenzy by rolling out Holiday displays and sales immediately after Halloween!

Now, I don't know about your area, but I can tell you that I was just at my local Walgreens earlier today and even THEY have their Holiday aisles & decorations up! Hello, it was 76 degrees here in the Midwest just a few days ago and the LAST thing I want to be thinking about is Christmas on November 7th!

So, I am happy ( and relieved) to tell you that our Holiday collection and update will be posted after Thanksgiving to allow everyone to enjoy the Fall and their time with their families before having to tackle massive Holiday shopping lists and crowds at the mall!

We are trying to streamline our site this season to make your experience stress-free and easy by offering value sets, limited-edition scents, and Gift Certificates for everyone on your list this year. And if you happen to want to pick up a few things for yourself at the same time, it'll be even more fun shopping with us!

Stay Sweet & Thanks For Reading!

Lia

Dessert du Jour..BEWARE! Halloween is Coming!

2008-09-24T15:54:00.005-05:00

I love my work, in part, because I enjoy the challenge of coming up with new products and especially new scent collections!

My brainstorming sessions with Jill are endless and can go from 'drab' to 'fab' depending on the day. Sometimes our minds are completely in-sync and others, we are on completely opposite ends of the spectrum and the only thing we can agree upon is disagreeing!

So it goes with our Halloween Collection and theme for this year. I knew it had to be something spectacular to compare to last year where every scent was a best-seller and we sold every gift set we had in stock long before we expected to. It was a challenge but one we were definitely up to!

We tossed around ideas like: Horror films, Monster Mash, Trick or Treat Candy, but nothing grabbed me the way last year's collection did. Then, as I sat at my kitchen table reading the Sunday Sun-Times, I had an epiphany. Like a lightning bolt it hit me, I started scribbling notes, ideas, & scents on a scratch pad of paper and by the end of the day it was... perfected.

Excited to share the news with Jill (because I KNOW how she eats, sleeps, & breathes The Body Bakery just like I do even on Sundays) I emailed her the final concept and sat eagerly awaiting her response and approval. Her response was swift and short and she told me the next day although she absolutely LOVED the theme, names, & scents she was slightly hurt that she wasn't involved in the process. Understandably so, but when an idea strikes you, you run with it or lose it!

That's all I will divulge for now, but for all of you that have emailed us about when the Halloween Collection will be available just know, it is done, it is more fabulous than last year, and it is on its way the first week of October so... watch out!

Stay sweet & Thanks so much for reading!

Lia

www.TheBodyBakery.com

Dessert du Jour...For the Love of Cupcakes

2008-08-22T17:22:00.006-05:00

With my vacation a distant memory, it was time to put my creative hat back on and get my head back into work! My first order of business was the launch of our newest product the Tubby Time Cupcakes. For awhile, I always felt that there was something 'missing' from our bath line and then I realized it was...Cupcakes!

All of my close friends just love the fact that my hubby & I enjoy 'Tubby Time' every night. They tease us and jokingly ask if they're 'interrupting Tubby Time' when they call in the evening but we love it and have been doing it for nearly 7 years! Tubby Time is our nighttime routine where we talk about our day, plan our weekends, and basically chit chat for an uninterrupted period of time about anything and everything. So, when deciding on a name for these adorable little treats, the choice was clear!

When I told Bryan the name, he loved it and immediately bought 2, (Oh Honey! & Creamy Vanilla) to use that night! (Hey, no freebies for anyone..even family! LOL!) Needless to say, they worked like a charm and made our entire bathroom smell delicious too!

Another thing that I love about them is that they make super cute gifts! I recently gave my girlfriend a basket for her birthday and included Birthday Cake Whipped Butter, Spritzer, Lip Butter, and also included a Tubby Time Cupcake in Birthday Cake which made it even more fun and totally unique!

I love introducing new products and am always trying to come up with fun & fresh ideas that you will love as much as I do! Have an idea of an amazing product that you are searching for an think we could make is fabulous? Drop me a note and your idea may become the next hot product I devote my blog post to!

Stay Sweet & Thanks for reading!

Lia

Dessert du Jour...Vacation Destination

2008-07-21T12:45:00.003-05:00

First of all, I cannot believe that it has been 2 months since my last post! The Summer is just flying by, and we have been so incredibly busy that when the day is over, I cannot muster the strength, or creative energy, to think of anything interesting to write about...until today!

If you are just coming from the site, then you know that we will be closed for vacation from Friday July 25-Monday Aug. 4. What you don't know is where we're headed for an extended period of time and here's where I'll tell you. I'm headed to visit my Sister who lives in Israel.

Now I am guessing that your initial reaction was the same as every other person who I mentioned it to which is shock followed by the question "Aren't you afraid to go there with everything that's been going on?!" And my answer then & now is: "No". The country of Israel is the size of the state of New Jersey. What is shown in the media is happening in the very South-Western tip of the country, far away from where we'll be, which is in Jerusalem.

My Sister, Orly, and her family decided to move there permanently 1 year ago and this will be my 2nd trip there in 20 years. I will be traveling with my Son on his first trans-continental flight as well as my Dad, who has never been there either. It is sure to be a memorable & exhausting journey to a beautiful country so rich in history & religion.

Of course, my wheels are already turning for ideas on how to capture the scents of Israel, so don't be surprised to see a new limited-edition line of fragrances with a more 'etherial' feel to them after I return. It will be my way of 'sharing' my experience with you and perhaps, one day, you will get the chance to visit there too! :-)

Stay Sweet & See you when I return!

Lia Schmoldt

Dessert du Jour...YouTube Review

2008-05-07T17:06:00.003-05:00

If I had a nickel for every email request that I receive for free products, I would probably be a millionaire a few times over. Everyone from celebrity events to adopt-a-pet auctions to cheerleading fundraisers to people on the other side of the world simply wanting to free samples, it really is a chore to weed through the number of requests that we receive on a weekly basis. So, when we received an email from a girl who posts webcam makeup reviews on YouTube I had to admit, I was a little intrigued.

This wasn't the usual person asking for a handout or donation, but someone who had received numerous requests by viewers to specifically review our products. After viewing her site , I knew that I had to send her products! I found her reviews to, first of all, be genuine unsolicited testimonials on a wide variety of products from many different companies. Everything from Makeup & Hair to Bath & Body, Irene is a person that thousands of people, each month, look to for advice, tips, and most importantly, product recommendations.

We are so glad to say that Irene absolutely loved the products that she received from us and we are thrilled and honored to share her reviews with you!

Enjoy!

Lia Schmoldt
www.TheBodyBakery.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCE9GJzu2h4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQN7URFeERg

Dessert du Jour...St. Patty's Day Celebration!

2008-03-05T16:35:00.002-06:00

Has it really been over a month since my last post? Shame on me! With vacation and playing catch-up when I got back, time really flew. But, behind the scenes, we were busy little beavers getting everything in place for our March update.

I am so excited about this month because it's one more month closer to Summer and we have just introduced 13 new amazing scents. 5 are Limited-Edition for St. Patrick's Day but the other 8 are scents from previous collections that were SO popular, we needed to bring them back permanently or face a lynch mob! ;-)

There are some collections that come and go but some that when we change them the emails, and special requests, literally start flooding in! But, thankfully, that's the beauty of staying a smaller business is that we do listen to our customers and always strive to add products and scents that they love!

Speaking of new products, the Break & Bake Soy Cakes are fabulous! I started burning some of the Holiday scents and my whole house was filled with fragrance within about 20 minutes! They truly are amazing and triple-scented so they last through many tealights!

Back to creating our next new concept that we are launching next month. We won't let the cat out of the bag just yet, but I can tell you that it is a totally new product that we are thrilled to be offering our customers, so watch for it in April!

Thanks for visiting and Stay Sweet!

Lia<3

Dessert du Jour...KISSTORY

2008-02-02T16:23:00.000-06:00

Recently, I read a fun little article about the history of kissing and with Valentine's Day fast approaching, I thought I would share some of the fun factoids with you!

*Some Anthropologists believe that kissing originated with early Homo sapiens passing food to their babies mouth to mouth. As humans developed, the mouth-to-mouth feeding stopped, but the learned behavior of kissing remained.

*The first on-screen kiss was between John C. Rice and May Irwin in the 1896 movie appropriately titled The Kiss

*Birds and Bees may not be able to kiss, but bonobo apes do. The oft-studied primates, who are closely connected to humans, love to lay on one another after a fight, to form social bonds, or-arguably the best reason-just because.

*As a prelude to a KISS, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, and Ace Frehley were known as Wicked Lester. In 1973, Stanley had the idea to change the band's name to KISS, while Frehley came up with the iconic design for the KISS logo.

*They may not have been sitting in a tree, but British couple James Belshaw and Sophia Severin achieved a record for K-I-S-S-I-N-G back in 2005 when they smooched for 31 hours, 30 minutes, and 30 seconds. Bet they could have used some of our healing Lip Butter when they were done!

So, pucker up and give someone you love a big, wet kiss today and tell them all of the fun things you learned about it when you're done!

Stay Sweet and Thanks for Reading!

Lia Schmoldt
Owner
www.TheBodyBakery.com

Dessert du Jour...Inferior Ingredients, What Are They?

2008-01-20T16:50:00.000-06:00

If you have ever picked up a bottle of mass-produced Body Lotion and read the ingredient list, chances are you felt like you needed a degree in chemistry to decipher some of the words. More than likely, there were words ending in 'araben' and 'glycol' but let's talk about 3 words that you, no doubt, have seen many times before and a little bit about where they come from:

1) Mineral Oil
2) Lanolin
3) Petroleum

When customers ask what the difference is between our products and those sold in the retail stores, my response is always the same:

"Our products are made-to-order to insure the highest in quality for our customers and have not been sitting on a shelf for weeks or months before they're purchased. In addition, our product formulations do not contain Mineral Oil, Lanolin, or Petroleum which are cheap fillers used to keep the cost of manufacturing low & the profits high."

But what exactly are those 3 inferior ingredients and where do they come from? Here is the answer:

Mineral Oil or Liquid Petrolatum is a by-product in the distillation of petroleum to produce gasoline. It is a substance of relatively low value, and it is produced in very large quantities. The cost of Mineral Oil? About $3.50/Gallon..about $.02 per ounce..that's cheap!

Lanolin is a fatty, yellowish substance that comes from the wool of sheep. It is excreted by the sebaceous glands on their skin, and acts as waterproofing so they don't get cold. You might also hear it called wool fat, wool wax, or wool grease. I prefer to call it lanolin - it just sounds classier.

Thankfully, the extraction of Lanolin causes no harm to the sheep! They extract the greasy Vaseline-like Lanolin from the sheared wool before they wash it.

Now I don't know about you, but those bi-products are not something that I felt like putting on my skin after I found out exactly where they came from! Yuck!

So, as an educated consumer and customer, it pays to take the time to know exactly what you're putting on your skin. A little proof-reading of the product labels can save you time and money and give you peace of mind!

Today's Dessert du Jour:
Whipped Butter ~ 98% Natural Formula
Try it in our Limited-Edition New Year's Scents

Stay Sweet & Thanks for Reading!

Lia Schmoldt
Owner/Ingredient Afficionado
www.TheBodyBakery.com

Dessert du Jour...New Year, Fresh Start!

2008-01-04T16:13:00.000-06:00

With the Holiday season behind us, it's time to start focusing on 2008 and all of the wonderful things in store for the upcoming year. Now, I am not one to make New Year's resolutions but instead, I prefer to focus on making small improvements to certain aspects of my life. That way, if I take baby steps, I feel like I've conquered Mt. Everest but if not, no one will ever know because I didn't declare them on December 31st. It's a little psychological trick that I play with myself that keeps me from feeling like I've failed miserably! :-)

Probably the biggest challenge for me will be to focus on getting more organized. I consider myself the most unorganized/organized person I've ever met. I say it with a sense of pride when I know I should probably be slightly embarrassed about it, but oh well! I can literally have stacks of papers covering my desk but yet, if someone asks me to find a specific item, I can find it within seconds. I like refer to it as 'organized chaos'! HaHa

When I was at my Mom's house in Scottsdale recently, she had a copy of a fun little organization book that had ideas and tips for organizing your home as well as your time. Surprisingly, I had already implemented some of the ideas in the book without even knowing it! But I think where I dropped the ball is that you have to continue to maintain the organization on a regular basis, it doesn't stay that way after the first time you do it. Shucks!

Did you make any small, or big, resolutions for 2008? If so, what is your plan for sticking to them? I'd love to hear!

Thanks for reading and Stay Sweet!

Lia

Dessert du Jour...It's a Tween Thing!

2007-11-28T07:18:00.000-06:00

The word 'Tween' is a relatively new term to describe girls who are 'in between the child and teen years'. The 'Tween' market also represents a blossoming group of girls, between 8-12, who are ready to be pampered just like their moms and enjoy being treated like little ladies.

Recently, I was told about a new 'Young Ladies Spa', Ooolala, opening up in my area and knew that our line would be the perfect fit. I dropped by, with product in hand, to introduce the Owner, Karie, to the wonderful world of The Body Bakery. She loved it and so did her clients! Her location currently has the largest selection of our products and scents in everything from Cotton Candy to Sparkling Fruit Punch and so many more in between!

Before Ooolala, I had never been in a Spa dedicated to that market. The fun, funky retro decor in bold Pinks and Oranges makes me wish I was a tween again or at least had a daughter to treat to a fun girl's day at the spa for manicures, pedicures, and up-do's!

But, did you realize that the Tween market did not even exist 10 years ago? It is a relatively new, and challenging demographic that is constantly changing and evolving because as quickly as these girls grow, so do their tastes and styles. But as fickle as their preferences in clothing and shoes are, one thing's for sure, they will never tire of pampering themselves with fun and fabulous Bath & Body products... and thank goodness for that!

Is there a Tween Spa in your area? If so, send us a link so we can check it out and give them a plug!

Stay Sweet & Thanks for Reading!

Friday's Dessert du Jour..Feel like a kid again!
Cotton Candy
Bubble Gum Ice Cream
Grape Lollipop
Marshmallow Fluff

Lia Schmoldt
Owner/Kid at Heart
www.TheBodyBakery.com

Dessert du Jour...Black Friday

2007-11-22T09:04:00.000-06:00

Until today, I never knew why they called it 'Black Friday'. It is called that because it's the day that puts retailers into the 'Black'. I hadn't really given it too much thought because I am one of the few, that I know, that refuses to be anywhere near a store tomorrow.

I have to admit, it was kind of exciting to see the dog lug this HUGE super Sunday-sized newspaper off the driveway chock-full of sale inserts for every store imaginable, but I will stay strong and resist. OK, I might take a peek at what they're offering, but unless they offer the same special online, assure you I will not relent.

My goal is to do the majority of my holiday shopping online and have it shipped to me. Did you know that this Monday is the busiest online shopping day of the year? It seems that after everyone has tired of the crowds, lack of parking, and crabby salespeople from Friday, they sit down at their computer, in the comfort of their homes, and shop quickly, efficiently, and safely online for even more deals without the hassle.

Hey, maybe your favorite Bath & Body website, TheBodyBakery.com, will even jump on the bandwagon that day for an unadvertised special...who knows? You'll have to be sure and visit that day to see!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends today and think of all of the things you have to be grateful for! Today, we're especially grateful to you!

Stay Sweet and Happy Shopping!

Lia Schmoldt
Owner
www.TheBodyBakery.com

Dessert du Jour...What's Your Personality?

2007-11-16T17:52:00.000-06:00

I just came across this really cool visual personality test that I wanted to share with you. Click the link below and it will show you a series of visual images. Follow the directions and at the end, it will create a detailed and highly accurate (in my opinion) description of your personality. It takes only a few minutes and you will be surprised to see how much your perception of visual images reveals about you!

Check it out here:

http://dna.imagini.net/friends/

Stay Sweet!

Lia Schmoldt
Owner
www.TheBodyBakery.com

Dessert du Jour...Holiday Cheer!

2007-11-13T21:17:00.000-06:00

Since my last post, we have been hard at work behind the scenes getting everything in order for our Holiday update. Each year, as we continue to grow, I seem to forget just how many things need to get done to pull everything together for our biggest update of the year. It's like throwing a party for thousands of people and all of the components needs to come together, at the same time, to make it look effortless. PHEW! Now that it's finished, I can sit back and enjoy the view!

As I'm leaning back in my chair looking at the finished product, I cannot help but to reflect on the bigger picture. Not only are the Holidays a time for celebration, family, and shopping, but December 26th will mark our 6-year Anniversary. To think, it was all sparked by an idea, ignited by my Husband's approval ("Well, if you can do it for 6 months, you won't have to get a job outside the house"), and the flame was lit by my Dad's financial contribution and contact to a Web Designer. Within 5 minutes of my site being live on 12/26/01, I had my first customer and it has never stopped since.

Jill often says to me: "Do you ever step back and take a look at what you've accomplished?" The answer is usually "Not until you brought it up". But the truth is that sometimes I do. When I think of all of the opportunities that have come my way it's humbling: The Ritz Carlton, Club Libby Lu, The Palms Resort & Casino, the Chicago Tribune, and so many others that I have worked with over the years that have transformed and grown my business into what it is today. I am always grateful and appreciative for each and every one of them just as I am my customers. For without them, there is no me.

On a personal level, the Holidays and New Year are also a time for reflection. The ending of old friendships give way to the beginning of new, which are a welcome distraction. They force me to stop working, if only for a few hours, to enjoy laughter and much needed "Me Time" (See previous Post 10/5 for explanation). Whether it's a Girl's Night Out, Bunco, or a few Martini's at Olive Black, they always leave me refreshed and renewed for the next day.

With each passing year, I become increasingly grateful for the important things in my life: Family, Health, Friendships, & Business.. in that order. Because together, they form the foundation for true happiness and success..in life.

Take a minute out of your day to ask yourself the same question that Jill asks me: "Do you ever step back and take a look at what you've accomplished?" Your answer may vary from mine, but chances are, you've come a long way baby!

Dessert du Jour
Holiday Fragrances
Gift Sets
Gingerbread Girl Charm

Stay Sweet!

Lia Schmoldt
Owner
http://www.thebodybakery.com/

Dessert du Jour...Don't Deny Your DNA

2007-11-05T15:17:00.000-06:00

I heard that line for the first time yesterday and I love it! While I was at the Holiday Open House, I met a wonderful Rep for Longaberger Baskets named Trista. She has been a with them for about 4 years and we got to chatting about business and she began telling me about how Longaberger had just started branching off into Candles, Jewelry, and Bath & Body products that she adamantly refused to sell. She said she signed on to sell their baskets, not any other the other items and went on to tell me that she has sent numerous emails to corporate telling them not to "deny their DNA".

How does this relate to me and my company? Well, I'm getting to that. When I started my company nearly 6 years ago (December 26th), I had a vision, just as I'm sure Dave Longaberger did, to create a specialty company that offered a better product than what was currently available at the time. Once in awhile, I will run across the sourpuss who just doesn't like Bakery-scented products. They prefer 'aromatherapy' scents which we do not do. Not only do we not do them currently, we will never offer them because that's not what we do. We are The Body BAKERY and our scents are not derived from plants or trees.

But, I can't say that I haven't thought about branching off into a separate sector which offers those scents and I will not say that I won't ever do it, because anything's possible, but right now we are the best at what we do, Bakery-scented Bath & Body products. I have always stayed true to my market and my customers by staying true to my DNA.

When Jessica Simpson's now defunct Desserts line came out, I was bombarded with the same question: "Are you going to come out with edible products?". The answer then and now is the same: "No. Who would want to apply a sweet sticky edible cream to their skin? It's a fad that will burn out very quickly" and it did. We even outlasted Jessica Simpson.. how about that?!

And how does this relate to you? Well, I'm getting to that. My advice, stay true to yourself and your beliefs. There are always going to be nay-sayers that you meet that cause you, if only for a second, to question what you're doing. Don't pay them any mind. Stay the course, stick to your goal, and ride the wave. Once people sense apprehension or doubt in yourself, any credibility you had achieved up until that moment will be lost.

Stay Sweet!

Lia Schmoldt
Owner
http://www.thebodybakery.com/

Dessert du Jour...Save The Date! Sunday Nov 4th

2007-10-25T18:01:00.000-05:00

A while ago, I mentioned that we would be participating in a Holiday Gift Open House. As the date nears, I want to make sure I provide all of the details here for those of you in the Northern IL, Southern WI area so that you mark your calenders.

The Holiday Open House will be on Sunday, November 4th from 1:00pm-4:00pm at the home of Lisa Robinson who is a superstar representative for Pampered Chef. This is the 8th year that she invites companies to showcase their products in her home to give guests the opportunity to get a jump-start on their Holiday Shopping. Here is a list of companies that will be featured:

Creative Memories
Lia Sophia Jewelry
The Body Bakery
Berry Gourmet Candies
Longaberger Baskets
Partylite Candles
Pampered Chef

There will be Food, Drinks, Raffles, Door Prizes, and so much more you won't want to miss it! I will be there previewing a limited selection of our Holiday scents and anyone who visits my table and mentions they heard it here on my Blog will receive a Free Gift & 10% off their purchase!

In the past few years, hundreds of people have attended this annual event and now you can too!

Here is the address:

9113 Nicholas Lane
Spring Grove, IL 60081

For your convenience, I have added a link to Mapquest to the left side menu and enter in the address above as your destination address and you will get turn-by-turn directions to the show.

I hope to see & meet some of you there at the event. I was honored to have been asked and am always excited to introduce the product line to new customers! So grab a friend and make the trip to the Holiday Open House, you will be so glad you did!

Stay Sweet & Hope to See You There!!

Lia Schmoldt
Owner
http://www.thebodybakery.com/

Dessert du Jour...Icky Germs

2007-10-23T17:21:00.000-05:00

The local news has recently been focusing on an antibiotic-resistant strain of Staph that is running rampant throughout schools here in the Midwest. They are trying desperately to prevent the spread of it by disinfecting entire schools using a bleach & water mixture that experts say may not be successful.

When asked what is the best way to stop the transmission of the infection their advice was simple: "Wash your hands and if water is not available, use an alcohol-based Hand Sanitizer Gel". Well, guess what that made me think of?? Our H2nO Hand Sanitizer Gelee and our Ready to Bake Anti-Bacterial Hand Soap!

I LOVE the H2nO and take it with me everywhere. Not only is it the perfect size for your purse, but it smells SO much better than any similar product on the market and has moisturizing Vitamin E beads to soften & sanitize your hands. Think about how many times you have been out and about and wished you could wash & disinfect your hands? Well, keep a bottle of H2nO with you at all times and your wish will be granted!

The Ready to Bake Hand Soap is equally effective at killing germs, but designed to stay by your sink for use with water. Recently, I was preparing a gourmet meal in my kitchen (haha, yeah right! Anyone that knows me will be ROTFL because I hate cooking!), ok so not a 'gourmet' meal, but something that was at least somewhat edible, with Chicken, and I couldn't wait to wash my hands! It was a great feeling to know that not only were my hands clean, but germ-free as well!

Cold & Flu season is right around the corner and they say that transmission of both is primarily through touching things with your hands. So, pick up a bottle, or 2, of each to insure that you stay healthy and germ-free this Fall & Winter!

Tuesday's Dessert du Jour
Ready t0 Bake Anti-Bacterial Hand Soap
H2nO Hand Sanitizer Gelee

Stay Sweet and See You Tomorrow!

Lia Schmoldt
Owner/Fragrance Germaphobe
http://www.thebodybakery.com/

Dessert du Jour...Tis the Season!

2007-10-22T16:28:00.000-05:00

I love the Holidays! There is a heightened level of excitement that starts at Halloween, steadily climbs until Thanksgiving, peaks at Christmas & New Years and tapers off on the day of January 1st. On a personal level, it is a time for family & friends and professionally, it is our most hectic, frenzied, and chaotic time..which I live for!

Each year, I try and communicate to customers the importance of placing their orders early to allow for longer processing times and shipping but each year, I always seem to get the panicked 11th hour customer who has waited until the last possible second to start their shopping. It's typically a man, shopping for his wife on the 22nd and wondering if it will arrive in time for gift-giving. After I stop laughing, I explain that even if we could finish the order that day, the postal system is so bogged down with packages & cards that we cannot guarantee it's timely delivery. Throughout the year, we promise to do our best, but once packages leave our facility, we don't have any control over them.

Even though there are still 63 days until Christmas, we have already begun planning our Holiday Fragrance Collection, Gift Sets, and new Holiday products that are going to be introduced. Jill & I get so excited when coming up with products & scent names and spend, the majority of, our working hours brainstorming. If you could have seen our 'session' for the Halloween Collection, it went from mild to gruesome in a matter of hours! :-)

I am not going to devulge any details at this point except to say that this Holiday season is going to be bigger and better than years past. New theme, new packaging, and new scents (as well as some classic favorites) that will make our site a 1-stop shopping portal for almost everyone on your list so stay tuned!

Monday's Dessert du Jour
Halloween Scents & Gift Set (less than 5 remain)
Pure Extract Perfume in Creamy Frosting
Lip Butter Frosting in Raspberry Ice

Stay Sweet & See You Tomorrow!

Lia Schmoldt
Owner/Holiday Fragrance Elf
http://www.thebodybakery.com/

Dessert du Jour...Cleaning Out My Closet

2007-10-18T15:22:00.000-05:00

My Son is 11.5 yrs old and has become completely motivated by money. Every simple task we ask him to do from feeding the dog to taking out the garbage is followed by the same question: "How much do I get paid for doing it?". I don't know if he thinks there's a "Money Tree" growing in the back yard, but if there is, I wish he would tell me where it is!

His school has been on strike for the past week and so while trying to figure out clever ways to trick him into doing chores while making them appealing to him I suggested he clean out his closet (chore) and we can put any of the clothing that no longer fits him on Ebay and he can keep the money (appealing to him $$). Well, you'd think I lit a fire under him by dangling that carrot under his nose! He went flying into his room and started empying out his closet and neatly organizing shirts, sweatshirts, pants, and dress shirts by size. They all went on Ebay (username: thebodybakery) yesterday and some already have bids.

It got me thinking about the importance of getting rid of Bath & Body products that have been sitting around for a long time. A lot of people don't realize that they do have an expiration date and if not used within that time, the scent changes and may go bad and they also run the risk of skin irritation from bacterial contamination. Recently, I came across an OLD item of ours on Ebay that had packaging that we haven't used in atleast 4 years! I immediately contacted the seller and suggested they remove the listing and be more responsible with the items they were selling! I tell customers that our products are best used within 6 months of purchase but they do contain preservatives to extend their shelf life for up to 18 months.

I have started to put a few things on Ebay myself and think that it's a wonderful way to clear out the old and make room for the new, especially right before the holidays! You can make a little extra cash and have some empty shelves for all of the fabulous and exciting gifts you'll be receiving! If you are going to start putting items up for auction, send me your username and, with your permission, I'll post it here for others to check out!

Thursday's Dessert du Jour
Post Old Items on Ebay
Purchase New items to take their place!

Stay Sweet & See You Tomorrow

Lia Schmoldt
Owner/Ebay Username: thebodybakery
www.TheBodyBakery.com

Dessert du Jour...Scrub-a-Dub-Dub

2007-10-17T16:23:00.000-05:00

Ex-fo-lia-tion:–noun
1. the act, state, or process of exfoliating.
2. the state of being exfoliated.
3. something that is exfoliated or scaled off.

Dry skin is a nuisance, especially at this time of year. The lack of humidity in the air coupled with the lower seasonal temperatures can wreak havoc on your skin. But the simple act of exfoliation can refresh and rejuvenate dry, tired skin in just a few minutes 3x a week.

Our Brown Sugar Body Scrub is a gentle, yet effective, body polisher that combines fine-grain Organic Brown Sugar with luxurious Shea Butter and skin-loving Oils for a scrub unlike any other you've tried. It's thick, spa-quality consistency will not separate and will not leave your tub or shower surface slippery after use.

Here are some important benefits of exfoliation:

*Removes top layer of flaky surface skin to reveal newer skin underneath
*Provides a closer shave and razor will glide over the skin with ease.
*Massaging skin increases blood flow & circulation to area.
*Skincare products applied to exfoliated skin are better absorbed and you use less.

So, what is the correct way to use our Brown Sugar Body Scrub?

After cleansing, place 1 scoop in your hand and apply it to the area you want to exfoliate. Gently massage into skin using a circular motion to disperse product over entire area for approximately 30 seconds. Repeat above steps for each section and rinse thoroughly with warm water. Pat skin dry, don't rub, and apply Whipped Cream/Butter within 5 minutes to lock in moisture. Make this part of your routine 2x-3x per week for best results.

Silky smooth and supple skin is only a shower away when you pamper yourself with our delectable Brown Sugar Body Scrub!

Wednesday's Dessert du Jour
Brown Sugar Body Scrub in:
Cake Mix Batter
Vanilla Cupcake
Brown Sugar

Stay Sweet & See You Tomorrow!

Lia Schmoldt
Owner/Scrub-aholic
http://www.thebodybakery.com/

Dessert du Jour...Lip Service

2007-10-16T16:00:00.000-05:00

Your lips are probably the most neglected part of your face. While you probably take the time to wash, exfoliate, and moisturize the rest of your face, chances are, your lips seem to get left out in the cold...literally.

Truth is, your lips should be treated with the same loving care and tenderness as the rest of your face. They are responsible for the most important things that we do each and every day: Speak, Eat, Drink, Smile, and Kiss just to name a few, and if your lips are dry & cracked it makes doing all of those things much more difficult!

Here are some tips and tricks to get your lips in pucker-perfect condition throughout the upcoming dry and chilly months:

*Fact: Did you know that your lips do not have any oil glands which makes them even more susceptable to dryness?

*Licking your lips is a big no-no! It may feel good for a minute, but as your saliva evaporates, it takes the lips moisture barrier with it and can lead to more severe dryness & cracking.

*Seal your lips with a healing Lip Butter that does not contain waxy Petroleum or Mineral Oil. These inferior ingredients may feel good on the lips for a short time, but wiping them away will increase dryness. Opt for ingredients like: Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, and soothing oils that actually nourish and help repair rather than a 'Chapstick' type which was designed for skiers to protect lips from extreme outdoor elements (wind & cold)

*Are your lips visibly flaky? Try wetting a soft toothbrush and gently massaging it in a circular motion over lips for exfoliation.

*Don't forget to apply a Bedtime Balm right before you go to sleep. While you are resting your lips, super-rich butters can work to heal and soften lips and they will be noticeably softer when you wake up!

For extra color and continued moisture throughout the day, pick up our tinted Lip Butter Frostings. They contain the same hydrating ingredients as our best-selling Lip Butters, but with a subtle hint color and shimmer. Softer, Smoother, and Sexier Lips can be yours right away by taking a few extra minutes each day!

Tuesday's Dessert du Jour
Lip Butter
Bedtime Balm
Lip Butter Frostings

Stay Sweet and See You Tomorrow! MWAH!

Lia Schmoldt
Owner/Smooch Specialist
http://www.thebodybakery.com/

Dessert du Jour...A Dog's Life

2007-10-15T15:32:00.000-05:00

In the past 10 years, pet spending has more than doubled, with sales reaching nearly $38.4 Billion dollars in 2006 and they forecast it to go even higher in the years to come!

Here are some interesting facts that you may or may not know:

*Pets can be found in more than 63% of all US households; interestingly only 34% have children

*There are over 135 million cats and dogs, more than enough for at least one to live in every home in America

*45% of all households own more than one pet

*The primary pet parent is a female between the ages of 24 and 45

So, when we decided to launch our Canine Confections line of Dog Grooming products, we knew we would have an instant hit on our hands because there was nothing like it on the market. Something else that was very important to use was that it carry the PETA Cruelty-Free logo on it. We have always, and will always be, an animal-friendly company that does not approve of animal testing.

Since it's introduction, Canine Confections products have been worn at Fashion Week for Pets in NYC and will also be featured at the upcoming Luxury Marketing Council Event..The Luxury of Pets: A Tribute to The Dog where the CEO's and Marketing Directors of all the Luxury Brand Companies such as Nieman Marcus, Cartier, and Four Seasons Hotels gather to see the hottest trends in Pet Products.

Imagine dozens of pampered pooches walking around smelling like: Cotton Candy, Pink Sugar Souffle, and Creme Brulee! It would be a sight to see..and smell!

Monday's Dessert du Jour: Pamper Your Pet!

Doggie Dew Shampoo

Silk Bone Conditioner

Furfume Mist

Stay Sweet & See You Tomorrow!

Lia Schmoldt

Owner/Pet Afficionado

http://www.thebodybakery.com/

Dessert du Jour...TGIF!

2007-10-12T16:50:00.000-05:00

Finishing up another incredibly busy week here at www.TheBodyBakery.com. Our new Halloween Scent Collection is positively flying out of here and of the latest fragrances, here are the best-sellers in order from this past week:

R.I.P of Cake
Dracula's Nectar
Berry Scary Cemetery
Mummy's Homemade Popcorn Balls
Children of the Candy Corn
Spider Cider

I would have to personally agree with the list above as the R.I.P of Cake is an unbelievable fragrance that reminds me of a rich, Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Heavenly!

Also moving very quickly are the Spooky Gift Sets! Remember, they are available only while supplies last and based on the volume of orders since they were introduced, they will be sold out very soon. So, if you're even contemplating picking one up, I would order sooner than later.

I would love to hear feedback on the New Scents and Gift Sets if anyone that has recently received them would like to share! I don't think that there's a bad one in the bunch, and hope that you all agree!

Well, from Halloween fragrances to Halloween fun for me this weekend! I am taking Tristan to Frightfest at Six Flags Great America Sunday. They decorate the entire park with all sorts of spooky things like: Coffins, Tombstones, Mummies, and Monsters and have real people dressed like terrifying creatures that scream and jump out at you! It's a lot of fun for the older kids, but some of the younger one's really get scared.

I'll be back to blogging Monday and wish you all a wonderful weekend! Thanks for reading each day and please be sure to stop by the site and pick up a treat for yourself!

Friday's Dessert du Jour
Halloween Scents
Halloween Gift Set

Stay Sweet & See You Monday!

Lia Schmoldt
Owner/Fragrance Ghoul
www.TheBodyBakery.com

Dessert du Jour...Cold Weather & Warm Scents

2007-10-11T17:52:00.000-05:00

The weather outside has taken a chilly turn over the past week. Sunday it was 85 degrees and today it was 50. I literally went from switching the thermostat from Air Conditioning to Heat overnight and it got me thinking about the reason we gravitate towards different scents throughout the year.

My friend, Lisa, recently confessed that she wears 1 fragrance and 1 fragrance only, Joop, all year long (unimaginable). Then we wound up in a debate as to whether it was pronounced 'Jupe' or 'Yope'. I researched it and confirmed, once and for all, that it was indeed pronounced 'Yope' which rhymes with "Hope'!:-)

I could never imagine it because I am one of those people who switches fragrances depending on the season. During the Summer, I prefer light, sweet, and refreshing scents that have more of a Citrus base. My Summer scents tend to include: Lemon Chiffon, Sparkling Fruit Punch, and Green Apple. But at this time of year, when it starts to get brisk outside and the leaves begin to change color here in the Midwest, I put my "Summer Scents" on the shelf and reach for my "Fall/Winter" one's. My scent selection now includes: Pumpkin Pie, Glazed Coffee Cake, and Cinnamon Buns. The warmer and spicier the scent, the more comfortable and toasty I feel!

So, if you don't already, why not try changing your fragrance this Fall to something you wouldn't normally wear? Go for Spicy & Sexy rather than Sweet & Fruity. You might be surprised at the reaction of people around you when they smell a more smoldering Cinnamon scent!

Thursday's Dessert du Jour
Pumpkin Pie
Glazed Coffee Cake
Cinnamon Buns
Vanilla Chai Tea~Limited Edition
Cinnamon Crunch Cake~Limited Edition

Stay Sweet & 'Spicy' and See You Tomorrow

Lia Schmoldt
Owner/Warm Scent Wearer
www.TheBodyBakery.com

Dessert du Jour...Vanilla..Universally Delicious

2007-10-10T16:43:00.000-05:00

I am often asked by customers: "What is your most popular scent?" With a menu of over 70+ decadent fragrances to choose from, the answer always surprises them.."all of our Vanilla scents".

Now, that's not to say that there aren't others that are ordered frequently, we truly don't have any scents that don't do well, but the scents that we see the most often are the one's with more of a single-note Vanilla base. Which led me to wonder, what is it about Vanilla that is so universally appealing? The answer is much more interesting than you may think!

Vanilla tends to be universally appealing because it is reminiscent of positive things like: Cakes, Candy, Ice-Cream, and Sweet Treats. On a more emotional note, it seems to represent anything that is simple, pure, and innocent.

Scientifically, here are some interesting studies that show that it's universal appeal makes it just as popular today as it has been in the past and will continue to be in the future.

Psychologists and medical researchers were aware of our positive reactions to the scent of Vanilla long before perfume makers recognized its potential. In experiments where an odor universally regarded as ‘pleasant’ is required, Vanilla has been a standard choice for decades.
Medical experiments have shown that Vanilla fragrance reduces stress and anxiety. Cancer patients undergoing Magnetic Resonance Imaging – a diagnostic procedure known to be stressful – reported a massive 63% less anxiety when heliotropin (a Vanilla fragrance) was administered during the procedure.

Vanilla fragrance makes you calmer. A study at Tubingen University in Germany showed that Vanilla fragrance reduced the startle-reflex in both humans and animals. The animal results indicate that the calming effects of Vanilla may be due to some more essential property of the fragrance than the ‘positive childhood associations’ usually invoked to explain its universal popularity with humans.

In relation to our Bath & Body products, I always recommend it as the perfect blending scent to add a different facet to fragrances. For instance, if you have chosen a scent like: Lemon Chiffon and want to change it ever so slightly, try blending it with Wedding Cake to make the Lemon more subtle. There are infinite ways to wear Vanilla scents, either alone of mixed with other scents that will make the perfect fragrance every time.

Wednesday's Dessert du Jour
Wedding Cake
Creamy Frosting
Marshmallow Fluff
Vanilla Bean Supreme

Stay Sweet & See You Tomorrow!

Lia Schmoldt/Owner

www.TheBodyBakery.com

Dessert du Jour...What Does Your Scent Say About You?

2007-10-09T16:59:00.000-05:00

The act of putting on perfume in the morning, while simple, should not be done hastily. The scent you choose, tells the world a lot more than you think about who you are and what type of personality you have. You become a walking biography by subconsiously telling people around you more than you ever imagined!

Here are a few examples of personality types:

If you prefer a fragrance with predominant notes of: Vanilla, Amber, Tonka Bean, Nutmeg and Black Pepper
Your personality traits may include: Creative, loner, collector, dramatic, traditional, polished, elegant and academic.
If you prefer a fragrance with predominant notes of: Orange Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit
Your personality traits may include: highly organized, disciplined, somebody who loves to plan, a perfectionist.
If you prefer a fragrance with predominant notes of: Blackberry, Raspberry and Peach
Your personality traits may include: party animal, very spontaneous, a team player, and a giggler.
If you prefer a fragrance with predominant notes of foods like: fig, dates, cheese, drinks like tea, coffee or alchoholic beverages like wine, or champagne
Your personality traits may include: absolutely courageous, spontaneous, spiritual, and introspective.

See a category that describes you? Now think of your friends and the scents they typically choose to wear. I bet that you will be surprised to discover that there are some familiar and surprising connections!

So, next time you reach for your perfume bottle, pause to think about what that scent is going to say because you now know that it speaks louder than words. Which category do you fit into? Let us know!

Tuesday's Dessert du Jour
Wedding Cake -Vanilla
Lemon Chiffon - Citrus
Creamy Peach - Fruity
Caramel Latte - Coffee

Stay Sweet & See You Tomorrow!

Lia Schmoldt
Owner/Your 'Fruity' Fragrance Lover!
www.TheBodyBakery.com

Dessert du Jour...Make Time For You!

2007-10-05T15:48:00.000-05:00

Lately, I have been making a concerted effort to spend time with my girlfriends doing fun 'girly' things. I am a home-body by nature, so making plans to go out in the evening when my boys are home is not something that I am usually interested in. But I decided that I needed to be adventurous, get out, and have some fun!

The first event we went to was a Ladies Night Event organized by Sheckys.com at Chicago's Union Station's Grand Hall. Sponsored by Little Black Dress Wine, Midori, and various Boutiques and Salons, it was a mecca of Shopping, Sipping, and Socializing. You could get a free chair massage while enjoying sample size glasses of Chardonnay and then browse the rows of jewelry, purses, and clothes while in the company of your friends and, in my case, clients! The energy and mood there was exhilarating and electric and especially for my friend's as they are stay-at-home mom's with young children.

Last night, it was an evening with my new Bunco Ladies. If you are not familiar with Bunco, it is a simple dice game that takes virtually no skill, but provides the perfect excuse for 12-16 women to ditch their hubbies and kids and snack, socialize, and sip for a few hours. We have a wonderful and diverse group of women and we all got along famously and are looking forward to next month's game, which I am hosting.

I am sharing these 2 recent experiences with you to show you the importance of "Me Time" that we sometimes forget to take during our busy lives. "Me Time" is basically stepping out of your comfort zone for a short period and doing something new, something different, or even something you've been wanting to do for a long time, but haven't. It provides the opportunity to meet new and interesting people and re-charge your battery so you are ready to face your daily routine with new energy and enthusiasm.

How does this relate to fragrance? Well, it makes the perfect opportunity to pamper yourself by soaking in a tub up to your neck in bubbles or participate in putting together a "Pamper" or "Shopping" Party for you and your friends. Spa Girl Parties (http://www.spagirlparties.com/) has representatives that will come to your home and pamper you and a group of friends and you can also purchase the products that they use on you so you can continue to enjoy them.

We, at http://www.thebodybakery.com/ have also been invited to display our products at an upcoming in-home shopping event on November 4th that will also feature Pampered Chef, Lia Sophia Jewelry, Gold Canyon Candles, and other products perfect for Holiday Gift-Giving. If you are in the (far) Northern IL area, I will be posting all of the details here as the date gets closer and hope to meet some of you in person!

Have an enjoyable and fun Holiday weekend and be sure to take some time out for you! You'll be so glad you did! No posts over the weekend and since Monday is Columbus Day, the next post will be Tuesday.

Friday's Dessert du Jour

Bath Creme

Lip Butter

Brown Sugar Body Scrub

Stay Sweet & See You Tuesday!

Lia Schmoldt

Owner/Fragrance Diva

http://www.thebodybakery.com/

Dessert du Jour...Luscious Layers

2007-10-04T15:42:00.000-05:00

I have touched upon a variety of topics during my first week of blogging, now I would like to offer up some fragrance tips that I hope you will find useful. One of the most frequent questions that I get asked by customers is: "How do I get my scent to last longer throughout the day?"

The trick is to do what we, in the 'business', like to call "Fragrance Layering". It is the art of layering your fragrance to get it to last longer, but not stronger throughout the day. Here are the 4 simple steps to scent-sational success:

1) Start with your scent in the Bath or Shower by using a cleanser such as our Body & Hair Icing, Bath Creme, or Soap Cake. Thoroughly wash like you normally do and towel dry when finished.

2) Apply your Body Moisturizer in the same scent over your entire body within about 5 minutes after cleansing so skin is not completely dry. This helps to lock in moisture, allows you to use less product, and makes distribution of the product much easier. We suggest using our Whipped Cream or Whipped Butter during this step.

3) Allow the Moisturizer to sink in for about 5-10 minutes and then apply the same scent in the form of Perfume. We recommend our Body & Hair Spritzer, Sweet Roll Perfume Oil, or Pure Extract Perfume. Mist/Roll liberally over your entire body/pulse points and allow to dry before getting dressed.

4) Keep the product you used in Step 4 with you to refresh your scent throughout the day and you will stay smelling sweet for hours instead of minutes!

Want to have some fun with Fragrance Layering? Looking to add a new dimension to your signature scent to create something unique? Why not try the same technique above, but using a variety of scents to come up with a scent all your own?

Try these combinations below, or come up with one of your own and share it with us!

*Body & Hair Icing in Peanut Butter Cookie, Whipped Butter + Sweet Roll in Marshmallow Fluff= FlufferNutter
*Bath Creme in Banana Cream Pie, Whipped Cream in Strawberry Parfait, Body & Hair Spritzer in Brownie Delight = Banana Split
*Soap Cake in Vanilla Hazelnut Coffee, Whipped Butter in Caramel Latte, Pure Extract Perfume in Dutch Chocolate Cake = Caramel Hazelnut Mochachino

The possibilities for fun, fresh, and fabulous combinations are endless and only limited by your creativity! So have fun with your fragrances, they are your friends!

Thursday's Dessert du Jour
Body & Hair Icing
Bath Creme
Soap Cake
Whipped Cream/Butter
Body & Hair Spritzer
Sweet Roll Perfume Oil
Pure Extract Perfume

Stay Sweet and See You Tomorow!

Lia Schmoldt
Owner/Fragrance Chef
http://www.thebodybakery.com/

Dessert du Jour...Be Aware of Your Air

2007-10-03T16:28:00.000-05:00

As the big-box companies desperately search for new ways to get customers to spend more of their hard-earned dollars, the concept of "Sensory Marketing" has become big business.

If you are not familiar with "Sensory Marketing" is is a relatively new industry that uses specific aromas in Department Stores, Supermarkets, Banks, and even Casinos to create an overall positive experience that will engage all of your senses and make you want more of the product.

Boy, talk about subliminal advertising! They are now able to market and sell their product without the pushy salespeople, expensive advertising campaigns, or even handing out free samples! The reason that it works is because smell is the most impressionable and responsive of the five senses. Smells invoke memories and appeals directly to feelings without first being filtered and analyzed by the brain.

Here are some of the interesting, and successful, ways in which Sensory Marketing has been used:

*Supermarkets strategically place their Bakery counters closest to the entrance of the store. This is because the smell of fresh baking Bread wafting through the air will be the first, and most inviting, aroma you smell as you walk in.

*Banks have been known to regularly brew fresh Coffee as a way to make their customers feel at home.

*I loved this one, a large toiletries manufacturer strategically pumped the aroma of Chocolate throughout their stores during Valentine's Day. Boy, If I could just invent Smell-O-Vision, I would be set! LOL!

*But the most interesting to me was the study that they performed in a Las Vegas Casino where they sprayed a 'pleasant, but distinct' aroma around a group of slot machines and nothing around another group. What they found was that the amount of activity in the scented area was 'significantly higher' than the non-scented area. Meaning, pleasant smells make Casinos more money!

So, next time you're out and about, be especially aware of your air and what it smells like. Because while your nose is in the sky enjoying the pleasant scents, someone's got their hand in your wallet!

Wednesday's Dessert du Jour
Triple Cream Custard
Marshmallow Fluff
Vanilla Hazelnut Coffee
Caramel Latte

Stay Sweet & See You Tomorrow!

Lia Schmoldt
Owner/Fragrance Diva
www.TheBodyBakery.com

Dessert du Jour...You Smell SO Skinny!

2007-10-02T17:13:00.000-05:00

If I wasn't doing what I love at http://www.thebodybakery.com/, I am positive I would be in the Fitness industry. Anyone who knows me knows that working out is a part of my daily (yes, 7 days a week) life and something that precedes everything I do each day. As with my business, I am dedicated, passionate, unwavering, and never give anything less than 100%.

I have been a fitness enthusiast for nearly 17 years after a friend of mine, Robin, introduced me to Bally's Health Club when she was looking for a workout partner. I was hooked. Aside from the obvious benefits: Weight loss, muscle gain, increased cardiovascular health, and overall strength, my energy level and mood were elevated dramatically to the point that when I didn't work out, I felt sluggish and tired.

The hardest part of starting my fitness routine was overcoming my own self-consciousness. I had never lifted a weight or gotten on a treadmill and my figure showed it! But that was almost 20 years ago, before there was a link between aromas and weight loss. What if you could have the ability to smell yourself skinny without putting in the time and energy at the gym? Well, maybe you can!

Now, I am not claiming that this is a proven weight loss plan or that I've even committed to trying this myself, but this study provides fascinating evidence that the actual act of just smelling a specific scent can 'trick' your brain into thinking that it is full and result in weight loss. Read on:

Scents can stimulate important mental and physical functions. Based on extensive research, here is a list of how various smells affect your health:

Fact: Scents control appetite. In a study of over 3,000 people, those who sniffed Banana, Green Apple or Chocolate scents, when they felt hungry, lost an average of 30 pounds in 6 months. Sniffing these scents often, and sniffing your meals before you eat, helps you eat less even though your brain will think you’re eating more.
*The smell of Strawberries or Popcorn causes exercisers to burn more calories.
*Peppermint also improves alertness by stimulating your sensory nerves.

Isn't that amazing?! Smelling those individual scents work as appetite supressants and may actually result in weight loss! Well, that makes our Dessert du Jour recommendations for the day a piece of Cake!:

Tuesday's Recommended Dessert du Jour:

Banana Cream Pie
Green Apple
Brownie Delight or Dutch Chocolate Cake
Strawberry Parfait
Mummy's Homemade Popcorn Balls
Peppermint Vanilla Latte

Has anyone tried this and succeeded? Do you think it would actually work? Send me your thoughts on this!

Stay Sweet & See You Tomorrow!

Lia Schmoldt
Owner/Fragrance Aficionado
http://www.thebodybakery.com/

Dessert du Jour...The Sweet Life

2007-10-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

Our sense of smell affects nearly every aspect of our life. It is our strongest memory and plays a vital role in our mood, behavior, and emotions. Without getting into the technical details and complex scientific explanation of olfactory connections within the brain, I will describe it by using a simplified formula:

Good Smell + Experience = Positive Memory, Good Mood, Happy Feelings.
Bad Smell + Experience = Negative Memory, Bad Mood, Irritation and/or Frustration.

So, the personal choice I made to focus exclusively on Bakery-scented Bath & Body products was made even easier when, many years ago, I was a Beauty Advisor at Sephora.

As I listened to clients' comments while browsing the vast array of designer fragrances that lined the walls, floor to ceiling, a few common mantras were heard: "Floral scents give me a headache", "I am allergic to perfume", "It reminds me of a funeral", "My husband hates when I wear perfume" and on and on. But when they came upon fragrances with predominant overtones of food, be it Vanilla, Cinnamon, or Sugar, the comments were the exact opposite! Their faces would light up, they would smile, and I would hear: "Oh my Gosh! It smells exactly like Cake!", "My husband is not going to be able to keep his hands off me!", and "I smell like a Cookie!"

Back to my non-scientific formula: Strong, Offensive Floral Scents = Negative Thoughts and Comments, while Sweet, Bakery Food Scents = Smiles, Laughter, Happy Thoughts & Feelings. The decision was made. I would create an exclusive line of custom-made products scented like delicious Desserts and they will better than anything that was available in the retail market at the time.

Nearly 6 years later, I still get the same enthusiastic reaction to the scents that I heard back then and it continues to motivate and inspire me. At shows, women bring their friends over to share in the excitement and enthusiasm of the aromas, I get frequent phone calls and emails from customers who share their stories of being at the office and having their co-workers, both male and female, remark at how their office smells like fresh-baked cookies, and I read the unsolicited reviews from customers who have been desperately searching for alternatives to mass-retail products because of inferior ingredients or inhumane testing policies and they are relieved and excited to have found us.

It is a powerful testament to the connection between fragrance & our world that I am honored to be a part of. The products & scents I create make people happy, smell delicious, and feel soft & beautiful. It is rewarding, humbling, and challenging, but each and every day I am energized to come to work and share my passion and enthusiasm.

When I began writing this blog, I had no idea where I wanted it to go or what I had to say that people would want to read about, but I now have a clear direction that will examine the connections between Fragrance and specific aspects of our life. I will research each topic for accuracy and also make scent recommendations based on the topic of the day. That is why I named the blog: "Dessert du Jour" meaning: "Dessert of the Day". So, please continue to read for topics that you can relate to or even topics that you don't as you may walk away with information that will inspire you to smell & feel delicious!

Monday's Recommended Dessert du Jour:

Cake Mix Batter
Sugar Cookie
Cinnamon Buns
Vanilla Bean Supreme

Stay Sweet & See You Tomorrow,

Lia Schmoldt
Owner/Fragrance Enthusiast
http://www.thebodybakery.com/

Dessert du Jour..Try Something New

2007-09-27T13:06:00.000-05:00

I am totally new to blogging. I haven't ever read a blog, I don't know anyone who has written a blog and, frankly, I never thought I had anything interesting enough to blog about. So why, you must be wondering, did I start this blog? Because I woke up today with the desire to try something completely new and different.

So I began searching the web for "How to Blog" and "Topics to Blog About" (because I wanted my blog to be perfect) and I quickly came to realize that there is not a 'right' or 'wrong way' to blog. That there are no set rules or definitive guidelines as to what you can or cannot say, what people may or may not find interesting, or even how often to update it. People write about anything and everything in their world good or bad, controversial or politically correct, and post it for the world to read...and they do!

In stepping out of my comfort zone, into unfamiliar territory, I feel as though I am embarking on an exciting journey that will allow me to communicate on a more personal level, and provide you with a different perspective of what The Body Bakery is all about. I will try and write about topics that have atleast some substance or relevance, but there will be times that I deviate from that promise and write about something trivial and meaningless. Regardless of the topic, I always welcome your constructive feedback and input. Is there a specific topic that you would like me to write about? Are there any questions that you want to ask me that you want answered here? If so, email me directly at: info@TheBodyBakery.com and I will try and address them all.. if I can.

That leads me to my question: What new and exciting thing have you tried recently for the first time? Was it a good or bad experience?

Looking forward to your Comments and Thank You for reading what I hope is the first of many topics to come!

Best Wishes,

Lia Schmoldt
Owner
http://www.thebodybakery.com/