Just the Goods Update - Spring 2014: New accomplishments, new products, new collaborations, group buying in Montreal, and more!
I hope you're at the beginning of a wonderful week!
I'm writing to you today because it's my pleasure to be in touch three or four times a year to send greetings and share JTG's latest news. It has been quite a while since my last newsletter, so this one is jam packed with all kinds of exciting tidbits ranging from new accomplishments, new products and new collaborations, to the exciting announcement of group buying in Montreal, and then some! Please read on...
Just the Goods is now Leaping Bunny Certified!
After months of activity behind the scenes including communicating with raw materials establishing protocols and sharing all necessary information, I am deeply honoured to announce that the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics has declared Just the Goods' products to be officially cruelty free via its Leaping Bunny Program. This announcement was confirmed at the end of November and -- not too long after -- I received a formal document recognizing my efforts in this respect. Honestly, this is the first piece of paper I've ever received that really felt like something wonderful, and I can't tell you how happy I am to merge genuinely safe cosmetics formulas with production practices that meet a well respected cruelty-free standard. Thank you for welcoming me on board, Leaping Bunny!
If you're connected to Just the Goods via Twitter or Facebook, you may already know about a few new products I've recently launched. The first being two types of facial scrubs handmade by me, Just the Goods: one for most skin types, and one for sensitive skin. Offering them in a dry format means far less risk of the product spoiling prematurely, while also providing the option to customize your experience with rose water, lavender water, and/or aloe vera gel juice, if desired. These scrubs also conveniently double as cleansing masks if you choose to let them rest on your skin for 15 – 20 minutes before rinsing. Handy!
Apart from this, I'm thrilled to offer soap by not one, but two fabulous handmakers! Liisa of Wild ReLeaf based in Sault Sainte Marie (Ontario) creates luxuriously foaming bars in a delicious range of mild scents, and Angela of Ground Soap based in Cornwall (Ontario), produces stunning bars that also work very nicely as shampoo!
Wild ReLeaf bars are already available at Just the Goods, and my first order from Ground Soap should arrive in just a few more days. Keep in touch by social media to find out the moment I've added them to my website =-)
I love teaming up with other makers and do-ers and movers and shakers because I truly believe that we're traveling in the same direction and that we're stronger when we do it together! The following are a few partnership-related news tidbits that stand out:
In December I partnered with Women's Voices for the Earth to present the 2013 Non-Toxic Shopping Guide. A fun and informative tweet-chat took shape and I enjoyed giving away a skin care sample set to a lucky winner. Another giveaway is in the works... stay tuned! And of course, if you haven't already had a chance to download this handy document, please find it here: http://www.womensvoices.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/2013-Non-Toxic-Shopping-Guide.pdf
Earlier this month, a selection of 10 Just the Goods' body basics were added to My Farmer's Market, a fabulous new grocery delivery service for Winnipeggers that specializes in locally grown produce. The inventory of available goods is growing all the time, with more delicious vegan items being added weekly, so check it out! Buying local and organic has never been easier!
West-end Winnipeggers will be happy to know that a great selection of body basics and fragrant body treats is also now available at Organic Planet, a much beloved Wolseley mainstay. I just dropped off some deodorant, shaving cream, lip balm and more... Whooo!
Generation Green at the Forks has invited me to host a workshop in their beautiful retail space on Thursday, April 24 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. I'll help participants establish their skin type and choose the best ingredients to make and enjoy safe/non-toxic spa quality clay facials at home. I'll bring all the ingredients necessary, and each participant will get to take home their customized skin care creation. The cost of registration is $15.00 per person. To join us, please contact [email protected] =-)
Shipping-related news for those in Montreal
The concept has been brewing for years, and the exact details took a few months to confirm, but I'm thrilled to finally announce that Just the Goods is now offering regional group buying for those living in Montreal!
What this means is that anyone in Montreal can place an order at http://www.justthegoods.net then have their order mailed as part of one big box sent monthly to a fabulous person who will distribute each order locally. The cost of shipping will reduce dramatically, amounting to a figure between $1.00 - $5.00 per person depending on the number of participants in a given month.
This fabulous deal is being offered on a trial basis – if it's popular, we'll continue for as long as possible. The deadline to be included in the first order is Monday, March 31. For more information about group buying in Montreal, please click here: http://shop.justthegoods.net/?page_id=3704.
PS. Please feel welcome to get in touch if you'd like to coordinate group buying in your city!
Shipping-related news for those in the United States - Add tracking to any parcel under 1 kg
As many of you already know, Just the Goods is committed to honest and affordable pricing. Product prices are therefore not inflated to create the illusion of cheap or free shipping, which ultimately provides better value for each item, no matter where you live. For more information about this, please click here: http://shop.justthegoods.net/?page_id=140
To facilitate low cost shipping, Just the Goods’ standard rates to the United States do not include tracking. But, thanks to your requests, it is now possible to add tracking to any order under 1 kilogram (35 oz)! Tracking is automatically included in the shipping cost of parcels that weight more than 1 kilogram as they are required to ship by expedited mail rather than standard air mail. If you select this option but tracking is already included in your shipping rate, this amount will be refunded =-).
Latest reviews and interviews
Katie of Switzerland-based blog, Whole Nourishment asked if I would like to be profiled as part of a fabulous wellness series, and I very happily agreed. Katie asked a great range of questions, and I truly enjoyed the opportunity to reply. If you’d like to read about what inspires me to make Just the Goods, please click here: http://wholenourishment.blogspot.ca/2014/01/whole-resolution-skin-care.html. The interview was published on January 5, 2014.
Anastasia Chipelski of The Manitoban has compiled a list of her favourite local makers, and Just the Goods is included. So cool!! Check out “Local makers: 5 makers who made my life better” published on January 6, 2014: http://www.themanitoban.com/2014/01/local-makers/18127/.
GoodReport.tv is a project affiliated with GoodRoots.ca that is committed to scrubbing out the greenwash, and two of its hosts, Josh and Andrea, like Just the Goods’ Vegan Herbal Spa… they really, really do! Check out this awesome video released on February 19, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n9M7FwwGe8
Other recent scribblings from Just the Goods... in case you're interested
Choosing the most suitable facial care products for your skin type
Why doesn’t Just the Goods make anti-aging products?
When to say yes, when to say no… [a little note about keeping my ethics and values in check as Just the Goods continues to grow]
You are receiving this newsletter because you've been in touch with Just the Goods in the past. If you would prefer to not receive communications from Just the Goods, please let me know and I will remove your email address immediately. You may also unsubscribe using the links below – I won't take it personally =-)
As always, thank you for your ongoing support! It is an absolute pleasure to handcraft natural skin and body care products, providing a healthier, small-scale alternative to the corporate "beauty industry". I wouldn't be able to do it without you!
All bests,
Milena
