Marika Athletic Wear Review

Disclosure: I received products samples to facilitate this review. Post contains affiliate links. The opinions are my own.

When it comes to gift giving I am simple. I love to get people what they really want. In my case, all I really wanted for Mother’s Day was a few prints of my son’s latest pictures. Other than that, I enjoy getting things I love but don’t by often for myself. Clothes are a great example. I get so excited when my husband walks in with a shirt or pants for me. As a mom, I am home every day with my son. We have church on Sundays and once or twice a week we may go out shopping or something, but for the most part I don’t have to get dressed up. At home I like to be comfortable yet cute, and for me that means yoga pants with a tank top or tee.

I was very excited recently when I received a package from Marika. They have very stylish athletic and fitness wear. I got a pair if yoga pants. These are black and feature a cute mesh pattern down the legs, and they are a great fit! [Read more…]

Valentine Gifts for HIM: Volt, Scholars & Warriors

Disclosure: I received product samples to facilitate this review. The opinions are my own.

I’m always excited when I get the chance to review products, and when my husband can be a part of the review that’s even better!  When I heard about Volt, I thought their products would be a perfect Valentine’s Day gift for my hubby.  They sent me an amazing hoodie!  I like neutral colors that go with everything, so the grey color was perfect.  Immediately upon examining the garment, I was impressed with the look and style of it.  The quality is great.  The fabric is very thick, and it is very nicely lined to be both comfortable and warm.

 

But Volt isn’t just any clothing company.  My husband’s hoodie also came with a battery pack.  Yes, that’s right, a battery pack.  It charges just like your cell phone and then hooks in to the hoodie.  With the battery connected, this hoodie warms up just like an electric blanket!  My husband is a DIYer who does a lot of work outdoors, so this is perfect for him!

Our weather turned off cold again last week, so he’s gotten to wear it a few times, and he loves it.

I also received a pair of boxers from Warriors & Scholars.  They specialize in clothing for all men, of all walks of life, from white collar to blue collar.  Whether you are looking for something to where to the office, the gym, or at home with the wife and kids, Warriors & Scholars has something for everyone!

Their boxes come in a variety of fun colors and patterns.  The fabric is very smooth and soft to the touch, and my husband said they fit very comfortably.

Hope you’ll check out these fun Valentine’s Day gift selections for HIM!

A Valentine Gift for Her from Ellie Activewear

Disclosure: I received free products to facilitate this post.  The opinions are my own.

When it comes to Valentine’s Day gifts a lot of girls grow tired of the traditional candy and flowers.  I personally love jewelry, but sometimes I long for something a little more practical.  If you are trying to think outside the box for Valentine’s Day (or any other occasion) consider a subscription to Ellie.  Ellie is an active wear subscription plan.  It costs $39.95 a month, and they send you a three piece outfit with a fun accessory.

Each month the company has exclusive collections to send out.  I’m really excited today to take you inside one of their boxes! [Read more…]

12 Favorite Posts from 2018

It’s that time of year! Time to look back on our year and see how things went as we prepare for the next year. I always like to look back and then share some of my favorite posts for the year. This year has been very busy for me at home, and I haven’t done nearly as much writing as I normally have in past years, but I still managed to find 12 posts that I thought were worth sharing again for this year end post!  We have a few recipes, cleaning posts, health, fashion, and even a pet post.  I hope you enjoy!

(Please find the link for each post underneath the featured photo.)

Grilled Hot Wings + 6 Tips to Make Your Summer Cookout a Success

College Football Spirit with Dr Pepper® + DIY Photo Booth Tutorial

12 Tips and Must-Haves for Postpartum Care

5 Tips to Keeping Your Home in Tip-Top Shape for Your Family (and Your Cat)

Chicken Florentine Pasta

Panasonic HomeHawk Front Door Home Monitoring Camera Review and Giveaway

6 Baby Must-Haves for Cold and Flu Season

Fashion Reivew from prAna

Mama’s New Helper: DEEBOT OZMO 610 – Robot Vacuum Review

Homemade Dill Pickles

Cleaning Up with Rejuvenate® Click n Clean™ Multi-Surface Spray Mop System

Christmas Pajamas for the Family Review

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts on my 12 picks!  And if have a similar post, I’d love for you to share it with me!

The Different Ladies Boot Styles Explained

 While most women can distinguish between sandals, tennis shoes, and boots, a lot of people won’t be able to distinguish between the various styles of boots out there. They may not know that there are actually several boot styles, much less the pros and cons of each and the times when one style is better than the other. Here are the different ladies boot styles explained.

Fashion Boots

Fashion boots are made to look good. They may keep your legs warm, but they aren’t winter boots or snow boots. A classic example of this category would be sexy knee-high boots or This means fashion boots are the wrong choice if you’re walking on slick ice or slogging through a wintery mix. However, you can break out the fashion boots when the cool, dry weather forces you to stow away your summer sandals. Another great option for summer boots could be huarache. If you are looking to buy huaraches online then make sure that these boots are from a trusted brand. Also, you could find the high boots with cutouts that let your skin breathe, so you can wear them in the summer.

Knee-high boots are both slimming and sexy. Just realise that you should only wear them with relatively skinny jeans, tights or bare skin since trying to stuff yourself or your clothes into them makes it all look bad.

Rain Boots

Rain boots are at their core very practical. However, they don’t have to be boring black or yellow waders, as you may have had as a little girl. You can find stylish rain boots you’d be thrilled to be seen in on a rainy day. And you might want to break them out while washing the car or working in the muddy garden so that you protect your feet from the water and mud.

Classic Riding Boots

Classic riding boots like ariat boots were designed for riding horses. However, they’re so ubiquitous you can literally wear them anywhere. You can wear them in casual environments and dressy ones. For example, you can wear them with skinny jeans for a minimalist outfit or with a dress and tights at the office.

The best styles are brown or black. A zipper or other detailing makes them stand out from the crowd. A well-made pair of classic riding boots can stand daily wear and tear for years, whereas fashion boots may fall apart after a year of heavy use.

Cowboy Boots

Cowboy boots are somewhat different from traditional riding boots. They’re a great fashion statement, and they’re more versatile than many people think. They’re a natural pairing with tucked-in jeans. You can wear them with leggings. You can wear cowboy boots under flared boot cut jeans, skirts, and dresses. You can find exotic leather cowboy boots and flamboyant embellishments if you want the boots to stand out.

Chelsea Boots

Chelsea boots are notable for being both comfortable and stylish. They’re another type of boot you can wear anywhere, and you see them everywhere, too.

Chelsea boots are typically made out of contrasting pieces of leather. They can stretch to fit your foot and ankle, so they truly fit you. While they’re a somewhat modern style of boot, they are classic enough to wear to work or on a night out.

Heeled Booties

Heeled booties are low cut boots with a chunky heel. They are versatile, and you can find them in many different styles. You could have a dozen different colors and styles of heeled booties in your closet, with no two the same.

These boots are generally far better to walk in than fashion boots, thanks to that chunky heel. They look dressier than flats, too. You can combine them with shorts to make your legs look longer. Or you could wear them with a dress to get the benefits of high heels without putting on a balancing act or worrying about breaking the heel. Heeled boots usually come with a low heel, but you can choose the heel thickness that suits your comfort level. One of the best choices in this area is the Dune boots for women. Dune offer boots in a variety of styles, colors, and sizes, so you should have no issues finding a great heeled boot that will fit your personal style.

Moto Boots

Moto boots are another type of boot that started out as practical and became associated with a look. In the case of moto boots, they’re considered daring and powerful.

Most moto boots are made from leather. However, you can find stylish moto boots with rhinestones, sequins, and metal accents. The best points in favor of moto boots are how these boots protect your feet from mud, a sprained ankle, and sharp items you might step on. Moto boots also keep your feet dry in the rain and warm in the winter. An interesting trend of late has been the rise of moto boots with cutouts that let you show skin in the summer.

Conclusion

Boots started out as practical, protective footwear. They’ve evolved to fit everyone and every occasion. Take your time to identify the right type of boots for you, then choose from the wide range of options on the market today.

Christmas Pajamas for the Family Review

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. The opinions are my own.

One Christmas tradition I definitely want for Thaxton is the new pajamas traditions.  It is fun, yet practical, because he will always need pajamas!

I LOVE Christmas pajamas, and I’ve been so excited for the pajamas for the family trend! After shopping around a lot on the internet, I chose Target for our Holiday Family Pajamas.  I was very impressed with the variety they had, from the different colors and prints, to the various styles of pajamas.  And the prices amazing!   Today I’m going to share with you some of the things that I bought and point out a few things I also liked.

I’ve been wanting to get Thaxton and I Mama Bear and Baby Bear shirts, so I fell in the LOVE with the Holiday Bear Family Pajamas.  Apart from the bear theme, these also have red and black checks with I really like.  And they look more like winter pajamas and not just Christmas, so we can continue to wear these in January.

The pajamas themselves fit great.  We both got very soft cotton shirts and fleece pants.  These are so comfortable, and I was impressed by the quality!

I also got Thaxton the Fair Isle Union Suit.  I’m not really in to the adult onesie, so I just got this set for him.  I really love this type of print, and the colors are great.  And like the other pajamas I chose, this has more of a winter theme, so that he can wear it after Christmas is over without looking weird.  This is made of fleece, so it’s very warm, and I actually also love it as something he could wear around the house on cold days and not just as sleep wear.  (And I have to admit, I kind of wish I’d bought myself one of these!)

If these aren’t for you, you might like their Peanuts Pajamas. (I love Charlie Brown and Snoopy!)  And they also have sets that are Harry Potter themed, Grinch, Elf, Santa, and so many more!

I also wanted to point out these slipper socks that I got for just $6.  These are very warm and comfortable, and I think they are quite cute.


So many styles are still in stock at Target, so go over and check out their Holiday Family Pajamas. Perhaps it could be the start of a new family tradition for you!

6 Tips to Keep Warm in Winter


I don’t know about you, but I’ve already started my holiday shopping!  When you have 2 boys who both need winter clothes, you HAVE to shop ahead!

This year, I’m actually hoping to get a little bit of clothes for the husband and me as well.  If you are in the market for a new coat or other warm clothes this winter, check out Chums.

Winter really is a season you can’t help but prepare for!  We have to keep our house warm, dress warm, and even eat warm foods.  Check out these 6 tips to keep warm in winter.

Fire Places and Space Heaters

If you aren’t lucky enough to have a fireplace in your home, I suggest getting a couple of space heaters or fireplaces.  We bought an electric fireplace, entertainment center a couple of Christmas seasons ago and we LOVE it!  Not only does it help keep our living room warm, but we love the ambiance!  We also have an electric fire place in an add-on room in our room, and we keep a small space heater in our bathroom.

Wear Sweaters

I actually love the cooler weather, because I get to wear sweaters!  I LOVE sweaters…pullovers, cardigans, crew neck, v-neck, cowl neck, ribbed, cable knit….you get the point!  Sweaters and are so warm and cozy, and because they come in so many style choices, colors, and patterns, I think it is easy to find something for everyone.  And I personally love them because they are so versatile.  I can wear most of my sweaters with a pair of jeans and look great, or I can dress it up a bit with khakis or other colored pants, or dress it up even more with a pair of black dress pants.

Serve Hot Drinks

One of my favorite things about the fall and winter season is that I get to drink hot chocolate!  Whether I’m doing a homemade hot chocolate recipe or just heating up milk and adding a little Swiss Miss, it is a great way to start off a cold morning!

 

Throw Blankets

We keep throw blankets in our living room year round.  I use them as part of our decor and drape them on the back of our couch and chairs and then we cover up with them as needed.

Windows and Window Treatments

If you live in an older house like we do, you likely have windows that let in a LOT of cold in the winter, and it may be worth it to replace these.  If you cannot afford such an expense, you could look in to purchasing window insulation kits.  We also use black out, insulating curtains in our living room and all of our bedrooms.

 

Choose Warm Accessories

In the fall and winter, I can’t go anywhere without seeing a lady in boots.  Not only can you make a fashion statement, but it gives gives you an extra layer of warmth against the wind (especially if your jeans or leggings or a little on the thin side).  You can also add a lovely scarf of shawl scarf for a splash of color.  And of course, don’t forget your coat!

How will you keep warm this winter? I’d love to hear your tips!

Fashion Reivew from prAna

Disclosure: I received free products to facilitate this review. The opinions are my own.
fashion review

It is mid October, and I am excited to finally have some weather in the 70s and 80s!  That combined with cooler temperatures in the night means it is time for me to break out my fall wardrobe.  Recently I had chance to take a look at some fashion pieces from prAna.  Their products are environmentally friendly and made with sustainable fabrics like cotton and hemp. They have some lovely offerings from their hemp line that are just perfect for the fall and winter season!  And I’m very excited to show you what I got from their site!

(By the way, you can get 15% off at prAna when you use my coupon code: PHJR18)

fashion review

I chose the Cozy Up Zip Up Jacket in Equinox Blue Heather.  I chose this item because, as a mom I need comfortable clothes that I can wear around the house but that also transition well to outerwear, and I have always loved hoodies!  They are also great because you can wear them as a part of an outfit or wear them as a jacket.  It is made of Hemp/recycled polyester/Tencel ® lyocell fleece blend.

 

fashion review

First off, I love the color.  Secondly, I am very impressed with how soft the fabric is, especially the fleece on the inside.  And I can tell it will be very warm when winter weather comes.  The fabric also feels and looks very strong and durable.

I can definitely see myself wearing this as an occasional jacket out of the house or as a daily wear item, especially in the mornings or evenings when it is coolest in our house.  And I can see myself wearing this item for a long time.

I also chose the Leda Pant in coal.  I absolutely love the color grey, so I was immediately attracted to the color of these.  I’ve also ONLY RECENTLY started wearing skinny jeans and leggings and so I thought these would fit in well with my collection.  I really like the ribs in the fabric and the fact that they are high-rise; this is very different from anything else I have in my wardrobe.

And I also love the feel of the fabric.  It is 53% Hemp, 2% Organic Cotton, and 5% Spandex.  It feels very comfortable and soft, and it feels very durable.  These pants also seem as they they will be way warmer than the thinner cotton pants.  I could actually see myself wearing these out in colder weather, unlike a lot of other legging and skinny jeans.

They fit great!  I’m short and skinny, so I got the XS.  One reason I’ve not wore much “skinny” fit pants in the past is because I am so short.  All pants are usually long on me, and I hate them bunching at the bottom, but these seem to be the perfect length, so I’m happy about that!

These pants are also very versatile.  On the prAna site the models wear the pants as workout gear, and they would definitely be great for that.  But I love the idea of wearing these with other outfits.  In my photos, I decided to wear them with a flannel button down shirt.  Plaid is really in style this year, and I thought the colors of this shirt would go well with the grey pants, and I was actually impressed with how they went together.  I also think these pants would look great with a pullover sweater or a cardigan.

And I have to throw this in: When my husband saw these pants, he said I looked hot, and that these were his new favorite pair of pants for me.  That definitely made me feel good, and I have to say, these may be my new favorite pair of pants as well!

 

fashion review

I’d love for you to check out all the great things prAna has to offer!

Coupon Code: Get 15% off at prAna when you use this coupon code: PHJR18

Tell Me What You Think:  I’d love to hear your thought on this brand!  Please leave a comment on this post.

Cool and Comfortable with Tommy John Underwear

Disclosure: I received free products to facilitate this review. The opinions are my own.

A lot of people have a favorite fashion accessory or piece of apparel. A lot of people collect shoes or earrings. Others have a huge tshirt or sweater collection.  One thing my husband loves is underwear.  It may sound simple and even a little silly, but having comfortable underwear is very important.  If you think it’s not than you’ve probably never had a pair that wasn’t comfortable!  I was thrilled when I had the opportunity to pick out a few items from Tommy John for review.  Actually in this case, my husband picked out some items.

My husband does a lot of work outside when he’s at home, and at work he has to do a variety of tasks; some of which take place in a very cool lab environment, while others take place in extreme heat.  For all of these, it’s important to have comfortable and high quality underwear. [Read more…]

5 Fun Fashion Trends for Spring

The spring season is almost here, but in a lot of places, you’d never know it.  Here in the South we’ve actually had a very warm winter, but over the last couple of week’s we have some unseasonably cold temperatures.  Needless to say, everyone is ready to pack up the sweaters and coats and bring out that spring wardrobe.  Today I’m going to share 5 spring fashion trends you should be on the look out for.

yoga pants

Athleisure Wear – Yoga pants and athletic wear have been trendy for a while.  And now thanks to companies like Fabletics, the trend may be here to stay.  Now yoga pants and leggings aren’t just for home or the gym.  Now you can pair them with a cute top and wear them to the store, a restaurant and even the office.

I love this trend because it combines style with comfort.  It also adds a lot of versatility to your wardrobe, as you can use one athleisure outfit for multiple purposes and occasions. [Read more…]