About the Book:

“Open-hearted venturing into some of her own personal trials, struggles and challenges growing up, is done with grace and ease, looking to be inspiring and motivating for others to take an entire new outlook on their lives, future, dreams and opportunities. The messaging is fresh and inspirational: hard work and dedication enables achievement of dreams, beyond the wildest of expectations and imagination.

This book is a must-have that provides a step-by-step approach on what and how to go about life, how to embrace, be and do who and what you are and want to be. All whilst staying true to self, dedicated to making happen and having the life YOU have always dreamed of, become a reality. The core message being: YOU CAN DO ANYTHING in life, putting your head, heart and mind to it!

In the book there are numerous proven, tried-and-true, practically demonstrated approaches suggested, in order to get results and success in your own life. “Beautiful Ambition” is filled with optimism, positive reinforcement and love-filled anecdotes, encircling shared, tender, celebratory moments, friends, personal happiness, ultimate fulfillment … and that’s just for starters!”

My Review:

I recently received a copy of the new book Beautiful Ambition: My Secrets To Love, Happiness, & Success by Tara Brooke to review.  The book started off with some background on Tara, on her not so perfect early life and her dream to become a model.  It was inspiring that she had to work for what she wanted and she was able to achieve it!  She talks about setting “SMART” goals, she asks, What do YOU want out of life?  What are your dreams, goals? She talks about writing your goals down in a clear and realistic manner, to help you plan to achieve your goals.

I think this book is very positive and motivational.  A great book to read if you are pondering something big, or wondering what direction you want to head in your life.  I think this book would be perfect for high school, college aged women who are on the path to making “life decisions”.  She references stars such as Oprah and Angelina Jolie among other remarkable women who have achieved success which might inspire a younger audience who might admire their stories.

I am currently contemplating starting a photography business and this book was very helpful in letting me look at realistic goals to pursue this venture.

I definitely would recommend this book to women who are looking for motivation in working towards their life’s goals.

If you think this book might be worth the read, be sure to check out Tara’s website here.  She even let’s you download a free chapter to see if this book is for you.  1% of book sales are donated to habitat for humanity from the publisher.

Buy It:  It is available as both an e-book and hard copy.  Amazon currently has it retailing at 14.00.

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of the book to facilitate my review.  Opinions stated are my own.

Cate and Levi is a wonderful company based in Canada that makes adorable items for children from reclaimed wool.  I had the opportunity to review the bunny change purse.  My daughter loved the little purse and it was a perfect addition to her Easter Basket.   I love the fact that it is unique and made out of reclaimed product.  The zipper was sturdy, and it is adorable. They have 6 coin purses to choose from and they retail for 20.00.

“Every child loves places to store those treasured keepsakes. Be it for pocket change, jewelry or collectibles, this Bunny Change Purse is a modern and playful spin on a traditional design.”

“Are looking for an attractive change purse for your kid? Cate & Levi has an adorable assortment of animal themed change purses. From our charming cow change purse to the lovable bunny change purse, you will find a coin holder your little one will love. Handmade by our artisans, each change purse has unique colours making each one truly one of a kind. If you want to teach your child the importance of saving pennies, our change purses are an ideal choice.

Held within a delightful zippered mouth, coins in our change purses are very secure. Children enjoy carrying their clinking change purse friend with them wherever they go. There is no need to worry if our change purses contain elements hazardous to your kid’s health. We use only the highest quality eco friendly materials which are both soft and completely safe for children. A change purse from our collection makes the perfect gift for any occasion. Why don’t you choose a gift for your little today? It’s so easy with Cate & Levi. Browse through our collection of change purses and you will find an animal your little one will adore.”

I was given the coin purse for review:  all opinions stated are my own

PhotoPad is a new application on Facebook that lets you create e-cards, and digital scrapbooks. It is fairly straight forward, and easy to follow the directions. You can create a single page or complete books.  You can customize the book, or let it create one for you.  It allows you to change the background and even includes clipart to embellish the pages.

I created a book, very quickly, with a few photos from some pictures I took last week. I used photos that I already had uploaded to facebook, but you can bring them over from your computer or other places on the web.

The app is fairly easy to follow and fun, it is still a bit “buggy”.  It would not allow me to move some of the pictures how I wanted, and wouldn’t edit the text, but for a free app, it is fun and was quick to create a photobook.  When you are done you can print or share it with friends.

Check out the PhotoPad Facebook page here:https://www.facebook.com/pages/PhotoPad/296791807023406
And access the app directly here: https://apps.facebook.com/photopad/

If you are on facebook, try this app out today!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Living Your Moment and PhotoPad. All opinions are my own.

How Moms Can Prepare for the New Baby by Alan Cassidy

The anticipation of a new baby is exciting for an expectant mom. It may even feel a bit overwhelming
when she thinks about all the things she and her family need to do in preparing to bring home her new
child.

Rest assured there are plenty of resources that can assist a new mom in ensuring that she is ready to
provide a healthy and happy environment for her new arrival. The government offers pamphlets on proper
food preparation and information on immunization and related health issues. Books in a local library can
help a new mom prepare for properly caring for a new baby while maintaining balance in the rest of her
life.

Many expectant parents find it helpful to develop an organizational plan to manage the many areas of
family life that will change with a new baby’s arrival. This can include decorating a nursery, childproofing
a house, adding electrical plug covers or purchasing a baby gate, and installing a child safe car seat into
the family car.

Friends and family often choose to throw the new mom-to-be a baby shower. To help them find the
perfect baby gift, it’s a good idea for expectant moms to prepare a list well of needed items and maybe
even register at local baby boutiques.

An expectant mom needs to prepare for her stay at the hospital by packing essentials like pajamas and
other personal items that will make her feel more comfortable during her stay. She should also include
baby items like an outfit to bring the baby home int. It’s also wise to create a list of people to call when the
time comes and tuck that away in your bag so you can access it easily after birth. Good preparations can
help to make the birth experience and hospital stay as stress-free as possible.

Mom needs to discuss with her doctor what she can expect at the hospital. This will take away any
guessing games when the time comes. It is also good to discuss other considerations that might be
less obvious, such as the possibility of cord blood banking. This process allows families to collect the
baby’s cord blood after birth and have it stored to potentially be used in the future treatment of a medical
condition. This option needs to be discussed with the doctor before delivery day.

Expecting moms should also talk with older children if they have them about the new baby to prepare
them for changes in the family dynamics when the new sibling arrives. Some children may feel fearful or
anxious that the new baby will get all of their mom’s attention. Early talks about this will make the process
easier.

This article was written by Alan Cassidy, an active writer within the blogging community covering
maternity and childbirth, and always advocating for infant and children’s health. Connect with him on
Twitter @ACassidy22

Photographer’s Connection theme for this week:  from a low angle

I took this picture this summer at Navy Pier, but it fit the theme so nicely I decided to enter it.

Paint the Moon Photography Week 6 Theme was Linear

This is my photo entry for this week’s I Heart Faces, photo challenge.  The theme:  ”Oh So Silly!“

It was a very overcast fall day, but take a boy to the park and of course their will be “FUN!”  I love how they can be so carefree and just enjoy each moment.

I LOVE I Heart Faces, it is a wonderful resource for photography!  And they have some great Valentine’s Day ideas, including personalized cards, etc…to make the Valentine’s Day Exchange a little more special for your little one.

Check out I Heart Faces for this Free Download!

I tried this great crock pot recipe from the Recipe Shoebox today for Root Beer Pulled Pork Sandwiches, and it was delicious!  I love meals that I can throw in the crock pot and still go about our day, and not have to stress out at dinner time.

This recipe is so simple and it is fun since you get to cook with Root Beer!

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 to 3 -pound pork sirloin roast
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 1 Tbs. vegetable oil
• 2 medium onions, cut into thin wedges
• 4 cups root beer, divided  (DON’T use diet root beer)
• 2 Tbs. minced garlic
• 1 bottle  (12-ounces)  chili sauce
• Several dashes bottled hot pepper sauce, to taste (optional)
• 8-10 hamburger buns, toasted

Directions:  Trim fat  from pork if necessary.  Add salt and pepper to meat, in a large skillet brown meat on all sides in hot oil.  Drain off fat.  Transfer meat to slow cooker.  Add onions, only ONE CUP of the root beer, and garlic.
Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours.

For Sauce: in medium saucepan combine the remaining root beer (3 cups) and the jar of chili sauce.  Bring to boiling; reduce heat.  Boil gently, uncovered, stirring occasionally , about 30 minutes or until mixture has reduced to 2 cups.  If desired, add hot pepper sauce to taste.

Discard cooking juices from crock pot, remove onions with an open ladle.

Add sauce to the meat to desired taste, add onions and EAT!

I even topped my sandwich with cole slaw!

Check out Recipe Shoebox for other great recipes!

I decided for 2012 I wanted to make sure to continue to capture the family.  I did a picture a day for most of 2011, but got sidetracked towards the end of the year–difficult to remember to always take a picture!  So this year I have entered a few weekly picture contests.

The first over at My 4 Hens Photography she is an amazing and inspiring photographer.  These weeks theme was LIFE!

And since my life resolves around my children, I felt this was the theme for the photo.

But more importantly, I tried to capture the wonder and amazement of childhood.  I love how a child can look at something in AWE!

The second image was for Photographer’s Connection a photography forum on facebook.  The theme of week 2:  CLOUDS

This was a little tougher being that it is Illinois in the winter, but I did catch a glimpse of sun and clouds–prior to our snow!

Check out Treasuring Life’s Moments Photography on Facebook.

]]> http://www.lifeofamodernmom.com/2012/01/16/capture-a-picture-a-week-project-52-week-2/feed/ 0 http://www.lifeofamodernmom.com/2012/01/06/photography-adventure/ http://www.lifeofamodernmom.com/2012/01/06/photography-adventure/#comments Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:04:13 +0000 Debbie http://www.lifeofamodernmom.com/?p=1983 More >]]>

Since having my children I have really started on a journey!  I am so enjoying being a mother, and really LOVE to capture our life’s moments.  I took up the hobby of photography to try and capture the “everydays!”  And in doing so my passion for photography has grown.  I just can’t get enough.  I am having so much fun learning the art, and playing with the camera.  I have started to work on my own photography business:  Treasuring Life’s Moments.

I joined a project: 52 Captures Challenge on Facebook through Photographer’s Connection to challenge my photography.

Week 1:  Self Potrait