The Surfer and The Sage by Shaun Tomson and Noah benShea (Bonus- amazing photography!)

This Summer I had the privilege to be invited to preview and review a new book – The Surfer and The Sage by Tomson and benShea. Please see the opportunity to get a copy for yourself – FREE – below. (Limited offer)

Sometimes life gives you smooth waters to navigate everyday situations. But, then there are times when a huge WAVE comes and knocks you down. You are disoriented, in disbelief, and perhaps feeling defeated. You have a choice – be resilient and keep trying or never ride another wave – play it only safe. Shaun Tomson, the former professional and medal-winning surfer, knows how real-life waves and those from grief can be life-defining. He shares his story alongside pearls of wisdom and beautiful photography in The Surfer and The Sage. Plus the photography is OUTSTANDING! This book is a keeper for your shelf (and get a second copy to share!!)

From the publisher:

Sometimes life’s waves knock you down; other times, life might seem to sweep you along powerless. But the choice is always yours to swim back up to the light. Legendary world champion surfer Shaun Tomson and international bestselling poet-philosopher Noah benShea join forces to offer you insight on a path of purpose, hope, and faith. This timely guidebook alternates between Tomson’s inspiring experiential essays and benShea’s spiritual commentary that lift the soul, all accented with stunning full-color surfing photographs.

After losing his son, Tomson walked the bitter road of loss and crossed from darkness into the light. The Surfer and the Sage addresses the eighteen relentless, breaking waves of life, from loss and aging to relationships and depression, and guides you to transformation. It is not a list of rules to follow that guarantee success, health, or wealth, but rather a collection of advice from two guides who have traveled far and wide and suffered deeply, but still look forward to tomorrow with faith and hope. 

My Eclectic Ideas for Holiday Gifts

Are you in the midst of holiday shopping? Perhaps you are looking for ideas that are not “the usual”?   I hope you will enjoy my eclectic list of products and services that span from inspirational books that soothe the soul to  ultra- yummy cookies that help to feed the homeless.  I also added “out of the box” suggestions that can be delivered by elves.  Feel free to add your own unique ideas in the comment section.

Happy Shopping!

~Louise

On my shelf

 READY TO BE HEARD by Amanda McDonough.  A terrific book for anyone who is facing a physical challenge and could use some words of wisdom to feel inspired or hopeful.  I know Amanda personally, and she is simply amazing! She spreads positivity and  the power of kindness to all she meets! Available on Amazon or  her website: ReadytoBeHeard.com

 

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 Dear Martha, WTF?  Grief can be a relentless emotion.  Ebbing and flowing for days, months or years.  Author, Tricia LaVoice shares her personal journey through grief with the hopes to help others.  This book is not your “Debbie Downer” memoir but one that will have you clutching your pearls and laughing due to the  hefty dose of humor and bluntness included!  Available Amazon

Website: TriciaLaVoice.com  to learn more and hear Tricia’s podcast, as well.

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Once again, I am highly recommending HALFLING!   Kids will love it (and, so will their parents!),  HALFLING by Donna Robb, is a marvel of a story!  Fingers crossed you will see Remi and her friends on the silver screen soon!  Amazon

Website: DonnaMarieRobb.com 

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Amazon pricing  for shipping is dependent on program of customer.


These products are spotlighted because they give back to help others… 

Feel good when you give the Sandy Hook Promise apparel.  Proceeds go directly to educational programs to help end gun violence in our schools.  Their KNOW THE SIGNS program should be required in every school!  Order directly here

Note: Pricing varies. Free shipping for larger orders. 1214_Remembrance_Shirt_4778_PromiseGRN_1_large.png


 

Curly Top Baker’s cookies are SOOOO DELICIOUSSSS.  But, what is really their true sweetness is that they give cookies FREE to homeless people in their home town of Las Vegas. I love this company, their cookies and business model.  My recommendations – buy yourself at least one  box and then send another to a friend. All the flavors are INCREDIBLE, but you can’t go wrong with the MEGA chip.  Order here  

 

 


Out of the Box Gift Ideas

 

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The gift of TRAVEL!  Get out your creative juices and send your family or friends on an overnight trip or perhaps a vacation of their lifetime!  This past year we were thrilled with the services of the TRAVEL STORE in Malaga Cove, CA (Linda Kahn-Ferrell rocks!) They will help you brainstorm ideas and take care of all the details.  All you have to do is pack! Connect here

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I adore the blog and work of Candy Washington. She  has been designing her own line of home products for a little while now and I am in love with her creations. Don’t you just love this pillow! I do AND it can be yours for less than $20 (plus shipping)! Order here 

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Thinking of gifts under $20 each – give your recipient the Amazon Prime Streaming membership for 99 cents a month!

Camryn’s newest tunes: GLOW

Josh Moreland – 3 Feet from Gold

Kirsten Collin’s In My Blood

 

Bravo to Amazon’s Multi- Emmy Nominated Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Includes Video Interview)

Amazon’s newest show – The Marvelous Mrs.Maisel has earned 14 Emmy Award nominations! Can you say – WOW!  Quite a feat given that  in recent years the vast majority of  the golden Emmy award  went  to shows airing on Netflix HBO and NBC.

Let’s start with why the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is worthy of all the kudos.  Without a doubt the show is brilliantly written. But, I knew it was going to be a  winner once I discovered that Amy Sherman – Palladino and Daniel Palladino were involved as the creative  geniuses. Their signature snappy and witty scripts are the backbone of this show as it was with their previous break-out winner – the Gilmore Girls.  However, “Maisel” is much more edgy than the Gilmore Girls, which one easily discovers within the first episode.

Let’s break it down even more (SPOILER ALERT).  Set in 1958,  a time when women were expected to cook, clean and look pretty – “Midge” Maisel, played by the outstanding Rachel Brosnahan,  finds herself as a Jewish woman with a cheating husband, Joel (Michael Zegen). He leaves her for an office romance… quite the shocker for Midge.   Bad karma continues as  Joel’s  hopes of a career in comedy are seriously dashed due to his “borrowing” someone else’s material. (The someone being Bob Newhart)  To complicate matters, Midge is no slouch at comedy either, and in fact, is the funnier of the two.  The audience is let in to this little secret as it plays out in one of the funniest scenes filmed for a TV show.

The hilarity of the show also is due to the  doting parents who raised Midge in a comfortable Manhattan lifestyle and their  major dilemma as how to explain “the separation” to the Jewish community.  Actors Tony Shalhoub and Marin Hinkle play Midge’s parents and they are HYSTERICAL.

Also among the superb roster of actors in this production is one who I always have enjoyed watching over the years, actor  Kevin Pollack.  Here he brilliantly portrays  Midge’s soon to be ex-father-in law, Moishe Maisel.  I had an opportunity to interview Kevin on the red carpet of the Oscar gifting suite hosted by  Celebrity Connected .

This is what he had to say about the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and its’ success:

 

 

 

Here’s to the success of the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and all involved. Thank you Kevin Pollak for your fun and candor.

 

Learn more about the show via Amazon. Season 1 is now available.

Amazon Prime Day(s) Picks for Tech, Travel and Back to School (July 2018 Promo)

 

Let me start with this “disclaimer”…  I shop local when I can because I love to support “Mom and Pop” stores in my own backyard. From  CRAFTED  in San Pedro with their original wares by local artisans to flea markets and local box stores.  But, when I need something fast, not readily available or in bulk, I go to my computer and click on Amazon.  In this blog,  I am going to have a little fun and tell you about my favorite items for tech, travel and back to school as TOMORROW, July 16th,  starts their widely popular AMAZON PRIME DAYS.  This is when they will suggest and make offers on thousands of GREAT DEALS! But, I am throwing my faves in to this “mix”, too!

And, in turn I want to know your favorites – so use the comment section below.  Note, as am Amazon Influencer, I get my “own favorites page” that you will find right below. There are many more items listed on this page than blog space allows and that any proceeds from this page to me go directly to back to the community as I support a wide variety of charities.

Click here for my full Amazon Influencer Page list

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 The KINDLE FIRE

CORD CRUNCHER EAR BUDS      

 

 


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Convenience Kits Women’s Deluxe Travel Set  

Therm- A – Rest Back Pillow

 

I love having all my essential travel products for hygiene in one zipper kit that doubles as a nice bag, too.  There are many different configurations of the Convenience Kits line, so check them all out for one of your faves!

I NEVER leave home for a long trip without this inflatable pillow by Therm-A-Rest!  This product is the envy of everyone who spots it on flights and train rides and wishes they had one, too!



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Teachers this section is for YOU!

 

                                           I LOVE this  ASL set of alphabet stamps by Iconoglyph!

It doesn’t matter if you teach ASL or not, this is a clever way for spelling, literacy and math lessons. Also, students can be creative with artwork and more!

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Tote around all you technology, files and lesson plans with this amazingly comfortable and versatile  Baggalini computer bag!

 

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Now your turn to comment on  your favorite “Must Haves” … Also, thanks to Bitmoji for their clever charicatures.  IMG_7251

 

 

 

 

 

 

psst…links go through my influencer page, however, any proceeds I acquire are donated to charity or through the SMILE charity program. Thank you.

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