Take Thule Crossover Sling Pack

I tend to carry a lot of gear. I’m on the go a lot and I like to travel. I used to commute far enough that it was easier to carry all I needed in one bag. A back pack was too bulky and an Ameribag wasn’t big enough.

THULE makes a great Crossover Sling Pack. The low profile design is attractive and sturdy and allows easy access to all contents while wearing it. The wide strap disperses weight over a larger area which is great if you pack heavy like I do. A zippered compartment in the strap lets you stow sunglasses, mp3 player or smaller cell phones for easy access. The back of the bag is soft material over padding to protect your Mac or laptop.

Two zipper pulls, allow you to adjust for accessibility. Inside the main compartment is a padded drop-in sleeve that will accommodate up to a 14 inch Macbook or laptop. The facing zippered interior pocket, which seems to be semi waterproof, is roomy enough to hold a standard composition book with plenty of space left for magazines or other books. There’s also a plastic latch clip sewn into the pocket for keys or jump drives.

The second large pocket is compartmentalized for smaller items with a double sided mesh pocket that keeps maps, electronics and writing utensils in view. A smaller zippered pocket is where I keep my keys, but you could easily keep cash or credit cards handy. The exterior pocket will hold even the largest water bottles. Two sturdy grab and go handles allow it to be hung on most doorknobs. The textured zipper pulls are a sky blue which carries through on the interior pocket lining. The whole bag filled would fit in the overhead compartment of most commercial flights.

Being of smaller build, I find the bag covers a good bit of my upper body. You can wear it like a backpack or in front of you. I’m looking forward to traveling this summer and giving THULE Sling Pack a real work out.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product free from through the Amazon Vine program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 

The EXPATS

EXPATS gripped me from the first paragraph. Kate Moore is leaving her job as a concession for her husband's job transfer to Luxembourg. There she'll raise her sons with her husband Dexter, a securities analyst for a banking firm. Kate has a secret past, and decides against telling her husband what she really did for a living while they were stateside. She promised herself that she would never investigate her Dexter.
In Luxembourg, Kate meets Julia from Chicago and they become fast friends. It isn’t long before Kate's internal alarms begin to sound and she checks into a few things that Julia had said, to find them untrue. Julia and her husband Bill don’t seem to be quite a couple; and even though they pose as husband and wife, Kate isn’t buying it. Suddenly, Kate is suspicious of both of them.
At home, Dexter blatantly withholds information from Kate, who is driven to insane levels of curiosity. Will she give break her own vow to herself and check up on him?

I loved every moment in this story, each chapter ended in a cliff hanger. Like putting together an intricate puzzle, EXPATS had me guessing at every turn, then suddenly, the entire picture emerged. Chris Pavone writes masterfully and more than once I found myself holding my breath waiting to see what would happen next. I will be searching for the next one in what promises to be an engaging series.
Definitely a must read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Amazon Vine program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 

Theanine 200: Five Stars

Jarrow Formulas Theanine 200, 200mg, 60 Capsules (Health and Beauty)

L-Theanine 200 is an amino acid capsule containing a Unique Relaxant that is reportedly prominent in tea. It generates Tranquil relaxation with no drowsiness. I've taken it at the end of the day to read in the evenings before I go to bed to maintain focus. I have had great results, as I choose when to leave off in a book instead of crashing unexpectedly.


I have used it occasionally during stressful days and it has helped me. It produces a pleasant platform of well-being, with no grogginess and I've not experienced any feelings that were negative and no "hang-over" or unpleasant after-effect. I would recommend this to anyone who gets jittery at meetings, before making speeches or finds themselves in the middle of anxiety producing moments, as well as those days one is taking a test or has to be at the top of their game, when anxiousness would be a hindrance.

Vitamins Please!

Vitamin Squeeze Energy Drink, Fruit Punch flavor is delicious. It's in an easy to hold, flexible 12-Ounce container with a flip top. The Fruit Punch flavor is fortified with Vitamin C; 120% of the recommended daily total and taurine which is an essential nutrient said to be necessary for retinal health and found in animal protein. If you're a vegetarian like I am this might be for you! I take it with me to work and add it to my afternoon glass of water for a quick pick me up.
On the plus side: The color is a vibrant red, there is no nasty after taste. The flavor can be as rich and full as you like, there are no calories, no jittery feeling and no crash. It includes electrolytes which sometimes need replenished due to aggressive work outs or fluid depleting illness. I like the easy to hold container which is much larger, than the MiO water enhancers.
On the down side, it leaves an odd residue on the inside of plastic bottles, so if you are one that likes to reuse them, you won’t want to keep the bottle for long. Also, because it does that, I’m less inclined to use this product in my stainless steel drinking bottles. If you use it at home in a water glass for example, the residue washes off easily with the slightest hand scrubbing. (But I noticed it after the dish washing cycle finished. I will say it may have been my dish machine soap not being top grade). If you are all about portability, it's a bulkier package than the MiO.

I would highly recommend this product due to the convenience of having vitamins on the go, as well as on color and flavor.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this product free through the Amazon Vine program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255