I am Brave ( book review and giveaway)

  I appreciate a good, motivating book for myself.  One I can look at for inspiration, answers and even jot notes in.  A book I can come back to and see how I have grown as a person and grown in my faith.  I was extremely excited to be given the opportunity to provide my daughter with an age appropriate book offering her the same opportunity.

  I am Brave by Thomas Nelson is a book geared to 8-12 year old girls.  Its a great book that helps girls growing in their faith and following God.  This book encourages the reader with various prompts to include questions and quizzes.  A little food for thought in determining a better situation, another perspective or an end result of FUN.

  There is a Brave Girl series which I was only aware of after this book but, all the girls are introduced in this book and a picture of them on each page.  After reading about all of them you feel a little more connected and familiar with the characters as they grace the pages throughout the book.

  My daughter found this book to be a great addition to her book collection.  She is able to read and follow the directions.  She is leaving her mark on the pages as she answers them according to her at the present time.  It will be fun to look back on when shes older.

 The pages also contain verses and prayers and she is able to reflect on this during her day.  This book provides her with a window of positive reinforcement!

  This book is available for purchase on Amazon here.  Perfect for a holiday gift, birthday or just because!

 Of course purchasing the book is a given after you have tried your luck with the giveaway here!  If you win just think of it as 2 for the price of 1!

  I was provided this book complimentary for review purposes but all opinions and comments are my own.

Motivation Decorations

  Its time to talk about decorations!  We all have different styles and a personal preference to textures, patterns and shapes but what we all like or could use is a little more motivation, inspiration or encouragement in our lives.  It might not even be for ourselves but for other family members or it's just a great saying in general that needs to be posted.

   I found several choices at artsyolive.com!  This site was easy to navigate and whether your looking for a biblical message or a motivating quote they both are available.  There are even some personalized prints available.

  I like that your not only able to personalize a print but, that your also able to select a frame.

I had the choice of a couple frames and I chose the basic black frame.  It was a thick durable frame

It even came with it's own hardware which is nice for hanging it up in a timely manner instead hunting for the pieces.

The packaging was thorough to include packing peanuts as well to keep my print safe. 

I am completely satisfied with this product and service.  The whole experience was easier then i thought.  I think the hardest decision was which print to select and the frame.  I chose this print because I liked the phrase as well as the colors on it.  

Delivery was fast and I actually even had a follow up email to ensure I did want the passage on the bottom.  There is still time to order yours in time for a gift for this holiday season as well.  Feel free to use code Blog15 for a 15% discount!  This code is available through the 30th of this month.  While your waiting for your print you can also try your luck with this giveaway! Click here for that! 

I was provided a complimentary item for review purposes.  However all opinions stated were solely my own.

Devotions book with a Flip (review)

  I read a variety of books and love to add some motivating books into the mix to keep me going.  God plus motivation makes for a good read.

  I just recently finished my complimentary copy of Always Enough Never Too Much by Jess Connolly and Hayley Morgan.  This book is full of devotions to encourage you to quit comparing and be comfortable with where you are and even who you are.

  This book offers a fun spin in reading it's contents by offering 50 devotions then requiring you to flip the book and reading the other 50.

 The Always Enough side will help you when your feeling insecure. It provides a reminder from Jesus and everything starts with even if or even when.  For example even when you feel behind or even when you feel stuck.

 The Never Too Much devotions work on soothing you if your too emotional. Take this inspiration to use how you were created by God.  Even when you're busy or even if you have a ton of kids.

 Each author takes turns providing a peek into their life and then justify the path that was followed, accepting what was done and accepting the faults or the individual experience.  I like that it's pointed out that God has made us unique and each of our lives is not a carbon copy.  It's comforting to know God uses us to change us.

  This was a great book.  I don't highlight my books because I hate to write in them but, if I did there would be a lot of highlights in this book.

Enter here for your chance to win a copy of this book!


  This review is my personal opinion. All comments are my own and honest.

Girlboss (book review)

  On my journey to read 50 books for the year I want to pause and tell you how much I appreciated #Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso!  She is the founder and CEO of NastyGal. Nasty Gal really meant nothing to me before (I hope I'm not the only one) I read the book but, while reading it and hearing the story of how it was born I had to check it out.

    I picked up this book due to the popularity around it (Instagram). After waiting a few weeks on the wait list at my library it was mine.  It is an easy read and I finished it in a day! Easy to finish in one day (if you didn't have my kids, have to cook, be responsible for long periods of time).

  The book is broken down into 11 chapters ranging from how she began, to how she survived to owning her individuality.  She provides her perspective!

Now that you mention it.  I bet money does look better on the bank but, to confirm that I'm going to have to try it first! Is it a certain amount or any amount?

Take care of your business. Don't worry about what someone else is doing.  Sophia says, "Fight for your idea.  Take the spirit with you to whatever job you're doing!" P.S. I like this quote she has from Abraham Lincoln (even though after research I couldn't confirm it).  The thought of the word hustle beginning back then makes me laugh.

I know we could look up motivational quotes online but, it's just better to find them randomly and appropriately placed in this book.  The make just as much as an impact as her encouraging words.

If I owned this book I would have highlighted many passages (there is a workbook though).  I have no desire to be an entrepreneur or run a company in any capacity but, I am walking away from this book feeling better having read it.  

I haven't gotten a chance to watch the series on Netflix yet (as suggested) but, I will.  It would be nice to see the lady behind the book.  I would actually go to stand in line for a meet and greet!

Do you believe in magic? 

For Your Kingdom CD review and giveaway

This year I vowed to spend more time listening to uplifting music.  I have it playing in my car as well as at home so when I was asked to review a Christian CD this fit perfectly into my plan!

Pre-order here and download 2 songs today!

The CD has 13 tracks with a complete play time of less then an hour which makes any wait time in a car more enjoyable.  Rush hour wait, anyone?

The songs are beautiful.  The singers and music compliment each other.  You hear words of inspiration, hope and faith.  The music is catchy and you find yourself humming to the tune, tapping a foot or singing along.

Here's a video

 of the group in action!

There are several reasons why I enjoy this CD.  

   1.  It allows me to play music family.                    friendly no matter where I am. 

  2.  My kids can sing the lyrics without me   being concerned with the language.  

 3.  We smile when we sing to the album.  We feel good when we hear it.

 4.  The songs are upbeat and we move to the music! 

Well now that I have you excited for some heart pumping, feet tapping, uplifting music try your luck with a free CD!

Enter the giveaway 

here! 

Challenges

  How do you handle challenges?  Whether it is a health issue, bad habit or pertains to your kids or family?  How do you get out?  How do you ask for help or support?  Who do you have to ask or turn to?

  We handle every situation different.  Or at least I do.  I don't grab the bull by the horns in all cases.  I may become a wallflower or ignore the occurrence hoping it goes away.  Hiding in the shadows until the situation has passed.

  This doesn't solve much if any.    I need to take a more proactive approach.  A more conscious effort needs to be made.  A deliberate positive look will keep me on the right track.  What motivates or drives you?  I want to be a better role model for my kids.

  So for the next month I am going to reevaluate a few things.  Taking a minute daily to be thankful.  For this activity I would like to incorporate my family as well.  I want to stay on track with satisfying my own needs and wants as well.   It will improve my health both spiritually,  and physically if I reduce the stress, challenge myself and think differently the outcome can only be brighter.

  I have heard if you do not complain your life becomes happier, so let's see if that happens.  Stay tune for November goals and maybe some motivation.

  What do you do to relax ?  How do you diffuse a situation?  Who are you staying strong for?


#NaBloPoMo