Music Review - He Is We

I recently listened to He Is We’s debut album, My Forever. He Is We is a duo made of Rachel Taylor and Trevor Kelly.


Tracklist:

1. Forever & Ever
2. All about us
3. Everything you do
4. And Run
5. Happily ever after
6. Kiss It Better
7. Prove you wrong
8. Blame it on the rain
9. Love Life
10. Fall
11. And Run (bonus track with acoustic vocals)

My thoughts: I really liked the album and fell in love with Rachel's voice; so sweet and soothing. My favorite genre of music is pop and He Is We's music has a very melodic pop feel. Although I liked all of the songs, my very favorite would probably have to be Happily Ever After and I was happy to see that the lyrics (to all the songs) were included in the CD so I was able to sing along! Here's what About.com says about the duo - “If you love sweet, straightforward, melodic pop music, you owe it to yourself to listen to He Is We." I definitely agree and would highly recommend you listen to this album!


To find out more about He Is We, visit their website or Facebook page and you can also see their video for Happily Ever After (track #5).

Book Review - In Stitches by Anthony Youn M.D.

I recently read Dr. Tony Youn's book, In Stitches A Memoir and really enjoyed it. I've seen him a few times on Rachael Ray's television show and he comes across as a down to earth and funny guy. His memoir is full of touching and humorous anecdotes about his life growing up as one of the only Asians in his community, feeling like a nerd, undergoing surgery to correct his jaw, dating, and his college/graduate school experiences.

A lot of the chapters focus on Dr. Youn's life as a pre-med and medical student. It was interesting to read an insider's view on what life is like as a medical student and the different situations they go through. It is really tough! Eventually Dr. Youn finds his passion in plastic surgery and I found myself hurrying through to the end of the book to see if he made it into the residency that he wanted. I would love to read more about Dr. Youn's personal life and as a plastic surgeon and hope he writes another memoir soon!

Although this book has a lot of Dr. Youn's medical school experiences, I think anyone can relate to this book. Especially if you've struggled with fitting in, feeling pressure, dating and trying to find love, and simply trying to figure out what you want to do with your life. The book was written in a way that is easy to read and understand (there wasn't any highly technical or medical terminology) and I would highly recommend this book.

The book is available today - April 26 through Simon & Schuster. If you would like to read some excerpts from the book, click here. And if you would like to purchase the book, save yourself a trip to the store and order directly from Amazon by clicking here.


Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Sneak Attack Media in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Centrum - Get Fit!

How would you like to win a trip to Los Angeles AND receive a personal training session with celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak, creator of the 5 Factor Diet?

Here's how: All you have to do is text the word "CENTRUM" along with an image of a Centrum multivitamin bottle to 89800 for a chance to win a trip to Los Angeles to receive a personal training session with Harley himself, whose clients include Jennifer Hudson and Lady Gaga. (Don't those ladies look great?)

The contest ends June 14, 2011.


Centrum also has a new Facebook page - click here to "Like" it and to GET FIT . You can receive exclusive fitness tips from renowned celebrity fitness and nutrition experts, also learn how to enter for a chance to win a Wii Fit Plus every day between now and June 14th AND download a coupon towards your next Centrum purchase.

There's never been a better time to GET FIT!




Disclosure: I participated in this campaign as a member of One2One Network and am eligible for a prize drawing. All opinions stated in the post are my own.

Earth Day

Happy Earth Day! What exactly is it? It's a day to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment (shouldn't we be doing that on a daily basis anyway?!).

Do you have any special plans for this day? We're going to try to get one of the trees that Lowe's is giving away and plant it in our yard. Lots of other freebies being offered today too.


To find out more about Earth Day, visit the Earth Day network to get more information.

Peeps!

Is there anyone out there who doesn't love Peeps? One of my favorite parts of Easter as a kid was the box of Peeps (usually the yellow chicks) that I knew I would find tucked in my basket every year next to a chocolate bunny.

With Easter right around the corner, here's some ways you can get creative with Peeps:

Make a Peeps diorama, from The Crafty Chica blog.


Peeps picture frame - Dollar Store Crafts


Peeps bunting - Made (I love love love this blog!)

And if you want to know more about Peeps, visit their site by clicking here.

cupcakes!

Yesterday I took the kids to Sprinkles Cupcakes - they opened a branch here a short while ago in San Diego (La Jolla) and I've already been a few times. I was surprised that there wasn't a long line as usual, but Sprinkles' birthday was the day before, so maybe everyone went then instead. I bought a banana cupcake (my favorite) and we all got a FREE chocolate cupcake because we knew the secret phrase!

Sprinkles gives a secret phrase on Facebook every day, so check before you go so you can also get your own free cupcake. And if you don't live near a Sprinkles shop, there is a Sprinklesmobile (!) that travels around the country handing out free cupcakes. According to Facebook, on Saturday they will be in Austin, Texas and Sunday they will be in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Have a great weekend!

Review - Home-Ec 101 SKILLS FOR EVERYDAY LIVING

I was recently given an opportunity to read an excerpt of Home Ec 101 Skills For Everyday Living by Heather Solos. I read Chapter 20 - Meal Planning: Not Just for Control Freaks, which gives great advice about how to plan your meals. The author states that by planning your meals in advance, you can make healthy choices and meals instead of waiting until the last minute and getting fast food or making something that may not be as nutritionally balanced.

The author gives a step by step plan and sound advice on how to start planning your meals and expanding your dinner choices. There's also Weekly Menu Ideas included in the chapter along with a couple of tasty sounding recipes.

The chapter is written in a way that is easy to read and understand. I look forward to reading the rest of the book!



Disclosure: I was given an opportunity to review an excerpt from One2One Network in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Spring Festival

If you're in the San Diego area, why don't you stop by the Spring Festival at Cuyamaca College on Saturday. I will be one of the vendors there selling my magnets, mirrors and bookmarks in addition to scrabble and glass tile pendants. The college nursery will have plants for sale and there will also be live music, food, kids activities and more! I heard on the news that there might be a slight chance of rain but I will be there, rain or shine!

UBP 2011

I posted yesterday about the giveaway prize I donated for the UBP blog party 2011 but noticed I never got around to writing a party post! I am waaaay late but anyway, my name is Janette and I am a stay at home mom to 3 kids, living in sunny San Diego. I worked as a legal assistant until my son was born (he's entering kindgarten this year!) and then started selling on Etsy as a way to earn some income while staying home with the kids. I started this blog mainly as a way to share anything I learned as a new seller (tools, sites, promotions) but it has now evolved to sharing some good deals I come across and also book and music reviews.

My top 3 tips for Etsy/newbie sellers: take great pictures, proofread your listings and make sure your shop policies are clearly stated.

Okay, have fun at the blog party and thanks for visiting!

UBP 2011 Giveaway

I'm taking part once again in the Ultimate Blog Party giveaway - my prize this year is 20 pocket mirrors (winner's choice of designs).

Click here to fill out an entry form and if you're name is chosen by Susan & Janice, you'll be hearing from me via twitter! There are TONS of prizes so hurry and enter - the party ends April 8.

Good luck!

IHOP deal!

IHOP is having a special the whole month of April - kids eat free from 4pm - 10pm. My family went yesterday and my little guy ordered the baby cakes (child sized pancakes) which came with eggs and a slice of bacon. It was a great dinner meal for him and a novelty too since he associates pancakes as a breakfast food since that's the only time I make them. I had the chicken and waffles and dh had the steak filled omelet. The particular IHOP we went to gave very generous portions, so we all got to take doggy bag home! FYI - the kid drinks are NOT free but the drinks are served in a plastic cup with lid, so you can take it with you