Health

Solis – Staycation

July 13, 2018 by robincharmagne 25 Comments

Hi pretties,
Getting a little personal on the blog today! Over the past few months, my twin brother has been seriously ill and I was just burned out physically and mentally. I felt so drained from the ripping and running and just the thought of losing my brother. But thank God, he turned a corner and when he did, I took a staycation to do absolutely nothing. The A has so many nice hotels in all categories from budget to 5 star so it was pretty easy to find a spot for the weekend, I chose Solis.

Solis

Solis is in a prime location near the airport, making it super convenient for travelers. This is a unique hotel and the first in the United States. It is part of the Porsche Experience with magnificent views of the Porsche Center located right next door. That was the appeal for me! A luxury hotel with luxury cars, winning combo.

This is a luxury hotel with a laid back feel. The lobby is sleek but not over done. Adjacent to the front desk is a Porsche themed lounge area.

I was welcomed from the valet to the front desk. As a matter of fact, the front desk agent walked me to my room and explained the features of the room and hotel. But he wasn’t stuffy at all, very friendly and put me at ease. I hate I didn’t get his name!

I love when rooms have these welcome messages!

Very subtle car themed room that is not overly done or cartoonish

I know a room is good when I want to take some features home, this wood wall and bath tiles

This space was so relaxing with a bird’s eye view of the track! Super exciting to watch folks enjoying the Porsche Experience.

Mesmerizing! Definitely driving on my next visit!

The bed had a million pillows and I slept like a baby, feeling refreshed. I was soooo excited it was The Royal Wedding Day, which I totally forgot. But man, I ordered room service and chilled watching this beautifully loving and diverse ceremony, I shared my thoughts here.

That Royal Wedding was the truth and my breakfast was yummy

Final Thoughts

I highly recommend Solis for its unique space, friendly staff, doable luxury price point, and amazing views of the Porsche track and plane landings. It’s close to the downtown and the airport. Oh they also have two acclaimed restaurants Apron and Overdrive with the rooftop bar. I’m ready for my second visit to Solis.

A Staycation was on the birthday list, maybe I’ll go back and take a Porsche for spin! Do you have a favorite local hotel?

Meatless Monday – Monday Musing

February 5, 2018 by robincharmagne 6 Comments

Hello pretties,
Meatless Monday? I know my thoughts too, no meat? My sorority chapter, Sigma Omega Omega, of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is encouraging Meatless Monday in support of a key national program – Health Promotion. We have all heard that a plant based diet is good for our overall health. But nonetheless, I don’t cook, or at least not very well, so this whole idea while good, is a bit scary for me. To ease into this meatless cooking thang, I picked 3 easy recipes courtesy of Cooking Light for an easy, but delicious Meatless Monday, take a peek…

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PINCHme Tuesday

June 20, 2017 by robincharmagne 6 Comments

I received products from PINCHme for my review. All opinions are my own!

Hi Pretties,
It is PINCHme Tuesday. Yep pinch me because I received a box full of free products to sample from PINCHme. PINCHme is an easy way to try products from top brands and it is 100% FREE – free goodies and free shipping! I know you are thinking, okay what is the catch? Well, there isn’t any – all you have to do is give your honest opinion on the products you receive. Every month, on Sample Tuesday, new free samples are released on PINCHme.com for members to select. These goodies range from beauty, snacks- my favorite, baby, pet, personal care, cleaning products, and household items – there will be a product you can use or share with family and friends! Once you become a member, you can access special partner offers, exclusive sweepstakes, product review opportunities, and other promotions on the community site. This is a win-win. Take a peek at what I got…

pinchme-products-robincharmagne

1. Sensodyne® Deep Clean – Jackpot, I already use the family of Sensodyne products, so I know I can trust this brand to perform as expected. If you have sensitve teeth like I do from oral surgery a few years back, then Sensodyne is the product for you.
2. HydralyteTM Effervescent Electrolyte Tablets – I have never heard of electrolyte tablets. The package says these are used to relieve dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea, fever and heavy sweating. I think this is a good product to have on hand.
3. Bioré® Baking Soda Cleansing Scrub – Oh I’m excited about this one, you know baking soda does everything. This is for combination skin and activates by adding water. This will be included in my Sunday Self Care lineup!
4. Shout® Colorcatcher® Dye-Trapping Sheet – I am skeptical about this one…LOL why do I want to mix my colors and whites in the wash? A sheet is dropped in the laundry and it is designed to”catch” the dye so you can wash all the clothes as once. If you are short on time, maybe you could use this to reduce the number of loads. I am game for a science experiment. I will keep you posted!
5. Gillette® Cool Wave Clear Gel – From the packaging, I could not tell if this is for a man or woman but it smells good. I have used sprays and roll-ons, but never a gel. This is a strong brand so I am expecting good results from this deodorant.
6. Carol’s Daughter® Shampoo + Conditioner – So I won’t use this product at all, only because I do not do my own hair. But this brand is so well respected and there is an awesome story behind its creator Lisa Price.
7. Vagisil® Daily Intimate Wash Odor Block – Um not using this one either. Personal preference.
8. PopCorners Kettle Crispy and Crunchy Popped Corn Chips – My favorite in this box. All I needed to read was 120 calories per bag. This is a perfect snack to feed that salty and crunchy craving. No preservatives and gluten free – guilt free snacking!
9. Olay® Ultra Moisture with Shea Butter Body Wash – This smells delicious! Not a big fan of body washes, but I would try this since it contains shea butter which is fantastic for the skin.

I am so thrilled with this VIP box I received from PINCHme. Join this awesome community and start receiving products to review!

Here’s How It Works:
Step 1: BECOME A PINCHER
Sign up for free now on PINCHme.com, take the shopper survey and tell us about yourself. They will find the best samples for you.

Step 2: PICK YOUR SAMPLES
On Sample Tuesday, choose samples to add to your PINCHme box. No credit card required.

Step 3: GIVE US FEEDBACK
Samples are completely free. In exchange, they ask for a bit of your time and plenty of opinions.

Okay so you have time to sign up today, go one girl!

Linking with these lovely bloggers.

Sunday Self-Care – Monday Musing

June 12, 2017 by robincharmagne 6 Comments

self-care-robincharmagne
Hello pretties,
I have to admit I do not look forward to Mondays. To get me ready for Monday, Sunday evening is for self-care. As women, we take care of everybody else and we are often last or heck not even on the list. After church, brunch, and whatever else you do on Sunday, carve out time to do a few things just for you that support your body, feed your mind, and calm your spirit. Today I have 5 goodies that promote self care and eliminate Monday blues.

Face Cleanser

A good face cleanser is not only refreshing, but a clean face is the basis for all the other products we use on our face. CerVe face cleanser is right out of the drug store so it is wallet friendly. It foams up and is a good all purpose cleanser. Nothing feels better than being fresh faced.

Crochet Pads

I am so excited to share these handmade crochet pads from blogger babe Beckey’s Etsy shop. Made of soft cotton, these pair so well with CerVE or your favorite face cleanser to clean and gently exfoliate. So easy to wash and reuse making them an environmentally friendly, alternative to regular face pads.

Tea

Now you’re ready to relax. A calming tea is a choice to for a quiet Sunday evening. Chamomile is known to help ease the mind and the lavender scent eases anxiety. Make this moment special by using your prettiest teacup.

Candle

To keep the mood going, light this eucalyptus and spearmint candle. Eucalyptus is known to ease exhaustion and reduce mental sluggishness, while spearmint produces a calm and relaxed state. You are getting in the zone.

Journal

All relaxed and chill, use a journal to list out the things you are grateful for in your life. A spirit of gratefulness boosts your immune system and reduces stress, contributing to your overall health. This will surely make you smile.

Now you are all relaxed for a good night’s sleep to awake to a Marvelous Monday. This really helps me get my week off to a good start.

Do you have any Sunday self-care tips?

Linking with these lovely bloggers.

***This information is not intended to be medical advice, just a few things that have worked for me.

Elections, Protests, Petitions Oh My – 5 Ways To Tame Stress!

January 23, 2017 by robincharmagne 16 Comments

how-to-destress-robincharmagne

Hey Pretties,
Are you feeling at all stressed by the events of the past few days? The news is full of unrest at a time when we as a nation should be hopeful. I know a lot of folks are feeling uncertain about the future and frankly stressing the hell out. So let’s get some strategies to de-stress!

1 – Lean on your faith, whatever that is for you and your family. Get active in your place of worship through volunteerism. Focusing on the needs of someone less fortunate is a great way to take your mind off of all the craziness while helping someone else.
2 – Try yoga – meditation to ease your mind, improved breathing, more flexibility, and faster metabolism are just a few of the mental and physical benefits of yoga. Need more motivation? Nothing like a cute yoga mat to get you in your first downward dog.
3 – Write it down – start journaling. An excellent way to sort out your thoughts and feelings. This one is so pretty you will want to write in it everyday.
4 – Talk it out! Invite friends over for a political pow-wow where you can hear the views of like minded folks and create a safe place for everyone to just vent. And, leave the cell phones at the door so you focus on the conversation.
5 – You really don’t like the political environment? Mid-term elections are next year – November 6th to be exact. Get involved with your local elected officials so you can make a difference. You can find them here and here.

Listen, it is not the end of the world…at least I don’t think so. Instead of stressing over every news cast or tweet, get in action. I’m feeling better already!

What do you do to de-stress in uncertain times?

Linking with these lovely bloggers.

Recommit To A Healthy Lifestyle – 3 Questions To Answer

March 14, 2016 by robincharmagne 12 Comments

fitlife-bracelet-how-to-recommit-to-fitness

Hello pretties,
Recommit to your health today! My new motivation was prompted by this little bracelet from FitLife. I saw it on Instagram and thought how cool to lead a fit life and to have this pretty bracelet as a reminder of my goal everyday. Now you have one less hour to do this, but the sun will be up a lot longer so that leaves more daylight for some fitness fun – walking, running, or biking right? Yep I am ready to get back on a path to a healthier self. But before you dive in, here are some things to consider:

Recommit Questions

1 – What is your end game? – Identify your why or whys. Is it a short term goal such as high school/college reunion, your cousin’s wedding, your birthday or that upcoming vacation? Vacation has been my why every vacation season. These short term goals are perfectly fine, but think about developing habits that create long term sustainable success.
2 – Who is your support? Now I am not talking about “accountability partners”…side eye. I really hate that term. Let’s think about who you can call when you are about to grab a doughnut from the break room or cake at the birthday dinner. Or for me, grabbing a treat while in line at Michael’s, Hobby Lobby or T.J. Maxx. This person is not a cheerleader, but a problem solver who will ask you, what’s really going on? Do you need to talk out a specific problem or issue? Do you need to vent? So over time, you get to the root of why you fall off the wagon and you have solutions for getting back on track. Remember, it’s not what you’re eating, it’s what eating you?
recommit-to-health-on-robincharmagne
3 – How will you do this? Take some time to write down the plan and then build your arsenal of success tools. Meal prep? Water bottle? Fitbit? My Fitness Pal? Do you have the tools to be successful in your recommit? I chose Weight Watchers as my tool of choice to manage my food, water, and exercise.

As a bonus, add a visual reminder like the FitLife bracelet or it could a pic of those jeans you can no longer wear or whatever you choose to remind you and encourage you to continue making positive changes in your health and wellness.

What tools do you use to stay committed to a healthier lifestyle?

Linking with these lovely bloggers.

Image: mindof / 123RF Stock Photo

**This is not a sponsored post, I just thought this bracelet was cool!

Go Red For Women Day – 2016

February 5, 2016 by robincharmagne 8 Comments

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Hello,
It’s a big day – Go Red For Women. Yearly, we take the first Friday in February to raise awareness about heart disease. You might be wondering why the color red. First, it is the color of the most important organ in our bodies, the heart. Second, red gets people’s attention. The American Heart Association wanted to draw attention to this deadly disease that kills 1 in 3 women every 80 seconds. Um yeah, puts it all in perspective right? Since this campaign began over 10 years ago, the mortality rate has decreased by more than 30 percent. That is the direct result of women becoming more educated about heart disease. Not sure how to mitigate your chances of heart disease? The AHA put together this easy chart using the acronym for GO RED. Take a peek…

Go-red-for-women-robincharmagne (2)

You can tack this chart up on the refrigerator or at your desk as a reminder that just a few simple changes in behavior is all you need to reduce your chances of developing this illness. Remember earlier in the week we talked about being consistent? Pick one item from the list and do it on a consistent basis, i.e. check your numbers (weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol) each quarter with your doctor. Work your way down the list until you are consistent in all these areas. It is so appropriate that this campaign is observed in February, the love month. As women, we take time to love on everybody else and sometimes have nothing left for ourselves. We have to love and care for ourselves mind, body, and spirit. So ladies, join me and millions of other women by rocking your red today and to show your support. And, you can also drop some cute coins here for this worthy cause.

Are you wearing red today?

Linking with these lovely bloggers.

5 Ways To Rock Weight Watchers

January 11, 2016 by robincharmagne 10 Comments

robincharmagne-on-weightwatchers

Hello,
The first week of the year is now a fond memory! Are you ready to rock your 2016 goals? Like literally hundreds of thousands of us, was weight loss one of your goals? This is probably the number one resolution or goal for a lot of folks including myself. This year I joined Weight Watchers to help me get my eating on a healthier track. Last year my company offered a discount so I jumped on it. Weight Watchers has been around since the early 1960’s and is often referred to as the best program for losing and maintaining weight loss. After one week, I lost 4 pounds which was FABULOUS! Anytime the number on the scale goes down is a cause for the happy dance.

The first week was honestly not very hard so I put together some useful tips to help you get off to a good start:

Rock Weight Watchers

1 – Make up ya’ mind girl. Commit to healthier eating using this program. That is truly the first step – making that mental shift
2 – Grab the app, yep there is an app for this! The app makes it super easy to track your daily meals and even includes restaurant meals and a bar-code scanner for food items not on the app list. Download it via Google Play or the Apple Store
3 – Portion size is very important, snag a food scale and measuring cups/spoons because while you can eat a larger portion, it will cost you some points
4 – Since you know your point allotment for each day, you can plan and prep your meals in advance. Pick a day, I use Sunday, to portion your meals in containers. When you are ready for a meal just pull out one of the pre-made containers and you are set for success
5 – Drink water as if it is going out of style – for real. I keep a bottle on the night stand so I wake up drinking water. Hate the taste of water? Try using a water bottle infused with fruit, they are so easy to assemble and here are some yummy recipes

***Bonus- Seek consistency not perfection. Slow and steady wins the race

Exercise is a key component to a healthy lifestyle, however, I did not include exercise on the tip list because it is easier to develop the good food habits first. Once you get your eating on fleek, then add the exercise, much less overwhelming than trying to do everything all at once. Oprah makes a good point, it is kind of a game. I enjoy planning what I’m going to eat including my weekend meals. Weekends are hardest for me because of the social aspects. For example, last weekend I knew I was going out on Saturday so I planned the for a Mojito – 8 points. Isn’t that fabulous! I am happy with this program and will keep y’all posted on my progress.

Is healthier living a goal for you in 2016? Have you tried Weight Watchers?

Linking with these lovely bloggers.

Image:martinina / 123RF Stock Photo

**This is not a sponsored post, just having fun getting healthy!

For A Good Cause

October 7, 2015 by robincharmagne 6 Comments

Hello pretties,
I have said it before and I will say it again, I have THE BEST readers and followers in the blogosphere. Me and my sister Nickey just can not thank you all enough for the support on Monday’s post. The kind words, encouraging words, and prayers had me teary eyed. It is inspiring to be in the company of phenomenally strong and amazingly kind women. Many, many thanks from my family to yours. Today I have hand-picked some awesome products to support this very important cause. ALL of these retailers are donating all or a portion of the sale of these products to breast cancer awareness, education, or research. Woo-hoo! Take a peek!

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Sisterly Bonds – Monday Musing

October 5, 2015 by robincharmagne 20 Comments

Hello Pretties,
Hope your weekend was more than a little fabulous! I took one day to totally veg out and one day to get some things done. It was a good weekend. I know I have said on the blog many times that I have a lot going on. I wasn’t saying it to sound important or like I was all that. I really have had a lot going on mentally because my family was changed forever Thanksgiving 2014 when my baby sister Nickey was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer. …