 Another mini used book haul~ Hello ~ So I’m wondering, how do you feel about New Year’s resolutions? My 2017 resolution was to stop spending so much on printed books and working so much. I actually went on a book buying fast for several months in 2017 and cut way, way back in 2018. It was difficult because I so love books, but it is made easier when I think about having to either ship them or store them when we move again. And the working so much? Well, I have taken a bit more time off and am back to daily walks, which help me handle the stress a lot better. Just getting away from my desk and out in nature has made a big difference.  Behold the beautiful New Mexico Mountains!  Bring on the veggies! I also vowed to eat better - which I'm still enjoying. :D
Some resolutions really change your life, others not so much. So for 2019 I am working on buying used books (cheaper and recycling is always a good idea) and also being picky about how many I keep. I'm going to continue eating the clean, veggie rich diet and make more time to travel. I think we may visit Sweden this year as well as some short trips in the US. So how about you? What are your resolutions and are you keeping them?
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Quick video of all the things I should have blogged about, but didn't lol.
Happy Holidays!  Hi, Web Fam! It's another happy fall day! We are about to move from Autumn to winter and I'm pretty excited. We have only had slightly cooler temps, but I've used the fireplaces most nights.  And when I don't, I light them up with candles... I don't know about you, but I'm so glad it "candle weather" again. You never fully appreciate the warmth of candles until you light them in July, lol. #Truestory I'm ready to go sweater shopping too. Want to come with? I have swapped out my summer wardrobe for fall/winter and realized I don't have enough soft sweaters or black jeans, lol.  And I'm pretty sure I need this coat! But that will have to wait, this weekend I'm staying in to catch up on some work and also get the house ready for the big cold storm heading our way. The temps are going to drop below freezing and I still have plants to move around and there is a possibility of snow and ice, for the next few days! But colder weather really does make it seem like the holiday season. I'm working on a blog post covering the best places for sights (and shopping) in Northern New Mexico during the winter months. So soon we are going to be exploring further a field. There are so many interesting things coming up in Santa Fe and the surrounding area I'd like to check out and share with you.  The Southwest in the winter is like a whole different world.  AND I'm almost finished reading all the books from my last haul, so expect a review soon. So that's my weekend, hope you have a good one!
Hi! It seems ludicrous to think I went on a "book buying fast" for most of the summer, doesn't it? I stayed away from Amazon (for books anyway) and did my best to avoid books stores, not that those really exist anymore. So just recently I've started shopping again. (You can read about the fall mini book haul here.) I held back, so it's a short post, lol. Part of my recent promise to myself has been to stop working so much and find time to do things I love. I have put so much on the back burner lately because of work, but now that I am taking time to read, make art and travel again I feel so much better! #WIN So far I've read two books from that mini haul. 
The first book I read was this delightful book on Frida and Diego by Catherine Reef. This is a lovely book filled with the artists stories, photographs, history and art.
Frida and Diego by Catherine Reef
The book itself is art.
The richness of the paintings featured are captured well.
I am happy to add this book to my collection.
Reading in front of the fire is the best.
The second book I read this week was Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.
This has been on my list to purchase for sometime, but I never seemed to remember it at Amazon. The used bookstore had a well read copy for $1 so I couldn't pass it up. Next I will probably buy in hardback.
Pretty much sums up the book.
Frightening how true parts are though! Yikes!
Now I'm off for a mini road trip~ Have coffee, can travel!
And I packed the new sketchbook - Catch you later!
 Used books are often treasures that are out-of-print or rare. Hi, So I am off my "book fast" and currently building my TBR stack. I enjoy spending time browsing online and in person at used bookstore because you never know what you will stumble upon. Some authors might argue that books shouldn’t be sold in this manner since they don’t earn royalties on used books. I understand that, but as is the case with libraries, used book stores are a great place to discover authors and their work and add to your collection. If you are like me, once I find an author I like I usually purchase the entire catalogue.  Ignore the stickers...  Today's treasure were:
Another reason I'm drawn to used books is they offer a sense of their personal history. “To Jim, with love, Margret” makes me wonder about Jim and Margret and about their connection to the book. How did the book find it's way here? How many hands did it pass through? I rarely see a book with lots of highlighting and comments in the margins. Most often they maybe a bit worn from repeated reading, but I actually take that as a positive sign. So other than book shopping it was a normal day of work and usual errands. I plan on taking next weekend off to read and finish the details of my upcoming December trip.  I admit I love travel planning! After much research I have narrowed it down to two lovely guests houses for my next trip. This weekend I plan on booking one as I map out the rest of the adventure. This jaunt has a lot of moving pieces as I have a multiple state expeditions planned and have to schedule in work around sightseeing. I know by December I will be ready for some warm weather, but I'm happy now to pull out the boots and jackets.  Overall I'm enjoying the cooler weather this week. How about you? The fall weather is so nice! I dug out warmer leggings and last years boots earlier in the month and was pleased to see the boots are now a bit big on my legs. #ThankYouYoga While I'm still not where I want to be, the scales has finally started tipping in the right direction. Plus I feel so much better as well. Between yoga, walking more and eating better I feel much more like myself again. Now I'm ready to go adventure! Just as I was ending this entry, the post arrived with MORE BOOKS!  I purchased these online from Thrift Books and they are in excellent condition.  So excited to dive in!  Warm reading "nest" is calling... See you at the airport (or a used book store)~  Hi, Hope your summer is going well. August is my birthday month and like all good leo's I begin celebrating in July and go into September, lol! (That would be a funny story, but it is actually true, lol) One of the treats I bought for myself to celebrate was a SketchBox. (Because I clearly do not have enough monthly boxes, hahahahhah!) Oh and by the way, I really did purchase it, this isn't sponsored. The first box arrived August 1st and sadly I have not had much time to draw, but I am excited to use the supplies when things slow down. Let's look inside the box:  Front  Back I opted for the Premium Box. It is $35usd a month plus shipping. You never know what you are going to get, but looking at past boxes they included such favs as Copic Markers, Koi Watercolors, Charcoals, and other mediums I was excited to try! They theme the boxes so you can try a new medium with all the tools you will need to finish a project. They have also just recently started including a "How To" video on the website to help you learn to the use the products, which I love as well.  Inside  I love the collectable pencil tin! Inside the box:
While I love all the pencils, as you can see it wasn't much of a savings over retail. But of course the Lightfast oil based pencil set isn't on the market yet and it does seem to be incredible. I can't wait to play with them all! The Pros:
I liked the box and will enjoy using the pencils. They will complement my already large collection and I feel it was a fair price, maybe not a HUGE savings, but the items were very good quality. I'm going to give it three months to see what supplies are included before deciding to cancel or purchase a yearly subscription. What do you think? Do you subscribe to this box? Do you think it's worth the money? I hope to take some time off this week and use them all.  The sunsets are totally inspiring me to draw, paint and spend more time relaxing. Catch you later!
 I haven't been reviewing any boxes lately because I actually figured you were tired of seeing the same old thing....but I did get a Spring Fab Fit Fun box in and some really awesome Vegan snacks though and thought I would share. Are you like me and love mystery subscription boxes? It's really nice getting something other than junk mail or bills in the post, lol. So here is what I received in March:  Spring Fab Fit Fun box!   Full Magazine explaining everything that is included.  I had to read - but the mask is VEGAN leather. #Win! There were a few items I didn't really care about and a few that were not vegan so I donated, but for only $49.99 I still feel like I got my money's worth. I will probably go ahead now and purchase a yearly subscription. You save $20 by doing this and get first pick on "add ons". If you want to try and a box (and save some money too!) use this link: SAVE You get $10 off your 1st box! (This is my 3rd box!) It works out to right around $200USD worth of stuff...and almost ALL of it is full size, so you get to actually try the products out.  The purse is Vegan Leather too!  The pattern + the cool mint color really feels like spring.  New beauty products included this month.  Oh my, LOVE the COLORS!!  I did read this is made with honey, so I will be donating it.  And a cute bag of lip masks.  Oh! Almost forgot this nice soy candle was also in the FFF Box.  Vegan Cuts had over 15 products!  March Vegan Cuts box was jam backed with goodies!  So much stuff!  I am glad to see this in a "take away" size package.  There were a lot of snacks and also this FULL SIZE box of spaghetti. I buy this brand, so am excited to try.  This tea is REALLY NICE! The Vegan Cuts box is $22.95 (including shipping) - it goes down in price if you buy a 6 month or year sub. There are always at least 10 and sometimes 15 products inside. I didn't take many pictures, because at the time I wasn't planning on posting a review. UH OH....but yeah you get the idea right? I have been getting this box for over 2 years and it only gets better each month. #WIN And not from a box (but notice my new candle, lol) I have been eyeing these marble trays for some time. I finaily broke down and bought one. I love it and have no idea why I waited so long!  Nice, right? I paid a little more to get a size big enough to actually use. So what boxes do you get? Are there any good ones I should check out? Leave me a comment - I'm always looking to try new products and find cool, vegan or off beat stuff.
Once again save $10 off your first FFF box here and enjoy your weekend! See you at the airport~  Happy April! I hope all is well in your world? Life is great here. Work is good, weather is pleasant and I've a trove of new books, lol So it's time to ask that question, "What have you been reading?" Do you have any new recommendations or books to share? Cause I could always use another for the TBR shelf. Currently I've changed my work schedule I have more time to read. #win! So I've a few books to review.  It time once again for me to upload book reviews for the past month. Some I have already added to Goodreads, most I'm still in process.  I'm continuing my Kim Newman reading tour.  I bought this one in Feb but didn't have time to properly enjoy it till March. This book is number two in the Anno Dracula series. I read book one here if you want to read my review. The Bloody Baron by Kim Newman I read book one and was hooked on the series and the authors witty style of including historical and fictional era characters in the story along with a good mystery. It's not your typical Dracula saga at all and if you are a Twilight fan - you will hate this.
 Judgment of Tears or The Dracula Cha Cha is number three in the series. I just finished it and will probably review it later in the month.  Next Book, not by Kim Newman, hahahhah  Tokyo on Foot by Florent Chavouet Another book I found via Goodreads. One of the people I follow had pick it up on a whim and reviewed it. I instantly fell in love with the sketch art. The artist/author is Florent Chavouet a French author who spent six months staying in Tokyo. His humor and insights make for a fun read, but the art and the energy he captures make this a treasured travllers book.
 The Art:    #Loveit!  Nice right? Part two coming soon!
See you at the airport~  How can March almost be over? This month has flown by! So how has your month been? March has been wonderful for me. Work is going great, lots of good things are in the works (more about them soon!) And I even found time to read a bit. #WIN  Currently reading..  I am behind in my book reviews...  I hope to post the reviews later this week.  But then the trees started blooming and I don't want to stay inside on the computer...  OMG!   Spring is here!   I have also been cooking less and snacking more this month...  The March Vegan Cuts box was excellent!  Love this new tea.  Really nice and organic. More book and product reviews soon.
Plus more travel tales and more all around randomness! Catch you Later~ Hey!
How are you? Instead of my random blog post I compiled a super short video. What do you think? Speak soon! |
Author Welcome to my travel blog, my healthy Vegan lifestyle blog and my life! It's a lot, but it's my passions and I just love to write about it. Here I share tips, stories and photos from my adventures and life. This is the place where people can find daily inspiration to travel and motivation to live healthier lives and laugh a bit too! 
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