Juggler of Schedules, Keeper of Peace, Finder of the lost and Creator of Dreams

  I am not just a small business owner, I am a mother of four children, Grandmother of two and a Military wife for 25 years. I have worked most of my children's lives.  Sometimes outside of the home and sometimes in the home. I think I have done and tried it all. From Avon to Daycare.
   Now in my younger years I have to say that long nights of work and early morning rushes may have been hectic, yet doable. Now that I am hitting 45 (this Year) I am finding that I am not always running as fast as I use to. There are days I stand in the middle of my chaos and feel like that world is swirling around me. Kids searching for something while screaming the ever popular "mom, do you know where..?" My grandson chasing me with the same book I have read 15 times that morning already, a husband rummaging through drawers looking for something he miss placed even after you told him 20 times to put it up. On top of the cookie in the oven being done and the stove buzzer going off, the dogs whining to go out and the business phone ringing.
   By no means do I think I do more or work harder then the rest of the mom's out there. I think I just figured out this morning that It doesn't really get easier as they get older, it just that their needs change. My youngest use to want my time to glue an arm on a figure or tie a rope around a toy animal, now 14, he needed me to tie his tie this morning. No more dolls and hair brushing with my daughter, now 16, she needs me to pick up her boyfriend, take her to flying lessons and shop for dress after dress. My two oldest, 24  and 20 need me in different ways as well. My two sons call me for relationship advise, parenting tips and lots of "How did you handle this Mom?" questions.
   I started my business 2 years ago, thinking I needed something, my kids where not going to need as much so I would need to do something with all of my left over time. Boy was I wrong!! They need me just as much,  even my husband, now retired from the Air Force, still needs me to know his schedule, keep track of his paperwork, remember all names and faces. This morning I was making 5 different Dead Sea Salt Bath soaks, creating labels for some new soaps, setting up a photo shoot of my Massaging oil line and helping my son (14 year old) get on his suit and tie so he could be Al Capon in a History Class re-enactment.
   So I am here to tell you, they never get too old to need you. I have one that is getting ready to transition to H.S., my high school daughter is picking colleges to visit, my newly college graduate son just enlisted in the Marines and my grown son in Las Vegas, Nv. calls me three time a day, Oh, and retired does not mean he is out from under your feet.
   To every working mother and Grandmother out there, just remember you are your family's strength, your children's role models and your husband's joy...You are the true Super Hero's of the world!!

Spring is Blooming and Secret Garden is Ready.

Here we go...the snow days are slowly coming to and end here in Colorado. My yard is starting to have green grass and my tulips are poking out of the cold snow. This is always my favorite time, Spring.     I am excited to fill the bird feeders and bird baths. To get out on my knees and start planting those beautiful colors of flowers, plants, herbs, fruits and vegetables.  Now I have to say that yes I do plant for my own personal love of using the herbs to cook with, and the fruits and veggies are for my family to have healthy safer choices, as the flowers, plants and even some herbs are for my business.     I use the Rosemary to make my Vinegar-Rosemary Hair Rinse, and the Lavender goes in many of my face care products and soaps. I use the rose petals in Sea Soaks, Milk baths, Fizzies and Soaps. I love that I am able to not only create amazing products, but that I can say "Yes, I know where those ingredients come from". I wish I wasn't scared of bees, because I would love to make my own honey and beeswax. So, I think I will leave that up to the Bee Keepers.      My business is always challenging me to learn more and think outside the box. If you would of told me three years ago that I would be growing Rosemary, so I could soak it  in a Vinegar mixture, then create an amazing hair rinse...I would of laughed at you. But I have to say, I am up to the challenges. Being a Mother and Grandmother has made me look at products differently. I want my family to be safe when they use a product...and now I want to share that feeling of satisfaction and pride with everyone I can.     So remember, when you order a Secret Garden  Bath & Boutique Product, you are not getting a mass produced item, you are getting a product made with pride, integrity and a piece of my own life.

Why Pay so Much for More Damage Later?

  I have been really thinking about this for a few weeks now. My family is a "Three Generation House" for a little while, just until my son is done with Boot Camp with the Marines. So money can get tight quickly. As I am sure it does for a great number of families today. It is hard to maintain the important things like Housing, Vehicles, bills to keep things turned on and food. Then you have the extras, like things the kids need for school, extra curricular activities and God forbid something break or someone get hurt.
   I have to say after a rather ridicules medical bill of over $7000.00 just to hear my daughter has an ovarian sis, and it will "be fine" as the over paid Doctor said to me, I realized that there has to be something better out there for regular families that live pay check to pay check.
     Now I am not saying don't ever go to the hospital, but I am sure there are plenty of times it just isn't worth their carefree diagnosis and the mortgage payment you just made for them. There is a reason herbs, essential oils and natural ingredients were our very first medical relievers. They work! They have proven themselves for centuries and still are today. I have to say that I would rather put my pain in the trust of a natural, side affect free reliever then take many of the medications that are out there today. The side affects out weigh the benefits.  Sometimes I think they know if they create more issues, you will need more medicine, which really is a circle of harm and disaster.
    There is no reason for this kind of expense, except for greed. I am personally upset, affected and even disappointed in the way our medical field has progressed. In a time and age when we are able to truly make a large difference in the way people are treated, and in the technology we have to actually cure diseases. Instead we have chosen to do more harm then good, put our need for praise and money before our devotion to help the hurt and contribute to medical growth.
    Natural is more then "Natural" it is safe, it is simple, and above all it is simply what it claims to be. In this "Go Green", "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" and "Save the Planet" world we are all preaching about, Maybe using less over the counter relievers, fancy body products pumped with Chemicals and high price tags, and watered down bath products should be the first place we all start cutting. Who knows, maybe more natural bath, body and beauty care products will make you want to clean out your house of other chemically infused products, which could lead us all back to healthier bodies, less emotional imbalances, fewer childhood behavioral conditions and a lot less Over Charged Doctor visits.
     Natural could be the way to save us, our kids, our families and our bank accounts. I have to say I have seen the difference using natural body and bath products has made in my own family.

To read more about why we should use Dead Sea Salt:
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-6878/Why-You-Should-Take-a-Salt-Bath-This-Week.html

To read more on The need for Essential oils:
http://www.younglivingworld.com/resources/whyoils_main.asp

Spring Bouquet of Scents

    With the weather changing and the plants defrosting, you can't help but start to imagine the wonderful Spring Aromas in your mind. I am pulling some of my favorite Spring Scents to the front of my product line.
      I love to take cool refreshing "pick me up" baths after a long hard day, so I came up with these AMAZING Fizzy Milk Bath Foam Hearts. They Fizz just like a Bath Bomb, yet they have an added extra creamy foam milk foam. They are drizzled with a little Shea Butter to add some added moisture to your skim.

                                                                       

These are the Lemongrass - Sage Milk Foam hearts. The scent is fresh, re-energizing and uplifting. I have to say just a quick 10 minute soak with one of these hearts and you can take on another 8 hours.
They also come in Apricot, Raspberry Vanilla, Black Raspberry Wine, Lavender-Magnolia, Lilacs & Violets, and Gardenias & Lily.   They come in a set of 4 for $6.00. Try them today and see what a difference a bath really can make.
   Remember, that a soak with a fizzy is good for you. The Epsom helps soothe sore muscles, the Citric Acid and Baking soda helps relieve tension & stress, while the Milk , Shea Butter & Olive oil help rehydrate and soften our skin. Then the Soothing Aroma scent can calm us, perk us up, lift our spirits and calm our souls.

Do yourself a favor and SOAK!!!!

http://www.secrtegardenbath.com
or call in orders @ 1=303- 932-3278  or stop in our showroom at 1176 S. Cathay St Aurora, Co

Locals Welcomed...Visitors Encouraged!

  I have to say that there were a few things about living in Las Vegas, Nevada that were kind of nice. One of them was that there were always special deals and benefits for the "Locals" It was nice to go to Casinos and get local pricing on dinners, buffets and special deals on events. So it made me think about being a Local in Colorado. There should be some specials now and then for the people around me.
   So what a better way to treat our Locals, then by getting rid of shipping fees. So soon there will be a showroom just for locals and Out of Town Visitors. I have always had products on hand for those that needed it quickly, but now there will be a room just for me to showcase all of my products as they are created, and locals are welcomed to come browse and buy without the shipping cost of ordering off the internet.

My husband and I have been creating, designing and improving the way I display my products. Soon you can come by and browse through the products, smell the scents and even sample. I am hoping that our Local Clients and out of town visiting clients will enjoy the Secret Garden Showroom. Just like all phone orders, credit cards will be accepted.

We aren't  up and ready yet, but watch Facebook, Twitter and my Web Store. We will be announcing our Grand Viewing Date and Special offers happening for that entire week.

It isn't just about luxury, It's about well-being & Money

   I have been thinking a great deal about the fate of our nation and what affect it could very well have on my family. This is such a hard time for so many families, and even young single adults trying to make their way in the world. Paychecks just don't go as far as they use too, and there seems to be so many more required monthly bills then there use to be. I can remember when cable was a choice, not a have to, and cell phones were not even a around. With two children, and two young adults trying to make it in this world, I really do see the need for products that make a difference, work well and don't cost a bundle.
   My husband and I have always lived on a budget, and raising 4 children has not always been easy on the paycheck. Yet I can say that because I have always been able to make things myself from scratch we have not gone without very little, and enjoyed it even more. This is what I want for my business to be for all of my customers. I want you to be able to purchase a $100.00 Spa Day in a bag, pay under $40.00 and it works, last, and feel amazing. With the way the economy is headed, I am sure that there is less money in households for expensive spa treatments, even just a mani/pedi is being cut out of budgets. With health care being so expensive, and medication on the rise, I think everyone should at least think of alternatives.
     This is a great time for you and your whole family, even down to the dog to make some new choices. My products are natural, and I can honestly say that.  I am the one melting my bees wax and Shea Butter, I am the one measuring and adding the essential oils. I personally test everyone of my products on me, my husband, my kids and even my dogs. I want my family and your family to have safe, healthy choices in face care, shampoos, hand creams, foot scrubs, paw pad moisturizing bars, lip balms, and even men's products like mustache wax and after shave.
    I have heard some really bad stories ever the last two years of my business. A massage girl in Vegas, that worked for a big name Casino/Hotel. Once told me she mixed Bengay & Vaseline together and would charge people $140.00 for a Muscle Massage. I had someone tell me she bought Lavender Fragrance and mixed it with Baby Oil and sold it for $40.00 for a 2oz bottle of Lavender Massage oil. I don't know if I am more shocked that people are so dishonest or that customers are less knowledgeable. I can guarantee that my ingredients are truly the best out there, and I study as much as possible to create a product that works. Not to mention my products last a long time. Which is bad for me, because my customers order every 6-8 months, but great for you. I figured that my 4oz Analgesic Massage oil for pain and soreness lasts for 4-6 months, depending on the pain. At $15.00 a bottle, you are paying from 3.75 to 2.50 a month for real relief, not to mention you will use less over the counter drugs when you use my oil.
    So for your New Years resolution, maybe you should give Secret Garden a try, Enjoy Luxury Spa Products, Safe affective products, A product that last longer and keeps some money in your wallet for more important things.

Happy 2013 to everyone!
Drusilla Fife; Owner and Creator.

Milk Bath Wine Bottles

       My newest creation comes from some empty wine bottles and some great ideas I saw on Pinterest. I wanted to make something that not only was a useful  product, but something that showcased some of "me" in my product. I find it is really easy to go with the marketing flow and just slap a label on a product and move on. Yet anyone who knows me, knows that I am so much more then a label on a bottle.
        I love to be different, think out side of the box and even over do. So when I saw some decorative wine bottles my little brain got very excited. I wanted to make some wine bottles with flair and personality. This was the birth of my new Milk Bath Collection Line.

        I have been working on giving each new scent a unique look and color. I want them to be something that goes on the edge of your tub with pride and not stuffed under the sink. I also wanted to make sure it had an element of the Secret Garden to it, so the metal skeleton key came about. I think I also like that they are recycled wine bottles and not just another manufacture jar that I bought in bulk.
       Now I am working on the hand crafted stoppers to match each Drink scent. These should be ready in just a week or two, and out on the web store @ www.secretgardenbath.com

the scents are going to be Sparkling Blood Orange, Blackberry Wine, Champagne Bubbles, Raspberry Fizz & Sangria.