So You Think You Can Dance Kudos

OMGOSH! I just watched one of the most incredible things tonight. On the show So You Think You Can Dance, Alex Wong-who's specific genre is ballet-perform and incredible Hip Hop routine with one of the best Hip Hop dancers around. It was an incredible routine and to see someone come so far out of their genre and do such a great job is amazing! Kudos to the hard work put into the performance. I've already watched it again, several times, and am amazed each time. Take a look here and let me know what you think!

Summer Treasure Hunt Winner!

The winner of the Mary Kay set is Cheryl Snyder of Pennsylvania. Congrats Cheryl and thanks for participating in the contest! It's still going on if you haven't joined the fun, you should! The link is to the left under other people's contests. :)

And here's another contest you may want to take a look at. You can win a $40 gift certificate valid to use at over 200 online stores. Take a look here and see what you think!

Kudos and Book Reviews

First off, a big congrats to the US Soccer Team. I haven't been an avid watcher of the World Cup, more of an off and on watcher, but I happened to watch the game on Saturday. It was well played and they fought hard. Congrats!



Here are two books that were quick easy reads that I didn't plan on reading. The first is Stephenie Meyer's The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner. I found it free on-line and took a look. It will be up until July 5th so if you don't want to wait in line at the library it's a good way to read it. Anyway, I enjoyed it. A lot of it was repeative information that we, as readers, already knew but Bree did not. I liked the new characters introduced and it gave us an insight into the Volutri. I happened to watch part of the Jimmy Kimmel Eclipse special the other day and they showed a brief clip that immediately reminded me of the book. I think once we see the entire movie, we'll understand more why Bree's life was important to have.



The second is a surprise addition to the Peter and the Starcatchers series, Peter and the Sword of Mercy by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. This fun series is about how Peter Pan became Peter Pan and the adventures he had before there was Wendy. This particular book introduces Peter and Wendy. It's a great story involving some of legends dating back to Charlemene. I really enjoyed this quick, easy read and would recommend it to everyone.

Book Reviews

Well, here's a week's worth of books . . . or was it two. I guess it doesn't matter. Aprilynne Pike's Spells is the first on the list. This is the second in a series of four. I was disappointed with the first one and I can't decide on the second. It was slower than the first without as much action, but Laurel is sent to Avalon to learn more about her role as a Fall faerie. Of course there's conflict with Tami and David and choices have to be made in many different things. The end was very intriguing and I'm curious to see what happens, but if someone asked me what I thought of the book I would have to say I haven't decided yet. It is a good read for anyone who likes magic, romance and faeries though!

The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong is the conclusion of this triology. I have really been into this series and enjoying reading how Chloe's group was able to get out of their situation. There were unexpected twists and I loved the ending, however there could be more. The initial conflict has been resolved, but there could be more. Of course I always hope there's more to come, but seeing as this is the last in a triology my hope might be in vain. It's a great read if you don't mind a little bit of language.

Changes by Jim Butcher is the lastest in his Dresdan Files Series. Wow! The opening just smacks you in the face and keeps going from there. I texted a good friend just one word about it. Wow! She agreed. I did not see this one coming in the series. Changes is such an appropriate title. So many things were turned upside down for Dresdan and now I'm left wondering where it's going to head. If you like wizardry and everything that entails, good and bad, this is a great book for you. There is a lot of language that some do not feel is appropriate to use and I would not recommend this book for everyone.

Linda Sue Park is the next author in the 39 Clues series with Storm Warning. Park is a new author to the series and I really enjoyed her style. This book was a little bit more sobering than the rest and she handled it very well. Things change for Amy, Dan and Nellie. I'm excited to see how the next one goes and if the family truly can be pulled together like Grace always wanted. It is a great series for child and adult alike.

Mary Kay Sale

So I've meant to do this for a week, but I've actually felt well enough and decided that getting the baby room (former junk room/spare bedroom) cleaned while feeling well was more important. For those of you who haven't heard, we are expecting. I can't say much more than that because we don't know much more than that! But you'll know when we know!

In honor of the 11 new lipstick colors, 6 new lipgloss colors, 10 new mineral eye colors and 1 new cheek color I'm having a buy 2 get 1 FREE on all Mary Kay colors (of equal or greater value). This is really a great deal. Hope on over to my website and shop around. Have some fun on the free Virtual Makeover section of the website too.

I'm also doing a 20% off all sets or collections: i.e. Satin Hands Set, Satin Lips Set, Miracle Set, Body Care Collections.

This is to kick off my now monthly Mary Kay sales. They will always be listed to the left with a link to my website. If you become a follower of this blog though, you will get an extra 5% discount on your entire purchase. And don't worry for those of you who are already followers. You automatically get the extra discount!

If you are interested in joining an email list, just drop me a note and I'll add you to it. Happy colors this month!

Oh, please have your orders placed by June 30th at noon for the sale prices to be applied!

Book Reviews

Today's my catchup day for book reviews. I finished two more of the 39 Clues Series, #7 The Viper's Nest by Peter Lerangis and #8 The Emporer's Code by Gordon Korman. This series is just a fun read. I love learning about all the different places Amy and Dan Cahill go. They learn to trust each other, they grow together, all while trying to stay alive. I still love the idea that each book is written by a different author because you get a feel for how each author writes. You have the same characters, with the same attitudes and yet you can see the difference in dialogue between each book. It's really fun. I know #9 is already out and #10 is due to be released on August 31. It's all very exciting. If you have kids or just love a fun read, this is the series for you!

Next is a book I've waited for for a long time. Rick Riordan's new series The Kane Chronicles: The Red Pyramid. What a fabulous book I would recommend for anyone and everyone. I loved all the Egyptian mythology in there and I really liked the way he has woven a fun, exciting adventure around the myths. Carter and Sadie have great personalities and take turns telling the story of how they get sucked into a world with Egyptian Gods. Together they learn to depend on each other and are truly family even though they did not grow up together. I loved the lessons learned and taught about trust and the importance of sacrifice for the right reason. I can't wait for the next installment to find out how the next problem will be solved.

And last but not least Melissa Marr's new book, Radiant Shadows. I've always loved faery stories, especially ones about the true nature of faeries, not the Disneyfied version. This is another Wicked Lovely novel. Marr never takes the story the way I think she is. One book ends with a problem that hasn't quite been solved and yet the next book is about a character that has been introduced previously and focuses on that character. This story is about Delvin and his struggle to find his place in the Faery realm. I really liked how his story took everything into account and weaves in and out of what I've already read. He has a lot of hard choices to make and I enjoyed seeing the consequences, good and bad, that came about because of choices made in years past. It is a great read if you don't mind a little language.

Girl's Camp

I just spent the last three and a half days as an assistant cook for girl's camp. Kudos to the eight other women with me. We all worked well and have all vowed never to cook again (at least not for a week!). After three seventeen hour days with little down time, serving 300 people three times a day, we are/I am beat. I have to say it went well, it was well planned out, we had way too much food, I can't believe how much they ate, but it was good. There are always the few complainers that make life difficult but for the most part it's all good.

And the best part is . . . I get to sleep in my own bed tonight! Hopefully not with the scorpion that stung my husband while I was gone! :)

2nd Annual Summer Treasure Hunt

Wanna win something this summer? Take a look at the 2nd Annual Summer Treasure Hunt. There's a winner everyday from today until partway into July, with a variety of prizes, mostly books and such, but I'm hosting a day and will be giving away a Mary Kay Set. Come take a look and join the fun!