Category Archives: Products

Farmers’ Market Sunday Funday

One of my first blog posts ever was about my finds from my first-ever trip to the Coventry Regional Farmers’ Market, the best farmers’ market I have ever been to (by far). I was lucky enough to go TWICE last summer with Heather and even participated in one of their events, as a judge for a cocktail competition. This past Sunday, I made my first (and hopefully not the last) trip of the 2013 season! I could not have asked for better company – my sister Hannah, my good friend Kat, and her daughter (the famous) Penelope.

Penelope visited with my mom before we left for the market!

Penelope visited with my mom before we left for the market!

Please notice Penelope’s fabulous foodie onesie, appropriately gifted to her by Emily, Community Manager for Yelp Hartford!

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Three Things Thursday: A Discount, A Campaign, A Leap

Happy almost-Friday, folks. Our database and email network are both down at work today so you are definitely hearing from me. I have a few little things to talk about so I figured a fun, random post was in order.

1. Kona Kase Discount Code

I just received the July Kona Kase to review and will be sharing that eventually. I already received and reviewed the June Kase…you may recall I felt it contained more products for endurance athletes than I need (aka I need none) so I am looking forward to finding out what’s in the July box and seeing if the products are more “me”! I’m not withholding that information from you on purpose…I truly don’t know because I haven’t opened it yet. While you’re waiting for my review though, you can look at my June review and use a new discount code “GIFTSUMMER” to get $5 off your first Kase. That means $10 to try Kona Kase, which I think is a good deal given how much the products inside would probably cost separately.

2. Heather Waxman’s Kickstarter Campaign

Heather is taking a huge leap and pursuing her dream of combining her vocal talent with her desire to spread the word about the benefits of meditation. She’s started a Kickstarter campaign and needs $3,500.00 of funding by August 8 in order to create and distribute her very first meditation album, “Soul Sessions”. It will be available via digital download as well as CD, and backers can get their own copies (and more) as a thank you for donating. Even if you can only donate $5 it will help, so please take a moment to check out the video about her campaign and back it if you support it!

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Friday Five: Fitness Essentials

Tonight is the last chance for CT residents to enter my giveaway for two free lawn tickets to the Talcott Mountain Music Festival! Entries close tonight at 11:59PM EST.

I really enjoyed recently sharing my (few) beauty essentials, and thought today I’d sneak in some alliteration and give this Friday post a fitness focus – with a little fashion thrown in. I enjoy reading about what other bloggers use/wear during workouts and I hope the feeling is mutual because you’re about to find out my five essential pieces of workout gear. Some items on the list are more general than specific, because how am I supposed to choose, for example, one pair of sneakers?!

1. Sprigs Big Banjees Wrist Wallet

I was sent a free Big Banjees to review but this is an instance of me loving the product so much that if anything were to happen to my Big Banjees, I’d replace it in a second. It’s the only holder big enough for my iPhone (I stream music from iHeartRadio when I work out) when it’s in its case, and the only holder that actually stays in place on my arm.

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Fashion Friday: LaMaLu Boutique Giveaway!

I received a bracelet to review and this is not a compensated post. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am at work today – are you? Oh, you are? So you also a) are stupid enough not to take today off and/or b) don’t have enough vacation time to take the day off? I’m mostly b,but a little bit a. If you’re at work, I hope a giveaway will cheer you up!

silly

I’ve always wanted a starfish bracelet. Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but I’ve wanted one for over a year now. The problem was that I kept seeing them in stores priced as high as $45…and the cheapest I could find was about $25. I’m a Forever 21 prices girl so despite my desire for a starfish bracelet, I never purchased one.

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My New Set of Eyes from Glasses.com!

This is a sponsored post and I received a complimentary pair of glasses, but all thoughts and opinions on my experience are my own.

My last Fashion Friday post asked for your opinion on the four frames I received for a complimentary In-Home Try-On from Glasses.com. Here’s a quick recap of my choices, in case you missed it:

Option 1: ECO 1049 (also image source)

Option 2: Seventeen SV 5356 (also image source)

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A Lazy Lady’s Beauty Essentials

When it comes to a beauty routine, I am seriously lazy and impatient. Just ask Kaitlin – I’m often telling her tales of attempting to have the patience to stand in one spot for what seems like forever and blow dry my hair, only to give up after about five minutes. I’ve got places to go, people to see. Ain’t nobody got time for that!

Obligatory.

I look at much of what my younger sister and friends do with their makeup, hair, face care, what have you, and I can’t imagine spending that much time on any of it. I grew up looking for anything I could cut out of my morning routine to give me a few extra precious minutes of sleep, and this has made me a beauty routine minimalist.

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Kona Kase Review

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.

I really enjoy trying out different monthly subscription food boxes, and I’m fortunate enough that this blog gives me the chance to do that free of charge. My latest box to review came to me and other Fitfluential Ambassadors as part of a campaign to promote Kona Kase, which is more a box for active lifestyles than a box for foodies. The box costs $15/month and contains eight different products. You can get an idea of the types of products you might find in your Kona Kase here…or read on!

kona1

I received the June 2013 Kona Kase, and like most subscription boxes I’ve tried, it contained some products I’m really excited about, some I’ll use eventually, and some I’d NEVER use. I usually hope for only one or two of that last category, but alas in this box, I got three.

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Glasses.com Fashion Friday: Help Me Choose!

This is a sponsored post, but all thoughts and opinions on my experience are my own.

I haven’t gotten new glasses since fall of 2007, but that’s because I’m too practical. My prescription has barely changed since then, and my frames are still totally fine (guess you are worth the money, Dolce & Gabbana). But I’m just plain sick of my glasses, and have an updated prescription that is set to expire next month. Enter Glasses.com…a representative (Lauren) emailed me asking me if I’d be interested in doing a sponsored post and trying out their in-home try-on service. I’d never considered ordering glasses online before, but the whole free try-on option had me hooked!

glassescom1

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Skirting Around Fashion Friday

Before I dive into this week’s Fashion Friday (which obviously has a skirt theme) I’ll give a quick update on the missing shoe situation mentioned in last week’s Fashion Friday. Short story short – it still has not turned up. And I totally wanted to wear it (and its twin) with today’s outfit…oh, first world problems. My shoe addiction ensured I had a backup pair that matched, of course. I’ll be sure to keep you all posted on this terribly pressing situation.

I am soooo ready for the weekend and it’s sure to be fun. Firstly, the rain is dying down and the weather tomorrow looks great, which will make the beach trip I have planned with my mom downright lovely. Secondly, I have a couple restaurant outings planned (of course) with wonderful people! Tonight my mom and I are going to Barcelona in West Hartford, and I’m SO incredibly excited to bring her there for her first time and show her a restaurant that is so special to me. Tomorrow I’m going to It’s Only Natural (YAY) for a friend’s birthday dinner – and use of my gift card. As long as the sun stays out for Father’s Day, I will make it a wonderful and relaxing Sunday, despite my lack of father in the country (he’s going to Paris for a business trip).

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YMX: Fitfluential Campaign

I received a top from YMX for this review, as part of a Fitfluential campaign. All opinions on the product are my own. This is not a compensated post.

I’m a big fan of bright or unique workout clothes. So bright AND unique workout clothes? Sold! I took one look at the selection on YMX and knew I wanted a chance to rock the brand at my gym. I signed up to be considered as a Fitfluential Ambassador for the May YMX campaign and lo and behold, I was selected and received this Infinite Geometry Long-Sleeve Shirt in the mail.

YMX uses MadKool Performance Fabric in their products, and varies the specific type fabric type according to where or for what activity the product is likely to be used. For example, cycle tops use a fabric with UV ray protection since they’re most likely to be worn outside. My particular top’s MadKool fabric offered moisture-wicking, quick-dry, wrinkle and odor resistance, and UPF 30+ protection as its benefits.

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