Crib Notes
  • Home Sweet Home
  • CNBlog...we have a lot to say
  • Crib Notes Shopping
  • Book Reviews
    • Contact Us

Release day

6/9/2020

0 Comments

 
It's release day! If you pre-ordered, your book should be shipping this week; if you didn't order yet, you should!

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=4023231021035302&set=a.1262720490419716
0 Comments

Rage review

4/28/2020

0 Comments

 
While you're home* with your kids all day every day for the foreseeable future 😳💻😟🤸‍♂️😀🍪🤪...give yourself some grace.
Rage Against the Minivan will have you laughing and crying (at the real risk of sounding cliché!). Find my full review at the link in my profile.
Preorder it now and lock in a low price. (Preorders mean so much to new authors!)
*Some of us are, some of us aren't. No matter which you are, hang in there!
https://shopstyle.it/l/bgCws
https://www.instagram.com/borrowedbooksonborrowedtime
0 Comments

Just Don't- Release day!

3/24/2020

0 Comments

 
I'm reading this now, then will pass it to my teenager. He hasn't shown too many a55hole tendencies, so I'm catching it early 😉
I got a sneak peek, but the book drops today, so order now!
(Full review coming soon! You'd think being stuck at home would give me more reading time...)
My Amazon link: https://shopstyle.it/l/be3Hn
Follow Kara: https://www.facebook.com/DBAKaraKCpage/
Review page: http://www.cribnoteskelly.com/book-reviews.html
0 Comments

Rage Against the Minivan {review}

3/16/2020

0 Comments

 
Rage Against the Minivan. It sounds a little fist in the air/storm the castle/smash the patriarchy (and it is) but it's also raw and vulnerable and real. 

I had a chance to see a little bit of the behind the scenes of the development of the book, a peek behind the curtain, and I instantly loved the message. I've been following the blog of the same name for quite a while, so I knew Kristen's style, and I thought I knew her story. I was wrong... (Spoiler alert, not everything you see on the internet is true...or the full story.)

A few years ago (almost 10!), I had the chance to review Good Enough is the New Perfect. It was like a revelation-- the only one demanding 'perfect' from me, was me. While Good Enough was a self help format, RATM is more of a memoir.  But it's not all about Kristen. It's about all of us, as we try to figure out how being a parent is everything we always wanted and nothing we ever imagined. 

Kristen is an (ex) marriage and family therapist, and while the expertise shines through, the judgement is left behind. It's not preachy. Speaking of preachy, faith-- and organized religion more specifically-- is tricky. Don't worry, she lets you laugh along with her there too. Marriage, infertility, miscarriage*, adoption, a career, pregnancy, divorce, babies, teens, stay at home mom, multiracial families, religion-- she covers it all, not necessarily in that order. 

More than anything this book invites you to give yourself a little grace. We can say no. We can opt out. We can RAGE AGAINST THE MINIVAN (even if there's one in your driveway). This book is funny (really funny) and has moments of levity, but also covers really deep, heavy topics (there's truly something for everyone; she just happened to go through all of it!) that left me wiping tears. 

You will see yourself in this book. And isn't that what we all want? To feel seen? Rage Against the Minivan is not a 'how to'; it's a 'let's do this thing'. So let's do it. Together. I'll pick you up; I have a minivan.

​*content warning  
Picture
Pre-orders mean a lot to authors! Reserve your copy now, and it'll be delivered when it's released in June. 

Other reviews: ​http://www.cribnoteskelly.com/book-reviews.html
0 Comments

Bridal Girl {book review}

4/24/2018

0 Comments

 

​Bridal Girl
 is the seventh book that I've read-- and reviewed and loved!-- from Meredith Schorr. Meredith and I only know each other through social media (and really, isn't that most relationships these days?!), but I have said from my very first review: I just get her jokes. Her characters are relatable, her pop culture references are timely but universal, her dialogue is conversational and easy to follow, and her plot lines-- though sometimes exaggerated for entertainment, as expected in romantic comedy-- are funny and real.
Picture
Bridal Girl is Book 3 of the Blogger Girl series, and starts with Kim-- who we first met in Blogger Girl (Book 1)-- engaged to the man of her dreams, all ready for her Happily ever After. But there are still 7 months, +/-17 problems, and about 700 things to get through before the big day... Planning a wedding is not for the faint of heart. Add in a deadline for her second novel, and Kim is just about pushed over the edge. 

My sister got married at the end of last year, so it was really fun to read about the craziness of planning a wedding after just having been a part of some of  the same (less crazy) wedding dilemmas. When I got married, I, like Kimmy, had a naked-in-the-bridal-suite experience of my own! I also purchased multiple prom dresses (decision making is not my strongest quality), and have been known to speak in Pig Latin to relay a secret message. Soooo, like I said, relatable :) 

Through chapters marked by a countdown till the big day ("big day" sometimes being the wedding and sometimes being a book deadline), Meredith guides us through all of the ups and downs of a bride-to-be and a novice author, keeping us laughing, cringing, and guessing along the way. My only complaint is that Bridal Girl is simply too well written, causing me to finish the book too quickly ;)
  
*It's true that Bridal Girl is Book 3 in the Blogger Girl series, but it can also be read as a stand-alone book. (I don't know why you wouldn't want to read all of them, but just saying, you totally could.)

Bridal Girl was written by Meredith Schorr, published by Henery Press, April 2018
0 Comments

Hot Mess (book review)

1/12/2018

0 Comments

 
I like to clean out. I love to organize. I get excited when a consignment-style shop gives me $6  for my old clothes. 

But. Sometimes saying you're organized is easier than actually being-- or even harder: staying-- organized.  

We look to a blog post, a magazine article, a Pinterest board, a Target end cap, for ideas. But sometimes fancy labels and trendy bins are failed organization attempts in disguise. A cute container does not an organized closet make. (In addition to organizing, I also like strange language patterns [nerd].) But really, it's true. This is just one of the topics that Laurie Palau covers in her new book Hot Mess: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized.

(I met Laurie a couple years ago through a mutual friend. I actually attended one of her Clutter Clinics-- read more about my experience here.) 

​​I love that the title includes the word PRACTICAL, because that's one of the things I immediately noticed about Laurie's style. Recently, she posted a thought that totally resonated with me: "The [really popular recent] method of only holding onto things that spark joy in your life sparked a revolution of people decluttering-- which is great-- but it's unrealistic. My daughter's lacrosse stick sparks no joy in my life, but I need a home for it." EXACTLY!
Picture
My bills? Don't spark joy. My kids' homework? No joy. Q-tips? No.The boys' endless sporting equipment? While I love watching them play, the equipment itself does not spark joy. But all of these things are necessary. And the entryway, kitchen island, bathroom counter, and garage floor, are not the places these things should live (respectively. I guess. Although when something lacks a *home* who knows where it'll actually end up.)

Hot Mess (btw, cute title, right?!) approaches purging and organizing in a realistic, practical, and do-able way. Instead of trying to explain all the types of clutter, all the aspects of organizing, and all the pitfalls to avoid, I'm going to recommend that you read Hot Mess. If you're local to me, you're welcome to borrow mine, but I'd suggest getting your own (it's under $15 and on Prime and under $3 for digital download!). It's the kind of book you're going to want to refer back to. In the meantime, find a home for it on a neatly-organized book shelf ;) ​

Follow Laurie and Simply B Organized on Facebook, Instagram, and her podcast: This Organized Life

Hot Mess: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized was written by Laurie Palau, published 2017, zolopublishing, New Hope, PA
0 Comments

Hot Mess Sale!

1/4/2018

0 Comments

 
I have a full review coming soon, but this book is what we ALL need to start the year! Get it now for 25% off!
http://amzn.to/2ArQM5I
0 Comments

The Boyfriend Swap (book review)

9/21/2017

0 Comments

 
Long, long ago (aka 2011) I read Meredith Schorr's Just Friends with Benefits and commented how the pop culture references were so funny and relateable. Six years later, I laughed out loud when I read one specific line of dialogue between characters in her latest title The Boyfriend Swap, as it was exactly what I have said to my husband about the same song. All of this super vague and awkwardly-written commentary (I'm trying not to spoil the joke or the story!) is just to say that Schorr and her characters get me. Or I get them. Either way, it's a good match.

The Boyfriend Swap-- posed as The Holiday meets The Proposal --features Robyn and Sidney, who connect through a mutual friend to devise a plan to survive the holidays with their respective families...and each other's boyfriend. As you can imagine, some madness and mayhem ensue as the girls try to decide if the boyfriend swap was the perfect plan or a horrible idea.
Picture
The Boyfriend Swap is the latest in what's becoming quite a tall pile of Meredith Schorr books on my shelf. They never fail to entertain me with stories that are familiar enough to settle in with, but original enough to keep me guessing. The holiday theme makes this the perfect book to read over Chrismukkah break!

Pre-order the paperback or the Kindle version now or grab a copy in November, but don't miss this one!
0 Comments

Saying Goodbye to My Little Geek

9/6/2017

0 Comments

 
My Little Geek is a fun little book that I had the honor of reviewing a few years ago. I just found out that it (and its siblings) will soon be out of print! Use code L337 to get 'em while you can, for 50% off!http://www.cribnoteskelly.com/cnblogwe-have-a-lot-to-say/my-little-geek-book-review
0 Comments

Everywhere, Wonder {book review}

6/25/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr books are among my favorite, and Everywhere, Wonder does not fall short of that expectation.

While it's listed as a children's book, it can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Its pages are filled with, well, wonder. There are philosophical musings (think "if a tree falls in the forest...") presented without the least bit of pretension. There are magical realizations that are grounded in reality. There are everyday happenings posed in wondrous ways.

This is one time that it's ok to judge a book by its cover. You'll love Everywhere, Wonder for the way it looks as much as the way it sounds (the glory of a Swanson/Behr book).

Everywhere, Wonder
was written by Matthew Swanson, illustrated by Robbi Behr, published by Macmillan Imprint February 2017

0 Comments
<<Previous

    Author

    With a love of children and a passion for reading and writing, Kelly decided to share her experiences with others through the pages of the Crib Notes book and site.

    She gained her insight and expertise during a nine-month course called Pregnancy, and continues on-the-job training mothering two boys just 18-months apart in age.

    Your comments are always welcomed here and at CribNotesBook@gmail.com


    RSS Feed

    Ebates Coupons and Cash Back
    Join me on Influenster: www.influenster.com/r/1290177J
    Crib Notes

    Archives

    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    November 2010
    July 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    April 2009


    Categories

    All
    Adoption
    Advice
    Age
    Age Appropriate
    Age-appropriate
    Allergies
    Animals
    Anxiety
    April
    April Arms
    Art
    August
    Autism
    Babies
    Baby Blues
    Baby Boom
    Baby Brain
    Baby Clothes
    Baby Food
    Baby Gear
    Baby Gifts
    Baby Names
    Baby Registry
    Baby Shower
    Babysitters
    Baby Weight
    Bachelor
    Bad Day
    Bags
    Baking
    Balance
    Bands
    Baseball
    Bathing Suits
    B Boy
    Beach
    Beauty
    Because I Am The Mom
    Bedrest
    Bedroom
    Bedtime
    Behavior
    Beliefs
    Bellies
    Best And Worst Parents
    Big Baby
    Big Family
    Bikes
    Bikini Wax
    Binky
    Birth
    Birth Control
    Birthdays
    Birth Order
    Birth Plan
    Blog
    Blog Readers
    Body
    Body Image
    Body-image
    Boobs
    Book
    Book Review
    Books
    Boys
    Bras
    Break
    Breakfast
    Breastfeeding
    Breastmilk
    Brotherly Love
    Budget
    Bullying
    Bus
    Business
    Busy
    Butts
    Buy The Book
    Cake
    Cakes
    Camera
    Camp
    Candy
    Candy For Breakfast
    Cards
    Car Dvd Player
    Cars
    Car Seat
    Celebrate
    Celebrities
    Challenge
    Charity
    Childbirth
    Child Birth
    Childcare
    Child Care
    Childproof
    Children
    Childrens Characters
    Childrens Concert
    Children Spacing
    Childrens Personalitiesf5880a4aa9
    Child Spacing
    Chocolate
    Choices
    Christmas
    Christmas Gifts
    Cleaning
    Cloth Diapers
    Clothes
    Clothing
    Coffee
    Coffee Commercial
    Cold
    Cold Turkey
    College
    Colors
    Common Names
    Communication
    Community
    Competition
    Complaining
    Computers
    Conception
    Consignment
    Contest
    Contraceptives
    Cookies
    Cooking
    Cool
    Cooperation
    Co Sleeping
    Costumes
    Couples
    Coupon
    Covid
    Crafts
    Crafty
    Cravings
    Crazy
    Creative
    Creativity
    Crib
    Crib Recall
    Crying
    Cry It Out
    C Section
    C Section Moms
    Culture
    Cupcakes
    Curls
    Current Fashion
    Current Style
    Cute
    Dad
    Daddy
    Dads
    Dancing
    Danger
    Date Night
    Daughters
    Deal
    Dear Diary
    Death
    Decisions
    Decorating
    Delivery
    Design
    Dessert
    Development
    Diapers
    Dinner
    Dinners For A Year
    Discipline
    Disgusting
    Disney
    Divorce
    Doctor
    Doctors
    Dog
    Dollar Store
    Dolls
    Dora The Explorer
    Dreams
    Drugs
    Due Date
    Easter
    Eating
    Ebook
    Eggs
    Elf
    Elmo
    Emergency
    Emotional
    Epidural
    Epidurals
    Etiquette
    Evaluating
    Event
    Examiner
    Exercise
    Expectations
    Experiences
    Experts
    Fabruary
    Facebook
    Facts
    Fairy Tales
    Faith
    Fall
    Families
    Family
    Family Activity
    Family Entertainment
    Family Fun
    Family Outing
    Family Planning
    Family Resemblance
    Family Time
    Fashion
    Fathers
    Favorite
    Fear
    Feelings
    Fertility
    Field Trip
    Fighting
    Financial Change
    First-baby-of-the-decade
    Fisher Price
    Fitness
    Fitness Healthf735242193
    Flowers
    Food
    Food Is Love
    Food Moms
    Formula
    Free
    Free Shipping
    Friday
    Friend
    Friends
    Friendship
    Fruit
    Fun
    Fundraiser
    Funny
    Game
    Games
    Gender
    Gender Roles
    Gift
    Gifts
    Girls
    Girly
    Giveaway
    Giveaways
    Giving
    Goals
    Grandparents
    Growing Pains
    Growing Up
    Guilt
    H4
    Hair
    Haircut
    Hairdo
    Halloween
    Happiness
    Happy
    Having A Baby
    Health
    Healthy
    Heels
    Heidi Klum
    Help
    Helping
    Highheels
    High Heels For Little Girls Parenting
    Holding Hands
    Holiday Cards
    Holidays
    Home
    Homemade
    Homework
    Homework Helper
    Honesty
    Household
    Humor
    Husband
    Husbands
    Ice Cream
    Idea
    Ideas
    Image
    Imagination
    Imagination Movers
    Inappropriate
    Inappropriate Clothes
    Individuals
    Infertility
    Info
    Inlaws
    Jason Mraz
    Jeans
    Jewelry
    Jillian Michaels
    Judgement
    Juggling
    Jumping June
    June
    Kate Gosselin
    Kenzie Krawlers
    Kidnapping
    Kid Quotes
    Kids
    Kids Will Never Know
    Kindergarten
    Kindergarten Lunch
    Knowing When To Stop
    Labor
    Labor And Delivery
    Labor-and-delivery
    Language
    Laundry
    Law
    Laws
    Learning
    Leaving Children To Work
    Lego
    Library
    Life
    Life Decisions
    Lifestyle Change
    List
    Lists
    Little Guy
    Love
    Lovely Bones
    Lunch
    Luxury Items
    Makeover
    Makeup
    Make Up
    Manners
    Marchimus
    Marketing
    Marriage
    Maternity
    Maternity Clothes
    Maternity Leave
    May
    Me
    Mealplan
    Meal Planning
    Meals
    Medicine
    Medicine Safety
    Memories
    Memory
    Men
    Michelle Duggar
    Micromanaging
    Midwife
    Milelong Mommyrouteadda6949ab
    Milestones
    Military
    Military Families
    Milk
    Minivan
    Miscarriage
    Misconceptions
    Mistaken Identity
    Mommy Blogger
    Mommy Brain
    Mommy Confessions
    Mommy Knows Best
    Mommy Lost Her Phone
    Mommy Time
    Mompetition
    Moms
    Money
    Morning Sickness
    Mother
    Motherdaughter Look Alikese65548e588
    Motherhood
    Mothers
    Mothers Day
    Mothers Day75462c497e
    Movie
    Movies
    Multiples
    Multitasking
    Music
    Myths
    Names
    Naps
    Naptime
    National Adoption Day
    Natural
    Nesting
    Newborn
    New Moms
    News
    New Year
    New Years Resolution
    Nice
    Nicknames
    No
    Nojiggle July62b28464b1
    Nourishment
    Numerology
    Nursing
    Nursing Boobs
    Nutrition
    Occupy Baby
    Ocd
    Olympics
    Only Child
    Organic
    Organization
    Outdated Products
    Outside
    Pain
    Pajamas
    Parenthood
    Parenting
    Parenting Methods
    Parenting Perspective
    Parents
    Parties
    Partners
    Party
    Patience
    Peeing Alone
    Peer Pressure
    Period
    Personality
    Pets
    Phillies
    Philly
    Photo
    Photos
    Pinterest
    Planning
    Plans
    Plastic Surgery
    Play
    Playtime
    Poison Control
    Politics
    Poll
    Poop
    Postpartum
    Post Partum
    Potty Training
    Power Hours
    Prayer
    Prayers
    Pregnancy
    Pregnancy Test
    Pregnant
    Premature
    Premature Birth
    Privacy
    Productivity
    Projects
    Proofreading
    Pump
    Questions
    Quick Note
    Quirks
    Quotes
    Rain
    Reading
    Reads
    Recall
    Recalls
    Recipe
    Recipes
    Recurring Resolution
    Redesign
    Registering
    Relationship
    Relationships
    Relaxing
    Religion
    Rescue
    Respect
    Responsibilities
    Restaurants
    Resume
    Reviews
    Roasterphobia
    Rude
    Rules
    Safe Touch
    Safe-touch
    Safety
    Sale
    Sale Prices
    Sales
    Salon Procedures
    Santa
    Sarcasm-font
    Saying No
    Scary
    Schedules
    School
    Science
    Seasons
    Security
    Self
    Selfcare5b2d870dfe
    Self Esteem
    Selfesteemba8f6984f7
    Separation Anxiety
    Sesame Street
    Set An Example
    Sex
    Sex Appeal
    Sexy
    Sharing
    Shoes
    Shopping
    Shutterfly
    Sibling Rivalry
    Siblings
    Sick
    Sign Language
    Silly
    Sisters
    Site
    Size
    Skincare
    Slang
    Sleep
    Sleep Division
    Sleeping
    Sleepover
    Sleep Schedule
    Sleep Schedules
    Sleep Scheduling
    Sleep Training
    Sleep-training
    Sleepytime
    Small Talk
    Smart
    Snack
    Snacks
    Sneak Peak
    Snow
    Snowman
    Social Lives
    Social Media
    Song
    Songs
    Sons
    Speech
    Speeding
    Spelling
    Sports
    Spouse
    Spring
    Stage Mom
    Stay At Home
    Stay At Home Mom
    Stay At Home Moms
    Stereotypes
    Storage
    Stork Craft Manufacturing
    Strawberry Shortcake
    Stress
    Stretchmarks
    Stroller
    Stuffed Animals
    Stuffing
    Style
    Stylist
    Summer
    Superhero
    Superheroes
    Support
    Suri Cruise
    Surviving
    Swimming
    Talent
    Talk
    Talking
    Tantrum
    Tattoos
    Teachers
    Technology
    Teenagers
    Teens
    Terrorism
    Test
    Tgif
    Thanks
    Thanksgiving
    Thoughts
    Thumb Sucker
    Time Management
    Tips
    Tired
    To Do List
    Top Names Of 2009
    Top Names Of The Decade
    Toys
    Toys Memory3f8afbbb10
    Tradition
    Travel
    Treats
    Trends
    Tricks
    True Confessions
    Trust
    Truth
    Turkey
    Turning Into Mom
    Tv
    Tweens
    Twins
    Two Dads
    Type A
    Update
    Usa
    Vacation
    Vaccine
    Vaccines
    Valentines
    Valentines Day
    Velveteen Rabbit
    Video Games
    Video-games
    Violence
    Virtually Perfect Projects
    Vote
    Weather
    Wedding
    Weight
    Weight Loss
    Weight-percentiles
    Wine
    Winter
    Wipes Warmer
    Wives
    Woman
    Women
    Words
    Work
    Workathome9903c4a654
    Work From Home
    Working
    Working Mom
    Working Moms
    Works
    Writing
    Yelling
    Young Girls
    Zero Tolerance

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.