Senses and Scents

Mamma's day!

2010-05-07T16:19:00.000-07:00

Have ya' got anything for your Special Lady yet? When was the last time you made her feel the "Wahoooos and WootWoots" Something special is never too late. Pick up something sweet and personal from Senses and Scents.

Treat every day like its Mamma's day!

20% off all local California Napa Valley made OLIVINA products!

2010-01-28T00:48:00.003-08:00

20% off Olivina NOW!..... purchase @ Senses and Scents.com

"Inspired by the natural beauty of the wine country of northern California, OLIVINA NAPA VALLEY is literally and figuratively a green company. The foundation ingredients—hand-pressed, anti-oxidant olive and grape seed oils—come from a landscape dotted with olive trees and world-renowned grapevines, a reference to both its Mediterranean climate and the heritage of many who settled the valley." - OlivinaNapaValley

Another day @ the market!

2010-01-24T14:10:00.000-08:00

I loooove rainy days...but this stormy weather is ridiculous.

Thunder storms, lightening, hailing, flooding in the streets is scarring my tires and chipping my brakes. Saturday was another day at the farmers market. The rain stormed its way in and splashed our candles while the sun shone and blinded us.

Sigh'

Year gone. Year Here! YiPpie!

2009-12-25T14:49:00.000-08:00

Hello Year-enders!

We packed this year with action filled fun. I never missed a beat and Ellen is always a step ahead. We did it again. We survived another year and we actually came back on top. Thanks to supporting fans, endearing family, and loving friends. Our business is still open and running. We've been thinking of expanding our products lines, but one shouldn't spread products too wide, we may lose direction. However, we did add some a new scent to our collection other than our holiday favorites of Pumpkin Souffle and Jack Frost. The new Gardenia scent have been rocking the boat and tilting the ship of all time favorite champ Cool Citrus Basil, but the game is too early to tell who will win supreme.

Christmas is here and the new year is upon us. Lets hope for another fantastic year!

Tis the Time again!

2009-12-18T01:42:00.000-08:00

Another year. Another Holiday Fair Season.

We jammed this year with crazy fairs along from completing favors, wholesale orders, and to getting on Mocha Bridal Magazine.

Late notice to everyone, Senses and Scents' Shea Terra Chocolate Body cream was featured in the Bay Bella Publishing's Mocha Bridal Magazine Fall issue! A fantastic Oakland bridal magazine featuring wedding accessories, decor, and venues with diversity in mind and bridal dresses with ladies in all sizes that tells a diet "never mind". The magazine is fresh and sleek. I only wished Mocha Bridal was held in more stores and getting my hands on one not be so tough. Thankfully my friend, Jay, was kind enough to let me have her copy. Many thanks Jay!!!

Three more fairs to go and they are all out door. Hopefully it wont rain on my parade this year. This Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday before Christmas, we'll be dedicated to Telegraph fair in Berkeley by the CAL campus. Catch me if you can! If not you can always drop me a line.

^_^

I know its December but Halloween was a blast!

2009-12-16T23:09:00.000-08:00

I know. I know.

Why am i blabbing on about Halloween when Christmas is around the corner? Because I had a great time wondering around the fair wearing my costume while selling my delicious candles! My sisters and I went all out this year with our costumes. Ellen MADE our costumes! I know. Shes sooo coool! Who knew a small sewing machine can be such a powerful machine? Ellen was the Red ghost and I was the Blue ghost from PACMAN. My other sister, Mary, was the superstar Ms. Pacman. We had loads of fun at the farmers market. We even met Ms. Highlighter( shes a highlighter, it was a pretty neat costume).

Now I'm left with pictures and reminiscing the good times!
Wakka Wakka Wakka!

pumpkin souffle is now out of the oven!

2009-10-25T23:17:00.000-07:00

pumpkin pies! pumpkin latte! pumpkin spice!

What says more holiday than pumpkin?

Fall in love with our soy candles again & Enjoy pumpkin souffle without the Calories!

We will be @ the Oakland's Grand Lake Farmers Market on Halloween featuring our new holiday scents: Pumpkin Souffle & Jack Frost

China Again... and China Out!

2009-10-03T00:35:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

More on my China trip and reflections. One thing I like to say.... China was ROUGH and enjoyable! Even though i stayed in larger cities Shanghai, Hong Kong, Xian instead of the rural areas. People often ask how does it feel to go back to your country of origin? The birth place of your parents? The land they escaped from?

The immediate answer will be "I don't know" but with a question like that I guess I should feel something... I guess I do. Truthfully I felt "nothing." Born in America. Grew up as a Chinese American. Proud of my Chinese ethnicity while enjoying my American passport and citizenship here i was in a country full of people whose features are the same as the one in my mirror yet we are unalike. I am not sure of myself. I knew i was in the "Motherland" but it felt foreign. A place I only heard stories of and never seen. I am overwhelmed. Nervous. And Confused. I grew up speaking Cantonese(a dialect from a Southeast region in China) , writing Chinese characters, reading Chinese characters. Before coming, I sincerely believed I can "handle" China. Even if the national language was Mandarin but with my Cantonese background I should be fine. And if anything I am Chinese. I'm one of them. I WILL be fine. I know how to read and write in Chinese. It shouldnt be tough! I will survive. I am one of them after all. Oh....was I WRONG. Off the plane and through the gates. We take a bus back to my sister's place. I was in a bus filled with faces similar to mine. I did not speak. I listen but I hear nothing. I hear them speak but can only make out a few words. A women with a hand full of cash and another with receipts pushed through the crowd exchanging cash and receipts along the way asks me for something and not sure what to say, I stared at her and came up with an expression "huh?". My sister cuts through and speaks to her. We, like the others exchange cash for receipts. The women stares at me and continues on. For the rest of my trip I was stuck on holding on to one of my sisters and making hand gestures while trying to speak mandarin. I was a foreigner to my Motherland and they treated me as one. I tried speaking less. When I speak, consequently an alarm goes off alerting them of my foreign origin. We were asked often "where are you from?". Interestingly, that is the same question we are asked in America. I tell them I am Chinese. "No, you are not Chinese. What part of China are you from?" is the usual response. I tell them I'm from America. "You dont look like an American." Hmmm.....

Back from our trip tired and exhausted, my brother picks us up from the airport. We go straight to a local diner and he begins with "Have you heard of what happened at the awards with Kanye West and Taylor Swift?" Ellen receives a text and lets us know Raymond Lam (a Chinese Hong Kong entertainer) will have a concert at Reno and she is most definitely going. Huh... You may ask what does those two things have to do with another. Nothing. I was home. We are different. A different kind of Chinese people. Chinese American.

China

2009-09-27T01:51:00.001-07:00

Went on a trip with my sister to The Motherland.........

Its been awhile...

2009-08-31T23:42:00.000-07:00

Its been a while.....

but im back. I just came back from a good friends wedding in Long beach, CA. It was awesome and beautiful. My dog Lucky is sick and not eating. We are taking him to the vet tomorrow but I am worried. We have a full schedule tomorrow starting from going to the vet, dropping off 120 (2 oz soy tins) favors, and making more soaps and candles.

Lotion candles are coming.....

WoW..... I am astounded and very happy

2009-06-26T20:30:00.000-07:00

Who would have thought there is actually an audience out there who reads my blog. I really want to say "Thank You"

Earlier this week, a fellow soap maker/farmers market artisan vendor came over and told me she really "liked my blog and keep up the good work". Needless to say I was extremely happy and had a wide grin for the rest of the day. My smile was so wide the lines touched ear to ear. However I was more surprised then anything. Who would have thought someone other than my family (whom needed more than a little PUSH) and friends (whom needed more than a little blast of spam) to read my blog and thought I was interesting and GOOD. Thoughts were rushing through my head going "YES! Finally someone appreciates my longs hours of labor in rechecking my grammar and looking up the dictionary!" Its not easy being a blogger! All this writing can drive some Krazy! Yep and thats Krazy with a K!

Sometimes all we need is a "thumbs up" and a "high five" to kick our gears in place and start the production! All we need is a little inspiration and a helping hand. Next time I see someone with a good thing going on, I am going to give them a "thumbs up" and a slamming compliment! Well, I guess lets get the party started and make some Senses and Scents goodies. Now all we need is a pot.....

Its been awhile everyone.....

2009-06-13T02:38:00.000-07:00

Its been awhile everyone since I posted anything..... I know

I have been very busy with work, school, and two business. Its tough but I shouldnt blame school and work. I need to G UP and get my act together. We're in the works of creating a more efficient and sustainable business just like our products! Time is the essence and I need to get ready for something huge coming along for Senses and Scents. This organic and natural business is going for the big wave!

So Watch out!

Thoughts and Thoughtless

2009-06-12T23:21:00.000-07:00

My best friend is in Cambodia. Having devoted most of her life in providing support for in need communities and urging social justice, she is once again in an organization helping Vietnamese refugee women in Cambodia.

Dont ask me what her mission in Cambodia. Because I have an idea, yet its not as simple as most people would understand. Its best left for her to tell the world in her words. For me, I've always wanted to help others in the same path. I've been in awe, amazement, and of course envious of her. I feel sad sometimes staying behind starting a business, scratching and barely surviving. I want to be the one to travel the world, help others, and learn of others culture and life. I want to see the world and make a difference.

Through jealousy, comes love and inspiration. I am envious of her. However, she inspires me even more. Over the years, I have learned to create my own path. I volunteer at local nonprofits by planning and outreaching to local communities. CEO Women, Creating Economical Opportunities for Women, is an awesome nonprofit that helps immigrant and refugee women become entrepreneurs and economically independent. I realize reaching out to my own community is making a difference in the changing the world. Oakland is not an average city and we should not be treated as such. We're an extremely colorful and diverse community lacking in education and budgeting.
I am excited to live for the present and the future.

We can make a difference if we put our minds to it!

Kathy- http://kathyh8h7.livejournal.com/

spa PARTY

2009-05-03T02:39:00.000-07:00

I have sprung forward and Spring is in the Air!

Oh how I love Spring. It rains and flowers bloom. The air is cleaner with the rain washing out the roads. The loveliest season of them all! I not only love Spring but the fact that I live in the Bayarea in California where weather is never too hot or cold....most of the time...( we do get heat waves for a week or two in the summer)

This month has truly been a Spa Month. I dont know if everyone knows this, but I am also a massage therapist and I have a practice in Oakland as well. This month I did two spa parties! Both were awesome! One party was for a bunch of girlfriends who wanted to spend time together and have the spa come to them. Another in a small spa studio setting. Both were threw by my wonderful friends whom are also estheticians. Fantastic ways to keep ourselves and mothers beautiful. If anyone noticed Mothers day is right around the corner!

Tax free Sale now going- Sale ends at April 15, 2009

2009-03-14T01:35:00.000-07:00

California's last sales tax increase was in 2004 from 8.25% to 8.75%.

Now California is undergoing changes to increase our sales tax on April 1, 2009. Our sales tax will increase from 8.75% to 9.75%. A total of 1% increase. That is at least 11% increase in just 5 years. Is it fair? Is it fair to have such a high sales tax when the pulse of our city is almost obliterated and businesses are dropping like flies? I can't say for everyone, but what I do know is. Small businesses and local producers will continue to despair for survival and stress competing next to big corporations.

But what I can do, is pay for your sales tax for the next month. From March 14th, 2009- April 15, 2009, We will discount all purchases by 9.75%. Sale items or not. They will all have 9.75% discounted at the time of checkout.

Life is like a Square

2009-03-06T02:56:00.000-08:00

Life is like a Square. Where ever you go, your going to hit a corner. Corner here. Corner there. Nobody wants to stand alone in a corner! From now on, I will cut all corners. Just to get myself started. I will draw 1,000 circles for warm up then individually color and glue them to my neighbors cars. Y(^o^)Y

Okay, okay. Break time is over. Back to making more soy candles. Coconut and Citrus Basil for today. 4 dozen tealights and 5 6 oz tins. If my candles dont come out smooth again, Ellen threatens to burn my toes with a magnify glass along with the evil UVB/UVA rays from the BIGGIE star, THE SUN. I must get to work! She also threatens to cut me off from her specialty Green Chile Chicken dish. NOOooooo.....*sob*sob....She is mean. I run away!
-_-" ...I guess I can only go so far.... Back to work I go.

Round will be my shape and Life will be my circle.

12 Random Senses and Scents Things

2009-02-25T23:41:00.000-08:00

I am an active Facebooker. I spend most of the time on Facebook when I am online. Lately there has been a note going around amongst my friends. You may have heard about it. "25 Random Things" Rules goes as this: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you.
Well, I will now create my own shorter version. This will let everyone get to know us a little better.

1. Ellen and I(Shirley) are sisters. We fight. We argue. We work together. We are an unit. Sometimes, we go to bed angry and wake up ugly.

2. We are Asian American Women. We are young, beautiful and in our twenties. Actually depending on when you read this, we may no longer be in our twenties.

3. Ellen's a fighter. She practices Tai Kwon Do and goes to a Tai Kwon Do studio to avoid going to prison all the while still reaping the benefits of beating others up and breaking their toes one by one. lol....

4. We make our Senses and Scents products at home in the kitchen. The kitchen is getting more crowded yet less and less food is coming out of it.

5. I love avocados. I wonder if my organs are as smooth as it should be from eating so much nutritious avocados! Avocados are not only good for the body but fantastic in keeping skin looking radiant and young.

6. We're no experts in skin, but we do know whats hot and whats not. We go with 'what feels good' and 'what feels right'. Natural and organic = feeling rightfully good!

7. We hate spending money on inferior products. You can feel the difference right away....Makes me angry just thinking about it.

8. We try to price every product as fair as we can. Everyone should have a chance in living healthy and organic.

9. After selling our products at numerous holiday fairs and farmers market, I have developed an immense amount of respect and admiration toward veteran street vendors, artisans and local farmers. I try to purchase locally as much as I can.

10. I believe in actions speak louder than words. If not now, then when?

11. Spas are great! But they're only fun for groups and parties. Local private massage studios are the best way to balance and stabilize the body.

12. I love trying out new products. I am always on the lookout for something better. The change of seasons. Over exposure of too much sun and pollution. Air temperature. Moisture level in the air. Water PH. There are too many factors that can change our skin's reception and reaction to products. The best ways to keep skin healthy is to be aware.

12 is good for now... It...IS the shorter version

Good Morning America!

2009-01-11T04:38:00.000-08:00

Good Morning Everyone!

It is pretty early in the day. Approximately 4:40am or so. I am awake at this hour trying to make sure the sun still rises from the East. Sometimes its hard to tell if it still does.

I am not sure if anyone notice, but during the winter our skin tends to dry up and turn into a desert. Usually from the harsh wind and dry heat from indoor heaters. My legs have been itching for the last four days. Mostly my right leg. Other than the weather, I have tested a product from "As Seen On TV" called "Smooth Away Hair Removal System". Now I am definitely hating myself for trying it. The system does smoothly and painlessly remove hair, however the trade off was pale itchy skin. Now I can only sigh and wish I stuck with waxing. Not only that My skin along my stomach has broke out into an itchy rash. I am not sure where this rash came from, but my body have been feeling uncomfortably dry for a while now. I have tried my best to lotion up every night before bed. I think what I really want is to soak in a tub of milk or oil. Most likely milk since it would be hell to clean up after an oil bath and I wouldnt want my housemates to slip while showering.

Well, my skin is now undergoing some intense moisturizing treatments. Four days ago after work I jumped into my newly cleaned tub filled with warm hot water and my Senses and Scents company's coconut milk bath powder. I was so excited i nearly dropped the container in. I threw nearly 4 heaping scoops in. I sank and nearly died loving every moment of it. My skin felt super relieved. I could feel the skin along my stomach and leg feeling raw from the constant scratching for the past weeks. I soaked in the bath water for over an hour, AN HOUR! I have never sat in a bath longer than 30 minutes not even in a jacuzzi. I always felt bored and overheated to continue sitting. Bathing is quite relaxing when your muscles/mind are tired. Other times you just get dead bored. Music gets repetitive. Magazines get wet and soggy. Snacks become tasteless. I figured what I really wanted to do. "Catch up with friends" I spent nearly the entire time either on my cell phone talking or instant messaging. It was a blast! Other than worrying if my phone was going to drop in the water, I was able to make plans, gossip, joke around, and feel relaxed.

After my bath, I felt great and my body was radiant. Over the next couple of days I avoided all soap and detergents for cleansing my self. I let my loofah handle cleaning off the dirt and grime. Afterward a good light lotion was slathered all over. Now the itchiness is still there, but the rash is minimizing. My legs are dry and itch only a little. I plan on doing another bath today and continuing my daily regiment and adding another bath in my next weeks schedule. Hopefully, my skin will be back to normal soon...

Hello 2009 and Goodbye 2008!

2009-01-07T13:52:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!

Sorry we have not been keeping up our postings. We have been very busy with our holiday fairs and holiday events. Our telegraph fair went not as smooth as we planned. First day there- Sunny and slightly windy but manageable. We only got a 8 foot booth, so we cant possibly open our 10ft canopy. Especially since your neighbor only has a 5ft table with no umbrella. Oh well, at least we have a brown umbrella to hold on to. Later in the day is another story.. An unexpected shower of rain came by and soaked most of my candles and soap. I ran to shield them with my body but I am only so big. The rain shooed most of the patrons away but there was one lady who was a trooper that stayed until she was done with the purchase. For this I am very grateful!

We decided to bring our canopy next time if it starts raining unexpectedly even if we have a small space. Luckily for the rainy days, our neighbors would decide not to come and a bigger spot we get. Which was very nice! I enjoy sitting comfortably even if it is freezing. But several times we ended being direct neighbors to another soy candle company which was not very good for business. Its nice to have competition but not next to each other. Sales were good and fair for this winter. Feedback from our customers regarding our products were awesome and we thank you everyone for the support. We do have high hopes for the new year and is working on adding more fantastic products to Senses and Scents!

Keep your eyes open! 2009! Here we come!

SUCCESS!!!

2008-10-24T00:06:00.000-07:00

My awesome partner Ellen and my amazing sister Mary made a success at the Holy Spirit Arts and Craft Fair in Fremont, CA. We not only accomplished our goal but surpassed it by 150%!
I am extremely happy and thankful for the two and will continue to work hard on my part for our growing enterprise. The response from the fair was terrific and the crowd was wild for our soy candles and oatmeal stamp soap. We're definitely contemplating on stamping our other soaps too. We are testing new recipes and making new soap as we speak. The candles are always a blast since we make them in different sizes. The tumblers are great for long lasting burn yet the votive gift boxes are nifty gifts.

On a sad note, I am leaving my work in San Francisco to free up time for the upcoming events and festivals. I feel sad to leave after a year in the organization, but one must do what one needs to. I need to fulfill my responsibility in my partnership with Ellen and to our company. I am very happy to have met and connected with my colleagues. I think everything happens for a reason and being able to connect with these magnificent people through this company is one of them. Some friends come and go with the season like the leaves on a tree. Some friends are like branches of a tree, they hold on and take all they can, but when times get bad they break off and leave. The true friends are the ones who are roots of a tree. No matter how strong the wind, storm, and sun try to bring you down; they will continue to support and hold you up high. They understand and a explanation is not needed. They're just happy to be with you and your happy to be with them. I sincerely hope to be the roots of all my friends i have come across in life. Even if our relationship faded with time, i hope i was as good to them as they were to me.

Working hard..

2008-10-09T15:25:00.000-07:00

Ellen and I have been working hard to get ready for the upcoming festivals and perspective clients. We applied for several churches, artisan and craft fairs, health fairs, and a farmers market. We are super excited for the upcoming months and events especially from receiving acceptance for the Telegraph Holiday Fair. This fair is probably one of the largest we will be in this year. Our expectations are high and hopefully all goes well. The fair will be on Telegraph ave in Oakland, CA, very close to where we live. We grew up in Oakland and are familiar with North Oakland and Berkeley. Transporting and getting there will not be a problem at all. One of the few problems we may face is parking. The area has limited parking, we are a little hesitant on bringing too heavy boxes but our lovely sister, Sharon, is supporting us by buying us a dolly. Her birthday is tomorrow and we will be spending time together.

The Fremont festival of Arts is our next spot. This is a weekend festival. We will be there for two days or Ellen and Mary will be there for both days. I will have to sit out for this one. I have to work weekends in San Francisco and the time conflicts with the event. I am considering leaving my work soon to participate more in the events. Times are getting harder. I am thinking of expanding my massage therapy private practice and am searching for a space to rent. Ellen and I are taking classes to assist in our business. I am working hard in my Business and Human Relations, and Quickbook classes. Ellen is improving her designing work with Dreamweaver and Flash classes. Well as an active civil rights leader said " The future belongs to those who prepare" And if not now then when? Ellen and I will be better equipped and our business will be stronger than today.

=)

Exhausted and glad its over....

2008-09-23T01:34:00.000-07:00

Ellen and I held a booth @ the Walnut Festival this past weekend. This is our first time holding a booth other than the time when Mary helped us sell at the Laurel Festival sharing a booth with Jenny and Julie. The Heather park was closed off for the festival. One section was for the carnival and the other was for art and craft vendors. We had high hopes for the weekend. The weather was good and the spaces were spacious. When the actual time came, it was quite disappointing. The Festival was a lot smaller than what we imagined. There was definitely more children and families than the other festivals we've visited. Maybe because the festival was spread out and held for four days instead of just a weekend. We only had the weekend. I think it would have been too much to be there for the entire time.

I think the hardest part was lugging all the products, tables, chairs, and tent from the parking to the grassy area. The distance was not far, but the grass and gates didn't make it easy.

The festival was discouraging, but we did receive plenty of good feedback for our new products. We're excited and plan to go for more festivals and markets. We met this woman who made jewelry and had a booth next to us. We exchanged info and we may even see each other in upcoming events. Next times going to be better! I am sure of it.

Walnut Festival- 9/19-20/08

2008-09-23T01:25:00.000-07:00

Walnut Festival

History of the Walnut Festival Association:

For the past 71 years, the non-profit Walnut Festival Association has attracted the most dedicated volunteers, from all walks of life, who join together to serve Contra Costa County by raising funds through community events.

The money raised from these annual family entertainment events is donated back in to the community to support recreational, charitable, and educational programs and facilities. The Walnut Festival Association events also provide a means for service and charitable groups to raise money to support their specific organizations.

Shirley, Ellen and Mary Trieu from Senses and Scents will be holding a booth @ the Walnut Festival this weekend. We will be showcasing our new hand made bar soap and soy candles. We would love to see you there!

Festival Time: SAT 11:00AM- 8:00PM. SUN 11:00AM-6:00PM

Welcome!

2008-08-29T16:43:00.000-07:00

At Senses and Scents, we strive to provide care for your body and food for your soul by offering quality all natural and organic products at affordable prices.

My sister and I shared a vision and passion for holistic care and healthy living. With this vision, we created Senses and Scents, where we are dedicated to bringing you premier spa grade products with the goal of harmonizing your mind, body, and soul.

Senses and Scents carries only the best of all natural and organic body products. Beautiful and simple just as nature intended it to be. As supporter of living well and healthy, we are excited to offer our recommendations and support.

Remember, taking care of yourself is not a crime, not recognizing what your body craves is.

All the Best,

Ellen and Shirley Trieu