2015 – Page 6 – Cindy's Love Of Books

Holiday Gift Guide Day 7/ Suggestions for the Artist

Posted on November 23, 2015December 7, 2015 by Cindy

Michael has always been interested in art but this year he has really taken a great interest in it. As an elective in high school he decided on taking art class and he has been thriving in the class and loves drawing. He loves the teacher and he loves the projects he has to do within the class.

So with Michael in mind I thought I would share with you something I would give a budding artist for Christmas.

The first thing is the New York Liberty Handmade Pouch to hold all the varies art supplies they will need. The pouch is all hand stitched and made with 100% cotton. It measures 9.5 x 5 x 1.5 inches. Its available in New York Liberty, Paris Eiffel Tower, London Big Ben (this is the one I plan on ordering) and San Francisco Golden Gate. It retails for $11.99 US

Next thing the budding artist needs is a sketch book and going along with my love of NYC I chose the Brooklyn Bridge sketchbook. This is the Mudpuppy Andy Warhol Brooklyn Bridge sketchbook. The sketchbook includes 30 high quality paper with a colored wire binding that will make flipping the pages easy. It measures 9 x 12 in. (23 x 30 cm) when the sketchbook is closed. This retails for $10.99 US.

I think this would make the perfect gift for that budding artist on your holiday gift list.

Please note that I have included affiliated links to the products on Amazon to make your shopping easier.

I just want to thank Galison/Mudpuppy/Chronicle Books for reaching out to me asking if I would be interested in partnering up with them this holiday season to show case some awesome Christmas gift ideas.

If We Were Having Tea…. #3

Posted on November 22, 2015November 21, 2015 by Cindy

I recently saw Jennifer from Mrs.Q Book Addict post this on her blog and I thought it was an interesting idea so I thought I might do this as well. I hope that is okay Jennifer?

If we were having tea… I would tell you that Michael got his report on Friday and that he made the academic honor roll for first semester. I am super proud of him. He works hard and studies hard.

If we were having tea… I would tell you that this was a crazy hockey weekend again like most weekends. We had a game yesterday against the 5 place team and we tied 1-1. We are currently in 8th place. Today we have a 7am practice which I didn’t go to for once.

If we were having tea… I would say that its going to be a busy hockey week with an off ice training, a game against our sister team on Wednesday and then another game on Saturday against the 12th place team.

If we were having tea... I would tell you that I am contemplating going to Toronto in January for the Ontario Library Association conference. The train ticket isn’t that bad but the hotel rate is killing me and its getting harder and harder to find a place near the convention center. I am shocked at the rates because its only Toronto in the winter time.

If we were having tea… I would tell you that I am beginning my holiday baking. Well not actually the baking but finding things to make this year. I have a few staples that I always make and I plan on blogging about those in December.

If we were having tea… I would tell you that I have to go to a church dinner and that Michael is having a hard time with going. It was my father in law’s church and it brings back memories of him for Michael. I noticed the last time we went he took it very hard. I was trying to avoid going because I know what it does but it was a no go. I think having to deal with his death earlier this year and then my mom’s, Michael is finding it very hard. I don’t blame him because he is only 12 and his feelings need to be taken into account over the adults who think its perfectly fine and that we are honoring his memory by going.

If we were having tea… I would tell you that it was great seeing you again this week and that I can’t wait until next week.

Holiday Gift Guide Day 6/ Lampe Berger Stries Frosted

Posted on November 20, 2015November 26, 2015 by Cindy

Today I have another product from the Lampe Berger line, it’s the Stries Frosted glass.

I was thrilled last year when I had gotten a limited edition Lampe Berger Paris in Red Apple. I love it and its gotten so much love out of. I was always looking for an alternative to air fresheners (solids, sprays and candles) to freshen up the air and then I was introduced to the Lampe Berger line. Since getting the Lampe Berger I haven’t bought any kind of air fresheners.

I feel in love with the concept of the Lampe Berger because not only does it leave a fragrance it also purify’s the air. Which is perfect come the fall or winter when your house is closed up and it gets stuffy and stale. I have also noticed the difference when we start to sniffle I will burn it and it makes a big difference.

This is one of the most easiest things to use. The instructions are as easy as pie and I promise you that within 20 minutes your home will smell amazing and clean feeling. Just remember that this is flammable so you have to keep your eye on it while it burns. I have mine on the mantle but when I burn it I move it onto a table.

I have to say that since getting one last year the line as grown and there is so many to choose from. You can pick something that is basic, trendy or timeless, whatever look you are going for they probably have that style, size and color. Did you know that they have 50 different styles?

With my Stries Frosted I got the scent to go along with it and they sent me Provence Treats. This is the same scent that I talked about yesterday in my other review. I really like the scent and I think this is the perfect fall/winter to have burning.

One thing I like about the fragrance is that is listed into seven groups of scents such as, Functionals, Oriental Dreams, Sweet Dreams, Dreams of Flowers, Pure Dreams, Dreams of Fruits and Dreams of Freshness. Within in group there is various scents and there is over 50 to choose from.

The Stries Frosted retails for $68.00 and the fragrances comes in bottles that are 180 ml ($10), 500 ml ($24) and 1 litre ($40).

You can refill the fragrances over and over again but they do recommend that you use So Neutral between scents. This will optimize the operation of the burner and expand its life span.

Lampe Berger recommends replacing the burner after 140 hours of diffusion or the use of seven bottles of 500ml or 1 year usage. That is giving you 560 hours of fragrancing.

I think this would make the perfect christmas gift. You can purchase this online or you can check to see where they are sold in stores.

Ways to connect with Lampe Berger:

Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/LampeBergerCanada

Instagram: http://instagram.com/lampebergercanada

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LampeBerger_CAN?lang=fr

Web site: www.lampeberger.ca

I want to thank Lampe Berger for sending me this to include in my holiday gift guide.

Holiday Gift Guide Day 5/ Lampe Berger The Cube Scented Bouquet

Posted on November 19, 2015November 25, 2015 by Cindy

It’s always hard to find that perfect gift for someone who has everything and trust me I have been there and racked my brain over what to get.

Instead of buying that certain someone a candle how about getting them the cube scented bouquet from Parfum Berger?

Parfum Berger is the newest line in the Lampe Berger Collection. The Parfum Berger line is a new way of scenting your home. It won’t purify like Lampe Berger but it will be continuous fragrance for several weeks. I like that there is no flame involved. Plus its perfect for when companies comes over during this holiday season you won’t have to worry about any odors and rushing to light candles to mask them.

Lampe Berger graciously sent me The Cube Scented Bouquet in the scent Provence Treats. It comes with a glass cube that is topped with a silver-colored ring with eight black sticks that are made with polymer that is guarantee optimal diffusion of the fragrance without discolouration in the solution. The glass jar is already filled with 125 ml of your selected scent.

There is ten scents to choose from such as Ocean Breeze, Orange Cinnamon, Vanilla Gourmet, Paris Chic, Zest of Verbena, Precious Jasmine, Soap Memories, Amber Powder, Virginia Cedar wood and Provence Treats. So you can choose the one you like or pick according to the season.

The jar can be refilled over and over again with the same scent or different ones.

The Cube Scented Bouquet retails for $25.00 and the refill sticks are a pack of 8 for $9.00

This should last several weeks. Depending on how you like the scent, mild or strong will depend on how many sticks you will use. As along as you use the same scent you can reuse the sticks but if you are changing the scents when they are done they suggest changing the sticks out as well.

I currently have this placed in my hall way with all eight sticks and I can already smell it. I might end up removing some sticks to lighten the scent up. The scent I got is Provence Treats and I really like it. The description of the scent is that is a deliciously spicy fragrance with sweet and sour aroma of candied citrus fruits. The soft sweetness of fruits combines with the spicy fragrance of cinnamon and clove, all emphasised by the strength of cedar and patchouli. I think this is the perfect fall/winter scent.

I think this would make the perfect christmas gift. You can purchase this online or you can check to see where they are sold in stores.

Ways to connect with Lampe Berger:

Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/LampeBergerCanada Instagram:http://instagram.com/lampebergercanada Twitter:https://twitter.com/LampeBerger_CAN?lang=fr Web site :www.lampeberger.ca

I want to thank Lampe Berger for sending me this to include in my holiday gift guide.

Library Loot… November #2

Posted on November 19, 2015November 20, 2015 by Cindy

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Linda from Silly Little Mischief that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.

I went back to the library this week because I had to return Second Life by S.J Watson. I was only able to borrow it for a week and sadly I wasn’t able to finish it. I am hoping that once its taken off the new release section I can borrow it again.

I also ended up returning the other items I borrowed as well. I enjoyed listening to Josh Groban’s cd and I started to read One Past Midnight by Jessica Shirvington and stopped because I think this will be one of those books that I will want to own so hopefully I will get it for Christmas.

This week I went on a children’s book spree and picked up the following books:

These are all picture books.

These are the chapter books.
I borrowed Rise of the Guardians on dvd to watch this weekend.

As you can see I was on a William Joyce kick this week. Michael actually likes the books and author so I just wanted to refresh his memory of the books.

You’re Never Weird on the Internet (almost) by Felicia Day was one of those books that I wanted to get at BEA and never got. I almost picked it up a few times when I was at chapters when it was on sale but didn’t so when I spotted it in the new release section I decided that it was now or never so I grabbed it.

I also borrowed two cds:

First Kiss by Kid Rock
Under My Skin by Avril Lavigne

So this is my haul this week. What do you think?

Meme/Waiting on Wednesday Secret Santa Edition #3

Posted on November 18, 2015November 18, 2015 by Cindy

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine and its spotlights upcoming books that we are eagerly waiting for. I plan on including upcoming releases and books that are already released.

Its hard to believe that its a little over a month until Christmas. Wow where is the time going?

Here is my top 4 books this week:

Holiday Gift Guide Day 4 & Review/ The Twelve Days of Christmas In Canada

Posted on November 18, 2015November 20, 2015 by Cindy

The Twelve Days of Christmas in Canada by Ellen Warwick
Format: Hardcover
Published by Sterling Publishing Company Incorporated on October 6th 2015
Pages: 32
Goodreads
Genres: Canada, Christmas & Advent, General, Holidays & Celebrations, People & Places, Young Adult

O Canada, in Christmastime! Come with Juliette and her "crazy Canuck cousin" as they take a holiday trip across the country, all the way from Prince Edward Island and vieux Québec to Winnipeg and Vancouver. Along the way Juliette gets really cool Canadian gifts—like 8 bears a-swimming, 6 Mounties marching, and a loon in a maple tree!

I received this book for free from publisher/pr firm in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Today I have another picture book for you as you know I love picture books and so does Michael.

I did not realize that The Twelve Days of Christmas In… was a whole series of books. It covers places such as New York City (you know I want to get that one), Illinois, New England, Texas and so many other places.

I loved that there was a map included at the front of the book so you could see and trace the root Juliette took in the book. The book is told in a letter format that Juliette writes to her mom and dad back at home. Juliette has been invited to spend Christmas in Canada with her cousin Theo.

Juliette’s journey begins in Charlottetown, PEI on Day 1 and for the next twelve days they travel across Canada by boat, plane, train and car. Hitting various spots in Canada.

Once you begin reading the book you realize that certain things are mentioned that you know are purely Canadian and you associate them with Canada, such as a loon, fiddlers, bagels, Mounties (RCMP), sled dougs, and so many other things including hockey because you know that has to be mentioned.

If you want to know more of what is included then you have to get the book. It will bring a whole new meaning to The Twelve Days of Christmas.

This is such a fun and cute book to read over the holiday season that kids of all ages will enjoy.

I love that it took place in Canada and I love that at the back of the book there is a little Canadian facts such as some totally amazing Canadians (Mike Meyers, Jim Carrey, John Candy and so many others), Canadian Inventions ( the snowblower, basketball, goalie mask etc), Cool Canadian Records, Wacky Canadian Landmarks, Astounding Canadian History and Glorious Canadian Nature.

I should also mention that both the author and illustrator are Canadian which I love. Its nice to read Canadian books and expose Michael to them as well.