London’s Ormonde Jayne delivers their latest: Osmanthus Soap. The uplifting scent of Osmanthus is infused into the soaps to give you a perfect spring day whatever the weather. Osmanthus is a fruity white flower found in both China and Japan. A nice hint of fresh for you and your partner. Smell like you mean it.

More looks after the click.

Just thinking about some stocking stuffers with this one. A good one. “Baxter of California … teams up with Saturdays NYC to produce a limited distribution “Beach Soap”… the new soap is loosely inspired by Baxter’s popular Italian Lime scented glycerin bar, but was “re-mixed” by the guys at Saturdays to capture the essence of the Atlantic Ocean.” Available through the Staurday’s NYC shop.

Monocle Magazine adds another solid product to their in-shop lineup. This time they work on a body soap with Matsuyama.  ”The national tree of Japan, Sugi, or Japanese cedar is popular as an ornamental species and has a delicate but energizing cedar fragrance. Developed exclusively for Monocle by Japanese soap makers Matsuyama, this Sugi Body Soap is available in 300ml, Monocle designed bottles.”

More looks at the Matsuyama Sugi for Monocle Body Soap after the click.

I love this thing. For 18$US smackers, you can have a great soap on a rope from Tom Ford. Wear it to the gym, wear it to the bathhouse… you’ll never worry about dropping it again. As they describe it, “lathers up easily without drying the skin.” Keep bringing it Mr. Ford. Keep bringing it.

Bless Pingmag MAKE for kicking out some of the best features covering the the world of quality craftsmanship and manufacturing in Japan. Their feature, "85 Years of Soap" gives coverage to a tiny soap company, Tohoku Sekken Sat Kojo, that has been producing one simple plain white bar of soap for more than, you guessed it, 85 years.

A great write-up on a company being able to focus in and do one product incredibly well with out a drop of marketing money to support it.

Read the full story at Pingmag.