Selestial Soap's New All-Natural Laundry Detergent

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Feb. 17 -- Consumers looking for green cleaning products have a new alternative for their laundry detergent needs. Selestial Soap has launched a new liquid laundry detergent that contains all-natural ingredients. The product is hypoallergenic and non-toxic for the environment and does not contain phosphates, sodium laureth sulfate, perfumes or dyes. "Not all 'Natural' products are the same," said Ruth Smith, co-owner of Selestial Soap. "Many still contain irritating ingredients, leave behind residue on fabrics or simply are not effective."

Selestial Soap's non-sudsing formulation rinses cleanly so that no residue is left behind to irritate your skin, or damage fabrics or machinery. The detergent is effective in all water temperatures and is recommended for both traditional and high-efficiency washing machines. "High-efficiency machines use less water," said Smith. "Detergents that create suds or leave residue behind can damage those machines and cause costly repairs. Residue left behind on fabrics can cause skin irritation, attract dirt and grease, and affect the fabric's breathability."

Selestial Soap was developed after Ruth and her business partner Jim Legato looked for green products to use at Eastfield Laundry, Legato's Laundromat located in Traverse City, Michigan. They were unable to find an environmentally friendly detergent that cleaned effectively and was priced competitively with traditional detergents. "We decided to come up with our own formulation so that everyone could afford to do their part for the environment," said Legato. Selestial Soap's motto is "Saving the Planet Within Your Budget." A 50-oz bottle of Selestial Soap retails for $6.99 while a 100-oz bottle is $11.99. Both sizes are available individually and in case packs at the company's website, http://www.selestialsoap.com. 5-gallon pails are also available for commercial applications.


For more information about Selestial Soap, visit the website, http://www.selestialsoap.com, email sales@selestialsoap.com, or call 231-944-1431.

Valentine's Day Dresses Part Two

Ruffle Front Chiffon Dress
$78.00
Arden B.



Bailey 44 'Maleficent' Dress
$174.00
Nordstrom


Tommy Bahama 'Island Bay' Dress
$110.00
Nordstrom



Printed Ruffle Chiffon Dress
$78.00
Arden B.


BCBGMaxAzria One Shoulder Laser Cut Dress
$238.00
Nordstrom


Ruby Rox One Shoulder Mini Dress
$68.00
Nordstrom



Juicy Couture Cascading Ruffles Chiffon Dress
$188.00
Nordstrom


BCBGMaxAzria Strapeless Floral Silk Dress
$338.00
Nordstrom


Crepe Satin Dress
$238.00
BCBGMaxAzria (bcbg.com)



Sharona Knit Dress
$34.50
delias.com
























Elizabeth and James 'Loreli' Dress
$375.00
Ron Herman

Dateless on Valentine's Day? Six Ways to Have Fun!

Photo: Jordi Labanda

by Annice Brooks
Style and Focus Lifestyle PR


Being single on Valentine's Day doesn't have the stigma it once had. You don't have to sit around feeling down. No way it's all about relaxing or getting out and doing something fun.

1. Movie Night
Gather your single friends and head to the movies to see either a horror fest like "Friday the 13th" or a romantic comedy like "He's Just Not That Into You" or "Confessions of a Shopaholic". Don't feel like venturing out, have a margarita and movie marathon at home with your friends.

2. Go Glam
Get all dressed up and meet friends for drinks at a glitzy hotel bar. Have fun flirting with all the other singles out that night.

3. Beauty Night
Pamper yourself with a facial, mani/pedi or any other home beauty treatment you haven't had time to do. Make it a fun evening in with champagne and dark chocolate.

4. Go Shopping
Head to the mall, vintage shop or the boutique to either do a little window shopping or a mini shopping spree. This is the perfect time to go shoe shopping to try on all the new styles including those must have strappy stilettos.

5. Dance the Night Away
Slip on your hottest outfit - be it jeans and a cute top - and dance the night away a la Cameron Diaz at a hot nightclub or a V-Day party. Beat the Valentine's Day blahs by showing off your killer moves.

6. Have a Party
Throw a fabulous and fun V-day bash. Put up holiday decorations including nostalgic red or pink hearts, balloons, etc. Serve a red or pink cocktail in a punch bowl. Put out Valentine's candy and dark chocolate and plenty of fun desserts. Make it a theme party and have everyone wear red.

Valentine's Day Dresses Part One

Valentine's Day gives you a perfect reason to go all out to look jaw-dropping gorgeous. You can't go wrong with The Dress being it figure hugging or draped in rich saturated colors or the classic Little Black Dress you can morph into the uber vixen with The Dress.





















Bailey 44 'Portia' Dress
$185.00
Urbanminx.com



Black Halo Rita Sheath Dress
$370.00
tobi.com


Ribbed Knit Dress
$22.80
Forever21


Maggy London Beaded Waist Strapless Matte Jersey Dress
$158.00
Nordstrom


Lauren by Ralph Lauren 'Gemma' Matte Jersey Dress
$134.00
Nordstrom


BCBG Max Azria Belted One Shoulder Sheath Dress
$159.00
Nordstrom



Tiered Crinkle-Chiffon Dress
$248.00
BCBGMaxAzria (bcbg.com)


Embellished One Shoulder Dress
$78.00
Arden B.


Rose Bloom Cocktail Dress
$22.80
Forever21



Sleeveless Draped Dress
$150.00
Banana Republic























Alexander Wang Drap Back Dress
$622.00
Ron Herman

Happy Hour Drink: French 75

Here's a drink when you're feeling a little bit dressy and want a something a tad sophisticated. It's a very enjoyable drink that should be sip and not down "Frat" style due to the fact that you do feel the effects (so don't go too overboard with this little lovely).

French 75 from Cocktail Times

Ingredients:

- 1 1/2 oz Gin
- 2 oz Lemon Juice
- Champagne
- 2 tsp Superfine Sugar
- Garnish: Cherry

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients except Champagne in a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Strain into a champagne flute (or collins glass).
3. Top with champagne and garnish with a cherry.

Enjoy the Weekend

and

Remember To Drink Responsibly and Don't Drink & Drive.

Beauty Pick: Benefit Cosmetics Girl's Night In!! Set

My beauty pick for the week in Benefit Cosmetics Girl's Night In!! set ($48, Sephora only). The name alone is quite cute. This kit includes: 2 creaseless cream shadows (Birthday Suit and Skinny Jeans shades), 1 lipstick (Lady's Choice shade (a pinkish nude)(For a better look at all three shades see picture below), 1 Talent Brush, 3 Love Your Look mannequin magnets and A custom lesson guide. I love this kit for the eyeshadow alone. They're easy to use and how easy is it to find the perfect gold/bronze or silver shades. The Talent Brush can be used for the eyeshadow or as the perfect concealer brush.

Friday Fashion Pick: A Chiffon Babydoll Dress

I love this dress because it's casual enough for a day date as well as dressy enough for a cocktail party. It's fun and flirty and gives you just the right amount of sex appeal without showing off too much. With a dress like this you should keep the accessories to a minimum like a bracelet.

JS Boutique Chiffon Babydoll Dress $158.00 Nordstrom