Cheap Chic: 2015 version book review

   First, I would like to give a little update about myself: although you probably know by now that I have been a seamstress and clothing designer for over 10 years now, you may not know that I am also a costume designer and am currently taking a European-based course in fashion design! Therefore, I was quite interested when this book- Cheap Chic- caught my eye! I must begin this review with a note that I had no idea that this book was originally published in the 1970's. I simply thought it was current fashion book. If you are purchasing this book because you know the original and you love fashion of the '70's, then this book just might be for you! Personally, I was disappointed because all the images inside were black and white and very '70s. Oddly enough, I do not despise the fashion of that time period. Rather, I dislike the whole mentality of many of the people who lived during those ''hippie'' years. Unfortunately, that expression was all to well captured in Cheap Chic...it left me with a dark and literally cheap feeling. Besides, many of the images were inappropriate. 
On a cheerful note, the advice in the book can be considered timeless especially since we are  currently living in a fashion world which is implementing many trends from the 1970's! 

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!

Personal style is what this book is all about. Fashion as a dictatorship of the elite is dead. Nobody knows better than you what you should wear or how you should look. What we want to do is to lay out the alternatives, the guidelines, and show you the way some of the people we think look exciting today put it all together for themselves. 

The basic concept of Cheap Chic for both men and women is to have a few clothes that you really love rather than a closet full of mismatched fashions. Paring down your wardrobe is going to simplify your life and looking good is going to make you feel good. Find the clothes that suit you best, that make you feel comfortable, confident, attractive and happy...and then hang onto them like old friends.

Cookbook review: The New Sugar and Spice by Samantha Seneviratne

The New Sugar and Spice: A Recipe for Bolder Baking

by Samantha Seneviratne

 My family is made up of artists, cooks and decoraters it seems. Many of us juggle all three as well as a variety of other talents. My role in entertaning, apart from the decorating and art side of course, often falls to the baking. I am known for creating unusual and at times difficult pastries and such. When I saw the title of this new cookbook along with its front cover and enticing description, I knew I had to get it. What I have not mentioned yet about myself is my love for unique spices. I think spices, when used correctly and yet uniquely can make each and every recipe mouthwatering and amazing! This large hardcover cookbook also has beautiful photographs which appeal to my visual self. You will love flipping through the pages of this book and be prepared to become powered with inspiration for future baking!  I am excited about this new cookbook and know you will be as well. Get it in time for Autumn and Winter baking! 

A wonderfully unique and unexpected collection of desserts that showcase spice over sugar, with 80 recipes that both reinvent classic sweets and introduce more unusual spice-infused desserts.

In Sugar and Spice, veteran food editor and recipe developer Samantha Seneviratne invites readers to explore a bold new world of spice-centric desserts. Each chapter centers on a different spice--some familiar, like vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger; others less expected (especially in sweet preparations), such as peppercorns, chiles, and cardamom. With fascinating histories, origin stories, and innovative uses for each spice, this book will inspire readers to rediscover and re-stock their spice drawers, and raise their desserts up to a whole new level of flavor.

Effortless Healing by Dr. Mercola book review

Effortless Healing

9 Simple Ways to Sidestep Illness, Shed Excess Weight, and Help Your Body Fix Itself

Dr. Joseph Mercola; Foreword by David Perlmutter, M.D.

Being an advocate of healthy living, and having trusted Dr. Mercola for the past 10 years I was especially elated when I discovered this new book!

 Have you ever felt like it didn't make sense that everything healthy is hard to accomplish? Did you ever feel too discouraged to begin exercising because you couldn't do it like the pros? 

Well, Dr. Mercola explains through his website and now this marvelous book Effortless Healing that humans were wired to heal themselves! You don't have to devote hours a week working out just to get the body you want. You don't have to pay thousands of dollars to follow some other person's diet plan. Treat your body as it should be treated, and it will indeed heal itself. Drawing from centuries of healthy ancestors, Joseph Mercola explains in understandable ways how our bodies function. 

After reading this book, you will come away amazed at the intricate functions of your body and the power God has given it to heal. 

You will be inspired to put foods into your body which will help your organs work well. And you will be energized to actually lose weight or become stronger by implementing good habits and easy exercises rather than overwhelming exercise plans.

Does this lifestyle work? I have to say: yes! My family and I have been adhering to such a healthy lifestyle for the past several years, and I have seen drastic changes. I began as a teen, and I saw myself gain clearer skin, more flexible muscles, not to mention that I transformed from a chubby girl into a lean young woman! I am ever inspired when I read Mercola's writings..in fact spring is the perfect time to get back into the great healthy eating and living style he recommends! I don't know about you, but I'm going for it!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. 

LET YOUR BODY DO THE WORK

Do you have to tell your leg to heal from a scrape? Your lungs to take in air? Your body that it’s hungry? No. Your body does these things automatically, effortlessly. Vibrant health is your birthright and within your grasp; you just have to step out of the way. In Effortless Healing, online health pioneer, natural medicine advocate, and bestselling author Dr. Joseph Mercola reveals the nine simple secrets to a healthier, thinner you. The results are amazing and the steps can be as easy to implement as:

·         Throwing ice cubes in your water to make it more “structured”
·         Skipping breakfast, as it could be making you fat
·         Eating up to 75 percent of your calories each day in fat for optimal health, reduction of heart disease, and cancer prevention
·         Avoiding certain meat and fish, but enjoying butter
·         Eating sauerkraut (and other fermented foods) to improve your immune system and your mood
·         Walking barefoot outside to decrease system-wide inflammation (and because it just feels great)
·         Enjoying a laugh: it’s as good for your blood vessels as fifteen minutes of exercise

Effortless Healing is the distillation of decades of Dr. Mercola’s experience and cutting-edge medical knowledge. With his wisdom and that of your body, you can optimize your health, your weight, and your life…effortlessly.

Interior decorating book review- Novel Interiors: Living in Enchanted Rooms Inspired by Literature by Lisa Borgnes Giramonti

Novel Interiors: Living in Enchanted Rooms Inspired by Literature by Lisa Borgnes Giramonti (Author), Ivan Terestchenko (Photographer)

With my interests of interior decorating backed by a love for classic literature, I was intrigued by this new book published by Potter Style.

  Novel Interiors is a large, elegant-looking hardcover book full of attractive photographs. 

The concept of this book is wonderful. What book lover wouldn't want a room designed specifically according to the style of his or her favorite classic? 

I must say that this book was a disappointed surprisingly. First, the styles presented within the book were all so similar it could have been the same room. I think it would have been better if a variety of interior designers had been consulted for this publication. Secondly, this is personal but I think many people would agree with me: the rooms were each and all quite hectic and cluttered. There wasn't a good sense of balance or beauty. In this era, I do not think most people will appreciate the dark, cluttered look these rooms had. Thirdly, I found it hard to guess which book each room represented. As an experienced interior designer and decorator myself, I was disappointed with this book.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

PaperbackSwap: Great way to obtain books for Christmas gifts....my sister's success story

Guest post by my sister Marjolaine: 

Two great books published by Inheritance Publications which I received from PaperbackSwap- costing me under 4 dollars for BOTH! And yes: I now OWN them. This is not a lending system. Rather a way of gaining books for one's own self!

With Christmas coming up, and many of you eager to buy special gifts for family and friends, I would like to recommend that you join the book site PaperbackSwap! (which is actually for hardbacks as well!)

 I first heard of it a few years ago, from a fellow blogger but never imagined it would be beneficial for me. However, since I signed up this year, I've been able, through swapping books I no longer wanted or books I picked up free or purchased for a minimal fee, with other members to gain several special books for myself and my family to permanently own. Now I suggest every book lover out there sign up themselves!  Around Christmas is probably the best time to begin listing books since many other members are likewise shopping for Christmas! In the last couple weeks, I've sent out more books than I did all summer. 

PLEASE say, on the sign-up page that mazzou referred you. This is very important, because I would then get an extra credit to spend on a....book! :) Please and thank you!!!

Next...I will kindly explain how the system works on PaperbackSwap. It is unbelievably simple. No credit card information or anything required, because you don't pay for the books you request, rather for the shipping for books you ship out to other members who request them from you!

This means:

 If you only choose to list books that are very lightweight, your credits cost a greatly minimal amount and you save tons of money on books! Yay!

My success story: 

Two great books published by Inheritance Publications which I received from PaperbackSwap- costing me under 4 dollars for BOTH!

In fact, these two like-new Christian historical fiction books which I received  this year for two of my paperback swap account credits I would have paid over $12.00 each if I had purchased them from the company we usually do (Inheritance Publications).

However, through PaperBackSwap I ended up paying only $3.17 for both!(where do I get this $3.17? from the cost it sent me to mail out 2 books previously in order to obtain the 2 credits to spend on these two books I requested!) See what I mean....it's great! Read on....and see more examples of books I've received at the bottom of the post.

Yes, you keep the books you request! This is not a constant swapping system, unless you decide to re-swap the books you got....I hope this is clear!

The basics to PaperbackSwap are very simple. Of course there are more details involved, but nothing you can't conquer with a little help from the instructions on the site and from other members like myself. (I personally was given great tips by a friend)

When you sign up, through the below link, they will ask you on the page if anyone referred you. I would be SO happy if you would say I referred you!  (''Mazzou'')

 THANKS A BUNCH.

More about the site....

You simply join, just start listing books you have which are in pretty good condition, and when a book is requested from you, you quickly package the book (in two pieces of paper, taped well) and pay for its shipping. (usually under two dollars) 

When the book is received by the other member, you will get a credit (1 credit per book!) to use to request any book off the site for YOURSELF! :)

As a special incentive, when you list 10 books, the company automatically gives you 2 credits as a gift.  And the referral system gives you 1 credit every time a friend lists 10 books.

I must admit that not all your favorite books will be available immediately. However, each person gets to add as many as 200 books to their wishlist which will enable you to wait in line for your desired book to be posted by another member. 

(I am sure this sometimes takes years, as it will for several of the more unusual books I long for....but oh well! I am grateful for the wishlist system.) I actually have received a couple books already, from my wishlist!

Book quality:

 I have, so far, received over 4 great books in like-new condition! Very exciting. (if you do not want any books worse than ''new'' condition, you can specify that on your PaperbackSwap club account! Or you can request a book, then send the member a personal message, as I usually do, making sure the book IS in great condition) You can swap books which are in good condition, or newer. There is even a forum on the site for swapping damaged books. And I do list damaged books if they are popular, BUT to follow the rules of the site, I ALWAYS send the member who requests the book a message informing them on the condition, and making sure they still want it. 

Choosing books to swap:

Note: If you don't have books in your home which you want to get rid of on PaperBackSwap, you can always purchase books from your thrift shop, library, etc. I suggest you look out for lightweight books, so you can spend less for your credit. Also, you might want to contemplate which books are highly desired in the club... by searching the titles and seeing how many members wish for it, or reading the ''top wished'' list of titles. (which I don't recommend doing since I'm sure there are many nasty titles on it.)

What I did and do:

I officially began my PaperbackSwap account with listing 10 books I actually bought for 25 cents-75 cents a piece at our local thrift store. Thankfully, after the initial 10 books (which unfortunately, didn't go like hotcakes!) although I did buy a few more books here and there, and gave away several books from my own collection which I didn't need....my main sources, surprisingly and excitedly are ''free boxes'' at book stores and resale shops. I hope you find free books to list as well! But any way you do it, BEGIN!

Comment on this post if you have any questions, or if you already use PaperbackSwap!

Now for some examples of books I have been able to request and receive through PaperbackSwap!

Each of these came in great condition....AND, counting up the costs of the shipping spent on the book with which I earned credit to order these books, every single one comes to under $2.00

Since these books are out of print, I am trying to get as many copies as possible!

A sweet book by an author I like- yes, it is a hardback book!

Just SOME of the books I've received so far.

Of Irish music, dolls, and books

Here are just a few fun Irish items that I wanted to share with you....

The first two CDs are ones that we got for the previously mentioned Irish birthday; we still listen to them. :)

The first is more classical, while the second has a different style to it.

(I recommend this one highly :))

Crossing the Waters CD

(a pretty, relaxing piece of music found on this CD)

Tra: Water's Edge CD

(a fun CD)

Irish Hymns CD

(A very good instrumental hymn CD played by traditional Irish instruments!)

And here are some pretty little dolls that I used to long to add to my doll collection :)

Irish Madam Alexander doll

Another Irish Madame Alexander doll

Little Irish Girl Paper Doll

Not only are the paper dolls in this series fun and sweet, they are educational since they portray very accurately the folk clothing of the country! This is one of my favorites.

When I was younger, I wanted to own this Irish princess doll. :)

Everyone loves an elegant medieval costume!

And lastly:

A nice childrens' book. The author writes delightful books- more about her other childrens' books in another post! This Irish story is not my favorite of her books, but it is still sweet.
(note: I appreciate this book because of it is a story about a family in Ireland; I do not agree with their religious beliefs.)

Cottage at Bantry Bay

I hope you look into some of these special Irish items, since I'm sure you will enjoy them!