Reviews — Sassy Irish Lassie

I Just Wanna Run

January 17, 2012 By Kat Filed Under reviews

I have a secret. Something that, if you knew me now you would never believe. Before I had kids, I hated running. Kind of ironic since I play soccer, but running just to run – not finding the love. I would play double header games, join any pick up game I could find and run with a ball forever, but something about just me, my thoughts and the open road was not inviting to me. Till one day, I made myself do it. Now, I can’t go a day without it.

Of course, every woman athlete needs proper equipment. Following a great pair of shoes is a great working spots bra. I am thankful that I am not overly top heavy so I typically do not have too much difficulty finding a sports bra that works for me. What I do struggle with is finding one that doesn’t get completely drenched and gross during my workout. (sorry for the visual)

Jockey recently released their Tech Terry Performance Sports Bra and was kind enough to let me try it out. The bra had some nice added features such as a reflective logo and a key pocket for your gym key. The bra is made with 93% polyester and 7% spandex which did a great job at keeping me dry but did not have all the flexibility I want in a bra. Flexibility? What on earth are you talking about Kat? I have broad shoulders and in broad, I mean man shoulders, thanks to years and years of swimming. The straps of my bra were digging in my shoulders no matter how much I pulled and tugged. I also found the bra difficult to get on and off. Believe me, I know what you are thinking – Seriously Kat, you can’t get a bra on or off?? But I think the material does not allow a lot of extra movement room (flexibility) so you are left looking quite silly trying to get it on an off. Though I will say it did an amazing job at keeping me dry and cool during my workout, even if I wasn’t comfortable.

Even better than an amazing sports bra is one that doesn’t smell like a sports bra. Jockey teamed up with Purex Crystals to release their new natural fabric softener. Did you know that regular fabric softeners contain oils that prevent your sportswear from wicking if you use it in the wash? Yikes! Well fear no more! Purex Crystals are 92% natural and keep your clothes smelling fresh for weeks. I am a huge fan and have been using it since it came out last year. While I was a die hard Spring Waters fan, the sample I received, Tropical Splash, has won over the noses of my boys.

Now the best part – I get to share the love with you! Tell me what you look for most in a sports bra and you could win a Jockey Tech Terry Performance Sports Bra and a bottle of Purex Crystals. Tweet about the giveaway and you will earn another entry. (Just be sure to add the url to your tweet and your email address in the comment section!) I will randomly pick a winner on January 27th.

You can also try out Jockey’s amazing sport line and get 20% off your next Jockey order—courtesy of Purex Crystals. I am a huge fan of their running and yoga pants. Believe me, you can’t go wrong!

**Jockey and Purex provided free samples of their products so I could review them. However, all the opinions expressed here are my own.**

Tagged Jockey, Purex Crystals, reviews, running, soccer 6 Comments

Spreading A Wee Bit of Holiday Cheer

October 25, 2011 By Kat Filed Under reviews

With Halloween next week and Thanksgiving quickly approaching, I am blatantly reminded that I need to get my Christmas cards ordered so they will get in the mail on time. With many of our friends and family out of state, I love to send yearly Christmas cards to remind them that we are thinking of them. Even better then sending cards is receiving cards, especially photo Christmas cards! I love seeing how all my family and friends kiddos change in one year. And friends who have just had babies – you had better put that adorable chubby face on a card!

Last year we opted for Shutterfly’s card that had a 2010 Tope Ten List and room for pictures. It was the annual letter and pictures all rolled into one. According to our recipients, it was a big hit.

As I have begun browsing for this year, I am drawn once again to the holiday story cards. So far, this is the top on my list:

Followed closely by this gorgeous beauty:

Shutterfly also offers great photo gifts for family members that live far away. One year we surprised the grand parents with photo magnets of the kids and the next year a mousepad with their big smiling faces. It is a great way to remind them they are loved, even though you can’t see them everyday.

And since I am feeling festive, I am going to gove three of my readers 25 free Shutterfly Holiday or Christmas cards. All YOU have to do is leave your email in the comment section. Easy enough! I will pick a winner on November 6th and email the winners their promo codes. Even better – if you are a blogger and don’t win one of my fabulous prize packs, you can register here for 25 free cards!

But before you go… do you like choice A or choice B more? Come on, help a lassie out!

* *I was compensated for this post with free products from Shutterfly, but the opinions and true love of their product is solely my own.**

Tagged christmas cards, photography, reviews, shutterfly 1 Comment

SELF’s Workout in the park

June 9, 2011 By Kat Filed Under reviews

What do you get when you combine great music, energized women and a warm sunny day? Why SELF”s Workout in the Park of course!

Every year SELF hosts Workout in the Park, a place for women to bond, experience community and try some killer new workouts. Alison Sweeney, host of The Biggest Loser and author of “The Mommy Diet” even made guest appearances in San Francisco and Chicago. She even jumped right in and kicked off the day with a little sexy stretching… growl!

After a little stretching it was down to business. The music got louder and the workouts intensified. Throughout the day I was able to tone, tighten and discover muscles I never knew I had. I got to try a wide variety of exercise techniques and programs, my favorite being Masala Bhangra. Bali Bali! I was able to get my body beach ready, went back in time for some Retro-Robics and finished up the day dancing away calories with Glee Club. I burned over 1200 calories and had a blast doing it!

Oh, and did I mention the sponsors? Workout in the Park had a team of top notch sponsors such as Athleta, euphoria by Calvin Klein, Asics, Garnier, Jockey, Lucy and Crunch – just to name a few. At the booths you could sample products, try on shoes and work out wear and even get a hair color consultation!

Workout in the Park is a great way to jump start you excitement to workout. It opened my eyes that there really is more to working out than running, though I do still have a passion to hit the pavement. Sometimes all you need is a little variety to keep you motivated and healthy.

Thank you SELF and I will definitely see you next year!

*Thank you One2One Network for giving me the opportunity to get off my couch and get my workout on. And while One2One purchased my ticket, the calories burned, sweat and good times had were strictly my own.*

Tagged healthy living, O2O Network, SELF 2 Comments

Freschetta by the slice

May 2, 2011 By Kat Filed Under reviews

Well, the makers of Freschetta delicious pizzas are at it again! This time on a slightly smaller scale. Let me introduce you to Freschetts By The Slice. Freschetta By The Slice serves up the perfect slice of pizza, one slice at a time. Even better – you can make in in minutes in your microwave.

Freschetta was nice enough to send me a coupon to try their new pizza, and being the pizza lover that I am, I jumped at the chance. I opted for the vegetable medley. As you can see from the picture above, the vegetables look freshly cut and taste just as good.

I will admit, I was a bit hesitant at the thought of microwave pizza. I was concerned it would be soggy, lack taste and just not be the same as a freshly baked pizza. I am happy to say I was terribly wrong! After popping the pizza in the microwave for a few minutes I had a freshly baked piece of pizza. The crust was crispy, the vegetables were fresh and the taste – YUM! I was also thankful that there was only one slice because I think I can guarantee that I would have eaten the whole pizza.

While I am also not typically a fan of microwave dinners, I did really like the fact that I could have a piece of pizza with my toppings as a quick meal before running the boys tho their sport practices. Great taste, great price, great pizza, what more can you ask for?

*Disclosure: The awesome folks at Freschetta provided me with a product for this review but the opinions, thoughts and constant pizza cravings are strictly my own.*

Tagged food, freschetta, review 2 Comments

Advil

March 17, 2011 By Kat Filed Under reviews

With Spring just around the corner, many of us are looking forward to the warmer weather, blooming flowers and melting snow. While Spring does have a lot of positives, it also means cold and sinus season. Tissues anyone?

While I am one to suffer from Spring allergies, I am also one who is plagued by Spring colds. Colds + allergies = one sad little lassie. I spend most of the spring season sniffling, sneezing and trying to blow my stuffy nose.

Well, fear no more! Advil® to the rescue. Advil® Congestion Relief combines the power of Advil® and an effective decongestant, to provide relief from sinus pressure, nasal swelling, congestion, and headaches. Just what this lassie needs! Did you know that ost nasal congestion is caused by nasal inflammation? Crazy isn’t it? That explains why no matter how much I blow – my nose is still ALWAYS stuffy. Advil® Congestion Relief is the right sinus medicine for the real problem – congestion!

So be prepared for this allergy and cold season by stocking up on Advil® Congestion Relief. You can find it in the cold aisle of your local drug or grocery store. Your nose will thank you for it!

**This post was written in conjunction with the One2One Network.

ignatius macfarland: frequenaut!

March 10, 2011 By Kat Filed Under reviews

Having a 10 year old son that loves to read, I am constantly on the hunt for books that he will enjoy – bonus points if it’s a series. Well, I think I have yet another series he will love. In fact, I already know he does because he devoured them in less than a week. Score!

Let me introduce you to Paul Feig’s series about a 12 year old boy named Ignatius MacFarland. Igatius, aka Iggy or Piggy by the mean kids at school, feels lost and out of place on this world. Yes, I said on. In fact, Iggy is adamant that he must have been dropped on this planet by aliens with the hopes that maybe those same aliens will come back to earth and get him out of his pathetic life. (his words, not mine)

So far the series consists of two books; Ignatius MacFarland: Frequenaut! and Ignatius MacFarland: Frequency Freak-Out! In the first book Iggy decides to build a rocket ship to escape the bullies at school. After the rocket ship explodes Iggy soon finds himself living in a different frequency. The rest of the book is filled with crazy adventures as Iggy desperately tries to get back to his own frequency. After going through a porthole, Iggy lands himself in the second book and yet another frequency. More adventures and chaos ensue as Iggy chases after the evil Herbert, a gold stealer, who is trying to prevent Iggy from going through the porthole and ultimately, home.

This series get a double thumbs up from my Frequenaut. He even gave his copy to his classroom teacher to read to the class and they love it! So I guess that makes it a ….. well, a lot of thumbs up! Want to win a copy of both books for your Frequenaut? Here’s how to enter:

Leave a comment with your email (so I can contact you if you win)
Tweet the giveaway for an extra entry. Please include the URL.

I will pick one winner at random on April 1st. Good luck!

**I was given a copy of the series to review. The opinions stated above are solely my own. Oh, and those of my very own Frequenaut.

Tagged books for boys, giveaway, ignatius macfarland: frequenaut, Paul Feig, reviews 1 Comment

evoking the right tone

March 4, 2011 By Kat Filed Under reviews

Tone – we all love it, we all want it. Now, I am a girl of convenience. Between work, sports, errands. more sports – it is often a struggle to get to the gym everyday. Wouldn’t it be great to get a workout throughout the day?

I know, I know. The first thing that pops in your head are those shape shoes, some have much to be desires in the looks department. Believe me – I have looked. But have no fear! Cute toning shoes are here! Crocs has changed the tone of shape shoes. Leave it to the creative minds behind Crocs to develop a cute toning shoes. Yes, you heard me right, I used the word cute. But the real question is, “Do they work?”

Well, this lassie put them to the test. Being an avid runner and soccer player, I wasn’t quite sure if I would feel the effects of a toning shoe. Whoa! Was I was surprised. Even though I am still in the throws on winter in Chicago, I busted out my Croc Skylar Flats in hopes of spring. By the afternoon my hips and glutes were a bit sore. Don’t even ask about how I felt the next day! I was definitely getting a workout throughout the day all within the normal confines of my day.

Crocs want to give you a chance to Change the Tone with their fun and interactive Facebook application which takes todays negative news headlines and changes their tone with a positive spin. Crocs also wants to give you a chance to win a pair of their fabulous new toning shoes. Want to win a pair of your own Crocs Toning shoes? Just leave a comment changing the tone of one of the headline on the Crocs Facebook app. Want two extra entries?

Leave a comment telling me what style Croc toning shoes you would pick.
Tweet about the giveaway. Please include the url of you tweet.

One winner will be randomly chosen on March 20, 2011. Good luck!

**I was compensated to host this giveaway but the thought and opinions are solely my own**

Tagged Crocs, toning shoes 8 Comments

show me those pearly whites

January 17, 2011 By Kat Filed Under reviews

Braces, I remember having them well. It was sixth grade and I had a mouth full of metal, expanders and rubber bands. At one point during my treatment I even had rubber bands that crisscrossed and made an ‘X’ across the front of my mouth. Those rubber bands made it almost impossible to talk, let alone the social ramifications as a girl in middle school.

As I looked back trying to find a picture from my metal-mouthed days, I realized every picture I had I was smiling with a closed mouth. Every. Single. One. Even though all my friends had braces, I was very self-conscious of mine. Finally, after two years of toothless smiles, I was left with a gorgeous smile I was willing to flash. Behold! Flash forward a decade (or two) and I now have two boys of my own. Boys that are losing teeth. Boys with new adult teeth that are too big for their mouths. Boys with teeth that are coming in crooked. Boys that will need braces.

The dentist has already started laying the ground work. He already wants me to take the 10 year old to the orthodontist for an assessment. He wants to get that metal in my son’s mouth. But as a Mom, I don’t want him to be self-conscious. I don’t want my boys to be embarrassed of flashing their pearly whites. I want them to embrace their smiles.

Want a chance to give you child the lifetime of a great smile without the embarrassment of braces? Blissfully Domestic and Invisalign want to give you child a confident smile, all while straightening their teeth. The winner will receive one free Invisalign Teen treatment (valued at no more than $5500) and the gift of a confident new smile for one of their children.

**This is a sponsored post for a giveaway for Invisalign and BlissTV

Tagged Blissfully Domestic, Invisalign, kat facts, life 1 Comment

best present EVER!!

December 26, 2010 By Kat Filed Under reviews

SWAGG is a free mobile app (download here) that lets you shop smarter using your mobile phone. Buy, send or swap SWAGG GIFTS and organize your old school plastic gift cards.

For every download of the app between now and Dec. 31, 2010, SWAGG will donate $1 to Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) , up to $125,000.

Clever Girls Collective and SWAGG are sending a pair of movie fans to the Sundance Film Festival! Download the SWAGG app and then visit the Ultimate SWAGG Getaway Sweepstakes site to enter to win a trip for two to the Sundance Film Festival. Entry deadline is January 3, 2011, 11:59pm, PST.

Aaaaah, Christmas. There is nothing I like better than hunting for the perfect Christmas present. From the thrill of the hunt to the overwhelming joy of the find. But nothing tops the look on the gift recipient’s face when they receive that perfect gift.

I can easily claim giving my Grandma one of her best presents ever. Even though my Grandma is no longer with us, my family still jokes about how much my Grandma loved her Christmas gift. In fact, she eventually love this gift to death. Curious what present I gave that brought her such joy? I got my Grandme a voice recording picture frame. Yep, that’s it!

My 80+ year old Grandma was not computer savvy. She struggled with all the new up and coming technology and would never own a computer. My Grandma also loved her first great-grandson, Bear. Since we lived seven hours away, we did not get to spend as much time together as we would have liked. When I saw the frame, I knew it would be perfect. I took Bear to get his picture taken, slipped the glossy 8×10 into the frame and recorded Bear saying, “I love you Gigi!!” in the sweetest little voice you have ever heard.

When she opened her gift Christmas morning, she cried. Within a month she had pushed the button so many times my Mom had to mail it back to me so I could re-record Bear’s voice. I received it back again a few months later AND a few months after that. If I was smart I would have bought her several so all she had to do was switch the picture. They do always say hindsight is 20/20!

While we still joke about her love of that picture frame, I know deep down inside that gift meant the world to her. It gave my Grandma a piece of ‘that boy‘ she couldn’t hug and kiss everyday. It gave her a piece of ‘that boy‘ that had her eyes and dimples. It gave her a piece of ‘that boy‘ that, in her opinion, lived much too far away from his Gigi. To this day, I still remember her, and her smile when she saw that present. And I will always cherish that memory.

**Learn more about the coolest new app that revolutionizes the whole shopping, gifting, and gift card-organizing experience and Download the SWAGG app to your iPhone or Droid. I was selected for this sponsorship by Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity.

Tagged clever girls collective, life, life with boys 1 Comment

Battle of the Giants: Dinosaurs strike

December 8, 2010 By Kat Filed Under reviews

Do you have a child that loves dinosaurs? Heck, do you have a kid that even remotely likes dinosaurs? Then you need to check out Ubisoft’s Battle of Giants: Dinosaurs Attack for the Wii.

My boys, 10 and 5, like dinosaurs but are not hard core obsessed, so I was a little leery about their reaction to this new Wii game by Ubisoft. I was also a bit concerned that the game was rated E 10+. I decided to try it out with my 10 year old first. Wow – was I surprised! Dinosaurs Strike was very easy to learn to play, even for this under coordinated adult. The game jumped right into action and Bear and I were in full competitive mode within minutes. Monkey heard all the ruckus and quickly wanted to join in and play. The game allows up to four players AND allows you to create your own customized dinosaurs – bonus!

Dinosaurs Attack is rated E 10+ for fantasy violence but I think that is a little extreme. I am very protective about what games my boys are allowed to play. All of our games are rated E for both the Wii and their hand held games. While the Dinosaurs do battle, the scenes are not violent and there is no blood shed or graphic violence. (imagine your child banging two dinosaur figures together) The dinosaurs do have sharp teeth but so do the plastic figurines you buy in the store. So while it is rated for older children, I do feel it is appropriate for children 5 years and up.

Curious as to what my boys and their friends thought of the game? Here are some of their reactions:

B: Mom, this game is SO addicting. Look at the cool dinosaur I created!

M: I made mine look really cool. It has green flames!!

D: This game is so fun, I don’t want to stop playing! (said when his Mom came to pick him up)

J: Can I bring one of these games home for MY brother??

So if you are looking for a fun and creative game for your child this holiday season, and they love or even like dinosaurs, then Battle of the Giants: Dinosaurs Attack is for you!

Want a chance to win a free Wii Battle of the Giants: Dinosaurs Attack game for someone you love? Entering is easy!

Leave a comment telling me which Wii game you or your child likes to play the most.
Tweet this giveaway and include the URL in a seperate comment for a second chance to win.

A winner will be randomly chosen on 12/13/10 using random.org. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents age 18 and older. Good luck and thanks to Clever Girls Collective and Ubisoft for this great giveaway!

Disclosure: While I did receive a game to review, my thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own.

Tagged battle of giants: dinosaurs strike, clever girls collective, ubisoft, wii games 4 Comments