 The scents of summer captivate me in ways that I can't put into words. Whether that be the gentle daisy-like petal of feverfew or the dark green silky soft basil leaves that seem to enhance summer in a way that can't be duplicated. The hedge of lavender that grows in my gardens is almost ready for early morning harvest, and the sweet grass is standing tall! It's summer and time to take in her bounty of sunshine and warm southern breezes. Poolside parties and late night star gazing are on my calendar. Celebrations that center around our freedom, and red, white, and blue seem to shine much brighter during summer! Our soap menu shines too! Essential oil blends that will knock your socks off! We just launched a new summer collection called "Back to Basics." This assortment of curated essentials is surrounded by scents of lavender, mint, lemon, and Bulgarian rose. We've happily formulated an assortment of Refreshers that when spritzed on your body awaken your senses in a way that can't be described. The cooling and refreshing essential oil sprays will help to enhance your summer. I'm writing in between soap making and managing the apothecary shop, and it feels as though no stone has been left unturned with each new endeavor. Each year I'm reminded of my blessings and astonished with each new opportunity that comes my way. I hope that you are taking time to take in some summer. Whether that be sitting on the patio reading a book, or simply sipping a cup of ice coffee on a hot summer day. Life is precious and best enjoyed when we slow down and stop to smell the flowers. A slow down intertwined with busy fast paced life will not only feed your psyche, but allow you to appreciate the little things a bit more. We offer weekly updates on The Soap Maker's Blog. We have a link at the bottom of this page or you can click here. Best wishes for a happy summer! Jill
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 It's exciting to be writing both a cookbook and faith book! I'm happy to announce that both books will be hitting the shelves in early twenty-three. My family is filled with a long line of amazing cooks. My grandmother Lola owned a restaurant during the depression, and my mom was a great cook. I'm excited to share my family recipes along with fresh ingredient meals and easy to prepare foods that you can make in your own kitchen. All of the recipes have been seasoned with love!
Jill McDowell Lincoln  It's so exciting to be celebrating twenty-five years at Bittersweet in April!
Honestly, the time has flown by, and it almost seems surreal to be coming upon this milestone. I can remember like yesterday making my first batch of soap. So much has changed, but one thing remains the same. My passion continues to grow, and it's exciting to share new scents, products, and designs. Each season fades away and a new one takes its place. Knowing that it just keeps getting better is a reward on its own. I look forward to curating new collections and sharing aromatic new soaps, sundries, and skincare. The best is yet to come! Blessings of love. Jill McDowell Lincoln   This little stick is packed with pure lavender essential oil. Simply rub the balm below your nose and breathe in the aromatic herbal vapors.
We're thrilled to announce that it's back in stock and available at both our web shop and brick and mortar. Our store just got a mini-makeover and we're unboxing new shipments of denim and the cutest tops that will take you into spring and beyond. Our curated collection of natural handmade soaps is almost cured completely, and we will be wrapping it and making it available soon. The spring line-up of aromatic cleansing bars continues to expand, and we're delighted to release an assortment of yummy new moisture rich soap in the weeks to come. Wishing you the best. Jill  The decorative papers have been fastidiously chosen and the new skin essential formulations are lacking a few minor tweaks. Then comes the prototype and packaging and it starts hitting our apothecary shelves while the winter winds blow!
I've always loved working on Spring collections in the midst of winter. When I gaze out the studio window to a blanket of snow, I dream about flower gardens, green grass, and blue skies! Inspiration is wrapped in those thoughts. Our Bittersweet 22 Collection has been thoughtfully curated and I'm excited to share the unique assembly with you! Our door store is getting a mini makeover and the new products will soon be hitting our store shelves. We're busy behind the scenes going over layouts and design while creating a few new departments within our shop. Bittersweet will be celebrating our twenty-fifth year in April! My passion grows as each new spring arrives. The best is yet to come! Jill xo  This time of year we look to nature for inspiration. Whether that be choosing new scents or styling our store, we're encouraged to live simply.
Our holiday tree is trimmed with pine cones and the mantle is streaming with fresh garland and twinkling lights. The aromatic soap bars resemble tiny holiday packages wrapped in pretty papers that are popular with even the most fastidious of friends and family. Bittersweet loves sharing our curated seasonal collections and we're honored that you love them too! The Twelve Days of Christmas Collection hits the store shelves beginning on November 18, and two new flavors and wrappings are added each week for six weeks. This unique collection of artisan soap is available exclusively at our store as is a variety of other Bittersweet creations. We wish you peace and joy this holiday season. Jill McDowell Lincoln  It wasn't challenging to think of a name for the new fall collection.
I quickly began falling in love with each new flavor, piece, and essential that was fastidiously chosen to make the Bittersweet cut. Each season I ponder ideas for packaging and designs. I'm always staying focused on originality and uniqueness, along with practicality. From our Sari soap pouches to our aromatic sea salts our signature designs will have you falling in love... We're not stopping there! Our shop is also filled with a hand picked assortment of denim, leather handbags, plush pajamas and sheep wool lined slippers. Our mood is mellow and relaxed and we're carrying those thoughts into our store collections. Fall is an earthy season that we love! We welcome you to fall in love with us! Jill McDowell Lincoln  I'm always impressed with how inspiration can come from something as simple as a season!
Our shop is wrapped with seasonal footprints that are usually inspired by things found in nature. Sometimes in our own backyard! We believe in sharing summer indoors! Whether that's filling a jar with candy colored flowers, leaves, or a vase filled with fresh grass, all can sway your mood and help you to embrace summer for her wonderful glory! We love being creative and it feels soul satisfying when we use our imagination to create a new product or transform our store with seasonal inspiration. I'm getting ready to upgrade our shop with all things summer! Our clothing department is filled with cotton and linen, and summer white, so that you can stay cool and refreshed. Our soap menu reflects those same summer thoughts as we introduce yummy new citrus and floral blends, and take delight in the beauty of this simple inspirational thinking. Our Scent Your Own is filled with mood enhancing essential oils and perfumes that will not only brighten your day, but fill your mind, body, and spirit with aromatherapy! Jill xo  It's not difficult to look back and recall when Bittersweet was born! I can remember it like yesterday. The challenges, the rewards, the grit and determination that is quietly woven into each and every bar of Bittersweet.
We've come a long way baby! Looking back, I would not change a thing. Every up, down and in between has been a journey that continues to teach me new things about business and humans. Today I'm feeling fortunate and happy! Here's to another twenty-four years! May your soap be filled with suds! Cheers! Jill McDowell Lincoln  We're headed into March and that means our soap menu will be expanding as I move fast speed ahead creating new soaps that are dipped in amazing new scent blends. The new soaps will continue to be added to both our door store and website as they become cured and wrapped.
New lines are coming too! I've just about put the finishing touches on a New Rosewater Face and Body Crème, and I loved the way the packaging turned out! So much that I was inspired to launch an entire new line wrapped around Rosewater. The simple old-fashioned tincture has always been one of my favorites. I'm also working on more than a few new skin formulations that are nothing short of spectacular! If I do say so myself! It's even more exciting as restrictions seem to be loosening and we're moving closer to the way it was. I'm also making upgrades at our store with our designs. Spring will also welcome a huge Porch Sale at our store! I'll be talking about that later down the road, but you won't want to miss this event! It's a happy and busy time at Bittersweet and we're honored to share it with you! Jill McDowell Lincoln |