Instant Karma by Barbara Ann Kipfer

Instant Karma by Barbara Ann Kipfer is a perfect book to take in a few lines or pages at a time. These tips will give your karma a good boost and can spread the feel-good vibes to everyone you encounter.


Book Description
“Help others. Help yourself. Be a better person, and make the world a better place. Using the wisdom of the East to instruct and inspire, Instant Karma is a universe of things a reader can do, right now, to accumulate good karma. And, like pennies going into a piggy bank, each is a seemingly little thing-but feed the bank day after day and feel it grow richer and happier.

Created by Barbara Ann Kipfer, the author whose books-including 14,000 Things to Be Happy About, 8,789 Words of Wisdom, and The Wish List-have 1.2 million copies in print, Instant Karma is a compulsive, densely packed, chunky little book of 10,000 or so suggestions, wishes, thoughts, and the occasional heartening quotation.

Line after line, page after page, mesmerizing to read and filled with inspiration, it is the best kind of call to action-good for you and good for others.” – Instant Karma


My Thoughts
Instant Karma is an inspiring book to read to give you good ideas to bring good karma into your life. The positive karma suggestions in the book are great for people to use throughout their life.

I loved going through the book and flipping it to a random page and picking out suggestions I’d work on that day. Some wouldn’t apply to me, so I picked a few from the page instead of the whole page. Seemingly small suggestions such as “start every day a little happier” and “when you ask people how they are, really listen to the response” among many others actually can make your day a little better.

Improving karma and having your day be even a little bit happier is worth reading this book for each and every day. Even if you just try to do one of the suggestions each day, it will help and over time, I think you will notice the difference too. I highly recommend this book to everyone.


* Thank you to the publisher of Instant Karma, Workman, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Fairy Tale Rituals by Kenny Klein

Fairy Tale Rituals by Kenny Klein is gives a surprising look into the dark and mysterious side of the popular fairy tales we all grew up with. Be ready to throw your old thoughts for these tales out of the window after you read this book!

Book Description
“Magical and mysterious, Faeries are also subtle, sexual, sublime, stubborn, erotic, enticing, dark, and deadly…

So you think you know Snow White? You’re acquainted with Sleeping Beauty? You’re quite familiar with Beauty and the Beast? Fairy Tale Rituals explores the eerie, seductive Faerie lore lying just beneath the surface of eleven favorite fairy tales.

Feel the fear and passion these stories once inspired in ancient listeners. Learn how to create modern rituals that will bring the archetypal magical characteristics of these fairy tale icons -- the sexual attractiveness of Snow White, the totem animal journey of Rose-Red, the manifestation prowess of Cinderella -- into your own life.

Each tale here is explored in two ways: first by looking at the story itself, with an eye toward its mythic roots and magical elements. Next, a powerful ritual or spell is presented based on the characters or events of the tale, which you can use to find a true friend or lover, glimpse the future using divination, celebrate a coming-of-age ceremony, honor the spirit of death, and much more.” – Fairy Tale Rituals


My Thoughts
Fairy Tale Rituals is a very enjoyable and interesting read for someone such as myself who loves fairy tales and fairies in general. I was really excited to read this book because I quite enjoy reading about the original stories to the fairy tales I grew up with. Sure, they are more dark and eerie, but that is what I find more interesting about it.

This book first explains and gives the original story of the tale - not the Disney version of it or the one we were told as children. In the next part, the author gives a ritual that you can use in your life to use some of that fairy magic to use for yourself.

The fairy tales covered include:
Snow White, Snow White and Rose Red, Hansel and Gretel, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, The Frog King, or Iron Hans, Rapunzel, Strong Hans, and The Rose.

If doing a ritual isn’t your thing, that is okay. This actually only makes up a small portion of the book. The majority is spent on the fairy tales that are covered in the book. Personally, I really like how the format of the book was laid out and I probably won’t use the rituals. So, reading more about the story and how it was originally really was more interesting to me.

Overall, I found this book to be extremely interesting and written exceptionally well. I never knew just how much all of the stories covered changed so much over time. If you like fairy tales or faeries too, this is really a must read book!


* Thank you to the publisher of Fairy Tale Rituals, Llewellyn, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Tarot Diva by Sasha Graham

Tarot Diva by Sasha Graham is exactly what those who are interested in tarot cards needs right now. This book brings a fresh and fun look at this area of divination with a whole new take on it.

Book Description“You are meant to live with grace, style, wisdom, and boundless joy. With this unique book, you can set free your inner diva and let your fabulousity shine through every day!

Putting a fun and fresh spin on the art of card reading, professional tarot reader Sasha Graham unveils the magic and mystery of a tarot deck. She shows that the tarot is much more than a deck of cards—it's a fantastic tool for embracing your beauty, unleashing your power, and enriching your life.

For beginners and seasoned professionals alike, Tarot Diva teaches tarot basics and presents creative new ways to explore each card's particular energies: meditations, exercises, recipes, spells, charms, and even fashion tips. You'll weave enchantment through every aspect of your life . . . and discover the diva within.

—Manifest your wishes by casting powerful tarot spells
—Re-create delicious recipes that invoke tarot archetypes
—Peek into your future with divinatory spreads
—Create cool charms to channel your inner power” – Tarot Diva


My Thoughts
Tarot Diva is a book that you can judge from its cover. It gives tarot a young, hip, fresh take on a practice that has been done for hundreds of years (or more). This book made me want to pull out my angel and fairy oracle cards (similar to tarot cards) and start doing daily readings again. It also made me want to purchase a new set of regular tarot cards as well. I haven’t decided which one to get, but I have many wishlisted!

This book also gives great tips and information about each of the cards, as well as fun ways to relate it to fashion, food (even includes recipes), and much more. This is not your ordinary tarot book!

One of my favorite parts that is found throughout the book are beautiful quotes by inspirational people. They don’t all have to do with tarot (actually, most don’t) but they do relate to what the section in the book is about.

This book renewed my passion for tarot, gave me ideas on some artwork and actually had me captivated from the time I started it to the time I finished. If you are a tarot reader too, or perhaps are just interested in doing so (everyone can do it), this is a must-have book!


* Thank you to the publisher of Tarot Diva, Llewellyn, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

No Free Internet for the Neighbors!

Is your internet running slowly? Do you sometimes notice that it is taking forever to load webpages that normally load quickly? Well, there could be multiple reasons for this, but one of them… could be that your neighbors or other random people in the area are actually using your wireless internet.

I live in the country. When people say they live in the country, you know what I mean. “Country” where it takes five minutes to get to our house from the main road due to the winding mountain road we live on. We have neighbors, but not many. We live on the lake (or river, depending on who you ask).

Our internet isn’t even that fast out here, so who would want to steal our internet is beyond me. I mean, it isn’t like we have 4G options or anything. Though, I do wish we had that option!

I recently read an article about bad neighbors, and being that we have some destroying the woods next to us to build a house, I decided to read it. Though to be quite honest, I don’t call these people “neighbors” instead I opt for “The Invaders.” They are annoying, arrogant, and worst yet – one of them was on a bad reality television show I never watched. More bad qualities can be written about them, but I won’t bother to do so now.

The article said that about 33% of American households don’t actually pay for their internet. They steal it from their neighbors. Yup.

Guess who also gets in trouble if they do illegal activities on their computers? You do! I knew this, but apparently most people find that shocking. If you pay per GB for your internet, it can also cost you a lot of extra money! They can also be severely slowing down the speed of internet at your house.

Unfortunately the article doesn’t say how to get rid of annoying neighbors with any VooDoo spells or anything, but it did give a good suggestion to password protect your wireless internet connection. I quickly did this and with a little search on the make of our wireless router, I figured out how to do it easily.

After setting up the password protected connection, I have noticed that it is going faster. I’m not 100% sure if anyone was actually using our internet or not (if they were they must have had an awful signal), but it does seem to be helping to speed things up.

Have you ever noticed bad neighbors doing this to your internet?
Have you ever used a neighbor’s internet?
Have any tips to get rid of bad neighbors?
Let me know!

The Twisted Thread by Charlotte Bacon

The Twisted Thread by Charlotte Bacon is a murder mystery with characters you wouldn’t necessarily expect to be involved in the story.

Book Description
“When beautiful but aloof Claire Harkness is found dead in her dorm room one spring morning, prestigious Armitage Academy is shaken to its core. Everyone connected to school, and to Claire, finds their lives upended, from the local police detective who has a personal history with the academy, to the various faculty and staff whose lives are immersed in the daily rituals associated with it. Everyone wants to know how Claire died, at whose hands, and more importantly, where the baby that she recently gave birth to is—a baby that almost no one, except her small innermost circle, knew she was carrying.

At the center of the investigation is Madeline Christopher, an intern in the English department who is forced to examine the nature of the relationship between the school’s students and the adults meant to guide them. As the case unravels, the dark intricacies of adolescent privilege at a powerful institution are exposed, and both teachers and students emerge as suspects as the novel rushes to its thrilling conclusion.

With The Twisted Thread, Charlotte Bacon has crafted a gripping and suspenseful story in the tradition of Donna Tartt’s The Secret History, one that pulls back the curtain on the lives of the young and privileged.” – The Twisted Thread


My Thoughts
The Twisted Thread is a story about a scandal and a murder of a young girl who had a bright future ahead of her. The boarding school is highly prestigious and when Claire is found dead it makes news fast. Then, when they find out about a baby she had – it is even bigger news. How did nobody except her closest friends know? Who killed her? Why did they kill her?

I started out liking the book and having high hopes for how it would play out. I’m not usually a fan of a novel switching to a large amount of different perspectives. Unfortunately, that is what this book consists of and it didn’t change my mind about not liking this type of a format to a novel. The characters aren’t all likable or even relatable. Reading through the story through different eyes is annoying, at least for me.

The story itself is quite chilling with twisted threads that you aren’t quite sure where it will eventually end up.

If reading from numerous perspectives doesn’t bother you, I think this book would be a great read for you. If you find that style of writing annoying, I’d say pick another book.



* Thank you to the publisher of The Twisted Thread, Voice, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

To Be Sung Underwater by Tom McNeal

To Be Sung Underwater by Tom McNeal is a “what if” love story that is perfect for a summer read. This is one of those kinds of novels that will hook you in and have you wanting to read the next page long past bedtime.

Book Description
“Judith Whitman always believed in the kind of love that "picks you up in Akron and sets you down in Rio." Long ago, she once experienced that love. Willy Blunt was a carpenter with a dry wit and a steadfast sense of honor. Marrying him seemed like a natural thing to promise. But Willy Blunt was not a person you could pick up in Nebraska and transport to Stanford. When Judith left home, she didn't look back.

Twenty years later, Judith's marriage is hazy with secrets. In her hand is what may be the phone number for the man who believed she meant it when she said she loved him. If she called, what would he say?

TO BE SUNG UNDERWATER is the epic love story of a woman trying to remember, and the man who could not even begin to forget.” – To Be Sung Underwater


My Thoughts
To Be Sung Underwater is a beautifully woven novel that brings together the past and present for the main character, Judith Whitman. She becomes reacquainted with memories when going through her old things she places into a storage unit, which is something we can all relate to when going through old memories of the past. She takes it a bit further though and reconstructs it to look like her old bedroom when she was a teenager. All of these memories left her wondering “what if” she had stayed in Nebraska and also with her true love Willy? What would have been?

This is a really beautiful story that was written extremely well. There are at times a few places where it drags on a bit more than needed, but this may just be me being a little too critical.

I think that this would make a great summer read. It is however, the type of book that you’ll want to keep reading so perhaps not the best book to take on a vacation unless you plan on doing a lot of reading.


* Thank you to the publisher of To Be Sung Underwater, Little, Brown and Company, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Creating Fairy Garden Fragrances by Linda Gannon

Creating Fairy Garden Fragrances by Linda Gannon is a journey of the senses to a magical fairy realm. If you want to celebrate the seasons by creating enchanting scents for your home, this is a must read book!


Book Description
“Mix Up Some Magic with Herbs, Fruits, Flowers & Essential Oils

Stir your imagination and summon enchanted creatures by bringing the fragrances of the garden into your home. Creating Fairy Garden Fragrances will help you to fully embrace and celebrate the changing seasons with recipes for bewitching blends of dried flowers, herbs, and fruits including: Dance of the Morning Nymphs, Pan’s Song, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Enchanted Forest, All Hallow’s Eve, and Christmas Magick.” – Creating Fairy Garden Fragrances


My Thoughts
Creating Fairy Garden Fragrances is a book that explains how to create your own scents for certain times of the year for your home. It is also a book that explains fairy lore and also why certain scents or flowers are used for certain fragrances. The fairy lore may not be the main reason you purchase this book, but it will provide many fantastic tales for you to share when someone asks about your potpourri or when you give it as a gift.

Although I was unable to make all of the types of fragrances featured in this book, I did make the “Midsummer Night’s Dream” fragrance for summer. It smells absolutely divine! I can’t wait to make more fragrances later.

I recommend this book for everyone who likes to make easy crafts projects. These fragrances are perfect for using in your own home and also sharing as gifts.


* Thank you to the publisher of Creating Fairy Garden Fragrances, Storey Publishing, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Creating Affluence by Deepak Chopra

Creating Affluence by Deepak Chopra gives simple steps to help open up a whole new world of prosperity in all forms. If you can open your mind enough to let in small changes, you can see big results.

Book Description

“In this remarkable book lies the secret to creating unlimited wealth. With clear and simple wisdom, Deepak Chopra explores the full meaning of wealth consciousness and presents a step-by-step plan for creating affluence and fulfillment on all levels of our lives. According to the author, affluence is our natural state, and the entire physical universe with all its abundance is the offspring of an unbounded, limitless field of all possibilities. Through a series of simple steps and everyday actions, Creating Affluence gently fosters the consciousness needed to tap into this field and create anything you desire.” – Creating Affluence


My Thoughts
Creating Affluence is a small book with a big punch. It can easily be read in one sitting, and if you read this, I urge you to do that. Then, just for a few minutes each day after that initial reading, read a few pieces of it. For me, it is calming and something really great to read before bed. It is truly peaceful after a hectic day.

The “A-Z Steps to a Richer Life” portion is extremely impactful. Again, it isn’t too complex and the simplicity of such things is perhaps where the beauty of it is. Although the steps are simple, actually doing them all daily can be hard, at least at first.

The “Power of Knowledge, Desire, and Spirit” section I also enjoyed very much. It is simple, to the point, and has extreme effectiveness when used. I love knowing that everything is possible and anything you really want can happen.

I highly recommend this book for everyone. In a time of such chaos and disorder in our world, it is really helpful to read books such as this to help ease some of that in our lives. This would also make a very lovely present to a family member or friend.


* Thank you to the publisher of Creating Affluence, Amber-Allen Publishing, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Design Your Own Tees by Jennifer Cooke

Design Your Own Tees by Jennifer Cooke is a how-to book that gives “techniques and inspiration to stitch, stamp, stencil, and silk-screen your very own t-shirts.” If you want ideas on how to transform plain tees into something fabulous, this is the book for you!


Book Description
“Sought after for her innovative use of color and pattern, professional t-shirt designer Jennifer Cooke has created 20 do-it-yourself projects--many can be completed in under an hour--for turning your classic tees (and accessories) into colorful, bold, graphic personal statements.

Combining basic sewing, hand-printing, and screen-printing techniques with stylish wearable projects, Design Your Own Tees gives you the tools to stand out in the crowd--whether you choose to re-create the looks shown or to adapt the techniques to express your unique artistic vision.

Use thread, ribbon, and fabric to play with texture through decorative machine stitching, hand embroidery, and applique. Experiment with found objects and stamps to create pattern through potato and block printing and stenciling. Choose your favorite doodles and images to enhance with color through screen printing.

Colorful photographs of the finished projects plus step-by-step instructions with easy-to-follow diagrams will soon have you wearing your art on your sleeve.” – Design Your Own Tees


My Thoughts
Design Your Own Tees isn’t exactly what I originally thought it would be. I thought that it would have more t-shirt reconstruction ideas in it. There really aren’t any of those included, but if you have a plain and boring t-shirt that is already fitted how you like, you can use the ideas included to really make it into something unique that you will love.


What I really enjoyed about this book is that it is simple and something that everyone with a small ounce of creativity can do on their own. You don’t need big expensive machines to do any of it and nothing included is too intimidating to try.

This is a fun book that really inspires those who read it to want to create something fun and a little edgy to wear. If you are tired of wearing the same thing as everyone else and you really want to wear unique clothing, this book is the answer to get you on the right path to creating your own works of art to wear! I highly recommend it.



* Thank you to the publisher of Design Your Own Tees, St. Martin’s Griffin, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

True Blood: Season 4 Trailers

The new season of True Blood is finally less than a month away! I really cannot wait. This is my favorite series on TV and I can’t wait to see more of Alexander Skarsgard (Eric Northman on the show).

Here are some of the trailers out to get you as anxious as I am to see it!







Do any of you know if you can use the HBOGO on the PC? I don’t have an iPad or an iPhone and if they let you see True Blood Season 4 episodes a week early, I really want to be able to (if you can also play it on the PC). Please let me know if you happen to use this too and know the answer.