Laina Turner's Blog, page 74

Wedding Wednesday – The rings (again)

Pre-ring shopping picture. It was after a great lunch at Seasons 52, which if you don’t know has amazing food at under 500 calories. I would have taken a picture of my duck tacos and the tomato & hess avocado salad but I ate it too fast. It was delish.

I bought this dress a few years ago at White House/Black Market on clearance and had never worn it until now. I wanted something kind of special for the ring shopping extravaganza so I pulled this out of the back of my closet. I had been saving it for just the right time and this seemed right. Have you ever done that? Bought something and not worn it for a really long time even to the point of wondering why you were even keeping it to begin with? Well the dress was my lucky charm. The third (fifth) time shopping was a success. We didn’t come out with a ring but we are twenty steps closer and it was an amazing shopping experience.

We went to Distinctive Diamonds and had awesome sales consultant Tammy. This was an experience unlike any we had to date at a jewelry store. Tammy was very engaging and immediately got to the root of what each of us liked and wanted and that’s no easy feat because our tastes are on opposite ends of the spectrum. While pulling rings, which had the elements each of us liked in order to narrow down the field, she continued to ask personal questions to find out more about us. I don’t always like sharing to that extent with strangers, especially sales people, but she was so fun to talk to it was easy.

Through all her questions I feel she was able to more fully understand what is it we wanted. She was able to narrow our choices down to 2 rings we both liked which in itself was a small miracle. Instead of trying to make us pick one, which we would have been 80% happy with but not 100%, she suggested she give our choices to their designer.  She would tell the designer what elements of each ring we liked and see how those elements could be incorporated into one ring. It was exactly what I wanted. The 100%. Tammy made the experience fun for the first time since we started and I can’t wait to see the drawing thedesigner comes up with. I will keep you posted.

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Yummy Dessert that Takes NO Baking Skill

If you can squish you can make this. I am not what you would call a talented cook. I mean I can make shit, and it tastes ok, it just doesn’t always look the best. But then who cares what it looks like as long as it tastes ok, right? Sometimes, but not always. I remember a time when my grandmother, who was an amazing cook, made a red velvet cake and ran out of red food coloring so used green instead. No one wanted to eat that cake because it was green. Because my cooking attempts don’t always come our pretty I try and keep food that will be on public display simple so even I can’t make it look bad. This past weekend we had a neighborhood party to attend and I needed to bring a dessert. I decided to make these things my friend Penny made last Christmas that were pretzel twists, rolos, and a pecan on top. Super easy. Using a cookie sheet you put the rolo on top of the pretzel, I use fat free because they are stronger, pop it in the over at 350 for 4-5 minutes and then pull them out and put a pecan on top squishing the melted rolo down. When it hardens you have a turtle type candy. I even decided to be adventurous and try the recipe with a mini Reeses cup. They did meltfaster so I took them out a minute sooner. They also took longer to set back up but OMG they were tasty. I like peanut butter better than caramel so for me this was a dream. Salty, sweet, peanut butter all in one bite. YUM. If you need a quick and easy dessert I would recommend this. With the holidays soon approaching – only 120 some days until Christmas – this might come in handy for parties.

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I Should Quit Blogging

I should probably quit blogging. Why? Oh, I have a lot of reasons.

I’m not all that interesting.
I am a horrible photographer.
I don’t like having my picture taken.
Did I mention I am a horrible photographer?
I like a lot of things so it’s hard to have a niche. Unless that niche is a lot of things and that’s a bit of an oxymoron.
I’m 43, a mom, and I blog, but I detest the term “mommy blogger” and while it’s fine for others “mommy” is NEVER how I’ve defined myself.
I’m not 100% confident of writing everything down that pops in my head. I am every inch a Gemini (if you believe in that sort of thing) meaning I am really two different people and it depends on the day, and what role I am playing, as to who I am. The blogger me is the freer, creative, edgy, but that me still fights with the conservative college professor me so it can be a challenge to be truly authentic.
I love to cuss. in fact I would pitt myself against the proverbial sailor any day. But I feel guilty cussing in my blog.

Those are just a few of the things I thought of off the top of my head while I was sitting in a bar and drinking a glass, or 4, of wine. Did I mention I like wine…cause I do. And cheese. And cupcakes. That’s why I work out. Anyways…I digress…back to quitting blogging. I see all these amazing blogs with 4 page ranks and they are raking in the big bucks clearly writing their blogs beachside, on their own private island, (in case you don’t know me very well that’s sarcasm) and my blogging isn’t even close to that level. So why don’t I quit? Because I’m not a quitter.

If I was a quitter I wouldn’t drink wine or eat cupcakes because they aren’t healthy. But screw that. I’m not a quitter. I’m a figure it the f*** out and get it done kind of gal. And that I have…figured it out. Sort of, kind of, I think I have. After all this time living, and blogging, I think I have figured it out.
 I am interesting. We are ALL interesting. Life is interesting, people are interesting.
I can learn to be a better photographer. I have a PhD for f***sake, surely I can learn to take a damn picture.
I can deal with being uncomfortable having my picture taken and maybe even get used to it. I am not ugly. On fact no one is ugly. We are all unique individuals and f*** anyone who uses the word ugly when talking about a person.
I can embrace having a wide array of interests.
I can define myself however I want. I love my kids but I don’t need to define myself by that.
I LOVE blogging and I want to keep improving and run with the big dogs who are on their own private island.
I do firmly believe you can accomplish anything you want as long as you put in the effort. I want to quit the “real world” and write my books and blog. I can do it. I know I can. And finally, after a looong time blogging, I think I finally know what I have to do.

Like that quote at the beginning which I just love. Being scared and knowing you don’t have all the answers or things exactly as they should isn’t something that should deter you from your dream. Don’t you just love that quote? I know I do and use it to remind myself of what I can do on a regular basis instead of what I can’t do.

Who is up for the challenge to kick blog ass and take names, baby? I know I am!

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Friend Friday with Victoria Elaine Jones

Interview with Victoria Elaine Jones

Can you tell us a little about yourself and how long you’ve been writing?

A: I started out writing poetry and I’ve had a few poems published. In 2002, I started writing short stories and then Reason, my first novel, was written in 2006.

Can you tell us briefly what your book is about?

A: Reason is basically a revenge story. It’s the story of a young woman who survived a tragic event in her childhood, but unfortunately has chosen to live with the bitterness and hatred that event engendered. She has gone through life believing people owe her, and this book describes what happens when she finally comes to collect.

Who is your intended audience? Have you been able to crossover into other audiences as well?

A: Reason is targeted at a largely female, racially diverse but fairly educated audience. It explores themes of religion, race, gender and sexuality, and those are really issues that transcend any particular race or age group or socio-economic status.

Why did you choose your particular genre?

A: Well, I actually think Reason crosses a little bit into some other genres I enjoy. For instance, the book does have some very explicit sexuality and romance, and I think that comes out of my love of romance novels. And there’s some mystery elements, too. But at the end of the day, I write literary fiction really because that’s all I can write. If you’re going to write about women, you have to be prepared to show them as they really are, their joys and their pains and their loves and what drives them and their flaws, too. Any other genre doesn’t really give you the opportunity to explore all of those things. Other genres require you to focus on a specific aspect of that individual’s personality, and who they are at a particular place in time. Literary fiction has an element of redemption: this is who and where that person is to start, but by the end of the novel, when all of their character conflicts have come to a head, they can grow and move into a different place in life.

Do you ever experience self-doubts with your work?

A: Not really. My writing is driven by my characters, and so generally as I’m writing a piece I really feel like they are dictating it. It’s like they exist beyond the writing on the page. So whether people like them or not, they are who they are.

Where do you write? Do you have a favorite place?

A: No, that’s also driven by the character and the feeling that book gives me. Reason was written at home, and for me, that book is connected with my home and work space. A Thin Line, my next work, started writing itself in a cemetery on an island, and as I have worked on it I find myself continually drawn to cemeteries for inspiration. That book is about life after death, and it needs to be written in a place where life and death meet.

What kind of research did you have to do during the writing process?

A: I had to do some research about setting. For me, that was the most difficult part. I know the characters, I feel almost like I’ve met them all before, but the town? That was a mystery to me. So I had to investigate and find out where this town of Reason is located, what’s the weather like there, what kinds of plants grow, that sort of thing. And then also because everything in this book happened before I was alive, I had to make sure I didn’t write my world into it.

Who is your publisher and how did you get accepted by them? Did you pitch your book yourself or go through an agent?

A: My publisher is A Million Thoughts Publishing. It was a bit of a fluke how the book came to be published. As an attorney, I represented a client of theirs and then I ended up from there submitting my own work. I don’t have an agent, and I feel very lucky that they took me seriously.

How are you promoting your book thus far?

A: Mostly through social networking and book fairs.

If you could give one book promotion tip to new authors, what would that be?

A: Make time for your book. It’s an investment, and you shouldn’t short-change it.

What’s next for you?

A: Of course, I’m still writing. A Thin Line is next, but I’ve already started on the one after that. And there’s this lawyering thing I do on the side.

 

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Bloggers — Help Laina Launch Her New Book!

Romance & Revenge – the 9th book in the Presley Thurman mystery series is officially releasing on September 17th! Woo hoo! I’m looking for 25 bloggers interested in helping Laina launch her newest cozy mystery! If you’re interested in reviewing her new book or doing a promotional post on your blog, please fill out the form below. We’ll give you a free copy of the book and are also offering some special offers to your readers:

 

1) Anyone who signs up for Laina’s mailing list before September 16th will receive a free copy of Romance & Revenge

2) Anyone who pre-orders the book, will receive it at the promotional price of $.99 (normally listed for $2.99)

Interested in being one of our bloggers? Fill out the form below!

Bloggers Form



Name*FirstLastEmail*Blog/Website*Are you interested in doing a book review or promotional post? Please describe.

 

The bookkeeper at Jared’s company has been murdered and if that wasn’t bad enough someone is trying to sabotage the company by leaking company documents to other firms who are then upstaging their presentations. Jared asks for her help to find out who is trying to take Sleeping Bear Designs down and while Presley is always willing to help a friend, she is also hoping it will take her mind off obsessing over Cooper.

Presley and Cooper are on a break or are they broken up? It was never really clarified and she just found out he’s in town and he hasn’t called. Is he avoiding her? What does that mean?

Are they done for good?

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Staying Accountable

Don’t you love that picture. I can’t eat donuts so I am vicariously living through my 12 year old.

I mentioned yesterday that I need to lose 6 more pounds to get back to where I was last year before my broken ankle and where I want to be for my engagement pictures in a month and my dress shopping in 2 months, It’s doable but for me not easy. I’m not a lose 2 pounds a week person. Not when I am this close to my goal weight. As we all know the more you lose the harder it gets. I was frustrated this past weekend because the kids had so many activities I wasn’t able to go to yoga and run like I usually do on the weekends and my eating wasn’t all that great for the same reason. We were on the go so much I kept eating protein bars because they were easy and it left me with cravings Saturday night which I acted upon, just a little but still.

I need to workout in some form every day. Last week I made 6. This week with my work schedule I will only make 5. As it is I am getting up at 5am to get to 5:40 boot camp and its rough. I love my sleep. However, if I don’t go in the morning before I wake the kids up for school I don’t have time otherwise.

I’ve cut out carbs, sugar, and alcohol (except on Saturday, a girls has to have some vices) and am mostly eating tuna, veges, egg whites, and too many protein bars but they are portable and so easy.

I would love some ideas on easy, portable meals that I can eat/snack on in the car as I drive my kids all over hell and half acre (love that saying) to their activities. I know that not getting bored of what I eat will help stop cravings and the desire to go off my meal plan. Just like small incremental weight loss will help me force me to get my ass out of bed at 5am.

What do you do to motivate yourself and stay on track to working out and healthy eating.

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Wedding Wednesday – engagement photos

I made the appointment last weekend to get engagement and family photos taken in a few weeks. I wanted it a little closer to fall time but since we aren’t the pose in the foliage type of people we have picked downtown Indianapolis as our venue. And I want fun, action, informal, and did I say fun?

We have a few locations picked out, including Starbucks where we met for the first time. I just have to contact them and make sure they don’t care if we have pictures taken in there. That part was fairly easy. The more difficult part is now trying to figure out what to wear. Matt and Caden will be easy. Button down shirt and jeans. The girls and I are a little pickier.

I want to go with fallish colors, partly why I wanted the appointment more in September, but with Neave being fair, Sydney being more olive, and me in the middle I’m not exactly sure what colors to pick. Matt, Neave, and Caden all look amazing in blue but that’s not really my color or Syd’s. I don’t look the best in it nor do I particularly like it.

I could do us girls in gold tones but blue and gold, people might think we are U of M fans. Dark red, dark fuchsia, neutrals would all probably work but I can’t get an image of what exactly I want this to look like. The girls and I aren’t jeans people so dresses will be what I’m looking for. I also don’t want to be all matchy-matchy but we need to all compliment each other.

I’ve been looking on Pinterest but haven’t seen anything that just WOWS me.

Should I figure out what I want to wear and build the girls outfits around that?

And the bigger question? Can I lose 6 more pounds in 4 weeks?

 

PS: and yes I realize the photo in this post is not wedding related but WOW look at those colors. I just HAD to use it!

 

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How to Find a Handbag that Will Last

Are you tired of purchasing handbags that only last for a few months before falling apart? There are so many beautiful handbags to choose from, but many of them are made with poor-quality materials and even poorer craftsmanship. If you are the type of woman who likes to purchase items that last for years, here are a few things you can do to locate the perfect, long-lasting leather handbags for women.

Always Focus on Material First

When it comes to shopping for handbags, most women notice appearances first. As a result, they often end up with flashy-looking handbags that are made with low-quality materials. The ideal handbag should be both attractive and durable, so make sure you look for a handbag that is made from quality material, like leather. The material that is used on the inside of the handbag is just as important as the material on the outside, so always inspect the interior of a handbag before purchasing it. It is not always possible to tell if a material is of high quality just by looking at it, so make sure you feel the fabric and ensure it is strong and thick before making a purchase.

Look at Stitching

You can tell a lot about a handbag by its stitching. Quality bags are made with smooth thread that is stitched closely together. You can usually spot a low-quality bad if it has large stitches that are spaced far apart, or if the stitches seem to bubble and fray in certain areas. Because leather is a thick and sturdy material, quality thread and stitching is required in order to hold it together and make it as durable as possible.

Put Your Change Elsewhere

One of the quickest ways to ruin the pockets in a handbag is to overload them with heavy change. Even the highest-quality handbag pockets simply cannot withstand the constant pressure produced by dozens of coins in a very concentrated area, so try putting your excess change elsewhere. You can purchase a separate change purse for excess coins, but remember to empty it out every so often to avoid putting too much strain on your handbag straps or your back.

Inspect the Site Where the Handles Attach

Many handbag handles are barely hanging on by a few threads, and it is important to carefully inspect the strap attachment site of any bag before purchasing it. Because there is so much pressure in this particular area, there should always be reinforced stitches to keep the handles attached securely. Test the strength of the handles by taking hold of the handbag and giving the handles a firm pull. If there is any give, then you may want to move on to a handbag with more secure handles.

Check All Zippers

Before buying a handbag, you should test all of its zippers to ensure that they are attached securely and that they open and close smoothly. If any of the zippers seem to get caught or are difficult to open and close, then don’t buy the bag. A quality handbag will always have zippers that glide open and shut very easily.

If you’re tired of being forced to purchase a new handbag every few months, follow these suggestions for locating a quality handbag that will last.

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Romance & Revenge is Finally Here!

Romance & Revenge

It’s here, it’s finally here but ONLY for my loyal fans who are subscribed to my newsletter!

After a long, long, long wait Romance & Revenge; the 9th installment in the Presley Thurman mystery series is here! I know I already said that but I am so excited!!!

I had it finished months ago, and realized I wasn’t thrilled with the story line. So I ripped it apart, added some elements, and put it back together. Better than before, I hope.

This book will not be available on Amazon until Sept. 17th so if you want this book now just sign up for my mailing list to get the download code and it’s all yours! Feel free to pass along to your friends too. The more the merrier.

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Damn You, Mother

Dear Mom,

It’s been 14 years since you passed away and I have to admit I’m still a little pissed off. Yes, I realize that after 14 years, I shouldn’t still be mad but it takes a long time for me to forgive anyone. Even for dying.

I believe my anger is justified though. There are so many reasons for me to be mad because you died:

…before you had the chance to meet your grandchildren. You would love Caden & Sydney. They are the best of Brad and I, truly our mini me’s, and every day they amaze me. I couldn’t imagine life without them.

…before you had the chance to laugh at my frustration over raising a headstrong, opinionated little girl. I’m sure she is nothing at all like me (ha) but I still think you would have been amused.

…before you got the chance to see I’m an author and am going to school right now for a masters in creative writing & comp and rhetoric. I never would have thought I would follow in your English footsteps.

…before we got the chance to be friends. Growing up we weren’t friends. You were my mother. I like to think before you died we were starting to evolve that mother/daughter relationship into one that also contained friendship and companionship. I would have liked to get to know you as a person. Not just my mom.

…before you had the chance to meet Matt who will be my 2nd husband next year on what would have been your 50th wedding anniversary. Now I realize you probably wouldn’t have thought him good enough for me, any more than you did Brad, but now that I’m a mother I realize that’s not personal. No one is ever going to be good enough for your little girl. But trust me….he’s a good guy.

I could go on all day with my list of reasons but none of them matter than the most important one of all.

I’m mad just because I miss you!

Love,

Your Daughter

Today on Amazon for Kindle The MS Project – volumes 1, 2, 3 are all free!

The MS Project – volume 1

The MS Project – volume 2

The MS Project – volume 3

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