Simmworks Family Blog

Keep Moving in Style with the New Fitbit Flex

May 25, 2013 By Danielle 1 Comment

It’s no surprise that over the past few months I’ve kicked up the motivation and have started moving more regularly. Since first being introduced to Fitbit and receiving my Ultra I’ve increased the steps I take daily from an average of 5,000 to 10,000.

As a Fitbit ambassador I’ve enjoyed testing out and reviewing the products Fitbit continually creates and I love how much better each product gets!

Since first receiving my Ultra I’ve had the chance to try out the Fitbit Zip and Fitbit Aria scale. And now my Fitbit family includes the new Fitbit Flex. As soon as I saw that my Flex arrived for review I started jumping for joy and quickly figured out how to charge and use it ASAP.

Oh my wow! I am in LOVE with the Fitbit Flex. Not only do I consider it a fashionable accessory, I love how it keeps me on track and determined to constantly push myself through the day.

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Filed Under: Fitness, Reviews, Technology, weight loss Tagged With: FitBit, Fitbit Flex, fitness, Health, Weight Loss, weight loss tools

The Gro Project: Creating a Fun DIY Chalkboard Herb Planter #MiracleGroProject

May 24, 2013 By Danielle 7 Comments

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Miracle-Gro for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I love to garden. I love being outdoors, enjoying the weather, and getting my hands dirty. I also love the sense of accomplishment I feel when I see the results of my hard work.

But sometimes gardening and landscaping doesn’t have to be difficult or hard. After seeing a few fun garden projects from Miracle-Gro I was inspired to create a simple and easy herb garden with the kids.

With this fun DIY Chalkboard Herb Planter I’m able to plant the herbs I love in cute decorative pots and don’t really have to worry much about them.

Plus, you can make this project with simple materials that you might already have in your home!

DIY Chalkboard Herb Planter
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Filed Under: Crafts, DIY Tagged With: chalkboard paint, DIY, DIY herb planter, gardening, herbs, Miracle-Gro, Planter, SocialSpark

Getting Bathing Suit Ready with Nutrisystem #NSNation #Sponsored

May 24, 2013 By Danielle 11 Comments

I was selected to participate in the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program. I will be receiving free food and weight loss support in exchange for my participation in the #NSNation program.

So… this happened on Nutrisystem this week. Yeah. I couldn’t believe it either. It’s the final week of my 6-Week Challenge at the YMCA and our final weigh in is tonight. I sure hope this last chance workout before weigh in kicks my butt into the 180s but I’m not holding my breath.

And while I’ve been sticking with Nutrisystem and eating on plan, I’ve also really kicked up my workouts. Aside from working out with a personal trainer twice a week I’ve also been taking classes at the gym and running at home. And it’s starting to show.

Yesterday afternoon my family and I headed out to do a little shopping. And I found myself staring at a clearance rack in Eddie Bauer looking at swim suits. Swim suits that were very inexpensive and super cute. So I bit the bullet and tried on a size 12. Last season I was wearing a size 16. It fit!

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Filed Under: Nutrisystem, weight loss Tagged With: Nutrisystem Blogger, Week 9, Weigh In

Braces Then, Invisalign Now: Finding Confidence with Invisalign #INVStraightTalk

May 22, 2013 By Danielle 12 Comments

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Invisalign.

I was lucky as a kid. My teeth were straight and I never needed braces. My brother on the other hand? Nope. Not as lucky.

He was in braces for quite a while to fix a few things going on with his teeth. And that meant large orthodontics bills for my mom and painful appointments for my brother. No bueno!

He got his braces on when he was 11 and was supposed to have them for 2 years. 4 1/2 years later at 15 he finally got them off. The only thing he remembers from this “dark period” was that everytime the wires were tightened he would be in alot of pain – lots of motrin and tylenol – and wax. You’d of thought orthodonic wax was a food item in the house

My mom just remembers the cost. The initial contract was fine. Expensive but expected compared to other orthodontists. However after moving and going to a new orthodontist my mom was stuck with a month-to-month contract instead of a set price which more than doubled the price she was expecting.

Now with three more kids all in need of braces she’s very thankful for options like Invisalign Teen.

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Filed Under: parenting Tagged With: adult braces, braces, clear braces, invisalign, invisalign teen, invisible braces, orthodontic braces, orthodontist, SITS Girls

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Quest for the Crystal Mickey on DVD

May 22, 2013 By Danielle 7 Comments

We are a Disney-loving family and are quite obsessed with anything Mickey. The kids are huge Mickey Mouse Clubhouse fans and love watching the show before they head out for school in the morning.

So when we got a copy of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Quest for the Crystal Mickey on DVD in the mail to review, they were more than excited to watch it!

I decided to make a fun family night out of the occasion and had my husband pick up pizza (while I made a Nutrisystem pizza for myself) and I popped some popcorn to enjoy while we watched the DVD together.

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