#FitTeaDetox

I don't know about you, but whenever I get back from a vacation, I seem to have mysteriously gained 5 or 6 pounds. I'm just so busy eating whatever I want, whenever I want, that I'm lucky if I bother to fit one or two workouts in during my time away. Plus, you know, I'm quite busy lying on the beach, or sitting at the beach, or eating at the beach...you know, lots of varied activities.  Ok, so I do a whole not of nothing on vacation. Mysterious vacation weight-gain solved.

So, naturally I was stoked when FitTea approached me to try their 14-day detox. It came at the perfect time; right after I got back from vacation and had a few of those I had lots of fun! pounds to shed.  Plus, their tag line is "Give us a few weeks and we'll give you a new waistline." They were speaking my language. Here's the low down. FitTea is an all-natural tea composed of organic green tea, oolong wu yi, rooibos, ginger, pomegranate, guarana, birch, stevia, corn (there are actual kernels in there!), and honey powder. It promises to boost the immune system, promote fat burning, aide in digestion, give you energy, and suppress appetite; plus it even has antioxidants and antimicrobial properties. I decided I could use all of the above, and thus began my two week #FitTeaDetox.

Here's what I did:

The instructions say to drink a cup of tea each morning or before a workout. It didn't clarify if the tea should be drunk with breakfast or alone, and since I am not one for whom a cup of tea constitutes a meal, I had the tea with my breakfast each morning. After eating whatever I wanted and not bothering to work it off for a couple weeks, I slowly got back into the habit of incorporating produce into my diet, and exercising most days.

Here are the results:  

When I had the tea alongside a simple breakfast of Grape Nuts with raisins and almond milk, I didn't get hungry again for over 3 hours. (Normally if I eat just one bowl of cereal I'm hungry after about 30 minutes). So, I would say it certainly worked as an appetite suppressant. My waistline, however, is inconclusive. By day four I was down 3 pounds and 1% body fat, which is the lowest it's been in years. But a few days later, I was back to my normal weight. Some days I weighed a pound more, some days less. But my body fat percentage went right back to what it normally is, and stayed around that number for the rest of the time.

Here are my thoughts:

As an appetite suppressant, this tea works. But as far as weight loss, my results are inconclusive. I can't say with certainty that the tea helped me to lose weight or any inches off my waistline. The tea has a slight lemony flavor that I personally didn't love - I just have a strange association between hot lemon anything and lemon flavored Theraflu, but my boyfriend tried some and he loved it.

If I enjoyed the flavor of the tea, I would certainly continue drinking it every single morning, for the simple fact that it helps me to feel fuller longer, and also, this stuff is healthy. I can only imagine that with continued use, I'd lose a few pounds in the long run, and I don't doubt that all of the antioxidants would strengthen my immune system. But sadly, Theraflu really did a number on my psyche, and now all things warm and lemony make me be like. If it didn't kick my colds' butts on a regular basis, I'd be pretty upset with its creators for giving it such an icky flavor*.  

*Just for clarification. FitTea doesn't taste like Theraflu...it's so much better and much less intense. It's just that I've had Theraflu so many times, it just makes me want to stick my tongue out whenever something that even reminds me of it is in my presence. But I'm sure you're a much more mature person than I.

Disclosure: I received compensation for my review of FitTea.  All opinions are 100% my own.  You know how I roll.

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1. H&M Poncho $29.95 Is there anything cozier?
2. Pom Pom Throw Blanket ....Ok, maybe this blanket is.  But only marginally.
3. Godiva Hot Cocoa $9.99
4. Bestey Johnson Gem Beanie $28
5. Starbucks Gift Card - I mean, who wouldn't love a free latte or 10?
6. Old Factory Candle set $25 These unique candle sets come in all kinds of fun themes.  Like Man Cave, for instance. Or High as a Kite.  Or 50 Shades (featuring leather) if that's more your speed.
7. Heart Quilted Faux Leather Gloves $12.90
8. Crazy Cat Lady Mug $12  Because we all know at least one.

And now I have a gift for you - a giveaway!  Here's your chance to score an Old Factory candle gift set of your own, in the theme of your choice. Sorry, but this one is only open to my U.S.-based buddies with an Amazon account; Old Factory can't ship outside of the country at this time.  

I got a chance to sample these candles, and I have to tell you that they pack a punch! They're on the small size - just 2oz. each, but you'd never know it when burning them. The scent isn't overpowering, though; it's just enough to scent a small room really nicely. I chose the Man Cave set because it was just so different and unique: straight razor, leather, and mahogany were included. They smell really good (and not overly manly) separately, but burned simultaneously is where the magic really happens.  

They're made in the U.S. with soy wax and a self-trimming wick. Plus, the cute packaging: They come in simple glass jars with brown paper labels and black lids, then the whole thing is wrapped up in a nice cardboard box with a rustic-chic feel.  But really, they had me at brown craft paper.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Super Trooper

puff trooper hat: c/o Callanan
sweater: exact
jeans: exact
jacket: exact
booties: c/o chicwish | similar

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Given that most of the country is already in the midst of winter weather (NJ included!), I realize that photos of me wearing just a sweater and a denim jacket look preposterous. I agree. But I took these before Thanksgiving, when it was actually still fall during fall (and not this winter-during-fall we're currently experiencing). And good thing, because almost right on cue, I got sick as soon as I got back home. And I'm pretty sure standing outside in the snow without a coat taking outfit photos is not what you'd call a formula for getting well soon.

Luckily, I have this cozy Callanan Trooper hat lined with fleece and faux fur to keep me warm. It looked good when I wore it with my jean jacket the other day, but right now it looks especially chic paired with my pajamas and ever-present box of tissues.

Linking here today.

Disclaimer: I received this hat courtesy of Callanan as a trial sample.  No other compensation was provided.  All opinions are my own.  

Marika Magic Shaping Capri Review

Caution:  What I'm about to show you has never been documented before. It's me during and after a workout. In all my messy-haired, sweaty-skinned, makeup-free, red-faced glory. You have been warned.

As a fairly active person (who incidentally gave herself no less than four workout-related injuries one recent weekend - new personal record, by the way) I'm always on the lookout for new workout gear. Especially gear that will make me look better while I exercise, because, let's face it - slicked with sweat and gasping for breath ain't so pretty. I'll take all the help I can get.  

Did you know that slimming workout pants exist?? I didn't until I got to try this pair from Marika. I tend to stay away from all things slimming because I don't relish feeling like a sausage about to burst out of her casing (relish, sausage....you get it). But I'm so glad I made an exception for these pants because they are C.O.M.F.Y. Seriously. They have these awesome little power-mesh sculpting panels on the thighs (help exactly where I need it), ultra-flattering body-contouring seams, and they don't squeeze at all. Plus, they work! I think I looked a little slimmer while wearing them. The proof is in the pudding?

This is my new thing, by the way. Running up and down bleachers. Yep, up and down 15 times, 3 times through. With bursts of HIIT in between. And if I still feel I haven't suffered enough, then sometimes a short run after.

I'm happy to report that I've since recovered from all four of my self-inflicted wounds, but not before tumbling over during a balance exercise to land squarely on a (unfortunately hexagonal shaped) dumbbell. So, even though these capris can't make me less clumsy, at least I'll look thinner next time I fall on my face. Right?


p.s. - Now through Sunday use code MM30 for 30% off your order at Marika.com.

*Disclosure: pants were provided to me for review*

Beauty Bit: Emjoi eRase Review

Since it's summer and prime leg-bearing season, let's talk about hair removal. Yay, we're women, so societal pressure dictates that we must pretend we have no hair growth on our bodies below the eyelashes! Feminist rant aside, I still succumb to the hair-removal school of thought, especially when wearing skirts, shorts, dresses, and bikinis. Shaving is quick and easy, but is so very short-lived, requiring a daily commitment to maintain smoothness. I have things to do and places to be. Ain't nobody got time for that.

So when I was offered a chance to test out the new eRase epilator by Emjoi, I was more than happy to try a new longer-lasting method. For those who don't know, an epilator is a little machine that removes the hairs by the root - sort of like waxing without the wax - and the results can last up to six weeks. I really liked the sound of that.

^ the eRase is made up of tiny tweezers that open and close automatically; it's less scary than it appears

I won't lie - it hurts. You're pulling the hairs out of your body, and hairs do not go quietly. But is it unbearable? No. Of course, the amount of pain will differ for everyone and it depends on a few factors: your tolerance for pain, how sensitive your skin is, how much hair there is, and the area in which you are removing hair. Outer thigh = barely feel a thing. Inner thigh = a whole other story.

Things I've learned from my experience - my skin got realllly irritated after using the epilator. All red & bumpy (see below). If this happens to you, don't worry; it's just the skin's reaction to having its hair ripped out, but it will go away. My advice: don't use it the day you're going out, especially if you're using it on your face; do it at least one day prior to give your skin time to recover. Mine took almost a full 24 hours.

^ a few minutes after using the eRase (not pretty)

Another thing I found - it helps to go slowly and methodically because the machine doesn't get every hair with each pass. I had to go over some areas many times to get most of the hairs. It never got every single one, but I might have just been too distracted watching Rock of Love reruns to ensure that each hair got plucked. I did, however, go back over my legs the following day and got a bunch more.

The results, though not perfect, last a long time! It's been five weeks and counting, and I have much less leg hair than before. I still am shaving every so often, but the re-growth is hardly noticeable, and I can get away with shaving about once a week.

And just so the last image seared into your brain is not one of my bumpy, red, and strangely flabby-looking leg (nobody ever said taking photos of your own body parts was easy), here is one of what's contained in the box.

^ epilator w/ cover, storage pouch, power cord, & cleaning brush (not pictured is a cover designed for sensitive areas)

Compensation was not received for this post; however a sample was provided for review.

UniWigs Extension Review & Tutorial

A little while ago I received the pretty, brown/pink ombré clip-in extension above to try, courtesy of UniWigs.  I've never worn extensions before, so I was a little lost as to how to go about putting it in my hair (spoiler alert: it is ridiculously easy).   Luckily I was able to take it with me when I visited my sister, who's an amazing hair stylist.  (Really, the girl's got talent).  She walked me through it and even showed me a helpful little trick for all of us fine-haired ladies (see step 2).  Sadly the extension was a tad too big for my abnormally tiny head, so I enlisted the help of my lovely friend and proud owner of a normal sized head, Amy, for this tutorial.  (Thanks, Amy!  You're a peach!)

My impressions of the extensions:  Besides the beautiful color, they're really soft and smooth, they look realistic, and appear to be very well constructed.  They come with these little snapping clips sewn into the extension (you'll see them below), that literally make applying the extensions a snap!

Let's get started.  All you need is a comb and your extension.  Here we go.

Step 1. Since the extension is just one long piece, you're going to want to part your hair horizontally wherever you'd like to apply the it.  Clip it up and out of the way (or if you forgot to grab a clip, just ask your friend to awkwardly hold her hair out of the way for you).

Step 2 (optional). If you have fine hair, gently tease it right near the part to give the extensions a little more to hold onto.

Step 3. Open all of the clips along the extension.

Step 4.  Beginning on one end of your head, slip the clips one by one into the teased hair, and snap them closed.  Move horizontally across your head, inserting clips and snapping them closed as you go.  

Done! ....almost.....

As you can see, the extension didn't quite blend in with Amy's hair, so I decided to make a side fishtail braid to mask the transition between the real hair and the and faux.  

In retrospect I should have taken my tiny head into consideration when choosing this one-piece extension, or at the very least checked the measurements.  UniWigs also offers extensions that come as several smaller pieces, which I think would have worked better for me.  I love that this extension is so easy to apply, and I also love that it can be worked into so many different hair dos (like maybe a top knot or a funky braided side bun).  My verdict: I'd recommend it.  Just make sure to check the measurements first, and keep in mind that if your hair isn't the right color or length, the extension may not blend in when you wear your hair down.

Disclaimer: I received extensions from UniWigs in exchange for my review.  All opinions are 100% my own.

No nonsense review

This post brought to you by No nonsense. All opinions are 100% mine.

As the leaves begin to change and fall approaches, there is no better (or easier) way to take your skirts & dresses from warm to cold than with a pair of leggings or tights.  If you've been visiting my blog for a little bit, then you know that when the temperature drops, I rely on my tights to keep my legs cozy while looking pretty darn stylish to boot.  If you missed it, click here, here, here, or here to see a few ways I've rocked them in the past.  In other words, tights are a staple in my cool weather wardrobe.

Recently, I was sent some No nonsense tights and leggings to review - one pair of red corduroy leggings, and a pair of brown fishnets.  Having only worn solid color tights before, I was pretty excited to give these two a spin.  Take a look at how I styled them:

Here are my thoughts:
~These are comfortable, especially for tights.  I don't know about you, but it seems that no matter what size tights I buy, they tend to squeeze around my stomach (I've even resorted to buying supposedly non control top tights 2 sizes too big, and they still squeeze).  These hardly squeezed at all.  Yeah, they did a little, but only enough to serve as a reminder not to order dessert after dinner.
~They made my boyfriend marvel at how well they were made.  He was mesmerized by the fact that they were so well structured and could hold their pattern no matter how much or little they stretched over various parts of my legs.  Impressing the boyfriend's gotta count for something.


Here are my thoughts:
~The leggings are extraordinarily comfy.  Seriously, every so often, I'd get a sudden stab of panic, momentarily forgetting that I wasn't wearing pj's out in public.
~The big tag inside was itchy & irritating.  I'd much rather have one of those fancy, newfangled printed tagless tags.  I'll definitely have to perform tag removal surgery on these leggings.

What's really cool is that No nonsense has partnered with fashion expert, Jill Martin, who'll be featured online, demonstrating how to wear the latest trends in hosiery.  Here's just one example:

If you'd like more information, be sure to check out No nonsense on Facebook, and keep your eye open for a chance to enter to win a trip to meet Jill in NYC for a shopping spree.
Quite possibly my favorite part of the whole thing is that now cool leggings, colored tights, and patterend pantyhose are so easily accessible!  Seriously, you can walk into just about any Rite Aid, Walgreens, or CVS and find an affordable pair that's completely on trend.  It's sort of unprecedented.  And it's about time.