Homemade Essential Oil Flea Spray Recipe for Cats or Dogs

One of the very first things I did with Young Living essential oils was to make a homemade essential oil flea spray for my cats. It could work for dogs too though.

At the time, I was dealing with a severe case of fleas with my 3 outside cats. They had never had fleas before, but this summer… it was bad. Like fleas taking over in a bad horror movie bad. I felt horrible for them and knew I had to do something for them right away… so I got out the oils I had access to and did some research.

Sheri’s Homemade Essential Oil Flea Spray Recipe for Cats or Dogs

Ingredients:

2 Drops of: Thyme, Lavender, Purification, Peppermint

Can also try or add in: Cedarwood or Thieves – I would have, but didn’t have access to these at the time!

Directions:

Fill the rest of the bottle (mine is 4 oz) with water.

Spray some of the mixture on yourself – you don’t want the fleas on you, either!

Shake and spray onto a paper towel, then wipe it on the cat (or dog). If you just spray it on them, they won’t like it! Trust me on this!

So, did it work?

Partially. The amount of fleas did continue to decline with the use of this essential oil flea spray recipe. However, my cats were in a shed that ended up having a lot of fleas (because of construction next door I didn’t want them getting too close to). They also were let back outside shortly after the flea infestation and are still outside in a yard that has some fleas still. The organic pest sprayer did come to spray the yard (essential oils can’t help a huge yard, or at least not at an affordable price). 

The fleas are becoming less and less of a problem each day. I continue to spray this on myself before going outside where they lounge on the porch, or when I go to pet or feed them. I put this on them about every 3-4 days now. I’ll try some of the other oils in the recipe as I get them, but hopefully it won’t be needed!

Essential oils use with cats has varying statements made about it. I read what I could, and went with what I felt was right for my cats. It is a heavily diluted recipe, and they all are fine after having used it. However, I strongly encourage you to do your own research regarding their usage before using them on or near your cats. Cats metabolize the oils differently than humans or even dogs, so their use needs to be more careful.

Want to learn more about Young Living Essential Oils and/or sign up with me and join me on the oily journey? Check out my post about the Premium Starter Kit and/or read any of my posts with the “essential oils” tag.

Sacred Sound by Alanna Kaivalya

Sacred Sound by Alanna Kaivalya shares 21 mantras as well as the myths behind them. With this book, you can find out more about sacred sounds, and how you can use them in your life.

Book Description

“In yoga practice, mantra and kirtan (call-and-response devotional chanting) get short shrift in the West because they aren’t well understood, though they are an integral part of almost every Eastern spiritual practice. They are designed to provide access into the psyche while their underlying mythology helps us understand how our psychology affects daily life.Sacred Sound shares the myths behind the mantras and kirtans, illuminating their meaning and putting their power and practicality within reach of every reader.

Each of the twenty-one mantras and kirtans presented includes the Sanskrit version, the transliteration, the translation, suggestions for chanting, the underlying myth, and its modern-day implications. Based on Alanna Kaivalya’s years of teaching and studying the myths and sacred texts, this book offers a way into one of the most life-changing aspects of yoga practice.” – Sacred Sound

My Thoughts

Sacred Sound is an easy to read guide about mantras and sacred sounds that could easily be used by anybody, if you are new to it, or if you have been chanting “om” for years. The author writes in a flow that keeps you interested, while also teaching you about the history of it and giving tips on how to use it for yourself.

My favorite mantra is the classic “Om”. I didn’t really know that much about it when I first heard it many years ago. However, this book definitely gave me more information on it than what I had picked up about it over the years since then. It is about harmony and balance, and I really like that. I never even heard of the other mantras before, so I found this book to be completely interesting and something I could use to learn more about sacred sounds in a totally new way.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. I probably won’t be seen sitting in a yoga pose chanting anytime soon, but I think I could definitely incorporate many of the things I learned in this book into bringing more balance into my life. I definitely recommend it!

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

Abundance Quote

Meaningful quotes truly inspire and help us in our life’s journey. This is one such quote I want to share with all of you.

“Be open to receiving the abundance you deserve” – Jennifer Lee from Building Your Business the Right Brain Way

Have an abundant week and enjoy your life!

Into the Dark by Alison Gaylin

Into the Dark by Alison Gaylin is the second book in the Brenna Spector novels. This book delves deeper into the main characters, while still providing the detective work that Brenna is known for. Enjoyable, fun, and captivating.

Book Description

“Can a stranger share your memories?

That's the question that haunts Brenna Spector when she first sees footage of missing webcam performer Lula Belle. Naked but hidden in shadow, the "performance artist" shares her deepest, darkest secrets with her unseen male audience . . . secrets that, to Brenna, are chillingly familiar.

Brenna has perfect memory, able to recall in astonishing detail every moment of every day of her adult life. But her childhood—those carefree years before the traumatic disappearance of her sister, Clea—is frustratingly vague. When Brenna listens to the stories Lula Belle tells her audience, stories only Brenna and Clea could know, those years come to life again in vivid detail. Convinced the missing internet performer has ties to her sister, Brenna takes the case—and in her quest for Lula Belle unravels a web of obsession, sex, guilt, and murder that could regain her family . . . or cost her life.” – Into the Dark

My Thoughts

Into the Dark is the type of book in the series that you don’t have to read in order, but it is of course better if you do. I just finished reading “And She Was” which I enjoyed, but this one was much more enjoyable for me. The main characters of Brenna, her partner, and her sister were fleshed out in more detail to make for a more personal and interesting read.

In this book, Brenna takes on the case of a missing webcam “performer” who goes by Lula Belle. When she listens to the stories that Lula was telling, it seems familiar… like she has those memories, too. Could this missing webcam performer know more about her sister? Well, you’ll have to read it to find out, but it is a suspenseful and enjoyable read while discovering what happened!

I love how the author is able to capture your attention from the beginning of her novels and actually keep it right up to the ending. If you enjoy detective work and novels full of suspense, this is definitely a series you want to read! I highly recommend it.

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

And She Was – A Brenna Spector Novel by Alison Gaylin

And She Was by Alison Gaylin is the first book of the Brenna Spector novels. It has suspense, mystery, and crime solving all mixed into a well written story about a missing child and the people her case effected.

Book Description

“On a summer afternoon in 1998, six-year-old Iris Neff walked away from a barbecue in her small suburban town . . . and vanished.

Missing persons investigator Brenna Spector has a rare neurological disorder that enables her to recall every detail of every day of her life. A blessing and a curse, it began in childhood, when her older sister stepped into a strange car never to be seen again, and it’s proven invaluable in her work. But it hasn’t helped her solve the mystery that haunts her above all others—and it didn’t lead her to little Iris. When a local woman, Carol Wentz, disappears eleven years later, Brenna uncovers bizarre connections between the missing woman, the long-gone little girl . . . and herself.” – And She Was

My Thoughts

And She Was is the first book in the Brenna Spector novel series. It is also the first book I read in the series. The author does a brilliant job laying out all of the characters, making them realistic and ones that you want to see what happens to (even if you don’t really like all of them).

Brenna Spector reminds me of the woman on the TV series “Unforgettable” because of her memory. However, Alison Gaylin’s series is much different. I like both of the series, and don’t think this should be any kind of situation where you can only enjoy on of them. If you like one, you’ll probably like the other one, too.

Brenna Spector is the standout character in the book for me. The characters involved with the missing disappearance of the little girl bored me and I didn’t really care what happened to them, but I still wanted to find out, if that makes sense. Brenna is definitely worthy of a series all about her and I can’t wait to read the next two books in the series!

This is a great detective, suspense novel that will have you reading it for much longer periods of time than you had intended. It is not a secret romance or life altering series. It is fun, enjoyable, and makes you want to read more by this author though, and really, what more can you ask for? I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of And She Was, Harper, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Young Living Essential Oils Medicine Cabinet Makeover!

I have been using my amazing essential oils from Young Living for about a month now. I’ve found so many great uses for them, too! I’m really excited about it each time I find something I can use it for in place of something else that I was using that contains toxic ingredients.

So, if you have been interested in living a healthier, less toxic lifestyle, this is seriously something you need to read about, and ask me about so I can help you understand it more, and get you signed up for these, too! I’m so glad I did, and think that everyone could benefit from using these. I wouldn’t promote or sell these if I didn’t use and believe in them.

All of the essential oils mentioned in this post are also ALL available in the Premium Starter Kit (which also comes with the fantastic diffuser). So, if you have it already, or are thinking about getting it, this is just some of the things you can use it for, or how it could help you!

Ready to get started using these amazing essential oils?

Go to my link:

https://www.youngliving.com/signup/?site=US&sponsorid=1860270&enrollerid=1860270

Make sure you check “wholesale member” so you can get the kit with the diffuser with your membership and save 24% off the regular customer prices!

Please also make sure that my Member ID: 1860270 is the one listed for you. That way, I can get you into the amazing groups I am also a part of with Young Living and help you on your oily journey. Let me know (post here or e-mail me) so I can help you with the groups after you sign up!

The “Premium Starter Kit” that is $150 or $160 is the best way to go, I bought the $160 version because it has the new diffuser and can use regular tap water. If you also want to add some extra oils or other products to your order, you can! I did this too, enough to get the 3 free oils that month because I already had a 100 PV value thanks to the kit. For 90 more PV, you get the free oils for that month’s promo. If you like free oils, I’d suggest this, too.

If you have any questions, or get an error message, please let me know ASAP so we can get it fixed!

*Note: Essential oils are amazing! However, it is not intended to replace existing medications, treatment or advice. Information obtained about them should be used with medical care. If it helps you too, that is fantastic! Use of any information from the content of this site is at your own risk. If you are unsure of something, do further research! If you are allergic to it, obviously do not use it!

Building Your Business the Right-Brain Way by Jennifer Lee

Building Your Business the Right-Brain Way by Jennifer Lee is a solid book to help more creative types (or right-brained people) build their business. Lee includes valuable resources and tips on succeeding, and coaches you through the exercises to help you along the way. If you have big goals or little goals, this is definitely a book you should read!

Book Description

“If you’ve started a business, you know that the journey toward success can be both invigorating and confusing, so where can you find advice that is practical and focused but still as playful and passionate as you are? Look no further than this book, which combines solid business expertise with a right-brain perspective that inspires creativity and innovation. Jennifer Lee’s fresh, empowering approach emphasizes taking action and continually improving to achieve extraordinary long-term results. 

Building Your Business the Right-Brain Way offers real-world-tested techniques that can benefit all sorts of businesses, whether you’re a sole proprietor running a coaching practice, a crafter looking to license products, a wellness professional with a team of employees, or any creative soul making a meaningful difference with your work. You’ll discover how to:

•    assess your business’s unique “ecosystem”
•    build your brand and attract, engage, and keep ideal customers
•    develop new income streams that better leverage your time and resources
•    promote your products and services with authenticity and ease
•    grow your team (virtual and in-person) and manage staff and vendors
•    establish infrastructure and procedures to keep operations running smoothly
•    carve out vital white space to pause, reflect, and celebrate

Includes play sheets and color illustrations to inspire action and propel your success” – Building Your Business the Right-Brain Way

My Thoughts

Building Your Business the Right-Brain Way is a fun, colorful, and engaging book to read about business. It doesn’t seem like those words should be used in the same sentence, but it works with Lee’s book!

The format of the book works in an organized, practical way to help people who are more creative than set on working with excel sheets about money and their business plan. Of course a business should be taken seriously, but who says you can’t also have fun while being successful with it? Jennifer Lee proves that you can do both, and I adore her for it!

The book has four parts: The Lay of the Land, Setting the Stage for Yourself and Your Right Peeps, Getting Down to Business, and Sustaining Your Success. You don’t even have to read them in order. If you want to though, you can! That is the beauty of her book, you can use what is relevant to you, and skip over the rest.

Throughout the book, you’ll also find: Right-Brain Reflections, Illustrated Play Sheets, Exercises, Right-Brain Entrepreneur Spotlights, Tips, Action Accelerators, and Left-Brain Checklists. All of these are helpful, especially the calls to action to get you moving in the right direction!

Overall, I think that this is an invaluable tool for right-brained business people. It can help tremendously, and therefore, I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of Building Your Business the Right-Brain Way, New World Library, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Why Essential Oil Bug Repellent?

One of the very first things I did when I got my Young Living Premium Starter Kit was to make an essential oil bug repellent. It is summertime and the bugs are out!

I don’t really like the toxic smelling bug sprays you can buy at the store, so I made an essential oil bug spray. My cats also had fleas at the time (outside cats), so it actually did double duty. That first spray bottle is long gone, and since then, I found an even better version of it that I want to share with all of you. By the way, this version has oils that are all in that starter kit, too!

So, why essential oil bug repellent?

For me, the big reason is that it doesn’t contain harsh chemical ingredients that I don’t want to spray on my skin or breathe in. I know what is in it. I made it, so I am comfortable knowing what I am putting on is safe for me to use. I also like that I can use it and not worry if some of the mist from it gets on my clothing, floor, furniture, etc.

The essential oil bug spray also smells good! Who wouldn’t like that?

I have the essential oils, and a spray bottle is cheap or free if you have one already. So, it is actually quite cheap to make, too. This is another big plus, right?

For me, it just makes sense. What do you think? Have you tried an essential oil bug repellent before? Interested in learning more about Young Living Essential Oils? Let me know!

*Note: Essential oils are amazing! However, it is not intended to replace existing medications, treatment or advice. Information obtained about them should be used with medical care. If it helps you too, that is fantastic! Use of any information from the content of this site is at your own risk. If you are unsure of something, do further research! If you are allergic to it, obviously do not use it!

Check Out Young Living Essential Oils!

I am really excited to get to share with everyone one of the things I have been involved with lately… Young Living Essential Oils!

A Little Background…

I have known about these oils for quite a few years now, but I never bought any myself or took it that seriously. My Mom had a kit that she bought from my Aunt like 10 or more years ago. I had used a few of them, but wasn’t too interested in it.

Then, earlier this year, I bought some essential oils on Puritan’s Pride – they have great deals, and I like good deals. I am a nursing student and not employed, so I wanted to try some of the cheaper ones first. I bought a few that my Mom still had in her (now 10+ year old) kit from Young Living. I’m looking at the ones I bought, smelling them, and then comparing them to the YL ones to see if there was really a difference. Was there? YES! First, my cheap ones expired. The YL ones do not expire. Secondly, they smelled differently. The YL ones smelled much better and didn’t burn in a bad way if it was undiluted and on my skin. The cheaper ones, well, they said do not use undiluted, do not ingest, and although they were “pure” they did not contain 100% of the oil I bought it for. So, I ended up returning the oils I purchased from Puritan’s Pride. At least they have a good return policy.

I ended up signing up to be a member of Young Living, and am now using the oils like crazy and loving everything I can make with and use them for! I’ve made rollerballs, sprays, lotions, bath fizzies, and am probably getting the stuff to make lip balm, deodorant, and who knows what else in the near future. These are high quality essential oils that have been effective for use for me and my family. I wouldn’t go back to cheaper, lower quality ones that don't work, ever.

So, ready to sign up and join me on the oily journey?

Go to my link:

https://www.youngliving.com/signup/?site=US&sponsorid=1860270&enrollerid=1860270

Make sure you check “wholesale member” so you can get the kit with the diffuser with your membership and save 24% off the regular customer prices!

Please also make sure that my Member ID: 1860270 is the one listed for you. That way, I can get you into the amazing groups I am also a part of with Young Living and help you on your oily journey. Let me know (post here or e-mail me) so I can help you with the groups after you sign up!

The “Premium Starter Kit” that is $150 or $160 is the best way to go, I bought the $160 version because it has the new diffuser and can use regular tap water. If you also want to add some extra oils or other products to your order, you can! I did this too, enough to get the 3 free oils that month because I already had a 100 PV value, thanks to the kit. For 90 more PV, you get the free oils from that month's promo. If you like free oils, I’d suggest this, too.

If you have any questions, or get an error message, please let me know ASAP so we can get it fixed!

First Intelligence by Simone Wright

First Intelligence by Simone Wright is a book written to help us learn how to use our intuition, which is something we all have, and most of us do not take advantage of it. This is the guidebook to intuition that you have been waiting for!

Book Description

“Each day, we are bombarded with data and opinions, and each day we must make choices that steer us toward our own best approach to life. And, according to Simone Wright, we often forget or don’t understand how to use the best tool available: our intuition, which is our “first intelligence” that can cut through the chatter to inherent wisdom. She explains that intuition is an innate and universal biological and energetic function that can be used like a human GPS system to guide us toward effective action and peak performance. Riveting examples and powerful exercises demonstrate how we can use this “sixth sense” as naturally as any, in all areas of our lives.

• The creator of Integrated Intelligence takes intuition out of the mystical and into the everyday practical

• Explains the scientific grounding of intuition both within the human body and throughout the energetic fields that transcend space and time

• Shares techniques the author has taught elite athletes, police officers, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and health care providers” – First Intelligence

My Thoughts

First Intelligence is a well-written guide to intuition. It provides details in a clear, and very relevant way to start using this inner resource you may have been ignoring for far too long.

This book is divided into sections to help you understand and use intuition. The first part is “The Biology of Intuition: Living in the Material World” which provides the base understanding of it. My favorite chapter in this part is the one about “The Hidden Wisdom of DNA” – very cool read! Part II is “The Foundation of Intuitive Intelligence” which focuses on peace, precision, and perception, again more foundation of intuition. Part III is “The Facets of First Intelligence: Learning the Language of Intuition” which is where you will learn about the trinity of mind, and the 4 levels of intuition. Part IV is the “Playing in the Intuitive Field” section which is the fun part! This is where you learn how to use what you have learned.

Overall, I found this book to be insightful, helpful in using intuition, and was a worthy read. If you want to know more about intuition, how it works, and how you can develop it, this is definitely a book you should read! I highly recommend it.

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

Time and Again by Jack Finne

Time and Again by Jack Finney is a literary masterpiece about one of my favorite subjects – time travel. It is also set in one of the best places on Earth – New York City. If either of these two subjects interest you, this is definitely a book you should read!

 Book Description

“Rediscover the beloved classic, Time and Again—hailed as “THE great time-travel story” by Stephen King, now with masterfully restored original artwork and an all-new foreword by Audrey Niffenegger, New York Times bestselling author of The Time Traveler’s Wife.

When advertising artist Si Morley is recruited to join a covert government operation exploring the possibility of time travel, he jumps at the chance to leave his twentieth-century existence and step into New York City in January 1882. Aside from his thirst for experience, he has good reason to return to the past—his friend Kate has a curious, half-burned letter dated from that year, and he wants to trace the mystery. 

But when Si begins to fall in love with a woman he meets in the past, he will be forced to choose between two worlds—forever. 

Praised as “pure New York fun” by Alice Hoffman, Time and Again is admired for its rich, painstakingly researched descriptions of life in New York City more than a century ago, and for the swift adventure at its core. With digitally remastered art, fall in love with this refreshed classic all over again.” – Time and Again

My Thoughts

Time and Again is a classic that with this edition, has a new forward, digitally restored art, and brings this amazing book to a whole new set of audience that may have missed it the first time around (myself included).

The main character, Si, is enlisted to try to time travel. Quite surprisingly, he manages to do it – and sends himself back to New York City in 1882. Quite different than the 20^th century, yet the author is able to capture it perfectly and make it feel like you are living in this time traveling experience with him.

Time and Again melds sci-fi, adventure, romance, and intrigue into an overall excellent story that can be read again and again. It is definitely a book I recommend and if you read it too, let me know what you think of it!

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

And There Was Light by Jacques Lusseyran

And There Was Light by Jacques Lusseyran is a brilliant spiritual book that should be read by all. It is the type of book that not only teaches us about a part of our world history, but shows us how standing up to do the right thing, even with immense struggles of your own, can be done – and in a tremendously positive way.

Book Description

“When Jacques Lusseyran was an eight-year-old Parisian schoolboy, he was blinded in an accident. He finished his schooling determined to participate in the world around him. In 1941, when he was seventeen, that world was Nazi-occupied France. Lusseyran formed a resistance group with fifty-two boys and used his heightened senses to recruit the best. Eventually, Lusseyran was arrested and sent to the Buchenwald concentration camp in a transport of two thousand resistance fighters. He was one of only thirty from the transport to survive. His gripping story is one of the most powerful and insightful descriptions of living and thriving with blindness, or indeed any challenge, ever published.” – And There Was Light

My Thoughts

And There Was Light is an autobiography that is captivating. It will keep you reading long into the night, and make you want to stay up even later to finish it. As far as autobiographies go, this is one of the best, if not the best that I have read.

Jacques Lusseyran was an exceptional author and showed true courage and humanitarianism in his life. Could you imagine being blind during World War II? How about being blind, leading a resistance, being captured and incarcerated by the Nazi’s, and live to tell about it? Such an inspiring person!

This book shows that even in challenges, and struggles that life throws at us all, we can be more positive about it and truly change the situation for the better. This is truly a classic that should be read and cherished for generations to come. I highly recommend it!

* Thank you to the publisher of And There Was Light, New World Library, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Paris at the End of the World by John Baxter

Paris at the End of the World by John Baxter takes readers into the city of Paris during World War I. Bringing history, biography, and his grandfather’s diaries together, Baxter is able to see how its history helped form the spirit of Paris today.  

Book Description

“A preeminent writer on Paris, John Baxter brilliantly brings to life one of the most dramatic and fascinating periods in the city's history. During World War I, the terrifying sounds of the nearby front could be heard from inside the French capital; Germany's "Paris Gun" and enemy aviators routinely bombarded the city.

And yet in its darkest hour, the City of Light blazed more brightly than ever. Its taxis shuttled troops to the front; its great railway stations received reinforcements from across the world; its grand museums and cathedrals housed the wounded; and the Eiffel Tower hummed at all hours, relaying messages to and from the trenches. At night, Parisians lived with urgency and without inhibition, embracing the lush and the libertine. The rich hosted parties that depleted their wine cellars of the finest vintages. Artists such as Pablo Picasso achieved new creative heights. And the war brought a wave of foreigners to the city for the first time, including Ernest Hemingway and Baxter's own grandfather, Archie, whose diaries he uses to reconstruct a soldier's-eye view of the war years.

Uncovering a thrilling chapter in Paris's history, John Baxter's revelatory new book shows how this extraordinary period was essential in forging the spirit of the city we love today.” – Paris at the End of the World

My Thoughts

Paris at the End of the World is a clever book written by Baxter to show off this part of history. Written with the help and inspiration of his grandfather’s diaries, he uses to create a view of how the war was like.

Personally, I thought this was a unique and interesting spin on telling a story about history. There are a lot of interesting facts included in the book, of course, but the author does a good job of also incorporating it into a story to make it readable, entertaining, and educational. As someone who has never been to Paris, it makes me want to go visit one day, and also learn more about it.

If you are interested in learning more about World War I, Paris, or reading a crafty story, I think you will enjoy this book.

* Thank you to the publisher of Paris at the End of the World, Harper, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Messages from Heaven Communication Cards by Jacky Newcomb

Messages from Heaven Communication Cards by Jacky Newcomb is an uplifting, positive use of cards to bring you messages that you need, when you need it. Perfect for a starter deck of communication cards, or for those who collect and cherish all types of cards.

Book Description

“Imagine if you could connect to your loved-ones and guides on the other side of life; if you could reach through the tunnel of light and unite with that support and love. This unique and magical guide bridges that gap. Messages from Heaven Communication Cards fill a gap between the hugely popular ‘Angel Cards’ and the new fascination for ‘Afterlife Communication’. This distinctive card deck helps people to reach out to the other side of life in a familiar way. The deck can be used in numerous ways to connect with direction from loved-ones in heaven and for continued, positive and uplifting guidance and support. The deck has beautiful images that enhance the purposefully easy-to-use format. Suitable for all age groups; comforting and uplifting.

Simply select a card when you need divine inspiration or pick several to create readings for yourself and your friends. The enclosed book will give you the deeper meanings behind each card and enlighten you as to the continued connection between the realms. Beautifully illustrated throughout.” – Messages from Heaven Communication Cards

My Thoughts

Messages from Heaven Communication Cards is beautiful deck of communication cards that offers only positive messages to help get the message you need for that moment or situation you are using the cards for. It is completely safe, and can be used with absolutely no experience. It is also fun to use, and the messages are encouraging, which is what the angels and our loved ones would want for us.

I used this deck on myself and some family and friends. Everyone who received a reading – or tried it out for themselves (and yes, there were some first time users in there) loved it. The artwork on the cards was detailed and the accompanying guidebook was easily understandable.

This would make a great gift. It is also a perfect deck for you, so I highly recommend it. Love it!

* Thank you to the publisher of Messages from Heaven Communication Cards, Findhorn Press, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Fast Fiction by Denise Jaden

Fast Fiction by Denise Jaden is a book that any writer could benefit from reading and using – especially those who want to write a book, but haven’t done it. Of course, if you have already written a book, you could still learn a lot from reading it!

Book Description

“Writers flock to National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) each November because it provides a procrastination-busting deadline. But only a fraction of the participants meet their goal. Denise Jaden was part of that fraction, writing first drafts of her two published young adult novels during NaNoWriMo. In Fast Fiction, she shows other writers how to do what she did, step-by-step, writer to writer. Her process starts with a prep period for thinking through plot, theme, characters, and setting. Then Jaden provides day-by-day coaching for the thirty-day drafting period. Finally, her revision tips help writers turn merely workable drafts into compelling and publishable novels.” – Fast Fiction

My Thoughts

Fast Fiction is a book for writers. Specifically, writers who want to write but may make up excuses for not writing. Jaden gets right to it and helps you to write the first draft of a novel in a month. Don’t think you can do it? Then, this is definitely a book you need! It offers a quick, step-by-step approach to writing each day out of those 30 days to create a solid first draft of the novel you want to write.

Although I have not yet written my novel in the 30 days, I will definitely be holding on to this book for when I have 30 days to do it! It is fun and I can see how it would definitely encourage me to write each of those days to write. I highly recommend this to all writers and aspiring writers.

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

Angel Heart Sigils by Stewart Pearce

Angel Heart Sigils by Stewart Pearce is a beautifully crafted deck of divination cards that can not only help guide you, but to also help you meditate.

Book Description

“Inspired and guided by the 12 archangels of Atlantis, the cards in this collection present their heart sigils oracle. Beautifully designed and boxed with an instructional booklet, the card meditations can provide a feeling of sustainable joy and well-being, even after drawing just one or two cards. Sigils are seals, and like the Talisman of the fabled Grimoire, they bring about great magic. Contributing to and building upon the Angels of Atlantis oracle card set, these heart sigil meditations can be used on their own or in tandem with the other set. The heart sigil cards celebrate embracing the power of love and the wholeness of a life touched by the angels’ beauty and grace. Those seeking something more to their spiritual experience will enjoy these cards and the opportunity to connect to the ancient realm of Atlantis.” – Angel Heart Sigils

My Thoughts

Angel Heart Sigils is a deck of divination cards, but also works as an excellent meditation tool. The twelve archangels of Atlantis featured in this deck bring you messages that can guide you, and help you meditate and focus on.

The cards are beautifully detailed and the guidebook that comes with it does an excellent job of teaching anyone how to use them. The cards are not too thick or too long, which makes it easy to shuffle. They also didn’t get stuck together when I used them, which is another plus.

I found this deck easy and fun to use, that also helps set the mood for my day. I enjoyed using it in the one card reading, but you can also choose to use it in a more precise way with many more cards for a more in-depth reading. I definitely recommend it to beginning card readers and to experienced readers alike.

To get a taste of this deck, focus on a question, or card your angels what you to focus on today, and pick a card, courtesy of the publisher.

* Thank you to the publisher of Angel Heart Sigils, Findhorn Press, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Happy @ Work by Jim Donovan

Happy @ Work by Jim Donovan is a book everyone who has a job should read, not just those who are unhappy. Of course, it will definitely help those who hate their job, or just aren’t happy about it. However, everyone can benefit from reading this book!

Book Description

“Even in a tight economy, job satisfaction isn’t a luxury; fulfilled, happy employees are productive, innovative, and loyal. And workplace fulfillment spills over into happier families and better communities. Jim Donovan, a small-business owner, consultant, and speaker, has worked with employees and employers for twenty-five years. In that time he has tested and honed these shift-producing strategies on everything from managing time, making decisions, and marking milestones to breaking patterns, bouncing back, and becoming exceptional. Each tip’s method and rationale are clearly explained. Real workplace vignettes demonstrate the benefits and results that can be gleaned from simple shifts and actions. These tools will empower you with the knowledge that no matter the circumstance, you can think, act, and feel in ways that create purpose, success, and, yes, happiness.” – Happy @ Work

My Thoughts

Happy @ Work is filled with good tips and stories that can help you to be happier at work, and also your life outside of work. This book is meant to be read one (small) chapter at a time, or per day. You can start at the first one and go through it that way, or just open it up and read where you landed. Either way you want to go about it, I’d suggest marking the ones that resonate more with you, that way you can come back to those again and get the motivation you need, and of course, be happier.

The biggest thing for me that Donovan discusses is how to deal with difficult people, and those who gossip. He offers sound advice and whatever it is that you are dealing with at work that is making you unhappy, he probably has quite a few tips to help you enjoy your time spent at work more. I definitely recommend it!

* Thank you to the publisher of Happy @ Work, New World Library, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Crafting a Magical Life by Carol Holaday

Crafting a Magical Life by Carol Holaday is a beautiful, full color book that showcases how to make (in easy steps) beautiful, magical items for your life. If you are crafty, or want to be craftier, this is definitely a good book to use to make your life more magical.

Book Description

“Filled with straightforward, accessible information that can be used in everyday life with dramatic, positive results, this compendium of craft ideas provides clear instructions for constructing 20 practical, magical, and spiritual items and shows how to employ simple metaphysical techniques to maximize their potential. Projects include a magic wand, a divine dream pillow, a gemstone amulet, a divining pendulum, prayer beads, power talismans, mystic runes, and magical beeswax candles. Each chapter features fascinating background information, illustrated examples, and other creative tools to help stimulate the imagination, such as chants and prayers. Additional magical association keys—including guides to color, astrology, moon phases, crystals, metals, and numerology—help crafters focus their intent to achieve specific goals, from love and wealth to happiness and health.” – Crafting a Magical Life

My Thoughts

Crafting a Magical Life features a lot of fantastic projects that anyone can do. These aren’t highly skilled things that you’d be too intimidated to try, which is what I really like about it. The instructions are easy to understand, and the materials are all things that can easily be found, if you don’t have them already.

Some of my favorite projects included in this book include: Divining Pendulum, Magic Wands, Crystal Grid, Gemstone Elixirs, Dream Pillow, and the Secret Journal.

Aside from projects, there is also a lot of information included that can help you with the projects, with the “Keys and Charts” section.

I enjoyed making some of these magical items, and I think that it is a great resource to use when doing any kind of craft project with a magical theme. I highly recommend it.

* Thank you to the publisher of Crafting a Magical Life, Findhorn Press, for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.