The Study Bible For Women (book review)

  We ladies do like our pretty things.  I also like to read.  This year making time for myself has been easier some days then others but, without being to hard on myself I just make up for it on different days.  My newest book .... a study bible for women.... was provided to me complimentary for review purposes.

  Being a mom, taking care of a house, preparing meals and squeezing some me time is just another challenge I refuse to be defeated in.  I enjoy trying new recipes, working out and reading.  This year I have devoted more time to reading the bible.  I am in my 40's and have never read the complete bible and although I know there are many different apps and  strategies to complete this task in a year those are not quite for me.

  Reading a portion daily is reasonable but I want to know what I read and remember what I read versus getting it done to be done.  When presented with the opportunity to review The Study Bible For Women I was excited as it would provide me with the depth I was seeking.  So for the last few months I have enjoyed reading the bible as well as studying the content.

   This study bible is just that.  It presents the story and food for thought.

Vocabulary lessons.

Learn new words or the meaning of words in a particular context. 

Questions to ponder.

Questions placed sporadically in this book challenge you to think of an appropriate answer based on what you have already read.

Maps.

It's always nice to follow the path and to get an idea of where the places are.

 To learn more about this bible or to make a purchase follow this link.

This is a great book!  One of the most thorough study bibles I have come across.  I enjoyed all the added areas provided for available study.  

This book would make a great gift and of course a great asset to a bible group. Enter here for your chance to win one yourself! 

This study bible is great quality inside and out. All opinions stated are my own and  honest.

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! 

Color Institute Cosmetics Case review

  I received this case earlier this month as a gift for my birthday compliments of my children. It's not that I wear makeup daily but obviously when I wear it they notice. My daughter is always giving me compliments which is very nice. I'm glad all my hardwork is recognized.

 Well I hadn't broke into it yet and it seemed to bother my kids more then me. So after a lot of begging for a mom makeover I let it happen today. My son wanted to do my makeup and I let it happen.

 His sister has a pretend makeup kit. So he actually knew makeup goes on your cheeks, eyes, lips and eyelashes. He doesn't know the technical names and needed me to guide him in what goes where.

  He started with my lips, then my eyes, then added some blush.  Then he suddenly remembered my eyelashes.  Oh, OK of course you need to do that too.  Enter mascara!

He took his time picking colors.  He applied pink eyeshadow on one side and purple on the other.  He did better then I expected on all areas.  

This is the face of concentration while applying my makeup.

Now about the makeup case!  It is a 73 piece case.  The sides are snapped shot and there is a mirro.  2 drawers that pull out and a top open compartment.

This drawer consisted of 2 lipstick, 2 nail polishes, mascara,  liquid eyeliner, lip gloss and color correcting concealer.

Next drawer consists of 8 Satin lip gloss colors and 28 various colors of eyeshadows ranging in shades from pop, smoky and rosy.

The top tier does not pull out it just sits on top.    Inside this tray is 12 more eyeshadows, 2 contours, 2 highlights, 4 blushes, 4 bronzes and strobe cream.

There are a lot of colors which I like about this case as well as the case itself.  Even if I can't refill the trays I can stash makeup in here when everything is gone or repurpose it for jewelry!  

This would make a great gift for any makeup lover but what a nice fun gift for a girl whose allowed to wear makeup for the first time.

Couldn't end this post without the great reveal! 

Told you it wasn't that bad.  He may have potential.  If he can master the cats eye he will be my go to, lol. I have to let him use the eyeliner first and I wasn't that brave today.

Marlena book review

  My second finished book of the year was a random book selected from the shelf.  I state this because my yearly books will be made up of random books, books suggested to me and book club selections.

  I read 40 books last year based on challenging myself to read more.  This year I have challenged myself to read 50! 

  Marlena by Julie Buntin is a fiction novel.  The story revolves around 2 families of 2 teenage girls.  Both girls live on the same property and are friends based on proximity and income.  One is only slightly better off then the other.  Both girls missing a parent in their life but the similarities end there.

  One girl Catherine whom is enchanted with the older and more rugged Marlena form a unbreakable bond that gets them  feeding danger together.  School becomes unimportant.  Trips to vacant hotels, church tunnels and doghouses are just part of the day.  Eventually too much school skipping is found out all because of a spontaneous pizza lunch. 

  The teens indulge in drugs and alcohol.  Catherine is concerned with her friend but, still follows the bad behavior of her friend.  The setting in a rural  town with minimal entertainment other then finding trouble makes the drug abuse seem almost expected. 

  This book gives you a glimpse of teens and drugs.  Misguided teens, unsupervised teens.  It's kind of a sad story when you read about the drug abuse and how it's obtained, made and sold to other teens. 

  There is tragedy and more tragedy and as much as I would like to state comedy I can't think of one spot.  You don't know where the book is going to take you from start to finish; so you have to read it to the end.


  It was a good book.  The plot was easy to follow.  There was a point to the whole book.  All in want from my books is to not get me lost.  It ends not the way you expect.  The two girls do part ways and you don't expect that from bestfriends either. 

  Now I will end with that I have not spoiled the book if you choose to pick it up!  I'm off to read book number 3!
 

Arctic Frozen Dessert Review Part 1

   I received a box of frozen goodness outside my door.  I must admit the first delivery was not successful but then I received a replacement box! This frozen dessert was a nice sight in a week of temperatures in the high 90's.

  I the packaging was very sweet to include a handwritten note! A catalog of other flavors and the bow was a nice touch over the cooler.

  In the box were 3 pints of various frozen desserts, a cute heart shaped bowl and a box of cake batter pops!

Let's talk about the flavors!

  Rocky Road Trip first off was this gorgeous chocolate flavor with chunks of almonds and marshmallows.  Sadly this one was not my favorite.  I dug into it first anticipating chocolate and didn't taste it as much as I wanted.  Aside from that it was hearty and full of chunks. There were bits in every spoonful.

  Peanut Butter swirl was a combination of peanut butter and white chips swirled in vanilla.  I enjoyed this one and although I would have liked more swirl; the flavor was there.  You could  visible see tell peanut butter and chips so again you were getting spoonfuls but this one was more appetizing to me.

  I finish with Cherry Chocolate Chunk. Another chunk dessert.  Similar to the first flavor with big pieces mixed in.  I liked this flavor the best.  The cherry flavor combined with burst of chocolate was delicious.  Even if you managed to get a scoop without the chocolate it was still good.

  What I love about Arctic Zero frozen desserts is there is a whole variety of flavors as well as the healthier choice aspect.  These desserts are not only gmo free, gluten free, lactose free and but have between 75-80 calories.  So after a hard work out or a week of eating right this makes the best treat!

Part 2 my review of the Cake Batter pops to follow shortly.  

  I received this awesome box complimentary for my tasting and review pleasure.  All opinions are my own.

Nail Time Kid Style (review)

  Nail Time is almost a given in a house with girls. Or atleast my house.  I paint mine and usually paint the kids at will.  I have tried my luck at designs and some are better then others but we will just chalk that up as a work in progress.  However lucky for me I get a reprieve for a bit while we play with some nail stickers and nail patches.  Now all the pictures are perfect!

  I received two boxes of various nail patches and stickers to make this nail day even better!

Our first box themed Sparkling had animal prints, a variety of animals and flower, leave and paw print stickers.  A little bling on all of the pieces to add some sparkle to your hands.

The second box themed Sweet Crush included all things yummy.  These patches were desserts, fruits and cute faces with big eyes.  These were also extra special with a glow in the dark feature!

The items were so little and small hands friendly so little miss was in charge of most of the application.

Applying the patches are easy but, you do need to match up the size of your finger versus the size of the patch.  The stickers are on a clear sheet so it's easy to hold the nails behind the patches.

Filing the nail down took more concentration and focus and I helped with that part.

Lastly a top clear coat to seal the deal was easier for her to assist with.

The end result!

Little miss even did her whole hand and it came out nicely.  

I couldn't take a picture that showed the glow in the dark but it was neat to see them in that way as well!

  Each box came with enough patches for toes and fingers, stickers, clear top coat polish, manicure stick and nail file.

  I think this was a nice kit for a child.  Everything is small and easy for a child to hold.  The only thing I didn't have her use was the manicure stick.  This would be a great kit to buy for a birthday party goody bag.  Even popping it in to an upcoming Easter basket will result in smiles.

  The designs available are really cute. The ease of putting them on give me piece of mind when my daughter wants to sit at the table and put some on!  Including the top coat is a nice addition.  I may use some glue to keep them lasting a little longer as my daughter goes through polish quickly but otherwise I'm satisfied with this child's product.

Take a look here for more nail patch options.

  I was provided this product complimentary for an honest review.  All opinions and statements are solely mine regardless.

Hidden Figures (movie review)

  This drama was released into theaters based on true events in Dec and I finally got around to seeing it.  The film is rated PG and has a run time of about 2 hours.  The film had a great cast including Kevin Costner, Octavia Spencer and Kirsten Dunst and many more.

  This film takes place in Virginia in the 60's.  The story follows 3 women as they work in various areas of NASA.  The film touches on the day to day obstacles they faced based on the color of their skin.  Segregated buses, drinking fountains and bathrooms.

  Promotions for two women lead them into a more responsible role with a lack of appreciation and respect.  The third women played by Octavia Spencer works harder to secure her fleet of women and their jobs by learning the new computer system that's being brought in.  This learning process takes us to a stop at the local library which of course is also segregated.

  I was energized by this movie not because they were of color or women.  I liked this movie because of the determination they had.  The fight they had in them to take their job to the next level.  They knew they were smart.  They knew they were qualified.  They just had to prove the laws were wrong and that they were an equal citizen if allowed.

  I have not read the book and I'm not aware of what was added to the movie to enhance it but a few of my favorite parts including: the scenes where Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson) ran across the base to use the bathroom, where Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) told her case to the judge and when AL Harrison (Kevin Costner) took down the "coloreds" bathroom sign.

  There was enough going on though the movie that I wasn't bored.  I sat entertained through the duration of the film.  I walked out empowered with the confidence that I could do anything if I set my mind to it.  It made me want to encourage the children of the future to keep at what your good at be it science or math.  They will get recognized for their accomplishments!

  Have you seen this film yet?  Any plans to?  What's the last movie you saw?

A Day Out On the Bike

  A couple weeks ago it was supposed to hit 70°.  Prior to that a week or two before that was warm as well.   I thought that that was probably the last good day before the winter made its mark and decided to stay so it was time to take full advantage of it.

  I loaded up my bike to hit the VirginiaCapitalTrail.  This trail has been a focus for several months.  It's a nice solid even trail over 50 miles long.  This trail runs from Jamestown Settlement to downtown Richmond.

  I am an amateur cyclist.  I have ridden topping off at only 12 miles.  Mostly off road and strictly on a mountain bike.  A mountain bike weighs more, requires more effort to pedal and doesn't reach the speed of a road bike at least with any real ease.  Maybe these are all excuses but they are tidbits I have heard, and again I'm an amateur.

I started at mile marker 0. No pressure!  I can do this.  I am so excited.  I have my water bladder for hydration, my phone is locked onto the bike (extra battery packed too), helmet, sunglasses, cycling gloves, fruit and a protein bar!  I think I'm as prepared as I could be! 

Along the way each mile excited me more as I passed it and got closer to the end.  The trail was such a great surface.

I picked the perfect time of year and day.  The temperature was just right.  It wasn't too hot or cold.  I did run into some strong wind at the end but in the beginning I was completely comfortable.  Our fall comes later so I was able to catch the colors on this mid November ride.

The trail took me over bridges big and small.

The water views were the rewards.

I am not sure at what point of me taking pictures did I realize that it was taking time away from me finishing.  This was never a race.  It was my first time.  I had nothing to compare it to so there was no record to break.  

There was so much history to see on this stretch.  Plantations, the home of a past president and other history markers declaring momentous acts!

So many signs so little time to read.  I started the trail at 10:45 am.  I was planning to make it a 4 hour trip.  I exceeded it by an hour.  I stopped at two main trailheads to stretch and go to the bathroom.

It was always so reassuring to see how close I was getting.  The signs were in addition to the mile markers.  I never really felt alone and isolated either. There was always someone coming from the other direction, passing me or cars on the nearby road.  

I'm almost there.  When you have ridden 40 miles and you see that you are here.  It's truly amazing, such an accomplishment, such a feat!  

I will not lie and say I was not in pain.  The week working up to this day.  I had rode he 12 miles and another day 4 miles, I had ran a couple random days as well.  That was the extent of my training.  I do know that I have the endurance.  So not completing the trail wasn't an option.  My legs hurt particularly my thighs and around my knees.  My butt had been lost some where around mile 20 something.  It was so numb and I couldn't use one leg long enough to give either a rest or my butt.  

I pedaled on.  I hit a strong wind after that last trailhead and already exhausted that I couldn't even motivate myself anymore.  I had did multiple stretches at that stop but nothing was enough.   I had 12 miles left I had to keep going; there was no way I wasn't going to finish! 

I knew there were supposed to be more hills on this end so I was slightly prepared.  I laughed hysterically at them when they popped up.  I still pedaled on.

Then on one hill I saw the city.   The sun was starting to set.  It was so pretty and what a relief.  I had made it.  I was done. I had did it!  

My husband was parked shortly after marker number 50 so I didn't hit 52.1 which is the whole trail but that's ok.  Hek, had i known he was right there I would have snapped a picture of me and 50 but oh well I guess that will have to be next time!

What did I learn from this trip?  That I was as prepared as I was going to be.  That I could do it.  That alone time is nice.  That being alone is not scary.  That I am independent and can do things bigger then me.  That even when told I maybe shouldn't try it that I can try it and see what happens.  This was probably my biggest and definitely last accomplishment for he year but I'm so happy with it that that's fine by me.  

Next time of course I will beat my record because of the sheer fact I don't need  to take so many pictures.  

I also must add.  Although I was sore that night.  The next morning I was completely fine.  I woke up and waited for alarms to go off in my body and nothing did. I sat up and moved and all was actually just the way it was before!

I have already looked to see where else I can ride and I saw a 100 mile race.  I am not sure I'm ready for that just yet but I would like to continue riding my mountain bike and get a road bike and have the ability to ride either.

Have you completed a final item for the 2016?  Do you have a big goal for next year?

#NaBloPoMo