Art: #Shakespeare400 Celebrating the Legacy of William Shakespeare

Good morrow, my butterflies! I was on Twitter earlier today as I often am when I'm bored and I came across the trending topic #Shakespeare400. I'm pretty sure this particular topic grabbed my attention because of my admiration for the arts; literary, visual and performance and let's be honest, William Shakespeare aka The Bard is one of the greatest literary artist known to mankind. So I did my research and #Shakespeare400 is the global celebration of Shakespeare's work on the 400th anniversary of his death (today); it is also believed to be his birthday. After reading that, I'm sitting here thinking like WOW! You had to have made a MAJOR impact on society to have your life's work still be appreciated four hundred years later, it's truly amazing!

Around the World From Home: Oh Ship! Tales of a Cruising Chick and Other Travel Adventures Book

Butterflies! So I've been trying to get back to reading regularly, my goal is to read at least one new book a month but you know life gets busy and before you know it months/years have gone by. Anyway, I recently read a really nice book about traveling and being adventurous and if you know me or read my blog regularly you know this is my kind of book. The book, Oh Ship!: Tales of a Cruising Chick and Other Travel Adventures by Lori A. Moore is composed of several short stories about the many trips the author has taken.

Life Update: 2016 Goals + #12BooksIn12Months Reading Challenge

Hello Butterflies! Happy New Year! I had a VERY awesome NYE. I didn't "turn up" but I did get to finally see the new Star Wars movie and I have to say it was pretty good, I even got to rock my Star Wars CoverGirl Dark Side makeup. Anyway, a new year means new goals right? Well, if you read my post a few weeks ago about my 2015 goals you kind of already have an idea of what I plan to focus on in 2016. Basically, my life goals are always going to be front in center when I talk about my goals so I'm planning to continue getting my fiances on fleek (lol), spend more time with my little human (she'll be a teenager soon) and try to experience as much new shit as I possibly can.

Another focus for me this year is to get back to my roots; I grew up in a "we're going to church three times a week even if you don't like it" kind of household and now it's like I'm proud of myself if I make it at least once in a year. I'm not a religious person and I don't think that's ever going to change but I do believe in a higher power; God/Universe and to me attending church is like going to see a motivational speaker, so I think of it as a little extra encouragement to get through this thing called life. I also was an avid reader growing up and now I can't seem to find the time to even flip threw a magazine. It's it funn how we get so caught up in everyday life and being to lose our selves without even knowing? I'll be the first to tell you, trying to have a life while working full time and parenting a kid is HARD but not impossible. The key is making every second count and when you do get the occasional free time, use it to focus on your personal goals and enjoy life a little. So in the name of being realistic and true to myself I'm setting baby step goals, for 2016 it's my goal to attend at least one worship service a month and to read at least one new book a month, I'm calling it my #12Booksin12Months challenge. No excuses just results! What are your goals for 2016?

Book: How to Keep A Job - By. Naija Job Hunt

This is a sponsored post.

Keeping a job should be a priority for anyone who wants to live comfortably and the way that cost of living continues to increase its critical to our survival.  

Authored by the founders of NaijaJobHunt.com, “How To Keep A Job” is a six page (yes, six page) guide to keeping a job. This guide covers five very obvious but very important tips for staying employed. Visit naijajobhunt.com for more information about the booklet.

In the Kitchen: Cooking with Home Canned Foods - Kindle Book Review

Disclosure: This is a sponsored review, I was invited to try this product in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts, opinions and expressions below are my own.

Written by Rhiana Jones; Cooking with Home Canned Foods features about 30 recipes which are categorized into ten different easy to read chapters. This e-cookbook severs up more than a plate full of yummy cooking inspiration especially to those looking for interesting ways to use up those canned foods in your pantry. The recipes in this book work with foods you've canned yourself just as well as with canned foods from the grocery store. This book has something for everyone; from Soups to Cobbler, all of these recipes are made with easy to find, inexpensive ingredients you probably already have on hand.

Before I actually read the book I thought it was a book about canning and using what you canned judging from the title and cover photo only but to my surprise it's not ( I guess that's why they say never judge a book by it's cover). If you're looking for a book about canning, this is not the book for you but if you're looking for a book with recipes for using foods you've canned then this is the book for you. Personally I think there are some really great recipes here; I'm still working through the book and trying out all the recipes but so far the Black Bean Quesadillas and Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup are my two favorites for now. I'm looking forward to trying them all.

Click HERE for more information about the book and/or to purchase and download your e-book copy. 

Mom Life: Princess Ruby's Make-Up Ballet Class Kindle Book

This is a sponsored review.

Excerpt from Princess Ruby's Make-Up Ballet Class: "Princess Ruby and Queen Jacaranda were quietly enjoying high tea in the royal tea room when Princess Ruby suddenly looked up at her mom and exclaimed, "I can't do it!" Surprised, Queen Jacaranda asked, "You can't do what?" "I can't go to the make-up ballet class," responded the princess. "I'm just too scared." And she started to cry."

In this princess tale about over coming fears, author Deborah Bradley uses well illustrated pictures along with great writing to shows how kids (princesses too) must face their fears everyday. In Princess Ruby's Make-Up Ballet Class, Princess Ruby is faced with a new situation that to her seems impossible to get through but in the end she learns what it really means to be brave in everyday life.

Overall I think this was a excellent read; my kiddo/princess loved it! Princess Ruby's Make-Up Ballet Class is not only full of entertainment, this book is very educational as well. This book is a great way to help children gain a healthy perspective on things that are new and uncomfortable; hence teaching them to be brave and that it's ok to try new things. The e-book includes a Glossary Of Dance Terms used by this princess ballerina and even sweeter, this book comes with access to a free audio-book bonus, how cool is that?

Click HERE for more information about the book and/or to purchase and download your e-book copy. 

Mom Life: Princess Sophia and The Frog (Educational Children's Book Collection) - Kindle Edition

This is a sponsored post.

Excerpt from Princess Sophia and the Frog: "The princess was bored and all alone, sat grumpy on her golden throne. One day a little frog hopped by, cracked a smile and asked her "Why?". "I would feel better really soon, if I could go and see the moon!" answered Princess Sophia."

In this fairy tale princess story the author Suzy Liebermann uses enough pictures and bright colors, to drawn the attention of kids especially little girls, I mean what little girl hasn't dreamed about being a princess and living a life of royalty? Many pyp books, such as this one help with character education in young children. This children's book about happiness and friendship is written in a rhythmic format and because of this the author focuses really hard on keeping the rhyming going. 

Book: Alpabet Gumbo | A Guide to Spicing Up Your Sex Life by Ique Brown

Butterflies, I recently purchased an autographed copy of Alphabet Gumbo from the author and when I first read the title it reminded me of the Chicken Soup books I use to read as a teenager; this warm feeling came over me and I though this should be a great read because I use to love the Chicken Soup books (especially Chicken Soup for the Soul). 

In the  introduction the author and Founder of Joy-gasms, D Ique Brown talks a lot about how the value of both relationships and marriage have changed over the years and then she goes on to compare intimacy/sex to food; the two things all humans crave at some point in their life.

Small Business Spotlight: Author Vanessa McIlveen Arline

Our Featured for this month (June 2011) is author and fitness specialist Vanessa McIlveen Arline of B Well Health & Wellness Promotions. For more information on this brand please visit intimacywiththemaster.com.

“Provider of Faith-guided health maintenance and weight control. My book, "His Divine Design: God's Pathway to Lifelong Fulfillment" is an entertaining, spiritual and clinical guide to managing your health in a way that you can EXPECT to be successful...while deepening your Faith and day-to-day relationship with the Lord. My product is a new "super food"--NatraBurst-- packed with nutrients that are so hard to get by supplement or food alone, at an affordable price in convenient drink form. Mix with your favorite beverage or even put into foods such as yogurt or bake into cookies! Health & a Fabulous NEW opportunity!”- Vanessa McIlveen Arline

  

Eventfully Yours,

HAEVP Team

Book: Eat, Pray, Love - by: Elizabeth Gilbert

Eat, Pray, Love - by: Elizabeth Gilbert is the next book from my reading list that I will be reviewing. In this book Elizabeth (in her 30's) is married, has a big house and a great job but one night she realizes that she isn't happy. This book is a collection of personal experiences the author went through while on a journey to finding herself, her purpose and her happiness. Elizabeth’s life experiences were her inspirations for this book. Although I personally don't agree with her leaving her husband to find herself I do understand her need to seek happiness as we all do.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Book: Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey

Butterflies, on my last visit to Half Priced books I picked up a couple of books from my reading list and without spoiling it for you I will share my opinion of the first book " Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man" by Comedian/Actor and Author Steve Harvey. To sum it up in just a few words this is a self help book written for women designed to assist with the troubles of dating, relationships and finding the right person. At first glance of the title you would think to yourself that it's pretty self explanatory when in fact it's not! In this book Steve Harvey breaks it down step by step giving you the when, what, where, and how. Mr. Harvey’s inspiration for this book was his daughters. Seeing their relationship downfalls inspired him to help all women by providing them with insight into how men think. My favorite chapters are three and nine. My favorite point that Mr. Harvey makes is that if a man truly loves you and wants/see’s you as his woman he will do three things: 1.) Protect, 2.) Profess, 3.) Provide.