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Yay, I’m finally ALIVE!  No, seriously – I’ve been in bed and seriously nursing the flu and then a cold for the last week, ringing in the new year in bed.  I finally feel like I can get it together and get on the grind to start 2017.  Hey, I’m only 7 or 8 days late – right? lol.  Since I’m finally moving around and starting the year, I figured I would share my 2017 goals.  These goals consist of those that are personal, blogging or anything in between.  What I love about sharing them here on the blog, is that it kind of holds me accountable and that way I have no excuse but to keep on top of them.  Let’s get started shall we?

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1.)  Lose Weight.  This may seem like a given for anyone, especially those like me in my particular circumstance.  But, the fact is – I’m slowly getting my health back in order and plan to not only continue eating healthier, but also really work on improving my self image and health overall – both physically and mentally.

Sub-goals: Make sure that I a) include more vegetables in my daily meal intake.  b) try to eliminate the carbs and starches that plague me badly – i.e. reduce my rice, noodles and bread intake. c) reduce meal portion sizes while making sure I am eating through the day (my biggest issue is that I don’t have time to eat, so I must make time to eat).  And, d) continue to increase my exercise daily.

2.)  Be smart with purchases.  Only buy new products when I’m running low or when I’ve actually run out of them.  As a makeup addict, I often times find myself ooing and ahhing over the newest thing.  In 2016, I did really well with purchases and didn’t purchase everything and anything that was newly released.  This year, in 2017, I want to incorporate the same but really stick to it.  After destashing  and donating a lot of cosmetic items for 2016, I realized that I need to truly use what I already have.  Money hard earned should be money well spent and buying makeup items only to have them sit since I only have one face, well – I have better things to do with my finances.  I want to continue minimal self spending and splurging and continue to buy less – no matter what it may be… makeup, skin care, planners, pens, whatever.

3.)  Get organized.  This may seem like an easy task for someone like me who likes structure, but the fact of the matter is… I could do so much better.  My desk – while I can find whatever it is I’m looking for, is a mess.  While my time scheduling is organized and structured, my paperwork is a mess and I would love to bring more organization to my household overall.  This may seem like an easy task for one person, but I balance the organization for a whole household of 5 members and I would love to be able to really kick it in gear and get it together.

Sub-goals:  a) I would like to organize the paperwork on my desk and in my files.  Trying to reduce paper clutter and keep it at a minimum, keeping only the papers that are needed.  I would like to come up with a proper filing system so that I have an easier time with paperwork.  b)  I really need to organize our household better.  Each month we take donations and try to keep clutter at a minimum, but I think there is so much more I could do.  And, c) I need to organize my time better.  This is important since I work from  home.  I need to be able to organize my work and home schedule to try and make sure I have enough time in the day to accomplish all the things I need to do.

4.)  Wear my hair down more.  This may seem like something that is already being done in my life… but the fact of the matter is, I still consistently wear my hair up in a bun or pulled back.  I need to embrace my natural curls and my hair and really need to find the time and effort to get it under control so that I can wash and wear it easily – without constantly pulling it up.  Since I wear my hair up so often, I am quite accustomed to not having anything in my face and that in it’s own is a difficult thing to get used to.  My goal is to commit to wearing my hair down at least 2x a week so I can get used to it without sacrificing the “on-the-go” lifestyle I live.

5.)  Wear more dresses or dress up more.  Come on now, I have really never been a dress wearing girl.  I’m a tomboy and will wear a pair of jeans or shorts with a t-shirt as much as possible if allowed.  I would like to dress up a little more or wear more dresses so that I’m not so casual.  There’s nothing wrong with dressing casually – it’s just that I do it so much, I forget what it is like to dress up sometimes.  By putting on a dress or just adding a little more flair to my outfits, I think it would make a world of a difference.

6.)  Eliminate the negativity and keep positive, striving for joy.  This particular goal may seem like an easy one, but trust me when I say it has been anything but easy the last few years.  I would like to do everything in my power to eliminate the negativity and strive for joy.  By keeping the negative nancys out of my personal bubble and keeping positive aspirations, goals and overall happiness in my life – I think I can accomplish this goal.  Spreading joy and happiness where I go while not feeding into others negative thoughts will make a huge difference in my life.

7.)  Back to Lifestyle posts.  Honeygirl’s World is technically a lifestyle blog and boy do I miss it.  I feel like I’ve focused so much on product reviews or beauty and skin care over the last year, that I have lost sight of where my passion lies.  I love sharing new products or reviews with all of you – but I also want to really incorporate more of my life on the blog.  That is how I started blogging to begin with – to document my life’s story.  So, my goal this year is to incorporate at least one lifestyle post a week.  Whether it be to share my weight loss and health journey each week, post Sunday letters or just sum up life with my family each week – it’s my goal to go back to it and keep at it.  Honeygirl’s World is my life, my world and I need to get back to my roots and remember where I started and how I got here.

Of course, a new year comes with new goals and I’m sure I’ll have a plethora more to add to this list as the year progresses. While many of these goals may seem a bit simplistic – it may not be that case for many because it’s all a matter of changing the way one thinks and how they proceed to do things.  Since Honeygirl’s World is a lifestyle site, I plan to come back in the coming months and share how I’m accomplishing these goals and if I have had an positive change.

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I wish all of you reading this a wonderful New Year.  Whether you are making goals for yourself to accomplish or just plan on living life to its fullest, or both – may your year be filled with joy and happiness.

Signature Honey


Disclaimer:  This post may feature affiliate links or referral links.  For more details and outline of my product review disclosures and policies, affiliate links, etc. please visit myDisclosures page. 

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Fall is here!  Hawaii doesn’t get much change in weather – well, it’s colder, but not by much… but it’s still my favorite season… woohoo!  With Fall and colder weather come a change in clothing and accessories and today I’m going to be sharing with you an unconventional one.  Who says a water bottle can’t be the newest fall accessory trend?  I think it’s a great idea.  So, today I’m going to share with you some Fall goods that I think would be a great accessory and make fun and festive holiday gifts too.  While we are all changing out our closets and prepping for the newest beauty and fashion trends, I want you to complete your outfit with the latest and greatest accessory from Contigo.

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Purses, shoes and jewelry are all fabulous things any time of year – but especially during Fall when dressing up is fun for colder weather.  But, Contigo has added a new addition to their line of hydration products and I want to share it with you because I think it’s important to stay hydrated during colder months.  The Purity Petal Glass Water Bottle is a glass bottle that is plastic free and adorned with a flower petal silicone sleeve in bright, vibrant colors.

Retailing for $14.99 this reusable glass water bottle offers style with your hydration.  The BPA-free Purity Glass Water Bottle has a stylish silicone sleeve which really makes this glass bottle so chic and perfect for on the go.  It comes with an attached silicone lid to make this convenient along with a carry loop to ensure that Purity will be ready for you and on your side for on the go.  I love the wide mouth which also makes it easy to add ice to keep your water cold when you’re ready to hydrate.

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The Purity Petal Glass Water Bottle by Contigo features:

  • Made completely of glass, steel and food grade silicone; no plastic parts
  • Contoured wide-mouth design
  • Attached silicone tethered lid
  • Comfortable, stylish non-slip silicone sleeve to help with durability
  • 100% BPA-free
  • Top-rack dishwasher safe
  • 20 oz. capacity
  • SRP $14.99
  • Available in: Very Berry, Scuba, and Grapevine

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If you are someone who loves to drink tea or coffee (that’s me), then the Contigo AUTOSEAL Transit Stainless Steel Travel Mug may be one for you too.  Available in Stainless, Polar White and Matte Black – the AUTOSEAL knows when to close.  It is the ultimate commuter companion and so sleek and chic that it will go with any outfit.  It’s basically the Holy Grail of travel mugs and I love it.  It’s Spill Proof, easy to clean and stays hot for hours on end.  It was thoughtfully engineered with a CleanGuard lid to keep out dirt and germs and is perfect for transit and for a ride.

The AUTOSEAL Transit Stainless Steel Travel Mug retails for $24.99.

So, are you on the lookout for a fun Holiday Gift Idea or just want to add to your list of fashion and stylish accessories this Fall?  If so – I highly suggest checking out these finds from Contigo.  My plan is to pick up a purple one to have on hand of the Purity Bottles because I just love how simple but stylish they are.

You can check out all the info and more on Contigo and their complete line of products here: http://www.gocontigo.com/  And, if you have a coffee or tea drinker or water lover on your holiday gift list, I definitely suggest you get them one of these – it will be a great gift.

Signature Honey

Disclaimer:  The products featured in this post were sent for review consideration.  All opinions are my own, 100% honest & unbiased.  Affiliate links are posted through out.

 

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I have to admit, my husband and I have been using this unit from iTens for quite a few months, maybe 6 months or so… and I’m finally devoting some time to sit down and write about it.  You see, pain is never something I enjoy writing about (who does, anyway?) so putting the effort into writing about something that makes me miserable (PAIN) is not a thing I enjoy doing.  But, I really wanted to share this with you and my thoughts on the iTENS wearable electrotherapy tens unit device.

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The iTENS unit retails for $99.00 and you can select between the Large Wings (pictured above) or the Small Wings.  My husband and I opted for the Large Wings because it gives the maximum coverage for your pain sites and are designed to provide bigger coverage area of pain relief for the back, shoulder and other large treatment areas… all of which are locations that my husband and I experience tremendous and continuous pain.

The iTENS unit will give you up to 24 hours of use per charge for continuous pain relief and the gel pads that come with it are good for 10-12 applications.  Each unit includes the following items:

  • iTENS Device with rechargeable lithium-ion battery (installed)
  • Large Wings with Laser printed silver conductive surface
  • Charging dock with USB charging cable
  • One set of reusable Gel Pads
  • Large Wing Span of 2.5″ x 6.5″

What makes the iTENS so unique is that it brings together wearable technology that meets digital health.  This thin, lightweight and compact unit can be worn discreetly under your clothing and there are no wires to get in the way or get tangled with like a traditional tens unit.  The fun part, is that the device can be easily controlled from the convenience of an app on your smart phone.

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The state of the art APP and an energy efficient lithium-ion battery provide you with exceptional battery life for on the go and daily use while incorporating the advanced technology of TENS electronics.  And, what we enjoy is that the tool and app actually help with managing your pain allowing you to have documentation at your finger tips for how long you used the unit, a way to track your pain results and where your pain is as well as where you applied your iTENS to your body.  The settings for this device is so easy and you can easily apply different types of settings to your device based on your specific pain condition and location.

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The iTENS is an FDA cleared, drug-free alternative for treatment of a variety of pain conditions.  It’s shape is unique in that it allows for flexible and contoured fit around most joints and body parts.  My husband and I especially enjoy that it fits perfectly on our back and in the curves where we need the pain relief.  Like I mentioned previously, it’s very lightweight, thin and comfortable and you get medical grade strength without the prescription.

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Now, I’m not sure if I mentioned before, but my husband and I own several tens unit devices as prescribed by our doctors.  Between the two of us, we probably have 6 total (not included the iTENS) so we have definitely tried many on the market, both medical grade and over the counter.  I love that the accessories to keep up with the iTENS and replacement is affordable.  If you’ve ever had to buy replacement pads for a tens unit, you know that they can get costly and many times only last 2-3 times before the sticky is gone.  The Peel-n-stick Gel pads for iTENS are available in all sizes for the iTENS device wings.  The reusable gel pads are good for 10 applications (as I stated above) and each package contains 3 sets of these gel pads for just $6.99 – which is a good bargain considering you are getting 30+ uses in one gel pad refill box.

The iTENS offers muscle massage and muscle rehabilitation modes so you get the maximum in pain relief for joints and muscles as well as recovery after you have really stressed your muscles from sports, working out, etc.  You also get a variety of accessories for your device so you can decide to get teh Long Strip Accessory which is designed for sciatic nerve, IT band, tendons and other long treatment areas or the small wing, all of which are interchangeable with the original device you have purchased.

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iTENS.com also offers a placement gallery to assist with areas to place your wings.

I realize I have given you an overwhelming amount of information, but I honestly don’t know where to begin or where to start.  I’m absolutely enjoy my iTENS device and my husband and I love the convenience of all the options available to us.  I especially enjoy that the Bluetooth app enables me to use this product without being stopped up by wires or a bulky base that can keep me from really relaxing and enjoying the massage it offers.  Replacement pads and accessories are reasonably priced and offer my husband and I a range of products at our finger tips and most importantly, it works.  After using different tens units over the years, I know that they work well and I enjoy the fact that this one may look discreet and small but it surely packs a punch.  If my husband can get a good massage and pain relief from a device that’s so small and tiny, through his muscles and all – I know anyone could benefit from the iTENS.

Now, yes – I was sent this product for review consideration and yes, I realize that it could seem that my opinion is biased… but let’s be honest here, if you’ve been on my site for a while, you know I have no problem talking about whether or not a product worked for me, whether it was sent for review or not.  I can honestly say I am enjoying this product and so is my husband and we have bought replacement pads twice already.  It’s worth looking into if you experience chronic pain like we do.  And, if you’re over those bulky tens units you have been prescribed, I highly suggest checking this out.  The investment is reasonable and actually quite affordable considering the relief you’ll get in the long run.

You can get more information or purchase an iTENS unit at: http://itens.com/

Thanks iTENS for sending this over to my husband and I.  We love it and look forward to picking up all of the accessories and more.  You have customers for life here.

Signature Honey

Disclaimer:  As stated in the post, I was sent this unit for review consideration and feature.  All opinions are my own, 100% honest & unbiased.  Affiliate links are posted through out.

 

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It’s no secret that I’m a huge water drinker… but as much as I love water, I’m not a fan of it warm or hot unless it’s in coffee or tea.  Years ago my husband and I started carrying our water bottles with us everywhere, but because your typical plastic bottle usually contains some form of BPA, they were not able to be left in the car while shopping and they would get really hot from the sun.  Who wants to drink hot water to rehydrate themselves?  Certainly not me!  Over the last year, my husband and I have invested in the Hydro Flask and it is now a household name.  It is the #1 staple in our house and since all of our boys play sports and my husband and I are avid walkers, we enjoy our bottles.  Today I share with you how I keep cool this summer and why I think this is such an essential item to have.

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You’ve seen it featured in my Thirsty Thursday videos time and time again.  The Hydro Flask has been my number one drinking companion since I first started using it a year ago.  It goes where you go, whether out and about or working out, it will keep your drink ice cold or piping hot for hours.  I am sharing with you the 40 oz bottle but they come in a variety of sizes.  The Hydro Flask is an award-winning global leader in high performance, insulated stainless steel flasks.  They were founded in 2009 in beautiful Bend, Oregon and the company’s mission is to save the world from lukewarm.

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Hydro Flask uses the highest quality 18/8 stainless steel and the Hydro Flask food and beverage flasks are stylish while still offering all the necessities like BPA-free, recyclable and backed by a lifetime warranty.  Hydro Flask believes strongly that great flasks and great causes go hand-in-hand.  Because of this, through its charitable arm 5% back, consumers can allocate a portion of the net profit of their purchase to a charity they choose.  (Learn more about Hydro Flask’s charitable giving here).

Hydro Flask offers a variety of different products that include:

  • Bottles (Ranging from 12 oz to 40 oz)
  • Beer Growlers (64 oz and 32 oz)
  • True Pint (16 oz beer pint)
  • Coffee (12 oz, 16 oz & 20 oz coffee flasks)
  • Food (12 oz and 18 oz food flasks)

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My family and I are huge supporters of the Hydro Flask brand.  Each person in my family owns a 40 oz. bottle.  While each one is an investment (depending on where you buy them they can retail for about $40 for a 40 oz. flask), they are well worth the cost.  During Sports, my sons need to hydrate and keep cool, especially in the warm weather that you get here in Hawaii.

Hydro Flask has Universal Benefits that are great for daily use as well as for anyone:

  • TempShieldTM Protected
  • Keeps hot up to 6 hours
  • Keeps cold up to 24 hours
  • 18/8 Pro Grade Stainless Steel
  • BPA-Free and Phalate-Free
  • Durable, sweat-free powder coat finish
  • Lifetime Warranty

Hydro Flask is known for their Temperature, Taste and Transport.  (temperature) TempShield is used in 100% of Hydro Flask products, which is a unique double wall insulation that protects temperature for up to 24 hours cold and 6 hours hot.  (taste) The 18/8 pro-grade stainless steel won’t retain or transfer flavors, ensuring the pure taste of your beverage. (transport) Proprietary powder coat offers an easy-grip, sweat-free and extra-durable bottle that you can take anywhere.

Unlike other stainless steel bottles my family and I have had in the past, the Hydro Flask bottle is sturdy.  Other bottles have dented quite easily but these have retained its shape for quite a bit.  Of course, if it drops on a hard surface, it can get dinged, but overall it has lasted us quite some time.  I have had my original flask for over a year with minimal damage to it.

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I love that Hydro Flask offers a variety of different accessories for your flask.  A Wide Mouth Straw attachment is a favorite of ours and it allows us to carry our water with ice in it all day.  What is so awesome is that even on a hot day, with my bottle in the car, my flask is still ice cold and most of the time my ice is still wiggling around inside the flask.  The bottle never sweats which makes it perfect to store anywhere without worrying that it will ruin any of my electronics or furnishings and I love how convenient it is to take with us on the go.

When it comes to staying cool and hydrated this summer or anytime of the year, I know I can rely on my Hydro Flask to keep me cool.  It’s the best summer necessity to have and an essential in my book.  We are completely hooked – my husband takes his to work daily and the boys take theirs to school and practice.  It’s definitely something I think you should check out.

It’s an investment for a water bottle – but many times in the past I have left my flask in the sun while out at the beach or in the car and the ice is still there and my water is still very cold hours later.  There are not too many of those types of stainless steel bottles on the market today that can offer you that kind of awesomeness.  Who wants to drink warm water anyway, if not for coffee or tea? lol

You can purchase Hydro Flask products at: http://www.hydroflask.com/

Signature Honey

Disclaimer:  The product featured in this post was sent for review consideration, however – I already owned similar products previously so I’m speaking with experience as someone who has also spent their own money on the products.  All opinions are my own, 100% honest and unbiased.  Affiliate links are posted through out.

 

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The boys and I have been enjoying our summer months together since my husband is usually working on the weekdays.  Come on now, we live on Maui, which has been rated the number 1 Vacation Destination by Conde Nast many years in a row, so we do have a plethora of sites to see and lots of fun to be had.  While we live on the mountain, we experience really hot days so I decided to pack the boys up into the car and take a drive up to Kula to cool down – since the air is much cooler there.  Our journey led us to the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm, a place we have visited many times before – but it’s been years since I bought the twins here, so I decided it would be a perfect place to venture.

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The Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm is located on the slopes of Haleakala and overlooks some of the most beautiful views on the South side of the island.  It is a 25-30 minute drive away from the Kahului Airport (the main airport into Maui) and a popular spot for visitors to stop at and have lunch after watching the sunrise at Haleakala or hiking the crater.  At one time, it used to be free to enter the Lavender farm, so I was surprised to see a guard house at the entry (it was not there my last visit a few years ago) and entry for adults is $2.00.  It’s well worth the cost however.  You can bring your own lunch and have a picnic or hike the grounds for a great adventure.  The air is so cool up there, it was a perfect place for the boys and I to getaway to beat the heat.

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There is a little shop that sells tasty delectables featuring the fresh picked lavender, but the boys and I decided that we would just take in the sites and cool down and head home to eat lunch instead.  We walked around the gardens and admired the fragrant lavender as we took in the sites.

It was a short little adventure, but a beautiful day out so I took this opportunity to take some shots of the boys and my eldest son Kevin helped take a few photos of my casual outfit I wore.

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The best part about our little drive and excursion today was that I was able to spend it with the boys.  They go back to school in about 2 1/2 weeks and this summer break flew by too quickly.  The twins are off to 1st Grade and Kevin is off to 7th Grade.  With Football season starting for all three boys August 1st – I know that times like these will be few in between, so I’m glad we made great use out of our Summer break.

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Kimono Cover up – Forever 21 Plus

Ribbed Tank – Old Navy

Linen Shorts with pockets in black – Torrid.com

Flip flops – Guess Jeweled Slip ons

Watch – Invicta Angel

Sunglasses – Maui Jim Maui (style no longer available)

Nail Polish – Sinful Colors Kylie Jenner Trend Matters Collection in Kozy

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My embedded video above also showcases our dinner for that evening… I made my homemade poor man’s rissotto (recipe coming soon) and we watched a beautiful sunset from our porch to end a wonderful day.  If you’re not following me on Snapchat – my code is in my side bar, come and follow me on my daily journey.  What about you, are you enjoying the summer months?  I’m thankful to live in Hawaii and blessed to have a lifestyle where every day is an adventure and a vacation.

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Since my DSLR hasn’t been working, it’s been really nice to find reasons to take my phone out to practice shooting with it… all the images that you see in this post were taken with my Samsung Note 4.

Signature Honey

Disclaimer:  Everything mentioned or featured was purchased with my own money.  Affiliate links may be posted through out.