November 2015

Product Review: Fineliner Sketch Colored Pens #AmazaPens


As you may have seen one of my latest obsessions is with “adult” coloring books.  I’ve been using colored pencils to color for a while, but even though I have some awesome sharpeners, needing to sharpen your pencils in between coloring has gotten to be a bit boring.  So I moved on to trying out some colored PENS instead! AmazaPens sent me a discounted set of 24 pens to give a go in my next attempt at coloring.  These pens feature ultra-fine tips and bold, vivid inks so they are ideal for detailed work and bonus! they also work for writing out setlists for my scrapbook too!  These pens are a sophisticated step up from the pens you may be used to, allowing you to produce crisp, colorful drawings with ease and precision.  I am not on to “stay in the lines” simply because sometimes my hand-eye coordination does not allow for it and other times because I don’t have the patience to try to.  With these pens having such small tips, it is easy for me to stay in the lines even on the smallest butterfly wings.  These pens also have an ergonomic design, so they are not rounded like your usual pens.  In addition to letting you use them for hours without your hand aching, I also found it made it harder for them to roll off a desk that might not be perfectly flat.  They also come in their own carrying case that mimics the shape of the pens which I thought was a great touch!

Each set comes in a handy storage / carry case. Makes the perfect gift for kids & adults alike!
• 24 assorted brilliant colors
• Pure, water-based inks
• Ultra-fine tip; ideal for detailed work
• Pens fit into a Spirograph
• Ink won’t bleed, spot or smear
• Smooth, fluid ink distribution
• Ergonomically styled body
• Snug-fitting caps
• Handy carry/storage case included
• For work & play
• For adults & children of all ages

I received this product at a discount in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

Book Review: Spending the Holidays with People I Want To Punch In The Throat

holidaysI had previously read Jen Mann’s People I Want To Punch in the Throat , so I had to check out her next installment, Spending the Holidays with People I Want to Punch in the Throat.   This book is of course all essays revolving around the holidays.  Most of the stories are about Christmas – and one I could totally relate to. Jen is allergic to Christmas trees, but no one knew she was allergic.  The “We always just thought he had a cold at Christmas” excuse was used on my little brother too. Until I finally brought a small evergreen pine needle sachet home from school and he played with it and immediately got all sneezy. Ohhh, maybe we should get a fake tree… But Jen’s family never figured it out until her Mom decided a fake tree would look nicer! Poor girl!

Section 3 focuses on other holidays that still annoy Jen, since Sections 1 and 2 were all christmas, all the time (but with the way her family is about Christmas, I can see why).  This section has essays on the Easter Bunny, Thanksgiving, Chinese New Year and a few other as well.  Another great book with some fun essays – that let you know either you are not alone or some people have it worse 😉

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 Laurie Notaro and Jenny Lawson comes an uproarious and oddly endearing essay collection for anyone trying to survive the holidays in one piece.

When it comes to time-honored holiday traditions, Jen Mann pulls no punches

In this hilariously irreverent collection of essays, Jen Mann, nationally bestselling author of People I Want to Punch in the Throat, turns her mordant wit on the holidays. On Mann’s naughty list: mothers who go way overboard with their Elf on the Shelf, overzealous carolers who can’t take a hint, and people who write their Christmas cards in the third person (“Joyce is enjoying Bunko. Yeah, Joyce, we know you wrote this letter.”). And on her nice list . . . well, she’s working on that one. Here, no celebration is off-limits. The essays include:

• You Can Keep Your Cookies, I’m Just Here for the Booze
• Nice Halloween Costume. Was Skank Sold Out?
• Why You Won’t Be Invited to Our Chinese New Year Party

From hosting an ill-fated Chinese New Year party, to receiving horrible gifts from her husband on Mother’s Day, to reluctantly telling her son the truth about the Easter Bunny, Mann knows the challenge of navigating the holidays while keeping her sanity intact. And even if she can’t get out of attending another Christmas cookie exchange, at least she can try again next year.

Advance praise for Spending the Holidays with People I Want to Punch in the Throat

Book Review: Lost In Geeklandia

geeklandiaLost In Geeklandia is about Charlie, a girl who has been trying to make a dating algorithm ever since her arch-nemesis Daniel has lost his professional reputation after trying to back a similar idea of a love algorithm that turned out to be nothing but a scam.  There’s only one problem.  When she tries the algorithm on herself, she gets matched with… arch nemesis Daniel.  Is the algorithm right or is it horribly wrong?

Each chapter starts with a “Geekronym”, most of which I already knew. I couldn’t always tell how these ended up working with the chapter ahead though and other reviews I read said they were nothing but confusing for those who don’t know what they are talking about.  There are also a lot of “geeky” pop culture references – a lot for Star Trek and Dr Who – neither of which I was a fan of so I couldn’t really appreciate them (and there were probably a lot that I missed, as well).   I found the book to be cute, at times a bit hard to follow, and I couldn’t help but wonder – what happens when Daniel finds out this is all a set up?

I am happy to report that he DID find out it was all based on an algorithm, but no, I can’t tell you what happened. You’ll have to read for yourself to see 🙂

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

About the Book

She has 30 days to turn her enemy into her boyfriend…

Introverted computer engineer Charlie Forrester has coded an algorithm for love, a nearly flawless matchmaking program. But then she’s challenged to prove its accuracy – on herself. With her dream job on the line, Charlie has thirty days to forge a romantic relationship with her “perfect” match…her ex-friend and now-nemesis, Daniel Shawn. Since her dating experience is expressed in binary, she’ll need more than flirting lessons and a wardrobe overhaul to pull it off.

After falling victim to the same online matchmaking con he was investigating, reporter Daniel Shawn’s professional reputation went up in flames. Now he suspects someone has rebooted the scam, and he’s determined to expose the fraud and rebuild his career. Unfortunately, his efforts to get back in the game get sidetracked by Charlie and her adorable geekitude, even though she seems to know a little too much about digital dating for Daniel’s comfort.

And when fake romance crosses into real chemistry, Charlie’s formula for love might just be the perfect formula for disaster…

Book Review: Punky Brewster

punky

Punky Brewster was one of my favorite shows when I was a kid. I definitely wanted to be Punky.  So when I saw there was a comic book I had to check it out, even though I try to avoid reading comics.

The story has been updated for the modern day, so they have cell phones and other stuff that didn’t exist when the show was originally on.  And there seemed to be one major plot change – I remember Henry as having no relation to Punky, but owning the building she was squatting in.  Now, it’s been a while so I might not remember exactly but in the comics, Henry is a long lost cousin of Punky’s Mom so therefore the next of kin for Punky.

Otherwise all the characters are the same as I remember them from the show – with just some modern additions. Overall it was a cute set of comics and I may have to check out future volumes because I loved Punky!

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

About the book

The beloved TV series returns in this heartwarming, lushly illustrated story of a brand new family made from persistence, pluck, and Punky Power!

Punky Brewster, a bright eight-year-old girl, has been abandoned by her mother and lives on the streets of Chicago with her puppy sidekick Brandon. Punky thinks she doesn’t need help, but after getting picked up by the police she enters a foster home and starts to search for a family. Punky meets Henry, a long-lost relative, and decides he’s the adoptive dad for her. All she has to do is convince the foster home, adoption judges and lawyers, and possibly Henry himself. Luckily, she’s got an unbeatable resource — her limitless reserve of Punky Power!

Book Review: Saved By The Bell

savedbythebell

Saved By The Bell was one of my favorite shows in elementary school, so I decided to check out this new comic book adaptation of the show.  The characters from the show are back and they seem to be written pretty true to the personality of the characters from the show, even if their drawings don’t quite look like the actors that portray them.

But the thing that I thought missed the mark in this book was that they all had cell phones, laptops, etc.  Zack not having his huge cell phone was something that ruined this adaptation for me (though it is mentioned in one of the stories)

Whereas the Punky book I read wasn’t as affected by the modern additions, I felt that this story was.  Although maybe kids who have never seen the show before will get into it from these comics, they are more like them now.

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

About the Book

The classic TV series gets an update for today’s brand new high-schoolers as the coolest kids at Bayside High start their freshman year!

All your favorite characters – Zack, Slater, Kelly, Lisa, Screech and Jessie (and Mr. Belding, of course!) – are starting freshman year at Bayside High, trading in brick phones and mullets for iPhones and Twitter accounts. Does Lisa’s fashion show get on the air, and will Screech ever leave her alone? Will Jessie get that A+? And, most importantly, who’s Kelly going to go out with – preppy Zack or new star athlete A.C. Slater? It’s alright, ‘cause we’re saved by the bell!

Throwback Thursday: SK6ers 11/24/06

Headliner: SK6ers
Opener(s): Chad Perrone
Venue: Tupelo Music Hall  New Hampshire
Cost: $20

Setlist:
Blue Jean
Pedal Steel
Wagon Wheel
Vegas
Anthem Of Our Discovery
Such a Way
My Sweet Charade
Uninspired Gambling
Cradle of Family
Ram-Sam-Sam
Fat Bottomed Girls
Start the Day Early
Now I’m Not So Lost
Thirteen
See You Later, See You Soon
It’s Only That I Miss You
Time of My Life

Recap:  Ah the college days. We roadtripped to New Hampshire I believe after Thanksgiving to see SK6ers. There were 4 of us. It was a lot of fun. Especially going up to NH (Red Sox country) in my friend Jen’s Dad’s Jeep COVERED in Yankees stickers!  Goose’s nephew was at this show and was hilarious, someone had a cut out of Goose and he walked up to it and said “HI UNCLE KEITH!” and we still quote that all the time!  I don’t remember much of the show itself… I guess that’s what happens trying to think back almost 10 years. I’m old!

I also can’t seem to find any photos from this show which seems very odd.

My #RnRTour Stats

I had promised to post some more of a breakdown of my stats from the shows I went to on this fall’s Hanson tour – and here it is! All stats are courtesy of the database at hansonstage.com, which also happens to be my website 🙂

I learned over this tour that their definition of “rare” and mine differs. While they did throw in some songs that they don’t play very often live, other than the covers, they didn’t throw in any originals that I had never heard before.

I did 6 shows:

October 16, 2015 New York, NY Irving Plaza
October 17, 2015 New York, NY Irving Plaza
October 22, 2015 New Orleans, LA House of Blues
October 23, 2015 New Orleans, LA House of Blues
October 24, 2015 Dallas, TX House of Blues
October 25, 2015 Dallas, TX House of Blues

I heard 151 songs live
I heard 60 unique songs live
(14 new songs I had never before heard)

Middle of Nowhere
7/13 tracks

This Time Around
4/13 tracks

Underneath
6/14 tracks

The Walk
3/13 tracks

Shout It Out
5/12 tracks

ANTHEM
7/13 tracks

Roots and Rock N Roll EP
5/5 tracks

Sound of Light
Roller Coaster Love – 3

Cover
God Only Knows – 3
Kate – 1
Love Me – 1
Teach Your Children – 2
Signed Sealed Delivered Im Yours – 3
Desire – 3
Never Been To Spain – 3
I Want To Take You Higher – 3
Cecelia – 3
Hold On Im Coming – 3
Twist and Shout – 3
Dancing In The Streets – 3
Stand By Me – 3
Whole Lotta Love – 3
You May Be Right – 3
Movin Out – 3
High Voltage – 1
Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard – 3
Chain of Fools – 3
Delta Lady – 1

Product Review: Sound Intone I68 Stereo Headphones with Microphone

I am always looking for a comfortable pair of headphones that will block out the background noise that my coworkers make while I am at work.  The Sound Intone I68 Headphones meet some of my requirements, but not all.

These headphones have High 40mm energy drivers that deliver powerful bass and clear treble. They are lightweight and foldable as well as adjustable.  While they do have pressure-relieving ear pads for long-wear comfort I found it hard to keep them on for longer than about 30 minutes without giving my ears a “break” by taking them off for a few minutes.  I wish I could keep them on for the majority of the work day (or even through an entire album). If I could, these would be the perfect pair because they did a great job blocking out even the loudest of my coworkers.

You can also control your music with a volume control right on the cord.  The cod is 47.25 inches with a straight shaped stereo mini plug to connect to your device. I found the cord to be a great length – my other pair of headphones I had been using previously did not have a cord long enough to reach comfortably from my computer to my ears without me shifting myself closer to the computer

I received this product for free or at a discount in exchange for writing this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

*NSYNC says Bye Bye Bye, Adele says Hello

For the past 15 years, *NSYNC has held the record for most albums sold in the first week at 2.4 million.  This was achieved back in 2000 with their album No Strings Attached.  It seemed like this record would never be touched – with CD sales on the decline (and I’m saying “CD sales” but I mean digital downloads too – however you end up buying the whole CDs worth of tracks and not just a few here and there) not even Taylor Swift was able to touch it (1989 sold “only” 1.3 mil its first week).

It was beginning to seem like *NSYNC would hold this record forever.  That is until Adele came back on the scene with “25”.  In the first 3-4 days of it being on sale it beat the record and is on pace to sell 2.9 million.

I’m having trouble even wrapping my head around it all – but I guess it is just proving that the CD/full album is not dead. And even though there are plenty of other options – buying just 1 or 2 songs, streaming on sites like spotify or, yes, illegally downloading it – people are still buying.

I am looking forward to listening to Adele’s new album (and will probably review it in early 2016) but one thing is for sure – I’m a stubborn fan girl and even though the damage has been done, I won’t be buying it this week to help her beat *NSYNC.

(On the plus side, *NSYNC still have the most first week sales for males or a group. Although that just seems like a stretch to try and make me feel better.)

Love with Food Box – October

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Touchdown Treats

This month Love with Food partnered with world champion pro football player Steve Weatherford, a firm believer in healthier diet choices and raising awareness of child hunger. Who better to represent a snack box perfect for the big game AND snacking smart? This month, with Steve, you helped donate to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey.

 

Cookies & Cream Wafer Bites by Dolcetto
These light, crispy-yet-creamy bites are just right for popping when the score is all tied up and you need a hit of sugar to get the adrenaline going.

These were very tasty. I love cookies and cream and these were better than expected.

Chocolate Salted Caramel Protein Bar by Luna
This salty-sweet chocolate-y treat is packed with 12g of protein to get you into the endzone every time.

This was really good, to the point I considered buying some for every day snacks.

Cheddar and Pepper Premium Puffed Corn by Cosmos Creations
Lighter-than-air-puffs exploding with cheesy, spicy flavor- the perfect half time (or anytime) snack that won’t weigh you down later on.

I misread this at first and thought it was popcorn so I was pleasantly surprised to see puffed corn.  I could do without the pepper but the cheddar was great!

Home Cooked Salted Virginia Peanuts by Hubs
When you think gametime, you think peanuts, right? These crunchy, perfectly salty nuts will make you feel like you’re cheering from the 50-yard line.

Gotta love peanuts! Perfect sized snack pack.

Fruit Crisps by Brothers All Natural
No time to grab fresh fruit for a healthy third quarter treat? These crisps are the next best thing with no added sugar in an easy-to-eat package.

Mom staked her claim on these and said they were delicious and tasted just like Fuji apples – which is what the were.

Crunchy Sunflower Seed Bites by Somersault Snacks
Think sunflower seeds are a boring gametime snack? Just one addictingly crunchy bite will make you forget everything you thought you knew.

I always have trouble wrapping my head around sunflower seeds being in anything – but these were great and I need to get used to the idea of sunflower seeds being more than just a seed you eat all on its own!

Chewie Fruities Assorted Flavors by Torie and Howard
Inject some fruity flavor into your halftime huddle with these chewy, all natural morsels. Oh, and did we mention no GMOs or corn syrup? Score!

These are the only thing I had not tried as of writing this post!

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