Achieve Your Fitness Goals with Planet Fitness + a Membership Deal!

Today's discussion is sponsored by Planet Fitness, regardless all opinions expressed below are mine alone.

If you've followed the blog for a while you know I've been on a journey to get fit over the last few years. I shared my story in 2014, when I weighed in at my heaviest weight ever and knew I needed to make a change; then I shared my triumph whenever I finally hit my goal weight in 2015 and how I planned on maintaining my fitness. The past few years have truly been a journey, from learning how to eat healthier (most of the time) to officially becoming a member of a gym, I made a lot of changes and I shared most of these changes and my progress here on the blog with you.

Which leads me to 2016, this year also includes some changes... While these changes involve gaining back some of the weight I lost (all for my little baby on the way), I'm still trying to stay fit! I haven't shared much of my fitness routine as of late because it's hard to talk shop with a baby bump growing and my morning sickness in full force, but I wanted to check in with you all and let you know, I'm still on my fitness journey this year - it's just a little bit different than it has been.

That's why I love Planet Fitness so much, it's a fitness club that's helped me along my journey and will continue to be a part of my fitness routine. I felt comfortable visiting the club when I was at my heaviest, I felt confident going in for a quick work out when I was feeling fit in 2015, and now that I'm expecting, I still feel like Planet Fitness is the perfect place for me to work on myself and my goals.

WHY is Planet Fitness my preferred gym? If you're overweight, underweight, or maybe even just of the female gender, and you've ever visited another gym, you may have felt like you were being gawked at or judged while running on the treadmill or lifting weights. This is NOT the case with Planet Fitness, there's no "gymtimidation."

The staff, the trainers, and even the other members facilitate an environment where everyone can feel confident and comfortable while bettering themselves. You don't need to have muscles to join this gym, you're not going to be laughed at if you have to ask how to use a machine, and really, the only real requirement is that you keep Planet Fitness a Judgement Free Zone!

I don't just like Planet Fitness because of the other members and staff though... I like PF because most clubs are open and staffed 24/7 to help you get a work out in, any time of the day! Plus, all 1,000 of the Planet Fitness clubs also have spacious locker rooms and access to unlimited fitness training, as well as two "circuit" workouts that make getting in a quick gym sesh super simple!

That's not all you get when you join Planet Fitness though, you gain access to a group of like-minded people. You're not just joining a gym, you're joining a community. Planet Fitness provides all members with an opportunity to connect and support with others via "Planet of Triumphs," an online community that celebrates all accomplishments and inspirational stories.

Not only can you gain access to a support system, a gym without judgement, and a healthier you - If you sign up for the black card membership (at $19.99 a month), it includes additional amenities such as the ability to bring a guest every single day at no additional charge, access to all 1,000+ Planet Fitness locations, use of massage chairs and beds, and more.

Everyone belongs at Planet Fitness, that's why on April 4, you can join Planet Fitness for just a dollar!

That's right... For one day only, join Planet Fitness for only a $1 down and then just $10 a month. Or if you prefer the PF Black Card, you can take  advantage of that membership and its additional perks for $1 down and   then $19.99 per month. They’ve created a link just for you guys so that you can enter your email for a reminder to sign up April 4th. Click here! No matter what your fitness goals are in 2016, you won't regret joining Planet Fitness - I promise you!

Feel Gorgeous Everyday with This Simple Beauty Routine

This post contains affiliate links, regardless all opinions expressed below are my own.

The past few months I've been struggling just to be me most days. I'm not having some sort of quarter-life crisis, I'm just fighting major fatigue and morning all-freaking-daylong sickness, every single day... and it's been a struggle to put myself together.

I give kudos to the mamas that battle the sickness with grace, I've done the opposite. I also give a loving thumbs up to the mamas that didn't really have many symptoms at all... I'm neither of these women, I'm the opposite.

With all of that said, I'm finally trying to get back into my normal routine... but I notice every time I go to apply makeup, I start feeling even more nauseous than normal. It may just be a coincidence, but it's lead to an almost always barefaced version of myself going out into the world. So today I want to share a handful of makeup tricks for people like me.

Whether your struggling through nausea every day or your just not the type to wear makeup on the daily, here's how you can still feel beautiful without all the makeup non-sense involved.


Let's start with a basic, instead of using a heavy foundation that you have to spend time blending. Skip it and use a tinted moisturizer instead. You'll avoid clogging your pores and you'll still get the benefits foundation provides with La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid for Face. Plus you're nourishing your skin with antioxidants instead of adding toxins to your face, it's really a win-win.

This water-based product from theBalm is the perfect way to add a pop of color to your lips without having to deal with a heavy gloss or the nasty goop other lip products leave. Plus, if you're feeling the need to blush a little - you can add a tiny dab of this beauty to your cheeks to really give yourself a glow. Investing in theBalm Stainiac Beauty Queen is the perfect way to look like you spent hours on your look when in reality you can be ready in seconds!

Next on the no-makeup beauty routine is this Blinc Lash Primer. While it may look like mascara, you no longer have to worry about clumpy, flaking off black mess while using this primer. It actually nourishes your lashes with a form of Vitamin B5 and it makes them look just as lush as the top rated mascara by creating a moisturizing film around the shaft of your lashes.

Now I'm kind of pushing the "no make up" barrier with Stila All Over Shimmer Duo Powder but it's way more than just your average powder, it's a way to multitask and really make your beauty pop. It's light-reflecting powder is the perfect way to make your cheekbones pop when used as a highlighter, plus you can use a dash of it on your lids to make your eyes look shimmery and beautiful. The best part about this powder is that you won't have to keep reapplying it, the micro-fine pearl powder adheres to your skin and makes for a look that will last all day long!

Lastly, the easiest way to perfect brows (after plucking) is Tweezerman Browmousse. It's a simple way to keep your brows in place, no sticky or gummy feeling involved. It's also hypoallergenic so it's gentle on your skin while keeping your brows "on fleek".

That's really all you'll need for a fresh-face, presentable look without feeling like your going out into the real world looking like a hot mess. I know it's tough some days, but with this simple 5 product routine, you'll be walking down the street feeling like a beauty queen in mere minutes!


Do you have any tips for those of us that are going sans-makeup this year? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below!

The Perfect Sweet & Salty Treat: Chocolate Covered Potato Chips!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of SKOUT for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Are you the type of person who loves to snack on potato chips? Lately, I can relate - from indulging in hot dogs & a small bag of sour cream & onion chips, to making a dessert that involves just regular ol' original flavored potato chips, I've loved indulging in every single type of chip.

After deciding to partner with SKOUT to find some other potato chip lovers, I knew I had to share a favorite recipe of mine and it's so simple!

To make this sinfully delicious treat to share with all your friends you will need:

Original Flavor Potato Chips,

Dipping Chocolate,

& Colorful Sprinkles.

You'll begin by warming the chocolate 30 seconds on low heat (or defrost setting), stirring and heating again for 15 second intervals until it's fully melted.

Now dip each chip into the chocolate, submerging about half of the salty goodness into the sweet tasty chocolate.

Add sprinkles to each chip as you go & wait for the chocolate to set.

Serve & ENJOY!

It's that easy to make a treat every chip lover will adore! With the salty, deliciousness of original flavored potato chips and the rich, indulgence of the chocolate, it's like a snack and dessert at the same time. So delicious, so amazing, and so easy to make!

If you're wanting to make friends as easily as you made this little treat, check out SKOUT today! It's the leading global app for making new buddies and it's easy to use!

Take a Selfe at Home & Save Money Each Month!

This discussion is brought to you by HomeSelfe, regardless all opinions expressed below are my own.

Saving money is a pretty big priority in our house lately, from spending less on ordering take out to scrunching and saving on our monthly bills; we are doing everything we can to save a few dollars each and every month, because as we all know, it all adds up and we need to add to our little nest egg.

If you're looking for ways to save around your house, HomeSelfe may be the answer you've been looking for. It's a new app that allows you to save $$$ with a free evaluation of your home's energy inefficiencies and it helps provide solutions for each of your issues! While saving you money each month, the savings up-front for this service are phenomenal... with the normal price of an energy audit running you around a few hundred dollars, you can spend nothing using HomeSelfe for FREE!

So how does it all work? HomeSelfe has partnered with local, state, and the nation's ten largest public utilities to develop this simple-to-use tool, allowing you to see results in your home and where it really counts - in your wallet! The patent-pending technology allows you to create a digital version of your home with a simple questionnaire you can answer at your own pace. Once your HomeSelfe is complete, you'll receive a free, easy-to-understand report that provides a crystal clear picture of your home's energy efficiency, where your place could use a little improvement, and what upgrades you really need to make ASAP.

Get ready to take action against your own home, in the best way possible. With connections to the best contractors via HomeSelfe and access to special offers & rebates, you'll be saving money while saving energy (for yourself and your home) and protecting the environment!

Are you ready to take action against the energy inefficiencies in your home? Try HomeSelfe out for yourself and don't forget to take the time to enter to win one of 4 Home Depot gift cards to help make improvements using the tool below!

CLICK HERE to ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!

After you've taken the time to download HomeSelfe and use the app, as well as enter the giveaway, I'd love to hear what you found the most interesting in your results! Are you hoping to replace insulation? Do you have a water heater that's making your bill sky rocket? After learning how our house could use improvements, I'm eager to hear about your HomeSelfe results!