Beauty and the Book

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a avid book reader. None of the insane people in my house seem to understand that I'd rather read a good book than have their company (just kidding of course). Since I love books so much it's simple to figure out why I am a fan of Latherati Soap. Julie, the (I want to say "Librarian") owner of Latherati Soap combines the love of bath with the love of a good book. Every item she sells is inspired by a good book.



Since Latherati Soap is a fairly new shop, the line is still growing. Soaps dominate the selection but there are also lip balms as well as perfumes and sugar scrubs. I love the book connection, I think it's one of the cleverest ideas I've seen on Etsy in awhile (in the Bath & Body category). The labels remind me of those old book plates my parents used to use, you know the ones that announce that this book is part of the Library of.... If you have no idea what I'm talking about then you're too young, don't worry about it. Just understand that the packaging is cool ok.




I had gotten a soap called "Orchard", which (as it says on the site and label) is inspired by "Cider House Rules." There are other clever names like "Golden Ticket" and "Kimono" (if you don't know what books inspired these then you need to go to the library stat). It's obvious that alot of thought went into the creation of Latherati.





"Orchard" as you can see from the photo, reminds you of a fall apple orchard in its coloration. It smells like clean crisp apples but not overbearing and not perfumey like some can be. This is just straight good old apple. This soap lathers up quickly and very well. I've tried some soaps that don't seem to lather much as all but not Latherati soaps. It lathers well and rinses very clean. No sticky or dull residue on the skin. We like that in our soaps people. $5 per bar.









I also have one of the lip balms (called Lip Lusters here) called "Matchmaker", inspired by "Emma.". It's a strawberry flavor which is very true to what you expect in a strawberry. Not overly sweet but just right on the money. The balm holds up very well in either warm or cold temperatures. I like it when it doesn't get all melted in my pocket. And, I like it when it doesn't get all hard or gritty from being outside in the cold. All in all a very good lip balm. $3.50 per tube and comes in plenty of other flavors.


So, all in all, I like Latherati Soap. ! The prices are on par with most other beauty makers I've seen. I love the themes and hope to see much more in the future. Come on Julie, you need some stuff inspired by "Tales From Margaritaville" and "Interview with the Vampire." :-)

Blackheads Be Gone!

Recently, I signed up to help test out a new soap being made by NV Soaps on Etsy. I was the last one to be able to get one of these soaps and I was very glad to do so after seeing the results.

NV Soaps has named this soap "Ageless Skin Soap" and it is full of really good, all natural stuff. For me, this is a skin clearing soap. Now, I have had blackheads all my life (since those dreaded teenage years). I get them all over my nose, my chin, and along my cheek next to my nose. Even with going to my spa for facial treatments once a month, I still needed plenty of "extractions." But, after using NV Soaps soap, my skin really began to clear up. I would say that my blackheads are 95% gone. I still have a few here and there, but it is nothing like it used to be. I haven't had any major breakouts either (although, a few teeny tiny zits crept up on my forehead yesterday). Even some of the winter skin issues I was having on my chin (flakiness, redness) cleared up. Never have I had my blackheads disappear and I have tried many many a blackhead removal product.

Here's a list of the ingredients and my skin expert at my spa told me these were all excellent ingredients for the skin (I always pass stuff on to her and she will tell me what's good and what's not, she was impressed with the stuff in this soap):

Saponified Oils of Soybean, Cottonseed, Coconut and Olive, Rhassoul Clay, Cucumber Seed, Coltsfoot, Carrot seed, Horsetail, Lady's Mantle, Barberry oil and Lavender Essential oil for scent

I don't know what it is, but this combination of herbs and such have worked wonders for my skin. It's, as NV states, not a pretty soap but it works great.

You can buy a trial size version at NV Soaps for $4.50 and I still have my soap and I'm sure it was smaller than the trial size she's selling. It has lasted a long long time. I highly recommend this soap for clearer skin.

Now, just a note, and this applies to any soap or cleanser that says it is a "moisturizing" product...you still need to use your moisturizer! Don't ever stop using your moisturizer! You will always need your moisturizer! And, this comes from my Skin Expert at the spa I go to.

Inside Indie: Texas Charm Bath and Candle Co.

Sorry that this week's Inside Indie is late. I was at my son's school all day selling the PTO like crazy. I apologize to you my readers lol.

Anyway...this weeks Inside Indie interview is with Stacy Herrod who owns and operates Texas Charm Bath & Candle Co. I really love her body butter (especially in Petit Choux!) because it's thick, rich and is PARABEN FREE!!!!! Stacy has also entered one of her perfume blends in my Best Original Perfume contest (we're almost done) Here's my interview with Stacy....

Tell me a little about the mind behind Texas Charm Bath & Candle Co.

Ah ha! This is a scary trick question, LOL! The mind behind Texas Charm is obsessed - pleasantly obssessed with fragrance!! I am always thinking about candles, bath & body, and most importantly FRAGRANCE! I admit it: I am truly addicted to this! I have always loved perfumes, lotions, candles ... so this is the perfect solution for me - to create my own goodies! Since I was a wee little girl - give me a bottle of lotion to rub in - I was happy! It's stuck all these years later!

What made you decide to get into the bath, body and candle business?

Actually, my mom & husband suggested once upon a time that I should just make my own candles and save money. Ha! They didn't know what they started with that statement! I am hooked!

Do you remember the first product you made?

A candle - I remember being so nervous! I fretted for the longest (once I decided to try my hand with candles) over the wicks! How would it stick? How would it stand up in the jar? I was a total newbie! So, I tested FOREVER in baby food jars!

Ok, you're stuck on a desert island and you can only have one of your products with you..which one, which fragrance and why?

HANDS DOWN - My "Bye Bye Dry Lip Butter"! I am addicted to lip butter and MUST have a tube with me any and all times! It doesn't matter the flavor - it just feels SO good! This addiction is so bad, lol, that I pour up my lip butter for personal use in whopping 1 ounce lotion tube containes! Yea, it's crazy, but it's SO good!

What does the future hold for Texas Charm Bath & Candle Co?

Immediate future for Texas Charm is a website update! I have so many new fragrances that I need to list for you guys! Also, I will be adding in Bubble Bath Cupcakes, Bubble Bath Bars, and Bombs Away! Bath Bombs very soon! Very fun and very chic additions to Texas Charm!

What is your can't live without product that you don't make?

Handmade Soap! I cannot live without a good bar of handmade soap! My skin and facial complexion has improved so much over time since using only handmade soap! I am not picky - it can be all-vegetable based or it can include animal fats - I love both and use both! Ask my husband how many bars of soap are in our master bath? Ha! He will get this dazed look on his face and just shake his head that he won't answer that question!

So, please stop by Texas Charm Bath & Candle Co. There are some truly good products there. I really like what I've tried so far and look forward to trying more soon.

Welcome Manor Hall Soap Company!

I would like to welcome Manor Hall Soap Company to Products of the Day. As you may have read from my recent review, Manor Hall Soap Company is a wonderful woman owned, all natural bath and body store. Susan Mann, who runs Manor Hall, makes everything with all natural ingredients. From soap, to body wash and facial cleansers..I'm sure you are going to find a number of products you will really really love to use.

I have tried out several of her products and really enjoyed each one. Plus it's great to know that all the ingredients are natural, something you don't find in every online store!

So, please, click on Susan's link in my Shop Shop Shop section and enjoy the trip.