September 17, 2013

*Sponsored* LockLaces Review and Giveaway

I was given two pairs of LockLaces in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own, not LockLaces. I was not otherwise compensated for this review.

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Ever wanted to learn an embarrassing fact about me? It took me forever to learn how to tie my own shoes, mostly because I’m left-handed and had a tough time learning from other people. It was therefore super frustrating when they come untied.

Nowadays, it’s still super frustrating when my shoelaces come untied while running or even when walking somewhere in the city (where it’s super annoying to have to stop in the middle of a crowd to tie your shoes). Mostly, when my shoes (or my running partners shoes) come untied, it greatly messes up the flow of my running.

LockLaces helped immensely with that problem. While it seemed a little weird to me at first to be using them, I never have a problem with them coming untied. Although I was at first puzzled about how to put them together, LockLaces has some great videos up about how to lace your shoes up and what to do if you need to unlace them without destroying the ties. They’ve become one of my new favorite running accessories!

 

Pink socks and pink shoes are a winning combination!

Pink socks and pink shoes are a winning combination!

You have a chance to win a pair, too, thanks to LockLaces. Just use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter. You have until Friday, September 20th at 11:59 pm EST to enter! Open to US entries only (International entries accepted if willing to pay shipping within 48 hours of being notified).

You have until Friday, September 20th at 11:59 pm EST to enter! Open to US entries only (International entries accepted if willing to pay shipping within 48 hours of being notified).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What types of things interrupt your running flow?

I was given two pairs of LockLaces in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own, not LockLaces. I was not otherwise compensated for this review.

 

Filed Under: Reviews, Running Tagged With: , , , , 3 Comments
August 21, 2013

Announcing the Adult Dance Studio Directory

Although we already had some reviews of dance studios here in the past (and you can still find them here for the time being), it’s kind of outgrown its basic function, so we’re launching a new site, the Adult Dance Studio Directory (it’ll eventually move to its own URL, don’t worry!).

You’ll be able to search by area, style of dance, and more as well as submit studio (and teacher) reviews.

Join our mailing list for more information and to get notified when we launch!

If you have a dance studio you’d like to be featured on the site, please contact Kristen at info@adultballerinaproject.com!

 

Filed Under: Ballet, Reviews Tagged With: , , Leave a Comment
August 20, 2013

Sponsored: July Kona Kase Review

I was given one Kona Kase in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own, not Kona Kase. I was not otherwise compensated for this review.

photo (1)I love, love, love getting packages in the mail, and last month’s Kona Kase was no exception (I’m a bit behind, I know). While I haven’t gotten the chance to try everything in the box quite yet (discovering I have a slight possible soy intolerance made eating any different foods a bit daunting) I liked most of what I tried. Here’s a list of the boxes contents:

  • Caveman Cookies: These we really chewy, but had good flavor. Not sure I’d buy them though.
  • Garuka Bars: This was delicious, although it may have contained soy, so I’m not sure how I reacted to it.
  •  Barbara Llewellyn Granola: Haven’t tried it yet.
  • Body Glove Surge Gel: Waiting for a nice long run to try it.
  • Perky Jerky: Still haven’t tried these yet, they’re still sitting in my goody drawer!
  • Enjoy Life: I was super excited to try this dried fruit, seed and chocolate mixture, but all of my chocolate was melted so I haven’t bothered yet!)
  • Pro Bar: These chews were my favorite thing in the box and I plan on buying more. They tasted awesome and they were good for two fueling sessions.
  • Health Warrior: I’m not a fan of Chia Seeds so I didn’t really care for it.

Ways to order Kona Kase (use GIFTSUMMER for $5 off your first box)

  • A month-to-month subscription for $15 each month. All prices include shipping costs.
  • A 3 month subscription for $41 total, a $4 savings.
  • A 6 month subscription for $77 total, a $13 savings.
  • A 12 month subscription for $145, a $35 savings.

Have any questions about the products in the box? I’d be happy to answer any questions or try something (or have HQ try something if it contains soy) and give you my feedback!

I was given one Kona Kase in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own, not Kona Kase. I was not otherwise compensated for this review.

Filed Under: Etc., Reviews Tagged With: , , , , Leave a Comment
August 13, 2013

Hairband Meets Bracelets: Active Accessories Review +Giveaway #ad

I was given one set of Active Accessories hairbands in exchange for this review and they provided another  for a giveaway. All opinions are my own, not Active Accessories. I was not otherwise compensated for this review.

I’ve always been dying to try cute ribbon hairbands, and these hairbands from Active Accessories seemed just the perfect ones to try!

The colors mine came in!

The colors mine came in!

These were very cute and look great as an accessory on my wrist, instead of the other boring hair bands I usually wear. The ones I received came in shades of  pink, blue, silver, black and polka dots. They don’t cut off circulation, unlike many of the other hairbands I wear. As someone with thick, curly, unruly hair, carrying hairbands with me at all times is a must.

The only downside is I’m not sure these would necessarily hold my hair up during a super active, jumping around, exercise class due to how crazy my hair is (I struggle to find any type of hairband that holds up my hair well). In fact, I usually find myself having to tightly wrap two different hairbands to keep up a messy bun (and three for ballet buns).

These both match a new leotard I just ordered!

These both match a new leotard I just ordered!

But I’ve found they’re really useful for two reasons: when I want to throw my hair up on the go (at work, while running errands, etc.) or as a way to style my hair with a cute ribbon to look cute when I go to ballet. They function well as the third hairband I use to hold up my ballet buns.

Here’s a quick overview of how I felt:

PROs:

  • cute
  • doesn’t cut off circulation
  • works in a pinch
  • easy to take with you

CONs:

  • doesn’t hold up my uber thick hair well for strenuous activity
  • bit on the pricey side at $7.99

 

You can order your own here, or enter for your chance to win! Open to US entries only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How do you style your hair for a workout?

I was given one set of Active Accessories hairbands in exchange for this review and they provided another  for a giveaway. All opinions are my own, not Active Accessories. I was not otherwise compensated for this review.

Filed Under: Blog, Etc., Reviews Tagged With: , , , , 4 Comments
August 8, 2013

SLS3 Compression Sock Review and Giveaway

I was given two pairs of compression socks in exchange for this review, one for myself, and one for a giveaway. All opinions are my own, not SLS3’s.

A while ago, Sebastian from SLS3 e-mailed me after realizing I was a lover of all things compression because of this blog. And I do. My obsession with compression started after I picked up a pair from City Sports and now I have about 4-5 pairs, all from various brands. I’ve mentioned before that I love them both post-ballet class (as well as rocking compression sleeves during ballet class) as well as during and post-run. As you’ve probably noticed, I’m a big fan of everything pink as well! Almost all of my compression socks are pink or purple, so I loved it when SLS3 sent me a pair of bright pink compression socks with butterflies on them!

photo (15)

They’re pretty cute!

I was slightly worried about the sizing when it came to these compression socks. I unfortunately have pretty tiny feet (size 6) but relatively large calves, so it’s a problem when compression socks are sized only by shoe size. Fortunately, SLS3 gives both sizes for their products and I was sent a small/medium pair which fit pretty snuggly. Although they fit pretty tight at the start, they’ve loosened up a little bit to better fit my ginormous calves (without stretching out too much).

image (6)

Ready for a run!

I love how these compression socks fit and stretch compared to some other brands and the graduated compression these offer seem to work really well for recovery for me, whether it be from a tough run or a painful ballet class. One of my favorite things to do post-run is to throw these on and apply an ice pack directly over the sock.

Interested in your own pair? Adult Ballerina Project is giving a way one pair of SLS3 compression socks, matching mine in a women’s small/medium (sorry men!) in the pink butterfly pattern! Enter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest is open to US readers only. (Sorry guys–this broke recent graduate can’t afford international shipping!)

 

Can’t wait? Order your own with the coupon code TRI15 at checkout when ordering through SLS3.

SLS3coupom

 

I was given two pairs of compression socks in exchange for this review, one for myself, and one for a giveaway. All opinions are my own, not SLS3′s.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , 15 Comments