Vicki Batman's Blog, page 34

Handbag and Book: Shopping for a bag in an unlikely spot #antiquemall #newwithtags #handbag

Over Thanksgiving, my daughter in law and I traveled to my favorite antique mall in search of treasures. Mostly, I look for transferware serving pieces; however, every now and then, I find a handbag. That day I struck gold!

I found this lovely black tote with burnished gold clasp. It also has a crossbody strap, too. And according to the tag, had never been used. It was still stuffed with paper which can be a good thing because the bag will  hold a good shape).  

I believe we all are given things we aren't fond of or can't use. Lucky for me as I will be happy to use this one.
 



Ironically, it resembles another I purchased:
 This one is a suede sage. Crazy, huh?
The holidays are here! And there is no better way to treat ourselves or the ones we love with holiday stories. Find your boxed set at:

Season of Promises:The Littlest Angel. Two people. One ornament for the tree.Can a twosome find common ground and discover the true meaning of Christmas?  Amazon







Season of Surprises: Holiday Handbag Extravaganza: Christmas Countdown is on!Hunk-a-licious customer, Jack Treadaway, pesters boutique owner, Callie Woods, to locate a vintage handbag for his mother. Too bad the wedge between them is his sister, the meanest girl in town. Amazon





Season of Magic: Holiday Disaster: The week before Christmas and all is in disarray when a librarian experiences horrible plumbing issues and a Mr. Maintenance Man who isn’t nearly as jolly as Santa Claus.   Amazon

And at other e-retailers.

Handbag and Book : #Thanksgiving

 May your day be filled with great joy, family, friends, gratitude, and good pie.  Many hugs, vb

Checking out sassy gifts w Pauline Baird Jones #mystery #accessories #Zulily

Handbag and Book
with Pauline Baird Jones
  This very sassy handbag was a gift from my sister. She got it from the so awesome Zulily (crack for stress shoppers?).  The designer/line is Anuschka Handbags. She has a lot of whimsical and very striking handbags. I get lots of compliments when I carry it. :-)
 
       A retired detective is determined to woo his high school sweetheart while they try to solve a murder.
 “Weren’t we the class that was going to live forever? How delusional was that?”
“Everyone is delusional in high school,” Zach pointed out. “We all thought we were invincible.” A hint of sad entered his gaze, which felt like headlights beamed on her face.
Becca knew how to hold a gaze. She had to in her business, but it was the first time she felt like, well, a girl. With a guy. Almost young again. Like they had been an item way back when and now they were having a moment.
And then, because fate was mean, over Zach’s shoulder Becca saw Bubba Pascal approach Georgy and give him a shake.
“Wake up, dude, and join the party,” he said it loud enough for the words to echo around the gym, causing conversations to break off as everyone turned to look.
Just in time to see Georgy slide sideways off the chair and face plant on the gymnasium floor.
 
Find Louisiana Lagniappe: Big Uneasy 2.5 at: Book Find Pauline Baird Jones at: Website

5 Ways to Make Your Colonoscopy Easier #doctorstuff #medicalprocedure

About a year and a half ago, I was told by my doctor it was time to schedule a mammogram and a colonoscopy. The mammogram was pretty easy. I do have boobs and they squish them close to pancake flat. That's okay as long as there's nothing to worry about.

But that colonoscopy...no one has nice words for this.

 
My aunt had colon cancer. I didn't want it; so I sucked it up and phoned the doctor who had done the procedure ten years earlier to schedule an appointment. The doctor went over my history - nothing has changed. Directed me to the young lady who said she could schedule me for the procedure in a week. I was like that quick? And then thought, if you do so quickly, you won't back out. I said yes and went home to begin the prep.

First off, no seeds, nuts, fruit with nuts. Bleh! Six days later, last meal. Day before, drink clear juices, no red or grape anything. That evening, drink the prep.

So here's my tips:

1. Hawaiian rolls and roasted deli chicken sandwiches are good. In fact, my new fav sandwich.

2. Mix equal parts of apple, grape, and 7 up. Drink as much of this as you want.

3. From a friend, drink the prep with a straw. Disclaimer: I tried this and it didn't work for me. In fact, I never want anything faux cherry flavored again.

4. Drink a bit of the prep, water, prep, water, until it is all gone. This helped dilute the faux flavor.

5. There isn't a five. I kept hoping I'd think of something, but I've got nothing.

The instant the sedative was injected, I conked out. I'm such a lightweight. The nurse woke me and after a brief visit with the doc and was told I was fine, I went home.

It is my greatest wish for when the next ten year appointment rolls around, something better will be invented instead of what I had.

Have any tips to share?


Want something fun to read to take your mind off your colonoscopy? Try Temporary Insane. No weird procedures. Just a bad job, no man, and murder. Find the fun at: AmazonTWRP  B&N ibooks
 
 
 
 
Publisher ebook:
 

Barnes & Noble:
 
iBooks:

Handbag and Book: The Leaves are Falling #autumn #freebook

 
Every Sunday, Handsome and I walk four miles. We go from our house through the shopping center, past the post office and turn down one of the most beautiful streets lined with homes, the earliest dates to 1905. The designs are colonial, prairie style, like a modified Italiante (I'm not literate on all styles). Lots of famous people have lived on this street and some of the movers and shakes now do.
 
Many years ago, this was not the most popular area to live in and the homes fell into disrepair. Through the hard work of those with a vision to create a historical area, the homes were renovated.k
 
The boulevard is lined with magnolias, crepe myrtles, live oaks of all varieties, pecan--again, multiple varieties, and the most colorful of all: sweet gum. Today, I picked up these leaves:
 The one on the left is very scarlet with purple edges. The one on the right is a lovely lemon color with a tinge of green just near the stem. Lots of people don't believe we have the turning of the leaves in the fall. We have to have the perfect cold snap for a stunning display. Today, we have the sweet gum. It was a glorious walk.    Just til Nov 15, Season of Magic is free on Amazon, Nook, and Kobo. 

Handbag and Book: The Holiday Dupe #Christmas #presents #holidayboxedset

 Recently, I conversed with someone who shared his hilarious Christmas remembrance. Every December, presents were piled around his family’s tree in the living room, but no one dared to enter unless there was company or on Christmas. On Christmas Eve, the kids opened one present. Afterwards, off to bed because Santa was coming. On Christmas morning, they opened the rest.
One year, he realized the packages under the tree hadn’t changed from the night before. Nothing new had been added. Nothing from Santa. And then he had this realization: his parents had lied. He’d been duped.
Off he went to confront his mother who danced around the subject and finally explained how all things Santa worked.
When I was younger, my family went to Grandmother’s for Christmas Eve celebration with my mom’s family. It was a joyous event with good food and a gift from Grandmother.
After my family returned home and we were sent to bed with the admonition “better go to sleep so Santa can come,” my sister and I decided to watch for Santa. The hallway to the bedrooms had a small jog to our room where we hid. Lo and behold, we saw Mom and Dad emerging from the bathroom which opened to the hallway. They were carrying dolls and plastic musical instruments. After a while, no more parents. So we watched longer for Santa. Finally, sleep took over and we plopped in bed.
Imagine our surprise the next morning when we went to the tree and saw the gifts Mom and Dad had carried, but nothing different. That was when we figured out they were Santa.
We’d been duped – in a not-so bad way. LOL

At what age did you discover all things Santa?
So what is new? Why Season of Magic, a holiday boxed set, is now FREE at Amazon and other e-retailers. My romantic comedy story is Holiday Disaster (Christmas + Bad Plumbing = Holiday Disaster). Here’s a bit about our stories:
Noel Noel Noel by Merry Holly ~ Dumped and lonely, is it possible to find love at the local mall? Noelle thinks not, but a chance encounter with Chase Clayborne while Christmas shopping has her rethinking her rigid set of rules.
A Cinderella Christmasby Cara Marsi ~ Jessica Gallo no longer believed in fairy tales or happy endings. And she certainly didn’t believe she’d find her Prince Charming at Saks Fifth Avenue. Her Fairy Godmother thought differently.
Matchmaker Matchmakerby Bobbi Lerman ~ With Chanukah around the corner, is there enough magic left for a matchmaker to bring Molly's cynical heart back to life?
Yuletide Bride by Gerri Brousseau ~ The Dowager Duchess’s decree that her grandson must marry before Twelfth Night or relinquish his title and fortune sends him into a tail spin. Without any prospects and with only two weeks until Christmas will Stuart Nelson find himself destitute or will he find The Yuletide Bride?
Holiday Disasterby Vicki Batman: The week before Christmas and all is in disarray when a librarian experiences horrible plumbing issues and a Mr. Maintenance Man who isn’t nearly as jolly as Santa Claus.
 
Join all our freebie fun at: Amazon   Kobo
Find Season of Promises for 99 cents at: Amazon
Find Season of Surprises for 99cents at: Amazon  
Follow Season of Anthologies at Facebook:  Facebook    

Handbag and Book: A Daughter's Beloved Gift w author H DThomson #katespade #designerhandbag #murdermystery

This is my favorite handbag by far. I don't think I've ever paid for a high end purse, so this one in particular was a gift. My daughter at the time didn't make much money, but she saved alot over a period of months and give me this Kate Spade purse for Christmas. It's a beautiful purse, very durable and I can store an unimaginable amount of things inside, but it's my favorite because my daughter gave it to me. I very rarely change it out, and every time I have it with my I think of my daughter, who is now over 1,000 miles away. Jake Preston is on borrowed time.If he doesn’t stumble upon a miracle and soon, he’ll end up dead. And even if he does, he still might end up dead with a clever killer hounding his heels. He believes that the one miracle and antidote to save him is in Margot Davenport’s house, across the country and miles away from Boston. Somewhere locked in her home is the key to reversing an experiment that is killing him with each breath he takes.Margot doesn’t particularly care if she ends up dead.She’s lost everything she’s ever cared for. A divorce and the loss of her job as a corporate lawyer has left her with little faith in herself or in anyone else. Most importantly, she’s lost the one person on this earth she’s looked up to and cherished–her brother, Johnny. His death in a car accident has devastated her, and she can’t find the willpower to pull herself from the chasm she’s fallen into. Her only solace is at the bottom of a wineglass. Having moved back to the small town in northern Arizona where she was raised, she’s made a point of isolating herself both mentally and physically from everyone other than a few chosen friends. Little does she know that her life is going to explode into chaos.
“I couldn’t sleep.”Relaxing, she glanced up, only to be blinded by the night. Thick, black and total, it draped over Jake and everything around her. His hands, warm and strong, grasped her upper arms. She grew conscious of the coolness of the house, of the silk of her nightgown against her skin, but most importantly of Jake, of the deep woodsy scent of his after-shave and how his hands, minus the gloves, were now slowly sliding up and down her arms. Her toes curled beneath her. He smelled like what she envisioned a man should smell like. Desire lapped against her skin until it seeped through her flesh and took hold of her body.He slid a hand up her arm and over a shoulder to cup her throat, while the other curled around her waist to press against the small of her back, inching her closer to the heat of his body. She met his lips halfway, opening her mouth beneath his. The kiss deepened, demanded and took. She raised a hand to feel his own against her throat. He had a long fingered, strong hand, the skin smooth and flawless over the tendons and knuckles. She touched his face, his neck, his shoulders. Against her palms, his skin was satin over hard muscle. He was all male, all power.He hauled her closer, pressing her sensitized breasts against his chest as his tongue mated with hers. His desire thrust against the shallow hollow of her hips. The thick, hardness of him scorched through the material of her gown to her belly and turned her legs to liquid. She slid her hands over the sleek texture of his naked back, over the muscles and tendons, down across the indentation along his spine and lower.Find Anxiety at: Amazon US
Find H D Thomson at:   Website   I love how your daughter gifted you with a Kate Spade handbag. I love this particular brand and have many I treasure.
 
 

Handbag and Book w author Barbara White Daille A briefcase. A go-to. Buy what you love. #Entangled #handbag #newbook

  When I travel, I carry a handbag that’s large enough to double as a briefcase. The gold bag gets used mainly for conferences or workshops—and not just because it happens to have a Liz Claiborne label on it!  Considering its size, shape, and how much it can hold, it’s perfect for the occasion.  This black bag has been my go-to for a while now, especially since it has
pockets on either side for glasses…a water bottle…a baby bottle…or for whatever you need to carry around. The bag has gotten a lot of use and will probably be replaced soon. But that will be an easy-peasy job that fits right in with my tip for you today: When you find something you really love, buy two if they’re available—especially if they’re on sale! To see a great deal, check out another bag I shared here at Vicki’s blog:  Barbara's Handbag
Can mistletoe and matchmakers unite this single mom and her determined bachelor boss?

Why did Michael have to see the truth? Why did he have to make everything worse? She refused to think about the little thrill running through her at knowing he’d come to her rescue. “What does it matter how I looked? Now you’ve gotten Lyssa stuck on another track. The one about us being a couple.” “I’m not sure she actually fell for that story.” She rolled her eyes. Poor man. “You saw her. Nick could barely get her out the door. I had to promise you’d be coming along to my parents’ house for dinner.” At that reminder, he had the grace to look ashamed about his lie. Or maybe uncomfortable, as if reality had hit him squarely between the eyes. Those beautiful dark eyes. Go away, Michael. Don’t look so good, so mouthwateringly tempting. Don’t stand right here when you’re so far out of my reach.

  
 
Find One Week to Win Her Boss at: Entangled
Find Barbara White Daille at: Website


 

Handbag & Book - So Long. Farewell. Weeding my #handbags #accessories #designerhandbags #comingsoon

Okay. Don't have a heart attack. What I'm about to tell you is...shocking.

You know I love handbags. A LOT. I had just bought two pairs of shoes and when storing them on my shelf, I looked long and hard at the handbags. Time to say goodbye. Here's a pix:
My criteria for deleting--not using in a lot of years. Starting left:

Red paisley - bought in San Francisco. Loved the red handle.
Large red with cutout handle - Not my style any more.
Small navy clutch-Hard to toss as Handsome had given it to me. Don't carry any more.
Italian silk evening bag-This one is adorable for evening. Paid $3.00.
Paisley needlepoint - small
Red leather with bamboo handle-handmade. Never was that wowed except when I bought it.
Woven basket-From Puerto Rico. Everything fell out.
Red silk-with handmade glass ornament.
Large needlepoint - I have one I like better
Blue green needlepoint - not really needlepoint, although it is so cute
Red basket. Cost six dollars. Fun for a while.

Any I SHOULD keep?

Speaking of keepers...a secret for you. On November 1-15, Season of Magic, a holiday boxed set will be Free! Keep your eyes peeled at: Amazon








And don't miss these fabulous 99cent boxed sets:
Season of Surprises









Season of Promises

Handbag & Book - So Long. Farewell. Wedding my #handbags #accessories #designerhandbags #comingsoon

Okay. Don't have a heart attack. What I'm about to tell you is...shocking.

You know I love handbags. A LOT. I had just bought two pairs of shoes and when storing them on my shelf, I looked long and hard at the handbags. Time to say goodbye. Here's a pix:
My criteria for deleting--not using in a lot of years. Starting left:

Red paisley - bought in San Francisco. Loved the red handle.
Large red with cutout handle - Not my style any more.
Small navy clutch-Hard to toss as Handsome had given it to me. Don't carry any more.
Italian silk evening bag-This one is adorable for evening. Paid $3.00.
Paisley needlepoint - small
Red leather with bamboo handle-handmade. Never was that wowed except when I bought it.
Woven basket-From Puerto Rico. Everything fell out.
Red silk-with handmade glass ornament.
Large needlepoint - I have one I like better
Blue green needlepoint - not really needlepoint, although it is so cute
Red basket. Cost six dollars. Fun for a while.

Any I SHOULD keep?

Speaking of keepers...a secret for you. On November 1-15, Season of Magic, a holiday boxed set will be Free! Keep your eyes peeled at: Amazon








And don't miss these fabulous 99cent boxed sets:
Season of Surprises









Season of Promises