Strange Daze Indeed

It’s very important to me to live life without regrets. So many times the only thing standing between us and our dreams is our mind.

Imagine our lives without barriers. Imagine taking on adventures that push our limits and show us the power of the human spirit.

So often, getting out there and taking the first step is all you need. Sitting at home making excuses will never get you anywhere except on the couch.

I remember so many wonderful adventures from hiking in Kauai and traveling alone across the world that would have never happened if I had given in to the reasons why I couldn’t do them.

So often in life, what is on the other side of fear is excitement. You just have to push through and take that first step.

I can remember when I was in New Mexico at a healing retreat. One of the final events was firewalking. At first, it seemed daunting and something that I would not be attempting. We had a group meeting before and it was very motivational and encouraging. Still, as we went out into the night and I saw the long bed of red-hot coals over 1000 degrees, I was content to stand back and watch.

But, something strange happened. As I watched the people I’d grown close to over this retreat – people I had shared laughter, tears and stories with, people who were going through extreme hardship – all of a sudden a feeling that I can only describe as “Yes” went through my entire being. Without a moment’s hesitation, I walked straight across the hot coals without burning my feet at all. In fact, I don’t even remember walking across. It seemed like in a flash I was on the other side.

Just to confirm to myself that it wasn’t a fluke, I did it again and had the same feeling. As the joy rose within me, my friends and I hugged one another.

What would it be like to live life without barriers, without regrets? What would it be like to expand your universe and not believe the stories we have been told or tell ourselves that we are not good enough, strong enough, brave enough?

Nature Valley has partnered up with Erik Weihenmayer to encourage people to shed a barrier and get out there! Erik is the only blind adventurer to climb to the seven highest summits in the world. Totally amazing!

His latest expedition? To kayak the Grand Canyon’s Colorado River starting tomorrow, September 7th!

He and fellow blind adventurer, Lonnie Bedwell, will be the very first blind adventurers to attempt this enormous feat. This expedition serves to inspire us to not limit ourselves, to eliminate barriers in our lives and live life to its fullest.

Nature Valley is joining Erik in inviting people to pledge to get out there and live a No Barriers Life.

Feel the energy of Nature with Erik:

•      The “No Barriers Grand Canyon Expedition” is a 21-day, 277 mile journey through some of the world’s most challenging whitewater terrain in the Colorado River.
•      Erik Weihenmayer will be supported by an experienced paddling team, and joined by accomplished kayaker and Navy veteran Lonnie Bedwell.  Together, Erik and Lonnie will demonstrate the power of harnessing inner strength to overcome challenging barriers.
•      Preparation for the Expedition has been extensive, with both Weihenmayer and Bedwell spending the last several years training and developing innovative systems for kayaking rapids with support from high-tech radios and verbal commands from river guides.
•      The trip will begin on September 7 at Lees Ferry, nine miles south of the Arizona-Utah border. Erik and his team expect to complete the expedition on or around September 28 at Pearce Ferry, which marks the boundary between Lake Mead and the Grand Canyon.

Follow along with Erik on Nature Valley’s Tumblr

 Take the No Barriers Pledge

As a founding member of No Barriers USA, Weihenmayer advocates for the organization’s mission to empower people with the message, “what’s within you is stronger than what’s in your way”.

You can join Nature Valley and Weihenmayer in the goal of encouraging one million people to live a No Barriers Life.

Take the pledge.

Live life without barriers!

Disclosure: This is a partnered post with Nature Valley however all opinions are strictly my own.

I’m not sure how it happened, but summer with its beach parties and barbeques, its swim classes and summer dresses went by in a flash and it’s back-to-school time!

There’s lots to look forward to as the new school year begins – new teachers, new friendships and new school clothes. It’s always great when you can re-energize your routine so you don’t feel like you’re stuck in a rut. I know we’ll be going to bed earlier and I’ll be buying lots of healthy snacks for lunches and after school.

This time of year, there are lots of products to stock up on and use during the school year and you can get great deals on Johnson&Johnson Healthy Essentials to help re-energize your routine.

You can save more than $40 by visiting the Healthy Essentials website and signing up for program coupons and offers.

One of my favorite products which will help revitalize you and keep your skin blemish-free is Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash in Pink Grapefruit. I’m in love with the citrusy scent and it helps wake me up in the morning!

I’m totally into exfoliating lately and also really like the Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Daily Scrub. Its gentle exfoliating is really the key to revealing bright, clear skin.

While you’re visiting the Healthy Essentials site, check out some of these great savings:

• Save $1.00 on JOHNSON’S® Baby NO MORE TANGLES® or Extra Conditioning hair care product

• Save $2.00 on any (2) AVEENO® products

• Save $2.00 on any (1) RoC® Anti-Aging product

• Save $1.00 on any (1) NEUTROGENA® Cleansing, Moisture, or Acne product

• Save $1.00 on any (1) SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener Product

• Save $1.50 on any (1) VISINE® product

• Save $1.00 on any (1) LISTERINE® Antiseptic Mouthwash, or (1) LISTERINE®NATURALS

Antiseptic, or (1) LISTERINE® ULTRACLEAN® Antiseptic, or (1) LISTERINE® TOTAL CARE,

or (1) LISTERINE® ZERO®, or (1) LISTERINE® FLUORIDE DEFENSE® Anticavity Mouthwash product

Rev Up Your Routine and Enjoy the school year!

Disclosure:  This post is part of the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® 2014 program by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.

I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Influence Central for Dove Advanced Care Deodorant. I received a promotional item to facilitate my review.

We’re having a heat wave! At the end of the summer, there’s so much to do to prepare for the school year, and we’re still embracing the warm weather, getting in those summer parties and weekend trips to the beach.

This means lots of skin showing as we try to stay cool and fashionable in tanks, capris and summer dresses. One thing that is neither cool nor fashionable is sweat or sweat stains.

Dove Deodorant is on a mission to help women embrace going sleeveless rather than it being “the pits”. Underarms are sometimes hidden or ignored, but summer is the time to try on some confidence first.

A few weeks ago, I got the chance to try Dove Advanced Care Deodorant with Nutrium Moisture. I had heard that it not only helps you stay dry and odor-free for 48 hours, but, that it also reduces irritation from shaving and gives you softer, smoother skin in just 3 days.

I was sent samples for myself and friends. I sent one to one of my best friends, Tami, who is dealing with the sweltering Texas heat and another to my good friend Mary who lives close by to give to her daughter to try.

My experience was a great one! I have always loved Dove products because of their fresh natural scents and gentleness while still working so effectively. I feel good knowing that Dove is the #1 recommended skin care brand by dermatologists.

During our current heat wave, I made sure to give Dove some good challenges with 90+ temps and I can honestly say that it did not let me down. Whether I wore a bathing suit, a tank with shorts or a summer dress, I felt confident and my pits remained dry.

Here is a pic my friend Tami in Texas sent me. She said she felt more confident using Dove and going sleeveless and bold! She also loved that the clean scent gave her a natural freshness. Way to rock that tank girlfriend!

My friend Mary’s daughter Cas was next to try Dove. When you’re a teenager going back to school, everything matters, especially smelling good and looking your best. Cas said she is definitely buy8ing more Dove!

Here are some tips from top fashion stylist, Erin Walsh, who has teamed up with Dove to help women go sleeveless proudly!

• I’m not sure there are any dos and don’ts to wearing sleeveless. You can’t dictate style to someone. It’s really more about how the individual wears an item. Every fabric hangs differently and every silhouette fits differently. When youchoose a sleeveless style, it should project confidence in your body stature and posture.

• It can be nice to wear your hair up when you are wearing sleeveless – to show off your shoulders and arms. Whether you have your hair up or down though, it goes back to personal style and how you feel most comfortable. They key is to project confidence.

Dove Advanced Care Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant is available in 11 signature Dove scents and two different moisturizing formulations to address individual skincare needs. The full line of products can be purchased at mass, food and drug retailers nationwide.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Dove Advanced Care Anti-perspirant/Deodorant

Cool Essentials – A refreshing blend of cucumber and green tea

Rebalance – A scent of plum and sakura blossom

New Caring Coconut – A light coconut scent with jasmine floral notes

and Sensitive – An unscented, hypo-allergenic formula

Also try new Dove Advanced Care Clear Tone Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant.

Essential skin care, wetness and odor-protection; it’s all I could ask for. Confidence is beautiful!

After college, I got an editing job in Book Publishing. While it was a great job, I had always had a burning desire to go to Europe, Paris in particular. My Mom said to me, “How can you go. How can you leave your job, your apartment?” I said, truthfully, “How can I not?”

So, my boyfriend and I took some of our savings, bought Eurailpasses, and headed off to Paris with the intention of going wherever the adventure led us. We had an incredible time visiting France, Italy, the Greek Islands, and more.

I have always wanted to live my life without regrets and that has helped keep it fun and fresh.

If there’s some place you have always wanted to visit, whether it’s for a weekend or a month, try to see if you can make it happen. Focusing on the positive rather than finding all the reasons why you can’t is the key.

If you can’t physically visit, you can visit through movies or books! To keep life fresh, keep taking adventures, keep learning. Whether it is a cooking class, a yoga class, or going for a hot air balloon ride. Do you want to jump out of a plane? Do it. Have you always wanted to learn how to make the best Pad Thai or Chocolate Mousse? Now is the time.

Another idea to keep life interesting are T’ai Chi and Qigong classes. You just may find that the life energy you cultivate helps get you more motivated and excited about each day.

I recently did a 3-day juice fast. Changing your routine and giving your digestive system a break can help revitalize your mind, body and spirit. In the future, I may change to one-day juice fasts, however, that is one way to keep myself in balance.

Reading and exapnding our awareness can also help keep life fresh and new.

One of the most pivotal books in my life is The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. I remember picking up this book for the first time and feeling an almost imperceptible shift in consciousness. Of course, a lot of us have heard that living in the now is the key to happiness and enlightenment, but this book helped me not only understand this but experience it.

Oftentimes when I am working at home, I visit websites that are like mini-vacations. Here are two:

BuddhaBoard

Buddha Board is based on the Zen concept of living in the moment. Use your mouse or keypad to draw on the screen, then watch it disappear.

Buddha Board also has a free iPhone app which can be found here.

Another favorite of mine is Rainy Mood.

I have always loved listening to the sound of the rain. It’s so peaceful and calming. Often just visiting this site is like a mini-nap for me.

One more site I love which is both beautiful and brilliant is Bored Panda. I always find something fun and fascinating here.

So, whether you are exploring the world, the internet or a new style of cooking, there are many ways to keep life fresh and fun.

Try something new and open your heart and mind!

Another way to keep life fresh all day are Carefree Acti-fresh pantiliners. Superthin and flexible, they also offer great protection, leaving me care free to pursue life’s adventures.

Each day from August 12 – September 10, 2014 that you visit the Carefree Challenge site, you’re entered to win the Grand Prize – $5,000 for a fresh new wardrobe as well as daily prizes! Today’s prize is a $100 Gift Card to a major coffee retailer. Try something new!

Disclosure: This post is in partnership with Carefree, however all ideas and opinions are expressly my own.

One of my earliest jobs was as a soda jerk. I was just a kid, but my Dad had one of those old-fashioned pharmacies, the ones with the soda fountains. When I wasn’t in school and on weekends, I’d often go to visit him there.

My Dad taught me to make ice cream sodas, milkshakes, and banana splits. The customers were people I recognized from the neighborhood who would sit on the shiny red stools and I loved talking to them and making their favorite treats. To this day, I can still make a mean Raspberry Lime Rickey.

I don’t know about you, but, we’re having hot summer days and nights here! It’s so satisfying to go to our local Walgreens and grab whatever we’re craving. This is ideal for the entire family, and it’s super convenient so we don’t have to look for a soda fountain, make a long and involved grocery store stop or wait around for the ice cream truck.

Walgreens carries Unilever ice cream brands such as Magnum, Breyers, Klondike, Fruttare, and Popsicle so you can get delicious ice cream treats and make sweet memories with your family!

Just this weekend, I picked up the new Magnum Infinity Chocolate.

These new bars are Dark Chocolate Ice Cream with a Chocolate Swirl Dipped in Dark Chocolate and Cocoa Bean Nibs. In short, they’re Nirvana for Chocoholics like me!

What is your favorite ice cream treat? Do you have any special ice cream memories?

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Walgreen’s and Global Influence, however, all thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.

VMA season is always exciting for both the videos and the rockstar looks! I remember my college punk days with the short spiky hair.

These days, to amp up my long hair and unleash my inner rocker, I love to wear a low ponytail and wrap the base of the ponytail with a long braided strand of my hair. Using TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Serum helps keep away any flyaway frizzies and keeps hair looking healthy. Wisps around my face add a romantic touch. I feel like a bit of a tomboy, yet definitely a woman, with moves like Jagger. I finish it off with the TRESemmé Smooth No Frizz Ultra Light Shine Spray for a bit of shine and light hold.

Now TRESemmé and Walmart invite you to amp up your VMA style with 5 red carpet worthy looks while staying well within your budget.

The pumped up pony, super sleek look, rock ‘n roll waves, or full blown volume will have you shining like a supernova.

You can find great styling videos and more info on TRESemmé products at Walmart right here.

Amp up your style and party like a rockstar!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Global Influence, however all opinions are strictly my own.

When I was young, I had Shirley Temple-like curls, which, as I grew up, became wavy hair. I love wearing my hair long in romantic, somewhat messy soft styles.

I’ve always felt that my hair is my favorite accessory. I love when I’m having a good hair day, but, even when I’m not, I’ve found ways around it and love pulling it back into a messy updo.

One of my favorite looks is casual beachy waves. TONI&GUY® has a casual Sea Salt Texturising Spray that helps create that style. You can spray it on your damp hair and then use a diffuser or your fingers to create a tousled look.

If you haven’t heard of TONI&GUY yet, they are a cutting-edge range of hair care and styling products from one of the most innovative salons in the world. With their years of experience creating trends backstage at international fashion shows, you’ll find a variety of products and ways to express yourself.

Just like in fashion, how you wear your hair speaks volumes about you. Why not let it be an integral part of your personal style.

Now, you can treat your hair to the TONI&GUY styling collections at your neighborhood Walgreens. Whether you’re going for classic long waves, super-straight and sexy or pumped-up volume, you’ll find the right styling products for you to achieve unique style from the head down.

I love Walgreens. With their Balance Rewards program, I earn with everyday purchases, and, since I’m there so often, it doesn’t take long at all to earn money back rewards.
I’m excited that they have high quality salon products like TONI&GUY at my local drugstore and at a great value.

My favorite line of TONI&GUY is Casual. They also have Classic and Glamour.

Casual fits me best. It’s for the girl who loves to look effortlessly cool but still sexy. The Casual collection offers four styling products to create loose, textured and carefree looks, with a lived-in feeling. Casual hair looks are relaxed but have movement, created but casual, fun and impactful – perfect whether you are hanging out at the local market looking for the latest vintage finds or meeting friends for coffee and gossip. Feel inspired and let your imagination run wild.

What’s your style?

Disclosure: I have been compensated for my post by Global Influence, however all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Welcome to the

Back-to-School Giveaway Palooza

Sponsored by: Failing Perfect, Dibsies Personalization Station, Zazzle, Fundanoodle, and Educational Insights

Hosted & Organized by: Failing Perfect

Co-hosted by: Here We Go Again, Ready?, Intelligent Domestications, Heartbeats ~ Soul Stains, Spaceships and Laser Beams, Peace and Chaos, and The More The Merrier

I can’t believe it’s that time of year again! It’s time to get those kids ready to go back to school. It seems like just yesterday when we were looking forward to the start of summer. Because we love our readers – and their kids – we want to help you get ready for back-to-school by helping one lucky reader get the year started with a bang. That is why we teamed up with our blogger friends and a few generous sponsors to bring you the chance to win this fantastic giveaway!

One winner is going to receive a prize package worth over $430! This giveaway includes something for everyone in the family from preschoolers through college students.

Here is what is included:

• Kindle Fire HD 7″ Tablet, Wifi, 16 GB  & $100 Target Gift Card from Failing Perfect (Retail Value: $269.00)
• Personalized Lunch Box & Personalized Backpack from Dibsies Personalization Station (Retail Value: $78.00)
• $50 Zazzle Gift Code from Zazzle
• Hot Dots Laugh It Up! Math Vocabulary Cards for grades 1-3, Hot Dots Reading Informational Text for grades 4-6, Hot Dots Pen, & GeoSafari Jr. My First Microscope for ages 3+ from Educational Insights(Retail Value: $79.95)
• The winner’s choice of one activity kit:  I Can Bead, Lace, Rip, Trace!, I Can Pound!, I Can Build Uppercase! or I Can Build Lowercase! from Fundanoodle (Retail Value: $32.99)

Back-to-School Palooza Giveaway: The Details

• Giveaway will begin on August 18th, 2014 and will end at 11:59 PM, Mountain Time (US) on September 2nd, 2014.
• Open to residents in the continental US, 18 years or older.
• One entrant per household.
• Void where prohibited by law.
• No purchase necessary to enter or win.
• Winner will have 24 Hours to respond to winner notification email, or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.
• Winner will be chosen via random.org.
• The winning entry will be verified.
• Sponsors will be individually responsible for prize fulfillment.

If you agree to the above terms, then enter using the Giveaway Form below. Good Luck!!

Back-to-School Giveaway Palooza

Good Luck!