Of everything!   Samplers are a great way to try a variety without committing to a full-size- or full-price for that matter if you don't like the scent, the texture, the whatever.  I love to try new things and this is a great way to do it.  If you are still looking for a small gift for Mother's Day, look no further.

The quarter bars in the Homemade Soap Teaser, $3.80 look simple, yet chic. They also won't empty your pocketbook.  Pick 10 Soap Samples, $8.50 from Kreated by Karina.  We're a big fan of her lip balms too, especially white chocolate torte.  Daisy Cake Soap, one of the first soap retailers on Etsy sells Soap Trek, $10 which features four of her premium bars, travel style without all the liquid hassle.  Select freshly juiced goodness such as tangy kumquat or pomegranate and blueberry seed which are bursting with anti-aging antioxidants.  Last, Canadian newcomer, the Prim Pantry has a yummy three bar Glycerin Goat's Milk Sampler that's bursting with color as does Lolli Luscious.  On a side note, who does this?  It's just wrong.

I'm baaaaaaack from the sunny, warm Caribbean.  We had a wonderful time, hitting Cozumel, Mexico, Belize and Nassau, Bahamas, which was my favorite of the three.  It's beautiful, luxurious and the residents of the island are super friendly.  We spent the day relaxing in the sun and playing at the kiddie pool at Atlantis.  It was a perfect reprieve from the cramped quarters on the ship.  It's great if you have young kids, I highly recommend it.  I'm already planning our next family trip.  

Back home in Chicago, it's freezing cold (still) and just about to rain (still), ugh.  I have to remind myself why I live here (family).  Plus, I went an entire week  -by choice without (what the hell was I thinking) the internet- and email.  It wasn't easy and now I have almost a thousand to check.  Yikes, I think I need a virtual assistant.  Here's a few of my favorite highlights from this week:

Although I can't seem to bake anything good (read=worth eating), I do enjoy a slice of cake every now and again (and again).  If you are anything like me, pop into Suds Mufffin and order a slice --or two. 

My favorites:  Pucker Up, $6 with the juicy tartness and sweetness of cranberry and lemon. This slice of bundt cake soap comes complete with a pink soap frosting drizzle with little pink dots scattered here and there inside the soap.   A dramatic purple swirl and drizzle of soap "frosting' bestow Purple Sugar, $6.  This slice combines fresh purple violets with sweet maple syrup.  And yes, you can really wash with them.

Have you noticed a trend?  I have a major sweet tooth and a penchant for artisianl soaps.  I came accross these random goodies and didn't pass them up.

Peaches & Cream Pie Glycerine Soap, $6
This peach pie slice soap looks and smells like the real thing down to the dollop of creme on top.  Savory!

Exfoliating Almond Cookie Bars, $7.50 / 3
Exfoliating cleanses, tones and refines your skin, leaving it fresher, younger-looking and more vibrant.  Now try it with a cookie.  Luscious!

Homers Sweetest Temptation Donut Soap, $4.25
MMMMMM.... Donuts! Just like Homer likes it - a sweet cake donut with strawberry icing. And that's exactly how it smells.  Yummy!

Pineapple Upside Down Cake, $6
Cute as can be, the re-texturizing pineapple refine skins and restores radiance.  Mouthwatering!

Petite Fours, $12
Although not technically soap, the fizzing bath desserts deserve a mention.  Drop one in the tub and watch your stress melt away.

Ice Cream Cone Soap, $5.25
What's your favorite flavor?  Try a double dip without the calories.  Zero guilt.  Sweet!

Ann-Marie Faiola from The Soap Queen shares my fondness for cupcakes.  I subscribe to her blog and when she posts about cupcakes (which is often), my mouth actually waters.  Looking for lather inspiration, a quick search on Etsy for 'soap cupcakes' turns up over 12 pages of cupcake related wares --score!  An unconventional,  but adorable Baby Cupcake Hat makes me want snow.  Bang, I hit "ADD TO CART' and order one for Miss H for next year.  Tres chic, sweetie.    Focus, Cheri!  Here are my favorite frothy finds, one for everyday of the week -- and an extra one for good luck.

1. Sweet & Tranquil
   Strawberry Buttercream Cupcake, $4.50
   
2. Lolli Luscious
   A La Mode Soap Confection Coconut Cream, $3.95
   
3. Sud's Muffin
   Chocolate Buttercream Cupcake, $4.25
   
4. Lily Bay Soap
   Chocolate & Vanilla Cream Cupcake, $4.25
   
5. Doctor Sweet Tooth
   Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcake, $4.99
   
6. You Go Girl Soaps
   Creme Brulee Cupcake, $5.00
   
7. Sapone Soaps
   Red Velvet Cupcake, $3.00
   
8. Twin Birch
   Soapcakes, $30 / 6

 

Happy Earth Day!  This year we've partnered with Urban Apothecary to plant 1,000 trees.   You can, too- for every order they ship, they plant a tree.   How cool is that?  Just in time for Earth Day, Origins Organics is teaming up with TotalBeauty.com for the Totally Green Sweepstakes! On top of all of the fantastic green beauty products up for grabs, one lucky winner will walk away with a new 2008 Saturn Vue Hybrid filled with Origins Organics and other organic beauty products.

Lisa combines her love of cooking with her passion for soap making.  It shows beautifully in her creative blends, from Mint Melt Away to Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (my favorite).  All are bona fide bliss.  I'm not alone, she's sold almost three thousand products on Etsy in only five months. 

If you haven't heard already, we have a great haul from Victoria's Secret this month.  You've to enter to win.  Yeah, you.  

Today I came accross another "I've got to  try it" bar soap when I stumbled upon Darling Dexter.  Dd was talking about Naiad Soap Arts; and of course, I couldn't resist!  I'm infatuated with homemade, artisan soaps:  the designs, the colors, the luscious scents, and (being one myself) I love to support work-at-home moms.   In addition, soaps are great to keep on hand as quick gifts- say for your kids teachers, baby-sitter or when a friend is having a bad day.  Last week,  I surprised one of the moms at school who found out her sister is loosing her battle to cancer.  She's stressed and kind thoughts and small gestures go a long away during a trying time.  See, I am nice...sometimes.   Seriosuly, the best gift you can give is given for no specific occasion, for no reason, unprompted, and unexpected.

My favorites, the dessert soaps look good enough to eat.  Please, keep them out of your powder room-- unless I'm visiting.  I don't want a hundred comments about how one of your guests got sick from sampling your guest soap. That said,  I don't particullary care for bannanas, but I can't wait to try the Banana Brulee, $4.50.  It's a blend of vanilla custard and brown sugary carmelized bananas topped with powdered nutmeg.   Seconds would go to the Chocolate Scrubby Bar, $6.00 which is made with real chocolate and contains coffee grinds to exfoliate your skin.

Love a good scrub, but hate the mess?  Try Naiad's Lemon Honey Body Sugar Cubes, $12. These single use sugar scrubs make smooth skin, simple.  The pure cane sugar and coarse Maui Turbinado sugar (for a deeper scrub) emulsifies into a honey and lemon cream on your skin.  Delish!

As I stocked up on all the above, it spawned an Etsy shopping spree  --- sorry, honey!  This week I'll be featuring a few of my favorite finds.