"Children of Blood and Bone" by Tomi Adeyemi Book Review

“As it fades, I see the truth - in plain sight, yet hidden all along. We are all children of blood and bone. All instruments of vengeance and virtue. This truth holds me close, rocking me like a child in a mother's arms. It binds me in its love as death swallows me in its grasp.”

Hello world and welcome to another edition of I can’t tell you a thing. I wish I could, but you’re just swell outta luck.

Joking aside, the thing I most want to complain about… I can’t. I think it ruins the whole book because instead of focusing on the story, you sit there the entire time trying to figure out what Adeyemi meant. What I will tell you is, under pain of death, don’t read the author’s note until the end. Or better yet, don’t read it ever.

Why you might ask????

It will just ruin your entire life, which in turn will ruin the premise of the book. It’s been decided that inside of a written letter at the end of the book - which everyone would then end up reading - she should have said it in an interview.

I can see what Adeyemi was trying to achieve. There are some beautiful moments, a million quotes and thought-provoking scenes to bring it there. The story alone is pretty decent. But it all comes into question with that note.

“I teach you to be warriors in the garden so you will never be gardeners in the war.”

Now back to the actual story.

Children of Blood and Bone is about the struggle of regaining power, which is magic in this case, in a world where it’s far off balanced. One day, all magic has been wiped out, leaving those without it lost and enslaved to the current ruling class. Zelie, a child at the time, loses her mother to the deadly change and in essence has no idea what to become where she is marked with one of magic blood. When a scroll is discovered that could possibly bring magic back, it becomes a race for those that want power and those that hope it never returns.

This is an action packed story with intensive world building and told through the eyes of three characters. A mix of African and Roman culture, Adeyemi really went for it. I think this would be stunning on screen. And I really wanted to like it, I promise. There was just something lacking for me. A disconnect of sorts.

“They don't hate you, my child. They hate what you were meant to become.”

Maybe it’s just me, but I felt an immaturity to the characters that I don’t often get when reading YA. Being older, I appreciate when characters leave their teenage annoyances at the door. Not saying that these characters didn’t, I just felt this whining come through that set my teeth on edge.

The biggest standout, and one reason I kept reading was Inan. His character is well developed and adds a complexity to the plot and story. His wants were apparent. His struggle really felt through the words. Zeile was also well done, but Amaria, which I know a lot of people liked, was downright a waste of paper. Her POV was not needed and really created a lopsided story. For almost the whole story she was with Zeile which required a retelling of scenes, and her input didn’t add much. Then on the flip side, you’ve got Tzain the brother, a very important character on the quest, and we hear nothing. If we needed Amari then maybe we should have had Tzain. I can see where she could be very important in the next book, but we could have added her in then. I know a lot of writers that add in a new POV on the next book.

In terms of world building, I wouldn’t say this was a fantastic creation. Everything was a little too cookie cutter. We had a beachy town, a desert, and a jungle oh my. We jumped around in so many towns that we never got to settle and appreciate what Adeyemi had to offer. I’m very thankful we had a map, and it was in an excellent location for access. Great job. I think this could be another reason I struggled to become grounded in the story.

I think what Adeyemi was trying to achieve was very commendable. For a debut book, it has a lot of good points. This was an undertaking and one that she did well with. I am excited for the next book because I think, with all the feedback and experience, it’ll be well done. I’m also really curious to see where the story goes. There is kind of a bet in book club. I really hope I win. But now we have to wait until next March. My overall rating is 3.5 stars.

Love Kait

Reading Challenge 36/100

 

April Flash Fiction

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Hello Everyone. I'm a little behind on my reading - too much moving and travels - so I decided to post my flash fiction from April instead. I hope you enjoy it. 

Love Kait

Week 1:

His mother had told him to never play with his food.  But what was the point of the hunt if you couldn’t have a little bit of fun?

She stood dripping in white and water. Jano would have passed her if it wasn’t for the dress. He had almost given up for the day, but it was so bright against the rotting ships, only Jesus could have missed it.

Dinner, thought Jano.

They were hungry. No one had appeared in weeks. All the small animals, bunnies or the like, were gone. Killed to extinction after Jano and his pack had made the same washed up appearance as the girl.  

Is it a girl? Jano questioned. Tender, but not much there.

Her first cry was low. Jano had rounded a ship, ghosting across the gap to the next one. It was just enough. Let her know that she wasn’t alone. It sent her circling, whipping at the whistle of the wind between the wooden cracks.

The sun was setting, the world turning from brown to dead orange. If this took much longer Jano would never be able to get the food back. There were new terrors in the dark. Things that even he would never want to meet face to face. If only she had arrived earlier. The games he would have played.

Jano sighed. He came around the bow of another ship, there were plenty on the beach. The girl had stopped, staring out into the water to where Jano assumed was her loss of freedom. She had to know that she would die. But maybe the thought had never come to her before his fangs clamped on her throat.

Week 2:

Food. Once a day it falls, wafting down with the current, drifting slowly till it's snatched mid-drop by awaiting bodies. It's the only time no one hides behind their makeshift hideyholes and dugouts. When you're desperate enough, you'll go out. Starvation can make anyone forget about the Eye.

Except for Max. He waits patiently, sitting behind his brownstone wall, its sides covered in green growth from all the moisture. His stomach grumbles. It's been a few days and waiting any longer will slow him down. The growth tickles his side when he moves. Still, he waits. That's his plan. Waiting. Most go right away, hunger covering fear. Max waits for the last moment, right before everything hits the bottom and is lost.

But today the drop is late.

Why? thinks Max. Is there a motive behind the delay?

Then everything happens in an instant. Food falls down in loads. A frenzy of bodies attack, snatching and darting. They shove each other, desperation fully kicking in.

Max senses it first. The empty sky above. No watching Eye sits hovering, a pool of white and brown. No unseen voice counting out the droves that have appeared.

Now he must go.

The first few pellets are beginning to crash on the pebble floor. Max moves. One bite and then another. It tastes amazing. He can feel the movements from above. Every last one of them must be out, he thinks. But as it's said, nothing good can last forever.

Like a freight train, the presence slams into them all. They can feel it's glare. It hangs there, locking onto the mob assembling. Could they have been fooled? Lulled into comfort by the food? Max, halfway through his third pellet, drops it all and swims faster then he thought possible. He must make it to the brown wall. He has to make it. The Eye can't see him, know that he’s here. His only chance lies in the mass of bodies frantically trying to make their own escape.

Once all the fish vanish from sight, the little girl gives up her counting and goes back to playing with her toys.

Week 3:

Her hands groped across the brick, leaving her fingertips raw. They could track her with a single drop of blood, but she didn’t care. Nothing would matter if she could find it in time.

A scream cut her heart like a knife. They were getting closer. Was she even in the right place?

Growing up she had been told the stories over and over. Their last hope. Freedom only given when all was lost. A door to get them all out. And now the time had come. There was no more hope for her, she was marked. She couldn’t wait for the others. What if there weren’t even others?

The air stirred. She could now hear wings beating. She pushed harder. Brick sliced skin and then gave away. Just a sliver, filled with white glowing light. Digging in, she felt the edge of the crack and tugged; once, twice, three times. Thud. She was too late. One of them had arrived.

No, she thought. With a guttural scream, she pulled feeling the brick edge slice her hands to the bone. Finally, the sliver budged and white light spilled out. The creature shied from it giving her just the second she needed to dive in.

Not knowing what to expect on the other side, she braced for the landing. Soft ground dampened the jolt. She had made it to paradise.

Week 4:

Knock.

Go away.

“Ace are you in here? We need you for the final dress rehearsal.” Karry’s voice floods the small confines of my tour bus. She’s blocking the only way out. I wish there was a place to hide. The cabinets would never fit me and the bathroom is no refuge. Cramped. Smelly.

“Fine Karry.”

Why didn’t I leave for that pizza when I had the chance? And now I know. I squirm under the rigid gaze that has come up the steps to land on me, leather seat giving away my shift of unease.

“Two shows in and I’m already dealing with this?” This being me, something she confirms with a gesture to my slutched, trying to appear calm, body. “The owner wants full dress too. Wants to make sure he’s getting what he paid for.” Her words fall flat at the end, eyes glancing to the locked cabinet fastened where a set of bunk beds used to reside. I don’t follow the glance. I know what’s there, locked tightly. I haven’t determined yet if that’s for my protection or its.

Nothing more needs to be said. I will her to leave, and she does. No surprise. Karry never wants to be in here with it. I want to leave too, but for some reason I’m drawn, never leaving the bus unless the fine woven caplet is resting on my shoulders.

Time to begin the ritual. First stop, the mirror. I’m combed and clean, the usual average man. Not the appearance of the platinum selling, sold out stadium tour rock star that I am. Next is the voice. I always have to check. Just a few notes to know. As usual, they are short, raw and plain out screeching. The point has been made.

The key slides in. It turns like butter. No creaking, no catch, it’s all too easy getting past the confines that enclose the cape. It shimmers even without a drop of light to refract off, looking like a thousand pounds but weighing more like feathers. One, two, three. I’m ready.

This time the mirror tells a different story. I’m the one glowing, if from fame or magic I can never tell. I look like a million dollars, old street clothes replaced with black leather pants and a white t-shirt. It all blends nicely with the shimming gold cape. But now comes the real test. A cough and sputter, will it work again? Deep breath and I go.

Our Trip to Boulder, Colorado

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What a whirlwind life has been but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Just four days after moving into our new home, Chris and I headed out to Colorado to visit some friends and see another part of the country. Most of my travels have been very close to the coast. Except for the 7 day and 3000-mile road trip we took from Florida to Washington, this was the furthest inland I'd ever been. Boy, could I tell. 

What do you mean there’s no massive body of salt water nearby?

Even my three months in Indiana didn’t feel as claustrophobic as Colorado.

My first impressions, minus the surprisingly smooth landing in a notoriously turbulent airport, were downright horrible. Sit for a moment and picture Colorado in your mind. For people who've already been, you don't count. You fly into the Denver airport and...

Wait a minute??? Did they take a wrong turn and land us in Kansas???? I thought they said Colorado had mountains? Unless you drive to the Rocky Mountains, the rest of the place is a flat prairie. I'm talking zero trees and a whole lot of grass. I was shocked. Colorado is off my places to possibly live bucket list now. By the end, I did start to see the beauty of the place but maybe that was due to the large amounts of sun I was getting. 

Colorado can be beautiful, it’s just not for me.

One thing to note, something I'm sure isn't news to most, is that Colorado is dry. Aka... its hell for me. I was sick for the majority of the trip and lived in front of my friends' humidifier. My lungs just opened in that moist air. If you're from a humid state then be prepared. Most of the time it was 10% humidity and I'm still dealing with the affects. Some stores carry little tabletop humidifiers and I suggest, before you even feel the pain, that you buy one and just leave it. 

And in case you all ask, the elevation was well... So I thought I was going to walk out of the airport and pass out. I planned for it, bracing as the doors opened. In truth, I felt fine the first day. I couldn't even tell. For most of the trip, it was that way. Only when we hiked did my heart race and I became short of breath. I think my body took it harder coming back down to sea level.

As a trip, I highly recommend the visit. Maybe plan things directly in the mountains if that is what you're looking for. But there is just so much to do there as you'll see from the extensive list below of top places we saw. There wasn't even time for us to see the caves that our friends bragged about. I guess we'll just have to plan another trip.

Flat Irons Hike

When we talked with our friends about the visit, there were only two things we demanded to do; rocking climbing and hiking. At first, I was a little disappointed that our friends had picked such a short hike. It was supposed to only take 1 hour up and 1 hour down. I'm used to the 8-mile hikes Chris and I take in Washington. Boy, was I happy at the end that it wasn't any longer. This is when the elevation hit me hard. At the end, I wanted to collapse. 

We hit the trail for peaks 1 and 2. It follows a break between the two peaks to come out on top of one. Which peak we ended up on, I have no idea. The trail has steep parts, but it's the rocky footing - you see what I did there - that gives the most problems. Multiple times we were sliding and slipping. And true to form, we even had to do a little rock climbing. I guess our friends thought they could kill two birds with one stone. Don't worry, the stone is worn down from use and it's only 5 hand holds up. The view is breathtaking once you reach the top. We went during the week so we got the added bonus of a very quiet trip. Pack a snack and sit for a while but beware that it can get windy and cold at the top. We're talking over 7,000 feet up once you're all said and done. 

Rock Climbing

Ha.... and they thought we went rock climbing. Nope. 

We decided to stay a little closer to their apartment and go with the EVO Rock + Fitness Gym instead of the one in Boulder. The place was superb. I wish we could pick it up and place it here in Issaquah. Not only was the bouldering section spacious with lots of options, the gym itself had some awesome equipment. Mixed between a Crossfit gym and rock climbing, there was something there for everyone. Make sure to explore since the day pass lets you access everything. We even found some slacklines to occupy part of our time.

Pearl Street

And because every trip must have some sort of shopping, I need to find a bookstore everywhere, our friends took us to Pearl St. in Boulder. An open-air mall style shopping, the place is filled with small and brand name stores. And you guessed it... I found that bookstore. 

    Boulder Bookstore

Three stories tall, the shop is in an antique building. So many sections to my heart's content, I ended up losing my friends to my endless wandering. A girl has got to see everything. They host a lot of events so you never know what goodies you might find. They even have used/sale books throughout the store and yes, I bought a book. That and stickers and pins. 

    Fior Gelato

Bookstore and ice cream... oh my. One of our friends is vegan and she begged us to try her find of the century. She could never steer us wrong. The owners were trained in Italy to create their gelato and my goodness, the chocolate vegan gelato tasted just like icing. I ended up not going here once, but twice. Yes ma'am, I dragged everyone back.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary

The highlight of the whole trip. There are no words that I could use to fully explain the feelings I had getting to visit this amazing haven for so many mistreated animals. I was balling at one point. Not only can I now say I've walked on the longest boardwalk in the world, I've now heard lions in real life. The sound is nothing like you would expect.

Because animals don't view the sky as territory, the owners built a boardwalk so that visitors would not disturb the animals. I actually felt like I was able to get closer because of that - or maybe it was the fact that I had a telephoto lens with me???? Case in point with how close I got to this man in the picture. If you have the time, go. This place is just amazing. And they run it with no government funding, just donations. I do wonder if they're run by a Clemson grad though. If you want to know why, click the link and you'll see. 

Celestial Tea Tour

I said we did a lot. Who likes to sit at home? And kudos to you for sticking with me this long. If it took you a while to get through, it sure took me a while to write. 

Anyways...

Trying to drink more tea in my life, I couldn't say no to a tea tour. Boulder is where Celestial Tea Company started, and it was very cool to see behind the scenes of their own tea packaging plant. Oh the smells. It was a lot of fun. Not only do you get to wear a hair net, and maybe beard net in Chris's case, on the free tour, but there is a tea tasting at the beginning. Then at the end, you can peruse their factory store, and trust me you'll want to. Their tea is way cheaper, so find a way to take some of that goodness back home with you. 

University of Colorado Boulder

Last but not least, the university visit. Our last day and where do we end up but the campus. I love seeing where other kids go to school. I can now boast almost ten campus visits. And per the usual, we did the stadium visit. UF is still the best. Make sure to check out the restaurants around the campus too. We found an awesome Pho place and even a Mexican-Indian fusion restaurant

Love Kait

 

"A Million Junes" by Emily Henry Book Review

“When people pity you, it's like they don't realize that the exact same thing is coming for them. And then I feel embarrassed and uncomfortable and have to pity them, because, like, do you not realize that it's always someone's turn? You haven't noticed everyone gets a few blows that seem so big you can't survive them?”

What did I expect when I turned the first page of A Million Junes? Was it to crawl into a cocoon of blankets and never want to leave its warmth and comfort? If you guessed right then…

*ding, ding*

You win a new car!

Ok just kidding. I didn’t buy you a new car. But I can promise you this book will suck you in, never letting you go. If I were you, I’d make sure to grab those blankets first.

I had no expectations when starting this book. In honesty, it probably wouldn’t have entered my radar for a while. Thank you book club for finding an awesome catch. What I did know was that it seemed like a retelling of Romeo and Juliet, but that’s not the case. The only thing taken from that story is the hatred of two families because it goes in a completely different direction quickly.

The story is based around June, a girl who ten years ago lost her father suddenly. During her last year of high school, her grand plan for a future is to live just as her father and father’s father lived, footloose and carefree. That is until Saul comes into town, a member of the family June is brought up to hate. If anything bad happens to her family, it’s their fault. But with Saul’s entrance, a magical thing happens and June begins to see memories from the white wisps surrounding her family’s house. All that she knew begins to turn upside down as she learns the real truth behind the family hatred and the death of her father.

The concept is fresh for a YA contemporary story. To me, most fantasy stories set in present time are filled with overdone concepts and made up worlds to the point that the contemporary aspect becomes quickly lost. Henry instead takes the modern world and gives it a slight twist, just enough to let the reader know that magic can exist.

June is also a fresh strong female voice in YA. Her snarky POV lends a groove that sticks with me well. Mix her with Saul and you’ve got a great combo of comebacks and whiplash. These characters feel like real people just put into paper form. Hands down some of the best character building I’ve ever read. And one of the reasons this book is so easy to fall in love with. That and the glorious whimsy of the story.

“My inheritance is grief and sunlight and the ability to choose which to hold on to.”

Henry’s imagination is great.

Until you get to the end. There she loses me. The story becomes jumpy and it’s hard to keep everything straight. Soon a whole mash of characters comes into play with no room to breathe. That and the weird scene construction left me going *huh*. I can’t tell you more for fear of spoilers.

The story itself goes a little out there - especially for a book that feels like it’s playing the fantasy part on the down low. The ending plays a 180, like the movie Sunshine, where you feel like you are watching a sci-fi flick till the ending turns into a slasher. And no, this book doesn’t turn into a slasher. It’s just a comparison guys. Mix all this with the changes from beginning to end and you might feel that the two parts are completely different stories. This isn’t a complete turn-off but does leave one a little winded and confused. I can say that I was sitting there going “Now where was the beginning?”

Still, this won’t deter me from recommending A Million Junes to anyone I see - though it won’t be getting the 5 stars I wanted to give it so badly. Henry was able to put together a well-rounded story that included some good secondary story arcs, strong original characters, and an overall fun concept to get sucked into. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Love Kait

Reading Challenge: 33/100

 

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

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On a cold and windy day, four brave souls ventured outside the safety of downtown Seattle in search of Tulips. They were told there would be many. They were told it would be grand. But they weren’t told that it would be the coolest trip ever.

Ok, silly intro…. But what else can one say about the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival?

 

We had a great time, though we only visited RoozenGaarde.

An easy 1-hour drive north on I-5 and you’ve arrived (well after a few turns on some back country roads). We did get a little lost on the way there, but nothing that a quick google search couldn’t fix.

What a great way to kick off spring in the rainy capital. The bright colors and whimsical gardens set the soul alive. The rain couldn’t even damper the sight. We attended the first weekend, and with the late cold spell, the fields were only partially bloomed. I would definitely recommend watching the bloom map to get an idea of the best time to go. (Click here for the link.) Be warned though - the best time to go will also be the most crowded. Only the bravest came out the day we went. It was very windy and very rainy. Go figure.

The event is great for families. Parking is free but there is a small entrance fee. If the fields are too muddy for you, the entryway is packed with gardens for your enjoyment. Tables are spaced out for you to enjoy the refreshments for sale. I definitely could have used a warm cup of something that day but my hands were too full with picture taking. You can even take home a piece of the festival with potted tulips. You might see the blossoms bloom in front of your eyes when you take them in the warm car.

Make sure to check out the old school bus at the back of the fields. It is filled with rubber bands, I have yet to figure out why, but it’s a great place to rest. Grab a few cool photos or enjoy the break from the wind like we did.

So arrive early and enjoy the day. Take all the pictures you want, but make sure to follow the rules. I was sad to see so many tulips trampled because people refused to walk in the mud. Come on people, we live in the rainy state.

If you want to sell pictures taken at RoozenGaarde, you must fill out a permission form. Don’t worry it’s a pain-free process. Visit the corporate office just 100 yards down the street. All they require is a business card and a John Hancock.

Grab the family and head out. See what the great PNW has to offer.

Love Kait.

 

"The Wicked Deep" by Shea Ernshaw Book Review

“It starts as a low croon that rolls in with the tide, a sound so faint it might just be the wind blowing through the clapboard shutters, through the portholes of docked fishing boats, and into narrow cracks along sagging doorways. But after the first night, the harmony of voices becomes undeniable. An enchanting hymn sailing over the water’s surface, cool and soft and alluring. The Swan sisters have awakened.”

The Wicked Deep is a little book that packs a punch. It’s more than just a pretty cover. Ernshaw stole the show and I’ll be anticipating her next book which, if Instagram will tell you anything, she is working on right now.

I do have a few complaints. Some areas and story points leaves one unsatisfied. Though small in size, I feel like the biggest complaint, with me and the book club, was the male protagonist’s name. What boy, who lives close enough to sail regularly on Lake Washington, would be called Bo? I may be nit-picking here, but I live in Washington, and I really don’t think that anyone west of the Cascades would name their kid Bo in this day and age. Ok, rant over….

...Or is it?

The second major problem will need to be tiptoed around. I can’t go into detail because a huge portion of the story will be revealed. It’s a good way in, and I think you’ll know it when you hit it. Essentially, there is no foreshadowing of a huge reveal. I’m not saying that surprises aren’t great, I love them, but this specific surprise left a feeling of betrayal and gave the rest of the story a nasty taste. But maybe that was Ernshaw’s point? She wanted us to have those emotions.

Ignoring those two complaints though - I really hope you’re still with me - this story swept me away.

*no pun intended*

“Love is an enchantress - devious and wild. It sneaks up behind you, soft and gentle and quiet, just before it slits your throat.”

*just like this book sweeps you into its folds*

I didn’t want to put it down. It’s dark in all the right places. The backstory is well laid out at all the right times. The characters are very compelling. Their motivations strong and real. We see change and desire which drives the story forward. Even writing this review makes me want to dive in for another read. It’s the type of story that sticks with you even well after it’s over.

The real winner in the book is Ernshaw’s writing. Her word choice on even the tiniest parts lends to the well-crafted story and attention to detail on the descriptions. I think her decision of picking a location she knows well, Oregon, and using that was also a smart move. It gave her the ability to show the feelings of the Pacific Northwest in a clear and concise way. She just conveys what she wants with such depth that at times you’re drenched by the constant rain or feel the mist float in off the water.

All in all, I’m really glad I took the chance and purchased the book. Most of the time I’ll just borrow them and then decide. Goodreads rating of 4 stars.

Reading Challenge: 31/100.

"The Wildling Sisters" by Eve Chase Book Review

Have you read a book before where the sound of the words draws you in? Each one a carefully constructed symphony of prose, ending in a musical crescendo that lulls you into a poetic dreamland.

Well….

That was the Wildling Sisters for me.

Set between two worlds, same house, the stories collide 50 years apart where the mystery of a missing 12-year-old plague an English country manor. A new family moves in the house unaware of its dark past yet still bringing their own mystery. Fifty years previous, four sisters, abandoned by their mother one summer, are forced to reside with their aunt and uncle who five years earlier lost their own daughter when she went missing. Eventually, the mystery of it all unfolds, past and present, till both worlds must meet.

Dark stories unfold until the end when everything comes delivered with a nice red bow. All questions get answered. There is no air of mystery leaving us hanging. Though I enjoyed finding out everything, it was a little rushed and I could have lived without it. Others agreed, some saying that it was just all too nice. And with a book that is set a little darker, maybe a light ending wasn’t the best option.

But the main theme throughout was motherhood. We have the absent mother of the girls, the mother who lost her child, and the mother stepping in for a dead mother. I hope that was the focus. If you remove the theme and the fact that they are in the same house, it would feel like two stories thrown together because they were too short to stand alone. Even the point of views - there are two total - are so very distinct that when they switch, you can easily read the difference.

I think Chase’s writing is the reason that I enjoyed myself. Most of my peers thought the story was dull. Nothing surprising comes out in the end - it was more of a dud - and many may give up once the excitement wears off. This isn’t a murder mystery, isn’t advertised as one, yet that is exactly what Chase wants you to believe within the first few pages as girls drag a lifeless limp body through the garden. Maybe if the beginning had been a little less dramatic, readers would have been prepared for the slower storyline. Instead, we spend the entire story wondering where the body fits into the mix.

Yet don’t give up. This story has a great gothic undertone. It doesn’t go super dark but poses a few more questions about missing girls and sex. Darker themes are my jam now and I think it’s because I’m getting older. But these moments in the story are what give it life. They breathe a realness into the story. That mixed with Chase’s prose is why I’ve ultimately given this book 4 stars.

Overall, a quick and easy read. I was able to finish it in three days with a very hectic schedule. I would place this on your summer beach list. You might just enjoy the transport back to the English countryside.

Love Kait

 

In the Life: How I Live Eco-Friendly

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Hello world.

Today I want to get personal; spend a moment to share how I live eco-friendly. I’m not going to cover the whys - it’s overdone and we should come to this choice on our own - but the hows. Society can be confusing, making the green choice look easy look easy; just bring our own bags to the store, that alone will change the world. Or, the flip side where not driving a car again, recycling all of our water, or not eating another scrap of meat can save the planet.

And you’ve joined the cause and decided to go eco-friendly.

What do you do?

I have no idea who is right. I just know what I can do to live green. We need to make changes but not everyone can be a vegetarian and I can’t even afford that Tesla.

To me being green is being mentally conscious. I wake up every day and choose to question everything. Don’t be discouraged. It becomes second nature. Before buying that bar of soap, take a moment and research the ingredients. Are those suds going down the drain polluting water sources?  What does the company stand for? Do they give employees a fair share or do they produce in a solar-powered factory? Can you buy more local produce? Take a Saturday and visit the local market. These little steps, if everyone made the same choice, could be a change. All you have to do is take a moment to question.

A great example for me was buying boxes for our move last weekend. I had saved most of the boxes from our cross country move over a year ago, but even in that time, we accumulated more stuff…. yay… that or I can’t pack as well as my mother-in-law. I think we'll go with the second option. So we stood looking at the options. And guess what, most of the sets were covered in plastic wrap, that disgusting single-use plastic. Gross. Why are we wrapping these boxes in plastic? It’s that whole thing of putting a bag in another bag. The super-sized pack, a lovely 15 box set, which we did end up needing all of, was the only plastic-free option. Yes, it was more money at the time, and we really didn’t think we’d need that many, but we wanted to make a cleaner option.

Here is the point of the story. We looked at the options and we chose the one we thought would be the best on the environment. Did we make the right choice? I think so because I did use all the boxes. But that’s a whole other story.

And this is the start of change. Our country runs on consumerism. If we as a society force companies to question their production practices, then we can become the difference.

Take trash bags. Yes, they are a lovely convenience, but why must they be made of noncompostable materials? So let’s change that. Buy different bags. Companies will see the drop in sales and focus on what consumers are buying. Or better yet, attend county meetings and try to set up composting in the county. Imagine the amount of trash that could be cut back on.

So for the next month, I challenge you all to just question. Want to buy in bulk? Don’t grab those nasty plastic bags offered. Why not see if there are some paper bags in the produce section. Guess what, that was a huge change. Instead of throwing that old t-shirt away, why not cut it up as washable makeup wipes? Image how many more uses you could get out of that same square of fabric.

For us as a society to be the change, we need to change our thoughts. We can do this. It just takes a little mental training my young padawan. Do it and show others that it can be done.

Good luck!

Love Kait

"Winternight Trilogy" by Katherine Arden Book Review

“All my life,” she said, “I have been told ‘go’ and ‘come.’ I am told how I will live, and I am told how I must die. I must be a man’s servant and a mare for his pleasure, or I must hide myself behind walls and surrender my flesh to a cold, silent god. I would walk into the jaws of hell itself, if it were a path of my own choosing. I would rather die tomorrow in the forest than live a hundred years of the life appointed me.” - Katherine Arden

Alright. Review done. I think the quote above about covers it.

This book is more than just a story.

Set in a time before Christianity was the common religion, before Moscow was an empire, and the pagan beliefs where clung to by a few braves souls. When frozen gods roamed the forests and stories were still told before roaring fires. People’s beliefs of the old begin to fade and the pagan creatures hang onto last breathes. What would you do if only the clapping hands of children that believed could keep you alive? What if those stories told by wise old mothers were actually true?

That is the world that Arden has created. A fearful, fairy tale filled frozen Prussia with a girl that still sees it all. Vasya is unafraid of the domovoi in her oven. Instead, she fears the coming change of Christianity and the slipping of magical power. Is she the only one that can save them and herself?

And this is where the story is so much more. Not only are we filled with the rich texture of folklore but the issues covered are still just as relevant today. Case in point with the quote above. Vasya does not only fight for her friends, but also for her right to be a strong minded woman in a time where women are expected to keep house and have babies. I’m super impressed that the concept was carried out in both books.

Arden has a craft for well executed descriptions. You can feel the crack of skin from the cold, or the warm fire keeping out the chill. She fuses politics and fairytales in a story that is not dated. It was fresh, exciting, and felt perfect for any age.

The first book receives a solid five stars.  I couldn’t wait for the second book. I sat down and bam, disappointment.

Why?!?!?!

I think that Arden might have burned out on the first book. That or she hadn’t intended to make a second story.

Her strong prose was lost in the first half. I can see now that it was a setup for the second half, but the magic of her writing was all but gone. Vasya felt like a different creature, and not because she had grown as a person. I wasn’t lost in the whimsy of the moment. I did stick with it, glad since the second half was downright amazing again. Everything I loved about Arden’s writing was back. Was it enough to make up for the first half…. I don’t know. But it does make me very excited for the third and final book of the series which comes out later this year.

If you’re looking for a bit of whimsy, a Russian telling of fairy tales, and a well executed and well written story, then I would definitely give this series a try.

Love Kait.

Giving Up Chemicals: Dish Soap Edition

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Ok, guys. I did something. I made my own dish soap.

*gasp*

I know, right? Those same thoughts running through your head, I had them too. How can someone possibly make their own dish soap? Aren’t there ingredients that we simply need? What about germs?

I agree. I wasn’t down for the idea when it first crossed my path. It’s like the toothpaste problem, I get it into my head that I can’t live without certain chemical. How will I ever keep my stuff clean and safe?

Well, I’m still alive….

And I’ve been using this soap upwards of 3 weeks.

Clearly, a chemical-free dish soap won’t kill you.

First off, this recipe came from Dr. Axe's book*. Ya, that guy. I’ve been struggling with digestive problems for a while. I felt that I had a clean eating style but, clearly, it wasn’t enough. After every meal, I was still feeling deathly ill and my stomach HURT. So after a reliable recommendation, I gave his book Eat Dirt a whirl. I’ve read 4 of these gut books but this was the best one. I know his site comes across as very Dr. Oz and Dr. Phill, but his book is completely different.

Long story short, Dr. Axe reminded me that we absorb so much through our skin. Just small amounts can lead to gut problems. When I saw that, yes it is possible to make dish soap at home, I decided why not. One more step I can take to living a chemical free life.

What I love about this recipe is that it takes minutes to make. Even my husband has made a batch. It’s essentially equal parts water and castile soap - I used Dr. Bonners - and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar per cup of mixture. I tend to go a little heavier on the white vinegar because it helps with water spots. You can also add your favorite essential oils to make it smell just like Mrs. Meyers. I tend to forget this step to the dismay of my husband. For some reason, he wants all the smells.

Also, you can buy a pretty bottle to put it in. I haven’t yet, which means that I’m still using my last Seventh Generation bottle. Take that, single-use plastics. Now you know why I didn’t include the final product in the photo. I think we can all take a moment to use our imaginations.

This soap isn’t your typical dish soap, and it took me a while to get used to it. It just doesn’t cut grease like the store brands. Sometimes I need to wash a dish twice before all the grease is gone. The suds won’t hold up either. I learned that you don’t want to add water to the sponge. Scrub the dishes and then rinse them. This will help save water since you won’t be tempted to wash under running water.

Will I stick with this? I think so for the time being. I’m starting to get a little bit hooked. There are just so many chemicals in the store brands - just turn that bottle over and look. If you think about it, what did our ancestors use before Dawn was invented? Sand and castile soap was the name of the game.

But if I do go quiet on the blogging front, you’ll know what killed me. Happy making your own soap. After you’ve given it a whirl, let me know what you think.

Love Kait

*Upon further research, it appears that Dr. Axe has changed his recipe on the blog. I used the one that was in his book published two years ago. The link provided is to the new recipe. I might need to give this one a try since he specifically mentions that lemon essential oils helps to cut grease. If you do give this new recip a try, let me know what you think. 

 

"Gemina" by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristof Book Review

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There comes a point in a series where you need to stop and ask yourself, is this good for my heart? And, why am I putting myself through this? The Illuminae series is really killing me but… People help…. I can’t put it down.

*If you have not read the first book Illuminae yet, I advise you to stop here. There will be spoilers for the first book.*

Ok, I warned you.

Turn it off now.

I’m going to spoil everything.

Ezra is alive.

There did it. Now you can’t be mad at me. You kept reading.

When I first heard that this book was being told through the eyes of new characters, I was immediately heartbroken. What about Kady Grant and Ezra Mason? You made me fall in love with them and now you’re stripping them from my life…! No worries. It’s all worth it. You’ll fall in love with Nik and Hanna in just the same manner. And trust me on this one…. You owe me because you kept reading… It’s worth the change. These new characters are well developed and even come with their own jar of snarkiness.

The change shouldn’t come as a surprise. During the entire first book, Heimdall station was mentioned only a billion and one times. Kady kept saying how she hoped her dad was fine. Comments on Heimdall’s safety and existence kept coming into question. So, it only seems plausible that Kaufman and Kristoff would want to tell the story of what happens on Heimdall. And not to give anything away, but both stories wrap up together at the end with a pretty bow.

And to the joy of all…. It’s still told in the lovely dossier style. This time, everything comes to light in the court trial for Frobisher. Yes! Take that evil lady who wants to kill her son.

*Again I warned you*

The only downside is that there are a lot more surveillance moments. I guess it isn’t a bad thing, I just wasn’t a super fan. Or maybe, I just wasn’t prepared for the change? Aidan isn’t on this ship and can’t monologue the whole event for me.

This book is anything short of brilliant. These two have a wide array of tricks up their sleeves and didn’t hold anything back. I just want for a moment to see into the minds of these two, discover how all these building pieces get put together.

The plot is well devised and, in some ways, surpasses the first book. The sci-fi twists are well placed and believable, not that they all have to be, we are talking about spaceships and jump stations, but I want to be able to go along with it. When you talk about switching bodies in dreams, then I need to pull the plug. I guess it’s my space upbringing that allows me to accept this stuff with more of an open mind.

Are you going to assume that I gave this book anything other than 5 stars? Better not. And it is all cemented after meeting these amazing people in person. The signing couldn’t have been any better in my dreams. The two just sat rattling off about life and writing to the point that the commentator could barely get a few questions out. We now know that Kaufman’s backup plan is to be a lighthouse keeper, which is impossible since they’re all automated now, so she better stick to writing.

And in case you haven’t heard, since only like 2 people in the audience knew to the shock of Kaufman and Kristoff, they are working on another series together. It’s supposed to be Guardians of the Galaxy meets Starfleet Academy. Essentially, the world needs saving and they are the only ones in the room to do it. The first book is set to be out next year, I already need to start a countdown.

Happy reading till next time.

Love Kait

 

 

Seattle: 3 Summer Hikes Off I-90

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For the tiniest split second, we all thought that spring had arrived in Seattle. Boy were we wrong. It’s back to the rainy days and cold weather. Sometimes the sun peeks out, a few moments of joyful bliss. You step outside, thinking that it will be warm and summer, but then discover that it’s a bitter chill only sweaters and thick jackets will keep out.

I’ve been feeling super nostalgic, so in hopes of coxing summer out, I’ve made a list of a few hikes Chris and I did last summer. Here’s to planning shorts weather and swim dates and feeling the heat of the sun on our skins.

Rattlesnake Ledge

Rattlesnake Ledge

Rattlesnake Ledge

    4 mile Round Trip

    Elevation Gain: 1160 ft

    Highest Point: 2078 ft

    No Pass Required

Don’t worry, this hike wasn’t named after the scary reptiles that can be found past the mountains, it was named after the sounds the flowers made before there was a lake. If you want to feel a good burn and see a great view, this is the hike to tackle. Pack a lunch for the top and bask on the sunny rock outcropping. A very busy hike so I would get there early.After the hike, rest your tired feet in the mountain lake. Or skip the hike all together and enjoy a picnic and lazy afternoon with family and friends.

Though this hike is doggie friendly, I would be careful with the rock ledge. There are large cracks that fall straight down and no railing to keep you from the edge.

 

Talapus Lake

Olallie Lake

Olallie Lake

    6.2 miles Round Trip

    Elevation Gain: 1220 ft

    Highest Point: 3780 ft

    NW Forest Pass Required

This hike is a fairytale reimagined. Start on a forested path that changes to a steep trek with a nice drop-off. Once past that you enter the home of the fairies. Filled with babbling streams and wooden paths, it is a quaint trip from reality. Stay here and enjoy the moment or keep going to the first lake, which is a small deviation from the main path. Fallen logs line the edge, and hikers will bring blow up rafts to drift along the surface or hang out on the logs rest. Follow the main path again up another steep portion. Take the fork to Talapus Lake. Here you can camp and enjoy another stunning lake with a mountain backdrop. Enjoy the cleared area from lunch or set up for a longer stay at locations around the lake.

Though the parking lot was full when we arrived back, we passed only a few people on the trail. The dogs thoroughly enjoyed this hike. I ended up spraining my ankle. They had just redone the trail and all the stones were covered. I was lucky enough to find them all. There is also a rutted longish dirt road drive up to the trailhead.

 

Twin Falls

Twin Falls

Twin Falls

    2.6 miles Round Trip

    Elevation Gain: 500 ft

    Highest Point: 100 ft

    Discover Pass Required

I love this hike for taking visitors. A short little jaunt if they don’t have long and portions that my older, less inclined to hike, family members can enjoy. It gives a great taste of the PNW wildness in a few steps. The beginning follows right along a river with a low gain easy trail. Along the way, stop at the few openings to the river to enjoy the view or skip along the rocks in the shallow areas. The trail eventually diverts from the river, giving a great taste of rainforest charm. Now is a great time to turn around for those that can’t do the incline. Keep going and follow the trail to another stop, the first view of the falls. Benches are provided. From there the trail takes you to other stops, one overhanging the river. Still, further, you will see the second waterfall with a bridge that crosses it. Most of the time we turn at this point but the trail does keep going. I think that it meets up with other trails.

We have done this trail on busy holidays, like Memorial Day Weekend, and have never struggled with parking. If you don’t park by the trailhead, make sure to pay attention to the notice, you can get away without the pass. Our boys love this hike. We’ve done it multiple times with them. The trail is very well shaded and was even cool in the summer. Berry bushes can be seen at the beginning.

 

Hopefully, this will get you into the summer spirit, or at least remind you all of this cold and rain must end eventually. Until then, stay warm.

 

Love Kait

 

Twin Falls

Twin Falls

"Falling Kingdoms" by Morgan Rhodes Book Review

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Falling…

Falling...

And gone...

All my hopes that this book would actually turn out well.

I hate to be so harsh, especially since I’m an aspiring novelist, but this story needed some serious help. Books like this one give me hope that I too can get published.

The real hit in the gut was finding out that Morgan Rhodes is a nom de plume for Michelle Rowan. I haven’t read any of Rowan’s previous work, but an experienced writer, such as herself, should be able to pull off a better story than the one I read. Why did she need to use a nom de plume in the first place? Maybe Falling Kingdoms isn’t in her traditional genre but, if you are a good enough writer, your work should be able to carry you over.

One random look at the cover and I would never have decided to read this book (it was chosen for my book club). I still sit here, having fully read the whole thing, and wonder how the cover ties into the story at all. The cover makes you believe the story is full of epic characters, skilled in fighting and stealth, taking down kingdoms, with a little bit of magic mixed it. All just a load of false advertising.

In whole, the entire story was boring. We’ll first start with the characters. If you want to make a YA version of Game of Thrones, then you need to do a good job. Don’t let your characters dangle in the wind, feeling pointless and soulless. We weren’t given a John Snow to rally behind or even a Joffery to cringe from. Instead, just a girl that can’t make a decision until it’s extremely moronic, who is played off as the spoiled girl turned heroine, and some kid that loves his sister - which just seems like a poor rip off of you know who. Rhodes does kill her characters, yet even her timing of it all is poorly done. I really never saw the point.

And then we come to the plot. Sometimes authors can get away with poorly done characters if the plot is fantastic. Ya, no…. Not in this case. It was a snooze fest and, again, if I didn’t need to read this to discuss it with the group I would have put it down. The first two chapters did have me hopeful; killings betrayals, kidnappings, and hidden powers… oh boy… and all done within the span of a few pages. But maybe that was the problem. All the good stuff was thrown into the beginning. Rhodes sets you up on a high adventure and then leaves you waiting on the corner in cosplay with your paper sword and shield in hand. There was nothing to carry you through to the end. Nothing but a bunch of moments that left you sitting there going wtf.

I have heard that you need to read the first two books before the series really takes off. I tip my hat to anyone who read the first two books without knowing there was hope. Since I’m a sucker for hope, I have requested the second one on audiobook. Yes, I have downgraded it to audio, which means that you guys will not know what I think unless you follow my stories on Instagram (that’s where I post my feelings for audiobooks). I just want to add,  if the author had plans for a drawn-out epic fantasy, he/she really needed to get their readers hooked on the first book. You don’t have time to set up here. That’s always reserved for the middle of the series. Since this isn’t the worst book I’ve ever read, I gave it 2 stars out of 5. Good luck reading, and if you decide to take this one on, I wish you all the luck.

Goodreads Challenge: 22/77

Love Kait

 

In The Life: Straw Edition

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For the past year, I’ve been a baggie carrying straw hater.

Yup, you heard that right.

A straw hater. Bendy…. Straight… Curly-cued…. They are all the same.

I may be a straw snob, but I refuse to use a straw that isn’t made from paper.

Many people are banding together to make this pledge. Hashtags like #stopsucking and The Last Plastic Straw are appearing in hopes of educating the public. Even though I’ve been doing this for over a year, I didn’t realize the magnitude these little critters have on the world. The last Plastic Straw states, “500 million straws are used and discarded in the US every day.” So multiply that by 365 days and you get the picture. And straws aren’t the only ones doing the damage. Image what our

actual total consumption of plastic is….. Another story for another day. I don’t want to be the cause of your nightmares.

The worst part of this story is that even though you dump that plastic tube into the trash can, it doesn’t always make it to the landfill. A lot of those beasts are showing up in valuable ecosystems like our oceans. Plastic doesn’t degrade over time either, it just keeps getting smaller until it ends up as tiny modules which appear on our beaches. I’ve seen the photos from beach cleanups, ones done to collect these tiny specs, and it’s impressive how much they end up collecting. Even if the item says recyclable, how much as a society are recycling correctly? And when was the last time you saw a recycle symbol on a straw?

So for the past year, I’ve tried my best to cut down on straws, instead opting for the nice and biodegradable paper version.

Ok, so I messed up a lot at first. Don’t hate yourself for that. Even today, I’ll absentmindedly grab the straw handed to me not realizing what I’ve done till it was firmly in my drink cup. In the beginning, I would forget about my bursting baggie of paper goodness in my purse. Or, many times, restaurants would deliver my drink already strawed. I hate to add more waste by replacing a straw that is already in use. The first step in all of this was learning which places delivered strawed and making sure they knew I wasn’t wanting that delightful service.

You could suggest that we go straw free completely, but some places I would never place my lips on that glass. And what about those iced drinks at Starbucks? Don’t tell me you are willing to drink that full cup, top free in a moving car? Hence my paper straw carrying status.

I remember the first time I pulled the now very common baggie out of my purse for the first time in front of my friends. The stares. It was just too much fun. I was ecstatic. Here I could help to educate others about the importance of letting go of straws, or I should say the plastic ones, and now I immediately ask my friends if they too would love one.

So I wanted to share this story with you to show that even the small things matter. Cutting the use of straws alone will make a difference. And if we can change the mindset on this one thing, image what else we can do.

Last note with all of this. While searching for your new paper straw buddy, know that not all brands are the same. Don’t get discouraged if the first ones you pick up don’t hold up to the task. I’ve had straws that last through a solid meal and others that start to dissolve the minute they hit liquid. Give a few different ones a try and have fun carrying around your own baggie full of straws.

Love Kait

"Illuminae" by Aimie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff Book Review

“Perhaps bravery is simply the face humanity wraps around its collective madness.”

I sit here stunned and wiped out, breathless from the ride and in desperate need for my heart to restart. Even days later, I can still feel the shock.

There are no words for the amount of epic imagination and creativity that went into creating this story. This is not just a story, but a graphic visualization of corruption and artificial intelligence and all around badassness. I was strapped in from the first page, ready for takeoff, and I was not in the least disappointed.

“But what I do is not murder. It is mercy.”

Honestly, when you think this story is about one thing, it does a 180 and leaves you falling, only to catch you before your heart splats on the ground. You’ll be kept on the edge of your seat, reeling in the chaos of space.

Ok but really…..

I’ll be a little more technical now. No more fangirling. Just one more quote.

“She is a thief. A whisper. Melting through curtains of code and shadow like a knife through black water.”

Which segues us into character development. This entire story is told in the form of a dossier: paperwork, surveillance, journal entries, flight reports, audio clips, etc. Trust me when I say that this adds more to the story. But Kaufman and Kristoff’s ability to make characters pop from the page in IM messaging and random surveillance footage is downright borderline genius. There isn’t a way in this format to write drawn out character descriptions, giving readers deeper insights. Instead, we are forced, in somewhat dry documents, to determine why we love these characters. Kaufman and Kristoff pulled it off. Kady Grant might be my all-time favorite fictional character. Move over Katniss you have some serious competition now.

There are times when the visual representations added a depth to the story creating moments when you felt like you were flying. At one point, I was turning the entire book to read the words, swooping like a fighter jet to capture the observations by AIDEN. Even the breathless moments in space were shown on the page, though I have no idea how they pulled it off.

What more can I say? The story was original enough. I caught glimpses of 2001: A Space Odyssey and Star Wars. The love story was well done and not overly dramatic. Many moments had me sitting in shock, unable to accept what had just happened. I’m not kidding when I say that I was sucked in.

One downside is that with the document style, I had a hard time keeping track of all the characters. Multiple times I had to go back and reference who the person was. This happened in a few critical moments which lost their overall shock. I’m taking this knowledge as I start the second book in hopes of fixing the problem.

I can’t wait to start the next one and, lucky me, the third one is already out. No need to suffer like most of humanity who discovered this series early on. I’m also very lucky to meet the authors next week and hopefully get all the books signed. I’ll be sharing the joyous moments on Instagram. And to wrap this up, if you couldn’t guess it, 5 out of 5 stars. If I could, this book would be getting all the stars in the universe (do you see what I just did there? *insert cheeky smile*).

Love Kait

 

This or That: Zuzu Luxe vs. 100% Pure Mascara

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Mascara - A crime in a little tube and one girl’s journey to find a chemical-free version.

*queue “The Sounds of Silence” *

My dear friend,

I’m sorry to say goodbye to you,

When I realized how crude,

Your ingredients list was.

ahhhhhhh

In the trash you gooooooooo….

Today I would like to say a few words. Benefit mascara was a dear friend. This little tube took me to many places; parties, weddings, and even tackled plots to take over the world. But now…. *wipes eyes*…. We must say goodbye to this great and wonderful partner.

And those crocodile tears were really wiping out that last swipe of mascara. I made that tube last. If there was a way, I found and used it to make every darn drop come out. I didn’t want it to end but, eventually, good things do end and I was left with nothing to volumize or lengthen my lashes.

Armed with my phone, advice from the sister-in-law, and a budget I pledged to correct a wrong. It was time to find a chemical-free version.

A few clicks, some interesting descriptions, and random guesses later, I came down to two brands; Zuzu Luxe and 100% Pure.

Zulu Luxe

$17.60

Think Dirty Rating: 3 (Contains Titanium Dioxide)

Overall Thoughts: Would never wear again

Let’s start with the fact that I was won over by the price tag; that and they used the word lengthening in the description, my biggest want in mascara. Sold. On top of that, the brand is local to Seattle, owned by larger company Gabriel which has been in production for decades, and what???? Insta-gratification. You can buy it at Whole Foods. Here…. Take my money.

Should have known the price tag came at a cost. The cost of the worse tube I’ve purchased since my pre-teen years. The goop got everywhere. And I’ll call it that because it smells horrible. Really makes me want to second guess that natural thing.

I understand that we’re going natural here but that doesn’t mean you should give it the worst wand on the face of the planet. I ended up applying the stuff to my old benefit wand to get something to happen. Clump after horrible messy clump. I ended up looking like a five-year-old that got into the makeup bag and decided to play dress up.

 

100% Pure

$26.00

Think Dirty Rating: 3 (Contains Origanum Vulgare Oregano Leaf)

Overall Thoughts: Takes time to get used to but now I’m hooked

Good news, there is hope out there. This little brand has started to grow along the West Coast and I’m so happy because *little dance* there’s a store the Seattle area. I really didn’t want to pay for shipping on one product, especially if I ended up hating it. I wasn’t too confident after my first natural attempt. Maybe it would have been better if I had tried some other product like blush?

First stop in the store and I was so happy. Sadly for my husband, we ended up walking out with more than just the mascara. I’ll note that not all items fall into the zero range as shown above. Their nail polishes are ranked pretty high on the toxicity scale. In terms of this mascara, they do have zero ranked versions, I want to say that the ranking is more due to allergic concerns than toxicity.

Ok back to my thoughts.

I’m going to stick with this brand for a while. The wand is amazing, producing lashes just like Benefit. Downsides though, the stuff does tend to get everywhere during application, doesn’t last for all-day wear (needs to be reapplied after a few hours) and getting those nice lashes takes work. We’re talking multiple coats with curling in between.

Overall, I have hope. There are brands out there that could give me the results I want. Sad part is, the quality comes with a price, something that we should all know when buying makeup. Let’s see how 100% Pure’s other products go. I don’t know. I might get brave and try out a few other brands.

Love Kait

"Every Last Lie" by Mary Kubica Book Review

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OMG…..

Like really?!?!?

That ending…..

Am I mad? Not in the least. In a day when thrillers are the game, I loved her twist with the ending. I guess it isn’t a twist in the traditional sense but, when you sit through the entire book wondering how this is all going to end, Kubica’s ending is a diversion from the traditional thriller storyline. I want to start a long discussion, see how the rest of the world feels. I can tell you that my book club wasn’t down for it. They thought it was stupid and a letdown, all feelings that are opposite from mine. I found it refreshing. But I must stop here. If I say more than I will give it all away. Darn my policy on no spoilers.

My warning with this story is if you have a significant other, do not read this book when there is bad weather. The timing for me was horrible. We had a stretch of snowy, icy conditions here in Seattle, something very rare, and my husband must leave every morning at 4:45 am to catch the bus. And every morning I worried, waiting in anticipation for his text saying that he arrived safely at the bus stop. I figured the bus driver would get him safely through the rest of the commute. Now the sun is shining more and the weather has warmed to its typical 40s and 50s.

If you’ve read my other review for Mary Kubica, you will know that I am not a fan of her work. Good Girl was poorly executed in my opinion with Kubica’s choice of point of view to be its only saving grace. So in picking this one up, it was the February pick for my book club, I was anticipating a long drawn out struggle. Boy was I wrong.

I’m not saying this is some Hemingway of thrillers. There are countless problems throughout, moments when you take a sideways glance at Kubica and ask “why”. One being the twist at the end with the caretaker. The other being *cough* I can’t say more. But Clare was compelling to me. Someone that I could relate to - I mean, if I too lost my husband. Here she was left with a newborn, a small child, and a long list of questions. What would we all do in her place? Kubica provided a believable storyline in that regard, though maybe not with the other characters. Sometimes her husband did seem far-fetched. Oh well.  

And as true to form, I was the complete opposite in regards to the feelings in my book club. I was the only one to like it. Maybe the shock got to me - I expected the worse so I overrated it. But then again, shouldn’t our ratings be partly based on our enjoyment? If that is the case, then my enjoyment was very high and I gladly give this book 4 stars. I’m curious what you think. Let me know in the comments below. Maybe I finally fell off my rocker and my gauge is all screwed up now.

Love Kait

 

In The Life: Apps to the Rescue

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Green Apps to the Rescue

*This blog wasn’t sponsored by the following companies. I just use them myself and find them helpful.*

You’re in the store, it’s crowded and a million labels stare back at you. Bright and bold, they shout out common turns of phrase.

All Natural

Chemical Free

Essential Oils

But what should you choose? Not all brands are the same, and even Whole Foods’ rankings can be misleading. Who has time to stand there staring at the multitude of options researching every single ingredient? What if all the ingredients aren't even shown? Sure, eventually you’ll learn them but wouldn’t it be nice to have something a little easier in these moments? Do more intensive research later when you have time?

Well, I’m here to share what I do, because not even I have the time or energy to make all the products that I use at home. I like convenience like everyone else. There are two go-to sources that I use; the Talk Dirty app and the Environmental Working Group (EWG). EWG’s app is called Healthy Living.  

EWG is nice because they are a not-for-profit organization trying to be far in rankings. The downside is that not everything is easy to find. I don’t tend to use them all the time especially when I’m searching in the store.

Talk Dirty has an easy to use app. The downside, they do push certain products but are very clear in their disclaimer. No shady business that I’ve seen so far.

The positive to both is that they provide a list of ingredients.

Queue *dancing*

Just one hop skip jump around either site to find research on specific ingredients.

Talk Dirty even provides links to all of their sources. It’s a one and done deal, something that only the EWG website offers. The EWG app provides the list of ingredients but nothing more.

Now if you need something quicker, each site provides a ranking of the ingredients. I would take that with a grain of salt. These can be misleading with certain chemicals because neither company takes into account the amount of the ingredient in the product. Ingredients known to cause allergic reactions can also be ranked higher though there is nothing dangerous about them. But still, using these sites will get you going in the right direction. It might even help you think before you pick up that next bottle of shampoo. Take a moment, search and see what the results show.

Have another site you love or thoughts on the ones above? Let me know in the comments! I love learning all the different options out there.

Love Kait

"Sam's Theory" Book Review

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This book is by a brand new author.

I’m not going to hide that fact.

Five pages in and you can tell, formal training is lacking and there are quite a few errors. But what might be lacking in technical is made up ten-fold in this thought out healing story that I think a part of us all needs to hear. You don’t read this story for well-done craft. You don’t read it for the plot twists or the thoughtfully constructed prose. You read it for the profound messages and amazing insights that have been gifted within the pages.

I don’t know how she did it, but Sarah Mendivel created a story in a fictional world that is far from fictional.

I was balling at the end, tears gushing, blanket and boys wrapped around me in hopes of warding off all the feelings. Though the ending was a little stretched out, I didn’t want it to be over.

Sam and I aren’t too different. Things have happened and we’ve both been scarred by our pasts. The truth and psychological wisdom that Mendivel imparts is profound and breathtaking. I was on that journey with Sam, I was delving into the realm of healing and growth. I want every kid who has ever struggled in life to read this book. We’re so much more than the actions of others. We’re more than the words said to us by parents, guardians, teachers, trusted friends, or loved ones. I’ve proven it in my life and I feel that all children should know that they have the same option as well.

In many ways, this book reminded me of the Seth and Sarah stories that I read as a kid. A story full of adventure where you don't realize learning is in every word written. What makes this book so well done is that you can gain a lot of insight no matter your age. 

Theory is a friend to all. We see this early in the story. A fact that I believe Mendivel wanted us to know.

This book was a gift both physically and mentally. Sometimes things really do fall into our laps for a reason. I was given this book knowing that to compensate for it, I would need to give a review, one that would be read by the author. Not some review that doesn’t even come into the consciousness of the author. I was scared. I didn’t want to do it. I didn’t want to hate it and face that fact, but I’ve promised you guys honesty. Well, in truth and honesty, this book received 4 stars from me.

Thank you so much Mendivel for reaching out to me and offering your book. Thank you for sharing this story. I feel that it took a lot out of you to delve so deep and to be so honest and caring. Thank you for taking the time. I wish you all the luck in the world spreading it.

Love Kait

 

Giving up Chemicals: Makeup Edition

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As I wrote this blog, I felt like I was walking across a worn torn battlefield, used brushes and empty bottles of foundation littering the ground.

*queue Wonder Woman Movie*

My weapons, a half used wand of mascara and compact of blush. I stand alone, waiting for others to join me in the fight as I sound the battle cry.

*Maaaaaaakkkkkkeeeeeeuuuuuuppppp*

I’m coming for ya….

So let’s talk makeup. I feel that in society, this has become a touchy topic. Either you go oh natural, letting your inner beauty shine forth, or you wear all the makeup to quote “highlight your best features”. I really don’t belong in a camp, finding my days jumping around between the two, and I don’t think there is a wrong or right answer to either option.

This blog isn’t about to wear makeup or not to wear makeup. Instead, I want to talk about what’s in those makeup products that we buy, something I was enlightened to only a few months ago. You may think “really, you just now realized that?”… All those mass marketed and mass produced brands are bad for you? Yup, because my husband saved the day simply by googling the ingredients. *Ugh, using google as a verb still gets me.*

It all started one fine day, the rain clinging to our damp jackets when we took a stroll into Ulta because I was out of mascara. I refused to go back to my favorite brand since rumors of their animal testing practices were coming to light. (I apologize for all the benefit mascara I gave as Christmas presents one year.) So there I stood, gazing upon the packaged tubes of ultra black Tarte mascara, reading their loud words of amazing results and exciting length. I picked a few, putting them down, coming to a final decision when wait…. My husband, forever on his phone in these moments turns and says “I wouldn’t do that”. “Why?” I asked, confused and wondering as to his words. Did we not have the money for this pricey $26 tube of gunk?

Nope. Curiosity led him down a rabbit hole ending in the discovery that some of the ingredients in the tube in my hand could have adverse, cancerous effects. We can’t have that now, can we?

Upon further research, I now refuse to buy Kat Von D and Tarte, two highly encouraged brands by my trusted vegan sources. From this point on, my goal is to stay below a toxicity level of 3, which some of Tarte’s products do fall into, but not a lot. Kat Von D has lipstick ranked at a toxicity ranking of 7 out of 10. Just typing that makes my skin crawl. The skin is our biggest organ, I’m sure you’ve heard this before, so I want all my products to be a zero if possible. And you don’t have to believe the ranking sites. Just google the ingredients yourself and you’ll come to the same conclusion.

Now, let’s look at the common brands. CoverGirl, a widely accessible brand that many use, averages out in the 7s. Revlon, another brand that is found in every store, ranges from 7 all the way up to 9. People get away with selling this stuff? I want to support a brand that pushes natural clean makeup. And who knows if the so-called ‘safe’ chemicals don’t come back in the future classified as deadly?

Sadly, the age of trusting companies is gone, though I doubt we ever could since the mom and pop shops of yesteryear have died out. All they want is a quick buck, large profits, and consumers begging for more. So, will you take the pledge with me and start going chemical free? Take a moment, look into what you’ve been using, you might be overall shocked.

But don’t rush right now and throw everything you have away. I’m not. Just stop for a moment before you buy that next lipstick or foundation, look into something new, or better yet, check back here. As I find new brands I like, I’ll do a blog on them to let you know how I’m faring in this new realm of chemical free makeup.

Already have a brand that you know and love? Comment below and let me know. I would love the insight.

Love Kait