Damn You, Ylang ylang

I was readying to sit down and begin some perfume work today and forgot the midnight madness blending flurry from last night. Carefully picking up a handful of pipettes to clear the table, it happened. The damn ylang ylang(1st) again. It not only got on my hand but on my clothing. I went I washed my hands, again and again. I changed my clothes. Nope.
I wiped my fingers down with alcohol and I even wiped around my nose in case I had accidentally touched my face. Wash, rinse repeat.
DAMN YOU, YLANG YLANG! I do not need you today and you are now banished to the cabinet and not allowed out. I can smell you from here. I am off to change - again.

Wikipedia:

The name ylang-ylang is derived from Tagalog, either from the word ilang, meaning "wilderness", alluding to its natural habitat, or the word ilang-ilan, meaning "rare", suggestive of its exceptionally delicate scent.[citation needed] A more widely accepted translation is "flower of flowers".[3] The plant is native to the Philippines and Indonesia and is commonly grown in Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia.

I'm no artist, but ...

Managed to get some soap made this week! 3 new soap selections will be ready in 4 weeks! I admit to not being as happy with the final look of the soaps upon completion but that's what you get when you work with natural colorants in cold process soap-making. Sometimes it's a surprise. It's probably why I still love cutting new logs of soap each time.

1- A sunshine yellow bar with all natural colorants as always Lavender Mailette, 5-fold Sicilian Orange and May Chang essential oils. Rich in avocado and olive oils.This bar is more lavender than citrus right now. We shall see how it smooths out over the curing time.

2- A dark yellow bar - Plumeria blend, 5x orange and ginger essential oils. A touch of pink Argelitz clay. Rich in avocado and olive oils.

3- A a cream colored bar with subtle wisps of gray - 5x Sicilian Lemon, fresh ginger co2, black tea blend. Rich in avocado and olive oils. My husband says this bar smells just like fresh apricots to him! I found that interesting since I happen to love the scent of fresh apricots. Bonus!

Off to pack an order and work on 2 custom natural perfume orders in progress.

Hope you are warm and dry. We are set for rain all this next week. Rained all night.

Tracy

Waxing poetic

I know what you must be thinking ... this chick never updates her blog. I know, I know, it's been too long -- but I am back!

February 15th happens to be my brothers birthday. My Aunts birthday is on Feb 14th, Valentines Day!

Well, would you believe my new sister, Paulette's birthday is also on Feb 15th?! Kind of wild! Some of you may recall reading my story here back in late April or May of last year. I found my biological family after 41 years and have a full sister who is 10 months older than me. I grew up in a great family as the youngest child of 3. My two older brothers and me as the baby.

I can't tell you how my life has changed in a way I never thought it would. It is still very surreal.

So, this brings me to Valentine's Day. It is an over sensationalized commercial holiday I am first to admit. However, I am an undeniable romantic deep at heart. My husband and I don't often do anything for the day and it suits us just fine for the most part. Except, all of the sudden I am feeling all gooey and sentimental. Perhaps I have been huffing too much jasmine sambac absolute.

What scent says love to you? I am not a rose girl because it often triggers headaches for me but I can use in in tiny amounts in a formula.

The scents that say love to me would by jasmine sambac, cardamom, cocoa absolute, vetiver, spices, orange blossom, tuberose absolute. I could go on and on so I guess I will just stop there.

Visit the website to catch our Valentine's Days Sale being posted now through midnight 2-15-2011.