I have confessed more than once that I’m still a little bit of a shopaholic. Lately, I have tried to turn my obsession away from cheaply made purses to greener goods that I actually need and will use. So where has my attention fallen? To handmade, natural soaps. Much to my delight, there are dozens of individuals and companies that are making them. One soapmaker I found even uses a bike-powered mixer to create their soaps. But none have captured my attention and adoration quite like Nostalgia Organics. As a graphic designer by trade, sometimes, all it takes is beautiful packaging to catch my eye. But in this case, what’s inside that packaging is what really got my attention.
Nostalgia soaps are all handmade with the finest organic ingredients, including lemongrass, lavender, oatmeal, dill, grapefruit and more. The ingredients read more like a grocery shopping list than a soap label, and that’s a good thing. Someone once said to me that she doesn’t buy personal care products unless they are made up by ingredients she would eat. Even with those strict limitations, Nostalgia passes with flying colors.
To my delight, they sent me four soaps to use and review, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results. The soaps smell absolutely divine, and the thick bars build up to a beautiful lather. But unlike many bar soaps, they don’t leave my skin dry at all. In fact, my skin feels soft and smooth after each use.
As for the packaging, Nostalgia’s is worth mentioning. There are two available types of packaging: soaps in paper labels and in cloth sacks. The soap sacks are made of organic cotton, and each print is designed in-house and printed in the U.S. Further, the paper label that is wrapped around the sack is printed with vegetable-based inks on recycled paper. That label unfolds to a reusable craft or sewing pattern that can be used to repurpose your soap sack into cute crafts like pincushions or tiny plush puppies. I haven’t gotten around to making my strawberry pincushion yet, but I’ll definitely give it a try. If you’d prefer not to receive a sack, you can get soaps that are wrapped only in recycled paper labels that are, of course, recyclable.
It appears the environment, health and safety were considered in every step of the creative process at Nostagia Organics, and I couldn’t be more excited to share this great company with you. In fact, I plan on purchasing a bunch of their soaps to use as gifts and to keep my own supply plentiful. I’ve been telling people about them everywhere I go.
Why It’s Green:
- Handmade in the U.S.
- Made only with natural and organic ingredients and essential oils
- Packaging is printed with water-based inks on recycled paper and/or organic cotton
Price: $8/ea. for soaps in paper label, $10/ea. for soap sacks
(review)
Want to Win?
Nostalgia Organics has generously offered to give away 4 soaps to one lucky reader of Green & Gorgeous: 2 in paper labels and 2 in soap sacks. All you have to do to enter is visit the Nostalgia Organics site. Then come back here and leave a comment telling me something you liked or learned about the company. It could be one of their products or a fact about the company. Anything you want.
Want more chances to win? Do any of the following after you complete the first entry method to receive additional entries. PLEASE leave a separate comment for each entry:
- Subscribe to Green & Gorgeous via email or RSS. Email subscribers MUST confirm their subscription for their entry to be valid. Leave a comment letting me know that you subscribed.
- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Leave a comment with a link to your tweet.
- Stumble any page at Green & Gorgeous, and leave a link to your StumbleUpon profile so I can verify your entry.
- Blog about Green & Gorgeous and leave a link to your blog post here
- Fave this blog on Technorati and leave a comment with your user name.
You have until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, August 10, 2009, to enter. U.S. and Canada mailing addresses only! A winner will be chosen via Random.org and contacted via email. Good luck everyone!
Bonus!
If you don’t want to cross your fingers hoping you’ll win and you want to buy some soaps from Nostalgia right now, use coupon code “SweetGreens” to get 20% off your entire order. Exp. 8/15/09.
{ 68 comments… read them below or add one }
I like that a portion of their sales goes towards the Beautiful Survivor program. I never heard of that organization until now!
Carla | Green and Chic´s last blog ..Giveaway: Win SIX Clean+Green Eco-Friendly Pet Cleaning Products
I just subscribed to RSS.
Carla | Green and Chic´s last blog ..Giveaway: Win SIX Clean+Green Eco-Friendly Pet Cleaning Products
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/CarlaRose/statuses/3107518088
Carla | Green and Chic´s last blog ..Giveaway: Win SIX Clean+Green Eco-Friendly Pet Cleaning Products
Hey Jennae,
Firstly, Congratulations for the official launch!
Very pretty looking soaps. Being a ‘fabric person’ & being an eco-friendly business myself, makes me adore the organic cotton sack packaging. Of course the fact that they are re-usable & recyclable only adds to it!
Here’s wishing you & Nostalgia Organics all the very best
Neerja´s last blog ..Winners!
First of all, Congrats on the new site! I am overly excited to read each day on suggestions on things I can do to replace the items I love that are NOT green friendly! Soap is a big deal for me and per your guidance, I now also feel that with ingredients that read like a grocery list I can rest assured knowing that I am “green and clean” lol! Now, as a person who shops with my eyes, the packaging is to dye for! Luvs it! I am TOTALLY going to cop these soaps and make my cute, green toy after.
Keep doing your thing as we are all on the edge of our seats waiting for the next item you like. Thanks for being an inspiration to me and many more on this fight against chemicals and a toward a greener lifestyle!
xoxoxo
Jennae, Congratulations. This is green and heavenly. Much success to you!
Erika/Organic Baby Resource´s last blog ..Aug 3, Giveaway: Win an Organic Kimono Set from Baby Star
A portion of their sales goes towards Beautiful Survivor program.
I learned that the sweet orange soap is “Fresh and uplifting over-sized soap bar full of sweet orange, crushed cinnamon and creamy coconut milk. A holiday for the senses, a treat for the skin.” Sounds perfect!
I like the Sweet Orange soap sack.
Congrats on the new site!
Sweet Orange soap looks great!
Hi Jennae:
Congrats again! You have an incredible design style and a great eye.
Looking forward to more.
I love the colors of the website – it’s so happy and cheerful:D I learned that Nostalgia’s Aromatherapy Parfum Balms are made with 100% organic botanical oils and natural plant essences for a purely aromatic retreat. I wanna try one of those:) Thanks for doing a giveaway.
SiSi´s last blog ..I’m a Winner!
Subscribed and confirmed to email feed
SiSi´s last blog ..I’m a Winner!
I will be blogging about your giveaway at http://www.hmgiveaways.blogspot.com
I will be tweeting as well, I’m @hmgiveaways.
You can promote your giveaways with us in the future for free:)
SiSi´s last blog ..Nostalgia Organics – 4 soaps – Until 8/10
Just added Green & Gorgeous’ RSS feed to my Google Reader
Love the new site!
Just stumbled G&G’s main page – StumbleUpon username VictoriaESF
LOVE the sweet orange and vanilla soaps!
Linsay C´s last blog ..New Items in my Etsy Store
I became a subscriber.
Mercedes´s last blog ..Join Right@Home for Great Freebies and Coupon Offers
tweeted about it
http://twitter.com/CommnSenseMoney/status/3108896547
Mercedes´s last blog ..Join Right@Home for Great Freebies and Coupon Offers
I like the Home > aromatherapy > body balms > Butterflies.
the Butterflies body balm sounds like it would be very soothing, something I definitely need as I am usually stressed!
just subscribed in google reader!
micaela6955 at msn dot com
twitter follower @micaela6955 tweeted http://twitter.com/micaela6955/status/3116169377
CONGRATULATIONS on your BEAUTIFUL new site—I’m absolutely in love! Forgive me for missing the Twitter party; I read through the links and it looks like you had a fantastic time.
These soaps are TOO cute. I love that the company contracts with companies that have fair wage practices… hard workers deserve fair compensation.
I can’t wait to try out these products!
Denene@MyBrownBaby´s last blog ..Spread Love: When African-American Children Put Their Minds To It, They CAN Change the World
I subscribed via email.
Denene@MyBrownBaby´s last blog ..Spread Love: When African-American Children Put Their Minds To It, They CAN Change the World
I’m a proud Twitter follower…
Denene@MyBrownBaby´s last blog ..Spread Love: When African-American Children Put Their Minds To It, They CAN Change the World
I really would like to try the PlumTired Aromatherapy balm- thank you!
I subscribed! I’m also following you on Twitter and will definitely RT about nostalgia soaps. Gorgeous products!! Really lovely packaging and I love the company philosophy about supporting fair trade, labor standards and a commitment to recycling/earth-friendly business standards. I too feel strongly about enjoying the little things in life, and up at the top of my list (after my two kids) is a warm cup of honeyed tea! As a small business owner myself, I feel like the Nostalgia folks are kindred spirits.
The sweet orange soap sounds great! and the packaging crafts-too cute!
A portion of our sales go towards the Beautiful Survivor program, a volunteer, grass-roots program dedicated to offering women recovering from cancer non-carcinogenic, 100% natural skincare products to promote healing and self-confidence during and after cancer treatment.
I subscribe via e-mail.
I think it’s neat that the craft patterns for the soap sacks change seasonally. Such a cute idea!
I’d love to try the Happy Days scent, I’ve been loving lemongrass flavor and scents recently!
Laura´s last blog ..Meghan Monday: Paper, paper, & more paper
I like that their soaps are made with pure organic essential oils, organic vegetable oils and organic herbs.
my only complaint is that it would be nice if products like this came in a more neutral package. i feel kind of girly buying this stuff!!
I love the funny little names they have come up for the soaps. And I think it’s great that they donate portions of their proceeds!
Oonafey´s last blog ..Hmmm…
http://www.nostalgiaorganics.com/velveteenrose.html is my favorite item on the site!
April´s last blog ..Gamble Appointed Renner Scholar at Bethany College
I learned that their body balms are 100% natural made with 100% organic plant oils.
I just love the whole retro feel of the site. Clicked on the little birdie just to see where it took me. The soap sacks are so cute! I also like the Mixed Greens soaps
Wups forgot the link
Tweeted HERE:
http://twitter.com/bcteagirl/status/3161982851
Thanks for running this contest!!
I love that they’re a company that gives something back to a good cause. Thanks for a great giveaway!
b_grace_r@yahoo.com
These soaps have the qualities that I look for: no SLS, no parabens, essential oils, organic ingredients. The packaging really catches your attention. Interested in trying this product.
I just love their PlumTired Aromatherapy Balm. I think I need something like this after chasing after babies all day!
I love the relaxing botty butters in screw-top containers–I don’t have to worry about them spilling in my purse!
And I subscribed.
Heather Lin´s last blog ..The First Pound
I love the butterfly body balms!
I’m following you on Twitter and I tweeted about the giveaway!
http://twitter.com/halfaheart
love their PlumTired Aromatherapy Balm
I like their philosophy because I believe that integrity is key to everything in our lives. It’s about the people doing their best to make a quality product in a responsible way.
I lie the commitment to the earth and about good buisness to supply good quality products for great people thats is the basis for a great company
I subscribed thru google reader
I liked the body balms! A beautiful site!
You couldn’t find a more eco-friendly company: they even print the labels with veggie inks! I really like the simplicity of their ingredients, and that their soaps are all vegan (except for the honey in Velveteen Rose).
I am glad to know about your site; it’s great, and I just subscribed via email. I’m really into natural soaps, and Nostalgia seems to have both great ingredients and a great aesthetic. The “Mixed Greens” variety with green tea and herbs looks fab!
I like that their formulations are 100% natural and 100% organic plant oils.
the body balms are right up my alley!
i follow on twitter and i tweeted http://twitter.com/agodlyhomemaker/status/3226616827
tami lewis´s last blog ..some interesting links
I would love to have the Sweet Orange soap! yummy
Miss Jocelyn´s last blog ..B ♥ D
tweeted at ya! http://twitter.com/aponderingheart/status/3227479145
blogged ya here http://aponderingheart.com/blog/?page_id=311
I like the Nostalgia philosophy. Great.
I would enjoy the goose bumps soap
I like that the company gives a portion of their sales go towards the Beautiful Survivor program to help cancer survivors. Thanks!
I follow you on Twitter (MamandeEDS) and tweeted:
http://twitter.com/MamandeEDS/statuses/3234690660
I faved you on Technorati (Mamandetrois).
I just subscribed via RSS. Thanks!
I stumbled. http://trebucher.stumbleupon.com/public/
I Subscribe!
I like that they give back to such notable charities.
I like the goosebumps soap bar on their site.
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