She & Him

 

No, I am not talking about Olive and Jake. Although they are pretty awesome too.  I am talking about the indie folk band She & Him. 

I first heard their music about a month ago while listening to XM radio. The song was "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" and the lead vocal sounded so so familiar....Hey! It's Zooey Deschanel! The actress from Elf, 500 Days of Summer and more. I've always liked her as an actress and I LOVE her as a singer! 

I downloaded their first album Volume One on Amazon and instantly fell in love. Their sound is very smooth and harmonious with a 60's girly folk feel. 

I think this will be playing quite frequently in our house this summer. It is the perfect kick back and relax music. I just might have to download their second album, Volume Two too! 

The Bridegrooms-A review

I recently had the opportunity to read and review The Bridegrooms by Allison Pittman. It is a story about four sisters living in the late 1800s. The sisters live with their father, a doctor. Here is a brief synopsis:


"Tragedy hits the Allenhouse family on a hot summer night in Ohio when a mother of four vanished. Eight-year-old Vada virtually grew up overnight and raised her three younger sisters while her father lost himself in his medical practice in the basement of their home. 

Now, Vada is a grown woman, still making her home with her father and sisters. Her days are spent serving as an errand girl for Cleveland’s fledgling amateur orchestra; her evenings with Garrison Walker, her devoted, if passionless, beau.

Dizzying change occurs the day the Brooklyn Bridegrooms come to town to play the Cleveland Spiders and a line drive wallops the head of a spectator. The fan is whisked to the Allenhouse parlor, and questions swirl about the anonymous, unconscious man.

Suddenly, the subdued house is filled with visitors, from a flirtatious, would-be sports writer to the Bridegrooms’ handsome star hitter to the guilt-ridden ballplayer who should have caught the stray shot. The medical case brings Dr. Allenhouse a frustration and helplessness he hasn’t felt since his wife’s disappearance. Vada’s sisters are giddy at the bevy of possible suitors. And Vada’s life is awakened amid the super-charged atmosphere of romantic opportunity."

I was pleasantly surprised and enthralled with this book. The story sucks you in and keeps the pages turning. It is historical fiction, but also full of humor, romance, suspense, broken hearts and hope. All the right ingredients for a good read. And a quick one at that. 

The author does a great job of developing each character and really bringing them to life. I found myself relating to their various emotions and feelings. I couldn't help but root them on. 

A main theme throughout the book is the sisters' faith in God. They are faced with many challenges (and celebrations) and their faith in God shines through and supports them. But it is in a quiet and personal way that I found humbling. 

This was a great read and I definitely recommend it! 

(Image thanks to Amazon.com)

Wordless Wednesday. Earth Day edition.

My daughter, the Tree Hugger.

What the world needs now is...

Baby Legs!

In honor of Earth Day, Baby Legs is offering up two styles of their organic leg warmers at $2 a piece this week. AND $1 from each purchase will be donated to the Nature Conservancy!

Plus receive 20% off all other organic designs this week with code "organic".

WIN an adorable Playhouse!

Would you like to win this playhouse??  I know Olive would LOVE to have her very own playhouse....maybe I shouldn't be sharing this giveaway with all of you! I kid, I kid.

Thanks to Playhouses.com, The Shopping Mama is giving one away to a lucky reader as part of her Spring into Spring giveaway bash! 

So head over to The Shopping Mama and add your name to the proverbial hat!  (and if you win feel free to invite us over for a playdate!)

Holy Customer Service Batman!

A week and a half ago I ordered this ERGO baby carrier from babysteals.com.


Baby Steals is a website that has daily 'steals' on baby/kid gear and stuff. They were featuring ERGO's for 40-50% off! So I put my order in and patiently awaited it arrival.


It came today! And it's defective! 


One of the snaps is not attached properly making the hood unusable. Boo! Needless to say I was pretty disappointed. So I sent an email to their customer service department and within 2 hours received a response saying they were shipping me a new one and a prepaid package to send the defective one back! Woo hoo! 


So I have no hesitation recommending Baby Steals to you for baby gear deals!










*I am providing this rave review of Baby Steals because I wanted to and am in no way affiliated or receiving compensation from Baby Steals.