I know, I know… new year means, “new me” right? Wrong! I’ve realized that I’ve been looking at getting healthy incorrectly all of these years. I didn’t start putting on my weight till after I had kids, so I guess, you could say that my mentality was a tad bit construed, or maybe I was just lazy. But, this year (I actually started in December 2017), I’m making a change in not only my thoughts and how I view things, but what I’m doing to get to my healthy me. Today I share with you my 2018 Personal Fitness Goals. I whole-heartily agree that a person’s fitness and health goals should be tapered and adjusted, customized and unique to that particular person. We aren’t cookies, so, therefore, we shouldn’t have cookie-cutter goals and routines. Don’t you agree?
Try New Things: I really want to be able to embrace new workouts by trying new things and including a variety of different stuff. By doing so you will encourage your body to continue burning fat for energy and increasing your metabolism. While I know it, I often get stuck in the same rut. My schedule is never my own, so I workout and exercise around everyone else’s time. Because of this, I find myself doing what I know works and that fits within that given time frame. The problem is that my body eventually gets to a standstill and as I plateau, I get discouraged. I have somewhat figured out a way around this. By creating a schedule block of different exercises throughout the week, changing between interval training, cardio and stretching as well as a good walk/jog each week, my body will still be active while still burning fat and building leaner muscle. Adding in additional dance and hip-hop fitness into the mix is a great way to jumpstart the routines as I’m changing them around throughout the month. I’ll test my theory and I’ll get back with all of you on how it has worked for me.
Get Running: I also look at my current fitness and exercise regimen and compare it to what I used to do before. I bet most people didn’t know that I was a runner. I ran cross country and track in middle school and high school. I used to be pretty fast too. After a few ankle injuries in the last 20-25 years and a bad knee, I stopped running or even jogging and it’s been a struggle for me to get back on track. By the end of this year, I want to be able to at least jog without being in so much pain. I have been slowly increasing my walks to a light jog lately and I noticed that it’s a challenge for my aches and pains. But with proper support and effort, I think I can include low impact running into my workout routine before the end of the year.
Planks, Pull ups and Push ups – oh my: Before planks were a popular thing, my Daddy had me doing them along with pull ups and push ups each day. It’s how I kept my core strong and strengthened my arms so that I could paddle my surfboard out to the wave breaks and stand up on the board, balance and catch a wave. It’s been years since I’ve been able to really do any of those things. However, I’ve been slowly incorporating all three into my exercise regimen the last month. I’d love to be able to do planks, push ups and pull ups easily, without having to stop to take a break between each set. I’d also like to be able to do it the challenging way instead of easy. I think by incorporating a little of it in each workout, by the end of the year, I’ll be to able to do it without struggling.
Positive affirmation and goals: You see the photo above? Well, that photo was taken in 1998, back when I was smaller than a size 8 and 125 lbs wet. It seems like a lifetime ago. Obviously, I have had three children (2 pregnancies) and I weigh more than 150 lbs above that weight that I am in that photo. I’m realistic that I can do well and I can lose my weight, tone my muscles and build lean muscle, but, honestly, I will never look the same again. I will have saggy skin once I lose my weight and that’s something I have to deal with, but I will be healthy and happy because I accomplished it all. My biggest fitness goal this year is to use my past body as inspiration, determination and drive to be a healthier person, not using it as a way to bring me down. Our lives are filled with enough negativity and lack of drive, that I want to make sure that I’m not soaking all the bad energy in. I’m doing all of this for a healthier me so that I can be there for my husband and sons. It doesn’t matter what anyone says or the looks they give because it doesn’t feed my drive to be a better me. My goal this year is to keep positivity around me as much as possible so that I can be much more successful in this healthier lifestyle.
Just me on one of my daily walks.
My 2018 Fitness goals are minimal but I believe they will make a huge impact on me. Besides, when we try out new things or focus on things to drive us, sometimes starting off small is the key. What about you? Do you have any fitness goals for this year? Is there anything in particular that you would like to try or incorporate into the year to get you on track?
This post was done in collaboration with some of my favorite Beauty and Lifestyle Bloggers. Head on over to their links below and check them out.
We are literally just a few short days away from celebrating Mother’s Day. As a mother, I look forward to spending this day with my husband and sons because they are the ones that make me a mom, but this year, my eldest son will be off island for a band concert and I’m certainly going to miss him. If you’re wondering why it has taken me so long to share with you a little gift guide as I tend to do each year, well – that’s the reason! I’ve been able to spend this day with all of my boys since they were born so I have been in my own little pity party the last few days knowing that he wouldn’t be home. A few days ago, I realized that I needed to get over myself and be thankful that my husband and sons treat me like Mother’s Day is every day and no special day on the calendar is ever required. So – while I am a bit late at sharing my gift lift with all of you – I figured that I would make this post because any day is a great day to get a treat – right?
The first thing on my list is this gorgeous necklace from The Vintage Pearl which you can find on The Grommet. The Grommet has to be one of my go-to websites for finding unique gifts for my loved ones. This Messy Nest Necklace is a cute treasured keepsake and I absolutely love it. Whether you are getting it for your moms or grandmothers, I’m sure it will be a hit. The necklace starts at $42.00 and is handcrafted in the United States of antiqued silver wire. Each nest is handcrafted and filled with freshwater pearls – one for each child in the wearer’s heart. It’s set on a sterling silver ball chain and can be customized to match the number of children in the family. The creator of The Vintage Pearl is a mom herself and started creating from her kitchen table in hopes to be able to be a stay at home and work from home mom. This is probably one of my favorite pieces to share with you because it’s certainly a sentimental piece. I hope that The Vintage Pearl will offer this in gold one day.
Get a Messy Nest Necklace from The Vintage Pearl here.
Next is another gorgeous piece that can also be found on The Grommet. The Family Tree Necklace by Vintage Stamp Jewels is a great piece that can be worn every day. The delicate family tree charm represents the life connections that matter to each of us. You can choose the color and number of Swarovski crystal charms that accompany your tree. The bezel-set crystals can represent any important moments or people from birthstones of children or grandchildren, milestones and anniversaries or any special date or time that is close to your heart.
You can learn more about this gorgeous piece and get one for yourself or a loved one here.
Now, when I think of Mother’s Day – I always associate a really great face mask as a gift. Here’s the deal, I LOVE an awesome face mask and some of my favorites come from Miss Spa. If you’ve been a long time follower of my blog, then you know I’ve raved and talked about this brand a lot over the years. What I love about Miss Spa is their wide range of masks available for a variety of skin types and textures. You literally can find one to fit your needs or someone you love.
Did I mention that these masks are so affordable? Depending on the type you select, they start at about $4.00 each and go up in price from there and you can easily find a mask that suits you. I definitely love a great face mask for Mother’s Day because I don’t have time for an at Spa pampering so I love doing it at home.
You can learn more about Miss Spa products, purchase your own or get it as a gift here or at your local Ulta or Drugstore.
Bath Bombs are a favorite gift to receive and to give on Mother’s Day. For years my sons and I made creations of our favorite scents and dried flowers to give as gifts, a tradition that my sisters and I did when we were teenagers. One of my long time favorite handcrafted websites for great bath, body and essential oils is Sky Organics. I’ve been using their essential oils for a few years now and I just had to include them in this guide. All moms deserve a little pampering and bath bombs are those little fizzy wonders that just help any mom relax. Sky Organics offers their Organic Bath Bombs Gift Set for just $25.99 (one of my favorites besides my own handmade ones) and it includes 6 beautiful bath bombs in an assortment of scents – Caribbean Coconut (my favorite), Lavender Lemon Muffin, Love Potion, Mermaid Kiss, Strawberry Milkshake and Sugar Rose. These beauties are made in the USA and each bath bomb has a net weight of 5 oz. It’s a total steal for sure.
If bath bombs aren’t your thing, then be sure to check out their wide range of essential oils. They offer a set with all of their oils for just $50. Did I mention they also provide FREE SHIPPING. Head on over to their website here for more information.
LATHER is another company I recommend to anyone and they offer gift sets that are perfect for Mother’s Day or any day of the year. Their Dream On set ($58.00) includes their blue chamomile foaming bath treatment, lavender aromatherapy candle, Art of Tea sleep tea handcrafted loose leaf tea (organic), tea infuser, quiet night relaxing balm, eye mask, and a reusable gift box. All of these essentials are perfect for treating mom to a night of a little peace, quiet and relaxation. With my sleepless nights and insomnia, this kid would be the absolute perfect way for me to just settle down and relax.
Learn more about LATHER’S gift sets and products here.
I’ve been swooning over IT Cosmetics the last few months now and I knew I just had to include some of these beauties. Honestly, I’ve been totally stalking IT Cosmetic’s website now making a VERY LARGE wish list of items I want to try. I have literally only tried their Je Ne Sais Quoi Lip Treatment and Bye Bye Under Eye, so I find that this portion of my post has an ulterior motive for me… hehehe! Maybe my friends and family who see this will snatch something from IT for me for Mother’s Day. Hey, one can hope, right. j/k! This year IT Cosmetics is offering a bunch of IT girl essentials that will literally have your Mom feeling her most beautiful on this special day and always.
The Your BeautifulBasics Airbrush 101 5-Piece Face and Eye Getting Started Brush Set $58 is the perfect set for any makeup loving addict. Every woman needs a great basic brush set in her makeup bash and the Airbrush 101 is how you get started with it all. Blend, blur, buff and perfect for a flawless airbrushed finish with a brand of brushes that are known to be super soft and luxurious.
Now – of course, makeup brushes are definitely my thang so I had to share with you the Face & Eye Essentials Mini 5-Piece Face and Eye Travel Brush Set. This set retails for $30 and it wold be a great hit for Mom. An awesome powder, eye shadow brushes and liner brush can help you get ready in a flash. Four brushes are included to line, define, smoke out and blend. Plus, you get an all-over complexion brush for all the basics from foundation to blush and illuminizer. This is a great kit that includes the tools to get that fab look.
The Je Ne Sais Quoi Lip Treatment ( I just mentioned about how this is one of the products I have tried from IT) is also a great gift selection. But, this NEW Je Ne Sais Quoi Lip Treatment is now available in Rose. It contains the essential butters and oils, hyaluronic filling spheres and antioxidants for your softest and smoothest looking pout while it flushes your lip to the perfect rosy pink. The original is my go-to when I’m in a rush or not feeling makeup but want a little color to my lips. It’s definitely something I’d buy for my mom and something I’d love to receive as a gift. It retails for $24.00
Lastly from IT Cosmetics, I wanted to share with you the Bye Bye Pores Blush (retail $24). This award-winning Bye Bye Pores formula is infused with optical-blurring pigments which instantly diffuse the look of pores and discoloration. It’s filled with skin-loving ingredients like anti-aging silk, hydrolyzed collagen, antioxidants, and peptides which will give any Mom (any body) a youthful flush. I definitely think this is perfect for me or my mom because we love a great blush and anything that is infused with ingredients we love, well – it’s definitely a must have.
You can purchase any of these products on IT Cosmetics website here.
Who says hair products and tools don’t make great gifts? Not me! I would love to get a fab hair tool for Mother’s Day so I figured I would include something that would help mom eliminate the “hair tool storage” and get a 3 in 1 that can do the trick. The CHI Ellipse 3-in-1 Styling Iron is a great tool to make convenience mom’s game. You can create a multitude of looks using this very versatile styler that includes 3 styling options in one tool. With Teflon and Titanium plates to create smooth and sleep styles on a non-stick surface. You can great smooth hair, curls and waves with just one tool. The styler has adjustable temperature settings that heat up to 410 °F / 210 °C. It has a ceramic heater for consistent temperature and an LED touch sensitive temperature control and display. You also get a temperature lock feature (oooh… fancy) and a 1 hour shut-off. I also love that it comes with it’s own glove, so you have everything you need for the perfect hair style. The CHI Ellipse 3-in-1 Styling Iron retails for $110 but the price is reasonable considering the quality of the product and the fact that you can use it for more than one style.
You can learn more about this tool or grab one for yourself or your mom here.
This next gift idea is untraditional, but definitely something worth mentioning. The Revolar Instinct (I’ll have a full review on this product in the next week or so) has been a very important part of my everyday. Retailing for $80, this little device can be the perfect gift in a big way. The Revolar is a product that is brand new (the Indiegogo campaign has just completed) but a tool that I think is very worth the while. It’s a quarter sized connect button that with 1-3 clicks, the Instinct can send different custom alerts to friends and family to let them know where the user is and what level of help they need. Unfortunately, sexual assault is on a rise here in the United States and violence against women is at an all-time high. You can send help to your location with a few clicks of this wearable device. It not only empowers you to be proactive about your safety, but this little Instinct will help ou stay in touch with loved ones as well. Did I mention it also tracks your steps? There are no chords, and easy to use device and you can replace a battery in about a year so you don’t have to worry about charging it. Last year my mom was sitting in a parking lot when someone tried to attack her. Luckily she was in her car and was able to escape. When I was 4 years old, a man attempted to kidnap me, I was in his car and he was about to drive away when my dad stopped him in his tracks. Devices like this are easy to use and definitely worth it. I wish I had one for each person in my family. I had to share this with you because it’s a gift I think that would be invaluable to any mom and anyone. Like I said, a full review will be coming soon – so stay tuned.
Learn more about the Revolar Instinct and find out how to get one for yourself here.
I’ll be honest, as a mother, I can honestly say that any type of gift is such a wonderful sentiment, but I never expect it. I think that Mother’s Day is every day of the year for me and I’m so lucky to call myself a mom. I love creating handmade gifts for my mom and my mother in law from all of us because I think it’s special and I’m quite good with a glue gun. Little flowers or hairpins decorated in fabric or paper always seem to make our loved ones happy. At the end of the day – a gift should come from the heart, whether purchased or made. My sons make me handmade cards each year and I cherish them with all my heart.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
I want to remind you that Mother’s Day is every single day of the year. If you’ve been following me a while then you know that I believe this to be so with Valentine’s Day too. Hmmm… I wish Christmas and birthdays were every day of the year also, hahaha! Anyway – no matter the gift or sentiment you give to the moms in your life, make it special. This last minute gift guide was not intended to be late, but I’m reminded that a present for mom doesn’t have to be given only one day a year so even if you miss picking up one of these for that special lady in your life – feel free to use this as a guide to put together a special treat for her at anytime.
I want to take this time to wish all of the mommies out there (whether you have human children or fur babies) a wonderful Mother’s Day this Sunday. May your day be filled with lots of love and hugs and a whole lot of warmth and happiness.
“To the world you are a Mother, but to your family you are the World.”
Disclaimer: Some of the products featured in this post were sent for review consideration, while others were purchased with my own money. All opinions are my own, 100% honest & unbiased, as with anything you see on this site. Affiliate links may be posted throughout.
No matter how old my boys get, I find myself still utilizing many of the items that I had for them when they were babies. Since I’m a work from home and stay at home mom, the number one thing I find I still use is a diaper bag. Now, hold on – obviously I’m not going to be using this particular bag to hold diapers, the boys don’t use those, ha ha! But, I don’t use my old diaper bags in the traditional sense. I turn my diaper bags into work and planner bags so I can take my work on the go. About 5 months ago I was sent this very cool bag from CiPU and today I’m going to share my thoughts on this accessory as well as how I utilize it for my personal use. It may not be traditional, but it’s functional and we all know I love anything that offers function to my life.
Now, it’s no secret that I’m a laid back simpleton, basically – I’m a casual gal. So when I can find something that works for me… I’m excited. I was contacted by CiPU and asked to try out this “diaper bag” and if I enjoyed it, if I could kindly provide a review. Here’s the deal – since I was using my Coach Diaper Bag from the twins as my work bag, I thought to myself… “hmm, this will be interesting to see how it would work for me.” And, so I accepted.
CiPU is pronounced – ‘Shee’ (translated to “happiness” in Chinese) and ‘Pu’ (translated to “store” in Chinese) like “shee” in sheet and “PU” in put.
CiPU was founded in 2009 by a group of mothers and brand owner Jarrah, all of whom had one shared inspiration – an idea to gift mothers love, happiness and affection. CiPUs focus is on style by exploring colors and patterns to suit every occasion, however – each bag is full of functionality (you see that word there, it’s golden to me) and created to meet a mother’s everyday needs.
“The Bowknot in their logo represents the ribbon on a gift, meanwhile it also looks like an “infinity” symbol. Since children are such a precious gift and a parent’s devotion to their children are testimonies of “infinitive love” the bowknot symbolizes infinite love and the power of gifts in a single wish, a wish that every mother can enjoy blissful, long-lasting memories with their children – the greatest gift in life.”
Each CiPU bag is hand-crafted with lots of love and many of the bags are limited in quantity since they only make a few of each design. They are each made from environmentally friendly materials and I love that CiPU offers Free US Delivery. All CiPU bags were created with different styles and patterns to focus on women because mother’s are still women and looks matter. Perfect for function while providing lightweight carryalls to take the load off your shoulders.
Check out my video review and come chit chat about this bag with me. My video can be found here or embedded below.
Lightweight | Stylish | Easy Cleaning | Organizable | Large Compartments | Water repellent
CiPU offers a variety of bags to fit the mothers’, fathers’ and even babies’ style. From Large tote bags like the one I have here to diaper backpacks in every type of color and design. I have my eyes set on a camouflage one, a plain black bag and the Leopard next. Let’s talk a little about this awesome diaper bag shall we?
I have the CiPU Tote Diaper Bag in Heather Gray (Large). This bag retails for $158.80 and comes with 13 large compartments to hold all of my necessities. Now, as I mentioned before, I’m not using this bag as a diaper bag, but as my work bag so this is perfect to host all of my planner supplies, planners and even my laptop and tablet all fit inside perfectly.
This bag features 1 hidden compartment (which I love to put the boys wipes in or even store their dirty clothes while out and about so it doesn’t mess up any of my papers. You also get the following accessories to go with your bag:
Personal belongings pouch – this pouch comes with detachable straps and you can use this to store your diapers, wipes and changing mat. I use this particular pouch to store my tablet for safe keeping and a few notebooks.
Foldable Changing Mat – this soft and easy to clean mat is perfect for changing baby, but again – I use this bag for work – so this changing mat is used as a little sitting mat for me when at the park or in case I want to put my bag down without sitting it directly on the floor. It’s machine washable which makes it perfect for on the go.
Retractable Key Hold – probably my favorite thing now to keep my eyes on hand at any given time.
Chest Strap – this helps to keep my strap in place to prevent slip-downs
Slip Proof Should Straps – these soft on the shoulder straps are great and comfy. It made long hours at the airport easy because my arms were not sore from carrying my bag too long.
Stroller Clips – These are great to clip to a wagon or stroller to keep your bag with you. I use it to attach to my sports cart so I am not taking up real estate of the wagon with my bag.
The material is very soft and easy to spot clean or wash should I need it. I love that this bag is water repellent (inside & out), especially since I always take it with me, that way I don’t have to worry about spills. This bag comes with a gorgeous hot pink and bright lining which makes it so easy to be able to see inside and grab everything that I need at any time. And, since this bag is made of quick dry material – it helps to prevent mold (so you don’t have to worry much about spills from milk bottles or juice causing mold if you don’t get it dried up quickly.) This bag is perfect for outdoors – whether rain or shine and I love that it’s so easy to take with you.
The CiPU Large Tote is very lightweight at just 1.2 lbs. – one of the lightest on the market. And, remember how I said CiPU offers different bags for different personalities and sizes, your littles can have their own little backpacks too.
So, now that you have a bunch of information to make an informed decision on whether or not this bag is for you… let me keep it real for you all. This bag is costly, but I am a handbag lover and most of my bags cost well over this amount already so I would spend this money in a heartbeat – especially after my great experience with this one over the last 5 months or so. When it comes to how I spend my money, I tend to look at things as an investment. These bags are an investment in not only your style and longevity of having them, but your comfort. They are easy to carry and hold, giving you various options and so easy to clean. As a busy mom, I know that the last thing we want to be doing is scrubbing a bag of strains or water spills. While I don’t currently use it strictly as a diaper bag, I know the quality of the bag will hold up in that if and when I should have another child – I’ll be able to use this. I also love that this is functional for me and allows me to use this as a “mommy bag” no matter the age of my children. I can carry all my work stuff inside while still have a ton of room for mommy stuff too – whether it be wipes, extra clothes, toys, books for reading on the go or games – whatever tickles your fancy.
We all know I am brutally honest here and I have to say – Yes, this bag is worth the cost and definitely high quality. Like I mentioned before – I have my eyes on a few others and I plan to get them.
Check out my video review:
You can check out the full range of products available at: https://www.cipu.us/
So what about you, have you heard of CiPU before and do you think you could utilize something like this? Are you a mommy looking for a little more help in the organizing and diaper bag compartment? Comment below and share your thoughts with me.
Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for review consideration. All opinions are my own, 100% honest & unbiased. I was not paid to provide my thoughts or to feature this product. Affiliate links are posted through out.
It’s that time of year again – Valentine’s Day is approaching. Now, I’m kind of late the punch in getting this post up this year, but I digress… and it’s getting done anyway, right? I’ve said this time and time again, but while my husband and I celebrate Valentine’s Day, we both feel that our love for one another should be shown and given every single day of the year – every day of our lives. Let’s face it, some of you may find that corny, but the fact of the matter is… we shouldn’t need a holiday to celebrate love, right? Regardless, each year I share a great little gift guide for you – whether you decide you are going to take advantage of it for the holiday or any time of the year or use it to treat yourself, it’s entirely up to you. So, without further adieu, let’s get into some Valentine’s Gifts shall we?
Let’s talk about rings… jewelry per say. Now, if you’ve been a follower of this blog for a while, then you know that my husband is a law enforcement officer. Over the years we have looked for rings that he can use that are not only stylish, but that will allow him to be able to use his rings to work. In the type of job he has, a metal, gold or silver band can injure the finger and are a huge safety concern. While it’s allowed for them to use it, it’s suggested that they use a silicone band to help protect against injury and to aid in safety. That’s where FX8 (Fixate) comes in to play. These fun silicone ring bands are made of Premium Medical-Grade Silicone. They are stylish, functional and definitely durable. The are comfortable to wear with a tapered dome design and are available in Men’s & Women’s styles and sizes. I like the fact that they offer custom engraving and these rings are designed for an active lifestyle.
Outside of work, we can use our regular wedding rings, but while my husband is at work, I know that this ring will work well for him. Athletes, racers, extreme sports participants, fitness and gym trainers, mechanics, military personnel, construction and factory works and law enforcement officials all enjoy wearing these.
Each Fixate ring comes with a durable ring bag with a rugged metal “S” clip that is large enough to fit your drivers license, credit card, cash, ring and earbuds. They are priced reasonably, starting at $19.95+ and while they are not the ideal choice for many, in our instance, it works for my family and our lifestyle. They come in a variety of different colors too – so I think they are perfect for anyone and they are definitely an affordable, cost effective choice.
Get your FX8 bands here: https://fixatedesigns.com/
Now, I consider Valentine’s Day to also be Gal-entine’s Day. A fun way to celebrate your lovely gal pals is by giving them a little treat for themselves. Let’s face it, most of us love makeup and what better way to have a little fun and treat ourselves and our gals by giving them some makeup delights. Bodyography is a new to me brand, as well as Omega Labs USA. I thought this would be an awesome time to share the products with you while giving some ideas for shade choices that make great gifts.
Looking for a classic red lipstick? Try out Bodyography’s Lipstick in Red China ($17.00 – 0.13 oz/3.7g). I talk about how I think red lips are so enduring and this shade is showstopping. With a satin matte finish, this gorgeous and long lasting lipstick is super-pigmented and contains moisturizing Aloe Vera as the base to help protect the lips from signs of aging. Rich mineral pigments provide amazing color payoff and you can find a variety of shades in ranges from pinks to purple and nudes as well as finishes of creams, shimmers, sheers and satin mattes.
The Bodyography Glitter Pigments ($23.00 – 0.105 oz/3g) are also a great choice for a little sparkle any time of year. These one of a kind eye shadows are made with a technology that incorporates the saturation of a loose pigment, the cushion of a cream, and the silkiness of a powder. These gorgeous pigments are high glitter with a gorgeous pearl finish.
This gorgeous shade I have here is called Halo. It’s a very shimmery and sparkly silver that reminds me of tinsel. This color is quite bold but would make a wonderful eye lid topper to add a little sparkle and shine or popped right into the inner corner of the eye to brighten the eyes while adding a little sparkle.
There are eight colors to choose from total. A little of this product will go a long way and I definitely suggest applying this product wet or foiled using a synthetic brush or with your finger and utilizing tapping motions when applying the product to the lid or where ever you want to go. This is not your usual mica style pigment where it is finely milled. These pigments are much more glittery so using these as a standalone shadow may pose some challenges. But, they are glittery and gorgeous and I think definitely something fun for anyone to try. Besides… we all love glitter, don’t we ladies?
I love getting nail polish as gifts and these gorgeous polishes from Omega Labs are long wearing lacquers available in a wide array of high fashion shades. Omega Labs lacquers are free of DBP, Toluene, Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin and Camphor. I have the color 389 Peek-A-Boo, a gorgeous nude toned soft peach shade is that is perfect for every day wear or a night out on the town. The shade is neutral and gorgeous. Omega Labs Nail Lacquers retail for $7.00 (0.44 fl.oz.)
Now, I obviously couldn’t leave out a little bath and body action, right? I mean come on… nothing says Valentine’s Day like a little body treatment. One of my favorite Bath & Body brands, FarmHouse Fresh released this gorgeous Whoopie! Deluxe Gift Set that features the White Velvet Hand and Body Creams, Body Wash and Candle all of which have the irresistible whoopie pie aroma. Let me just say – this is a set that I love and have purchased one for each of my sisters this year. I know they will LOVE it.
Packaged in a “ready to gift” box, this Deluxe Gift Set offers one of my favorite fragrances from FarmHouse Fresh. I am loving the buttercream aroma that wafts through the air when I open any of these products. This gorgeous set includes these wonderfully smelling delectables (do not eat them) amd retao;s fpr $54.00. I can’t rave enough about this set and I loved it so much the last month that I had to pick up a set for each of my sisters (I have two) because I know they would love it. With moisture boosting properties in each of these and a great smelling candle to fill a room with a sweet fragrance, I’m a happy camper.
*I plan to have a review detailing each product in the next week or so, so stay tuned for that.
This this set and so much more at: http://www.farmhousefreshgoods.com/
Not everyone is into body care, makeup and jewelry – but house decor is always something fun. That’s why I am recommending a gorgeous Mandala Tapestry from Rajrang. Whether you decide to get a Single, Double or Round tapestry these are just gorgeous pieces of art. I use mine as a throw, but you can definitely use it anyway you please. A few popular ways are to use them as a wall hanging, home decor and in some cases, just like me – some may want to use this as a layout blanket. I have taken it to the park or beach to lay on while reading a book. These are made of a good quality fabric and are absolutely gorgeous. Did I mention these were affordable? I even like using these as backdrops to my videos and photos because they are so easy to work with. Starting at about $10.00+, these beauties would make a great gift for anyone, anytime of the year.
Purchase a gorgeous mandala tapestry for you or someone you love at: https://www.rajrang.com/
Last on my list is some gorgeous fragrances from DefineMe which I think would make an absolutely wonderful gift for any of your gal pals. This is the Girls’ Night Set which includes the Audry and Sofia Isabel fragrances for $74.00. This gorgeous set includes a combination of romantic florals and sweet intoxicating citrus.
Audry’s notes include: jasmine, peony, rose and sandalwood
Sofia Isabel’s notes include: mandarin, black currant, jasmine and sugar.
Layered together this set is a wonderful fragrance I absolutely enjoy wearing and I think many of my girlfriends would enjoy this as a gift.
Now that I have shared a few favorites with all of you, I think you’ll have a list of fab items you could share with a loved one or pick up for your best friend or yourself. I often get asked why it is that my lists like these are so odd and often times provide “interesting” items. Here’s the deal… I love sharing a variety of products with all of you and many times I select them based on the fact that they are what I’m liking, enjoying and are favorites at that time or any given moment. These are just suggestions of products I’ve tried, purchased or that I was sent to try and I like. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide if this is something you may want to check out for yourself or to buy as a gift. I also didn’t include many “male friendly” items in this gift collection this time around, mainly because I am just not sure what the hubby would like this year so I’m at a lost as to what to suggest. Remember, like I said before – Valentine’s Day should be considered an “every day” kind of holiday. Love should be celebrated each and every day. Heck, my husband and I do it and it is a part of who we are. No matter what you decide, make your Valentine’s Day something special – even if it means just treating yourself to something you like.
Happy Love Day, Every Day!
Check out some of my previous posts over the years for Valentine’s Day inspiration:
Disclaimer: Some of the products featured in this post were sent for review consideration while some were purchased with my own money. All opinions are my own, 100% honest & unbiased. Affiliate links are listed through out.
“This post was sponsored by Folgers as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines…
Even if I do share a lot of things online about myself – I’m sure there are a variety of things that you had no idea about. Let’s face it, while I love to share with all of you, my entire life is not completely an open book. Every so many years I do a post similar to this one and I’ve always enjoyed it. This time around I figured, why not have a little fun and share with you 10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Me. Some of these things may have been mentioned before while others, probably not… but today – I’m sharing with you a few fun tidbits about who I am. Hope you enjoy it.
1. I am not a fan of mayonnaise. I say “not a fan” but before I had my children – I hated it somewhat. You could probably put it in a sandwich and so long as it was light, I would eat it… but there was a time when I couldn’t look at it, smell it or even touch it. I can stand it now and put it in sandwiches or even make potato salad with it, but before I had children – the look of it made my stomach upset and often times the smell made me want to hurl. I could smell it a mile away and it made me absolutely nauseated. This is not a recent dislike… my entire life I remember not liking it and my mom said I didn’t like mayonnaise since I was about 3 years old.
2. I can’t wink or whistle to save my life. Well – I might be able to fake a whistle somewhat – but anyone who can, would probably laugh at me. Winking? Nope – it looks more like closing my eyes completely. My Chinese blood kicks in and I fail miserably at it. Thank goodness my husband is a great winker… because I suck at it. lol
3. Growing up I had a stuttering problem. Hah, I bet you wouldn’t have known from watching my YouTube videos or maybe you had no clue – but it’s true. With the help of my teachers and my parents I was able to learn to get past my insecurities and anxiety that caused it. Sometimes when I’m really nervous (usually when I’m afraid) or my anxiety kicks in, you can hear it in my voice. Thankfully, I’ve been able to get passed it some what and it’s a rare occasion when it slips, but it does happen from time to time.
Can you find me in the audience?
4. I’ve had the awesome opportunity to meet the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. I felt it was something I wanted to share today since we are literally 24 hours from the Inauguration of our 45th President. Mr. & Mrs. Obama are not only loving individuals, but they are great with children. I had a conversation with their secret service the same day and they told me that the Obamas love kids and children are always welcomed. Since the twins were toddlers when we visited the White House, I was worried that they would not be welcomed. But my eldest & the twins were greeted with open arms and my sons loved the company of the Obamas. We will surely treasure that moment for the rest of our lives.
Do you recognize that curly head of hair in the right of this photo? I’m holding Luke after talking with the President.There’s that curly head of hair again, this time after meeting and talking with First Lady Michelle Obama.
5. I was almost kidnapped at the age of 4. I was playing in our yard which was fenced and locked in when a taxi driver pulled up next to the fence and persuaded me to follow him for some candy. Now mind you, this was back in 1984 when it was fairly safe to play in your own yard. My dad and mom had walked into the house to grab something and as my dad was coming out of the house, the man was putting me into the back seat of his taxi. My dad approached him, got me out of the car and well… let’s just say the guy was injured somewhat after that. Unfortunately no charges were brought against him because he didn’t actually “drive away” and told the police that he was just trying to protect me… yeah, right! Needless to say, it made my parents outlook on life as well as mine a bit different that day and that’s why I’m quite protective of my children.
6. My senior year in high school I was selected to represent Hawaii in the Miss Teen USA Pageant. Sadly, after going through all of the paperwork and getting things together, I had to decline my overall participation due to financial circumstances. I was a bit bummed, but realized that no matter how much fundraising I did, I wouldn’t make the deadline to attend. Because no one else was selected to take my place, the Hawaiian islands were not represented that year in the pageant. I wish that they had offered more opportunities for scholarship or sponsorship back then, but I’m just thankful that I had the experience.
7. I am a believer in Happily Ever After and Forever and I’m a hopeless romantic. In a time when divorce seems to be normal chit chat in a conversation, here I am trying to show everyone that true love and ever after are more than just fairy tale talk. This coming September, my husband and I will be together as a couple for 20 years and this April we’ll be married for 16 years. I started dating him when I was a Senior in high school. We’ve been through thick and thin and just about everything under the sun, including near death on many occasions, but I wouldn’t want to experience anything without him. Many people think I’m weird, but I find that true love is not weird and it does exist! No need for diamonds, pearls or material things… I am happy and thankful with a rose or flower picked from a garden or thoughtful cards and gestures. I just love being in love <3
8. I absolutely love photography. Prior to working on my blog more on a full-time schedule, I did wedding, nature and portrait photography for about 8 years. I enjoyed the job, but like being a makeup artist, being on your feet all day is probably one of the most difficult stresses you can put on the back. I do miss it, but since I no longer have my equipment, I don’t take on new clients. All of my blog posts and videos are shot with my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and I certainly couldn’t show up to a wedding just carrying my phone – lol.
My favorite image that I’ve captured of my boys. They are not so little anymore.This image was obviously enhanced, but it was taken using one of my favorite lenses for portraits – the 24-70mm. This lens creates some of the best bokehs.
9. I have five different nationalities, but besides guessing that I’m Hawaiian, no one really guesses it right. I am Hawaiian, Portuguese, Filipino, Chinese and German. While traveling across the United States I’ve been asked if I am a mix of African American and Puerto Rican or African American and Korean. I’m neither, but think it’s really cool that because of my features I’m often mistaken for something else. I grew up in a melting pot of nationalities so I think a mix of races is always a cool thing.
10. Speaking of nationalities, many people think that because I’m Hawaiian, then Hawaiian food like kalua pig, poi and fish are my favorite foods. Well – don’t get me wrong, I LOVE fish and seafood, but believe it or not… my favorite food is Italian. I LOVE pasta and absolutely can’t get enough of it. It’s probably one of my downfalls to losing my weight because I’m all about that pasta life. Pizza is probably one of my all-time favorite foods and I don’t think my love for Italian food will ever change. It’s been my favorite since I was a little girl and I believe it always will be.
So there you have it, 10 things you probably didn’t know about me, or maybe you did… but I elaborated on them a little more. I tend to be an open book most of the time, but I always love sharing new and exciting things or old things about myself. I love posts like these because I find that I not only learn more about a person, but you get a feel for who it is you are reading about. I hope you enjoyed this little share and I look forward to sharing more of me with all of you.
Wishing you all a wonderful day.
xo
Disclaimer: Affiliate Links may be posted through out. This is not sponsored and I am simply sharing my life with all of you. Please note that affiliate links are how my site is run as I make a small percentage off your purchase if you decide to click on the links. You are under no obligation to click on any of the links through out this post.
