#Christmas2015 – Page 4 – Cindy's Love Of Books

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 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.

Holiday Gift Guide Day 3 & Review/ Over The River & Through The Wood

Posted on November 17, 2015November 20, 2015 by Cindy

Over the River & Through the Wood by Linda Ashman
Format: Hardcover
Published by Sterling Publishing Company Incorporated on October 6th 2015
Pages: 32
Goodreads
Genres: General, Holidays & Celebrations, Young Adult

Pack up the pooches and load the van. We need to leave by eight! There's so much to bring. Do we have everything? Come on, we can't be late! The classic song gets a fresh new twist! The fun begins when Grandma and Grandpa send invitations to their far-flung, modern, and multiracial family: Come to our house for the holidays--and bring your favorite pie! Off everyone goes, driving down snowy roads, riding the train, boarding a plane . . . even sailing along in a hot-air balloon. As each family faces an obstacle that delays their trip, they learn that sometimes the most old-fashioned form of transportation works best . . . NEIGH!

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.

One thing I love about Christmas time is the books especially picture books.

Today I am going to be talking about Over The River & Through The Wood by Linda Ashman and illustrated by Kim Smith.

I loved the illustrations in the book and the diverse characters in the book. It was nice to finally see that in a picture book for kids.

Over The River & Through The Wood is set to that classic tune and your suppose to read the book in that tune. I admit I had to google it to see how it went as its been a long time since I heard it. The story is about a diverse family that has been invited to Grandma and Grandpa’s house. Each member of the family has to overcome a traveling disaster such as the car running out of gas, a flat tire and so much more but in the end they all meet along the way and help each other out to arrive at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.

This is such a cute book and I think it would make a perfect gift.

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

2015 Holiday Gift Guide

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

Christmas is quickly approaching and its hard to believe there is roughly 5 weeks left. Are you ready? I am not ready by any means apart from having our advent calendars.

This year I thought I would try something different and I hope you guys will like it. I am going to be offering a gift guide this year. Over the last month or two I have been contacted by several outlets asking to be included in a gift guide so I thought I would put one together.

I always find it hard to find just the right gifts and I know I am not the only one so I thought perhaps seeing some new ideas might give you the inspiration that you need for those hard to get people on your Christmas list.

Check back daily for roughly the next three weeks to get some new and exciting ideas.

Meme/Waiting on Wednesday Secret Santa Edition #1

Posted on November 4, 2015November 4, 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.

For the next month all my Waiting On Wednesday posts will be called the Secret Santa Edition because I am taking part in a secret Santa and I just want a place so that my secret Santa can see all the book suggestions.

So this week I am featuring 6 books and they are:

Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood
Sister’s Fate by Jessica Spotswood
One Past Midnight by Jessica Shirvington
Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington
Endless by Jessica Shirvington
Enpower by Jessica Shirvington