Tuesday, March 31, 2009

SAFE Team Spring Challenge

Vote and win a chance at a free bar of soap!

The call to soapy glory was put out by Anhoki. The challenge - "Pick a country, any country, then design your soap around that country. Inspiration may be a scent, an item (ie plate, flag etc), a memory, anything." So team members set out to make the most fabulous creative bars based on their country of choice. How do we know they are fabulous creative soaps, you might ask? Well... they are all made by Safe Team Members of course!

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, will be to browse the photos, read each team member's inspiration snippet, then decide who you think has used their country to create the most unique soap icon to represent. The winner, decided by popular vote, will win a gift certificate generously paid for by the participants and Kelly Bloom from Southern Soapers. Kelly has matched the entry fees paid by our participants - Thank you for your generosity Kelly and thank you to all our participating team mates!

To vote, just leave a comment here on our blog. All voters will have their names entered into a drawing to win the Spring Challenge winning bar! Plus, don't forget to stop on over at each participant's shop - many will have these bars available for purchase and some will be offering discounts in their stores for voters!

Now without any further fanfair... Here are our Spring Challenge Contest Entries!

1. A Breath of French Air -
A dirndl is a type of traditional dress worn in southern Germany and Austria, based on the historical costume of Alpine peasants. Dresses that are loosely based on the dirndl are known as Landhausmode.
The dirndl originated as a simplified form of folk costume; the uniform of Austrian servants in the 19th century (dirndlegewand means "maid's dress"). Simple forms were also worn commonly by working women in plain colours or a simple check. Originally, each village had its own style and crest. The Austrian upper classes adopted the dirndl as high fashion in the 1870s. Today, dirndls vary from simple styles to exquisitely crafted, very expensive models.
My family is from Germany and when I was in High School, I visited this wonderful Country. My soap represents the dirndl. The lightly colored layers represent the layers of the dress, and the fluffy white top represents the white puffy shirt worn under the outfit.




http://www.abreathoffrenchair.etsy.com/
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2. Lily Pond Soaps
I have always been fascinated by the colors used by artists in China. They are very vivid and without even studying their culture you get the feeling that color was and still is very important to their everyday life.

Traditional Chinese physics taught that the five elements are water, fire, wood, metal and earth. They correspond to black, red, blue-green, white and yellow, respectively.

Scent is Asian Plum: National emblem of China is plum blossom. The plum blossoms are the only flowers which blossom in peak winter season. Though the surrounding is colder and covered with thick snow; the plum blossoms keep on blooming. In this season, no other flower can sustain. As a result, the flower has become the symbol of survival.



http://www.lilypondsoaps.etsy.com/
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3. Anhoki -
Sun-drenched beaches, tropical breezes, Bob Marley, jerk chicken, rice and peas, Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee (My ALL-TIME favorite coffee).. Bacardi and coconut rum, banana liquor, cranberry and pineapple juice.....Jamaican Me Crazy here!!!
I've never been to Jamaica but, to me, it feels like home. I love the whole idea of being on the beach and literally minutes from EVERYTHING. The friendly people, wonderful food, atmosphere...What's NOT to love?!

My soap is a reflection of everything I love about Jamaica. The crystal blue water and the colorful people who call this awesome island home. A wonderful bouquet of rose, jasmine and geranium dances with a bowl of tropical berries lotus blossoms and vanilla orchid. Extraordinarily delicious.



http://www.anhoki.etsy.com/
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4. The Skin Your In -
The country I chose for my challenge soap is Ireland. My maiden name is Campbell and I always thought my heritage was Scotch/Irish, after my sister did some tracing of our ancestry, we are actually Scottish, German, with a little bit of French and Irish thrown in to make a hardy stew!

This is an excerpt from an Irish verse by an unknown author:

Whenever I dream, it seems I dream of Erin's rolling hills,
Of all its lovely, shimmery lakes & little babbling rills.
I hear a colleen's lilting laugh across a meadow fair,
And, in my dreams, it almost seems to me that I am there.
O, Ireland! O, Ireland! We're never far apart;
For you & all your beauty fill my mind & touch my heart.



http://www.theskinyourein.etsy.com/
~~~~~~~


5. Indulgent Creations -
Japan - I was inspired to make this soap from my fascination with the beauty of the Japanese Kimono. The furisode, a formal kimono for an adult single woman, is usually made from fine quality silk and is brightly colored and patterned. They are representative of a turning point in a young woman's life, the time when they become of age and are recognised as an adult. This soap, "Kimono", represents the beauty of the furisode, the silkiness of the material and the vivid colors and patterns they create in my mind.



http://www.indulgentcreations.etsy.com/
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6. Pacific Paradise Soaps -
I have been fortunate enough to go to the Bahamas a few times. Once while there, I kayaked around an island & came upon a gorgeous sandy beach with a few islands off in the distance. I stopped to explore a bit & found dozens of conch shells. I really wanted to take one of these gorgeous shells home, they were so beautiful. But to honor the island I left them all there, but I did put a few together to take pictures. I colored this soap like the beautiful pink of the inside of the gorgeous conch shell. After my memorable kayaking adventure I sipped a Strawberry Daquiri & watched the sunset while gently swaying in a hammock tied between 2 palm trees. What a perfect day! I stamped this soap with palm trees and the sun setting over the ocean in an assortment of micas.




http://www.pacificparadisesoap.etsy.com/
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7. KB Shimmer -
America is a land full of diversity. People of many different nationalities and religions have worked together to form what we now know as the United States. United We Stand, with new hope, new vision, and a bright future ahead of us, we are rising above troubled times to show the world how a nation full of diversity, full of bright minds, full of vision, can can use the fruits of our labor to overcome and once again lead the world with our strong vision.

In my challenge soap, I wanted to showcase the diversity I see in our nation. I choose eight different colors to swirl this soap. Reflecting our bright future as a nation, I choose the brightest of colors, neon's, to make the color shine. The fruits of our nations labor are represented by the sweet scent of fruits, lime, lemon, raspberry, orange, with notes of banana, mango, patchouli and sandalwood.
I hope that my vision of a sweet today, and a brighter tomorrow for America is reflected in this soap. Thank you.



http://www.kbshimmer.etsy.com/
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8. Thistle Delight Soapworks -
This soap is all cp soap (true soap) and all made and cut by hand, and not a cookie cutter etc.
I am born and raised in Scotland, so flying the flag (St. Andrews Cross) means you have Scottish Pride. This is why I named it Scottish Pride, I made the white batch first, then cut out the crosses by hand with a very sharp knife. Then I placed the crosses in the mold and poured the blue batch into that. I scented this soap with scottish heather, since our hills and glens are covered in heather most of the year. Just like Scotland, this soap is mystical in nature, during the day in daylight, it is royal blue and white, in the evening in electric light, it is purple and white.
Very magical and mystical soap just like the country it was named for.




http://www.thistledelight.etsy.com/
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9. Soap Scentsations
French style! I've always wanted to go to France. As a toddler my baby sitter was French and had we stuck around long I am sure I would have picked up some French words at that wee age. My High School English teacher was a native and her daughter (born in the US) ironically taught French! I know weird! But those early encounters with the French language and culture have always stuck with me. To me France is about three things: Art, Fashion, and FOOD! What French meal would be complete without wine, crusty bread, cheese, and lets not forget the DESSERT!

This luscious cream soap is scented with the rich flavors of creme brulee! It smells almost good enough to eat! (Custard cup and french accent not included!)



http://www.soapscentsations.etsy.com/
~~~~~~~~


10. Swan Mountain Soaps -
I was born in the US, but I think my soul was born in Greece. And I’ve never even been there! But our family makes many visits to Greek Orthodox monasteries in Washington and Arizona every year, and I think that is as close to Greece as a person can get without actually going there! That is where my soul is at rest, soaking in the troparia and kontakion sung in melodious Greek tones, living simply and humbly according to an ancient schedule – and devouring all of the incredibly delicious Greek food I can get my hands on! . Coincidentally, I *look* Greek (so I’m told) and very often other Greek visitors will come up to me and start chatting away! I love the Greek language, the way people seem to express what they feel, without pretension or artifice, and I love the traditional Greek way of looking at life. It is, to a large degree, about simplicity, and yet it is incredibly complex too.




http://www.swanmountainsoaps.etsy.com/
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11. Gourmet Soaps -
Ginger Pear Soap - My first memory of handmade soap is of my mother taking a large 6 oz bar of brown, unscented soap and beating on a shirt on a washboard. We were stationed in Korea at the time, and I was only 6 years old. That memory is so vivid in my mind. I remember asking her what it was, and she replied, "Soap" as she wiped the sweat from her brow. As an adult, I realize that the soap was probably made of tallow, and I could not bring myself to recreate an unscented, tallow soap. So I scented this soap w/ a fragrance oil that smells sweetly of ginger and pears. The Asian Pears in Korea can grow to be a bit larger than softballs. It's so sweet and juicy, and not at all like the pears here in the states. This scent coupled with spicy, sweet ginger takes me back to my childhood and reminds me of simple pleasures like sweet pears eaten on a hot day as I soaked my feet in a cool mountain spring.




http://www.gourmetsoaps.etsy.com/
~~~~~~~~
12. Green Springs Body Works - Moonlight over the Adriatic
Last summer I traveled to Croatia and swam in the beautiful Adriatic Sea. My ancestors come from that area and I have dreamed of going there. Croatia is known for it's beautiful scenery, deep green olive oil, and lavender fields. I tried to recreate the Adriatic in my soap.




http://www.greensprings0.etsy.com/

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13. inalather

Asti Eye Candy Soap - I chose Italy because I have always been fascinated by the culinary culture there. My soap incorporates two essential elements-- healthy, mild olive oil and delicious wine, I named my soap Asti after the area of Italy that produces the well-known sparkling Spumante, and added some micas to the soap to represent the sparkling bubbles of the wine. You can almost smell the bubbles!



http://www.inalather.etsy.com/

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14. Pink Parchment Soaps

One of my favorite wines is a red wine that a friend brought back from Spain.
Sangria is a Spanish wine punch that normally consists of red wine and chopped or sliced fruits. Sangria is served at informal social gatherings.

What could possibly be better than having good friends, good wine and good food!

www.pinkparchmentsoaps.etsy.com
~~~~~~~~

Well... There you have it! Such creativity displayed in each and every bar! Don't forget to comment for your chance to win and to place your vote for your favorite SAFE Team Spring Challenge bar!



102 comments:

Peau Naturelle said...

Awesome work everyone!! I just love all of them. You are all so talented. GO SAFE TEAM!! :)

pamc said...

The colors in all these soap are great! I can just imagine how they smell

Ruth at The Nova Studio said...

These are all so wonderful! It's really hard to vote for just one (but then it wouldn't be very helpful to vote for everybody!) I'll cast my vote for Anhoki's Jamaica bar. Great work, everybody!

TDC said...

Wow! Talent has run a muck! Makes me glad I didn't enter this one.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful work everyone and the stories behind them! Good luck casting a vote everyone!!

Mnemonix said...

They're all so creative, but I think the best is from Lily Pond Soaps. That's where my vote goes!

*fingers crossed*

danunepthys(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anhoki's Place said...

WE RAWK! GO SAFETEAM!!!

Unknown said...

Beautiful and colorful soaps! I vote for Gourmet Soaps.

msue.nunn@gmail.com

scgoddess said...

I'll have to go for the beaches of Jamaica - under an umbrella with Eduardo as my cabana boy...and clean up afterward with Anhoki's soap!!
scgoddess
kissafrog67@hotmail.comwings

Dawn said...

Anything with the spirit of beaches and cabana boys has my vote! Anhoki's Jamaica bar!

Though, I must say, ALL of the entries are downright GORGEOUS! Everyone should be damn proud of their soaps! Well done all!

DocHolley said...

I have to go with anhoki's

Beth said...

These all look so wonderful. I vote for Swan Mountain Soaps, that green is just gorgeous!

Flintriversoap said...

I really love Anhoki's and KbShimmers....flipping the coin, Anhoki wins!

SierraSnowSoaps said...

They all look wonderful! But...I have to go with the Jamacian bar. YUM YUM
Michelle in NV

Fairy Dust Crochet said...

Wow they all look fabulous!
My vote is for indulgentcreations.
I love her store and her soaps are delicious!
Best of luck to all! 8)

CJ said...

I am voting for KB Shimmer's Colorful Soap! AND...I am going to buy one! :)

Anastasia said...

Oh dear. That was tough. I'm Irish (at least my ancestry is), so I lean towards that one.

But the Adriatic soap just sounds too pretty. I think I will have to go with that one. :]

Julie said...

I vote for Swan Mountain Soaps!

Mel said...

My vote is for KB shimmers, I love the colors and I'm sure the fruity smells make for a yummy scent. Proud to be an American!

Kathy said...

I vote for Swan Mountain Soaps. I love the way she described her feelings for Greece, and I thought her soap was beautiful. Green is one of my favorite colors.

ruth hill radcliffe said...

wow...some absolutely positively scrumptious soaps out there. It's a tough decision because I'd love to take a bath with them all. but I'll have to go with Anhoki's jamaican bar.

Dessert Diva said...

Gosh, I don't even know where to begin! I love the green of Swan Mountain Soaps (Greece), but the colors in KB Shimmer (America) really catch my eye. I think I'll cast my vote for Swan Mountain Soaps!

cc9030a{at}american.com

Nina said...

I think Swan's soap is beautiful. I know a few Greek words, and I like Greek food too! I vote for Swan!

LocoBead said...

Love all the entries, but, since I can choose only one, I have to go with Anhoki"s Jamaica bar, #3.

Unique Scrap Designs said...

I vote for Indulgent Creations! Beautiful colors! :)

CreativeSpirit said...

So hard to choose, I must say my vote is for Indulgent Creations!

CreativeSpirit.etsy.com
CreativeSpiritToo.etsy.com

Robin@creations-anew.com said...

All the soaps looks great!!!!....
I love Anhoki's and Swans soaps.

Liz Edgar said...

Wow, you are all so creative in verse and in soap creation! I vote for Lily Pond Soaps' Plum Blossoms.

Cindy said...

I vote for #10- Swan Mountain Soaps. Love the colors.

TDC said...

Okay, I've gone and looked 100 times! The final looks went to An (Jamaica), KB (America), Thistle (Scotland), and Swan (Greece). The rest are amazing too.

An, has done a great job with technique, with two layers and a fabulous multi colored swirl!

My vote is for Anhoki

trishsmecca said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
trishsmecca said...

Wow - all of these are just beautiful and so creative. I think what I like best is the descriptions given each soap! Each soapmaker is as passionate about their craft as they are of the country they represented.
Fabulous!

BrigaBauble said...

They're all so lovely and inspiring. Truly! Since my dad is Austrian and Austria is my home away from home, I must go with the Dirndl-inspired soap from "A Breath of French Air."

MillieDog Designs said...

This was difficult, but Lily Pond gets my vote

tinybird said...

Anhoki gets my vote. Time to get in gear for summer. I bought some of her soaps for Christmas gifts & they were a bit hit!

tinahead81 said...

My vote is for KB Shimmer. Love the colors!

Kim said...

Hello, I vote for 5. Indulgent Creations. So many beautiufl soaps good luck to everyone..

Kim (KimsBeads.etsy.com)

Raevyn said...

Wow, these all look so amazing! My vote goes to Indulgent Creations :)


raevyn77@gmail.com

Katabasys said...

Indulgent Creations The colors are breath taking!

Great job! So many talented people :]


Brittany (katabasys.etsy.com)

Unknown said...

Wow, they are all so beautiful - such an inspiring contest!

Hard choice, but my vote is for Swan Mountain soaps. I really see where she's coming from!

Beyond the Picket Fence said...

Great Job everyone! It was a hard pick but my vote goes to 9. Soap Scentsations!!!

I could never resist Creme Brule!

Nicole Thomas said...

Wonderful work everyone. I am so torn and I must apologize. I could not possibly just pick one. I love you all so very much! Best of luck.

Molly S. said...

Beautiful soaps, all! It's hard to choose, but I think Indulgent Creation's "Kimono" soap gets my vote :)

Unknown said...

i'd love to lather up with any one of these gorgeous handmade soaps!

Cutesie Clips said...

I LOVE them all! Such beautiful work everyone :) I vote for SwanMountainSoaps Greek soap!

Bollandi said...

Every one of those soaps are gorgeous! What a talented group of soapmakers!You all did a fantastic job. I wish I could vote for more than one.

My vote is for #13 - Inalather's Asti Eye Candy Soap.

Italy would be proud!

WhimsybyJessNicole said...

My vote is for #10

RedBessBonney said...

What a difficult choice - they all look wonderful! But in the end, I'll have to go with the Scottish soap... :)

Susan

Catherine said...

Lots of lovlies here but I think the Greek inspired soap from Swan Mountain Soaps is the bestest!!

AlliesAdornments said...

Wonderful entries! I love #6, & can almost smell it through my screen!

La Beq said...

Wow, what amazing soaps! My vote is for Lily Pond.

Unknown said...

Such creativity out there!
But I vote for "The Skin Your In"!
I love the Irish theme....

Laura Pugh said...

Wow! This is a great blog and a great contest. The soaps are really pretty. My vote goes to Creme Brulee by Soap Scentsations.

me said...

I vote for The Skin Your In

MayRae said...

They're all so great looking with wonderful stories. But I think I'll vote for swanmountainsoaps and her Greece.

Penguinetta said...

My choice is Anhoki's Jamaican Me Crazy soap... do you think it will cure my beach withdrawal?

Valerie
PenguinettaAfghans

Anonymous said...

These are all amazing!!! I will have to go with my heritage and vote for the Ireland soap. This was a hard choice ladies!

Rebecca D. Dillon said...

Wow. What a hard choice. I'll have to go with the ginger pear soap from Gourmet Soaps. But it was a tough call between that and A Breath of French Air.

Laura said...

This is a tough decision! My two favorites are Anhoki and Thistle Delight Soapworks. I'm going to have to go with Anhoki. She's an awesome seller! I love her products. Good luck to all. What a creative group!

mcgregor_laura (at) hotmail (dot) com

crochetgal said...

I'll vote for Anhoki! But I'd love to buy each and every one!

susan(birdznbeez.etsy.com) said...

Jah mon! I vote Anhoki #3! Love all her products! This brought back memories of when my family went tubing down a river that started up in the hills in Jamaica, thanks for the memories!

Ami Nyitray said...

I vote for Anhoki!! (They all look/sound pretty wonderful, though!)

Betty said...

How cool! I just love this! I vote for Anhoki's Jamaican Sunrise soap. She's awesome! Thanks!

bmcgregor72 AT hotmail DOT com

A Woman with Scents said...

They're all beautiful, but I vote Anhoki.

shelly said...

I vote for Swan Mountain Soaps! I think she totally rocks!

Unknown said...

Hmmm, tough vote, they all look wonderful! I'm going to go with KB Shimmer :)

ingermaaike said...

They all look like totally amazing soap, the Lily Pond Soap is of all of them my fave!

kraplap said...

They all look delicious !
But my vote goes to Italy:
inalather

jenscloset said...

I seriously love them all, but I guess I can't pick all of them, so I go with a Breath of French Air-I love the colors..and my daughter will be going to France with her school in July!

Angelika@ Purple Sage Designz said...

Congrats on the feature everyone.
Going to vote for Anhoki's Chai Tea bar, love it.

jealousydesign said...

beautiful soaps and thoughts behind the work :)
I vote for: 10. Swan Mountain Soaps

Bellissima said...

Oh, so hard - so hard!
They all look incredible, but I have to go with Indulgent Creations - it just made me think silk & Japan. Goog Luck to All!

karuski said...

So hard to decide, they all look delicious! I think I love # 9 the best: Soap Scentsations

minna[at]karuski.com

Jaci said...

I just have to vote for Thistle Delight's Scottish Pride! It sounds so enticing, plus I'm a bagpiper :)

Raptor Lover said...

Anhoki has beautiful soaps and I am voting for her!
WTG Anhoki!!!!

Concord Soap said...

Jeez! This is really tough! I am going to vote for Gourmet Soaps - Ginger Pear Soap. I think it looks very elegant & I like that it doesn't have a uniform pattern. I'm sure it smells wonderful! I enjoyed the story as well. Nice job!

Julia said...

My vote goes to the Korean (Asian Pear) soap by Gourmet Soaps. I too lived in South Korea around the age of 11, and I've had a penchant for Asian fruits ever since! The Greek and Chinese soaps are also lovely. Congrats to all!

frostypawz said...

I voted for Anhoki's Jamaica Soap, gorgeous colors. Oh to be off in Jamaica mon.

Nicole's Homemade Treats...The Blog said...

SWAN MOUNTAIN SOAPS is my favorite! Greece, I can picture it now!!!

Camilla said...

My vote wasn't easy to make, there are some amazing entries!
Go swanmountain soaps!

Sarah Stahl said...

Beautiful and I would just love to smell them.
My favorite is by SwanMountain!

Dana said...

oh my goodness! What a really tough decision because there is a lot of talent represented here ...

But since I can only choose just one ... my vote is for Anhoki's Jamaica soap. I've been dreaming of Eduardo and white sand beaches ... :)

Congrats to all on some really beautiful and well-interpreted soaps!!!

Audrey said...

I'm voting for Scottish Pride!! But I love them all.

ByCoco said...

I vote for Anhoki's Jamaican bar. I've never been to Jamaica either, but hope to some day.
http://ByCoco.blogspot.com
http://ByCoco.Etsy.com

Lucy said...

i loveeeeeeee the inalather!!!!!!
it sounds absolutly wonderful

bprdesigns said...

They all loook great but my vote is for Gourmet's Ginger Pear soap! Wonderful products from all

Elizabeth said...

What beautiful soaps. I think that Soap Scentsations look so yummy!!

cinnamonspice said...

What lovely work, I love the Caribbean as well, so I cast my vote for Anhoki!

theetsybebe said...

What beautiful soaps! I vote for pinkparchment's sangria. It sounds wonderful.

---

pinkeareddog (at) gmail. com

TC Cunningham said...

Very interesting and all beautiful soaps. I vote for SwanMountain's Greek soap.

Elizabeth said...

My vote is for Swan Mountain. Good luck everyone!

Unknown said...

Congrats to all the entries they not only LOOKED wonderful but they read wonderful too! Sure wish someone would invent scratch and sniff for the computer cause this challenge would be the perfect test! After much soul searching and going back and forth, I finally asked Sassy Kassy to help me and we decided on 3. Anhoki - soap as our favorite. BUT that said I would easily take one of each bar. OH I AM A SOAP HO!
Sandi

GO Safe Team! YOU ROCK!

Alexandra's Jewelry said...

Thanks Curlyfryssc! I hope it helps you have a great show!

Olive and Oud said...

This team is so talented--it's hard to choose! But I think I'm especially enchanted by Gourmetsoup's entry Ginger Pear (Korea.) It ought to make it into some Easter treasuries because of the colors.

Congratulations, everyone, for such a great challenge.

ErikaHayleyKeaton said...

Wow, what great soaps, would love to have all of them, but I voted for # 13. They were all beautiful. Good luck to all!!

Megan said...

Wow, great choices! Tough decision but I'm going to vote for Indulgent Creations and their Japanese soap. Thanks!

Shesails said...

Just Beautiful!
I choose....Swan Mountain Soap's Greek bar.

AmplifyMe Soap Co. said...

O hey there! Awesome job. I love ALL the soaps here.

Voting for: inalather's Asti Eye Candy Soap

ikkinlala said...

My vote's for 12. Green Springs Body Works. I've never been to Croatia, but this soap definitely has the look of a sea.

vancestudios said...

All BEAUTIFUL works! Y'all really made it a difficult choice, but I'm going with...

...A Breath of French Air's dirndl-inspired bar!

Good Luck all! :)

Anonymous said...

Cool theme-bravo to all!

Smells like heather, celebrates the beautiful country of Scotland? Gotta love the "Scottish Pride"!!

kathbot said...

My vote is for Kimono!