Showing posts with label review

 Recently, A24 Films was kind enough to send me several screeners including Priscilla, which I immediately watched since I hadn’t been able to attend the in-person screening. Today, I wanted to share my thoughts and hopefully a spoiler-free review of the highly anticipated film Priscilla, which is now available to stream.



Priscilla: In Theaters and available to Stream:




Priscilla
Courtesy: A24 Films 

 My Dad was a huge fan of Rocky films, so of course, I’ve seen key scenes from several of the films in the Rocky film franchise, which launched in 1976 with the film Rocky and concluded with Rocky Balboa in 2006, or so we thought. Rocky made a comeback in 2015 in Creed in which Rocky trains Adonis Creed and the beginning of the Creed films got their start. As was the case with Rocky films, I’d only watched a few key scenes from Creed films because my husband is a fan. 


Creed III: A look into Adonis Creed’s Past and a battle he must Win:



Creed III

Courtesy: Amazon MGM Studios



With award season right around the corner, my invitations to press screeners are picking up, which is an exciting time. I love sharing insights into upcoming films and today’s post features The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, which I got to see on Tuesday evening. It's in theaters this Friday, November 17, 2023 for your viewing. Here are my thoughts and an official trailer.



Everyone Hungers For Something:




Everyone Hungers For Something
Courtesy: Lionsgate

Earlier this month my husband and I got to see a press screening of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the fifth film and some say, the last film in the Indiana Jones franchise. This highly anticipated film premieres in the United States this Friday, June 30, 2023. Is it going to be a summer blockbuster? There’s a very good chance it will, because Indiana Jones and the actor who brought him to life, Harrison Ford, have been collecting fans since the first Indiana Jones film, Raiders of The Lost Ark was released in June of 1981. 



Go on an epic Summer Adventure with Indiana Jones! 



Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Courtesy: Lucas Film Ltd. 

Confession time, I didn’t read one YA book last year! Looking back over the titles I read and reviewed in 2022, I saw I’d shared lots of self-help, how-to’s  and gardening books instead. Don’t get me wrong, I adore those genres and will continue to share them, but I also want to add some other genres to the mix, including fun YA titles. Today. I’m reviewing my first YA book of 2023, Sugaring Off, by Gillian French. This is my first book of hers I’ve read as well, but hopefully, I’ll be sharing more of her work this year. 



First Book Review of 2023! 





Sugaring Off by Gillian French


Normally I wouldn’t have to make the distinction of which version of a film I’m reviewing, but Pinocchio has had a moment in 2022, with three film adaptations. That seems excessive, so I wondered why academy award winner Mr. Del Toro, would take it on as well. Truth be told, Pinocchio wasn’t a Disney classic favorite of mine, so if anybody could get me to watch a re-telling of this film, it would be Guillermo Del Toro. 



No Spoiler Review!




Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio film

A Garden for Grace Book Review and Giveaway

in , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Thursday, July 14, 2022

 I receive a lot of emails on any given day asking me if I’d like to review books that cover a wide array of genres, and usually, I can tell from the email copy if I’m interested. If you've been around my blog for a while, you know I love gardening and flowers and books- most especially, books about gardening and flowers! so of course I happily agreed to review and host a giveaway for a Garden for Grace, which is simply one of the sweetest books I’ve read in a long time.



A Garden for Grace Book Review and Giveaway:


A Garden for Grace Book


My husband and I were recently invited to a unique, in-person screening of the latest Marvels Studio film: Thor Love and Thunder, and I will say right from scene one, we were entertained! I’d love to share some of my thoughts (no spoilers), before it opens in theaters tomorrow July 8, 2022.  


Thor Love and Thunder!



Thor Love and Thunder



Happy July friends! I hope you all had a wonderful 4th! I took some much-needed time off and must say, the stay-cation was just what I needed! I’m all set to jump back into blogging and think it’s pure serendipity that my first post back is a book review called The Vacation. If you like psychological thrillers, then the latest book by T.M. Logan, The Vacation is for you.


The Vacation by T.M. Logan Book Review #BookedUpAllNightReads


With the official start of spring just one week away, I wanted to continue sharing helpful gardening resources with you so you can be armed with lots of information and tips to start the gardening season off strong. Today, I’m reviewing and hosting a giveaway for a fantastic resource on shrubs and hedges. This is a newly published book written by Eva Monheim. It’s a practical, ordinary person’s guide to choosing, planting, and caring for the world’s most popular plants, shrubs and hedges. Personally, I love having them in my yard and garden. They add so much beauty and color and are a bee’s paradise. Read on to learn about my favorites and how you to can add shrubs & hedges to your garden plan this year and enter the giveaway!


My All Time Favorite Shrub- Lilac!


Lilacs in bloom


 This is a sponsored post on behalf of CanvasDiscount.com and BraVoMark.  I received information to facilitate today’s post as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.



The fall decorating season is here and even though I’m in the midst of a major home renovation in much of my home and can’t go “all in” like I normally would, I can still greet Autumn with a few new decor pieces interspersed here and there. I always change out pillows, blankets, linens and candles this time of year as I’m sure most of you do; but this year I’m adding a fun new piece to our home- a beautiful metal photo print from Canvasdiscount.com. Have you shopped with them? This is my first experience with them and I’m so impressed! Read on for my review and grab a freebie!

Sunrise Photo:


Metal Photo Print #ad

The beautiful spring weather has me opening windows and dreaming of the weekend on this fine May morning. I love this time year when the landscape is dotted with green fields and blooms around every corner. I’m ready for a long Sunday drive where I can feel fresh air on my face and the heavenly springtime scent surrounds me. Do you love spring drives too? Then this candle from Goose Creek Candles just may be the perfect candle for you! I'm an ambassador with Goose Creek this year, so to learn more about the company, please read my introductory post here



Goose Creek Candle Sunday Drive review #brandambassador #ad


Happy November and Happy Friday my friends! October was such a beautiful month in my region of Tennessee that I’m still doing gardening chores outside, but the nights are starting to have that wonderful crisp November feel to them. That’s perfect book reading weather for me and I’ve just finished a really good book I want to share with you today. Since its Friday- I’m also giving away a copy of Good Better Best – The Rags to Riches story of the Upscale Resale Queen Sue McCarthy. 



Good Better Best: by Resale Queen Sue McCarthy book review & giveaway

The Hundred Story Home book review and giveaway

in , , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Wednesday, July 18, 2018
How does one go about finding faith in ourselves or something bigger than ourselves? How do we step out in faith and believe in the whisper that some of us hear that says… do this instead of that? These questions and potentially finding the answers to my own nagging whisper had me happily agreeing to review a complimentary copy of The Hundred Story Home by Kathy Izard and to hosting a giveaway for 3 copies for you! 



The Hundred Story Home book #review and #giveaway #ad


Loving your hair in any season can be tricky, but when the temperatures rise and the great outdoors beckons, our relationship with our hair can become quite complicated. Depending on your hair type you may be trying to control frizz, add volume, combat dryness,  keep your color longer, get your hair to grow,  all why having fun in the sun.  We all search for products to help us fix our most pressing hair concerns so when I was offered the opportunity to try 4 complimentary products I said yes, please! 


Summer Hair Care Products Reviews:


 #ad 4 hair care products to help you love your hair this summer

iPhone 6 Cell Phone Wallet Case review and giveaway

in , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Tuesday, March 27, 2018
I have a friend who always shows up at our coffee dates looking stylish, pulled together and amazingly without a purse. I’ve often marveled at her ability to walk out of the house with just her phone, keys and her cute little wallet, so when I had the opportunity to try this pretty iPhone case I happily agreed to give a no purse outing a try. 


iPhone 6 Cell Phone Wallet Case (sponsored)

The Gig Is Up- Thrive in the Gig Economy Book Review

in , , , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Tuesday, February 27, 2018
I’ve been a part-time freelancer for several years now and I speak from that experience when I say; the ability to get good gigs in my industry (blogging and brand awareness) is getting harder and harder each day as more people enter the workforce and embrace the “gig economy”.  Seeing more and more marketing pros talk about multiple streams of income and what “side hustle” you may be able to pick up to achieve financial security led me to agree to review The Gig Is Up: Thrive in the Gig Economy, Where Old Jobs Are Obsolete and Freelancing Is the Future by Olga Mizrahi. 


The Gig is Up by Olga Mizrahi book review #ad
We love watching movies from a variety of genres, everything from Sci-Fi to Disney animations we will watch with an open mind.   In my opinion, having an open mind is necessary when reviewing any movie; most especially when the film is a un- rated independent film like Urban Hymn.  Thanks to my partnership with Level 33 Entertainment, I received a complimentary early screener copy of Urban Hymn to facilitate today’s review. No further compensation was provided. All opinions are my own.



Urban Hymn film review


Habit Changers by M.J. Ryan book review

in , , , , , , by Linda A Kinsman, Monday, January 23, 2017

What would you like to change in your life? Be more focused at work? Communicate more effectively? Find work-life balance? Those three questions were in the introduction email review request I received from Blogging for books for Habit Changers- 81 game changing mantras to mindfully realize your goals by M.J. Ryan. My answer to all three questions was yes!  Is your answer yes to one or more of those questions too? Then this book may be for you.



Habit Changers by M.J. Ryan book review



About Habit Changers- 81 game changing mantras to mindfully realize your goals by M.J. Ryan:

“Often, the biggest obstacle to change lies in our most deeply ingrained habits:  those automatic thought processes that operate outside our consciousness, and yet have a profound impact on our behavior, shaping everything from how we respond to challenges to how we engage with others. 

The good news is that we can literally rewire our mental habits for the better.  In Habit Changers, executive coach M.J. Ryan shares the secret weapon that has helped her highest performing clients improve their focus, better manage under pressure, enhance their emotional intelligence, become more effective leaders, and more.



Inspired by the Buddhist tradition of Lojong, or "slogan practice," habit changers are simple, one-line aphorisms that, when recited, reprogram your brain’s automatic responses. Here, Ryan explains how to use the 81 Habit Changers that have demonstrated the most profound and lasting results. They include:

  •   You can’t say yes if you can’t say no
  •   Don’t push buttons that don’t need to be
  •   Handshake your fear
  •   Stand where you’d rather not
  •   Remember your highest intention
  •   Outsource your worry 
  •   Reach for the better thought




My Thoughts:

Even though I’ve never used slogans, or mantras to improve my life or work goals, I was open to the idea of trying a new way of improving myself. As soon as I received this book, I flipped through the table of contents and landed on the chapter for happiness. I think I’m a pretty happy person, so I was intrigued at the idea of learning something new.  

The two mantras under happiness are:

  • Reach for the better thought
  • Change it, leave it, or accept it


According to the How to Use Habit Changers chapter, I was off to a great start. The author, M.J. Ryan explains to begin you are to scan the table of contents which are grouped together by the issues they address. Pick one topic, (like I picked happiness) don’t pick ten, or even two! It’s the single-pointed focus that makes this work says M.J.  Now- this is the tricky part, stay with the phrase that resonates the most with you, adapting it so it feels right for you and your situation. Turn it into a question if you need to.  There is no right or wrong way here. Just stay focused on one key mantra before you move on to another. 



Exploring:

As happy as I am- or thought I was, I’m still on the happiness chapter. Folks- this is deep stuff that is working! I’m allowing myself to analyze my work/life balance and ask myself tough questions like is what I’m doing today is truly making me happy? That’s me reaching for the better thought and fully exploring the change it, leave it, or accept portion of this chapter.


Final Takeaway:

I feel confident in saying that while this book isn’t to be read or used in the traditional read chapter one and move forward style we are accustomed to, I will read and utilize every page in this book this year because I want 2017 to be a good year in ALL aspects of my life. 


Connect:


M.J. Ryan states that our capacity to change is our greatest gift as human beings. Habit Changers will help you take control of your destiny and more easily achieve the success and happiness you desire. That sounds like a fantastic plan to me!


I invite you to learn more about the author here  and on Good Reads here . I’d love for you to follow me on Good Reads too here.




Please share in comments: What goal would this book help you achieve this year?




Disclosure: I received this book from Blogging for books for this review. No other form of compensation was given and all opinions stated are my own.
  
My husband and I love to cook good, wholesome meals for our family of four, but lately, we’ve fallen into a bit of a mealtime rut.  We both agree that adding more fall vegetables and good for you grains was a must- but even those small changes didn’t feel like quite enough to get us back on a healthy eating track. While working online one day, a cookbook title caught my eye- Nourishing Meals by Alissa Segersten and Tom Malterre (husband and wife) and I thought this would be a great way to add fresh ideas to our meal planning.



Read on to learn about Nourishing Meals 365 Whole foods, allergy free recipes for healing your family one meal at a time


Nourishing Meals book cover



Clearly this book was written for those who are trying to eat better, I expected that from the title. What I didn’t expect was that all those inviting meals I’d seen on the cover were really gluten-free, dairy-free and soy free dishes. Nobody in my family has a dietary restriction, so you may be wondering why I would select this type of cookbook. It was the promise to help me ditch the processed foods one allergy-free meal at a time that grabbed me and honestly, I couldn’t be happier with what I’ve learned so far.




Nourishing Meals offers 365 whole foods, allergy-free recipes for healing your family one meal at a time. I’m educating myself, or rather, re-educating myself while reading this cookbook, starting off with the preface-   7 steps to sustainable dietary change. These are do-able steps that aren’t meant to be hurried through, or done all at once. The author’s idea is restorative nourishment, which can gently and gradually nurture our systems until unhealthy foods and habits naturally fade away.



My family and I are spending more time on step one, which is Add more vegetables. We know we eating vegetables is good for us. Our parents told us to eat our vegetables when we were kids and chances are if you are a parent- you are saying it to your kids now. Sometimes though, it can be challenging to get kids to eat their veggies. Never fear, this book is loaded with tips- from pregnancy through childhood- on how to deal with and prevent picking eating behaviors. 



Chickpea curry recipe- Nourishing Meals
Source

You are invited into recipe chapters during the 7 steps. For instance, in step 1, there is a Smoothie chapter that can aide in getting kids to eat their veggies. look at the tasty Chickpea vegetable curry recipe highlighted in the photo above. Doesn't that look like a delightful way to eat more vegetables?


Step 2 talks about making your own salad dressings while step three- (where I am this week) discusses the importance of replacing processed grain foods with whole foods. In this step, the recipes I’d like to try are Fluffy Cashew Pancakes and Chicken Breakfast sausages.



Another chapter I’ve found very helpful and timely is Packing a healthy lunchbox. Now that my daughters are teenagers, they pack their own lunches. Keeping a variety of good for them lunch foods on hand can be daunting, so I’m thankful for the fresh ideas in this chapter. With their easy to read lunch and snack lists, I can just turn to this chapter and make my shopping list, choosing what I know my kids will eat. Same goes for my husband’s lunchbox. He’s always pleasantly surprised when I add celery stalks or pepper slices to his lunch, and now I’m armed with even more healthy lunchbox ideas.



If one of your goals is to feed your family healthy, nourishing, tasty meals, I am happy to suggest this all-inclusive book. I’ve learned so much already in the short time I’ve had it.  I’m educating myself on why living a gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free lifestyle is perfect for some and that it may not be perfect for me and mine- it is always good to know the WHY behind each choice. The next time I am hosting a dinner or sleep over and learn that one of our guests does have a food allergy, I will be better equipped to cook and serve them food that tastes good and is nourishing to them. 



Another great part of this book is how hands on it helps you become. Check out this cool DIY recipe for homemade herbed sea salt on the Nourishing Meals Facebook page. 


DIY homemade herbed sea salt Nourishing meals
Source

Learn More: 

I invite you to learn more about the authors by visiting their website and by following them on Facebook and Twitter.  



I highly recommend this book and will keep this book as an eating healthier recourse and may even gift a copy or two this holiday season. You can purchase a copy today on Amazon




Please share in comments- Do you or somebody in your family have a food allergy? How has that impacted the way you cook?


Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books for this review. All opinions stated are my own. 


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