Christmas Gift Guide 2015 – Cindy's Love Of Books

Holiday Gift Guide Day 9/ Suggestions for the Make Up Lover

Posted on November 25, 2015December 7, 2015 by Cindy

Good Morning. Today I am featuring the final way you can use the New York Liberty Handmade Pouch. 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

The final way you can use this is to make it into a make up bag. Everything that I am showing actually fits into the pouch. This would be perfect for a weekend away and you want just the basics with you. This is pretty much what I use on a daily bases and it includes the Neutrogena healthy skin primer, the Maybelline perfect skin foundation, the Maybelline Healthy Skin concealer, the Rimmel brow This Way, a NYC lipstick, NYC eyeshadow compact, Essence 24 hour mascara, NYX wonder pencil and a blush. You can also throw in a few brushes to complete the kit.

The ideas are endless.

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.

Holiday Gift Guide Day 8/ Suggestions for the Book Worm

Posted on November 24, 2015December 7, 2015 by Cindy

I have been told that I am the hardest person to shop for being a book lover and all but in all honesty with a little imagination you can come up with the perfect gift for a book lover in your life or the person who loves to keep track of things with this Christmas suggestion I have for you today.

As a book lover and blogger I am always making notes so I thought this would be the perfect gift for a fellow book blogger. You could also throw in a gift card to a bookstore.

The first thing you need is the a New York Liberty Handmade Pouch to hold most of the items I am showing you . 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.

As you can see I am carrying over my love for New York City in this holiday suggestion gift guide. You could use any city that you think the person would like.

The next thing you will need is The New York Times pen set. It includes a pen and mechanical pencil. They are a matching set. The barrel of the set includes iconic black and white photos of NYC. This retails for $24.99 and comes in a beautiful box to hold them both in. If you like the pens you can also pair this up with a really nice journal and give that as a gift.

As a book blogger I go through a lot of sticky notes so adding the New York City Taxi Shaped Cover Sticky Notes is a must. This is a die-cut cover with cute illustrations that will make the New York City Taxi Shaped Cover Sticky Notes a cute addition to the book lovers collections. The classic yellow taxi features windows that reveal some of the adorable designs on the sticky pads, while the Big Apple skyline stands tall in the background. It measures roughly 4.44 x 6.75 inches and comes with a total of 240 stickies. There is four pads total (2 large: 2.25 x 2.3 inches / 2 flags: 2.25 x 0.65 inches). It sells for $8.99 US. Its available in Paris Scooter, London Bus, Christmas Train and San Francisco Cable Car.

You can also add a pack of The Big Apple Mini Sticky Notes. This is perfect for annotating your books or brightening up your book/agendas/journals etc with images from New York City! There is 300 stickies in each package with 5 decorative sticky pads in two sizes. It measures 4-3/4 x 2-2/3 x 3/8″. It sells for $5.99 US. It comes in London Town, Paris, Vintage Telephone and Kate Sutton Note & Flag.

Finally the last item you can include is the New York Shaped Memo Pad. This is perfect for taking notes and slipping it into the book or for any notes you need to take. The top of the pad shows an image of a big apple, Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, Brooklyn Bridge, and iconic yellow cab. This sales for $8.99 US. Its available in Cat, Paris, Avian Friends Birdhouse, Dachshund, Mr Fox, Vintage Clock, Vintage Telephone and Travel. Its one memo pad with two shapes with a total of 250 pages.

If you were looking for stocking stuffers to give someone this would also make a great idea as well.

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.

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.

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.

Holiday Gift Guide Day 2/ Zaya Body Oil

Posted on November 16, 2015November 19, 2015 by Cindy

Welcome to the second day of my holiday gift guide.

I was recently contacted by a pr rep asking if I would be interested in trying this Zaya body oil and I figured this would be perfect to include in my holiday gift guide.

As the cold winter season is approaching us our skins tend to get dry and crave some moisture so we need to nourish our skin.

ZAYA uses only organic and natural plant oils to deeply nurture your skin and leave it glowing.

Zaya is a Canadian eco skincare company that encourages women everywhere to let their beauty shine!

The Zaya Body Oil in Grapefruit & Rosemary has a beautiful combination of grapefruit and rosemary essential oils that provide a balance, toning and firming. Sweet almond oil enriches the blend with Vitamin D and essential fatty acids to have your skin feeling silky from head to toe. ZAYA Body Oil Blend also includes wheat germ oil and organic castor oil to promote collagen production and lift sagging skin.

I have to tell you that I am new to the whole body oils and just recently I heard about Zaya. So I was thrilled when I was asked if I wanted to review this. Before I get into my thoughts I thought that I would let you know that I was provided with a full size bottle of the Grapefruit & Rosemary Body Oil. Its a 100 ml that retails for $46.00 and if you click on the above image it will take you directly to the link so that you can buy it for yourself or someone you know.

I love their packaging and the box itself can be used for something else or to store little things in.

When I first used the oil after my shower I have to admit I wasn’t sure at first because its not what I thought it would smell like, it comes off as a strong scent but once it was blended in the scent got milder. I didn’t think that the grapefruit and rosemary would work together but I am surprised to say it does go very well together. The only thing is I wish there was more of a scent afterwards and as time went on the less it smelled.

Having used the product for quite some time now I noticed instantly my skin wasn’t dry and scaly like it normally is this time of the year especially on my legs which are always dry and itchy this time of the year. I will definitely continue to use this over the winter. I noticed a difference in my skin almost right away and more so as the day went on. It felt smooth and moisturized. I should say that it doesn’t leave an oily feel to the skin which was something I was worried about. It blends in nicely.

Over all I did like the oil and I will continue to use it because like I said I did notice a difference in my skin.

I am curious to try out their other oils and I just wish that the body oils had more of a selection then just this one.

Thanks Zaya for sending this for me to try.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway/ Put Me In The Story’s Holiday Personalized Book

Posted on November 15, 2015November 19, 2015 by Cindy

Today I am lucky once again to be part of another Put Me In The Story blog tour. This time its the Put Me In The Story’s Holiday Personalized Book Tour + Giveaway.

You might recall that I recently took part in the Celebrating Personalized Peanuts Books blog tour and I loved the books and you can click on the bold font to take you directly to that review.

With Christmas just around the corner I was thrilled to have been asked again to take part in another one of their book tours this time its for their holiday books. Today I am going to be show casing three books. Two will be a mini spotlight and the third is a review for a book that I did receive. If you are interested in any of these books I invite you to check out Put Me In The Story and order your very own copy.

Bring the magic of Christmas Eve to life with your favorite furry friends—Cookie Monster, Elmo, Abby Cadabby, and everyone on Sesame Street!

It’s the night before Christmas and Cookie Monster is nestled all snug in his bed, while visions of cookies dance in his head. When, all of a sudden, he’s certain he hears Santa outside! There’s only one problem: he’s already eaten all of Santa’s cookies! If only he had an elf helper or two…

Come help save Santa’s cookies with Cookie Monster and the rest of his Sesame Street friends in a Christmas adventure!

Make a cherished keepsake when you personalize this all-new Sesame Street story with your child’s name, photo, and a special dedication page with a message from you.

I was graciously provide with a code that I could redeem to get the following book for free. They retail for $29.99 US each. As you can see they are personalized so you just follow the easy instructions on the page and that is is within 5 minutes I had the in my cart and ready to go. Shipping was super fast and I had the book within a week of ordering it.

The book is beautifully bound like a regular hard cover picture book and it arrived in perfect condition.

This was the one I chose and trust me it was a hard decision to make. I do have to say that I am beyond thrilled with my selection. This book is perfect in my opinion.

I was looking for something that was cute but not to young for him because he is 12 going on 13 in a few months so I wanted something that I think he will treasure now and always and will want to share with his own kids one day.

When I got the book I opened it right away and I was reading the story and it made me cry. The story is beautiful.

Michael, you twinkle, glow and shine so bright.

The illustrations are bright and colorful and I think this could attract readers of all ages. The story line is easy and simple and its just great words kids should hear from their parents. I truly love this book and I am sure Michael will to once he reads it. Thanks to Put Me In The Story and Sourcebooks for sending Michael, Out Little Deer and allowing us to be a part of the Put Me In The Story’s Holiday Personalized Book Tour + Giveaway. Enter to win the Personalized Christmas Book Bundle from Put Me In The Story! Dates: Oct. 15 at 12:00 a.m. – Nov. 15 at 11:59 p.m. EST Enter for a chance to win the Personalized Christmas Book Budle Giveaway, including personalized copies of: · Santa Is Coming To My House · ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas on Sesame Street · Our Little Deer by Sandra Magsamen a Rafflecopter giveaway