Sarah Kay's TEDTalk Video

Mother's Day is less than 3 weeks away and “B” (The Domino Project, Nov. 2011) is a thank you note, love letter, wish, promise, confession, and a secret all at once. The perfect gift from mother to daughter or daughter to mother, it carries a message of love that grows in meaning each time it is read. Written by Sarah Kay with illustrations by Sophia Janowitz and dreamy endpapers, this sleek, blue volume will be passed between mothers, daughters, and granddaughters for generations.

Sarah Kay has been a performing poet since she was 14 years old and is the founder of Project V.O.I.C.E., teaching poetry and self-expression at schools across the United States.

Click here to view Sarah's TEDTalk video, where she recites the pages of "B".

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Book Review - anything

I recently was given the opportunity to read anything - the prayer that unlocked my God and my Soul by Jennie Allen. This book isn't a novel but is made up of chapters that cover different parts of Jennie's life, her thoughts about God, and what anything means to her. In each chapter, there are several personal stories that Jennie shares. Each story and chapter eventually lead to the last one where Jennie asks the readers what is our anything and then sharing what it means to her. She states that anything begins with a relationship with the God of the universe through Christ. Then read and study, search and pray. Then ask God to lead you and wait to hear from him. The main point I took from the book is to give your life, give 'anything' to God and then obey and do what He asks of you.

This was an interesting and thought provoking read and the following are some statements in the book that I really took to heart such as "God builds our lives whether we give him permission or not" and also "God's Spirit is essential. Otherwise words like anything fall to the ground, meaning nothing, changing nothing." For more information about Jennie Allen, visit her website.

Disclosure:I received a copy of this book n exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Craft Show

I'm going to be a part of the Spring Line-Up selected by the North Park Craft Mafia on May 20! If you're in the San Diego area that day, stop by and say hi and I'll give you a pinback button of your choice. (I'll have over 300 pins to choose from).

p>The North Park Festival of the Arts is a great way to spend the day. Over 30,000 people attend each year. There will be craft booths, a beer garden, fashion show, food, a kids craft area and more! It's a great way to spend the day and a lot of the neighborhood shops will be open too. Hope to see you there!

Review - I Love You To God And Back

Father's Day Poem

Mother's Day is right around the corner but I've always been a daddy's girl, so Father's Day is very special to me. On that occasion, I always look for something special for my dad. I was excited to have an opportunity to review a Father's Day poem by Because I Tried It, which has Personalized Gifts for Anyone, Anytime.

I received my poem via email and it has a beautiful script set against a parchment type background. The poem sounds like something I would have written personally for my dad, it's very heartfelt. When printed out, this poem would look great in a frame.

Because I Tried It has an assortment of Personalized Gifts and they also offer free items often too! To find out more about them, join their newsletter, follow them on Twitter , friend them on Facebook and Googleplus .

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Goodnight Moon Lullaby

Eric Whitacre, a renowned Grammy-award winning composer and conductor, has just created a beautiful rendition of the childhood storybook classic “Goodnight Moon” into a truly touching lullaby.

I love "Goodnight Moon" and have read it to all my kids. My 6 year old can read it on his own - or maybe he's heard it so many times he's memorized it!

The single “Goodnight Moon” is off Eric Whitacre’s recently released new album “WATER NIGHT” – both of which are available now on itunes. Click here to listen.

Wednesday Weekly Review - EYES OF JUSTICE

Eyes of Justice is a Triple Threat novel written by New York times best-selling author Lis Wiehl with April Henry. The Triple Threat is comprised of three women who fight for justice every day - Cassidy as a crime reporter, Nicole as an FBI agent and Allison as a federal prosecutor. The Triple Threat members have solved intense murder mysteries before but this time it's personal.

One of the Triple Threat members is killed and the remaining two want to see justice done. A suspect is quickly locked up but then the real killer strikes again. The team engages in a deadly game of cat and mouse with the killer. Who is doing this and why?

My thoughts: This book had my attention from the beginning pages. There was a shocking murder in the first chapter and the action and suspense continued until the end of the book. Although this is a Triple Threat book, don't feel like you have to read the other books first to get to know the characters. This is a book that stands on its own and the characters are well detailed. Each chapter reveals more of the main characters and keeps the story moving. I literally couldn't put this book down until I finished reading it. I'm looking forward to reading future Triple Threat books and seeing how the dynamics will be with the two remaining Triple Threat members. I would highly recommend this book to others, especially to thriller/suspense lovers.

Disclaimer: I received this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Yet just when it seems police have the killer in custody and justice is within sight, he somehow strikes again. Not knowing whom to trust, the team engage in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with the killer. Nothing can be taken at face value…and nothing will ever be the same. A riveting Triple Threat mystery that will leave readers shocked and satisfied (from Amazon.com). My Review This is not your typical crime novel. It grabs you from the first chapter and pulls you in. The Triple Threat friends are about to have a bad day. It starts when one of them receives a phone call about The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) and a possible cover up they implemented. The person who receives the phone call promises to meet the caller at her home. She is never heard from again. The Triple Threat are down to two friends, will they find justice for their friend’s murder before it’s too late?

Treasury Tuesday

My Luna Moth pocket mirror from the Little Pink Plum shop was featured in a bright and sunny treasury, perfect for spring. Thanks to LoVedoArt for curating!

Printable Pirate Party Games

I was recently given the opportunity to try the printable Pirate Party Games, fun! My 6 year old loves pirates (he dressed up as a pirate for Halloween) so he was very excited when I told him about it.

It was so easy to click on the links that were emailed to me to download and print the pack out. The pack includes: •Balloon Pirate Craft For Kids •Facebook Pirate Language Game •Pirate Mad Libs •Pirate Newlywed Questions Game •Pirate Placemat for Kids •Pirate Poster for Kids •Pirate Party Icebreaker •Printable Treasure Map Template Pirate Craft For Kids •Harrrr-ible Pirate Jokes Game •Survival of the Fittest Party Game •Pirate Nature Scavenger Hunt for Kids •Pin the Parrot on the Pirate game for Kids •Shoot the Boot Drinking Card Game •Pirate Trivi-ARRR

There will also be new printable games added in the future to make the Pirate Pack an even better value, including a Pirate Word Scramble! Obviously there are some games that are appropriate only for teens or adults but there are plenty of games for the kids. But the pack is great for anyone organizing a Pirate party as there is something for all ages and tastes. I think the Pirate Party Games is such a great value ($19.95) because once you download the games, you can print out an unlimited number of copies. There are no restrictions or time limits. You can keep these games forever and reuse them on other occasions. Plus it's just so convenient. No trips to the store, just click on the links that are emailed to you and download right to your computer. So check it out and have fun! I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

UBP prize sponsor

Happy Monday! How was your Easter weekend? On Saturday we took the kids out for Easter egg hunting and yesterday we went to church and had an extra-nice dinner. My little guy made a cake & I'll post the recipe tomorrow. Have you heard about the Ultimate Blog Party? You can read all about it here. I will once again be contributing a prize of 10 pocket mirrors from the Little Pink Plum shop. There's going to be blog hopping, live events/giveaways, hundreds of prizes and lots of chances to win so check it out. Good luck!

Rascal Flatts fly away contest!

One lucky winner and their guest will be treated to two tickets and meet-and-greet passes to see Rascal Flatts on their summer American Band Tour kicking off in June with Eli Young Band, Little Big Town and Edens Edge. They'll even get the rock star treatment with round-trip airfare and a night’s stay in a hotel. Contest ends April 30th. Good luck!

Weekly Wednesday Review - Harriet Beamer Takes The Bus

Harriet Beamer Takes the Bus is a novel by Joyce Magnin. The main character Harriet is a widow who lives in Philadelphia with her dog Humphrey. Harriet is waiting for her son and daughter-in-law to visit when she decides to decorate the Christmas tree on her own. She ends up falling and hurts her ankle. Harriet's daughter-in-law makes a bet with her that if Harriet's ankle is broken, she has to move to California and live with them. Harriet is so sure that she only has a sprain so she agrees to the bet. Harriet ends up losing the bet but decides she will go to California at her leisure taking the bus or using other forms of transportation. As Harriet begins her journey, she has many experiences and different encounters with people. My thoughts: Harriet was a likable and spunky character. At first I thought Harriet wanted to travel on her own just to prove her independence, but it turns out she has special reasons for doing so. Harriet reveals to a new friend that the reason for the trip is because she wants to feel God's pleasure and also to do something from start to finish. I was really rooting for her to finish the trip! I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to others. Disclosure: I received this book from Zondervan. All opinions expressed are my own.

Free Cone Day

It's free cone day today at Ben & Jerry's! I'm planning to take the kids (they're on spring break) and trying the new Greek Yogurt flavor. Ben & Jerry's is handing out free cones from 12-8 pm - enjoy!

hunger games

I'm probably one of the very few that hadn't read The Hunger Games books, but I did see the movie last week. I decided to make a few Hunger Games inspired products for Little Pink Plum - see above for a bookmark available now.

And here's one of several Hunger Games name generators - click here to see what your name would be. (Mine is Prine Galloway). Have fun!