© 2014 sarahfortune.
The sun peeked out just long enough for Iris and I to snap a few photos together. Here’s what we wore today.
ME: Birkenstocks, Riffraff Flare Out Geo Print Two-piece Set, jewelry c/o ROCKSBOX (code sarahfortunexoxo gets you a free month), & sunglasses c/o DITTO (code SARAHFORTUNE gets you a free month
IRIS:
Kicks c/o Bucketfeet shoes, American Apparel dress, Target sunnies, & Gap denim jacket
YAY for warm weather!
It’s Saturday – and a beautiful one at that. I started my day with a 9:30 Jazzercise class and then, after a little bacon and eggs, our little family scooted on down to the season’s first Farmers’ Market on the square downtown. Now home, Iris is now taking a nap and once she wakes up, she’s off to Baba’s house! It’s been a few months since we’ve had a whole night just for ourselves. Iris is such an easy kid that it’s never much of a break to have a sitter. In fact, things become a little boring without her around. That said, I guess I am looking forward to eating, drinking, peeing, and talking without being interrupted. On that note, I’m off to pack her bags…
If you know Iris, you know that she is the ultimate snacker. It’s not uncommon for her to finish a big meal and then immediately request a snack. Every day when I pick her up from school, the first thing she says to me is, “I’m hunnnngry. I want a snack.” And this is right after school snack-time too! Usually all she requests is candy, candy, and more candy but recently we discovered how much she loves LÄRABAR minis from Sam’s Club. Made from unsweetened fruits, nuts and spices, I actually feel good about her eating a chocolate chip cookie dough treat.
As for me, the peanut butter chocolate chip is my fave. So with this big bag of 30 LÄRABAR minis, Iris and I make a good team. I’ve learned to keep them stashed in the car, in my purse, and around our house so that every time a toddler “hangry” moment rolls around, I toss one her way… Mini moments with my Mini.
If you wanna give them a try, Sam’s Club is giving away samples March 27-April 1. There’s also a $250 Sam’s Club gift card up for grabs and here’s your chance to win it. Enter here:
$250 Sam's Club Gift Card Giveaway
This post is sponsored post.
Iris and I had a much appreciated day off together, but why oh why did she still have to wake up at the crack of dawn? As I drank my morning coffee, I decided to make the most of it and document our simple adventures throughout the day:
Up and at ’em.
First things first.
Blueberry breakfast bar & a banana for breakfast.
Kitty watching me get ready. Creep.
No, you can’t wear pajamas all day…
Especially since I see you picked them out yourself.
Since we’re up, I’m getting my workout in.
Iris loves the childcare there anyway (but probably not as mush as I do).
It may only be 10:30 in the morning, but screw it. We’re getting lunch.
Then off to the square to run a few errands, where it basically looks like a movie set right now.
Meeting up with Todd for a local beer (and a juice for Iris).
Since Iris was so patient, she got treated to her fave sweet treats from Alchemy Macarrons.
Before we headed back home for a much needed nap, Iris and I swung by and met the sweet girls (and puppies) at Southern Trend Clothing.
They hooked up our whole family with so many goodies that we’ll share soon.
TGFN (Thank Goodness For Naps).
And thank goodness for great weather so that Iris can craft outside, and for Todd picking up take-out Thai food, and for the next few hours where I’m going to do nothing but watch the first season of Game of Thrones. From what I have heard, I’ll see ya in about a month.
Hope your day was just as awesome.
I have a serious confession to make.
I’ve been Jazzercising… and I LOVE IT.
It all started back in October when I was planning Iris’ birthday party. I stopped by the party supply store on my lunch hour and noticed that a Jazzercise location had opened up right next door. Intrigued, I grabbed a pamphlet from their front door. I took it back to my office, which happens to be right around the corner, and half-jokingly showed it to my co-workers. But that’s when I noticed their hours… They have a class that starts ten minutes after our office closes and ends early enough for me to pick up Iris before her school closes – pretty perfect timing. Not only that, but October was totally FREE Jazzercise month for anyone who wanted to try it, no strings attached. Office challenge, anyone?!
One afternoon before the freebie month was over, a few of us got up the nerve to try it. No, we didn’t wear cheesy headbands and matching leotards (although we threatened to), but we did jump straight in, not knowing what to expect. My first class was… a mess. I was all over the place and all out of breath after just the first ten minutes. However, I left feeling like I had actually done something good, even though I may not have done it correctly. My co-workers and I laughed about it afterwards, but we all were in agreement – we wanted to do it again.
After getting through the craziness of the holiday season, I officially joined Jazzercise two months ago and haven’t looked back. I pay $50 per month and that gets me unlimited classes. My location offers 27 classes per week and they even offer child-care at several of their classes. I’m lucky to have a Jazzcercising buddy too, as my good coworker friend also took the plunge. You see, I’m not an exceriser at heart. In fact, I usually freaking hate it. My schedule is jam-packed during the week with home-life and work-life. Making time for me is usually pretty difficult, but now thanks to Jazzercise, I finally have an hour a day that I devote strictly to taking care of myself. I will admit that even with over 30 hours of Jazzercise under my belt, I still very much feel like a newbie and probably will for a while. I’m not naturally coordinated or athletic, but the best part is that it doesn’t matter. I may jump in the wrong director or squat on the wrong beat, but the point is – I’m moving, working up a sweat, getting my heart-rate up, and actually having fun doing it.
Why I love it:
+ It kicks my butt. There are several different style classes, but overall it’s a mix of (often intense) cardio, strength, stretching, and Justin Bieber. Okay, maybe just a little Bieber, but tons of other current hits (for once I actually knew every song that was featured at the Grammy’s).
+ It’s a mental workout as much as a physical one. You have to pay close attention for a full hour, otherwise you’ll quickly get off track. It’s rare that I go five minutes in my day without getting side-tracked, so to have a full hour where I am just concentrating on one thing is life-changing.
+ The environment is welcoming and positive without being overwhelming. The instructors are always upbeat and encouraging, which makes for a comfortable space for us girls to give it our all.
+ Because of that moment when a routine clicks and it makes me feel like Beyonce. I mean, I know I look more like a stumbling drunk person, but I feel like Beyonce!
+ For the first time in my life, I want to exercise every day. I’m actually bummed if I miss a day, not because I feel guilty, but because it really is something I look forward to. On days where I can’t make it to a class, I try to walk, jog, or do a bit of the routines I can remember at home – but it’s just not the same!
+ As with any exercise, it’s pushed me to be more conscious of what I eat. I’ve pretty much eliminated fast-food from my diet and since Whole Foods just opened near my house, I’ve been eating lots of leafy greens and tofu for my weekday lunches, while sticking to fruit and proteins for healthy snacks.
What I’ve been surprised with:
+ I am not the youngest person at Jazzercise. On some days I’m actually closer to being the oldest. While people, including myself, have a preconceived idea of what Jazzercise is (hello, 1980’s moms in neon spandex), the brand has totally revamped itself to stay relevant.
+ Turns out, Jazzercise might be the secret weapon no one is talking about. I’ve run into several friends and acquaintances there that I had no idea Jazzercised!
I signed a six-month contract, so I’ll be curious to where I am a few months from now when my beach vacations are over and the idea of wearing a swimsuit isn’t dangling in front of me for motivation. I really hope that I’ll be right here though, with my weights, mat, and dancing (I mean Jazzing) shoes on. Just kidding, they are just regular sneakers. And Jazzercise is, surprisingly, a regular work out – just a much more fun one.