Shaun White Boys' Apparel Boys Fashion a Review

Shaun White Target Shop has been a fun shopping spot for our middle school boys.  They like all of the colorful tee shirts and the functional and comfortable jackets have been a favorite for a while now.  So I was thrilled (and so were our boys) when Shaun White Apparel asked us to Review some of their Boys Clothing.  So of course, we took it out West! :)   They were perfect for the Cheyenne, Wyoming, "Frontier Days."  Jeans, Cowgirl Boots, Bandannas and an Adventuresome Spirit of the Wild West.


The Shaun White Jeans were perfect for our trip out West.  Here is one of our boys in his SW Jeans at the Bull Riding Championship in Wyoming.


Shaun White Boys' Short Sleeve Tee in Heather Grey   These shirts are soft and fun.  So they are perfect for boys.  They have sports active graphics which our boys love.



Here is a picture of our boys in the Shaun White Jackets that we love.  I think this is our third season to buy these. I wanted to share this because they are a great layering piece.  The colors are fun, they have hoodies and pockets.  So you can see our Instagram and realize how much our boys love them.  I like the look and that they are happy. 




The Shaun White Boys' Slim Pant  is really soft and well made.  They are fitted and SLIM.  One of my boys is slimmer than the other and these work well so he doesn't have to wear a belt. The crotch could be a little longer for my other fellow.  So have your son try them on and then you are good to go. They are versatile, which I like. :)

The boys said the Shaun White Boys' Short Rock Garden  are A+.  These have some fun patterns and are nice and long so they work well for our boys.



Here the boys are in their Shaun White  Jeans at the Wyoming Visitor's Center "Bull Riding."  What fun! This Bull Riding is serious business! :)  Captured a quick shot in Wyoming - the boys loved it there and these jeans were ideal.
 
                                       

Thank you Shaun White for fun and functional clothing for boys at a great price.  Check out the Shaun White Target Shop for great deals.  You know, Target puts things on sale regularly! :)  

Warmly, Carolina Mama

FTC Disclosures:  This post is sponsored by Shaun White Apparel.  All opinions are our own. 

Rayovac Indestructible Flashlights Pass The Test


Here is another reason I LOVE Blogging for Rayovac.  They create the most innovative products and the quality is unmatched.  We were thrilled to receive the Virtually Indestructible LED 3AAA Camo Flashlight and the LED 2AA Flashlight! 


Rayovac Indestructible Flashlights


Our boys got so excited about this package.  So fun!  We put these to the TEST.  When I say the test, our boys know how to test things out.  And guess what?  They DID NOT break! :) 

Our Superman took it to the test! 




He can really show his strength!  I LOVE getting to let them do whatever they want to the flashlight and it. will. not. break! :) 





The VERDICT:  The flashlights WORK.  Well!  No damage. 



Light 1: Virtually Indestructible LED 3AAA Camo Flashlight

    -High performance LEDs and 2 modes: 120 Lumens, 19 Lumens (energy saver)

    -Beam distance: 160 meters, 70 meters (energy saver)

   - Battery run time (alkaline batteries incl.): 5 hours, 40 hours (energy saver)

    -30 Foot Drop Test Performance!

   - Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity Pattern

   - Lifetime guarantee

   - (3) AAA Rayovac alkaline batteries included

Light 2: Virtually Indestructible LED 2AA Flashlight

    -High performance LEDs and 2 modes: 100 Lumens, 18 Lumens (energy saver)

   - Beam distance: 149 meters, 56 meters (energy saver)

   - Battery run time (alkaline batteries incl.): 15 hours, 35 hours (energy saver)

    -30 Foot Drop Test Performance!

    -Lifetime guarantee

    -(2) AA Rayovac alkaline batteries included

Check out these Rayovac Indestructible Flashlights for your family, friends and even for yourself!  I enjoy my Rayovac Flashlights.  They are awesome.

Follow Rayovac on Facebook and on Twitter @Rayovac.


Warmly, Carolina Mama

FTC Disclosure:  I am a Rayovac Power Blogger.  Opinions are all my own.  In our experience and testing, we LOVED these flashlights and totally recommend them.  




Gluten Free Labeling FDA Requires Standardized Labeling

Being back to Boulder, Colorado on vacation and to see my husband's family was so wonderful and refreshing!  It was a delight to be back in a community that values healthy living, wellness and an active lifestyle! 



Being Gluten Free for 15 months now, due to my own Gluten intolerance and healthy living, I loved all the great choices in Boulder! You do not have to sacrifice fabulous food and flavor going gluten free ("GF"). You just have. To work at finding it. 

Now, thanks to the FDA - they did the right hung on this - and mandate standardized gluten free labeling! Making like more simple for those of us GF. Thank you FDA and Udi's of Boulder for al the work to do this!

Here's the latest:

 — /PRNewswire/ --  Boulder Brands commends the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA)decision today to standardize gluten-free labeling.  Glutino and Udi's, Boulder Brands' gluten-free brands and trusted pioneers and leaders in gluten-free living, have spent years advocating for the FDA to create this mandate. This announcement directly impacts millions of Americans who need to live a gluten-free life because of celiac disease, gluten intolerance or other medical conditions.  According to the 2013 Glutino Survey for Gluten Free Labeling, the FDA's mandate satisfies the overwhelming majority (92 percent) of consumers who believe there needs to be a clear set of guidelines for what can be labeled gluten-free...."

Read more here:  

http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/08/02/5079618/boulder-brands-applauds-fdas-decision.html

Are you gluten free?! 
Warmly,
CarolinaMama

Read more here: http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/08/02/5079618/boulder-brands-applauds-fdas-decision.html#storylink=cpy

Shaklee 180 Weight Loss Update Month Five

Boulder Poolside

My Shaklee 180 journey has been a fabulous experience.  It is hard to believe how quickly this five months have flown by for me.  I have to say I am so thankful for healthy eating and exercise habits that are sticking and have become second nature.  The joy of this Poolside photo is because of my recent Shaklee180 journey along with my exercise and gluten free diet over the last year.  This post is part of my Blogging Agreement with Shaklee180 Blogger Program.  All opinions are my own. 

And then she fell....

Sometimes we have an injury, Compression Socks :)
That's right, on July 13th, I was business as usual at my gym about to take a run on the treadmill when I realized my headphones were in the car.  So I paused between the two sets of stairs, and went back down stairs my usual pace.  Somehow my right foot caught and I was flying down 7-8 stairs for the concrete floor at the Welcome Desk of my gym.  Thankfully, I had a hand skimming the rail and both hands instinctively grabbed the rail bracing my fall. I am grateful that I was not seriously injured or ending up in surgery or worse.

However, my body flipped a bit from my reach for the rail and I landed on my left leg resulting in a Tibia Contusion.  It is rather severe yet that injury is not major according to my Doctor.  It has been a long almost three weeks already.  The doctor immediately ordered me to not run "keep your feet on the ground."  So I kept my CowGirl Boots on the ground at the Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming at the Bull Fights Championship.  Too fun.

Frontier Days, Visit Cheyenne, CowGirl :)

Following doctor's orders, I rested and followed RICE recovery.  The fall was four days before our departure to Colorado for Vacation.  We did have to run through the Atlanta Airport as our Raleigh departure was delayed and we did make our connection.  So there was activity and there were two simple hikes in Colorado and other walking, touring, etc.  Then I had to scale back activity again.  None the less, I watched my diet and had splurges in Colorado like the world-famous Zolo Grill Guacamole!  And our favorite local Italian, Pasta Jay's! (Not gluten Free).  And I watched the amount I ate.  So my diet was taking a break and still watching portions.  It was a wonderful vacation.  And when I got home ten days later.  I approached my scale... and I was pleasantly pleased!

This month, I have lost a total of -2.8 pounds!!  And -1 inch Hips loss!  This is good.  Yeaa. You did read it right.  This is a reminder that over time we will see changes.  Even when I was discouraged and not working out as my usual.  My body was ready and let that inch go!

SO excited through it all this month with my injury and vacation!  This is especially exciting because my overall diet and Shaklee180 program have made the difference even in my not exercising the last half of the month!

Also, I had my Shaklee180 shakes and meal bars the first half of the month.





Then no travel, I ate reasonably and had some meal bars on the go.  So I did not throw caution to the wind.  That is the tip I want to reiterate, everything counts! :)  So every good thing does make a difference.  In the past, I have gotten discouraged and 'thrown caution to the wind.'  It got me no where.  So remember do something, every good thing makes a good difference!  Here we are at the NASCAR JR Ride Along and my new top is too big!  Happy, happy, happy.

JR NASCAR Ride Along with my Sons (my new top is too large!) #shaklee180
Since I was not super active this month, I do not have my usual workout photos so next month's reveal in those clothes will be all the better. Right!  I am sharing shots along the month that I am so proud of for staying my Shaklee180 and workout journey.  Here I am in my usual workout outfit with my husband on one of our Colorado hikes!  Felt so great to be back doing this. I made the very flat front loop this time - about an hour.


Thank you for following along and let me know if you have questions.  I am here to help you as well.  Until next month, that is when I write my final post for Shaklee180 with my Six Month Reveal Photos and numbers.  Thank you for following.  Also, tomorrow you will see my Shaklee180 video for the month. Stay tuned.

Warmly, Carolina Mama








The Beach House, a Holiday Inn Resort Hilton Head Island, South Carolina - Family Travel

We are thrilled our Summer Family Travel Adventures took us to The Beach House, a Holiday Inn Resort  Hilton Head Island, South Carolina 


As a young college girl, we LOVED out weekends at Hilton Head Island.  The delight of this Island is like no other.  So naturally, before I began my big city corporate job (back in New Orleans working from Lawyers who were colleagues or my Dad), I Nannied on Hilton Head Island to extend the fun, ponder my life and make more memories.

They were treasured times.  Yet, as I cared for this precious little one and a half year old girl, I dreamed of having my own family some day and playing on these same beaches.

This Summer we finally came full circle and our Family Road Trip travels took us back to Sea Pines to climb the Lighthouse and watch fireworks, catch a lightning storm on the beach (it as a long ways away but still incredible for my weather lovers).  We retreated to the Tiki Hut afterwards.

The Beach House Resort is a perfect Family Resort with Ocean Front Property.  They have a wonderful Swimming Pool,  and even Ping Pong Tournaments by the Pool!  Our son won!  How's that for a Kids' Memory, "I won The Beach House, Hilton Head Island, Ping Pong Tournament Summer 2013!"




Biking is a beautiful way to explore the Island and the Beach.  




We LOVE to Boogie Board so we were often on the beach IN the water. Occasionally, 
for a quick pic you can find us like this. :)






We loved waking up to the calm of the shore every morning.  LOVE our view?!  We did, too! 



WE even sat poolside and read a little.  It was very relaxing at The Beach House. 




They have all the gear. This day, we just used the towels by the pool and swam a little. 


More of the Poolside Ping Pong fun! 

The Beach House HHI Resort Ping Pong Poolside

Did you know Savannah, Georgia is only a 45 minute drive from Hilton Head Island. 
So we took the opportunity to escape the heat of the day on the beach.  We had lunch 
at Paula Deen's "Lady & Sons!"  We LOVED it.  Every time we have been to 
Savannah as a family, Lady & Sons was closed and we were on the path 
directly to Disney World, so this was the time. 

It was FABULOUS! 

Land & Sons Hoe Cakes Savannah
Happy parents to enjoy Southern Cooking on vacation.  


Our boys devoured this awesomeness and made their Southern Mama so proud!  We all
hydrated up with water but you know we all sipped a little Mint Sweet Tea 
from Mrs. Paula! Oh yum! 
Paula Dean's Mint Sweet Tea

Back to The Beach House, here is our room. I LOVED this picture of the Lighthouse at Harbor Town, so voila. 



Our happy family in our happy place, God's Creation, the Beach! 

Hilton Head Island Family Photo Shoot

The Tiki Hut keeps refreshment going all day and Ice Water waiting by the 
boardwalk. This was very handy.  There was live beach music which always sounded 
convivial. 

The Beach House Tiki Hut

Another pretty site on the HHI Beach....


Dad and the Boys setting up our umbrella for Mom, mainly, because 
they last FOREVER in the Waves! 


I took a nice Run, my 5k, on the beach a couple times. 
It was awesome to run on the beach and no one was there. My guys were boarding. 


The Palm Trees were abundant, the Customer Service at The Beach House was 
very attentive and helpful.  We LOVED our room and used the refrigerator 
for our picnic foods, water and gatorade lite. 

Mom Fashion at Hilton Head Island Monogramed Hat

Yes, confirmed, I am slower running in heat and humidity by a few minutes! 
Runner's World is right. Apparently, I'm not the only one. The beach was the sweet reward. 


And my reading of "A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet!" by Boo Mama. 


This is what our day looked like! 


Happy to be back at The Salty Dog Cafe Sea Pines with my Family. 



LOVED seeing my Hanes and The Salty Dog Cafe working together.  
Our boys adore their Hanes Salty Dog Tee Shirts! 

Hanes Salty Dog Cafe Tee Shirts

This was our favorite lunch!  Here we are full circle!  My family. 


And the heavens opened up and my precious college friend, we were in each 
other's Weddings, she was at the South Beach Marina, too!! 
How fortuitous! to see each other after too many years! 



We introduced our Children to each other!! Precious times. Her husband, high school sweetheart, 
was in California litigating away as he does so well.  We captured the memory!  They were 
enjoying Summer days at Hilton Head preparing their daughter for UCLA this Fall!  Life is beautiful. 


Our last night we climbed to the top of the Lighthouse and savored every second. 
Snapped a million pictures and watched the storm roll in that my son noticed probably 
before the weathermen.  


We closed our Hilton Head Island memories this Sunset at the top of the Lighthouse! 
Forever thankful and grateful for these summer memories! 



The Beach House is a beautiful property to make Family Travel Memories for a lifetime.  We loved working with them.



You may Rent Bicycles at The Beach House and enjoy exploring the Island and the Beach! 



Just so you know The Salty Dog Cafe Food is fabulous....


The Salty Dog Cafe Shrimp Po Boy

I LOVED my Ladies Lunch which was a refreshing Shrimp Salad plate.  Here's some Ping Pong with the Parents. Memories.  My Parents did this! :)


Just horsing around at the Beach. My boys love to play in the Tidal Pools. 


Here is a section of the huge pool. :) Happy faces. 


Our boys LITERALLY Swam with a Dolphin the morning we left. I will post a 
video later. It was a once in a lifetime experience. We jogged along the beach while they 
swam parallel with a Dolphin! :)  This is literally an iPhone snapshot I took from shore. 
Our boys and a Dolphin! 

Swim with Dolphin at Hilton Head Island


We enjoyed Ice Cream at Coligny Plaza!  Coligny has everything!  It is located right across
the street from The Beach House Resort. 

Ice Cream at Coligny Plaza

Our family Relaxing at The Beach House on the Porch. :)



It was hard to leave, we will not say good-bye, just until next time. 


Warmly, Carolina Mama

FTC Disclosure:  This post is sponsored by the The Beach House, Holiday Inn Resorts.  All opinions are my own.