I have a new addiction. Earlier this week, my friend Richard brought me some of his bubble bar from Lush so I could finally, after years of hearing others rave about this store, try one of their products.

Sold. Instantly sold.

The bath turned bright blue, smelled marvelous and had tons of bubbles. It also had bits of seaweed floating in it, which Tim insisted on calling "butt lint" because that's what it's like to live with Tim :-) Sure, I had to use the hair filter to drain the tub, but it was so worth it.

So, after work yesterday, I went off and visited the San Francisco Lush store (the only US store until today, when a new one in Boston opened). I didn't spend long, as I had a list (made from perusing the website). In fact, one of the salesladies commented that I must have a list by the decisive way I entered the store.

Here's a little secret about me: I love shopping. Adore it. I love looking at stuff, trying it out (or, with clothes, on), sniffing it and deciding to buy it. The Lush store was a bit crowded for my tastes, but there was so much lovely stuff to sniff and discover that I didn't have much trouble finding lots to fill my basket.

Tim was horrified at how much I spent. I don't indulge my shop-aholic side too often (thank goodness), but when I do . . . well. I have lots of nifty bubble baths. I have Enchanting Eye Cream that works immediately (good, since I tend to cry more often than most folks and need something to reduce my puffy eyes). I have both a face mask AND a foot mask that I have to keep in the fridge and will expire in just over a week. Almost all of it smells delicious. I had the cats sniff all of it, and they like the Butterball Bath Bomb the best. Me, I'm looking forward to both the Tisty Totsy and the Sex Bomb, since they have rose petals that float around your bath.

I've been taking a bath every night this week, and I think it's helped my stress levels immensely. I take it just before I get ready for bed, and I've been sleeping much better. I consider the Lush splurge more of an investment in my own sanity.

Of course, that doesn't explain the other stuff I'm coveting -- the hair soaps, the henna (maybe I'll do that instead of chemicals next time I dye my hair!), the lotions.

I know I'm sounding like a commercial, but I'm in love with Lush. Seriously. Wonderful stuff.

I'm going to let this be it's own entry and talk about other stuff in the next one.

Rah Lush!