I always talk about my stuff and my life, and that’s okay, I guess. But today, I’d like to talk a bit about someone else.

Yes, I have my own site, but I’m also part of two other great selling venues: Cargoh.com and Etsy.com. On Etsy, I found a really wonderful shop: Jill’s Treasures. She also has one called TurtleTreasures and in that shop, I found a way cool pair of earrings.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/55506561/citrus-shell-earrings

I wish I could paste a photo, but since the item isn’t in my shop, I can’t. But, I will tell you that it is delectable shades of yellow, brown and green…a perfect pair of fall earrings.

Give handmade a try. Not only my stuff (LOL) but also go and visit some of the great artists on Etsy!

It’s Labor Day in the United States. The day that comes, only once a year, where we relax from a job well done. And Americans (pardon my insular thoughts) do work harder than  many.

I say this based on the fact that most Americans get less than 2 weeks vacation from their jobs during an entire year. I’ve read/heard about European and Aussie folk getting 4-6 weeks in year one! To get that in America, you usually have to be a 30yr plus employee.

Or own the company!

So we do enjoy our (fewer) vacation days. Some folks are going to barbecue. Some will visit with family (daughter, corgi and I are heading to my brother’s house near Houston tomorrow…son can’t get off work. Yes, he’ll be laboring on Labor Day). Others will go to the races, to the ball games, to the movies. Wherever they want to be. So that they can relax and enjoy some peaceful time.

Because peace and tranquility are essential for our souls. I do believe that. Being still. Being quiet. Both are absolutely essential for peace of mind and general health. Many world philosophies talk of meditation and mindfulness. And I personally practice it as much as possible. But it is hard in our world. Especially since I live in a large city (Fort Worth, TX) with the associated people, traffic and general stuff. It is enough to deprive one of a peaceful life.

So we have to work hard to get them. I’ve been working hard, lately, trying to get some new products finished. I have a whole new soap line (Shea Basic), a few new perfume scents (Waterlily, Orange Patchouli, Sunflower) coming. There are new candle scents: Sanctuary, Yuzu, Sunflower, Waterlily and more. I have a new cologne spray, too.

Lots of new things. I’m also looking for wholesale outlets. So if you love my products, tell your favorite store.

But in the meantime, to put a smile on your face, I’d like to leave with a photo of someone who is just too cute. And if you don’t say ‘awwwww’, you need an extra day of vacation. Tell your boss I said so.

Such a cutie, isn’t she? This is ETTA, the wonderful Corgi!

My NEW Kiss™ lip balms! TA DAHHHHHH!

A real twist on traditional. Coconut mixed with herbal lemongrass flavor. Unbeatable!

Yes, I said that they would be coming. And they are now here. Available (right now) in Coconut Lemongrass, Ginger Peach, Jasmine Tea, Chocolate Mint, Caramel Latte, Strawberry Margarita, and Honeysuckle Nectarine, these adorably lush and flavored balms are absolutely what you need to turn lips from dry deserts into lush and soft puckers.

I guarantee it.

Of course, my lip balm has always been great. But recently, well, I wanted to make even more. And using colored lids was limiting. After all, having more than one flavor with a red lid could be confusing. So I ditched the colored lids and went to the natural lid you see in the photo below:

And, to be quite honestly, while I adore my tried and true flavors like Bee My Honey and Just Peachy, I wanted to stretch out a bit and try something new. Something different. Something utterly wonderful, unexpected and truly luscious. And so I did.

and I hope you’re still ‘there’ (wherever that is for you!).

I’m still in the midst of remodel hell. Yes, I know it will be glorious when it is done, but right now…well, it isn’t much fun at all.

In the meantime, whilst waiting for paint to dry, I’ve designed new labels for my soap and my lip balm. And about 6 new lip balm flavors are coming soon. I’m sure you’re going to really adore them. Nothing wrong with the current ones, but I wanted to really stretch my flavor palette from lemon and honey to some cool combinations that I know you’re going to love.

Look for them to be listed within a few weeks. I’m on a tear to get the house DONE (mainly cause show season is about to start and life is always hectic then).

More coming, as always. Thanks for listening!

…that I’m in the middle of a major house painting! Don’t think I haven’t forgotten you, but will post more in a week. I will take some pictures of the new space (you know, I totally forgot to take pictures of the OLD space, so you’ll have to understand that it was chaos…and hideous.).

The new paint color is a lovely light citrus green…think lemongrass but with a touch more yellow. Utterly wonderful and cool and light! Just what we need in blistering hot Texas!

It was 104 here today. Something cool to look at is a major blessing. Talk to you (more) soon!

What really makes an office? The file cabinets/shelving/desk? Nah. Those are fine and absolutely essential, of course. But what makes the office is ‘da chair’.

And I bought a new one today. My old one was cobbled together from stuff from a junk yard (I think…). It was okay. It worked and all…but recently a bolt had begun to push through the padding.

It was time to go.

So another reason to visit IKEA (like I need one? LOL)…and I found the most wonderful chair. I ‘sat’ about 15 of them before I sat down in…heaven. The Verner chair in a snappy black vinyl faux leather. Which, by the way, was also one of the least expensive at $59.

It did take me some time to put it together. But I’m sitting in it right now. Very comfy, with lower back support and a tall enough back to rest a head chock full of new soap designs/scents/colors…

Just thought I’d share!

First, let me say that cleaning house is not my favorite thing to do. I do it, of course, otherwise within a few days I’d be drowning in dirty socks, sodden towels and assorted clothing style items. But I don’t really like it. I’d rather be creating than cleaning.

Alas, sometimes, you just gotta, you know.

Even worse, I hate cleaning out the cupboards, the cabinets, the closets. I am always amazed at how much stuff I accumulate. This was just such a week. My daughter was interested in running a yard sale. And I needed to make some room in the house (actually, I needed to get rid of a few things…) so it was a real win/win.

The deal? She got to keep the money. So, she got the items together and sold them. I have already done a little cringing when she sold something brand new for $2. But you know, it is okay. I wasn’t using it. And $2 is better than sitting in the corner of the garage.

The neighbor kids came down and gave away some puppies. And sold a few of their items, too. My daughter didn’t make much money, but it was an experience for her. She’s 16 and quite articulate, but not a salesperson. She was aghast when I stepped outside a bit, this morning, and managed to make conversation with folks. And they enjoyed it. And kept looking at tables, and kept picking up stuff.

She wanted me to stay out there. But heck, it was 100degrees (or nearly) and it was HER sale, after all.

So the house is a bit cleaner tonight. A jeep load of stuff went to the local charity donation center. Another one may go tomorrow.

How is it at your place? Sometimes getting rid of the excess allows us to be more thankful for what we have. In my case, I now have room to bring in a small table to wrap boxes on. And that is a very good thing.

Because I now have 4 new scents of bath bombs drying in my work cabinet. Green Apple, Dream, Raindrops and Coconut Cream! When I say it smells good, well that is an understatement. The smell is utterly delectable. I know you’re going to adore them.

I should begin listing these in the next week. My problem is, always, photography. I make great products, but my photography skills…well while I will admit that my photography skills have drastically improved in the last year or so, I’m still FAR from pro. I guess that that does make sense. I have spent the vast majority of my time perfecting my recipes, rather than my ability to see through a camera lens.

But soon, I’ll show them off to you. I have, at this moment, the following scents (in addition to those listed). Lavender, Cherry, Plumeria, Fresh, Lemon Sugar, Lemongrass and Pomegranate. Still to be made (but in the plans) are Frostbite, Milk & Honey, and Rose. Each of my products is wrapped in a bright foil before being bagged and labeled. I went with the bags due to my desire to limit landfill waste. I hope you don’t mind. Boxes ARE cute, but they also add to the expense, as well as the landfill. I like to be conscious of my footprint as well as your wallet.

These are all coming soon. But now I have to figure out what scents fit with chartreuse, orange, black and burgundy. Cause I have those foil colors, too!

For those of us who live in the United States, July 4th is more than just our Independence Day. Sure, we do remember the battles and the years that took 13 small colonies and made them into a country. But like many things, we’re much more than the sum of our parts.

Parts which are now 50 states strong, not to mention some protectorates such as Puerto Rico and Guam. We’re a global market and a global force (in my opinion) for good and justice. I’m happy to be here.

But it is also a day for family and friends. I surely hope that you spend time with people you love. Have an adult beverage (if you’re old enough), eat a few hot dogs (if you’re like my vegetarian daughter, they’ll be tofu, but the idea is the same), and relax under a fireworks lit sky.

As always, I am working today. I’m planning out the scents that are coming in my new cream soap. I’m figuring out the next slew of bath bombs to make. I’m even mentally planning how I’m going to set up a photography studio in my office (clue: very modular). But mostly, I’m going to relax. To reflect. And to refresh.

This is also my father’s birthday. He’s 79 today. So while you’re having a bit of fun, send some birthday wishes to my daddy. He fought for us in two wars and is now in ill health. I wish I could be with him today. But I’m 4 hours north. I’ll see him next weekend, though.

Have a safe and enjoyable day!

Okay, it isn’t a car, it is a Jeep. And it isn’t actually  new, it is ‘pre owned’. But that’s okay! It’s new to me.

I’ve been driving a Honda CR-V for the past 8 years. It has been a really good car. Though the motor was rebuilt back in December, and right now, the struts on the front end (or are they shocks?) need to be replaced. But it is time to pass it down to a kid.

I have two of those, remember. Right now, only the son (aged 19) has a license. But my daughter (16) is taking driver’s ed in the fall. Son’s car is broke, so this comes at a very good time for all of us.

I bought a 2008 Jeep Compass. All the bells and whistles on it. Although I told everyone that I did not want another black car…well the Compass is black. But the price was right and with less than 40k miles, it is still in prime shape.

I’ll post a picture in a few days. We’re having a significant rainy spell at the present. Enough falling rain to keep the humidity levels at ‘too humid to make bath bombs so think of something else to do’. But as soon as the weather clears, I’ll take a photo of the new ride.

Happy Jeep Day, folks!