Feature Friday: Farm Hussy - The Series v1 - Summer 2015 Collection

It is no secret that my favorite handmade lotion is made by the mad genius, Julie, behind Farm Hussy.  Now, before you go recoiling at that name, it's important to take a dandy at this page explaining the inspiration and the usage of the word in its positive, empowering form.

Julie's products are not short of being spectacular.  I was introduced to her products back in '09 or '10 (hard to say now) when I received them in a sampler.  It was that same parting-of-clouds moment when I discovered handmade soy candles.  Here was the lotion that I was looking for: thick, unbelievably moisturizing, and incredibly scented.  Since then I've sung of Farm Hussy's praises to the moon and back, and converted many a friend to her products.

I am an unabashed addict.  To the point that I currently have over 100 of her products in my possession.  Fortunately (and sadly) for me, her sales support my need to constantly rotate through scents and I have a problem completely finishing a jar or bottle.  I'm working on that.  Promise.

My nose is a connoisseur for scents (thank goodness, since I make soy candles) so it only seemed fitting to create a series in which I review scents from each new collection she releases to help others decide what they would like.  Because, yes, it really.really.really is that hard to decide each time.

So strap on your seatbelts and get ready to delve into the ongoing series!

Hey, it's my most recent haul!  Almost all scents in this box are from the Summer 2015 Beach Hussy's Sugar Shack Collection.  Like all scent reviews, it's important to consider these are simply my opinions.  I'd advise taking everything with a grain of salt, so to speak, as my nose is certainly not your nose and your nose probably likes plenty of things differently than my nose (for example, I'm not a fan of patchouli so I tend to avoid that scent).  However, it's always easy to ask in the Facebook group which are the top smellers for that month - I have noticed there certainly are some consensus favorites - for a second opinion.

Julie recently reformulated the lotion sticks and I was eager to try the new formula.  I loved the old formula and was curious to see how she could possibly improve upon it.  She did not disappoint!  First ingredient: organic cocoa butter.  As someone who is transitioning to all natural and organic products/foods, this was totally awesome possum to see.  I like to use these as a no-fuss way to apply an intense amount of moisturizing goodness on stretch marks and cracked heels.  I thought the old formula worked fast... the new formula kicks its butt!  I couldn't believe it!  It visibly reduced my old growth stretch marks even more overnight and pretty much completely healed my cracked heels I had been struggling to resolve from this rugged drought.  Granted, I gave them a beating with the PedEgg beforehand, but I've never had such an instantaneous impact from any b&b product before!  Thank you new formula!

Every order, I have to get my favorite products in my favorite scents.  Hard to do since I have SO many favorites, but here's the three I chose this round as I had run out of these scents in my stash (hard to believe, I know).  So they are not from the new collection, but, rather, old staples that I always lust after.

Tropical Rainforest: Rainfall on thick lush greenery, surrounded by exotic orchids and tropical fruits for a fragrance so refreshing you'll want to SAVE IT!! This is a Best Smeller every Summer!

My review: smells like you stepped into a fruit orchard during a rain, definitely fitting to its name.  This is a top smeller by customers, and there's good reason, too.  A lovely spa scent with a little kick, it's a nice, even scent for those days you don't need a huge punch to your nose, but appreciate a clean mix.

Sugar Violet Riot: Cambrian Bergamot and Violets collide at this concert of floral and Garden Party Sugared Crumpet notes trumpet with a Spectacular Scent Crescendo!!

My review: such an instantaneous hit among fans when it was first released that it sold out the first week, this is clearly an addictive scent.  I purchased it for the bergamot note, one of my favorite all-time scents, but quickly discovered this scent is an indescribable pleasure.  A scent that's complex, yet delicious beyond belief, this sugary floral is one you're sure to want to bathe yourself in.

Don't Skinny Dip in the Snappin' Turtle Pond: Make sure that your goods are safely tucked away, if you dare to go bare in the ole' swimmin' hole! You're guaranteed to be bait, if anything catches a whiff of these dark cherry notes blended into a whirlpool of Jasmine, pink raspberries, brown sugar, cotton candy, white musk and splash of fresh cream.

My review: I personally tend to gravitate towards her cherry scents, for whatever reason, and added this to my line-up of faves after first application.  While the cherry notes certainly take center stage reminiscent of a bag of Tootsie Roll Pops, the jasmine and musk notes meander in the background to round out the end of the experience that delights your nose.  The sugary notes serve to augment the cherry at the forefront.




Disclaimer: products purchased for my own review.  All opinions are expressly my own.  No affiliation with Farm Hussy and its products.

Freebie Friday's Review Roundup

Today's reviews are again about some lovely ladies from the Sampler Village Team. :)  I can't get enough of these amazing and talented shops in the box!

The Realist Mermaid
Facebook and Etsy
Item: Vegan Marshmallows in various flavors
My Review:  Through a promo/coupon the shop owner was running, I was able to procure a box full of marshmallows for free, I only had to pay shipping.  Totally worth it.  I cannot tell you how much AWESOMER (yep, just made that up) handmade marshmallows are.  SO fluffy, SO creamy, SO flavorful, SO YUMMY.  Since they're handmade, they need to be consumed within 10 days, or refrigerated/freezed (ok, made up another word) until you're ready to eat.  I just immediately put them into my tupperware to pop in the fridge, no problemo.  I got a good variety and I was really surprised at which ones I liked the most: Irish Coffee and Lemon Meringue.  I'm not a big coffee or lemon flavored person... but I think that's a big testament to the ingredients.  They're all-natural, organic, kosher, gluten free - I don't usually specifically seek out these attributes, but I feel pretty darn good when I eat that way. :)  Any way to trick my mind into thinking marshies are healthy, I'm cool with!!!  You can clearly tell the ingredients are fresh, and I was so amazed by her creativity with the flavors.  (P.S. She's running a sale right now!)

Farm Hussy

Website

Item: Lip Balm flavored in An Ornery Lil' Custard

My Review:  I can't get enough of Farm Hussy and I'm not ashamed to keep plugging this business!  I haven't used silkier lip balm ever before!  The texture is unlike others, but that's a good thing.  Feels so good to use on my lips.  And, of course, like always, the scent is so yummy.  (After trying my first handmade lip balm about three years ago, I've kissed commercial ones goodbye.)

My Lip Candy

Facebook and Etsy

Item: Banana Coconut lip balm

My Review:  OMG, this has got to be my most FAVORITE scent I have ever gotten in a lip balm!  I'm totally loving it!  Banana is my favorite flavor/scent, and I love a good coconut scent as well.  I would never have guessed these smell so good together!  It doesn't smell like Pina Colada or something tropical like you would think; which to me is such a refreshing change of pace since that's usually the route these scents are taken.  You can smell each note separately and strongly, which I really appreciate, but they blend so well together.  This is a beeswax lip balm, which I'm not usually a fan of, but it's actually silky and slides on nicely.  I usually find beeswax to be stiff and sticky, but this balm truly isn't.

Piccolo Paradiso

Facebook and Website

Item: Snowball shaped soap

My Review:  Enclosed in the box, this sample is HUGE.  Almost too big to handle, although I could probably cut it in half.  But I'm not complaining about a big sample. :)  Lather is nice, I really can get some suds going, and my hands don't feel dried out after but soft (drying soap is a pet peeve of mine).  However, I can't smell what scent it is, and I can't tell from the packaging, unless it's unscented.  I thought the snowball was a cute idea for the winter months. :) 

{{Each Friday I do a multitude of short reviews to sum up my experiences with free product I used since the last posting.  I am not compensated for my reviews other than the fact that I did not pay for the product.  However, this product was earned through Facebook contests, other free contest means, or somehow free, through my own efforts.  The shops are not notified of the review until posted.}}

Freebie Friday's Review Roundup

I have participated in several Sampler Village boxes and each time I send in 100 samples so I earn a free box.  As a result, I get the joy of trying out and reviewing lots of great samples from several amazing fellow shops.  Here are my thoughts on the products I have tried so far from the Nov/Dec box; all four I will be a repeat customer for:


Farm Hussy
Website
Item: Whipped Soy Glace scented Gift Hog
Seller's Description of scent: "You are sure to be rooting through the gift pile if your snout gets a pre-Xmas whiff of this chewy ooey gooey frosting on butter cookies, candied cherries and fruits, powdered sugar and candy sprinkles."
My Review:  I can't stop raving about Farm Hussy - I just can't get enough of her products!  I was so stoked to get a sample of hers in my box.  Of course, the Glace is just as dreamy as the other lotions I've tried.  I LOVE the scent - it is my MOST FAVORITE now!  It smells like a bubblegum/cotton candy/cherry snowcone on steroids at a crazy carnival.  If it made my arm edible when I put it on, I'd eat my own arm.  It just smells crazy divine and I wish it were a food.


Sebastien's Nook
Facebook and Etsy
Item: Cranberry Chutney Soap Bar sample size.
Seller's Description: "Cranberry Chutney - Yankee Candle Type has to be one of my favorite scents for this season. Fresh cranberries, orange zest, rosemary, raisins, and a touch of golden honey make this a delectable addition to your holiday decorations. Not to mention this bar is chock full of skin loving emollients such as Jojoba oil infused with calendula, Goat's Milk, honey, and Aloe. Its rich lather will keep you coming back for more."
My Review: Considering practically everything in my box was scented Cranberry or colored Cranberry, I'm thinking Cranberry is the scent of the season!  This scent stood above the rest, even if it is a dupe of a non-handmade product. ;)  I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of lather from this little bar - probably the most soapy soap I've ever used.  I am a big fan of goat's milk in products, and this bar doesn't disappoint in its softness.  Even though it may look like a hand-drying plain glycerin bar to the layman, don't be fooled - it is far from that.


Bonny N Clyde aka B n C
Facebook and Etsy
Item: Solid perfume in lip balm tube scented Desire.
Seller's Description of scent: "Blend of citrus, geranium, jasmine, lily of the valley, amber, vanilla, vetiver, botanical musk and ylang ylang."
My Review: Now, I'm really picky about scents so samples are always a must for me because my sniffer can go either way.  I was really pleasantly surprised with this one - while it may seem like a strong heavy scent at first, it really isn't.  I'd say it's more of a winter scent, but I usually just wear whatever scent I want no matter the season.  It comes in a lip balm tube because it's a solid perfume, a genius idea, I think.  Having long fingernails, I don't do solid B&B products in pots.  Besides, gets your fingers all messy.  It was really easy to apply and I love that - just "roll" it on and go!  I could immediately tell it was working off the warmth of my pulse points, and I smelled it all day.


OhSoySweet
Facebook and Etsy
Item: Snowflake sachet ornament
Seller's Description: "The sachet has been filled with scented Cellulose (corn cob) fibers. The corn cob fibers are a wonderful scent holder and will last for many months.  The sachet smells like a freshly fallen snow on a cold winters day."
My Review: I really thought this was a great idea.  I love the scent, and want to have it up all year round so I hung it up on my front door knob.  My cat apparently thought it was a great product, too, because I came back to a shredded ornament after being gone a couple days. :(  So I'll have to figure out some way to fix it.  I think this is a really cool idea that she could market all year round - I wouldn't mind having it in another scent or two.  Maybe even put one in the car.  The scent is unique and refreshing, and I like that.  It can get old being exposed to the same scents all the time so I'm enjoying this new one. 




{{Each Friday I do a multitude of short reviews to sum up my experiences with free product I used since the last posting.  I am not compensated for my reviews other than the fact that I did not pay for the product.  However, this product was earned through Facebook contests or other free contest means through my own efforts.  The shops are not notified of the review until posted.}}

Wednesday's Raving Reviews - Farm Hussy

FARM HUSSY

HANDCRAFTED AND CUSTOM BLENDED BATH AND BODY PRODUCTS

www.farmhussy.com

I made my first purchase with Farm Hussy at the beginning of this month, a purchase I wish I could've made so much sooner.  I had been trying to deplete my massive handmade B&B stockpile before purchasing more (let me tell you, that's a difficult task for someone addicted to handmade!).  I heard about Farm Hussy through Sampler Village, an amazing sampler box that I've contributed to multiple times and that I am a team member of on Etsy.  I also became a Facebook group member as soon I discovered that they had one (in lieu of a fan page) and have been reading all the rave reviews of the products posted in the group.  I couldn't wait to try it for myself!


Farm Hussy is run by the amazingly creative and quirky Julie and her Bored of(ten) Directors, as the website creatively claims.  Her fantastically awesome skills at naming and creating stories for her products is a talent that I am supremely jealous of.  I'd love to have (or hire!) her skills!  Julie claims it's a gift that can sometimes curse her at 3 am with new ideas. :)


It being my first purchase, I didn't know what scents I wanted so I tried to get a random assortment and utilize reviews in the group from avid customers.  I bought two Udderly Ticked Lotions on their Item of the Month sale: one in Cherries, Berries, & Blossoms and the other was the monthly Grab Bag scent, which turned out to be Punkin Maple Hot Toddy.  I also bought the Recession Special, a great value for getting a "grab bag" of products, so to speak: I chose the Devine Bovine Butyere in Ex's Make Good Mulch and the Goat Milk n Honey Lotion in Oh MySor Raspberries (it also includes a perfume bottle, bath melt, and and lip balm).


I won't comment too much on the scents because I know everyone has different tastes when it comes to scents.  What I will say, as a very picky scent connoisseur, that I am VERY happy with all the scents I chose.  They are really strong and last long - perfect if you love your scent and don't want to worry about putting on perfume.  If you ever want opinions on scents before purchasing, posting in the Facebook group is a great way to learn from other customers about what they think.


What I really want to emphasize is the superior customer service Julie has.  First off, the communication is great.  She sends you an e-mail when you place your order, including cute little graphics and information about Farm Hussy products.  Then, she follows up with both an e-mail and a tracking number when your order has shipped.  You can't complain about that! :)


When your order arrives, it is CHOCK full of samples.  I swear, I got just as many samples as products I bought.  To me, this shows care and attention for my order.  My order was carefully packaged with love and I'm a HUGE fan of lots of samples!  Especially since I don't know what scents I want, this was a great and helpful way to try more.  I had already expressed my concerns about what to buy, and Julie truly delivered on her promise to include lots of samples - now THAT'S some quality customer service!  And these aren't dinky little half ounce samples - these could potentially be full-blown products.  That's what's so amazing about Julie: she's so generous of heart!  If you're buying from someone based on how many samples you get in your purchase, Farm Hussy's your new destination!


Her lotions are so thick and creamy.  Over the years, I have bought from several handmade bath and body vendors, and quickly determined my two favorites.  To my pleasant surprise, Farm Hussy trumped them both!  Being in CA, dry feet from flip flops is easy to acquire.  I've always felt handmade lotions are superior, and thicker, than commercial lotions, but I have never found one thick "enough".  The Bovine Buteyre is now my new go-to thick lotion and I'm so excited about it!  I'm definitely only buying this from now on for those tough dry skin areas.  I absolutely LOVE it.


Check out Farm Hussy's massive scent selection today - there's sure to be something for you!  And you definitely won't be disappointed in the quality of products and customer service.  Let Farm Hussy know that BKD Signature sent you!


{{Each Wednesday I review a business that I thought gave me a superior customer service experience and offers amazing products.  These are opinions only, for which I was not paid.  I'm simply sharing with the world about this awesome shop I discovered! :) }}