I know I’m in love with something when I become a student of the discipline. When I find myself taking the time to study it, learn its history, submerge in it, and even become a little obsessive by spending every second of the day thinking about it, I know that I’ve found something special. This is why I have bookshelves full of baking books and soap-making references in my apartment. I just want to learn everything about it and make the art my own.

People often ask me if I still shop and spend money on soaps, shampoos, lotions, and other cosmetics since I make my own at home now. They are a little surprised when I tell them that I still enjoy shopping for those items immensely. The amount of money I spend on toiletries have certainly gone down in the last several years but I still drop a good, week’s worth of pay at some of my favorite shops like Soap Kitchen, Lather, and L’Occitane.

To borrow my favorite cookbook author Nigella Lawson’s words from her cookbook, How to Eat, “Although it’s possible to love eating without being a cook, I don’t think you can ever really cook unless you love eating.” I think aspiring home chemists too need to appreciate the wonderful work of others to be able to create their own masterpiece.

When I met up with B last week during my business trip, she brought back an adorable little soap sampler she found at a little shop in Seattle called, Pirouette, that specializes in handmade essentials. She gave me the Botanical Soap Sampler with palm-size Lavender Earl Grey, Peppermint Party, Black Pepper Citrus, and Cucumber Coriander soaps. I used the Black Pepper Citrus the other day in the shower and I loved the way it lathered! The foam was so rich, like a peak of a well-whisked meringue! I was a little nervous because none of the soaps contained Olive Oil, the primary ingredient in my soaps, but the bar I used was still very moisturizing, leaving my skin baby soft! I can’t wait to start using the rest of these little heavenly bubbles! Thank you B for thinking of me! 🙂