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Grandoe Introduces the Smartdogs Summer Slipper Collection

May 25, 2012 By 1 Comment

For years I have refused to wear flats.   Between being 5’2 (barely) with a boyfriend nearly 6 feet tall and feeling like I look like Frodo when I dont wear heels, I would not even look in the general direction of flats.   Not even flip flops – which of course have not only been in style for years, but are pretty much a “staple” for everyone living in Florida… except yours truly.

Then I began running.

Something about deciding to “be a runner” has not only changed my entire body shape, but also the way I think about – and take care of – my little feet.  Suddenly now those 5 inch heels look more like a torture device instead of a fashion accessory.   (and not in a 50 Shades kinda way)  Instead I have been finding myself wearing contoured flip flops and flat strappy sandals – with plenty of arch support.

When I received the new Smartdogs Uplift Womens Synergy Thong Slippers I thought first “when in the world am I ever going to wear these!?”  They don’t exactly match my wardrobe, and I am not sure I own a pair of shoes that are not leather… maybe to the beach…

But then I put them on.

Ok, let me tell you how soft and amazing these things are.  I no longer even cared if they match or not.

Inspired by a holistic approach to living? Slippers in this collection provide a unique comfort experience. Balancing flexibility, support and durability in to a unique slipper-shoe. Each style features an anti-bacterial mesh footbed, gel heel pad and an energy stimulating color chakra to enhance your comfort and well-being.

I spent the rest of the day wearing them around the house, in the yard, and even out to pick up the Tween from school.  Amazingly enough she didnt even make a comment about how they looked – she’s nearly 13, she NEVER misses an opportunity to call out a fashion faux pax – so honestly I think my opinion of how they look is all in my head.

By the time I went to bed my feet were quite happy from being “pampered” all day with the chushy mesh stuff that line the bottom of the slippers.  Also, unlike with my other flipflops, the space between my toes did not hurt – even after 5000+ steps. (according to my FitBit)

You can buy the Smartdogs Slippers from major department and specialty stores, or online at www.SmartdogsComfort.com.  Use the code SUMMER12 when checking out online for a 15% discount on all orders placed before July 31, 2012!

Disclaimer: I received a pair of Womens Syngery Thongs for the purpose of this review.  No other compensation was involved.  All opinions are 100% my own.

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Hot Summer Movies for Kids 2012

May 24, 2012 By 4 Comments

As the final days of school tick by I am already getting super excited about the Summertime with the girls.

Yep, I am that crazy Mom that looks as forward to Summer as the kids do.

Since I work from home I have the ability to HAVE a Summer – and I plan on packing this year full of Beach Days, River Days, and for the days that are just TOO hot to be outside – Movie Marathon Days!

Here are some of our top pics for Movies this Summer:

BRAVE

In theaters June 22nd

Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted

In theaters June 8th

Ice Age 4: Continental Drift

In theaters July 13th

Finding Nemo 3D

In theaters this Fall

Mike and I have a list of movies we want to see as well…. and yes, there is a Fondue Night on June 29th – Centered around Magic Mike.
Yep, we are totally that shallow.

What movies are you looking forward to this Summer?


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Kushyfoot Flats To Go Sandals

April 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

You may remember back before Christmas when I shared with you my love for Kushyfoot – massaging slip on shoes that you can carry in your purse and slip on after a day of wearing those painful – though stylish – heels.   As someone whose only “flat” shoes are her tennis shoes, Kushyfoot has been a life saver for me on more than one occasion. So I was absolutely ecstatic when I opened my mailbox the other day and found Kushyfoot SANDALS!!!

Kushyfoot Flats To Go Sandals are designed to save your tired and achy feet from heels and keep your pedi pretty!  These shoes are so light, throw them in your purse when you’re on the go and pull them out when your feet have had enough.  A padded sole built into each pair offers cushioned comfort.

I had barely gotten into the house before I slipped these babies on my feet.    I was thrilled that these not only fit perfectly but I still felt “barefoot” because they were so light.  I ended up wearing them the rest of the day, and later that night my friend even mentioned how surprised she was to see me “in flats” – but that they were so cute she understood why.  When I showed her exactly what they were, she loved it and asked where she could get some of her own.

I also will be taking these with me to every pedicure – as they are soooo much more comfortable than those styrefoam things they try to use at the salons, and you do not have to try and curl your toes to keep them on since the Kushyfoot have a strap that goes around the back of your heel.   Plus I can not tell you how many times I have wanted to get a Pedi on a whim while out shopping, and not really been able to since I was wearing closed toed shoes.  The Kushyfoot Sandals are cute enough that I could slip them on, and have no problem continuing to shop around the mall with them on my feet.

Kushyfoot products are sold in over 16,000 retail stores and online at www.KushyFoot.com.

Disclaimer:  I received a “road test” product that is pictured above for the purpose of this review.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions and images are my own.

 


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So Long Summer – A Weekend at Crab Island

September 15, 2011 By 1 Comment

This weekend was our official “So Long to Summer” since Labor Day weekend everyone on the Gulf Coast was trying not to float away in the wake of Tropical Storm Lee.   Since I was already in Destin for the Grand Opening of Kirkland’s, we decided to make it a little mini vacay and stay with my uncle in his ninth floor condo overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.

We felt sorry for him… poor guy has to make up to THIS horrible view each day:

Destin Florida

I know, awful, right?

After church on Sunday we had lunch and then took the boat out to the most popular spot in the area – Crab Island.  Now, if you have never been to Crab Island… well, it is an experience.  At any given time you will see dozens of boats – from dinghies to yachts – pulled up to a huge sandbar just west of the Destin Harbor.

In the center of Crab Island you will find the “party barge” – where depending on the day you may find a DJ, live band, bikini contest, chicken fights, volleyball tournaments… or all of the above at the same time.  One thing you can count on – it’s ALWAYS a party.  They even have boats that serve food, drinks, and even my favorite – boiled peanuts!

Pets are welcome, as are kids… although you will never see me take MY two there… maybe when they are teenagers.  It’s a bit too wild and crazy for me to think children should go, but there were some playing football and frisbee and other fun games in between all of the boats.  It is a relatively “safe” place for kids to hang out and play… you just may have to shield them from the occasional thong bikini…

The water is just crystal clear, and I wish now that I had broken out the Canon to capture the COLOR of the water in and along the Destin Harbor.  I have always been amazed at just how beautiful it is.  No wonder they call it the “Emerald Coast” – it is just as green as any emerald you have ever seen.  And you can see clear through to the bottom even when it is like 20 feet deep – pretty amazing to see all of the fish, dolphins, and other sealife – just looking over the side of the boat.

We stayed at Crab Island just a few hours - long enough to get a fantastic end-of-summer sunburn and have a few adult beverages – and party with several hundred people saying Good Bye to the Summer of 2011.   It was a blast – many many laughs – and made me look forward to going back again next year.

Who knows, maybe by then I can convince Mike that we TOTALLY could have taken that other team in the Chicken Fight…


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The Help – Best Movie of the Summer

August 11, 2011 By 1 Comment

This week I had the pleasure of going to the premier of the new movie The Help with my friends Shasta and Carrie, and new friend Aubrey.  I have been waiting for this movie since the first time I saw a preview, and though I resisted reading the book initially because of prior let downs on book-turned-movie,  a few previews later and I was racing to Amazon.

The Help is a painfully realistic look at how things were in The South back in the early 50′s when segregation and racism was rampant.  But throughout the movie (and the awful conditions) you will see stories of courage, passion, and inspiration. It is by far the Summers best “feel good” movie that will make you laugh out loud and cry deep sobs, practically at the same time.

The cast could not have been better picked – every single character was played so perfectly.  From Minny to Cecilia  (my favorites) the characters were just EXACTLY what I imagined them to be after reading the book.   Check out these two the first time they meet:

The storyline is simple – an affluent white woman aspiring to be a writer decides to write an anonymous book from the perspective of “The Help” in Jackson Mississippi – during a time that it was dangerous for African Americans to even walk on the wrong side of the street.  They tell stories of raising babies like their own, only to have the “babies” become their “bosses”  and other personal depictions of their jobs as “The Help.” It is painful to watch the ignorance of so many back in those days and see how poorly these women were treated.  You will see story after story of what life was really like back then, and your heart will break with each one of them.

Shasta had warned me to “bring Kleenex” but with the exception of one particularly difficult scene, I laughed more than I cried, and I felt so inspired and proud of the movie and the women in it.  It absolutely lived up to my expectations, if not surpassed them.

I am sure I will be back to see it a few times, and it is one I am sure I will own once it comes on DVD, as Shasta and I both remarked how much we would love to see interviews and bonus features.  EVERYONE should see this movie.  Truly.  It is the perfect date for a “Girls Night Out”  (but even the guys will love it too!)

Disclaimer: I was able to see The Help as part of a premier screening, and was not otherwise compensated for this post.