Category Archives: Giveaway

Blue Nile “Give One, Get One” Necklace Giveaway!

I received a complimentary necklace from Blue Nile for review purposes. All opinions are my own. This is not a sponsored post.

Seattle-based jewelry company Blue Nile has invited me to partake in a “Give One, Get One” holiday campaign. That’s great news for me AND you guys because not only did I receive the Sterling Silver Branch Necklace for review, but I am also going to give one away! The necklace is priced at $40 (unfortunately currently on back-order) and arrived promptly and beautifully packaged.

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One for me, one for one of you, and some Kisses too!

Blue Nile actually is the source of Kaitlin‘s beautiful engagement ring and her wedding band will come from them too! They currently offer free FedEx shipping on every order (shipping is ALWAYS my online shopping hangup) as well as an extended return policy for the holidays.

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Gymdoll Fitness Apparel Giveaway!

I received a tank top free of charge from Gymdoll. All opinions are my own. This is not a sponsored post.

I’ve mentioned Gymdoll previously, in my HealthyChic review. But that’s because I happened to choose this cute tank when I was picking out something to purchase during my try-out of the website.

Moar selfies plz.

This time around Gymdoll has contacted me separately to host a giveaway, and try out another tank. I was hooked by Chris’s rhyming subject line in his email to me…”Cait Plus Ate + Gymdoll = GREAT”. How could I say no to that?! He offered me the Skulls & Barbell Active Tank, perfectly suited for a lady like me who is passionate about her gym‘s Group Power class. (Even though the first time I wore it, I was taking Group Kick…oh well.)

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Ellovi Body Butter – Giveaway!

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!

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

Nowadays, looking tres glam! Source

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Bristol Bliss Natural Products Giveaway!

I received complimentary Bristol Bliss products for review purposes. All opinions are my own. This is not a sponsored post.

When I visited Brilliant Options Wellness for my first massage, I noticed some cute and great-smelling soy candles in the studio. BOW owner Kellie informed me that they were a local product (hooray!) by Bristol Bliss. I contacted owner Mary Brown to find out more about her natural/organic candles and other beauty products. She was kind enough to offer me some samples for a review and giveaway blog post!

I received bath salts, a candle, lip balm, and body scrub.

Unfortunately I never take baths so I never got a chance to use the All-Natural Detoxifying Ginger Bath Salts. The ingredients list is short and sweet: epsom salt, sea salt, ground ginger, baking soda, essential oil. I am not a big user of natural beauty products (or beauty products in general…I just have a few basics) so these pronounceable ingredients are new to me – that’s a good thing!

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Wine Wednesday: Staples Wine Cellar Giveaway!

I received a personal wine cellar free of charge to review. This is not a sponsored post. Opinions are my own.

It appears that I am such a wino that everyone knows it…including Staples. What does Staples have to do with wine, you ask? After all the closest my wine gets to a Staples product tends to be in a glass next to me as I type on my laptop or make lists on a notepad. Well Staples sells appliances, not just office supplies. In fact, I would even argue that the Haier 6-Bottle Wine Cellar is the perfect office supply. Who wants to have to wait the whole drive home for that post-work glass? Not I!

Wine tasting at my favorite local package store, Sonoma!

Wine tasting at my favorite local package store, Sonoma!

Like I said, my wino rep is widely known, or at least it is by mass retail chains. Staples sent me one of these wine cellars, which are priced at $99 each. You can also get FREE SHIPPING if you are a Staples Rewards member, and anyone can have the wine cellar shipped for free to a local Staples for pickup. They have the same type of deal for most kitchen appliances!

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Scotch, Bourbon, and American Art

The winner of the Albion Fit Petal Pant leggings giveaway is Lisa! Thank you so much to all who entered – so much enthusiasm for this product! 

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Remember that from now until 11/3 you can get $20 off your Albion purchase of $100 or more by entering code “caitdiscount20” at checkout.

When one hears “Connecticut”, I’m sure the subject of history comes to mind. But what about art? It just so happens that in New Britain, CT, the art-curious can find the New Britain Museum of American Art. The best art museums aren’t just in the big cities! I’ve visited this museum three times and each visit has me circling back to old favorite exhibits and oohing and ahhing over new pieces that arrived since my last time there. Some exhibitions are permanent, while some come in and stick around for only a little while. NBMAA makes a real effort to promote its art not just to your stereotypical museum goers, but to the youth of the area as well. That’s where their fantastic events come in!

Art is fun - clearly.

Art is fun – clearly.

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Albion Fit Petal Pants – Giveaway!

I received complimentary clothing from Albion for review purposes. This is not a sponsored post and all opinions are my own.

It’s not often that I experience love-at-first-sight with a piece of clothing, but when I do, it sure does hit me like a ton of bricks. I’d been having a hard time getting Albion Fit’s Petal Pants out of my head since the moment Kaitlin sent me a link to them one day during our usual G-chatting.

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I’ve worked with Albion Fit in the past to review the Go Long Crew top, and thankfully they wanted to work with me again to review a pair of bottoms to help promote the new fall collection. A very special pair of bottoms…the Petal Pants! They arrived and I was surprised to find they were striped; I’d only looked at the photos like the one above, which made them seem heather gray, and not the more detailed photos. I always prefer patterns over solids though, so it was a pleasant surprise!

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Oddball at Real Art Ways – Giveaway!

Remember to check out Friday’s post for a link to a Physique 57 online workout code that will give you a free 48 hours of access – up until 10/31!

This Saturday 10/26 I will be attending the Halloween event of the season – the 2013 Oddball at Real Art Ways in Hartford! Ticket proceeds will benefit Real Art Ways, an art organization that shows independent films, commissions public projects, and puts on other live and visual arts based events. This is the fifth year of the masquerade ball featuring “tricked-out art galleries, eerie photo opps, and outrageous tunes”. Doors open at 8PM!

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The $65 ticket includes a specialty Absolut cocktail and food from some of the area’s best restaurants – Max’s Oyster Bar, ON20, Pond House Grille, Firebox, and Republic. Trust me, their food is good…I’ve been to all of them except ON20, but given all the awards they win and the fact that one of my favorite mixologists Brent Bushong is now in charge of their bar food and cocktail menu, I’m comfortable saying they’ll have some delicious offerings.

I actually had dinner at Pond House Grille on Saturday night. They’re doing all-hours happy hour food right now – buy 1, get 1 for a penny. These are the Gorgonzola sweet potatoes and crab cake croquettes. I enjoyed both, ESPECIALLY the sweet potatoes.

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Physique 57 Online Workout: Free Trial!

I received two free days of Physique 57 online workouts so that I could review this video. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This is not a sponsored post.

I mentioned at the end of my last Physique 57 post that the fitness program now offers, in addition to studio classes, online workouts for fans all over the world! Great news for folks like me who love doing Physique 57 in person, but just don’t live close to any of their locations. Last Friday I was searching for a morning workout since I had plans after work, and thankfully Natasha of Physique 57 reached out to me around that time to see if I’d like to review the months’ new video: Cardio Sculpt. From the description page, I knew it was just what I was looking for – short (so I could sleep later – ha) yet effective.

Tone and sculpt both the upper and lower body by efficiently combining non-impact cardio exercises with strength training.  By engaging several muscle groups at once, you’ll transform your body into its greatest form. Equipment Needed: portable ballet barre or sturdy piece of furniture, a set of weights (5lbs-10lbs) and a cushion or thick towel.

I was sure to wear my Physique 57 grippy socks! I used a chair as my sturdy piece of furniture.

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Biena Foods Roasted Chickpea Snacks Giveaway!

I was sent complimentary Biena Foods roasted chickpeas to review. All opinions are my own. This is not a sponsored post.

I may have already done a review/giveaway for The Good Bean roasted chickpea snacks, but the first brand of roasted chickpea snacks I ever tried was Biena Foods, at the CT Veg Fest! Now they offer more flavors and I was pleased to accept their offer of a sample of each one to review.

I will be honest with you – there is not much difference between the roasted chickpea snacks offered by The Good Bean and Biena Foods. They have the same amount of calories, fairly similar flavor variety, and comparable all-natural ingredient lists. I will say however that I much prefer Biena’s Sea Salt chickpeas to The Good Bean’s, which are too salty. The point of sea salt is a little goes a long way, and Biena Foods seems to get that! I also loved the Honey Roasted flavor, and The Good Bean does not offer a comparable option. I had the Honey Roasted both in a savory lunch (my salad) and an after-dinner sweet snack (in my favorite Jello pudding); I love that it mixes well with both sweet and savory ingredients!

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Meet Caitlin

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!

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Design Credit

My header was originally designed by Mai Le and later tweaked by Chris Roggi to match this theme, which he helped me customize. He also moved me over to self-hosting! Both can be contacted through their sites for design & development work!

Disclaimer

I am not an RD and do not have any official training, certifications, or degrees in nutrition or fitness. This blog is a way to write about my life. Any views I express are mine alone, based on what works for me, and should never be taken as medical advice. Always talk to your doctor or a trained professional before starting a new diet or fitness plan. In addition, this blog and its content are in no way affiliated with Kate Gosselin, “Kate Plus 8”, TLC, or any related affiliates.

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