Flower Therapy by Doreen Virtue

Flower Therapy by Doreen Virtue is a beautifully written book that makes you look at flowers as much more than something that is pretty to decorate your home with. With this book, you’ll learn how you can use flowers for energetic and healing purposes, and learn what 88 common flowers can help you with.

Book Description

“Flower Therapy is the art of working with flowers, flower essences, and angels for healing, manifestation, and abundance. With flowers as your allies, your dreams really can come true, and you'll see that nature truly has the ability to heal!

In this book, Doreen Virtue and Robert Reeves give in-depth information about 88 common flowers, illustrated with gorgeous, full-color photographs. You'll find out about the flowers' energetic and healing properties, discover which angels are connected to each one, and learn to associate different species with the various chakras (beyond simply categorizing them by color). In addition, there's a loving, channeled message of guidance and support directly from each flower's energy.

Doreen and Robert also share with you new and exciting ways to work with Flower Therapy: Create custom bouquets for dear friends. Gather wildflowers to heal and deepen your spirituality. Or choose the perfect blooms for your garden to enhance your connection to the angels. They discuss flower essences, picking fresh blossoms, and purchasing floral arrangements. You'll even be guided through energetic clearing methods and receive detailed instructions about how to perform a Flower Therapy reading.

While flowers have an energy that must be experienced, it's not necessary for you to gather any in order to do so. The photos inside, which have been infused with healing energy, are all you need to begin your journey. So, whether you have a green thumb or not, “Flower Therapy” can start making a difference in your day . . . and bring blessings into your life!” – Flower Therapy

My Thoughts

Flower Therapy is a full color book about the healing properties of flowers. Each photo of the 88 flowers featured can be used to meditate with, so if you don’t have access to the particular flower that you want to work with, you can use the picture provided in this book.

Each of the flowers featured has a picture of the flower, the flower’s botanical name, energetic properties, associated archangel and chakra, the flower’s healing description, and a message from the flower for you. If you need to find a flower for a specific use, you can easily flip to the back of the book and look at the section “Energetic Healing Properties of Flowers.”

Reading through this book is fun and uplifting. It is an easy and inspiring read that makes me feel happier after I read even just a few pages of it. This is a great reference book and is one that I have handy to use when needed.

This is the perfect book for gardeners, people who enjoy angels, and of course, Doreen Virtue fans. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of Flower Therapy, Hay House, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Genie Bra Review

Have you seen the Genie Bra infomercial, seen it in a store, or perhaps just wondered if there is a bra out there that doesn’t have a wire that could still be supportive of your girls? Well, I tried out the Genie Bra for this review, and I am happy to share my experience of it with you.

Genie Bra Product Details

·         Woven everlast comfort stretch fabric.

·         Machine-washable.

·         Curve-hugging seamless design.

·         Cups stretch to custom conform to your shape.

·         No wires or hooks.

·         Comfort straps that stay put all day.

·         Removable Modesty Pads (sold separately).

My Thoughts

I admit it, I love bras, panties, and all types of lingere. What I don’t love is the wire in my bras. When I found out about the Genie Bra, I thought that this could be the answer to all of my uncomfortable bra problems, and I was extremely excited to get to try it out and put it to the test.

I picked one out that according to their sizing chart, should fit me well. Instead of a regular cup size, you just order based on your shirt size. However, after putting it on, I found it could have been a little bit tighter to provide more support. I’ll have to try a size down next time, but I think I just might be in the in-between sizing.

The fact that it doesn’t have wires for support makes it a very comfortable bra to wear. It is also seamless, and forms to your body shape to provide smoothing instead of bulges. Wearing it throughout the day was comfortable, and the straps didn’t dig-in.

I first tried it without the pads, and I wasn’t initially very impressed with the bra because of this. It felt more like a sports bra without them in. When I tried the Genie Bra with the pads in, it provided more support and helped enhance my curves more. For me, I like it with the pads much more than without.

This isn’t the bra I’d wear when I want to show cleavage. However, if a top didn’t show cleavage, this would be a very good, comfortable bra option to wear underneath it.

There are many different colors you can choose from for these bras, and there is even matching panties that are available in a few of the colors online. I like these so much for regular wear days, I am thinking of buying the lace set and the bright colors sets.

If you buy from the Genie Bra website, you can buy 3 and get 3 for free, with free shipping right now.

Thanks to Genie Bra for sending me the product for review. All opinions and experiences are my own, and I wasn’t paid to provide a favorable review of the product.

Lifted by Angels by Joel J. Miller

Lifted by Angels by Joel J. Miller is all about angels in the bible and in our very real lives. You don’t necessarily have to have a large knowledge base about angels to appreciate this book for what it is, and if you like biblical studies, this would be a great book to read.

Book Description

“Explores the relationship between people and angels, through the eyes of the early church.

Heaven is closer than we realize. Its boundaries overlap our own, and angels move in and out of our porous present, this moment that seems to us so solid and concrete. If that reality seems dim to us now, it beamed for the early Christians. Through their writings, sermons, songs, and art, the ancient faithful confessed a powerful and vivid belief that angels help carry us on our journey to God.

Rooted in the Scripture and following this ancient understanding, Lifted by Angels reveals:

·         the role that angels play in the lives of people and in God’s plan of salvation

·         the different ranks and functions of angels

·         how Satan and his demons fell from grace and plagued humans

·         the functions of guardian angels and how God assigns them to fit our personal needs

·         how guardian angels help us resist evil, temptation, and the devil

·         the way angels join with us in our prayers, even adding their own to ours

·         the service angels provide in worship

Featuring examples of angels in ancient icons and frescoes and supported by extensive research on the early church and its pastors, poets, theologians, and artists, Lifted by Angels answers universal curiosity about angels and the unseen world, leaving readers inspired and hopeful about the nearness of God.” – Lifted by Angels

My Thoughts

Lifted by Angels is a book about angels that uses information about angels as told in the bible. There are many other books out there about angels (which I also like very much) that do not focus on what the bible or the early church has said about angels.

For me, this book reads more like a biblical study textbook than an inspiring book to read about angels. I did enjoy reading some of the book, such as the chapter about guardian angels. However, most of it wasn’t an “easy” or “fun” read for me to get through.

If you are the type of person who doesn’t like to read religious books that do not focus on what the bible says, this is obviously the type of angel book that will appeal most to you. However, if you are more open-minded about angels and religion, I think that there are other books that are easier to read and more inspiring than this that are out there.

* Thank you to the publisher of Lifted by Angels, Thomas Nelson, for providing me with a copy of this book for review as a part of their “Book Sneeze” program. All opinions expressed are my own.

Logitech Gaming Keyboard G110 Review

Looking to replace your plain, boring, standard keyboard with a high-tech one that is quite possibly a gamer’s dream keyboard? The Logitech Gaming Keyboard G110 has features for gamers and non-gamers alike, so if you are looking for a new keyboard, be sure to check this model out before buying the same boring, standard model you had before.

Logitech Gaming Keyboard G110 Features

“Custom-color backlighting – You can easily locate the correct keys, even in the dark. Plus, you can mix red and blue backlighting LEDs in varying intensities to create custom colors.

Twelve programmable G-keys – Three macros per key let you configure up to 36 unique functions per game, including single keypresses or complex macros. You can even create macros on the fly.

Game/desktop mode – No accidental interruptions – you can disable the Windows/Context Menu keys when you play.

Intelligent cable management – You can keep mouse, headset, and other cords out of the way by  routing them through channels on the underside of the keyboard.

Integrated USB audio – Separate headphone and mic jacks and mute buttons mean you can use any analog headset with 3.5 mm plugs as a USB audio device for clear communication.

Hi-Speed USB 2.0 hub port – You can connect a flash drive for lightning-fast data transfer or quickly plug in your gaming mouse.

Removable palm rest – You’ve got extra support when you need it. If the palm rest is in your way, you can easily detach it.

Instant media access – Convenient one-touch controls give you instant access to volume control and media playback.” – Logitech Gaming Keyboard G110

My Thoughts

I have a laptop and a desktop computer. I generally just use the desktop for PC gaming though. I am one of those night owl gamers that plays in the evening, and don’t like too much lighting around me. The problem I had with that was simple: I couldn’t see my keyboard. I was always envious of those laptops that had the custom backlighting color for the keys. I didn’t want to spend over $1,000 just for this feature and a new laptop though. When I found the Logitech Gaming Keyboard G110 I knew that this would solve my problem, or at least I hoped it would.

The first thing I tried out on this keyboard was the custom backlighting on the keys – in the dark. I chose a pink color, though you could mix it between a large variety of colors of red and blue. With absolutely no lights on except for the monitor, I could see the keys very clearly and finally that problem was solved in a fashionable way!

There are twelve programmable G-Keys on the left side of the keyboard. I don’t use all of them when gaming, but I have set a few of them to work when playing certain games. There is also the very helpful game/desktop mode on it, so you won’t accidently window out of your game during crucial moments.

Another very cool feature to this keyboard is that you can plug your mouse and audio into it. For MMO gamers that use Ventrilo or TeamSpeak, you can use separate headset and microphone plugins, and any analog headset with 3.5 mm plugs can be used as a USB audio device.

The removable palm rest is easy to take on and off, and for where my keyboard is on my desk, I had to remove it. However, I did try it out for a few days, and it worked well. I also appreciate the cable management with the keyboard which allows you to route the cables neatly under the keyboard.

I have been using this keyboard for gaming for about three months now and haven’t had any problems with it at all. It is helpful, nicely designed, and has fantastic features for gamers. I highly recommend it for everyone to use, especially those who like using their computers in dim lighting, and of course, gamers.

Disclosure: Thank you to Logitech for providing me with the product for review. All opinions, experiences, and thoughts about the product being reviewed are my own.

Bad Habits by Jenny McCarthy

Bad Habits by Jenny McCarthy is a candid account of Jenny’s relationship with religion. She was raised as a Catholic and actually wanted to be a nun when she grew up. She wanted Jesus like girls now want Justin Beiber, and she shares all of it with us in this hilarious account of her life as a Catholic.

Book Description

“Dearest Reader,

By now you might be wondering: Jenny McCarthy has more to say?! After six New York Times bestsellers,* I’ve talked about pregnancy, autism, and motherhood. I hope you’ve enjoyed it. I hope it’s made you laugh and cry and all those things that bestselling books about such topics by funny people are supposed to do.

But this book is about something entirely new—a subject that has pervaded my life since birth and confused the f*ck out of me for about the same time: Catholicism. As I enter into adulthood (play along, thanks), I think I may have finally figured out this faith thing. And what it means to me. But first, I had to reflect on my life. And my memoir, Bad Habits, is the fruit (not the Eve’s apple kind) of that labor.

Bad Habits is my journey from aspiring nun at an all-girls Catholic school in the suburbs of Chicago, to Playmate of the Year, to autism awareness activist, to bestselling author, to host of my very own talk show … and all the Hail Marys in between. After reading this book, you’ll know why you should wear underwear to church, why Jesus was my Justin Bieber (he’s totally hawt!), and why I had to give up giving shit up for Lent.

Bad Habits is also my personal examination of faith and how it turns out to surprise us at the most unexpected moments. It is a book of confessions about confession! I’ve tried to be brutally honest, though it might read as more like embarrassingly entertaining, and I’m always outlandish so that’s in here too. But truly, this book is sinfully hilarious.*

Bless you my children,

Jenny

* My publisher made me say this.” – Bad Habits

My Thoughts

Bad Habits is a sinfully funny read. I started reading it with only the intention of reading it for around 15 minutes that night, but I ended up staying up late and finishing it. The time flew by, and before I knew it I was done. So with fair warning, if you plan on reading this book, be prepared to be sucked in and possibly reading it in one evening, too.

Jenny McCarthy writes like she talks, and doesn’t care if this is a touchy subject matter that could (and will) piss people off with her humor. As someone who also grew up as a Catholic, I wasn’t embarrassed, offended, or angry with anything she wrote in it. I’m sure some fellow Catholics (and probably other Christians) will be highly offended by what she wrote in it, but who cares? This is who Jenny is, and she doesn’t make apologies for it. You know what you are getting when you go to read one of her books, so if you don’t like it, don’t read it.

This is a highly entertaining, funny, and honest read. If you can handle her sense of humor and like Jenny McCarthy, I highly suggest reading this book, perhaps with a glass of wine while you wear the rosary.

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

Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi by Brian Leaf

Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi by Brian Leaf is an inspirational book that acts as both a memoir and self-help book rolled into one. On a whim, the author enrolled in a college Yoga class that turned his life upside down, and eventually made him become happier and able to see things clearer.

Book Description

“When he was a college freshman business major suffering from a variety of anxiety-related maladies, the author stumbled into an elective: yoga. It was 1989. All his classmates were female. And men did not yet generally “cry, hug, or do yoga.” But yoga soothed and calmed Leaf as nothing else had. As these rollicking and wise chapters show, Leaf went on to visit yoga studios around the country, have a spiritual experience at a Grateful Dead concert, and consult Ayurvedic physicians, swamis, and even (accidentally) a prostitute. Twenty-one years later, he teaches yoga and meditation, practices multifaceted healing, and is the beloved founder of a holistic tutoring center that helps students — whose ailments he once shared — manage ADD and overcome test and math phobias.” – Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi

My Thoughts

Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi is a look at how Yoga and holistic therapies can truly change someone’s life for the better. Leaf’s adventures exploring holistic health, traveling, and becoming who he is today is a real inspiration for all of us out there who take the time to read this remarkable book.

Brian Leaf writes from the heart, and is inspiring while also being witty and memorable. He made it easy to read this book quickly, while leaving a lasting impression. This book is like Eat, Pray, Love, but told from a man’s point of view. It is honest, real, and to the point. Hopefully everyone gets something from this book. Either an inspiration to become more real with yourself, or more spiritual, perhaps even both. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi, New World Library, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

New Kids on the Block: Five Brothers and a Million Sisters by Nikki Van Noy

New Kids on the Block: Five Brothers and a Million Sisters by Nikki Van Noy is an authorized biography of a boy-band that millions of girls and women fell in love with in the late 80s and 90s. The group has had its ups and downs over the years, but has managed to come back together and remains a strong group that has countless fans around the world. If you were or are a NKOTB fan, this is a book you’ll want to read.

Book Description

“Jordan, Jon, Joe, Donnie, and Danny. They set the bar for every boy band that followed and changed the course of pop music forever. In the 1980s, for millions of young girls around the world, they were gods. But behind the scenes, they were just kids. In this authorized biography of the band, the New Kids tell it all to rock journalist Nikki Van Noy. 

From makeshift stages in Boston clubs to soldout shows at Madison Square Garden, through winning American Music Awards and selling 80 million records, the New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) were a rite of passage and a touchstone of youthful memories. Scoring platinum albums, and with a series of sold-out international tours, NKOTB blazed through North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, leaving throngs of screaming teen and tween girls in their wake. But after a few heady years, the guys (and their fans) grew up, and moved on. The New Kids disbanded in 1994 and, for nearly fifteen years, there was every reason to believe that the NKOTB phenomenon was over once and for all. 

But then an unexpected thing happened. The band (and their fans) got a second chance to relive their youth when NKOTB reunited in 2008. And they realized that this band has something special—an unbreakable bond with their fans and with each other that has only strengthened with the passage of time. Today, fans both old and new celebrate the band’s triumphant comeback with sold-out concerts, cruises, and top-selling albums. And this time, Jordan, Jon, Joe, Donnie, and Danny are enjoying it all right alongside them. An intimate, all-access backstage pass to everything New Kids on the Block, from their meteoric rise to fame 

Nikki Van Noy talks directly to those loyal fans, as well as to all five band members and their families, weaving their stories together in this no-holds-barred chronicle. With frankness and honesty, each New Kid recalls nearly thirty years of experience with the group, both on and off the stage. Like a time machine, this book will take you right back—giving you an inside look at the New Kids like you’ve never seen them before. 

An intimate, all-access backstage pass to everything New Kids on the Block, from their meteoric rise to fame in the 1980s to the band’s breakup in the 1990s— and their triumphant comeback today.” – New Kids on the Block: Five Brothers and a Million Sisters

My Thoughts

New Kids on the Block: Five Brothers and a Million Sisters brought me back to when I was a kid and loved this group. Sure, I was young, but even then, I had the posters on my wall, a sleeping bag, T-shirts, and of course, their music. It was pop music I could sing along to, and the boys were cute. I wasn’t a crazy fan, and I have never seen them in concert, but they did start my love of boy bands. All fans have a story about their favorite band, and Nikki Van Noy does an excellent job of telling heartwarming fan stories about New Kids on the Block in this biography.

I was really young when the band first came out, so I never knew much about their actual story of rising to the top, or why I stopped hearing their music and fell in love with the Backstreet Boys and N*Sync. This authorized biography tells their story of how things actually happened, what they thought of one another then, and how things are with the group now that they are back together again.

What I really appreciate about this group is their love and appreciation of their loyal fan base. Not all groups are lucky enough to have fans that still love their music, and care about the band members as people after over twenty years. This biography was written by a true fan, and it shines throughout the book. If you call yourself a NKOTB fan, this book is for you.

* Thank you to the publisher of New Kids on the Block: Five Brothers and a Million Sisters, Touchstone, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Judging a Book by Its Lover by Lauren Leto

Judging a Book by Its Lover by Lauren Leto is the absolute perfect book for a book lover to read, laugh with, and give to other book lovers. Leto writes like she is your best friend, and this book is just something you two are privately discussing, over wine, to mock other people with. Book snobs will likely frown at it, but true book lovers will laugh along with it, even if your favorite book or author is slammed.

Book Description

“Want to impress the hot stranger at the bar who asks for your take on Infinite Jest? Dying to shut up the blowhard in front of you who’s pontificating on Cormac McCarthy’s “recurring road narratives”? Having difficulty keeping Francine Prose and Annie Proulx straight?

For all those overwhelmed readers who need to get a firm grip on the relentless onslaught of must-read books to stay on top of the inevitable conversations that swirl around them, Lauren Leto’s Judging a Book by Its Lover is manna from literary heaven! A hilarious send-up of—and inspired homage to—the passionate and peculiar world of book culture, this guide to literary debate leaves no reader or author unscathed, at once adoring and skewering everyone from Jonathan Franzen to Ayn Rand to Dostoyevsky and the people who read them.” – Judging a Book by Its Lover

My Thoughts

Judging a Book by Its Lover is a fun, witty read about books, authors, and the people who put them on their bookshelf. As someone who has four bookshelves (with highly contrasting books on each one), reads for hours every day, and finished the Twilight series in a weekend, I’d consider myself a lover of books. Even though I didn’t read every book that is mentioned in this book, I found many of the ones I have read in it, or know of the author, and found Leto’s witty take on it hilarious.

I love this book and author’s writing for many reasons. Here are a few of the top ones for me. She love Harry Potter and thinks J.K. Rowling fans are “smart geeks.” She hates the term “bookworm” and thinks it should be changed to “bookcats.” She also loves real books over e-books, and continues to give books as gifts, even though she knows not everyone will read them. She is witty and can sum up a book or author quickly, so it is easy for us to now fake having read some “classics” we never really wanted to read anyways.

I highly recommend this book for all book lovers. If you are a book lover, get it. If you know a book lover, buy it for them. Trust me, they’ll thank you for it.

* Thank you to the publisher of Judging a Book by Its Lover, Harper Perennial, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Angel Blessings Stamp Kit Review

Angels can help you transform your life, bring to life your dreams, and bless others with the same transformative power. The Angel Blessings Stamp Kit helps you to focus your prayers with certain angels to help change your blessings, thanks to the angels.

Angel Blessings Stamp Kit Includes:

“* Beautiful Archangel Michael stamp holder 
* 12 angel stamps
* A 60-page booklet that describes the theme and purpose of each angel
* A gold inkpad

The perfect gift for anyone who loves angels, The Angel Blessings Stamp Kit blesses stationery, envelopes, journals, notebooks, greeting cards, and gifts. The angels in the kit assist the Archangel Michael in acting on our behalf.

Each angel stamp depicts angels that oversee areas of daily life:
* Angel of Wise Guidance
* Angel of Wholesome Choices
* Angel of Fruitful Opportunities
* Angel of Impeccable Integrity
* Angel of Clear Communication
* Angel of Beloved Relationships
* Angel of Vibrant Health
* Angel of Profound Peace
* Angel of Flowing Abundance
* Angel of Absolute Protection
* Angel of Spiritual Growth
* The Archangel Michael

The accompanying booklet discusses angels as forces for good in our lives. It also offers an entry explaining each stamp that includes:
* An introduction to each angel and how they bring empowerment and healing
* A prayer, blessing, and meditation
* Suggestions for using the angel stamps in daily life

Angel Blessings Stamp Kit gives you everything you need for the angels to bless and guide your life, your friends, and your loved ones each and every day.” – Angel Blessings Stamp Kit


My Thoughts
These Angel Blessing Stamps are a true blessing. The twelve stamps that come with the set are all beautiful when stamped, and they are really quite easy to stamp with. Some stamps you have to test out multiple times with before getting it just right. These stamps, I got the hang of using right away and even my “tester” stamp area turned out just fine.

Here is one of the cards I made that I keep in my wallet:

You do need to use the stamp cleaner for these stamps because you don’t want the stamp coming off the base for you to put it into the plinth to actually stamp with. It doesn’t come with the stamp cleaner, but it can easily be found in the stamping section of a local craft store (and it is inexpensive). Plus, this stuff really cleans the stamps (and your fingers) of ink.

The guidebook written by Ambika Wauters includes information about how to use the stamps, and also how to work with the angels that the stamps are based on. Each one includes a meditation and a prayer or blessing to go with that angel. Wauters did an excellent job writing the guide, and when using the stamps, it is the perfect guide to use to guide your angel blessings.

I really enjoy using the Angel Blessing Stamps Kit and I highly recommend this set to use for stamping anything that you can stamp for yourself and for others to bless them, too.

Disclosure: Thank you to Red Wheel Weiser for providing me with the product for review. All opinions, experiences, and thoughts about the product being reviewed are my own.

Ghosts of Manhattan by Douglas Brunt

Ghosts of Manhattan by Douglas Brunt is a novel set in 2005 about a bond trader that isn’t so happy with his life, even though from the outside, it looks like he has everything he could possibly want.

Book Description

“It’s 2005. Nick Farmer is a thirty-five-year-old bond trader with Bear Stearns clearing seven figures a year. The novelty of a work-related nightlife centering on liquor, hookers, and cocaine has long since worn thin, though Nick remains keenly addicted to his annual bonus. But the lifestyle is taking a toll on his marriage and on him. 

When a nerdy analyst approaches him with apocalyptic prognostications of where Bear’s high-flying mortgage-backed securities trading may lead, Nick is presented with the kind of ethical dilemma he’s spent a lifetime avoiding. Throw in a hot financial journalist who seems to be more interested in him than in the percolating financial armageddon and the prospect that his own wife may have found a new romantic interest of her own, and you have the recipe for Nick’s personal and professional implosion. 

By turns hilarious and harrowing, Ghosts of Manhattan follows a winning but flawed character as he struggles to find the right path in a complicated urban heart of darkness.” – Ghosts of Manhattan

My Thoughts

Ghosts of Manhattan is a book that Douglas Brunt started while he was working as a CEO of a private venture-backed Internet security company. Instead of doing the unsavory things that the character in his book did, he relaxed by writing, which is how this book began. I find this bit of information about the book inspiring and makes me like the author that much more.

The main character in the novel, Nick Farmer starts off as the typical type of Wall Street guy I think of when it comes to this type of character. He is rich, wants more of everything, neglects his wife, visits strip clubs and hookers, and his drug of choice is cocaine. However, as the novel progresses, you see him as much more than that – and eventually he becomes more charming and likeable. He becomes worried about the financial outlook of the market and his company once Fred Cook, the market risk analysis makes his dire predictions. His marriage starts to become as shaky as the predictions in the market, and he realizes that he may not be going on the right path in his life. Is it too late for him to change though?

Overall, I enjoyed reading this novel. It was written very well and the author’s insider information on the lifestyles and characters in it made it more realistic and readable.

* Thank you to the Touchstone of Ghosts of Manhattan, Touchstone, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.