Latherati is closing its' doors...

It is with deep regret that Latherati Soap Foundry, as we know it, is closing its' doors. The Going Out of Business Sale will kick off this Friday, October 14 with 20% off of everything in the shop. The discount will continue to increase as the closing date of December 30, 2011 approaches.

The future...

With optimistic hope, Latherati will be taking a new direction in the New Year. Tentatively renamed Libris Fragrances, a new product line is being developed that will initially include spray perfume, solid & roll-on perfumes and will expand to include candles and other home fragrance products. Many of the current Latherati fragrances will still be available while others get reformulated and all will be relaunched in new upscale packaging.

I want to thank all of you for your support and loyalty. I truly appreciate every one of you. While it saddens me to close Latherati, an exciting new venture is underway!


- julie

Moving into Fall

And so here we go again....moving, that is. After a crazy busy summer spent at my beloved lake house, the time has come to move yet again. While I will miss the lake and the sunsets and the sweet cows at the farm next door, I will be returning to my childhood home where my dear mother of 84 is in need of care. It's to benefit us both I think and perhaps improve a relationship that has needed tending for some years now. Getting a bit personal now...my relationship with my mother has always been tumultuous. Still seeking the motherly approval I so desperately wanted growing up, I'm at a point (finally!) where I'm able to let go of her expectations and start living my own. And now we must get used to living with each other, let subtle insults roll off my back, ignore the judgments and disapproval of a life I'm trying to create that I truly believe in but she will never understand.

Perhaps this will be a lesson to make me a stronger woman. I have no regrets, no resentments. This is to be a true test in my ability to understand the woman who raised me. How many of you struggle with your relationship with your mother?

one of these things is not like the other :-) and he's my favorite!

In Latherati news, Gypsy is about to be launched! Inspired by The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo, Gypsy is a complex blend with base notes of amber, vanilla, honey, incense and musk with top notes of jasmine and orange blossom. The florals kick off the scent but the dry down is so warm and intoxicating. Look for the roll-on perfume and body cream at the Latherati shop by early October.

Also ready to hit the shelves is Moxie, inspired by A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. First, let me say that I am in love with the scent name! If you don't think Francie Nolan has moxie, read the book again! I absolutely adore Francie, not only because of her love of books but she has a strength of spirit you don't find every day. Moxie is a mosaic of old wood tenements (sandalwood, mahogany and oak), musk, cherry penny candy, raspberry and grapefruit.

xoxo, julie

The Epitome of Summer...and soap too :-)

Long awaited supplies have arrived and the soap making has recommenced! A batch a day for the next eight days. Gloom was made yesterday and will be available in the Latherati shop soon. Alter Ego, Blossom, The Cobb, Curiouser, Fanciful, Sinister and Tara are next. Also, La Mar, inspired by The Old Man & the Sea, is on the agenda to be soaped. I've had many requests for masculine scents and this one should do the trick. I'm thinking this should be an upcoming Challenge! So, stay tuned and be ready to offer up some "masculine" reads.

On a personal note, this lake house is proving to be one of my saving graces. It has brought more peace to me that I ever thought a place could provide. And for that, I am grateful. Here's how we are enjoying it.

dipping of toes in the lake

a roaring fire

watching a full moon rise over the hills

jumping off the water trampoline

Today is my Birthday!

Hop on over to the Latherati shop and celebrate my 41st birthday! Use coupon code: HAPPY41 to save 41% on EVERYTHING in the shop! Valid June 25, 2011 only!

Jane Eyre...Thornfield

The much anticipated Jane Eyre soap is on the curing rack! A gorgeously complex blend of bergamot, pine and wild violets with hints of tangerine, neroli, green moss, florals of heather, hyacinth and jasmine and a touch of pear and chamomile. Base notes of fall leaves and Mr. Rochester's cigar make this an intriguing scent.


I'm tentatively calling the new Jane Eyre-inspired fragrance Thornfield. A number of you suggested it so those that did will be getting a free bar! (I'll email you soon). I truly appreciate those that took the time to respond to my quest for a name.

On to make the companion products in this fragrance. I'll keep you posted :-)

Cheers!

Bust & Tattoos & Mountains, oh my!

The line formed down and around the block! Goody bags to the first 300 shoppers was enticing!

The Bust Spring Craftacular was fantastic! Met some existing customers (I LOVE to put a face to a name!), made some new friends and had an overall amazing experience. I loved the venue, the art, the food, the people.

Our hotel was near ground zero and so was this sign. It was four times as long as this pic. Eye opening.

If you squint, you can see the Statue of Liberty :-)

Those that signed up for the Latherati newsletter at the show were entered in a drawing for a gift from Latherati...a signed copy of Samantha Hunter's new romance novel, Mine Until Morning, along with a bar of soap and solid perfume inspired by the book. Kasey was the winner! Congrats Kasey :-) I've notified her and she'll be getting her Latherati package soon. I hope she loves it. I have a couple more bars left and a number of signed books so I'll be coming up with ideas for giveaways soon.

My latest tattoo..."Find your strength". It was the right time recently for me to get a new tattoo and this was exactly the phrase I needed. I feel that when you have a struggle in your life, whether it be about love, friends, family, work, etc., you need to dig down deep and find a strength you didn't know you had to get through it. The human spirit is incredibly resilient and I'm learning that finding that strength is empowering and you come out a stronger person for it. Hope it inspires you to get through whatever challenge you may be facing.

Black Bear Mountain, Adirondacks

Climbing mountains helps too ;-) Here's the view from the top of Black Bear Mountain in the Adirondacks. Breathtaking views, a few rocks to scale and a gratification like no other.

Just noted: Nothing too work-related in this post. But I have news I'll share soon!

Busy, busy...

This week is time for buckling down and gearing up for the Bust show in NYC this Saturday. Today's accomplishment?

- 80 bottles of roll-on perfume
- 40 solid perfumes
- 40 lip glossaries

All made, packaged and labeled. Phew! I've been playing Mumford & Sons all day, on repeat. Here's my favorite song.



Oh and if you come to the Latherati booth and sign up for my newsletter, you'll be entered in a drawing to win a gift basket with a signed copy of "Mine Until Morning" by Samantha Hunter, along with a full-size bar of soap and a promo size solid perfume, custom blended for the book by moi :-) A delicious honey-almond blend. This is the book where the heroine (Tessa Rose) is a soapmaker and get this...I was the inspiration. I was even acknowledge in the book! A very proud moment for me.

I'm also very proud and honored to have been picked up by two stores this past week. I'm still working on the orders but you'll soon find Latherati products at:

- Paper Hat, a new brick & mortar in Minneapolis, MN - "like" their Facebook fanpage!
- The Soapbox Company - an online retailer completely dedicated to offering the very best in indie bath & body.

So, after a long and exhausting (but extremely gratifying!) day, I'm ready for bed. G'nite all.