It’s been a little while since I’ve done a favorites post and there is a lot I’ve been loving this month and this year. Here’s a look at all my favorites for March 2018:
Tag: Running
I kind of randomly found these headphones while browsing for some unique items on Amazon. These Senso Bluetooth Headphones are sweat proof and weren’t very expensive so I decided to buy them to see if they would work for me while running on the treadmill. I’ve only had them for about 5 days now, but here’s my first impressions/ review on the Senso Bluetooth Headphones.
It’s Favorites time!! This month went by pretty fast for me, but I still managed to have a bunch of favorites that I wanted to share with you.
This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here
I recently ordered the ProForm Pro 2000 treadmill and wanted to do a review on my experience and the treadmill itself. I know that when I am looking into making a purchase, I scour the internet for reviews and experiences so I can make an informed decision. I hope this review can help you too!
This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here
It seems like the phone is the one accessory we never leave the house without. It’s a camera, a calendar, fitness tracker, social media outlet, and of course helps us keep in touch with our friends and family. We use our phones everyday for tons of things, so I thought I’d share some of what’s on my iPhone with you.
Photo Editing
Diptic – Make a quick and easy collage with this app. With lots of free templates to choose from and customization options, this is my go-to for any Instagram collage. You can even adjust the borders’ thickness, shape, texture, and color.
ColorSplash – This app makes it easy to add a splash of color to a black & white photo or vice versa. You start with a color photo and then you can hand-draw the black & white filter, leaving something specific in color so that object really stands out.
LINE camera – The auto-enhance option on LINE is really good, especially for selfies. It corrects the lighting, smoothes imperfections, and can make your eyes look bigger. They have a lot of fun “stickers” to choose from too that make this app super fun.
PixlrExpress+ – I use pixlr to edit photos on my blog, so when I saw that there was an app for iPhone, I knew I wanted to try it. I use this for most of my phone-editing. Lots of filters and fonts for text overlays and powerful basic editing features. Plus, I really love how I can resize the image to keep its full size and clarity. I hate when a great picture end up looking pixilated because the app compressed it — not with PixlrExpress+!
Bokehful – The best app for adding bokeh! Not just a filter or overlay, Bokehful lets you kind of control the placement (puts a bokeh near where you tap; not exactly on the spot). You can also choose the color/color palette and shapes of the bokeh.
A Beautiful Mess – I got this app for free from Sephora and it’s pretty cool. You can add text, doodles, and borders and choose from a few filters. It’s pretty basic. There are some upgrades that I haven’t tried, but the free content seem sufficient for a quick edit.
Social Media
Twitter – I like the official app for Twitter on the iPhone. It’s clean and simple; gets the job done.
Instagram – It’s fun to go through different Instagram feeds and see everyone’s pictures. I never really use the filters in Insta; instead, I’ll upload after using some of the apps I mentioned ^.
WordPress – I mostly just check comments from the WordPress app. It’s a little tricky for me to try to blog from the app, but I have before. It’s good in a pinch!
Health & Fitness
MyFitnessPal – This app is great for monitoring your food intake and calorie goals. There is a huge library of foods you can select and you can chat with your friends so everyone stays motivated. I have it linked with my Fitbit, so MFP automatically keeps track of my activity too!
Nike+ Running – I’ve been slacking on my running goals lately….big time. But I still love the Nike+ Running app for tracking my runs. The Nike Coach update is great and helps you reach your goals without having to think too much into it.
Nike Training – I just recently downloaded this app, but it seems cool so far. Great for a Cross-Training day or its own program — I like how there are lots of sessions you can choose from. It’s like a guided workout with videos so you can see what each move is supposed to look like.
Fitbit – The Fitbit app helps me track the number of steps I have for the day, my sleep cycle, and my ranking among my friends. It’s great to not have to log into a computer to sync up my stats.
Let me know what some of your favorite apps are; I’d love to try out some new ones!
This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here
The Nike+ Running App has gotten a recent update that now provides a “coaching” feature to help you train for your running goals. You know that I already love the Nike+ Running App, so I was excited for what this update could do to help me train for that half marathon I told you about back in November. 
The update helps you to train for a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, or a Marathon each at either Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced levels. You can select whatever skill level you want, but the App recommends a level for you based on your history of runs which is pretty neat. I selected the Half Marathon goal and was excited to get back on track with my running. I was definitely slacking during the holidays. The App recommended that I start at the Beginner level which I would have picked anyway. It was weird though, because it recommended the Beginner level when I selected the Half Marathon, but the Intermediate level with I clicked the full Marathon. After, I selected the race I was training for and what level I wanted, I was on my way to 12 weeks of training. I was curious to see what the “coaching” part was like. Was there audio feedback? A pre-run pep talk? I already knew about the run reminders, but what was the training program like?
Basically, the App tells you what your workout will consist of for each day of your training. You can click to see what it has in store for you each day. For my Half Marathon plan, it has me doing 58 runs over the course of 12 weeks. The first week is a Warm Up week with four days of running, two days of rest, and a day of cross training. There is no audio feedback with your coached workouts. 🙁 You just click the workout scheduled for that day and read what you’re supposed to do. If it is a running day, you can click Run from that page and run the way it instructs. After you complete the run, it will be marked complete. If it’s a cross-training or rest day, you have to go in and manually mark it as done.
I was really hoping for some audible feedback — more than just the usual “average pace” and “distance remaining” updates. Especially when one of the training days included 2 miles of fartleks. It would have been cool to have it tell me when to speed up/slow down without having to time myself and look down all the time. Those three minutes are very long when you’re trying to run at a faster pace.
Overall, I’m please with this update and don’t forget, this App is free! So awesome if you are training for something or just looking for a way to track your runs.
This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here
Landon Austin
When I first heard about Landon Austin on Youtube, I thought he used auto-tune on his voice. He has a really unique sound, accompanied by an acoustic guitar and his songs are pretty mellow. I am really liking Once In A Lifetime. Even though it’s a slower song, I like to listen to this when I’m running.
The Hunger Games – Catching Fire
This movie was much better than the first. The Capitol establishes new rules in order to surpress a rebellion encouraged by Katniss Everdeen’s breaking the rules in the last Hunger Games. Peacekeepers are enforcing more rules on the different Districts and Katniss and Peeta must fight again in the 75th Hunger Games. If you liked the first movie, you’ll really like the second. By the end, I was holding up my three fingers and whistling the Mockingjay tune!
Chipotle
I’ve been loving Chipotle so much in November. I get a burrito with: white rice, fajita vegetables, sofritas (only served in select states/locations), the green salsa, corn, sour cream, and guacamole. MMMmmm. So good. I’ll sometimes get the chips and guacamole on the side, but only if I’m super hungry.
Nike+ Running
I’m still training for a half marathon, and I’m using the Nike+ Running App to track my runs. Just the other day, I logged my farthest run – 7.25 miles! Yay. I’ve still got a ways to go and a lot more conditioning, but I really like how the Nike+ Running App lets you create goals how you can “race” with your friends. Add me (MuffinChanel) and we can race!
Lush Baths
I love Lush baths; especially during the colder months. Relaxing underneath a blanket of bubbles is so perfect. My favorite combination at the moment is The Comforter bubble bar and Think Pink bath bomb & to make it extra amazing, I add a dropper of Josie Maran’s Argan Oil! With this bath ^, I used Sandstone soap to exfoliate and Sweetie Pie shower jelly. Amazing!
Starbucks Holiday Star Dash
I’m so excited that I was selected to participate in the Starbucks Holiday Star Dash. As you can see, I earned my 16 stars and will get the $10 eGift! Yay for those Very Berry Hibiscus Refreshers!
Photojojo Macro/Wide Lens
I got this lens for my birthday and it’s awesome. If I have to choose from the three they offer, this is the one I choose. I love it because it is both Macro and a Wide angle lens — just unscrew it to get the Macro.
Rainbow Loom
My little cousins shared their Rainbow Looms with me over Thanksgiving! They taught me how to make the Starburst and Fishtail bracelets! You can get the Rainbow Loom at Michael’s for $17 and each Rubber Band Pack of 600 bands is $4.
Grand Theft Auto 5
I recently bought GTA 5 and it’s so much fun. I have GTA 4 (but I never even finished the story mode), but GTA 5 is so much better. You play as three different characters in story mode & the online mode is so much fun; I’m already on level 16!
Living Proof – Restore
I bought this in my Sephora VIB Rouge haul to try it out and it’s awesome. My hair looks and feels softer and healthier. I’ll repurchase the larger sizes when I run out. I do like these small bottles though; perfect size for traveling.
What have you been loving this November? Let me know in the comments.
Categories
Training for a Half Marathon
This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here
I follow NikeRunning on Instagram and a few weeks ago, I started seeing a lot about the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco #werunsf. How fun that would be — to run in San Francisco! I’ve always enjoyed running and have been running off and on for many years. I don’t know if I’d consider myself a “runner” though. A true runner is probably a lot more consistent than I am, but I always enjoy the occasional run.
But this marathon got me thinking — would I even be able to run for 13.1 miles? I’ve done a few 5K races here and there, but 3 miles and 13 miles are very different. When was the last time I ran for more than 3 miles in one run? And then it was decided — I needed to train for a half marathon.
I’m using my Fitbit Flex and my Nike+Running App to track my runs. Over the last five days, I ran 5 miles at 12’03″/mi; 3 miles at 12’03″/mi; and 1.5 miles at 9″51″/mi. I’ve found a few training plans online that I’ll modify and follow. My goal is to be able to run 13.1 miles straight by February!
This post may contain affiliate links; all opinions are my own. See Disclosures here
1. Breaking Bad (Streaming on Netflix)
This show is about meth. Basically, a high school chemistry teacher and his former student start making meth in New Mexico so that he can make money for his family before he becomes too ill with cancer. I’m just starting season 3 and the drug theme reminds me of the show, Weeds, but this show is slightly more hardcore.
2. B-12 Vitamins
I love my B-12 vitamins. Good for your metabolism, mental & physical energy, central nervous system health, and optimal digestion, these pills help me feel more energized and balanced.
3. Fitbit Flex
You all know how difficult it has been to find one of these fitness wristbands. I’ve been loving mine and all the data it’s tracking for me. From steps taken to sleep patterns — this wristband tracks it all discreetly and comfortably. See the complete review HERE.
4. The Killers – Battle Born
This is my favorite album from The Killers and I’ve been listening to it on repeat all month long. See my posts from the concert in San Francisco HERE.
5. Sharpie Felt Tip Pens
I love the way these write. No frills, no guessing, no bleeding; just crisp black ink gliding across you paper.
6. Pura Vida Bracelets
I posted my pack of bracelets a while ago HERE, but I didn’t tell you about the company. Pura Vida Bracelets provides jobs for 30 Costa Rican artisans and it donates 1% back to The Surfrider Foundation through 1% for the Planet. In addition to that, Pura Vida Bracelets also makes special Charity bracelets to support different causes. So, not only can you mix and match these fun bracelets, but you’re also supporting a good cause too.
7. Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette
This palette is my go-to everyday palate. With 12 different neutral, yet shimmery colors, you’re sure to create a beautiful look for day or night. See my complete review HERE
8. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
I wanted to read the book before the movie comes out in November. I downloaded it on my phone and finished it in a couple days. Definitely worth the read although slightly disturbing :/
9. Tom Kha Gai Thai Soup with Jasmine Rice
If you like Thai food, you have to try this soup. Make sure you add a little extra spice. This coconut and chicken soup is my absolute favorite! I’ve even found a few recipes online (HERE, HERE, and HERE)so I can make my own. I’ll let you know how that turns out.
10. Nike+ Running App
I’ve told you about this app BEFORE. It’s a great way to track you runs by distance, speed, and pace. Challenge your friends or yourself while listening to your own playlists or feedback from the app. Check out the new Nike Coach Update!
What have you been enjoying this June?