Fifty Shades

Have you read them? Have you even heard about them?
The Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy?

I came across them on the back of the TV Guide (I know odd place), there was a full 1 page ad for the full trilogy. Nothing much mentioned just a quick statement about how they were the next best trilogy to be published.

Now why is it I only find out about great sets of books when the last one is being published and everyone seems to know about them except me?
I decided that I would check them out the next time I was near a book store, as I had never heard of them and knew nothing about them.
Turns out when I did find them in the store I didn't have to go far, there they were front and centre when I walked in the shop, there was no missing this book or books as they were all there for all to see.
Wow, made me realise that these must be a really special well written book that everyone was loving.
So I read the back of them.....worked out which one was the first in the set and read the back of that again to get an understanding of the story plot.....

"Romantic, liberating and totally addictive, this is a novel that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you for ever. When literature student Anastasia Steele interviews successful entrepreneur Christian Grey, she finds him very attractive and deeply intimidating. Convinced that their meeting went badly, she tries to put him out of her mind - until he turns up at the store where she works part-time, and invites her out. Unworldly and innocent, Ana is shocked to find she wants this man. And, when he warns her to keep her distance, it only makes her want him more. But Grey is tormented by inner demons, and consumed by the need to control. As they embark on a passionate love affair, Ana discovers more than her own desires, as well as the dark secrets Grey keeps hidden away from public view...."

Wow a new love story, my type of book, maybe it is about more vampires, maybe witches or some other weird and wonderful creature that is going to take over human love stories...?
I did read the Twilight series and thoroughly enjoyed the well written books.

I decided to check them out on Amazon for Kindle when I got home because at $30 per book there was no way I was buying them in hard copy.
Amazon had them, and at a much more reasonable price too, so I brought all 3........and then I read the first one!!

Ok, well yes, hum ok err are you sure, did I choose the right book? Are they serious about all the fuss, has anyone actually read this book? Are they sure this is what they want to promote? Not sure how this would ever work as a movie and lets face it, most powerful out there books seem to get converted into a movie at some stage nowadays. Is there a health warning attached to this book these books? Am I actually allowed to read this in public, with kids around?

Now don't get me wrong, I have actually read book 2 and am half way through book 3, I found I read them very fast out of pure fascination, where was the story going, what was going to happen, how was this going to play out?
Did I find them well written - yes and no. They are easy to read, not the greatest writing I have ever come across but if you want to loose yourself in a book then what better way than with an easy to digest story.
However that also brings me on to the story line, not sure how this has managed to play out over 3 books, a little long and drawn out, the story is predictable to a point and a little boring in places, a little repetitive I could say as well, also a little over the top I think.

Would I recommend someone else read them - maybe!
If you have not read them and want to know what all the fuss is about then yes sure read them, you will then understand and maybe enjoy them. But would I rank them on my top list of great books to read, probably not, although with all the hype they are getting I can see why people are reading them, why wouldn't you? But would they be one of the greatest all time books you just have to read? NO, again I think people are reading them purely because of the hype around them at present.

And they are making a movie!!
Although as I read on a website the other evening when checking stuff out, one person wants to know how they are going to rate this movie, because if they manage to re-enact some of the book then it will not have a rating scale as an 'R' just won't cover it. But to change the story in anyway will just loose the power and aspect of the story and therefore is just not worth making.

Watch the websites people, only time will tell what the movie makers decide to do....!

On a more lighter note - don't forget the kids pyjama give-away I have running at present. Just pop on over to this post and leave a comment to be in with a chance of winning a pair.

Wintertime Giveaway is Here

"Must be Winter Pyjama Giveaway time"

Hey, did anyone tell you that autumn is here and winter is just round the corner?
No we weren't informed either but the boys have been telling me that it was coming and why wouldn't I let them wear their winter pyjamas yet?
Finally I gave in and fished them all out of the cupboard. A quick trying on session showed that most of them still fitted and that we didn't need to purchase too many more pairs to get us through the season.
However, guess how well timed it was that I was asked to review a product for Stuck on You? Yea that is right, perfect timing now.

Stuck on You is an online store that does personalised labels and products for school and home for the kids.
And I have been asked to review a pair of winter pyjamas for the boys, told you it was perfectly timed.

1 very excited little boy with new pyjamas

They arrived in the normal post and were well packaged. No chance of any damage happening here folks.

The product itself was even wrapped in plastic, so well protected, and seeing as we are having lots of wet days at present and our postie seems to be good at pushing stuff through the mailbox onto the grass, nice to know Alex's new pyjamas weren't in any danger of getting wet!
The top is white (100% cotton) with a beautiful big logo and name of your choice. There were at least 40 designs to choose from, so something for every little boy or girl.
The trousers (100% cotton jersey) are blue or pink stripped.
The sizes are generous. Alex is just turning 7 so I wasn't sure whether to order a 6 or 8, (They only go up to size 8 by the way.) turns out the 6 is perfect for him and will even do him for next year too. In fact Ben (almost 9) tried them on too and they would have just managed him (apart from the trouser legs were a little short!) and he is now asking when he can have a pair, so going to have to go online and buy some size 8 for him!

I loved this. This is on the shirt inside the neck, so no labels to rub the boys neck and all the reminders I need when doing the washing.

The website is easy to use, I found no troubles at navigating around and completing the order, although I did have a few issues locating the sizing chart, but once found, gave me the exact information I required to make my choice on size.

So why am I telling you all of this..... because the nice people at Stuck on You have given me a 2nd pair to giveaway to you guys.
All you have to do is leave a comment on this post of Life Today.
This giveaway is open to all readers in every country as Stuck on You is happy to mail overseas.
Entries close at 5pm (New Zealand Time) Sunday 3rd June.
A winner will be chosen at random after this time. I will then make every effort to get in contact with you but if I have not heard back from the winner within 7 days I will redraw another winner.

Extra entries can be gained

1. By blogging about this giveaway and letting me know about it.
2. Visiting Stuck on You's Facebook page and liking them. Let me know you have done this
3. Checking them out on Twitter (@stuckonyoutweet). Leave me a comment to let me know you have visited.
4. If you are new to this blog and decide to follow this blog then leave me a comment saying hi.

So have a great week, tell your friends and I look forward to making that draw after the long weekend that is coming our way at the end of this week.
Happy Winter to you all.

Disclosure: The product featured in this review was provided to me free of charge, by the representing company.
Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

Useful Blogs

In the 6 years, (wow is it really 6 yrs already?) that I have been blogging things have changed in the blogging world.
Firstly when I started 99% of the blogs I followed or casual glanced at were from America. Nothing wrong with that, I have a love of the country so happy to read about it and people's life all the time.
Nowadays there are a lot more blogs from our home country of New Zealand.
Seems everyone is joining the blogging world and sharing a little glance into their world and life.

Secondly, all the blogs with useful information were sadly again based in the US, blogs that gave you reviews of products, retailers and great useful places to visit with a family etc.
How I wished there was something like that here in New Zealand?
With a growing family of 2 boys, who sometimes without realising it, do actually keep growing and getting bigger by the day, then I love reading about great places to visit that don't cost a fortune, that someone else has been to and highly recommends and is family friendly with something to hold every member of the family's attention.

Well, I have found it........




Let me introduce you to this developing blog written by Kiwi Mums for Kiwi Mums like you and me.
Welcome to Undercover Bloggers.

What It Is.......A resource for people who want to know the great places to go... and the terrible places to avoid.
The Purpose.....To harness the power of blogging to rave about our great experiences and warn others about the bad ones. To shout the praises of people and companies who go the extra mile. And to scold the ones who have forgotten that service is everything.

This blog is written by mums around New Zealand, so sadly it does not cover all areas of the country, but they are working on that one. So for all you people in Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin and Tauranga then  there are some places that you might want to check out.
For those in Hamilton, well there will soon start to be some reviews of areas appearing.
For people in other areas who have places to shout out about then why not consider getting in touch with Nicci and seeing if you can't help out.
So when you have 5 minutes with a coffee, yea I know when does that ever happen! Go over and check out the blog and see if there isn't something that takes your fancy to use as your next place of interest for your next family day out.