I have always loved home decoration or interior books since I was a little kid. My dad is an architect who pursued a career in interior designer, so there were a lot of interior design books as well as home decor magazines in his office at home. I used to climb the tall book rack in my dad's office room to picked up some magazines and bring them to my bed. 

When I was a kid, those magazines are my bedtime stories ;p I love to flip over the pages on my bed before I go to sleep. I let my imagination fly away until I finally fell asleep. Unlike other little girls who dreamed about their perfect wedding day since they were a kid, I dreamed of my perfect house since I was a kid. 

Yes, I was a weird kid ^o^

Nowadays I don't get to see a lot of interior magazines anymore because everything is digital now. I can easily browse the internet for decorating inspirations on my laptop or through my ipad before I go to sleep. But when I saw this little bundle of decor inspiration book by House Beautiful, I couldn't help myself. 

I wanted to buy it and have it on my hands. When I first found this book, it was the first weeks after we heard the news that our unit is almost ready. So I was looking for inspirations to decorate our tiny unit. I decided to grabbed this book because: 

(a). It was on discount and the final price was very tempting,

(b). It was from the popular home decor magazine House Beautiful which I remember was one of my favorite magazine from my dad's book rack,

(c). I think the book would also look pretty for a coffee table book ;)

I got this book from my favorite online book store which is The Book Depository. If you didn't know about them yet, then you're surely missing out. They have a very wide selections of books (and a few stationaries too), and they ship worldwide! (say what?!) Yes. Books >> Free Shipping >> Worldwide. 

'Nuff said.

I love love love the book because it was packed full with colorful pages and inspirations for home decoration. The book also defined several styles of home decorating, complete with a personal quiz at the beginning of the book, to let you know which of the decorative style you fall into. Very useful especially if you're a newbie or if you just recently into interior designing and didn't really know which style you are into ;p

According to the book, I am between "Glam" and "Accessorator", while hubby K was "Traditional with A Twist". A totally opposite decorating style, right? So you can imagine how we clashed in most of our decorating discussion, LOL. But in the end, I was able to convinced him that I know what I'm doing because it's all been in my head since I was a little kid ;p

This is a nice book and if you love home decor or if you're looking for inspirations on how to decorate your house, then this might be a book to read. The book is actually pretty small (about the size of ipad mini) but it has hard cover and it has medium-thick pages which were full with colorful inspiring photos of gorgeous decors of real rooms. You can also took the quiz to know your home decorating style (which is an interesting fact to know).

Do you know similar books like this that would be worthy to buy? 

Please kindly lemme know so I can check on it too :)

See you on my next post!

Cleopatra's Daughter

Hellooww...
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
I'm sorry I have been MIA this holiday, I just simply refuse the holidays to end ^o^
Now I finally got the spirit to work so let's continue to this very first post of 2010!

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When I had the chance to review a book on historical fiction I jumped for joy! I love history especially when it involves royalty or some famous person. So when I knew I had the opportunity to review a book by Michelle Moran called Cleopatra's Daughter I was very excited! Little did I know that it would turn out to be a very captivating book.

I only know a little about Cleopatra and Marc Antony's love story but this book has opened my eyes and it has given me much more than a glimpse of their life and their children's life in ancient Rome and Egypt.

In Cleopatra's Daughter we learn about the history of Marc Antony and Cleopatra as told by their daughter Selene who was around ten to eleven years old at the time. Before I read this book I didn't even know that Cleopatra has three children with the two of them being twins!

The story begins with the death of Marc Antony and Cleopatra who were being conquered by their enemy, Octavian from Rome. She then took her own life and leave her three children behind. Upon their parent's death, the children were brought to Rome by Octavian and only two of the children survives the trip, the twins Alexander and Selene.

The story then tells us about the children's life in Rome, being taken care of by Octavian's sister, Octavia who was also an ex-wife of their father Marc Antony. From there, the story goes on.. but I wouldn't tell you more details on that, you're gonna have to read it yourself ^o^

Michelle Moran is so kind she even autographed my book!
I was very thrilled. She is very nice! And pretty too! :D

All I can say to you is ever since the beginning of the first pages I have a hard time of putting the book down because Michelle Moran writes a very detailed descriptions of the story's background, from the vivid decorations at the palace of Alexandria to the room-by-room details in Octavia's dwelling in Rome. It helps make the imagination on my head runs wild, it feels almost real in my head, as if I'm walking the path that Selene took herself ^o^
Michelle also tells the story with much detailed history facts that makes me really appreciate the book. The characters are great too and the story itself is very captivating!

I am now definitely a fan of Michelle Moran. I love the way she tells a story, her hard work and all those deep research she did before writing this book make this historical novel a Must-read!

I love her website too, aside from the three great books she wrote: Cleopatra's Daughter, The Heretic Queen and Nefertiti (and upcoming Madame Tussaud!), the website also offers many features which the history buffs like me would like, such as the ancient Rome map the way Selene (the character) remembers it (complete with photos taken by Michelle herself when she was there) or the many links that direct us to additional info on the character's real life. Lots to explore there, a true history lover website. I think Michelle and I could become bestfriends ^o^
Website highlight: Based on meticulous research, Cleopatra’s Daughter is a fascinating portrait of Imperial Rome and of the people and events of this glorious and tumultuous period in human history. Emerging from the shadows of history, Selene, a young woman of irresistible charm and preternatural intelligence, will capture your heart.
It will indeed!

A bit about Michelle Moran:
Michelle Moran was born in the San Fernando Valley, CA. She took an interest in writing from an early age, purchasing Writer's Market and submitting her stories and novellas to publishers from the time she was twelve.
A public high school teacher for six years, Michelle Moran is currently a full-time writer living in California with her husband. She is the author of Nefertiti, The Heretic Queen, and Cleopatra's Daughter. Her fourth novel, Madame Tussaud, will debut in March 2011.
So, What prompted you to write a novel about Cleopatra’s daughter?
I do a great deal of traveling both for research and for fun, and most of my destinations are archaeological sites. On a trip to Alexandria in Egypt, I was afforded the amazing opportunity of participating in a dive to see the submerged remains of Cleopatra’s ancient city. More than ten thousand artifacts remain completely preserved underwater and it changed the way I looked at Cleopatra. I immediately wanted to know more about her life, and it was mere coincidence that my next trip took me to Italy, where her ten year-old children were brought to live after her suicide. While in Rome, I was able to retrace her daughter's steps, and upon seeing where her daughter had lived on the Palatine, I knew I had my next novel.
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GIVEAWAY!
And lucky for you, Michelle Moran has very kindly offered a Free Hardcover copy of Cleopatra's Daughter as well as an ancient Roman coin complete with certificate of authenticity.

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Now Please pay attention to The RULES before you enter.

RULES :

(To be eligible for this giveaway contest you MUST do the MANDATORY below. You only need 1 Mandatory entry to enter, but you could also have Additional entries to maximize your chances, please remember to leave each entry in a separate comment box or it won't be counted)

To ENTER (MANDATORY) : You must visit Cleopatra's Daughter page on Michelle Moran website, click any of the links there and tell me something you learn from the link you clicked. (1 entry)


For Additional entry :

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NOTE : Remember to include your email in the comment box so I can reach you if you win.
Your entries will be visible after my approval so All entries that does not apply with the rules will not be counted and I will not published the entry!

This giveaway will end on Jan 20, 2010 at 24:00 pm.
Yeah baby, this giveaway is open for WORLDWIDE !
Winner will be announced here on Jan 21, 2010.

I will use random.org to pick the winning number. If the winner does not respond within 48hrs then I will have to choose another winner and will announce it again in my blog.

Good luck to everyone! ^__^

Disclaimer:
I did not receive any form of cash for this review and this is written based on my own honest opinion (other people opinions may vary). Michelle Moran gave me the book to be reviewed but it does not affect my personal review.