Finally, I blog about soap...

I've been extremely busy the last few months.  I've worked hard to find balance in my life and include time for my relationships, my soap, meditation and exercise on top of full-time work and school.  I haven't had as much time to soap as I would like, but I still was chosen to create some wonderful gifts for the guests and wedding party of a few brides to be who have a wonderful appreciation for unique, handmade gifts.

Eric & Tangela ~ married August 19, 2010

"Words can't express my gratitude enough!  These favors bring my wedding full circle.  I had a vision in the very beginning and you made the vision a reality!  I also got my extra gift, thank you so much.  I was going to take a favor from a guest for a souvenir, but you prevented that by being so gracious.  I am going to tell all my friends who may be getting married where to go!  Thanks again!"  

~ Tangela P., New Jersey

Ahmad & Andrea ~ to be married sometime in 2010

Maggie & Joey ~ to be wed March 5, 2011

"I just wanted to tell you THANK YOU SO MUCH for the wonderful favors, cake slices and cutie pies!  They are ADORABLE in person!  When I brought them home Joe carried the box in and remarked how they smelled just like chocolate.  He loves them and thinks they are so neat.  He said the cutie pies look like he could take a bite out of them.

They are delightful and I think they will be a big hit at the wedding.   

Everything exceeded our expectations and the colors match the linens I have been looking at for the tables - woot!  Again, thank you."

~ Marguerite D., Atlanta 

 

 

 

 

Lisa & Josh ~ to be married September 22, 2010 

I celebrate with cake.

I am celebrating my "(200)8 is Great!" sentiment, as I've recently passed my first test when confronted with a difficult situation.  It's easy to feel good when things are going well, so I feel like I handled this with less worry and stress than I would've before my recent change of mind. Some things are in fact going well, so I choose to celebrate with cake.  However, since I am not so good at making cake worth eating, I will celebrate with some gratuitous, drool-worthy soap cake pictures.

It turns out that the people at the distribution company like my product, so they have decided to include me as one of their soap vendors.  Yay!  One step at a time, though.  There's nothing in writing, but I believe that there is a lot of potential here.  This company distributes to about 500 stores that are either green or going green and has plans to expand.  They also operate under the philosophy of working exclusively with small businesses.  They were once very small and choose to continue their growth through allowing other small businesses an opportunity to grow with their help.  To that I say, thank you and Wheeeeeeeee!  To celebrate this, I give you the original soap cake that opened the door for more soap cake...  Lemon Charlotte:

  

Also, I have been running much more consistently over the past couple of months.  It's funny how I'm too lazy to get all dressed in cold weather gear to ride my bike in these temperatures, but motivated enough to run 4-5 miles every other day.  I think the reason that I like biking more as a warm weather sport is that feeling of freedom that comes with it and cold wind and several layers make me feel constricted.  Biking is one sport where in the hot and muggy summers, sweating actually works to cool you down.  So, it stands to reason that it's a lot colder moving at 20 mph than at 6-7 mph.  Also, there are a lot more things that I have to be aware of, like traffic, potholes, grates, people, etc. on a bike whereas with running, though I am still aware of my surroundings I can clear my mind, focus on my breathing and create a moving meditation of sorts.  When I am running, I let thoughts float in and out, and usually one of two things happens.  Either I come up with a new and creative idea, usually pertaining to soap; or  I sort out whatever internal conflict I've been dealing with, or at least come to peace with it. Sometimes both if the run is long enough.  Regardless, I always am in a better mood, have more energy, am more capable of dealing with stress and more confident with myself.  I can't believe I used to hate running so much.  To celebrate, I present:  Mint Chocolate Chip, a timeless classic.

 

Finally, I have been invited to set up a booth at the Fool's Gold endurance mountain bike race by Namrita O'Dea.  I've only actually raced in one, and it was on a team, so it wasn't really all that endurance-y, but the atmosphere at those things is super fun since mountain bikers tend to have a lot of personality and fewer inhibitions about the stupid crap that afflicts most people.  I wouldn't be racing, but I'd be in the mountains of North Georgia which always refreshes my spirit, I'd be exposing my soaps to a whole community of people and I'll likely meet a lot of new people and have a ton of fun.  So, to celebrate this, I give you Chocolate Raspberry Torte which incorporates a bit of pink, just like my biking outfits do.