This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Home Depot.

So, how is your outdoor patio space coming along? Are you moving along gracefully or are you stuck in a rut? Now, don’t think that just because you have a cement or brick slab in your backyard that there’s no hope. There is so much you can do to make this a fun and/or relaxing space for you and yours. Here are some tips for selecting the right furniture for you.

• Make a list-go and sit out on your patio and look around. What would you like? What do you need? How will you use your space? Do you need more seating?
• Space-how much room do you have? Take measurements and TAKE THEM WITH YOU TO THE STORE (or shopping online).  Bring a measuring tape to help you at the store too. If you forget, I bet you can find someone that would be more than happy to help you.
• Try it out-when you are shopping, make sure you try the furniture out. Sit down and think about how you feel. Will this be comfortable for you and for others?
• Be practical-I’ve said it before, personally I wouldn’t go out and buy a shiny, white patio set because I have a 3 year old who is obsessed with dirt. That wouldn’t be smart or practical. Think about how you can get the best and most use out of your purchase.

Some other ways to liven up your outdoor space:

Fire pits are warm and entertaining. I think this is a great way to “brighten” up your space!

I am in love with these. Pergola’s really dress up your space. You can add climbing vines or plants to add protective shade.

This is a great set to add to your space if you are expecting more company than your larger set can hold or if you are having a gathering. It’s simply yet trendy.

Or maybe you’re all set, but you’re missing a little something. Is this it?

I hope you’re motivated now to go out and find some patio furniture and accessories that are just right for you. I know I am. I have all kinds of ideas floating around in my head. Your outdoor space is a valuable part of your home, so go out and enjoy it!

It’s home improvement time, and The Home Depot has everything you need to #DigIn for Spring. No matter what projects you want to tackle, they have great values on all you need. They’re ready to help you with renovation ideas and expert advice, too.

Get over $300 in email exclusive savings each year, sneak peeks on new products, monthly lawn & garden ideas for your region and access to The Home Depot’s gardening experts. Click here to join the world’s largest garden community today! Or go to homedepot.com/gardenclub to see some of the many benefits of membership.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Home Depot. I am grateful for this opportunity.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Home Depot.

Do you ever sit outside on your patio and play the “I wish” game in your head? For example. “I wish our patio was bigger. I wish it was more functional. I wish it was more private.” Are we ever really happy? :) I actually like the size of my patio. It’s right outside my back door and it’s very private which is a bonus. Not that there are any snoopy people out there, but sometimes I quick run out there in my jammies to get something or throw a dirty diaper out…you get it. Our patio is pretty functional too. Not too much to complain about. My dad gave me the idea the other day to take off the lattice on the north side of it so we can see into the yard better. I keep forgetting to tell my husband that we should do that… It’s actually a really good idea-give the illusion of space! Or if you want to add a splash of color you could add some containers overflowing with annuals or decorate crossbeams and posts with hanging baskets.

Do you eat on your patio? We rarely do. So, sometimes I think it’s silly to always go for the outdoor dining sets. If you like to eat outside, by all means go for it, but I got to thinking that maybe it would be nice to swing a different way and try different seating sets. What do you think?

Wouldn’t you just love having your friends or family over for coffee on a quiet, warm summer morning sitting comfortably on this pretty set?

Or this cozy little set? Perfect for just the two of you.

This set is nicer than my furniture in my first apartment! Right mom? You can curl up and read a good book, have people over, sleep, or whatever your little heart desires!

Or what about a simple, stylish comfy couch? You can’t go wrong!

Our patio’s are like big bonus rooms when it’s nice out, so we should make them fun and functional! Have you been to The Home Depot  website to check out their selection? If you are going into this blindly they will help you come up with some really neat ideas to celebrate your outdoor space. Have no worries, you will be inspired once you take a trip to your local store or visit them online.

It’s home improvement time, and The Home Depot has everything you need to #DigIn for Spring. No matter what projects you want to tackle, they have great values on all you need. They’re ready to help you with renovation ideas and expert advice, too.

Get over $300 in email exclusive savings each year, sneak peeks on new products, monthly lawn & garden ideas for your region and access to The Home Depot’s gardening experts. Click here to join the world’s largest garden community today! Or go to homedepot.com/gardenclub to see some of the many benefits of membership.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Home Depot.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Home Depot.

I could look at different patio sets all day. When I was little, I used to love going to the stores and sitting on every piece I could. Probably over exaggerating to my parents about how comfortable everything was. I thought it would be a good selling point. In this day and age of convenience it’s sure nice to be able to sit down with a cup of coffee with your computer and check out all of the latest patio furniture on line on The Home Depot’s website. That’s what I’ve been doing anyway.

Some things to consider when shopping for patio furniture:

1. Color.
2. Pattern.
3. Material.

Seems pretty simple right? It would be a big mistake for me to go out and buy a set of patio furniture that is light in color (white or beige) on a material you can’t clean. Why? Because I have a 3 year old boy who loves mud. Enough said. We need a set that that has dark colors, material that is easy to clean, and a pattern that doesn’t show every speck of dirt. Whether you’re looking for teak, aluminum or wicker, choose from a wide variety of colors and materials from quality brands like Hampton Bay and Martha Stewart Living, exclusive to The Home Depot. We don’t have to worry about the sun fading away the color as we have a roof over the top of our patio. But, that is also something to consider. If portability is important, choose lightweight materials like plastic and aluminum. If you don’t plan to move your furniture often, or if the pieces will be exposed to the wind, select heavier materials like wood or wrought iron-all available at The Home Depot. You could also brighten up your space with some new throw pillows! Here are a couple of sets I have bookmarked.

I really like the family style of this set. Although the color on the chairs might be a little too light. Look how many people you could have over for a BBQ!

I like the simplicity of this set. It’s a set for two, which wouldn’t be ideal, but it might make a cute add on to a bigger set. Especially if you have larger space. I love the green chair pads too.

I really like how this doesn’t take up a ton of space, but you can still sit four people comfortably at it. No material to stain on it either!

Another large set like the first one. The orange chairs are really nice. And you can fit 6 people. This might be a little large for my little patio. But a girl can dream can’t she?

It’s just easier to shop when you narrow the search down. Think about what you need, what you like, and what you don’t like. There are a ton of options out there. It is easy to find something that works perfect for you and your family. Happy shopping!

It’s home improvement time, and The Home Depot has everything you need to #DigIn for Spring. No matter what projects you want to tackle, they have great values on all you need. They’re ready to help you with renovation ideas and expert advice, too.

Get over $300 in email exclusive savings each year, sneak peeks on new products, monthly lawn & garden ideas for your region and access to The Home Depot’s gardening experts. Click here to join the world’s largest garden community today! Or go to homedepot.com/gardenclub to see some of the many benefits of membership.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Home Depot.

My mom is my best friend. We get along very well. Sometimes we have little disagreements. But, we get back to reality pretty quickly and make up. I think they happen sometimes because we are very much alike yet very different at the same time. Does that make sense? It does to me. And I bet it does to her too. In the spirit of Mother’s Day I thought I would tell you some of the many, many reasons why I love that mom of mine.

• Her faith-we were raised Catholic and we were taught how important and beautiful our faith is. She always made sure (and still does, even though she knows it’s a given) that we go to Mass every weekend. I’m thankful for that great gift because I now can share it with my own family.

• Her love for family-my mom is so close with her parents. They have a great friendship and they love each other. I’m grateful that I am close with my parent’s also. I’ve learned how important and special a parent/child relationship is through my parents.

• Her home-I suppose dad’s too :) And it used to mine. I love going home. Sometimes I get a little sad when I’m home because I know that we will never be able to go back to the good old days with me, my brother, mom, and dad. It would be fun to do that sometime…

• Her smile-mom has a beautiful, honest, and kind smile.

• Her support-boy have I done some stupid things in my life. It always feels better when you can tell your mom about it right? It does for me. I’ve never been embarrassed to confide in my mom. I know that she would never judge me. She would lead me in the right direction and support me until I got there.

• Her strength-my mom is stronger than she thinks. So many people go to her for small or big advice or just someone to chat with on the phone. She’s so easy to talk to.

• Her words-if I know I won’t be seeing my her that day, I look forward to the afternoons when I’m off work and I can call my mom. We don’t really talk about much, just catch up on the day, but it’s just nice to hear her voice and it makes my day more complete.

• Her generosity-if there is any kind of get together like a birthday party, anniversary, whatever you know my mom was behind in the decorations and planning. She loves to make events special for people and show them how much they’re loved.

I am so thankful that I live close to my mom and dad. They’re only 20 minutes away. I can’t imagine living far away from them. I am grateful that I can see her several times a week and speak to her almost every day. She is my bestest bud, my rock, and my confidant.  Her unconditional love has made me the daughter, wife, and mother that I am today.

She’s my mom. And I hope she knows how special she is to me and how much I really love her. Happy Mother’s Day!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Home Depot.

 It is finally that time of year again (hopefully) where we can get outside, dust, spray, whatever you have to do to get that patio of yours cleaned off. Ours gets so disgusting over the winter. It seems like over the winter everything blows into our porch and stops. Here’s a quick shot of our filthy patio. I have alot of work to do!

When it’s warm out I like to clear it out and spray it down to get it clean. Our patio has a cement floor with a roof. It’s not your typical patio. I love it because it is private and it stays nice and cool. I get excited when it’s all clean and I can rearrange my patio furniture and enjoy the outdoors once again!

Do you buy new patio furniture every year? Tempting isn’t it? There are many pieces to choose from when you are out shopping so it is important to think about the function of your patio.

For my family we use our patio for a place of relaxation, an area for our son to play, eating, and entertaining. It’s not a huge patio so we need to utilize our space wisely. We like to keep our grill under the patio. It gets a little crowded under there with a toddler and all of the toys that are drug out, but that’s life. I think having a patio set with storage built in would be a huge plus for our family. Something like this: The Round Hill Collection creates a tropical oasis with ample seating for 4. This collection features premium aluminum frames wrapped in a beautiful all-weather synthetic wicker with high quality, made in the USA Sunbrella fabric that resists fading and mildew in a sophisticated Flagship Plum color on the cushions and coordinating throw pillows with fringe and cording. The center console allows for convenient storage and includes a wine rack. Great for entertaining or just relaxing in comfort.

 Think about what you and/or what your family need. Depending on how often you use your outdoor dining area, you’ll want to consider comfort, durability and style. If you need storage during winter, that may affect the size and number of items you choose. Outdoor furniture is made from a wide range of fabric coverings and frame materials. Get something that you know you will use and enjoy!  Have fun!

It’s home improvement time, and The Home Depot has everything you need to #DigIn for Spring. No matter what projects you want to tackle, they have great values on all you need. They’re ready to help you with renovation ideas and expert advice, too.

Get over $300 in email exclusive savings each year, sneak peeks on new products, monthly lawn & garden ideas for your region and access to The Home Depot’s gardening experts. Click here to join the world’s largest garden community today! Or go to homedepot.com/gardenclub to see some of the many benefits of membership.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Home Depot.

 

I was super pumped the other day when I received a nice big box from one of my favorite online stores, Vitacost. The best part? It was a box of natural products sent to me for a review. Seriously. I sighed as I opened up the box. Why me? Why do I have to get all this free stuff just to review? It’s the pain and hard work I go through for you. Yes, that’s sarcasm.

What to try first, what to try first? I am a beauty project junkie. Best part, they’re all natural. No crud, crap, or cruelty! Yay!

Honey Girl Face and Eye Cream

91% organic. I am always scared to use different creams on my face. I always think I’m going to turn into a grease pot. But, what I’ve found out that only happens when I use products that are not natural. Took me 28 years to figure out, but hey I got it now. This cream goes a long way. You just need to dab your finger in it and it smooths onto your face and eyes so nicely. It has a soft scent to it. It absorbs quickly so you don’t have to wait a long time to put your makeup on. I’ve been using it day and night with no problems. My face doesn’t look like a shiny mess in the morning either. Plus!

Blum Naturals

Blum Naturals

I am skeptical when it comes to facial towelettes. I guess I have been buying the wrong ones this whole time. Both of these work great. They have a mild scent and the towelettes are large so you can take care of your whole face including your eye makeup. My skin felt so soft and smooth with a slight tingly feeling at the end. I also like that these were individually wrapped. Alot of times you find that half the pack of wipes are dried out by the time you get around to using them and then end up not finishing them at all. In my case anyway.

Promax Fit N Crisp Cinnamon Crunch

Promax Fit n Crisp Vanilla Marshmallow

When’s the last time I had a rice krispies bar? That’s what these tasted like! These were a nice little pre-workout snack. I like the fact that they had 15g. of protein in them too.

Honey Girl Body Cream

I really like the fact that I didn’t need alot of cream to get the job done. It’s nice and thick and the scent sticks to you all day. It’s in a little jar and you just need to dab your finger in it a couple of times.

Method Pure Naked

I wasn’t too sure about the olive leaf scent, but the more I smelled it the more I liked it. This is in a huge bottle and you certainly don’t need alot. This will last me a long time! The bathroom smells good all day after showering too!

Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin C serum huh? Didn’t know it existed. I now know that I will be apply this daily from now on as it really does brighten your skin and all you need is one drop. You apply it after washing your face and before moisturizing.

Naturally Fresh Deodorant Crystal

Crystal deodorant. Sounds powerful huh? It is! To use this you have to dip the stick in some water and then rub onto your armpit. Sounds strange, but it works. Doesn’t have any scent to it, but that’s fine with me. I don’t care if my armpits don’t smell like baby powder or spring flowers. Have you ever had someone compliment you on your armpit smell? I think an odorless armpit is the way to go. Either way. Ok, enough armpit talk.

Mad Hippie Eye Cream

I love the name of this brand. I also love the scents of all the products. They smell so clean and fresh. It’s probably time I start applying eye cream at night and I think I found the chosen one. Alot of eye creams and eye makeup remove sting my eyelids and dry them out. Not this one. Because it’s natural. You barely need any so this bottle will last me a long time. Good!

Celcius Calorie Reducing drink

Not a huge fan of energy drinks or anything besides water. I haven’t had pop in over two years and I was kind of scared my system would go into shock after rediscovering carbonation again. This is a natural drink to help you burn more calories while you workout. It had a berry flavor and it was pretty tasty. Not something I would buy regularly,but for the people who can’t go a day without having some type of energy, this would probably be the healthier route to take.

Sparklehearts Gift set

What a cute name! Sparklehearts. There was shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion in this set. I was impressed with it all. I love the fruity scent too. I smell like a sweat tart when I come out of the bathroom. The lotion also has a shimmering effect to it. Not a look I’m going for right now anymore, but this would be a perfect gift for a teenage girl or for a girl who loves a good sparkle.

Homemade Dressings Italian Garden

There are a ton of ways to make use of this seasoning. You could make your own salad dressing, pasta sauce, rub, or just dip your finger in it like I do. I also think this would make a good seasoning for your homemade pizza sauce. Mmmm good.

I applied this after I used the Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum. The next morning my face was not greasy at all. It was just soft. Sometimes moisturizers, when left on overnight, get so gross, for me anyways. My makeup went on nice with this too. Love this.

Acure Pumpkin and Coconut Bodywash

I was super excited when I read what scent this bodywash was.  My two favorite smells: pumpkin and coconut. Yumm. Can I eat this too? No. This lathered up nicely and you don’t need alot either. I tend to douse my loofah in soap because I think I need to every time. A little goes a long way. And my skin was so soft.

Kona Coffee

I love coffee. I go in spurts with it though. For a while I’ll have it every morning and then I’ll quit. I wasn’t drinking it at the time when I got this, so I thought I better start up again. Take one for the team. I like this coffee. It’s no Starbucks, but it does the trick. I like my coffee strong but not bitter. I was satisfied with a cup of this!

There you have it! My box of goodies! It was so much fun trying out all of these! Which one would you want to try?

I was not paid by Vitacost for this review. All of these reviews and opinions are my own.

Are you a blogger? Do you like reading blogs? You know, there are thousands out there. I’ve always been intrigued by bloggers. I always told myself that one day I would like to blog, but I never knew what about. Blog blog blog. Anyone can have one. Even me.

First off. Bloggers work their butts off. They are constantly trying to think of new topics, taking photos, editing photos, doing research, siting, networking, emailing, reading, trying out new products, reviewing yummy snacks, and reviewing some not so yummy snacks.

Let’s get into the bloggers world. You look at other blogs, you comment, you link up, and you compare it to your own. Maybe yours is better in your mind. Maybe it’s not. Do you go into your blog and make all sorts of changes? Or do you leave it alone and keep it as is? You can pick out alot of good ideas if you take the time to look at other blogs. You may like the style of their button, or their header, color schemes, whatever! Are you ever satisfied with your own work?

Here’s my theory. I think it is just peachy to tweak and update your site until you get what you want. BUT, sometimes when you go too far into comparing to others, you may feel like “eh, mine sucks. No one reads it anyway.” You are wrong! Stop it. There may be some other reader or blogger that is looking at your site with envy and jotting down ideas.

Or what about stats? Are you obsessed with stalking your blog stats? Do you get down on a low traffic day? Maybe you wrote this amazing post and 3 people read it. Don’t fret! Keep plugging/posting away! Your blog means something to someone out there. It will grow. You just have to take care of it. Keep working. Keep thinking positive. Keep posting.

Post your blog link below!

Last month I took the Core Challenge. See post here . The purpose of this challenge is to encourage people to eat whole raw fruits and veggies along with their Core meal. I didn’t see this as a huge challenge, but an opportunity to improve my eating. My goal was to stop eating processed foods, period. Now, I wasn’t big on processed foods in the first place, but I would occasionally have pasta, crackers, etc. Not too terrible, but I was’t doing myself any favors with it. Feeling crappy and not getting the biggest bang for my buck when it comes down to the nutrition aspect. It was easy to make the decision to cut this stuff out.

I also had two half-marathons to run during this challenge and I wanted to prove that you can eat plant based and run long. I didn’t experience the water weight gain I usually did after a race. My weight stayed exactly the same and my energy was perfectly sustained. I think a Core Foods bar is the best way to fuel before a race.

Well, now they’re gone (and a couple of inches off my legs and waist, thank you very much) and I miss them ever so much. Why don’t I just order more then? Duh.

My to-do lists (I have several floating around) keep getting bigger and bigger. I am trying to put together my program since I passed my Lifestyle and Weight Management certification, spring cleaning, yard stuff, running, crochet, work, family, church stuff, and maybe some sleep.
Little things that keep staring at me are pictures that I’ve taken in the past couple of weeks. I take photos that I want to post for you. They’re building up, so help me out and take a look at this photo dump.

You know you found a good friend when she makes you a mean green juice! I believe there was kale, cucumber, celery, apple, and ginger in it. So darn good. She told me she craves them and I can totally see how that happens…

My Easter dish I brought to my grandparents. It’s a roasted root medley of beets, carrots, onions, and potatoes.

Workout plan for April. Only one half-marathon this month. Whew! This will be my third in 6 weeks.

Homemade guac. to go with my rice and black bean burgers.

The verdict is in. Quinoa and blackbean burgers are way better.

Runner Box day! Love, love, love these!

My vegetarian stew. Turned out freakin’ amazing. Celery, onions, green peppers, potatoes, carrots, veggie broth and rice.

Ok, I feel better. Time to delete these! On to the next task!

]]> http://sweetsnsweat.com/2013/04/09/lets-get-rid-of-these/feed/ 2 http://sweetsnsweat.com/2013/04/03/my-yard-is-ready-for-spring/ http://sweetsnsweat.com/2013/04/03/my-yard-is-ready-for-spring/#comments Wed, 03 Apr 2013 05:00:01 +0000 Lindsay http://sweetsnsweat.com/?p=2430

My backyard is a big, muddy blank canvas. I like it. I think it is so exciting to start from scratch. I have a lot of projects floating around in my head from garden beds to fun play areas for my son. I’m not the most creative person in the world so for me it is helpful to have something to go off of. Whether it’s a to-do list or helpful videos, I like to have something to inspire me. Which is why I am thankful I was given the opportunity to be involved in The Home Depot Spring DIY program. Perfect!

Warmer weather and outdoor projects – what makes you excited for spring? Visit the Garden Club on The Home Depot website and tell us about a favorite project you’d love to tackle. Join the world’s largest gardening community today!

Home Depot’s Garden Club membership offers some really neat perks:

• $5 off your next garden purchase of $50.
• 8 fun new projects to help you #DigIn to spring.
• Monthly to-do lists (my favorite)
• Advice from the experts
• How-to videos

It’s home improvement time, and The Home Depot has everything you need for spring. No matter what projects you want to tackle, The Home Depot has you covered.

The Garden Club experts offer timely advice and reminders to help you enjoy your garden and yard even more. There are more to-do lists that focus on your specific region to keep you ahead of the game in your area of the country. They also offer sneak peeks and previews to help you plan your next purchase before the new products and new varieties have a chance of selling out.

Spring is the perfect time for all your outdoor home renovations. Shop The Home Depot for terrific values on new patio furniture, landscape supplies such as fertilizer and potting soil and outdoor grills. Keep your lawn and garden looking great, too, with the huge selection of lawn mowers, edgers and trimmers, and garden tools.

Visit The Home Depot Garden Club for product ideas from kick-starting your Spring with seed starter kits to building a window birdfeeder.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Home Depot.