September 2024 Product Roundup

Autumn tabletop

September 2024 Product Roundup

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, September brings a shift in our routines. Whether you’re looking to bake some warm treats, update your skincare routine, or find a new way to renew your spirit, we’ve got you covered! In this month’s product roundup, we’re spotlighting some of the best finds to help you embrace this season of change. Let’s dive into our top picks for September!

One Bake, Two Ways

By: Ruby Bhogal

WHY YOU WILL LOVE IT

We all remember watching in horror as Ruby’s showstopper cake collapsed on the first-ever Vegan Week on the Great British Bake Off. Instead of slinking off with her tail between her legs, she was determined to master the art of baking and bake, bake, bake again until she could say with confidence that her recipes were failproof. Sharing new bakes and videos online, Ruby discovered a growing demand for adaptable recipes without eggs, dairy, or a full plant-based twist. She wanted her bakes to cater to everyone’s needs, no matter the dietary preference.

Raised in a British-Indian household, Ruby’s mostly vegetarian diet sparked a sugar rush to create recipes adaptable to a flexitarian approach. In this book, you get double the options, since each of the 50 recipes is presented twice: first in its traditional form and then with a plant-based alternative. This clever concept revolutionizes your baking experience, giving you the freedom to bake with choice.

Mouthwatering recipes include: Chai Custard Creams, Peanut Butter & Jelly Millefeuille Cake, Pina Colada Meringue Roulade, Medjool Date & Orange Sweet Samosas, and the Bruce Bogtrotter Chocolate Cake.

GIVE IT A PEEK!

Click here for purchase!

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30 Breads to Bake Before You Die

By: Allyson Reedy

WHY YOU WILL LOVE IT

Master the art of breadmaking with this gorgeous baking book featuring 30 delicious bread recipes from famous bakers, including Duff Goldman, Maurizio Leo, Joanne Chang (Flour Bakery), Zingerman’s Bakehouse, and more!

This is a bread book for people who really, really love bread in all its wondrous forms—but who also might be intimidated by the word “starter.” The recipes, tips, and tricks in 30 Breads to Bake Before You Die come from expert dough workers and bread magicians who’ve put in the hours of kneading, proofing, stretching, folding, and baking to perfect these recipes, all in the oh-so-noble name of good bread.

Get ready to bake your way through some of the most mouthwatering bread recipes, including:

Beginner’s Sourdough from Maurizio Leo (@theperfectloaf)

Foccacia from Joanne Chang (Flour Bakery)

Bagels from Call Your Mother Deli

Croissants from Dominique Ansel

Ultimate Dinner Rolls from Tessa Arias (@Handletheheat)

Matzah from Duff Goldman

Baguette from Shawn Bergin (Bakery Four)

Pita from Alon Shaya

GIVE IT A PEEK!

Click here for purchase!

INSTAGRAM

Joico

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THEM

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March Product Roundup

spring flowers

March Product Roundup

I don’t know about you, but once March rolls around I start getting excited that spring is here and my mind begins to wander to where I can travel in the coming months. This month’s product roundup is all about books that will make you want to pack your suitcase and jump on a fight. Hope you get some inspiration to explore. I’ve also included some books I’ve loved reading. Enjoy our March Product Roundup!

Corona City: 

Voices from an Epicenter

By: Lorraine Ash

Corona City chronicles life in New York and New Jersey, the nation’s first COVID-19 epicenter, during the four terrifying months of March through June 2020. Photographs capture the surreal landscapes and scenes in this usually thriving metropolis. Short writings lay bare the challenges, fears, losses, and triumphs of real people in their own words. Readers will meet COVID-19 survivors, frontline workers, business owners, journalists, mask makers, quarantined people, and many others. Emerging from this mosaic of voices is a grassroots history of an unprecedented time.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

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Italy by Ingredient

By: Viola Buitoni

From glossy drops of balsamic vinegar to flakes of parmigiano reggiano and spoonfuls of fresh ricotta to creamy grains of risotto—the ingredients of Italian cuisine are beloved staples known the world over, available in specialty stores and served in restaurants across the globe. As a native Roman raised in the Umbrian countryside, Viola Buitoni grew up with these artisanal foods, learning about how they developed from centuries-old wisdom, tight-knit communities, and sustainable production. Now a US-based cooking instructor, Buitoni’s passion is sharing the beloved flavors of her homeland with home cooks.

In this debut cookbook, she presents the history and geography of Italy’s most iconic ingredients, showing modern home chefs how to incorporate robust flavors and techniques into their kitchens. With recipes organized according to a single ingredient, each chapter bursts with taste: learn how to make a traditional ragù sauce with conserved tomatoes; layer a plate of prosciutto and buffalo mozzarella; or bake a polenta custard tart. Practical guidelines for seasonal eating, easy substitutes for hard-to-find items, and valuable shopping tips complement the approachable recipes.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE!

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America’s National Historic Trails:

Walking the Trails of History

By: Karen Berger

From the battlefields of the American Revolution to the trails blazed by the pioneers, lands explored by Lewis and Clark and covered by the Pony Express, to the civil-rights marches of Selma and Montgomery, this is the official book of the country’s 19 National Historic Trails. These trails range from 54 miles to more than 5,000 and feature historic and interpretive sites to be explored on foot and sometimes by paddle, sail, bicycle, horse, or by car on backcountry roads. Totaling 37,000 miles through 41 states, our entire national experience comes to life on these trails–from Native American history to the settlement of the colonies, westward expansion, and civil rights–and they are beautifully depicted in this large-format volume.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE!

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The Family Bucket List:

1,000 Trips to Take and Memories to Make Around the World 

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January 2024 Product Roundup

2024 January Product Roundup

Welcome to 2024!! I’m so excited for this year, and can’t wait to continue to share my love for travel with you all.  One thing that won’t change is our monthly product roundups. We love working with fabulous companies and sharing their products with you. Cheers to an amazing year. Enjoy our 2024 January Product Roundup!

Pepper Pong

Pepper pong game kit

WHY TRAVELERS WILL LOVE THEM

I love how easy it is to bring this fun game anywhere. With a 10-second setup on any flat-ish surface, the game locations are endless.  We’ve used it on the boat, the kitchen island, a picnic table, and on a road trip.

So, is it a game for everyone? Described by many as a mash-up of pong & pickleball, everyone learns quickly, while experts are challenged to master the strategy of this spicy new game.

WHAT PRODUCTS DO WE LOVE?

Pepper Pong Full Set

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE SET?

Mullets (aka “paddles”) x4

The Mullets aren’t just paddles; they’re the heartbeat of Pepper Pong. Think pickleball meets ping pong in shapely design, with a generous oversized “sweet spot” making every hit resonate. Crafted for extended rallies and competitive matches spanning skill levels, their soft foam surface pairs seamlessly with the Peppers, offering silent yet spirited matches.

Balls (3 distinct speeds) x3

These aren’t your typical balls; they’re the secret sauce that sets this sport apart. Customize your game with varying speeds & bounce, thanks to their unique design. Soft, foamy, and crafted to let air flow, they promise a silent rally.

Fence (aka “net”)

The Fence is the unsung hero of Pepper Pong. Forget those flimsy nets and pesky clamps. This stand-alone marvel stands tall and proud, always battle-ready. No droopiness here; just sheer determination. And when the game’s done? It packs up tidily, no fuss. But here’s the kicker: Five seconds to set up, or it’s on the house.

Travel Bag

This isn’t just a bag—it’s a vault of joy, a trove of thrills. It snugly carries the Mullets, Peppers, and that stellar Fence. Compact yet spacious, it’s designed for the player on-the-go. Every tug of the zipper reveals another layer of adventure.

GIVE THEM A FOLLOW!

WEBSITE

INSTAGRAM

FACEBOOK

Cork Pops Wine Bag

WHY TRAVELERS WILL LOVE THEM

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2023 Beverage Holiday Gift Guide

2023 Beverage Holiday Gift Guide

Whether you’re shopping for the perfect present or just looking to treat yourself, you’ve stumbled upon a treasure trove of delicious discoveries. From cozy coffee blends that’ll have you bouncing out of bed, to teas that will comfort you on chilly nights, to unique cocktails you can share with friends, we’ve got your cravings covered. Here is our 2023 Beverage Holiday Gift Guide.  Cheers!

Mouth

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS COMPANY

If you’re looking for a gift basket, Mouth has so many options for you. Some boxes are all about pickles, wellness, snacks, charcuterie, and more.  I love that you can shop for your basket by region, diet, or occasion.  They also have a great subscription box service so you can keep giving month after month!. Everything at Mouth is made in small-batches by makers from across the U.S. They’re passionate about telling their inspiring stories, bringing their Mouthwatering products to you and helping their small businesses (and your appetite) grow.

WHAT PRODUCTS DO WE LOVE?

Cozy Cocktail Kit

Cocktail kit with simple syrups

Upgrade your bar cart to capture the best flavors of fall and celebrate the changing of seasons. Our hand-picked selection brings warmth, spice, and everything nice to your standard supply of spirits. Transform that old fashioned with a dash of apple blossom bitters, enhance that Moscow mule with the tartness of pomegranate, and add festive flair to your mocktails with a little Cranberry 5 Spice. These mixers are a must-have addition to any festive feast you have planned. Bottoms up! The ideal gift for a hostess-with-the-mostess, a bar-cart connoisseur, and lovers of libations.

WHO DOESN’T LIKE A SPECIAL DEAL? ENJOY!

Take a peek at their website.  When I wrote this, there was a deal: Get 15% off when you join their mailing list. (Offer not valid if it’s not currently on their website.)

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Kolkata Chai

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS COMPANY

Kolkata chai mix

Kolkata Chai uses the same CTC Black Assam tea that’s used by chaiwallahs across India. Organically sourced from legacy tea estates, it brings that authentic, street-style chai flavor while being a better-for-you source of caffeine. Their kit comes with instructions and is easy to make in 5-7 minutes. Welcome to your new favorite drink!

They have the most amazing recipes on their blog.  They have recipes for everything from desserts to oatmeal to iced drinks. Take a peek.

WHAT PRODUCTS DO WE LOVE?

Signature Masala Chai Mix

kolkata chai mix

Their Signature Masala Chai mix delivers a bold, delicious cup of tea. Each packet contains 100% Organic Assam tea with generous amounts of whole cardamom, cinnamon, and spices.

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2023 Skincare Holiday Gift Guide

Variety of Christmas presents and in environmentally friendly wrapping paper sitting on a table during the holidays

2023 Skincare Holiday Gift Guide

While the holiday rush can sometimes be overwhelming, there’s no better way to show your appreciation and spread some holiday cheer than by gifting the gift of self-care. We’re excited to bring you a Holiday Gift Guide that will help you find the ideal presents for skincare enthusiasts on your list. From luxurious moisturizers to soothing face masks, we’ve curated a list of thoughtful and indulgent skincare products that will make this holiday season truly special. So, whether you’re shopping for your skincare-obsessed friend, a family member in need of some pampering, or even treating yourself, we’ve got you covered with the perfect skincare gifts to make this holiday season unforgettable. Enjoy our 2023 Skincare Holiday Gift Guide!

Blue Monarch

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS COMPANY

Their products include only certifiably raw and natural ingredients, packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals and never uses synthetic and other harmful ingredients. In line with their values, they have never and will never test their products on animals. Their line includes facial cleansers, moisturizers, body cleansers and body oils for men and women. The products are beautifully packaged and embossed with their signature blue monarch logo.

WHAT PRODUCTS DO WE LOVE?

Gentle Facial Cleanser

This facial cleanser treats all skin types, especially dry and sensitive. ​It leaves skin smooth, nourished, refreshed, and clean. I love that it has a light scent and at how easy it is to wash it off.

Silk Sea Sponge

This beautiful sponge gently cleanses skin, helps produce luxurious lather, and is biodegradable and sustainable. It is sized perfectly to use for facial cleansing and is a great size for travel. It is top quality, soft, fine pored, highly absorbent, hypoallergenic & totally natural. Great for makeup application, removal, facial cleansing and use on babies. It is a re-usable alternative to cotton balls & face pads.

Monarch Kiss Lip Treatment

Monarch Kiss Lip Treatment is an ultra-nourishing lip treatment proven to nourish and boost moisture for 24 hours. Their lip treatment protects lips overnight, removes dry flakes, and improves dry lips. You will find it immediately smooths and supples lips which improve elasticity, retexturizes, and visibly improves the overall appearance of lips. New England winters are hard on lips and I know it will be my go-to for lip repair.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Website

Instagram

Twitter

Taspens Organics

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS COMPANY

Taspens hand blends all of their own products in small batches to ensure freshness, consistency and perfection. Minimal processing & low heat infusions ensure superior quality. They provide pure plant-based nutrition for your skin and body!

Also, they believe it is all about plant-derived ingredients! Their products have always, and will always, contain nothing but 100% natural ingredients. There is nothing artificial, nothing synthetic, no GMO’s, just wholesome natural ingredients you can trust! They never test on animals. Taspen’s Organics is not just another skin care and wellness company. They are on a mission to make their customers healthier. They are committed to healthy skin, healthy body and healthy people.

WHAT PRODUCTS DO WE LOVE?

Relaxing Bath Herbs

When herbs are placed in warm water they release their energies as well as their scents and color. Soak in this herbal bath to enjoy the relaxing and soothing benefits. Calendula Flowers*, Chamomile Flowers*, Comfrey Leaf*, Lavender Flowers* & Rose Petals*  (*Organic)

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20 Must-Read Books of 2023

20 Must-Read Books of 2023

Every year, the gift guide that gets the most requests is our Book Guide.  Books are the perfect gift for anyone on your list. They are also the perfect gift to give yourself to help you relax during the hectic holidays. Books are not just ink on paper; they are gateways to emotions, experiences, and ideas that will linger in our minds long after the final page is turned. Enjoy the 20 Must-Read Books of 2023!

The Girls Weekend: A Novel

Jody Gehrman

Lessons in Chemistry

Bonnie Garmus

Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel–prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results.

But like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s unusual approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo.

The Other Mistress

 Shanora Williams

 

Adira Smith-Cortez knows how to turn around a troubled past. Now she’s a self-made multi-millionaire who takes exquisite care of herself and her only true love: her husband, Gabriel. Adira has it all—except the answer to one tormenting question: why is attentive, affectionate Gabriel cheating on her—with not just one, but two women. There’s sexy Jocelyn, a club owner. And then there’s Julianna, a celebrity makeup artist he’s even crazier about. In a tricky twist, vengeful Jocelyn offers Adira the perfect plan to get her straying spouse back . . .

 

It sounds simple: Adira will befriend Julianna through a fake identity, play on her and Gabriel’s vulnerabilities and cause them to split up permanently. Determined to reclaim her happiness, Adira won’t—can’t—stop to think what could possibly go wrong . . .

Until too many of Gabriel’s lies start adding up to a disquieting truth. Until Julianna discovers who Adira really is—and Jocelyn pushes Adira to ever-more-unthinkable extremes. With her world collapsing and shattering memories tearing her apart, how far will Adira’s obsession take her—and how much of herself is she willing to lose in the process . . .

Lady Tan’s Circle of Women

 

Lisa See

Tan Yunxian—born into an elite family, yet haunted by death, separations, and loneliness—is being raised by her grandparents to be of use. Her grandmother is one of only a handful of female doctors in China, and she teaches Yunxian the pillars of Chinese medicine, the Four Examinations—looking, listening, touching, and asking—something a man can never do with a female patient.

From a young age, Yunxian learns about women’s illnesses, many of which relate to childbearing, alongside a young midwife-in-training, Meiling. The two girls find fast friendship and a mutual purpose—despite the prohibition that a doctor should never touch blood while a midwife comes in frequent contact with it—and they vow to be forever friends, sharing in each other’s joys and struggles. No mud, no lotus, they tell themselves: from adversity beauty can bloom.

But when Yunxian is sent into an arranged marriage, her mother-in-law forbids her from seeing Meiling and from helping the women and girls in the household. Yunxian is to act like a proper wife—embroider bound-foot slippers, pluck instruments, recite poetry, give birth to sons, and stay forever within the walls of the family compound, the Garden of Fragrant Delights.

Hello Beautiful

ANN NAPOLITANO

William Waters grew up in a house silenced by tragedy, where his parents could hardly bear to look at him, much less love him—so when he meets the spirited and ambitious Julia Padavano in his freshman year of college, it’s as if the world has lit up around him. With Julia comes her family, as she and her three sisters are inseparable: Sylvie, the family’s dreamer, is happiest with her nose in a book; Cecelia is a free-spirited artist; and Emeline patiently takes care of them all. With the Padavanos, William experiences a newfound contentment; every moment in their house is filled with loving chaos.

But then darkness from William’s past surfaces, jeopardizing not only Julia’s carefully orchestrated plans for their future, but the sisters’ unshakeable devotion to one another. The result is a catastrophic family rift that changes their lives for generations. Will the loyalty that once rooted them be strong enough to draw them back together when it matters most?

Homecoming

Kate Morton

Adelaide Hills, Christmas Eve, 1959: At the end of a scorching hot day, beside a creek on the grounds of a grand country house, a local man makes a terrible discovery. Police are called, and the small town of Tambilla becomes embroiled in one of the most baffling murder investigations in the history of South Australia.

Many years later and thousands of miles away, Jess is a journalist in search of a story. Having lived and worked in London for two decades, she now finds herself unemployed and struggling to make ends meet. A phone call out of nowhere summons her back to Sydney, where her beloved grandmother Nora, who raised Jess when her mother could not, has suffered a fall and is seriously ill in the hospital.

At Nora’s house, Jess discovers a true crime book chronicling a long-buried police case: the Turner Family Tragedy of 1959. It is only when Jess skims through its pages that she finds a shocking connection between her own family and this notorious event – a mystery that has never been satisfactorily resolved.

Remarkably Bright Creatures

 Shelby Van Pelt 

After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she’s been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago.

Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors—until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.

Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late.

The Bandit Queens

 Parini Shroff

Five years ago, Geeta lost her no-good husband. As in, she actually lost him—he walked out on her and she has no idea where he is. But in her remote village in India, rumor has it that Geeta killed him. And it’s a rumor that just won’t die.

It turns out that being known as a “self-made” widow comes with some perks. No one messes with her, harasses her, or tries to control (ahem, marry) her. It’s even been good for business; no one dares to not buy her jewelry.

Freedom must look good on Geeta, because now other women are asking for her“expertise,” making her an unwitting consultant for husband disposal.

And not all of them are asking nicely.

With Geeta’s dangerous reputation becoming a double-edged sword, she has to find a way to protect the life she’s built—but even the best-laid plans of would-be widows tend to go awry. What happens next sets in motion a chain of events that will change everything, not just for Geeta, but for all the women in their village.

Age of Vice

New Delhi, 3 a.m. A speeding Mercedes jumps the curb and in the blink of an eye, five people are dead. It’s a rich man’s car, but when the dust settles there is no rich man at all, just a shell-shocked servant who cannot explain the strange series of events that led to this crime. Nor can he foresee the dark drama that is about to unfold.

Deftly shifting through time and perspective in contemporary India, Age of Vice is an epic, action-packed story propelled by the seductive wealth, startling corruption, and bloodthirsty violence of the Wadia family — loved by some, loathed by others, feared by all.

In the shadow of lavish estates, extravagant parties, predatory business deals and calculated political influence, three lives become dangerously intertwined: Ajay is the watchful servant, born into poverty, who rises through the family’s ranks. Sunny is the playboy heir who dreams of outshining his father, whatever the cost. And Neda is the curious journalist caught between morality and desire. Against a sweeping plot fueled by loss, pleasure, greed, yearning, violence and revenge, will these characters’ connections become a path to escape, or a trigger of further destruction?

Code Name Sapphire

1942Hannah Martel has narrowly escaped Nazi Germany after her fiancé was killed in a pogrom. When her ship bound for America is turned away at port, she has nowhere to go but to her cousin Lily, who lives with her family in Brussels. Fearful for her life, Hannah is desperate to get out of occupied Europe. But with no safe way to leave, she must return to the dangerous underground work she thought she had left behind.

Seeking help, Hannah joins the Sapphire Line, a secret resistance network led by a mysterious woman named Micheline and her enigmatic brother Matteo. But when a grave mistake causes Lily’s family to be arrested and slated for deportation to Auschwitz, Hannah finds herself torn between her loyalties. How much is Hannah willing to sacrifice to save the people she loves?

The Paris Daughter

Paris, 1939: Young mothers Elise and Juliette become fast friends the day they meet in the beautiful Bois de Boulogne. Though there is a shadow of war creeping across Europe, neither woman suspects that their lives are about to irrevocably change.

When Elise becomes a target of the German occupation, she entrusts Juliette with the most precious thing in her life—her young daughter, playmate to Juliette’s own little girl. But nowhere is safe in war, not even a quiet little bookshop like Juliette’s Librairie des Rêves, and, when a bomb falls on their neighborhood, Juliette’s world is destroyed along with it.

More than a year later, with the war finally ending, Elise returns to reunite with her daughter, only to find her friend’s bookstore reduced to rubble—and Juliette nowhere to be found. What happened to her daughter in those last, terrible moments? Juliette has seemingly vanished without a trace, taking all the answers with her. Elise’s desperate search leads her to New York—and to Juliette—one final, fateful time.

The Five-Star Weekend

Elin Hilderbrand

Hollis Shaw’s life seems picture-perfect. She’s the creator of the popular food blog Hungry with Hollis and is married to Matthew, a dreamy heart surgeon. But after she and Matthew get into a heated argument one snowy morning, he leaves for the airport and is killed in a car accident. The cracks in Hollis’s perfect life—her strained marriage and her complicated relationship with her daughter, Caroline—grow deeper.

So when Hollis hears about something called a “Five-Star Weekend”—one woman organizes a trip for her best friend from each phase of her life: her teenage years, her twenties, her thirties, and midlife—she decides to host her own Five-Star Weekend on Nantucket. But the weekend doesn’t turn out to be a joyful Hallmark movie.

The husband of Hollis’s childhood friend Tatum arranges for Hollis’s first love, Jack Finigan, to spend time with them, stirring up old feelings. Meanwhile, Tatum is forced to play nice with abrasive and elitist Dru-Ann, Hollis’s best friend from UNC Chapel Hill. Dru-Ann’s career as a prominent Chicago sports agent is on the line after her comments about a client’s mental health issues are misconstrued online. Brooke, Hollis’s friend from their thirties, has just discovered that her husband is having an inappropriate relationship with a woman at work. Again! And then there’s Gigi, a stranger to everyone (including Hollis) who reached out to Hollis through her blog. Gigi embodies an unusual grace and, as it happens, has many secrets.

The Summer of Songbirds

Nearly thirty years ago, in the wake of a personal tragedy, June Moore bought Camp Holly Springs and turned it into a thriving summer haven for girls. But now, June is in danger of losing the place she has sacrificed everything for, and begins to realize how much she has used the camp to avoid facing difficulties in her life.

June’s niece, Daphne, met her two best friends, Lanier and Mary Stuart, during a fateful summer at camp. They’ve all helped each other through hard things, from heartbreak and loss to substance abuse and unplanned pregnancy, and the three are inseparable even in their thirties. But when attorney Daphne is confronted with a relationship from her past—and a confidential issue at work becomes personal—she is faced with an impossible choice.

Lanier, meanwhile, is struggling with tough decisions of her own. After a run-in with an old flame, she is torn between the commitment she made to her fiancé and the one she made to her first love. And when a big secret comes to light, she finds herself at odds with her best friend…and risks losing the person she loves most.

But in spite of their personal problems, nothing is more important to these songbirds than Camp Holly Springs. When the women learn their childhood oasis is in danger of closing, they band together to save it, sending them on a journey that promises to open the next chapters in their lives.

Tom Lake

In the spring of 2020, Lara’s three daughters return to the family’s orchard in Northern Michigan. While picking cherries, they beg their mother to tell them the story of Peter Duke, a famous actor with whom she shared both a stage and a romance years before at a theater company called Tom Lake. As Lara recalls the past, her daughters examine their own lives and relationship with their mother, and are forced to reconsider the world and everything they thought they knew.

Tom Lake is a meditation on youthful love, married love, and the lives parents have led before their children were born. Both hopeful and elegiac, it explores what it means to be happy even when the world is falling apart. As in all of her novels, Ann Patchett combines compelling narrative artistry with piercing insights into family dynamics. The result is a rich and luminous story, told with profound intelligence and emotional subtlety, that demonstrates once again why she is one of the most revered and acclaimed literary talents working today.

Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?

When Kitty Karr Tate, a White icon of the silver screen, dies and bequeaths her multimillion-dollar estate to the St. John sisters, three young, wealthy Black women, it prompts questions. Lots of questions.

A celebrity in her own right, Elise St. John would rather focus on sorting out Kitty’s affairs than deal with the press. But what she discovers in one of Kitty’s journals rocks her world harder than any other brewing scandal could―and between a cheating fiancé and the fallout from a controversial social media post, there are plenty.

The truth behind Kitty’s ascent to stardom from her beginnings in the segregated South threatens to expose a web of unexpected family ties, debts owed, and debatable crimes that could, with one pull, unravel the all-American fabric of the St. John sisters and those closest to them.

The House of Eve

1950s Philadelphia: fifteen-year-old Ruby Pearsall is on track to becoming the first in her family to attend college. But a taboo love affair threatens to pull her back down into the poverty and desperation that has been passed on to her like a birthright.

Eleanor Quarles arrives in Washington, DC, with ambition and secrets. When she meets the handsome William Pride at Howard University, they fall madly in love. But William hails from one of DC’s elite wealthy Black families, and his parents don’t let just anyone into their fold. Eleanor hopes that a baby will make her finally feel at home in William’s family and grant her the life she’s been searching for. But having a baby—and fitting in—is easier said than done.

The House in the Pines

Maya was a high school senior when her best friend, Aubrey, dropped dead in front of the enigmatic man named Frank whom they’d been spending time with all summer.

Seven years later, Maya lives in Boston with a loving boyfriend and is kicking the secret addiction that has allowed her to cope with what happened years ago, the gaps in her memories, and the lost time that she can’t account for. But her past comes rushing back when she comes across a recent YouTube video in which a young woman suddenly keels over and dies in a diner while sitting across from none other than Frank. Plunged into the trauma that has defined her life, Maya heads to her Berkshires hometown to relive that fateful summer—the influence Frank once had on her and the obsessive jealousy that nearly destroyed her friendship with Aubrey.

At her mother’s house, she excavates fragments of her past and notices hidden messages in her deceased Guatemalan father’s book that didn’t stand out to her earlier. To save herself, she must understand a story written before she was born, but time keeps running out, and soon, all roads are leading back to Frank’s cabin. . . .

Yellowface

Authors June Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars. But Athena’s a literary darling. June Hayward is literally nobody. Who wants stories about basic white girls, June thinks.

So when June witnesses Athena’s death in a freak accident, she acts on impulse: she steals Athena’s just-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the unsung contributions of Chinese laborers during World War I.

So what if June edits Athena’s novel and sends it to her agent as her own work? So what if she lets her new publisher rebrand her as Juniper Song—complete with an ambiguously ethnic author photo? Doesn’t this piece of history deserve to be told, whoever the teller? That’s what June claims, and the New York Times bestseller list seems to agree.

But June can’t get away from Athena’s shadow, and emerging evidence threatens to bring June’s (stolen) success down around her. As June races to protect her secret, she discovers exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.

Happiness Falls

“We didn’t call the police right away.” Those are the electric first words of this extraordinary novel about a biracial Korean American family in Virginia whose lives are upended when their beloved father and husband goes missing.

Mia, the irreverent, hyperanalytical twenty-year-old daughter, has an explanation for everything—which is why she isn’t initially concerned when her father and younger brother Eugene don’t return from a walk in a nearby park. They must have lost their phone. Or stopped for an errand somewhere. But by the time Mia’s brother runs through the front door bloody and alone, it becomes clear that the father in this tight-knit family is missing and the only witness is Eugene, who has the rare genetic condition Angelman syndrome and cannot speak.

What follows is both a ticking-clock investigation into the whereabouts of a father and an emotionally rich portrait of a family whose most personal secrets just may be at the heart of his disappearance. Full of shocking twists and fascinating questions of love, language, and human connection, Happiness Falls is a mystery, a family drama, and a novel of profound philosophical inquiry. With all the powerful storytelling she brought to her award-winning debut, Miracle Creek, Angie Kim turns the missing-person story into something wholly original, creating an indelible tale of a family who must go to remarkable lengths to truly understand one another.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, and this post contains affiliate links. It does not cost you anything extra.  Using these links will help MyTravelingKids continue to help you create unforgettable family memories. 

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52 Weeks of Self-Care: Weeks 5-8

winter road and covered bridge

February Self-Care Roundup

Week 5

Make Time for Stretching

Stretching can help improve flexibility, reduce tightness, reduce stress, and protect your muscles from those fierce workouts you’re doing. Whether you’re doing it before a cardio workout, after a HIIT workout, or right before bed, make some time in your week to add this step to your wellness routine.

For me, yoga is the best way to stretch, so I’ve been trying to take a class twice a week.  I love to start and end my week with a class.

yoga studio

Looking for ways to stretch at home? Try these free online stretches:

10 Gentle Yoga Stretches For Beginners For Head To Toe Flexibility

Want a video? Try this 10-Minute Total Body Stretch

Looking for tools to help you stretch?

High-Density Foam Roller

ProStretch The Original Calf Stretcher

Chirp Wheel+ Foam Wheel

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September 2022 Product Roundup

farm cart with pumpkins

September 2022 Product Roundup

Summer is coming to a close and the kiddos are back to school.  So much fun stuff to look forward to… pumpkin lattes, apple picking, and the stunning leaves that are changing all around us.  Several of you noticed we didn’t do any Monthly Product Roundups this summer.  You’re right.  We decided to live in the moment and focus on family.  Now that fall is here, we’re back and can’t wait to share with you some amazing products we fell in love with this summer! Enjoy the September 2022 Product Roundup!

Kind of Wild Wines

WHY TRAVELERS WILL LOVE THEM

I like to eat/drink organically whenever possible and I try to be aware of what I put in my body. Conventional wines can use a long list of chemicals in the vineyards and winemaking that end up in the soils and in the finished wine you drink. Kind of Wild Wines not only cares about the wine, but also about the farmers. They believe you’re supporting growers across the globe who believe in creating a sustainable future by improving soil health, diminishing soil erosion, keeping natural waters free from chemicals and having a positive, lasting impact on the local ecosystem.

We loved all of the wines and they were wines I would definitely buy again. The labels are gorgeous and I love that they give you coasters that match them.

Kind of Wild Wine bottles

WHAT PRODUCTS DID WE GET?

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20 Spooky Books to Read this Autumn

reading and drinking tea

During autumn, there’s nothing I like more than snuggling up with a cozy blanket, sipping on a cup of tea, and reading a spooky book.  I love a thrilling, suspenseful book that will keep me on the edge of my seat. This time of year, I think the creepier the better. Some of these are oldies but goodies! Here are 20 Spooky Books to read this Autumn:

The Maidens

The Maidens: By Alex Michaelides

Edward Fosca is a murderer. Of this Mariana is certain. But Fosca is untouchable. A handsome and charismatic Greek tragedy professor at Cambridge University, Fosca is adored by staff and students alike―particularly by the members of a secret society of female students known as The Maidens.
Mariana Andros is a brilliant but troubled group therapist who becomes fixated on The Maidens when one member, a friend of Mariana’s niece Zoe, is found murdered in Cambridge.
Mariana, who was once herself a student at the university, quickly suspects that behind the idyllic beauty of the spires and turrets, and beneath the ancient traditions, lies something sinister. And she becomes convinced that, despite his alibi, Edward Fosca is guilty of the murder. But why would the professor target one of his students? And why does he keep returning to the rites of Persephone, the maiden, and her journey to the underworld.

Shattered

Shattered: By Dean Koontz

The van was in back of them again. Closer this time. There could be no mistake—they were being followed. But why? The question kept nagging at Alex and Colin as they left Philadelphia behind and sped toward their new home in San Francisco. Courtney would be waiting for them, ready to begin a wonderful new life with her husband, her brother…
Now, someone else is driving cross-country to see Courtney, too. Someone whose brain is rotting inside. Someone who knows their route, their stops, even their destination. And he won’t rest until he finds them.

Nine Elms

Nine Elms: By Robert Bryndza

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10 Amazing Mother’s Day Gift

bee on a flower

Our April 2022 Product Review is dedicated to the amazing women in your life…MOMS! Mother’s Day is right around the corner and they deserve something special.  Here are 10 amazing Mother’s Day gifts for these fabulous women!  And if you’re a mom…treat yourself to something just for you…you deserve it!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!!

Doing Good

WHY TRAVELERS WILL LOVE THEM

I always love to hear a company’s mission because it tells a lot about their character.  Doing Good Co says their mission is to build others up.  The products included in these amazing gift boxes are something that offers inspiration and makes someone feel special. Throughout her life, Sydney, the founder of the company, has had one unwavering purpose – to find ways of encouraging others. I love that she offers the choice between a one time gift box and a subscription plan, where the gifts will keep on giving.  You can make it more personal by selecting individual things you want to include in your gift.  Choose from items such as candles, wooden signs, mugs, stationary, bracelets, lip balms, and much more.

WHAT PRODUCTS DID WE GET?

Be Still Box 

(Size: small $17.99)

Be Still gift box

Pumpkin Spice whipped sugar scrub

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