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Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor BABYBEARSHOP. In their own words:
"BABYBEARSHOP is a purely organic skincare line just right for mothers, babies, and grown-ups alike, who care about their health, the environment, and having lusciously soft and healthy skin. We select each flower, herb, root and plant oil for its inherent healing properties to nurture the senses and soothe baby's delicate skin.
Our cruelty-free and organic baby soaps, creams, cheeky baby butter, shampoo, oils for stretchmarks and massage, and lip balm are created for pregnancy, baby and those with sensitive skin and allergies. We plant a tree with every order and all of our products are made in the USA."
You can follow along with BABYBEARSHOP on their blog, BABYBEARSHOP Confectionary, and follow along with their Facebook page for specials and updates.
SouleMama: How long have you been in business?
Diana: BABYBEARSHOP was born july of 2005.
SouleMama: Tell us about the beginnings of your business.
Diana: I started the business to give children a natural and pure alternative to chemically-laden products available mainstream. We had a very peaceful, beautiful water birth in England where my first daughter was born, when my husband was finishing his degree. We realized quickly that she had many food allergies, even though we don't have any. I began the journey of an elimination diet for our whole family that we are still on, eight years later, that sources the purest food and ingredients that I can find.
I have been reading ingredients on bottles since I was a child and I think I have always had chemical sensitivities. I can remember being very small, but refusing to walk down the detergent aisle of the grocery store with my mother. I can remember an early fondness for Suave Strawberry shampoo but wondering why my hair would itch so badly after using it that I'd want to rip it out.
My mission was originally going to be an organic, whole foods based cookbook for families with allergic children, but the more I learned about ingredients that we use in the USA that are banned elsewhere, the more I became interested in finding products that were holistic. I was making a very simple soothing balm in my kitchen that I would put on my newborn to soothe her skin. When I returned to the USA, my friends with babies with eczema were asking me for the balm. My background is in art direction and design, so my presents are always packaged well. ; ) For my friend, Astrid, I created the original Cheeky Baby Butter label. By the time my second daughter was born (a home water birth), Spa Nordstrom had discovered the line and was interested in sourcing organic. I quickly had to ramp up and at that point, it become official. I began working with chemists and created products that were pure enough to obtain USDA organic certification, but that are designed beautifully enough to be given as gifts. I wanted to offer gifts that were healthy for a new baby. I want parents to use only pure, organic ingredients.
SouleMama: What artists/crafters/teachers have inspired your work?
Diana: My daughters attend the only Waldorf school in TN and I'm inspired every day by the innocent rhythms of their day and the absolute magical beauty that surrounds them. The parents and teachers are artistic and crafty and the school doesn't allow processed foods and sugars or media. They practice kindness to all things and work with their friends to compost and garden and create art and music out of natural materials. There is a conscious awareness for the environment and for our children that often brings me to tears. I feel as though I almost get a chance at a second childhood just by being a part of the school. It keeps me grounded and allows me some room during the half days that my little one is there, to work on my vision.
SouleMama: Do you have a favorite inspirational quote?
Diana: "Be where you are; otherwise you will miss your life." - Buddha
SouleMama: How are your children incorporated into your business?
Diana: My children, like all children, are chock full of ideas! Fortunately, I have a warehouse, but there was a day when they had to help pack boxes and apply labels. Other than product testing, and the occasional outdoor festival, I strive to make their time at home completely free of my work. I shutdown the computer and we play.
For today's giveaway, BABYBEARSHOP is generously offering the following to one winner:
~ a $50 gift certificate to be used as you wish and we will plant one tree for you!
In addition, BABYBEARSHOP is offering all Soule Mama readers 20% off all orders over $50. Please use 'soulemamasolstice' for 20% off your entire order over $50.
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Thank you to BABYBEARSHOP!
To enter, please leave a comment in today's post (one entry per person, please). Comments will close on Sunday by 8am EST. Winners will be chosen by Random Number Generator and announced here in this post by Monday evening.
Comments closed! The winner is:
That lip balm container alone is a trip down memory lane for me ;-)
Posted by: 10a