Giving Back and Snow Storms: Thinking Out Loud #71

Happy Thursday!! Good grief is it snowing and I do not like it one bit. It was over 50 degrees yesterday and I was able to wear a dress to work, but now not so much. I guess on the bright side it's my weekend so at least I don't have to report out in the snow. However, I'm not looking forward to having to get out on the roads to go grocery shopping. Fingers crossed all the snow will melt by the time I'm back at work on Saturday, but I'm guessing I won't be that lucky. Anyway, let's jump into this weeks thinking out loud.

1. One of the stories I did this week was about a local candle company named Feya Candles. The concept of the company is really awesome because for every candle purchased they donate a meal to a child in need in the local community. Sarah, the founder, was so sweet and I had a great time talking to her. They're donating 10,000 meals to kick off the new year so I was there talking to her about that. The candles smelt AMAZING and I will definitely be gifting these candles instead of Bath and Body Works ones to friends and family. Nothing beats a candle that smells great and helps a child in need! *I'm in no way paid or compensated for sharing about Feya. I genuinely love the company and their mission so I wanted to share it with everyone.*

2. The cold temperatures are still sticking around and I'm getting a little stir crazy running on the treadmill. Running in the cold is really hard for me. Since lupus affects my joints, the cold makes my joints super painful and stiff so it's just not good for me to be out there. I've been making the most (or attempting to) of my time on it. I'm thankful to be back running so that's what I keep in mind. For those who have emailed me questions about the Tabio socks, yes I really do wear them and as often as I can (laundry permitting). I have found the arch support to be really amazing and my feet no longer hurt after running. I'm really excited to test them out with longer distances- once I get back to running them that is. I did announce the winner of the free pair of socks on my instagram and I'm super excited for her to get them and test them out for herself!  

3. It's been in the mid 40's to low 50's for part of the week and it's felt amazing. I've missed the sunshine and milder temps- I am so NOT cut out for the cold! The snow mostly melted and I saw so many puppies out and about. This cutie made me smile because she was so stinking happy sticking her head out the window. Sadly a massive snowstorm is forecasted for today and I am not happy about it😩 I was hoping it would be a very early spring but I guess that's just not the case. I'm keeping my fingers crossed the forecast is wrong because I am not prepared for half a foot of snow. 

4. Dogs are the best therapy. I've it before and I'll say it a million times more. It was kind of a rotten week at work (just a lot going on) and this cutie never fails to greet me before and after work. She comes running off the neighbors deck and wags her tail so stinking hard and gives me endless kisses. She's the sweetest and I want to take her home with me. 

5. When I came across this quote it hit me like a ton of bricks. Yesterday was a really bad day and before I went to bed I was still frustrated about how the day had turned out. Once again this came up and it made me take a step back. Was the day really as bad as I was making it out to be or was it a really awful few hours that I just wouldn't let go? I keep this quote in my phone as a reminder to let go quickly. 

Have a terrific Thursday and a great weekend! Be careful if you're getting this crazy snow too⛄

When you're having a really bad day what is something you do to help change your frame of mind?When you're stuck inside due to weather what do you like to do?

Chilly Days & Puppies: Thinking Out Loud #70

Happy Thursday and Happy New Year! I hope you had a good new years celebration, but not too much fun😉 Is anyone else still writing 2017 and then having to cross it out and write 2018?! It's the same struggle every year🙈 I'm hoping the New Year will bring warmer temps too because it's so cold. It was snowing in Florida yesterday which I can only imagine how they're handling that- or not handling it...regardless I'm ready for warmer temps and sunshine. Before I really start babbling let's jump into this weeks thinking out loud. 

1. I can't get over the cuteness of this face😍 this sweetheart lives across from me and she has me totally roped in. I always go over and pet her whenever she's outside, so now she greets me at the fence whenever I get home from work or the store or wherever I may be coming from. She brings me sticks to throw and she wags her tail so hard her entire body shakes, it's so stinking cute. She never fails to put me in a good mood no matter how rough of a day I've had. Dogs are the best therapy and I want to steal her😬

2. The giveaway to win a pair of Tabio running socks is still open! It runs through tonight at 11:59PM. All you have to do to enter is head over to my instagram, click this picture, follow me, and tag a friend! It's super easy and trust me you want a pair of these socks, they're AMAZING running socks! I have a full review of them here. 

3. I had New Year's Eve and New Year's Day off work since I worked all the other holidays (and a massive amount of overtime on them). A bunch of friends from work got together to ring in the New Year. We played Cards Against Humanity and Watch Your Mouth which I had never played before and it was HILARIOUS😂 We were all up so late just laughing and having fun, I didn't crawl in bed until 3:30 which is normally when I'm getting up. It was absolutly worth it though👌

4. It's been so COLD🙆 The windchill has been -20 to -35 below almost all week. I've been dying. It's been colder in NE than it has been in Alaska or Antartica, which just blows my mind. I am so not built for cold and I keep praying that spring is right around the corner. 

5. A potato truck overturned on the highway yesterday causing a massive mess, but holy smokes there were so many funny puns are a result😂 I'm just curious as to how one would even go about cleaning up so many potatoes. It's not like you can take a giant broom and just sweep them off the road. I wonder what it feels like the drive on potatoes🤔 so many questions...

6. I think I've shared this before, but I love it and it's worth sharing again. So many of these things seem so basic, but are so hard. How often do we sweat the small stuff that at the end of the day doesn't even end up mattering? Probably more than we'd like to admit. While I don't totally buy into making new years resolutions I do set goals for myself every year and my main goal for this year is to live simply. Worry less, love more, and just enjoy life. Life's too short to not be enjoyed.

Have a great Thursday and a fantastic weekend🎉🎉🎉

What are some goals you have for the New Year?

What are you looking forward to the most in the New year?

Tabio Sock Review and GIVEAWAY

Happy New Year! I hope you had a fun time celebrating (but not too much fun). With the start of a new year a lot of people set fitness goals. I love setting new goals for myself whether it's to lift more or run further or faster. Goals give me a reason to push myself, so I'm very excited to see other people start crushing fitness goals this year.

In the past few two months I've been able to start running more frequently and slightly longer distances. I'm still under the guidance of an orthopedic specialist because he doesn't want me to re-tear my meniscus and be sidelined again for even longer or need surgery. It's been frustrating because running 12 miles used to feel like nothing and there's days where doing 3 is a struggle now. I know it's a process, but I'm also running pain free for the first time in awhile and it's amazing. 

Anyway, I was given the opportunity to try Tabio socks. Tabio socks are designed specifically for running so immediately my interest was piqued. I'm incredibly picky when it comes to socks because I want something breathable and that won't slide down while I'm running. 

I got the Tabio signature run socks to try. They're made of a thicker mesh material with grips so you don't skid in your shoes while running. For me the coolest thing about the socks was the built in arch support. It sounds crazy, but it actually works. I use orthotics in my shoes because naturally I don't have an arch in my foot. Initially the socks felt odd to me and I was hesitant to run in them. It did take some getting used since the socks have the built in arch support and don't feel like your typical socks, but they were awesome for running.

My foot never moved in my shoes, everything felt supported and nothing ached once I was done. The socks really do offer great support. I spent a month running in these socks before sitting to write this review because I wanted to be as honest and critical as I possibly could. I do have two small complaints with the socks. The first thing is my feet did a bit hot while running, so I thought the mesh could have been more breathable. I didn't get unbearably hot by any means, but slightly more breathable would have been nice. Two, the price is a little steep. It's $25 for one pair of socks. I get that a lot of time was spent researching and developing these socks, but $25 per pair is a LOT. Let alone most people will want more than one pair, so you're looking at $50+. Tabio does offer free shipping and the socks come in 8 colors, but still the price is a little steep for socks. 

Overall, I really do love the socks. I will be using them on my long runs once I get back into the swing of things, but for now I'm using them for everyday running. 

The good news is I've got a pair of Tabio socks to giveaway to one of you guys! All you need to do is head over to my instagram page, follow me, click on the picture with the Tabio socks, and tag a friend. The contest ends Thursday January 4 at 11:59pm and the winner will be announced on Friday. Good luck to everyone!