Come join us in our nesting place.

 One of the  lovely surprise this new year came from a package  containing the book Comfort Living written by Christine Eisner, a renowned interior designer and consultant.

Rooted from the concept that we “create” our homes, the book offers practical and easy suggestions in organizing our homes, leading to a more balanced and meaningful lifestyle.

Reading the book from its first page, I instantly liked it  because of the charming images of  some homes and their interior.  It somehow echoes a longing in me to have my own abode. (BTW, more photos of homes and designs can also be seen throughout the book.)

And when I read through the first parts of the book, I appreciate it more for its step-by-step approach to “creating our homes.”   Not only does it have instructions that are easy to follow but the exercises are relevant to self-discovery and creation.   It also includes a handy notebook where we can jot ideas and inspiration.

Going through the steps (on a weekly basis), I realized that they slowly and carefully show us a window into our self, leading us to discover what are important and satisfying to us, and  what we really want  in our homes, in our lives.  Moreover, the suggestions are always ringing  of positivity.  Indeed, Comfort Living leads you in a journey where you can create limitless possibilities to make your house a home and to make everyday living comfortable as well as enjoyable.

That said, I consider Comfort Living a treasure. Infact, it made me want to immediately bring the concept into action. But living with my parents, I can only do as much as “revamping” our room. But one day soon, when I (and my family) finally get our own place, I hope to follow the suggestions I’ve read in this book.   

THE AUTHOR:

Robin Marvel lives in Hersey, Michigan with her amazing supportive husband, Keith and four phenomenal daughters. She is the creator of Aura Sense Guide and uses the website to encourage Universal Awareness.

The search for a metaphysical workbook for her four daughters brought Robin to write “Awakening Consciousness: A Girl’s Guide.” Failing to find a suitable book to start awakening her own daughters while homeschooling, she decided to write her own.

THE BOOK:

Awakening Consciousness is a workbook designed to encourage spiritual growth on a path of self-awareness. The fun hands-on exercises in this motivating, easy to use workbook are for girls of all ages and will encourage great exploration into universal Awareness. Source: Amazon

MY REVIEW:

I’m confirming it that Awakening Consciousness: A Girl’s Guide by Robin Marvel is a fun exercise book that helps promote self-awareness.

The texts are easy to read and the exercises are easy to understand.  Like most workbooks, after every topic, there is a follow-up exercise. I like the fact that pictures are included to illustrate some  of the exercises in the book. I really appreciate that while I was reading about the “chakracizes” because the illustrations have helped me understand the exercises easily.

From reading the book, I learned a lot about auras, chakras, crystals and aromatherapy among others. I honestly, honestly had no clue about the meaning of aura colors and I surely didn’t know about the seven chakras before. I just didn’t have any idea about all that but the book tackled a bit about these topics and I’m glad because at least I now know what these things mean. I was also fascinated with the pendulum and the grounding (to the Earth) exercises. And my favorite exercises (in the book) would be tabout scrubbing the aura,  the pendulum, the grounding and I absolutely like the crafts for aromatherapy!

I am not so certain (to put it mildly) with that part about the tarot cards though because I don’t really believe in all that (along with horoscopes etc…) but the book rings of positivity and that in itself makes it a gem.

For parents and teachers who want to motivate kids -not only girls but boys as well- and encourage exploration of the inner-self, this is definitely a good workbook to start with. Like I did,  I’m sure other  adults would find it a fun and motivating workbook as well.

In closing let me leave you two messages which I was reminded of while reading this book: one is a quote from Napoleon Hill and another from the song The Greatest Love Of All.

“What the mind of man can conceive and believe, It can achieve.”

“Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all..”

Happy Sunday everyone! Oh BTW, thanks to Parent Reviewers for the chance to review this book.

From the author of Sex and The City, here’s another book that would let you have a look at the lives of the people living in this Greenwich Village Art Deco landmark called One Fifth Avenue.

THE AUTHOR:

Candace Bushnell. She has written other novels namely, Trading Up, Lipstick Jungle and the widely popular Sex and the City, which  later became a phenomenal TV series hit.

THE STORY:

One Fifth Avenue, the Art Deco beauty towering over one of Manhattan’s oldest and most historically hip neighborhoods, is a one-of-a-kind address, the sort of building you have to earn your way into—one way or another. For the women in Candace Bushnell’s new novel, One Fifth Avenue, this edifice is essential to the lives they’ve carefully established—or hope to establish. From the hedge fund king’s wife to the aging gossip columnist to the free-spirited actress (a recent refugee from L.A.), each person’s game plan for a rich life comes together under the soaring roof of this landmark building. Source: Every Women’s Voice

When I received the hardcover copy of One-Fifth Avenue, I couldn’t help but flipped with excitement. I went like Oh my God, Oh my God, I actually have a copy of Candace Bushnell’s recent novel. I was half-hoping that it’s autographed but maybe that’s too much to ask for. My copy is not autographed.

Getting over the initial giddiness, I so wish I could do justice with my review of the novel. I hope.

MY REVIEW:

The  characters that make up the story are  so  gossip-worthy. I hate to say that but that’s how interesting the characters are.  Take for example, Philip Oakland,  the screenwriter who hooked up with the very clever and selfish but beautiful Lola Fabrikant. Then there’s Schiffer Diamond, Philip’s old flame and an actress who moves back to One Fifth after a failed relationship.  There’s also Mindy Gooch, the bitter head of the co-op board and who passionately writes about her miseries on her blog called, the Joy of Not Having It All.  These are but few of the interesting characters living in the Apartment, which is the subject of this novel.

In this book, in my own standpoint, Ms Bushnell carefully echoes the truth about human nature: the greed, the discontentment, the pretensions, the bitterness, the need to have money, power and social prominence and most of all, (along with) the pursuit to be successful and to be admired.

I actually found myself enjoying the tales of  the lives of the characters in this novel. If I can be truthful about it, I was drawn to Schiffer Diamond’s character and her pursuit of love and happiness. She’s actually one of the motivating factor for me to finish the book ASAP. Me being a hopeless romantic, I had wanted to see how her relationship with Philip Oakland would develop and was secretly rooting that they’d end up together.

One  Fifth Avenue is definitely “unputdownable.” This is the first novel by Candace Bushnell that I read and though it somehow lacks the “shock element” that is commonly found in Sidney Sheldon’s novels,  I have to say I am impressed. Overall, I find the book truly compelling and entertaining.  I wouldn’t really  be surprised if  this is made into a movie or a TV series.

Great thanks to Parent Reviewers for giving me the chance to review a novel that might become another TV series hit in the future.

Finally, I’ve finished reading Ariel’s Journey, a book written by Doug Kane and Christy Wood. It has actually taken me much longer than necessary as life’s really been busy at my end these days.

For awhile there, I had thought I wouldn’t be able to finish  this 275-page book on time. But I had wanted to see how the story unravels til the end that’s why I was reading it on my way to work for a couple of days!

So anyway, the book tells the story of five girls, who originally set off for a trail ride but were unexpectedly transported 800 years back in time, to a place in Iceland called Holar, to rescue a chieftain’s daughter.

Except for the body-slamming episode of two competing girls, the first few chapters were a bit dragging. Strangely though, in these chapters, I was mesmerized and amazed by the character of one of the girls’ mothers (Karen) in the story. I totally like how her mind works and how she handled the drama of teenage life. I desperately wish I could be a smart parent as she is when the time comes.

In Chapter 7 however, when the magical adventure of these five girls began, I found myself intrigued. I was certainly enthralled with the horses -with their “abilities.”

Overall, I find the book entertaining and informative. I’ve never heard about Icelandic horses before (oh, well I’ve never even really ridden a horse except for photo ops!) but now I’m glad that I know a little about this breed. A touching story about love, hope, courage, triumph and most importantly, of friendship, I must say Ariel’s Journey is definitely a good read for teenagers, and I’m pretty sure much more for horse-lovers.  Adults will find this a fun book too -I’m sure everyone will have a great journey back to memory lane -like I did!

In closing, allow me to quote one of my favorite lines from the book: “You don’t have to care for every person you meet, but you have to learn the skills of how to get along with everyone.”

And then before I put the last period in this review, I’d like to thank Parent Reviewers and Blue Ink Press for giving me the chance to review this beautiful book.