Splendor in the bath

Whoever said soap is a mechanism for cleanliness never indulged in a long, hot bath.

When it comes to sumptuous soaps, I suggest you try hand-made. natural bars crafted by Morristown soapmaker Jennifer Urezzio, founder of Blooming Grove Herbal Remedies.

Committed to both the earth and earthly pleasures, Urezzio has come up with a full line of custom bath and body products. Each is tailored to the individual customer, who fills out a form detailing such sensuous choices as smell. (What's your fave? Coffee? Or orange juice?)

I'm enjoying the lavender bella soap, a generous, $4.50 bar that includes soothing herbs and oatmeal in an olive oil base. It left my skin feeling smooth, refreshed and pampered.

Blooming Grove also offers such niceties as herbal tea bags to drop in your bath and packages that arrive each month, a reminder the recipient is, well, awfully special. For details, go to www.bloominggrove.net