"Don't underestimate the value of doing nothing, or just going along listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering."

                                                                     Winnie the Pooh

To our valued customers,

As you are all aware, we are facing unprecedented supply chain challenges in almost every industry.  We at Concord Hill Farm have not been immune to this test of our financial stability.  Many of our ingredients have doubled and even tripled in cost, and despite local sourcing, competitive negotiation, bulk purchasing, we have seen inflated costs in every aspect of our business.

While we promise to make every effort to keep prices from rising, the increase in freight and raw materials has left us with no choice but to raise prices on some of our products.  To help offset some of the changes, we encourage you to take advantage of  incentives for bulk purchases such as 20% off all handcrafted soap purchases over $40.  

Concord Hill Farm will continue to offer only premium, sustainable, handcrafted products to meet our highest standards and your expectation.  We sincerely appreciate your loyalty and continued support and will continue to work hard to ensure that our customer base is impacted as minimally as possible.  

Warmest regards,

Kristie

Did you know that Irish Spring® originated in Germany before being bought out by Colgate-Palmolive?  It’s been a staple in US grocery stores for almost 50 years! It’s great for repelling deer from veggie gardens, deodorizing smelly sneakers, or fixing a sticky drawer, but do you know what commercial soaps are NOT great for? Your skin. 

Commercial soap ingredients include things like:

• Dioxane (contaminant and carcinogen )
• Triclosan (antibacterial/anti-fungal, endocrine disruptor)
• Formaldehyde (preservative, carcinogen)
• Parabens (preservatives, mimics estrogen, linked to breast cancer)
• PEG Compounds (carcinogens, linked to breast cancer)
• Phthalates- (man-made compounds, not regulated, not required to be specified on labels)
• Diethanolamine or DEA (foaming chemical, surfactant and corrosion inhibitor, and suspected carcinogen)
• SLS- Sodium Laureth Sulfate (powerful detergent, cleans by corrosion, synthetic, irritant)

After WW II, they became popular as from the industrial byproducts of petrochemicals and are therefore less biodegradeable.  Therefore, they can be inexpensively produced on a large scale.  In fact, most of what we call “soap” today are actually synthetic detergents.

Conversely, handcrafted soaps are made from food grade natural fats and butters that won’t strip skin of natural oils.  Recipes can be custom formulated to meet certain properties like hardness, emollience, lather, and conditioning. The remaining unsaponified oils are the “superfat” (or oil that doesn’t turn into soap) which adds luxury to the bar without making it too soft.  When combined with organic clays and silk, this leads to a bar that not only feels good, but nourishes the skin.

We at Concord Hill Farm wish you a little luck of the Irish this St. Patrick’s Day. 

“May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow. And may trouble avoid you wherever you go."

Sláinte

Kristie

February is American Heart Month and Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Month.  Congenital heart disease is the world's most common birth defect and affects more than 1.35 million infants each year or roughly 6.2:1000 live births in North America. Through advanced care and treatment many of these kids go on to live safe and healthy lives.  In fact, there are now more than 800,000 adults in the US today living with CHD.

Families raising a child with CHD know the importance that research brings to their hopes for a long and healthy life for their child.  Without access to specialized centers that offer advances in surgical care and treatment many children wouldn't have the opportunities for long-term survival.  

This bar will be the first of a new series of Soap 4 Hope.  Concord Hill Farm plans to offer a specialty bar each quarter that benefits a cause for humanity, the environment, or animal welfare.  100% of all sales of these bars will be designated for a particular charity.  This month we are supporting the Boston Children's Heart Foundation.  This charitable organization promotes fellowships, research grants, clinical investigations, as well as providing care to patients regardless of ability to pay.  

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for keeping #CHDaware.

Scrub the one you love <3

Kristie

Well it's that time of year again, although this year will seemingly be different for most of us.  Nonetheless, we will reflect on all the blessings of family, great friends, and good health as we usher in the New Year.  While most of us look forward to leaving 2020 behind, it was a year of tremendous growth for Concord Hill Farm.  We look forward to growing this little company with a commitment to providing quality, handcrafted bath and body products that resonate with our belief in using only those ingredients that are environmentally friendly, ethically sourced, and good for your skin. 

We wish you all a joyous and happy holiday season. 

From our family to yours,

Kristie