Armband Reviews

For one of Big B's birthday gifts I decided to get him an armband so he had somewhere to put his tunes while lifting or running.  I looked up reviews on Runner's World and various other workout sites to try to find the best armband.  After I had narrowed my options down a little bit I then looked up reviews on Amazon, a step I almost always take since most products have been reviewed often and most opinions don't seem to be from a company's representatives.

 I eventually decided on the Nite Ize Action ArmBand.  It had good reviews online, was weather resistant and wasn't supposed to absorb too much sweat.  Plus I have a few products from Nite Ize, mostly key chains, and have been completely satisfied with the products and believe Nite Ize to produce a high-quality product.  Big B's birthday came up, he opened his presents and then was ready to try on his new present and,  it - didn't - fit.  Unfortunately I couldn't find an option to buy an extender for the Nite Ize, so back to Amazon it went.
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Back to the web I went again.  I came across a few armbands that stated that they only fit arms up to 17 inch circumference, so I didn't order them.  I eventually decided upon the Nathan SonicBoom 5 Armband.  It didn't have all of the bells and whistles that the Nite Ize did, but it looked like it would do the trick and appeared like it would fit more muscular arms.  Plus a lot of the other armbands I found that were more water resistant or water proof had a lot of reviews about the protect cover trapping moisture in with the phone and in a few cases the phone was ruined.  Who wants to buy an armband for $20 to $30 and have it ruin their $500 phone?  The armband came and Big B tried it on and it was so close to fitting, but no luck.  Again I looked into an extender for the armband, but couldn't find one.  So back to Amazon the Nathan SonicBoom went.

We have now come to the conclusion that Big B needs to try the armband on because to be honest I am getting tired of paying for the return shipping, so we won't be going to Amazon for this one.  Hopefully we'll find one soon and I can update you on how it performs!

Baths

I've never been a big fan of baths.  I love the water, but I would rather be swimming or floating in a pool, lake, river, etc.  Maybe part of the reason I don't like baths is because I just don't fit in them, and let's be honest, unless you are under the age of 5 neither do most people.  I started taking some baths in Seattle last year in order to relax before bed and often times before a open water swim so that I could shave without getting razor burn.

Anyways, we just moved into a new place at the beginning of December and it has a LARGE tub and not-so-large shower.  If I had the option I wouldn't have put in the tub and would have expanded the shower, but its too late for that, and its not really my house.  So, I have decided I need to start embracing baths.  The other day our place was freezing, the downstairs has trouble getting over 62 if its cold outside, even if the heater is set to 68.  So I decided to take a bath to warm up.  I used epsom salt and EO Everyone Soap Coconut and Lemon and I have to say that it was pretty relaxing.

I might have to do this more often and maybe try out some different scents/soaps.

 

As a side note I love the EO soap.  I use it for a shampoo and soap and then it shone for the bubble bath.  I don't know how well it will work in the summer when my skin and hair aren't so dry, but definitely loving it this winter.

I have manicures on my mind!

I'm going to get my nails done with a new friend today, after a phone interview for me and an interview for her.  Wish us luck!

Within the last year I have gotten into painting my nails again.  I used to paint them all the time in high school, usually to support whatever team I was on.  Red and silver for high school sports and year round swimming.  Blue and green for my summer swim league.

I have discovered that you don't have to be all that talented to create some fun designs, however, you do need to have some patience.  And I often times opt for rapid drying polishes because then the whole long process, at least in my case it is long, is a little faster.

 I found this pin on Pinterest and it inspired me, perfect for Valentine's Day. Polish is Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail: Mauve It 

(I really like the brush on this polish and it dries very quick!  But, I'm not as big of a fan of the consistency of the polish.) and the heart is Petites Island Smoothie.

 Nails painted to look like a robin's egg.  I found them on The Dainty Squid's blog and thought they were too cute and I had to try it myself.  Polish is Petites Baby Blue and overcoat is a couple layers of Nubar - Black Polka Dot .

I can't take credit for these nails.  I went to 8th Day Spa in Tacoma and Melissa painted the words, she is an awesome artist!  (Can you believe how long my nails were?!?)

Fourth of July.  Red is Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Rapid Red and ring finger is Finger Paints in Cerulean Seascape.  I didn't paint the star it is from the Avon Stars & Stripes Nail Art, I have no idea if Avon even still sells this because I have this left over from high school, and it still works!

 Christmas nails.  I couldn't find this white, but I found OPI The Bond Girls Collection Solitare and it still looked a lot like snow. The red is the same as the one I used for the Fourth of July.

Sparkle polish is Nicole by Opi 'Wear Something Spark-kylie' and the other color is the same as above, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Mauve It.

I wish I could do this! I have tried and have never been successful.  These were done in Centennial and are gels, which is awesome since they last so long.  However, I have no idea what they used for the white, but I had to get help getting it off from Pinup Salon, normally I got my hair styled here, by Lindsey, but luckily they  also do gels and Jen spent forever helping me get the white off.

Turning my pictures into art

I have recently become a bit obsessed with turning some of my photos into canvas art.  Unfortunately a lot of those are photos were taken with my iPhone and I am a bit concerned I will spend money to create the canvas and the iPhone just will not stand up.  I am still in the planning phase, but here are a few things I have been thinking:  Where to purchase the canvas?  I have done a lot of research comparing quality and cost, and have come to the conclusion that CG Pro Prints are the way to go.  Plus they are based out of Colorado!

Some groupings I am considering printing are landscapes.  These would probably be fairly decent sized.

 Alki Beach in July

 Deception Pass in September

 Mt. Baker in January

 Mt. Baker

 Mt. Baker

Seattle in August

Shelter animals.  I wouldn't want to make a very big print, but maybe some smalls ones.  If I do this I might need to track down some photos of kittens that I fostered in Colorado.

 Peaches at Walk for the Animals

 Karina

 Patrick during a Dog Behavior and Socialization (DBS) shift

 Jake during a DBS shift

 Cowboy during a DBS shift

 Pongo during a DBS shift

 Bentley

Dugg

Phinney

Flowers, leaves and berries.  I don't think I would print any of these until I need to match colors in a room.

(I recently starting watermarking my photos, I found this to be the best way.)

Changes to my blog

Change number one, I will actually be attempting to write on my blog.  I am currently looking for a job, so I have a bit more time than normal.  Why not start the habit of blogging along with my increased workout routine.

Change number two, I am going to combine my two blogs.  When I started the Flex with Rex blog there weren't as many options to add pages to a free bog, but now there is.  I don't feel like I post enough on the Flex with Rex for it to be its own separate site.

I am not a runner

If you saw me huffing and puffing down the street you definitely wouldn't think, "wow, look at that girl go!"  However, I love participating in races.  Each year I run in a handful of 5ks, a mud run or two and a couple swims.  I don't do these races because I am fast and win some great prices.  I do these races for the sense of camaraderie between the participants and the joy everyone has for challenging their bodies.
What happened in Boston today sickens me.  That someone could hurt people who are challenging themselves, or encouraging others to do their best, is horrid.  This will not stop me from participating in future races, but I know I will have that much more love and respect for my fellow competitors as we line up to run together!

Lap Swimming

As someone who swam on a swim team through most of my elementary, middle and high school life I have specific expectations of other swimmers when swimming together.  Almost every time I have swam since I have found these expectations tested.  So I thought I would list a few suggestions:
1.  If you are swimming at a pool that lists speed by a lane try to pick the lane that matches your speed.
2.  As a general rule, if you are a male and swimming in swim trunks then you probably should pick the medium or slower lane.
3.  As a general rule, if you are a female and swimming without a cap then you probably should pick the medium or slower lane.
4.  If you are either male or female and swimming without goggles then you probably should pick the medium or slower lane.
5.  If there are more than 2 people, or if you expect more people to join your lane, then you should swim down on the right and back on the left, always keeping the lane dividers on your right.
6.  If you are being passed on a consistent basis then you should move to a slower lane.
7.  If you have been passed by someone don't start swimming again as they come into the wall, they may not be stopping and your are cutting them off.
8.  Don't block the walls.
9.  If someone is close behind you as you swim into the wall then do not continue to swim, stop and allow them to pass.