Product Rave & Giveaway: Stiletto Hardware!

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love a high heel. Three inches, four inches, six inches--- bring 'em on!  As someone who wears heels almost every single day (sometimes even on weekends!) my feet definitely get a little sore and uncomfortable sometimes from all of that heel wearin'. 

That's why I was thrilled when Kelly from Stiletto Hardware (LOVE that name!) contacted me about reviewing their shoe inserts/cushions.  Their motto is "no more walking home barefoot" (and, let's admit it ladies, we've all done this at some point in our lives, maybe after a long night dancing at a club in college...or er...something like that...)

Bottom line---heels are awesome---they elongate legs and make your butt look great too...but with prolonged heel-wearing often comes discomfort.

I've been a fan of heel inserts for a long time, so I when I was contacted by Stiletto Hardware's creator, I was game to try them out.

Stiletto Hardware  ball of foot cushions, heel cushions, and ball-of-foot ultra-slender cushions promise to absorb shock and mold to your feet for additional comfort--- and they're are made of dual-layer PORON, normally reserved for athletic footwear.  Unlike most shoe inserts, they're super-thin and best of all, they are anti-fungal and anti-microbial (to prevent odor), plus the adhesive doesn't ruin your shoes!

I've been using the insoles for over a month now and I'm loving them!  Here's how the cushions and packaging look:

I now use these cushions on nearly every pair of heels I own. I work at a lot of events where I have to be on my feet for a long time so they are a must-have for me and I've really been enjoying these by Stiletto Hardware.  I love that they are so thin because it allows me to use an insert and still have my shoes fit (I've tried bulkier ones before and they were so thick that my shoes no longer fit me when I had them in!)

I also love that the cushions help prevent odor, because lord knows, in this hot Texas weather, that's always a plus!

Kelly has generously agreed to give away 2 of each product (so 6 products total) to one of my lucky readers!  All you have to do is visit Stiletto Hardware's Facebook page and click "Like." That's it! Easy peasy :)

Then, come back here and leave me a comment with your email address and tell me you've liked the page on Facebook.

You have until Saturday, June 18th at midnight to enter and I will pick the winner that Sunday (using random.org)  and notify the winner via email.

Here's what you'll win:

Kelly was also sweet enough to provide a discount code to anyone who'd like to pamper their feet!  Just enter "BLUSH" (all caps) for 15% off your order!  Shipping is free in the US and free in Canada for orders over $10.

So, head on over to Stiletto Hardware's Facebook page, click "Like" and come and enter here on my blog with your valid email address!  ONE entry per person, pretty please!

xoxo,

Veronika.

Tea-Flavored Lipgloss? Enter My Contest!

Occasionally, I get emails from companies to try out and review their products, and I must admit I was intrigued when I got an email about a line of lip products that were tea- flavored.  I decided to test em' out because you all know how much I absolutely love tea (especially green tea, not that I had to remind you.)

I had the opportunity to try out lip glosses by Crazy Rumors...all in tea flavors.  I tried out the Peppermint Lemongrass one which I really liked and I have a giveaway for two of the flavors Orange Bergamot and Spiced Chai.  The flavors are strong and the chapstick feels very creamy when you put it on---nice and smooth.  I find it to be smoother than regular drugstore chapsticks and the one I tried almost gives a subtle tingle to the lips (probably because of the minty-ness.)

(these are the giveaway glosses!)

All of Crazy Rumor's products are all natural, cruelty-free and have vegan ingredients. Read more about that here.

I wanted to add a little more to this giveaway, so I'm sending the winner of the glosses a little extra---a surprise bag full of goodies with lots of great samples so you can try out a few products :)

You can also check out Crazy Rumor's other lip products by following the links below:

			HibisKiss Enchantingly Fragrant Hibiscus Inspired Lip Colors see full line > A La Mode Decadent Ice Cream Inspired Lip Balms see full line > Fresh Squeezed Refreshing Citrus Inspired Lip Balms see full line > Gumball Classic Bubble Gum Inspired Lip Balms see full line > Soda Pop Fizzy Soda Fountain Inspired Lip Balms see full line > Perk Captivating Coffee Inspired Lip Balms see full line > Brew Rejuvenating Tea Inspired Lip Balms see full line > Candy Cane Festive Peppermint Infused Lip Balms see full line >

For Valentines Day, Crazy Rumors is offering 15% off of their products---enter in the code CRKISS at checkout, valid through February 28^th 2011.

To enter my contest for two Crazy Rumors lip products and a surprise bag of goodies, just leave a comment below saying "enter me" and leave a valid email address (name at domain dot com---you won't get spammed this way) and I will announce the winner on Friday, February 11 (*using random.org*)

Thanks for entering!

xoxo,

Veronika.

FTC disclaimer: These were sent to me by Crazy Rumors for a review and giveaway. I am not being compensated for this review and these are my honest opinions. 

Motivation Mondays: ALO Sport Contest/Giveaway! (Cute Workout Clothes!)

Happy Monday everyone!  Last Sunday, I visited the new YMCA downtown to see if I wanted to work out there.  The memberships are $55 a month plus 2 dollars for parking every single time you go. That really annoyed me. I mean with the $55 fee and parking fees that's a lot more than I was paying at 24 hour fitness. Plus, I also take my pricier Pilates classes so I'm factoring that cost in too.

So I decided to check out this indoor soccer place where my personal trainer works with his clients.  They have a gym with free weights,weight machines and cardio equipment.  It's perfect for what I need and at just $20 a month the price is right too.  When it comes to working out, I'm all about convenience. The closer it is to my house, the more likely I'll go often. This one is on my way home so it's perfect. It's also close enough that I won't mind walking or driving there even after going home first.

It's not a fancy gym by any means but it will serve its purpose.  I thought about it and when I was at my best fitness wise, I was doing Pilates, regular cardio and strength training so that's what I'm trying to get back to.  So I'm going for my first personal training session tomorrow to get into a routine.

In honor of Motivation Mondays, I have a fun workout wear review and giveaway! (yay for contests!) Because cute workout clothes always motivate me to work out, I though this was a perfect contest fit! (Yes, I know it's Tuesday, but this entry has the spirit of Monday written all over it!)

ALO contacted me a little while ago asking if I'd test out their workout wear and host a giveaway.  I checked out their site and liked what I saw so of course I said yes!  I always love it when I have the opportunity to give away a high-quality prize to one of my readers.

Most of you ladies know that I like to wear cute workout clothes.  I know some people think it's pointless, but it makes me feel motivated when I look cute when I work out.  I think if someone is motivated and comfy in sweatpants and a baggy tee, then that's great, I just like to maintain my girly style when I work out.  Even my running shoes have hot pink accents!  I also like that cute gym clothes mean I can run errands afterward and not feel like I should go home and change first.

I was really surprised by the quality of the clothes I was sent.  The fabrics are comfy and stretchy and overall have a nice weight to them.  I tested them out of course, wearing them to several Pilates classes so I could see how they felt...because after all, anything can look good, but would they perform?

I'm happy to say that both the pants and the top are lovely to work out in.  The top even has a built-in bra, perfect for girls who don't want to wear an extra sports bra.  The pants are flattering and cut well.  They definitely have the same great-butt effect as many of the LuluLemon styles I own.

Here are a few pictures of the Colorblock Yoga Pant ($60 retail) and the Keyhole Tank ($48 retail)

The Keyhole Tank has these great mesh sides making it more breathe-able!

The Colorblock Yoga Pants are super comfy, flattering and stretchy. My one critique is that I wish they came in longer sizes.  The company is relatively new so I'm sure they will offer more lengths as their business grows.  These are a good length for me when I am bare-footed but I would need a little more length to wear them with runners. Other than that, they are great!

ALO stands for air, land ocean.  I like that the brand is green- their clothes are made with sustainable, organic (cotton) and recycled materials (bamboo and recycled polyester). 

This video from their Fall/Holiday photoshoot is fun to watch and shows off the clothing beautifully (and uhh...I'm pretty sure I MUST get the gorgeous gray top shown at 1:15 in the video!)

And now, for the most exciting part, one lucky reader will win a pair of Colorblock Yoga pants like the ones I'm wearing from ALO!  The winner will be chosen by me using random.org and ALO will contact the winner directly to get sizes and ship the items to the winner.

Here are the contest rules:

1.  Entrant must live within the US

2.  Entrant must be a fan of the ALO Facebook Fan Page (facebook.com/ALOClothing)

3. Entrant can get ONE extra entry if they become a follower of the ALO Twitter feed

(http://twitter.com/aloclothing)

4. You MUST leave a valid email address where I can contact you if you win in your comment (write it like: name at emailprovider dot com so you don't get spammed!) Please let me know in your comment if you "liked" ALO on Facebook and for an extra entry if you follow their Twitter feed (please include your Twitter name so I can check.)

I will keep this contest open until Saturday, October 16th at Midnight CST.  I will announce the winner on Sunday, October 17th. I cannot wait for one of you ladies to experience the comfort and style of this brand!



ALO is also offering my readers a special discount code. You can use “bloglove2010” at Alosport.com and get 20% off of your purchase.

It's funny because ALO contacted me just as I was really getting back into my fitness routine after months of slacking so it felt like a "sign" that I was going in the right direction :)

xoxo,

Veronika.