Category Archives: Books

Cake, I Love You Review

Cake, I Love You: Decadent, Delectable and Do-Able Recipes Review 

The products featured in this post were provided to me free of charge courtesy of Lifestyle Public Relations. This post may have affiliate links but this in no way will influence the review to follow and all opinions are my own.

As much as I love to bake, I am honestly no good at decorating. The decorating is my one weakness and the one area I am always looking to learn and educate myself.

When I saw Cake, I Love You by Jill O’Connor, I saw an easy way to make the cakes I make beautiful. The book includes many recipes and ideas for seasoned bakers to beginner bakers and everybody in between.

Cake, I Love You offers 60 recipes that are organized by flavor profile such as banana, coconut, chocolate, caramel, spice, fruit, butterscotch, spices, citrus and cakes from the garden and orchard. From the level of difficulty, each chapter in this cookbook gives a wide range of cakes from easy weeknight sheet cakes to showstoppers that are layered with frosting and ganache. There are photos throughout so you know what your cake should look like.

Also of note, the author is a local a food columnist for the San Diego Union-Tribune and she lives in San Diego, California.

If you are looking for a easy to follow cake book that will have you baking by the weekend, get a copy of Cake, I Love You by Jill O’Connor.

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You can purchase Cake, I Love You on Amazon

D.I.Y. Dollhouse Review

D.I.Y. Dollhouse: Build and Decorate a Toy House Using Everyday Materials Review & Giveaway

When I was young I always wanted a dollhouse. I just did not want a dollhouse, I wanted to MAKE a dollhouse. At the time I had no idea the time, effort or wood cutting involved, and my dream dollhouse never got built.

I was always thinking that there was a simpler way than the cutting, gluing and attaching that was involved. Flash forward many years later and I have finally discovered that easier way. The D.I.Y. Dollhouse: Build and Decorate a Toy House Using Everyday Materials by Alexia Henrion is the book I never knew I really wanted.

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Think Time: Journal Planner Review

Think Time: Purpose Planner Review + Giveaway

Most of my life works on a plan – I am always planning ahead. The planning encompasses my weekly shopping to 12 months ahead on the blog. I am always planning the editiorial calender and the topics that I will cover. It also helps to plan longer term goals, such as 5 year goals.

I used to put this planning in planners and calendars  and while I still love planners I have transitioned to liking the planning before the planing. Last year I used the Think Time Journal Planner and I enjoyed it all year.

This year the Think Time team changed the planner around, and switched the focus to the planning before the planner with the Purpose Planner.

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Fun and Friendly Calligraphy For Kids Review

Fun and Friendly Calligraphy for Kids: A Hands-On Guide to Creative Lettering Review + Giveaway

When I was young I had a lot of energy and not many places to direct it. Each year I write cards and notes, and each year I strive to make my handwriting better. I am always looking for books and step-by-step instructions to extend those skills. When I recently I received a copy of Fun and Friendly Calligraphy for Kids: A Hands-On Guide to Creative Lettering by Virginia Lucas Hart for review I was excited to perfect my abilities for future cards.

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InStyle Parties Review

InStyle Parties: The Complete Guide to Easy, Elegant Entertaining All Year Round – Review & Giveaway

Ever since I was a teenager I have loved planning parties. There is only one problem – I have a great idea but my execution always seems a bit off my imagination. I start off with lofty ideas, pinterest boards and boundless motivation, but I always fall short.

With the season of entertaining upon us I know I could use any party planning help I can get. With that said, I was thrilled when I saw the new book InStyle Parties: The Complete Guide to Easy, Elegant Entertaining All Year Round by the Editors of INSTYLE. Continue reading →

How to Draw Cat and Kittens – A Book Review

How to Draw Cats and Kittens: A Complete Guide for Beginners Review and Giveaway

As regular readers know we are cat fans around here. As fascinated and interesting as I find cats, I can not draw them. I have tried to draw cats in the past but they come out more alien than feline. Recently I receive a copy of How to Draw Cats and Kittens: A Complete Guide for Beginners by J. C. Amberlyn and I immediately knew that this may be just what I need to finally learn to draw my beloved cats.

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Stock the Crock – Slow-Cooker Recipe Book Review

Stock The Crock this Crocktober with Stock the Crock: 100 Must-Have Slow-Cooker Recipes, 200 Variations for Every Appetite Review & Giveaway

One of my favorite kitchen items is my crock pot. We love our crock pot so much that we have 3 of them. We have the big one, middle and a smaller one. I use the larger one for everything from pork to chicken.

Lately though it has been mentioned to me that I need to broaden our food selections and our pallettes, which made the arrival of a copy of Stock the Crock by Phyllis Good for review not only timely but also beneficial.

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Brush Pen Lettering Review

Brush Pen Lettering: A Step-by-Step Workbook for Learning Decorative Scripts and Creating Inspired Styles Review + Giveaway

As much as I love review blogging there is another thing I love to do – write and send cards to loved ones.

I believe that the art of handwriting is slowly being eliminated from the skills people hold. Instead of being able to do clean brush lettering, people strive to have the most words typed from their smart phones.

Each year I write cards and notes, and each year I strive to make my handwriting better. I am always looking for books and step-by-step instructions to extend those skills. When I recently I received a copy of Brush Pen Lettering: A Step-by-Step Workbook for Learning Decorative Scripts and Creating Inspired Styles by Grace Song for review I was excited to perfect my abilities for future cards.

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Celestial: A Colorable Zodiac Journal Review

Celestial: A Colorable Zodiac Journal Review + Giveaway

I am a summer baby – July to be exact. When I was young I hated having my birthday in the middle of summer when all my friends were out-of-town.

There is also another element to having a summer birthday is that I am firmly in the astrological sign is in the Cancer time frame.

When I saw the new Celestial: A Colorable Zodiac Journal by Gabriel Picolo/Blue Star Coloring I decided to look and see how similar I am to the astrological description.  Continue reading →