When I was twentyfive I traded in the pressures of New York City living for a pair of calloused hands and a manure fork, and set out to work on organic farms across the states, and in Ireland. I had studied the arts from early childhood and in college, but it wasn't until after harvesting carrots, gathering eggs, and leading the cows out to pasture, did I truly understand music and dance to be celebrations of who we are, and all that the earth gives us. And as I learned in the years to come the necessary skills (including the many uses of bailing twine and duct tape) in maintaining a more self-sustaining way of life, I wrote tunes for my flute, tin whistle, and banjo, as a testament to the people, places, and challenges I met along the way.

Though for nine years with every natural soap I tried, my hands remained rough and work stained. Nor could I find a soap with a rich lather gentle enough for my sensitive skin. Then one day on a whim I bought a book on soap making and attempted to make my own, but every recipe produced disappointing, and even disastrous results. However I persevered, and after many failed attempts, during which time I moved to Burlington Vermont, I came up with the rich blend of oils for my Latherly Soaps recipe two years later. Whew! 

I also studied the benefits of, and developed my own aromatherapy essential oil blends. Every one of therm took weeks, months, and even years to get just right, as I wasn't satisfied until "oohs" and "aahs" were exclaimed with with the first whiff of all who tried my soap. Finding the right botanicals and other natural ingredients also took some doing, but at long last I came up with a product I could be proud of - an aromatic soap with a bubbelicious lather gentle enough to wash my face with. It also makes a great shampoo bar! What more could I ask?

It is with this same dedication that I have created all of my Latherly Soaps products, and my Winter Time, Any Time Recipes From A Vermont Kitchen Cook Book. I hope you will give my Latherly Soaps  try, and see for yourself what a delight for the senses they are. Enjoy!

                                                             Mara McReynolds, owner and maker of Latherly Soaps