Tag Archives: book review

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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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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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 Botanical Hand-Lettering Workbook Review

The Botanical Hand-Lettering Workbook Review and Giveaway

I love my hand-writing and especially my cursive writing. I am very lucky in that I can write in a straight line, despite not having any lines. I have always found this to be a priceless talent when I am creating or addressing cards. I have mentioned in the past that I believe the art of hand-writing is become a lost art in this world of gaming, chatting and geo-tagging. If we do not practice and renew our education in this art, we will lose it forever.

I am always looking for books that will help me expand upon my knowledge of hand-writing and different techniques. I love the ability of integrating floral motifs to the design, being able to combine cursive and hand-writing while looking fluid, and anything else that can liven up an otherwise boring envelope.

I recently received the new book by Bethany Robertson entitled “The Botanical Hand-Lettering Workbook: Draw Whimsical & Decorative Styles and Scripts“.

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Crafting with Wood Pallets Review

Crafting with Wood Pallets Review and Giveaway

If you are anything like me, you have not given wood pallets much more then a passing thought. When I brought this topic up to Jason he almost laughed while confirming that yes, in fact he knew about pallets and they were more then a passing thought in his world.

When Jason was younger, apparently much younger, he would rally his friends together and they would go to a secluded area known as Spooks Canyon. Now remember this was in the day BEFORE cell phones, email and mass messaging so this really was a feat when anywhere from 50-100 people would show up. In a secluded area the need for fire sustainment is essential and since Jason had a truck he was the official wood pallet collector. Over the years he estimates that he had gathered and used close to 1,000 pallets if not more.

Naturally when I recently received the new book by Becky Lamb entitled “Crafting with Wood Pallets: Projects for Rustic Furniture, Decor, Art, Gifts and More” I remembered the stories of Jason’s pallet collection days. While different and much more usable then Jason’s use of pallets, this new book shows the reader over 25 different ideas to re-purpose a wood pallet.

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Hand-Lettering for Everyone: A Creative Workbook Review

Hand-Lettering for Everyone: A Creative Workbook Review and Giveaway

Anyone who has read my reviews in the past knows that I am not only a Scrapbooker and card maker but I am a big believer in the art of handwritten cards and invitations. As time passes I notice more and more how younger generations rely on computers and phones as ways of communication. The alternative to this is handwriting and handwritten notes and invitations. I have also noticed a trend that penmanship of the younger generations is lacking while typing skill are increasing. There is an entire art of handwriting and the options within are as endless as they are creative.

It appears as though I am not the only person that feels this way. I recently received the new book by Cristina Vanko titled “Hand-Lettering for Everyone: A Creative Workbook“. This new book has over 220 pages of exercises to get you thinking creatively about your hand-lettering.

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Ulysses Press – 4 Gift Books Review

Let me start by saying that the products featured in this post were provided to me free of charge courtesy of Ulysses Press. This post may have affiliate links but this in no way will influence the review to follow and all opinions are my own.

Ulysses Press: Apuglogies, Emoticat Stickers, Cover Art and Don’t Quit Your Day Dream Review and Giveaway

I have mentioned in the past that when I was young there was a gift store that i frequented for presents. This store had everything from gag gifts, balloons, cards and gift books. I also worked for a card shop that sold gift books so I love theme books that celebrate a persons favorite things.

I recently heard about the release of 4 new gift books from Ulysses Press that celebrate a persons favorite things that range from Pugs saying “I’m sorry”, cats that are expressive and communicate how you are feelings, hangable classic book covers and a unique twist on the adult coloring trend.

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