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!

The past week has been a very busy one around here.

First, on top of the normal workweek, I have been making a lot of calls and visits, trying to find a new vehicle. I have 2 kids who rather need access to a car. But it appears that everyone in this area is also looking for the same type of car that I am! But I’m not giving up. I’ll find one…just have to be patient (not my strong suit…)

On top of that, the weather has been perfect for making bath bombs. So I have. Eight fragrances are awaiting their final boxing, but the laser printer just decided to send up a red signal. Now, I have to figure out what ‘corona wires’ are and how to clean them. Can’t find my printer manual, but Brother puts it online (which is a very good thing).

So here 8 fragrances in bath bombs are sitting lonely: Plumeria, Lavender, Coconut Cream, Dream, Fresh, Lemon Sugar, Yuzu (the most amazing scent EVER if you love citrus), and Pomegranate. I’m playing with a few others, particularly some blends…like Ginger Honey.

I’ll let you know how that turns out…

THEN, the new Sugar Cube Scrubs are also ready. I wish I had a photo of them to post here today. As I have 8 towers of packaged scrubs on my desk right beside me. They, too, are waiting for me to figure out how to fix the laser printer so that I can print off their labels.

Sigh.

But these are ALL coming soon. Just might not be as soon as I’d like. Then again, you already know I’m not the most patient person around. Can’t wait to show them to you. You are going to love them.

4 Lavender Bath Bombs

Okay, I did figure out how to put in a photo (that has been a serious learning curve for me). Here’s a few of the lavender ones, unwrapped. Doncha love them? Believe me, I wish you had scratch N sniff internet. The smell is amazing. Herbal and luscious. And wow! They fizz madly in your tub. Each one weighs about 3.5oz. And just one will make your skin happy with the moisturizing oils within.

These will ALL be packaged individually, so that you can try as many different scents that you’ll like, as well as in gift sets. Coming soon, as I said.

As soon as I get the printer fixed/replaced.

outside, that is…inside my house it is blissfully cool. You know, I don’t think I could have been a pioneer. All of those long binding garments and nary a jacuzzi in sight.

Heat has again come to Texas. Yeah, I knew it was going to happen. I’m fond of saying that every summer, I think longingly of far northern climes…like Idaho, Montana…Alaska. But every winter, when the news shows folks digging out from record snowfalls, I’m glad I’m here.

Summer in North Texas is dry and hot. Seriously dry. Which means it is a great (even perfect…) time to make bath bombs. Look for a brand new size and design coming soon. I make seriously wonderful bath bombs. But they haven’t traveled as well as I’d like. They do fizz madly in your tub, but they require a lot of special protection when shipping. And since I’m a gal who likes things to be simple, inexpensive (cause I don’t want to charge YOU a ton for a packaging product that is just going to be thrown away, anyway) and yet distinctive, I’ve been in the middle of a design challenge.

But, I finally found it. The boxes are here. Labels are designed. I’m just waiting for my new bath bomb mold to be ready. Waiting is not my favorite thing. Which is why, I guess, I’m rather distracted by the weather.

Look for these new bath bombs, a lovely moisturizing dry oil spray, a new soap line (actually, two), shaving soap for the man in your life (or maybe yourself!), a new candle line extolling the virtues of Texas (though that may be sold only in my new Etsy shop…(www.etsy.com/totallytexas), and other items coming very soon. I know you’re going to love them all!

Don’t go looking yet. I haven’t even hung out the banner or made you feel welcome. But check back soon. Especially if you love Texas, Texans or just like to know why we’re all so crazy about this place.

Stay cool.

Well, how was YOUR Memorial Day?

Mine was a bit eventful. My kids and I drove down to visit family and spent 2 days working on a new space that my parents are living in. Very nice! But it is a major change for my dad. Mom is already acclimating to the new world and the new everything. Resilience is a nice thing.

On Monday, we all went to the beach near Galveston. Now, I’m a very pale person. And therefore, I’m not much of a sun worshipper. It is okay. When I was about twelve, I got a bad case of heat stroke/sun poisoning (no official diagnosis, but anecdotal) and since then if I get too hot, I do get a bit ill.

Well, knowing this, I drank water and avoided the adult beverages. And I thought I was fine. Because I had a long drive, I grabbed the kids and left about 2pm. It is a long drive, from Galveston area, back to Fort Worth, and I really don’t like to drive after dark.

About 15 miles into the trip, the back of my head began to really ache and I found myself distracted. Like every few seconds. My neck seized up and I did my best to keep the car steady. Yes, I probably should have turned around, but I drove until I reached my brother’s house north of the general Houston area.

What followed was 4 hours sitting (who am I kidding? I was stretched out, windows down, under shade, swigging water). About 7pm, I felt well enough to drive home. And home we reached about 4.5 hours later. It was not a fun trip.

I mention all of this to make a point. Know your limitations. And avoid trying to do something you just can’t. Normally, I’m fairly mindful of them. But sometimes, well sometimes, I want to be like everyone else. And I forget that I’m not. Sun and I will never be friends again. But it is okay.

I hope you had a great holiday weekend. While I was driving home, I did have some time to think. A new bathbomb is coming soon. Along with my liquid lotions, a few new soap scents and a brand new set of candle fragrances. From White Musk to a crazy citrus blend yet unnamed, I’m sure you’re going to love them all.

One thing I’m not good at is limiting fragrance. So while I won’t be basking in the sun anytime soon, I guess I’ll just keep busy inside making some wonderful new products.

Check back soon, okay?

So, what do you do when the sky is dreary and gray and rain is pattering down?

Well, I will tell you what you can’t do. You can’t make bath bombs…and that was to be my Saturday event. My super fizzy and wonderful bombs sell quite briskly and some months, keeping enough stock on hand is a bit difficult!

But it’s okay. I do have enough inventory, but there are about 3-4 new scents that I’m anxious to craft: Coconut, Peach, Watermelon Grapefruit and Gardenia.

Look for them soon!

In the meantime, I guess a rainy Saturday means time to rest and read and reflect.

Cleaning house would also be a good idea (sigh). Hope your day is blessed and wonderful!

Well, for me it actually ‘is’ a semblance of Friday. I have a weird work week…I work long days to have every other Friday off. It is actually pretty cool. I have time to do my stuff without a teenager in tow.

Before anyone asks, I do love my kids (both teens) but there are times when you just want to do ‘mom stuff’…you know, antique shopping, buying shoes, actually resting, without having any demands on your time.

That’s a normal ‘off Friday’. This is not a normal week. It’s Spring break.

Sheesh. That means that not only do I have to take said female teen (nearly 16) with me tomorrow, but I also will probably have to BUY her something. Like food isn’t enough?

LOL.

I actually have a great kid. Two of them, actually. But, finding time for my stuff is hard. Because I have this ‘mom martyr’ thing going. I feel as though I SHOULD be spending every free moment with them. And, well, I don’t.

I have to figure out labels, and make soap and bath bombs and whatever else is falling behind in the shop. I have to do laundry, figure dinner (daughter cleans the kitchen, yippie!) and find some time to pet the dog and the cats and just be human for a few moments before bed.

It’s Spring Break. Well, the roses are starting to bud out and it is getting warmer out. I guess this is what Spring break is now. And you know what? It’s okay.

Have a great weekend, folks!