fit-ish ~ part one

Who decided to join the gym this year? 
Yep, that would be me along with countless others, and a sigh from a relative about the gym being so crowded in January, that he might just stay home for two weeks while it dies down! PSST ... this girl isn't going to sputter out like the rest of the population, hoping to make good on their resolution in short time! I don't have that kind of money to waste!!

Well, gadgets, accessories, and schedules were put into play so both my husband and I can take full advantage of what the gym has to offer, and so far so good. The plan is to get to the gym at least twice a week, and meet with the trainer for measurements each month, and do date nights at the gym but the kids club closes at noon on Fridays, so that's a bummer! BUT we both have been doing pretty good other wise!

We both have step counters on our phones, mine is Google Fit which works nice, and neither of us were going to go full out and get a smart watch/fit device (whoa what a price tag!) but I did find a resale Jawbone that I liked, and then it stopped working.{UPDATE 9/2017: I now have a Misfit and it is awesome! Great price, great connected app, and simple device that takes a cell battery instead of charging} As you can tell, doing this gym thing on a budget is where we are in the world right now! No fancy running shoe or workout towel or duffle bag or headphones, just a couple on a journey to get fit!

I will tell you, having the trainer meet up every month has been awesome, otherwise I would just be walking on the treadmill not knowing how machines work or what kind of routine to pursue. We got in on a great promotion that included a trainer, but if you can afford a few sessions, I would really recommend it! 

The other helpful thing that I have done is, figuring out a few variations from looking up stuff on Pinterest. Yes, yes, Pinterest, everybody finds something on Pinterest, pin, pin, pin, pin ... but hey, if it's free, why not! And there is no "Pinterest Fail" when it comes to finding a workout!

Again, I have no idea what I'm doing, I just found these routines that I like!
Another app that I found and I use everyday is Sworkit! You can choose an area you want to work, pick and choose or do their routine, it demonstrates the exercise and set up the count down clock for the reps you need, set up a few minutes or an hour routine, and it syncs with my Fit so it keeps track of my steps and calories! They have a yoga & stretching app too! I have done the calorie counters before, and I just don't have the time to sit (no really, my two kids are running around, I don't have time!) and type in and how much of what I ate even after I get my 'menu' or 'favorites' set up.

Days marked for the gym have been missed, pounds are still yo-yoing, but we are a work in progress and it's going to take some time to get to where we want to be!

I'M UNDER CONSTRUCTION

xo

online is just fine

Aahh, downtime! The part of the day when everything on your list is completed and you just need to rest. A nap or early to bed would be a good idea, maybe some yoga or reflecting ... but most days you end up online shopping. Just scrolling through outfit ideas on Pinterest, or your friends photos of Facebook or Instagram, maybe look up a few kid clothes at Target. Yep, that happens and most of the time I don't purchase, I just window shop. Ha! Window shop, that is probably a term that will end up making me sound old one of these days!

In my adventures in online shopping, I've come across a few awesome sites that are different, really cool, or really cheap and who knows how many more are out there! So here are some favorites you should check out soon!

Bungalow 123 is such a great boutique online shop, I just love it and everything is so beautiful! Bohemian, casual, but not so vintage and they have extended sizes (which for most "boutique" shops is just unheard of). Versatile pieces and wonderful color palette is what makes Bungalow 123 one of my favorites!

Have you heard of 6pm?! Go check it out now ... now I say, I'll wait, it's ok! Huge discounts on name brands clothing, sunglesses, bags, etc! Lots of designers and discounts vary, but always a deal. Same with Backcountry, this site has a smaller selection, but who wants to wait for store markdowns!

Fabletics makes me want to buy everything they have! Same with lucy Activewear! Both sites are great to inspire some fitness and revamp you workout gear. Not sure how Fabletics special works, but both clothing brands have great prices from time to time!

There are so many kids clothing stores and websites out there, it's just too many! But my new favorite is Free to be Kids! Such adorable, breaking the stereotype t-shirts and onesies, I can't get over how awesome the pieces are! This is the new path that kids clothing needs to start heading down!

Etsy is somewhere that I go whenever I have a certain thin in mind that I want to see a variety of options and prices. So many great artists have beautiful pieces, from jewelry to home goods to clothing, vintage or modern, there is always a variety from different sellers!

Yoobi is school supplies that are fun, bright, and cute for the littles but can brighten up any office space. They also have a buy one give one program, for every purchase you make, they give supplies to schools in need! Yoobi is also sold at Target, but there is a lot more on the website. Also look up Discount School Supplies, this site has lots of great school stuff, more for teachers but not in bulk, so if your looking for paints, chalk, easels, math toys, spelling games, they have it!

Thrift Store Books is the best for recycled books! The pricing is good, the shipping is reasonable and I've only come across a few titles that they didn't have at that point in time. Another recycled site is Second Spin, they have cd's, dvd's, they buy back and sell good quality music and movies for such a great price. Yes, I still buy cd's ... cover art will never die!

Now, I don't have Amazon Prime and sometimes the shipping is more than the item itself, but overall Amazon has a good set up, I mean you can find literally anything! I got a Jet.com coupon in the mail not too long ago and haven't really figured them out, but it looks like they have a large variety like Amazon, but  three different prices depending on how you want to pay. Different, interesting, need to shop the website a bit more to get it.

So many more that I can't even remember, I'm always looking for a good deal and a different idea, there will be more to come!

LET'S FIND SOME DEALS!

xo

put on some pants!? my love letter to leggings

I am still hearing so many people say leggings are not pants, or that they are in their "mom outfit" and I really think that they sound silly for thinking, or saying, that it's lazy!
Let me tell you a little something ... whenever I have 5 minutes to myself, I'm squatting, stretching, or lifting something to get in a workout for the day!

 I wear yoga pants or leggings, t-shirt, sports bra, and sneakers just about everyday. And not because it's the only thing that fits me right now, or it's just so comfortable, or that I'm lazy, it's due to the simple fact that if we are not headed to the gym first thing in the morning, I will have to find some time in my day to get in a workout in small portions between playing with the kiddos, grocery shopping, household chores, and working! It really is that simple. I'm not one of those moms who gets up at 5AM to go to the gym before her day starts ... are you kidding me, I barely make it out of bed by 7AM to get breakfast ready for everyone!

What I can relate to in the leggings loathing conversation, is the wearing of a regular t-shirt with leggings as oppose to a tunic with leggings. I personally don't like a shirt that sits at my waist, I end up pulling it down all day long, so a tunic is a much better pairing for me. Also, the thin material of some leggings just doesn't do anybody any good! I have found much success with with a certain lovely little leggings company that has great patterns and material, as well as an awesome tunic length top. I have many pairs and I'm not ashamed of it! I feel like I finally found the perfect tunic and all my other tops were just 'ok for now' as I purchased them.

Yeah maybe the price is a bit steep, but for something I wear every day, it's worth it! The best part about all this leggings love going on right now, is that there are many other companies with similar styles, but take caution since some of those brands might not be the same quality material that you think it is.

Comfortable clothes with a stylish whim, 

that I can wear at the playground or to the gym, 

I will love you for now and forever it seems, 

even when it's considered "out" by fashion magazines

ONE PAIR IS NEVER ENOUGH

xo