Mardi Gras Deco Mesh

It's Carnival Time!

I was so excited about making my Mardi Gras decorations that I started back in December! I bought a gold work wreath after Christmas (60% Off, SCORE!). I had already ordered some Mardi Gras deco mesh and ribbon from Mardi Gras Outlet, because I wasn't sure what selection my local craft stores would have.

For my wreath I used 21" Mardi Gras stripe deco mesh, starting on the inner circle of the wreath, then moving to the outer circle. I used about 9 inches of mesh for each "poof".

I had some gold 2.5" deco mesh ribbon left over from Christmas, so I added to the wreath for a little extra color.

I fell in love with the purple dot ribbon I ordered from Mardi Gras outlet! I made a large bow with the 2.5 ribbon, then I wove some of the ribbon around the wreath.

I searched through my box of Mardi Gras beads for something to use as decoration. I found an old mask and some doubloons. I painted the mask with green craft paint and used a purple curls pick to jazz it up. I glued the mask and the doubloons on to the wreath with hot glue.

This is my favorite deco mesh wreath so far!

Since I had leftover deco mesh, I decided to make some garland! (I had scored the green work garlands after Christmas for 60% off as well.)

For the garland I used the 21" stripe deco mesh and some leftover purple 10" deco mesh. I also added some of the gold 2.5" deco mesh ribbon.

I found some cute LED globe Mardi Gras lights at Hobby Lobby and wove them through the garland.

After hanging the garland on my porch, I added 3 large, glittery ornaments. (My mom found these on clearance after Christmas from Kmart!) I used floral wire to attach the ornaments so I can take them off and package them separately after the season.

So here is my Mardi Gras porch!

Blog Tour: Before You Break

Before You Break by Christina Lee

Summary

A sexy, emotional New Adult romance about a bad boy on the edge and a good girl about to lose control…

A college baseball star isn’t supposed to have skeletons in his closet. But Daniel Quinn is hiding a guilty past so dark he refuses to let anyone get close. Except there’s something about gorgeous, studious Ella Abrams that goes beyond the electric attraction between them—something that makes him want to open up.

Ella has suffered enough heartache and guilt to fill one of her psychology textbooks, but she keeps that part of herself hidden behind a bubbly exterior. Until she receives an anonymous call while working a suicide helpline and the voice on the other end touches something inside of her that she can’t ignore.

Soon Ella and Quinn’s physical connection heats up, even as their deep and revealing hotline talks intensify. But by the time Ella realizes that her seductive jock and her sensitive caller are the same guy, it might be too late to save him—or to stop herself from falling too far…

My Review

What a beautifully written story that dealt with some serious topics. The majority of this book deals with suicide and survivors' guilt, but it also is the story of two people falling in love.

I enjoyed how this book was almost like two in one - Ella & Quinn and Gabby & Daniel.

I liked how Ella and Quinn had this instant attraction to each other.

I had no idea what I was doing, just that I was desperate to touch him.

Whereas, Gabby and Daniel developed the emotional side of their relationship.

I didn't know anything about her...Only that she was this calming voice. This peaceful force that permitted me to spill my guts. Spill my soul.

It was interesting to see how the two sides would combine.

This is the 2nd story in the Between Breaths series, and even though they are stand alone stories, I felt a little left out by not reading All of You. (But I've already added All of You to my to-read list!)

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars! This was a beautiful story of two people, both dealing with sadness and guilt, who find each other.

Buy Before You Break on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, or Google Books.

 

Excerpt

At the theater, we bought popcorn, Milk Duds, and large sodas. After we settled in our seats in the crowded room, I opened the box of chocolate caramel confections and dumped them in the large tub.

“Um,” Quinn said, scratching his chin.

“Sweet and salty—it’s a must-have for movie watching.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, seriously.” I picked up a Milk Dud, flanked it with two pieces of popcorn, and then brought it to his lips. “Here. I guarantee you’ll fall in love. You’ll never watch a movie without them again.”

“If you say so. . . .” He dragged the sweet and salty mixture into his mouth but kept my fingers enclosed between his lips. I held in a gasp while he ran his tongue over my thumb and then sucked on my forefinger before releasing my hand and chewing what remained.

“Agree,” he said around a mouthful of popcorn. “Wouldn’t want to be without them ever again.”

Quinn’s gaze latched on to mine. It felt like a bundle of feathers had been let loose in my stomach. “Guess you’ll have to come to every movie from now on. So I don’t forget.”

Speechless wasn’t even the word for what I felt in that moment. Dumbfounded might have been more like it, or maybe just struck stupid, because I couldn’t even move my lips to form any coherent words.

When the movie previews began, he turned toward the screen and reached for my fingers, interlacing our hands. Then he leaned close to my ear and said, “I expect you to feed me just like that the entire movie.”

 

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Blog Tour: Fighting for the Edge

Fighting for the Edge by Jennifer Comeaux

Summary from Goodreads:

Two friends. Two dreams. One night that changes everything…

Ice dancer Aubrey London scoffs at romance. She’s focused on winning a medal at the upcoming Olympics and uses that as her excuse to avoid serious relationships. But when she and longtime friend Chris Grayden are thrown together by unforeseen circumstances, Aubrey finds herself questioning everything she's ever known about love, complicating her life both on and off the ice.

Pairs skater Emily Petrov embraces romance. She and her husband Sergei still act like honeymooners two years after their wedding. As Emily’s coach, Sergei provides constant support while she prepares to challenge for gold at the Olympics. But Sergei’s support might not be enough to help Emily overcome the one challenge she never saw coming.

With the Games only weeks away, Emily and Aubrey are on the verge of realizing their dreams. But one snowy, stormy night sets in motion a series of events that will test them in ways they never imagined, giving them more to fight for than Olympic medals.

My Review

Who doesn't love happy endings? Well, Fighting for the Edge is the PERFECT ending to the Edge Series. 

Emily and Sergi had to struggle being romantically involved as coach and skater in Life on the Edge, then had to deal with Sergi's past in Edge of the Past, now we finally get not just one but TWO Happily Ever Afters in Fighting for the Edge.

I loved learning more about Aubrey and especially Chris! I've had a book crush on Chris since Life on the Edge. Jennifer could write a whole book about him and I would enjoy every minute of it!

There was something so infectious in the brightness on his face.

I mean who wouldn't want to fall for him! So dreamy! I hope we learn more about what happens with Chris and Aubrey, their story has only just begun.

She might not win a medal, but she'd leave the Games with an even bigger prize.

But I was worried how Emily's "situation" would affect her skating dreams. Would she just quit and lose her chance at gold?

I thought the ending was perfect and that the stories were written beautifully. Jennifer has a way with words, making the entire Edge series a 'feel good' story.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars! I LOVED this book! It was perfect to read during the Olympics and Valentine's Day!

Buy Fighting for the Edge on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Previous Books in the Series

Life on the Edge

Buy on Amazon

My Review: 4 out of 5 Stars!

Edge of the Past

Buy on Amazon

My Review: 5 out of 5 Stars!

About the Author

Jennifer Comeaux is a tax accountant by day, writer by night. There aren't any ice rinks near her home in south Louisiana, but she’s a diehard figure skating fan and loves to write stories of romance set in the world of competitive skating. One of her favorite pastimes is travelling to competitions, where she can experience all the glitz and drama that inspire her writing. Jennifer loves to hear from readers! Visit jennifercomeaux.blogspot.com for contact information and to learn more about her books.

Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

 RULES AND RESTRICTIONS: 

Contest is void where prohibited. Entrants must be 13 or else have parent or guardian’s permission to enter. Winners will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner’s name will be selected. Winning entries will be verified for authenticity.

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YA Bound Book Tours is organizing a Blog Tour for Fighting for the Edge by Jennifer Comeaux from February 10th to February 21st.

Blog Tour: Anything to Have You

Anything to Have You by Paige Harbison

Summary from Goodreads:
Nothing should come between best friends, not even boys. ESPECIALLY not boys.

Natalie and Brooke have had each other's backs forever. Natalie is the quiet one, college bound and happy to stay home and watch old movies. Brooke is the movie—the life of every party, the girl everyone wants to be.

Then it happens—one crazy night that Natalie can't remember and Brooke's boyfriend, Aiden, can't forget. Suddenly there's a question mark in Natalie and Brooke's friendship that tests everything they thought they knew about each other and has both girls discovering what true friendship really means.

My Review:

Remember feeling giddy when crushing on boys in High School? Anything to Have You brought back those feelings and memories for me.

Harbison definitively captured high school drama, possibility slightly over-the-top drama. I was a little taken aback by all the "Blackout" drinking, cursing and sex in High School. (Are kids really that bad today?)

I felt that I instantly related to Natalie. I was not into partying in high school (or even college) and could understand how she felt.

...hanging around drinking disgusting beer that tastes like sewer water and taking shots of raspberry-flavored nail polish remover while someone's mom is out of town is not fun to me.

I tend to root for the underdog and I was Team Natalie/Aiden from the beginning. Maybe they didn't handle things as they should have, but there was no keeping them apart.

I knew that him wanting to hang out with me like this was suspicious and unusual. I also knew that there was no way I was going to be able to resist the prospect of him coming over.

I wasn't sure if the alternating POVs was designed to make me like Brooke more, but it had the opposite affect for me. Brooke wasn't a good friend or girlfriend. There were many times where I wondered why Natalie was even friends with Brooke, let alone BFFs.

I appreciated the happy ending and that there were no lose ends. This was a slightly outrageous stand alone romance novel great for curling up with on a rainy afternoon.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars. I think 20-Somethings will enjoy reminiscing on High School times as they read about Natalie, Aiden and Brooke.

Buy Anything to Have You on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Kobo.

About the Author

Paige Harbison recently graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor of Science in Fine Arts. She grew up on the outskirts of Washington D.C. She spends most of her time with friends--who give her constant inspiration for characters--and calls it research. The rest of her time is spent writing, painting, and following all of the worst TV shows. www.paige-harbison.com

 

 

Giveaway

5 print copies of Anything To Have You (US and Canada only)

RULES AND RESTRICTIONS:
Contest is void where prohibited. Entrants must be 18 or else have parent or guardian’s 
permission to enter. Winners will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond or 
another winner’s name will be selected. Winning entries will be verified for authenticity.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

YA Bound Book Tours is organizing a Blog Tour for: Anything To Have You by Paige Harbison from February 3rd to February 7th.

Valentine's Day Deco Mesh

February is here! I'm not sure where the time has gone, but it is time to decorate for Valentine's Day. And time to make a new deco mesh wreath!

I was able to find a red heart shaped work wreath at Hobby Lobby. I started with 21" pink deco mesh.

I then added some 10" silver mesh. You really have to fluff and position the mesh to keep the heart shape in tact.

I used some Valentine's Day heart ribbon as accent and pink heart and silver ball ornaments.

I think my "last minute" wreath turned out great! 

I'm a little sad it only gets to hang up for 2 weeks, but I am more excited about my Mardi Gras wreath and Garland that will be hung next!