Tuesday August 12, 2014
On our seemingly never ending quest to discover better and lovelier scents, yesterday we decided to take advantage of a sale at http://rusticescentuals.com. As you know we buy sample sizes (1 oz) of scents to try them out. We figure that there is no point in buying 16 ounces if something doesn't smell good. What kicked off this buying spree was an email announcing a super deal - choose 20 random scent samples and get them for $1.00 each! We took the bait and started going through the LONG list of scents (so hard to choose only 20!). After we chose our 20 scents (and a few extras for good measure) we discussed picking up the order vs. having it shipped.
After weighing the pros and cons we decided pick up our order, noting the request on the order we emailed in. What really sealed the deal was the arrival (approximately 3 hours after the order was placed!) of a notice stating our order was ready. Talk about fast!
So today was road trip day....
After consulting both our phones, Google maps, Google Earth, and talking to Kathy at Rustic Escentuals, we knew exactly where we were going, right down to the flowers in front of the building. Ok, Kathy told us to look for the "pretty warehouse" with the terra cotta colored awning and sunflowers out front. We were ready!
We left a little after 10, and drove southeast towards Toccoa (GA) and eventually I-85. Once we got to highway 17 the fun started.
Two lanes and lots of road construction, but we didn't care, nothing would stop our great adventure.
uh
spoke too soon.....
Farmers are great. We love them, but honestly Mr. Farmer when you are driving your tractor down a two lane road, with nowhere to pass, be a nice farmer, pull off, and let the 20 cars slowly (19 mph) following you pass!
Eventually we got around Mr. Farmer, and made it to Lavonia, GA where we got onto I-85 northbound. Very quickly we crossed Lake Hartwell and saw the Welcome to South Carolina sign.
After cruising past Anderson, Greenville, the BMW plant and the GSP (Greenville/Spartanburg) Airport, we got off I-85 at exit 66, better known as St. Rt 29. We made a few turns here and there, listened to the robot voice on Alison's phone give us directions, and within 20 minutes saw the Woodruff/Roebuck water tower. We were in the right town and almost to our destination.
Aroma Haven - Rustic Escentuals
1050 Canaan Road, Roebuck, SC
Shortly after we passed the water tower, we crossed highway 221 and turned on Canaan Road. As promised, we spotted the terra cotta awning and the flowers immediately. Once we parked the car and stepped toward the front door we could smell that we were in the right place. We're talking WOW! In the parking lot it smelled great. Upon opening the door, we were greeted by unimaginably good smells. What a great place to work!
We let the two ladies in the office, (Kathy and Christine) know we were there to pick up the Soap Lily order. It was ready, all wrapped in a plastic bag (see above). We chatted for a few minutes, then curiosity got the best of us, so we asked if we could see what the warehouse looks like. We weren't able to go past the office due to safety regulations and we completely understand and respect that.
I asked if Kathy if she would mind taking my phone/camera into the warehouse and snapping a few pictures for us, mainly so we could post it on the blog (thank you again Kathy & we hope we spelled your name correctly!)
As you can see, the warehouse is PACKED with bottled fragrances. No wonder the parking lot smells heavenly.
As we mentioned, http://rusticescentuals.com was having a huge sale and there were orders stacked in the office waiting for pickup. It is wonderful and uplifting to see such a thriving business!
This is Kathy...
After chatting with Kathy and Christine for a while we asked if they knew a good place
to have lunch.
This is Christine...
Both of them suggested a place in Spartanburg called Willy Taco. They said it wasn't far and the food was original, fresh and good, and NOT A CHAIN - music to our ears. We headed north up Highway 221 toward Spartanburg.
Once again we relied on the robot in Alison's phone as we navigated toward
Willy Taco
Tequila Cocina
980 E. Main Street
Spartanburg, SC
After 15 minutes we arrived; it was very easy to find! Here is the info, written by them, telling the Willy Taco story:
"So here’s the story…cinco gringos from Spartanburg (a.k.a Hub City) decided they’d had enough. No more stale chips, they said. No more ordering #21. They wanted fresh. They wanted “excellente”. They wanted fun. So they teamed up to create this bad @#$ place called Willy Taco. And these gringos didn’t just fall off the taco truck. They’ve been around the restaurant business muchos anos. They’ve made names (good ones) for themselves in Hub City and beyond. They know their way around a kitchen (ok–a few of them really know their way around a bar). Some of the gringos are older and wiser. Some of the gringos, mere bambinos. Some of the gringos are wild and crazy. Some of them, not so much. But they’re all loco for three things: Tacos! Tortas! Tequila!…Enjoy!"
We started with chips and salsa, both were very, very good.
Our server, Alex, recommended three items. She told us the tacos are on the small size and one each would probably not be enough. We had looked over the menu and zeroed in on the same three items that she recommended. Alex was very helpful, knows her (food) stuff, and seems to thoroughly enjoy her job.
The food arrived quickly, the first item was Chili Willy Shrimp:
Crispy shrimp tossed in Willy's sweet chili sauce, shaved cabbage, pico,
cilantro-lime cre'ma. We split it in half and got to work.
It was outstanding! Of the three, this was Alison's favorite.
Next was Southern Tide - or as we called it (a home run):
Crispy shrimp, smoked bacon, pimento cheese, shaved lettuce, pico and chipotle ranch - right out of the ballpark; it was really, really good.
The last one we tried was Maui Wowi Mahi. Again, it was terrific:
Blackened mahi, mango chutney, pico, jicama slaw, cilantro-lime cre'ma.
And yes, we did squeeze the lime on each and every one of them.
Pictured above are all three tacos. Toward the end of our meal a gentleman
came over to the table who turned out to be Eric, one of the owners.
The decor is colorful, bright, welcoming, and original.
Eric thanked us for coming and surprised us with free taco certificates for the next time we come. He told us a little about Willy Taco, including that they have only been open 11 months and from the very first day it was a slam dunk. Good for them! The food is great, prices very reasonable and service top notch - a win, win for the people in the Spartanburg area.
We made a quick stop at Sam's Club and picked up some more olive oil (we're going to need it to make soap with all of our new fragrances!), then jumped on I-85 and headed south.
After about an hour we saw our welcome home sign.
As we crossed back over Lake Hartwell into Georgia we managed to avoid this afternoon thunderstorm. Within 5 minutes the sun was shining on us again.
We exited 85 at Lavonia and backtracked our morning route heading toward home.
Between Martin and Lavonia we passed under this brand new four lane divided highway bridge. We have no idea where it is going or where it begins. It seems to be a bridge from nowhere going to ..... no where. (Our Toccoa sources let us know later that it is part of the four lane expansion project of Highway 17 which will by-pass Martin.)
What else??? Another tractor! This time Mr. Farmer was pulling the tractor on a trailer and making pretty good time. We couldn't believe we had gotten behind one on the way out, and on the way back on almost the same stretch of road!
On the outskirts of Toccoa we turned onto the four lane by-pass around Toccoa.
We headed up the steep, steep mountain that takes us into Habersham County.
Once we got on Highway 441 north we couldn't wait to see the familiar view that always means we are HOME.
Pretty isn't it?
Once we got to my house we opened the samples, and while I cut the soap from yesterday, Alison waved bottles filled with our new fragrances under my nose.
This is a portion of what we bought.
Here are the rest of the bottles, I wish we could share the smells with you; they are amazing. We can't wait to start making soap with them. (stay tuned)
These items are the rest of our order, the little spoons are the perfect size to scoop up colorants. We will try the Icicle Mica and see how it looks; more than likely we will be ordering a larger amount soon.
Whether you pick up your order or have it shipped, +Rustic Escentuals always puts goodies in the box. Today we got a tea light candle and some lip balm, a lollypop, piece of candy, and a pen.
Actually today was filled with goodies! In addition to the ones pictured above, we met some very lovely people. Thanks again Kathy and Christine for the fun conversation
and for the great lunch advice.
You were right!
Bonfire Bliss is my favorite from RE. We really like Toasted Marshmallow (with a little water) in an oil burner too. :)
ReplyDeleteLaura, thanks for info, we haven't tried either of them yet, with 20 to choose from it's hard to know which one to use first!
ReplyDelete