Birchbox January

This is going to be my last birchbox post, I decided to cancel my subscription.  I’ve barely had time to try any of the products, and the few that I did try and liked just cost too much for a full size. I may go back to it again later on down the line, but for now I decided to stop.

Aerie – Shimmer Fragrance
This light-as-air blend of bergamot, peony, and vanilla feels fresh and warm.
Full size $14.95-39.95

Caudalie – Vinexport Radiance Day Cream SPF 15
A lightweight daily moisturizer with a patented grape-derived compound to reverse skin damage, plus weightless SPF.
Full size $75

Eyeko – Skinny Liquid Eyeliner
This UK import features a user-friendly pen applicator and supersmooth formula.
Full size $15

Number 4 – Clarifying Shampoo
Gentle Enough for everyday use, this cleanser has a low-suds formula that removes buildup without stripping  hair of essential oils
Full size $32

Beauty Extra
Deborah Lippmann – The stripper to Go
These sweetly scented nail polish remover mitts make changing lacquer a breeze.
Set of 6, $12

Cool Concert Stages

There are 3 big arena shows that I am going to (so far!) in 2013.  Aside from them all being at the Mohegan Sun Arena, they all have pretty neat stage set ups.  I thought I’d share what the stages are supposed to look like, and then I’ll see if I can get a picture of what they end up as at the shows.

 

Those shows are – Maroon 5’s tour, P!NK’s tour and NKOTB’s Tour (w/ 98 degrees and Boyz II Men.)

Action Item 2-13-13

Wednesday night Action Item brought their Resolution Tour to the Heirloom Arts Theater in Danbury, CT.  Despite the fact that we might be getting snow that night, we all made it to the show.   Then had to find a place to park. I ended up in a 24 hour metered lot with meters that took only quarters and each quarter was 15 minutes.  Somehow I managed to scrounge up 3:15 worth of quarters. (Which is so odd for me because I usually hoard quarters in my bedroom for pressed penny trips!)  Then spent the night watching my watch afraid my car would turn into a pumpkin (or get towed)

There were 5 opening acts and I didn’t really have a problem with any of them except Outasight.  And we missed Brookline Drive, who was playing their last show so I have nothing to say about them.  The first band we saw was Hello Highway, then Paradise Fears, Before You Exit and finally Outasight.  He just seemed to be so out of place and there looked to be only 1 person who was actually enjoying him in the crowd.

Then it was time for Action Item.  Although I ended up sitting for most of their set and couldn’t see all of them (and at times couldn’t see any of them) I really think this was the best performance I’ve seen of them yet.  They just seemed to be ON.

We had VIP tickets for the show which meant that after wards we’d get to meet all the bands.  But at the end of the show they told us to go stand by the stage and then it just kind of became a free for all to mingle with the guys.  We were able to get pics and chat with all the members of Action Item, but it was not organized in the slightest. (I thought we were also supposed to get a signed poster but that didn’t happen!)  We had a lot of ridiculous conversations with the guys (ok, the most ridiculous was with Brian lol) and it was great to see them again because it had been a looong time since I saw them last.

In my head this post was a lot longer, but now that my head is throbbing, you’re not getting much more out of me.  Sorry!

I don’t know how accurate this set list is but…

Good or Bad
Brave
When Everything Falls Back Down
Thinking of You / Somewhere Out There
Last Day of Summer
Defenseless
Home
Blackbird
Marching Band
Resolution
Learn to Fly

Winter Storm Nemo!

Today’s post was supposed to be a review of Wednesday night’s Action Item show.  Unfortunately, on my way home from work when I was going to write it, I got rear ended by some idiot going way too fast and not paying attention, so I instead spent the evening in the hospital being asked the same questions by 500 different people.  I’m home now and ok (just have a major headache from it hitting the head rest of my seat) but haven’t had much time to write the review!  So, when it is ready it will be posted and for now…

Book Review: Chocolate-Covered Baloney

Once again I find myself in April Grace’s life.  Her new baby brother Eli is here and she is adjusting to her new life.  Her sister Myra Sue is acting very, very strange.  She keeps darting around their mailbox and goes nuts every time the telephone rings.  April is convinced that something is going on with her, but she can’t quite figure out what.  Myra Sue wants to be a famous actress – she wants to be on Days of Our Lives and she wants to be with Bo Brady. (I got a kick out of this because I have been watching Days of Our Lives since I was born – before I was born even!)

It is Grandma’s birthday and Mama and her friend Isabel decide that they are going to throw her a fancy birthday surprise.  They plan and plan but when the day comes, Grandma won’t go to her house so they can get things ready!  April Grace decides that Grandma MUST driver her to the store for notebook paper so she can finish her homework – and then proceeds to attempt to keep her Grandma out of the house for as long as possible.  When they get back, the party is underway but there is a mystery guess that arrives.

The guest is April’s other grandmother, Mimi, except that April didn’t even know she existed because she had abandoned her mother when she was just a baby.  April wants nothing to do with this horrible woman and cannot believe that her parents are letting her stay at their house!

But soon, April turns around and gets to know her other grandmother and realizes that maybe that change isn’t so bad.

Meanwhile, Myra Sue has run off and no one knows where or why.  Or do they?

I really enjoy this series, even though it is a young adult series (but I tend to like those books more than anything else).  Published by Thomas Nelson – there is definitely faith present in the books.  It also helps teach a lesson and has a moral which I think is important for young kids reading these books!

About the Book

The last thing April Grace wants is more change in her life—but that’s exactly what she gets! Plus, April has a new mystery to solve when Myra Sue starts sneaking around and acting very suspicious!

From snooty new neighbors to starting junior high to getting a new baby brother to having her grandmother get a boyfriend, April Grace has had enough change to last until she is at least 87 years old.

But when it rains, it pours, and April Grace is in for the ride of her life when her prissy, citified neighbor Isabel becomes her gym teacher and a long-lost relative suddenly reappears and throws everything into a tizzy. On top of that, April’s sister, Myra Sue, has been hiding something and sneaking around. April needs to find out what is going on before her silly sister gets herself into trouble again. More important, will April find the grace she needs to handle her topsy-turvy life and forgive past wrongs?

Girls will fall in love with April’s humor and completely relate to her as she deals with family, friends, drama, and both the humor and the heartache that are part of growing up.

Golden Valentine’s Day Free Sampler

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Ever notice how there’s not a lot of options for kids music on Valentine’s Day? Well, we’re happy to announce that as of today Golden Records offers a free sampler download exclusively for our Golden Friends!

“A Golden Valentine” is a collection of 10 handpicked songs for children, including 3 bonus celebrity performances.
The Golden Records collection recaptures the nostalgic music of yesteryear, creating a collection of beloved instant classics for families to enjoy together.

Welcome to the magic of Golden Records, reimagined for the child in all of us!
Free Download Here: http://bit.ly/Qt3A39
Tracklist:
The Muffin Man starring Didi Conn
Doggie in the Window
Snow White and Rose Red starring Cheryl Hines
Down by the Station
Be Yourself
Funiculi, Funicula
The Frog Prince starring Busy Phillips
Little White Duck
The Magic Continues Vol 1 Teaser
See Ya Next Time On The Golden Playground
You can check out Golden Records on social media at the following links:
Twitter – @GoldenRecords
Facebook – LittleGoldenRecords
Pinterest – Golden Records
Google+ – Golden Records

Product Review: Kellogg’s Crunchy Nut Cereal

Kellogg’s knows that many adults don’t enjoy breakfast the way they should.  I was on

e of them.  I would skip breakfast – even though I was always being told that it was always the most important meal of the day.  Recently I was sent a box of Kellogg’s Crunchy Nut in the flavor of Golden Honey Nut and I now look forward to breakfast! (And snack time too, I’ve found it works as a great snack as well – or breakfast for dinner… or anytime really!)

It also comes in a second flavor – Roasted Nut & Honey O’s.  I haven’t had a chance to try that one yet so everything in this review is based only on the Golden Honey Nut I did try.

There are only 120 calories per bowl – which works out great for me as I have been counting calories to try and lose weight for the past year+.  I can easily fit this into my routine and not have to worry any more about skipping breakfast!

Crunchy Nut is corn flakes with honey and peanuts, and I swear nearly every flake has some pieces of peanut on them, Kellogg’s really loaded up with flavor – they are not lying when they say “Nut in Every Bite!”   Some cereals I prefer dry while others I prefer to be drowning in milk.  Kellogg’s Crunchy Nut is one that I prefer dry – but I did try a bowl with milk for the sake of the review and it was great as well.

I am looking forward to sticking with eating my “most important meal of the day” thanks to Kellogg’s, and also to try out the Roasted Nut & Honey O’s flavor once this box runs out!

I received a free box of cereal from bzzagent and Kellogg’s in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

Book Review: The Comfort of Lies

The Comfort of Lies tells the story of 3 women.  It starts with Tia who is in a relationship with Nathan and she is telling him that she is pregnant.  He wants her to get rid of the baby.  She decides to put the baby up for adoption despite her dying mother urging her not to.

Caroline adopts Tia and Nathan’s baby with her husband Peter.  Peter was the one who decided it was time to have the child and Caroline is not sure that she can be a good mother and put the child first instead of her job as a doctor.

Juliette is Nathan’s wife and doesn’t suspect a thing, although after Nathan finds out Tia is pregnant, he tells Juliette about the affair. He never mentions the pregnancy.

Five years have passed and Tia decides to send a photo to Nathan of their daughter.  Juliette intercepts the mail and is convinced that Nathan knew about the baby and didn’t tell her.  It eats her up inside.

The story follow the three women who are all lying to themselves and others.  All of them are linked somehow with this baby.  Whether they like it or not they are all connected and need to figure out what they need to do.  Should Tia try and get her baby back?  Should Caroline admit to Peter that she isn’t happy and doesn’t think she is a good mother? Should Juliette leave Nathan or can they move on even though he has another child that is not hers?

The book alternates chapters between the women, but always puts who the chapter is about on top, but the story comes together seamlessly from the 3 different points of views (and Nathan even has a chapter.)  Can they all work it out and find compromise between the three women/families?

This book was really interesting and although it was kind of on the long side, I wanted to know what would happen between them all so I was able to read it all in one sitting one day.  I felt for all the women – for different reasons.  The characters were all great and I don’t think I ever was really rooting against any of them, I wanted them all to find their happiness – however that might be.

I received a free e-copy of this book from the publisher in order to write this book. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

From the author of the critically acclaimed The Murderer’s Daughters,a compelling novel about three women caught in the aftermath of infidelity.

Five years ago Tia fell into obsessive love. The only problem—Nathan was married and the father of two boys. When she became pregnant, he disappeared, and she gave up her baby for adoption. Now, she’s trying to connect with her lost daughter and former lover.

Five years ago, Caroline, a dedicated pathologist, reluctantly adopted a baby to please her husband. She prayed her misgivings would disappear; instead, she’s questioning whether she’s cut out for the role of wife and mother.

Five years ago Juliette considered her life ideal: she had a loving family, believed in her marriage, and her business thrived. Then she discovered Nathan’s affair. He’d promised he’d never stray again and she trusted him. But Juliette never knew about the baby.

Now, when photographs of the child arrive, Juliette’s devastated. How could Nathan deny his daughter? And if he’s kept this a secret from her, what else is he hiding? Desperate for the truth, Juliette goes in search of the little girl. Her quest leads to Caroline and Tia and before long, the women are on a collision course with consequences that none of them could have predicted.

 

About the Book

From the author of the critically acclaimed The Murderer’s Daughters,a compelling novel about three women caught in the aftermath of infidelity.

Five years ago Tia fell into obsessive love. The only problem—Nathan was married and the father of two boys. When she became pregnant, he disappeared, and she gave up her baby for adoption. Now, she’s trying to connect with her lost daughter and former lover.

 

Five years ago, Caroline, a dedicated pathologist, reluctantly adopted a baby to please her husband. She prayed her misgivings would disappear; instead, she’s questioning whether she’s cut out for the role of wife and mother.

 

Five years ago Juliette considered her life ideal: she had a loving family, believed in her marriage, and her business thrived. Then she discovered Nathan’s affair. He’d promised he’d never stray again and she trusted him. But Juliette never knew about the baby.

 

Now, when photographs of the child arrive, Juliette’s devastated. How could Nathan deny his daughter? And if he’s kept this a secret from her, what else is he hiding? Desperate for the truth, Juliette goes in search of the little girl. Her quest leads to Caroline and Tia and before long, the women are on a collision course with consequences that none of them could have predicted.

Music Monday: Pip No Formalities

Who Cares
Future Dream
Trash Talk
Hooked
Figure It Out
Psycho

Pip was one of my favorite contestants on The Voice.  When he was doing a kickstarter to help him release his debut EP, I knew I had to support him.  Because of this, I was able to get his EP No Formalities a bit early, however now it is out for everyone! (I am just slow and just now recently got around to listening to it!)  The E includes 6 tracks and it is hard to pick a favorite on this one because I love, love, love them all!  They are all so fun and just what I was expecting from Pip.  I can listen to it over and over again and not get tired of it and the songs are stuck in my head all day after listening as well.

If you even kind of sort of liked Pip on his season of The Voice – head on over to iTunes and pick up No Formalities. You won’t regret it!

Book Review: Wanted!

Wanted! Is by Caroline B Cooney – someone who I read a lot of when I was a kid.  This book is about Alice – she is home and gets a strange phone call from her Dad. He tells her to pick up a couple of files from his office and take his car and drive somewhere to meet him.  Except that Alice is only 15 and doesn’t have her license.  She starts to do what he says, but before she can get out there is a van blocking the garage door and at least one man in her home.  Once the man or men leave, she takes off to where her father told her to go and waits for him.   While she is waiting she hears that her father has been killed and that SHE confessed to her mother via email!  Not sure what to do, she goes on the run.

The book follows Alice on the Run and trying to find out what really happened because she knows for sure that it was not her who killed her father.

I wasn’t able to put this book down once I started it, I had to see who really killed Alice’s Dad – or if he even was really dead and why those files he told Alice to grab and take were really so important.

All that, and lots more, is explained in the rest of the book.  This is a young adult novel geared more for the younger crowd, but I do love to read these at times and since I had read Caroline’s books as a kid this was one I couldn’t pass up.  There are also some photos of Caroline at the end of the book which were interesting to see!

I received a free e-copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Falsely accused of her father’s murder, Alice is on the run for her life
Alice is at home painting her fingernails and ruminating on her parent’s divorce when she receives an oddly desperate-sounding phone call from her father. He instructs her to drop what she’s doing, take his car, and bring two computer disks to him at their favorite ice cream shack. Alice can’t believe her father wants her to take his precious Corvette, and she’s not supposed to drive because she doesn’t have her license yet. But he never gets the chance to explain—and he doesn’t show up to meet her. While Alice is waiting in the car, she hears on the radio that her father’s been murdered. She is sick with grief, knowing her father will never join her. And then the radio announces that someone has already confessed via email: Alice herself. Now Alice’s life has become a nightmare. Even her mother believes she’s guilty. How can she clear her name while she’s on the run? This ebook features an illustrated biography of Caroline B. Cooney including rare images and never-before-seen documents from the author’s personal collection.

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