Friday, November 29, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday

Feature Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

This week's question:

What’s your favorite Thanksgiving Day food? If you’re not American or Canadian, what is your favorite holiday food?

My favorite Thanksgiving day food is seafood dressing made with mirliton and crab. My favorite Thanksgiving desserts are sweet potato pie and lemon meringue pie.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Review: The SFP LookBook: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2013 Collections

Title: The SFP LookBook: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall Collections 2013

Author: Jesse Marth

Publisher: Schiffer Publishing Ltd.

Pub Date: July 3, 2013

Source NetGalley











Summary:
Schiffer Fashion Press launches its inaugural LookBook with Fall/Winter 2013 runway looks from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Ideal for identifying trends in color, fabric, pattern, and silhouette, here are images of thousands of looks from more than 80 of today s top designers, including Michael Kors, Tadashi Shoji, Monique Lhuillier, Diane Von Furstenberg, Badgley Mischka, Naeem Khan, and more. This exhaustive compilation features high-end ready-to-wear, sportswear, menswear, accessories, and eveningwear presentations. Quickly reference the season s hottest trends, including intricate prints and embroidery; lacy, tiered dresses; garments with cut-out leather details; tribal-inspired urban menswear; and bold gowns in rich jewel tones. The SFP LookBook compiles everything that the Fall/Winter collections have to offer all in one volume of high-quality images it is a must have for trend spotters, stylists, buyers, and fashionistas everywhere.

My review:

This book is a must have for fashionistas, designers, lovers of fashion photography and any up and coming stylists. The layout is neat and the pictures are clear and colorful. There are many recognizable designers as well as new ones. There are a plethora of styles and fashion ideas for everybody. I've never been to fashion week but this book makes me feel like I have a front row seat to all of the many fashions.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday





Feature and Follow Friday is a meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

This week's question:

What are some of your favorites magazines?

  • Allure
  • Self
  • Elle
  • Marie Claire
  • Glamour
  • Natural Health
 

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Review: Fly Betty by Treasure Blue

Title: Fly Betty

Author: Treasure Blue

Pub date: Feb. 5, 2013

Publisher: Cash Money Content

Source: Library












 Summary from Amazon:

IN THE MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR A YEAR ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY THERE IS a secret society of women that few are privy to. All of these women are vying for one thing – an opportunity to live a luxurious, lavish lifestyle by snagging a rich and famous singer, rapper or athlete.

Betty Blaise, or Fly Betty to those who truly know her, was not in it to be a wife or even the baby momma of a wealthy public figure – she had her sights set higher, much higher. While most of these women use sex as their weapon of choice, Betty, a senior majoring in psychology, has developed skills she learned from her mother’s diaries that prove much more powerful.

Up until now Betty has lived her life according to her own strict rules and standards, refusing to compromise for anyone, even if it potentially meant shielding herself from true love. But when she encounters a man that she would never have anticipated falling for in a million years, the very tools she used so effectively against men begin to turn against her – and deadly consequences are sure to follow.

My review/thoughts:

This was my first Treasure Blue book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Betty is a psychology major who uses her mother's rules and her brains to get what she wants. Betty is always two steps head. Her mom's number one rule is to never fall in love. Does she breaks this rule? Well, you have to read the book for the answer. This story was full of drama and plot twists that I did not see coming. This book is over 400 pages but I finished it in 5 hours. This is a fabulous read. If you are in the mood for an urban lit page turner that sucks you in, this book is for you.


Sunday, September 29, 2013

Showcase Sunday

 



Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky of Books Biscuits and Tea.

I got these books from the library.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Waiting on Wednesday is  a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly expecting.

 One choice will define you.

What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?


The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing
the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.
Expecting publishing date: October 22, 2013

I've read the last two and I can't wait to read this one.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Review: Secrets of a Spiritual Guru by Tamara Lee Dorris

Title: Secrets of a Spiritual Guru

Author: Tamara Lee Dorris

Publisher: Createspace

Pub date: April 6th, 2013









The book's summary:

Meet Melissa Murphy: wine-drinking real estate agent who finds herself "accidentally" assuming the role of a spiritual blogger when her boyfriend leaves her for his yoga teacher. Can she keep her role secret while trying to win her man back? If the lying doesn't kill her, the poses might!

Profound insight on human nature delivered in what seems like a yoga book (it's not), a real estate book (no way), but instead is a woman's fiction, humor tale that will keep readers smiling and longing for more.
My review/thoughts:

Melissa ends up single after her long-time boyfriend leaves her for a young yoga teacher. So Melissa ends up working for her and that's when the story gets really interesting. I enjoyed this book. Melissa was a relatable character. We get to see inside the world of a real estate agent which is a subject I don't know anything about. It was cool to learn about what goes into selling houses. This book is chick lit at it's finest. Its a light read and has a good message. What I didn't like was that it felt like it was over too soon. I got all into the story and then it was over. I guess I have to wait for the next book in the series. I can't wait. This story needs to have it's own TV show. Seriously, I'd watch it. It was that fabulous.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Showcase Sunday

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky of Books Biscuits and Tea.

I got these from the library.



For review:


Friday, July 19, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday




This week's question:
Where is the best destination reading spot for you? (Where do you like to read other than your home?)

I don't really have a destination reading place. I can read almost anywhere as long as its quiet. I've read by the pool once. It was relaxing except for the mosquitoes flying around. :)

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Review: Couponing for the Rest of Us by Kasey Knight Trenum

Title: Couponing for the Rest of Us

Author Kasey Knight Trenum

Publisher: Revell

Pub date: May 1, 2013

Source: NetGalley








Summary from Goodreads:
  Not everyone is an extreme couponer. Most of us just want to save some money--not let clipping coupons and scouring the internet for deals take over our lives. For all the savvy shoppers out there, Kasey Knight Trenum has written "Couponing for the Rest of Us."
She knows that money is tight, food prices are going up, gas prices are closing in on unbearable, and people have better things to do than spend every spare minute (if they have any) obsessing over costs and coupons. She also knows coupons just happen to be a tool that can save a family hundreds of dollars every month and ultimately improve a family's finances and its future.
"Couponing for the Rest of Us" shows readers
-where to find coupons for what your family eats
-how to make the internet do the work for you
-how to find sale cycles and store match-ups (and what those terms mean!)
-how to reinvent your shopping strategy and toss your lists
-how to make grocery shopping less stressful--even fun!
-how to turn money saved into money shared
-and much more
If readers want to save money "and" time, this book is a gold mine.
My Review:
Couponing for the Rest of Us by Kasey Knight Trenum is a great book to have when you want to learn about couponing. I already coupon, but I didn't understand some concepts like the difference between doubling and stacking. Kasey breaks it down so that couponing is easy to understand. I am one of those people that watches extreme couponing and loves to save money. I got a better understanding of how coupons work by reading this book. I had a ton of light bulb moments. This book is easy to read and a treasure to have if you are a person who likes to save money.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Review: Smitten: They Way of the Brilliant Flirt by Ariel Kelly and Simone Kornfield

Title: Smitten: The Way of the Brilliant Flirt

Authors: Ariel Kelly and Simone Kornfield

Publisher: Chronicle Books

Pub date: June 11, 2013

Source: Edelweiss








Summary from Goodreads:
Finally, an empowering dating guide for every woman who wants to have fun, express her opinions, and keep it real. No cheap tricks, no behavior changes, no nonsense. In Smitten, Ariel Kiley and Simone Kornfeld show women how to let their unique selves shine so they can become blissfully enlightened man-magnets. With tips on how to perfect the look of a flirt, build confidence, and let your true self emerge, Smitten teaches that being exactly who you are will get you what you want—whether it's a smile across the room, a first date, or long-term love. Soon enough, women everywhere will be turning heads and causing men to become completely, absolutely, entirely, downright smitten.

My review:

Smitten is an interesting book about flirting in a unique way. This book is easy to read and is broken up into two sections. In the first part, they want you to figure out who you are, be authentically you, and to be a self-actualizing woman. In the second part, they get down to the flirting techniques. This is a fun, girly read with a little depth. What I learned from this books is to have confidence, be you and be fearless in flirting.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Review: Confessions of a Raging Perfectionist: Learning to Be Free by Amanda Jenkins

Title: Confessions of a Raging Perfectionist: Learning to Be Free
Author: Amanda Jenkins
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Pub date: April 19, 2013

My review:

Confessions of a Raging Perfectionist by Amanda Jenkins is an inspiring book about how to just let go and trust God. Amanda has many vices and things she wants to fix about herself and she improves. The stories in each chapter gave great examples and bible scriptures that tie in together perfectly. I felt like I could relate to Amanda on some of  the various subjects she talked about such as: Money, Plans, Happiness, and Diet Coke to name a few. This book felt like a warm hug. I can't wait to read another book from this great author.

If you want to read an excerpt of Chapter 1 click here.
 Q&A with the author

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale House Publishers for an honest review.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Cover Reveal: To My Hero by Danielle Sibarium

Title: To My Hero

Author: Danielle Sibarium

Expected Pub Date: April 21, 2013

Genre: Young Adult

Synopsis:

It would’ve been different if I had courage, even an ounce of it. But I was a coward from the day I met you, Ryan Crowley. I still am. In the end it doesn’t matter. The bottom line is the same. It’s my fault. 
When the unthinkable happens Carly Cavanough is left beaten, betrayed, and devastated. Her best friend doesn’t understand. Her parents won’t listen. Everyone in her life turns against her. She’s completely alone, except for Ryan Crowley, the boy she’s been crushing on for years. She won’t admit to him what she can’t admit to herself. But he understands without words. He knows more about what she’s going through than she can possibly imagine and he knows what it will take for the healing to begin. 
With Ryan’s help Carly begins to piece together the fragments of her once perfect life and embarks on a journey of love and healing, just long enough for the rug to be pulled out from under her again. Can she find the strength and will to pull herself together to save Ryan and herself when their lives are on the line? 

www.daniellesibarium.com
Her Twitter 
Her Goodreads page