Daily, Photos, Reviews

Philosophy Time In A Bottle

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When I was at my cousins house in Guelph talking about skin care products and what we all use on our faces and bodies, we got to talking about how women aren’t aging as quickly any more. People in their 60’s look like they’re in their late 40’s. It’s all because we’re starting to take better care of ourselves, eat right, and keep skin hydrated and of course, limit sun exposure. (Side note: I have yet to go to the beach this summer. I really do love the beach, but haven’t had an opportunity to lay on one yet.)

This new product by Philosophy called Time In A Bottle was recently launched. I first heard about it when I sat down with the representatives from Philosophy in June, when they were doing an early launch at Sephora in the Eaton Centre.

your-time-starts-now

Since I’m no stranger to Philosophy products I wanted to learn more about it. I mean, look at the hoard of products I have from them already. I could open my own skin care store!spiffykerms-philosophy-junkphilosophy

I sat down with a few of the women who were demonstrating the product and getting skin analysis’ done. I should’ve really kept my skin analysis because it would’ve been helpful to your to see. But it was gross looking, so I chucked it out a few days after I got home from Toronto.

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Time In A Bottle is quite the expensive serum and since I have a huge love for Philosophy products I asked if I could review this one. Thus, the sample sized bottles shown in the pictures.Time-In-A-Bottle

The full sized Time In A Bottle comes in two separate containers. One being the product, the other being the activator. Apparently it maximizes its benefits that way. Who knows. I think it’s neat marketing on their part to make it feel extra special.  Note: you only have three months to use up the bottle after mixing it.

Why I wanted to use it:
If you’re concerned with age spots, you can reduce them with the vitamin C to the power of 8. (C8 for short).

How to use:
Cleans your skin, apply Time In A Bottle, and follow through with your regular routine after that. Mine would be putting on more Philosophy products: Hope In A Jar moisturizer, then Miracle Eye Cream that I purchased in June.

Sometimes you can get a little discoloration in your face from skin damage, or even pregnancies. I’ve applied it morning and night. Like most Philosophy products, it works on my skin. It doesn’t sting, or have a scent — just absorbs perfectly into my skin.

Have I noticed a difference after using the two product samples up?

Well let me say this much. I do like hydrating my skin and keeping it quenched. Plus, at my age you’re not going to tell a significant difference as I don’t have large pores, noticeable wrinkles or much sun damage. I mean my skin texture is smoother and even though I don’t have…. saggy skin or anything my face feels a bit firmer. Is that weird?

Will I be buying the full sized product of it? No, not at this time. I’m going to keep using Philosophy products but it’s much too far out of my price range, and I already moisturize my skin twice a day with Philosophy product, so I think I’m on the right skin-care road.

How often do you moisturize?

What kind of skin care do you use?

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CrossFit, Daily, FitFluential, Fitness, Health, Photos, Reviews, Running

Got some new kicks

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Saucony-on-box

I was late on the receiving end of these bright kicks (Virratas by Saucony). I got them in the mail three weeks ago and they’re pretty wild and fun, I gotta say! First off, let me tell you that Saucony sent these Virattas to me, so I could review them as part of a FitFluential Campaign. As always, my reviews are honest and to the point. Let’s get to it shall we?

So now that that’s out of the way I thought it was due for a review of them. How’dya like’m on me?Me-wearing-Saucony

I was hesitant on parting with my beloved Nike Free’s for a few weeks while I tried out this minimalist shoe, but I was eager to try them out since they’re a 0mm heel drop, and I haven’t had much experience with barefoot type of shoes before. They’ve definitely caught my eye since more and more people seem to be wearing minimalist running shoes.

The barefoot running shoe like the Virrata is a natural and versatile way to run. But be careful… Saucony-Virrata-sole

If you’re not used to minimal shoes (and my Nike’s are pretty minimal but not quite as much as the Virratas) you may experience calf pain, or shin splints — especially if you’re a heel striker. Zero drop shoes encourages a midfoot strike, which luckily I already have and didn’t realize until I got a running coach. Hooray midfoot strikers!saucony

The fit of the Virrata is on the narrow side, but I don’t have a super wide/super narrow foot by any means so the overall feeling of the sneakers suit my 8.5 foot a bit narrower than I’m used to, but not uncomfortable.

My Boyfriend runs in the Kinvara’s (red one’s on bottom) that he just bought while down in the states training for his upcoming Ironman Triathlons this year. They’re a very similar shoe to the Virratas. Pretty colorful collection we’ve got going on, eh?sneakersWe’re a shoe-lovin’ fit fam. :)

I’m not a regular runner, I admit. But whenever the feeling strikes (ha!), I like to do my regular 6km run to test them out.Lace-up-SauconyI’ve worn them both outside running and to a number of CrossFit WODs. In fact, when I wore my Nike’s one day and switched immediately over to the Saucony’s, that’s when I noticed the most difference. The Saucony’s were incredibly lighter and airy feeling on my feet. Get this — I felt like I had cushiony socks on, minus the lacing up bit. But it felt pretty great.

Virrata features:

  • 0mm heel drop
  • Seamless fit which limits friction
  • Keeps your feet moving in a natural foot strike

Stretching

What I liked about the Saucony Virratas:

  • The weightless feeling on my feet
  • Didn’t receive any foot fatigue
  • Love the flexible platform
  • Ample cushioning on my feet
  • They run true to size

What I didn’t like:

  • The color scheme which is easily changed from swapping out the laces.

So far, they receive two thumbs up from me!Thanks Saucony, and FitFluential!Happy-Runner

What kind of miles do you put on your sneakers? 

Have you ever worn a minimalist shoe?

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CrossFit, Daily, Fashion, FitFluential, Health, Photos, Reviews

MPG Clothing

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I know you’ve probably already seen a few of these photos that I uploaded to Instagram (@spiffykerms), but I wanted to keep my post just as enthusiastic, because I was SO EXCITED to get my Mondetta Performance Gear (MPG)! This company is Canadian and is just based out of Winnipeg. Heeeeyyyy Canada!

I had placed an order (for free, they sent it to me) and since I read reviews online that their clothes ran small, I too decided to size up on just the pants. Because who wants to have tight work out clothes and make you feel uncomfortable, and unflattering? No one does.

Unfortunately the review I read was incorrect. MPG does not run small. In fact, their clothing fits exactly the same as any other store would. I had  asked for the mediums in just the bottoms, and smalls for the rest of the tops, but my butt was totally swimming in them. They looked great if I was standing around but when I was doing front squats, burpees and a 1kilometer run at CrossFit, I kept having to yank them up and wiggle my arse to get them to sit high on my hips. Otherwise, I felt that I would’ve been butt-crack mooning everyone. Not fun :(

Of course, that’s not their issue. It’s completely my fault. I even looked at the size charts which were accurate. Ah well. Next time I’ll know what size to order.

The quality of the pieces are just incredible though. Much better than my Costco work out clothes, ha ha! I own a few lululemon pieces as well. But it’s difficult to compare the two companies. Just because Lululemon has Luon, and everyone else does not.

As soon as I got the go-ahead to pick out two outfits from MPG, I knew exactly that I wanted the Serene Jacket. It’s completely true to color online as it is in person. It’s a neon hot pink. Maybe not neon. It looked pretty bright in the natural light though, so let’s just call it neon for now.

First photo is me showing you guys that it has a sweat-zip snuck in there by the zipped pocket area, there’s two sets of zippers! Second photo is me showing the “pullover mittens” as I’d like to call it. It definitely came in handy on some outdoor runs (not long one’s) and the last photo is me showing you the backside, where you can poke your pony tail through!! Ha!

I wore this jacket the first day that I got it. I’m also wearing the Endorphin leggings here. Once I ripped open the plastic packaging the leggings came in, I wanted to check to see if they had a gusset in the leggings. Because nobody wants a camel toe, am I right? Thankfully, both pairs of them did.

A different day, wearing the Endorphin leggings. I have to hold up the back of my pants while doing our warmup runs at CrossFit, otherwise I feel I’ll lose them! Wish they had a tie-string to make them tighter. What I really like about the Endorphin leggings is that they’re long enough for my legs. A few of my crop’s from Lululemon hit right below the knee, which I think is a very unflattering length. I’d rather it hit right in the middle of my calves. I’m average height at 5’6″ but I have longer legs, I think.

I have a complaint about the Serene Jacket however. I wore it once to CrossFit for maybe 15 minutes. I then wore it again, underneath my thicker jacket while at Nuit Blanche in Toronto over the weekend. Unfortunately the fabric is prone to pilling, because look at what happened near the left pocket / my elbow area.

Pilled like mad! It also looks a little pilly on the cuffs where my thumbs go through the loops as well. For $90, I wasn’t expecting this.

I tweeted about it and received both a tweet, and an e-mail saying that this was completely out of the norm. They said that their garments have become renowned for their durability and integrity after repeated washings, which is why they were both perturbed and surprised to hear I was having problems.

I hope that they’re like that with every customer (if/when this happens to the next person) and not just because of me since I’m doing a review for them. But, either way I was glad they replied in under 12 hours and sent out a new jacket to me. That’s pretty wicked, in my mind.

I also received the Avert legging which is a long pair of leggings, that hit straight down to the ankle. I’ve always wanted a pair of leggings for the winter that completely covers my legs. Just because it’s so cold in the winter and I don’t want much skin exposes to the harsh elements. Not that I do any exercising outdoors during the winter…I just wish I didn’t order these too, in a medium. Again, too big for my little toosh. However these are much more wearable than the Endorphins, since the Avert leggins has a draw-string to tighten up the pants. So I can wear these while working out and not expose myself. haha.

I wasn’t sure about the look of the tank when I got the Rumor tank. It was my second choice, because Pax was all sold out in my size. I may have even said uh-oh when I tried it on. My boyfriend asked what was wrong and saw nothing wrong with the tank top at all. That erased all doubts I had and decided it was a nice tank! Seriously, that’s all I need man, a little positive feedback and I’m all good. What do you guys think of that one? It’s definitely much more fitted than I usually wear. But I really like it, especially since it has a zipped pocket in the back for keys or a piece of ID.

I also got a bra, which I’m not showing you. Ha ha! It’s the maneuver bra and is quite nice too, it has a bit of ruffling/sinching on the front of the bust which is cute. I wore this with a tighter tank top, so I think this one would look best with a bit bigger top, so it doesn’t look like I’m stuffing my bra with tissues ;) It had great support and also comes with some removable not-so-overly-padded cups. You know, on the days you’re feeling a bit nippy outside. Know what I’m sayin’ here ladies? ;)

My favorite MPG pieces that I got to review? Most definitely the pink Serene jacket, and the two pairs of leggings. I don’t mind hiking them up every once in a while, but the longer pair (Avert) has a draw-string, so heya, bonus there!

Which items are your fav?

You can use the coupon code spiffympg2012 which will give you 25% off your purchase. you cannot use this coupon on marked down prices. Valid until June 30,2013!

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