Books and Bugs at the LA Times Festival of Books

Got a kid who’s crazy about bugs? Bring her to the LA Times Festival of Books April 9 & 10 – fun and educational for the whole family.

la times festival of books poster
poster by Shawn Nielsen

Think of it as Woodstock or Lollapalooza or I guess now Coachella for books. The annual LA Times Festival of Books, happening this weekend at USC‘s campus, is a huge celebration of books, authors, media, music, and creativity. There are presentations and signings all day and demonstrations and performances. There are kids’ pavilions, the pretty campus of USC, and a possible Metro ride for your family in it so you can avoid parking.

LA Times Festival of Books bug bites

Adam the Entomologist, host of the new kids’ TV series BUG BITES on KCET, will be showing off live insects each morning from 10 to noon, capped off by a butterfly release! BUG BITES brings life to the miniature world of insects on a gargantuan scale, using a colorful animated cast to explore a world rich in undiscovered secrets. BUG BITES airs Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m. on KCET.

LA Times Festival of Books bug bites screenshot

Also appearing in bugland is Andy Harkness, a Disney Animation artist who is the author of the children’s book Bug Zoo, a charming tale of a young boy who opens a zoo full of bugs and troubleshoots his poor attendance challenges. (Ages 3-5). That’s happening on Saturday the 9th at 5:00 on the Children’s stage, but many other Disney publishing authors and books will be present throughout the weekend.

LA Times Festival of Books Bug Zoo cover

There’s so much to do at the LA Times Festival of Books for families. If you haven’t yet been, this is the year to check it out!

Frosted Cowboy – Fun Novel by Debut Author From Agoura Hills

 

Signed copy of Frosted Cowboy available for giveaway this week! Comment below to enter.3d-cover-frosted-cowboy-large

Charlene Ross was the original Agoura Hills Mom for the once-awesome Agoura Hills Patch. She graciously did not get mad OR punch me in the face when I asked her if she wouldn’t mind if I contributed some of my work here to the same site under that same name after she had moved on to better things. Are you still with me?

In fact, Charlene was so awesome that we became friends, and now I am very proud to share with you that her first novel has been released by Velvet Morning Press and is for sale on paperback and e-book at Amazon now.

Frosted Cowboy “a delightful debut novel that follows aspiring fashion designer Laney – 32 years old, recently single, recently unemployed – through a year in her life when she struggles to find herself. But this is no slog through despair.” I reviewed the book on my other site, but if you don’t want to click over and read that, just trust me: it’s a fun, entertaining, and easy book to read when you want to escape life for a little while. At the beach, poolside, or in the car while you’re waiting to pick up your kids from their 3rd activity of the week. Just me?

Frosted Cowboy by Charlene A. Ross
$11.99 on paperback at Amazon
$3.99 for e-book

I got an extra copy of the book to give away to an Agoura Hills Mom reader, and Charlene even signed it! It seems only fitting, right? Just leave a comment here to enter between now and Thursday, March 31st at 11:59PM. I’ll choose a winner at random from qualifying entries and notify the winner on Friday, April 1. Once I receive your mailing address I will send the book at my own cost.

 

I’m Taking the EVER Skincare 30 Day Challenge

The EVER Skincare kit is made up of four steps to take morning and night, like a workout for your skin. I’m going to use it morning and night for 30 days to get in the habit of taking care of my skin. 

ever skincare kit

EVER Skincare is the recently launched line of skincare products with natural ingredients from the same company that sells Stella and Dot jewelry. EVER Skincare products are sold through reps, known as “specialists,” who are trained in how to use the products and answer your questions. I met Bianca Sanderson at an event recently. She’s a local business woman who found a special talent representing products she loves, and turned that passion into a business that helps support her family while also allowing her to have a flexible schedule while her sons are still school-aged. I love hearing stories like that!

Bianca demonstrated the EVER Skincare regimen for me, patch testing the products out before I committed to the challenge. Each product is made of natural ingredients and smells and feels great on my skin.

What is the 30 day challenge?

EVER challenges you to follow the steps, each morning and night, for 30 days. You need to stick to the regimen to see the full effect on your skin. After all, to stay in shape you need to keep working out and eating healthy, right? Well, your skin is the same way: unless you take care of it, your skin will age faster!

To help demonstrate the change, I took close up photos of my face that I will compare to photos I take 30 days later. Here’s a ridiculous video of me telling you why I am doing this:

So. Every night I have to use the following products:

1. Cleanse: Since I have dry skin, I use the LUMINOUS Cleansing Balm, which feels like a cream or ointment, and rinses off feeling smooth and silky vs. squeaky and dry.

2. Exfoliate: The REVEAL Biomimetic Peel Pads gently remove old dead skin cells. Since my skin is very sensitive, I don’t use this every time. I’ll be building up to it gradually.

3. Treat: YOUTHFUL Quattro Peptide Face & Eye Serum goes on next to treat fine lines and wrinkles (and for you younger types, keeps your skin youthful).

4. Moisturize and protect: In the morning I use Daylight moisturizer with SPF, and in the evening a more intense cream called Hydralift. When my skin is feeling especially dry in the morning I can use a thin layer of Hydralift and then use Daylight for the protection from the sun.

Here is another ridiculous video in which I point out for you the things I find especially cool about the products:

I don’t mind doing all the steps, unless I’m rushing, or exhausted, and I don’t feel like dealing with it. But I am committed to the process, and I want to take care of my skin. Stay tuned as I report my progress! And if you are curious about EVER Skincare, check them out and tell Bianca I sent you!

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EVER Skincare 30 Day Challenge