Mental Wellness, #WhatIWoreWednesday and a prAna Discount Code!

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by prAna and Fit Approach.  All opinions are my own.

Hi Everyone!  Long time no talk.  I wanted to share a little bit about what has been going on in my life and why the long absences.  I also want to talk about how I get out of a funk.  (please read all the way to the bottom for a discount code and some important links)

My dad passed away about a year ago.  The last year has been very hard for different reasons.  I have done a lot of soul searching.  I have felt every emotion you can possibly imagine.  Anger, grief, relief...all of the above.  But with the love from family and friends, I have managed.  Then about 3 weeks ago, came another big blow.  My step dad - very suddenly -  passed away.  It has been soul crushing to say the least.

Cozy Up T

In order to deal with all of this, I have escaped to all my happy places.  Which turn out to be the mountains and the beach.

Cozy Up Sweatshirt

I am lucky that I live in San Diego and I am able to get away to both in a day.

There is something about being close to the powerful forces of nature that make you believe that maybe what you are going through is part of a greater plan.

And getting to experience those places with people I love is even more rewarding.

I am so thankful for SD Dad!  I would be a melted mess puddle (it's a thing!) without him!  I am open for any tips and suggestions on how to grieve in a healthy way besides getting in my car and driving to the beach and mountains.

I find that routine helps too.  For example, I still take the kids every week to their swim team practice.

I still participate in Book Club.  (We just finished Educated by Tara Westover!)

Cozy Up Zip Up Jacket - and yes, it is as comfy as it looks and yes, I realize that is wine in my hand and not a book but this WAS Book Club, I promise!

And this wouldn't be a prAna blog post if I also didn't tell you that wrapping up in a comfy and cozy sweatshirt or jacket makes a difference too.  You all know I am a HUGE prAna fan and I have to tell you about a giveaway happening...you guessed it - on Wednesday!  If you are reading this later and wondering, that would be 10/10/2018!

Don't believe me about being a huge fan?  Read my posts here, here and even here!  Now that we have that out of the way, let me tell you about the What I Wore Wednesday contest!

TOMORROW: share your outfit and tag @prAna #WIWW (What I Wore Wednesday) #sweatpink and you'll be auto-entered to win an item of your choice from prAna! (There will be three winners!)  It doesn't matter if you're actually wearing prAna in the post, just share what you are wearing and you are entered. Or just share items on your prAna wishlist!

And if something you see tomorrow catches your eye, use code SAROprAna25 for 25% off all the things on www.prana.com until 12/31/2018!

Some prAna links you might enjoy:
Top 25 Fall looks
Bouldering and Surfing in New Zealand
A link to the entire Cozy line

Some info on the Cozy Fall Line: The Cozy line is made from a hemp blend. Industrial hemp is incredibly sustainable because it needs little water to grow, grows more fiber per acre than cotton, and is not hard on soil. In fact, hemp actually puts nutrients back into the soil! Hemp also inhibits bacteria because bacteria will not grow on hemp. WIN!  Hemp is a very tough fabric and has natural UV protection. prAna’s hemp line is naturally UPF 50+ and keeps you warm in the cold weather and cool in the heat, something that works for the mountains and the beach!

And also some links for mental wellness:
Mental Wellness Routine to try
Mental Wellness Tips & Tricks

And now, your turn to share with me.  How do you get out of a funk?  Does wrapping up in something cozy instantly make you feel better?  Mountains or beach for you?

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom

#feeltheOO - an #OOmg shoe review and #GIVEAWAY!

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by OOFOS.  I was sent a pair of OOMG shoes for review and giveaway purposes.  I was not compensated in any other way.  

Do you guys even remember who I am?  Haha!  It has been a while since I popped on to the blog and said hi.  Well, here I am.  I am saying hi and introducing you to my new favorite pair of OOFOS - the OOmg shoe!  And in true SD Mom fashion, I am also giving one of you a chance to win a pair yourself!

So, you already know how much I love my regular OOFOS.  I have reviewed them before - here and here.  They were the first shoes I put on after I ran my first marathon and I wear them pretty much whenever I am not at work or running.  Like when I take the kids to swim team practice...

Yup!  I read while I sit there.  (Side note: have you read this book?  Everyone has recommended it ton me.  They say it will cure me of FOMO!)  But then, I saw on my Instagram feed that OOFOS came out with something new...

 You can see why I was intrigued!  All the comfort of the OOFOS sandals but with a closed toe look? Sign me up friends!  So they sent them to me and they are even more like clouds than I imagined!  Check out that sole...

A couple of weekends ago, my family and I headed out on a boat in Mission Bay and the OOmg shoes were perfect for that occasion.  Comfy, water proof and a rest day for my poor feet!

Life jackets on and we were ready to go!

We saw some friendly natives...

The shoes were perfect for the occasion.  From their website: "The first fully closed shoe to feature OOfoam technology! We combined the OOFOS patented footbed design you know and love with a 4-way stretch mesh upper to create an unbelievably comfortable shoe that enhances the recovery process."  They really delivered in comfort and style and I find myself reaching for them as much as I reach for my sandals style!

So now, I am giving you a chance to win your own pair!  Just enter on the Rafflecopter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest runs 4/19/18 to 4/25/18 at 11:59 P.M. PST

No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited. 1 winner will be selected via the Giveaway widget.  Open to Residents of the US 18 years of age or older.  Must have a non P.O. Box mailing address.  Winner must have a valid email address.  Winner will choose color of their choice in the OOmg shoe collection.

Winner will be notified via email (if available) and/or blog post, and will have 24 hours to claim prize.  If original winner does not claim prize within 24 hours, an alternate winner(s) will be selected.
Contestants must enter on the Giveaway widget in order to win.
All winning entries will be verified. If a winning entry cannot be verified as completed, a new winner will be drawn.  Winner will be provided the prize directly from OOFOS.  Substitutions unlikely but may apply.  SD Mom not responsible for failure of OOFOS to deliver product.

I am so excited for one of you to win and pamper your feet too!  So tell me, which color catches your eye?

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,

SD Mom

#FeelAmazingEveryday with Amazing Grass - #GIVEAWAY!

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Amazing Grass thru my ambassadorship with Sweat Pink.  All opinions are my own.

I have had quite the summer friends!  Its had its share of travel - some for fun and some not.  And each time, I was covered on the healthy eating thanks to the Effervescents from Amazing Grass!

Each of those tubes pictured above contains 10 tabs that you drop into a glass of ordinary water.  The tabs fizz and pop and create a drink that brings you 30 anti-oxidant rich super foods!

I have been using 1-3 tabs of this a day for the last month or so and it has made me feel well.  Does that make sense?  I feel like emotionally and physically, I have been put thru the wringer but I haven't gotten sick.  

I think I will attribute it to making sure I am getting the fruits and veggies I need every day!  Beauty comes from within and I am making sure I am eating right!

Did I mention it has 100% of your daily requirement for Vitamins C & E?  

If you have been following my Instagram stories, you will see how I have been incorporating these tabs into everyday!

Jenny and I enjoyed a bottle of the drink before and after a run a couple weeks ago.  Perfectly refreshing and just enough sweetness!

And now, I am giving you all a chance to win your own prize package of Amazing Grass Effervescents!  If you don't want to find out if you won, you can buy them on the website using code SWEATPINK2017 for 40% off their products!  You can even purchase them on Amazon.

Contest runs 10/18/17 to 10/22/17 at 11:59 P.M. PST

No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited. 1 winner will be selected via random.org.  Open to US & Canada residents 18 years of age or older.  Must have and comment with a valid email address.  1 winner will get a prize pack from Amazing Grass featuring the product seen above. Not redeemable for cash, no refunds and no cash back.

Winner(s) will be notified via email (if available) and/or blog post, and will have 24 hours to claim prize.  If original winner does not claim prize within 24 hours, an alternate winner(s) will be selected.

Contestants must comment on this blog post in order to win.

SD Mom not responsible for the failure of sponsor to deliver product or user error.

All you have to do to win is comment below with your favorite way to get your fruits and veggies!

Can't wait to see what you all come up with!

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,

SD Mom

Runner Not Running - prAna Fall Style 2017 & Discount Code

Disclaimer: I was sent a couple of styles from the prAna fall collection.  I have received no other compensation and all opinions are my own.

If you have been around these blogging parts for longer than a minute, you would know that I am madly in love with prAna.  I was asked to participate in the #prAnaFallStyle17 and #pranastyle campaign with Sweat Pink!  I of course jumped at the chance to show you some of the awesome things you can get from prAna for the fall, and frankly, any time!

So I thought I would make you a fun list of what runners do when they aren't running!

1.  We go grocery shopping.  When runners are not running, they think about food.  And to get the food, you have to go to a store!

Here I am at Lazy Acres, our local all natural market wearing prAna's Uptown pant.

I also like to treat my self to flowers at the store every once in a while.  Here I am wearing the Uptown pant and a past season tank from prAna.  But this is a similar one.

Okay fine, I also like to check out the beer collection!

2.  We go hiking.  This summer, we had a chance to explore Lake Tahoe and all of its splendor.  It is one of my favorite places on the planet.

Here, I am wearing my all-time favorite Halle pant and SD Dad is wearing past season shorts similar to these.  We went on so many hikes this summer and every one was magical.

3.  We go apple picking.  I know it is a cliche to apple pick when you are talking about fall but we had such a good time.  We try to go every year to a place near our house (about 1 hour away) with tons of apple orchards.  The kids get all excited about apples and that is never a bad thing.

Again, I am wearing the Halle pant rolled up to Capri length.  There is an actual loop inside each pant leg making this easy!

4.  We go to work.  We have to pay for the races we run somehow right?  I work in an office right on the San Diego Harbor so the view outside can be a little distracting.  But it is nice to know I can wear prAna to work too!

I love the vibrant purple in this Harlene top.  Here is another view to give you a better idea of the fit.

That night, I even took my son on a Mommy-Son date night wearing the outfit - just with a cardigan because FALL!

It is made with a burnout jersey knit and organic cotton.  Like I said, it is great for fall because it works perfectly under layers!

5.  We go to Girls Night Out!  Yup, headed back from Book Club and decided to take a lunge stop in front of a local restaurant.  But it goes to show how much you can get done in the Uptown pant.  So flexible...it is like wearing yoga pants but not.

I am not kidding when I tell you I am wearing prAna ALL THE TIME!  I love their earth conscious materials and their awesome style.  And not to mention the comfort!

I love our neighborhood.  Nobody drives...we walk everywhere we need to get to!

6.  We relax.  I don't know what it is but when it comes to relaxation, I think water.  So I took some meditation time in Lake Tahoe and thanks to SD Dad for the capture.

I am wearing the Lahari one-piece.  Hurry because my exact bathing suit is on sale!  Such a good deal!

So cheers to prAna!  Which style gets you excited?  If you have never worn their stuff, get to it and use discount code FASA15 for 15% off anything at www.prAna.com!

So, your turn.  Tell me what you do when you aren't running.  What are you most excited about Fall? Which styles catch your eye?

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom

Gerolsteiner Sparkling Mineral Water #SparklingDetox

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Fit Approach and Gerolsteiner Sparkling Mineral Water.  All opinions are my own.  I am not a medical or health professional - duh!  :-)

The winners of the sweepstakes have been chosen and their shipment of Gerolsteiner Sparkling Mineral Water is on its way. Remember that the 5-day #SparklingDetox is starting September 11th. That means, I will be replacing all my regular drinks (yes, including coffee) with Gerolsteiner Sparkling Mineral Water.  Join me on Instagram by posting with #sparklingdetox!

On average, Gerolsteiner Sparkling Mineral Water suggests you drink 2 liters a day. The glass bottles are 750ml, so you want to drink 3 of those a day.  Gerolsteiner Sparkling Natural Mineral Water is available nationally in most major supermarkets and health food stores. I find it easiest at Trader Joe's.  Please use the store locator here: http://bit.ly/GerolsteinerLocator to find your nearest store.  I also found it at my local Lazy Acres!  Additionally, you can find it online at Jet.com and Sam's Club as well as through Ibotta: http://bit.ly/2jkLEsX.

Have you joined the Facebook group yet?  Be sure to join here.  A few people have asked me, "But what about how gassy and bloated I feel after drinking things with bubbles?"  You will find that Gerolsteiner Sparkling Mineral Water doesn't have the effects of soda or carbonated drinks. It contains bicarbonate, which reduces stomach acid and is very good for your digestive system.

Have you started thinking about habits you would like to change during your Detox? Would love to hear what you're planning on tackling!  For me, I am a late night snacker.  And I don't mean "unhealthy" snacks either.  It is everything from grapes to hummus to dried fruit.  But there is absolutely no need for those extra snacks right before I go to bed so I will be replacing those with my Gerolsteiner Sparkling Mineral Water.  One bottle before bed for the 5 nights.  Even I can handle that!

September is a really hot time of year in San Diego so I will be increasing my intake of fluids too. We lose about 1.6 liters a day just through digestion, evaporation from our skin, our breath and more with warmer weather.  So you want to take in at least that amount. Adjust according to your activity level and you can also use the color of your pee as feedback. It should be almost clear or straw-like.  I even plan on drinking the mineral water before and after I run.  I won't be doing the detox over the weekend so I am not sure yet what I will do on my long run.

But let's talk about the only worry I have about this detox - COFFEE!!!!  If you have been friends with me or followed me on social for any number of months/years, you know I am addict.  But I am wanting to try to get rid of it and see how I do.  I heard that Buffered C helps with caffeine headaches.  I will check it out.  Anyone have any experience with this?  Can't wait to see how I get through the day without caffeine!  I plan to start cutting back NOW!

So tell me, what is one habit you would like to replace with this detox?

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,

SD Mom

Honey & Lace Bradbury Dress - aka MY FAVORITE DRESS EVER!

I don't throw terms around like MY FAVORITE just willy nilly!  I mean it this time.  The Bradbury Dress ($46) by Honey & Lace is a sleeveless Maxi dress with POCKETS!

It comes in 2 different fabrics: a jersey knit which is super stretchy and an ITY fabric which isn't.  The solids are usually jersey and the ITY are florals.  But confirm with your consultant before you buy!

For size reference, I wear a 10-12 in most things and I am a 34DD. In the florals, I wear a Large. In the non-florals, I can wear a Medium. And pockets!

I am wearing a black Medium Bradbury here with a wrap top.  The same dress also comes in a teal floral which OF COURSE I also have!

A close up of the print!

My favorite Honey & Lace dealers are:
Tiffany
Katelinn
Jillian
Stephanie

You can join each of their groups via the hyperlink!

I also started my own style group - I am not a consultant so no pressure!  I just LOVE talking about these dresses and seeing what fun outfits and accessories you all come up wth!  You can join SD STYLE ADDICTION here!

Have you heard of Honey & Lace?

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom

Agnes & Dora Essential Tank Review

Remember when I told you about the Frill Sleeve?  Well, I also love the Essential Tank by Agnes & Dora.  I only have one ... for now.  But again, the material and the fabric is so soft!

The sizing on this one is way off.

What do I mean by that?  Well, I am wearing a medium in this tank.  I should probably get a small but as I told you before, I am between a 10-12 which should make me a Medium or Large.  So I got the Medium thinking I could layer it for the fall but as you can see in the bottom left picture, it has a lot of extra fabric.  So in both of the top pictures, I have the thing knotted.  

But again, the fabric is amazing and I highly recommend it.  It is a super flattering A-line cut.  So soft against your skin!

My main Agnes & Dora "dealer" is Sara Smalley.  You can join her group here.  I also love Lauren.  You can join her group here.

I actually started my own style addiction group on Facebook and I would love to have you join here.  It's called SD STYLE ADDICTION.  So fitting right?

Next up, I will review the Honey & Lace brand.

Have you heard of either of these brands?  Let me know if you have any sizing questions!

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,

SD Mom