Category Archives: Lifestyle

Radical Beauty

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Chopra, M.D., Deepak. Snyder, C.N., Kimberly. Radical Beauty: How to Transform Yourself From the Inside Out. USA: Harmony Books. 2016.

radicalbeauty

SUMMARY:
Defining Radical Beauty as a birthright for everyone, it is achieved when you reach the highest and most authentic potential of your natural true beauty, both inside and outside. Universal yet unique to each, Radical Beauty encompasses internal and external nourishment, sleep, nature, movement and spiritual beauty. Through explanations, recipes, encouragement, and ideas, Radical Beauty begins the transformation journey. With authors Deepak Chopra, M.D. and Kimberly Snyder, C.N. combining their knowledge and expertise, Radical Beauty is achievable.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Redefining beauty to include more than the just the perceived outer beauty, I found Radical Beauty to be encouraging and positive in a very uplifting and beautiful way. Celebrating unique and potential beauty, the included information was current, relevant, well-written and necessary. Perfect as a reminder that beauty is not linked to media standards, this book would be wonderful at any age for that personal transformation. Health tips, nourishment ideas, and natural remedies and tools, all complement the basis of finding Radical Beauty. Well done!

RATING:
4.5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Radical Beauty from Blogging For Books for my honest review*

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Socially Confident in 60 Seconds

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Pegues, Deborah Smith. Socially Confident in 60 Seconds: Practical Tips For Navigating Any Situation. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers.
2016.

sociallyconfidentin60seconds

SUMMARY:
Making a good impression in various situations is so important to confidence and success in both the personal and business environments. Including cell phone etiquette, common courtesies, houseguest guidelines, meeting protocols, social media and many more, Socially Confident in 60 Seconds provides tips, information, strategies and manners for tackling interviews, business dining, introductions and networking. Speaker, personal empowerment strategist, leadership coach and author Deborah Smith Pegues, willingly shares her knowledge and expertise in a variety of areas.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Impressions, manners, courtesies, and appropriateness are so important yet sometimes lacking. Definitely an easy book to browse, with tips bulleted within each section as well as many situations addressed, this book organizes and highlights some of the most important socially appropriate actions. From church etiquette, to home office image, to funeral etiquette and proper grammar, Socially Confident in 60 Seconds is a wonderful review (or instruction) to help avoid social blunders, rudeness and awkwardness. Great for adults, teenagers and even young ones, the section on cell phone etiquette should be required reading for all.

RATING:
4.5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Socially Confident in 60 Seconds from Harvest House Publishers for my honest review*

The Caregiving Season

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Daly, Jane. The Caregiving Season: Finding Grace to Honor Your Aging Parents. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers. 2016.

thecaregivingseason

SUMMARY:
Ready or not, we all eventually grow old. As we age, more help is needed with even the simplest of acts. As a result, sometimes that help is characterized by resentment, bitterness or impatience. With people living longer these days than ever before, as well as the Baby Boomer generation reaching profound active ages, author Jane Daly shares her trials, triumphs, advice and encouragement in her new book, The Caregiving Season. Resolving to honor her parents (until they get on her last nerve), Jane Daly extends grace when perhaps it is needed most.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Realizing being cared for can be as difficult as caregiving, in rather direct terms and in sometimes uncomfortable situations, this author shares what needs to be shared. Emphasizing grace for all, The Caregiving Season makes it easier to honor our parents through a difficult and changing time. With roles affected, authority questioned, delicate issues discussed and mourning perhaps close, this necessary reference uses personal stories, notable quotes, Bible scriptures and topic boxes to help with the caregiving transition. Guilt, sadness, laughter, challenges and love all combine into a purpose of honoring aging parents with grace. Excellent!

RATING:
5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of The Caregiving Season from Tyndale House Publishers for my honest review*

The Bee-friendly Garden

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Frey, Kate. LeBuhn, Gretchen. The Bee-friendly Garden: Design an abundant, flower-filled yard that nurtures bees and supports biodiversity. USA: Ten Speed Press. 2016.

bee-friendlygarden

SUMMARY:
With more than 30 percent of our food crops as well as 70 percent of the foods we eat depending and benefiting from bee pollination, all types of bees are vitally important to the earth. Stress, parasites, pesticides, habitat loss, and urban development have all recently led to the loss of our friends, the bees. Through tackling myths and facts, describing the basic needs of bees, detailing their importance and helping to generate and preserve the bees’ environments, authors Kate Frey and Gretch LeBuhn share the importance of healthy gardens full of bee-friendly plants. Complimented by gorgeous photographs of bees and gardens, The Bee-friendly Garden is sure to inspire…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Having recently studied the importance of bees and their landscape needs, this beautiful book was perfect as the next step. Along with learning about bee habitats, I also learned quite a bit about all the different types of native bees, from markings and colors to flight patterns (the Honeybee is capable of flying in bad weather due to their ability to shiver and raise their temperature). Not only interesting but so necessary in the preserving of the bee, this book is sure to delight, teach and improve gardens country-wide…I know my front garden will be all the better for it!

RATING:
5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of The Bee-friendly Garden from Blogging For Books for my honest review*

Kick the Boring Out of Your Life

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Carter, Donna. Kick the Boring Out of Your Life. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers. 2015.

SUMMARY:
kicktheboringoutoflifeThrough gaining a new perspective on life, the speaker and author, Donna Carter, tackles many areas in which a wider, broader, more outward viewpoint can make a world of difference. Reaching beyond instant gratification towards a fulfilling legacy, the boring, hum-drum, lifeless, tiresome ways can become exciting, meaningful, purposeful and significant. Whether investing, traveling, talking, or taking risks, even setting boundaries, building bridges and watching your words can have an effect on your manner of life. Most importantly, Kick the Boring Out of Your Life encourages embracing God through it all.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Drawn in by the absolutely adorable book cover, I soon found myself just as enamored with the written words. Not only with a change of attitude, perspective and actions, but also including a sincere change of heart, many sectors are explored with personal stories, faith moments, and strategies, all brought together at the end with questions to discuss and actions to try. Perfect for a Bible Study, group discussion, sermon series or personal read, I thought this book was dynamically written with such a possible positive result.

RATING:
5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Kick the Boring Out of Your Life from Harvest House Publishers for my honest review*

Apartment Therapy

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Ryan, Maxwell. Laban, Janel. Acevedo, Melanie (photography). Apartment Therapy: Complete + Happy Home. USA: Potter Style Publishing. 2015.

SUMMARY:
apartmenttherapyWhether buying a home, decorating an apartment, cleaning up the bathroom, organizing the kitchen, maintaining the dwelling or just relaxing and enjoying your place, Apartment Therapy offers tips, guides, ideas and designs all coupled with gorgeous pictures to make your pad perfect. Even including such items as lightbulbs, artwork, table choice, hobby preferences and style supercharges, nothing is left unnoticed. Stunning!

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
With so many tricks of the decorating trade in one location, who could go wrong? Not a glitzy book but a functional, comfortable and useful book, the authors and photographer absolutely did it right! I loved all the ways to love your home, personalize your rooms, organize the furniture, and decorate with creative items. Browsing this book makes me want to redo my entire house (and I just may now). Written in a flowing, easy to relate to style, it is almost a coffee-table type book that begs you to open it again and again. Perfect!!

RATING:
5+ (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of Apartment Therapy from Blogging For Books for my honest review*

How To Tie A Tie

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Jin, Ryan Tristan. How To Tie A Tie: A Gentleman’s Guide To Getting Dressed. USA: Potter Style Publishing. 2015.

SUMMARY:
tiePackaged in a smaller, sturdier, material-clothed cover, How To Tie A Tie details tie essentials (styles, material and color), knot basics (from classic to bold), and wardrobe /finishing touches (shirts, cuff links, and pocket squares). Full of simple directions accompanied by easy-to-follow pictures, Ryan Jin does an excellent job of helping gentlemen dress for success…

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS:
Fantastic! As a skill that does not seem as necessary nor utilized as often these days, How To Tie A Tie makes it effortless and straightforward for men to look their best. Be it for a special occasion, a job interview, vital in a career, or just basic knowledge, learning to tie a decent knot is now easily achievable. Perfect as a gift for Father’s Day, high school/ college graduation, a new job or even the person hard to buy for, this stylish little book will  definitely be appreciated! I plan on having several on-hand for just such celebrations.

RATING:
5 (out of 5) pennies

*I received a complimentary copy of How To Tie A Tie from Blogging For Books for my honest review*