Sunshine and the Bear

Unfortunately, I don’t have a close store that sells the amazingly delicious protein drink Svelte by CalNaturale near me. So you can only imagine how excited I was when fellow BMOREtoned girl, Jami, brought a case to our weekly workout to share with the group!  

It seems like we were all a little excited…

So, as you can imagine, I ran home and immediately made a smoothie with one. :) 

In the past, I’ve used the french vanilla and cappuccino flavors to make basic smoothies. Cappuccino & ice. Vanilla, banana & ice. Simple. But with this batch, I decided to try a more tropical take - Pina Colada Shake! 

Now…I have to give pretty much all the credit to my Tone It Up girls for the original Pina Colada smoothie idea - it’s from the latest edition of my TIU diet plan. I’ve made it before with my Perfect Fit protein so I knew it tasted delicious :) 

Since then, I’ve tried it a few different ways and I’m really digging the tropical taste - perfect for spring/summer transition. So, of course, I thought I’d share! Enjoy! 

Pina Colada Protein Smoothie 

• 1/2 French Vanilla Svelte protein drink Ingredients:
• 1/4 C pineapple juice 
• 1 banana 
• 1 C pineapple 
• 1/2 C ice 

Now I’ve made different variations of this and they’ve ALL been good. I’ve also added…

• 2 kiwi 
• 1/2 C strawberries 

Mmmmmm. Enjoy! :) 

Play in ALDO Shoe Paradise & Win
Collect all of the shoes in paradise for a chance to win an all-you-can-grab ALDO shopping spree…seriously. I wish I could work for ALDO, they do such awesome stuff! (plus…I mean I’d enjoy the shoes of course :)) 
http://www.aldoshoeparadise.com/

So I was super excited to try out the new Under Armour Armour Bra because I think I’ve used the same kind of sports bra since I started playing sports. haha it’s true. I have a ton of simple Champion sports bras (mostly from Target but I recently also found them for less at TJMaxx if you’re looking!) but no UA bras…hence my excitement to try it out. 

When I was offered to try it out by the UA Twitter team, I got a little confused when they asked me for my bra size (aka not just a S/M/L size)…But then I realized that this new bra is made for a specific size! Makes sense. Very cool. 

I started liking this sports bra before I even tried it on…Why? I’m a SUCKER for great packaging. 

The bra’s info says it is made specifically for you and designed specifically for athletes. It’s sized for your exact fit of your band and cup, has power sling for fine-tuned cradling support and shape, super-stretch straps for no more digging, mesh venting for cool comfort, ultra-soft gel back closure for comfort, seam free edges for anti-chafing and much more. And although they don’t mention it on the tags, it’s pretty cute too. 

I really thoroughly enjoy Under Armour because it seems they really do a lot of testing (or they at least let their consumers know about it). It’s very cool to actually hear from their senior creative director and about the process of working with Dr. Joanna Scurr (watch video here).  

I love the shape of the back. I’m not used to sports bras with clasps which threw me off, but it has a cover with seamlessness so to be honest once it was on, I didn’t even feel it. 

I used it for a strength training workout first with my BMOREtoned workout crew. We did the Tone It Up Sculpting Workout from SELF Magazine (awesome btw!) and it worked really well. It didn’t feel much different from my other sports bras but it was good. 

I washed, dried and took it out for a test run the next day. I definitely felt the difference this time! When I first started running, I didn’t even think about it. Then when I got to about 4 miles, I realized I didn’t notice it because it was doing it’s job! Supportive and comfortable. 

So all in all I give a big thumbs up for the new Under Armour Armour Bra! It’s a great style and shape and is actually very comfortable and supportive. 

The only thing that might cause a hesitation of me purchasing another one would be the price point - $57.99. BUT, it most likely won’t stop me. It’s a great sports bra and, considering how important it is to have that support and comfort during working out…and considering how much I actually workout, it’s totally worth it. 

I’m planning to wear it this weekend in my first half marathon!! I’ll be sure to let you know how it works out! (if I survive…haha) 

We are so incredibly happy to welcome a new four-legged member into our home last week. Meet Mahoney! She’s a shepherd/boxer/we honestly have no idea what else and she’s about 4 months old.

Why are we unsure of the puppy’s origins? No, she’s not from space. Well, maybe she is… haha But seriously, it’s because she’s a rescue from one of our local shelters, BARCS. Actually, both of our four-legged friends are rescues. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate on those who get their dog from a breeder or anything, but if you’re looking for an animal and you can rescue one? Do it! They are the sweetest and you can really find a good one!

I’m so amazed that we found little (soon to be very big) Mahoney. It was like fate! We had NO intention of heading to the shelters after brunch but we were with our friends who are avid rescue/fosterers so when we were close by, it just happened. We toured the kitten/cat rooms (because I had to see those sweet kitten faces!) then got to the puppy/dog rooms and started looking around. Far in the back, semi-behind a mop & bucket, was a sweet little smoocher, just sitting there staring at me. Looking at the papers on her kennel, it looked like we weren’t meant to be - she had been brought in as a stray and they have an automatic 4 day quarantine before animals can meet potential owners. BUT looking at the dates, it had been 4 days to the day! Fate. Someone else could have seen her but been discouraged by the date or because she was in the back or because she was meant for us. :) 

Anyway, now she’s home with us and we couldn’t be happier. WOO HOO PUPPY TIME!!!

Brunch. (Taken with instagram)

Kate Spade knows the way to my heart…

katespadeny:

prepped and ready for a day full of dots. (Taken with instagram)

Tulips are my favorite :) (Taken with instagram)

I LOVE the show #HappyEndings. Seriously, easily my favorite show…maybe of all time. :) 

So as many of you know, I’ve been a bit bed-ridden the past few days following my unfortunate accident. BUT (also as many of you know) I’m a pretty active person so at first this immobility thing was killing me. Not to say it still isn’t currently but I have found some fun things to do while stuck resting and recuperating…

Read 
Yes. I’ve been entranced like much of the world by the Hunger Games books. Right now I’m on number two…it’s just as much of a page turner as the first.  

Try to get some work done
The key word is “try”…the kitten has been much more interested in cuddling (with my face). Yes, she chose to sit directly in front of me most of the morning…

Read and organize all my old food magazines 
I have attempted to do this a bunch of times but never really got it right. I get these amazing, wonderful magazines full of recipes I’d love to try in the future but I’ve always told myself I wouldn’t take the time to write it on my little recipe notecards unless I’d actually tried it.
Fortunately, with addition of a lovely new file box, I was able to start cutting down the Eiffel Tower that is my old magazines. I’ve ripped out the recipes I’m interested in and put them into specific categories (e.g. poultry, salads, sauces, etc.). Now, when we’re looking for something new and different to make, I can turn to this box and look through! Ta-da! 

Paint my nails
Who doesn’t need a fresh coat?

Arts & Crafts
Yes, you heard me. I have never (and will never) outgrow my love and respect for arts and crafts activities. They are calming and usually make me feel a lot better. The key was to find one that I could do sitting with relatively little motion. BRACELETS!
I’d seen so many Pinterest posts on these DIY bracelets that I decided to try them for myself. I had the supplies (every craft-loving girl probably does) so I made four kinds (in the order they are in this photo L-R):

Braided bead bracelet
Wrap bracelet 
Hex nut bracelet
Single braided bead bracelet  

Rest!
As I mentioned, I’m definitely one to try to jump back into things too quickly. I never take that extra day after vacation (even if we get back at midnight the night before). I end up doing work and running errands on sick days. Basically, I’m not a good rester…which doesn’t help because I never fully recuperate. BUT, I have an amazing boyfriend and support system at work (and lazy kitten) to help me do just that. 

So there you have it…your guide on what to do when you get hit by a bus and you’re at home. ;) 

Oh, and I’ve also been working hard on my Pinterest boards. They’re pretty amazing if you want to go check them out. Haha 

fellow ladies, don’t ever let someone steal your tenderness.