And a Rocking New Year

This JBL Pulse 4 another awesome item that was intended for feature in my Holiday Gift Guide, but again, it arrived just a few days late. With every shipping carrier facing record delivery volumes, it is completely understandable. 

 No matter what the occasion, this is still a super cool gift. And how that the holidays are over, it's even more acceptable to get yourself gifts and not feel guilty. Think of it as an investment in yourself. A tool for achieving your resolutions, whatever they may be.

My primary resolution happens to be fitness related, so I can totally excuse this as an asset in that goal. Workouts are always more effective, and certainly more fun, when set to music.

Of course, I don't actually need an excuse. I will unashamedly be using this epic Wireless Bluetooth Speaker for much more fun pursuits, as well. 

Music is pretty much my biggest passion. With concerts being impossible until who knows when, home listening is important than ever. Being able to rock out to the songs I love is so important to me. Stellar quality and fun, fabulous lights from a speaker that is waterproof, is not quite necessary, but I still going to act like it is.

While you should absolutely not be hosting any physical gatherings this New Year's Eve (or any time, really, until it's safe), this is still an iconic choice for any New Year's Eve fun. Whether you still party over video call, or if it's just you and your significant other and/or kids, or pets, or even solo.

It's also a perfect addition to all your social stories. And it's made to last, so when it is safe to have parties again, you will already be set. 

No matter what the new year brings you, I wish you health and happiness. And compassion. We all need to get through this together. Be safe.

*Although I received this product at no cost to facilitate a review, all opinions are 100% my own.*

Holiday Gift Guide - Visible Vibrations

If you know anything about me, you'll know that I am majorly passionate about music. And not only do I love the music itself, but I love all the experiences that go along with it. Live performances, music videos, band interviews, and merchandise.

I kind of get obsessive about merchandise, in fact. I love being able to show my interest through my clothes and accessories. It helps me feel like I am expressing my true self. And it is just really fun to collect. Some people collect figurines or baseball cards, I collect brand merchandise.

I especially focus on collecting for my favorite brand, My Chemical Romance. I have albums, clothing (so much clothing), action figures, collectible masks, box sets, magazines and so much more. I recently added another stellar piece to my collection.

I got this fantastic My Chemical Romance Poster from Visible Vibrations. Visible Vibrations is an online music collectors superstore. They have a large selection of rare, vintage memorabilia, like exclusive posters and photos and old ticket stubs, t-shirts, buttons, key chains, toys and more.

The poster is really cool, because it is limited to 200 copies. Mine is #157/200. I really love owning something that is limited. There is an exclusivity to it that just makes the item feel so much more valuable.

There is another variant of the My Chemical Romance poster that I have my eye on, for sure. But I did a little (more like a lot) of looking around and there are so many other things that I would love to have as well. There are some other super cool band posters, from some of my other favorites, like Linkin Park, The Used, Fall Out Boy, Queen, and so many others. 

If you have any music fan or memorabilia collector on your holiday list this year, I highly recommend Visible Vibrations. The selection is fantastic. Really cool stuff you won't find anywhere else. It's really nice to get a gift that you know the giver got just for you. Something they chose because they know you would appreciate it, and that they sought out for you. Gifts like these, like the ones from Visible Vibrations, are memorable and extraordinary. So much more than just a box a chocolate from a mass retailer shelf.

I hope you all have a safe, magical an musical holiday season.

*Although I received this item at no cost, to facilitate a review, all opinions are 100% my own.*

Holiday Gift Guide - Peanuts 70th Anniversary

Times may change, but there are some holiday traditions that never do. Watching A Charlie Brown Christmas is one of the things that has stayed with me all throughout my own childhood all the way up into motherhood. Now my oldest child is a teenager and my youngest is 9 going on 19, but we still watch it every year (multiple times).

Peanuts specials actually play a huge part in our traditions for every holiday, with Thanksgiving and Halloween being most notable. I actually have come to refer to Halloween time on as "Peanuts season". I love that these stories really stand the test of time. They are more than just nostalgia (although they are that too, of course). They are still relevant themes that remind us what the holidays are really about.

This year is the 70th anniversary of Peanuts, and in celebration of that, the most beloved holiday album of all time is getting a re-release in a CD and vinyl form. I have only recently begun collecting vinyl, but I already love it. There is something so satisfying about holding the large album in your hand and they look so nice on the shelf. It just makes me feel more connected to the music. Plus, the pressing is green. How cool is that? I love colored vinyl.

Of course, in addition to the vinyl and CD, the soundtrack is also available for streaming on various sites, like Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube and more. As wonderful as the nostalgia of a hard copy is, the convenience of streaming is so great. Another way to help transition our old classics into timeless traditions. Though we still use CDs (and vinyl, of course) in our household, we still stream constantly, especially in the car. My son loves this album and has it on Spotify daily.

I know you will all be excited to stream this iconic soundtrack, as well. But as an extra treat, I've been allowed to host a giveaway. One winner will receive a DC copy of the soundtrack. Enter below for your chance to win. Good luck!

*Although I received this product at no cost, to facilitate a review, all opinions are 100% my own.*

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Holiday Gift Guide - Janie's Cakes

The holidays this year are going to be a lot different than many previous years. This pandemic has affected us all, in so many ways, and it continues to make its mark on us, by changing how we can celebrate. It is going to be hard, of course. Maybe physically, definitely emotionally, but there will be challenges that are unique to this year.

That doesn't mean, however, that we cannot celebrate, or that the holidays will be any less special than they always are. We just have to adjust and keep a proper perspective. But the holidays are not canceled. And just because we have to find a more socially distant way to spend time with our loved ones, doesn't mean we won't be with them in the way that really matters.

One thing that we always do is bake. We bake a ton of treats and then we go and deliver them to our relatives and friends that are near by. It is still safe to do that! Just instead of greeting them with a hug or going inside to chat for a bit, you can leave them outside the door. And just because you don't chat face to face doesn't mean you can't video chat with them and have just as meaningful of an interaction.

If you do not want to deliver home made baked goods, or have people further away and don't want to ship them, there are other ways to send home made goodness to the people you care about. Janie's Cakes is a great way. I had one of her amazing cakes on Thanksgiving (yes, Keto had to wait a few days). It was literally, no exaggeration, the best pound cake I have ever had.

We had the Italian Jane, which is Vanilla pound cake, filled with Italian buttercream, and topped with toasted pecans. So incredible.

It was decadent, but still somehow light enough that you could have a large piece and not feel like it was too sweet. Although, perhaps from a weight aspect, that is a drawback. If it is, that is the only one you'll find with this cake. It was divine. 

If you looking for a food gift to send, or a dessert for your own family gathering (immediate family, your own household, please, so we can beat this), I cannot recommend something higher than a cake (or 5) from Janie's Cakes. There will be one of these cakes on my holiday table every year form now on.

That is one thing to try to keep in mind throughout all this. While having to make changes may seem inconvenience, you may end up finding something that becomes a new tradition. Familiarity is great, of course, but change can be good sometimes, even if it comes from something that isn't good. Growth can be an amazing gift too.

Stay healthy, safe, socially distant, and stay thankful. The holidays will still be happy.

*Although I received this product at no cost to facilitate a review, all opinions are 100% my own.*

Fun Holiday Recipes from Marc Zboch and More

It seems like every year, around the holidays, is always when I decide to start wanting to try new things. I start to get curious and feel creatively charged, like I can unlock all the secrets of the universe if I just find the best vegetable dip or specialty cookie recipe. I kind of want to question why I get that rush of ambition only near the holidays. But better than questioning it is just embracing it and enjoying all the experience and new favorite recipes that it brings me.

This year is a little different, of course, but I am still starting to feel drawn to find new creations. I have already found a couple that I am really excited about. Apple Pie is an absolute staple of the holidays, so, naturally, I wanted to find a recipe that still includes that, while taking it to new, more interesting, heights. This Salted Carmel Apple Pie Recipe seems to take the cake, or pie.(HaHa, pie. Get t? My bad puns are so funny, right?)

Okay, so next I really wanted to find a nice Chipotle Sweet Potato recipe, but I already pretty much have that down, and all the recipes I looked at didn't seem to be as good, and they seemed to be needlessly complicated. I am all for extra effort, but I don't want added work when it is not necessary. But, I digress. I guess I just wanted to pat myself on the back for already be good at Chipotle Sweet Potatoes.

But, I still wanted a potato recipe. I love to experiment with potatoes. So many possibilities. And, since I love everything rich, creamy and too high in calories, I wanted something decadent. I decided on Potatoes Au Gratin. There were so many recipes to choose from, but this one was very simple and I loved the option of choosing gruyere cheese and red potatoes, instead of the usual russet.

They came out so good, you have no idea. Just so rich and comforting, like something your grandma would make at Sunday dinner. These are truly ideal for any holiday dinner. They would pair extremely well with ham, though they would be good with turkey, roast, and other meats too. And of course, they are wonderful for those who do not eat meat. They are certainly enough of a start to be the main dish.

When I first set out to do a holiday recipe round-up, I wanted to include at least one Keto recipe, since I am supposed to be staying on track. But who am I kidding? It's the holidays, I won't be on track. However, I was thrilled when I did happen upon an interesting recipe and it just so happened to be Keto.

This wonderful tea based drink, called a Marc Thomas, is a recipe from Marc Zboch He came up with it through his travels through the Caribbean, specifically Grenada and Northern India. The recipe is super simple, almost ridiculously so, and it is adventurous, due to the exotic (to me) nature of it's origin, and it is also extremely comforting. It is perfect for cozy winter nights by the fire.

So, me and my temporary determination have a lot of cooking (and eating) to do, but I would love to hear about your favorite holiday recipes. Whether they are traditions you've had for years, or something new you just discovered. It is so wonderful how food is something we can all bond over. Until next time, stay safe, happy and full.

Finding Fitness and a New Normal

There is so much chaos and unrest in the world right now. So much is happening, but at the same time it can feel like everything is on pause. It is such a strange situation. It is so hard to know how to navigate your daily life and what the best method is for creating a new normal. And even the act of creating a new normal can be a tough thing to grasp mentally. It is understandable to just want to "get by" until things get back to actual normal, but with no expectation of how long that could be, it is not going to be entirely possible to stay in limbo.

Many things have had to take a back burner during these stressful times. In particular, in my case at least, is fitness. The last thing I wanted to do is stress my body in addition to my mind. The fact that it was more challenging to even access in light of social distance was a great excuse, but really had no bearing on my own reluctance to seek out exercise endeavors.

If that is one of the factors for you, however, there are many ways around that. And while it was nice (nicer than the alternative) to get an escape from reality during the early months of this pandemic, now I just can't keep ignoring the pull (or push rather, I am certainly not drawn to this, I have to give myself a shove) to work on my health and my body. My state is, ignorantly, in stage 3, so fitness facilities are open. Still, I feel it unwise to patronize them. And, it is also less convenient than just working out at home.

There are only 2 real drawback to working out at home, in my opinion. The first is, since you are not in a space dedicated solely to fitness, it is easier to cut the time short, or to make excuses to put it off. However, it does eliminate some excuses as well, like "by the time I drive each way, I won't have enough time to workout to make it worth while" and "I can't leave the kids "or pets, etc)". The other drawback, and the more valid one, is the lack of equipment that being at home presents.

Not everyone has the space or the finances to fill their home with workout machines. Thankfully there are some options that are small and quite affordable compared to large machines, like the BP5. It is a system of go anywhere workout bars. It's a resistance band workout method. Not only is it easy to store out of the way when not in use, it can travel. Not everyone works out only at home. And some people split time at more than one residence. The BP5 is great for work or vacation. It is so easy to use and does not require a power source or anything to be assembled.

So there are always excuses and there are always solutions that counter those excuses. And it is great to do that. Setting and reaching goals is awesome, and having the right tools makes all the difference, but no matter what, just do what you need to do to get through it and live the best life you can right now, instead of waiting for something else.

Things to Know About Scalp Micropigmentation in Los Angeles

 

Sometimes, the alternative to getting bald is to wear a wig or buy shampoos that promise hair growth in the soonest possible time. However, these so-called "solutions" are temporary, and not all shampoos can deliver what they are promising to their customers. You can know more tips on how you can avoid hair loss in this page here.

It's alarming for many people to wake up one day, look into the mirror, and see a patch of the scalp that does not have any hair strands on it. This means that they are getting older or have some unknown medical condition that needs treatment right away.

If you are one of the people who want to hide a thinning hairline or a balding head, then scalp micropigmentation may be the right solution for you. Of course, there are other restoration techniques but camouflaging your head is way better than buying expensive shampoo every week or getting into expensive treatments like hair transplants. 

What is Scalp Micropigmentation? 

If you want to know more about hair restoration history, delving into SMP may be the first step you want to make. Although getting tattoos has been around for more than 5,000 years, scalp tattooing is a new process in the modern world. 

Of course, other people don't call it scalp tattoos or camouflage. SMP is a different procedure than simple traditional tattoos. Most of the practitioners involved in scalp micropigmentation use microneedles, and they have a set level of penetration to create small dots that is similar to that of stubble growth. 

For many men, the age of 35 is often when they first see signs of hair loss. In the early stages of this alarming process, SMP can make the head appear like it's full of hair strands. While many people may understand the concept of tattoos and how it can relate to the scalp, the fact remains that the SMP process is much more compared to what you see is happening in an ink parlor in Los Angeles. 

Benefits to Consider 

If you are still in the stages of worrying about baldness and researching how you can prevent this, then rest assured that you are not alone in this journey. Other people are also frantically exploring how they can create an illusion that they still have thick hair. 

Whether you have a medical condition or baldness in your genes, SMP remains one of the best options for you in the early stages. You can visit a Los Angeles clinic for the scalp micropigmentation process and see other clients' results. Fortunately, for many men and women, the benefits go way beyond the usual "nipping." 

Combination with Other Haircuts 

Many men can benefit from the camouflage as they can always request signature haircuts from their barbers. They can search for hairstyles that will suit them best, get a robotic hair restoration, and the results will astonish them. Others may prefer the "just shaved" look, and this is the ideal style for those who are looking to have SMP and make their head appear fuller. 

Affordable Option 

The treatment doesn't cost an arm and a leg. It's very affordable and budget-friendly for people who didn't consider getting it in the first place. You can visit a Los Angeles scalp micropigmentation clinic and compare prices if you are tight on your budget. However, it is essential to note that the most expensive is always the best. There are cost-effective options out there that can give you the results that you want in a maximum of three sessions. The touch-ups may also be required every five years so you can save more money in the process. 

You Can Get Back to Work as Soon As Possible 

Many people fear that getting the hair tattoos will need about a week and another day for recovery. The good news is that the process may only last from 2 to 4 hours, depending on the area that needs to be covered. Follow-up treatments may only happen twice, and the healing period may only take 24 hours. 

You can report back to work and reduce your downtime with the scalp micropigmentation treatment, and your colleagues may even be surprised by your new look. The process is also painless, and you may be healed even before you know it, so this is why the process is prevalent for many people. 

The Results are Very Realistic 

The best technicians out there will match your current hair color and suggest other hues that match your skin tone. The results will look more natural, and you can go back to your usual routines without feeling conscious. Experts who are practicing SMP for a long time know how to mimic the natural look of hair strands, and the specialized ink will also contribute significantly to a more natural-looking scalp.

Immediate Improvements 

Buying shampoo and hoping that your hair strands will go back to their average volume will take a lot of time. Before you know it, a good patch of the scalp is already showing, and you may be more conscious as a result. When you get SMP treatment, rest assured that you can see the results and the dot colors even after just a single session. Your head will look fuller, and it won't take months before you see improvements of the scalp that has hair loss. Know more about managing hair loss here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Management_of_hair_loss. 

The benefits that you can get with SMP are numerous, and the results speak for themselves. Other options may only stop hair loss, or some shampoos may be ineffective, but SMP will give you a fuller look every single time. 

If you decide to go for a close trim and certain spots are more obviously thinner than the others, then this is a process that's right for you. Make sure to choose practitioners who use high-definition techniques like scalp camouflaging to hide the balding spots effectively. The right people for the job will make the process a more pleasurable experience.