Mapiful: Custom Poster Prints {Review}

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This post contains affiliate links. I may make a small commission from purchases made through the links in this post. Thank you!

My heart happy-danced when MAPIFUL contacted me about becoming a partner. Since I'm a bookish nerd, anything mapish is right up my alley as well. You guys, MAPIFUL sent me a complimentary map that I designed and customized with just a few clicks! 

Maps are a great way to add stylish and meaningful decor to your space. Or, if you're a bookstagrammer like me, how about using a map for book pics? 

What is MAPIFUL?

MAPIFUL is a company that allows you to easily customize map or text art prints for your wall or any space you choose. 

You can create a special map of where you live, where you got married, or where your kids were born. Or how about a map of your your honeymoon, a favorite trip, or even your favorite bookish place. Like Prince Edward Island, for instance, if you're an Anne of Green Gables fan like me.

Click here to design your own map!

4 Custom Print Types

• Classic Mapiful

  

• Star Mapiful

  

• Zodiac Mapiful

  

• Text Art

4 Easy Steps

• Choose location
• Change labels
• Change appearance and style
• Change size and orientation

For location you can choose a city, state, country, etc. Try zooming in or out for the perfect image that you want. For labels you can leave it simple, showing only the exact location. Or get creative and say "First Home" or write out whatever phrase fits your special occasion. There are many popular styles to choose from, or you can customize even more by playing around with different themes and colors. Maps come in three different sizes (U.S.) in either landscape or portrait.

*Check MAPIFUL for current pricing and for any sales going on! At the time of this post you can buy 2 prints and get 50% off the second!

My Thoughts

My Order

I kept my map pretty simple. England for location, and I didn't change any of the labels. I chose the popular style, Nära, for a modern, farmhouse/Scandi look. Between portrait and landscape orientation, I picked portrait. And that's it!

The Process

Ordering was super easy. Checkout was simple, and it took about a week for my map to arrive. Map came in a triangular shaped box and was nicely packaged. (I uploaded an unboxing video on Instagram.)

My Map

I really like it! I like its simplicity. It's modern and stylish - perfect to hang up or use as a book photo prop. I love historical English settings, so I figured it would work well for my bookish Instagram account. Plus, some of my ancestors are from Devon, and really, I just love all things English. I've never been to England, though. Maybe someday. 

The map is printed on matte poster paper. Probably thicker than a regular poster you get at your local store. My map had a few waves on it from being rolled up, but it isn't noticeable hanging up in a frame. While taking photos, I forgot they were even there. 

Here's a photo of my full map below. With ALL the windows in my house, it wasn't easy getting a good photo on my phone camera. I still hope this gives you an idea of what it looks like in a frame. :)

Unique Gift Idea

I think a map would make a great gift for any occasion. Maybe a Star Map for a birthday or a Classic Map for an anniversary. The sky is the limit!

Christmas is right around the corner. Can't think of the perfect gift for the person who has everything - consider customizing a meaningful map that will last a lifetime. Get a jump-start on your Christmas list now and let your creativity fly. Look at this Hogwarts map. How fun for a Harry Potter lover.

Which map style is your favorite?

What kind of map would you want to design for yourself? 

For someone else? 

Besides my England map, I think it would be nice to have a map of when and where my husband and I got married. (Memphis, Tennessee) Like I mentioned earlier, It'd be fun to customize a map of a favorite bookish world, too. So many to choose from, though!

Side note: I love this map of Norway (above). My great-grandparents came to America from Norway as children. I've also been learning Norwegian on DuoLingo for over a year now. As you can see, I'm going a bit map crazy. ;)

I'd love to know what kind of map you designed. Let me know in the comments. 

HAPPY MAP-MAKING!

Grow and Make Lip Balm Kit {Product Review}

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Do you ever get the itch to craft but end up getting too overwhelmed with research and having to gather up all of your own supplies? I know I do. I've had a block of beeswax sitting in my closet for over a year now just waiting to be turned into chapstick. What about you? How many unfinished projects do you have lying around? 

Well, it's summer . . . the perfect time to satisfy that crafting itch! GROW AND MAKE is here to make your crafting adventure super easy and fun! 

GROW AND MAKE is a made-in-the-USA company that provides crafting kits for every occasion. In Portland, Oregon GROW AND MAKE manufactures kits in a sustainable manner with quality items and ingredients. The company was founded in 2008 by entrepreneur, Will Johnston, who wanted to start a business that would inspire people to create with their hands. The goal is to teach you the core, do-it-yourself skills so you can take those newfound skills and run with them. Host a DIY party, have a fun parent/child date, create gifts for loved ones, or get inspired to start your own business. 

In exchange for my honest review, GROW AND MAKE sent me a complimentary Lip Balm Making Kit With Exotic Flavors, a complete kit for making 12 tubs of lip balm at home. 

This post contains affiliate links. I make a small commission (at no cost to you) for purchases made through the links in this post. Thank you!

My kit arrived in a sturdy, compact box with all of the ingredients and an easy-to-follow instruction card. Ingredients in this particular kit include:

• Beeswax pellets
• Shea Butter
• Sweet almond oil
• Lip balm flavors ( Asian pear, mint, mango peach, and pineapple tangerine)
• 12 tubs
• Pipette
• Blank labels for lip balms

First, I took out all of my supplies and spread them out on my kitchen counter. I used a few of my own containers to to be able to mix up the four different lip balm scents.

I love how I didn't even have to measure the ingredients to melt in a pan. Everything comes neatly packaged and labeled.

It didn't take long at all to melt the beeswax, shea butter, and sweet almond oil over low heat.

Containers are ready to be filled with the melted lip balm. Mango peach is my favorite scent, so I made 4 of those. Asian pear and pineapple tangerine smelled yummy, too, so I made 3 of each. I only made 2 mint, since that flavor is the least exotic to me. I use mint essential oil on a regular basis, so I liked that the other flavors were different and fruity. 

Working fast enough was the trickiest part of the process. The lip balm base starts to harden pretty quickly. I realized I needed to keep the lip balm base on the stove until I was ready to use it. So, I worked with mixing only one scent at a time and then filling the tubs right away.

I definitely used more than the suggested 3 drops of scent per tub. To make sure the surface of the lip balms stay smooth, I think it's best to mix in a separate container and then pour into tubs. But, you have to work FAST!

All done! Tubs are labeled and ready to go! I even had some extra lip balm that I put in a small plastic container. The exotic tropical flavors really smell amazing.

My Thoughts

I had a fun time making my own lip balm with the help of this kit. Made it super easy to do. Instructions are easy to follow, and it doesn't take a lot of time to complete. It's truly a quality kit. I've already shared a tub with my daughter and look forward to sharing with friends. 

One negative thing for me is that I do prefer my lip balm to be in a tube. Tubes make application easier and less messy. Also, I think it would have been helpful to have four pipettes, one for each lip balm scent. 

On a side note, I purchased an oatmeal soap kit last summer to make with my daughter. So, the lip balm kit is my second one to try. Both kits have been great, and if you like DIY, you should try one for yourself!

Bath and Body kits

Beverage kits

Candle kits

Culinary kits

Garden kits

*Here's a discount code to get you started: TRYDIY for $5.00 off your order.

Website: www.growandmake.com

Instagram: @GrowandMake

Facebook: @GrowandMakeDIY

Twitter: @GrowandMake

The Governess of Penwythe Hall by Sarah E. Ladd {Book Review}

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Affiliate link included in this post. I make a small commission for purchases made through affiliate links. Thank you!

"How foolish to think she'd be safe in this little Penwythe refuge, 

with its idyllic seashores, rolling orchards, and ancient gardens.

She'd lost sight of how the Greythornes would stop 

at nothing to get their way."

CORDELA GREYTHORNE is no stranger to hardship and heartache. Forced to leave her home in Cornwall three years ago after being blamed for her husband's death, she began a new life as a governess to five children in Yorkshire. Though suffocated by secrets, she tried to bury herself in her work. It was the only way to escape the fear of her mother-in-law's parting warning and curse spoken against her. 

Unfortunately, Cordelia finds her life in upheaval again when her employer suffers a fatal riding accident. She gives her word to a dying man and promises to stay with his children even though it means returning to Cornwall. Will she be able to keep her secrets and remain unnoticed, or will she be putting her life and possibly others' lives in danger?

JAC TWETHEWEY longs to restore Penwythe Hall to its former glory. While busy trying to revive the once-thriving apple orchards, his plans are interrupted when his distant brother's children, along with their governess and tutor, arrive unexpectedly. 

Determined to be a good guardian, Jac spends time getting to know the children of his deceased brother. However, it's not only the children he's growing attached to. Despite the mystery surrounding Delia and her past, Jac can't help but be drawn to the governess. He desires to provide for and protect her in any way he can. If he only knew how. When betrayal and disaster threaten his financial security, he wonders if he'll be able to continue providing for his new charges.

Unfortunate circumstances brought Jac and Cordelia together, but will secrets, danger, and betrayal tear them apart? 

The Governess of Penwythe Hall is Sarah E. Ladd's latest regency romance and is the first book in the Cornwall series. 

My Thoughts

I like novels set in England's early nineteenth century, and I like governesses as main characters too. The Governess of Penwythe Hall has both! I'm already familiar with and fond of Ladd's writing style, so I figured this would be a wonderful story to abandon myself to each night before bed. The apple orchard setting captured my heart right away! I love apple trees and desperately miss having my own.  

Besides the lovely apple trees, I liked getting to know the main characters Jac and Cordelia, or Delia as she's called in the book. The main focus is on them: Delia trying to make a new life but having to deal with her dangerous past, Jac trying to revive his estate and dealing with the unexpected responsibility of having to provide for his nieces and nephews, and of course the possibility of a budding romance between the two. I don't remember their faith being mentioned a bunch, but it is there subtly woven throughout the book.

The plot was predictable but in a comfortable way. I wasn't bored at all. I looked forward to finding out about Delia's secrets and how everything would play out. Mystery and threat of danger kept the pages turning. Though I had a feeling the end would turn out how it did, I wasn't disappointed.

It's always fun to start a new book series, but I sure wish I didn't have to wait until January 2020 to read the sequel to this lovely book! If you like good, clean, and wholesome English historical romance novels, The Governess of Penwythe Hall is worth the read.

Book Rating:  5 stars

Purchase the book here.

Or you can purchase through my Amazon affiliate link:

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Daughters of Northern Shores by Joanne Bischof {Book Review}

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Affiliate link included in this post. I make a small commission for purchases made through links on my blog. Thank you!

A brother's regret.

An enemy's revenge.

Both may draw the Norgaard family back together again.

But at what cost?

Aven Norgaard is finally feeling settled in Blackbird Mountain. The sorrow of losing her husband in Norway and the difficulty of sailing to America to begin a new life are but shadows now. Aven is enjoying married life once more, and she and Thor are anticipating the birth of their first child. 

All seems to be going well until Thor, who has been deaf since birth, agrees to an interview and medical examination to help the Bureau of Research for the Deaf and Dumb. During the interview Thor and Aven discover that longtime enemies of the Norgaards are back in town causing trouble. Shortly after the examination, Thor becomes extremely ill. Liver disease from past drinking habits or foul play?

Haakon Norgaard, Thor's youngest brother, has spent the last four years at sea running from his past. Time and distance have done nothing to erase the pain and regret of trying to force more than friendship upon Aven. And now there's a widow in Norway to add to his list of regrets. Longing to finally make amends, Haakon is torn between two women on opposite shores and wonders if he'll be welcomed by either. 

Determined to start somewhere, Haakon finds himself in a battle that may cost him more than he bargained for. In the end, will Haakon find restoration or rejection?

Daughters of Northern Shores is the sequel to Sons of Blackbird Mountain.

My Thoughts

Even though I haven't read the first novel in this series, Sons of Blackbird Mountain, I was captivated by Daughters of Northern Shores. This was my first acquaintance with award-winning author, Joanne Bischof, and I'm definitely craving more from her! 

Her writing is emotionally deep and rich, which created a story that I felt more than read. Joanne has a way with words that caused me to pause and ponder along the way. Oh, and there's this quote (actually part of a quote) that I absolutely adore and would love to have on my living room wall: ". . . with time and lives precious, there seemed no better hour than this." This quote is such a wonderful reminder for me to be present and take advantage of the time given to me each moment.  

The icing on the already delicious cake for me was the fact that the Norgaard family hails from Norway. Norwegian blood runs in my veins, and my grandpa even bears the name of Thorson. It's just fun to read stories about places my own ancestors are from. 

I think it's safe to say it's a good book when tears stain my cheeks as the end of the novel draws near. Tears for the words wrecking my heart and tears for reminders of loves and losses in my own life. 

I loved this Christian novel and can't wait to go back and read Sons of Blackbird Mountain!

Book Rating: 5 stars

Purchase the book here.

Or purchase through my Amazon affiliate link:

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this ebook free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Essential Oil Accessories

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I've been using essential oils for about 15 years. Currently, I'm all about Eden's Garden oils and have been purchasing them for a few years now.  Four reasons: (1) they're not a pyramid type of company you have to join to buy, (2) they're pretty affordable, (3) the company claims their oils are 100% pure therapeutic grade and free of synthetics, and (4) I can conveniently buy them on Amazon.

Today I want to share with you two of my favorite essential oil accessories: diffusers and bracelets. I'd like to eventually get a necklace, too. Maybe with some birthday money this week? :)

This post contains affiliate links. I make a small commission (at no cost to you) for purchases made through the links in this post. Thank you!

#1 Diffuser

My original diffuser that I got from Young Living around 8 years ago or so finally gave out. So, I asked for a new diffuser for Christmas - a ceramic one from Eden's Garden. I absolutely love it! 

It's super easy to use, and I love that it looks like a candle. Here are a couple of photos of the taupe diffuser I have:

This ultrasonic ceramic diffuser includes the following:

• Ceramic outer cover
• Base
• 100 ml water tank
• Power adapter
• LED light
• Easy pour measuring cup

For more details, you can click the photo below (amazon affiliate link.)

#2 Bracelets

While I've been using diffusers for a long time, wearing essential oil bracelets is a new thing for me. My husband is actually the one who asked for a bracelet for Christmas. He liked his so much that I ordered a 5-piece bracelet set for myself. 

My favorite oils to wear on my bracelets are frankincense, tangerine, orange, and ylang ylang. Sometimes I mix lavender and ylang ylang. I bet I will use peppermint when those summer temps go sky high here in the desert! I believe my hubby likes to wear patchouli and cedarwood.

Click on my amazon affiliate links below to get the details on my and my hubby's essential oil bracelets.

Necklaces 

So, I don't have an essential oil necklace yet, but I've saved a few different styles that I might go back to in the near future. Which one is your favorite?

If you've never ordered essential oils from Eden's Garden, may I recommend: 

Edens Garden Top 6 Essential Oil Set, Best 100% Pure Aromatherapy Starter Kit (For Diffuser & Therapeutic Use), 10 ml. I'm pretty sure I have all of these in my bathroom cabinet.

I love the pamphlet that comes with Eden's Garden essential oils that gives tons of suggestions for use, too. 

Other oils I love:

Do you use essential oils? What are some of your favorites? I love trying new ones!