What to Do - sparkleshinylove

Roxymandy May 1, 2015

Working Out While On The Go With AirTime Fitness

If you are a regular on the blog, you know that I do work out but I have a really hard time fitting it in. I always find a way to make it to soccer every week (and twice a week in the summer), but it’s been hard to get to the gym with work, a toddler, and everything else I have going on!

Basically I need something that I can fit in when I have a spare hour that is not scheduled each week, because I never know when I am going to have a free moment.

Over the last couple weeks I have started to use something that fits right into my schedule, and I am super pumped about it!

I started using Airtime Fitness, which allows me to log into their website and do one of their workouts (posted daily) anytime I choose!

A different workout is filmed everyday at their gym, and I can log in whenever I like to workout with the new show posted that day. I can log in with my laptop, phone or tablet – whatever is most convenient for me!

They have an interactive calendar so I can look at past workout’s and use them as well. I was a little worried about the quality of the video’s – would they be starting and stopping all the time because of my internet connection? Would they take a long time to load, or would I have issues with sound in the videos?

I actually ended up having zero problems. I would click on a workout, and it would automatically start playing from anywhere. You would think my home was located at the top of a mountain in the middle of the ocean with the terrible internet connection we have, but I had no issues at all – the workout videos were seamless.

Each show includes a summary of what we would be doing in the workout that day, a warm-up, the main workout, and a cool-down at the end.

You don’t need much to do the workout’s – sometimes you might need a skipping rope or some weights, but if you are like me and pretty much have no gear you can grab something from around your house to use (like that time I used two massive bottles of shampoo and conditioner – I was improvising!). You can start with nothing, and gradually you may want to get more gear as you go – the choice is up to you.

The website has lots of information on what to expect so you know what you are getting into before you try it. There is a video about what you may need for workout gear (very little, if anything), and there is even a sample class you can view on their website.

I think the best part is that it’s a different workout every day. I get soooo sick of workout DVD’s because it’s the same workout over and over. This feels like you are actually at the gym getting a workout in, except I am usually in my living room.

I also like that it’s a portable workout. I can workout in my backyard, I can log in at work if I need a break, or pretty much anywhere else I choose.

When I go away for work I always say I am going to hit the hotel gym, but then I get lazy and never end up leaving my room. Being able to just tap into workouts with AirTime Fitness like this means that the laziest person has no excuse when they are away from home – the workouts go where you go.

Often things come up when you are working out from home, such as in this case my son decided to “pop in” while I was busy. I could easily press pause, and go back to my workout when I was ready.

Overall it’s been a great couple of weeks with AirTime Fitness, and I am going to work hard at keeping it up! I really have no excuse to not work out when they have made it so easy for me. Rob and Jeff make the workouts really fun, and they are really funny guys so it’s not boring at all. Basically you are sweating, but having a good time while it’s all going down.

If you are still unsure about giving it a try, keep in mind that they offer two weeks absolutely free! Normally it’s only $6.75 per month, and you can cancel anytime, but if you are still unsure about signing up then give the free trial a go.

A full year membership is only $78.50, plus you get a free AirTime Fitness t-shirt OR a free AirTime Fitness Fanny Pack. Yes I just said Fanny Pack on the blog.

Overall I was a big fan of AirTime Fitness, and I really think it’s worth giving a try, especially since it will cost you nothing for the first two weeks except losing that extra time spent on the couch watching TV. They couldn’t have made it easier for you to fit your workouts in by being so accessable.

For more information on AirTime Fitness, visit their website here. Follow them on Facebook where they are very active and often have giveaways, and on Twitter as well for the same!

Roxymandy April 20, 2015

Celebrate Earth Day on April 21st With Pottery Barn Kids!

At Pottery Barn Kids stores in Canada tomorrow, kids can celebrate Earth Day!

Earth Day is Wednesday, but on Tuesday, April 21st, and at Pottery Barn Kids stores kids will have the chance to decorate biodegradable flower pots, plant seeds, learn the importance of pollination and receive a special takeaway to track their flower’s progress.

The event starts at 11:00am, and space is limited so guests are encouraged to call their local store to RSVP.

Stores participating include :

Toronto:

– 100 Bloor Street West: 416.961.2276

– Yorkdale Shopping Centre: 416.785.7375

– Sherway Gardens: 416.622.5163

Vancouver:

– 2935 Granville Street: 604.638.7494

What a great way to spend a Tuesday with your kids!

For more information on upcoming events or some great shopping, follow Pottery Barn Kids on Twitter and Instagram @PotteryBarnKids, on Facebook at facebook.com/PotteryBarnKids, or Pinterest at pinterest.com/PotteryBarnKids.

Roxymandy April 16, 2015

How Having a Toddler Has Ruined My Vacation Vibe

I work to travel. I spend countless hours devising ways to get out of town every week whether it's just for a weekend, or for a week in a foreign country. My husband and I have been to 21 different countries together, so travel is a big priority for us.

When we decided to have a child, I remember saying to my husband that we needed one last trip because we didn't know if we would be able to travel again with a child. That last vacation was to a lovely all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean with lounger chairs by the pool, drinks near the ocean, late nights and even later mornings.

Fast forward to months later, we had an infant and I needed a vacation. I was desperate to go anywhere really. I sold a trip to my husband by talking about the importance of our first family vacation, and the much needed calling for rest.

At 7 months we took our son to Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. I had never packed so much gear in my entire life. Gone were the days of trying to fit as many shoes as possible into our bags – instead I was sacrificing clothing for diapers, wipes and snacks. I was determined to bring enough pre-mixed formula bottles that we wouldn't need to wash a bottle (talk about expensive), and I wanted to bring every type of snack and food he needed so he didn't eat any resort food. I was stressed about our child eating at a 5 star resort – it was insanity.

After packing everything in sight (including bedding for his crib and wipes to sanitize everything in our hotel room), I stressed about every detail. Where would our son nap? Would his life jacket fit? Did I have enough toys? What if he got sick – did I pack every type of medicine he might need? I am pretty sure I was exhausted before we left.

Funny enough I packed magazines and books for the plane and resort – none were opened or read. There was the stress of making it through the flight without bothering other passengers with him being fussy, and making sure his ears didn't painfully pop. And the terror of changing a diaper in the airplane bathroom. The terror. Then at the beach we were making sure he didn't eat any sand, or get sand in his eyes. Sunscreen was applied every half hour, and always making sure his life jacket was on before entering the water.

Believe it or not, after all of this we had a great vacation. I spent so much time worried, it's amazing I had any time to unwind. It's hard to complain when you spend time in the Bahamas, so I have to say the vacation was well worth it. I was starting to yearn for those lazy vacations in the sun sleeping all day, and dancing all night.

Fast forward to 2.5 years later, and we have also travelled to Lake Placid, Bermuda, and Turks and Caicos together as a family. The stress has calmed a bit as our son has gotten older, but those magazines and books are still rarely opened.

Last week my husband and I went away on our first vacation without our son. We have done overnight trips away, but this was the first real trip where we were gone for 4 days to Las Vegas.

We made it – this would be our vacation where we could be lazy, we could do whatever we wanted, and I could finally read a magazine uninterrupted!

We had an amazing four days, but something unexpected happened. I was feeling a little guilty about leaving our little toddler behind.

We have been a team of three for a while now, and we left one man behind. As I strolled through shops, lazed by the pool with a magazine, and danced into the late hours of the night as I had always wanted to do, I felt like something, or someone was missing.

It didn't help that when we called home he didn't want to talk to us. Not because he was angry or sad he was left behind – he was afraid if I talked to him on the phone I would come get him from his beloved Papa and Duchesses house (he calls my mother the Duchess) so he didn't want to speak with me. He was in good hands, and so happy to be with my parents the kid wouldn't even take my phone calls, but I still found myself wishing he was with us.

When we have our son on vacation the additional stress of airplane travel, safety in the water and eating foreign foods, and planning naps are compounded into our trips. Now without him on a trip I have the stress and guilt of not having him with me and missing him.

Although he cried when we picked him up to take him home (I was feeling really loved!), the next day he told us "you don't go on a trip without London". Maybe he is right.

Roxymandy March 27, 2015

Soia & Kyo Fall/Winter 2015 World MasterCard Fashion Week

I was back in Toronto for World MasterCard Fashion Week on Thursday, and it was a pretty crazy day!

My friend and I started off at Her Majesty’s Pleasure for cocktails and pedicures, and then a dinner nearby at Cibo Wine bar. After the show at WMCFW we even hit up the official Grey Goose Afterparty at America Restaurant, but the main event was the 8:00pm Soia & Kyo show.

Soia & Kyo design jackets for both men and women, and prior to the show I searched the brand and found quite a few past designs I loved. I was excited for the show!

Everything that came down the runway was completely wearable. I feel like most shows at WMCFW have a few designs that you would love to wear, but would never have the opportunity to because they are just too couture. In this show everything looked easy and comfortable, even when the designs were more complicated and formal.

Images 1, 5-19 courtesy of George Pimental.

Roxymandy March 25, 2015

David Dixon Fall/Winter 2015 at World MasterCard Fashion Week

My first day of this year’s World MasterCard Fashion Week began on Tuesday, and I started it off with the David Dixon show. This year he is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his label, and the show was absolutely packed.

Everyone was buzzing around us with excitement for the show, and also trying to politely claw their way to the closest chair to the runway!

The show started with a look back at the designer’s two decades of work, followed by a video of David Dixon himself reflecting on his work and the industry he is a part of.

The show also started with a quote from Joan of Arc, who was one of the inspirations behind his line.

The models had MAJOR hair. Tousled braid’s that were loosely pulled together inspired me to get a hold of some mousse, and some voluminous hair extensions stat!

The model’s wore a black and while color palette, and most of the designs sported corsets and bustiers. Every outfit made me think that the woman wearing it looked empowered, and almost like a female warrior. It was fierce!

My favourite part was the capes and coats that came down the runway.

There was lots of leather and wool for this Fall/Winter 2015 line, and the show finished off with beautiful flowing dresses that really brought everyone’s camera’s out.

I loved the collection, and I thought it was a really wearable line for a gal heading to an event in Toronto. Some of it was maybe a bit more risqué for some, but I would love to wear any of it!

Here are a few of my favourite looks from the show!

Photo(s) 1, 5-9 courtesy of George Pimentel.