Book Review: The Startup Way

Title: The Startup Way
Author: Eric Ries (Website)
Source/Format: Blogging for Books; Hardcover
More Details: Nonfiction, Managment
Publisher/ Release date: Currency; October 17, 2017

Goodreads     Barnes & Noble    Penguin Random House

Synopsis from Penguin Random House:
Entrepreneur and bestselling author of The Lean Startup, Eric Ries reveals how entrepreneurial principles can be used by businesses of all kinds, ranging from established companies to early-stage startups, to grow revenues, drive innovation, and transform themselves into truly modern organizations, poised to take advantage of the enormous opportunities of the twenty-first century...

My Thoughts

As described by the synopsis and title, The Startup Way by Eric Reis is an overview of management technique(s). In it, he suggests possible ways that businesses, especially larger corporations, can modernize by run efficiently and smarter.

Reis presents a different view of businesses, by encouraging focus on customers. The author discusses how to apply entrepreneurial ideas with in organizations and how it can benefit the company as a whole. I enjoyed the fact that this book wasn’t filled with fancy business terminology, which was easy to understand. Most terms/ phrases were explained clear enough when first introduced. Another is that the ideas were presented as suggestions rather than a “you must do step a-z to see results”. Actually the driving force behind taking such techniques into consideration was the stories Reis included about the companies that took his advice –which included a discussion of their previous successes and failures.

I had no strife with The Startup Way. The writing flowed making it an enjoyable read. As such, I recommend checking it out.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
Thanks for reading.

Book Review: Color Index XL

Title: Color Index XL
Author: Jim Krause (about)
Source/Format: Blogging for Books; Paperback
More Details: Art, Reference
Publisher/ Release date: Watsin-Guptill; October 3, 2017

Goodreads     Barnes & Noble     Penguin Random House     Amazon

Synopsis from Penguin Random House:
This updated, expanded, and oversized inspirational resource presents 1,100 color palettes, with light, bright, dark, and muted varieties for each one, making it the most expansive palette selection tool available.

Color Index XL provides aspiring designers, artists, and creative individuals working with color with an indispensable, one-stop method for reviewing and selecting current, up-to-date color palettes for their creative projects. Designer and lecturer Jim Krause’s classic resource is back with a new approach that presents each group of palettes in an oversized form for easy visual review, and bleeding to the edge of the page (edge indexing) for quick access. By providing variations for each palette, Krause ensures that creatives can find the best color selection for each project’s needs. This book serves as the perfect resource for teachers, students, and professionals of all kinds in the art and design space who want to stay up-to-date on the ever-evolving trends in color.

My Thoughts:

Jim Krause’s Color Index XL is just one of those books that you’ll want to have next to you when you start any project that requires color cordination. There are so many colors that the possibilities seem endless. With a mini introduction to color theory, which goes over hue, shades, and picking cohesive colors, this is definitely a reference book to checkout.

The first thing I love about this book is that at the beginning of the three chapters the total number of schemes is stated along with the temperature. Each color is presented with other colors in a select pattern, which is nice, especially for inspiration. Finally, I love that each scheme is represented in four different variations of bright, light, dark and muted. This just expands color picking options.

Overall, I recommend Color Index XL if you work with CMYK and RGB values, or even if your simply searching for color inspiration.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review

It's Halloween, now lets talk about Candy Corn

*I purchased these products and
the opinions expressed are my own*

It's Halloween! So I wanted to write a short post about Brach's Candy Corn; particularly my first impressions on two flavors I’ve never tried before. These flavors are Chocolate Mint Cookie and Green Apple. To be honest, I wanted to buy more flavors like the Strawberry flavored Vampire Teeth, but the stores in my area suck. The only other flavors available are Sea Salt Chocolate, Autumn Mix, and Assorted Mellowcreme which I’m omitting because I have tried them before and know I already like them. So I figures these would have to do.

Starting with the Walgreens exclusive Chocolate Mint Cookie flavor, I wanted to love this one, but it was wishy-washy. When I first ate a piece it tasted overly artificial. I can’t describe it, but it was absolutely disgusting. The weird part is that once I tasted it again the next day it tasted just fine… Actually it was delicious; a minty fresh taste with a hint of chocolate. But overall, it was okay. It’s probably not the first flavor I’d buy, but my siblings loved it, so I would recommend trying if it interests you.

Finally, the second flavor I was able to find was Green Apple Witches Teeth. Honestly, this flavor is my favorite. The best way I can describe the flavor is that it’s similar to any regular green apple hard candy. The main difference is that it’s a little less sweet (unless you eat too many), and it’s softer. Like I said I love this flavor.

Also, check out my sister's post: It's Halloween!: All about Star Wars & Reeves Watercolor

What’s your favorite and least favorite seasonal candy/food that you have tried?

Book Review: My Rad Life

Title: My Rad Life

Author: Kate Schatz
Illustrator: Miriam Klein Stahl

Source/Format: Blogging for Books, hardback

More Details: Guided journal, art, biography, memoir

Publisher/ Release date: Ten Speed Press; August 15, 2017

Goodreads       Barnes & Noble       Penguin Random House

Synopsis from Penguin Random House:

An inspiring, empowering journal that encourages its owners to think, create, reflect, and explore their own radness.
A companion to the New York Times bestsellers Rad American Women A-Z and Rad Women Worldwide, this cool guided journal draws from a number of the “rad” women featured in both books, while also including a diverse range of new women, all of whom come to life via inspirational quotes and paper cut portraits. Blank pages invite doodling, lined pages encourage writing, and a collection of thought-provoking prompts encourage users to get to know themselves better by recording their thoughts and ideas on paper.

My Thoughts:

I don’t usually get journals that include prompts, but I couldn’t help but notice the title: My Rad Life. Written by Kate Schatz with illustrations by Miriam Klein Stahl, who both worked on the Rad Women book series, this journal features various quotes and prompts to inspire thoughts and writings. Although I haven’t checked out Rad Women Worldwide or Rad Women A-Z, I thoroughly enjoyed this journal.

Riddled throughout the journal are quotes from known women like gymnast Gabby Douglas, Sister Chân Không, and more. As if quotes weren’t enough to get me writing, there are at least twenty prompts that encourage various things like listing the places you’d like to go, listing your goals, or documenting nature.

As for the design, it is already decked out for the most part. With most of the pages being half filled with illustrations or quotes, the layout allows enough space to write personal thoughts. Also, besides blank space, a few of the pages are line, and occasionally there are pages with speech bubbles.

 Finally, since I like to draw, and doodling is encouraged, I tried a bleed test. When I conducted the bleed test, the results of the use of different mediums, besides pencil, varied. As with any regular journal, markers and the darker colors of my water based felt tip pens didn’t do too well; yet, the lighter colors hardly bled. The only Sharpie that didn’t bleed all the way through was the silver metallic color. Finally, I tried one of my Sakura Pigma Micron Pens, and it worked as any other regular pen would.

Overall, this is one of the more fun journals I have had. My only complaint is that, in terms of it staying open, it is a bit difficult to handle at first. But other than that, I’d definitely recommend it, especially as a gift.

I loved it!

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review

Book Review: Fashion Design Essentials: 100 Principals Of Fashion Design

Title: Fashion Design Essentials: 100 Principals Of Fashion Design
Author: Jay Calderin
Source/Format: Library Borrowed; Hardcover
Genre: Nonfiction, Fashion
Publisher/ Release date: Rockport Publishers; July 1, 2011

Goodreads Barnes & Noble

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Creative ideas are elevated by experience and expertise. This book sets forth a challenge to fashion designers: continue to expand your horizons, exercise your skills and experiment with strategies. Filled with inspiring fashion design details from around the world, Fashion Design Essentials supplies a selection of starting points for fashion designers of all levels, as well as a wide variety of useful examples for each stage of the design process.
Inside, you'll find insight on:
- How to define concepts and render them
- Understanding textiles and the process of selecting fabrics
- Developing sewing skills and constructing garments
- How to build a reputation and find an audience for your work
All 100 insights are beautifully illustrated with real-world fashion designs. If your creativity has staggered or stalled, the variety of subjects in this book will provide new ways to jumpstart it and refocus. Learn to employ alternative ways of thinking and actively pursue experiences that stimulate artistry with Fashion Design Essentials.

My Thoughts

Fashion Design Essentials: 100 Principals of Fashion Design by Jay Calderin is a pretty good starting book, especially if you’re new to fashion. I can’t say that this is the most in-depth book, but it does provide a nice introduction to each of the subjects that were included.

On a personal level I can’t say this book was exactly for me, the reason being is that I’m not exactly new to fashion. But if I was, I’d say that the subjects mentioned would definitely prompt me look into each element further. One positive of the book was that some of the subjects mentioned are things that I didn’t think about before –like taking into consideration how all ages affect fashion. 

Over all Fashion Design Essentials: 100 Principals of Fashion Design was a pretty good book for people new or curious about fashion.

I like it.