Ditch the Flowers – Give MOM a Shinesty Kimono

Spring is my favorite time of year. The flowers are blooming, the birds are singing, there is new life everywhere. We celebrate our Moms in the spring too. This Mother’s Day, give mom a lasting gift. Check out the gorgeous kimonos available from Shinesty. 

The Women’s Hawaiian Party Kimono is stunning! The vivid colors pop in a beautiful tropical pattern. I have never had a kimono as luxurious as this one. The feel is soft and silky. The material is sleek to the touch, gliding across my skin. Dancing in the pattern are birds and pineapples among the palm tree leaves. I see bright red birds of paradise boldly peeking out from the orange sunset background. This is lovely with the contrasting green trim to match the tropical foliage. The colors are taken directly from the islands!

The unisex fit is generous. I can wear this comfortably over clothing or by itself from the shower. I feel pampered when wearing it. I love the feel of the material. The arms are not constrictive to allow for a comfortable movement. It comes with the included sash belt. The shape and the length make this kimono as flattering to wear on the beach as well as hanging out by the pool. This also fits the spectrum of loungewear or lingerie. 

The Shinesty Kimono is machine washable for easy care, made from polyester satin. 

Look for the Orange Crush Hawaiian Party Kimono as well as other kimono patterns at Shinesty. They are a fun fashion company with cool styles!

Ditch the flowers, Give mom a splash of color and fashion from Shinesty. 

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Give your Feet a Break with Keysocks!

Mom jeans might have been cool back in the 80s, but most women today prefer current trends like skinny jeans worn with ballet flats, ankle boots or a cute low cut sneaker. The only problem with today's looks is that it is hard to wear socks with these shoe styles. Sure you can try the no-show footies, but after a few minutes of pushing a stroller or chasing kids around the playground they are bunched up around your toes and useless. Going bare foot in shoes can lead to sweat, blisters and general discomfort. But for once, looking stylish doesn't mean you have to suffer annoyance or pain. 

Keysocks are a new sock that covers the bottom of your foot, your heel and pulls up the leg so it won't slip off, with a keyhole cut out on the top of the foot so the sock remains invisible inside your shoe, just like a no-show footie but with more stability.

My Thoughts:

Keysocks are by far one of the coolest new trends in the fashion world. It is difficult to find the right socks with so many on the market, along with tons of brand new shoes and pants to fit them with. Some are far too big, too long, tight, itchy, and not snug enough. Finally creator Shelby McKee bestowed upon us a trail blazing design! Whether you want to rock those fancy flats or heels, or relax in your favorite moccasins, Keysocks has you covered. I got to try both the Barely There and the Classic Standard Light in black. Both were amazing, light weight and comfy!

The first version I tried was the Barely There. The color is a soft tan/nude and they are oh so soft! Being someone who loves to wear flats in the Spring and Summer, but can't stand blisters, these are going to be my new go to. They're made of 99% nylon, and 1% spandex. On the heel is an adorable embroidered key and a quote on the bottom of the Keysock that says "The Key to my Sole". They fit sizes 5-12. 

The other Keysock variety I tried was the Classic in black. These felt more reminiscent of a regular sock, but light enough to be worn in the Spring/Summer when you need some support on your feet during cooler days or nights. They had a nice knitted texture and were a bit longer than the Barely There. The material is 32% Cofee Charcoal, 48% Rayon, 18% Nylon, and 2% Spandex. As the packaging recommends, these socks should not be tumbled dried, bleached, or ironed. Hand washed separately only in warm water. These fit sizes 6-11 and calf sizes less than 17 inches in circumference.   

As you can see from the last picture, while wearing Keysocks they were able to mesh perfectly with any shoe! They were not bulky fitting nor did they slip. I love the feeling of them on my calfs and upper leg. It seemed to help with circulation. I tend to have foot cramps after being on my feet for long periods and found Keysocks to be perfect for helping me with that. I'd highly recommend them for yourself or a loved one!  

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Holiday Gift Guide - Review: Get Waisted

 Be Sporty, Be Safe, Be Smart

A stylish alternative to bulky, unattractive fanny-packs and cumberson bags.

Get Waisted is perfect for anyone with an active lifestyle. With a pocket to hold a smartphone, two zippered compartments, and an outlet for easy headphone access, the belt keeps your hands free so you can focus on your exercise. The sturdy spandex keeps all your possessions in place, whether you're at the beach or lifting weights at the gym.

The Get Waisted is the perfect vacation accessory. The sleek, fashionable belt zips around your waist, and keeps all your most important possessions close to you so you always know where it is. It's so thin, you can wear it under your clothes, so you never have to sacrifice your glam. Set your mind at ease knowing that your most valuable possessions are always safely by your side with the Get Waisted -- at the beach, on the boat, or just relaxing at home.

You're a busy person, so work smarter, not harder. Keep your important things accessible at all times so you can focus on more important things. Get Waisted is manufactured with high-quality, washable spandex fabric that's strong yet lightweight, making it a perfect balance of comfort, style, and flexibility. Its durable construction means it can keep up with everything you do. Fabulous!

Offered in four colors (sea foam, turquoise, hot pink, and black) and 3 sizes.  Available at Glam Sparkle n' Glitz. 

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Our Thoughts
One of the reasons I'm not terribly fond of leggings is there are no pockets!  I always need pockets. I kind of wish all clothing came with pockets!

Enter the Get Waisted: You can see pretty much everything you need to see here: zipper for easy on/off, plus a pocket for the front and a pocket for the back, one of which has a grommet for the cable for your headphones.

This outfit I recently wore to a wedding reception; it's one of my favorites for being dressy, yet stretchy and comfortable for the night - a pretty floral/paisley V-neck blouse paired with a long black skirt. But it has NO POCKETS! Which means I had to drag a purse with me everywhere to hold my phone and my keys.  What you can't see in the photo above, is I'm actually wearing the Get Waisted.  It hides pretty well!

Here of course I'm showing you the Get Waisted, and how it easily pairs with the skirt for a seamless fit. 

No need to save it for a special occasion - make it work for every outfit you wear - whether you're out doing something more athletic and want a place to carry your phone and keys, or just don't want to be weighed down with a purse when you really only need the essentials - your phone, keys, ID, maybe a credit card.  And being available in four very pretty colors, you can add a nice pop of color to any outfit.

When the weather turns warmer (and I won't be wearing a big coat! I mean, it is cold here in Minnesota during the winter. LOL.) the Get Waisted will come in very handy for my walks with the dog - I always have at least my phone and keys on me.  We walk the nature trails in town and the nearby state park; one of my hobbies is taking nature photos so having a good safe place to put my phone with easy access when I want it is a plus.

Holiday Gift Guide - Review: RaesWear

RaesWear

Go Hands Free!

While on business, Leigh Cockram struggled with the lack of a safe and comfortable storage spot for her numerous personal items (hotel key, ID, money, iphone) on her run. Inspired to create a solution, Leigh imagined a 360 degree waistband storage pocket with front and back openings for easy access. She spent the next two years designing the concept, testing fabrics and finally patenting the ultimate Hands-Free waistband pocket.

Designed with high quality, high performance, luxuriously soft fabrics in bold prints and solids, RaesWear is a simple but brilliant hands-free clothing concept. No more ugly, bouncy fanny packs; chafing, sweaty arm bands; scratchy zippered pockets; or, worse, hiding items before a run/race.

Capris

Leggings

Pants

Shorts

 Skapris

Skorts

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Our Thoughts

My favorite type of workout is walking the dog. And when you've got your hands full with the leash and the inevitable poop bag, well, you don't really have your hands free to carry anything else.  I always take at the very least (besides the bags!) a set of keys and my phone. My phone is a constant companion not for the music or texting or anything like that, but because I love to take nature photos while we walk the trails in our town and the nearby state park. 

This right here is what RaesWear is all about: the waist pockets! It even fits my iPhone 6S+ with ease.  There's a pocket in the front and a pocket in the back. Perfect for your ID, a credit card, a small set of keys, your phone, or any other small item you want to stuff in there.

I do have a couple pairs of yoga pants but hate putting anything in the side pockets because #1, it's bulky, #2, the weight of my phone in the pocket will eventually pull the waist down a bit - then I'm constantly hiking them up.

I am LOVING the pants from RaesWear - they are lightweight and very comfortable and very stretchy!  There isn't a sizing chart available on their website, so I ordered a size Small given that's pretty typical for me for athletic wear.  While they are quite form fitting in the thigh, I don't think I'd want to order a bigger pair instead because the waist is perfectly comfortable and I wouldn't want that any looser.

Here you can see the pocket opening in the front.

 And here you can see the pocket opening in the back.

Loving the fit - so comfy!!

I love the fashion aspect of these pants, too. Pair them with a tank top for more athletic endeavors, or throw on a pretty tunic for a dressier look  - the best part is that you don't need to bring a purse for the essentials thanks to the waist pockets!  RaesWear has sooo many different clothing options - I love the Skapris! 

I will get more use out of these pants next spring because right now, it's December in Minnesota.  LOL. The winters are pretty cold for outdoor activities, but these will be great outdoor activewear for me in warmer weather.



Holiday Gift Guide - Readers.com: Discount Reading Glasses

In 2006, Randy and Angie Stocklin started a home business in Greenwood, Indiana, selling eyewear. Evolving into the company it is today, Angie and her Merchandising Team personally hand-pick over 600 unique styles of readers with up to 14 power options, and powers hard-to-find at other stores. Through the years their focus remains the same: provide great value, unbeatable selection, and personalized service to make their customers happy.

Readers.com offers a variety of lens types as well as frame styles, shapes, & sizes to choose from.  They have selections for both men and women, and accessories too!

15% off with coupon code SAVE15

Hundreds of styles under $20.

Free shipping on U.S. orders over $30.

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Our Thoughts
As I get older, my close-range vision has begun to change and I've found myself needing readers, or as we call them here: cheaters. I'm still okay for close up if I'm wearing my glasses or going without, but when I have my contacts in, I just can't see up close with too much clarity anymore.

I chose The Duvall for review. The Duvall has clean lines for a classic look - I chose brown/purple for my color selection.  The front is brown and the sides are purple. 

While I don't yet need readers for book reading during the bright daylight hours, during the evening low-light hours they make reading is a bit easier on the eyes for me.  The only downside I've noticed from The Duvall is that the purple on the sides leaves a slight purple residue on my skin, so I think over time it's possible the color will wear away.

"You don't need to read, Mom, you need to pet me!"

I do use readers quite often now when sewing (I run an online shop for the things I sew), especially when using a seam ripper, sewing by hand, or where I want to be *extra* careful that everything is done *exactly right*. 

A fun little hobby for me is making my own jewelry and some of those little jump rings are sooo tiny!!  And the beads! And the tiny holes in the beads!  I've been having a hard time focusing on the really small stuff but the readers make things so much easier.  I'm tempted to get a higher powered pair especially for jewelry making.

I also like to hike and go mushroom hunting, and sometimes the tiny details really need to be studied to ensure you're picking the right mushrooms. I'll be keeping a pair in my backpack.

Readers.com readers are backed by their Happiness Guarantee, which means if you are not 100% happy with your reading glasses they will take them back - guaranteed.

Overall, I'm very happy with the quality of the readers from Readers.com and would like to purchase future pairs! 

Review: Skuze Ultimate Lightweight Comfort Footwear

Sküze (http://skuzeshoes.com/), a new brand of premium lifestyle footwear, announced the launch of its inaugural shoe line for men and women. The emerging premium casual footwear brand distinguishes itself with its signature “ultimate lightweight comfort” Sküze footwear features several key technologies that work together to provide its uniquely comfortable fit, support, and durability:

• Ultralight construction - weighing only 5.5 or 6.3 ounces (half the weight of most running shoes).
• Sküzeprene - perforated lightweight material that’s snug, yet breathable; conforming to the contours of the foot to provide natural-fitting comfort.
• Smooth stretch opening - conveniently slip on/off quickly and easily while maintaining a secure fit on the foot.
• Adjustable bungee lacing system - no-tie elastic laces for quickly customizing the shoe’s fit. Lace-free design also available.
• Memory shock absorption - impact protection that adjusts to the foot’s pressure points while minimizing friction, heat and sweat.
• Ortholite anti-odor foot beds - ergonomically molded, open cell PU foam embedded with carbon particles that fight odor-causing bacteria.
• Dual traction design - EVA injected outsole with forward and reverse tread that grips the ground to provide a stable, slip-resistant stride.

“Three years ago we set out to create the most comfortable casual shoe ever made,” Ted Alflen, CEO at Sküze, states. “We invested countless hours developing, testing, and enhancing every aspect of the shoe’s design. From its materials and construction to its mechanics and ergonomics, we scrutinized every detail to create shoes with superior quality and craftsmanship. Today, we’re thrilled to introduce Sküze as a lifestyle shoe brand that lives up to our vision, delivering unparalleled comfort and support for tackling life’s everyday challenges.”

Sküze’s inaugural shoe line features two attractive unisex models, including the Miami and the Venice. Inspired by the “Magic City,” the Miami combines style, form and function. The shoe’s adjustable bungee lacing system and reinforced toe and heel lend aesthetic accents and added support.

Meanwhile, the Venice’s seamless, lace-free design offers a minimalistic look perfect for complementing any casual outfit. The curb appeal of this unpretentious slip-on packs more than meets the eye. With its casual elegance and unsuspecting state-of-the-art comfort, the Venice truly looks as great as it feels. Available in an assortment of color combinations for both men and women, Sküze offers a range of styles to choose from.

Sküze was selected to launch on Amazon Exclusives (http://www.amazon.com/exclusives), a program Amazon launched last year to provide customers with exclusive access to innovative products. Participating in the Fulfillment by Amazon network, Sküze shoes are eligible for free two-day shipping to Prime members in the U.S. In addition, Sküze shoes are also available for purchase online at http://skuzeshoes.com.

For more information or to purchase Sküze shoes, visit http://www.skuzeshoes.com.

About Sküze
Based in Pompano Beach, Florida, Sküze designs, develops, and markets premium lifestyle footwear for men and women throughout the U.S. Born from a desire to develop the most comfortable casual shoe ever made, Sküze is redefining premium, lifestyle footwear.

Sküze shoes are now available for purchase online at the Amazon Exclusive store (http://www.amazon.com/exclusives) and at http://skuzeshoes.com. For additional information, visit http://skuzeshoes.com, like Sküze on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/skuzeshoes) or follow Sküze on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/skuzeshoes).


Our Thoughts
It's like Sküze took the comfort of your favorite pair of bedroom slippers and paired with them with the support and soles of your favorite shoes.  These have become my FAVORITE shoes to wear!  I love the ease of slipping them on and off.  And they're comfy enough to wear all day - while they're not going to keep your feet warm outside on a Minnesota winter day, they will keep your feet comfy warm inside the house, not sacrificing any comfort.

Sküze sent me a pair of the Venice in black and I've been wearing them almost every single day since they arrived (except for the wedding I attended). They are comfy and breathable and have a nice casual look. Pair them with jeans, or your favorite yoga pants (not so much with the dressy wedding wear LOL).

Most house slippers with soles have some of the crappiest soles on the planet - they either separate from the slipper because they're cheaply made, wear out because they are so thin, or crack because they're not very flexible.  Granted Sküze aren't exactly meant for the lifestyle of a house slipper - but they are comfy enough to be worn as such!  Except better - because the soles are So. Much. Better. !!!!

Sküze soles have this backwards/forwards tread for better traction.  This morning I wore them out in the freezing rain (gotta love Minnesota in November!) while I ran errands; not everything was ice covered but there was fresh sleet on the ground and I didn't slide around at all.  I don't know how they'll perform on glare ice, but those days are coming.

The fit: I have average-width feet, and these are a fairly snug fit.  The very first time I put them on, they fit pretty close to the ends of my toes.  I wear a 7 to a 7.5 depending on the shoe brand, and these are a 7.5.  The Sküzeprene does conform to the shape of your foot, and after a day or so the closeness to the tips of my toes wasn't an issue anymore.

Width-wise, they are snug enough to be completely comfortable, but for a more athletic endeavor where I need the shoes to be a bit tighter I'll still wear my favorite sneakers. The problem with my sneakers is after wearing them all day, the tops of my feet begin to ache from having them laced as snug - loosen the laces, and then the shoe slips around a bit.

I find I'm actually more productive during the day if I'm wearing a pair of shoes with good traction - they encourage me to move faster.   Sküze shoes are definitely a 5-star shoe for me!