I GOT THE PERFECT GIFT!

At our KC Etsy Street Team Meeting this week, we celebrated our 2nd birthday with a gift exchange. I got the PERFECT gift! I was so excited to get this wonderful handcrafted hand towel from Shelli at Monde Design http://mondedesign.etsy.com/ . Isn't it cute? And so appropriate for me, as I am most certainly a craft ninja armed with pointy objects! I love to knit. Thanks, Shelli! If you'd like a similar design embroidered for you or a friend, just convo Shelli on Etsy. This would make an awesome gift for a knitter or crafty loved one.

SOAPS ON SALE!

OK, I'll admit it - I goofed. I got overly ambitious and made TOO MUCH SOAP this spring! My goof is your gain, because for a limited time, I'm offering three of my handmade soaps of your choice for just $9.99 plus shipping, or 4 for only $13 plus shipping! This is a steal of a deal - don't miss it! Choose from Tea Tree & Lavender, Oatmeal Milk & Honey, Eucalyptus Spearmint, Exotic Jasmine, Creamy Shea Butter Soap, Blackberry Sage, Lemongrass Scrubber, Hawaiian Lei Flowers, Sunny Citrus, Black Raspberry Vanilla, and MUCH, MUCH MORE!
Choose 3: http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=313541
Choose 4: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14586083

Country Living

I was born for it. When I was a girl, I did enjoy the bustle of city life. Convenient shopping was a definite perk. Abundant opportunities to socialize with people were great. But somewhere along the way, I realized I was a homebody at heart. I prefer the quiet of rural life.

True, the nearest shopping mall is nearly 40 minutes away, and that's without traffic. But that's a small price to pay for my perks. Everywhere I look out my windows, all is green. Nights are so peaceful; it's easy to get uninterrupted rest unless we're visited by the occasional thunderstorm or hoot owl. The quietness here inspires. The peacefulness soothes. The slower pace rejuvenates.

I know it's not for everyone. If I didn't have friends, family, and a good car within easy reach, the solitude might overwhelm. But I wouldn't trade my life for bushels of gold.

Sneak Peek!

On the soap curing racks: Lemon Verbena, ready next week! Ginger Souffle will be ready in late August. Lemon Verbena (cold-process, olive oil artisan soap) smells sunny, super lemony, and very refreshing. There's no way you can be a grouch when you smell this! I put snowy white swirls in this light yellow bar. Ginger Souffle soap is the perfect balance between sweet, creamy vanilla notes and a sharp bite of spicy ginger. This tan bar also has creamy white swirls on top. Don't count on getting too many bars of these batches; I'm going to be swiping some for my own personal stash before you can get your mitts on them. (Did I say that out loud?!) Here's a pic of the Lemon Verbena soap.

In the wax: Beautiful new soy candles coming soon! My favorite, Pumpkin Creme Brulee, is beyond fabulous. I'd eat it if I could get a spoon in the jar. Delicious caramelized vanilla notes paired with smooth pumpkin and just a hint of spice to complement. Heaven scent! If you love bakery fragrances, vanillas, and caramel notes, and happen to be a pumpkin fiend like me, this is just NOT to be missed! It's as cozy as warming up by the fireplace on a frosty autumn evening.

Silver Lining

I'll have to admit it - I don't particularly care for summer. Bugs, sweat, and an abundance of weeds aren't exactly my thing. But finding a cluster of ripe red cherry tomatoes in the garden makes up for the muggy days. Discovering that the grape tomatoes and Romas aren't far behind in ripening gives me hope for the season despite the chiggers. Fireflies twinkling in the grass at dusk can't help but soothe and make me feel that all is right with the world. And the promise of autumn, my favorite time of year, is always on the horizon. Off to harvest some herbs to make an ice cold pitcher of tea. May your summer be blessed with fresh ripe tomatoes.

Magnetic Appeal

Maybe it's due to the fact that I was born in sunny Southern California just minutes from the beautiful blue Pacific, but I've always been drawn to the sea. I'm fairly certain there's a hefty percentage of ocean water running through my veins. Sure, I got knocked down by the surf a couple of times while wading as a kid. I remember being dragged by the undertow until I was nearly out of breath. The gross-out factor when slimy seaweed wrapped itself around my skinny little legs was definitely there. And the occasional whiff of rotting fish was not too thrilling either.

Despite all that, I am helpless to resist the magnetic charms of the beach - the gentle sounds of the surf; the distant cries of gulls; the comforting caress of soft, warm sand beneath my bare feet; the sharp aroma of salt on the cooling sea breeze. These are what inspired me to create this summertime favorite candle. I live hundreds of miles from the ocean now, and this is the closest thing I've found to actually being there. I hope it brings you to the sea without leaving home as well! See it here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10644186

The World's Best Food

Guacamole! Awesome stuff. So glad it was invented. Here's how I make it:

2 ripe avocados, mashed
juice of one lime
1-2 diced Roma tomatoes
1 TBL finely diced onions
salt & pepper to taste
dash of Tabasco sauce, if I'm feeling brave

Just mix it all and serve with tortilla chips or baby carrots. There's no need to store this in the fridge if you're making it at my place; it will be gone in a minute flat.

Summer Sweetness

Nothing says SUMMER like an ice-cold, juicy slice of refreshing watermelon. I recently found this gorgeous handpainted table on Etsy and instantly fell in love. What great workmanship! I've always admired painters, especially since I can barely scribble my name legibly. This beauty inspires me to pour a watermelon scented candle, especially since my niece has been bugging me for one anyway. :) See this wonderful piece here, and tell her AJ sent you! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26460432