The Time Garden is a Fun Way to Lose Youself in the Trend of Adult Coloring Books

Adult Coloring Books. Simply put, the artful trend of the moment that is more like a way for adults to reconnect with their childhoods. The Time Garden by Daria Song is a gorgeous adult coloring book that is incredibly well-illustrated and tells a charming tale. It was easy and enjoyable for me to sit down with this book, some colored pencils, and a cup of tea and just lose myself in another world for a little while.

Have fun with this adult coloring book, The Time Garden by Daria Song.

This coloring book experience allowed me to relax and just enjoy the simple pleasures of coloring. Added bonus: I instituted "coloring time" in my home and my son and I both colored our respective coloring books side by side. Peaceful, stress relieving and a great way to unwind. I definitely recommend this book for anyone who wants to play with coloring books all over again!

Blogger note: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. This review is entirely based on my opinion and contains my honest evaluation.

Taking Photos of Your Kids Made Easy: Capture the Moment by SarahWilkerson

I can't say for certain, but I'm pretty confident making the following assumption: Parents want to capture every moment of their child's life. It's just human nature. And what better way to capture all the moments than by photographing them? But most of us aren't experts in how to capture the best shots, we lack the tips that would really give us the most bang for our shutter snap. Solution? Capture the Moment by Sarah Wilkerson (CEO of Clickin Moms).

Capture the Moment by Sarah Wilkerson

I love this book. LOVE it. This book is the perfect companion for any parent/ wanna-be photographer. Why? Because of it's simplicity. We all know that we should embrace all the rules and basics of good photography but sometimes what we want are tips to set up the shot. Ways to get our lighting bolt fast subjects to sit still just long enough to optimize the impact of the photo. This book is just that. Simple tips accompanied by GORGEOUS photos.

This book is for every mom (and dad) who has chased their kids around with a camera for the sake of posterity. Get this. The information is helpful, concise and easy to follow for even the most sleep deprived parent!

Blogger note: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. This review is entirely based on my opinion and contains my honest evaluation.

DIY Type: Stencil Your Heart Out the Easy and Fun Way

Despite my best efforts, crafty is not a word I would use to describe myself. But that has never stopped me from testing the waters of different artsy-medium with varying degrees of success. I've been a big fan of typography, so snagging a copy of DIY Type: 50+ Typographic Stencils for Decorating, Crafting and Gifting by Dana Tanamachi with the intention of trying out some of the typographic projects was a no-brainer.

DIY Type by Dana Tanamachi

The Good: Typography really doesn't get much easier than what is presented in this book. Tanamachi has set this up basically as a book of alphabet stencils with 2 sizes for each letter, and then a short overview of ideas for projects ranging from home decor, wardrobe and entertaining. Simply trace the stencil on your desired medium, fill in with your stylistic preference and voila!

The Bad: I was hoping for more projects to inspire me. While the stencils alone are a great starting out point, as someone with little innate creativity, I need more visual examples of what I can do with them. This book, paired with another that includes specific project ideas would have been a perfect match.

All in all, this book provides the starting point for some fun projects (or just rainy day doodling), considering you have a bit more of a creative jumping off point than I do. Grab a sketch pad, some sharpies and just act like a kid again. It's fun!

Blogger note: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. This review is entirely based on my opinion and contains my honest evaluation.

It's Easier Than You Think to Be the Mom That Makes the Crafty Goodies,Thanks to Candy Aisle Crafts

You've seen those moms. The ones with all the carefully crafted goodies for every occasion. You've tried and failed to master the art of the infamous snowman cupcake. You are more familiar with Pintrest fails than you are with bragable success stories of treats gone right. Well let me stop you right there and let you in on a little secret. Come closer. Ready? Candy Aisle Crafts by Jodi Levine.

Candy Aisle Crafts by Jodi Levine. Photo courtesy of Crown Publishing

I know what you are thinking: You've tried to master the easy treats and you fail miserably. Cut yourself some slack. It's not you. It's that the instructions you were trying to follow were way too convoluted and overly-complex. This book is the answer. You will impress all the Moms at the PTA when you craft the coolest cookie castle cake for your son's party! Your daughter will love the snowman cupcakes for her Frozen-themed soiree! There are really adorable (and super-easy Halloween and Christmas) cake toppers! Specialty lollipops! Do you like marshmallows? Then there is a whole chapter devoted to the amazing and easy-peasy treats you can make with 'em!

This book is for the Mom who wants to give her kids fun treats without spending all day in the kitchen. The ingredients are all things you can pick up at the local grocery store and the directions are easy to follow, with gorgeous photos. Totally fool-proof, tasty and adorable treats are just a book away.

Blogger note: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. This review is entirely based on my opinion and contains my honest evaluation.

Finally Use That Fancy Expensive Camera with Some Help from Me Ra Kohin Your Family in Pictures

Okay so I'll be the first to admit it, when my son was born one of the things I bought (in addition to all the customary baby must-haves) was a fancy and very pricey DSLR camera. I justified this purchase quite easily: I wanted to capture all of the moments so I could have all of the memories. Birthdays, holidays and important events came and went. And I snapped away merrily, secretly hiding the fact that I had no clue what I was doing. I mean there are a reason people call themselves professional photographers, they know what they are doing behind their very expensive camera lenses.

Enter Me Ra Koh's newest book, Your Family in Pictures. THIS, fellow clueless picture-snapping parents, will now be your bible. I am not kidding. I have purchased other books that promised to help newbies like me master said fancy camera, to no avail. They were written like textbooks and I was unable to EASILY and QUICKLY access the tips and info I needed. Sure, the inner workings of camera can be very fascinating for some, but I'm a busy mom and I just don't have that kind of time on my hands.

What Koh manages to do is demystify the practice of taking good pictures. That simple. She presents the book in almost a cookbook-like way, dividing sections into topics that the picture-taker may want to capture. Very specific topics like: Bedtime, Fourth of July (seriously now I can take a good photo of fireworks!), Sisters, A Day at the Beach, Outdoor Sports...it's all here. Easy "recipes" give simple directions for capturing these moments with your DSLR OR P&S (point and shoot). It doesn't get any easier to capture beautiful pictures of your family in any situation you could possibly want to compose.

Got a new camera or just want to make the most of the one you already have? Get this book.

Your Family in Pictures by Me Ra Koh courtesy of Crown Publishing

Blogger note: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. This review is entirely based on my opinion and contains my honest evaluation.

Go from Clueless in the Kitchen to a Cooking Diva with KitchenConfidence

True Confession time: I hate cooking. Scratch that, I don't like cooking. Wait, that isn't quite right either. I think what I'm trying to say is that I can't cook. It's a little embarrassing to admit that, especially with everyone constantly Instagramming pics of their super-yummy looking (and I'm sure tasty) meals.

Enter Kelsey Nixon's book, Kitchen Confidence. Really, there is no false advertisement here at all. This book makes cooking easy. The recipes are delicious, well-presented and the instructions are simplified, even for an un-domestic goddess like me!

Hands down the best recipes in this book are the Berries & Cream Stuffed French Toast, Grilled Veggie Panzanella, Stovetop Mac & Cheese, Grilled Fruit Skewers and Skillet Blueberry and Peach Cobbler (I'm a vegetarian so I skipped over the meat meals!). But honestly, everything is so well-presented and easy to follow that you can't mess any of them up.

Most of the recipes come with variations so you can change them up from time to time. I also really like how Nixon provides recipes for some staples like your basic rolls and quinoa pilaf. She also provides lots of useful how-to's as a great introduction to techniques such as braising, pickling, blanching and stir-frying just to name a few.

This book is perfect for a young person trying to navigate their way in the kitchen for the first time or anyone like me who is clueless when it comes to cooking. These meals are impressive and delicious.

Blogger note: I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. This review is entirely based on my opinion and contains my honest evaluation.

photo courtesy of: Clarkson Potter Publishers