A special thank you to Veyo Kids for gifting Emilia an awesome purple Sun Hoodie & Sun Noggins hat! Check out my previous post on the Veyo Kids Mittyz and Winter Noggins hat here.
Emmy in her Veyo Kids Sun Hoodie & Noggins Hat
The Sun Hoodies come in 4 different colors (pink, purple, gray,blue) in sizes 2T through large. They offer 40+ UPF protection! 🌞
The Sun Noggins come in pink or blue camoflauge in sizes small or large & offer UPF 50+ protection.
Emilia modeling Veyo Kids
I love how both items are lightweight, breathable, & super soft. Doesn’t Emmy look super fashionable, too?
Isn’t this quarantine situation crazy? I hope you are staying home, washing your hands, and discovering a new hobby.
I wanted to do a Q&A since I have gotten quite a few questions on Instagram regarding who I am and what I do, both professionally and as a hobby.
[Edit: Affiliate and referral links below; purchases through these links help sustain Realm of Vibes.]
Some of the questions I have received are:
How many jobs do you have?
Several. First, I am a mom to a little human, 2 dogs and an LEO wife. These are my most important jobs.
Second, I am an occupational therapist. I work in a school two days a week and in nursing homes and continuum of care facilities as a per diem therapist the other days of the week if needed. (My Bachelor’s degree is in Exercise Science and my Master’s is in Occupational Therapy).
Third, I am an AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor. I teach barre, TRX, and general strength and conditioning classes at gyms and studios. (Have you purchased [affiliate] The Booty Kicker?)
Fourth, I am a blogger and freelance writer. I mostly write about health and fitness topics.
Fifth, I am a product reviewer. I have been doing this since I was a teenager. If you follow my blog and my Instagram, you will see some of the things I review.
I love reviewing anything food and fitness related. I also like anything that smells good, can reduce my wrinkles, or improve the appearance and comfort of my home. I enjoy getting new clothes but find it challenging to be a good Instagram worthy model. I also love reviewing books.
What do you think of MLMs?
Loaded question.
I absolutely love doTERRA’s products. I have been with doTERRA since February 2017. I was really focused on building a team, doing vendor events in my community, getting friends and family to purchase oils and products, with very little return on all of my investment. (Some months, I would make $100, but most months, I was making $10; let’s be real.) So, I changed my strategy. I put all of my family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc., on my account. I split shipping and they get the wonderful products and I get all of the points to acquire freebies. (Most months, I don’t have to buy shampoo, conditioner, soap, mouthwash, toothpaste, skin care products.) I feel that to be really successful in an MLM, you have to get into these companies early on, and even then, the market is so saturated. Every day, I get at least 5 messages on Instagram from a Beachbody coach, someone selling Monat, or Le-Vel’s Thrive, or Rodan & Fields, just to name a few.
I give the women that do these side hustles a lot of credit. It takes a lot of work, and I hope that they reach the success they desire. I know I won’t be walking the stage as a “Blue Diamond” at doTERRA’s annual gala, and that’s okay. I’m happy with using their products because they make me happy and I believe in them. (Lavender, baby!)
I am also open to testing and reviewing other companies’ products. Beachbody Coach Arlene sent me the Pumpkin Spice Shakeology (very good, compared to the other flavors) and Chocolate Cherry Almond bar. They were both tasty! Am I signing up for them? No. Why? Because I actually have been making my own bars during this quarantine with NUTSOLA, to be honest. And $40 for 15 bars is a little steep for my budget. Do I have Beachbody On Demand? Yes! I love the workouts!
The same concept goes with the other MLM companies; I purchase PartyLite candles from Kristen Freedline semi-regularly. I love the scents of the tealights! (I also love the Lumi Candles 100% natural beeswax tealight candles, too. Andra is a female business owner that I love to support.) I love the variety and supporting both MLM and small businesses.
Erica sent a sample pack from Le-Vel’s THRIVE because I am super curious about their three-step program and patches. I can’t wait to try the vitamins, shake, and patches! Thanks, Erica!
I have tried many samples that I truly enjoyed from Rodan & Fields. I want to try a few of their products when I finish the products I currently am currently using.
I don’t see the harm in reviewing different products, giving my honest feedback, and if the seller gets some leads and sales from my post, fabulous!
Do you ever buy the products you promote?
My honest answer, sometimes.
I received 2 complimentary bags of NUTSÓLA to review. Jason and I INHALED the contents, so I ordered 4 more. I loved the product and it is healthy, and affordable, especially with there 30% off sale and free shipping over $30. Use code REALMOFVIBES for 15% off!
I also had the pleasure of reviewing the VOLO hair towel on Instagram. It is $40. I am not buying another one. I love the product, it dries my hair in record time and is super soft and comfortable, but I can’t find $40 in my budget to spend on another hair towel. May I purchase it as a gift for someone? Absolutely.
Get my drift? When possible, I will ALWAYS try to support the products I promote that are affordable and appropriate for my lifestyle.
Are your product reviews real? Do you ever promote something you don’t like?
It bothers me when my integrity is questioned.
I have received products from companies that I have absolutely hated. I address these products by sending the company an e-mail telling them the problems I encountered with their product. I usually ask them if they want me to post my HONEST review, or, I thank them for the product, tell them that it is something I really can’t stand behind, hope that they will use my feedback effectively, and we both go on our merry way.
You will see on my Instagram that I posted a not-so-good review of a very expensive beauty product. It didn’t really work for me and my skin. It may work for you. It is what it is.
I’ll never stand behind something that I wouldn’t use myself. You will see both positive, negative, and indifferent reviews on my blog and social media outlets.
How was Misfits Market?
I am obsessed. A lot of the produce I received was really NOT misfit! I ordered the Madness box (the big boy) and received potatoes, pears, turnips, beets, oranges, tomatoes, parsnips, peppers, kale, apples, green beans, carrots, and brussels sprouts. All of it was ORGANIC and NON-GMO. Get 25% off your first box by using my code:
COOKWME-FB8XAN
In your IG stories, where do I get the items I see you using with your daughter?
I keep my (affiliate) Amazon storefront updated with the things I use and have promoted. Please use this link to purchase as it helps to sustain this blog.
Those have been the latest questions I have received through e-mail and social media.
If you have a question for me, would like to have a product featured on Realm of Vibes, or have any comments or concerns, please e-mail me at realmofvibesdg@gmail.com
Leggings. I love them. I wear them daily and am quite particular with the brands I wear since they need to be durable and maintain their position during exercise, walks, and running errands. They need to look decent, too.
First, I wore them to my TRX qualification training & they were amazing! The material is 88% polyester & 12% elastane so it wicked away moisture from my skin and kept me dry the entire training day. These leggings also have 50+ UV protection, great for long walks outside on sunny days.
Second, I also wore them to a Power Yoga class where the high elastic waistband DID 👏 NOT 👏 MOVE. 👏 It is so important to not have to adjust my clothing during yoga so that I can focus on my workout. 🧘♀️🕉
Puissante High Waisted Full-Length Leggings
Lastly, I washed the Puissante leggings on a normal cycle in cold water & hung them on a drying rack. They washed well with no shrinkage. 🧺🧼
Iconic Activewear has such a variety of clothing options including leggings, sports bras, tops, and plus size clothing. Julie, the owner of Iconic Activewear, is available to help you select the best items that flatter your body type and meet your needs. Just hit the contact button on the website and she will answer you as soon as possible.
Many of our daily routines have been affected by the coronavirus, so make sure you support small businesses like Iconic Activewear with coupon code SPRING to get 30% off and FREE SHIPPING!
[Received complimentary for testing purposes. All opinions within are my own. Want your business to be featured? Contact me!]
I am an avid coffee drinker. I am a caffeinated coffee in the AM, decaf or tea in the evening kind of gal! I also love kombucha and will try any concoction my friends whip up at a party. Needless to say, when I came across Organic Dandy Blend, I was excited to give it a try!
Dandy Blend is a caffeine-free, gluten-free herbal alternative and coffee substitute. It is made of five ingredients: roasted barley, rye, chicory root, dandelion root, and sugar beet. The organic line does not contain sugar beet.
What is the purpose?
This can replace your decaf coffee! Dandy Blend is also a great option if you are looking to cut back on caffeine but need that nutty, bold flavor.
I heated up 8 ounces of water in the microwave for 1 minute and 15 seconds.
I added one rounded teaspoon of Dandy Blend to my water and stirred. This was going to give me a rich, full-bodied coffee flavor. (If I did one level tsp., that would have given me a tea-like beverage, and anything from a heaping tsp. to 1 tablespoon would have given me an espresso strength beverage). I did not add cinnamon, honey, or any milk/milk alternatives…
I had the expectation that Dandy Blend would be bitter. I drink Dandelion tea and that is rather bitter (to me…) so I was expecting the same.
There was no bitterness or acidity. There was a pleasant nutty flavor with a subtle sweetness. I thoroughly enjoyed my cup of Dandy Blend! I will definitely use this to replace my decaf coffee in the afternoon or to try to cut back on the (copious) amounts of coffee I should not be drinking each day.
I am super excited to make the Dandy Shake, which contains ice cream, cold milk or milk alternative, and Dandy Blend. Doesn’t that sound delicious? I also think Dandy Blend would be good with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg and wouldn’t hesitate to add a scoop to baked goods. The Dandy Blend website also features cookbooks to purchase and free recipes.
Besides the website, Dandy Blend can also be purchased on Amazon through my affiliate link HERE.
Tag a friend in the comments. Each tag gives you an additional entry. Please, one friend per line.
BONUS: Share the initial post to your stories. You can do this once every 24 hours to gain an extra entry. Don’t forget to tag @realmofvibes and @dandyblend for your bonus entry to count.
Rules: All entries must occur from the date and time of the initial giveaway post until 11:59PM on February 13, 2020. Winner will be announced in the comments section, via IG Story, and informed via direct message. One winner only. The winner has 24 hours to respond with full name and address or another winner will be chosen. USA residents only. This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Instagram or Facebook.
Dandy Blend was received complimentary for testing and review purposes. All opinions within are my own. If you would like your product reviewed on Realm of Vibes, please contact realmofvibesdg@gmail.com
One thing I didn’t try to manage my ailments was CBD oil. CBD products are everywhere in NJ. I could count on two hands the number of shops that have just opened up in neighboring towns. CBD is definitely the new big thing.
I didn’t try CBD for several reasons. The first was the stigma attached to the products. Edibles? Cookies? Gummies? What am I, back in high school and college? Rub this CBD stuff WHERE, exactly? What will it do to me?
Other reasons:
the purity of the product
side effects (you SAY I won’t hallucinate, but WILL I?)
I was skeptical. I did my research. I asked Be You CBD if they needed a product reviewer because I was curious and wanted to try their products. I also wanted to promote the founders, Heidi and Jen, two California women boss babes. (For those of you that have followed Realm of Vibes, you know I love promoting women in business.)
What I wanted to relieve:
stress and anxiety
chronic fatigue
right knee pain (on & off, chronic)
neck pain (chronic for 10 years this January)
rosacea
postpartum hair loss 18 months later
sleeping (not enough, waking up and staying up)
strengthen my general immunity
When I chatted with Heidi, I shared with her some of my trials and tribulations. Guys, I am often not a peach. If you follow me on Instagram, you see in my bio alone that I don’t stop. I work almost full-time hours as an occupational therapist in geriatrics and pediatrics. I teach two barre classes a week. I have a husband who is a homicide detective and depending on the week, is rarely home. I have an almost 19-month-old daughter that is extremely active. I have two rescue dogs that also need my time and attention. I am counting down the minutes until my daughter wakes up from her nap and then this blog post will be over. I need to RELAX. I need to de-stress. I need my neck to stop feeling so much tension. I need my mind to turn off for 30 seconds. Do you feel me, readers?
So, Be You CBD stepped in. Be You CBD partnered with a boutique farm in central Oregon that grows organic, non-GMO, pesticide-free cannabis that is non-psychoactive. (This alleviated #1 in the reasons why I didn’t to try CBD section).
Holy. Moly. The active ingredients in Holy Grail Tincture include 1000 mg full spectrum Hemp CBD Oil and MCT Oil. Natural Terpenes & Phytocannabinoids swarm inside this tincture.
Holy Grail Tincture can be used to improve health and vitality. As stated on their website, Be You CBD‘s customers report they often use our tincture to help reduce inflammation, find greater relaxation and give the immune system a boost.
You start using Holy Grail Tincture by dropping 1/4 of the dropper full under your tongue. You can increase as you see fit.
Earthy is a beautiful way to describe this tincture. Let’s be honest, it’s like liquid marijuana under your tongue, and it is absolutely delightful. What the heck was I waiting for? The smell alone puts me in a better mood!
I have been taking this for a week before bed. I would say within 15-25 minutes, I just feel a sense of calm. I. Am. Just. More. Chill. I feel a little bit lighter. I feel like I can just go to sleep without 1037937 thoughts coming into my brain.
I love the smell of the Down Under Rub. It has very subtle hints of vanilla, and I love how it contains arnica extract and the essential oil blend, which are all great for healing.
Ingredients: Shea Budder, CocoBudder, Coconut Oil, Almond Oil, Amyris Wood Oil, Vanilla Extract, Arnica Extract, Helichrysum Oil, Bergamot Oil, and Eucalyptus Oil. Contains: 500mg (1 oz jar) or 850mg (1.7 oz jar) Full Spectrum Hemp CBD Oil.
Down Under Rub is what I rubbed on my right knee and on my neck. Before teaching barre class, I would rub my right knee with a generous amount of creme. It is yellow and reminds me of ghee. My knee pain has dissipated and my neck pain has definitely lessened. I think consistency is knee when using CBD products, and I will definitely be implementing Down Under Rub when I feel signs of strain or tension.
Grumpy B*tch Balm
Period cramps are THE WORST. PMS is definitely the worst time of the month. I hate feeling like a bloated pig with an attitude problem.
Grumpy B*tch Balm contains the ingredients of the Down Under Rub, except for Eucalyptus oil.
I rubbed Grumpy B*tch Balm on my abdomen for cramps, my neck, my knee, and my temples to relieve a nasty headache I had from one of my daughter’s tantrums.
Again, love the smell and texture of Grumpy B*tch Balm and Down Under Rub. I will definitely continue to use these products on my journey of health and wellness.
Be You CBD also sells Be You Face Serum to help combat fine lines, skin irritations, rosacea, acne, and dry skin. Be You Face Serum can be worn under your makeup and for moisturizing overnight.
Bottom Line
Since using Be You CBD, my knee pain has dissipated, and my neck pain has lessened.
I am definitely more zen.
I feel less anxious and that I can go to sleep with a lighter mind.
PLEASE USE CODE “Powerful!” at checkout on Be You CBD to let Heidi and Jen know I sent you! And now…
The GIVEAWAY!
Win a Grumpy B*tch Balm and Down Under Rub from Be You CBD!
Tag a friend in the comments. Each tag gives you an additional entry.
BONUS: Share the initial post to your stories. You can do this once every 24 hours to gain an extra entry. Don’t forget to tag @realmofvibes and @beyoucbd for your bonus entry to count.
Rules: All entries must occur from the date and time of the initial giveaway post until 11:59AM on January 15, 2020. Winner will be announced in the comments section, via IG Story, and informed via direct message. One winner only. The winner has 24 hours to respond with full name and address or another winner will be chosen. USA residents only. This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Instagram.
Products from Be You CBD were received complimentary for testing and review purposes. All opinions within are my own.
Realm of Vibes 