Who doesn't love Nutella? Ok, I'm sure a few people don't, but lots of us do and if you're looking for a delicious gift to give this holiday season read on...

Every year at this time I bake lots of goodies for gift giving. A little decorative box from the dollar store, some cookies and of course SOAP make such a cute little gift. The fact that the goodies inside are handmade make it even better and unique.

I usually make these really simple treats with peanut butter, but this year I decided to try something different.

Nutella Ritz Cookies

• 2-4 Rolls of Ritz Crackers (the snowflake ones are extra festive if you can find them)
• a Jar of Nutella (not the small jar)
• 1 package of Chocolate Almond Bark (Candy Coating, 24 oz)
• parchment paper

First, smear a small amount of Nutella onto a cracker and then top with another cracker (make little Nutella cracker sandwiches). Do this until you have desired amount of sandwiches. I used two rolls of crackers and still have some of the candy coating left.

Next line up the sandwiches on a baking sheet and pop into the freezer for about 10 minutes. While they are freezing line another baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a microwave safe bowl melt the chocolate bark. I start with a minute, then mix and zap it at 30 second intervals after that until melted and smooth. Be careful not to over cook or the chocolate will burn.

Once the chocolate is melted and sandwiches frozen drop the sandwiches into the chocolate one at a time. Use a fork to flip the cookie (now we can call them cookies). Once the cookie is evenly coated with chocolate, pick it up with the fork and tap gently on the edge of the bowl to remove any excess coating. Place on parchment lined baking sheet and continue until you have coated all of the cookies in chocolate. If your bark starts to harden up you can zap it for another 30 seconds. Once finished, let the cookies sit until the chocolate has hardened. Now package them in cello bags and tie with cute ribbon (if you don't eat them all first).

Happy baking! Wishing you Blissful showers, baths and Holidays! -Cassie

Yesterday at a craft fair in Madison NH I had several customers asking about fragrances.

The first question I was asked was "what does fragrance mean, what's in it?" This is a tricky question to answer because fragrance oils are protected under trade secret meaning that the companies who make them do not need to give out their ingredient list. What I can tell you is that I only purchase high quality oils from reputable suppliers. I personally have very sensitive skin and have never had a problem however that doesn't mean that you won't if you have sensitivities. There are many potential components in a fragrance oil and because they are trade secret narrowing down a specific allergen is impossible. This is why someone might be able to use one fragrant lotion without issue, but another one might cause a reaction. This leads me to question two...

"I can't do fragrance, do you have anything that is unscented?" Yes I designed the Plain Jane product line to be free from fragrance as well as colorants. Currently available are a Plain Jane Butter and Lip Blam. I will be cooking up a Plain Jane Soap tonight and have a lotion in the works as well. The Blissful Baby Line is also fragrance free and might be particularly beneficial to those with sensitive skin because they also contain Colloidal Oatmeal. Another product to consider that is fragrance free is the Soothing Bliss Tub Truffle which is a fragrance, colorant and bubble bath free version of our Tub Truffle with Colloidal Oatmeal added.

Essential Oils didn't come up in conversation yesterday, but I have some important facts to bring up about them. Number one being that if you have certain health conditions such as epilepsy or if you are pregnant there are certain essential oils to avoid. If you have any concerns you should consult your physician. Number two is that because of that I label the specific essential oils that I use in products under Ingredients.

I hope this helps answer questions that anyone might have as always, feel free to contact me with any other questions. Wishing you Blissful showers and baths. -Cassie