After Woodstock

After Woodstock by Howard Reiss

About The Book:

Jack and Bryan have been best friends since the age of two. In high school, Jack talked about getting his math and computer technology doctorate and creating the first android robot. Bryan dreamed about becoming a big-time lawyer with a penthouse in the city and a house in the Hamptons. They graduated from high school in 1969, a momentous summer, which they capped off by attending the Woodstock Concert. The three days of peace, love, and music sent Jack off in a radically different direction. While Jack and Bryan go on to live very different lives, they continue their relationship over the next fifty years through letters.

My Thoughts:

I have always been fascinated with all things Woodstock, and the era, but I was born in the wrong generation or I would have gone if I was able to. My parents were old enough to go, but did not attend, though they very much were what some people would call hippies or flower children. Though there were a few other festivals before and around the time of Woodstock, it became the birth of music festivals, and all the ones that came after would never amount to what it was. In this book, yes, it is about Woodstock, but more so the foundation of a lifelong friendship, and how friendships can grow and evolve as we do as individual people do. A pretty quick read. It is told by Bryan. I love the mix of the letter writing, the in between, and the after in retrospect. I enjoyed the read very much.

About The Author:

Howard Reiss graduated from high school in 1969, just a few months prior to Woodstock. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Columbia Law School, Reiss co-founded a soup kitchen in Nyack, New York, and is an award-winning author with 13 other novels.

Get your copy of After Woodstock on Amazon now.

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

Tchotchkes and their F*cked-Up Thoughts #MothersDay2025

Tchotchkes and their F*cked-Up Thoughts by Elisabeth Saake

About The Book:

Ever wonder if your ceramic Buddha is silently judging your life choices? Or if your antique compass is dizzy from your lack of direction? In Tchotchkes and Their F*cked-Up Thoughts, your quirky collectibles finally speak their minds - and they are brutally honest. This hilarious and highly giftable book brings together dark humor, colorful art, and a dash of existential dread. Perfect for collectors, design lovers, and fans of sarcastic humor, this is a must-have for anyone with a shelf full of curios and a dark sense of humor. Inside you'll find: •55 full-color illustrations of inanimate objects with serious emotional baggage •Snarky, witty, and surprisingly insightful one-liners from baubles, trinkets, and bric-à-brac •A perfect companion to the hit humor book Houseplants and Their F*cked-Up Thoughts. Whether you’re looking for a quirky coffee table conversation starter, a white elephant gift, or a way to laugh at your own questionable decor, this book delivers collectible chaos and offbeat charm.

About The Author:

A lifetime lover of books, Elisabeth Saake has devoted most of her working life to publishing. She began her career as an editorial assistant at a New York literary agency before realizing the Big Apple was just a bit too big for her small-town heart. She’s been lucky to remain in various roles within book publishing while moving to progressively smaller towns ever since. Elisabeth is a creek lover, a podcast devotee, and has many, many, f*cked-up thoughts. She lives in Chico, CA, with her husband, two sons, and loads of disgruntled houseplants.

Get your copy of Tchotchkes and their F*cked-Up Thoughts on Amazon today!

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

EnviroBiotics Home Purifier

When Spring and Summer hit, we become acutely aware of different kinds of allergens, specifically in our homes. And I do everything I can to keep my family healthy so we can keep up with our busy schedule. That is why I am excited to introduce EnviroBiotics, an innovative line of eco-friendly wellness products that’s redefining how we clean and purify our indoor spaces - no chemicals, no gimmicks, just nature’s own probiotics. With prices starting at $89 for the Mini (it’s super cute), this is a sustainable, accessible gift idea perfect for health-conscious consumers and families. Unlike traditional home purifiers or harsh cleaners, EnviroBiotics uses beneficial microflora probiotics to naturally tackle allergens, pathogens, and mold spores.

Devices like the Biologic Mini or compact Biotica 800 for small spaces or the larger unit BA2080 for spaces up to 2,600 sq. ft., release billions of probiotics that settle on surfaces, consume irritants, and dramatically decrease the allergen concentration in just eight days of use to create a healthier indoor ecosystem. Think fresher air, less dust, and fewer asthma triggers, all without a drop of bleach. The benefits are clear: an improved indoor environment with virus neutralization on surfaces and objects in as little as 15 minutes, relief from allergies and pet odors, and a low-maintenance design that works 24/7 with cartridges that last 90 days and then can automatically be refilled. Made from all-natural plant- and soil-derived ingredients, it’s non-toxic, biodegradable, and safe for kids, pets, and the planet. From portable sprayers for cars and boats to HVAC-connected systems for bigger spaces, EnviroBiotics fits any lifestyle. Backed by clinical studies showing real allergen reduction and global expert endorsements, this isn’t just a product, it’s a movement toward cleaner, greener, healthy living. With Mother’s Day around the corner (May 11, 2025), the Mini is a great gift idea for the health-conscious woman in your life.

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

What Do I Want to Be When They Grow Up?: (And Other Thoughts From a 40-something Mom)

What Do I Want to Be When They Grow Up?: (And Other Thoughts From a 40-something Mom) by Karen Johnson

About The Book:

Helpful, inspiring guide for mothers seeking to flourish and succeed after their kids grow up. In What Do I Want to Be When They Grow Up? (And Other Thoughts from a 40-Something Mom), renowned parenting influencer Karen Johnson provides a fun, easy-to-understand, and inspiring guide for mothers currently experiencing an empty nest, or who see one on the horizon, and are looking to lead their best, most fulfilling lives and feel comfortable that they're not alone in their struggles. This book draws upon stories and experiences from Johnson and mothers around her, helping readers seek out new passions, including new career paths, to avoid feeling as if they are solely defined by motherhood. In this book, Johnson explores topics including: Taking risks, putting yourself out there, getting stronger mentally and physically, and fostering positive relationships. Navigating the wondrously weird world of perimenopause and aging bodies with confidence, knowledge, and grace. Working through the very real emotions of guilt, anxiety, failure, and shame that often accompany this transitory period in mothers' lives. What Do I Want to Be When They Grow Up? (And Other Thoughts from a 40-Something Mom) earns a well-deserved spot on the bookshelves of all mothers seeking to develop individualism, mindfulness, and genuine feelings of contentment and happiness as they turn the page to the next chapter of their lives.

About The Author:

Karen Johnson is known on social media as The 21st Century SAHM. A former high school English teacher, she began telling her stories of motherhood when she was elbow-deep in the trenches of toddlerhood. She now writes for some of the largest parenting websites in the world.

Get your copy of What Do I Want to Be When They Grow Up?: (And Other Thoughts From a 40-something Mom) on Amazon today! Perfect for Mother's Day

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.

Administrative Professionals Day

Happy Earth Day

Saucy Rascals - Spicing up the Spring #FathersDay2025

BBQ season is already here for some of us in the South - but it will soon be everywhere! Get prepared with some awesome sauces from Saucy Rascals!

The Saucy Sampler from Saucy Rascals - It's time to get saucy! Saucy Rascals offers a diverse range of delicious everyday sauce and marinade flavor profiles that fit into any lifestyle. Created by a father and his two young sons, these family-friendly sauces and marinades are made for the everyday chef. Crafted with simple ingredients and made with care, Saucy Rascals offers something for everyone in the family to enjoy, from Ketchup to BBQ Sauce to Black Garlic Teriyaki. Each flavor was meticulously curated by a chef with a passion for food and flavor. Superfoods like Tamarind, Apple Cider Vinegar, Black Garlic, Capsaicin, Cinnamon, and Cocoa are infused into the high-quality, preservative-free sauces, which contribute to healthier lifestyle choices overall. In addition, Saucy Rascals does not contain high fructose corn syrup. Squeezable, recyclable, and made in the USA. All bottles are recyclable and made in the USA. Six varieties are available, including Original Everyday BBQ Sauce, Spicy BBQ, Mayo-BBQ, Ketchup, Hot Sauce, and Black Garlic Teriyaki. The six-pack makes a perfect gift for Mother's Day, Father's Day, and birthdays. Available in single bottles, 12-packs, and sampler packs.

Check it all out at Saucy Rascals on Facebook, as well as Saucy Rascals on Instagram.

~Hayley

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I have used direct text from the website of the company/product I am promoting to facilitate in my review.