Tuesday Reviews-Day: LoLo Redux

Game-Changer. Day-Saver. Lo-Lo.

A few months ago I reviewed a fabulous product from Bar Maids: The Lo-Lo Love Sampler. I praised its wonderful qualities: yummy scents, non-greasy feel, portable size... this product has it all. It's perfect for my skin in the winter time. When the warm weather started, I admit, I put it aside. That is, until this weekend.

I went camping in the mountains this past weekend and encountered my mortal enemy: the mosquito. I searched desperately through my travel bag for anti-itch cream, lotion, ointment, anything to calm my itchy skin. I begged my fellow campers, to no avail. Desperate, I pulled out my Lo-Lo Love Pink Grapefruit sample and rubbed it on the bite. The result seemed like a miracle: within moments, the itching stopped, my skin was soothed, and I didn't even think about the bite again for hours.

So now, here I am, back again to sing the praises of Lo-Lo! Even better, the generous folks at Bar Maids have provided a coupon code for a lucky reader to win a Lo Lo Love Sampler pack of your own!

To enter: leave a comment on this entry! Get a bonus entry if you subscribe via email using the box in the upper-right corner of the blog. Just come back and leave another comment saying that you subscribed. Please make sure to leave some form of contact information (email, Ravelry ID, etc.) in your comment so that I can contact you if you win. But wait! It gets better! If we get 100 entries, I will add a second coupon code to the mix - double the chance to win! Tell your friends, share on your blog, it's a win-win!

I will draw the winner next Tuesday, June 18th, at 10:00am ET and post the winner(s) on Wednesday, June 19th. Please note that the coupon code is valid for a Lo-Lo Love Sampler pack and shipping up to $1.80 (which should cover most places in the continental US). Shipping charges above that amount are the responsibility of the winner(s).

We-Have-A-Winner Wednesday!

Thanks to everyone who entered the Lo-Lo Love Giveaway! I ran the random number generator and it said that the winner is comment number 6, Knitty Kitty!

Knitty Kitty, I don't have your contact information, so please send me an email at k8erpillarATgmailDOTcom so that I can send you your coupon code. Be sure to come back and let us know what delicious fragrances you choose!

Stay tuned for more reviews, giveaways, and fun!

Tuesday Reviews-Day: How Lo-Lo Can You Go?

I don't know about you, readers, but this cold, dry, winter air really takes its toll on my hands. Combine that with the constant handwashing and sanitizing that I do at work, and it's lucky that they don't just quit on me! Fortunately, this year, I have a new secret weapon.

Enter: Lo-Lo

 Back in the summer time, I finally indulged my curiosity and ordered a Lo-Lo Love Sampler Pack from the Bar Maids. I chose five scents: Peppermint Peggy, Pink Grapefruit, Toasted Coconut (my favorite!), Vanilla Cake, and Coco Mango. They arrived at my door super quickly, and it was love at first sight... smell... feel...
Fast-forward to the winter months: it's been the coldest January that PA has seen in a few years, and my hands are doing better than ever, thanks to Lo-Lo! My hands are moisturized without being slimy, waxy, or sticky. I can choose a light, happy fragrance to suit my mood. Unlike the "moisturizers" I've gotten at big-box stores or the mall, they're made from natural ingredients and not alcohol-based, so they don't leave my hands constantly needing more product. The little samplers are so cute and can go with me anywhere and everywhere: in my desk at work, in my purse, in the car... I'm never without Lo-Lo now. And the good news is: you don't have to be without Lo-Lo either!
The Bar Maids have kindly offered to share the Lo-Lo love by providing a coupon code to one of my lucky readers for a free Lo-Lo Love Sampler Pack! They'll even cover the shipping up to $1.80, because they are so fabulous. Want to get in on the action? Simple. Just leave a comment on this post and tell me which of the amazing scents you'd like to try! I'll draw the winner next Tuesday, February 5th.
What are you waiting for? Go get your Lo-Lo on!

We-Have-A-Winner Wednesday!

Thanks to everyone who entered the contest for the copy of Hobbit Knits by Josie Mercier!
I ran the random number generator this morning, and it chose #3, which was Ginger! She will receive a copy of the pattern collection via Ravelry. Congratulations, Ginger!
I'm hoping to do many more reviews and giveaways in the near future, so keep checking back here regularly. Thanks for stopping by!

Time is Running Out!

Just a reminder that today is your last chance to enter the giveaway for the copy of Hobbit Knits by Josie Mercier! Please comment on last Tuesday's entry before midnight ET to be entered. The winner will be announced tomorrow afternoon. Good luck!

Tuesday Reviews-Day! Plus, A Giveaway!

I'm so thrilled to have the opportunity to review a copy of Hobbit Knits by Josie Mercier! I received a review copy of this pattern collection from the designer, and I'm excited to share my impressions with you.

The pattern collection contains a total of five patterns: the Pony Rides in May Sunshine Fingerless Mitts, Elvish Singing Shawlette, Pocketses Vest, Mirkwood Satchel, and the Beorn Cabled Cardigan. The designer provides a nice description with each pattern of how it relates to the book The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein, for which the collection is named.

The instructions for all of the projects are very thorough (the collection as a whole totals 36 pages), and the designer includes helpful notes such as the following: "Note: for those who wish to print off only the pattern essentials, this information is on pages 4, 5and 6 of the pattern." The layout is clean and simple, and does not overwhelm the eye. For the most part, the yarns used in the pattern should be familiar and readily available to most knitters, however, I would have liked if the weight of each yarn were included to make substitution easier for those who don't have access to the yarns used, or who wish to work from their stashes.




 The Pony Rides in May Sunshine Fingerless Mitts come in three sizes and include both written and charted instructions.

The Elvish Singing Shawlette includes both charted and written instructions. It is worked in fingering weight yarn.

The Pocketses Vest is my personal favorite of the five patterns in this collection. It comes in six sizes ranging from a 29.5" bust up to a 49" bust. It includes a schematic, as well as the written instructions. The designer takes care to warn the knitter when the ever-dreaded "at the same time" is coming, by noting that at the beginning of the section.

The Mirkwood Satchel is another one of my favorites. It includes both charted and written instructions for the cable section. I love the cabled strap! This bag features a zipper closure, but does not provide much detail as to the installation of the zipper. If the knitter, like me, lacks experience in inserting zippers, s/he will likely need to consult a friend, forum, or video tutorial for help with this step.

Finally, we come to the Beorn Cabled Cardigan, an absolute masterpiece in cables. This cardigan, once again, includes both written and charted instructions, as well as a schematic. It is written for four sizes ranging from a 33" to a 48" bust, and is designed to be worn with a few inches of positive ease. I do wish that it came in a slightly larger range of sizes, (i.e. more sizes within the established range), because my measurement falls in between sizes. With the amount of intricate cabling, however, it is certainly understandable that the math could prohibit that.

Overall, I really like all of the patterns in this collection, and I'm looking forward to making a few of them, especially the Pocketses Vest. I really admire how Josie Mercier was able to interpret the elements of the book into wearable fashions that don't look like costumes.

If you like the patterns as much as I do, they are available for purchase through Josie's Ravelry Store, both as a collection and individually. You can also enter to win a copy of the entire collection right here on the blog! Just leave a comment about which pattern from the collection is your favorite, and you'll be entered to win. The drawing will take place next Tuesday, 1/15/13. Don't forget to include your email address or Ravelry ID so that I can contact you if you're the winner!