Soap

I am currently going through an organic, handmade soap phase, together with an obsession with pancakes. Neither goes with the other, though. And I cannot explain why I am suddenly besieged with thoughts about either thing. That being said, I just ordered some soap from Saipua, a workshop based out of Red Hook, Brooklyn — which is a stone's throw from my apartment. I had initially seen the soap featured in the most recent Design Within Reach catalog, but since the soap people are based in Brooklyn, I decided to order from them directly. I guess I could ride my bike to their shop, but that requires too much actual planning ahead. And I am feeling lazy...I am eating peanut M&Ms as I write this.

From Saipua, I skipped over to Juniper Ridge, a company that makes organic soaps and other stuff from plants growing in the Pacific Northwest. I remember getting a catalog from them at one point a few years ago, and thinking to myself, "Wow, this is really nice!" And then I promptly threw the catalog into the recycling bin. However, their soaps look lovely, with their simple kraft paper labels silk screened with black imagery of the plants: coastal sage, siskiyou cedar, desert piñon, California bay laurel, etc.). There seems to be a theme, here. I am a sucker for handmade soap in very simple, handmade looking wrappers. And I might have to order some for holiday gifts. So everyone, if you suddenly get kraft paper wrapped homemade looking soap for the holidays, this is why.

All of this makes me wonder if online shopping for weird or esoteric items can be tied to hormonal flucuations. I mean, some pregnant women crave pickles or ice cream. And while I am certainly not pregnant, I feel rather like I am on a emotional roller coaster these days. Which might explain the pancakes postings and the organic soap cravings. Pretty much, I am desiring all things reminiscent of coziness. I was perusing a felted hot water bottle cover, and some linen slippers, at one point as well.