Rumors have always been one of my ultimate annoyances.  My rule has ALWAYS been, don't repeat something if you don't know  the facts.  Go to the source and ASK!  That way, you get accurate information if you are going to "share" it with others.  Those of you who know me well, know that I'm only comfortable talking about someone... if they are THERE to defend themselves. I challenge each of you to do this, if you aren't already!  If you can't say it with that person sitting next to you, you probably shouldn't be saying it at all! Being in a business leaves a person vulnerable to public rumors and gossip... for whatever reason.  After two (official) years in my AWESOME business, there are only a few "rumors" that I have recently been aware of and I would like to address them here, since I don't have individual names to contact them personally.  SO...
1. My soap recipe is my own!  My friend, Rocky, showed me how to make soap and I took what she taught me and came up with my own recipe.  I used her recipe for my first batch and decided that I wanted a harder bar of soap... SO I researched, calculated oils, practiced and came up with a recipe that is totally my OWN!  Some of my other recipes are not my own, and in that case, I'm happy to tell you where I got them from so you can have fun creating (if that's your thing!).  I'm probably not going to share a recipe that took me LOTS of time and research to create.  I DO share what ingredients I use.  Who knows, someday I may sell this business and they wouldn't be happy if I had given out my recipes!  That's one of the differences between a "hobby" and  a "business".
2. Too many products?  Maybe, but so far I'm managing them.  I listen to my customers and as they have skin care needs, I can help them individually and if it's something that is a common problem... you'll probably see it on my shelf!  Shark Tank would kick me off the show!
3. Products too high priced?  When you compare my products which are 98-100% natural, NO water, alcohol, nasty chemicals..... to those products which are 98% full of those ingredients.... Well, you get what you pay for!   My response is... if you are buying commercial products, you are paying a LOT for water and chemicals!
  ***Some people buy their soap from Jelli's Market.  That's one of the joys of having so many choices in today's world.  PLEASE support Jelli's Market!  They are a wonderful local, family-owned business with the BEST produce (and homemade pies and apple cider doughnuts!) available locally.  Their soap comes from somewhere in New York... but whatever... might as well try a bar as long as you're there! I love healthy competition!
4.  Changing store hours?  The reason that I have changed when my AWESOME soap shop is open, is that one weekend a month we travel to hug our kids and grandkids.  Monday night openings were also affected by my Saturday closing, so that meant being closed twice.  Thursday nights are less affected by our weekends.  My AMAZING customers get nervous when I'm less available.  It only takes a few days without my products for nasty skin to return.  This has shown to be a GREAT decision.   I also now have a "pick-up" box for those who have "desperate" needs!
5.  Essential oils diluted?  ABSOLUTELY NOT!  My essential oils are poured right from the bottles that I receive from my supplier into smaller bottles to make THERAPEUTIC-GRADE essential oils available at affordable prices to my customers who don't want to pay for the "expensive ones".  My roll-ons are sometimes mixed with carrier oils for direct application to the skin.  Those are two different products!
6. Making money?   For those of you who have ever started your own business, they say you might see a profit in three years.  I'm hoping that's true!  Although that's not my FIRST priority, it is nice that the banker hasn't moved in with us yet!  As you know, I have recently, out of necessity, had to raise prices.  Right now, I'm reinvesting everything back into my business and MY CUSTOMERS!  God is my CEO and because of Him, I know everything is where it's supposed to be!  I thank God every night for giving me this opportunity to help others through this business.

There will ALWAYS be rumors...it's human nature! However, I really appreciate hearing them directly from the person with the concern.  PLEASE  give me a chance to offer facts before sending negative info into "Satan's grapevine".  Not only is this a sin, it's a VERY dangerous place to hang out to spread information which can damage another person's reputation.  I'm working REALLY hard for you ALL!  Please respect me enough to ask ME about something you might hear that "doesn't sound like something Lynn Fry would do!"  I sleep well at night knowing that I've done MY BEST!

  HUGS and THANKS to you all!  Back to making soap!

Good evening from my quiet little shop room.  There's something about that time of night when the moon is at is fullest, the phone has stopped ringing for the day, the hubby has retired to the comfortable water bed (yes, we still have one!), the noisy tv is off, the last batch of soap has been poured for the day... Ahhhhhhh...... SO PEACEFUL!  We live in the country, so we have that peace & quiet!  Our internet is AWFUL, but everything else is peaceful.  I guess that's a small price to pay.  Thank you God for peace in our home!

So... last January I spoke to my WONDERFUL friends at Badger Group about putting together a newsletter.  You know, the one you get in the "snail mail box" and unfold it and read it while you are enjoying a glass of wine...or cup of coffee... or just because you're SO excited to see what's new at L. L. Hugs, Naturally!  Well, it's now September and it's ALMOST ready!  That's MY procrastination...NOT Badger Group.  They have been gently nudging me without being annoying!  If you ever have any needs for putting a "shine" on your business... THEY are the ones, HANDS DOWN!!!!  So, here's the deal... If I have your address, you should see my brightly-colored newsletter arriving sooooon!  If you are NOT on my mailing list and would like a copy... send your e-mail address to LLHUGS@hotmail.com .  If you receive a newsletter and you don't want to keep it... PLEASE pass it on to someone else after you have read it!  Take it to work and leave it in the break room,  take it to a waiting room or doctor's office and leave it there... or bring it back to me when you visit the shop and I will share it with new customers.  Just DON'T THROW IT AWAY! 

PRICE INCREASE FOR SOAP -- After MUCH review and resistance, I am forced to raise the price of a bar of soap to $6.  Prices of oils and butters have risen and the suppliers shipping costs have increased and I'm not able to absorb them anymore.  This still keeps my soap prices VERY competitive and they still last a LONG time (approximately a month), so I can still sleep soundly at night knowing that it's still a pretty good deal.  This change has already gone into effect, so whether you shop in my store or online, you will be charged the new cost.  I've been in business a little over two years and that's the first soap cost change... NOT BAD!  Our goal isn't about getting rich... it's about keeping the banker from moving in! :)

SOOOO many new products, just in time for the dry weather to start!  I'm pretty excited about several of them.... okay, I'll tell you which are my favorites... Spray-Mazing Body Mist; T.P. & Booty Spray; Hand, Face & Body LOTION; Lip Gloss (yes, with the wand); hyaluronic acid; and there are some really AWESOME new soap scents on the drying rack.
I've also reformulated my Hand, Face & Body CREAM and Body Silk and made them lighter and more absorbent.  I can guarantee you there is NOTHING like it at the store!  I was blessed with good skin, so I don't need much extra moisturizing besides my bar of soap.  Oh, don't worry... I have OTHER issues! Speaking of... it's past my bedtime and I get crabby when I get tired.  So I will sign off before THAT happens... HUGS to you all.  You are more important than you realize and I THANK GOD for each and every one of you!

***Some of these products are so new they aren't on the website yet... STAY TUNED!!!  If you don't see something, PLEASE ASK ME!