Saturday, August 8, 2015

Snug Plug n Play Headphones Review



I've been a music lover since I was a young kid, so over the years I've been through dozens of different style of head phones. I've used them to listen to music on my walkmans (remember those?), portable CD players, MP3 players, stereos and now on my laptop.

Headphones aren't exactly cheap anymore with some as high as $200 or more, which don't last any longer than a $10 pair. I've already been through two pairs this year. A pair of stereo headphones quit after a few months of use and I accidentally vacuumed over of earbuds.

That being said, I was excited when I was picked to review the Snug Plug n Play Headphones, which are technically attended for kids, but are suitable for just about any age. The headphones come in six different colors (blue, red, purple, black, green and pink) and can currently be bought on Amazon for $11.46.


Friday, August 7, 2015

Book Blogger Hop: August 7th - 13th

Book Blogger Hop

Welcome to the new Book Blogger Hop!

If you want schedule next week's post, click here to find the next prompt question. To submit a question, fill out this form.

What to do:

1. Post on your blog answering this question:

  This week's question is submitted by Bunnita @ Worth Reading It?!

Do you ever do a review post based on a holiday? For example review Christmas theme books in December.

2. Enter the link to your post in the linky list below (enter your Blog Name and the direct link to your post answering this week’s question. Failure to do so will result in removal of your link).


3. Visit other blogs in the list and comment on their posts. Try to spend some time on the blogs reading other posts and possible become a new follower.  The purpose of the hop is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog.
  

My Answer: 


   I try to post Halloween theme reviews/posts for the entire month of October. I find it hard to post book reviews with a Christmas theme as most of them I sign up to review are released prior to December.


Linky List:

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Some Hilariously Inappropriate Signs and Banners Over the Past 15 Years

In the creation of a good sign or banner, communication is key. You need to, somehow, get across messages that can sometimes be highly complex within only a fleeting glance from someone on the street. This, using only one or two images, and a short phrase. If that. Naturally, this leaves very little room for error. Under such conditions, it is no wonder that some people wind up with signs and banners containing hilariously inappropriate content.

Such occurrences are nearly always accidental, arising in such situations where a need to communicate quickly does not always work according to plan. Other times the messages displayed on such signs and banners may be entirely innocent, but has been given a much more suspect interpretation by those possessed of dirty minds. Then there are cases when the message was intended to be seen that way completely, usually as some sort of joke or cheeky double-entendre for adults.

Whatever the reason behind them, there have been some truly hilarious signs that have cropped up over the past fifteen years or so. Here, we’ll show you some of the best signs and let you decide for yourselves whether you’d want to offer your custom at the establishments in question.

A-Frame Chalk Signs

If you’ve ever walked down a main city street, you’ve more than likely walked past half a dozen bars, cafes and restaurants in your time. Because of the ever-changing nature of these establishment’s menus – new specials and discounts are added on a weekly or even daily basis – this necessitates the use of an easily erasable chalk A-frame sign. This, as you can imagine, can lead to some creativity with the sorts of messages that owners may want to leave for prospective companies to see.

1. Be Careful What You Wish For?

Some store owners like to use chalk signs to leave thoughtful, insightful messages for their customers on their signs and banners. The idea is that looking cerebral and profound may attract the more philosophical types, or make passers-by intrigued enough that their curiosity is piqued. However, not everyone has the grasp of the concept, as this sign shows.

 
2. The Importance of Lettering

How you chose to word your signs can have tremendous impacts on their conversion rates, whether it is by snazzy, short slogans or buzzwords, or through careful choice of wording to attract certain audiences. The person who designed this sign clearly has this down to an exact science, as they’ve masterfully used keywords and presentation to attract customers to their business. We can only guess as to how effective it was.


3. Every Gentleman’s No. 1 Preferred Soup

You do not need to be very fancy with the items on the menu to attract a large crowd. Sometimes, if used correctly, simplicity can be the finest sauce to any meal. If you know your target demographic, and know what your business can provide, you can find it very easy indeed to attract customers into your business.

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Review - Murder Freshly Baked by Vannetta Chapman



Murder Freshly Baked
An Amish Village Mystery, book 3
by Vannetta Chapman
Publisher: Zondervan
Pub. Date: June 9, 2015
ISBN: 978-0310322177
Pages:352
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

I'm always a sucker for any Amish-themed book, so naturally I was interested in reading Murder Freshly Baked by Vannetta Chapman, which is book three in the Amish Village Mystery series. You might recall me reviewing the first book Murder Simply Brewed awhile back, which I enjoyed reading, but for some reason I missed out on reading book two, Murder Tightly Knit. Of course, this didn't stop from reading third installment.

Set in the Amish Artisan Village of Middleury, Indiana, Murder Freshly Baked centers on Amber Bowman, the manager of the shopping village. It seems someone has been sending startling poetic notes about the bakery, warning customers that the pies are poisoned!

While the police are on the case, Amber decides to start her own investigation and once again teams up with Hannah Troyer, the Amish woman whom runs the coffee shop. After Ryan Duval is murdered, Amber suspects that an employee that works for Amber might be the killer.

3 Easy Tips for Filling a Writing Rut


Writers must create copy in varying styles even if they only work in one industry or genre. For example, an author not only has to write the fictional content for her book, but she may also need to create promotional materials, have her own author blog, and write to connect with fans.

If you find everything you write sounds boring and the same, you may be in a writing rut. Use these three tips to get out fast.

Personalize It

Bland copy is boring copy. Add in funny phrasings or personal stories to make things more interesting. Most writing is meant to entertain. Be flexible and have fun with your writing. Even a subject as dry as car repair can be a little more interesting if you tell the story of how you accidentally wired the car to honk every time the windshield wipers were turned on. However, unless you are writing pure fiction, don’t make the stories up. Be the person you really are. This is why all my stories revolve around books and science journals that I read online.

Write the Opposite

I like to refresh my writing palate by writing something completely different. If I had any musical talent, I might take this even further by trying to write a song instead of a different kind of writing, but things are what they are.

If you are writing a non-fiction piece, write something fiction just for fun. If you are writing fiction, try writing a personal essay. Or, if you have the talent, try creating something completely different, like art or a song. Writing is an art, too, and you may be surprised how much your writing changes and evolves for the better after you do something completely different.

Write Something Just for Fun

Everyone who is an aspiring/career writer probably got into it because they loved it. I found myself in a freelance writing career because I originally wanted to write books. However, deadlines and career responsibilities pulls the fun out of it sometimes.

Mix things up by writing something just for fun. You may never use that piece anywhere, but no-pressure writing can be an amazing thing. This is something I’m going to try myself soon, as I got completely burned out by fiction writing when I participated in NaNoWriMo in 2013.

Have you ever been stuck in a writing rut?
Find 5 more ways to get out of a writing rut here!

Brenda is a fellow book-lover and coffee-addict. She is a freelance writer, punctuation nerd, and grammar enthusiast. Her favorite book genres are Science Fiction, Fantasy with a Twist, and Dystopian. Brenda blogs about books, writing and more at Daily Mayo. Find her here on CaW for Writing Tips Wednesdays the first Wednesday of every month.

Follow Brenda on Facebook and Twitter or subscribe to updates from Daily Mayo to keep up with all the exciting things in her life; ranging from drinking coffee to get through the day to drinking coffee just for fun.

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

PM-120 Tens Unit Electronic Pulse Massager Review



Whether you pulled a muscle on the job, in an accident, playing sports or from exercising, it can be painful. Yes, you could go to chiropractor, but it can be a bit expensive and not all medical insurances will cover it. Many people use muscle pain creams and gels to help temporary get rid of the pain, but there are other alternatives, including elector-therapy that will work.

About a month ago, I was sent the PM-120 Tens Unit Electronic Pulse Massager to test out and review. I've seen this type of device in stores, but I've never tried one before receiving this. I had been having some pain in back due to moving some heavy furniture that should have been picked up by three people instead of just me, so I was more than eager to try this out.

The PM-120 Tens Unit Electronic Pulse Massager retails for $149.95, but it's currently priced at $34.95 on Amazon.com. Made by Santamedical it features a small hand-held device (size of a MP3 Player) which has six auto modes (stimulation programs) and a pause button. It comes with 4 attachment pads, rechargeable battery and power adapter.


Monday, August 3, 2015

DVD Review: Seeds of Yesterday



Seeds of Yesterday
Director: Shawn Ku
Starring: Rachael Carpani, James Maslow, Jason Lewis
Studio: LionsGate / A&E Home Video
Release Date: July 21, 2015
Retail: $14.98
ASIN: B00WU5B5FC
Running Time: 90 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

The final installment in the Dollanganger film series, Seeds of Yesterday, is now available to own on DVD. Directed by Shawn Ku, the film stars Rachael Carpani, James Maslow and Jason Lewis. There are no special features or extras on the single disc. However, it does come a with digital copy.

Based on the fourth installment of the Dollanganger Saga book series by the late Gothic author V.C. Andrews, Seeds Of Yesterday picks up thirteen years after the events of If There Be Thorns. Bart (played by James Maslow) has rebuilt the old Foxworth mansion. He's invited his parents, Chris and Cathy (played by Jason Lewis and Rachael Carpani), his brother, Jory (played by Anthony Konechny), sister-in-law, Melodie (played by Leah Gibson) and his adopted-sister Cindy (played by Sammi Hanratty) to stay at the mansion for his 25th birthday celebration, in which Jory and Melodie were to perform a ballet for the party. Well, that is until it is revealed that Melodie is pregnant, forcing Bart to let Cindy, whom he has always hated, to take her place. Unfortunately, an accident occurs that paralyzes Jory.

While Bart tries to act like nothing is wrong, he actually hates his family due to his parents dark secret (spoiler: Chris and Cathy are siblings). After he learns that his inheritance from his late grandmother will be delayed until his 35th birthday, he takes it out on his family. Bart begins a passionate affair with Melodie, who is extremely unstable. Next, he interferes in Cindy's love life, which causes another strain in their relationship, though he actually has romantic feelings for her.

From left to right: James Maslow ("Bart Foxworth," left), Sammi Hanratty ("Cindy Sheffield," left center), Jason Lewis ("Christopher Sheffield," center) and Rachael Carpani ("Cathy Sheffield," right) star in Lionsgate Home Entertainment's SEEDS OF YESTERDAY