Category: reviews

April 24, 2015

Bridges of Paris #bookreview & #giveaway

Paris. Just the name alone can stir of images of cathedrals, historical monuments and places and a city full of rich history. The Bridges of Paris guides us through the city in a way we have never seen it before.

About Bridges of Paris

The Bridges of Paris is a large format book with over 350 original colour photographs. The thirty-seven bridges over the Seine River emerge as beautiful, historic destinations rather than go by unnoticed. This book not only features each bridge but riverside photographs as well.

Michael Saint James immersed himself in the Parisian culture for a year and captured images over, on, below and beside these wonderful bridges.

My Thoughts

The first words that came to my mind when opening up this book for the first time was breath-taking, incredible and wondrous. It truly brings the city to life through the photographs and history of the bridges! My love of history and the arts made this the perfect book for me. The photography was stunning and breath-taking. The historical content was the perfect amount to intrigue and to learn something new.

The book is broken down into several sections: Island Bridges, Palace Bridges, Downstream and Uptown Bridges. Each section contains historical facts alongside the images. So not only is this a visually appealing book but one you can learn a great deal of knowledge from.

The book is in a large, rectangular format that is perfect for displaying on your coffee table and just tempts you to want to hold it and cherish each page. Although this is probably designed for an older crowd (young adult and up), both of my children enjoyed turning the pages and learning a little bit of French history!

You can purchase your own copy on Amazon.

Check out this fantastic book trailer of the book:

Rating: 5/5

About Michael Saint James

Michael Saint James’ artistic pursuits include award-winning book design, film editing and sound recording, as well as his first love photography. He has taught media production and technology arts as well as photography, story telling and art history. Michael is a world traveller who has visited over fifty countries.

The Giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

April 22, 2015

Grow Vegetables in Pots #DKCanada #Gardening

Over the last year I have grown to appreciate and love gardening. There is something so rewarding when you grow a plant from a seed and harvest it for herbs or vegetables. Grow Vegetables in Pots is a helpful tool for gardeners of all skill level to help plan, design and harvest your own garden all in pots!

About Grow Vegetables in Pots

From a large plot to a small patio, here is a selection of fruits, herbs and vegetables that grow in containers. This colourful guide shows an endless possibility of growing plants in pots. This book is packed with creative ideas and easy to follow techniques.

My Thoughts

This is one of the best gardening books I have ever had the privilege to read. It was easy to read (almost like reading a novel) and starts from the basics up to the more advanced. I found myself planning new areas and plants for our garden while learning some fantastic info – who knew how versatile lettuce was and that it can be literally grown in anything or everywhere!

Some of the best features of Grow Vegetables in Pots are:

large, bright pictures
useful diagrams
step by step instructions that are clear and to the point
the book is broken down by fruit, vegetable and herbs with useful coloured tabs on the side for easy identification
also includes common problems seen by gardeners in their plants

Using the information that I learned in this book, I have started some seeds which includes spinach, parsley and basil. They are just starting to sprout up now.

I also learned how to create my own ‘green house’ effect with a plastic bag over top of the seeds to encourage growth (which I honestly think made the biggest difference for me this year).

I can not wait to get outside this upcoming month and start planting my seeds as well as adding more depth and variety to my garden.

Do you grow your own vegetables? What are your favourite plants to grow?

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

April 22, 2015

NAAT Cream with Argan Oil and Macadamia Review

Your hair is one of the first things people will notice about you (besides your teeth!). I want my hair to shine and be as strong as it can be but with the amount of colouring and swimming I do it has become quite the chore. Years of damage have taken its toll on my hair and it is now dry and damaged.

Here is a closer look at what I am dealing with:

While it may be hard to see from this picture I have frizzy, hard to contain hair with dry, damaged ends.

What is Argan Oil?

Argan oil is extracted from the nuts of the argan tree found in southwestern Morocco. It has been used for centuries by Berber women to help neutralize the damaging effects of the extreme hot weather. The argan oil has age defying, restorative properties as well as being high in fatty acids and Vitamin E.

NAAT Cream with Argan Oil and Macadamia

The NAAT Cream comes in a 32.5oz container and is recommended for individuals with dry and frizzy hair. It is a deep conditioning cream with long-lasting frizz control. It replenishes moisture and restores hair’s natural shine and softness. It can be used for everyday use.

So how did it work out?

I loved how soft my hair was! I used the NAAT cream three times a week for two weeks and noticed a significant improvement in the texture and shine of my hair. My hair was softer to the touch and when I went to shower it didn’t immediately turn into a thick and rough mess. This all combined to make styling and combing my hair that much easier after showering.

The application was easy, as you literally scoop out some of the cream and apply. The cream is thick with no smell to it. They recommend waiting three minutes but you can wait up to fifteen minutes for a really deep condition. So in those few minutes it takes to get a good deep condition I used that to practice on my singing skills much to my family’s delight! The container contains over fifty applications which is perfect for so many of us that need those extra treatments. I find that deep conditioning products are usually quite expensive and only come in small containers that you go through more often.

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product free of charge in exchange for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

April 21, 2015

Crossroads a Miller’s Creek Novel by Cathy Bryant

Cathy Bryant is back with her new book, Crossroads, which is a Miller’s Creek novel and Christian contemporary romance.

About Crossroads a Miller’s Creek Novel

A former soldier battles for the soul of a prodigal…

After a devastating divorce, a bitter single Mom and atheist starts her own real estate company in the nostalgic and picturesque town of Miller’s Creek, Texas. Then her young daughter’s disturbing symptoms lead doctors to discover that her leukemia has relapsed. With her new life now turned upside down, Mara Hedwig struggles to keep her business afloat. Her daughter’s worsening condition forces her to rethink her belief’s about Carter Callahan and his God. Will Mara make the return to Christian faith in the face of life’s greatest challenge?

An ex-military operative struggles with the return to civilian life while coping with his rebellious teen-aged daughter. During a house search, Carter meets Mara, a headstrong Realtor who wants nothing to do with his God. But when Mara’s little girl is diagnosed with leukemia, the clock begins ticking for him to convince Mara to return to a life of faith. Just as he seems to be making headway, circumstances beyond his control throw his efforts into a tailspin. Can Carter learn to rest in the sovereignty of God?

About Cathy Bryant

Amazon best-selling author Cathy Bryant writes Christian fiction set in the heart of Texas. Her popular romance and romantic suspense novels take place in the fictional town of Miller’s Creek, where folks are friendly, the iced tea is sweet and Mama Beth’s front porch beckons. All of the Miller’s Creek novels have been on the Amazon Best-Seller List. Her debut novel, Texas Roads was a 2009 ACFW Genesis finalist. Readers have compared her work to that of Karen Kingsbury and Nicholas Sparks.

A native Texan, Cathy currently resides in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo mountains of northern New Mexico with her minister husband of over thirty years. She has written devotions for The Upper Room devotional magazine, two devotional books in collaboration with other Christian authors and for online sites. She also has released a Bible study book, The Fragrance of Crushed Violets. In addition to her writing, she enjoys thrift store shopping, romping in the great outdoors and mini farming. To learn more about Cathy and her books visit her website or connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest and Amazon.

Enjoy this trailer from Crossroads:

April 21, 2015

The Artisan’s Star Review

Set in the majestic and historical city of Florence, The Artisan’s Star follows the Barati’s family, their perfume shop and the passion of artistry.

About The Artisan’s Star

Elio’s perfumery in Florence is marked at the gates with a mosaic star. The shop immerses him in the artisanal world he loves but he harbors a regret. When a young man, he had created his own perfume but with his stubbornness he boxed it away before it ever came to fruition.

A second star now lights his life, his daughter Romina who is also an artist. She matches her father in talent, ambition and wonder for the world.

Changes are slowly coming to Florence and gone are the days of the true artist. When Romina tells her Father she does not want to carry on the family business, he tries desperately to hold on to the Florence he cherishes. He is forced to confront the lost opportunities of his youth as well acknowledge that tradition and modernity can co-exist.

My Thoughts

I have only been to Italy once in my life and in that short time that I was there I fell in love with the magic and tradition that is Italy. The streets are full of history and art is everywhere you look. You feel as though you are walking through history as you walk the streets. Florence is one of those cities that comes to life with its history. The Artisan’s Star had me wishing for another taste of Italy and inspired me to create some delicious recipes including amaretti cookies (and maybe some grappa too!).

The Artisan’s Star is a powerful book of the arts and how times have changed age-old traditions. Elio while young did not understand the beauty of his hometown and the traditions his Father tried to foster in him. As time goes by and life changes him, he takes on the responsibilities of his family perfumery even though this was not his dream. He gave up on his dream to ensure tradition stood strong. He is caught in the past not able to let go. This is a trap so many of us can fall into. Many times throughout the book we are witness to his struggle to let go and live in the present. At times it had me re-visiting my own life choices and how I wish I had pursued my own love of the arts but realized it never is too late to give up on your dream.

This is an incredible novel from start to finish that opens up slowly to Elio’s world and the artistry world of Florence full of tradition but rapidly changing environment. You will fall in love with the characters and the setting as Gabriella takes you to a world alive in the senses.

You can purchase the book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

Gabriella Contestabile is an author, educator and owner of Su Misura Journeys, a boutique travelling company connecting people to the artisans of Florence. She emigrated from Italy to New York City in 1959. She currently lives in New York with her daughter, husband, mother and their Shih Tzu Oreo. The Artisan’s Star is her first novel.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.