What books are you reading this summer? I’m been reading a new book by Carl B. Barney called The Happiness Experiment, out July 8, 2025. The Happiness Experiment explores how life-changing grants impacted people’s lives and reveals practical steps to help you find true happiness and purpose. If you’re frugal like me, The Happiness Experiment […]
Pony Express Book Review & Giveaway (Ends 2/25)
BOOKS! Oh, how I love reading books – and my kids do too. I still read books with them, especially if the books take us to fun, happy places during the long cold Minnesota winters. I previously introduced to you a children’s author named Carla Crane Osborne, who wrote a lovely children’s book called “Under […]
The Unofficial ALDI Cookbook Review & Giveaway (Ends 5/3)
Baked French Toast with berries. Chicken Parmigiana. And even Poop Emoji Cupcakes with frosting! These are just a few of the recipes in The Unofficial ALDI Cookbook: Delicious Recipes Made with Fan Favorites from the Award-Winning Grocery Store. I received a copy for review and I also have a copy to GIVE AWAY! Be sure […]
Sneaky Blends by Missy Chase Lapine (Cookbook Review)
A few years ago, I received two cookbooks as a gift: The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids’ Favorite Meals, and The Sneaky Chef to the Rescue: 101 All-New Recipes and Sneaky Tricks for Creating Healthy Meals Kids Will Love Both cookbooks are by Missy Chase Lapine, and she was really […]
Twin Cities Adventure Guide – Review & Giveaway!
Have you ever wished you had a book you could page through with your family to find lists of fun things to do in the Twin Cities? Well, such a book really exists – and it’s called the Twin Cities Adventure Guide! The Twin Cities Adventure Guide is a comprehensive directory of all the fun things […]
The Princess Problem: Guiding Our Girls through the Princess-Obsessed Years (Book Review)
The Princess Problem: Guiding Our Girls through the Princess-Obsessed Years, is a new book by Rebecca C. Hains, PhD, about how to raise thriving kids in a princess-obsessed world. Having a 6-year-old daughter of my own who loves everything and anything princess or pink, for me this book is a valuable guide filled with research, stories […]
A Survival Guide to Parenting Teens – Book Review & Giveaway
As a mom of a 6-year-old and 3-year-old, you might be wondering why I’m reviewing a book about parenting teens. After all, don’t I have enough to deal with today like toys all over the house and potty training? Well, YES! However, while my kids are still years away from the teen years, I’m still […]
Effortless Savings: A Step-by-Step Guidebook to Saving Money Without Sacrifice (Book Review)
Recently our family has been hit with numerous home and auto repair expenses. I know that anyone who has a house or car knows how burdensome those kinds of expenses can be, especially on top of many other expenses for families with kids including summer child care. Our first plan of attack: Do what I […]
All You Need Is Less Book Review & Giveaway
Recently I was invited to participate in a blog tour and review of a new book called All You Need Is Less: The Eco-Friendly Guide to Guilt-Free Living and Stress-Free Simplicity by Madeleine Somerville. All You Need Is Less is a funny, real and practical guide to living green while saving money. And it does […]
Minnesota Farmers Market Cookbook Review & Giveaway
It’s almost time for the outdoor Farmers Market season in Minnesota and I can’t wait! I love browsing markets, especially the Minneapolis Farmers Markets on weekends when the place is bustling with everything imaginable from produce to breads and meats (and the BEST bratwurst and lemonade!). I was excited to recently hear about and review […]
Ninja, Ninja, Never Stop! Children’s Book Review
Ninja small, Ninja large Ninja duck, Ninja charge. Ninja run, Ninja chop Ninja, Ninja never stop! Ninja, Ninja, Never Stop is a fun children’s book for preschoolers ages 2-5, published by Abrams Books. We received a copy for review recently and it’s been a favorite at bedtime, especially for our 3-year-old Thor. Ninja, Ninja, Never […]
The Joy of Financial Security by Donna Skeels Cygan – Book Review
There are many financial books out there – about money management, investing, paying off debt, and frugal living. I’ve read dozens of these, but never anything quite like The Joy of Financial Security by Donna Skeels Cygan, CFP, MBA. The Joy of Financial Security’s subtitle sums up the book’s unique angle on the topic of […]
The Mommy MD Guide to Losing Weight and Feeling Great – Book Review
Not long ago I shared information about a new book called The Mommy MD Guide to Losing Weight and Feeling Great. I received the eBook version of the book for review which I’ve been reading when working out at the YMCA, and it’s been a great inspiration with tips about eating, exercise, supplementing, coping with setbacks, stress, and more. […]
A Mom’s Guide to Home Organization Book can help with New Year’s resolutions
This year probably my biggest goal is to GET ORGANIZED. This past year for me was busy in so many ways and as a result, I’ve fallen behind with a lot of organization projects – with clothes that the kids have outgrown piling up, papers that need to be weeded out, and just a lot […]
Alphablock Children’s Book Review & GIVEAWAY (Great Gift Idea)
“There’s a new ABC book on the block…ALPHABLOCK!” My kids and I have been enjoying our own review copy of a new children’s book called Alphablock. It’s a fun book that reads like a guessing game with thick pages shaped as each of the letters of the alphabet. Alphablock an educational book as kids can […]













