Sushi, Anyone?

Recently, my brother, John, introduced me to sushi. I always had this 'omg it is raw fish' thing in my head, convinced that it would taste nasty. That it would be slimy and just plain gross. Well, I have to admit that my younger brother was more than right, the sushi was firm and flavorful. I enjoyed it so much that I posted a restaurant review and got a bit teased for it! After all, I surely wasn't an expert after only eating it once!

Even though I'm a newbie to the world of sushi, I have to say that I've always been just blown away by Midohana's Bento Boxes. Shown above is just one of her cute, resuable bento boxes filled with sushi. Oh, but this isn't the type of sushi that you eat. This is the type of sushi that you wash with! Yup, that's right, you're looking at one of the most artistic and clever ideas I've seen in a long time: Sushi soap!

I asked Elsie how she came up with the idea. Even over the sterile environment of email, her answer was clear. She loves sushi. It's her favorite food and so naturally, she thought of taking her two passions--sushi and soap--and combining them for all of us!

A SAHM (stay at home mom for those of you not quite as internet savvy as moi), she likes the ability to be creative and explore her talent while still being available for her family. I like win/win situations. Or rather, win/win/win. Cause Elsie can stay home (win). She can explore her creative side (win). And we get the results (BIG WIN!).

I've been enthralled by Midohana (www.midohana.etsy.com) for a long time. We're part of the same Etsy 'street team' (a collection of folks who work to promote each others' product) called the Soaper Stars. She's posted pictures of her beautiful soap and I have always known that if I ever open another store, having her bento boxes in inventory would be a must (psst, haven't talked to her about it, so keep it on the down low, ok?)

So, if you're like me and are looking for a way cool gift (I finally have something for the 'brother who has everything' John. And John, if you are reading this, completely forget about it, dude...cause you're getting one for your birthday...or Christmas next), you cannot go wrong with these boxes. Available as shown, or in other colors or combinations, anyone who gets one of these will be thrilled.

Did I mention that the 'ginger' and 'wasabi' are soap, too? OMG.....

The genuine bento box is reusable, of course. So two gifts for one price! Just $17.50 (and I am not sure if that is in US $ or Canadian $ but no matter, it is a reasonably priced gift), get two. Because I'm positive you won't wanna give it up when you see it.

Helllooo out there!

This is my inaugural post in this blog. Coincidence that it happened now? Maybe so, but I'm not so sure. Every 4 years, Americans try something (or someone) new. And maybe that's just what is happening here...

One thing for sure, I do know that reading this blog should not give you heart failure (over mounting deficits). I'm not posting pithy comments courtesy of talking heads. Nah, I'm just into talking about what, to use my dad's earthy comment, blows my socks off.

That is, what makes me smile. What makes me swoon. And what makes me think that you'll like it too? Well, that is a good question. I honestly don't know. I hope you will. I hope you read this and come back and read some more. I've been told (and not just by doting family) that I'm kinda funny at times.

Yeah, ok, I'm kinda funny looking, too, but that isn't what we are talking about here...

What we ARE talking about is...well, (and please don't dissect the grammar....consider this like a novel you had to read in high school English....train of thought? Nah, that isn't right....don't worry, I'll figure it out...)

we are talking (or at least I am) about great products. Fabulous things. The type of products that make you just feel all gooshy inside. Yes, 'gooshy' is a word. At least in my dictionary it is... Things made by hand and not in a far away sweatshop. I'm taking real artisan products, made with love, born out of creativity and the need to make something tangible out of the intangible thoughts of the creator (and if THAT isn't deep enough for ya...well....)

A bit about me, just so you know where I'm coming from. I'm a single parent of two teenagers. One of them is about to join the US Army. The other is in high school. We have two cats and one dog and one hamster (at least I think we still have a hamster....the little critter is damn quiet and lives in daughter's room.) But as the cats and the corgi seem to camp out under my feet or on top of my computer mouse, I always know they exist.

(ok it was stream of consciousness....knew I'd eventually remember!)

I make stuff. I make soap and lotion bars. I make wonderful lip balms and perfume. I make candles and all sorts of smelly things. And yeah, I'm going to promote my stuff, too. Because my stuff does make me all gooshy inside. Truly, it does. But I'm also going to promo other great handcrafted artisans. I have convos all over Etsy right now, asking for permission to use images and writing blurbs about their fantastic stuff. From art to jewelry, to pottery and fantastic wearables for yourself or your abode...

Because their stuff does indeed knock my socks off.

This is not going to be a blog where you write in and ask me to promo you. Hey, if you'd like to alert me to your magnificence, fine. There are only so many hours in a day and maybe I haven't typed in the right search criteria to find you yet. Nope, don't want any samples. I think bloggers who ask for freebies are just looking for something for nothing. (ok, that does make sense....doesn't it?) I love Etsy. Yup, I have a shop there: GoodScents. Right now, I'm having a big sale on all of my items. Reason? I'm putting up a brand NEW FABULOSO shop and I have to sell out the existing stock to make room on my shelves, in my wallet and in my head for the new stuff.

Trust me, you're gonna love it. It will blow your socks off. And make you all gooshy inside.

Well, that's enough for right now. Feel free to forward my link to your friends. Bookmark my page. Twitter about me. But come on back now, hear?