Purity: Handcrafted Artisan Soap by Me & The Boy

Ylang Lavender SLS-free soap from Me & The Boy

I highly recommend the Ylang Lavender SLS-free soap from Me & The Boy.   Clear undyed vegetable glycerin with a pretty baroque design betraying the lovely fact it was hand-poured in a small cottage industry batch.  It lathers, it smells lovely to me: that note of old-fashioned, unmasked, work horse soap smell.  I can use it on my farm and it won't pollute my stream.

(What's Sodium Lauryl Sulfate? Who Cares?

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - SLS - is an ingredient in many cleaning products, hygiene products, and toiletries we use daily. Its function is to remove grease and oil…but it does its job so well that it also causes health issues ranging from eczema to canker sores.

People with sensitive skin are particularly susceptible.

--Definition and text from Squidoo.com.)

Meet the maker of the soap and other products such as candles, bath products, and home decor: Tanya Picano of Toronto.  Her story inspires:

“Me and the boy is just that.  I am Tanya, and the boy is my son Val.  I have been a stay at home mom since his birth, I had no choice as my son had many issues.   He's almost 4 now.  Having ADHD and him as well, life can be very interesting…like many high needs kids needs alot of 1 on 1. 

Our company is based on the belief that our customers' needs are of the utmost importance.  I am committed to meeting those needs.  As a result, a high percentage of my business is from repeat customers and referrals.  We love custom requests and have a broad range of intrests.

I would welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and deliver you the best service and product I can.”

I bought her maple-scented soy candles for a shoot.  Loved them.  She's chock full of creative stuff.  Hurry over to Me & The Boy and see for yourself!

Until next time, stay shabby!

Sharing with:

White Wednesday at Faded Charm 

What's It Wednesday at Ivy & Elephants 

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style  

Favorite Things Thursday at Katherine's Corner 

Creative Things Thursday at The Vintage Farmhouse  

Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage 

Feathered Nest Friday at The French Country Cottage  

Farmhouse Friday at LaurieAnna's Vintage Home 

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground 

Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home 

Gift: Daria Pew

My dear friend Daria Pew keeps a blog full of nature and spirit.  If you love roses, you MUST visit.

She made the sweetest tissue box for me bearing glittering images of my Maltese dogs, the late Belle and Zuzu.   The graphics on the box are from Tattered Vintage.

Until next time, stay shabby!

Sharing with:

What's It Wednesday at Ivy & Elephants

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style 

Favorite Things Thursday at Katherine's Corner 

Creative Things Thursday at The Vintage Farmhouse

Feathered Nest Friday at The French Country Cottage  

Farmhouse Friday at LaurieAnna's Vintage Home 

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground 

Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home 

Sorry, but I’m not selling JDL after all...

I repeat, gentle reader, I'm really sorry.  And I love the magazine of course, but my life’s headed for major change again and I’ll need evenings and weekends free for it.

I'd like to extend special thanks to Sylvi of Little Cottage Shoppe for her mentoring.

You may order the magazine from US retailers such as:

Enchanted Treasures 

French Larkspur 

Savvy City Farmer  

The Sheep’s Nest 

Urban Farmhouse  

View the complete list at Jeanne d'Arc Living's website, just select your country in the drop down box. 

IF anyone’s finished with the April issue and wishes to pass it along, would you kindly email me?   

I have a customer that received one mangled.

Northern Magnolias

The sun was warm but the wind was chill.

You know how it is with an April day

When the sun is out and the wind is still,

You’re one month on in the middle of May.

But if you so much as dare to speak,

A cloud comes over the sunlit arch,

A wind comes off a frozen peak,

And you’re two months back in the middle of March.

from Bereft by Robert Frost

In the Catskill Mountains of New York, Magnolia x soulangiana is a popular landscape tree and one of the first to bloom.  They are deciduous and pink unlike the evergreen tree you see in the South.  Would love one near my cottage!

What is your favorite early spring blooming tree?

Until next time, stay shabby!

Karina’s Katrina Cottage Featured in Southern Living

Southern Living

My very dear friend Karina Gentinetta's New Orleans home was featured in Southern Living this month!

I shot her home in 2010, and it's amazing how a stylist will change a home to suit the editorial requirements of a magazine.  I saw her home in white, Southern Living wanted color. 

As you can see, Karina's talented at EVERYTHING. 

If you buy a copy of this magazine, do it!

Until next time, stay shabby!



Sharing with:

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

What's It Wednesday at Ivy & Elephants

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Favorite Things Thursday at Katherine's Corner

Creative Things Thursday at The Vintage Farmhouse

Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage

Feathered Nest Friday at The French Country Cottage

Farmhouse Friday at LaurieAnna's Vintage Home

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home