A Few Things To Share

Lately I have been trying new things (I know, its shocking and not like me!) But there are a few things that have been worth sharing with others, so I am going to share them here.

The first few are succulent companies. Just learned that many people don't know you can order succulents online. Not only can you, but there are some great options.

After hearing about another subscription box for succulents with a discount code, I decided to give succulentsbox.com a try. I ordered MANY plants from them and I think I only lost one and that could have been care-giver error. The nice thing about this company is that they have options to customize what kind of box you get each month or you can just order what you want. I think these guys would get three and a half stars. Shipping would be the only thing I would "ding" them on and that's because I've received plants from other companies that were packed a little more effectively and came in better condition.

The other company I ordered from was my most recent order, Mountain Crest Gardens. I was able to get five "hen and chick" varieties for just over $20 shipped. I think I got a pretty good deal and when they arrived they were in perfect shape. They were packed beautifully with a lovely care book on succulents. I plan on ordering from this company again soon. Love their selection and their prices. Four and a half stars!

And the next thing I am going to "tell" you about is a couple books I've been reading lately.


While I didn't enjoy this as much as Backman's previous book, A Man Called Ove, I did enjoy this one very much. This one is from the viewpoint of a seven (almost eight) year old girl. You meet her and her grandmother and go through some time with the both of them. The dynamics of the family are fun. Elsa lives with her pregnant mother and step father in what seems like an apartment building. I find it funny, she calls her sibling-to-be "halfie" because it will be her half sibling. Anyway, Elsa and her family share the top floor with her grandmother.

She visits often with her father who is also remarried with step-children. The only two tenants on that floor. Throughout the book you get to meet all the tenants of the building and learn more about Elsa's wonderful eccentric grandmother.

Don't want to get into details and give it away. But this is a wonderful story and is quite emotional at times. Beckman has a way of bringing out the raw emotion in his books, very real.

This book is from the viewpoint of 16 year old Kait, self proclaimed "weird girl." Since her mother's death the year before Kait has a weird hobby of crashing funerals but aside from that seems like a typical teenager. 

When she crashes the wrong funeral, she is found out by the most popular (and cute) guy in school. What follows is her trying to solve a murder mystery while staying out of danger herself. I found this book to be quite enjoyable. 

The final chapters ended the book almost too quickly. I would have liked to see more reaction of the "aftermath" at school. Seemed like no one cared what happened to Kait when it would have been a pretty big deal if it happened in my high school! 

Anyway, the only other thing that bothered me was the way Kait described her food, constantly describing it with "yum-yum" and other such nonsense. I would rather that just be left out, but maybe that's just my personal preference. 

I did purchase book 2, so that tells you a bit about how I liked book 1.

My Podcast Addiction

Okay, I know I'm probably eight years behind on the podcast train.. hold please... okay according to a quick google search, they began to "catch hold" in 2004, so I guess I am 15 years late. Geeze!

First off, for those who are as behind as I am, maybe a little bit more behind, you can learn a lot more about podcasts here. I really can't say it better then it is said on that website. If you look around there is also a timeline. I used to think podcasts were just boring news stuff but they can be about ANYTHING. My favorites are about (shh!) true crime, mostly mixed with humor.

I have seriously started getting into listening to podcasts lately. It helps that I now work in a cubicle and don't have to talk to other people that often in my work. If I wanted to, I could literally listen to podcasts all day long. I thought it would be a good time for me to post a quick recap of the podcasts I have on my playlist and why I love them and recommend you start listening to them as well.

You can listen to podcasts in a multitude of places, there are lots of apps or you can listen online. iTunes has something you can listen with (not iPhone savvy at all, sorry!) Since I have an android phone and I didn't know a thing about it, I just searched in my app store for "free podcast streaming" or something like that and up came castbox. I downloaded it and have been using the free services, haven't had a single problem with it. There are other apps you can try, but I have had good luck with this one. (I didn't get paid for my review of this app, just my personal opinion)

On to the reviews!

Thinking Sideways 
Hosted by: Devin, Joe and Steve
Average episode length: most are around an hour. Some are less, some are more. You can tell which episodes they are passionate about because they get real long!
What's it all about? This podcast was recommended by another one of the podcasts that I listen to. This podcast dives into cases of the unsolved and the unexplained. I am only 11 episodes in but I am enjoying it so far. They take turns picking different unsolved cases/stories and bring up the different theories on what happened. I think it is really interesting. Quite different then the other podcasts I have been listening to (true crime and comedy) As far as I have heard, this seems to be an okay listen for all audiences. It may be a little on the boring side for younger kids, but the language is appropriate. I did see on the blog where they warn you about language on some future episodes.
Where can I go to learn more? You can visit their website here.

Ologies
Hosted by: Alie Ward
Average episode length: episodes are all 60 - 90 minutes.
What's it all about? Alie says it best in her twitter "about me" A comedyish science podcast hosted by Alie Ward. Asking smart ologists not-smart questions about their professional obsessions. Each week Alie talks to an ologist about what they specialize in. The second half of each episode is dedicated to listener questions. Preference is given to patreon donor questions, meaning if you donate to her podcast, as little as a dollar per month, your questions are asked to the ologists first. I stumbled on this podcast when Alie was a guest on Wine and Crime and I had to check it out. SO GLAD I DID. I am learning new things and want to ask smart people dumb questions (that's the quote she ends each episode with!).
Where can I go to learn more? You can learn more on the Ologies website here. Alie's twitter is also fun, it can be found here.
Warnings: does contain some mild language.

The Way I Heard It 
Hosted by: Mike Row (you might know him from a little show called Dirty Jobs?)
Average episode length: less then 10 minutes each
What's it all about? Mike tells stories about names you might recognize but doesn't name drop until the end of the story. The tales are quick and are a great when you need a little break from the long podcasts. I love this quote from his website " Just remember – I’m not wrong. It’s just the way I heard it…" This podcast is clean and safe for all audiences. The stories range from current people who live in today's time to people who lived long ago. I think these are stories we can all listen to.
Where can I go to learn more? You can learn more on the "podcast" tab of his website here.

Crime Junkie
Hosted by: most of the story is narrated by Ashley Flowers but every once in awhile you will hear interjections by Brit
Average episode length: 30-60 minutes
What's it all about? A crime podcast (obviously) where they go in detail about all different crimes. I binged this one hard core. This is the one podcast I am "caught up" on and have to wait each week to listen to a new one. I love how Ashley and Britt seem to care so much about the victims of the crimes in the case. They go to great care to make sure the case is presented carefully, objectively and detailed. They also do a monthly "pruppet of the month" which is an adoption story for listeners to submit of their dogs. It is so sweet to listen to the ladies tell these stories. Most of the time it is Britt telling them because Ashley gets so emotional. I get emotional too! Totally love this podcast.
Where can I go to learn more? You can learn a lot about the podcast and all kinds of stuff on the blog here.
Warnings: Does contain some graphic crime descriptions, not great for little/middle size ears.

Nothing Rhymes With Murder
Hosted by: Kate and Georgie
Average episode length: full episodes are 60 - 90 minutes.
What's it all about? Each week the girls pick a different country (minus the US because they think it is too well covered already) travel there via their computers. Each lady picks a case in the country and discusses it. After they are done with their case, they each share a couple "hot spots" in the town (or close to). I find these especially fun because it is something interesting I might have never known about. Someday I might find myself in a far away country and remember a random hotspot that Georgie was talking about and be able to stop in and check it out. They end each episode with "Remember kids, life is a journey, don't let murder stop you!" Since they are British, the accents just make it all the better. This just added a little class to the line up.
**I would like to say that Georgie and Kate are quite open about anxiety and mental health issues in their podcast, especially at the openings, when they talk about how they are. I appreciate their openness and honestly. I think it is something that will bring awareness to more people and hopefully #endTheStigma
Where can I go to learn more? You can visit their murder.ly website here.
Warnings: There is some mild language.

Moms And Murder 
Hosted by: Mandy and Melissa
Average episode length: around an hour long
What's it all about? This is another true crime podcast, the ladies try to keep things less graphic and don't ever go into the gory details nor do they deal with any cases (at least that I have heard so far) that deal with children. Mandy has a love for animals and knows almost nothing about the references that Melissa makes to all the reality TV shows she watches. In the early episodes they go through a lot of different segments trying to find good endings to make the end a little lighter, eventually they land on something that works well. They also start doing "we googled this city" which I found quite interesting. Some of the facts they come up with are ones I haven't heard before. The quips about the population make me laugh too.
Where can I go to learn more? Moms & Murder has a website too. Right here you will find all kinds of details.
Warnings: though it is about crime, they don't go into graphic detail and there isn't any language problems. Safe (in my opinion) to listen to in the company of little/middle ears.

Wine And Crime 
Hosted by: Amanda, Kenyon, and Lucy
Average episode length: 90 minutes to 2 hours
What's it all about? Their description: "wine and crime is a is true crime/comedy podcast. Join three friends as they chug wine, chat true crime and unleash their worst Minnesottan accents!" Really, that says it all. Just kidding. This podcast is freaking hilarious. Each week they pick a topic, from necrophelia to to airport antics, then each of the ladies researches and presents a case while they all drink wine. Lots and lots of wine. Each crime has a wine pairing. Amanda gives a detailed description off the wine pairing and has taught me more about wine then Iever thought I would know! Lucy does the "background and psych" of each case. Sometimes it takes more immagination then others (listen to episode 96, isotope analysis). But this podcast has quickly made its way into my heart, dispite the often dropped f bomb and the very political talk. I love the gals and I love them listening to them "drink wine and chat true crime. I have been slowly listening my way through the episodes and just finished episode episode 103 (only 12 episodes until I am caught up!) I tell you, episode 100 is a TREAT!
Where can I go to learn more? They have a website where you can see it all, here. One great thing that the website has is pictures to accompany each episode, the girls refrence them in the episodes.
Warnings: includes lots of language and politics talk.


And That's Why We Drink 
Hosted by: Christine Schiefer and Em Schulz
Average episode length: 60 - 90 minutes, listener story episodes (which are done monthly) are around 60 minutes long
What's it all about? Each week Christine and Em get together and tell two stories. At the very beginning of each episode the ladies talk about why they are drinking. Christine is a boxed wine "addict" and Em loves milkshakes. Afther the chitchatting is done, Em tells a paranormal story. Seriously creepy stuff. Creepy places, things, possible UFOs ect. I love the way she tells her stories. they are sometimes all over the place but it somehow all comes together. Then it is Christine's turn, she tells the true crime story. They are this perfect mix that just makes me laugh. Christine has a dog named Gio who is talked about frequently and I just love how they talk about him. It is too cute.
Where can I go to learn more? Of course there is a website.
Warnings: includes some language, listener be aware


My Favorite Murder
Hosted by: Georgia and Karen
Average episode length: 60 - 90 minutes
What's it all about? each week Karen and Georgia get together and talk about their favorite murders. They also ask fans to send in their hometown murders which they sometimes share on the air. The ladies have a really easy friendship with each other that makes their podcast easy to listen to. They go back and forth with each other quite nicely. I also really love how sometimes they actually play audio of other people's hometown murders. Oh, did I mention they call their fans the murderinos? So fun! Each episode ends with "stay sexy, don't get murdered." Great advice for life, don't you think?
Where can I go to learn more? Another podcast with a website! Check it out here.
Warnings: includes some language, listener be aware

So, there is what is on my list and why I love them. Do you have anything on your listening list that I should add to mine?

My Review of UpperCase

First, my disclaimer. I am not being compensated in any way for the review of this box. I recently subscribed and thought it needed some attention. This is a WONDERFUL gift for a YA book lover and I wanted to share it with my friends and family.  

I just received box number two from Uppercase and finished the first book they sent me (My Lady Jane) just in time for a review. If you LOVE the idea of a book box, this is an excellent choice. I pay $29 and get a signed book and swag each month. The book is one that has been released in the month the book is delivered or the month prior. This helps ensure you don't get a book you have already purchased.

Each month so far, I have gotten my stuff in this cool bag. Easy to reuse and pretty sturdy. I wasn't expecting it the first time, so I did accidentally cut strings, but nothing that isn't fixable.

I received a SIGNED copy

of this book

in my first every Uppercase Box and I was NOT disappointed! 

Below is a quick review of the book. I already posted this on my goodreads, so you can skip this paragraph if you want to. Or you can re-read this review

Looking at the cover and reading the description, it wasn't a book I would have picked up from the store, but since I paid for it, and it is part of the experience, I read it. Took me awhile to get into it, but once I got hooked, there was no letting go. The second half of the book took me less then a day to read (and that was a work day so it was between phone calls!) I loved the idea of taking a historical event and using it as a seed and making the story you wish would have happened. Hand, Ashton and Meadows created such a wonderful story, makes me wish that is really what happened. They were also able to weave in a bit of magic. In this case, the Edian people change into animals. I loved that it was just that one piece of magic that happened. It was just a small part of the bigger story.

A bonus of getting this from Uppercase is that they give you additional reading experience. They give you a bookmark (the one on the left) and as you reach certain points in the book, you can go online to their website, enter the code and learn more about that part or watch videos from the authors. Just added to the already wonderful story. The other bookmark, the one with the cover of the book on it, was one of the bonus items in this month's box. I also got:

An awesome Deathly Hallows magnet (designed by Juniper and Ivy Designs)

A custom book bag designed by Art of Risa Rodil. 

Each box also comes with a personalized letter. I have actually attached the two I have gotten so far to the books. Just because it's fun to have that extra touch.

If you haven't heard of Uppercase (which is possible since they are still small!) you should check it out at uppercasebox.com.

Wordless Wednesday

Money Woes

Disclaimer, this post is just a review for a website I love, I am not being compensated in any way for this post. I just think its nice to share things that are helpful and this website is wonderful! And just a note, this is not a complaining post!

I don't know if I am the only one, but I have a really hard time keeping track of what bills I have and when they are due and keeping all my accounts straight. I was looking on my phone for an app that would help me track my bank balance (since my bank's website sucks!). I had tried a few and wasn't loving them but was suffering through because I thought those were my only options.

Recently I started looking for an online budget help and stumbled upon clearcheckbook.com. I am still finding features I love, but here are a few of my favorites!

I am able to keep track of my spending. The part I really love is that I can create categories that work for me and use them to keep track of where my money is going.

Another thing I love is that I was able to set up a budget and create spending limits:

It even shows me how much I have left for my budget. One other thing I love about this feature is that you can add a "rollover" option and the money you don't spend of your budget one month can be rolled over to the next.

I can set up my bills to remind me which ones are due when.

It even allows you to add the transaction for your bill to your account. So, for example, my netflix payment is auto deducted from my account, I added the transaction to this bill and then on the 6th it will automatically deduct that money from my account balance.

The overview page is really easy to personalize. You can pick which tools you want to see there.

When I log in I can see my balances, the list of upcoming bills and a calendar. I also have a calculator on there because I suck at math!

They do have a premium membership, but for now I am sticking to the free version. There is an app for my phone so even on the go I can see what my balances are.

If you are looking for something to help you keep your money under control, I would highly recommend this website. You don't even have to worry about security because you never put in any personal information like account numbers. Overall I would call this an excellent resource for your finances.

My New Obsession & Review of Forever Fey

I am going to add this disclaimer to start: I was not compensated for this post. I am writing it simply because I want to share something I found that I love.

If you have been reading long, you know that I am a big reader. I have a goal this year to finish 100 books (I am still on track to meet this goal, if you were wondering!) Well, a couple weeks ago, a friend posted something that looked interesting. It is a subscription website called Scribd that allows you to borrow and read as many books as you want for only $8.99 per month. Erika had said she was able to get all kinds of new release books that she had been wanting to read. The best part is that they were offering two months free! It was a deal I couldn't pass up.

I joined on June 11 and have already finished four books on Scribd. I also already have 26 books in my library, many of which were on my "to read" shelf on goodreads. I love that no matter where I go I can read. I have an app on my phone, an app on my kindle and the website I can pull up anywhere I have a computer. It also syncs between devices so I don't have to remember where I was in the book. Anyway, I can't say enough good things about this site. I love it! I keep calling it Netflix for books and it's a perfect fit for this reading junkie.

Enough about that, I thought it probably time to add a little book review or two. I have read enough books, I could at least tell you how I liked them.

The first one I want to review is Forever Fey by LP Dover. I got this one as a freebie for my kindle. I have really been into the fantasy books and this one was wonderful. It takes place in the land of fey and has some familiar characters like Queen Tatiana (Midsummer nights dream??) This book focuses on princess Calista who is from the summer court. This is the little blurb about it from goodreads:

He leans down, lips parted, and then our lips connect... We didn’t know that this one kiss has FOREVER changed the Land of the Fae.

According to the Prophecy proclaimed many years ago, Princess Calista of the Summer Court is destined to change the Land of the Fae from the evil determined to destroy it. Her powers are phenomenal, and she secretly trains for battle with her handsome warrior friend, Merrick, who unbeknownst to her protects her heart as well, in hopes of keeping it for himself. At least, until the seductive Prince Ryder attends the Guardian Ceremony and instantly sends a fire burning through her veins and a connection so deep they both discover a love above anything imaginable.

No one knows how Calista is destined to change the kingdoms, but there is one that does. He not only craves Calista’s power, but her body as well, and his goal is to steal her power, make her his Dark Queen, and take over the Land of the Fae.

Will the evil succeed in claiming Calista’s soul? Or will the two men that fight for her heart save her from despair, and help her fulfill her destiny to become what she was meant to be.

I loved this book. I love the characters and felt the author did a great job showing you every part of the story. It jumps viewpoints from the view of  Calista to Ryder and also to the "bad guy" Alistar. The transitions were pretty smooth and I didn't feel confused like I sometimes do when books do that. The ending left me ready to start the next one (this is book one of four) and I was in luck because Scribd had all three of the books available to read! I am just starting book four and I can tell you the next ones are just as good as this one. I think this is a series I might even read again. I give it a four of four star review!

What about you? Have you read any good books lately? Would you consider a service like Scribd? If you are interested, you can click on any of the links in this post to take you to the website. They are offering a two month free trial right now, so it's a perfect time to try it if you are remotely interested!