Summer Newsletter

The brand-spanking new Summer Newsletter is being whisked away today to little mailboxes near and far. Just to cover all the bases, I'm re-printing it here with links to all the new stuff. The web site has been updated with all the new products, and the calendar is up-to-date with as much as I know this very minute. What is missing is the new photos. I am trying my best to get the photo shoot done in the next few days for all the new soaps, sprays, sea salts, etc. But I'm up to my eyeballs in show prep, orders and taking to the covers with a most nasty cold which is radiating pain in my sinuses. I know, TMI. I had no idea I would be hit with this snot during my busiest weeks, but I suppose I should have expected it. Life is tricky that way. Like today's weather is a good 20 degrees colder than it was yesterday and feels like winter. Here goes:

Dear Friends,

Ahhhh, SUMMER! The whole world kicks off their shoes and runs outside to bask in the warm sun, soaking up every last drop of it. Glorious bright mornings are musically enhanced with the songs of a million birds chirping happily away in the flower gardens. The soundtrack to a lazy afternoon in the cushy lounger chair is the distant hum of lawnmowers and children laughing and giggling merrily. Jazz tunes on the radio, overlapping conversations from tvs, neighbors chatting , and dogs barking as they make their nightly rounds, pepper the seemingly endless evenings. Food tastes better when it’s grilled outdoors and eaten on the patio or deck. Everyone looks sexier with a little copper glow of sun on their skin. And it seems impossible that we should ever have to head back inside when there is just so much life to be lived outside during Summer.

SUMMER SEASONAL SOAPS

It’s a fact -- the only constant in life is change. Some of my favorites are sunrises, sunsets and the cycle of the seasons. Rather than resist change, I've decided to embrace it -- consciously and thoughtfully re-creating some of my products to reflect the styles and tastes of the moment, dancing in step with each changing season's special magic. These unique soaps or products are available only for the current season and are made in limited production. ($4.00 ea or 4 for $15.00)

JASMINE MINT: A marriage made in heaven, with sweetly floral jasmine blossoms paired with fresh mint leaves. It’s light, cool, and perfectly lovely – my favorite new fragrance and wonderful for summer.

BALI WOOD: Deliciously spicy tangerine, ginger, vanilla and black pepper cuddle up in a hammock with rich, exotic sandalwood. Like a Tiki hut in some Indonesian paradise, it’s warm and sultry.

BEACH HOUSE: Throw open the windows of your little beachfront cottage and let the sea spray caress your face. A gorgeous sky blue colored soap, this is a much loved favorite each Summer. Scented with delightful Pacific rain, salty sea waves, and fresh marine air notes, it’s refreshing and cool.

SUMMER SPRAYS

Just for the Summer season, I’ve added JASMINE MINT aromatic spray, a companion to the soap fragrance, and such a charming , refreshing partner for our gorgeous Northwest summers. Take one of our lovely sprays with you everywhere this season – Lavender Lemongrass and French Lavender are perfect warm weather pals too. Splash yourself and your little summer sun dresses, freshen your rooms, liven up your sheets, spritz the car seats, and squirt the dog. These are not luxuries, they’re necessities! ($ 6.00 each)

I also have the ever-popular BUGGER OFF Spray, an all-natural bug repellent that really works! Essential oils of cedar, bay, orange and eucalyptus mask your human scent and repel all kinds of irritating little critters – mosquitoes, fleas, and gnats. Safe for kids and pets, this spray works best when sprayed on clothing or bedding so the scent lingers longer. It’s clean, woodsy and pleasant to wear, with no strong citronella that keeps the people away too. Bugger Off Spray comes highly recommended and is amazingly effective. ($ 6.00 each)

DEAD SEA SOAK

Big, beautiful jars of bath salts! These rustic, chunky salts come directly from the Dead Sea. Pure, fresh salts with a mineral content that is 7 times greater than other types of sea salts, they work wonders on purifying and detoxifying, improving circulation and moisturizing skin, soaking away stress, and relaxing muscles, aches and pains. These bath salts dissolve in water almost instantly, with a lush, silky feel – no gritty bottoms, and safe for jetted and Jacuzzi tubs. What we know for sure is that when you finally drag yourself out of these glorious bath waters, you are left with unbelievably soft, silky smooth skin that seems brand new. For little foot baths or long evening soaks, these are the best bath salts I’ve ever tried. To capture the essence of summer, there is COCONUT LEMONGRASS - an exotic blend of lush coconut and warm, spicy, lemongrass breezes . TAHITIAN BLOSSOM is a profusion of sultry tropical flowers, including plumeria and hibiscus, floating in a pool of soothing green tea. PINK CITRUS LILY is a glorious fusion of refreshing pink grapefruit and lime, sensuously dancing with an elegant floral bouquet of white calla lily, orange blossom, and gardenia. (16 oz glass bottle - $8.00)

NEW GIFT SETS

There are so many celebrations, holidays and special events during the summer season that I’ve put together a lovely array of special gift sets. The FOOT CARE SET is continued from last year, a darling little tote sack with soaking salts, a pumice and brush foot tool, and the Foot Balm ($15.00). There is a new LOVE LAVENDER set, with the ever popular Lavender sachet, French Lavender soap and spray , and Lavender lip balm in an adorable dark wood bucket ($20). And a GARDENER'S SET in the same bucket, with all the necessities for garden loving peeps – the Citrus Basil Scrub Soap, the Healing Salve, Bugger Off Spray, a super handy nail brush and a charming set of gloves ($25).

HELLOS AND GOODBYES

After 10 straight years, I’m not participating in the Tacoma Farmer’s Market this year. It’s been a blast and I’ll miss all my friends, but I needed to shake the dust off and try new things. I’ve joined COLLAGE, an artist’s co-op and gift shop at Carrillon Point in Kirkland. I have a full time display there and will be working a number of days there each month as well. So for everyone who has requested a local shop to run in and grab the necessities, it’s finally here!

I get so excited each year to pop up my tent and start another season of street fairs and markets because I get a chance to meet and talk to all of you. For more details on the shop and street fair schedule, including booth locations, check out the CALENDAR SECTION.