Since becoming a mother, I have a whole new appreciation for quiet moments to myself. They are extremely rare, to say the least, and I know that they will become even more rare as Darah grows and learns how to follow me all over the house! I have always enjoyed shower time because it just feels good to get clean, and I also tend to keep a supply of nice smelling shampoos and soaps on hand to either rev me up in the morning or help me wind down at the end of the day.
My next featured Memphis in May business is Mocha’s Handmade Soaps, and this is yet another company that I’m so glad to have found and to now share with you. Vikki, the woman behind the company, makes a wonderful variety of cold and hot process soaps made with ingredients you can pronounce, and even has a nice selection of vegan soaps for sale. Vikki has been making soap and perfecting her craft for 3 years now. She loves being able to create something new and original that will bring people joy and also promote healthy skin, especially as we age (a fact I’m becoming all-too-aware of now that 30 is just a few months away!). I really enjoyed learning that Vikki makes all of her soaps by hand and cures them for 3 to 6 weeks. Furthermore, her soaps are detergent-free, which is not the case for the vast majority of soaps that you find in the stores.
The soaps I have sampled from this shop smell heavenly, lather beautifully, and help provide a peaceful space just for me when I step into the shower. I was so excited to read about the ingredients that are used in her soaps: “Saponified oils of Olive, Soybean, Palm Kernel, Coconut, Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Mango Butter, Palm, Sunflower, Avocado, Sweet Almond, Fragrance, Goats Milk, Vitamin E and other skin-loving oils and butters. Herbs and grains are also added to some recipes for a natural, gentle exfoliation. Some soaps are colored with natural oxides from the earth, ultramarines, & micas.” I recognized every single thing! I had the opportunity to try a cold process soap, and I was so impressed with how silky smooth (but not greasy!) I felt after using it. The bar also produced a great lather, so I can tell that one bar is going to last a good long while! I also had the opportunity to try the Hollywood Pink soap (Vikki’s version of an Avon scent). This was not a scent that I was familiar with before, but let me tell you, the first time I used it I just kept sniffing it again and again! It is light, but warm. I loved it! Finally, I tried the Peppermint Soap with Goat’s Milk. This is definitely going to be my go-to soap in the morning when I need some help waking up. It smells so refreshing and I feel nice and clean after using it!
I asked Vikki to share what she loves most about our great city. Her answers: the weather and the BBQ. May must just be the best month ever to her, then! 🙂 I’m sure she’s still making time to fill orders in between playing outside and eating some of the world’s best BBQ, though!
Vikki takes great pride in her work and stands behind every product she makes. If you can’t decide which soap to try first, though, she did say that if she had to choose 3 favorites, she would suggest Love Spell, Black Raspberry Vanilla and Baby Grace Philosophy. I say that you can’t go wrong if you go with the artist’s recommendation! If you have a particular kind of scent in mind and wish you could have it in a soap form, convo Vikki…the odds are decent that she can make it for you, which is really cool! Also, Vikki gives free samples with each purchase, so what are you waiting for?! Her bars of soap start at just $4.00.
EDIT: Giveaway CLOSED
Win it!: Here’s your chance to bring Mocha’s Homemade Soaps (and a little bit of Memphis) into your home! Vikki is giving one lucky Stuff Parents Need reader a cold or hot process soap of your choice from the ones she has listed on her site. Nice! The contest will run until May 18th at 7:59pm CST when a winner will be selected using Random.org. The winner will be emailed and will have 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is selected. Open to residents of the United States.
Mandatory Entry:
Tell me which bar of cold process soap or hot process soap you would like to win (and choose wisely, as you will get this pick if you are the winner!)
Additional Entries:
1. Subscribe to my blog via RSS, email or Google friend connect (only one extra entry, even if you subscribe more than one way)
2. Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter (leave your Twitter ID)
3. Add Mocha’s Homemade Soaps to your Etsy favorites
4. Tell me one scent you would like to see Vikki offer in her shop
5. If you left a Memphis in May comment on this post before May 2nd, leave a comment for an extra entry
Disclosure: I received product samples to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

I really appreciate all of your comments on my soaps. I've also written down a few ideas for scents that you have presented. There will be a few more soaps posted in the next couple weeks that I'm sure some of you would love.
I added Mocha's Homemade Soaps to my Etsy favorites.
I would love to see a lilac scent offered.
I subscribed by email.
I love the Citrus Splash soap!
I follow on twitter.(donnak4)
donna444444@yahoo.com
I follow on google friend connect.
donna444444@yahoo.com
I would like the Exotic Rose 5 to 6 oz Huge Bar Soap.
donna444444@yahoo.com
I would love to see a Lemon Verbena soap!
I subscribe via email.
I'd love to try the Handmade Peppermint Soap, sounds refreshing!
I follow you with GFC – Tricia31
hockeygalnc(AT)hotmail(DOT)com
I follow you on Twitter – TriciaInRaleigh
hockeygalnc(AT)hotmail(DOT)com
I'd like to see her do something that smelled like Christmas trees! I love evergreen pine scented things!
hockeygalnc(AT)hotmail(DOT)com
I'd love to win the Ocean Pacific handmade soap!
hockeygalnc(AT)hotmail(DOT)com
Email subscriber. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would pick the Deeply in Love Spell soap. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would like to see more sandalwood scented items.
I follow on Twitter as willitara.
I follow with google friend connect.
I would like the Nature's Kiss Handmade Soap 5 to 6 oz Huge Bar. It has sandalwood and that is one of my favorite scents.
Cotton Candy Fragranced Soap 6 oz Bar
I like the Ocean Pacific…
i follow on gfc
I would pick Mocha's Cherry Almond Handmade CP Soap thanks eaglesforjack@gmail.com
Follower on GFC
I would choose the Cotton Candy Fragranced Soap Bar.
I would like to see her offer more vanilla scented soaps!
I added her shop to my favorites (delectabledesserts)
I'm following on twitter – @justaddlauren
I would like to win Mocha's Cherry Almond Handmade CP Soap!
I like the Lavender and Oats Handmade Vegan Soap
follower
added to favorites on etsy susansmoaks
i would choose the Nature's Kiss Handmade Soap 5 to 6 oz Huge Bar
I follow on GFC
I'd like the Nature's Kiss soap
Handmade Peppermint Soap with Goats Milk would be great to try!
I'd love to see a Honeysuckle Jasmine scent
follow via GFC
Exotic Rose
I would choose the Deeply In Love Spell. garrettsambo@aol.com
follow blog as jelaws5
aunteegem@yahoo.com
Mocha's Peach Palmola Homemade Soap H
is my choice
aunteegem@yahoo.com
Following Stuff Parents Need on Twitter. id-skyxsky27
I'd like to have the Tahitian Vanilla 4 to 5 oz Bar soap.
skyxsky27(at)gmail.com
A scent I'd like to see her add to the items in the shop: Clean Cotton/ Clean Linen scent.
Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot)com
I am an e-mail subscriber.
Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot)com
I follow via Google Friend: allibrary.
Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot)com
If I won, I'd select the Handmade Peppermint Soap with Goats Milk – Huge Bar 5 to 6 Ounces. Peppermint is so uplifting as a scent!
Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot)com
Added Mocha's Homemade Soaps to my Etsy favorites (mexyplex). tylerpants(at)gmail.com
I would love to see a raspberry scented soap! tylerpants(at)gmail.com
I'm an email subscriber. tylerpants(at)gmail.com
The Handmade Peppermint Soap with Goats Milk sounds great! tylerpants(at)gmail.com
I added her to my Etsy Favorites — cezovski
digicat {AT} sbcglobal {DOT} net
I would like to see Oatmeal scented
digicat {AT} sbcglobal {DOT} net
I follow you on Twitter @cezovski
digicat {AT} sbcglobal {DOT} net
I subscribe to your blog's newsletter by e-mail
digicat {AT} sbcglobal {DOT} net
I would like the Tahitian Vanilla 4 to 5 oz Bar
digicat {AT} sbcglobal {DOT} net
lavender and oats vegan soap ty.
vivianbl@olg.com
I follow on Twitter-pyrodamsel
six_one_nine_girlie86 (at) yahoo (dot) com
I'd love to try the Peppermint with Goat's milk!
six_one_nine_girlie86 (at) yahoo (dot) com
How about offering something with coconut? Love that smell!
I follow on twitter – choochoo428
I want the Cherry Almond Handmade CP Soap. Love both of those smells. Yum!
A cool scent to make would be root beer.
Follow you publicly via Google Friend Connect.
Added Mocha's Handmade Soaps to my Etsy faves
fatmeatloaf1
Following you on Twitter
@fatmeatloaf1
I'm all for the Cotton Candy scented soap!
fatmeatloaf1 at gmail dot com
I would love to see an Almond scented soap!
annemarie562000(at)yahoo(dot)com
I subscribe via email.
annemarie562000(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would love to try the Noxzema Like Eucalyptus and Peppermint Hot Process Soap!
annemarie562000(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would like to try the Citrus Splash Scented Handmade Soap–Vegan Hot Process.
farrell@crosslake.net
Christina – xristya@rock.com – I'd like to see a Pomegranate scented soap (don't know how hard that is to do with soaps, but I love that scent!).
Christina – xristya@rock.com – I love the Ocean Pacific Homemade Soap! The soaps look wonderful!
I would love to see a cinnamon scented soap. I love Memphis in May. I went 2 or 3x. dramaqueensmum@gmail.com
I follow you on Twitter. (dramaqueensmum)
Subscribed by e mail. dramaqueensmum@gmail.com
Brownie madness sounds awesome. dramaqueensmum@gmail.com
I heart on etsy (kirbycolby) Thank you!
kirbycolby at gmail dot com
I would like to see Vikki make a variation of the chocolate soap with exfoliants in it. Some kind of nut would be lovely so it would be like a turtle flavor.
kirbycolby at gmail dot com
I follow you on twitter @Aerated
kirbycolby at gmail dot com
I'm a google follower.
kirbycolby at gmail dot com
I'd pick the deeply in love spell.
kirbycolby at gmail dot com
Google friend follower
cgclynsg0 at gmail dot com
I would like to see lilac scent offered.
cgclynsg0 at gmail dot com
I would pick the Ocean Pacific bar.
cgclynsg0 at gmail dot com
following on twitter @Tx_Sweetie
I'd choose the Blueberry Scented HP Goats Milk 6 to 7 oz bar
Lavender and Oats Handmade Vegan Soap
I would pick the Coconut Lime Handmade Soap 5 to 6 oz Bar
I follow you on twitter (@jjak2003)
jjak2003 at gmail dot com
I subscribe via e-mail
jjak2003 at gmail dot com
I would choose the Cotton Candy cold process soap
jjak2003 at gmail dot com
I follow you on twitter.(terri142)
I subscribe to your blog via google friend connect.
I subscribe to your blog via email.
I would choose the Mocha's Cherry Almond Handmade CP Soap!
I'd like to see Vikki offer Mango Kiwi Pomegranate Soap.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
GFC Follower.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'd like the Blueberry Scented HP Goat's Milk Soap.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
I think I want the Deeply in Love Spell 4 to 5 oz bar Soap CP
In honor of beach weather, I think a pineapple scent or a coconut scent would be lovely.
Memphis in May bonus entry!
email subscriber
Yum–Brownie Madness Bar Soap would be my pick!
i want the lavender and oats handmade vegan soap!
twitter follower
joni taylor
jonilynntaylor at gmail dot com
gfc follower
jonilynntaylor at gmail dot com
exotic rose….so sweet
jonilynntaylor at gmail dot com
I picked the Lemon and Oats Hot Processed Soap
tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
I follow on gfc.
choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com
I would like the Blueberry Scented HP.
choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com
I subscribe
I would like Citrus Splash
The Lemon and oats soap is the best for me. gcgranny72@hotmail.com
The Vanilla Bean Homemade Soap Excellent Exfoliant 5 oz Bar is my pick, hands down!
crystalarcand (at) gmail (dot) com
I would choose the Vanilla Bean Homemade Soap!
Winterbreeze85 at yahoo dot com
Love to try the Mocha's Cherry Almond Handmade CP Soap
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com
I like Ocean Pacific Homemade Soap 5 to 6 oz Bars HUGE
I left a Memphis in May comment.
I would like to see Vikki offer a lilac scent.
I added Mocha's to my Etsy favorites.
I am a subscriber.
I would like to try Coconut Lime.
I would like the Handmade Soap 5 to 6 oz Bar Passion Sage and Chamomile.
I left a comment on the may 2 post.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I would like to see either lavender scent in the shop.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I am a email subscriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I would pick the cherry almond handmade soap.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I'd like to see an Orange Creamsicle soap.
I'd choose the Cotton Candy soap.
entered reusable bag
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
twitter follower (chelleb36)
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
email subscriber
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I'd like the brownie madness bar soap
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
email subscriber sammiejanL40@aol.com
I'd love to see a pomegranate sammiejanL40@aol.com
I'd choose the vanilla bean. sammiejanL40@aol.com
Follow you on Twitter: rhoneygee
rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com
I like the handmade peppermint soap.
rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com
Would like Brownie Madness soap!
I follow you on twitter. If I win, will give you my twitter ID 🙂
added her to my Etsy favs!
I get your emails! <3
I wish she had a vanilla scented soap
Following your blog
Fruit Fantasy!
I'd like a Pumpkin Pie scent. 🙂
added Mocha's Homemade Soaps to my Etsy faves (I'm ColorBomb on Etsy)
following on twitter as SnowflakeDay
google friend follower
I would pick the Hot Process Handmade Peppermint Soap with Goats Milk.