I’ve always loved to read books, especially during the summer when the days are lazy and too hot to do anything else.  This past summer? I lost count of how many I read, but since school has started back I haven’t had much time to read just for the pleasure (Big Honkin’ British Lit book is about the extent of my reading lately. No, thank you!).  So I was thrilled to do a review on up and coming Mia King’s latest book, “Sweet Life.”

The women’s fiction novel is based on a woman who’s life who is uprooted from the New York life and placed in what should be paradise…Hawaii!  When her husbands job is transferred, she expects the change will also be a chance to reconnect with her husband and her daughter after years of focusing on a career.  Instead, what should be a relaxing and simple life becomes burdened with a husband who wants time to himself, a daughter who wants to be home schooled, and redefining who she is again.

In short: I couldn’t put this book down. I had it done within 24 hours after ripping open the amazon box while drinking my morning coffee. I found it so interesting to be emerged into the New York mind set, and then shifting to the culture of Hawaii. I have not been to either place, so it was neat to experience pieces of places through the characters.  I loved how she developed the characters and the twists the plot I never would have guessed.  It was very entertaining!

Also, one aspect that I think Mia is genius at: her recipes.  I mean, sure people create and publish recipes all the time, but Mia does it in such a unique way. Throughout the novel she weaves them in with the characters.  For example, one character is pregnant and feeling the stormy seas of morning sickness and so she is offered Ginger Tea by a room mate.  The food and drinks are so much a part of the story that you don’t think about it until you flip to the end of the novel (or online) and find the recipe for it and think, “Oh yea! I remember that, it sounds good!”  It’s a brilliant concept. I also love how the food gives us yet another “taste” of Hawaiian culture and how we can recreate a bit of it ourselves, no matter where we live.

The only thing I didn’t like was the little bit of cussing involved.  I just don’t like cussing, but thankfully Mia used it sparingly and not as harshly as it could be.

If you browse Mia’s web site and read through her blog posts and answers to questions, you get the sense that she is very much a laid back person who just loves what she does all around. I think it’s her personality and sense that she is just like us, her readers, that ultimately shines through her work that makes this book such a pleasure to read.

I know I will certainly be reading more of her books!

Review opportunity provided by the Family Review Network.

I have been looking forward to seeing this movie since July when The Family Review Network offered the chance to free tickets, courtesy of Dove. I was supposed to see it right after it opened in theaters as part of my birthday celebration, but that plan didn’t turn out.  So, yesterday I finally had the chance to catch up with a friend and enjoy this movie together while eating gummy bears.

In short? I liked it.  It is definitely a chick flick, as there are no male actors seen in the film, except the baby born at the end.  Not one, not even the people walking around New York City! Every person, every where was a woman.  Which, I think it s neat concept but it made me realize the impact and ways that men and woman complete each other and how their presence can be needed in some places.

I loved all the little puns and jokes throughout this movie.  We were chuckling the whole time (well, except when there were teary-eyed emotional moments!) and it was generally light-hearted despite the heavy topic.  But, what I really loved the most about this film was the message that I walked out with:

Be who you are and find what you want in life.

As a Mom, I know it it difficult to balance pleasing your family, friends, work, others and still taking time for yourself.  Life’s demands pull women in so many directions that it often leave them stretched thin, with nothing left to give.  Luckily, I’ve always had a Mom encouraging me to practice this idea; to find what I love in life, take a few hours to be creative, to buy something every so often just to pamper myself, or to take a well deserved vacation.  She’s taught me that refueling myself helps me be the best Mom, wife, student and all the other roles I am.  So, it was really neat to watch that concept throughout this movie and see what a difference it makes when we are true to our selves.

I loved watching the characters figure out who they really were. One evolving from a uptight personality who thought she was better than everyone else into a more laid back person who learns how to give to others instead of being selfish. And the other learns to do things for herself rather than trying to please everyone else and take pride in herself. It was beautiful to see the end result and end relationships. To see confident women just being who they are and shedding their fake layers. I totally see why Dove picked up this movie to sponsor! Real woman, Real beauty. Obviously, friendship is also an important factor in this movie and about how it helps you through tough times.

The thing I did not like about the movie was the cursing, sexual language, and drug use.  Personally, I just do not understand why people feel the need to put these in a movie. Over all this film has a great message, but the negative aspects of this movie make me feel like I cannot let my daughter watch this movie until she is well into adulthood.  I think all girls aged teens and up could benefit from the positive “be who you are” message of this movie but the surrounding content it’s shown in disappoints me.  This film is rated PG-13, but I certainly would not let my 13 year old (ya know, if Savannah was that age) watch this as it had many things a girl does not need to know just yet.

Overall, I did like this movie, I just recommend not taking your daughter with you to see it. The cast was fantastic, the humor was great (but for adults), and I left the theater reflecting on my own life.

I really suggest grabbing a girl friend and taking a ladies night out to see this movie.  The break and laughter together will be worth it

And the winners are…

#9) Coley!

#7) Crystal!

#2) Elizabeth M.!

Congrats ladies! I will be emailing you your gift certificates via email shortly. Enjoy

And thanks to everyone who entered, there are sure to be more giveaways coming.

Growing up my family has always been a big “Holiday” family. From decking out in matching attire, to eating large meals with family and then traveling to eat another large meal with more family. I loved every minute of it! Part of preparing for this holiday fun was getting pictures taken each year and sending out Christmas cards. Maybe I’m just conceded, but I really love getting my picture taken, especially with people I love.  Back then it was with close cousins or my siblings, but now I have my sweet husband and daughter to smile with. Something about sending out cards with our smiling faces, proclaiming “Happy Holidays!” and showing off how much we’ve all grown and receiving the same from others really thrills me.

The past few years though, it hasn’t been in the budget to justify for our own little family to spend money on holiday cards. Which, was pretty disappointing last year as it was our first “official” Christmas as a family and I just know everyone wanted to see how much little miss Savannah had grown (right?). So, when Family Review Network offered the chance receive a $50 gift card to Tiny Prints, let me just say I was extremely excited. The Christmas cheer is already spreading to me, and it’s only September!

I’m in love with the simple yet stylish designs and beautiful colors.  They have a wide selection of 2008 Holiday cards, birthday and shower invites, gorgeous birth announcements, and even personalized party favors.  Have a business? They have a whole website for business holiday cards!  The website is also super easy to navigate and it’s easy to customize and place an order.

And, what’s even better? When you show your Holiday spirit and share your favorite 2008 card design, you can win a $50 gift card to Tiny Prints for your self!  To kick off the new 2008 Holiday line, they are holding a contest right here on this blog for you guys to get a sneak peak and for them to see what the most popular designs will be. During this early preview period the new holiday cards, Christmas cards and holiday invitations are not yet available for purchase, however, for a very limited time you can receive amazing early-bird savings on their soon-to-be retired designs.

What you have to do:

1) Visit Tiny Prints (www.tinyprints.com), browse your favorite 2008 holiday card designs currently being previewed and save your favorite 2008 design in your account by clicking the “save in favorites” button. Don’t have an account? Make one!
2) Come back to my blog and provide a link to the specific holiday card (see link for example) in the comments below indicating what you liked best about it. Please note that some designs are so new that they cannot yet be customized, but will be soon (in early October and including hundreds more designs)!

The contest will run through Tuesday, September 30th 2008. Winners will then be drawn at random from people who have properly followed the above directions and placed comments in my blog post (you must do both step 1 and step 2 to be eligible). Please create your comment using the same e-mail address you used when creating an account on Tiny Prints so participation can be verified.

Good luck! I look forward to seeing your favorites

Guess what?  I have three $15 gift cards for lucky winners to do some online shopping to personalize their electronic look.  I chose my cell phone to redesign, but there are many other options from lap tops to game consoles.

Interested? All you have to do is browse around Unique Skins and tell me what device you would most like to redesign. You get extra points if you share a link back to this giveaway. Comments will close on Tuesday September 16th at midnight and three winners will be picked randomly on Wednesday September 17th.

I do want to make some suggestions though to optimize the quality of the skin you design.  A few things I learned:

1) Don’t use thin text or designs (like part of the swirl on my cell phone above), it gets printed pixely.  Make sure fonts or graphics are big and thick for it to look the best.

2) Use high quality photos. The best looking part of my design were those flowers above. Pictures really do make the best design and how much more personal can you get than with your own photos? Show them off!

3) Keep it simple. Too much “stuff” on it looks cluttered.

Good luck! Enjoy browsing the website and dreaming of your options