Tag Archives: interesting

Jun16

A Discussion With Lisa Jewell

Posted on by
Standard
A Discussion With Lisa Jewell

Hello! Libraries are such an amazing, beautiful, wonderful thing and the ones in my neck of the woods astound me. Every day, there is always some kind of event going on. Whether it’s story time for the kiddos that my nieces love to attend, cooking classes, crafts, concerts, and anything in between they are completely free and open to the public. My family and I frequent library events and have a jam packed schedule this summer to go to as many as we can. In fact, I just attended one this past week.

My sister recently sent me a link to a talk with Lisa Jewell through the Library Speakers Consortium. In this series, authors are interviewed and will do a question and answer session with the questions that viewers submitted. We simply couldn’t believe that Lisa Jewell was on the docket because we are such avid fans of her books! We have read countless thrillers by Jewell and have, for the most part, loved everything we have read. And, as luck would have it, her talk was scheduled exactly during my break time on Tuesday so I could join in.

During the discussion, Lisa filled us in on her new book, Don’t Let Him In, which will be released this month on the twenty-fourth. She guided as through the plot sans spoilers and I cannot wait to sink my teeth into it because it sounds like a doozy! Lisa also answered at least ten audience questions and it was so fun and interesting to hear her on the spot responses. I was especially fascinated by her writing process. She does zero research for her books, she limits herself to writing one thousand words per day, and the most mundane encounters sometimes inspire a whole novel. It truly felt that she writes for the pure joy of writing and that really resonated. There is nothing better to me than taking my talons to the keyboard and seeing what happens!

It sounds silly, but it was just so cool to hear Lisa speak. Her accent and infectious laugh were simply charming and I was on pins and needles to hear what she was going to say next. Like her books, the way she speaks and the words she chooses are handled with such care. She delighted in the questions she was asked and I loved to hear how much she enjoys interacting with her fans on social media. Throughout the discussion, Lisa seemed like the woman you would love to grab a coffee with and chat away. She was so truly herself, didn’t put on any kind of airs, and it was evident that she enjoyed this talk just as much as the audience did. It was wonderful!

I am so happy that I got to attend this virtual discussion with Lisa Jewell! After way more years than I care to admit of reading her books, this was an awesome experience from start to finish. I wonder which author will be next in the series!

What is your local library like? Does your library host fun events too? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct9

Weed Boutique

Posted on by
Standard
Weed Boutique

Hello!! Not a ton of cool stuff happens in Ohio. In 2023, however, a legalization for recreational marijuana use passed and that was pretty damn cool lol. Since then, dispensaries have popped up all around the greater Akron area – one of which being a mere fifteen minutes from Johnny and me. I have never visited a dispensary before and that changed this past Saturday when we made a trip to curaleaf. It was definitely not what I expected!!

IMG_9751IMG_9752

^^^ Lol at the copy of Shrek that was on a display shelf!

I’m not sure what I thought curaleaf was going to be like. Was it going to be a hazy hangout like local head shops? Was it going to be set up like you were in a lab? I had no clue because I had no experience to base it off of! Upon my entry, it was a bit of a shock – you basically walked into an office where IDs were checked. Then, the doors opened into the store itself and it really was like walking into a Weed Boutique. curaleaf was smartly decorated with lush plants, brightly hued marketing, and no product. Rather than browsing through the store, iPads were set up and you would shop from there, place an order, and receive your purchase at the checkout counter.

Honestly, looking through the online catalogue was overwhelming. There were SO many different options for however you prefer your cannabis and all of them sounded good lol. We opted for gummies and a vape cartridge that were extremely reasonable in price. The staff was also most knowledgeable for any questions we might have had while we shopped and we were in and out in about twenty minutes. After exiting the sterile environment of the store, it felt really weird to be deposited back into a rundown plaza. The weirdest of all, though, was that we literally just left a store to purchase cannabis products – that certainly was novel!!

This outing was a brand new experience to me and curaleaf made it a great one. I have a for sure feeling that we will be back!

How do you like to relax? Are there any dispensaries near you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep26

Fall Words – Høst Ord

Posted on by
Standard
Fall Words – Høst Ord

Hello everyone! Today, my friend Christina of Stiina Marie is back to teach us some fall words and phrases used in Norway. If you recall, Christina guest blogged on lifewithlilred a few weeks ago and has been kind enough to return to teach us some more of a new language. As you all know, I personally love to learn different languages, so this post is right up my alley! Thank you so much, Christina! xx

Fall Words – Høst Ord

Today, I am going to teach you various words pertaining to fall that are in Bokmål – the main language of Norway. Read the pronunciation in italics as it would be in English.

There is a slight “R” roll in Bokmål. This is similar to Spanish. To properly learn Norwegian, this exercise is a great start! Try listening to Norwegian movies and music that are already familiar to you. Disney movies are almost always a hit!

Words to Practice:

Rain = REGN reh-gin

Storm = STORM  storm

Cloudy = OVERSKYET ohver-sheeyet

Cold = KJØLIG cher-leeg

Sweater = GENSER gehn-ser

Hoodie = HETTEGENSER heht-teh-gehn-ser

Scarf = SKJERF sh-ehr-ff

Coffee = KAFFE kafffeh

Soup = SUPPE sue-pppeh

Squirrel = EKORN eh-korn

Black cat = SORT KATT sort kahtttt

Owl = UGLE oooog-leh

Acorns = EIKENØTTER eye-ken-nohttter

Tree = TRE treeh

Spooky = SKUMMELT skoooommmelt

Dark (color) = MØRK murrrrk

Sentences and Phrases:

I love fall. = JEG ELSKER HØST. Yuh-eye el-skerr huhst.

I want a cup of coffee/tea. = JEG VIL HA EN KOPP KAFFE/TE. Yuh-eye vil ha ehn kohppp kahffeh/teh.

Pile of leaves = LØVHAUG luhv-haowg

I love to eat! = JEG ELSKER Å SPISE. Yuh-eye el-skerr a speeeseeh.

Any words that you would like to learn that I can help you with? Drop a message below!

Thanks again to Christina for taking the time to teach us something new! What languages can you speak? What do you think is the best way to learn a new language? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb19

Why Is Japan Such A Popular Destination?

Posted on by
Standard
Why Is Japan Such A Popular Destination?

If you are a keen traveler, there are probably many places on your list which you would like to visit. One that is commonly near the top of many lists, however, is Japan. For a lot of Westerners, Japan is seen as the ideal go-to for a slice of Asian life. It is certainly true that there is nowhere else quite like Japan, but the question is: why? What is it about this country that makes it so enticing to Western wanderlusters? As it happens, there are a number of reasons you might want to visit Japan, and knowing what they are just might tempt you into making it onto your travel list for the next few years. Whether you are planning a trip with friends and family or looking into japan solo travel packages, let’s look at some of the best reasons to visit Japan:

The Culture:

One of the main things drawing people into Japan has to be the culture. No matter who you are, you have to admit that Japanese culture is pretty much unlike any other in the world. And, for that reason, it is likely that a visit to the country will be a fascinating one for someone who is not used to it. In fact, Japan is one of the places where people most commonly experience culture shock when they are traveling, and if you are someone who likes a bit of culture shock, then this is definitely somewhere you should consider visiting at your earliest opportunity. There are so many aspects to the culture which might attract the traveler, from Japanese anime to the high-tech and fast-paced wonders of the city, so you can definitely expect not to be bored with the cultural highlights if you do visit.

The People:

Japan is also famously filled with some of the most polite and friendliest people on the planet, and that can be hugely important when you are traveling. If you are keen on traveling alone, you will find that the people being so friendly is definitely most welcome, and it will likely be one of the most important factors of all, in fact. Of course, it is never true that every single individual is pleasant to deal with, but on the whole you will probably find that Japan offers you an experience which makes you feel safe and welcome from the very start.

The Terrain:

If you are interested in seeing a huge variety of terrain, then you really don’t need to look any further than Japan. You could be crammed into the train in the busiest city in the world one moment, and completely alone on the top of a beautiful mountain the next. No matter what it is that you actually want from your trip, you can be sure that Japan will be able to offer it. This makes for a fascinating and enormously satisfying experience for any traveler, so it is well worth considering for your next trip abroad. You might even find that it is easier to traverse than you had assumed.

If your goal for your trip to Japan is sight seeing, you will surely want to know all of the best tourist destinations as well as beloved local spots. Of course, you can complete your own research online. However, AI functions like those featured on Novae.Travel can be a great asset for all aspects of your trip including popular locations, flights, and hotels.

japann1

So pretty!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jan8

Are You TBD About CBD Oil?

Posted on by
Standard
Are You TBD About CBD Oil?

They say that you can’t judge a book by its cover… Nor can you judge a human being on their appearance, their reputation, or the first impression that they make on you. Not only is it unfair on the individual in question, but it precludes you from the myriad of pleasures that come with getting to know a person for who they are. So it is in the world of medicine, particularly holistic medicine. There are many people out there who are quick to judge the efficacy or the entire concept of holistic medicine regardless of the benefits that they may personally reap from it. Despite various civilizations using them for centuries, there are some plant based medicines that many of us are unsure of due to their unfortunate reputations.

When you read the word cannabis, a few unsavory images might pop into your head. You might picture the infamous plant as the self prescribed medication of choice for bleary eyed undergraduates or underachieving slackers. Yet, for all its unfortunate reputation, the plant has numerous proven health benefits. Particularly CBD oil, which has numerous health benefits without the psychoactive “high” that many associate with the plant:

What is CBD oil?

Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is extracted from industrial hemp plants using various methods. One common debate in the industry is co2 extraction vs ethanol, as both have their advantages. CO2 extraction is known for its purity and precision, while ethanol extraction is often praised for its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Understanding the differences between these methods can help manufacturers choose the best process for their needs. These plants are specifically bred to produce a high yield of cannabidiol while maintaining low THC levels that do not cause a high. While CBD has several medicinal uses, it may cause minor side effects such as dry mouth, low blood pressure, drowsiness, and lightheadedness.

CBD products are also something that can be purchased in store or online. Lots of websites boast a plethora of different products as well as additional information for you to brush up on. Your local health food store or Royal CBD are both great places to start.

For pain:

Thousands of studies have proven that CBD oil has anti inflammatory properties that are very effective in combating muscular or joint pain and arthritis. It has also proven to be effective in the combating of more serious physical ailments including cancer pain, epilepsy, pain from multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel and Crohn’s disease. Furthermore it can even prevent the spreading of cancer and slow the onset of Alzheimer’s.

There are also products like terpenes that can work effectively with CBD to reduce inflammation and boast a number of other benefits. You can see what Remedy Review says about pain minimizing products like terpenes and make your own decision.

For mental health:

Many associate cannabis based products with memory loss, erratic behavior, and other mental health problems. This has been exacerbated by the widespread use of spice; a synthetic drug designed to replicate the psychoactive effects of cannabis use but with none of the health benefits of the plant. The truth, however, is that CBD oil is effective in combating a range of mental health issues including anxiety, insomnia, addiction, schizophrenia, poor appetite, chronic nightmares, and even Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

For you and your pets:

Many people around the world are embracing the health benefits of CBD oil not only for themselves but for their children and even their furry friends, too. A lot of the same issues that CBD oil helps to combat in humans can also be aided in pets. CBD use for dogs via oil infused treats helps to combat a range of doggy disorders. Everything from arthritis to aggression and even cancer pain can be treated with CBD oil.

Despite this innocent plant’s widespread use as a recreational drug, hopefully this post will alert you to the beneficial and completely legal uses of CBD oil as a safe and scientifically proven treatment if you’re still TBD about CBD.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Nov15

The Model Body

Posted on by
Standard
The Model Body

Hey everyone and happy Hump Day! Okay, so I came to a shocking revelation over the weekend when I saw my fourteen year old cousin at a family get together. This young woman is tall (5’7 or 5’8, easily), thin as a rail, and probably one hundred and five pounds soaking wet. She has what I would call a “model” body. Literally. She is the most modelesque person I know and she could send pictures to Teen Vogue and they would call her for a photo shoot immediately. So imagine my surprise when she told me that the skirt that she had on was

A SIZE 6!!

She told me that the size two was too tight and the store didn’t have a four, so she went with the six. My mouth probably hung open for an uncomfortable amount of time, because I wear a four. Me. Sarah. The 5’1 1/4 (Because the quarter counts!), muscular thighs and booty from figure skating, never going to be a model twenty-something. And my baby cousin who looks like she could be in a double zero was wearing a size bigger than me? It just didn’t make sense.

Now, I get that all stores have slightly different sizing. I wear a two at Express, but am generally a solid four. But I was so baffled by what my cousin told me, because she looks like a model. And if this young lady wears a four usually, like me, then what in the hell are the models on the runway and in Vogue wearing?

I can’t wrap my mind around it. If my cousin who could be on a runway right now wears a four, then could the models be wearing sizes other than the double zero, zero, and size two, which seems standard in the fashion industry? Obviously these sizes exist and they’re beautiful. But how can those sizes be so different from my equally model sized cousin?

I don’t really know where I’m going with this but I just thought it was interesting, albeit a little mind blowing. Have you ever met someone whose body type doesn’t match their clothing size? What are your thoughts on the infamous fashion industry size standards? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Biz Journal

Oct12

Hi-Tech Your House Out

Posted on by
Standard
Hi-Tech Your House Out

 

Technology is every where and is used for almost every thing. A trip to the shops? You take the car or other transport. In the stores themselves you can see aisles full of the latest gizmos and gadgets. So why let your home fall behind in the times? There’s so much cool technology out there that it would be silly to not deck your home out with it. There’s not just the tech for showing off, but there’s also the ones that will actually aid you and save you a lot of money in the long run. Let’s have a look at what you can put in each room to help you get the most bang for your buck in your home:

Kitchen:

Let’s start with something that’s going to aid you in the long run. A dehumidifier. You may not realise it, but whenever you cook and the room gets a little steamy, opening the windows doesn’t stop it from sticking to the walls to begin with. If you’re one of those people that chooses not to open the windows, then chances are that over time you’re going to get a build up of mold somewhere. A dehumidifier is perfect for preventing this. They don’t cost that much, and it could save you a lot of money from preventing an unneeded mold issue.

Living Room:

This is the center of the house, so why not have the best tech in it? Whether you’re having a cozy night in or family and friends round, use it as the room to wow them with the biggest most beautiful television that you can find. The way that TV tech has advanced in the last two years is incredible. Look into getting yourself a large, preferably 50-60 inch curved 3D TV. As big of a mouthful as it may be, the picture quality it’ll give you is insane. Try and get a 4K one and you’ll be blown away. Your kids will absolutely love the 3D element, and it’ll definitely amaze any guests that you have over. Yes, it may be pricey, but a TV lasts a long while, so it is definitely a worth while investment. Couple it with a surround sound system and it will really give that cinema quality to any film you’re watching.

Another essential piece of tech, for both the summer and the winter months, is a dual heating and cooling system, also known as an HVAC. During the colder months that are approaching, you can use it to keep your home nice and toasty. Come the summer months, reverse it and it’ll be an excellent cooling system. They are more efficient and easier to control than normal heating, and the fact that it can heat and cool is so handy. Look for HVAC contractors that can install it for you. You’ll be loving your lounge before you know it!

Bedroom:

The bedroom is the place where you retreat to escape the madness of the day. So put some tech in there that’s going to make life that little bit easier. Take the Amazon Echo for example. Yes, it can be used anywhere in the house, but it has some neat features to help you out. Simply say “Alexa, set an alarm for eight AM”. Pretty lazy right? But we live in a lazy generation, so finding a few shortcuts along the way can only help! You can also ask it about traffic on your route to work whilst you’re getting ready, this gadget finds out everything for you. So utilise it!

The Dyson Eye can be used anywhere in the house, but it is wonderful for your bedroom quarters. It’s basically a little robotic hoover that’ll go around on its own vacuuming areas. This is perfect for the bedroom, as it’s usually the room with the smallest amount of walking space. This little robot buddy will prevent constant bashes into the wall with your clunky old vacuum!

Technology is changing daily and can only make your home even more amazing. Do your research and find out which gizmos will work best for you!!

Featured Image By: Flickr 

Jul10

Does It Feel Like You’re Running In Place With Your Workout?

Posted on by
Standard
Does It Feel Like You’re Running In Place With Your Workout?

There are a lot of reasons why people end up abandoning their pursuit of physical fitness, leaving rowing machines to collect dust and gym memberships to go unused. Sure, it’s easy to say that the only real reason is laziness, but it’s actually a lot more complicated than that. In reality, the thing that causes a lot of people to give up is the feeling that they’re not really getting anywhere. They feel like, no matter how much effort they put in, they just don’t see any results. This can be incredibly demoralizing as it makes them feel like they’re wasting their time and giving blood, sweat, and tears for nothing. Sure, the results of exercise take time to manifest themselves, but that doesn’t mean that you should put up with months of seeing nothing changing in your body. With that in mind, here are a few ways to get the most out of your workout and to start seeing real results:

Have Clear Goals:

One of the biggest mistakes that people tend to make when they start working out is that they have incredibly poorly defined goals. They go in with things like “lose weight” or “get fitter”. Sure, these things are positive and should be a goal in mind, but if you’re only thinking about things in the vaguest possible terms, then you’re never going to be able to really push towards anything. All you’ll be able to see is that you haven’t lost as much weight as you would like and you’ll end up getting discouraged. Instead, think about exactly how much weight you want to lose. That way, even if you’re only losing a little bit at a time, all of it is chipping away at that goal bit by bit, making it much easier to stay committed.

Pick The Right Routine:

Of course, not every workout is going to be perfect for every goal. If you’re trying to bulk up and build muscle, then that’s not going to require the same kind of workout as someone who’s trying to slim down and drop a dress size. The workout plan and schedule reviewed here is perfect if you’re looking to lose a bit of weight and tone your body. However, it’s not necessarily going to be right for someone who’s trying to lose weight for health reasons. By knowing what you want, you’re going to be in a much better position to find the workout routine that’s going to help you do just that.

wrk1

WERK

Keep Things Interesting:

One other major factor that causes a lot of people to give up on their workout plan is boredom. The last thing that you want is to end up getting bored of your workout and walking away before you see any real results. In order to prevent that from happening, mix things up from time to time. Sure, you’re going to want to stick to the same kinds of exercise, but there are plenty of ways to change it up within those constraints. Instead of the treadmill, hit the rowing machine for your cardio. Perhaps switch the free weights for the bench when building muscle. That way, you’re going to avoid getting bored while introducing a new workout AND working towards your goal. It’s a win/win!

wrk2

Switching things up!

Although working out can be a pain, it should ultimately be enjoyable. These tips should get you right back into the swing of things in no time!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Apr27

Yearning for Learning: Why You Should Never Stop Studying

Posted on by
Standard
Yearning for Learning: Why You Should Never Stop Studying

Regardless of what stage of life you are currently at, learning is something that you should always be doing. A lot of people think of studying as something that is just for kids or young people at college, but the truth is, is that there are a whole range of advantages that will open themselves up if you commit your life to learning. As well as being a more well-rounded person, you will also constantly be developing new skills that you never know when will come in handy.

Whether you have lessons in something, take an online college course with Find Your Context, or study independently, here are just a few of the reasons that you should commit to lifelong learning:

You Will Become Happier: Studying can be very hard and frustrating, but there is nothing like the feeling that you are actually getting smarter. Even better, is when you can start putting these skills into practice and impressing people with what you have learned. There is nothing like reaching a goal that you have set for yourself, so you should make sure that you are constantly striving for bigger and better things. Having something to work towards is a great way to focus your mind and give you the feeling that you are always accomplishing something. Personal development should get you on the fast track to inner peace and happiness.

You Will Become Irreplaceable at Your Job: If you can show that you bring valuable new skills to your company, you are much more likely to impress your bosses. Not only will this keep you in your job role, but you should also start jumping to the front of the queue when it comes to promotion time. If you do decide that it is time to move onto new pastures, the more skills that you have, the more likely it is that you will end up landing yourself the job of your dreams. The rapid rise of technology means that more people are becoming replaceable; continual learning ensures that you won’t be one of them.

You Will Become More Cultured and Knowledgeable: If you stop learning at a certain point, that is exactly where you will become fixed. A person who is well-read and has numerous different skills finds it easy to carry a conversation on a whole range of different topics with ease. The more you learn, the more avenues of your mind you are opening up and the more well-rounded you will become as a person. Rather than making it seem like you are trying too hard to impress people with your knowledge, people will naturally start turning to you as a source of wisdom and excellent conversation.

Books on books on books

You Will Become More Passionate: The pursuit of knowledge is a major passion in itself, but the more you learn about different topics, the more passionate you will become about them. You may even end up discovering things that you love that you would never have thought of before. Try to be broad with your learning so that you don’t become too fixed on a single area and you will truly get the most out of expanding your horizons.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Apr27

Is There a ‘Best Way’ to Read?

Posted on by
Standard
Is There a ‘Best Way’ to Read?

Reading is one of life’s great pleasures. This is probably something that you already know; that’s why you’re on this blog! But, is it true that there are right and wrong ways to do it? This probably isn’t so true when it comes to fiction, especially as fiction reading culminates in a very subjective experience. But when it comes to reading nonfiction, there’s certainly a strong argument to be made that there are good ways to read it and bad ways to read it.

How is this possible? Well, it’s worth remembering that nonfiction – aside from the likes of self-help books and autobiographies – exist in order to educate the reader. And there are ways of reading that will help you absorb and retain more information. Most people seem to forget the majority of what they read – which isn’t great if you’re reading non-fiction for a class, right?

We’re going to take a quick look at the best ways to read a nonfiction book!

O.M.G!

Skimming: Some of you may be wondering why the heck “skimming” would be suggested! Isn’t that precisely what you’re supposed to avoid? Well, if you’re skimming the entire book instead of reading it properly, then yes. But if you skim a chapter of a book first, and then read it properly, then you’re giving your brain a head start with the information. Your brain will retain a lot of the basic information and themes from a quicker glance than you might expect.

Never Read Without a Pencil: Don’t be so particular about your books that you’re afraid to take notes in them! You should take the time to write notes about the material in the margin, as well as underline (or draw a line in the margins next to) sections that you feel are especially important. This can also help you take note of parts of the book that you want to investigate further, in case you initially find it a little confusing or even doubt the veracity of the claim.

A million dollars to whoever knows what book that is! 😉

Make an Effort to Memorize: In general, reading is fantastic for exercising your memory. That’s just one of the top 10 reasons why reading is important. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t actually put work into committing something that you read to memory. The simple fact that you’re reading isn’t going to mean that you’ll automatically remember it in the future! The best way to do this is to take what makes memory tick and apply that to reading. Psychologists believe that memory is built from three components: impression, association, and repetition. Apply these to your reading and see how it helps.

#knowledgeispower

Recite or Read Out Loud: Finally, one of the best ways to recall what you’ve read is to speak that information. You could try introducing someone else to that information by telling them about what you’ve read in conversation. Just make sure that you’re with someone with an interest in the given subject! Something else that you can try is simply reading passages out loud. This may seem time-consuming, but it’s effective. You may even want to record yourself reading out loud and listen to the sound file repeatedly instead of listening to music during your reading break.

Not only can reading aloud improve your memory retention of the content you read, but it can be a whole lot of fun to try using different voices for characters. Manga like return of the shattered constellation is a great place to start and you could even invite your friends to read along too. Whatever you choose to read, it will take book club meetings to a whole new level. You can perfect meaningful passages with your friends to perform and then open the floor to discussions and other renditions.

Featured Image By: Pixabay