Category: review

My Fitness Journey: Trying Out Curves – No Makeup, No Men, No Mirrors

Thank you Curves International for sponsoring this post.

Over the last eighteen months, I’ve been on a fitness journey. I’ve committed to working out 2-3 times a week, eating healthy, and losing weight. I’ve lost about 40 pounds, but still have a lot of work to do. I love trying new work outs, so when the folks from Curves asked me to try out the 30 minute circuit training method their gyms offer, I was in. Trying a new gym can be intimidating, but the Curves coaches made us feel right at home instantly. They talked us through the circuit, and what each machine does, and then let us jump in to action.

My favorite things about the Curves program are that you can arrive and jump in to the circuit any time, without having to worry about a schedule. You listen to the recording of the instructor on the screen, and move to the next exercise each time she tells you. The exercises alternate between cardio and weight machines. The Curves coaches helped me every time I was confused on a machine, which made the process so easy.

So many things about traditional gyms can make it difficult to enjoy a work out. The biggest ones for me are feeling like I don’t know what I’m doing, and feeling like other people are judging me for not knowing what I’m doing or looking silly. At Curves, the coaches take all the guess work out of the exercises. Their policy of no men and no mirrors made me much less self conscious than I normally am at the gym, and I loved being able to just focus on the work out. Curves International, Inc. happens to be one of the largest chains of fitness clubs for women in the world and its 30-minute circuit work out with a coach works every major muscle group with strength training, cardio and stretching.

Curves is also celebrating 25 years of fitness this month, and wants you to join in the party. Find our local Curves here, and see if the Curves circuit is right for you. You can also follow along on social media so you don’t miss any of the anniversary giveaways. Check out Curves on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

This post was sponsored by Curves International but the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Experience NASCAR Racing from Inside the Stock Car

Experience NASCAR Racing from Inside the Stock CarHave you ever wondered what it would be like to ride around the track at high speeds in a NASCAR stock car? My husband did just that a few weeks ago, and he says it was one of the coolest gifts he has ever received. Gifts that give your loved one an special experience are the best kind of gift. Today I’m sharing what the ride was like and how you can experience it yourself or give it as a gift, just in time for Father’s Day.  To find incredible bucket list, once-in-a-lifetime dream gifts for your friends and family, check out Cloud 9 Living. Use the code: dadsdayFEET15 from June 1-22, 2015 to save $15 off your experience.  

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5 Must Have Beauty Gifts + My REVERSE Regimen Review Follow Up

Taking better care of myself has been a goal of mine this year, one that I’m still working on. My weight and fitness level are not where I want them yet, but one part of self care where I’ve greatly improved is my skin care routine. I shared with y’all a few months ago about starting the REVERSE Regimen from Rodan and Fields. Today I’m sharing an update after using the regimen for a few months as well as 5 must have beauty gifts to think about when shopping for a loved one (or yourself). Please promise to ignore my greasy hair in the photos below…
5 Must Have Beauty Gifts

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Peg and Plum Peg Dolls Review

Peg and Plum Handmade Peg Dolls Review #KBNWishlist #FestiveFamily

Holiday shopping for kids can be a daunting task. With millions of options, how do you find the best gift for your child that they will love and treasure? I’ve teamed up with a group of fabulous Kid Blogger Network folks to bring you real reviews of items from your kid’s wishlist. Peg and Plum is an Etsy shop focused on making high quality peg dolls perfect for imaginative play. Nativity sets for Christmas, Thanksgiving sets for the kids’ table, wedding and birthday cake toppers, custom sets made to look like your family, favorite characters, community helpers, and just about any type of peg doll you can imagine are available at Peg and Plum. Read on to find out what we thought about the peg dolls and enter to win a set of your own.

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Hand Stamped Fishing Tackle & Gifts from Fish with Hope and Stamped with Hope ~ Festive Family Holiday Gift Guide Review

custom hand stamped gifts from  Stamped with Hope

Personalized gifts from Fish with Hope and Stamped with Hope are a part of my holiday gift guide for the second year in a row for a very good reason. Meaningful, personal gifts for men that they can actually use are difficult to find. In both shops you’ll find gifts that are practical, useful, and well made. Read on for our review of the father/daughter gift set I had made for my brother and his daughter.

fish with hope collage

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Handmade Snuggly Swaddle Dolls from Designs by MSusan ~ Festive Family Gift Guide Review

designs by msusan snuggly swaddle dolls handmade

Is there a precious wee one in your life who would to receive love a snuggly friend as a holiday gift? Our Pearl Girl got her first handmade swaddle doll from Designs by MSusan last year for Christmas, and she still snuggles her daily. This year we are reviewing a super cute set of blonde baby dolls just made for playing. Read on to find out what we thought about our set of Snuggly Swaddle Dolls.

Designs by MSusan collage

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Freshly Picked Moccasins Review ~ Festive Family Holiday Gift Guide

freshly picked reviewToday’s Festive Family Holiday Gift Guide brand review is all about the stylish wee ones. My sweet Pearl Girl helped me review a gorgeous pair of gold Freshly Picked baby moccasins and we can’t wait to tell you all about them. If there is a child on your holiday shopping list, these are a hot ticket item. Handmade in the U.S.A. from 100% genuine leather in sizes 1-10 (baby-preschooler), these shoes are durable, super cute, and won’t come off. Read on to find out what we thought about these precious shoes.

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Minted Holiday Cards & Gifts Review ~ Festive Family Holiday Gift Guide

minted collage holidayA few years ago, my sister told me about this shop where I just had to look for Christmas cards. As with most tips she gives me, she was totally right.  Minted is now my favorite place to shop for holiday cards every year. When they signed on to be a headline sponsor of my Festive Family Holiday Gift Guide, I was totally thrilled. I can’t wait to tell you all the reasons we love their cards, and what we thought about their holiday gifts as well. BONUS: Use the code CHEER25FS to get $25 off your order AND free shipping through 11/10/14.

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Mum + Bub Bath Products for the Whole Family from Aden + Anais ~ Festive Family Holiday Gift Guide Review

mum and bub bath products from aden and anais review

I am so stinking excited about what the next few weeks have in store on this little old blog. I’ve teamed up with fabulous brands and amazing bloggers to create the Festive Family Holiday Hop and Gift Guide Giveaway. We’ll be giving away over $1800 in prizes plus bringing you creative ideas for the upcoming holiday season and reviews of our favorite gift ideas. Today I’m kicking off the review series with a product line from one of my favorite baby companies, Aden + Anais. We have long loved their burpy bibs and muslin blankets, but had yet to try their Mum + Bub line. We reviewed them as a family and fell in love.

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Trying the Rodan + Fields REVERSE Regimen ~ Skin Care Review

rodan+fields reverse regimen review

I am the WORST when it comes to taking care of my skin. Years of sun bathing and a serious lack of face washing and skin care have taken a toll. I started using Rodan + Fields last year with the REDEFINE regimen, and fell in love with the anti-aging products. When I had the opportunity to try the REVERSE Regimen- geared toward repairing sun damage and anti-aging – I jumped at the chance. I’ve been using it for two weeks and will share how I feel about it so far with you today, a giveaway soon, as well as an update in one month. I have so much sun damage and really hope to see big results in the coming months as I bring you updates on this skin care review.

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