A Look at Kona Kase

I was very interested in Kona Kase when I first heard of it. And why you ask? Because it gives people an opportunity to try out different snacks and nutritional samples that  help a body's endurance, stamina, energy, and more during and after physical activities.  If you read my blog here and there you know I am trying to become more physically in shape. So, I immediately  signed up! 

Usually, I tend to stay away from nutritional bars or foods that I am not familiar with for a couple reasons; 1) Because they may not be any good; and 2) The price. However,  Kona Kase did not disappoint. 

Here is my March Kona Kase

Although, many of the treats will probably end up going to my other half,   I think the product quality and the amount of samples , which most are full size, in the box far exceeded my expectations. 

My favorite part of the March Kase was...

Wild Friends Almond Butter

This company was featured on ABC TV Show, Shark Tank! This nut butter is unique, healthy, and delicious! I give it a 10!

If you would like to try some Wild Friends Almond Butter go to Wildfriendsfoods. Com, and use Promo Code KONAKASE to get 15% off your order.

TCHO Chocolate. 

(Yummy!!)

In the Kona Kase I received the following flavors, all of which were yummy!

1) SeriousMilk “CLASSIC” Milk Chocolate with caramel notes (my favorite);;

2) Pure Notes Dark Chololate extremely rich and “Chocolatey”; 

3) Pure Notes Dark Cholocate with subtle “Nutty” notes; and 

4) SeriousMilk “Cacao” Milk Chocolate with lush and fudgy notes.

 What I really like about this chocolate is they use great ingredients, and strive to base the flavor of the chocolate on the cacao beans they get. This chocolate is also Organic and Fair Trade.  

SUNCUPS

This is not your normal peanut buttercup or in this case Carmel Cup. These got devoured right out of the box.  What is great about these are that they are Nut-free and Gluten-Free. Suncups also are produced only from cacao from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms. I am all about Rainforest protection.  They say Suncups is a great post-activity treat, but I think it is good any time J

If you would like to try you can subscribe with Kona Kase HERE or go to Suncups.com and use the PROMO Code KONA13 for 25% off.

CLIF SHOT BLOKS

I am a big fan of anything gummy, and this tasted just like a gummy bear. The Clif Shot Bloks are way better on the taste buds than downing a RedBull.  I received Cran-Fraz, and they were deliciously gummy. After just  one shot blok, it had already given me a good kick of energy.

CLIF BAR

I have tried all types of Clif Bars, but this one just brings me back. to when I was young. I would go to summer camp when I was younger, and all we would eat was granola bars.  This Clif Bar Granola Bar was natural tasting with just the right crunch that you look for in any granola bar.  Delish! This is a great snack on the way home,  right before a good workout, but not too much to stuff you full! I give this Clif Bar an A+.

EARNEST  EATS

This bar was like picking some berries, taking a handful of nuts and seeds and smothering it all together, in the best tasting way possible. The Dark Choco Mint was very good. This earnest eats bar is also wheat-free and vegan. What is also very interested about the Earnest Eats baked whole food bar is that in this particular bar the mint was grown by refugees (Rescue.org), up to $5,000 supports the International Rescue Committee, leading the refugees away from harm. 

Go to earnesteats.com if you would like more information.

PERFECT FOODS BAR

At only 100 calories per bar and made out of Almond butter, this was my other favorite from the Kona Kase.  If you like cookie dough, like I do, you will love the consistency of this bar. I can see why Runner’s World Magazine named this bar among their list of “Top 10 Best Recovery Bars for Runners”.   A very good addition to the Kona Kase!

BRUBAR

I must say I was not sure how much I was interested in tasting this one. The BRUBAR is made with Barley Malt, which is the key ingredient in many beers.  However, after reading the ingredients more in depth,  the Original Malt BRUBAR does not sound all that bad at all.  Other ingredients include: rolled oats, almonds, coconuts, vanilla and cinnamon. Sounds like an oatmeal breakfast all in one bar to me.

Overall, I give my first KONA KASE a standing ovation, and I am recommending it to many of my friends and family.  If you click HERE 

 you can get your first KONA KASE for only $7.50. Whoo- hoo. And please,  let me know what you think of Kona Kase as well!

Until next time…

Stay Tickled Pink,

Stephanie

March Madness with Birchbox

I finally got my March Birchbox. I must say it always  takes  awhile from the time I get the shipping notice to the time I get my box.   I actually can usually check online before I get it, and then I  ruin the surprise by finding out what I got ahead of time.However, I can be a tad impatient at times.

Here is my March Birchbox:

Benefit Cosmetics Stay Don’t Stray

I  am already a owner of this amazing primer. It not only works as a primer, but it works really well as a concealer. If I am rummaging around my makeup bag in the morning and cannot seem to grab hold of my actual concealer I use on a daily basis, I will just use Stay Don't Stray. I not only use it under my eyes, on my eye lids, but I also use it to hid  blemishes. It is on my top ten list of must haves in my daily makeup regiment. I highly recommend this to anyone.

Caldrea Body Lotion

All three of these smell great: Tea Olive Lime; Aloe Water Apricot; and Coconut Fig. I do not think I have ever gotten any body lotion from Birchbox.  But I was very pleasantly surprised by this addition to the box this month.

Evologie Intensive Blemish Serum

I received a sample of this in another box last month.  It will have to say it works though. With the smell of tea tree oil, I am glad I received another sample of this, as a little of goes a long way. So, I am set with Evologie Intensive Blemish Serum for a little while.

Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream

Birchbox must know me (I think they got lucky this time though) because I never buy shaving cream or gel. I usually will just use conditioner when I shave. However, Whish smells great, and it is great to have a little shaving cream around. I still will vouch that conditioner works just as well though, and is multi purposeful.

And last as a couple special Beauty Extras...

Madewell for Birchbox Emery Board

I think the Emery Board is a great extra something special to add to the box. I usually just buy plain emery boards; however, it is nice to have a nice spring emery board to use now.

Another extra special was Birchbox added a Special Shop offer over at the Birchbox shop. When you spend $25 at Birchbox.com  or buy any Benefit Cosmetics at Birchbox you can get a free deluxe sample of BADgal Lash using Promo code bbheartsbenefit. I have used BADgal Lash and I highly recommend it. 

Overall I am happy with this Birchbox. Some months they get it, some months I am a little disappointed, but this month  I think I will give Birchbox a 10! The items in the box were not only awesome, but well over what I spent on the box ($10). If you would like more information about Birchbox you can check them out HERE or HERE. You can see previous Birchbox reveals HERE. or HERE.

How did you like your Birchbox this month?  

Until next time…

Stay Tickled Pink,

Stephanie

Coming Soon The Bride Box

New subscription box coming soon… The Bride Box.  As a lady who will be planning a wedding soon, I think this sounds like a great subscription box, which will be eagerly anticipated by myself, and I am sure plenty of more women out there. As you can tell The Bride Box has not launched  yet, but you can find more information HERE.

What exactly is The Bride Box?

The Bride Box is a monthly subscription box that will  deliver premium samples and full sized products to your door to help prepare you for the big day and keep you organized along the way.

Also, The Bride Box is offering 50% off if they get 500 followers by April 1^st. And one lucky winner who posts pictures to hashtag #thebridebox, will get  a month for free.

I am for sure eagerly awaiting the reveal of this box. How about you?

Until next time…

Stay Tickled Pink,

Stephanie

Versatile Blogger Award

I wanted to take the time to say thank you to gals at The Happy Sloths blog. They have nominated me for the Versatile Bloggers Award, and I could not be more ecstatic.  Please check them out HERE, if you have not. As a very new blogger, I was quite excited that people were actuallyreading my blog. However, I am very thankful that people are actually interested in reading what I have to share.  So thank you Jasmine and Angela  at The Happy Sloths blog for recognizing me.

I am sure everyone is wondering though, What is the Versatile Bloggers Award. You can see who started it HERE.  And although you are nominated, you also are immediately a winner. Whoo-hoo.  I think it is a great way to discover new blogs and to have your own blog become more discovered.

As part of the Versatile Blogger Award each blogger nominated shares “7 Things About Me” to the blog that nominated them.  And then nominates other blogs for the Versatile Blogger Award. 

 7 Things About Me that you do not know:

1) I love reading and listening to audio books. I currently have a subscription to Audible.com, and listen to about 2-3 books every month. It all started when I had a really long drive to work, and I was just sick of the radio. So, to keep me entertained I turned to audio books, and I was hooked.  Too be honest, my favorite audio books are the Harry Potter series that I listened to. I would recommend audio books to all.

2) Although I try my hardest to eat healthy, I could live off of french fries and peanut butter. I think that the peanut butter needs to be hidden from me most days, because I have the tendency to wake up, and have a midnight snack, which consists of a spoonful of peanut butter.  The weird thing is, I only like plain peanut butter. I am not a big fan of peanut butter sandwiches or peanut butter candy. For me you can hold the bread and the jelly, I will just take the peanut butter please.  

3) I am very, very clumsy.  I have been falling down since I was young. When I was little my parents would have to tell me to stop running because they were afraid I would fall down. Evidentially,  when I was younger I would fall down all the time and skin my knees on the sidewalk, especially when I was running. (Yes, this has happened more recently as well). I definitely have the skinned knees to show for these falls now.  My clumsiness has led to falling off beds, knocking into cabinets and desks (many other inanimate objects as well) , and bumping my head into doors. Sometimes I even have bumps and bruises I cannot begin to explain where they came from. I do get a lot of teasing about this. I think sometimes my fiancé’ thinks I need to be put in a bubble, so I do not get hurt.

4) I currently have 3 jobs or passions .  My daytime/full time, get paid for regularly job, is at a law firm. I have been a Paralegal for about 7 ½ years now.  This is what I got my Bachelors degree to do. However, this does not allow for much activity or creativity. So, I also work promotional and marketing work/ events.  Promotional and Marketing work allows me to be around people, be social and attend pretty neat events.  And the next job, and more of a passion, is working on this blog, and getting to be creative. I love writing. I love to do anything where my creativity can come out.

5) Next, I would love to share with everyone that I am Japanese.  I have been confused as many other ethnicities, but I am mostly Japanese (from my Mother’s side), with a little German and Portuguese (from my Father’s side) mixed in. I would love to go to Japan someday and learn more about my ancestry.

6) I love watching The Bachelor and Bachelorette show. I cannot tell you another show that I love more than this one. Yes, this might seem weird, but I just love watching people find love. Well, you hope they are finding true love. My favorite “Bachelorette” was Emily Maynard. She was such a sweetheart. So sad that love did not work out for her. I have hope for her yet.  And, my favorite “Bachelor” is, from this last season, Sean Lowe. And yes, I was so excited he picked Catherine, since she was a Seattle girl just like me.  I actually think Sean and Catherine found real love. Yes, I am a sap and hopeless romantic as well.

7) And last, I love children.  I used to be a nanny, and would have loved to stay in that line of work or become a teacher. However, it was just not in the cards for me. However, I get the great opportunity to help take care of my fiancé’s 2 year old little girl, and I could not be more in love with her. We have so much fun, all three of us. I could not think of a better way to spend my weekends than doing some coloring, playing with Playdough, or taking little outing to the park.  I do think of her as my own, and although I know I will not take the place of her mother,  I am truly blessed to have her and my fiancé’ in my life.

And now that everyone knows a little more about me… (drum roll please)… Here are my nominations for VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD 

1) Broke Beauty Blogger
2) Parsimonious Parcels 
3) Erica’s Nails and More
4) Viva La Fashion
5) The Inspired Rose
6) Chopstick Chic

7) Rebecca Lately

Until next time…

Stay Tickled Pink,

Stephanie

Julep Maven April Selection Time Arrived

I am sure everyone was getting anxious for the April Maven colors. I was certainly was getting excited. It has been a Julep month for me, and, I guess I just cannot get enough Julep.  Julep’s theme for April is THE BRIGHTS. 

I know we are a couple months away still, but I think this is a perfect set moving forward towards summer! And Julep’s The Brights, are just amazing. I think I like this month better than last month, and I loved last month. I do not think Julep will ever let me down.

A couple highlights for April Julep Mavens, if you chose to take your monthly box:

• In the selection for any add ons you can select Julep Rock Candy Glaze in Grape. I got a Rock Candy Glaze in my Spring Mystery Box, and I loved it. The Rock Candy Glaze  are great to add on top of another Julep color to get a whole new color effect.

• In every Maven box this month you can get Julep’s Mighty Nail and Cuticle Serum, a great little addition to each box, you can also chose the whole set or to pick the Modern Beauty and get the Dry Clean Invisible Dry Shampoo, if you would like more information about the dry shampoo click HERE; and

• In addition to Golden Ticket boxes, Julep is giving away a Mystery Maven box to one lucky Maven who win $1000 worth of spring accessories. Very exciting!

I am very excited this month, and think I might have to give in and get the whole set, as I really would like to try the Dry Clean Invisible Dry Shampoo. What box are you going to choose this month?

If you are not a Julep Maven yet you can check it out HERE. Make sure to use promo code JULEPVIP to get your first box for a penny!

Until next time…

Stay Tickled Pink,

Stephanie

Tip Top Tuesday- Kona Kase and Piloxing

This week for Tip Top Tuesday, I would like to share some great tidbits  I  found on getting in shape. Becoming more physically fit is at the top of my list. . Whether it be a good workout , some great supplements to help me be more energetic and more healthy, or a good healthy recipe, I am on the lookout.

I have recently found Kona Kase.

What is Kona Kase?

 It is a monthly subscription focused on endurance nutrition samples to help in performance during and after working out or physical activities. 

I have not shared much on my blog, but I really enjoy nice a long run. I have, in the past 5-7 years, ran in many  5k- 10ks throughout the South Puget Sound. It would be a great goal of mine to get to a half marathon or even a full marathon.. I am eager to experience this box and see what it is all about. I will make sure to follow up in another post about the actual box itself when it arrives.

If you too have aspirations like mine, already are involved in daily physical activities or know someone who would really like Kona Kase check them out HERE. The link will direct you to the sight where you will get 50% off your first box. (Please let me know if it does not work, I have other Promo codes you can use if need be).  And please let me know how you like it.

And my other tidbit this week..

I want to talk a little bit about my new find Piloxing. It is a cross between Pilates and boxing. It sounds like a great workout to me. 

What is Piloxing? Here it is straight from the source:

PILOXING is an exciting, new inter-disciplinary program that is attracting die hard followers including Hollywood celebrities and international stars.

PILOXING uniquely mixes Pilates and boxing moves into a fat torching, muscle sculpting, core-centric interval workout, guaranteed to whip you into shape, using a class format that’s both fun and challenging.

PILOXING is the brainchild of Swedish dancer and celebrity trainer Viveca Jensen and the culmination of her mission to physically and mentally empower women through fitness. At the core of PILOXING is the principle that feminine is powerful and it aims for women to attain a sleek, sexy and powerful self-image.

PILOXING blends the power, speed and agility of boxing with the beautiful sculpting and flexibility of Pilates. Add to that the fun and sexy dance moves that reflect Viveca's personality.

In addition to Pilates and boxing movements, the exercise incorporates the use of weighted gloves which add to the workout by toning the arms and maximizing cardiovascular health.

It sounds amazing, however, I cannot find anything similar here in Washington state. I was wondering if anyone out there has done Piloxing? And has anyone heard of a location in Washington state offering Piloxing? 

Looks intense doesn't it ?What a great workout.  If you would like more information click HERE, and to see if it is in a location near you click HERE.. I really would love to hear more about people who have taken this class, so please share your stories!

Well until next time…

Stay Tickled Pink,

Stephanie

Julep’s Spring Mystery Box Haul

The long wait over the weekend is over.Whoo-hoo. Over the weekend I knew that my Julep Spring Mystery Box arrived, butI have it sent to my office, so I had to wait until today to open it. I could hardly wait. And now that the wait is over, I get to share my goodies witheveryone else too.

When I first got the box I thought that the box looked different than usual, and I got really excited!

So here it is the Julep's
Spring MysteryBox. (Version 7)

I got 4 polishes including the new RockCandy Nail Glaze in Marie and these other ones:

 And the following:

• One-Step Polish Remover Pad;
• Nail file;
• Pomegranate Body Scrub;
• 3 twist ties; and
• 3 Chocolate candy eggs

My additions to the Mystery Box was the Spring Fling, which includedJennifer, Gloria and Robin.

This box was a little more costly thanthe Cupid Mystery Box at $24.99, but I think it was worth it. (No diamondsthough, sad face, haha)

 I  justlove Julep, and if you are interested in becoming a Julep Maven check it outHERE, and make sure to use Promo code JULEP VIP.

Until next time…

Stay TickledPink,

Stephanie