Category Archives: Books

Coloring Ocean Mandalas Review

Coloring Ocean Mandalas: 30 Hand-Drawn Designs for Mindful Relaxation Review and Giveaway

I am a lucky gal, I live a mere stones throw from the ocean as the crow flies. When you really do the journey it is down a one hill and basically up one right next door and about 200 steps at the top to the right and boom: the ocean!

On windy days the ocean breeze becomes clear and I can smell is as if I was actually at the ocean. The ocean makes appearances throughout our life from the name of our network to the name of our cars – the ocean’s presence in our life is clear.

I have seen many coloring books but few related specifically to mandalas and the ocean, until I heard about a new coloring book called Coloring Ocean Mandalas: 30 Hand-Drawn Designs for Mindful Relaxation by Wendy Piersall.

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Homemade Cleaners Book Review

Homemade Cleaners: Quick-and-Easy, Toxic-Free Recipes to Replace Your Kitchen Cleaner, Bathroom, Disinfectant, Laundry Detergent, Bleach, Bug Killer, Air Freshener and More… Review and Giveaway

We are a cat household, and we are a cat household that allows the cats almost anywhere in the house that their little paws can take them. Due to our somewhat liberal, and at times foolish, rules we hate using harsh chemicals to clean the surfaces that we share with the cats.

I never really had a real awareness of the harsh chemicals until I realized that the products were transferring onto the cats paws and how incredibly deadly this can be for them. I decided that I would make my home, and surfaces, a safer environment for all breathing creatures. I have read over the years that by using certain essential oils and baking soda, borax or any of the other natural ingredients available you can create some amazing cleaners.

Naturally, when I had the opportunity to review and giveaway a book that covered this concern, I had to accept. I received for review and giveaway a copy of Homemade Cleaners Quick-and-Easy, Toxic-Free Recipes to Replace Your Kitchen Cleaner, Bathroom, Disinfectant, Laundry Detergent, Bleach, Bug Killer, Air Freshener and More… by Mandy O’Brien and Dionna Ford.

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Hollywood Cafe Review

Hollywood Cafe: Coffee with the Stars Review and Giveaway

I am going to share something that people in my personal life know – I am a walking movie database. For some strange and unknown reason I can remember random bits of movie trivia. There are literally situations in our house where we will be watching a television show, I will hear a voice and just blurt out a random fact. Jason refers to me as “Jennifer Movie Database” because of my extensive knowledge.

I love everything from game shows, to sitcoms to movies. My expertise is people and movies from the late 1980’s to now. I am always looking for books that will support my love of Hollywood and the productions that come out of it. When recently had the opportunity to review Hollywood Cafe: Coffee with the Stars by Steven Rea, I knew this would be a fun journey.

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Outside The Lines, Too Coloring Book Review

Outside The Lines, Too: An Inspired and Inventive Coloring Book Review and Giveaway
One of my favorite things in the world is a brand new box of writing and coloring implements. There is something almost magical when you crack open a new box of crayons and open a whole new world of imagination. Recently I went and purchased a new set of pencils, crayons and pens to make my journey of coloring a little easier while providing me millions of color options.

I recently received the 2nd book curated by Souris Hong titled “Outside The Lines, Too: An Inspired and Inventive Coloring Book by Creative Masterminds” curated by Souris Hong for review. This 2nd coloring book has over 126 pages (256 pages total) of coloring pages each by a different artist. I also had the opportunity to review the 1st book in this series entitled “Outside The Lines: An Artists’ Coloring Book for Giant Imaginations” curated by Souris Hong at the same time for review. Continue reading →

Every Little Thing Review

Every Little Thing: A Flat Vernacular Coloring Book Review and Giveaway

When I was in school there was a requirement to “wrap” our books. What this exercise entailed was gathering paper bags and cutting them to the size of the textbook, and with a couple strategic folds and little tape the book would be covered. What resulted was a black space, and a spine to create whatever I chose to think appropriate and thematic for that book.

The best part was the blank canvas and being able to create the cover of my dreams. This normally took longer than and usually detracted from the real purpose of the books. I always went for bright colors, and something inspiring and happy – think rainbows and butterflies.

There have been books throughout my life that I have thought could do well as an outline, and give the reader the ability to color. This long thought of mine has come to fruition with the release of Every Little Thing: A Flat Vernacular Coloring Book by Payton Cosell Turner.

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Dragon World: Adult Coloring Book Review

Dragon World: Adult Coloring Book Review and Giveaway

When I was 16 I was introduced to a game called Dungeons and Dragons. I was introduced to this game from my male best friend at the time who happened to host a D&D game in his parents garage each weekend. Each week he would gather 5-8 of his closest friends and they would continue the ongoing adventure that he created in his head. When he would describe a dragon encounter I would laugh and think of the nicest dragons possible. While I would be listening to this unfold, I would sit and color – sometimes for 6 hours.

Flash forward 20 years and there are two surprises. The first is that I am now married to that Dungeon Master who created those multiple woven stories. The second surprise is that I have grown to really appreciate dragons and I have found they are a part of my life. There are dragons in my favorite game, in my favorite cartoon trilogy and now in my coloring books.

I learned today, after asking that Dungeon Master, that the colors dragons have can vary as much as the dragon itself. The reason I inquired about colors of dragons was because I was about to embark on a new coloring book review of an adult coloring book called Dragon World: Adult Coloring Book by Mark Coyle.

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Clutter Rehab Review

Clutter Rehab Review

I have always been an organized person – I love my labels, my boxes and my “systems”. I remember when I was young I would offer to clean and organize the kitchen cabinets – I would clean them and then label where everything belonged driving family and visitors alike crazy, since things were always moved around. This fascination of organization is nothing new, but has been raised to a new level since starting this blog.

As a review blogger a sense of control and organization is almost as vital as the ability to write a review. I am constantly filtering through product, cardboard boxes and deadlines. I want to make sure I write the reviews in a timely manner, and that the items are represented in the best light I can put them in. I am constantly revising and updating my review systems, to help efficient and effectiveness.

I am always looking for new tips. tricks and “inside” organizational techniques. Naturally when I had the opportunity to review an organization themed book I thought this might be the answer and would give me the opportunity to create some real systems in my house. I received Clutter Rehab; 101 Tips and Tricks to Become an Organization Junkie and Love It! by Laura Wittman and began to read.

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Make Garbage Great Review

Make Garbage Great Review and Giveaway

As any regular reader of this blog can say, I love to up-cycle. I love the idea that I can turn everyday trash into something useful and relevant. In our house we try our best to recycle when able, and we also like to up-cycle when able.

Recently the town that I live in had banned the use of plastic bags in stores – which while good for the environment, hard on the forgetful people who leave the house without cloth bags. I understand why the plastic was banned, and while that was the obvious choice plastic is in more than just our grocery bags. There is plastic in items such as hip replacements, wire insulation and even in certain types of lumber.

When I opened my eyes and looked at what is already around us I began wondering if I could really make a difference in this mounting garbage filling the landfills issue. Due to my heightened awareness of re-cycling and up-cycling I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to review Make Garbage Great: The Terracycle Family Guide to a Zero-Waste Lifestyle.

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Stunning Braids Review

Stunning Braids Review and Giveaway

When I was young, the only thing I wanted in life was long hair, but it was the one thing that was a constant no in my house. Many people thought that the reason I was not allowed long hair was that my single father would not know how to braid it. Of all the reasons that existed, this was not one of them and in fact my father was quite adept at dealing with longer hair.

When I finally had the opportunity for longer hair, I was in Jr. High School and wanted to look like my friends. I decide perm my hair for the next 5 years, and rarely adding braids to the style directory in my head. I would attempt to braid my own hair, but it never looked quite right. I was in my early 20’s when I finally figured braiding out, albeit a simple french braid is the most that ever was done.

Now that I am an adult, I ride that fine line of looking silly in braided pigtails but not looking together enough, and I think I finally found a book that will help me not cross that precarious line – Stunning Braids: Gorgeous Hairstyles for Any Occasion from Work to Weddings.

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The 1990’s Coloring Book Review

The 1990’s Coloring Book Review and Giveaway

I have a confession – I love the 90’s. I got my driver’s license in 1991, went to my first prom in 1992 and watched my friends graduates high school in 1993. Finally in 1994 it was my turn to graduate high school, in 1995 through 1998 I was a little lost and finally in 1999 found myself and began college. I even met my current husband in 1990! The 1990’s were when I came to age and began becoming the person I am today.

The 1990’s are also a pop culture treasure trove. My favorite piece of the 90’s still lives on in syndication – Beverly Hills 90210. There is something about this show that even 25 years later can still stop the channel surfing. The show tackled issues that young people were dealing with and we grew with the characters – we were invested in their lives.

Naturally, when I had the opportunity to review and giveaway a 90’s themed coloring book, The 1990’s Coloring Book, I had to accept. The 1990’s Coloring Book: All That and a Box of Crayons – Psyc! Crayons Not Included by James Grange is exactly what you think it would be – a trip back to possibily the greatest decade of our lives!

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