Product Review: Nail Cones

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

If you are anything like me – when you apply nailpolish it seems that you end up with more all over your finger than your finger nail.  Cindy, the creator of Nail Cones, had the same problem and rather than just deal with it – she decided to do something about it.  Nail Cones are stickers that fit over your finger to protect you when you are polishing your nails.  Wash and dry your hands, apply the cones to one hand at a time. (Unless you’re adventurous, then try both!) And polish away! The top and sides of your finger will be protected from excess polish as it will go on the cone instead.  Once nails are dry, carefully peel back the cone and ta-da! A perfect polish, every time.

I have freakishly small hands and although the Nail Cones come in Small, Medium and Large sizes, even the small was too big for most of my fingers.  However, it did still help with my polishing.  As you can see – my left hand came out looking great – my right hand (where I didn’t use the cones) had nail polish all over the tips of my fingers as my nails  are pretty short these days.

The cones could not be easier to use – but I did have a problem with them getting stuck to each other, so do be careful about that! (You can see in one pic my pinky has its cone on and also snagged the cone off my thumb as well!)

1 sheet of nail cone stickers can be purchased at http://nailcones.com/ for $5.99! Each package comes with 4 sheets for a total of 60 nail cones!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Try It Tuesday – DIY Critters Ring Dishes

One of the first crafts I did from Darby Smart was the DIY Critter Ring Dishes.  The kit comes with everything you need in order to make the dishes as well as some instructions. My “critters” were monuments and I decided to use The Leaning Tower of Pisa and Big Ben for mine (although there was also a Pyramid and Empire State Building included).

First I used the gold paint marker to cover the 2 monuments I had chosen.  This took several sessions because I needed to make sure everything was covered and you couldn’t really hold them when they were still wet!  Then I drew the design on the dishes. Once everything was tried I sprayed the monuments with a sealant.  Then using the provided super glue I glued the monuments on the dish.

Super easy to make and super affordable!

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The above banner is part of an ad affiliate program where I earn a percentage if you make a purchase from the site through my link.  I did not receive other compensation for this post and the purchase was made entirely on my own, nothing was received for free.

Music Monday: Mariah Carey Me. I am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse

Mariah

It’s crazy to think that Me. I am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse is the FOURTEENTH studio album from Ms. Mariah.  It was released last month – May 23, 2014 to be specific.  While I enjoy Mariah’s music, I think the last album of hers I actually bought (and played the heck out of) was Daydream – which came out in 1995 and was her fifth album.  So I’m a little bit behind on all things Mariah – but figured it was time to check her out again and see what I’ve been missing! The album has 15 tracks and 4 “deluxe” songs.

Cry
Faded
Dedicated
Beautiful
Thirsty
Make It Look Good
You’re Mine
You Don’t Know What To Do
Supernatural
Meteorite
Camoflauge
Money
One More Try
Heavenly
Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse

It’s a Wrap
Betcha Gon’ Know
The Art of Letting Go

I’m sad to say that this CD was pretty disappointing.  I like Beautiful (but it may be because I’ve heard it several times before as a single) and I also enjoyed Make It Look Good.  While Mariah can sing and there is no denying that, a lot of the songs seemed like she was trying too hard to be current. Maybe this is the evolution she has taken since I stopped listening to her, but I can’t see myself giving this CD heavy rotation.  In fact, I had to skip You Don’t Know What To Do before it even ended because I just couldn’t stand to finish it all the way.  The addition of her children on Supernatural could have been cute, but it was a bit too much of the kiddos. I’d give this 3 out of 5 stars and that is being generous.

Book Review: Amplified (#GGrocknovel)

amplifiedAmplified was The Good Groupie‘s pick for the Spring 2014 Rock Novel Reading Club.  The main character is Jasmine Kiss, who is kicked out of her house after graduating high school because she told her father that she doesn’t want to go to college and has deferred her freshman year.  She is now “on the run” and tries to find a band to join to pursue her dreams of becoming a musician – even though she hasn’t played in front of anyone other than her best friend in his garage.  Upon her arrival, her car breaks down and she meets a jerky guy who informs her that she broke down just outside a body shop.  The money she had saved was supposed to be for rent in her own place, not to fix her car!  She starts to look for housing and ends up finding an ad that a band is looking for a guitarist and it comes with a room – although it says that they are looking for a guy to join the band.

Jasmine figures that she doesn’t have anything to lose and tries out for the band.  It comes down to her and another guy, Dave.  I think you can figure out pretty quickly who they end up picking  – I mean, I guess there would still be a story if they didn’t pick Jasmine… but to me it seemed kind of silly they were even doing the auditions when I knew how it was going to end up anyway!  She tells the band that she has performed on stage before even though she is bluffing.  She hopes that she can somehow make it work during their first show, but ends up bombing.

I don’t want to give up too much of the rest of the book because then there would be no point in you reading it. I really enjoyed the characters in this book, the band was full of all sorts of different personalities which helped cause for some drama within the book and the band.

I purchased this book in order to participate in The Good Groupie’s rock novel reading club. I am only posting this review as it is something that I think my readers may enjoy. I was not asked to write this review nor was I compensated for writing this review.

About the Book

When privileged 17-year-old Jasmine gets kicked out of her house, she takes what is left of her savings and flees to Santa Cruz to pursue her dream of becoming a musician. Jasmine finds the ideal room in an oceanfront house, but she needs to convince the three guys living there that she’s the perfect roommate and lead guitarist for their band, C-Side. Too bad she has major stage fright and the cute bassist doesn’t think a spoiled girl from over the hill can hack it. . . 

In this fresh new novel by critically acclaimed author Tara Kelly, Jasmine finds out what happens when her life gets Amplified.

Book Review: Crave

craveCrave is about a reporter, Harper, who is trying to figure out where a local girl disappeared to.  She is a workaholic and doesn’t even have time to grocery shop.  While she is trying to figure out what happened to the missing girl, she is asked by a friend at work to cover a local band’s concert. The band is called Crave. When she sees a news story on the TV that the missing girl may have been on her way to their concert before her disappearance, she thinks that the band may have some sort of insight as to why she disappeared.

The lead singer seems to have some attraction to Harper, and Harper seems to be attracted to him.  But weird things are happening – when she goes to leave the show and go back to her car, she is attacked by what appears to be wolves. The lead singer, Cass, has eyes that turn red when he confronts them.  While Harper has thought she has seen it all – this is certainly something new to her.  Just what is she getting herself in to?

I have to say that I liked the paranormal aspect to this book – although almost right away when she heard the growling I had a feeling I knew what we were in to.  This story was short and I really like that – if I can read it in a couple of hours that’s awesome.  I wasn’t particularly a fan of the ending at first – if the book ended just maybe a couple of paragraphs sooner, I’d have liked that much better.  However, after doing a bit of research it appears that there will be an additional book coming out relating to this first book – so now it makes sense, it was setting everything up for the sequel.  And of course I loved the fact that the whole story revolved around a band!

About the Book

As a reporter for the Wakefield Post, Harper Erkstine has seen everything. From murders to robberies, all of her recent stories have ended with tragic consequences so great, that she began to question if she made the right career choice for herself.

While all of her friends were dating, or going to clubs, she was winning journalism awards for covering the latest drive-by shooting or a home invasion that cost someone she knew, their lives.

She loved her job, it was rewarding to be a crime solver and get to the truth of the matter. As much as she loved her job, but the hours of a Metro beat reporter began to descend her into burn out mode.

She craved balance. A break, a welcome distraction every now and then. She forgot what it was like to have fun, to take a breath, smell the roses.

Was it wrong to want a great career and to have some kind of a personal life? She couldn’t remember the last time she had a date or danced with someone from the opposite sex.

In the middle of working on a missing person’s story that has rocked her town to the core, Harper decides as a favor to her friend and colleague to do a feature on local an up and coming rock band, called ‘Crave.’

It was a break from her routine, but Harper soon discovers that this band may have ties to the missing person, not only does she question why, but she also finds there is more to this band than just their music?

Book Review: How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love with You

ainsleyHow To Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love with You is about Oliver Holmes, a high school student who is a bit different than everyone else.  He likes to make lists – all kinds of lists.  But the most important list currently is the one that he made called “How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love with You”.  Each item on his list is a chapter, which explains what he needs to do and how he tries to do it.  He has a process for his lists – which so far have worked.  He’s got his eye on the prize – Ainsley – and isn’t going to let anything stop him with reaching his goal.

The character of Oliver reminded me a lot of myself back when I was in high school – minus the whole lists thing. (Although I make lists now!) He is determined to win her over with a great birthday present. Throughout the book he tries to find out more about her and get closer with her so that he can find out what the perfect gift is.  Of course, Ainsley also has a boyfriend that makes things difficult as well!

The story is very cute and a quick and easy read.  I won’t let you know if Oliver’s process ends up working on this particular list or not – because you’ll need to read it for yourself to find out!

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

About the Book

1. Join the Drama Club

2. Do Your Research

3. Provide Something She Needs

4. Make Her Feel Secure and Important

5. Pay Attention!

6. Be a Good Friend

7. Be More Attractive

8. Be Complimentary, But Not Obsequious

9. Establish Rapport

10. Be Encouraging and Supportive

11. Give Her Space

12. Admit When You’re Wrong and Apologize

13. Find the Perfect Birthday Gift

14. Tell Her How You Feel

Seventeen-year-old Oliver Wendell Holmes (Yes, his parents are just that peculiar, but his brother’s name is Sherlock, so it could have been worse) knows that he’s different. He’s quirky, awkward, and he’s okay with that. Oliver also likes making lists—meticulous procedures for achieving his goals, step-by-step. Whether it’s “How to Get an A in Chemistry” or “How to Get Accepted to MIT,” he has a process, and it’s worked for him so far. He doesn’t even care that the popular kids mock him. Oliver’s got his eye on the prize.

So when he decides it’s time to declare his feelings for Ainsley Bishop, the girl of his dreams, it’s only natural for him to make a list—a point-by-point strategy to win her heart. He knows it will take a grand gesture for her to see all he has to offer, and her approaching birthday provides the ideal opportunity for Oliver to put his plan into action.

Finding the perfect gift is a challenge Oliver meets with his usual dogged determination. He’ll need to watch her carefully for clues to pinpoint exactly what he should give her. And along the way, he might just learn that what Ainsley really needs is not quite what he expected.

Book Review: Heated

heated

Heated is the 2nd book in the Most Wanted series of novels, the first was Wanted which I reviewed back in January!  This book features a different one of “The Knights”, Tyler. (Book 1 was about Evan.)  I have to say, I preferred the first book.

In Heated – we meet a cop named Sloane.  She doesn’t trust anyone, yet somehow when she meets Tyler, she trusts him and isn’t sure that she should.  Tyler and his pals may be involved in some shady business but Tyler ends up winning Sloane over.  Things end up getting hot and heavy with them (it is a romance book, after all) and it seems like things may end up working out with them – but then there is a trust issue that pops up with one of the subplots that is going on.

As far as the romance aspect of the book goes – it certainly was heated, but I found the storyline lacking a bit. I couldn’t get into it as much as the first book and maybe I shouldn’t really be comparing the two as much as I am and did, but when it is somewhat a continuation of one story to another you kind of can’t help yourself.

Overall not a terrible book, but not one of my favorites due to the storyline.

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

About the Book

For fans of Fifty Shades of Grey, Bared to You, and Release Me comes an all-new erotic series of three enigmatic and powerful men, and the striking women who can bring them to their knees.

I knew better than to risk my heart.
But fierce passion comes at a high price.

I grew up believing in right and wrong, good and evil, black and white. I knew better than to trust. And then I met Tyler Sharp.

Bold, charming, and dangerously sexy, Tyler always gets what he wants. But his smile can be deceiving, his dealings sordid, his ambitions ruthless. I thought I was the one woman strong enough to resist him, but our need for each other was too urgent to deny.

One look and I was in trouble. One touch and I was hooked. One night and I became his.

And now that I’ve fallen, there’s no going back.

Heated is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

Book Review: The Handmade Marketplace

handmade

If you are a crafter and are thinking about selling your items whether it be online or offline, then you definitely need to check out The Handmade Marketplace.  Personally, I have not thought about creating craft to sell – but I have been considering opening an Etsy store (or rather, re-opening) to sell some of my extra supplies that I get when I buy “scrap bags” or kits.

But it’s always been in the back of my mind that hey, sometimes I make some cool shapes on my cutter and maybe I can start selling them because other people will want to use them too?

The book has a lot of great tips on getting websites (good for anyone who wants a website, not just craft related!) and picking business names. (again, good for anyone who has a business not just craft related ones!)

There is also tons and tons of advice from other successful craft store owners and you know I loved the fact that each person had their own handwriting font to go along with their advice 🙂

The book certainly gave me a lot of good things to think about if I do decide to start trying to sell some of my creations.  A must read for any crafter looking to make some money from their creations and share their art 🙂

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

Since its original publication in 2010, Kari Chapin’s The Handmade Marketplace has inspired thousands of crafters around the world to find the courage and know-how they need to make money — and even to make a full-time living — from doing what they love best. Now, this best-selling guide has been completely revised and updated to include solid information on the latest on-line and social media opportunities for sales and marketing, as well as fresh advice and invaluable tips from successful crafters and artists. With Kari Chapin at your side, you can live a more creative life and enjoy a lucrative career at the same time.

Book Review: Brunette Ambition

leaBrunette Ambition is by Glee star, Lea Michelle.  I wasn’t sure what to expect from the hard cover book that arrived at my house from Blogging for Books, but I dove right in and have to say this is an autobiography but at the same time it is also a recipe book, an exercise book and a beauty tip book.  The book is full of photos from Lea’s career – starting with her as a baby and then moving on to her Broadway career.  She talks a bit about each of the shows she has been in and what she learned from each of them.  There are recipes for her favorite things to eat and an indepth look at her beauty regime. (She’ll put on makeup before heading to the airport in case she bumps into paparazzi, but will take it off as soon as she gets on the plane to let her skin breathe and puts on moisturizer again)

Many who criticize Lea have been saying that she has been using Cory’s death to further her career – there is barely a mention of him in this book.  She started it before his death as she mentions in the beginning that he had already read most of it – but there was no last minute addition of anything about him, so suck it, haters!

Overall this was probably one of the most fun autobiographies I read – I liked that there were recipes and other information throughout the book that made it stand out a bit from your typical I was born, I was on Broadway, now I’m on TV type of biographies that are out there.  I also loved all the photos included – from Lea with friends, to dressed for roles, to showing her exercise routines!

I received a free copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

About the Book

The star of the hit show Glee shares her experiences and insider tips on beauty, fashion, inner strength, and more in an illustrated book that’s part memoir, part how-to, and part style guide.
 
Lea Michele is one of the hardest working performers in show business.  Whether she’s starring as Rachel Berry on Glee, rocking a glamorous look on the red carpet, recording her solo album, or acting as the spokesperson for L’Oreal, Lea is the ultimate multi-tasker.  She knows better than anyone that it is difficult to be your best self and keep things in perspective when your to-do list is overflowing and you are faced with challenges, so she’s developed a foolproof system for remaining healthy and centered.  In Brunette Ambition, she reveals the lessons and advice that have worked for her–from beauty and fashion secrets to fitness tips, and career insights.  Supplemented with never-before-seen photos and revealing anecdotes, it’s the book Lea wishes she’d had in her teens and early twenties: A practical and inspirational guide to harnessing tenacity and passion and living the fullest life, no matter what obstacles life puts in your way.

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