Product Review : Bossywear Pink Wrist Wraps

This week’s next official product review item is this set of #BossywearWraps that I received to review. As described by the manufacturer, Bossywear Wraps are pink wrist wraps designed especially for women.

Here are some additional details:

The set is made with very high quality, yet soft materials which are carefully stitched in order to prevent any discomfort, injury or irritation. I have rather sensitive skin and I didn’t experience any irritation or chafing — even after several days of repeated use.

The set consists of two, 15 inch long wrist wraps that can be adjusted to fit comfortably on each wrist and will stay firm until removed. For extra protection, they also feature thumb loops that will eliminate the possibility of the wristband sliding up your hand!

I have also used these during extended writing sessions to assist with the wrist fatigue I sometimes experience. It’s been a great help as I’ve been writing a close out report for my most recent project for the past week.

Now that I am at my desired weight goal, weight training to achieve increased muscle tone is going to be my focus for the rest of the year. These will definitely be in regular rotation! I am 100% a fan of this product!

I received this item for free in exchange for my honest opinion and unbiased review.

Sweets for My Sweetheart — The Semi-Homemade Way!

This muffin pan kit arrived just in time for Valentine’s Day! My husband is a pretty simple man, all he desired for Valentine’s Day was his favorite dessert: Yellow Cupcakes with Chocolate Icing! Our schedule was jam packed, so I used one of my “semi-homemade” recipes (Cake mix with a little something extra– read through the post to get my baking tip). The cupcake pan is super cute and I loved that this really came with everything you’d need to make cupcakes (short of a bowl and the ingredients).

The liners were attractive and of good quality and I was able to support the pan with a simple cookie sheet or you could choose to use a shallow baking dish or a pizza pan if you don’t have a cookie sheet in your baking collection. This would be a cute gift to send to a college student or a friend for a “galentines day” token of appreciation. Overall, I was very happy with this item.

Here’s my “Semi-Homemade” Baking Tip: I use Betty Crocker Super Moist Butter Recipe Yellow Cake Mix cake when I’m in a pinch– and to make it taste closer to homemade, I add in a box of Vanilla Jello Pudding— nothing extra– just make the cake according to the cake box directions.

The pudding really does make a difference! You’ll thank me later!

Presidents’ Day Product Giveaway!

Hello wonderful people!

I know this is long overdue, but I’m living life on life’s terms.

Seriously, the past week has been full of several unexpected illnesses and deaths and other random life events and the combination of all those things hit my spirit really hard. I took some time to process everything and blogging was less of a priority.

But JOY comes in the morning! And I am happy to be back with you with my first bright and sunny PRODUCT GIVEAWAY!!!

I mentioned on my Facebook Fanpage that I had a custom circle scarf made by Suuchi.

First, let me tell you about the process of ordering the scarf. It was sooooooo simple! I literally ordered it from my phone (and we all know that mobile sites can sometimes be a pain). I opened the link, scrolled through the photo gallery of fabric swatches until I selected one I liked, entered my measurements (I had these readily available thanks to the tracking features on myfitnesspal!), added my coupon code, and proceeded to checkout.

Since I had a full discount code I paid nothing. No shipping. Nada.

It was a lovely experience. The only thing better than receiving my beautiful scarf is this– I have a code that will grant the same experience to one lucky reader. See below for details on how you can enter to win!

Suuchi Presidents’ Day Giveaway

Here are some shots of me in my scarf that you can entertain yourself with while you await news of the winner! Thanks for stopping by!

Who’s There to Save the Hero?

I know everyone is still occupied by “Formation,” but “Save The Hero” will FOREVER be one of my top two Beyoncé songs (The other being, “I Was Here”).

I don’t look to any celebrity as my standard of living, nor do I fault myself for any music I listen to (when I catch myself feeling myself too much, I check it QUICKLY). I have a faith that I’m growing in day by day and God prunes those habits REGULARLY. In the meantime, I take any revelations God gives me via any medium– which is often music (and not just Christian or Gospel genres).

All that being said, this particular song came to mind as I considered my topics for my next Podcast recording. It’s pretty much where I’m at right now.

I didn’t sleep at all last night. Not because I was stressed or anxious or upset or worried. But because I needed that time alone with God.

The first time I heard this song in 2008, I felt like it described my life:

“…I’m left with no shoulder, but everybody wants to lean on me.

I guess I’m their soldier.

Well who’s gonna be mine?

Who’s there to save the hero?

When she’s left all alone and she’s crying out for help.

Who’s there to save the hero?

Who’s there to save the girl… after she’s saves the world?”

I feel that way, OFTEN. And, like any other time I find myself pondering lyrics during my quiet time, I heard God answer me.

His response was, “I AM.”

I wouldn’t be the woman that I am today if I didn’t continue to remember these truths:

“Strong people” struggle too. The world looks at you as if you are some superhero, but you know all too well that you are STILL human.

People may overlook you, try to use you and manipulate your genuine heart to serve their own needs — But God —

God is the one true, constant confidant that you have in the midst of all of life’s challenges. He WILL NOT fail you and you CANNOT allow others to change who you are or stop the purposes and desires He has placed in your heart.

Take some time away with God and allow him to strengthen your heart.

I pray that my transparency helps someone else today. It’s pressing on my heart to share so I’m sure there’s some person who needs these words at this very moment.

Scriptures to Meditate On:

Matthew 11:28-30 The Message (MSG) “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Matthew 11:28-30 New Living Translation (NLT) Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Psalm 91 New Living Translation (NLT)

¹Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
²This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him.
³For he will rescue you from every trap
    and protect you from deadly disease.
⁴He will cover you with his feathers.
    He will shelter you with his wings.
    His faithful promises are your armor and protection.…

John 16:33 New Living Translation (NLT) ^“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Daily Dusting

One of the funniest parts of growing up for me was realizing just how often some things need to be cleaned (Why can’t things just STAY CLEAN!?!?).

When you’re an adult in your own home, you grow an entirely new “appreciation” for cleaning even the smallest details — the baseboards, the mini-blinds, underneath the fridge, and the list goes on. For me, dusting is especially necessary.

I’ve mentioned before that I’m attempting to “go green” as they say, and the last 2 years have involved a more concentrated focus on my health. With that came the realization of just how dusty EVERYTHING gets. Even my car.

I received this wool duster to review and I got in my car and was going to town. There wasn’t much dust on my console, but the lambswool really has a magnetic attraction that lifted the light layer of dust with ease. It’s also small and compact so it fits underneath my driver’s seat and will be within quick reach for my daily cleaning routine. As I continued testing it out, I realized there was a lesson in this example.

We can do a daily dusting, while the film of dust is light and less noticeable or we can wait until the dust is piled up and unavoidable.

I got a new car a few years ago and I do my best to take care of what I’ve been blessed with so I vacuum my car and clean off the console and seats at least once a month, if not more. An outside person might ask why I would bother to do so when I’m usually the only person in my car (other than my husband). I know and understand that I can clean everything on a regular schedule or I can wait until the dust/dirt is something that I can see– but, it’s going to take more work to clean it when the dust has accumulated than it would if I’d given it a more frequent cleaning before the dust has a chance to build up.

The same can be said for our spiritual selves. We can attempt to wait things out and avoid addressing some of our underlying hurts, but eventually those things will become unavoidable.

Yeah, we might succeed at covering them up for a while or not working on those personal flaws that we know we could change if we made the effort and opened ourselves up for God to do His work in us. Instead,we let the layers of hurt, offense, bitterness, and resentment build up until they are so thick that everyone can see it– and will take so much more work to clean away.

The great thing about this example is– if you’re willing to allow the lamb to do his work on you, you can be made clean– regardless of whether the dust has just settled or if it has several layers of overlooked and mismanaged grime. Nothing is too hard for God!

Take a moment to ask yourself: Have I done my daily dusting?

Scriptures to meditate on:

Acts 24:16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

Ephesians 4:26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry.

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.