Posts tagged soap
Little Syria show features Mint + Laurel Soap

Mint + Laurel did a collaboration with Offendum featuring our Aleppo Laurel Soaps, Handwoven Cotton loofas from Hama, and the Little Syria mugs. We had set up a pop-up style “souk” and attendees were able to purchase these items in the lobby. The scent of soap wafting throughout the night, where attendees were treating to scents of Syria and nostalgia.

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BEHIND THE SCENES: EXPORTING PRODUCTS FROM SYRIA

Our team works many hours to bring you high end quality products, but have you ever thought about what these products have been through to finally arrive at your home? Have you ever thought about the challenges of working with a country that is economically sanctioned by the United States? Or the nitty gritty complexity of logistics from Syria to Los Angeles?

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In the Hammam, from Morocco to Syria - part 1

Hammams or bathhouses hold a special place in the daily life and traditions of peoples across the Arab world. Although hammams can be visited and experienced in many places including in Morocco, Turkey and Jordan, little is known and said about the hammam experience in Syria. This two-part blog series will explore hammam experiences from Morocco to Syria.

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5 Things You Didn’t Know About Afreen and Our Aleppo Soaps

In the spring of 2010, I traveled to Afreen, an enchanting community northwest of Aleppo where I learned about soaps, kilims, and my Kurdish ancestors. I saw rolling hills dotted with olive trees and sheep grazing the land and met the generous, warm people of Afreen. I learned about their customs, sustainable lives, and left with memories of the fragrant scents and beautiful natural images.

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What Brings a customer to Mint + Laurel?

We highlight one of our most loyal customers, Gail Vignola to learn more. Gail explains also how Mint + Laurel offers products to a particular niche market and speaks to a consumer looking to give back and get behind certain causes. “By purchasing products from Mint + Laurel, I am satisfying my passion for Syria and I feel like I am a part of something bigger.”

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Hermosa Beach’s Prized One-Stop Shop

ust off the shores of sunny Hermosa Beach, our headquarters, sits a charming and lively small business popular among local residents. The Green Store, run by Syrian Lana Istwani, is one of the city’s most prized spots and one of the first certified Green businesses in Hermosa Beach. As a supporter of small and artisan businesses, Lana works with vendors to bring their amazing products to customers in the area.

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Why the tradition of rose water is revered across the Arab world

Across the Arab world, rose water is used in a myriad of ways including as a key ingredient in deserts and in many beauty care products and rituals, its antibacterial and antioxidant qualities do wonders for the skin. Our Damask Rose Soap Body Bar is imported from Aleppo, Syria, made with dried rose petals, rose oil, laurel oil and olive oil. Each purchase supports an at-risk artisan community and their families.

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Why a shop with social impact matters

Today is World Refugee Day and it has a special meaning for the three founders of Mint and Laurel. We are an e-commerce and social enterprise, this is why a shop with purpose matters to us.

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4 Syrian landmarks worth knowing about

Syria is filled with historic and cultural heritage. Take a journey through four different cities, with historic landmarks.

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Making a soap sampler - a labor of love

Last year we introduced soap samplers, giving our customers a single use soap slice from each fragrance of our Aleppo organic soaps. The samplers were intended for boutique hotels, AirBnBs and environmentally conscious frequent travelers who would enjoy high-end single use soap bars and not feel wasteful using a large bar provided by traditional hotels.

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Packaged with Love for Aleppo

We are delighted to have a partnership with a company that understands the social impact of our product, complements it with environmentally friendly packaging and supports small business with the same care and attention they would an enterprise customer. Thank you Fadi and the Lahlouh family!

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On Social Impact

Syrians want the right to earn their income. Social Impact business trumps nonprofit handouts. While there is room for donating to nonprofits who help millions, Syrians are entrepreneurial and Syrian artisans are passionate craftsmen and women who desperately want to keep their traditions alive.

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Mark Twain and Damascus, the 'Pearl of the East.'

Let me share a brief of history of my homeland, Syria , one of  the oldest civilizations of the world, and why our work with artisans across the globe matters.

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