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monthly book giveaway for april

April 1, 2013

the storyteller ~ jodi picoultjodi picoult giveaway

Hi everyone…how was your weekend?  It’s the first of the month, so I need to announce the monthly book giveaway winner and next month’s giveaway selection.

Congratulations to Theresa N. from SC!  She is the lucky winner of the March book giveaway – a signed copy of the New York Times bestseller, Hoda:  How I Survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee by Hoda Kotb.  You can read more about the book and see photos of Hoda by clicking here.  I know you will enjoy the book Theresa!  Happy reading!

For April, I have a very exciting selection!  I have not yet actually had the chance to read the book myself…it has not been out very long.  I know there are many Jodi Picoult fans out there who would love to win her newest release, The Storyteller!  This book has been signed by Ms. Picoult at a recent appearance in Philadelphia.  I have received offers to buy this book, but it is not for sale!

It is this month’s book giveaway…and, no purchase is involved!  Just  ‘like’ the pleasure in simple things Facebook page or leave a comment on the blog and you are automatically entered in the random monthly drawing.  Good luck!

I hope everyone enjoyed a Happy Easter weekend :)

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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monthly book giveaway for march

March 2, 2013

hoda kotbphotos of Hoda Kotb

Congratulations to Mona from Connecticut for being the winner of February’s giveaway!  I used random.org to pick a winner from the author of every comment that was made to pleasure in simple things during the month of February.   Mona will receive a signed copy of Ayad Akhtar’s debut novel American Dervish.  It is a wonderful read and I know you will enjoy it!

For the March giveaway, I will be sending a lucky winner a signed copy of Hoda Kotb’s New York Times bestselling novel  Hoda:  How I survived War Zones, Bad Hair, Cancer, and Kathie Lee.  New York TimesHoda Kotb's book bestselling author Adriana Triginai had this to say about Hoda’s book:  “Hoda Kotb is a wonderful storyteller.  Hilarious, honest, and inspiring, you will marvel as she describes her family’s roots in Egypt and their American sojourn, which leads her to the career of her dreams.  This book is a manual for overcoming obstacles and living life with passion and purpose.  I loved it.  Hoda is the working girl’s Cleopatra.  She rules!”

Like many women that work outside of the home, I have never seen the the “Today” show hosted by Kathie Lee and Hoda.  The only thing I actually know about the show is the controversy over the hosts drinking wine during the show.  And, I do know Hoda is a cancer survivor.  I also know that she started out as a newscaster.

When I saw that the Wilton, Connecticut library was hosting Hoda, I decided to check it out and learn a little more about this newscaster turned controversial talk show host.

Hoda Kotb

It ended up being a very enjoyable evening…Hoda was everything you would imagine a talk show host to be…very enthusiastic and engaging.  In a light-hearted way, she told a detailed account of the almost thirty rejections she received before she landed her first job as a newscaster…saying,  ”it only takes one.”  Even when she brought up the fact that she survived both cancer and divorce in the same year; her positive attitude was infectious.

I know you will enjoy this charming memoir by Hoda Kotb in this month’s giveaway.  Good luck!

Thanks for visiting and enjoy the rest of your weekend, Jackie

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duchess of york book giveaway

January 1, 2013

the duchess of york ~ sarah fergusonThe Duchess of York

Congratulations to Jessica (from the blog Brand New “We”), the winner of the December book giveaway.  Jessica has won a copy of The Shoemaker’s Wife signed by author Adriana Trigiani!  (Click here to see more about it.)  It is a wonderful book Jessica…I am certain you will love it!

For January, the giveaway will be a little different…I am excited to be giving away a children’s book for the first time… because it is a special one from a New York Times best-selling author!  I recently had the opportunity to have tea with The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, when she visited the New Canaan library in Connecticut.  I asked her to sign a copy of her latest children’s book Ballerina Rosie to use for this month’s giveaway book!  I will give away this encouraging story of an aspiring dancer at the end of January - randomly, to someone that has made a comment during the month as a way to thank you for visiting.  Click here for the full details.

The January giveaway book from pleasureinsimplethings.com.

Any child you know is sure to enjoy this charming story and beautifully illustrated book signed by The Duchess of York…or, you may just want to keep it for yourself!

A great giveaway to start off the first one of 2013!  I also have two special New Year’s gifts that I will mail out to the first two people to wish me a Happy New Year!

The start of this new year is the perfect time to thank you all for visiting my blog.  As a novice, I especially appreciate everyone’s support.  This has been a very challenging year for me and the support and friendship I have received through ‘pleasure in simple things’  has really helped me through 2012.  Please continue to visit.  I look forward to 2013 with much anticipation and I am looking forward to sharing it with you.

Enjoy a safe and happy 2013.  Love, Jackie

“Your success and happiness lies in you.  Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.”   – Helen Keller

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tony danza giveaway & october winner

November 1, 2012

Tony Danza

Congratulations to Tracy R., winner of the October book giveaway…a very special one!  Tracy has won signed copies of  Life Lessons From the Chocolate Factory…10 Rich, Satisfying Nuggets to Nibble On for her ENTIRE book group in addition to a conference call from author Christopher Holl!!  Thank you so much, Christopher, for providing such a generous giveaway!  Hopefully, Tracy will provide us with some photos and news from her book group session!!

For November, the giveaway is a book written by a celebrity…a multi-talented celebrity.  His name is Tony Danza!

I got the chance to meet Tony recently when he appeared in Connecticut at an R.J. Julia’s bookstore event in Madison.  (I enjoyed talking with him about two favorite cities –  comparing NYC and Philly.)  And, this month’s giveaway is a signed copy of his first book I’d Like to Apologize to Every Teacher I Ever Had:  My Year as a Rookie Teacher at Northeast High.  If it sounds a little familiar, it may be because the subject was the topic of an A&E reality series called TEACH.  Tony experienced the life of a first-year teacher – teaching tenth-grade English at Northeast High – Philadelphia’s largest high school.  His students didn’t care about his celebrity…heck, they weren’t even born when Who’s the Boss  aired; never mind Taxi!  And, even though A&E cancelled the show after six episodes, Tony completed his year as teacher – a career he had aspired to long before he started acting.

The book is an insightful account you will truly enjoy.  Be sure to enter to win often – before the end of November.   Details for entering are here.

Thanks for visiting,  Jackie

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top ten coolest people i met countdown

June 9, 2012

friday field trip

A photo of Star Jones – #2 on my ‘Cool People I Met’ countdown.

So many exciting people to meet and fun things to do in New York City this past week!  I really couldn’t pin down a Friday field trip, so I decided to do a countdown of the ten coolest people I met on my three day field trip to NYC.  Are you ready?

#10. #9. #8.  Hercules, Mercury, and Minerva

Yup, I am talking about the gods!  Hercules, Mercury, and Minerva are the three gods depicted on the statues surrounding the clock on the facade of Grand Central Station facing 42nd Street.  I actually took some time to look up and notice the clock…it definitely fits in the cool category (I know, I know…these three are not exactly ‘people’, but it’s my list :) ) I can’t believe how many times I have been in and out of Grand Central in my lifetime and have never really taken the time to notice the details on this amazing piece of work.  At the time it was unveiled in 1914, it was considered the largest sculptural group in the world!  Cool!

 #7.  The Hawaiian Airline Dancers

Hawaiian Airlines has staged a little piece of Hawaii on the streets of Manhattan as a part of a promotion to celebrate the start of direct, non-stop flights from New York to Honolulu.  Hula dancers performing to traditional Hawaiian music really set a mood of the tropics, but it is the fragrance of all the real flower leis that just put the whole sensory experience over the top for me!  Like many others passing by, I could not resist stopping to enjoy…and, I put my name in to win a drawing for free flights to Hawaii…aloha!

#6.  Keenan Cahill 

Keenan is an internet celebrity that became famous from lip-syncing popular songs on YouTube.  If you don’t know who he is, you probably don’t know who ‘David going to the Dentist’ is either.  He lipsynced his first YouTube video in 2010 to Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream.  He has had some big name singers (rapper 50 cent for example), join him in his videos.  He lives in Illinois and traveled to New York City this past week to speak at a social media conference, giving advice to a roomful of techies on how to achieve what he was able to at 14 years old.  What is supercool about Keenan?  He put himself out there and did what he really wanted to do, in spite of what anyone else thought or advised.   In the process, he became an internet sensation by combining genuineness, a love for music, and a great sense of humor.  His confidence and spirit get him on my list as #6.  Keep singing Keenan :) !

A photo of internet celebrity Keenan Cahill. #6 on the “Cool People I Met” countdown.

#5.  Ina Garten

With so many celebrity chefs today, Ina stands out as someone that ‘keeps it real’.  Always cooking great food, simply and deliciously prepared, joining Ina (via Food Network) in her home to watch her cook for her husband, Jeffrey, or some of her friends, is always a treat.  As lovely in person as she is on her television show (with a face full of adorable freckles), it was definitely a thrill to meet Ina Garten (who grew up and was married in my home state of Connecticut) and she comes in at #5 on my cool people list.

A photo of Ina Garten – #5 on my ‘Cool People’ countdown.

#4.  Tim Gunn

Always impeccable and oozing with swag, Tim Gunn is #4 on my countdown of cool people I met this week.  He was cool when he mentored young talent on the television show Project Runway (as a former faculty member of Parson the New School for Design) and he remains cool now, in all he does.  You can catch him on daytime television giving “Timterventions” on his show The Revolution.  You got it going on Tim!

A photo Tim Gunn – #4 on the countdown.

#3.  Roble Ali

This hot, young chef is currently starring in the show Chef Roble & Co. where he and his team cater events for big name clients and celebrities in NYC.  But, that is not why he receives #3 on my ‘cool’ countdown of the week.  He attains this honor for judging the Teen Battle Chef LIVE in Harlem last Wednesday night.  Teen Battle Chef is a program where young people learn to cook and explore culinary careers, nutrition, food systems and gardening education, while ‘battling’ obesity and chronic disease.  Chef Roble helped confirm to the students that it is ‘cool’ to be interested in preparing and eating healthy food.

#2.  Star Jones

Star Jones also gets on my cool list for supporting the Teen Battle Chef event in Harlem.  She served as the emcee for the evening and did an amazing job of conveying the importance of eating right by speaking candidly about her own personal story of being overweight (over 300 lbs.) and requiring open heart surgery.  Kudos to Star for using her personal story and her no-nonsense demeanor to help inspire others, while lighting up the evening with her sense of humor and sparkling personality.

Photo of Star Jones at Teen Battle Chef in Harlem – #2 on my ‘Cool People I Met’ countdown.

I am blessed with some really great friends…one of them works in health and wellness and invited me to attend Teen Battle Chef that was being held in Harlem this past week, sponsored by her employer, Emblem Health.  I had never before spent any time in Harlem and hadn’t heard about the event I was attending, but it seemed to contain all the ingredients I love:  celebrity chefs, education, and the chance to meet new people.  I was in!  I  managed to negotiate my way to Harlem (thanks sweet, young girl from the performing arts high school that I met on the subway) and find my destination.

#1.  Harlem students participating in Teen Battle Chef.

There is no question that the coolest of the cool I met this week were definitely the students that participated in the Teen Battle Chef in Harlem (I couldn’t pick just one) and they came in as  #1 in my countdown.  What a fun night I had with them all!  I was lucky to get the chance to sample the creations in the appetizer category and the students were eager to explain the nutritional value of each ingredient.  (Send me an email if you would like me to send you the recipe for my favorite – “Carribbean Salsa”.)

Every person that helped create and implement this program (an extra-curricular activity at school) and competition is #1 in my book…this includes Lynn Fredicks (founder of FamilyCook Productions), Former First Lady of New York State Michelle Paige Paterson (sparking the idea for bringing the program to Harlem), and all those that supported it – including Former Governor of New York, David Paterson and celebrity chefs Walter Hinds and Marcus Samuelsson.  Bon appetit!

A photo of #1 on my ‘Cool People I Met’ countdown – the Harlem students committed to learning about healthy eating.

Congratulations to the students of Harlem for their committment to help their friends and family make healthier food choices to prevent unhealthy weight and associated diseases!  Super cool!

Hope you enjoyed the Top Ten Coolest People I Met Countdown for this week’s Friday field trip!

 

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fun for free

April 16, 2012

thank you Jimmy Fallon!

I am at a point in my life where I have no expendable income.  Like so many parents, I am helping my twenty something’s with college to get a good start in their lives and I’m pretty caught up in paying all this ‘good start’ off!  This leaves no budget for non-necessities…..least of all for any entertainment expenses.  So I am always on the lookout for any good fun for free.. my most recent excursion?

I attended a taping of “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon!”   Jimmy Fallon happens to be my favorite comedian and I am a big fan of his late night television show.  My favorite segment of the show is ‘thank you notes’ and I was able to score tickets for a Friday episode –the night ’thank you notes’ is a regular segment.

 

My favorite of Jimmy’s thank you notes at the taping I attended:

“Thank you Swanson’s Hungry Man Microwavable Meals for showing me that steak, mashed potatoes, and a brownie can all be cooked the exact same length of time.”

 

To attend the taping, I hopped the train and made a trip to “30 Rock” the address made famous by Tina Fey’s comedy show.  I recently read her memoir “Bossypants” which made the trip to 30 Rockefeller Plaza all the more ‘fun’.

An added bonus… a beautiful spring afternoon in the city.  (Athough the show airs after midnight, it is taped earlier in the afternoon)

Even though it was such a warm day, the ice skaters were still out since the rink stays up until mid-April.

The taping was incredible!  What a show!  So much more entertaining than watching the show on television and much cooler than I ever imagined.  It’s not like I have never been to a taping…..I have been to SNL, quite a few David Letterman shows, and even Rosie back when she had a show.  But, this was definitely my favorite of the bunch!

When we got seated in the studio we were greeted and entertained by a comedian.  ‘The Roots’ , the house band,  performed a number for the studio audience after the warm up by the comedian.  If you have ever seen the show you know what an incredibly talented bunch of musicians make up the band.  Next, our announcer  and Jimmy’s ‘sidekick’ Steve Higgins introduces himself to everyone and, before you know it, the show begins. The day I attended, the guests were Christian Slater and Bethenny Frankel.

Jimmy is the best.  I really encourage anyone that is ever in the New York area to attend a taping – you can get information on obtaining tickets on his website.  If you aren’t one to stay up late and watch the show, you can always watch episodes….full episodes or segments… on the show’s website:  www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com .  (I highly recommend the Bruce Springsteen Friday episode if you opt to watch an episode…he performs three songs…. if you are not into Bruce, any episode is good)

Thanks so much Jimmy for a wonderful ‘fun for free’ experience!!

After the taping, as I left the studio, I was walking behind Bethenny….as she started to head out of the building, I heard her talking on her cell phone to Jason (if you have ever seen her reality show, you recognize that name as her husband’s)…  I had my camera in my bag, so as I walked out the door,  I snapped a photo….

My paparazzi moment:

You know you are cool when Ben & Jerry’s makes a flavor out of you!

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