Category Archives: Books

Color Your Christmas Adult Coloring Book Review

Color Your Christmas: A Crafty Christmas Adult Coloring Book Review + Giveaway

color-your-christmasWe are about 6 weeks until Christmas and I am already seeing the signs and icons of the season. Each time I go to the store I see more and more reds, greens and golds.

My favorite thing about the holidays is something that I rarely experience – snow and snowmen. I have begun collecting these white balls of personality, and dream of seeing a white Christmas.

For the time being the closest I can get is on television and my own imagination. I love adult coloring books for this reason – I can let my imagination run wild. When I received the Color Your Christmas:A Crafty Christmas Adult Coloring Book by Blue Star Premier and Suzy Joyner I was eager to see images of the upcoming season.

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I Modify IKEA Review

I Modify IKEA: Furnishings from Everyone’s Favorite Store, Customize for Your Home – 50 Fun & Creative Decorating Projects Review and Giveaway

i-modify-ikeaWhen I was young I gave very little consideration to my dressers, bath mats, books shelves and all other storage items. As I have gotten older I have noticed that many times I find the items I am looking for but many times it is not the right color or there is a minor thing that could be changed for the piece to be perfect.

Often times this fact is driven home to me when I go to my local IKEA and I see the rows and stacks of boxes. I see those boxes, and dream of all the possibilities inside. From the colors, to the adding of elements – each piece really can be personalized.

When I received the book I Modify IKEA: Furnishings from Everyone’s Favorite Store, Customized for Your Home by Charlotte Rivers and Elysse Major for review it was clear that I was not the only person in the world that also sees this world of possibilities.

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Stress Relieving Cats – Celebration Edition Adult Coloring Book Review

Stress Relieving Cats: Celebration Edition Adult Coloring Book Review + Giveaway

stress-relieving-cats-celebration-editionThere is no secret, I love cats. I love that each feline you meet has a different personality and a different temperament.

The best example of this is the differences between Maggee and Murfee. When new people enter the house, Maggee wants to meet the human entering her environment. Murfee on the other hand generally holds back, makes sure the person is approved by us and then proceeds to say hello. What makes me curious is that these are two animals that have grown up in the same environment and have been exposed to the same experiences.

Much like humans these balls of fur are shaped by the decisions, experiences and knowledge they have. When I received the Stress Relieving Cats Adult Coloring Book’s Celebration Edition by Blue Star Premier I knew that this would be the perfect coloring book to show all of my cats personality traits! Continue reading →

Adult Coloring Book: Stress Relieving Paisley Patterns Review

Adult Coloring Book: Stress Relieving Paisley Patterns Review + Giveaway

stress-relieving-paisley-patternsI am a child of the 70’s – the mid 70’s. What this means is that I was dressed in what is arguable the ugliest fabric patterns. When I began school it was the dawn of the 1980’s and it was still not the best patterns. By the late 80’s the fabrics became more palatable to the eyes. Now that we are in the zero teens the fabrics are circling back to those patterns of the 70’s. The one constant in all times and all patterns are paisleys.

Paisleys are timeless almost because they are a reflection of the times and the popular colors. Paisleys are of a Persian origin and are made of droplet-shaped motif. It is named for a town in Scotland where the paisley fabric originates from. Oddly enough Paisley became identified with psychedelic style due to a resurgence in the pattern’s mainstream popularity leading up the mid and late 1960s.

When I received a copy of Adult Coloring Book: Stress Relieving Paisley Patterns by Blue Star Coloring I was transported to a different time.

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Stress Relieving Animal Designs – Celebration Edition Adult Coloring Book Review

Stress Relieving Animal Designs: Celebration Edition Adult Coloring Book Review and Giveaway

stress-relieving-animal-designs-celebration-editionThere are few things as majestic as the animals at the zoo as the lions, tigers and bears (oh my!).

Since I live in the same town as two notable zoo and animal parks I grew up seeing these majestic creatures not only on my television but as as gust. I have always loved zoo’s and love the care that it is taken into taking care of these animals.

When I saw Stress Relieving Animal Designs: Celebration Edition Adult Coloring Book by Blue Star Premier I remembered and thought of all those animals I share my town with.  Continue reading →

Coloring Bird Mandalas Review

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

bird-mandalasI have always loved coloring and when I can combine coloring and elements of nature I am more than game.

Up until the last year I had not had much interaction or knowledge of mandalas. Since that time I have come to love and appreciate these circular works of art. I not only love the mandalas, but when elements of nature are included it makes the image mean something.

When I received the new coloring book Coloring Bird Mandalas: 30 Hand-Drawn Designs for Mindful Relaxation by Wendy Piersall I saw this combination come to reality and something I could be a part of.

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Holiday Parade: A Christmas Adult Coloring Book Review

Holiday Parade: A Christmas Adult Coloring Book Review and Giveaway

holiday-parade-adult-coloring-book-giveawayWhen I think of parades, there are two holidays that come to mind. The first is July 4th and the independence and the second is the Christmas.

Each year there is an annual parade in the county I live in and even the water there are holiday parades. There is something magical about seeing the snowmen, the Santa’s and the reindeer. My favorite is the colors and the lights, and the decorations. The moving images bring the holiday season to life in a very positive and happy way.

When I received a copy of Holiday Parade: A Christmas Adult Coloring Book by Blue Star Coloring I thought of the holiday season that is brought to life in a magical way.  Continue reading →

Coloring Flower Mandala Postcards Review

Coloring Flower Mandala Postcards: 20 Hand-Drawn Designs for Mindful Relaxation Review and Giveaway

coloring-flower-mandala-postcardsI am a fan of sending happy mail to friends, family and acquaintances. I believe the art of sending postcards and cards through the mail has been replaced by quick messages on social media and two-line emails.

Since cards can take time to create and assemble it is nice to have an easy alternative. When I received the book Coloring Flower Mandala Postcards: 20 Hand-Drawn Designs for Mindful Relaxation by Wendy Piersall for review I knew I found my easy way to send a personalized greeting via mail.

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New Belgium Brewing: Adult Coloring Book Review

New Belgium Brewing: Adult Coloring Book Review and Giveaway

new-belgium-brewing-coloring-bookAs I drive around town I have noticed a new trend – craft breweries. I live in San Diego County and as luck would have it, the county is home to more than 100 breweries, microbreweries, and brewpubs which makes for many options for cuisine and beer.

The one brewery that is not near us is New Belgium, a craft brewery that is located in Ft. Collins Colorado. This craft brewery began on a bike ride through Belgium brewery to brewery. Through hard work and wide distribution New Belgium has become the 3rd largest craft brewery, and the 8th overall brewery in the United States.

Since my husband is a fan of craft breweries I knew when I saw the New Belgium Brewing: Adult Coloring Book this would be a book that we both would enjoy. Continue reading →