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!

Firstly, it is raining again. Now, I do love rain. The sound on the roof is very relaxing–almost a bit TOO relaxing. The sound is one that I learned, via biofeedback (and that’s another story…) to associate to with rest and sleep. So it makes me want to find a cozy spot and snuggle up.

So it is the third cup of java doing battle with the elements. For now, with a little bit of diffused light in my workspace, the java has a fighting chance.

I just realized that I may not have explained my vision too thoroughly. I know that this blog is associated with my business: Coquette Bath & Home™. I really do want you to shop and buy some of my wonderful products for yourself and those you love. I know you’ll love them.

But I, personally, hate blogs (and twitter posts) that are one self-serving post after the other. I look at this blog as a way to let you know a little bit more about me. What my world is like. Why I do what I do. And more.

So far, you’ve met Etta, the corgi (my attempts to post photos have, so far, locked up this computer…but as soon as I get this issue figured out, I’ll post some for your enjoyment). We also have two cats: Ziggy and Domino. Domino, aka Domi, is the grand old boy of the house. Nearly 10, he is the quintessential ‘scaredy cat’. He scrams, leaving behind a tiny puff of white fur if anyone gets too close to him. Even me, at times.

I have two kids, both teens. Enough said! Nah, they’re ordinarily pretty good. But my son has continual issues with cars (don’t ask….grrrrr) and my daughter is pretty much the type of person I wish I’d been in high school. Self assured, friendly, she is popular with everyone. I was a shy thing, afraid of my own shadow. I got bold and into ‘me’ before I gave birth to her. All I can figure (and take a little credit for) is maybe that helped make her as she is.

She’s going to be fabulous. Honestly. And even though I’m her mom, even her teachers are in awe of her. I know, because I know a few of ‘em.

Son is attempting to get enough college hours to join the Army. Our family is strongly military centered but since he has a GED, he has to take 15 hours of college level courses to enlist. And let’s just say that although he is VERY smart, he is not the type of person who likes to sit at a desk. He’s a doer, not a thinker.

So that’s a little bit more about me. On my personal front, today is Soap Boxing Day. Yes, I know, it sounds like a holiday. But I’ve sold so much of my Swirly Curly Soap, recently, that I had to make 6 loaves of the soap recently. Now, they’re nicely cut and waiting to be boxed.

While this blog is not going to be promo after promo, I would be lacking if I didn’t encourage you to try some of my Swirly Curly Soap. It lathers without stripping skin of natural oils, is packed with fabulous fragrance (to me, there is nothing more boring than having a bar of soap with little to zero smell…) and the fun and funky swirly designs (made from shea butter enriched soap) so last to the final sliver. I had a bar of Raindrops in my shower that I used and used…and by the time I finally said ‘enough’, it was about 1/8″ thick…and STILL had a part of a swirl in it!

If you’re looking for a great gift for yourself, or someone you love, give my Swirly Curly soap a try. Currently available in 11 fragrances, each bar will put a smile on your face.

Promise.

Okay, it is has been a few days since I last posted. And life has been, well let’s just say it has been challenging…

We have this lovely corgi named Etta. She really is a doll, but she also prefers to potty in the house. On the carpet. In my home office. Well, ugh. Gross. Okay, quadruple gross.

Can you get worse than quadruple gross? I think not.

Anyway, I decided to put laminate flooring in this room. And I love IKEA. So I went to my local store in Frisco, TX and bought a bunch of the stuff. I bought a lot of stuff from their IVAR fixturing (LOVE!) to some odd and end stuff. They always have such cool things that I just gotta have.

The flooring was supposed to be easy. And laying down the floor base (the plastic and the foam) WAS easy. But the flooring? Not so much. In fact, not even close.

I got only a few rows done a night. Even with my kids helping. And my kids aren’t little ones. Son is nearly 19. Daughter just turned 16. So they were good helpers. But the stuff wouldn’t go together. In fact, when you walked over it, it separated. I have never lost my temper so many times in my life. I think I was up to about 2.5 hissy fits an hour.

I had tore up the room and put stuff everywhere. I mean, this is the room where boxes and sacks of thing and that are store. My computer. My files. My laser printer. My finished products, too. Everything, in fact. So it was a mess to move and I’m still putting it back. But I jumped ahead of my story…

On Friday last week, I reached a major crossroads. The flooring simply wouldn’t go. I literally laid down on the floor, after an hour and a half trying to lay a single row. The problem with the stuff, apparently, is that you had to form a complete row and then lock it into place.

I know…seriously, I know…

I called customer service, because i couldn’t find the receipt. And you know what? I’m not going to share that experience. Suffice it to say that it was far less than satisfactory. Fortunately, in the middle of talking with rep #2, I did find the receipt. I tore up that floor, that had taken me more than 6 days to lay, in less than 10 minutes. At 11 minutes, I was driving to Frisco.

The return went well. And the next morning, I was at Lowes buying another laminate floor product. Stellar from the manager who helped me play with pieces on the floor, making sure that I could do it, myself. To the actual product. I laid this flooring in less than 5 hours. And got half done before either kid rolled out of bed. I love this floor. And when I find my digital camera (LOL), I’ll post a photo of it. But let me say that it look GORGEOUS! I still have a little baseboard to tack down…but if you’re interested in doing a floor redo, do it. You won’t be sorry.

But although I do love IKEA for a great many things, don’t bring their tundra flooring home. Seriously. Do. Not.

You’ve been advised.

Well, it has been a long time coming. When I bought this house, about a decade ago, I painted it entirely inside before my kids and I moved in. I really do not like basic beige paint. But I know, that’s the color that new homes use. And I can see why…it is neutral and goes with all different decors. But I don’t like it.

So the rooms in my house were painted sage green, jade green, etc. I like color. And lots and lots of color.

Okay, you figured that based on my products, right? LOL. But it is the truth. I really do not like basic beige in any format. Be it soap or wall color. Boring. Blah.

But now, well, I’m looking to sell the house in a few years. So I had a realtor walk it and give me the benefit of her incredible experience. First comment? Your walls are too ‘decorated’, they need to be beige.

BEIGE? OH NO!

So, in the back of my mind, I knew I was going to have to do it, sooner or later. Well, it came sooner, courtesy of our corgi.

No, Etta did not take a sharpie in her paw and write on the walls. But after one too many ‘accidents’, I’ve decided to rip up the remaining carpet (my office and bedroom are about the only carpeted areas left in this house…oh yeah, the front living area, too). I’m replacing the carpet with laminate flooring from IKEA.

Love IKEA, by the way. I’m blessed that we have one close by in Frisco, TX.

But, since I’m replacing the flooring, I figured that I might, as well (since I have to do it anyway) paint the walls. So I am. I found a shade that is, weirdly enough, my skin color…a soft beige with pink undertone. And the room is currently in the midst of drying from the first coat. It will take 2 coats to completely cover that jade green color.

But you know what? I am liking this color. Never thought I’d ever say that. But it looks fresh and clean and cool.

And yeah, I still like color. But I think my products are going to look even better resting on their new shelves (IVAR from IKEA). I’m giving them a brand new home.

Until they go to your house. Have a wonderful and blessed Easter!

If you don’t live in North Texas, maybe snow is a normal part of your winter life.

But it isn’t around here. We may go years without anything in the way of white fluffy stuff…years.

This year, so far, we’ve had 3 snows. One of them dumped 14″ (we measured) on the table on our deck. I’m going to presume that it was the same in the yard. But I didn’t step into the back yard. I didn’t for two reasons. First, it has a significant slope (the deck is the only part of the back yard that I routinely use). Second, when our corgi, Etta, went outside to fulfill a natural call, she totally disappeared except for the top of her tail and ears in one big drift near the side of the deck. She bounded out of it instantly, shaking her head and proceeded to do her business ON the deck.

For this reason, a shovel was nearby to fling ‘whatever’ over the side and into the yard.

Dogs. Seriously. She obviously is a Texas dog and unused to the white stuff, too.

On Friday, it was nearly 75 degrees. I heard a rumor that snow was in the forecast but I scoffed.

Ummm, the blanket of white stuff in the yard proves that I was wrong.

So here I sit, a hot cup of coffee nearby, sitting with my laptop on the kitchen table looking outside at the blanket of white on the deck and frosting the tops of the green grass). The bradford pear still has its fluffy white blossoms and it looks weird outside.

We always say that if you don’t like the weather in Texas, wait a minute.

Okay…I want 75 degrees back. And not just INSIDE the house…