is where I landed today! And it also signals my third birthday blogging.Has it really been more than three years since I spilled my guts to the world???

Yes, happy birthday to me…

No cake this year because my so called lovely bacon has run off to join the circus instead of baking the weekend away. He’s back today,but it kinda spoils everything don’t it?

*bawwwwl*

Do you feel sorry for me yet? heehee.

I am, however, happier this birthday compared to the last. Mainly because I have got out of the toxic work environment that was my last workplace. With bacon moving jobs as well, we’re both better off financially as well, which is always helpful.

I am thankful for little joys, for friends made over the past year, little changes made in my own lifestyle and an inner happiness that I seemed to have acquire over the past year. I no longer look back in anger or strive for things I cannot achieve. I guess I am at peace with myself, another sign of old age! I used to believe that you can achieve anything that you put your heart to, but I have learnt that it is not nessacarily true. You just need re-routing, which is what I am doing with my life – re-routing.

So far I’ve got a watch, some gift vouchers and a toileteries gift set. I’m not materialistic at all with presents, all I ask for is that if someone’s giving me a present to be thoughtful about it and actually get me something you think that I will enjoy, rather than some crap shit even if it is expensive. Not to sound ungrateful, but giving a crap present just shows how unthoughtful and uncaring the giver is. Bizzarely enough my parents and the mil bought me a very similar card. Hmm. I’m off to work today, but am looking forward to my buffet lunch. Not sure where bacon’s bringing me tonight, but it better be somewhere really, really nice! And I want a really, really nice suprise present as well! *HINT HINT*. Yes, he reads this blog, he just never leaves any comment. Just like a stalker.

So, happy birthday to me. I have grand plans for celebrating my next in the land of Mars milkshake.

Can’t help myself, these are just so adorably cute!!! Couldn’t stop smiling when they came out.

Bottom (cake part) is scented with vanilla essence..just like real cake! Topped by jellied orange soap and an orange segment. YUMZ.

Packaging will probably be in an organza bag. With a big notice DO NOT EAT ME!

I’ve got all these ideas all coming in now…all excitable. This weekend is the last weekend I can spend soaping – next weekend is mayhem as my home is invaded by a hoard of relatives!

I called in sick today due to swollen,teary eyes. Hey, I think I’ve actually set a record here because the last time I called in sick was in january with tonsilitis – in my previous job I was sick every other month!

Anyway, my eyes are feeling better now but it’s still crying without any provocation from me. Not sure if it’s the hayfever working overtime or its just me rubbing with dirty fingers. Not nice.

As bacon usually works from home, whenever I am sick we would go out for a nice lunch – snotty nose and voiceless throats including. However, bacon had chosen to run off to the circus with the blokes, and I am all alone with no one to whinge at to bring me soup or tea….or just whinge.So I’ve spent the morning creating packaging, and here’s what I came out with:

Organza bow

The rustic twine

Twine on black

Obi twine

Yellow on wax

Simple black bar

My favourite is the last one, Simple black bar. I love the contrast of colors of the board with the logo and a tiny bit of the soap is visible (excuse the shoddy plastic wrapping). What would you, as a consumer, choose? Which packaging would entice you to splurge on a bar of handmade soap? Seeing that I created all of it, I really need help to decide, as I love all of them.

Yes, I know the website name is visible. No, it has not been officially launched, the weight/pricing/description is still work-in-progress, but I have actually started selling and needed to come out with packaging on the double. If you would like to purchase anything, please add it on and click cash on delivery when checking out – I will invoice you with the total price including shipping. Yes, shipping and checkout is also slightly mad at the moment. SIGH. Trying to doubly function as my own helpdesk which is getting slightly crazy.

Official launch will be in mid-end july.Any offers of help in configuration/ideas is very much welcomed.

Feedback (or purchases!) on the actual site is very welcomed. Please visit http://www.cleanducky.com

And vote here for your favourite packaging!

Presenting my first bulk order…

10 kissables blush lipbalms – 4 Orange blossoms, 3 Strawberry Sunshine & 3 Cherry Blossoms

All prettily wrapped up in organza because she’s giving them away to friends, which hopefully will return to buy another 10 more each.

Go me!

Just today, I’ve made one large soap, three bath bombs, one bath bar and a batch of lip balm. Running out of time to clean the house..arrrgh.

Here’s a sneak peek of what I’ve been working on the past week.

Barking up the wrong twee is made out of pure tea tree essential oil, perfect for spotty backs and pimply face.

Citrus slices embedded in clear soap. Scented with lovely pure orange and lime essential oil. Yumz

Yummie lip balms. Made from bacon’s bees. Actually, it’s bacon senior that used to own bees, and these are his own beeswax. Yes, literally home made beeswax. It really is fab, when I manage to make a good batch . Do not fret, made a lovely batch today that’s good to go. My bestseller, even though I have not started marketing them officially yet!

Ok I think it’s enough teasing for the moment .