SHOP CLOSURE NOTICE (may be temporary - still unsure at this point)

If you haven't been over to etsy in the past week,  you may not have seen this notice, so I wanted to be sure to post this here as well...

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I'm sorry to announce that I have to put The Garden Bath on a hiatus for several months (at the least - I will have to reassess the situation after that time).  I have an autoimmune condition that has unfortunately given me some trouble and, due to that plus stress and lack of sleep, caused some related health problems that I need to deal with.

I hate to abandon my wonderful, loyal customers and to shut down so quickly without much warning, but I have been working WAY too much for too long and my health has suffered and I just need to take care of myself for now.

I've been contacting every customer who has an outstanding order with me and can offer you the option to still receive your order or the option to get a full refund if you would prefer.  I'm still capable of wrapping up these last orders but can't take any more after this.  There are also a few people who haven't used all their gift certificates yet, and I will still be able to ship your orders when you're ready or offer a refund for the unused portions (several people are in discussions about custom orders to use their gift certificates and I can still do those or offer a refund as needed).


**** I love you guys & am sorry! ****

Thank you for over 2 wonderful years on etsy & artfire and for all the SWEET and supportive e-mails and comments.  You guys are the reason that I love selling online!

Please feel free to contact me and I'll be sure to reply ASAP.


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I will be updating my blog periodically with random updates on my life & any potential shop reopening dates (even if they're only temporary openings), so check back here soon...

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And after such sad news, I need something to cheer me up, so I'll sign off with a few more pics of kitty cuteness:

This is my new kitten, Max, again...this time sleeping on his back under my computer desk (he loves belly rubs and has absolutely ZERO shame about sleeping on his back like that)!  lol

And another pic of him snuggling with his older "sister" Malia (who's still not super happy with him, but every now & then lets him get a LITTLE cuddly with her).   :)

And one last pic, since I've never posted one of Malia...this is my favorite picture of her. She's almost 14 years old now and is the best cat ever. She sleeps with her head on my arm at night like I'm her own personal pillow, sits up to beg for treats just like a dog, follows me everywhere I go, and has the most BEAUTIFUL bright gold eyes.

This is her looking outside after a big storm (don't worry - she's an indoor-only cat, so she's not outside begging to get in or anything), watching me take pics of flowers, etc. with raindrops on them.  This is NOT retouched...her eyes are really that gold!  :)

Take care you guys!!

Updates - autumn LE's, lip butters, spring LE's, & new regular scent!

Just wanted to post a quick update regarding the Autumn Limited Edition Scents...

Last day to get them is tomorrow - through midnight 1/31!

Scents that will return next autumn (9/1/10):
Chai Tea
Gingerbread Cookies
Mulled Cider

Scent that will NOT return again - last chance:
Maple Pecan

Scent that I'm still undecided on - was not a huge seller, but the people who tried it liked it.  If you want me to bring back this one next year, please let me know - here or on etsy:
Carrot Cake

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Other news - the Luscious Lip Butters will be returning by Monday 2/1!

I will probably be adding a few LE flavors in the next month or two, but for now - the flavor lineup:

Black Cherry

Like biting into a perfect juicy Black Cherry. This flavor is tart and sweet and very, very strong!

Chocolate Cake

Dark, rich and almost sinful, like a scrumptious piece of moist devil's food cake. This is not like sweet milk chocolate, it's darker - yum!

Coconut Lemongrass

An exotic tropical flavor that pairs milky coconut with tart lemongrass for a fresh, adult flavor.

Fresh Spearmint

A refreshing blast of fresh spearmint that will help you feel cool even on a hot summer day!

Honey Bee

Bzzzzz - this golden, sweet honey flavor has all the great taste of real honey without the stickiness! Vegans take note - there is no real honey in this, so it's still animal-safe for you, just like all my other flavors! :)

Key Lime Pie

An amazingly realistic key lime pie that is so tart and delicious and you can even smell the meringue and crust too - you won't believe it!

Lemon Drop Candy

Tart and sweet at the same time, just like those sugar-coated lemon drop candies that you love! *note - this is replacing the Lemon Cheesecake from last year - it's much more tart and sweet with no buttery vanilla notes like the Lemon Cheesecake - it's stronger too!*

Mango Peach Sorbet

Combining the best of these two fruits, delicious mango and peach tango in this cool, creamy treat!

Morning Brew

A coffee-lover's dream...now you can have the delicious coffee flavor that you love all day long - without the caffeine!

Pineapple Orange

Yum - sweet and juicy pineapple & orange, just like a tropical drink!

Pink Lemonade

Sweet & tart lemonade with strawberries and sugar - the essential frosty summer beverage! If you tried our Pink Lemonade Summer Limited Edition fragrance last year, then you'll really love this...same scent now in a lip butter!

Spiced Chai Tea

A warm, spicy blend of Earl Grey Tea with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and other spices.

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♥♥   SPRING 2010 LIMITED EDITIONS  -  WILL ARRIVE on 3/1/10  ♥♥

I'm still finalizing the testing and lineup of the new Spring 2010 scents, but I can tell you a few things now.  These two scents will be returning from last year since everyone seems to love them:

■ Garden Greens ■
Very green and herbal, with notes of peppermint, eucalyptus, thyme, and hints of ginger, along with a base of amber and musk to anchor everything - really zingy & refreshing!

■ Honey Blossom ■  
This is not the sickly sweet honey you may have smelled before - instead, it's like raw honey: honey nectar with a floral touch of honeysuckle and jasmine, with a little bit of vanilla - soft and sweet!


And some of the other scents I'm currently testing:
Strawberry Kiwi
Heather & Hyacinth
Calla Lily (or a lily / orchid / rose bouquet blend)
Sweet Pea (I've never smelled a sweet pea, so I'm enlisting my mom's help & a friend who's a floral person - lol)
Fresh Cucumber (or a Cucumber / Marine / Kelp spa-like blend)
pomegranate blend (I'm loving this so far - pomegranate, peach, strawberry, orange)
coconut creme Easter egg - like the Cadbury creme eggs (may be a special LE for a month only)

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BAD NEWS......DISCONTINUED SCENT:
Raspberry Seeds has unfortunately been discontinued due to a supplier issue & the fact that I can't find a good replacement!  I'm so sorry!

GOOD NEWS......NEW REGULAR SCENT (The Orchard Collection):
This will replace Raspberry Seeds as a regular fragrance in The Orchard. I love it & hope you will too! This will be in the shop by next weekend (2/6 - 2/7).

■  Blackberry Seeds  ■
Realistic wild blackberry scent that you would swear are fresh-picked right off the vine - pure berry goodness.

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Well, that's all the official updates I have for now!  Before I go, I have to share one more pic of my new kitty, Max.  Isn't he adorable?!?!!!   :)  Oh...by the way...YES, that is a leopard-print couch and YES, in spite of my best efforts with the lint roller & vacuum, it's already half-covered with Max hair!  lol