Leah Tackles

THE JEWELRY BRAND YOU NEED TO TRY THIS YEAR | MADE BY MARY

January 18, 2021 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday! And, more importantly, Happy MLK Day. I hope that you take some time today to educate yourself and unlearn, where necessary.

I don’t buy jewelry often because I don’t like spending money on stuff that will tarnish or break quickly (unless it’s holiday earrings, I’ll buy those for sure) but I am not in a position in life where I feel that I can spend money on jewelry that I lust after on Instagram. My dear friend told me about Made By Mary a couple of years ago, and finally, just a few weeks ago I ordered my first two pieces, and today I will share those with you.

Made By Mary Jewelry

Made By Mary was started in 2013 by a mother and while the company has grown substantially since its inception, each piece is still hand-stamped for you.

What is gold filled?

Gold-filled is a pressure-bonded layer of gold that has 100 times more gold than plated jewelry. It is durable, won’t chip or flake, and it is tarnish-resistant. It is much more affordable than solid gold jewelry.

Live In Hoop Earrings

I knew I wanted to snag a pair of these when I placed my first order because my friend had spoken so highly of them. I am a stud earring girl, and the smallest size of Live In Hoop earrings is so small it’s almost stud like (in fact, my 9 year old calls hoops this small loops! She got her ears pierced last year and she calls her own similarly sized pair her loops). I always take my earrings out to sleep, workout, and shower but I have left the Live In Hoop earrings since I got them and I don’t even notice them. They do have a tutorial for how to put them in, but I was able to ask my husband to help me and it only took us a few minutes to get them in.

Mini Lennon Rectangle Necklace

I love the simple style of this necklace and it can fit up to two lines of 4 characters each. You can also opt for a Made By Mary hand drawn zodiac. I chose to get “1K” to commemorate that in 2020 I ran over 1,000 miles.

I plan to continue to build my Made By Mary necklace, with my biggest reward piece being a Roman Numeral bar necklace. I also would like to get some for my children, and husband.

Do you have any Made By Mary pieces? What piece would you pick, first?

Shop Made By Mary

Watch a Disney Deep Dive

Boundary Setting For Entrepreneurs

Social Media Management and Coaching

The Mitten Printshop Wholesale Screen Printing

Bath Bombs For the Shower?! | De-Stress Spa Shower Tablets by Smith & Vandiver

January 11, 2021 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday! And, most importantly, Happy 6th Birthday Sully! I love you so!

Do you miss out aromatherapy treatments, like bath bombs, because you prefer to shower? Or, are you like me and enjoy baths but also want to have a little extra pampering during your showers? GIRL! BOY! I found our answer! Or, actually my mom did. Each year for Christmas my mom gets me some self-care goodies like bath bombs, face masks, and lotions, each Christmas and this year she included Aromatherapaes De-Stress Spa Shower Tablets.

Smith & Vandiver De-Stress Spa Shower Tablets

The box comes with 6 individually wrapped aromatherapy tablets for the shower. These tablets are a mix of neroli, said to be helpful for anxiety, and chamomile, known for being calming and soothing, essential oils.

To Use: Place a tablet onto your shower floor or shelf where it gets wet but is not the main water stream. As it fizzes the aroma from the essential oils is released into the shower and bathroom space.

I love these and think they’d make a great gift tucked into a stocking, easter basket or care package.

Shop

Have you ever tried a product like this?

Watch My YouTube Channel

Boundary Setting For Entrepreneurs

Social Media Management and Coaching

The Mitten Printshop Wholesale Screen Printing

Aftershokz Open Ear Wireless Bone Conduction Headphones | Runner Review

January 4, 2021 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday! And, Happy 2021!

Last week I shared What I Got For Christmas 2020 and received a comment on the post, as well as a few comments on social media, asking me to review them and now that I have used them several times, I want to share my first impressions review.

Aftershokz Headphones

How They Work

Aftershokz headphones use bone conduction technology and the Open Fit design delivers music through your cheekbones, ensuring your ears remain completely open to ambient sounds for maximum situational awareness during long-term wear. The Aftershokz headphones are also designed to repel sweat, dust, and moisture.

What You Need To Know: The Tech Details

These offer bluetooth connectivity. 1 connectivity and convenient multipoint pairing compatible with your iOS and Android Bluetooth-ready smartphones or tablets and Mac and PC computers and laptops.

Why I Love Them

I wanted these headphones after hearing from a lot of folks in the running community speak so highly of them. They are easy to set up and pair with my iPhone, and the buttons on the headphones are simple and easy to operate. The charging cord is also very simple and the battery life is up to 6 hours, which is perfect since I am an endurance runner who enjoys heading out for hours at a time. They are extremely lightweight and comfortable to wear. The situational awareness is INCREDIBLE. It is hard to describe, but you can hear the music while still hearing cars, people around you, birds, the rope hitting a flagpole (seriously!), and it somehow isn’t chaotic or noisy.

Shop

Have you tried bone conduction headphones? Let us know in the comments.

Watch My YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/c/LeahTackles/playlists

Boundary Setting For Entrepreneurs

Social Media Management and Coaching

The Mitten Printshop Wholesale Screen Printing

What I Got For Christmas | 2020

December 28, 2020 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

I love watching and reading “What I Got For Christmas” vlogs and blogs, and I hope that you enjoy this post. If this post will trigger you, please click out now. This is, of course, not to brag. I’ve had Christmases with chocolate and socks, and lavish Christmases. I see you, I respect you, and I ask that you respect that I share this to give ideas for things you may gift or wish for in the future. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!

What I Got For Christmas 2020

It’s no secret that I am an avid runner, and I got several running related items.

Asics Gel Kayano Lite

I overpronate and I am so pumped to try the brand-new Asics Gel Kayano Lite. I love the Asics GT 2000, and this is a lighter weight option that still overs stability support for overpronators.

AfterShokz Running Headphones

These headphones deliver music through your cheekbones, ensuring your ears remain completely open to ambient sounds for safer situational awareness.

Quarter Zip Pullover Running Shirt

I gravitate to black colors for my running gear, but want brighter colors for safety and so that during races (come on 2021! Safe races, please!) family and friends can spot me.

Oiselle Flyout Long Sleeve Apple Watch Window Running Shirt

I am so excited because this shirt has a window for my watch. The company, Oiselle, is highly regarded in the running community.

Apple Air Pod Pros

I am on video and audio calls for work every day, and I also watch a lot of YouTube on my phone. I have never had nice earbuds, and I am so excited. These Apple Air Pod Pros from my husband were a huge surprise! WANT SOME? Definitely snag ’em on Prime Day!

I didn’t get any makeup or skincare items, but I did get a few beauty related items that I am excited to share.

Gel Nail Kit [most highly reviewed on Amazon!]

I don’t prioritize on allocating part of our budget for my nails, but in my line of work and being someone who talks with my hands, I want to be better about keeping my nails nice. I hope this Amazon Gel Nail Kit helps!

A New Day Beaded Hair Clips

These are so pretty and perfect for clipping my little baby hairs up when I wear my hair in a ponytail or messy bun.

We also got a couple of gifts as a couple.

Instant Pot Duo Crisp Pressure Cooker

I can’t wait to use this! Do you have one? If so, please share favorite recipes with me on social!

Wireless Video Doorbell

We do a lot of shipping with our business The Mitten Print Shop and this is an item that we feel that we need to keep our business and family safe. This video doorbell is well-rated and affordable.

Shop

What did you get for Christmas? Let me know in the comments!

Watch My YouTube Channel

Boundary Setting For Entrepreneurs

Social Media Management and Coaching

The Mitten Printshop Wholesale Screen Printing

“Ugly” Sweater Party Look 2020 | Feat. Target Snowman Dress

December 21, 2020 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Morning!

2020 is different, but we are continuing with as many of our normal traditions as possible, in different and safe ways. This past weekend was our gingerbread house decorating party, but this year it was just our family and our co-host family (as opposed to our dear friend’s house being packed with 20 kids!). We always wear Christmas sweaters, and this year we kept up with that as well. Today I will be sharing my “ugly” cute sweater dress, holiday earrings, and makeup. I will also link my kid’s looks, and my hubster’s in the shop section at the bottom of this post.

The Look

Target Snowman Dress

Target has some of the best Christmas sweaters and sweater dresses! I found this women’s Target Snowman Dress and a matching girl’s Snowman Dress for Hailey.

Walmart Holiday Time Bulb Earrings

In-Store purchase only! Only $5

Too Faced Melted Matte Lipstick in Candy Cane

Shop

Do you rock the same “ugly sweater” each season? Do you grab a new one? Let us know in the comments!

Watch My YouTube Channel

Boundary Setting For Entrepreneurs

Social Media Management and Coaching

The Mitten Printshop Wholesale Screen Printing

The BEST Tinted SPF 50 Makeup For Intolerant Skin | Haute Protection Tinted Compact Review

December 14, 2020 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

Are you looking for simple and fast makeup? Makeup that works in a mask and makeup with SPF? Let me introduce you to Haute Protection High Protection SPF 50.

Show of hands [yes even if you’re scrolling this on your couch, come up raise ’em up] if you remember the full face makeup circa 2016 that was huge on YouTube? Me too. In fact, I have Alex Drawers filled with more palettes than any one person should own…and my collection pales in comparison to any of the “gurus”. I still love makeup, but for the past couple of years, I’ve opted for a lighter and faster application, and with COVID? Most days a little under-eye concealer, mascara, and brows and I’m out the door. But what about the days when I want to look a little bit more polished? Well, I was grabbing my tried-and-true liquid foundations, but after months of not wearing them, they felt heavy on my skin.

Haute Protection High Protection SPF 50

I have been going to a dermatologist for the first time since I was a teenager [I was such a brat not knowing how blessed I was to have parents with insurance good enough to take me to the derm and not just toss a tube of Clearasil my way and call it a day] and she’s fantastic! She didn’t say much about my makeup use, but I picked her brain a little. I did the same thing at a skin spa which makes me sound more boujee than I am, but I’ve been known to go there once a year or so. My skin was RED after some work on my pores, and the sweet nurse who tends to my skin offered to apply a little makeup before I left. I almost always decline, but I said sure. She grabbed a compact of Haute Protection SPF 50 and I looked at the packaging that is nothing to write home about and the dark color she was about to sponge onto my face and was less than impressed. But girl SOLD ME ON IT! I am in the shade beige and it looked reeeeal dark for my uber-fair skin, but it is magic. It is a cream-to-powder [*BE GENTLE! I totally shoved my sponge into mine and messed it up. Ugh] finish that makes my skin look like my skin, if I didn’t have large pores or any hint of uneven skin-tone or the occasional zit. It is so great! The color selection from what I can tell is not great, but because it seems to blend into a far range [ again, I am in “beige” which is NOT normal for me] so I imagine that you pick the closest to you and give it a go.

DESCRIPTION

Formulated with Titanium Dioxide & Zinc Oxide provide broad spectrum UV SPF 50 protection. Compact mirror for easy, on-the-go application. Water resistant for up to 40 minutes. Available in two shades in a non-grease, matte finish. Non-irritating, safe for intolerant & sensitive skin, including post-procedure. FSA Approved Sunscreen.

100 percent mineral sunscreen in a light, cream-to-powder formula enriched with a powerful anti-oxidant. Provides broad spectrum spf 50 uva/uvb protection.

BENEFITS

Water-resistant up to 40 minutes.

Shop

It’s $36 and it is without any doubt THE BEST compact makeup I’ve ever used. It’s light but not so light I can’t build up a bit of light/medium coverage. It looks better than when I don’t have on a foundation, but not heavy on my skin. I love that it has decent sun protection, because get out of here with that SPF 15 in makeup that you’d have to use so much of to actually protect your skin at all that you’d pump that whole bottle on your face…THIS IS WHERE IT IS AT! Obsessed. Total gem. Get it.

What is your go-to makeup? Has that changed since COVID?

***Quickest Housekeeping: Happy 8th Birthday to my C! Mommy loves you!

Watch My YouTube Channel

Boundary Setting For Entrepreneurs

Social Media Management and Coaching

The Mitten Printshop Wholesale Screen Printing

How-To Take Your Own Christmas Card Photos| Tips and Shop Our Style

December 7, 2020 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

If you’re finding yourself reading this on December 7th and clutching your pearls because oh [insert explicit word here] you are behind and all the mini sessions you saw on Facebook are booked and you can’t hit up JCP because #COVID, I’ve got you.

Stephan and I have done DIY Christmas card photoshoots for years, and this started out because we financially couldn’t justify hiring a photog, and because I’m married to a graphic designer [ praise!], I’ve always been able to avoid spending $$ on card design.

Today I am going to show you the very simple, not fancy, way that we got a holiday photo that has folks texting me asking what tree farm and photographer did our photos.

How-To Take Your Own Christmas Card Photos

What You’ll Need

-Camera [don’t have a DSLR? No prob! Use an iPhone!]

-Tripod that fits your camera/iPhone

-Cute Christmas jammies or clothes

-Location, preferably outdoors

-Photo editing app [Lightroom, Afterlight, Colorstory, etc]

-Discount code for card website [Shutterfly, Walgreens, Paper Culture, etc] ;]

Instructions

Step 1-

Get yourself in your holiday best, or be like us a rock matching jammies, and head to an outdoor spot. We have done this in our yard, but the last two years we have combined this with our trip to the local tree farm and take our picture before we cut down the Kwapis Family Christmas Tree.

Step 2-

Set up your phone and tripod. *Pro-Tip: Look up and practice the auto-timer beforehand so you aren’t scrambling when people are cold, the dog is barking, or the baby is crying! Get everyone in position [it helps to have a plan for this, look up Pinterest inspo ahead of time], and don’t be afraid to take A TON of pictures before selecting one.

Step 3-

Don’t fret *too* much about lighting. You can use an app on your phone [free ones are totally fine, if you like my vibe you are essentially going to up the brightness, but not so much so that everyone is so blown out that you can’t make it out. You want a glow but not a halo, amiright?] LISTEN TO ME! I am married to a graphic designer with photoshop, illustrator, and ALL THE THINGS but I edit our darn photo on my phone! You can, too. I use a preset I got as a gift, but even just bumping the brightness and vibrance will give you a more professional and trendy look. Get the photo how you like it and email it to yourself.

Step 4-

Order photos! I am *thrifty* [cheap?] about this and order 4×6 prints on Walgreens with a coupon code. But I’m lucky and have a husband who can make me the card I want. If you don’t have that, no worries! Just upload the photo to the card company of your choice, pick a card, and order that way.

Step 5-

Send out snail mail joy!

Shop Our Gear and Swag

*Similar

Mickey Mouse Red Truck Flannel Jammies

Do you send out holiday cards this year?

Let me know in the comments below!

Watch My YouTube Channel

Boundary Setting For Entrepreneurs

Social Media Management and Coaching

The Mitten Printshop Wholesale Screen Printing

Unique Gift Ideas 2020 | JORD | + GIVEAWAY

November 30, 2020 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

2020 has been…well, here we are ; ) And as we approach the gift-giving season, I am feeling like everyone on my lists is deserving of an extra-thoughtful gift. I’ve been sharing my JORD Wood Watches for several years now (see my posts here), and I always enjoy working with them because both my husband and I count them as our favorite watches. This year I want to open up this post to share more from JORD, because they have a lot more than watches available on their website, and everything is packaged perfectly and ready to gift. YES!

*JORD provided me with a gift set for review, but as always all opinions are my own and I do not accept money in exchange for a positive review.

Shop Small For Holiday 2020

JORD is a small business with less than 10 employees. They are located in St Louis and are a family owned business. In 2020, we are all doing our best to support our local shop and shopping online keeps everyone safe (but let’s be real, I am always all about online shopping…just ask our UPS guy!)

Custom Gifts Delivered to You

JORD’s signature timepieces are available with custom engravings: backplates and cedar gift boxes can be personalized engravings such as monograms, images, & personal messages.

I picked out an incredible gift set! You can scroll through and pick any watch you like and the gift set comes with matching wood sunglasses along with a cool, collapsable JORD sunglass case! I was thrilled to see that they offer leather Apple Watch bands, becuase while I love my JORD watch it sometimes collect dust because I am always wearing my Apple Watch.

Whenever I order from a company that isn’t Amazon, I worry about shipping taking forever or costing more than the gift, but JORD offers fast and free worldwide shipping. Each watch can be professionally-sized as well. Generous returns and exchanges and great warranties make purchases for loved ones worry-free.

Ethical Handbag Collection for Her

JORD’s newest line of accessories is a collection of luxury handbags. They come in lots of colors and styles – crossbody, backpack, clutch… The purses are made ethically of JORD’s own type of vegan “leather” – created from cork! It isn’t like a wine cork though ; ) I asked! This is very soft but durable.

Unique Gift Ideas

The Barista Watch Gift Set for Coffee Lovers

One of the things JORD is known for is the materials they incorporate into their unique accessories. So they have developed a way to suspend real coffee beans around the watch! The dial features the color of the roasting process and the deep roasted coffee color band is created from JORD”s vegan cork “leather”. It’s available in a gift set featuring local St. Louis coffee beans plus a collector’s thermos. The watch is minimal in style and size – perfect for any coffee lover on your list!

The Harper Limited Edition Gift Set

This watch series has beautiful marble and stone faces plus interchangeable wood and padded leather watch bands. The cool thing is that each watch is unique because the pattern and color on the face are unique. The face itself has a modern retro feel that I love and can be personalized with your choice of bands!

Burmese Dover II Automatic Watch

This is the prettiest watch! The wood is a warm cedar tone contrasted with dark gunmetal steel fittings. This variety of Padauk wood is rare, so this is a limited edition timepiece for this year. The Dover has a skeleton face that allows you to see the automatic watch movement (no batteries needed!)- a super cool classic gift! My favorite part is that it comes with a special engraved gift box.

Stocking Stuffers

JORD offers a variety of new accessories: watch styles, from casual to sophisticated, many colors of Apple bands to dress-up any Apple watch finished in a variety of materials, as well as cool sunglasses & hats.

Signature Apple Bands in Exotic Wood and Leather

Know any guitar lovers? JORD’s limited line of harmonic apple bands features woods from American guitar designers. In 2019, JORD’s wood Apple bands were voted “best” of the year by Forbes! These bands are a strong statement piece to really dress up any Apple watch and I find them to be a very gender-neutral piece. I am loving mine and it is easy to put on and take off of my Apple Watch.

Sunglasses & Blue Light Glasses

I am loving the pair that came in my gift set! They are so much fun. They have a huge variety of vintage-inspired and modern sunglasses – great lenses and finished with cool, natural materials. Blue light glasses have become super popular, and JORD has you covered! Check out their blue light glasses with natural accents ; )

Steel Wool & Carling Retro Hats For Men

I always talk about hats because they can take clothes (say jeans and a tee) and turn them into an OUTFIT! Check out JORD’s steel wool flannel and signature, structured caps!

Giveaway

All entrants will receive a 20% off gift code for JORD store sent to their email
Excludes Limited Editions & restrictions apply based on availability
The winner will receive a gift code toward a free gift set directly to their email!
ENTER JORD GIVEAWAY HERE!

Shop

Who knew? JORD has something for everyone : ) I want to hear from you – did any of my gift recommendations work for you? Tag me and @JORDwatches in the pics!

Jealous of my gift set? I’ve got you! Just enter via my link to win! Whether you win or not, you’ll automatically get 20% off to use on any gifts in JORD’ shop ; ) Good luck and happy shopping!

Watch My YouTube Channel

Morning Routine Mini Course

Boundary Setting For Entrepreneurs

Social Media Management and Coaching

The Mitten Printshop Wholesale Screen Printing

Wooden Wrist Watch

Mens Wooden Watches

LAUREN BUSHNELL STYLE | JUST FAB CLOTHING REVIEW

November 23, 2020 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

Nope, this isn’t an accidental re-post! I am sharing another incredible clothing item I found from JustFa b.

I have been a member of JustFab for years and to tell you the truth? It’s sometimes a love/hate. The shoes are SO cute, my favorites are the boots, and I typically have great luck with fit and comfort. I set up reminders on my phone, and *almost* always remember to skip the month, so I end up purchasing only about 4 times each year. I do get frustrated when I have a credit from months I forget to skip and get charged (valued at $39) and can’t use it towards more expensive items or use it for a less expensive item. I have noticed lately that the shoes I like are either $10 more or less than that value. I won’t sugarcoat it, that is annoying. HOWEVER, because of this, I have found several sweaters over the last year that I love, and today I want to share my current favorite with you.

Mock Neck Tunic Sweater

Why I Love It

This sweater from the Lauren Bushnell’s collection from Just Fab. I love a chunky knit like this because it is as comfy as a sweatshirt but you instantly look pulled together and chic. This sweater is soft, not at all itchy, and I’ve received compliments on it each time I wear it.

Shop

Where do you shop for sweaters? Let me know in the comments!

Watch My YouTube Channel

Morning Routine Mini Course

Boundary Setting For Entrepreneurs

Social Media Management and Coaching

The Mitten Printshop Wholesale Screen Printing

JUST FAB | A BETTER USE FOR YOUR JUSTFAB CREDIT

November 16, 2020 & Leave a Comment

Hi there! Happy Monday!

JustFab Chunky Braided Turtle Neck

Why I Love It

The Chunky Braided Turtle Neck is comfortable, and a classic look. I love a good chunky cream or white sweater because even with a simple ponytail and no makeup on, it looks polished and chic. This sweater isn’t cropped, but it hits just at the top of my high rise jeans so it isn’t a lot of bulky fabric if I want to tuck in the front.