My girlfriend is a soapmaker. She's started a soap company called Stella Marie. Now, I don't know much about soap (you hide a hundred dollar bill from a hippie under it; it's made of whale/human fat; it stings when you get it in your eye; it cleans you and cars and dogs--that's about the extent of it), but I do know this about her soaps: They smell really good. Like, you will want to eat them. (Don't.) After I smelled one that had a brown sugar-type aroma, I had to go to the bag of brown sugar and eat a chunk.

And they have cool names, too. Like a mango soap with poppy seeds called "Big Poppy." And an apple soap called "the Bad Seed." That was my idea. Although my better idea of a crab apple soap called "Stab Apple"--a greenish bar with a red spot in the middle--was rejected. I think I might post any other rejected soap names here as they get turned down.

Anyway, she makes it all from scratch, but still keeps the prices reasonable (from what she tells me.) If you like soap, check it out. Tell your friends.

Remember, only 17 more shopping days until Louisiana Purchase Day! Shop now!

Note: Whenever I do these "plugs for friends/relatives/self," some major Red Sox news happens right after, knocking them down the page. So watch for that Santana deal soon! (I still say we're not giving up Jacoby "& Myers" Ellsbury.)