Review | Campus Book Rentals

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Today I would like to introduce you to a great concept and company!

I was contacted by Campus Book Rentals of CampusBookRentals.com to review their website and spread the word about the innovative service they offer.

Textbook rentals provide a way to use the titles you need for your studies without the risk of your books becoming worthless by the end of the semester. Over 4,000 college campuses have benefited from this service so far - and you don't need to be a college student to participate!

I'm a homeschool graduate, and although I believe college can be a wonderful education tool for many, I've taken an alternative route in furthering my education autodidactally while working from home and I love it.
I usually get all the books I need (or want;) through my library, or purchase them myself.  However, I think the concept of renting textbooks can be a tremendously helpful resource, and I am quite impressed with this service!

I'm excited to share this company with you all - books are one of the most important and treasured things in my life, and I'm always interested in ways to make them more readily available and affordable!  Even though some titles may be cheaper to purchase rather than rent, there are a lot of expensive textbooks out there that make renting the perfect solution.

Campus Book Rentals offers new and gently used textbooks for typically less than half the price you'll pay in your school or local bookstore.

Some fabulous points:
-save 40-90% off of bookstore prices

-free shipping both ways

-you can highlight in the textbooks, using them as you would your own books

-flexible renting periods
-Campus Book Rentals has also officially teamed up with Operation Smile, which is a great cause.  A portion of the proceeds of every book rented is donated to help the children of Operation Smile.

The company has offered to let me test drive their services with a coupon code, and I'm really excited to check out some lovely titles I've had my eye on for awhile now.  

The Graphic Design Exercise Book 

Couture Sewing Techniques, Revised and Updated

Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition

How to choose?  Too bad I'm not in the market for South-Western Federal Taxation 2012: Corporations, Partnerships, Estates and Trusts, Professional Version.  I could have really had a bargain then.

Such a pity...

Be sure to go check out CampusBookRentals.com for yourself, y'all!

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Fine Print:  This is a compensated blog post. However, all words, sentiments, and ideas are my own, and are not influenced by the sponsor.

Browsing

Browsing.  The old-fashioned way, with rows of books, stacks of books, mountains of books.  

I do love to go to a good book shop, and yesterday my mom and I discovered a real treasure.  Every square foot of that tiny shop was squeezed full of all kinds of books... bliss.

I came away with four - I'll never know how I escaped so easily.  It could have been ten... =)

The Importance of Being Ernest... how I do love a good chuckle over that tome of princely wit.  And such a lovely copy...!  A brand-new set of Little House books to put away for my children, as my set is all but worn to dust by hundreds of hours in the delightful company of Laura Ingalls Wilder.  A handsome copy of The Complete Shakespeare - can you believe I've never read him before?  I think it's quite time to remedy that - though candidly, I never was one for melodramatical, tragic nonsense... Juliet always sounded like a pretty lame heroine, while between you and me, Romeo rather resembles a chump.  There.  I said it.  

But I have a suspicion that As you Like it and his other comedies will be very worth while.

Besides, I have a weakness for any book that thick.   Mmmm...

I absolutely squealed with delight when I spotted this.  And for $2.50?  With the bookplate unmarked?

It was waiting for me.

An adorable treasury of four tales from the films that made Shirley so beloved.  The little Colonel, Heidi, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farms and Captain January are all here, unabridged (with the exception of Heidi), with charming illustrations for each story as well as photos from the motion pictures.  I hope to read this to my children some day!  (Though it's to bee seen whether I shall look quite as darling as Mrs. Shirley while engaged in that excellent pastime...)

My sisters are enthralled as well.  We read the first part of Captain January last night, till Tilda and Clara succumbed to slumber. 

Altogether a very enjoyable time, as my good friend Eddie Wilson would say.

Literary Heroine Blog Party - Join the Fun!

{This event is now closed}

You are cordially invited. . . 

To the Literary Heroine Blog Party!

~ February 16-28 ~

Are you enthralled with the charming stories of heroines of yesteryear?  Do you t hrill at the sight of a lovely, century-old book?  Have you ever read a favorite novel up in the airy retreat of a graceful tree?  Do you often catch yourself thinking of the inhabitants of Avonlea or Longborne as not only very real, but intimate friends?  If so, I hope you will plan on joining me for this exciting online party!

The pleasure of your charming company is requested to grace this event, inspired by the myriad captivating heroines of literature.  

Commencing on February the sixteenth {a special day, by the way!}, and extending to the end of the month, this event is one you will not want to miss!  

* As your hostess, I will provide a linky at the end of this post, which will be activated the morning of the 16th. All you must do is answer the questions below, making them your own with your unique personality and way with words.  Then, sign the guestbook at the end of this post in the form of the link to your blog post!

* Then, via the guestbook/link pool, have fun mingling, visiting each other's blogs and getting to know one another better!  Delightful, no?

The best part of this event is yet to come!  

I have just launched my newest entrepreneurial endeavor. . . namely, pin back and Mirror back button badges, now for sale at The Shop, as well as on my Etsy store!  

In celebration of this milestone, I will be hosting a scrumptious Giveaway!

You have the opportunity to win any one of the three following prizes!

.:.:.:.:.:.:.

First, Kellie Falconer Designs is offering a set of two adorable pin back buttons, which are the perfect accessory for the literary minded heroine.  Pinned to your sweater or book bag, these little badges will brighten your wardrobe and put a smile on your face!

Second, a cunning little button mirror with matching hand-sewn felt case by Kellie Falconer Designs is an essential accessory for the prepared heroine.  This charming, high-quality looking-glass will prove an indispensable aid for everything from personal touch-ups, entertaining a fractious child, or signaling rescue aircraft.  Don't miss out on a chance to win!

Third, my dear friend Tasha, of Day by Day, has graciously teamed up with me for this fabulous event by offering one of her gorgeous hand-crocheted laptop sleeves!  She is preparing to soon open an Etsy shop, where she plans to offer these darling cases, among other things.  Be sure to stay tuned for the grand opening of her shop!

A true heroine well knows the integral part beauty plays in our lives.  She knows how to incorporate it into everyday life in a thousand ways, thereby blessing those around her with the joy that such beauty brings.  

This lovely laptop computer sleeve, with its vibrant colors, expert craftsmanship, and delicious granny-square design, is the perfect accessory for your prized electronic.  Imagine the delight of keeping your computer in this lovely case, where it will be protected from scratches and dust - at the same time enhancing the beauty of your home!

.:.:.:.:.:.:.

By participating in the Blog party, you will be entered in the giveaway to win any of these three wonderful prizes!

Please make sure, when adding your links to the blog pool, to simply leave a comment on this post with some way for me to contact you.  You will need to sign up for a PlexPedia account (my brother's site hosting service that supports this blog) when commenting for the first time, but it only takes about 20 seconds!  Looking forward to hearing from you!

Don't forget to comment for additional entries!

~ For additional entries, you may: ~

1. Follow my blog (Google Friend Connect, just like Blogger, is located in the right sidebar on the home page, as well as the bottom of this page for your convenience). (1 entry)

2. Follow Tasha's blog (1 entry)

3. Post about the giveaway and/or put the event button on your blog. (1 entry)

4. Share on Facebook, Twitter, and/or other social networking medium. (1 entry/each)

5. Heart my Etsy shop, or either of the Button/Mirror listings. (1 entry)

6. Visit my Official Shop, and tell me what your favorite item is! (1 entry)

{Note: readers who do not have blogs may complete one or more

of the other means of entry, leaving a comment for each}

The giveaway ends on Monday, February 28th. I will select the three winners by random number.

*Please make sure to leave a separate comment notifying me of each additional entry!*

~ The Questions ~

Compiled by Miss Kellie & Miss Natasha

• What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine?

• Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to. 

• Five of your favorite historical novels?

• Out of those five books who is your favorite character and why? 

• If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there?

• What is your favorite time period and culture to read about?

• You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert.  Singing, comedy, recitation - what is your act comprised of?

• If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent?  

• What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate?  

• Favorite author(s)? 

• As a small, imaginative, red-haired damsel might query; would you rather be divinely beautiful, dazzlingly clever, or angelically good?  Why?  

• In which century were most of the books you read written? 

• In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is… 

• Describe your ideal dwelling place.  

• Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name?  

•  In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is...

• Three favorite Non-fiction books?  

• Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon?

• Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character.

• Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year.

• Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently.

• And lastly, as I am a rather businesslike hostess, may I ask you your views regarding those adorable little items - namely pin back and mirror back buttons?  1). Where would you choose to display a button badge to best showcase your unique style?  2). What image and/or sentiment would most make you smile were it inscribed on your very own compact mirror?

Please, take the event button above and put it on your blogs (linking to this post) - even do a post of your own about it if you feel so inclined!  Assist me to spread the word of the party so that everyone has the opportunity to join in this delightful event!

I look forward to the pleasure of your company!

Yours sincerely,

~Miss Kellie~

              ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Highlights from January

The last day in January.  Oh my.

 

'Tis a fact, however, and I must face it.  Fact, too, that I have fifteen days more in which to complete my eighteenth year.  I will be very sorry to bid goodbye to Eighteen!  I truly enjoyed getting to know her.  

 

Anyway, several notable occurrences occasioned themselves this month, among which. . . 

 

~I found several wonderful deals at various antique and thrift shops, among them a brand-new set of L.M. Montgomery's Emily books,

   

 a pair of vintage leather ice skates (in my size - a miracle, by the way!), a pair of highly fashionable white vintage sunglasses which shock my dear brother every time I wear them, and a very nice floral blouse.  Very nice floral blouses make me very happy.

 

~I discovered that I love to watch movies in foreign languages with English subtitles.  Especially when I can recognize some of the foreign words! =)

This one, set in the Hinterland of China, was wonderful - My family enjoyed it very much.  The scenery and cinematography were gorgeous, and the story was very sweet. 

 

Now, to find something in German. . . 

 

~I went on my first mountain hike for the year.  January - that's a good start, no? =) The sunset was indescribable from the top of the mountain behind my home.

 

~I enjoyed having a delightful sewing day at Tasha's, watching Swing Time and Shall We Dance, and laughing hysterically, as a matter of course. We agreed that this dress needs some help.  Though Ginger still manages to look adorable in it=)

 

 

~I started a new set of aprons for The Shop, featuring some of the cutest retro circus fabric ever;)

 

 

~My family acquired a dry bag.  If you don't have one too, save up and buy yourself one.  They're quite simply amazing.  You'll thank me for this advice later on.

 

It's just like this one, only different.  Ours is green. =)

 

~I commenced reading War and Peace by Tolstoy.  Translated, of course;)  It's a glorious, thick, turquoise-and-red, gilt-edged, thousand-or-so page Russian-y sort of tome that I think I might fall in love with.  Quite possibly. . . 

 

 

~I've laughed much.  Last night, as I was preparing the crust for some pot pies, Clara appeared at my side and tugged on my apron.  "Kellie, I like pot pies."  "I'm very glad you do," I answered. "Meat and vegetables are just the thing to make you grow up strong and healthy, and it tastes ever better in a buttery crust - don't you agree?"  I waited to see what she would say, as she has a past record of disliking any but garden-fresh vegetables.  (Such a spoiled thing!:)

"Yup.  I like them, Kellie.  Everything but the filling."

 

~I've learned so much just in the last month about forgiveness, patience, and trust.  Who am I to give up?  To lose vision?  If Christ, who lived a perfect, sinless life, could bear all things to the end, then I, who have his perfect example before me, can do no less.  

 

"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."

--1 peter 13-16

 

Real gold fears no fire.  May we be as pure gold, the likeness of the Saviour.  Invincible. Trusting. Faithful.

 

Love,

~Me~