The Big Bucket List Book Review and Giveaway!

Life is so short. It has always been my thoughts to fill it with as much fun, joy, laughter and adventure as one possibly could. Then Gin Sander took it to a whole new level! And this kinda content is exactly what this blog is about. 

This book revels how to turn your bucket list into a well-lived life. This Author/Adventurer reveals 100+ experiences of a lifetime for any budget in this new book by Gin Sander. Gin Sander has raced cars, dined in a medieval castle with a cast of an opera, and had her portrait painted three times. 

Why? Because her mantra in life is to experience as much as she can....as fully as she can. 

Sander encourages others to "stop listing and start living" in her new book. Just in time for the New Year, The Big Bucket List Book features a wide range of fresh ideas for infusing your life with a bit of glamour, adventure and style- whatever your budget, including:

* Galas, parties and Get-Togethers: Marvelous Ways to Mix, Mingle and Meet New Friends
* Thrill Your Taste Buds: Food and Wine Experiences
* Make Your Mark: Irresistibly Fun DIY Activities and Skills
* Life is Learning: Must-Know New Skills
* Create and Inspire: Art, Film, Theatre, and More!
*Off the Beaten Path: One-of-a-Kind Travel Experiences
*Epic Adventures Glamourous Goals and Getaways



The Big Bucket List Book will change the way you look at the world and empower you to reach for all of the big and little things you want to achieve. Learn how to make your next chapter the most enriching and personally fulfilling of them all...and maybe change the world while you are at it!

At 218 pages this is an easy read. But I would slow down! Read a section and accomplish one item each month. Much more fun! Some of the ideas are simple like Restore an Object You Love whether a piece of furniture or an entire room in your home, think about the satisfaction in accomplishing something you had not found time for but absolutely could not live without now that you have done it. I love that each section of the book she offers us resources and a link to help in our search for completing the bucket list item. Now, you may never finish all the things in the book, but surely you will be inspired to create your own list and knock a few off each month or year to bring enjoyment and fulfillment to your life. 

About the Author: Jennifer "Gin" Sander is the New York Times Bestselling author of many popular lifestyle books. A former senior editor and chief book developer fro Prima Publishing, her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, People, the Boston Globe, and USA Today, and she has appeared on Fox and Friends, C-Span's Book TV, NBC and more. She lives near Sacramento, California.  The Big Bucket List Book: 133 Experiences of a Lifetime is available in January 2016 for $14.99; Self-Help; Trade Paper.

Are you ready?  Now is your chance to win a copy of the book! (US and Canada only) Share this post on social media (Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram) and tag me on it to enter a chance for the book! Winner will be announced January 3rd!

I received this book free from Sourcebooks free and was asked to review it and participate in a book giveaway. All opinions are my own. 

12 Days of Holiday Joy DAY 11!

DAY 11: Rest and Relax!

There is enough excitement and things on your To Do list during the holiday season. It is important to do what restores you and replenishes you. Sometimes that is a good old fashion nap but sometimes it might be catching up a book you have not finished or thumbing through a magazine. Whatever it is, be sure to get your rest in. 

When we rest we are more rejuvenated and better able to serve others and be present for others like our family. We think more clearly and are more able to juggle multiple things at once. Not that I advise that, but that is usually everyone's normal. Be sure to dim the light, get quiet and relax this season.

Tips to setting your New Years Goals!

I am not one to set resolutions. I think of my year as a continuum. A constant opportunity of hours, days, weeks and months to mend, improve, fix and grow as an individual. This is the mindset needed for me to be able to work toward my goals. You however, might have a real specific resolution or goal you would like to meet and if that is the case, you will need a plan. A plan is only as good as it is executed! 

What we do know from research is that only 14% of Americans set resolutions in 2014. More interesting is that 61 % of people who wrote down their goals were more successful than the 43% who did not. Your odds of succeeding gets even better when you share your goals with a friend or family member. By month 6, many people abandon the goals or resolution. 

Try to make your resolution measurable. For instance, by April 2016  I will have ran 10 miles a week, or by June 1st I will be 90% debt free. Make it as specific as you can and create small tasks around it that will make it possible. 

So, let's set ourselves up for success from the beginning! Here are some easy, simple tips for goal setting. I will be talking about this more in the upcoming month, so stay tuned! 

Share your best tips for keeping your resolutions with us!

12 Days of Holiday Joy DAY 10!

DAY 10: Eat, Drink and Be Merry!

Does the smell of apple pie bring back nostalgia of days gone by? How about making Christmas cookies with your mom or the smell of your dad's bourbon before bed? Whatever it is, be sure to use your taste buds to enjoy the season.

 Baking is something that always comes to mind around the holidays for me so it is one time I normally will make cookies, breads or other baked goods to enjoy and to share. My grandmother's nut roll is a tradition and something each grand kid got in their Christmas goodie bag each year.  A mini one for each of us. Coffee on Christmas morning was always a must in order for me to be awake for the present brigade that would soon ensure.

Whatever the tastes or your holidays have been, revel in them again. Find out what your families traditional recipes were and try to make one or create a new one! Traditions are happen when they are constantly done around the same time each year and carried on through family.

12 Days of Holiday Joy DAY 9!

I am hoping by this time you have found some joyous ideas on bringing back your holiday "mojo" into your life and will think about implementing them. They are bite size morsels of information, inspiration and tips on enjoying the season the best way possible.  There are still 3 posts left of my series 12 Days of Holiday Joy! Here is Day 9! 


DAY 9: Seek adventure!

Most of my joyous of times have been when I have done something new and unexpected. I find myself growing as a person and creatively when I create adventure in my life. This does not mean I have to start mountain climbing or using an expensive means to travel. It just means that you should take life moment by moment. If it is snowing and there is an opportunity to have a snowball fight with your kids, go outside and do it. If you have never been to a major city during the holiday and wanted to check out an attraction, plan for it. If you have a day off from school with the kids, take a road trip to a local museum, event or destination right in your own state. Perhaps trying skiing or snowshoeing would be exciting and adventurous. The idea is to just DO. Waiting for adventure and excitement of the season to come into your life is up to you!

Seek adventure and take life moment by moment. After all, life is only about each moment we have.  

12 Days of Holiday Joy DAY 8!

DAY 8: Express your feelings now 


We forget. We forget to often to not express how we feel to those we love, and I bet that other person also forgets. Let it out and let it out loud! Life is short. The holidays are a perfect time to tell someone special how you feel. if you do not tell them, how else will they know.

Take the time to write a well crafted card or letter, leave a heartfelt voicemail and if you are so lucky, say it face to face. We all do not have the luxury of time on our side. Take the extra drive far away to see someone you care about or call someone you have lost touch with to check in. Never regret saying how you feel to those you care about the most. 

12 Days of Holiday Joy DAY 7!

Children bring out the wonderment of the holidays. The excitement of Santa coming, wondering if they are getting what was on their list this year and if they have been "good enough" is all part of their excitement.

DAY 7: Be a kid!

Children can often remind us of what is most important and slow us down during this time of the year. So go ahead! Be a kid! Bake some holiday cookies with a child, help and teach them how to wrap a gift properly, encourage them to write out holiday cards to loved ones, play some holiday music and have a sing-a-long, teach them about donating to those in need, take out the board games or cards and interact authentically with them, participate in faith activities, school holiday functions and catch the wonderment of the season with them!

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Squares!

This is not for the faint of heart! Decadent chocolate and rich peanut butter layered to perfection. This is the holiday treat to make if you are not into baking or into cookies. Full of sugar and sweetness and oh so good. Hey, I am not here to sugar coat it. :)

This recipe is from my mother and reminds me of several birthday parties, holiday gatherings and parties we attended that required a dessert to bring. It is also the one thing I distinctly remember my sister-in-law falling for when she first came to the U.S from Italy and was dating my brother and tried them during the holidays. Eyes popping, drool.. yeah the whole thing happened! 

The one thing my mom was always better at than me is cutting them all evenly to perfection which I have not yet mastered, but I guess homemade is supposed to be full of imperfection and differences which is why it is never duplicated EXACTLY the same each time. 

Doesn't matter, it is all going in one place to dance in my mouth!

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Squares

• 1 Box of confectioners sugar ( gulp)
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 2 sticks of butter
• 1 bag of semi sweet chocolate morsels
• holiday colored shots

In a bowl, combine sugar, peanut butter, butter and graham cracker crumbs. Mix well with a spoon. Consistency should be dough like but still a little like batter if that makes sense. Once mixed, put into a square baker and pat with hands evenly covering all corners. Put in the fridge to firm up.

Using a double boiler (I use 2 pots with 1 cup of water at the bottom) melt the bag of chocolate, stirring often until all the morsels have melted.

Take out pan and pour chocolate over peanut butter mixture. Spread evenly using a spatula. Sprinkle with shots for a festive look. 

Put back into the fridge for 20 minutes. You want the chocolate to set just enough to set, but not to be rock hard otherwise when you cut it, the chocolate will flake right off the peanut butter layer. 

Using a knife, cut evenly into strips then into small 1 1/2 inch squares. Enjoy! 

12 Days of Holiday Joy DAY 6:

It's 5 days till Christmas. You might be worrying about if you did everything you had too. If you got everyone the perfect gift. How you are going to fit in baking cookies, buying the grab bag gift for work, attending your child's holiday celebration at school, have the right outfit for Christmas? Ok, that is just my worry list.

DAY 6: Worry Less

We can suck the joy right out of anything by unwarranted worry. Worry is simply a fabrication of our thoughts. We can control it. This week. Worry less. Start to put your thoughts onto paper and tuck the worries away for the week. Be present, be still, be merry this week. Consider all you have to be thankful for. Think about those less fortunate and how our worries might just not be that important at all. 

Friday Fix: Holiday Madness Bars!

Holiday Madness Bars

* 1 Box Brownie Mix
* 2 eggs
* 1/4 cup water
* 1/2 cup vegetable oil
* 1 box of candy canes
* 2 packages of pre-made cookie dough in ready to cut squares
* Red and green sprinkles or shots
* 1 package of white chocolate chips

Combine brownie mix, eggs, oil and water. Mix well and put aside. Take out cookie dough and roll out into a rectangular pan using a hand held roller lining the bottom of the pan completely. Pour brownie mix over the cookie dough until completely covered. 

Bake at 325 for 30-35 minutes. Time will depend on size of the pan so check every 5 minutes after 25 minutes. 

Take out and allow to cool for 20 minutes. While cooling, melt chocolate chips in a double boiler. Once cooled, pour the white chocolate over the brownies and spread evenly. Chop 10-12 candy canes and sprinkle over the chocolate. Sprinkle the red and green sprinkles next. Allow to cool in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before cutting into 1 1/2 inch squares. 

12 Days of Holiday Joy: DAY 5

Holidays got you in a rut? Maybe it is what is in your closet!

Yes, consider this. You are what you wear. Think about it. When are you dressed up to go to a wedding, you always put it the extra effort right? Why only on an occasion that happens every now and then?

DAY 5: Dress to Impress. Yourself!

My challenge to you is to look at what is in your closet. If you have not worn it in over 2 years or it doesn't fit, it goes. Goodwill, consignment to another person who would love it, fine. But it no longer serves you. It no longer makes you feel good. 

Statistics show that having clothes on that fit well, are becoming and make you feel good ultimately will change your feelings and confidence. I am not saying you need a complete overhaul or to have to spend a ridiculous amount of money. Maybe you put on different lipstick and use a bag you have not used in awhile that you love. Or take extra effort with your hair or putting on jewelry to fit your mood. Even buying a few new pieces to an outdated wardrobe can help update your look and your mood. Whatever it is,  you need not wait for the holidays or a wedding to boost your confidence and feel good about yourself. 

12 Days of Holiday Joy: DAY 4

Day 4: MUSIC!

It is not the holidays without music! Some of my fondest memories for Christmas is the Elvis Presley Christmas CD (OK a tape cassette back then) that was played each year. It was not a Christmas without it. It instantly brings me back to dancing with my father on his feet step by step and the anticipation of the arrival of Santa and of course what he might bring. 

Bring back the childhood joy you remember with music, Even if it is not holiday music perhaps it was Jazz music or Frank Sinatra that you remember your grandparents always playing during this season. Or just listen to what makes you happy and calms you. For me, it is classical. I try to play classical 90 percent of the time when I drive as it find it soothing and there are no commmericals on the stations that typically play it. Get lost in music this holiday season. Take time to open your ears and hearts to the season. 

12 Days of Holiday Joy: Day 3

We don't have much if we do not have our health! I am grateful for my body and I intend to treat it well.

Day #3 is all about Health! 


The ability to move, jump, dance and feel good inside and out is essential to having joy in your life. The holidays often give us excuses to skip the gym, go to one to many parties and eat indulging foods that normally are not around. Before you know it you put on 5 pounds since Halloween and are feeling bad about your choices and self. Do yourself a favor and get going! Hit the gym, take long walks or jogs, do the stairs at work.. it all counts. It will do your body good, but your mind even better and giving you energy while warding off anxiety and stress. 

Also, make some healthy choices when it comes to food this holiday. I do not want to live in a world that has no pie or Christmas cookies! :) But have a small slice or 1 cookie and pair it with fruit or veggies. Be sensible and your joy will quickly come back to enjoying what matters most this holiday. 

Friday Fix: Easy DIY Holiday Wreath

A trip to the craft store is all you need to make this adorable, festive wreath for your door. The possibilities are endless with the colors and texture of ornaments you use. Have fun!

How to Prevent Mindless Holiday Shopping!

It is very hard to avoid buying for ourselves during the holidays. You are inundated with coupons in your email, mailbox at the actually stores themselves and even worse, upon check out when you already bought something enticing you to come back and spend more. Seriously?!

In order to get your holiday shopping done for your friends and family and ward off unneeded spending and shopping, I have gathered some tips to help with mindless shopping this season.

• Make a list and stick to it. Figure out who you need to buy for and what you plan on getting them.
• Set up a budget for yourself. Determine how much you are spending on who and stick to it.
• Use cash! If you use only the cash you are allowing yourself to spend, you will prevent the oh so easy credit card charges. Besides, using a credit card is sometimes cloudy because you are just taking it out and using it not seeing the money being spent until that January statement comes in and knocks you to the floor. 
• Forgo the shopping cart. Seems silly but the more you can put in your cart, the more you will spend. Figure out what stores you are going into and specifically for what and carry out what you need. 
  
• Go only in the stores you need to. It is tempting to see the sale signs and walk right in. Yes, DSW is nice, but who is asking for shoes for Christmas? Oh you are!!! Exactly. Go only into the stores you know you need to purchase something. 
• Get an accountability partner! Go shopping with a buddy. Let them know about your shopping budget and list and have them keep you on track during your shopping excursion. Besides, shopping with someone (even if for others) is fun with a friend.
• Shop online. This MAY be easier if you do not have to go into stores. But buyers beware! This can easily be another trap to set you up to shop mindlessly. For me, I find it easier. I look for what I need put it in the cart and I am done. For others this is hard. If you are going to shop online, do it as a guest. Do not save your shipping address, credit card information or items in your wish list. This way it is not as easy for you to mindless click your shopping heart away. 

I hope some of these tips you can take away and implement this season. Besides. No one wants to start off January in the red or with and overabundance of "things" that felt good at the time of purchase but end up being mindless purchases. 

What tips do you use to keep mindless shopping at bay? 

How To Create a Mason Cookie Jar!

Gift giving can be tricky. Sometimes you need something that anyone could get, would like and would look nice. This is when I get crafty! Something about getting the glue gun out and being creative brings me so much joy. And my no means do I consider myself creative. But I love to create and I love to give gifts so this is a no brainer. 

I have always wanted to try to make mason jar baking mixes. I always see them on Pinterest and think " wow that looks easy and super cute". Well..it is! With a stop at JoAnne's I was able to get almost everything I needed minus the ingredients. The possibilities are endless with how you would like to decorate the jar, the kind of tag you want to use and of course what kind of baking recipe you want to include. I kept it simple with a chocolate chip cookie recipe. I always have those ingredients on hand and only had to buy the chocolate chips. I chose the holiday chocolate chips in red, green and traditional chocolate which look more festive in the jar. You could substitute for holiday M&M 's as well. I also added some white chocolate chips. 

Step 1: Clean each jar and dry well. This recipe calls for 1 quart jars.

Step 2: Choose ribbon, allocates, tags and twine you would like to use to decorate. If you go to the scrap booking aisle, you can find all kind of materials for the tags in addition to the sewing aisle.  

Step 3: Decorate first! This way you won't be moving the jar once filled and mix ingredients and avoid any glue mishaps in the jar. Using a glue gun and scissors, carefully cut the ribbon to fit around the jar. Glue the ribbon and then fasten around evenly. I also took the lid off and put ribbon around the rim of the canister top.

Step 4: Decorate the lid. I used burlap flowers but you could use artificial holly and berries or Christmas ornaments or feathers. Use your imagination. I wanted the theme to look natural, so those are the type of materials and patterns I chose. 

Step 5: Mix with a spoon 1 3/4 cup flour with 3/4 teaspoon baking soda, 3/ 4 teaspoon salt.

Step 6: Carefully spoon the flour mixture into the jar evenly.

Step 7: Next is the brown sugar. Using spoon, put in 3/4 cup carefully layered.

Step 8: Spoon in 3/4 cup cane sugar evenly.

Step 9: 1 &1/2 cup chocolate chips. This is the last layer. Gently push the chips down firmly to sit on top and make room for the lid to go on. 

Step 10: Make a label that has the rest of the instructions which are as follows.

Combine ingredients with one egg, one teaspoon vanilla and 1 1/2 sticks of butter. Bake at 375 degrees for 9-11 minutes.

Add a special personal note and give to someone special. Makes a great teacher gift or for the postman! I tied a cute holiday pot holder and a candy cane with my jars. I can't wait to give them out!

What homemade gifts have you made before and love to give?

12 Days of Holiday Joy: Day 1

The holiday time can be such a time of excitement, joy and memories. For some it is hard to always get into that spirit for many reasons. Family is far away, you are over stressed with end of the year deadlines, kids schedules, too many parties to go to or you just cannot finish your holiday shopping.

 Over the next few weeks I will be discussing 12 things you can do to incorporate holiday joy into your holiday season with friends and family that do not take alot of time or money and will fill you with feelings of love, friendship and hopefully that joy that you are missing. 

First, head to Pinterest and find me Charging You Up or click on the Pinterest button on my homepage. You will see the 12 Days of Holiday Joy board. All 12 posts will be there so you can pin them and share with others. Are you with me? Ok

Day #1 Buy for someone you do not know. 

That's right. Think about a lonely neighbor you have never met met but you know does not get visitors or how about contributing to a Toys for Tots collection in your community for children in need this holiday. Buy a gift for someone who you know needs it more and would appreciate it greatly. It could be a inspirational book or a batch of your favorite holiday cookies. It does not have to be expensive or big at all, it is the thought that counts. You will feel satisfaction knowing you put a smile on someones face that day and good that you took the time to give back to someone else.  

Find me on Pinterest and let's get into the holiday spirit in 12 days! RE-PIN if you are in!

Friday Fix: Week 4 of Thankfulness

                                   

Week 4 Thankful Thought

I am grateful for my health. I am thankful I am healthy and can run, walk, climb and have emotional wellness. Thankful I have health insurance and professionals available to care for me if I needed it and for a supportive family who sticks together when someone is ill. I am grateful for not being sick or being challenged with illness. I am thankful I am able to dance, play with my child and keep up with this busy life physically. Honor your body.

Be a Super Gifter!

First week of December. Is your holiday shopping complete? Me either! And you are not alone.

However the biggest problem during the holiday season is not getting the ones dearest to me gifts, it is having the gift that I need for someone on a spur of the moment for someone I do not know well or for a hostess gift to a party I was just invited to.  For the person who was so nice to think of you and you...Oops...did not have them on your list! Here are some good ideas of gifts that really anyone would be happy to receive and you could be proud to give for those moments you are unprepared around the holidays and you can have in your home or office for that oh so unexpected moment and instantly turn you into a "Super Gifter"!

Some of these things I buy when discounted and off season. Places like Target, HomeGoods, Kohls and Christmas Tree Shops are some of my favorite places to find these things. You can find some great brands and items that do not cost much but are super cute and make a statement. If I buy in advance, I always have a few things on hand if I have a surprise visitor or get invited to an impromptu holiday gathering.

Candles: Let's face it. You can buy them from everywhere to the grocery store to the pharmacy to upscale boutiques. Many people like them and they can be used all year round. Their are always great scents around during the holidays. Wrap with a cute holiday kitchen towel and a bow and you have a great hostess gift.

Stationary: This is one of my favorites. Cause everyone could use a nice Thank You card set or monogrammed cards for everyday use, to sending notes to the teacher or to send a love note to a family member. Many of us do not buy nice stationary for ourselves. HomeGoods is one of my favorite place to get stationary and notebooks and they have a wide array of adorable themes and patterns.

Chocolates and cookies: Perhaps SOME people do not like chocolate. But are they really your friends? (just kidding) Decadent chocolates and holiday tins of gourmet cookies and chocolate are in many stores. Pick out some favorite flavors and stash one or two away for that impromptu gift you might need. 

Coffee, Hot Chocolate or Tea: Most people drink of one or the other! How nice to receive a bag of gourmet coffee or hot chocolate with some chocolate spoons or cute holiday mug? Easy and thoughtful. 

Journals: I love a nice journal! Especially if it has a nice quote on the front or eye catching graphic on the cover. Anyone could use a journal to write down notes, lists or use to keep yourself organized and looking tight at work. 

Gift Cards: Maybe not the most personal but who would not love a gift card to their favorite coffee spot or for filling up their tank at the gas station. Plus, you can get them in many denominations. 

Picture Frames: Everyone has pictures. Buy them a frame! Whether you decide to fill it with a picture or not, the thought is there and when they have the right picture, they will have a frame to enjoy it in. Sometimes I will take a picture off of social media or from a text that someone forgot they sent me months ago and print and frame it. They are always surprised at how I got the photo but grateful I took the time to download it and print it for them.

The nice thing about these gifts, is they are for any holiday you celebrate, male or female and do not have to cost more than $20 to make a nice gesture. So while you continue your holiday shopping make a point to pick out 2 or 3 things extra to have on hand just in case and keep gift buying stress at bay.

What is your go to gift on the fly?