Marilyn The Passion and the Paradox by Lois Banner Book Review

~by Patricia

Fifty years after Marilyn Monroe's death, she continues to remain one of the most fascinating women in American film history.

While many books have been written about this legendary screen star, Marilyn, The Passion and the Paradox is the one that tells Marilyn's story in the most stunningly intimate way. Author and USC Professor of History and Gender Studies, Lois Banner gives us new insights into Marilyn's tragic childhood and early death.
From childhood sexual abuse, to multiple foster homes, we are given all the history that led to the making of the private and public life of Marilyn Monroe.

Her marriages, drug addictions, Kennedy connections and more, are all explored in this truly fascinating and insightful book that is hard to put down. Much more than just the sexual goddess she has been portrayed as, the author uncovers Marilyn's interest in spirituality, her intelligence, and lifelong interest in politics. Filled with beautiful color, and black and white photos, this new book is a must read for any Marilyn Monroe fan.

For a truly deep  and revealing insight into one of the most beautiful and famous actresses of all time, Marilyn, The Passion and the Paradox is a not to be missed reading experience. This book will create new fans of the star that still stirs our interest in her decades after her death.



 * I was not paid or compensated for this post. I was sent a free copy of this book for my review by the publisher/PR company. The opinions are 100% mine and may vary from others.

Foam Peanuts and Painting

I love that having a kid is a chance to be a kid again myself. The last time I painted just to have fun was my first time at college many moons ago! I forgot how fun it was to just be in a moment of creativity and make a mess! I always think of the Simpson's cartoon episode where Lisa goes to Summer Camp and the song "Artist Make Art" its a silly grown up song but when my husband saw the mess we were making, I told him were artists making art, it gets messy!

I see cute ideas all over the internet about using different items around the house to use instead of paint brushes. I always seem to have a ton of packing peanuts in the closets so we took some out and used them as paint stampers. Its was fun to see my son look at me like really we can use these! I tend to be a you paint with a paint brush kind of person in my adult years but I dont want that for my son I want him to think outside the box!! Next we will be using veggies and other random items we find to paint with. 

What fun items do you use for painting?

Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Mixed Fruit Drink

 Last month I shared some Blue Diamond Almonds Breeze Almond Coconut drinks and other recipes with a few Moms I know through the Green Moms Meet Ambassador Program. I really liked the idea of a Almond milk mixed with coconut milk, and it tasted as great as I thought it would. I looked a some of the drink recipes I got in my kit and decided to make a Mixed Fruit drink with the fruits I had in my freezer. I have learned the trick to a great smoothie to be like a Jamba style where its firm and not runny is to use frozen fruit.

My son always the little helper, picked the fresh mint from our garden to be our garnish. He sniffed it over and over telling me its nice. So cute! 

We made our recipe with Blue Diamond Almond and Coconut Milk Sweetened, 1 frozen banana, frozen sliced strawberries, frozen mixed berry that included cranberries, frozen pineapple and  1 tube of go-gurt. I like to use whatever I have on hand to make drinks and popsicles for my son. He always loves them no matter what kind of fruit is in them.

To make my drink extra special I layered it with whipped topping. Using the frozen fruit in the blender allowed for me to layer the drink since it was firm and not runny.  Next time I am thinking I will make two drink flavors and layer them for a fun color contrast. Who wouldn't want to drink a delicious, pretty and good for you drink like this one!

 When I make smoothies I normally dont measure just kind of toss in what I have so I normally have extras. I place them in my Popcicle maker for dessert later in the week or a lunch time treat for my son.

*I was sent a Green Moms Meet Blue Diamond Almond Breeze kit. I was not compensated for this post.

Larkspur Landing Hotels: Monterey CA Camp Casa

We had a wonderful stay at the Larkspur Landing Hotel in Roseville CA while we were there. I wanted to keep everyone updated with the latest Hotel Package deals in CA. The summer is not over yet!! There is still time to take a little vacation to CA. If you live in CA there are many great opportunities to get away for the weekend too.

Their signature FeatherBorne®  Bed with high thread count sheets, a quilted down comforter, a premium duvet cover and a large selection of pillows is amazing!

Travel California Package

Travel throughout sunny California this Summer and take advantage of an offer that allows you to stay in all suite hotels, in great locations and rewards you with some savings on fuel as you leisurely explore a variety of landmarks.  This package focuses on discovering the Golden State’s hidden treasures found off the beaten tourist paths at the following locations: Larkspur Landing Folsom, Larkspur Landing Roseville, Larkspur Landing Pleasanton and Larkspur Landing South San Francisco.

This package includes:

• Overnight suite accommodations featuring Larkspur's luxurious FeatherBorne Bed
• $20 gas card
• Healthy Start Breakfast

If you are planning a trip to the Monterey CA area or need a great reason to go there, Casa Munras Larkspur Hotel is offering  its summer Camp Casa Kids Program. The perfect addition to any family vacation, Camp Casa will provide both educational and fun activities for kids ages 5 – 12, while parents enjoy spa treatments and a quiet meal at Esteban restaurant. The Camp Casa Kids Program is available to those who book the Camp Casa Kids Package, available Thursday – Sunday, June 7 – September 7.

 Kids will participate in activities such as ocean themed crafts and fun facts, outdoor scavenger hunt and camp songs. Camp Casa is available Friday – Sunday with a morning session from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and an afternoon session from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. There is a maximum of eight kids per session. A kid friendly meal will also be provided. $249 and include the following: availability. Guests can book reservations online at www.HotelCasaMunras.com or by calling (831) 375.0176.


Camp Casa is only available by booking the Camp Casa Kids Package.  Prices start at $249 and include the following: 

• $30 spa credit at Sano Spa and complimentary champagne
• $40 Esteban dinner credit
• One Camp Casa kid session.  Additional siblings can be added for an extra $45/child. 

Subject to availability, not inclusive of tax and gratuities. Valid through September 7, 2012. Seven day advanced reservations required.

Rooms have a mini kitchen, perfect for family travel.

About Monterey CA:
Picturesque coastal town of Monterey. True to its Spanish heritage, this hacienda-inspired hotel includes 171 guestrooms with Larkspur’s signature FeatherBorne® bed, Sano Spa, an outdoor heated pool and Estéban Restaurant, featuring Mediterranean tapas and Spanish inspired cuisine. Casa Munras is ideally located near many of the Central California region’s most visited attractions including the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Historic Old Monterey and the world famous Fisherman’s Wharf. Casa Munras, located at 700 Munras Avenue in Monterey, can be reached by telephone at 800.222.2446 or visited online at www.HotelCasaMunras.com. Estéban Restaurant is open seven days a week for breakfast and dinner and can be reached by calling 831.375.0176 or visited online at www.estebanrestaurant.com.



 You can learn more about Larkspur Hotels on Facebook and Twitter.



*I was not compensated for this post. I was a guest of the Larkspur Landing Hotel in Roseville on our Road Trip Summer Vacation Event.

Baby Georgie??

Baby Georgie is the nick name my son had for about an hour today. It was so cute when we took him to the mall play area. Two little girls a few years older than my son decided his name was Baby Georgie and that he was their new playmate. He smiled so big as they had him chase them all over the place. They would yell at him "Chase us Baby Georgie" he would get an almost embarrassed look on his face and take off chasing them.

Its interesting to watch my son interact with other kids. With boys is growling, swinging fists and yelling things about super heroes. With little girls they are more gentle, thankfully my son knows this. Last time we went he was punched in the face when he got too close to a girls face,  he looked over at me and cried. I was just glad he did not hit her back like he does with boys.

The little girls who nicked name him Baby Georgie were sweet to him, encouraging and helpful. Funny enough when we asked him if he had fun after we left, he said he was a Baby Horsie! LOL he thought they were calling him a horse, I did see him kind of skip hopping while they were running, he was trying to gallop like a horse. A Georgie or Horsie I am just glad he had fun.