I received samples of Balance Bars for the purpose of reviewing them and posting this giveaway. All opinions are my own – this is not a sponsored post.
One of my favorite evening snacks (and it’s rare that I don’t have one) is a crumbled up bar stirred into my favorite sugar-free chemical-laden Jello pudding. I’m always up for trying new varieties! So I was very excited to be sent such an array of Balance Bars for review – and giveaway! – purposes.
I received complimentary Tuttorosso Tomatoes to use for this post. This is not a sponsored post and all opinions are my own.
After doing my post for Redpack Tomatoes, I was approached by another brand from the Red Gold family – Tuttorosso Tomatoes, to do something similar. (That includes a GIVEAWAY at the end of this post by the way.)
Special delivery!
That means I received another tomatoe-y gift pack – but this one with a nifty tote, which has since then obviously been used to tote around wine.
Disclosure: I have received promotional consideration and a free salon service from Hair Cuttery.
I love living in Boston, but something I’ve noticed about living here compared to Connecticut? Beauty services are more expensive! Even my nail polish changes are a couple bucks more expensive…and don’t even get me started on hair! I still see my go-to CT hairdresser for highlights, but not often enough to keep split ends from running my hair ragged. So when Hair Cuttery reached out to me about trying out their services, I was all over visiting for a trim – and a special style surprise at the end!
A visit to the salon locator revealed to me a Hair Cuttery just around the corner from me. I’d walked right by it many a time and never noticed it!
I received complimentary product coupons for review purposes. I received no monetary compensation for this post and opinions are my own.
Firstly, let me announce the winner of my Redpack Tomatoes giveaway…it’s Annie of Avocado Athlete! Congrats, girl!
Now I know it seems a bit meh for me to do two product/giveaway posts in a row, but I’m keepin it real: both were due this week, and I do like to give you guys a chance to win products that I actually enjoy. And I seriously enjoyed (and am still enjoying, because there’s some Smart Dogs in my freezer right now waiting to be used) Lightlife veggie products! I have been a fan of cooking with vegetarian “meat” for awhile, and was excited for the chance to try a new brand.
I received a pair of Asics for the purpose of this review. This is not a compensated post and all opinions are my own.
Shortly after my review of JD Sports and the Asics I got from them, the Asics brand folks themselves contacted me about reviewing the Runner’s World Best Debut Running Shoe of Fall 2014 – the GEL-Pursue. I’d so far had success with my first pair of Asics helping my shin splints, so I was open to trying out another style. The GEL-Pursue is “neutral, but responsive”.
The ankle/heel definitely had plenty of that responsive cushioning, but the shoe itself felt very flexible and easy to move in. After just one three miler, I knew I wanted to try out a long run in these shoes. And after that one long run, I knew I wanted to run my first half marathon in them!
The following post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of PUMA.
Fitfluential has given me the opportunity to receive another set of PUMA fitness apparel (you can see my first PUMA campaign post here) as part of a campaign. Unfortunately the timing of shipments didn’t work out in my favor. I signed up for the campaign back when I was still living in CT, and by the time the Bubble XT Tribal sneakers arrived, I’d already moved out! I haven’t had a chance to try them yet, but wanted to get my post up, so I’ll just fill you guys in on the basic info that was sent to me: stylish design, light-weight cushion technology. And my info: PURPLE. That’s freaking awesome. Once I do get my hands on them (I’ll be home to grab them this weekend) I’ll be able to actually tell you all what I think. You can read another Fitfluential Ambassador’s review here – thanks Clare!
Pink and purple are my top two favorite colors, so I was psyched when I opened the clothing package (which arrived before I moved – phew!) and saw only those two colors. I love the mesh on the sides of the sports bra (which is called Gym-licious and that makes me cringe a bit) and wearing it with the Gym Loose Top was perfect because of the top’s open back. With a bra like that, I want to show it off! The top definitely felt a little cumbersome at times because of how flowing it is, but I enjoyed wearing it to spin classes.
I was provided a complimentary class for review purposes. Opinions of the experience are my own.
After mentioning I was looking for a gym in Boston (I’ve since joined Boston Sports Club), I was contacted by The Studio Empower and asked to come in and try out a class. Located in Newton, the studio features the Lagree Fitness method and its tricked-out version of the pilates reformer. Each class is 45 minutes long and entails total body conditioning.
That thing looks intimidating, and it sure scared me at first, but my instructor Mo was so helpful and a very patient guide. The little yellow and red knobs on the machine affect the amount of resistance for each exercise and she was sure to let the class know her suggestions. She corrected my form a few times so that I’d get the most out of each exercise. The class was full and I like how small each one is, because that ensures the instructor can make sure everyone is using proper form and getting the most possible out of the workout.
I received a complimentary jar of body butter for review purposes. All opinions are my own. This is not a sponsored post.
I’m back again this week with another preservative-free beauty product review and giveaway! But this one is all the more special to me because though the product is not made locally, it is made by a local. Huh? The company – Ellovi – was co-founded by former Glastonbury resident and fellow GHS graduate Kelly Winterhalter!
Yours truly topping the pyramid, and Kelly on the left with her tongue sticking out, at her high school grad party!
Nowadays, looking tres glam! Source
I received a copy of “Raising My Rainbow” free of charge for my participation in this book club. The book link below is an affiliate link.
It’s time for another From Left to Write book club post (though I’m getting this one up a bit late – oops!) and I’m excited this time to be writing alongside some blends! For those who missed my last post, From Left to Write encourages blogging not a review of each book, but a post on anything the book inspired. Yes, anything! I’m here today to write about gender stereotypes and kids, an obvious choice given the description of Lori Duron’s Raising My Rainbow:
“Parenting is not an easy job, but what happens when your son loves to wear dresses and plays with toys marketed for girls? Lori Duron encounters this and much more with her youngest son, CJ. In Raising My Rainbow: Adventures in Raising a Fabulous, Gender Creative Son, Duron shares her discovery about CJ’s gender non-conformity and how her family accepts him for who he is.”
Lori (before this book, she had and still has her blog of the same name) and her husband, Matt, do a great job of not pushing CJ to continue in typical “boy sports” he tries and quickly loses interest in. She mentions that if he asks her to take dance or art classes, she will enroll him and not try to change his mind. That’s great, but it also got me thinking about the amount of “gender-conforming” activities young boys (versus young girls) have available to them.
I received a complimentary Kona Kase to review as a participant in a Fitfluential campaign. All opinions are my own. This is not a compensated post.
You may recall from my first Kona Kase review that while I liked some of the products in my June Kase, I did not feel overall that the $15 price provide me a good value. I noticed a lack of variety (four bars!) and also felt the contents were geared toward endurance athletes (and I am surely not one). One of the founders, Taylor, sent out an email to the Fitfluential Ambassadors who participated in the campaign, asking if we wanted another Kase (July) to review. Of course my answer was yes – why not?!
As always the product-listing card that comes with each Kase is appreciated!
Though I still didn’t find a use for every product (some were still geared towards endurance athletes, so I gave those to a co-worker who loves biking), I certainly was more satisfied this time around with the amount of products I COULD actually see myself using, along with the variety.
I’m a 28 year old full-time working girl living in Boston (previously lived in Connecticut). I’m passionate about food/drink, restaurants, self-love, fitness, and the ever-present search for balance. I write about that journey on this blog – I hope you enjoy!
