Silence for Sandy Hook

New Influenster!

The awesome website influenster has had a makeover!

I'm loving their new layout.  It is much more intuitive and it much easier to navigate.

I'm especially loving the happenings tab, which fills you in on all of the current VoxBoxes and other awesome updates!

If you aren't already an influenster member definitely head over and check it out, it's a whole new world over there and I'm loving it!

http://www.influenster.com/

Book Review- Death Benefit

I just finished reading Death Benefit by Robin Cook.

Robin Cook is one of my very favorite authors.  He inspired my love of reading as a young adult, I remember getting my first book written by him in middle school and feeling so cool because it was one of the "adult" books at the book fair!  I've read almost every book he's written.  Several more than once.  I haven't read one of his books in probably 5 years, so this was a good change!

Here is the on-line description:

Pia Grazdani is an exceptional yet aloof medical student working closely with Columbia University Medical Center's premier scientist on cutting edge research that could revolutionize health care by creating replacement organs for critically ill patients. Through her work with the brilliant molecular geneticist Dr. Tobias Rothman, Pia knows she will be given the chance to fulfill her ambition to participate in medical discoveries that can help millions while bringing her a measure of personal peace that might once and for all push aside memories of her difficult and abusive childhood. But when tragedy strikes in the lab, Pia, with the help of infatuated classmate George Wilson, must investigate an unforeseen calamity in the hospital's supposedly secure biosafety lab.

Meanwhile, two ex-Wall Street whiz-kids think they have found another loadstone in the nation?s multitrillion-dollar life insurance industry. They race to find ways to control actuarial data and securitize the policies of the aged and infirm to make another killing. As Pia and George dig deeper into the events at the lab, one question remains unanswered: Is someone attempting to manipulate private insurance information to allow investors to benefit from the deaths of others?

The book had a slow start, but once I got into it, I read it pretty quickly.  It didn't get as into the medical side as many of his books do, but it still had some good snippets.  It also had a small cameo by Jack Stapleton and Laurie Montgomery, two of Cooks best repeat characters.  

I give the book an 8/10.  It didn't have as much of the medical drama as his usual books, but it was still sucks you in and you have to keep reading to find out where it goes.  I also felt that it ended a bit abruptly, I could have used a couple more chapters to fill out the conclusion.  

Menu Planning Monday (On a Tuesday!)

Here is my menu for the week with Links to the recipes I'll be using!


Tuesday- Roasted Sausage, Potatoes and Veggies from SkinnyTaste
  This is one of our favorite weeknight meals!  Super yummy and easy to make!  Just some chop chopping and then toss it in the oven!  I use small red potatoes and I use different flavored sausages depending on our mood!


Wednesday- White Chicken Enchiladas with Refried Jalapeño Black Beans from Joyful Momm's Kitchen
  This is super yummo!  We don't make it often because it's not super healthy and you end up eating the whole pan because it's so good!  I'll probably add a big of spice to the chicken mixture just to make it a bit more flavorful!


Thursday- Grilled Cheese and Soup from Me!
   Just a basic grilled cheese, bread and american cheese toasted!  And Trader Joes roasted red pepper soup, Yum!


Friday- Pan Seared Pork Chop with Pomegranate Red Wine Sauce from Bree at SkinnyMommy!
  This is a new one, so I'm excited to try it out!  I'll be making it with Sweet Potatoes!  

Made It Monday!

So excited to be linking up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics for the Made It Monday Linky!

As I'm sure you've seen ALL over the internet the next big thing in the teaching world is the Teacher Toolbox!  I have an issue keeping organized and neat, so I'm hoping by having one it will keep my desk from becoming a bottomless pit.  

My classroom is a Jungle/Safari theme, so I went with the zebra print mini-tape and the super cute little animal stickers! 

I am loving this color combo!

For my non-school project I made a birthday present for my Mom!  I'm so excited about it, but since I'm not sending it to her until the end of the week, I don't want to ruin the surprise!!  I'll have to link up again next week!

So that is my first Monday Made It!  I'm so excited to have joined in!  A big Thank You to Tara for hosting!

Tater Tot Casserole

So if you've been around Pinterest for a while I'm sure you've seen this pin from www.houseofbrinson.com:

Source: houseofbrinson.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Holy yummo right?!

I decided to give it a try tonight for dinner, and M and I were HIGHLY disappointed!  It did however have a lot of potential.  I think next time instead of using plain ground turkey we will use ground turkey seasoned with Alton's Taco Potion #9 (our favorite taco seasoning!).  I think that would make a HUGE difference.  I'm sure this dish is probably great for little ones who can't handle a ton of complex flavors.

Mine was also not nearly as pretty as Susan's, I didn't have cute little individual serving bowls, so I made mine in a 9x13 baking dish.

Overall- Not a super success.  I'd say 5/10 yummy points.   I'm excited to try it again next month and make some changes to make it more flavorful!

Summer Beauty VoxBox!

Have you heard of Influenster?  It's a great site that allows you to try the newest products and share your reviews with the world!

What is an Influenster?
According to Influenster:
Community of trendsetters invited to share their lifestyles and show off their influence to qualify for personalized product shipments, special rewards and exclusive deals from the brands they love. Members love testing the latest products, giving insightful feedback, and spreading the word on their favorite finds!



Hear that?!  I'm a trendsetter?  Woot!  I've finally made it!

So in todays mail I received my Summer Beauty VoxBox full of fantastic new products to try!

First product out of the box- 

Sally Hansen Nails and Cuticles Hand Creme
Description from the Sally Hansen site:  Soften hands, smooth cuticles and condition nails. Active Moisture Complex formula with Ceramides helps lock in nutrients so hands maintain their ideal moisture level.


I'm excited to try this out!  I have to admit- I'm a nail biter.  :(  I know, it's terrible!  So I'm hoping that this will help me get my hands under control and I will be able to have fabulous soft hands and awesome nails!

Next up out of the box-

Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Color in Polar Purple
Description from the Sally Hansen site: 3-D Nail Art in Seconds! Revolutionary formula infused with metallic particles that move when exposed to the specially designed magnet to create an extraordinary effect.

I saw this in the store the other day and REALLY wanted to try it out!  It looks like it will be pretty easy to use.  There is a special built in magnet in the cap that you use to create the cool magnetic ripple effect!

Next on the list-

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Sunscreen in SPF 30
Description from the Hawaiian Tropic site: Introducing our new sunscreen lotion, the only sunscreen with hydrating ribbons for continuous in-sun moisture. With its ultra-luxurious hydrating silk ribbons, Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration™ lotion sunscreen nourishes and pampers skin while providing broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection and 12-hour moisturization when out in the sun.

I am the sunburn queen.  Seriously, I can step outside for 5 minutes and be burned to a crisp!  I'm excited to see how well this sunscreen works, and extra hydration is always a great thing in the summer sun!

Up next-

Quaker Banana Nut Bread Soft Bake Bar
Description from the Quaker site: With flavors you'll love and nutrients to help fuel you, you'll be a morning person in one delicious bite. Try our two flavors...Banana Nut Bread and Cinnamon Pecan Bread.

Yummo!  This looks great!  I think it might be the first thing from the box I try.  I'm not sure I can resist it for very long!!

Last but not least-

(I can't get this to rotate, so it's sideways, Sorry!

Tampax Radiant

Description from Always site: The new Radiant Collection from Tampax^® and Always^® provides women with one premium brand experience to meet all their feminine care needs. The full product line-up offers everything women need to help keep their period out of sight.


It's a little awkward to discuss feminine products, but I guess we all use them, so we might as well go ahead!  This includes a cute purse with several of the products from the new line to try.

So that's it!  My Summer Beauty VoxBox!  I'm excited to do some reviews and tell you all about these products as I start using them!

Disclaimer- I received this product complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster

Welcome home!

This blog is just to share my life with the world!  It will include book reviews, baking adventures, and fashion (or my lack thereof!).  I'm excited to have you join me on this new adventure!!