Fitness must haves for 2015

I am sure by now everyone has stated intentions for the new year.  Mine included taking better care of myself.  I already do a decent job but there were certainly areas of improvement that I am taking under advisement!

With that a majority of the New Years resolutions revolve around fitness and since I love a gadget just as much as the next person I am rounding up my must have fitness items for 2015.

Core Ball

This is a must!  You can take this thing anywhere!  I travel with it along with my Barre3 App and I can do a workout where ever I am.  This really cuts down on excuses now doesn't it!

VSX Leggings and Capris

Workout bottoms that fit are a must when you are working on your fitness but ones with attitude are even better.  I love all the colors and patterns that VSX has been coming out with.  I know a cool pair of leggings will always be noticed over plain old black.

Spiritual Gangster Muscle Tees

I love all my workout tops equally but when I discovered the muscle tees by Spiritual Gangster I was extra smitten.  They are soft and have the best cut to them.  I own the Namaste in white and the one pictured above.  I can't say enough about them.

BKR Bottle

Everyone needs to stay hydrated so why not do so in style.  I have been carrying mine around with me and to class since it appeared on Christmas morning.  I love that it is a glass bottle so I am not drinking plastic chemicals and 500ml size I received (pictured above) is perfect to throw in your purse!

Getaway Bag by Stella and Dot

If you are looking for the roomiest bag known to man with a whole lotta style this bag is for you.  I hosted a trunk show for Stella and Dot in December and used my winnings to get this bag because I thought it would be great for travel since you can zip around the bottom to make it larger.  Well upon careful inspection I can also use it as a gym bag that I take with me to work.  I change before I leave the office to save time and I can fit everything I wore that day to work in it with room to spare.  Unzipped I bet you could fit a yoga mat standing on end.  You must check it out!

Sugar Paper Planner

Last but certainly not lease you have to have a good planner to fit in your workout.  I think pre-scheduling your workouts is the key to success and that is my mantra this year.  Make it a can't miss appointment.  I still like to carry a small planner in my purse to quickly write down a date but my true family planner is the app Cozi.  If you have not heard of this app it may be life changing.  

Cozi App

It has both a mobile and desktop version so you can login to it wherever you wish.  You can create a family login so the calendar can be accessed from different devices throughout your family.  If an event is added to the calendar everyone in the family knows that.  You can tag events for just specific family members and set reminders.  You can store recipes and create shopping lists with it.  My favorite part is the To Do lists that I create.  I may have 5 different ones going at the same time depending on what I am keeping track of.  It is a free app with option to upgrade for a fee but I have found the free version has everything I need and more.  Check it out I am sure you will not be disappointed!

What are some of your fitness must haves?  I would love to hear about them, remember I love a good gadget!

~Jennifer~

You can find me on...

Twitter here

Facebook here

Pinterest here
Instagram here

Merry Christmas

I hope your day is filled with love and magic! 

~Jennifer~

Christmas time is here

It is Christmas Eve and I can safely say I finally wrapped all my presents last night.  Wow what a task!  It is gift bags for everyone/everything from now on!  I am kidding, sort of.

We will be heading up to good old Ashland for the afternoon/evening to celebrate Christmas with my family and then back to Dublin we go to await the arrival of Santa Claus!  The boys are so excited and I love listening to them talk about Santa and what he will bring them.  Though Santa is a great guy, even if I did wrap all his presents, I have to say my favorite part of the season is getting to spend time with my family.  I love that on Christmas morning we can lounge around and not be rushed.  It seems that all too often we are rushing through life and never really get to stop and enjoy each other.  I am really looking forward doing that over this long weekend!

I hope everyone has a wonderful and relaxing Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!

~Jennifer~

You can find me on... 

Twitter here

Facebook here

Pinterest here 

Instagram here

Who doesn't love a challenge!

I don't know about you guys but if there is a challenge I will most likely enter it and hope to win.  At work I am always one of the first to sign up for whatever the challenge of the moment is.  It makes me happy to win or at the least beat a lot of other people.  I kid I kid (well sort of kid).

Since the new year is only weeks away and I need a salt and sugar detox like it is my job, my favorite workout/blog/everything company Barre3 is to the rescue.  Beginning January 5th and running for 4 weeks they will be hosting a challenge to help everyone get back on track with their mind, body and health.  I did the spring challenge not long after I started going to Barre3 and the support you get from it is unprecedented.

Each week of the challenge participants will:

• Do four 60-minute workouts either at one of their local studios or online 
• Do one 10-minute online workout
• Try one healthy barre3 recipe

If you follow me on instagram you know I have experimented with making the Barre3 recipes and they have all been big winners in my house!

So here are the deets on the kit which is $33 buck-a-roos (not bad for all the swag).  

Each challenge kit includes:

• Access to the Challenge and weekly emails loaded with tips, tools, and educational podcasts 
• Live Q+A with Sadie Lincoln 
• One weekly 10-minute challenge online workout 
• One new seasonal recipe to try every week
• A personal tracking system to help you stay accountable
• A glass barre3 signature water bottle
• barre3 signature tote
• barre3 wristband

challenge kit

Um hello I am signing up just for the super cute bag! 

All joking aside this is a great time of year to recommit to yourself.  I have found that since starting Barre3 last April, I have never felt better about myself.  I have made so many new friends at the studio and my Barre3 Columbus family helps me more then they know!

So why not do something for yourself this year and join me in the challenge!  Even if there is no prize for a top winner, the actual prize is feeling better about yourself and your body.  I don't think there is any prize greater then that!

You can buy your kit at your local studio or online.  I know I will be picking mine up tonight!

Join me in kicking 2015 off right!

~Jennifer~

You can find me on...

Twitter here

Facebook here

Pinterest here
Instagram here

Mornings

HELLLOOOO!  Long time.  Sorry about that.  Trying to get some semblance of normalcy and routine in the house.  If anyone knows how please let me know!

Per the title I am going to talk about mornings.  Mornings are not my thing.  You know when someone says they are a morning person, I just sort of look at them and think "Yeah right, LIAR, I bet you got here today by unicorn too!".  That is what I am thinking if you have ever told me you are a morning person.

There are allegedly 2 types of people in this world, morning people and night owls.  I think there has to be a 3rd type because I am neither of the previous two.  I don't like to get up and I REALLY like to go to sleep though I do tend to get a second wind.  I am able to stay up later when I push myself to stay up so I think I have some night owl tendencies but I turn into a pumpkin no matter what around 11 pm!

I think about how much more I could get done if I was either a morning person or night owl.  Wouldn't it be nice to get up so early (and like it) that you can workout, shower, make a breakfast, and then get your kids up and ready.  What a glorious scenario.  Though I dream of one day having the will power to do that in the morning, it has evaded me.

For the night owls, my own mother included, how do you do it and still get up in the morning?  I have tried staying up after the kids to get stuff done but I am just too spent be productive.  It also puts me in need of multiple cups of coffee the next day to feel alert.

My question for the masses is:

  What type of person are you and how do you use your type to get the most done in one day?

I would love to hear of any tips/tricks people use to balance life along with getting enough sleep!

Happy 4th of July

Popping in to wish every a safe and happy 4th of July!

Jennifer

My Week in Review

Hey everyone! How has your past week been? Mine has been so busy that I have barely been able to do anything let alone a post so I'm glad I'm finally getting around to it. If you follow me on Instagram you probably saw a lot of activity last week.  

We'll start off with last Tuesday.  I went to the OAR concert at the LC pavilion and it was great!  This concert I was very excited for because I had not heard an OAR concert since college and they were a pretty big band when I was in college probably because they were from Ohio State and everyone knew who they were. The concert started out with Phillip Phillips who surprisingly enough coming from American Idol was nothing like I thought he would be!   He actually had a Dave Matthews Band esk sound which was very refreshing so I would definitely see him again in concert. When OAR hit the stage the place went nuts!  Of course they waited until their last song of the night to play their most famous song "Crazy game of poker" that everybody knows so in general it was nice to hear them again.  A trip down memory lane!

So on Wednesday to my surprise my husband had tickets to the box for the Clippers game so we got a babysitter again and headed down to Clipper Stadium.  It was a beautiful night until a storm rolled in! It rained so they covered the field. It stopped raining so they uncovered the field, fixed it all up and sent the teams back on the field and it started raining again! So needless to say I didn't see much baseball on Wednesday but nonetheless it was still fun to get out!

Thursday brought my monthly book club which I always go to no matter what! I've been going for 10 years now and I rarely ever miss a bookclub. This month's book was The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline which I had already read.  It was an excellent book and swingle worth a read because this really happened in the US!  Not going to lie usually at the club we have wine, we eat cheese, and we gossip and we don't talk about the book. That is pretty much what happened last Thursday and I don't mind that at all!

On Sunday I got up really early to drive my youngest son to Connersville Indiana to a train station where they were doing A Day Out With Thomas.  Oh my goodness the look on his little face when Thomas came chugging down the track was priceless!  He is my little one that coughs out his funnel when he does couch so he has a full on obsession with trains to say the least. We spent about 4 hours riding on Thomas, playing with Thomas toys, watching Thomas on TV, and of course shopping for Thomas memorabilia.  Needless to say my son was exhausted after his big day and has not stopped talking about it ever since!  I would say this was the best day of his almost 4 years of life (his birthday is this Friday).  If you or someone you know has a child who lives and breaths Thomas like mine does this is definitely something you need to do with them!  You can find all the info about this at the link below.

http://events.hitentertainment.com/en-us/dayoutwiththomas

I hope everyone else had a wonderful week and weekend!  Did anyone else do anything fun?  I would love to hear about it!

Jennifer

Obsessions

Happy Wednesday everyone!  I am back with another round of obsessions.  So here we go!

Puffins

Oh my gosh I cannot get enough of these.  I don't even put milk on them.  I just east then as a nighttime snack and they are addicting.  My favorite is the peanut butter and chocolate mix.  Healthier Reece Cup anyone!

The Knockout by  Secret

This sports bra is the real deal.  I always have trouble finding one that keeps the girls in place and this one does the trick.  I swear Victoria's Secret just know how to do it!

Chia Pudding

I found a recipe for this and thought her why not give it a whirl.  It may look funny but it tastes like a dessert!  I was shocked that something you have grown in a ceramic head for so long can make a delicious meal or snack.  I definitely suggest giving it a try!  http://pinterest.com/pin/104990235037688388/

Ladies of London

This show is just to funny you can't not watch it.  Full of American ex-pats you see them make folks of themselves to their British counterparts in the "high society" of London.  It is a guilty pleasure but a must see!

Do you have any obsessions?  I would love to hear them.  I am always looking for new ideas!

Jennifer

Father's Day Gift Guide

Happy Monday everyone!  I hope you had a wonderfully productive weekend.  I know I did.  Since Father's Day is on Sunday I thought I would share my picks for the men in your life whether it be your husband, father, grandfather, or a father to be.  If you prefer to buy it or DIY it I hope this will help you find the perfect gift for your special guys!

 

Ideas for the lover of spirits



Beer Tender, Beer making kit, Anchorman flask, Bottle Opener flipflops, Whiskey Rocks

 

 

For the tech lover



HoverBar For iPAD, Flash Drive Cufflinks, Solar Charger, Guitar for iPad, USBCell Rechargeable Battery, Wireless Outlet Speakers       

For the outdoorsman/DIYer



Power tools, Screwdriver keychain, Survival Bracelet, Portable Propane Stove/Oven, Mobile Shop toolbag,Tent Ceiling Fan with Light  

 

 

For the man who loves games

Video Games, Board games, Corn hole game, Cards Against Humanity

 

For the golf enthusiast

Golf Bag BBQ Tool Set, TaylorMade Driver, Golf Club Storage Station, Monogramed Golf Shoe Bag, Kid Colored Golfballs (FREE if you have extra laying around!), Ball Markers, Trunk Locker 

 

 

 

From the kids







 

I hope this list is a good jumping off point for you!  I know I will be busy all week making/buying things for all the men in my life.  Remember it is the thought that counts so even a store bought or homemade card can show them how much they mean to you.

 

~Jennifer~

Happy Friday!

Thank goodness it is Friday already!  I am so ready for the weekend even if it is jam packed with kids activities.  

Have a wonderful weekend and as always be safe!

Obsessions

I have decided to start posting on Wednesdays the things I find that I love or must have!  Who doesn't love a suggestion list.  I know I have found many of my favorite things by seeing what others like and of course what others pin on Pinterest.

Brad's Raw Leafy Kale chips

I decided one day on a whim to give these a whirl because I attempted to make my own and it was an epic fail.  These are DELICIOUS!  My favorite flavor is called Vampire Killer.  These are a must try!

Barre3

This has seriously been life changing for me!  I started 2 months ago and was hooked after my very first class.  The instructors are the best I have had and everyone really cares about you and it totally shows.  This is a must try if you have a studio close to you.  More on my love for Barre3 in a future post!

Lou & Grey

I am in love with all of this line.  I am already the biggest Loft fan ever and when this lounge wear line came out I became an even bigger one.  The fabrics are easy to wear and so comfortable!  It is a must try for anyone looking for lounge clothes that do not look like you should be going to the gym! 

Check out my obsessions and let me know what you think!

Jennifer

Kitchen Drawer Purge

 With the New Year in full swing I, like everyone else, have gotten the bug to purge and organize my home.  I seem to collect lots of things over the year as I am sure you all do also.  I have always had trouble getting rid of items because in my mind I think "what if I need that sometime and have to buy it again!"  Well that has never happened yet so I have started purging more frequently.  It does make you feel so much better when you have some semblance of organization, even if it is in a closed drawer that only you see!

This project first started out with me wanting to organize the junk drawer in the kitchen.  You know the drawer you through anything random in because you haven't the slightest clue what to do with it.  Well, sometimes a small project turns into something bigger!

The junk drawer before

 I started thinking about the flow of my kitchen and how annoying it is when I am cooking and people are coming over to me at the island to get silverware when the plates are at the other end closer to the table.  This was when I looked at the junk drawer and decided it would now be silverware drawer.  How perfect to have your silverware beneath where you have your plates!

So I cleared out the drawer and replaced it with my silverware holder and napkin container.  I have to say I love the change! 

 

New silverware drawer

Since I moved the silverware I was left with a large drawer next to the stove on the island that was mostly empty other then measuring spoons and other misc cooking supplies.  I decided it was time to purge my product make my island cooking station more convenient for me!

 

So I took all my cooking utensils out of the drawers beside the stove and beneath the stove and sorted them out on the island.  Does anyone really need this many cooking utensils!!!!

 

Prior utensil storage area

 

 

 

 

I boxed up everything I am not keeping so I can donate it.  I left myself with the bare essentials for cooking.  Just a few of everything.  Pretty much the ones that I use now on a regular basis.  I mean come on I had 9 rubber spatulas!  Once the purge was over I began the refilling of the drawers.

 

Um I believe I was photo bombed by a Yorkie!





I started by placing organizers I already had into the drawers.  When it doubt shop your house.  I did not buy a single organizer to finish the job.  Everything was from other places in my home that were not being utilized in the best way so I brought them into the kitchen and they all work perfectly.  They don't match at all but I am the only one who sees it regularly.  Of course I am putting pictures of it on the Internet so maybe.....

Without further ado I present my newly organized utensil drawers!

I also moved a smaller drawers contents of unique utensils that are not used on a regular basis which in turn misplaced my K Cups.  So I moved those to the smaller drawer now which is just as close to the coffee machine as they were before.  Now the coffee drawer only has that, Coffee!  I added a container to hold my long spoons that I always use to stir my coffee.  I had put them in the silverware drawer at first but decided it didn't make sense since I only use them for my coffee.

I am so happy with how my drawers turned out!  I think the flow of my kitchen is better and I am not rooting around under my stove for the utensil I need.  Now I just have to remember where I moved everything!  A bit of a learning curve is taking place but we will all get it soon enough.

Now my only problem is I don't have a junk drawer anymore! 

 

Junk without a home!

 



I guess I have created my next organization project! 

 

Anyone else catch the new year organizing bug? 

What have you organized and how has it helped?

Where have I been?!

Do not worry by blog friends! 

 

I am still here and doing okay!  I hope everyone is doing well.  I will catch you all up on what I have been up to over the last few months I have been MIA.  Below are a few pictures of my home decorated for the holidays.  I hoped to post these earlier but better late then never right!



 

Our mantel

Our main tree

My kitchen wine tree

The boys tree in the basement

My dining room tree

Our dining room buffet

Our elf Juicy arrived and was sometimes mischievous!
 

We had some neighbors over and who doesn't love a cheese tray!

 Our New Years Eve Spread

 Jack had a friend stay over so they set up the tee pee and waited for the New Year!

 

All in all we had a wonderful holiday season.  It went by soooo fast!  I hope everyone else had a wonderful time and have started off the New Year happy and healthy!

I will be back tomorrow with a little project I tackled yesterday!

 

Glad to be back!