It might surprise you to discover that I have other hobbies besides reading (gasp!). Not that I've engaged in some of them much over the past few years, but still, I want you to know that I'm more than just a reader/blogger.  I'm a well-rounded (literally and figuratively) book nerd!

The good folks at Brightech, a Los Angeles lighting company, offered to send me a free magnifier lamp (in exchange for an honest review) that would be perfect for one of my hobbies—cross-stitching.  I eagerly accepted their generous offer.  Because I cross-stitch (and read) most often while sitting in a recliner, I chose the LightView Rolling Base Magnifier Lamp, which features a dimmable LED magnifying light on a long swing arm.  This element, plus the six-wheeled base, makes it easy to move the lamp to the exact position I need.  It's simple to place it over my head, over my shoulder, or wherever it works best to light up the project on which I'm working.  The brighter settings are perfect for needlework, especially since my aging eyes have trouble seeing fine details.  It would also work well for any other craft, hobby or repair project that requires magnification.  For reading, I prefer one of the softer settings so that I can see the words on the page without straining my eyes.  Despite the bright light, you won't feel any heat coming off the lamp, which means you can enjoy reading or crafting without sweating to death!

I used to have an Ottlite lamp in a similar design and had been considering replacing it when Brightech contacted me.  Since the LightView version does everything my Ottlite did and more, I'm very pleased with it.  The product was simple to put together (my 13-year-old son did it for me), looks nice, and has lots of great features that make it very useful.  It's solid and well-constructed, which lets me know that it's something my family and I will be using for years to come.  Right now, the lamp is on sale for $108.99 with free shipping since it's over $50.  While that may seem a little pricey, it's cheaper than similar Ottlite products.  If you don't love the LightView Rolling Base Magnifier Lamp, never fear—you can return it for free.  If you do, you'll be happy to know it comes with a 5-year warranty, just in case.  I've been very happy with this lamp and would definitely recommend purchasing one if you're in the market for a high-quality magnifying lamp to use while enjoying your favorite hobbies.

(If you're not looking for a magnifying lamp right now, be sure to check out Brightech's other lighting products.  They have a large selection of table lamps, floor lamps, and string lights at affordable prices.)   

Thank you, Brightech!

Although I review mostly books, I actually receive a fair amount of requests from retailers offering up products to try.  I decline most of them,  but when it comes to clothes, well ... I have a hard time resisting!  So, when Liz—the owner of Cleo Madison, an online boutique specializing in modest clothing—offered to let me try an item from her store in exchange for a review, I jumped at the chance.

As you've probably discerned already, I chose the Betty Floral Baseball Tee pictured above (shown on a model, who's about 1000% more photogenic than I am).  I'm plus-sized, so I got an x-large, which fit just right—not too tight, not too loose.  The length, especially, is perfect.  I love the grey t-shirt fabric that makes up the sleeves and back of the shirt.  It's soft, stretchy, and super comfy.  I'm not as wild about the floral panel in front.  It's fairly sheer (I wear a cami underneath because I'm self-conscious like that) and the material is a little scratchy.  It has a tendency to bunch around the chest area, so I find myself tugging it down a lot.  Irritating, but not a huge, huge deal.  Overall, I like this shirt because of the soft t-shirt fabric (love it!), the fun print (a nice change from my usual plain Jane tops), and the length (perfect).  Despite a few annoying details, it's a piece I enjoy wearing.

Owner Liz Morgan created her shop in an effort to provide women with a convenient place to find clothes that are modest, conservative and trendy.  Cleo Madison definitely delivers.  While the Betty Floral Baseball Tee is unfortunately sold out, the store still has plenty of tops, dresses/skirts, shoes, and swimwear from which to choose.  The prices are reasonable, shipping is free in the U.S., products arrive quickly—what's not to love?  Be sure to check Cleo Madison out on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and its website.  For fun posts on fashion, food, travel, modesty, etc., don't miss Liz's blog.

To the FCC, with love:  I received a free product in exchange for an honest review.  Many thanks to Liz at Cleo Madison for her generosity!

No, I haven't been living under a rock.  Yes, I do know we're already 1/4 of the way through 2015.  I'm still celebrating the new year.  Why?  Because I finally finished reviewing all the books I read last year.  So, yay for me!  Now, I can move on and start talking about what I've read in the last three months.  Which still means writing 30+ reviews.  Yikes.  I'll catch up eventually, right?

Since we're partying it up here at BBB today, I thought I'd do something a little different.  As much as I love writing book reviews, I also really enjoy trying out new, bookish products.  A few weeks ago, Jennifer at Book Buckles contacted me about giving the product she, her sister, and her mom invented a whirl.  I enthusiastically agreed.

What is this cool, new product, you ask?  Book Buckles are fabric bookmarks that attach to your book using a belt-like D-ring system.  It's a secure way to mark your place.  Available in bright patterns, with a fun charm attached, they're also super cute.  You can customize your Book Buckles by choosing size, fabric designs and charms.  Prices run from $4.99 (sale items) to $8.99.  Shipping is always free.

Using a Book Buckle is pretty simple, although I did have to watch this video a few times (I'm slow like that):

 

So, what did I think of Book Buckles?  It's an innovative product for people who not only love books, but also using pretty bookmarks.  If you've ever purchased a bookmark with a fluffy tassle or a shiny charm just to have it fall apart after a couple uses, you'll appreciate how well made these bookmarks are.  If you get frustrated by paper versions that flutter out of your book, get lost, or bend/fray after a short amount of time, you'll like the security and permanence of a Book Buckle.

Personally, while I love the concept of this product, it's a little too complicated/fussy for me.  I gave up on fancy bookmarks awhile ago and now just use those I grab for free at bookstores or receive from authors/publicists as swag.  For me, $8.99 is spendy, even for a bookmark that will likely last years.  The ladies at Book Buckles were kind enough to send me three different bookmarks for free (Thank you!) and I'll definitely enjoy using them.  I just don't think it's a product I would buy on my own.  However, because of the cuteness factor, I can see myself buying them as gifts for other people, either to give along with a special book or on their own as stocking stuffers, Easter basket fillers (hint, hint), or as part of a book lover's bundle.

So, what do you think?  Are Book Buckles a good idea?  Something you would use?  Would you like to try them out for yourself?  The generous ladies who make Book Buckles are offering a great prize to one lucky BBB reader:  a $20 Barnes&Noble gift card, plus two Book Buckles (one small, one large) that you can customize with your choice of fabric and charm.  Nice!  All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter form below.  The giveaway is open to those with U.S. mailing addresses only.  You have until midnight on Easter Sunday (April 5) to enter.  Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Like most bloggers, I get my fair share of requests to review different products and services.  I turn down the majority of them since evaluating sunglasses or diapers or whatever isn't really consistent with what I'm trying to do here at BBB.  However, when I get an offer to try something cool and bookish, well, I'm all over it.

Naturally, then, I was thrilled to hear from Livrada, a new company that sells e-book gift cards.  These are physical cards sold at brick and mortar stores, each of which is good for the redemption of one e-book.  Like a traditional book, each card features beautiful cover art and a plot summary for the novel it represents.  The e-books are easily downloaded to all Kindle and Nook devices.  Currently, the cards are being sold at Target and are available for the following titles:  State of Wonder by Ann Patchett; Fifty Shades of Gray by E.L. James; Odd Thomas by Dean R. Koontz; Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn; The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson; and 44 Charles Street by Danielle Steele.  They're fun, personal gifts that are perfect for the booklovers in your life.

The generous folks at Livrada gave me a choice of titles.  I selected Odd Thomas.  Redeeming the gift card and downloading the e-book to my Kindle Fire was just as quick and easy as promised.  I haven't had a chance to read the novel yet, but I will soon.

So, as much as I enjoyed using my gift card, I'm not sure I would actually buy one.  Why?  Well, unless I knew a person's reading tastes really, really well and knew exactly which books they did/did not have, I would be hesitant to give them a title-specific gift card.  A generic e-card to say, Amazon, wouldn't be as personal, but it would be more practical, you know?  I would be much more likely to go that route.  I'm also not sure about how the pricing works.  I went to my local Target the other night to do a little research and couldn't find the gift cards anywhere, not in the book section, not in the gift card section, nowhere, so there also appears to be an availability problem.  At any rate, I think Livrada's come up with a fun concept.  I'm just not sure it's going to catch on all that well.  What do you think?