Support Local/Homemade.....and a *GIVEAWAY!*

So you might remember how I subtly left Josh the MapQuest directions to the llama farm where I wanted some handmade soap for Mother's Day. I know he could have gotten just any fancy soap gift baskets from a national store for the same amount of money..... but buying homemade and supporting work-at-home moms/local businesses is very important to me. (plus no store can even come close to feeding my addiction like a nice big chunk of home-made goat's milk soap)

It's pretty obvious as I have my own two online businesses that helps our home with a little extra income. I feel blessed and so thankful when I receive orders knowing that these people decided to spend some of their hard earned money on one of my creations. I know that my little $12 tees will never make me "rich" in the sense of what this world considers "rich".......but I *am* rich in reward that I am helping spread the word on what is important to me.......God and family.
(btw......a little shameless plug.......use BLOGGING at checkout for 20% at Little Earth Angels all summer! *not valid on gift certificates or Mothering subscriptions)

Knowing that you are helping a mom stay home with her children is one reason it feels good to buy from a WAHM (work-at-home-mom). Buying your fruits and veggies from farmer's markets is what keeps food on the local farmer's family table. Not to mention, I don't know about you.....but one less episode of crazy drivers or cranky people in the check out line is reason enough for me to buy handmade items.

You also are buying products where attention to detail is important. Most are one of a kind items where as skill and craftsmanship is absent with mass production.

Another thing to think about, my fellow tree huggers........most handmade items are made from natural (or as close to natural as you can get) as opposed to mass marketed items.....which also contributes to many environmental effects such as global warming and the poisoning of our air, water and soil.

So I wanted to brighten a friend's day and decided to grab her a couple of bars of soap for a little pick-me-up. I like to spread the love around.....so I went browsing at one of my favorite Etsy soap mama's shop.... Bath Artisan Soaps. I found myself drooling over all of her choices and completely unable to make up my mind. I am tempted to grab a couple bars of Blue Rush Spa Salt Bar for my next spa night. But the Jojoba Shea is screaming my name too!

You also will find yourself truly entertained by the creative names of her creations....I think my favorite this virtual shopping splurge are Sand in Your Speedo I laughed out loud when I saw her Ugly Betty Hand Made Cosmetically Challenged and The Bailout Bar and the witty descriptions. And loved the prices even more! I will promise you that you will not be disappointed with the quality of these oversized luxury pieces of Heaven!

And not only is Leann, the mama behind the lather, talented.....she is also generous. She is offering one of my friends (that would be you!) a couple of bars for FREE. Yep....that's right....you will get TWO full size bars of her best sellers sent right to your home so you can have your own little luxury experience on us.

(*disclaimer.....I cannot be responsible for any addictions that arise from these said experiences)

All you need to do.....is pop on over to Bath Artisan's Soap's Etsy shop and let us know what your favorite scent(s) would be.....come on back and leave a comment and you are *in* this giveaway. If you feel like spreading the word with Twitter, a blog post, Facebook.....give yourself another entry. Become a subscriber to my blog.....grab another one. Make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry. It's easy! I'll pick a winner over the weekend.....but if you don't want to rely on Random.Org generator to determine your luxury fate and want to grab a bar while you wait......Leann is having a FREE Shipping offer until May 25 for my blogging buddies. Just note Early Bird Special at checkout in the "notes to seller" section and all shipping charges will be refunded.

OK, I think my final choice is her Patchouli Honey Bar made with cocoa butter and clay.....because nothing tickles my hippy heart than a fresh whiff of Patchouli!

So reminding others about the importance of supporting WAHMs, local family businesses and handmade Works For Me This Wednesday......(and *FREE* works for me too!)......join in on the fun over at We Are That Family's blog for more great links and tips!

Peace, love and stay barefoot~

*~Michelle~*