Spring Planting and Other GRUBBY Endeavors

It's that time of year... We're well into spring and it's time to get out there and tackle those projects.  I've nearly completed my planting in the garden.  Well established are sugar snap peas, pole beans, bell peppers and strawberries.  My soy beans and zucchini were planted most recently and have just popped their heads up. 

Whether you too are gardening, or are onto to other projects like crafting or spring cleaning, you can lavish your hands while washing up for the day.  Try a bar of my GRUBBY soap - made with almond and shea butter for moisture, it's infused with ground coffee for a quick exfoliation. You'll be cleaned up in a snap without over drying.

$6.50 on my website --->  http://www.soapexchange.biz/shbugahas.html

Cameo Love

Throughout history, persons of royalty have set the tone for jewelry fashion. It is said that Queen Elizabeth loved to wear cameos and it is noted that Catherine the Great had a very impressive collection of them. The cameo survived the whims of changing fashion during the Nineteenth Century in England.  Since Queen Victoria favored cameos, the cameo was quite popular during and since her reign. They were popular as pins and pendants usually worn on a black velvet ribbon.

Originally, cameos were carved from bone, shell or glass.  I am not nearly that talented, so my exhibit of cameo love comes in the form of a beautiful silicone mold and a few excellent soap recipes.  I have three varieties, one made from shea butter, another made from a milk base - half & half, and the last made from the very luxurious cocoa butter.  All are extremely high quality, hand-made soaps befitting a queen.  

Due to the high milk fat content in my milk soaps, they are much softer than those made from cocoa or shea butter.  If you intend to use this soap strictly for your face, I'd recommend the milk soap.  For the rest of you, the cocoa and shea butters are longer lasting, but equally as excellent.  All three should be guarded from husbands and kids...   (My neighbor's husband unceremoniously completed his hand washing by laying my fair lady face-down in a puddle of water and left her there to drown).  Shame on him....

Available on my website for $5.50/each and come wrapped in a lovely floral fabric.  Also available is a cameo sampler, (get all 3), available for $18 in a lovely wrapped gift tray.  Check my website for details ----->

Dragon's Blood

The bright red resin from the sap of a tree, dragons blood is used as an incense, a dye and an herbal medicine. There are several different sources for this red resin, many of them from very different trees in different parts of the world. Dragons blood is also very popular among practitioners of neo-paganism and witchcraft, who use it in various rituals. Don't freak out, it won't shrink your head!

Originally, Stradivarius used one variety to stain and protect his violins.  A different variety is highly sought after for its amazing antioxidant properties.  This is the variety I covet.   

Its mysterious, alluring aroma is difficult to describe. With warming notes of amber, incense, Madagascar vanilla and patchouli, the Dragon's Blood Fragrance Oil is lightened up with layers of romantic notes such as rose, jasmine and lilac. Top notes are the colorful, light touches of blood orange and grapefruit.  If ever a fragrance made you want to go out and get a tattoo, this one is it.

Dragon's Blood soap will be available in my online shop once it has cured.  I hate waiting!