Candy Coated Cozys from NetGalley

Sweet Taffy and the Marshmallow Murder by Dana Moss

 

Taffy Belair is not your run of the mill gal. Nope, she is high class all the way, this "Wilhemina Wonka" dresses to the 9's and has a heart of gold. When she is not running her candy business/factory she is spending time with her forest ranger boyfriend Ethan. Not that Taffy is an outdoors sort of a girl unlike Ethan's new assistant Melanie who is naturally good at everything. To make matters worse, while bird watching (the things she does for her guy) she not only spots a jay but also a vulture and a body in a boat. Now most people would leave well enough alone but not Taffy. she is determined to help the lead detective on the job, her best friend Maria, much to Ethan's chagrin. Not sure how far she will get talking with the teens but that won't deter her. She is more likely to have issues with trying to keep up with and/or sabotaging Mel than with getting info out of 17 year-olds. It's almost comically how someone as sophisticated and sweet and drop dead gorgeous can feel insecure. It makes Taffy a more relatable character which makes this book that more enjoyable. A great read full of surly characters, seductive secrets, and the great outdoors (what is a girl to do).

Mother's Day, Muffins and Murder plus PTA tips

I truly enjoy a good mystery and who couldn't use helpful hints along the way?  This could very well be a "how to" manual for working with a school PTA and keeping events organized especially where volunteers are concerned.  It was also a great story that kept me guessing all the way to the end as to "who done it." 

 

Our heroine, Ellie Avery, is an Army mom who also doubles as a professional organizer as in clutter and a little bit of a reluctant sleuth.  She is extremely efficient and friendly to boot, unlike the other pro in town, Gabrielle Matheson.  Unfortunately for Gabrielle, while being the organized person she is, she finds a dead body in a closet.  Or does she?  After a false fire drill the body has disappeared and Gabrielle is looking foolish until the body shows up on the woods on Field Day.  Gabrielle decides that it is up to Ellie to get this matter organized and solved as quick as possible. 

 

You would think that an elementary school would be a safe place but apparently this one is full of secrets and hazards.  It's no secret that this is a nice little cozy mystery that would be perfect for any day and not just Mother's Day.  The other perfect piece to this cozy puzzle are the tips and easy to follow directions for PTA volunteering found between chapters.

My July Ipsy Bag

My July Ipsy Bag 

I've seen a few people post about the Ipsy bags on Facebook so I thought "why not" it might be fun trying some makeup and skin care items.  A truly girlie thing to do in a house full of men, right?  So here is my July bag offerings.  Since I am such a newbie when it comes to make up I actually had to look up what 2 of the items are and how to properly apply them.  I wasn't allowed to wear makeup growing up so while my friends developed a morning make up routine, I slept in.  So now that I have re-entered the workforce in a grown up job with adults I figured I should maybe try to look nice.  So for $10 I received everything yo use in the picture.  Absolutely love the small sizes, as a FlyLady FlyBaby I have to say that I have tossed many a tube of lipstick and so forth out because I don't use it often enough and believe it or not, make up can go bad in that it will become a breeding ground for icky things.  

For skincare, there was a small bottle of Avenue Cleanance MAT toner. This is an astringent and works really well without drying my skin out.  Keep in mind that I don't have dry skin to begin with.

You can find this product here http://www.aveneusa.com/collections/cleanance/cleanance-mat-mattifying-toner

Next is the Tarte Bronzer.  I am very happy to say that this can found at ULTA and if anyone would like a 20% off coupon let me know, I have a spare one.  So bronzer is definitely an item I needed to look up to see how it is properly used.    The Tarte website even has a video tutorial to make it easy.  This is a great product and again was not too heavy and my skin was not irritated but rather had a nice soft glow. Side note it is vegan friendly and more info can be found at  http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-park-ave-princess-matte-waterproof-bronzer 

Then there is the illuminating highlight powder made by Nomad, a "silky soft highlighter infused with moisturizing ingredients in a champagne shade inspired by the illuminating glow of the ever-present sun above the horizon even during the long summer nights."  Nights in the Nordic, not night in North Carolina.  I'm not sure I would know what to do with all that sunshine going into the night.  Most likely I'd be more productive. Here is the only place I could find it on the web so be sure to leave a comment if you know of a better place. https://nomadcosmetics.com/pages/Stockholm

My favorite product in this bag was the Wonderwand.  Eyeliner has always mystified me.  It can give such depth or the ability to make one's eyes bold and beautiful.  This was a kohl colored liner with a built in brush for blending.  I checked out the website https://www.ciatelondon.com/collections/makeup/products/wonderwand-liner?variant=29102559303 and was amazed to see the tutorial video showing a variety of colors and just how great it looked when multiple colors were layered and blended and since they used a model with "hooded" eyelids I could actually see that this would work for me.  Eyeshadow tends to be lost on me in that you can't see it on me unless I put it up by my brow line.  There are 10 colors to choose from and all come with the blending brush on the end.

The last item was my least favorite, and this is most likely due to the color.  It was a pink that looked too pink, too pale pink with a matte finish.  It looked like I had put pink chalk on my lips and was a little difficult to remove.  It goes on wet like a lip gloss and the product website has a tutorial (love all these tutorials) to show you how to put it on.  I know you're thinking, it's like lip gloss, I can figure it out.  I didn't realize that the top lip should start at the middle of Cupid's bow and go out hugging the lip line. Here is the web link https://www.winkylux.com/collections/double-matte-whip-liquid-lipstick and there are 5 colors to choose from or save money and get all 5 at one time.

Flying Tips

A couple of quick tips when flying

Ask for a free upgrade, if you never ask the answer is always no.

Bring a blanket or dress in layers.

Ask for a whole can of your drink of choice or you will only get one glass per flight.

If you have a carry on bag that is a little weighty and you are vertically challenged do not pay the $25 to check your bag unless your flight is severally under booked.

 Bring a pair of ear buds, although they can be purchased for only $2 with Delta.

Check in as soon as the 24 hour check in window opens and don't forget to double check your seat assignment, things change and you may be able to find a better seat.

The Little Free Library

The Little Free Library


What a great concept and a fun way to get a few books out of the house.  This one is located downtown Raleigh on the corner of Hargett St. and Salisbury St.  Actually that little corner has had a bit of a facelift and is one of the more artistic corners that I have seen so far.  The Little Free Library is a non-profit group who create little libraries to encourage reading, foster community and take the worry out of  due dates and late fees.  I have often donated books to the local library and will now have another venue when the next fit of feng shui over takes me. I walk by the library at least 3 times a week if you ever have a book you'd like to donate I'd be happy to drop it off and find you something in exchange.
Happy Reading!

Trying Fine Wines while reading Dying on the Vine

 

     What an incredible vacation I have just returned from.  A tour through 12 vineyards in 4 days and oh the wines we tasted!  From a behind the scenes tour of the Castello de Amorosa to the mini museum on Francis Ford Coppola's winery, home of the prestigious Inglenook wines.  Beautiful grape vines and luscious wines from the Lobo Cabernet to the fantastic Fantasia, but I digress.  This edition is not about pairing foods and wines, which B Cellars and Darioush did most elegantly it is about an unexpected pairing between the pages of a book and the grapes on the vine.

     I had requested several books for review and had not had the chance to get to them earlier this year.  I expected to have some free time on the plane while traveling from coast to coast.  Incidentally it is a somewhat odd sensation to race against the setting of the sun via airplane.  Once we were settled into our seats, belts fastened, drink choice selected, and cool air blowing I pulled out the Kindle.  I love a cozy mystery and had several new ones to choose from but was drawn to this particular one.  Mind you, I have no way to know what the book cover looks like after it gets to my e-reader and I requested them so long ago that I did not remember what the cover looked like in the first place.  I was quite elated to realize that I had picked a story that takes place in the wine country!
    
     Our main character and heroine, Kelsey McKenna is a destination wedding planner who finds herself being the person of interest after discovering a fellow wedding planner and self proclaimed "Queen of Wine Country Weddings", Babs Norton, dead.  It does not help that Bab's assistant, Stefan (aka the ankle biter) is going around telling people that Kelsey killed Babs to get her clients.  This case becomes as complex as the flavors of a 2005 IL BARONE Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, which we did indeed sample at the castle when it seems that there is no end to the possible criminals from the deceased's sister to a father of the bride and it doesn't help when people unexpectedly glimpse Kelsey's murder board and see their names notated.  No cozy mystery is complete without a little romance and while this book waits until the last few chapters it does not disappoint as Kelsey learns that she should have listened to her photographer pal, Brody, and let him play cupid sooner.  Much like a fine wine, better late than never.

     I almost always learn something new and interesting while reading fiction that actually turns out to be a nonfiction fact, and this one was no different.  Do you know why roses are planted at the ends of the rows of grape vines?  Or why the vineyards are building caves?  I didn't know the answers either and you'll just have to read the book to find out.  So grab a glass of wine and relax with this great read.

Can't Believe it Worked!

 
 

Can't Believe it Worked!

 

 

 

 

Thanks to my running/bunco buddy Kathy I have managed to lose another 6 pounds!  She posted on Facebook about DietBet and challenged people to join in.  I was skeptical at first, but she assured me it was legit.  So it's a dollar buy in with the goal of at least getting your bet money back if you can lost the specified weight.  For this first bet it was 4% of total weight.  So between the realistic weight amount and the fact that I put money on the line I was determined to not fail.  This is probably the first time where being a loser was necessary for being a winner!  So back to the Bulletproof diet plan and this time I got serious!  I had been eating a Dark Chocolate Cherry KIND bar as a regular dessert item whether I was hungry or not before bed.  It was better than a cookie and my carbs are supposed to be consumed at night, right?!  Well I decided that I wasn't REALLY hungry I was just using it as an excuse to snack. So out the door those went or rather, the didn't make it past the door as in I didn't buy then so they weren't there to tempt me.  Next step was to add the Brain Octane instead of the coconut oil.  Gabe says that Brain Octane is super purified coconut oil and it takes the fasting to the next level.  I buckled down and ate salads and a meat for lunch every day for work.  I didn't give up the Pint & a Pie special on Wednesdays after running but I did give up the chocolate chip cookies.  I didn't fall off the wagon, although there were a few times I was dragged behind it a little bit.  It probably also helped that I was already taking part in a walking challenge through work so lunch time was spent hoofing it around the downtown area.  I was excited to see the first 3 pounds come off quickly.  Then 1 pound came back, 2 pounds left, 2 pounds back, and so on and so on.  Sounds like a Cha-Cha doesn't it!  When all was said and done and the final weigh in needed to be posted I had managed to dip below 130 and was so happy to see 129.  Mind you I am back at 131 but I know that I can get to 129 and then keep going to 125 with determined persistence.  Oh and did I mention that there was a little bit of a payout?  That's right, my initial investment and a little dividend to go with it.  I think I just might have to find another 4% or 5% challenge and try my luck again.  Check them out for yourself https://www.dietbet.com/games?betSize=10,500&gameStatuses=starting-soon&type=all