week 4 recap of #30daywalkoff #LeslieSansone challengeand #livingandactive challenge by #peak313

Just ended week 4 of my October fitness challenges.

First, I'm following my 30 day Leslie Sansone Walking challenge (found here: http://crafts-n-fitness.blogspot.com/2014/10/30daywalkoff-free-october-walking.html )

and the Peak313 5-week exercise/spiritual challenge (found here: http://peak313.com/featured/3rd-annual-living-and-active-week-1-tied-together/ )

10/19 - 10/25 workouts for the week:

Sunday
Rest Day

Monday
(45) mins/3 miles Leslie Sansone, (25) mins Jillian Michaels level 2

Tuesday

(60) mins Burn 30, Firm 30 Leslie Sansone

Wednesday

(30) mins/2 miles Leslie Sansone

Thursday

(1 hr 15 mins)/5 miles Leslie Sansone

Friday

(23) mins Level 2 Jillian Michaels, (30) mins new Leslie Sansone dvd

2 hours at the local Pumpkin patch with lots of walking! 

Saturday
Rest Day

I had a good week!!
Logged all of my food for the entire week and stayed between 1300-1400 calories. I weighed myself and haven't lost anything in 2 weeks though. :-(
I only have one more week left of my Leslie Sansone challenge and about 1.5 weeks left of the dietbet challenge to lose 6.6 pounds. I'm still working hard, but doubt I will make meet that weight loss goal. Boooo!!

Sleep Number mattress store review from a Smiley360 blogger

I went to my local Sleep Number store and spent over one hour with a great salesman.

He showed me and my husband 3 different style beds. He explained the difference between all three and asked our opinions about them. I liked the pillow top P5 the best!

We also got to try out 2 different pillows which I loved! I will definitely be going back and buying one! It felt really good on my neck and head because it was contoured.

The salesman explained in great detail about the Sleep IQ technology and what specifics it shows on the screen for each individual.

He figured out mine and my husbands sleep number and showed us pictures of our sleeping posture in the bed and how the bed number affects our body.

It was a very good, informative experience. He gave us 4 pricing quotes since I requested them for my personal information.

The Sleep Number® bed is the only bed that lets you track and optimize your sleep with SleepIQ™ technology. Sensors work directly with Sleep Number® DualAir™ technology inside the Sleep Number bed to measure your average breathing rate, average heart rate and movement to track how you’re sleeping.

SleepIQ™ technology provides a simple and intuitive way to know more about your sleep. It tracks your sleep and provides information you can use to make adjustments to your SLEEP NUMBER® setting or daily routine. Best of all, it empowers you so you can achieve your best possible sleep, night after night.

And SleepIQ™ couldn’t be easier to use. Nothing to wear, nothing to turn on. All you have to do is sleep.

• Like SLEEP NUMBER and enter a sweepstakes for chance to WIN a FREE SLEEP NUMBER® bed with SleepIQ™ technology with standard UPS shipping 

• Click here to learn more about the SLEEP NUMBER® SleepIQ™ technology
• Click here to find a SLEEP NUMBER® store near you
• Follow @SleepNumber onTwitter for deals, sleep tips and news

**By going to the Sleep Number store and posting my experience on my blog and other social media, I will be sent a complimentary pillow from Smiley360 and Sleep Number. All opinions and pictures are my own**

Is the Victoria Secret Sports line for the average fitness woman? #VSSportBra plus a GIVEAWAY!

Last month I was suppose to receive a box from Influenster containing a complimentary sports bra and pair of bottoms from Victoria Secret Sport line for blog review. I was SUPER excited but after 6 weeks and multiple emails later, was told there was a mix up and I would not be receiving my box.

I had already been preparing my blog post and pictures since I have been using the VS sport line for at least a year now, so I  decided to post a VS sports review anyway even though this post is now NOT affliated with a product review for Influenster.

These are my personal pictures and experiences with the VS sports line and I have personally paid for all my items. I have the angel CC bill to prove it! ;-)
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Did you know that Victoria Secret even had a sports line?

https://www.victoriassecret.com/victorias-secret-sport

They started it a couple years ago and to be honest, when I got the catalog showing their sports line,  I wondered if they were just overpriced clothes. I decided to buy some crop bottoms and I've been buying them ever since!!

I love to buy them when they have coupons or during the semi-annual sales. I mostly wear VS sports bottoms, as well as Old Navy active line.

I exercise every day so it's VERY important to me that the clothes fit, wash well, and hold up! I hate spending money on clothes that I have to keep adjusting or that wear out after a couple of uses. I also LOVE that the VS bottoms dont show sweating in personal areas and don't show my underwear underneath. I know they are expensive, but I find them well worth the money!

I love my crops so much, that I've gotten a couple VS tanks as well as just started buying their new incredible sports bras that launched a couple months ago.

I went to my local store last month and was so happy to see a small selection of the sports line!

This is my new sports bra that I LOVE LOVE LOVE!!

I am really picky about my bras because (1) even though I'm small, I don't want a push up bra when I'm trying to workout! (2) I need adjustible straps because I have a longer torso and I actually get neck strain when my bra straps are too tight (3) because I'm small (36b) I like to have light padding. I've been using the VS pink yoga sports bras, but they recently changed the style to be more pushup style so I was so happy to see this new line!

NEW! INCREDIBLE BY VICTORIAS SECRET FRONT-CLOSE SPORT BRA

For some reason, there are some negative reviews about the zipper. I haven't had any problems with zipping it up or staying in place. You have to use both hands to zip it up though.

(from their website) Fit tip: Make sure the zipper locks into place! Pull the zipper firmly into the zipper box and hold securely as you zip upwards. Place the fabric zipper cover over the zipper box for ultimate comfort.

https://www.victoriassecret.com/victorias-secret-sport/sports-bras/incredible-by-victorias-secret-front-close-sport-bra-victorias-secret-sport?ProductID=205933&CatalogueType=OLS

These are the crops that I adore! seriously-best thing ever!

I am in between the medium (8/10) and large (12/14) because of my larger hips/butt, but I hate pulling up my bottoms around my waist, so I chose to wear size mediums so they are snug on me. 

I'm 5 feet, 4 inches so one thing I've found is that sometimes "crops" will look longer on me which I hate because I mine as well wear leggings. So another thing I love is the length of these crops. They fit me just below my knee. 

I also love that they sit on my waist. I have had 2 kids (1 was a c-section) and I've lost over 75 pounds so I have some stomach fat that I don't like jiggling around. The crops have great compression with holding the fat in and being comfortable and flattering. and when I bend down, no one will see my butt or underwear! ;-)   

KNOCKOUT BY VICTORIA'S SECRET CROP

https://www.victoriassecret.com/victorias-secret-sport/all-bottoms/knockout-by-victoria39s-secret-crop-victorias-secret-sport?ProductID=208630&CatalogueType=OLS

I've pinned some items on my Pinterest boad if you're interested:
http://www.pinterest.com/rdevaughn4/influenster-vssportbra-voxbox-board/
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So in answer to my beginning question-is the VS sports line for the average fitness woman? I say ABSOLUTLY!! I'm obviously not skinny-I still have alot of weight to lose. But I love waking up every morning to workout in great fitting, great quaility exercise clothes that make me feel sexy and confident!

Are you ready for a GIVEAWAY?? 

You can win (USA only):

-a new HUGE VS sport duffle,
-medium resistance tubing (I will be removing them from the box for cheaper shipping),
-samples of Delta Labs Hair skin and nails supplement,
-2 Ellie hairbands,
-Fresh feet wipes sample,
-VS small lotion.

All fun things to get your started on your fitness journey!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"A Lady at Willowgrove Hall" by Sarah Ladd review and kindle giveaway!

This was my first book by this author, Sarah Ladd and my first book in this series.

"A Lady at Willowgrove Hall" is book 3 of "Whispers on the Moors" and follows the story of Cecily who lives in England during the early 1800s.

It was a good book about love and forgiveness and sin. Virtue and purity were very important in those days, as well as appearances. I don't know if I would have gotten more out of the story if I had read the other two books in the series or not. It was a nice book but not something I personally would read again.

About the book: 

Her secret cloaks her in isolation and loneliness.

His secret traps him in a life that is not his own.

Cecily Faire carries the shame of her past wherever she treads, knowing one slip of the tongue could strip away everything she holds dear. But soon after accepting the position of lady's companion at Willowgrove Hall, Cecily finds herself face-to-face with a man well-acquainted with the past she's desperately hidden for years.

Nathaniel Stanton has a secret of his own --- one that has haunted him from birth and tied him to his father's position as steward of Willowgrove. To protect his family, Nathaniel dares not breath a word of the truth. But as long as the shadow looms over him, he'll never be free to find his own way in the world. He'll never be free to fall in love.

When the secrets swirling within Willowgrove Hall come to light, Cecily and Nathaniel must confront a painful choice: Will they continue running from the past . . . or will they stand together and build a future without the suffocating weight of secrets long suffered?

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/CsnBw

About the author: 

Sarah E. Ladd has more than ten years of marketing experience. She is a graduate of Ball State University and holds degrees in public relations and marketing.The Heiress of Winterwood was the recipient of the 2011 Genesis Award for historical romance. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing husband, sweet daughter, and spunky Golden Retriever.

Find Sarah online: website, Facebook, Twitter

Award-winning author Sarah E. Ladd examines how to escape the clutches of a tainted past in the final installment of her Whispers on the Moor series. A Regency-era novel, A Lady at Willowgrove Hall cleverly shows that even though our pasts may be shameful or painful, God can take the darkest personal histories and turn them into the brightest futures.

Celebrate with Sarah by entering her Kindle HDX giveaway!
One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• A Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E. Ladd

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on November 2nd. Winner will be announced November 3rd here.


I'm a blog book reviewer for LitFuse Publicity so I was given this book complimentary in exchange for an honest review on my blog and social media-all opinions are my own.

I am taking the 8 week Peak 10 Fit Challenge with Michelle Dozois!

I love to plan ahead with my exercise programs and my current walking challenge will be ending next Thursday, so this is my upcoming program I will be doing next.

I will be starting this program on Tuesday November 4th (so my rest days will be on Sundays) and ending on Monday December 29th. I received this program complimentary last year for blog and social media review. All opinions are my own.

So what is the Peak 10 Fit Challenge with Michelle Dozois?? 

SECRET of Peak

For years, the best way to burn calories was through traditional interval training, a repetitive cycle of peaks and rests that turn the body on and off until exhaustion.

The problem is that these intervals are a shock to the system, making it impossible to maintain the intensity needed to see dramatic results.

Michelle's peak progressive intervals are smarter than that because their unique blend of cardio and strength moves are sequenced to trick your body into performing at a higher level. Without realizing it, each stage will take you a little further, push you a little harder and help you reach a higher level than you could with a traditional workout.

10 AMAZING workouts in this program:

PROGRAM Intro & Fit Test
Set the bar for success to set your goals and track your success!
Running time: 49 minutes.

PURE Cardio
With Pure Cardio you'll increase endurance, get your body moving and torch calories!
Running time: 54 minutes.

CARDIO Interval Burn
Cardio Interval Burn uses the power of peak intervals to blast fat and help you shed those unwanted pounds and inches!
Running time: 65 minutes.

CARDIO Strength 1
Cardio Strength 1 & 2 feature the perfect storm of cardio and strength training to help you develop long, lean muscles and incinerate calories both during and hours after your workout!
Running time: 60 minutes.

CARDIO Strength 2
Cardio Strength 2 blends more of the cardio and strength moves needed to develop long, lean muscles and incinerate calories during, and even hours after your workout!
Running time: 60 minutes.

DYNAMIC Flexibility
Stretch, reset and rejuvenate! The perfect workout to get you stronger, fitter and sexier than ever!
Running time: 40 minutes.
 
PURE Strength 1
Pure Strength 1 & 2 feature all the moves you need to sculpt, tone and tighten your body into Peak condition.
Running time: 55 minutes.

PURE Strength 2
Pure Strength 2 features more killer moves to sculpt, tone and tighten your body into Peak condition! Running time: 55 minutes.

ANYTIME Anywhere Workout
Never miss a workout! It's perfect for travel, vacation or when you're just short on time.
Running time: 40 minutes.

CORE Dynamics
The Core Dynamics DVD has proven exercises to get hot, sexy abs quicker than ever!
Running time: 20 minutes.

For more information about the program you can go here: 

http://peak10.michelledozois.com/

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WORKOUT SCHEDULE: 
Week 1
Day 1- Program fit test
Day 2- Pure Cardio
Day 3- Pure Strength 1
Day 4-Dynamic Flexibility & Core Dynamics
Day 5-Cardio Strength 1
Day 6-Rest
Day 7-Cardio Interval Burn & Anywhere/Anytime workout

Week 2
Day 1- Pure Strength 1
Day 2- Pure Cardio
Day 3- Cardio Strength 1
Day 4- Dynamic Flexibility & Core Dynamics
Day 5-Cardio Strength 1
Day 6-Rest
Day 7- Cardio Interval Burn & Anywhere/Anytime workout

Week 3
Day 1- Pure Strength 1
Day 2- Pure Cardio
Day 3- Cardio Strength 1
Day 4- Dynamic Flexibility & Core Dynamics
Day 5- Cardio Strength 2
Day 6- Rest
Day 7- Cardio Interval Burn & Anywhere/Anytime workout

Week 4
Day 1- Pure Strength 2
Day 2- Pure Cardio
Day 3- Cardio Strength 2
Day 4- Dynamic Flexibility & Core Dynamics
Day 5- Cardio Strength 2
Day 6- Rest
Day 7- Cardio Interval Burn & Anywhere/Anytime workout

Week 5
Day 1- Pure Strength 2
Day 2- Pure Cardio & Core Dynamics
Day 3- Cardio Strength 2
Day 4- Pure Strength 2
Day 5- Cardio Strength 1
Day 6- Rest or Dynamic Flexibility
Day 7- Cardio Interval Burn & Anywhere/Anytime workout

Week 6
Day 1- Pure Strength 2
Day 2- Pure Cardio & Core Dynamics
Day 3- Cardio Strength 2
Day 4- Pure Strength 1 & Dynamic Flexibility
Day 5- Cardio Strength 1
Day 6- Rest or Dynamic Flexibility
Day 7- Cardio Interval Burn & Anywhere/Anytime workout

Week 7
Day 1- Pure Strength 2
Day 2- Pure Cardio & Core Dynamics
Day 3- Cardio Strength 2 & Anytime/Anywhere workout
Day 4- Pure Strength 1 & Dynamic Flexibility
Day 5- Cardio Strength 1
Day 6- Rest or Dynamic Flexibility
Day 7- Cardio Interval Burn

Week 8
Day 1- Cardio Strength 2
Day 2- Pure Cardio & Core Dynamics
Day 3- Cardio Interval & Anytime/Anywhere workout
Day 4- Pure Strength 2 & Dynamic Flexibility
Day 5- Cardio Strength 1
Day 6- Rest or Dynamic Flexibility
Day 7- Fit Test
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Michelle Dozois has been in the fitness industry for almost 20 years! She has other fitness DVDs, along with this progam I'm starting. You can visit her website here:
http://www.michelledozois.com/

I will be posting weekly recaps during this program and can't wait to share my results and thoughts with all of you!

#OrigamiOwl #HollyJollyBoxofHappy contents review *** Origami Owl Designer kit!

I got my Origami Owl

Designer Kit last night!! 

and I LOVE IT!!! 

My friend is coming over tonight so I will be going thru it again in more detail, but I wanted to post some pictures and the contents of my box.

This is what it looked like when I opened it. So organized and neat!
Lots of business materials and catalogs. Can't wait to read thru them all. 

Trays and dishes to hold charms. (one of my dishes came broken-sad) 

3 Living Lockets-
1 large black locket with crystals for a necklace (LK1018),
1 medium rose gold link locket for watch style bracelet (LK3021), and
1 large twist silver base (LK4002)  with 1 large twist silver face with Pave crystals (BZ4004)

Other items all organized into little boxes! 

Got several charms (including holiday LE), dangles, earrings, plates, tags, and a couple chains to coordinate with the living lockets above. 

and I even got my own designer charm!! CUTE!!

This pair of earrings was on my wish list so I was so excited I got them in my kit!

Vintage Rose Crystal Stud Collection (ER3016) SO PRETTY!! 

These are the Holiday Limited Edition charms for this year.

I love the gingerbread girl and snowglobe the best. 

If you're interested in purchasing anything in the Origami Jewelry Fall or Holiday catalog, visit my facebook event here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/360760297415452/?ref=2&ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

or website link here to order:
http://www.rdevaughn4.origamiowl.com/parties/RachelDeVaughn501464/collections.ashx

week 3 recap of #30daywalkoff #LeslieSansone challenge and #livingandactive challenge by #peak313

Just ended week 3 of my October fitness challenges.

First, I'm following my 30 day Leslie Sansone Walking challenge (found here: http://crafts-n-fitness.blogspot.com/2014/10/30daywalkoff-free-october-walking.html )

and the Peak313 5-week exercise/spiritual challenge (found here: http://peak313.com/featured/3rd-annual-living-and-active-week-1-tied-together/ )

10/12 - 10/18 workouts for the week:

Sunday
(30) mins Leslie Sansone Firm with handweights,
(20) mins/1 miles Leslie Sansone

Monday

(57) mins/4 miles Leslie Sansone

Tuesday

REST DAY

Wednesday

(75) mins/5 miles Leslie Sansone

Thursday

(30) mins speed walking at the park track

Friday

(29) mins Leslie Sansone Firm with hand weights, 

(25) mins Jillian Michaels Beginner Shred level 2

Saturday

(30) mins of walking outside, plus errands and moving several boxes and grill. 

My week started off well. I logged all my food up until Thursday when I went to a work lunch. At my lunch I had bread and a dessert and then felt awful the rest of the day and most of Friday. :-(  Because I'm mostly sugar/dairy/gluten free, my body doesn't like it very much when I go back to eating those things.

I didn't weigh myself this week so I'm not sure how on target I am with my Jillian Michaels dietbet challenge I'm doing. I've been trying to stay around 1400 calories.

On Saturday I "disconnected" from social media and spent the day with my youngest running errands, took him to a free lego activity, did lots of chores, fall decorating, some reading, and moving boxes up and down the stairs-including this "new to us" grill we got! It was a good day!!

How did your week or weekend go?