Commitment To Health: Pure Barre Redmond, WA

My first Fit Mob class I took was Pure Barre in Redmond, WA.  Located in downtown Redmond, this area has popped up in the last couple of years with new shops, restaurants and businesses and the 6:45 PM class was a good time since I work nearby and it was late enough to allow me to decompress before working out.  It was kind of hard to find, I had to ask another business where it was located.  I was greeted at the front desk and given a quick tour of the facility by the front desk person.  He also got me set up with the equipment I needed.

Note to self - be sure to read up on the activity you'll be doing, even if you think you know or have done it before.  I had practiced Barre 3 previously and thought this would be the same set up.  Similar, but one newbie mistake I made was not bringing socks.  :(  I wasn't told that I needed to wear any so it wasn't a big deal, but I was the only person without socks in class.  Bah!  Lesson learned!  Buy or bring in sticky socks.

Photo from Leah S. on Yelp.com

Nance is a great instructor, encouraging each of the students and ensuring we are all in good form during class.  No pressure to really force the newbies, but to allow yourself to enjoy the class, get out of a position if you feel uncomfortable, but still get a great workout in.  There were some other training instructors in class that were great help to watch if you didn't understand a position or move.  I liked the consistent moving and interchanging intensity.  The next day I had that good sore.  2 days after that, even more sore, but not to the point I couldn't function.  I definitely enjoyed the class and will be back again during my Fit Mob trial month.

Target One Spot Addiction

My no spend on beauty for the month of January, turned into quite a bit of spend at Joann & mostly at Target.  Behold, the One Spot.  I would come and go for all the fun goodies I had seen, but would I really use some of the stuff?  Then my friend Tiffany got me hooked on searching for items to make my planner pretty, crafting goods and snail mail items like blank note cards.  Ugghh.  I must practice more restraint and budget out going forward.  These are only some of the items I have purchased in the last few weeks.  With the range in price from $1-3 it adds up, but sometimes you don't even think about it because it is only a dollar!  I thought about hauling more and selling the items, but I don't have the time to list and ship out in a timely manner, so I'll pick up some duplicate or tripled items for a future giveaway on my blog or craftyleilei IG and to give to some of my fellow addicts and friends. 

I am at my neighborhood Joann Fabrics on the weekly and they now know me.  And sometimes even offer extra coupons!  LOL!  I have visions and I get stuck on em for awhile.  This looks like its going to be something permanent, the crafting part anyway.  What actual types of crafts will vary. 

Crafting From Bed: Valentine's Day Treats

For my Gabriela Seattle Sistahs!  Love should be celebrated everyday!  But this kitschy stuff always gets me.

While watching Friends! I've been binge watching on Netflix lately.  Brings back good memories of me and my Sissy catching Thursday night primetime together.  :) 

2nd Time Around - Dryer Sheets

I keep a bag of these used Honest Co. dryer sheets in my room. For what? I dust my floors with them! One Good Thing By Jillee has a great post about 55 Ways To Reuse, Re-Purpose And Recycle Dryer Sheets.  The dryer sheets from Honest Co. are different than say Downy or Gain and are more cloth-like.  They kind of remind me of Swiffer dry cloths, so these really hold on to dust.  I keep these in a baggie under my bathroom sink to dust around my bathroom and bedroom.  

Commitment To Health: 2015 Fitness Goals

Instead of a list of resolutions for 2015, I have decided to create small, attainable goals that I would decide on each month.  For the month of January, I wanted to focus on how I can get back to being in the best of health.  2014 was tough emotionally and physically.  It seemed like the injuries I sustained were from doing basic things around the house or out and about.  As I age, my body doesn't bounce back like it used to and I sure feel the pain longer.  I tweaked my elbow from vacuuming and the discomfort lasted for weeks!  :(  Mid-30s are no joke and I would suggest to folks who don't already have some type of workout during the week, to start up.  Even if its a couple times a week, get your heart rate up and move your body!

The yoga studio I have been going to, Hot Yoga Renton, is having an annual special that I will be signing up for.  It is a big investment, but this will pay off in keeping me flexible and centered.  I would love to head back to crossfit, but want to ease my way in to that much intensity.  I have also signed up for a 1-month promotional deal with Fit Mob that will allow me to try out different forms of fitness activity.  Most of the participating locations are in Seattle and the Eastside (Bellevue, Mercer Island, Redmond), so it may be challenging to get to those places if I don't already have a purpose to head there.  But its a great deal to see what's out there.

With fitness comes nutrition.  I L O V E food.  Most of my meetings with people, including work, are surrounded by food.  I know what works for me to see the results I want to see, but sustainability to make it a lifestyle change isn't a priority to me.  I have been indulging, but more smartly.  Using a Jawbone UP24 has kept me somewhat accountable, but there are those days when IDGAF, especially at Filipino parties.  I just log 2000 calories for those events.  ;)  smh

I will also add a feature on my blog, "Commitment To Health" going forward to give updates and review classes I've taken, studios I've visited, healthier recipes I've cooked etc.  Let me know if you have any requests for posts and I'll try include them.  :)

Kitchen Supreme - Chalkboard Labels with Liquid Chalk Marker

Advertorial

Trying to get all my stuff organized in my home.  Especially when it comes to all my crafting and hobby items.  They're scattered around, different bins and drawers.  Now that I have a dedicated area to craft, besides the bed, I wanted to get as much of the stuff put away nicely.  I was given the opportunity to try out Kitchen Supreme's Chalkboard Labels and Liquid Chalk Marker.  This pack comes with 40 labels, 8 different designs that are die cut in a strong vinyl.  Unlike some other chalkboard stickers that I have seen with a paper backing, these are reusable!  A big plus just in case you change your mind about what you write or want to use a label for another container.

The tip on the marker got kind of dented when I was pushing it so it looks sort of like decorative font.  Haha!

I have quite a few bins and drawers that could use some labeling and these are perfect to help me get organized.  Large enough to have room to write what is contained and be visible.  Added one to a drawer with some holiday stuff I have in larger plastic drawers in the garage.

It is hard to decide where to put things, but I wanted to keep things that I use most often in some drawers and have bins for the other items that I use on occasion.  These labels stick well and are repositionable so I can change it up if necessary.

Target One Spot has been my guilty pleasure with so many stationery items between $1-$3.  These drawers only hold a portion of what I have.

 Here are the items that I don't use as often, so these will be stored away in the closet.  But now I don't have to guess what is in what bin.  Its all labeled nicely!

 Away they go!  I also labeled the cube box on the top shelf that holds gift bags, tissue paper, ribbon etc.

The drawers with the most used crafting items has a little nook near my craft desk.  Nice & neat!  I'm looking forward getting the rest of the house organized and using the chalkboard labels to help keep track of what is inside. 

Cost: $14.84 via Amazon and Prime is available

This product was obtained through Tomoson.  I have not been monetarily compensated for this item. My write up of this product reflects my own opinion after a trial period and have provided an honest review.

Yoga Mat Cleaner & How To Roll Your Mat

As much of a germaphobe as I am, my yoga mat gets neglected.  After hot yoga, roll it up and put it in my car.  Gross.  I know, I know.  Well, I found a natural recipe on Pinterest and finally gave my mat a cleaning.  Clean My Space's recipe was easy and had the best natural cleaner, vinegar!  Tea Tree oil has antibacterial properties.  Also, I now clean all my towels with a cup of vinegar added in the wash.  Germ free!  You can also use this solution for a wash too.  Watch the video!  Her cats interrupting are hilarious. 

 Rolled out in the kitchen.  I did clean the floor underneath after!

3/4 Water
1/4 Distilled White Vinegar
10 drops of Tea Tree Oil

Now on to how to fold your mat to keep it a little less germy.   When you just roll it from the end up, you're wrapping the dirty side on to the side you practice on.  Gross.

 Fold it in half

Then roll it up.  That way the clean side is touching the clean side and not the one touching the floor.  

"New" Crafting Area

I realize I can't make everything from the bed.  Especially when it comes to messy tasks.  I was already so worried about getting Fabric Fusion on my bed when I made the no-sew pan protectors!  When I do work from home, I am working in the bed, from the couch or from the kitchen table.  Hardly ever do I use my desk.

 Before - I had a set up going on, but didn't have the right connections so off the the garage it goes.

And after!  Kept the lamp for lighting and here is my next Darby Smart project that I won't do from the bed because it involves black fabric paint!  :D  I'll still do my Crafting From Bed series for some projects, but the messier ones, I'll do from the desk.  Hoping to add a sewing machine in the near future too!

And another one...

Now have 1 towel for each mat. This goes for $49 and was a steal for $16.99 at TJ Maxx.  If I'm near a Marshall's or TJ Maxx, these will be on my list to find.  

They also have Kulae eco mat plus mats for $39.99!  I purchased a Kulae easy mat from Amazon noted in this post.  The eco mats are priced at $58.00 on Amazon!  This isn't too bad of a deal for retail if you're looking for a mat that is safer for you, but note that it is a bit on the heavier side.

Food & Sh*t Super Bowl Party Pack!

My wonderful Kasamas (comrades) Geo & Chera host a pop-up restaurant every 3rd Monday of the month in Seattle. If you follow me on IG: mizleilei, you'll see that I am a regular on these nights and often order their Hood Famous Ube Cheesecake. Well, for those in the Seattle area, they are offering some of their most popular dishes to celebrate the Seahawks Super Bowl Re-Pete!

Crafting Adventures on IG

Follow my new IG account, craftyleilei, to check out all my crafting adventures!  Whether it is from Darby Smart, organizing prettily with my planner and my life to actually making things from Pinterest.  LOL!  My guilty pleasures have been Joann Fabrics and the Target One Spot for goodies.  :p

Gurin Professional Hydroflosser

My Sister recently picked up a water flosser due to some dental work she had done.  I also saw one in my GF's bathroom when I went to visit her and was interested in finding an affordable option to try.  I think this is the one she had!  What a great deal too at $39.99 from Groupon.

Comes with 2 tips, the base & tank, charger and instructions.  Its pretty straight forward how to use, but be careful, you might get wet the first time you use it!  LOL!

Cost: $39.99+tax from Groupon (looks like this is no longer available)

Pros:
-Lightweight
-Interchangeable tips so there can be multiple users

Cons:
-Tips can only be ordered online (found them on Amazon)
-Takes awhile to charge
-Tank is not that big. Maybe its me, but I end up using 1 tank on top and 1 on the bottom

Would I recommend this to a friend? On the fence.  Its a good intro product, but I don't foresee this lasting a long while.  Good enough for now and it was a decent price!  Its kind of fun seeing what kind of stuff is removed while using.  I follow up with brushing after and it feels really clean.  Maybe I'm used to the abrasiveness of some floss to really feel super clean, but experience is different.  I do like the massage to the gums since I have some periodontal issues.

Forgotten Loot!

From a Cabo trip years ago.  I think this was from a funemployment trip when one of my GFs and I spent an extended vakay because we were laid off.  LOL!  I haven't cracked it open yet, but I'm curious to see if this is still good.  I always like picking up beauty items from different countries or areas.  

Kulae EASYmat Yoga Mat

Wanted to have more than 1 yoga mat on hand since they can wear down easily and get grimy if you don't clean them regularly.  Guilty.  I finally pinned a cleaner and made some to clean my mats after every practice.  I asked my GF, who is a Bikram Yoga instructor, what would a quality mat at an affordable price point and she suggested Kulae.

Cost: $9.15 on Amazon  This is a deal since it it normally $24

Pros:
-Lightweight
-Affordable
-Better for you mat with no bad chemicals.  Check out the description on the Kulae website.

Cons:
-Only available online (here in WA anyway. I haven't found a retailer that sells this)
-Varying in price.

Would I recommend this to a friend?  Yes!  Since my yogi friend recomm'd it, I would say the same!  Still have to test this one out, but it is already smaller and lighter than the Gaim one I have.

Crafting From Bed: No Sew Pan Protectors

This great post from DIY Network Made+Remade contributor Emily Fazio shows how to make no sew pan protectors, which I realized I needed after seeing some scratches in my new pots.  I put paper towels in between until I created a more permanent fix.  I would love to have a sewing machine here at my home, but I don't have much room and can't see myself dropping a lot of money on one right now.  We'll see though because Jo-Ann's always has sales and coupons!

Materials needed:
-Felt; I got 1 yard and made 5
-Aleene's Fabric Fusion
-Paper to create your template
-Cardboard; makes cutting template easier to use
-Scissors
-Pen

 Distracted. I was watching a documentary while making these.  LOL!  Maybe that's why I started to not have the patience for evenness after awhile.

 I'm a regular at my neighborhood Jo-Ann Fabrics and the cashier was kind to give me a double discount.  This project was only $8!

 Created an asterisk template.

 Cut it out - meh, its crooked.  The Virgo in me didn't care that much since these aren't going to be really seen.

 I made 4 of the asterisk shaped ones at first since I didn't know if they were going to work for all of the pots and pans.

 Just fits on the bottom of the cast iron skillet.  

 Fits nicely between the smaller frying pans.

I did have to make 5 larger ones for the bigger and deeper pots and pans.  I didn't mess with trying to trace out a larger asterisk so just eft thee ones big squares.

Cost: $8

Skill level: Easy, especially if you're not a perfectionist.  I will probably revisit pan protectors if/when I get a sewing machine.