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LAST WEEK'S QUESTION: During the 1920's, a group of people joined forces to form an organization designed to encourage people to bathe. They arranged to distribute comics to public schools that contained the lyrics to a song that eventually became the advertising theme for Proctor & Gamble's Ivory soap. The lyrics were: "clean hands and hearts may hope to find the way to happiness using lots of soap."

Be the first to provide the name of the group and win a sample of "The CO2 Crew," one of the signature aromatic skincare blends featured in "Making Aromatherapy Creams & Lotions"! The ADDITIONAL PRIZE is an autographed copy of my book!!

Read contest rules at www.handmadebeauty.com/htns_Newsletter.htm

Join me and my apprentices for "SoapMaking For Gift Giving & Pleasure" at The Smile Herb Shop in College Park, Maryland on December 2, from 11:00am to 2:00pm. Q&A and Booksigning to follow! Learn how to make your own soap from scratch using natural ingredients, and take some of our newly made soap home with you!! To register, call Smile at (301) 474-8791.

Congratulations to HBN member Kathleen Lewis of Kathleen Lewis Beauty Worldwide in New York City! Kathleen's 100% beeswax travel candles are featured on page 340 of the November issue of In Style magazine. Narcissus fragrance (which I can personally tell you is delicious) and a Verbena fragrance are pictured. Kathleen tells me that Courtney Love raves about her line of Narcissus products! (I guess that would be the one thing Ms. Love and I have in common ...) Congrats again Kathleen!

~ Buttermilk Silk Handmade Soap by Creekside Soaps
$3.50 ~ 3.5-4oz

This soap is great! I first tried it after I returned from a tropical paradise vacation where I got way to much sun! My stayed dry and flaky for 3 weeks in a row. But let me tell you, one shower using this soap speaks volumes! This bar is chock full of oils and even real silk to moisturize your body. The lather is rich and abundant (and you know how much I like lather). There really is not much of a scent to the bar itself, I can describe it as a light baby powder fragrance which works just fine for me. You know how you see the commercials where you put baby oil on before you get out of the shower to "lock-in" the moisture. Well you don't have to do that with Buttermilk Silk, it's an all in one bar. My skin feels quenched, soft, moisturized and is lightly scented. I think I am going to have to order a few more bars of this just to get ready for the cold blistery weather that lies ahead this winter ... it does such damage to unprotected skin! Buttermilk Silk Soap is available at www.creeksidesoap.com.

~ Noble deeds and hot baths
       are the best cures for depression. -- Dodie Smith

How excited I am to see autumn arrive in force!! I'm blessed to live in a part of the US where the change of seasons, no matter which ones, always brings about increased vigor and new discoveries. There are several wonderful things about the autumn season. The leaves on the trees prance with renewed vibrancy, as if to take full advantage of one last chance to show off their remarkable colors. The chance to pull out those warm and cozy sweaters is another great reason to welcome fall. And of course, tea seems to taste so much better when there is a slight chill in the air.

I am especially attentive to the change of my moods that often accompanies decreased exposure to natural sunlight. So perhaps the best thing about the arrival of fall is that it allows me to rediscover the pampering bath. I have made a ritual of The Sunday Night Bath and it just seems so much more special when the fall arrives. As Dodie Smith knew, the bath is a great way to wash the blues away! Candles and soft music, a soft pillow under my neck; maybe a book, maybe not. But *definitely* some essential oils, and sometimes herbs as well. Today's recipe is designed to help you brave the new season with confidence and excitement.

I suggest making this aromatherapy blend a few days before you will use it so the aromas can mellow together. The chosen oils inspire confidence and a positive outlook. This is the perfect gift for a friend who is feeling blue. Place the oils into a sampler vial. Inscribe Dodie Smith's quote (above) on a little card and tie it to the vial with a pretty ribbon. Give it to a friend with the below instructions for use. Be sure to use high quality oils for the best and most enjoyable results!

2 drops clary sage essential oil
2 drops ylang ylang essential oil
1 drop jasmine absolute

While this is just 5 drops of oil, it is a very powerful blend. (You can double it only if you have a Jacuzzi sized tub, but start with this proportion as I have found it sufficient for even a large tub.) Combine the oils together in a small vial and allow to rest for a few days. To use, after drawing a warm (not hot!) bath, place the oil into the tub and swish very vigorously to disperse the oils before getting into the tub. (If you do not disperse the oil well, it can tend to gravitate toward your skin and could irritate it.)

Take deep, long breaths and exhale slowly as you relax, release tension and feel refreshed. This oil combination always renews and inspires me. I hope you enjoy it too!!