Rave Reviews ~ Wasabi Soap

Flourish Bath & Body
http://www.etsy.com/shop/FlourishBathBody

My husband LOVES this soap. As a sushi-lover myself, I must say that it is pretty cool. There is obviously no wasabi in it but it she sure got that mixture right and it does smell like wasabi (with a pleasant fresh scent to accompany it).

It lathers beautifully and its shea butter base nourishes and soothes skin.

The packaging is pretty and professional, as is the product. It is well worth a visit to this shop, because even if Wasabi-scented-soap doesn’t float your boat she has some fantastically unique scents available.

~ * ~ Summer Solstice ~ * ~

The Summer Solstice--the first day of Summer (or "Midsummer" in some parts). The longest day of the year. It's been one week since the sun shone tirelessly all day and well into the evening. The days begin to get shorter after the 21st. So...enjoy the soft breezes, the gentle rains, the warm sunshine, the sand & seashells, and the lush greenery. Happy Summer everyone!

Quality Quick Picks Under $5 ~ Wyndsong Designs

Wyndsong Designs
http://www.etsy.com/shop/WyndsongDesigns

Fairies, Greenmen, and Dragons…oh my! What a wonderful world you’ll discover at Wyndsong Designs. I happen to have some of her gorgeous Spirit Rosary beads but I’ll get to that another time. An entire article needs to be dedicated to this shop.

For now, however, I will give you a super quality quick pick. For $3 you can have your very own Italian porcelain magnet stamped with a variety of awesome images.

Adorning her tiles are fantastical fairies, gorgeous Goddesses, and lots and lots of Celtic knots. The magnets, as well as her larger stone stampings, are beautifully made (sealed, too, in case you were wondering). We have an entire set of her small tiles and they are lovely and have held up very well. If the Spirit moves you, visit Wyndsong Designs and nurture that Spirit.

Quality Quick Picks Under $5 ~ Butterfly Blue Designs (for Summer)

Butterfly Blue Designs
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ButterflyBlueDesigns

With Summertime approaching, I thought I’d revisit this quality under $5 pick. I’ll make it quick. Yes, I do love this shop and I do love these coffee sleeves but I had to add that these kick-butt cozies not only keep your hot drinks from scalding your hands, they keep your frozen drinks icy!

I just used mine on a black cherry fruit smoothie yesterday (it was 85 degrees here) and this sleeve soaked up the “sweat” on the smoothie cup AND kept my hot, little hands from melting my marvelous black cherry goodness.

Whether it’s a frozen fruit smoothie or a blended iced coffee you crave, these sleeves will make your cool-me-off-and-make-me-happy drink experience better. I don’t know about you, but I am one unhappy gal when my thick, frosty drink turns to liquid. If you see where I’m coming from here, this is your all-purpose, all-season drink holder.

Awesome Etsy Shops ~ Bethany Ogle

Bethany Ogle http://www.etsy.com/shop/BethanyOgle


Bethany offers sugar-coated nature without the cavities. Her art is just so sweet! In her shop, you’ll find trees and flowers painted in cheerful colors. Honestly, the colors are downright jolly. There is a lot of hot pink, purple, turquoise, and bright yellow. She paints in softer hues and some nature-based colors, too, so don’t fret if your home is taupe, beige, and brown.

This is some of the most gorgeous mixed media I’ve ever seen. She incorporates a lot of “stuff” (beads, yarn, etc.) into her paintings so all her work has varying degrees of texture. We have three pieces by Bethany and our guests are not only drawn to it, they peek around to see if anyone is watching and try to touch it. There is such a positive vibe from her paintings and, I have to say, from the artist herself. This lady is just as great a find as her shop—friendly, helpful, kind, and genuine.

All Bethany’s pieces are affordably priced (with FREE shipping to US and Canada!) and she has some great little pieces for ten dollars which include a solid wood easel to display them. Her larger artwork arrives beautifully and securely wrapped with professional backing and ready to hang. Sweet.

Quality Quick Picks Under $5 ~ Immortal Longings

Immortal Longings http://www.etsy.com/shop/immortallongings

Bonkers for the Bard? Whether you treasure your collected works of William Shakespeare above all else or just have a thing for the star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, you will love Immortal Longings.

Artist Elizabeth E. Schuch brings your favorite plays and characters to life in her spectacular illustrations.

But where do you even begin shopping? She offers her beautiful work in magnets, mirrors, prints, calendars, cards, and more. Hang a moody Hamlet magnet on your fridge. Send (or frame) a gorgeous greeting card. Check your makeup on the flip side of Ophelia and revel in the fact that, even though your mascara is running, at least you’re sane.

I cannot pick one item under five in this shop…there are just too many that I love.

“Can one desire too much of a good thing?” –As You Like It

May Day / Lei Day / Beltane

~*~ HAPPY MAY DAY! ~*~

May 1st is celebrated in many ways in many cultures around the world. One thing is constant--FLOWERS! The return of the warm weather is here, flowers are sprouting, birds are chirping... Get out in Nature and wear those flowers today!