A Fragrant New Frontier

We’ve come a long way since Marco Polo. Today, with the same flourish that the proud Italian must surely have employed in showing off his “exotic” Eastern wares to an audience unaccustomed to cinnamon, cloves, fennel, and anise seed, not to mention noodles, our modern bath alchemists manipulate ever-bolder blends of flavors in their quest to create an original, irresistible body-pampering product. Some, such as uber-spice girl Dana Eskes of Moon Maiden Soap & Sundries, have plunged further along the bath merchant’s trade routes than others, as evidenced by her serendipitous discovery that goat’s milk soap works quite wonderfully in off-the-map flavors such as Turkish Mocha and Basmati Rice, lip butters with the essence of Gingersnap and Almond Biscotti, and body lotions in Kumquat and Coconut Lime Verbena varieties.

For all her adventurous offerings, however, it would be unfair to say she strays too far from the homegrown goodness of breadbasket America. Anyone who uses free-range goat’s milk fresh from her neighbor’s farm, and remembers to pay tribute to our collective Main Street memories with childhood flavors like Dreamsicle and Gooey Caramel, clearly hasn’t forgotten her roots. Shucks, there’s even a Candy Corn-scented candle in the mix. In summary, then, the Moon Maiden avatar is two parts aromatherapist, one part alchemist/adventurer, and 100% agreeable. And speaking of agreement, I’m certain we can all concur that those things which are free smell sweetest, which makes the following announcement all the more exciting: one lucky winner of today’s giveaway will be receiving a sample box of goodies which includes: one 4-ounce jar of the Vanilla Sugar Satin & Silk Body Cream (incidentally, one of the most luxurious substance we've come across) ; four 1-ounce bars of Goats Milk Soap in any scent; one 2-ounce bottle Shea Body Lotion in any scent; and one tube of Lip Butter in any flavor. To qualify, visit www.moonmaidensoap.etsy.com, then come back here to tell us about your favorite product. Tell us in a second post if you happen to subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 11/20/08.

**We have a winner! Starshine3 who said, "I would like to try the Dragonsblood Goats Milk Soap. Thanks for the great giveaway!"