Book Report | 2019 Reads Part Two

I posted my thoughts about the first 6 books I read in a previous post here. Below you will find the other six titles. I try not to give away too many plot points, definitely no spoilers, and I leave the decisions for you to add to your TBR pile up to you, for the most part. You can find my "star ratings" and what I am currently reading over on GoodReads as well!

Boss Up! by Lindsay Teague Moreno  // This book was written for female entrepreneurs, specifically with mothers in mind. That said, I don't feel like it is limited to just moms. LTM gives some great business building advice, including finding your specific niche and starting out with the end goal in mind and how you can scale to the level you want. It is no fluff but also has humor and real life truth to keep you engaged.

Turtles All The Way Down by John Green // Another John Green titled with tragic, almost pretentious teens that deal with life struggles more rationally than adults do. Not saying that it can't happen but it is all too idealized sometimes. Which I know it is ironic to say about characters struggling with markedly less than idea lives. Just saying, this is typical John Green. All that aside, I did like the storyline enough. This does tackle mental illness and details self harm, and obsessive thoughts and compulsions, so if that is something that you struggle with, take caution.

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell // A cozy thriller that is dark and edgy. I dont feel like I am doing a great job reviewing this book to anyone. I enjoyed it and finished it in a day while traveling, but I did feel like I was predicting the twists before they were happening. I wasn't 100% on all of them but for many, I was close. I do feel like Jewell took a different approach to the "missing child" trope. Also her characters were incredibly well fleshed out. Maybe that is why I felt like I knew what was coming next.

The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena // I am a True Crime junkie. I love thrillers and suspense and a good ole whodunnit. This one just missed the mark. The story kept me engaged but the ending ruined the whole book. I feel like the actions at the height of the plot just didn't seem true to who the author portrays them to be throughout the rest of the book. 

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen // I really enjoyed this one. I felt like it was a truly unique twist on the Husband, Wife, Mistress storyline. I was completely thrown off by the plot twist. I was worried it would be disjointed with two authors but it was a great read. Definitely a page turner!

An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen // After The Wife Between Us, I wanted to try something else from Hendricks or Pekkanen and was excited to see they cowrote another. This one was really good as well. It was a lot more creepy and unsettling than The Wife but a touch more predictable. Still really good!

What are you currently reading? Have you read any of these? I would love to hear your thoughts!

Friday Five: Winter Skincare

To say that I am not so much into cosmetics would be an understatement. I don't keep up with makeup trends and I barely know how to apply foundation and coverup. My go to tends to be plain black eyeliner, long wear mascara, and lip balm. Sometimes I get brave and throw on some colored lipstick.

Despite my general lack of interest in most cosmetics, one thing I do care about is caring for my skin during winter. Where I live we have cold, dry, harsh winters. Even when it snows it is pretty dry. It makes wanting to cake on lots of products a pain and undesirable. Today, I am sharing five products I rely on in the winter months to help me love a little more radiant!

Friday Five: Winter Skincare by ashleyamak 

NYC City Proof 24HR Eyeliner / Dr Teal's Milk Bath / Dickinson's Witch Hazel Wipes / Burt's Bees Lip Balm / Cetaphil Moisturizer 

BBQ Bacon Dog Totchos

The summer before starting this blog I worked at a 1950's style hot dog and ice cream joint! The dogs were steamed all beef franks and the ice cream was hand scooped with loved. One of my favorite weekly specials was our BBQ Bacon Cheese Dog! It was so good that I often try to recreate the flavors at home. When Influenster tasked me with create a unique nacho recipe using some OreIda tots, for some reason all I could think about was using the ingredients for my beloved BBQ Bacon Cheese Dogs.

Some grilled dogs, crispy bacon, gooey cheese, salty OreIda Tater Tots, and a drizzle of BBQ makes up an awesome platter of Totchos! I prefer the OreIda brand Tots to other brands because the flavor is perfect. It is the best balance of crispy, salty goodness on the outside and soft potato-y inside.

This Totchos recipe was an instant hit around here! It is super simple and a quick weeknight dinner idea. The first night we ate these was during a hockey game while enjoying beers. It is for sure to be a great dish for the upcoming "Big Bowl Game"!

BBQ Bacon Dog Totchos
ingredients

• 4 hot dog franks (I prefer all beef)
• 6 strips bacon
• 1 pkg OreIda TaterTots
• 16 oz pkg shredded cheddar cheese
• BBQ sauce
• 1 medium onion
• sour cream (optional for serving)

directions

1. Preheat oven to 425*F and prepare the Tater Tots according to the package directions. 
2. While the tots are cooking pan fry and crumble the bacon, then set aside. Cut franks into half inch chunks or "half moons" and brown. Set aside. 
3. Once tater tots are finished cooking, arrange half in the bottom of a oven safe dish. Layer on half of the meats and onion, and then 3/4 c. cheese. Drizzle with BBQ sauce. Repeat saving 1/2 c. of cheese. 
4. Return the oven and bake for another few minutes until the cheese is melted. 
5. Remove from the oven sprinkle on remaining cheese and serve! Garnish with optional sour cream if desired. 

Friday Five: Polish For Winter

I have always lived in places where the winters are cold and either raining or snowing regularly. That means lots of layers. Being a practical person I tend to buy jackets and coats based on functionality first and then fashion! My favorite way to add a little bit of a pop to an otherwise boring outfit is a fun at home manicure. Below are a few of my favorite nail polishes for winter!

Friday Five: Polish For Winter by ashleyamak 

Pure Ice Home Run / Essie Imported Bubbles / New York Color Big Apple Red Creme /
 OPI Make Light of the Situation / Julep Vivienne

SoSoBa Noodles

When I first started my Flagstaff Bucket List there was a building listed that has housed four different restaurants since I first started my list. Every time we made plans to go to one of the restaurants we would find out that it was either closed or had become something else. The building is located in a small alleyway downtown facing Flagstaff Brewing Co. After four years we were finally able to enjoy food in this establishment. Currently it is the home to SoSoBa Noodles and I am crossing my fingers that it stays that way for a long, long time.

Flagstaff has no shortage of "Asian" cuisine. While we have plenty of Chinese, Thai, and Indian places all across town, the self-proclaimed "non-stop noodle shop" delivers some of Flagstaff's most authentic Asian food. SoSoba focuses on awesome ramen, soba, and udon noodles. You can enjoy your noodles sauced, glazed, or swimming in a bowl of house made broth. Each bowl is made to order using fresh ingredients from local vendors whenever possible.

So far we have been twice for dinner, hence the dark photos. The first time I had the Karl Katsu. It was a ramen noodle bowl that included panko chicken, carrots, corn, nori, and soft boiled egg in a miso broth. It was hearty, warm, and perfect for slurping. The second time was the SUV (shown above) which is a vegan noodle bowl that features local ingredients that change regularly. When I went it had mushrooms, onions, potato, and chickpeas in a light broth. It was great. And if you have a bigger appetite or just love meat you can easily add chicken, beef or pork. 

Long story short, I highly suggest you make a point of stopping in at SoSoBa for a bowl of noodles! With all they have to offer, you surely won't be disappointed. 

2014 Book Report | December

Last year I set a small goal to read 10 books but soon I updated it to 20 books. By June I had read 12 books. In the next 6 months, reading was a lot harder. I got distracted easier and couldn't sit still long enough to get into a reading groove without falling asleep. However, I found a way to get the last 8 read.

image made using Goodreads

Harry Potter Years 1-3 // In December, I joined the Harry Potter Re-Read Along. I read these three using the borrow option with Kindle. I am not going to recap the stories since everyone knows the premise unless you have been living under a rock for the last 15 years. However, it has been fun reading the book and immediately watching the corresponding movie and remembering just how many little things they purposefully left out to strengthen the overarching series plot.
The Big, Not-So-Small, Curvy Girls Dating Agency // I was hoping this would be a fun cute read. I was sorely disappointed. The characters were undeveloped and the premise was predictable. A bigger girl full of insecurities just happens meets the dashing hunk and they realize their love is one in a million and nothing will stop them, not even his fiancé. I am not a fan of it. Above all else, the grammar was horrendous.
The Marriage Plot // If I did this based on stars, this book would get 4/5 compared to works by authors but only 3/5 compared to Eugenides' other works. It is a detail heavy weaving of the same few years told by three young adults that are semi-involved in a love triangle. My disappointment only comes to the writing itself. While the details are there, the writing is missing some of Eugenides' magical imagery and beautiful prose. There are glimpses of it but it is hidden under lots of tedious writing.
Husband Coached Childbirth: The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth // I started reading this soon after we found out we were expecting as The Bradley Method is something I am interested in. Originally, I went into this book thinking it was a simple overview of the method. It is not. Instead it is a more of a background of Dr. Bradley's journey to developing his method of childbirth. It is much more scientific and I love that. One more caveat. This book was originally published in 1974, so it contains some antiquated beliefs about religion and different gender roles. I will also add that if you just want a book to supplement your Bradley Method classes, shoot for reading Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way as it is more practical.
I Don't Know Where You Know Me From // I tend to need something light and airy after heavy books. Judy Greer's compilation of biographical essays was just that after the total mind meld that was Gone Girl. I love that it wasn't full of juicy details about fellow actors or filled with hearsay about other people in Hollywood. It was just an easy to read account of her life. As a fan of Judy Greer, I enjoyed it.
Three Girls and a Baby // As much as I hated the other ChickLit title on this list, I loved this one. In the beginning, I really disliked Ginny, but as pregnancy evolved her character, I started to love her. The author wrote about serious topics in a way that easy to read but wasn't predictable, or cheesy.

Currently reading: Blue Plate Special: An Autobiography of my Appetites, The Potluck Club, and Dorothy Must Die, which I started at various points this fall and couldn't finish. Also on my list is Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and Great with Child.

My previous book reviews can be found here and my list of books read can be found on my Goodreads account.

Easy Breakfast Smoothies with Jamba at Home

Due to the unpredictable nature of fire season sometimes we eat dinner at right around 6pm, and other nights Berke isn't getting home until 9pm and dinner is an afterthought. I learned early on that my traditional breakfast routine didn't keep me satiated enough to combat late morning snacking. It also helps me make it to a later lunch when I know dinner is going to be later in the evening.

This is the third year I have been doing the breakfast smoothie thing. Like I mentioned before, this year I added Kale into the mix for some extra vitamins. Another thing I have been trying is the Jamba At Home Smoothies. While I love being able to mix whatever we have in the fridge into a smoothie, it is nice to have things pre made.

My favorites so far have been Mango a Go Go (on the left) and Razzmatazz (on the right). For each, I throw the whole bag in the blender, add the required apple juice and a stalk of kale and blend it up. Every now and then it will get a little thick so I add a splash of kefir to thin it out. While the flavors don't match exactly the flavors of the Jamba Juice smoothies, they are pretty good bases for your own flavor blends.

disclaimer: I was sent coupons from Influenster at the start of the summer for testing purposes. I was not asked or required to share this product. As always, all opinions are original and my own. 

2014 Book Report | June

At the start of the year I set a goal to read at least ten books with five being from the Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge. To most, that is a measly goal but in January it seemed daunting. I have spent so many school years reading all kinds of junk I was assigned that I had forgotten than reading can be fun. When I graduated college in 2011, I stopped reading books. I needed a break. I was still browsing magazines, reading blogs, and studying cookbooks, but I rarely touched anything in book form with a real story to it. So when I decided I wanted to try to get back to reading for fun, I just wanted to give myself an easy goal and Ten seemed to be a good number. So far, I am up to 12 that I can remember.

Gone Girl // Last fall I made a list of books I wanted to read before the movies were released. This was one of them that has been recommended to me numerous times. And I am recommending it to everyone else. It is long, twisted, and intense but in a good way. I felt a whole range of different emotions and that is how I like my books. I am currently adding more of this author's titles to my reading list.
The Fault in Our Stars // Another on the hugely popular books getting turned into movies list. If you are an avid reader, this one will be a breeze. I finished it in less than two days. It was a touching story, but a lot less gut wrenching and heart breaking than I thought it would be. I am very interested to see how they adapted it.
Faking It, Ordinary World, and She Has Your Eyes // I got these through my Kindle. That one click buy option will be the death of me! These were easy read romance novels. Not super lusty, sex everywhere type of romance. The storyline was nice and I like me a series. I think I finished them in a week. I think having them on the Kindle aided in that. These would be nice for a summer read.
Franny and Zooey // This one is on the Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge. I thought I had not read it yet, but it was something I had picked up in high school after reading Catcher.
Living History // Interesting but I struggled through it. I normally like non-fiction but I had a hard time getting into this one. I picked it up because it was on the Challenge list.
Fire Season: Field Notes from a Wilderness Lookout  // Boring! I think I might have liked it more if I didn't have knowledge of how the Forest Service and lookouts and all that stuff works. It was slow going at first and I struggled to finish this one as well.
The Gnostic Gospels // Another from the Challenge list. This one was more for learning and understanding than it was for fun. The author produced an insightful and clear introduction to the subject of Gnosticism, a different form of Christianity that was declared heretical and virtually stamped out by the orthodox church by the start of the second century after Christ.
The Bielski Brothers: The True Story of Three Men Who Defied the Nazis, Built a Village in the Forest, and Saved 1,200 Jews // Another list title. I love this one. Usually, I love historical fiction but not so much history, but this book shares the story of three brothers that helped rescue 1200 people during the Holocaust. So informative and interesting.
Soy Sauce for Beginners // The foodie in me loved the behind the scenes look at the soy sauce industry. The mid-twenties gal in me loved the protagonist Gretchen and her journey through coming back home, familial obligations, and a complex love life.
Orange is the New Black // This one has been on my list for awhile and I was on the library hold list for six months. I am a little annoyed that I waited for it. In my opinion, the show is exponentially better. The book seemed dry and superficial.

The Girl in the Glass | Book Review

"Since she was a child, Meg has dreamed of taking a promised trip to Florence, Italy, and
being able to finally step into the place captured in a picture at her grandmother’s house. But after her grandmother passes away and it falls to her less-than-reliable father to take her instead, Meg’s long-anticipated travel plans seem permanently on hold. 

When her dad finally tells Meg to book the trip, she prays that the experience will heal the fissures left on her life by her parents’ divorce. But when Meg arrives in Florence, her father is nowhere to be found, leaving aspiring memoir-writer Sophia Borelli to introduce Meg to the rich beauty of the ancient city. Sofia claims to be one of the last surviving members of the Medici family and that a long-ago Medici princess, Nora Orsini, communicates with her from within the great masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance. 

When Sophia, Meg, and Nora’s stories intersect, their lives will be indelibly changed as they each answer the question: What if renaissance isn’t just a word? What if that’s what happens when you dare to believe that what is isn’t what has to be?"

I originally chose to read The Girl in the Glass by Susan Meissner because I had truly loved Lady in Waiting (my review here). I love when author can successfully dovetail the stories of numerous characters throughout various time periods and eras. I was really wanting to love this novel as much as that one. Something fell short. I am not quite sure why or what it was but there was something lacking. While I felt it was an okay book that I may pick up again for a weekend read, I was not in love with it.

You can get a sneak peek below:

I received a copy of this book for free for honest review from Waterbrook Multnomah. As with all review opinions and recommendations are honest and my own.

Dr Scholl's Active Series Insoles

Love Love Love Love these insoles!! The last two moves we've had my feet have been achey and sore.  My shin splints acted up and I was miserable. I got these Dr Scholl's Insoles just a week or so before the move and they have been fantastic. They have provided amazing support through the numerous floors climbed between moving from a 3rd floor apartment into a 2 story townhouse. I did receive this pair for testing purposes from Influenster but I am looking forward to purchasing more pairs for my other athletic shoes. They make my feet feel that good!

*Yikes! This post went live before I was able to put the finishing touches but I am gonna leave it as is.*
I received these insoles for testing purposes from Influenster. Besides the test product, I did not receive any compensation for my review. As always, all opinions expressed here are true and my own.

Gourmet Girls Gluten Free Bakery and Bistro

This post, the 500th on this blog, comes to you fueled by Gourmet Girls in Tucson. No it is not a sponsored post, it was just written after consuming their truly delicious Biscuits and Gravy!

During one of our many recent trips down to the Southern end of the state we stopped in with Berke's dad at this completely gluten free bakery and bistro for brunch. I, obviously, ordered the BnG, Berke had a Breakfast Quesadilla and his dad ordered the Philly Cheesesteak. All were items that would normally be filled to the hilt with that pesky little protein.

 Not only did the Gourmet Girls deliver a menu filled with gluten free versions of favorites, they hit them out of the park. My biscuits were fluffy, soft without crumbling and smothered in a rich and creamy sausage gravy. The house made tortilla was the structure for Berke's quesadilla that was packed full. It tasted, felt and held up just like a normal giant flour tortilla would, if not better.

Gourmet Girls serves breakfast and lunch Tuesdays through Sundays. As a result, you can order anything you want. Kurt took advantage of this and ordered the Philly Cheesesteak special. Another winner! In fact, it was better than any other cheesesteak I have had previously.

As we were getting ready to pay, we took a peek at the bakery case. A 6-inch peanut butter chocolate cake was begging to be brought home. Why yes, we did split that cake into 3 wedges and ate it in one night. Although the photo doesn't do it justice (didn't want to go get my camera and just used my phone) it was a two layer wedge of deliciousness!

Now that I gotten myself drooling, and hopefully you too, I urge you to head over to Gourmet Girls Bakery and Bistro located at 5845 N Oracle Rd. the next time you are in Tucson. It doesn't matter if you are gluten free or not, because the food they are serving up is that good!

Lifeway Kefir and a Smoothie Recipe

The last time there was a huge loss in my immediate family I was 16. I was a kid with no real commitments besides finishing the last two weeks of my junior year of high school. This time things have been a lot different. Mainly, it is the fact that life goes on. Your library books are still due, you still have to pay rent, work is calling, and you have to come through on your obligations (hence this post). 

Back in August, I was sent a voucher for Lifeway Kefir. I was apprehensive about it. I have heard it is similar in taste and consistency to yogurt. I am not the biggest yogurt fan so I figured I would pass it along to Berkeley and he could do the review. Much to my surprise, he told me outright that he HATES "that shit"! So I trekked to the supermarket and got a bottle of the Organic Lowfat Pomegranate Açaí Smoothie. 

I was nervous but I still poured a small glass and took a drink. Even more surprising than Berke's reaction was the fact that I enjoyed it. I thought it was delicious and quickly finished my small glass. The next morning, instead of the small thing of yogurt I put in my smoothie (recipe below), I grabbed the Kefir. 

The flavor is subtle and it was not as tart as I was expecting it to be. The probiotics and fermentation process give Kefir a light effervescence that really sets it apart from plain ole yogurt. In the smoothie, the slight tart flavors of the Pomegranate and Açaí plays well with the sweetness of the mango. It is definitely my go to now instead of a yogurt base. 

Mango Pomegranate Kefir Smoothie

ingredients

• 1/2 c Lifeway Kefir Pomegranate Açaí Smoothie
• 1/4 c ice
• 1/2 Mango
• 1/8 c uncooked oats

directions

1. Throw all the ingredients in the blender and pulse until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and enjoy!

Diablo Burger Flagstaff

What do you get when you mix a thick juicy burger patty with fresh local ingredients between a toasted english muffin, and serve them up on top of a basket of hand cut seasoned fries? The answer is simple: Diablo Burger! Named by USA Today as one of the best burgers in the country, Diablo Burger serves up unique burgers that are not only delicious but also healthy by using 100% grass fed, hormone and antibiotic free beef from just 40 miles southwest of Flagstaff. Even more so, all of the toppings offered are products of local and family owned businesses.

Strike another one off the Flagstaff Bucket List for this girl. This is the second time this summer I have enjoyed these delicious burgers. Back in July, the great people of Diablo Burger dropped off a box of the Monk burgers for us before the Benefit Concert. It was simply a bun, patty, and cheese. I am a toppings girl and never have I ever eaten a burger without lettuce, tomato, or condiments. I was blown away that a simply burger could hit the spot.

This time we made it to their adorably quirky location in Downtown Flagstaff and I opted in for the Big Daddy Kane. This beast was their signature patty topped with bacon, sharp cheddar, sliced pickles and the db special sauce. Boy was this burger big, even without lettuce and tomato that come on the side. To try to do these burgers justice by words would not be enough, so I just going to let this pictures do the talking. Just look at them and try not to drool.

When I first posted the photo of the Monk at the benefit, I got some questions about the pinkness of the meat. The standard is to serve up their meat at Medium Rare. I cringed the first time I heard it. I like my meat well done. When they were given to us at the benefit, I forgot and just dove in. Most of the time, I can taste a difference when meat isn't well done. All I tasted was an awesome burger. Now, if Medium Rare is just too much for you, they will cook your burger to whatever doneness you would prefer. And if gluten isn't your thing, they got you covered as well!

The all-natural, local-only approach is awesome but isn’t going to mean any thing if a restaurant can’t present a top notch dining experience. Hands down, Diablo Burger’s food is amazing, their staff is awesome, and they have all the details down pat. They are proof that craving a big juicy burger doesn't mean you have to settle for an unhealthy, greasy mound of over (or under) cooked, subpar hamburger on a soggy bun. So if you find yourself in Northern Arizona, or even down by Tucson, make a plan to stop by, devour a burger and fries, and tip the cow!

The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters

At this very moment, I am sitting here with mascara tears running down my face pleading Berkeley to stop laughing ala the Kim Kardashian Ugly Cry. I have just finished reading The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters by Elisabeth Robinson for the second time.

This novel is the one-sided story detailing a year in the life of a young Hollywood producer Olivia
Hunt. The story unfolds through a series of written correspondence opening with a letter from Hunt to her best friend sharing the diagnosis of her sister Maddie's leukemia. This collection of handwritten letters, emails, and faxes captures all the details throughout the 16 months following the diagnosis. Not just the big important stuff either, but the little details of life that make the reader feel as they are living the story as well.

I picked up this title at a Border's clearance sale before they closed their doors in 2006, but I didn't read it the first time until just before my 20th birthday. I remember loving the story this novel told. I could recognize the unfailing love and frustration that is between sisters, and I connected to the experiences that are unique to those with a family member fighting cancer. For whatever reason the feelings I felt reading this novel the first time were nothing compared to my reaction to it this time around. This time though, it somehow meant so much more.

In the six years since I first read The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters my life has substantially changed. This time around I noticed how complex this story is. Robinson cuts the heartbreaking sadness with real, sometimes sarcastic, and uplifting hilarity. For me, this time around, the somber plot was also delightful with these interjected bits of joy, wisdom, and love that I had forgotten about from the letters Hunt sends to her loved ones and coworkers that also give another depth.

Maybe I resonate more with the constant tug of war feeling you get when trying to balance work, romance, relationships, and illness while having to travel between who and what you love. I am no movie producer, but for us being near our loved ones, as well as making a living, means being on the road, especially with Berkeley's job.

Putting all of my emotions and reactions into this review has been a lot harder than I had anticipated. It was just a good read. If you are looking for an easy read for the summer, this may be a title for you. For more information, reviews and a peek at the first eight pages on the amazon page.

Picazzo's Review

When I posted the pictures of my April Day in the Life documentation, I got a lot of comments about how delicious our dinner looked. What was it? Where was it from? Was it as delicious as it looked?

I wish I could report that it was amazing, but I can't. We stopped there for dinner while Berkeley's parents were in town. His dad can't have gluten and they advertise gluten free pizza crust. They shared a medium GF pizza and Berkeley and I both got pasta and shared a salad.

We visited on a Saturday in the early evening and there were plenty of open tables and what seemed to be quite a few waiters there. We thought we had beat the dinner rush. From the time we ordered to receiving just our salads was nearly 45 minutes. We waited another 30 minutes for the entree.

My Spinach cannelloni was served on a dish that was piping hot. So hot I nearly seared my hand because the waiter did not bother to warn me. I was still excited because it looked fabulous. I slowly cut up my dish to help it "cool off a little". The ends were gooey and warm so I took a few bites hoping that the flavors were going to be okay. They weren't. The spinach and cheese filling was bland. As I got closer to the center, it was harder to cut through with just my dinner knife. They were completely frozen in the middle! My salad was warmer than most of my dinner. That is pitiful.

I was also hoping that maybe it was just my dinner. While mine was the only one still frozen, Berkeley's ravioli was not anything spectacular either. On the upside, Berkeley's parents liked their pizza. Normally, I try to see the silver lining when it comes to eating out. I was in food service and I understand that things can happen. Unfortunately for them, frozen food is never okay and for me there was no silver lining! We will not be returning. There are plenty of other places in Flagstaff that serve better pizzas and pastas at a better price with better service. In short our money, and yours too, would be better spent somewhere else. 

Influenster Sugar 'n Spice VoxBox

I am so behind on getting this posted, but that is okay! I really liked this VoxBox from Influenster as it contained products I would most likely use in my regular life.

Clockwise from the upper left corner: belVita breakfast biscuits, Colgate Optic White system, Dickinson's towelettes, Splenda Nectresse, and Vaseline Spray & Go moisturizer. See? All pretty everyday items which makes trying them a lot more fun.

Cinnamon Brown Sugar belvita Breakfast Biscuits: I'll admit, I was nervous about these at first! Sometimes, I find things like this pretty gross. These were great! Each package has 4 biscuits that are full of flavor but without being overpowering or too sugary. It was a nice balance.

One other thing that had me skeptical was the statement "Sustained Energy, All Morning". My morning meal usually includes some kind of protein to keep me going throughout the day. It was only 4 little cookie like things. How could they provide enough to keep me going?

Worried they wouldn't hold up to the challenge, I split a pack with Berkeley as an afternoon snack. Just two biscuits held us over. By the time dinner rolled around neither one of us was incredibly hungry, unlike most days. Later that week, we were in Safeway and saw them on sale. Two boxes for $5! We went for it. My new morning treat is a package of the Blueberry biscuits, and a small almond and yogurt smoothie. Or spreading peanut butter on them! So delicious! You can find more about belVita Breakfast Biscuits here.

Colgate Optic White System: I was so excited for this to come in my VoxBox! I brush and floss regularly, and we have a WaterPik. Overall, my mouth is pretty healthy. Despite the efforts, my smile is not as brilliant as I would like it to be. I really wanted to like this system and I really wanted it to work. 

Epic fail in my book! Both the mouthwash and the toothpaste were gross. The flavor of the mouthwash especially made me gag. I trie my best to push through to see if it was something I could get comfortable with. I stuck with using the whole system for roughly 10 days. The packaging claims first noticeable difference after one week of use with best results after four.

There was a difference alright, but it wasn't in the color of my teeth. After 10 days of use as directed on the box, my teeth hurt. They were extremely sensitive. I switched back to my Crest Complete Deep Clean Toothpaste and ProHealth Mouthwash and everything started feeling so much better. Although the toothbrush was good, the mouthwash and toothpaste were just horrible and I will never recommend the system to anyone. 

Dickinson's Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes: This were great! I love these towelettes. Last time, I received an oil controlling face masque. While it was pretty good, it doesn't hold a stone to these wipes. Part of my testing plan was to observe my skin throughout one monthly cycle. Normally, I get oily skin and breakouts every two weeks when I start my period and when I ovulate. Using these towelettes at night before bed, I noticed a drastic decrease in my overall complexion as well as a decrease in breakouts. 

These are the first towelette product to really manage my hormone related breakouts. I love that they contain more natural ingredients compared to the more popular name brand face wipes out there. My skin responded quite well and it makes me want to purchase more items from their skincare line. 

Splenda Nectresse: This was a take it or leave it for me. I don't mind using plain sugar since we don't add it to much. I would take regular Splenda over this stuff. It wasn't gross, it just wasn't anything special. It also had a weird sweetness to it. I mainly used it in coffee, where I normally use plain sugar, and it just was not doing it for me. I was going to use it for baking, but they only sent packets and I did not feel like ripping open a ton of packets to get the sweetener. 

Vaseline Spray n' Go: I love this stuff! I received the plain moisturizer in the yellow bottle, but I am looking forward to possibly purchasing the Aloe and maybe even the cocoa butter one. The Spray n' Go moisturizers are continuous spray lotions that are quick absorbing. They are quick and easy to use without being greasy or sticky. 

Living in the high desert, where the environment is pretty arid, a great moisturizer is necessary. This lotion fit the bill. I was able to easily even cover my damp skin after a shower with lotion and quickly rub it in without getting greasy hand or leaving streaks. I usually have to apply a generous amount of lotion to keep my legs from getting ashy, but a light mist was all I needed of the Spray n' Go. 

Although I haven't used the Aloe yet, but as someone that used to get sunburnt easily, I bet it would be a great way to soothe a burn. The continuous spray is light and even unlike a pump spray nozzle. You can find more information about the Spray n' Go lotions from the Vaseline site. 

Overall, I give this box a B rating. The lotion, belVita Breakfast Biscuits, and Dickinson's Witch Hazel were real winners! They are all products similar to what I would look into purchasing for myself regularly. Some of them, I have already purchased more of or plan to in the future. The Nectresse was take it or leave it. And the Optic White toothpaste and mouthwash were definitely a NO. 

I received all the items above free for testing purposes, but I was not paid for a positive recommendation. All the opinions above are honest and my own. 

The Gnarly Whale Shop

We are taking a break from all the Disney around to share with you some of my favorite new products: The Gnarly What Shop's Lip Balms and Sugar Scrubs. Those of you in my real life may have noticed (and some have even asked about) the black and white labeled lip balms and scrubs I have been using, featured as a must have in my bag, and gave as Christmas and Bridesmaids' gifts, and even took a few tubes on our Disney trip with me.

So far we have purchased so many lip balms, I don't think my lips will ever be dry again and some super soft skin scrub. My favorite is the Cocktail Five Pack. They also sell all sorts of hair products! Instead of me struggling to do The Gnarly Whale justice they deserve, Ashley Griffiths, half of the husband and wife team that runs this shop, is here to share more about their awesome company and products.

I'm Ashley from The Gnarly Whale - an all vegan, eco-friendly minimal-ingredient bath and body shop. Today Ashley was gracious enough to let me share our story about our company and our dream and I am SO excited to do so. This business is what I do - day in and day out - and to be able to share something I'm so passionate about is truly a privilege for me.

The Gnarly Whale launched in October 2012 from a dream that I was unsure I would ever fulfill. I approached my husband about starting it as a hobby, needing something else to focus on while I was designing and consulting. By the end of the year, we both realized it was never meant to be a hobby. It was never meant to be a small side project. Instead, it was meant to change our lives and restructure our dreams. And that was exactly why I'm here today, sharing our story and even asking for your help after you get to know us.

About Us
We're a husband and wife team doing what we love to do and hoping that some day, doing what we love will be enough to financially support our entire family. Our dream is to someday relocate ourselves and our business to Florida to open up a shop oceanside. We know that this dream will become our reality as soon as we can afford the cost of relocation and the cost of doing business in Florida where there are much stricter guidelines for cosmetic type businesses. Until then, we're focusing on growing our brand awareness and our current product lines.

About Our Brand
All of our products are 100% vegan and cruelty free. We’re tree huggers ourselves so we made sure that all of the ingredients used in our products are completely vegan and have not been tested on animals. Final product testing was also done on humans. Most of our printed materials (business cards, postcards, etc) come from recycled paper. We also use reusable packaging when we mail out our orders whenever possible. Our hope is to leave the Earth a little better than when we found it and provide our customers with a way to do the same.

In the almost seven months we have been open, we already have plans to work with an international retailer to carry our products and will be featured in two celebrity gifting suites this year: The Primetime Emmy's and The Cannes Film Festival. Our current product line includes: hair detangler, beach waves, body and face scrub, body spray, shampoo, and lip balm. In the future, we have plans to include a child product line, a pet product line, soap, skin care, and various other hair and body products in the future.

And here is how you can help us make all of this a reality. We've asked Intuit to grant our small business wish and we're hoping we can get enough votes to win the money to expand our product line, purchase better equipment to speed up our manufacturing, and to put towards the cost of relocation. All you have to do is take a couple of seconds, click the link, and vote once a day. And if you really think our story is worth it, share it with you friends. With your readers. With your family. With your neighbors or co-workers. Shout it from the rooftops if you like us that much.

Anything you do to help is appreciated. No matter how big or small of gesture, we're grateful for you even taking the time to get to know us and our dream. And if you'd like to connect with us further, we'd love to hear from you! Follow us on Twitter. Like us on Facebook. Send us an email and say hello. Or even stop by our shop.

Thank you in advance for anything that you do!
-Ashley and Nathan

I wouldn't recommend a product in this space that I do not fully support and The Gnarly Whale products are truly great. The fact that we use them in our day to day life (as shown above) is a testament to that. I hope you all take a moment to browse either their Storenvy or Etsy shop front and consider making a purchase! If a prchase is not something you can afford at the moment but you think they are rad take a few seconds to vote for their Intuit Small Business Wish.

Tinderbox Kitchen

Before this past Thirsday night, the closest I had been to a Valentine's Day date, was me and one of my very best friends going to chinese buffet together instead of with boys as College Freshmen. We got semi-dressed up, we put on makeup and we headed out for a great dinner. The night ended with us splitting a small bottle of Smirnoff and watching girly show. As I mentioned yesterday, Valentine's Day, isn't a big deal for us. It has nothing to do with the commercialism or any of the other anti-V-day sentiments that are out there. We just don't make a big deal about. In the 4.5 years we have been together, we had never gone out on a Valentine's Day.

Since the rest of the country is looking for a great time on February 14th, many restaurants offer deals and specials for the night. One of our favorite local haunts was offering a special and Berkeley decided this year we were going to go out on Valentine's Day! After an unfortunate experience with our original place, we changed our plans for the evening and ended up at Tinderbox Kitchen.

Located in the Southside area on San Francisco Street here in Flagstaff, Tinderbox Kitchen advertises "American Comfort Food... Redefined" and they deliver. We started with "The Board". It is the housemade charcuterie plate served with artisan cheeses, chutney, and "other goodies". Our board featured a duck ham, venison keilbasa, duck liver pate, country terrine, a soft milk cheese, housemade cracker, chutney, olives and sweet pickles, and a stone ground mustard. It was a great spread of delicious meats, cheeses and goodies that set the pace for the rest of the dinner.

Berkeley went the Sirloin Tip Filet medium rare with original mashers, mushroom ragout, watercress and house steak sauce. Berkeley was beyond impressed! He devoured that steak. It had a nice sear on the outside and was cooked perfectly on the inside. Also served with the steak were house made salt and vinegar chips. They had a great saltiness and the familiar tart of vinegar. The chips finished with a slight sweetness since malt vinegar was used. The mashers were a perfect side.

I went with the Seared Sea Scallops. They were beautiful large scallops cooked perfectly and served over a cauliflower fondue with fried butternut squash. I was blown away. The fondue sauce was mild and provided a great complementary flavor to the scallops. The side of fried cauliflower and butternut squash was delicious and filling without being too much.

We were so very happy with our dinner and drinks. We are excited to go back and try more entrees from their menu as well as heading over to their "cocktail lounge" The Annex for more bar style food. We highly recommend Tinderbox Kitchen. The food was amazing and the staff and service was exceptional. Even for a typically busy night in the service industry they were great about making sure our needs were met without being overbearing.

Hiding in Sunshine Review

It has been a while since I reviewed a book, but that doesn't mean I haven't been reading. I have! As part of my Holiday VoxBox from Influenster, I received Hiding in Sunshine written by John and Caitlin Stuart. Fresh after finishing The Casual Vacancy, I jumped into this fresh novel.

From Amazon:

"Living lives of quiet affluence in a historic, suburban Boston town, Gavin and Lisa Brinkley had no idea how quickly and decisively their lives, and those of their two young daughters, could be upended. A series of events - a mysterious break-in at their home, some menacing tailgating on the highway from Boston, a startling visit from an F.B.I. agent warning of an imminent kidnapping attempt - leads to the family's abrupt uprooting from its comfortable existence into a terrifying new existence on the run, under new identities. This taut thriller by a father-daughter team follows the eleven-year odyssey of an American family on the run, in hiding through the mountain states of the American west, where survival skills and living off the grid are paramount, but so are friendship, cooperation, and resilience. The enemy, always lurking just out of sight, is a foreign cyber-criminal enterprise that launches breathtaking assaults on the American banking system and physical infrastructure, but the Brinkleys also know that the threat is deeply personal, reaching ever closer to them from the shadows of the past. At the same time, Gavin and Lisa discover the perils of wandering too close to the edges of the dark side, in the murky world of cyber-security."

When I read the description of this book and the back jacket, I was worried. I am not the biggest fan of techie pieces or thrilling mystery type pieces. I am more a fan of big, complex plots with numerous characters and twists. To be honest, I was afraid it was going to be a little cheesy.

Boy was I wrong! Although the story was slow to start, once it picked up the plot was thrilling and enthralling. The incorporation of the government memos and the side stories that build up the main story really pulled me in and made this book enjoyable for me. I even got a few plot twists towards the end that really made the book exciting.

I do have some annoyances. Mainly with the ending of the book. While the beginning chapters seemed to drag on, the ending chapters were short and ended abruptly. I felt more like the narrator was just listing the events instead of telling the story. Lastly, I could tell the transition in writing between the two authors. It was not enough of a difference to detract from the story, it was noticeable.

Overall, I give this book 4.7 out of 5. I highly recommend it to everyone! I even made Berkeley stop reading Catching Fire (which has taken him several months) to read this book, and even he likes it and we like totally different styles of writing.

Sole Society Review

As part of my Influenster Holiday VoxBox, I received a coupon code for $25 off of a pair of shoes from Sole Society. I am always apprehensive of ordering clothing and shoes from the internet. I feel like I really need to try things on before committing.

When browsing through the Sole Society page, I noticed quite a few things that made me excited to find my perfect pair. First, Sole Society offers a wide range of options in a great number of colors. Also, Sole Society offers free shipping both directions!

Once, I made up my mind to trust this site enough to order the shoes, it took me quite a few hours of browsing to just pick one pair! It was so hard, because there were so many options. Finally I settled on Dylan flats in gray color. 

They arrived faster than expected, and were perfect! They are made with real leather and have a nice suede finish. They are super comfy too! I look forward to purchasing more shoes from Sole Society in the future. I am so excited that I was able to find such a great pair of shoes for less than $70 or $80 like most shoes of this quality.