Fresh this Month: Lemongrass Hand + Body Wash

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Lemongrass Hand + Body Wash

We’re excited to announce our latest product, Lemongrass Hand + Body Wash! Lemongrass—which is native to India, Southeast Asia, and other tropical regions—is a fibrous plant that has been utilized for hundreds of years due to its antifungal, insecticidal, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is not only used as a medicinal herb, but in many delicious recipes too.

Lemongrass lends a subtle and clean citrus scent to everything it’s in, making it a perfect ingredient for soaps, body lotions, and more. Our liquid soap takes the healing and aromatherapy elements of lemongrass and harnesses them to provide a cleansing and stimulating experience, whether you’re simply using it to wash your hands or soak in a bath after a long day.

We currently carry a line of lemongrass mint products including our Skin Balm, Body Scrub, and Hand + Body Wash; but for those who are more inclined to try the earthy and citrusy smell of lemongrass without the kick of peppermint, our Lemongrass Liquid Soap is perfect! Even without mint, the lemongrass provides an uplifting and restorative aroma that is bound to make you feel refreshed!

In the Kitchen: Negroni Week Recipe Roundup!

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Negroni Week Recipe Roundup

Launched in 2013, Negroni Week was created as an effort to raise money for charities around the world. Participating bars and restaurants mix classic Negroni cocktails that result in donations to their charity of choice.

This year, Negroni Week takes place from June 4th to June 10th. Here are some Negroni cocktails for you to ask for the next time you’re out with friends (or to even try making at home)!

The Breakfast Negroni: Great for brunches or a late night pick-me-up, this drink combines orange marmalade and an Irish tea infusion for a the right amount of caffeine, sweetness, and kick.

Sparkling Negroni Punch: This sweet beverage is perfect for parties; light, bubbly, and delicious! You can serve in tall glasses with fruit for garnish or leave in a punch bowl with a ladle for guests to serve themselves.

FroGoni: This drink is half refreshing smoothie, half slushy cocktail. It’s perfect for enjoying at summertime BBQs, relaxing by the poolside, and even lazy hot nights on your balcony or porch.

Blood Orange Negroni: Blood oranges not only lend a stunning color to beverages, but a perfect blend of tartness and sweetness too. Add an entire slice to the finished cocktail for a real show-stopper!

Original Negroni: You can’t have a list for Negroni Week without including the classic Negroni. This simple and delicious cocktail includes just 3 ingredients—and an ice cold glass!

Etta + Billie Gift Guide: Father’s Day

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Father's Day Gift Guide

Father’s day, which falls on June 17th this year, is the perfect opportunity to show Dad how much he means to you. Here are some of our favorite gift ideas; perfect for helping dads everywhere enjoy their summer to the fullest!

  1. Pit Barrel Meat Smoker | Pit Barrel Cooker Co. | $299.00
  2. Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist | Amazon | $10.42
  3. Riddim BT Speaker | House of Marley | $129.99
  4. Stainless-Steel Handled 4-Piece BBQ Tool Set with Case | William Sonoma | $79.96
  5. Old Fashioned Cocktail Kit | Bitters & Bottles | $60.50
  6. CampStove 2 | BioLite | $129.95

 

Where to Go? What to Eat? Kauai Travel Guide

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Kauai Travel Guide

Headed to Kauai anytime soon? If not, you should really consider it. I know I’m lucky to live only a 5-hour flight away! It’s a spectacular island with varying landscapes, beautiful beaches, unreal coastlines, and some good food. This was my second trip to the Garden Isle with my entire fam (mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law, and husband) and luckily we all like to eat. We generally cook at home but went out here and there for lunches and the occasional dinner. So my list is not extensive but gives you some great food and location highlights.

The transition out of vacation was hard but compiling a list of my favorite spots and foods has made it a teeny tiny bit better. Read on!

NORTH SHORE

Hanalei Bay

Go

Hanalei Bay

The BEACH. Epic backdrop.

Eat

Pink’s Creamery – delightful ice cream and tasty grilled cheese sandwiches with kalua pork

Dolphin’s Fish Market – tasty fresh sushi rolls

Hanalei Coffee Roasters – good coffee, great smoothie’s (the shave ice place next door has INCREDIBLE macadamia nut milkshakes)

Hanalei Farmers Market – Saturdays from 9:30 am to noon.

Kileaua

Go

Anini Beach Kauai Hawaii

Anini Beach – calm water (though there is a current), solid snorkeling and good public facilities. 

Kileaua Lighthouse – gorgeous views!

Garden Island Chocolate – tours on Monday, Wednesday & Friday. Learn about a variety of tropical plants, how cocoa is cultivated and then taste about 20 different kinds of chocolate. Delightful rain or shine.

Garden Island Chocolate Kauai Hawaii

Eat

Kilauea Bakery + Pau Hana Pizza – solid pizza, pastries, coffee and good bread.

Kileaua Fish Market – delicious fresh fish in the form of burritos, tacos, salads and you can take pieces home to grill up (we did this one night and it was fantastic).

Kileaua Farmers Market – Kilauea Neighborhood Center – Keneke Rd off Kilauea Lighthouse Road, Thursdays from 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

Palate Wine Bar & Market – Wonderful wine selection, salads, and flatbreads. Buzzing atmosphere with really warm service. 

EAST SHORE

Kapaa

Eat

Foodland Super Market – solid poke (lots of options) and a great place to get groceries. They even have a natural foods section.

Wailua Shave Ice – ok, I didn’t actually make it to this place but have heard amazing things about it so I’m going to recommend it anyway.

IN BETWEEN

Lihue 

Go

Napali Coast Kauai Hawaii

Plane ride – get a spectacular view of the island.

Eat

The Right Slice – second outpost with a completely automated shop (ie pie is in vending machines). Sounds a bit nuts but it works. The Lilikoi Cheesecake and Chocolate Coconut Macaroon were my favs!

Kikuchi’s – solid kalua pork bun with pickled veggies and the chicken karaage was perfectly cooked. 
 

SOUTH SHORE

Go

Beaches – sunny and lovely and some have solid snorkeling.

Poipu/Koloa

Eat

Makai Sushi Kauai Hawaii

Da Crack – another spot I didn’t actually go to but my friends and family loved it.

Makai Sushi – great sushi spot in an unassuming shopping center grocery store.

Kalaheo

Eat

The Right Slice – The original location of this amazing pie spot.

Hanapepe

Go

Salt Pond Beach Park Kauai Hawaii

Salt Pond Park – lovely beach with snorkeling and good public facilities, plus I saw the biggest sea turtle ever there!

Waimea

Go

Waimea Canyon Kauai Hawaii

Waimea Canyon – the Grand Canyon of Hawaii. Spectacular.

Eat

Porkys Cart Kauai Hawaii

Porky’s Cart – Owner, Justin makes a damn good hot dog with kalua pork and fresh pineapple relish. He’s opening up a cart in Kapaa!

Ishihara’s Market – great selection of really fresh poke and other fun items (baby octopus was SOO good).

 

Fresh this Month: Rosemary Lemon Room + Body Spray

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Rosemary Lemon Room + Body Spray

In addition to our Rosemary Lemon Soap and Rosemary Lemon Body Scrub, we’re rolling out a Rosemary Lemon Room + Body Spray! This multitasking spritz is perfect for refreshing linens, cars, any room of your home, and even your body without you having to worry about harmful chemicals and synthetic scents.

Etta + Billie Rosemary Lemon Room Body Spray Natural Skincare

Rosemary and lemon are a winning fragrance combination I keep going back to over and over. The herbaceous scent of rosemary perfectly compliments the crisp citrus aroma of lemon. Together, they smell like a warm summer day spent relaxing in a garden.

Rosemary is known for its stimulating and refreshing properties, which can help when you (or your room) need a quick pick-me-up! Citrus tones such as lemon often have uplifting qualities as well, and can be used as mood enhancer as well as a deodorizer. Between the complementary scents and invigorating power of this rosemary and lemon blend, this spray is a favorite!

Available in 2oz and 4oz for a limited time as part of our seasonal Spring/Summer collection so snag one before they’re gone!

Makers Gonna Make: Lavender Lemonade

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Lavender Lemonade

This recipe combines the subtle aroma of lavender with the classic flavor of cold, refreshing lemonade. Its vibrant and beautiful hue makes this a fun beverage for the kids to enjoy on a hot summer day or for moms to turn into cocktails for a rejuvenating night in with friends. You can even consider serving this simple drink at your next BBQ, picnic, dinner party and more! The combination of citrus and floral undertones will make this drink a hit, no matter who you’re serving it to or what you’re serving it with.

When using lavender in recipes, I find it’s best to use fresh lavender (but you can easily use dried lavender for this recipe as well). Just remember; use lavender sparingly. Like rosemary, this highly fragrant herb doesn’t take much! Too much and your risk your recipe tasting like our Lavender soap (great for showers, not so great for beverages).

Ingredients

  • 6 cups of water
  • ½ cup of sugar
  • ¼ cup of honey
  • 3 tbsp of lavender (pull the flowers off the stem before measuring)
  • 2 cups of fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • Lemon slices and sprigs of lavender for garnish (optional)

Etta + Billie Lavender Lemonade Recipe for Spring and Summer

Tools

Measuring cup, measuring spoons, juice squeezer (if you don’t want to do it by hand), pot, pitcher

Let’s do it!

  1. Combine water and sugar in a large pot over medium heat and bring to a boil under the sugar is dissolved.
  2. Turn off the heat and stir in honey and lavender.
  3. Allow your mixture to steep for 2 hours (1 hour if you want less of a lavender flavor), keeping the heat off.
  4. Strain the liquid, removing the lavender, and mix in your fresh squeezed lemon juice.
  5. Pour into a large pitcher, serve over ice with some lemon and lavender as garnish, and enjoy!

Etta + Billie Gift Guide: Mother’s Day

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Mother's Day Gift Guide

Mother’s Day is quickly approaching (Psst, it’s on Sunday, May 13th this year!), so what better way to celebrate mom than with some thoughtful gifts?

  1. CosyChic Robe | Nordstrom | $99.00
  2. Geranium Patchouli Gift Set | Etta + Billie | $50.00
  3. Large Mug | Heath Ceramics | $36.00
  4. Skin Balm Duo Set | Etta + Billie | $22.00
  5. Ophelia Necklace | Kate Jones | $380.00
  6. Olive Oil Truffles | Poco Dolce | $26.00

Etta + Billie Events: SF Made Week!

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Etta Billie SF Made Week City Hall Pop Up

Etta + Billie is taking a break from Summer events this year so we are packing them in for SF Made Week! You can shop local maker goods just in time for Mother’s Day. 😉

SF Made City Hall Pop Up
Tuesday, May 8th | 11am – 6pm
San Francisco City Hall

Shop limited edition Spring/Summer goods and special gift sets!

Aplat Open Studio + Special Guest Demos + Factory  Sample Sale
Wednesday, May 9th |  4pm – 8pm
Yosemite Place – 1777 Yosemite Ave SF 

Special guest speakers: Blisshaus – how to live a zero waste lifestyle + Zai Divecha – the art of folding origami

Shop Mother’s Day Aplat Gift Bundles filled with: 
Etta+Billie and Recchiuti Confections and Good Eggs

Happy 9th Business Birthday Etta + Billie! Part 3

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Ette + Billie Happy Birthday

It’s the last installment of this birthday blog series! Here’s a look at the last three years, which have been some of the most intense but also most exciting at E+B. Missed the early years? You can read all about those here and here.

I am always striving to do things better, add more products that our customers want, and create a  connected community of E+B fans so I’d love to hear your thoughts! Got a product you’d love for us to make? Ideas about how you’d like to see your shipments come to you? I want to know about it. Please share your thoughts here.

BIGGER AND BETTER!

2015

My first speaking engagement! Shared all my tips for creating collaborations with other business owners on Indie Cruise!
E+B Indie Cruise 2015

Our first appearance in VOGUE! Including a very youthful looking headshot of me.

A full-page spread featuring me making soap in the E+B studio in the San Francisco Chronicle as part of a piece on local makers

Kiva Zip Campaign was a huge success and my community helped me raise $5,000 in 8 days! Amazing.

2016

First out of state Trade Show – Axis at Capsule in NYC.

Etta + Billie at Axis by Capsule in NYC

Launched an amazing collaboration with Heath Ceramics!

photo by Jeffery Cross.

Realized a long time business goal by offering health insurance to my employees.

Etta + Billie offers health insurance to employees

First Appearance on TV! I represented assorted small businesses as part of a KTVU segment on shopping small for the holidays.

E+B First TV Appearance KTVU

Donated over $1700 in three months to various charities as part of our Move Forward campaign.

Launched our first new product in 3 years – the liquid soap!

2017

Add the third employee to our team and 2 summer interns!  We are packed like sardines in my 750 sq ft studio.

Etta + Billie is super packed!

First attendance of the biggest gift show in the country –  NY NOW with creative collective Join Design.

E+B at NY Now with Join Design

Worked with Woods Beer Co on one of my favorite collaborations, they came to the studio and made soap and we went to the brewery and made beer!

Etta + Billie Woods Beer Co Collab

Donated over $3000 to charity as part of our philanthropic efforts.

Launched our room + body sprays!

Etta + Billie Room + Body Sprays Launch

Now!

2018

What’s happening this year? Well, we added an additional 1100 sq ft of studio space so we have plenty of room for some new E+B goodies! Stay tuned!

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Happy 9th Business Birthday to Etta + Billie! Part 2

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Ette + Billie Happy Birthday

It’s Etta + Billie’s 9th business birthday! I’m recapping all the major things that have happened at E+B (and a few of my life events) over the last 9 years. If you missed Part 1, check it out here, there are some solid photos of me with bangs and you get to see our ORIGINAL packaging. Crazy how things have changed. Read on for more E+B memories.

Etta + Billie: The Big Changes Years

2012 

Early in 2012, I left the business for almost 3 weeks to go on an epic travel adventure honeymoon with my husband. We rented a campervan (isn’t it cute?) and drove around the North and South Island of New Zealand. We both went skydiving for the very first time, pretty crazy! I managed to keep the business running while I was away, thanks to my incredible assistant Eric. If you want to see more travel photos, head to my Instagram page and scroll all the way to the very bottom.

Rebranded! After 4 years, I decided that the original branding didn’t fit me or the product anymore and where I wanted the business to go. My incredibly talented best friend was able to integrate all my inspiration into a distinct new look. 

Said goodbye to our body butter and lotion bars, much to the chagrin of my sister who proceeded to purchase every last one.

First launched collaborations with Ritual Coffee + T-We Tea! 

2013

After months and months of work, I finally launched my own website! 

Etta + Billie products could be found in our first major retailer, Urban Outfitters!

Created and launched our first brewery collaboration with San Francisco based Speakeasy. Obviously required some serious research and development.

Traveled all the way to Chicago for Renegade Craft Fair with my talented maker pal Kendra of Kendra Renee Jewelry. It was my first out of state craft show and we had so much fun!

Launched one of my fav limited edition soaps of all time, the Spiked Egg Nog Soap.

Quit my day job….NBD

2014

Moved into my first outside the home studio space and I was over the moon, even though it was only 723 sq feet. 

Hired the first production employee, Jesse. It was amazing to have help mixing up all the E+B body care goodness.

 

and hosted our first summer intern, Gladis.

We created a custom soap with one of my favorite San Francisco bakeries – Craftsman and Wolves. p.s. they have the best chocolate chip cookies!

Attended my first Trade Show – SF Gift Show

So much fun press. Appeared in two national magazines and one international magazine.

Created our first customized product with gorgeous lifestyle retailer Terrain. The Pumpkin Spice Lotion.

 

Began E+B’s philanthropic efforts with 826 Valencia and SF Marin Food Bank

Check back again next week for the final post!