Bicycle BICYCLE bicycle...

Call me crazy, or just call me an aspiring Oregonian, but I have decided this week to begin riding my bike (or my mom's bike) to work.  I should take advantage of this NON-humid weather!  I'm in the perfect environment to use a bike as an alternate form of transportation.  So my new found interest in cycling has me thinking....  I spend so much time looking for products that hold up to our criteria at Hot Mess in Salem, when really I should be focusing on distance.

Think about it, if products in our store are from local artists then 1. the item is most definitely made in the USA 2. it could be considered eco-friendly because of transit and 3. I'm supporting the local economy.  All of this comes to me after I met with our current artist Melissa Ann this morning.  I am so grateful to have such an amazing artist in our store right now!  I want to continue to host local talents and develop a reputation for finding America's Next Top (     fill in the blank   ). 

Of course, we will continue to seek out awesome Couture, but what about what's right in our very own back yard?  Do you know someone that makes fashionable clothing, jewelry, or accessories?  Send em our way!  And in the meantime think about ways you can make changes to the world around you....

Post Mother's Day Soak

As I'm sitting here about to write about my weekend, I realize I am really horrible at capturing moments on camera!  I used to snap shots all of the time and then I decided to stop spending so much time behind the camera and more time just enjoying the moments.  So, now I'm wishing I had a picture from this weekend- and I don't.

I truly hope everyone had a blessed Mother's Day weekend.  I know I did!  At one point during the weekend I found myself leveled on the ground after an unfortunate head on collision.  Don't worry, no one else was involved.  And by head on collision, I mean I was ran over by our family's pooch.  She swept my feet out from underneath me before I even had the opportunity to process that she was heading in my direction!  Nevertheless, I ended up face down on the ground. 

It's interesting how hard you fall the older you get!  I used to make fun of my elders for complaining about aches and pains after minor incidents.  NOW I get it!  The one thing that I am looking forward to after work today is a very relaxing Me Bath!  I have recently done a little more research about our favorite end of day soak-  And have found that the components that make up our Me Bath Ice Cream bath bombs are extremely beneficial to our health.  ESPECIALLY after a fall like mine!

I've chosen to soak in Vanilla Purity tonight which is comprised of Dead Sea Salts and Jojoba Oil.  Dead Sea Salts have been studied for years and have been proven to improve mobility and decrease joint pain in osteoarthritic patients.  It is also beneficial after strenuous exercise by returning potassium back to the skin which is then absorbed by the body-  there are other important minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and sodium.  All of these minerals play their part in eliminating stress, reducing water retention, relaxing muscles, and maintaining lymphatic fluid balance which is important for immune system function. 

The list of benefits from Organic Jojoba Oil seems to grow daily!  What's interesting is that Jojoba Oil isn't even an oil at all, but rather a wax ester which resembles human skin oil!  Weird I know!  But this oil is super amazing!  It doesn't evaporate like normal moisturizers that we're so accustomed to using.  I never could explain to my customers the effect it had on my skin until now.  It's also non-comedogenic, which means it won't clog our pores! 

All in all, I can't wait to drop a scoop of Vanilla Purity into my tub tonight to alleviate this aching body!  These guys are only $8.50 and if you're following us on Twitter then you have the discount that can be used all week long!

Made in the USA

I can’t remember exactly where I was when I realized that it was necessary to keep our money where we live.  Literally, in our cities, states, and even country.  I think now that I am a small business owner this has so much more of an impact than it did when it first occurred to me that it was necessary. 

Shopping local has a sizeable effect on your community.  It helps create and maintain jobs and provides a sense of community-  PLUS, it can save you money!  Especially with the cost of gas increasing daily!

“About 95 percent of the clothes sold in the United States are sewn in far-flung overseas factories in places such as China, Vietnam and Bangladesh, according to International Development Systems, a Washington, D.C., company that provides data and analysis regarding trade policies.”

Hot Mess Boutique strives to find clothing lines and products produced in the USA.  It’s not easy finding quality clothing, that is affordable, and also made right here in the States!  When the economy is down it almost seems reckless to not search out sales and more affordable clothing options-   But the reality is that though you might be spending an extra $5-$10 more on a shirt than you would like to spend you can also find security in knowing it was crafted right here in the USA.

The quality of clothes made in the USA can range from really crappy to exceptionally excellent too- We want to make sure that pieces we sell will be durable and last through multiple trips to the washer.  I am very hard on my clothing and require fabrics and seams and thread to withstand the true test of Kacharel! 

Not everything we carry can be made in the USA, but we are definitely trying to have as many products as possible fit that bill.

Itsy Bitsy Spider

I realize the first post on our blog should probably be more like an introduction or have more substance... But, I am all substanced out right about now!  And NO, I don't mean I've been abusing substances...  Just take a look at the website and our facebook and our stores and you'll know I've been a busy little bee.

So for today it's the Itsy Bitsy Spider!  Stand on the sidewalk and yell/scream the entire Itsy Bitsy Spider song and you'll get 10% off of your purchase.  No joke.  I don't joke. Ok, I do joke, but not about saving money.  We've actually had some participants too!  Just take a look: