Happy Father’s Day

What do you call your dad? Father? Daddy? Dad? Pop? Whatever he answers to, make sure you give him a shout this weekend. He’ll appreciate it.

From all of us at Noir Naurals to all of the dads, grandpas, stepfathers, and father-figures, have a Happy Father’s Day!

Sira Anamwong photo

To learn more about Noir Naturals and how we’ll celebrate Father’s Day, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, G+, or Pinterest. Not into social media? Visit us at NoirNaturals.com to learn more about us, our products, and our travel schedule.

A message from Noir Naturals’ Owner

Hello everyone,

First of all, I would like to thank everyone for your prayers and concern.  My most recent hospital visit was a really scary moment for my family and me, but I knew GOD was in control, and everything would be alright.  As everyone knows, the soap making process involves dealing with lye, and it can be quite dangerous if not done properly.  From here forward I will have to take a lot more precautions when making our soap.  Soap making is something I love and a passion for me, especially when someone tells me how much it has helped them in some way.  I am going to keep bringing all of you the soap you expect, and look forward to seeing everyone at the shows soon.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers, as we will be praying that GOD shows us the best direction for the business.  Please also keep any suggestions coming our way.

Again, thank you for your prayers and concerns over the last 2 weeks.

Semi-Wordless Wednesday: Backyard Goodies

We love gardening on our time off.  This is just a sample of the goodies in our backyard.

The Magnolia is the classic Southern flower to us. There is something romantic about the blooms.

We love the pop of color from Loquats. Subtle and stunning at the same time. And they make a lovely snack.

Bonus wild blackberries! We found these while clearing brush and pulling weeds.

It’s hard to leave them alone.

This was the first pop of wild berry color we saw. Of course we had to take a few shots.

We also have azaleas and fig trees.  We’re waiting for the figs to bear and have vision of fig preserves on the brain.  How does your garden grow?

To learn more about Noir Naturals and what we have planned on and off the clock, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, G+, or Pinterest.  Not into social media?  Visit us at NoirNaturals.com to learn more about us, our products, and our travel schedule.

Semi-Wordless Wednesday: Gardening on the brain

Spring weather makes us think of gardening.  We can’t help it. We love the sight of majestic old Oak trees and the colors of blooming flowers.

Lavender is one of our all-time favorites. Graeme Weatherston photo.

Azaleas are high on our list of favorites, too.

We’re not sure what this one is called, but look at the colors! Do you know what it is?

There is nothing like sitting under an Oak!

As for our garden, it’s temporarily on hold.  Until we can plant, we’ll enjoy the fruits of others’ labor.  Have you started your garden?  What’s in it? Containers, raised beds, or in ground?

To learn more about Noir Naturals, including more on our love of gardens, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, G+, or Pinterest.  Not into social media?  Visit us at NoirNaturals.com to learn more about us, our products, and our travel schedule.

Is Natural Allergy Relief Possible?

Spring has sprung down in the south and that means allergies are kicking.  While traditional medications work most of the time, we can’t spend the day in a hazy fog.  Not that we prefer sneezing, crying, or not breathing through our noses.  What’s a team to do?  Go natural.  Some natural alternatives work quickly and others need time.  All work fairly well for us.

Local honey is a tried and true alternative.  Why local?  Because the pollen the bees use come from the flowers native to our location.  A little honey every day helps one build resistance to the pollen and the allergies that come with it. Our allergies are less severe as a result, and we get to have a little honey every day.  That’s a win to us.  Other foods that are said to clear the sinuses are horseradish, hot peppers, and hot mustard.

When congestion rears its ugly head, we turn to saline solutions.  A good saline rinse will temporarily open nasal passages and make it possible for us to breathe freely.  It’s a shame that the relief is only temporary because saline rinses work.  There are many ready made saline solutions available – they come in bottles similar to the old school nasal sprays.  Basically you tilt your head, spray, and let the saline work its magic.  While we haven’t tried a neti pot yet, we’re looking at them in a new light. A neti pot a vessel for a saline rinse and people swear by them.

Herbal and homeopathic options are out there, too.  Butterburr and  Stinging Nettle have reported benefits as alternative antihistamines.  One study reports buttterburr as effective as the active ingredient in Zyrtec.   Homeopathic remedies work like local honey does.  The type of remedy one uses is determined by the type of symptoms and allergies he/she has.  For instance, a person suffering with watery eyes may take a different solution than one who has sinus pain and pressure.

When we posted a question about allergy relief on our Facebook wall, a fan told us about another option we hadn’t heard of previously.  A liver cleanse.  The liver is the body’s processor; it metabolizes food and processes fluids.  Keeping it at optimal condition should do the trick, but we haven’t tried it.

Something that works wonders is simple – cleaning.  Wash bed linens after and consider covers for your pillows and mattresses that block allergens.  Sweep, vacuum, dust, and mop at least weekly; more often as you can and wear a dust mask if you need to. If you can get rid of your carpet, consider it.  One of our team members reports better breathing since she pulled the carpet out of her home.

How are you fighting your allergies this season?  Tell us about it on Twitter, Facebook, or G+.  We have a few home remedies pinned on Pinterest.  Do you?

For more information about Noir Naturals, including our new Soap Club, visit us on NoirNaturals.com. 

Semi-Wordless Wednesday: Spring Flowers

How does your garden grow?  Any colors in your space yet?

For more information on Noir Naturals, including what we grow, visit us at NoirNaturals.com, Facebook, Twitter, or G+.  To see some of our garden inspiration, check out our boards on Pinterest.

Goodbye, Moses

We hate to make this announcement, but we are discontinuing Moses Goat’s Milk Soap.  The scent we use for this oatmeal, goat’s milk, and honey favorite was discontinued without notice, so what we have on hand is it.  Once they’re gone, they’re gone.
We are working on a new blend, so keep your eyes open.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

To learn more about Noir Naturals, including our new Soap Club, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, G+, or Pinterest.  Not into social media?  Visit us at NoirNaturals.com to learn more about us, our products, and our travel schedule.

And speaking of travel, we hope to see you in Houma this weekend on our return trip to the Marketplace at Southdown Plantation House and Museum.

Semi-Wordless Wednesday: Gearing up for Oak Alley this Weekend

Our soy wax cubes last quite a while and are just $4 a package. Mix and match your favorites.

We made some soy wax cubes then made some more.  Be on the lookout for four new scents starting this weekend — Shanghai Sandalwood, Spring Wild Flower, Green Tea & Lemongrass, and Gardenia.

To learn more about Noir Naturals, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, G+, or Pinterest.  Not into social media?  Visit us at NoirNaturals.com to learn more about us, our products, and our travel schedule.   Speaking of travel, we’ll be at Oak Alley Plantation and cannot wait!  Come see us!

Semi-Wordless Wednesday: Introducing Noir Naturals’ Soap Club

For $29.95 annually, members receive a 25% discount on all of our goat’s milk and vegan coconut milk soaps.   We’ll include a wooden soap dish for free with your first order.

There is no minimum purchase and no automatic re-enrollment.  Join today and start saving!

To learn more about Noir Naturals, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, G+, or Pinterest.  Not into social media?  Visit us at NoirNaturals.com to learn more about us, our products, and our travel schedule.

March Madness at Noir Naturals

When you hear March Madness, college basketball comes to mind, but that’s not what we’re talking

Oak Alley Plantation – we’re coming back!

about.  We have so much happening this March that it might just make us a little mad.

We are so excited about our travel schedule this month!  Not only are we making return trips to two of our favorite places, we’re adding another stop to kick off the month.  Join us this weekend in Pass Christian, MS at the Flea Market at Menge.  This market is the largest outdoor market on the Gulf Coast and was featured on Junkin’ with Val and Dave.  Rain or shine, we’ll be there from 8 am until 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday – we cannot wait!

If this weekend is bad for you, come see us at Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie, LA on March 16th and 17th.  We love going back to Oak Alley and love the history.  And those Oaks! There’s something for everyone at Oak Alley, including ghosts according to some.

Speaking of return trips, we’re going back to Houma, LA on March 23.  Look for us at the Southdown Marketplace Arts and Crafts Festival.  This one day show features music, food, and a wide assortment of vendors ready to show you what they’ve got.  The plantation and museum will be open, too. Admission is just $5 with children under 12 free.  Rain or shine, we’ll be there from 8 am until 4 pm.

What else does March have in store?  Soap news!  Stay tuned for more information on a new feature we know you’ll love.  Soap news not enough?  Hair care products are also on the way.  We heard your

Love our soaps? Stay tuned for a special announcement.

requests and will deliver and then some.

What are you March plans?  Share with us on Facebook, Twitter, and G+.  We can’t wait to hear from you.  Are you on Pinterest?  We are!

To learn more about Noir Naturals and the upcoming new products, visit us at NoirNaturals.com.