by | Sep 11, 2015 | From the Heart, Inspirations |
Hi Beautiful People!
Blessings to you!
My hubby and I are celebrating our sixteenth wedding anniversary. He is just as handsome as when we first met as he is right now. We first met at work and we were friends and the friendship blossomed into marriage. Now you think I would create this facade by writing imagery of everything is wonderful and we have the perfect marriage. Well, I don’t want to bust your bubble; but I want to let you know that no marriage is perfect. The best marriages require two people communicating with each other to make the marriage work.
Me and my hubby at our wedding!
The hubby and I learned early on that we had to make the effort to talk to each other and listen to each other. Sometimes I feel I have so much to say and he takes the time to really listen to me. And the most important part of our marriage is putting God first as our center because without Him we know our marriage will not work.
Our Pastor is teaching this month on Believing God.
I read this morning a Joyce Meyer Devotional and the scripture reference was Joshua 1:5&6
…As I was with Moses, so I will be with you: I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong (confident) and of good courage.
Believing God in this world is so important because that is where our strength comes from.
I appreciate and am thankful for the man that God has given me as my husband. He serves the Lord, loving, kind, a provider for our family and truly loves me for me.
On our 15th wedding anniversary we travelled to San Francisco and road-tripped to the Four Corners to celebrate. However, this year we planned a staycation for our anniversary. It is special because we are getting to spend quality time with each other. We have some goals for ourselves and we are planning and spending time with each other is one of them.
One of the highlights from this year’s staycation has been going to the Japanese Festival, which occurs every year at the Missouri Botanical Garden. However this was our first time that we going. It was such a cool and meaningful experience.
While there, we saw the Kimono fashion show where the models showed designs of various styles of kimono, including some that were over one hundred years old.
Kimono Fashion Show
And, I had the opportunity to see my name written in Japanese and learn the significant meaning. I will write a post on this because it’s so special.
Planning Goals
It is important to create goals so you know where you are going and what things we need to pray about and then cross off of our list once they have been accomplished.
Reflections
I am reflecting and thanking God for sixteen years of marriage. And In Jesus Name, we have many more prosperous and joyous years Praise God!
This post is linked to Visible Monday.
by | Sep 9, 2015 | Around the Home, Review |
Hi Beautiful People!
As many of you know, I love music.
For me, it is uncool listening to music from my computer or my tablet and the sound quality does not live up to my expectations. Listening to music on these devices alone are okay; but I like to use a portable sound speaker system to take the music to a higher level.
I recently had the opportunity to demo one of these portable speakers, the Bose Soundlink Bluetooth speaker III, courtesy of Verizon Wireless. I have seen Bose speakers and stereo systems advertised in the past, but I never had an opportunity to try one for myself. Let’s just say, I am sold on Bose. This speaker definitely takes sound quality to the a higher level.
When I took the speaker out of the box, the setup was so simple and quick. I turned on the speaker and it paired via Bluetooth with my computer almost instantly. One great feature about this Bose speaker is that remembers up to six devices and will pair with it automatically when Bluetooth is enabled on the device. To put the speaker to the test, I opened iTunes and choose Thousand Foot Krutch and Skillet. The sound coming through the Bose speaker was so true and clear. It sounded like the bands were playing a live concert in the same room with me. I did not have the Bose speaker set to its highest volume. I cannot stop raving about how great this speaker sounds and how easy it is to set up.
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Product Features, as listed on the Verizon website:
- Experience the best-performing mobile Bluetooth® speaker from Bose.
- Bose® technologies help reproduce music with the fullness, clarity and depth you might not expect from a mobile Bluetooth speaker this size.
- Connects wirelessly to your smartphone, tablet or other Bluetooth device.
- The lithium-ion battery lets you share your music for up to 14 hours without recharging.
- Curved edges and thin profile make it easy to grab and slip into a bag or backpack, so you can take your music wherever you go.
- A silicone button panel protects from dirt and dust, while a wraparound metal grille adds to its durability and resists fingerprints.
- Optional accessory covers let you add color to reflect your personal style.
- Car charger available for convenient charging while traveling.
How does the Boise Soundlink speaker III perform?
I had been using a similar, but smaller speaker prior to using this Bose speaker. It is not a Bose; but one of its competitors. It has good sound quality; but it was not loud enough when I workout or when I watch a movie on my iPad. Using the Boise Soundlink speaker III with my Zumba workouts is awesome. I can clearly hear all the instruments playing and that bass. I want my music to be pumping when I workout and this speaker takes it to another level. I did not need to have the speaker set to the highest level. Although I want the music to be pumping; I also want to protect my ears.
Sounds like a private Sound System
Watching movies with the Boise Soundlink speaker is like surround sound at your finger tips. The bass is awesome and it mades me feel like I am at the movie theater. The sound fills the room.
Does the Boise Soundlink III speaker move around?
No! No matter how high the volume or how deep the bass, the speaker does not move. This is vitally important to me because when I am working out, the last thing I want to do is to keep the speaker from falling on the floor due to the pumping of the music. With my own speaker, I had to pause my workout in order to pick up the speaker from the floor.
Is it heavy?
No! It weighs less than 3 pounds and easily transports from my office, to the workout room, to the piano with no problem.
I would hear people talk about Bose and how great its products are. Well after experiencing one for myself, I can honestly say that this speaker is a complete home run. I recommend this portable speaker to anyone who wants a rich and full sound. Whether you are listening to your favorite music, or catching up on your favorite television show; or working out to the latest Zumba video, the Bose Soundlink III pulls you into the experience.
*Disclaimer: This review was my honest opinion. I had the opportunity to demo the Boise Soundlink III for three weeks and after that it was returned back to Verizon Wireless.
by | Aug 30, 2015 | Inspirations |
Hello Beautiful People!
Today, my hubby and I saw War Room with a friend, which opened in theaters on Friday, August 28.
The PG -Rated movie was written, produced and directed by the Kendrick brothers, who directed FIREPROOF and Couragious.
The turnout of Christians attending the film thus far has been nothing short of phenomenal. Tickets sales totaled over $11 million in just three days, placing it second of all movies. A couple of friends asked us if we wanted to go. The trailer caught our attention and we were intrigued.
[youtube]https://youtu.be/mIl-XY9t_Lw[/youtube]
The movie centers around the Jordan family who has disconnected on love and integrity. I don’t want to reveal too much of the story line, so I will share a couple of my favorite scenes.
One of the scenes that had a big impact is when the mother (Elizabeth played by Priscilla Shirer) and daughter (Danielle played by Alena Pitts) are having a heart-to-heart talk. The mother says, “You know that I love you?” And the daughter says a little bit and proceeds to ask with a sad look on her face, “Do you know the name of my jump-rope team? Do you know I won an award last week? Do you know what colors of our shirts?”
The mother thought she knew her daughter and blamed her husband (Tony played by T. C. Stallings) for all of their problems. In actuality, her lack of communication with her daughter showed that she was just as much to blame. In order to save her family and marriage, she had to stop blaming and nagging and start praying for change.
warroomthemovie.com
So many times we want God to move in our lives and we want to blame the other person. Even though the other person may not be totally right, we have to look into the mirror at ourselves.
This scene below is pivotal because it shows Miss Clara (Karen Abercrombie) praying in an actual prayer room. We have to stand in the gap for our family and friends and the world; and the way to do that is through strategy in prayer. Praying specifically by standing on the scriptures.
Miss Clara praying in her prayer room
Scene from War Room: Father and Daughter practicing double dutch
It’s a story of struggle, faith and forgiveness through prayer. The movie will make you laugh and will make you cry. Oh and well-known Christian author Beth Moore makes a cameo appearance.
On the War Room website, you will find resources that accompanies the movie that can be used in your individual or church bible study. It is not just a movie; it is a witnessing tool about the power of prayer. There have been thousands of people praying for this movie, that it would reach people who need it. Today’s (August 30) prayer request: Pray that people who haven’t even yet heard about WAR ROOM feel compelled to see the movie today when they are at the theater.
The Bubbling with Elegance and Grace team recommends that you and your family see this movie. The movie focuses on the power of prayer. It also demonstrates the power of God’s love, His Grace, His forgiveness, and His call for discipleship. Put on your fighting gloves and go see this movie the first chance you can.
by | Aug 17, 2015 | Fitness, Review |
Hello Beautiful People!
It’s been a full week and enjoying the weekend.
In the past year, fitness bands have become the craze for people who are looking to track the fitness goals. I had considered purchasing one for myself, but was not sure which one would be best for me. Recently, I had the opportunity through Verizon to demo a UP3 Fitness tracker created by Jawbone.
The UP3 Fitness Tracker, courtesy of Verizon Wireless
On the Jawbone website
“The world’s most advanced tracker.”
Key Features
- Tracks steps, sleep quality, exercise, overall calories burned
- Tracks resting heart-rate and overall heart health
- Automatically logs your fitness activities
- Smart Alarm™ wakes you at the optimal time in your sleep cycle
- Slim compact design for 24/7 wearability with up to 7 days battery life
- Wirelessly syncs with compatible Apple and Android devices
When I first received the band, it needed to be charged for about 45 minutes. A fully-charged UP3 will last you for six days, which is a good amount of time. Since you need to wear the band at all times, you don’t want to spend long amounts of time to charge it. While it is charging, you will see different lights on the band. When you see the orange light, the UP3 tracker is fully charged. The charger plugs into the USB port of your computer, the band attaches to the opposite end of the tracker. I had to get the band just right on the charger to make sure that it’s charging. After the initial charge, I downloaded and installed the UP (free) app on my phone. I created an free account and then paired the UP3 with my phone. Once the UP3 is paired, the fitness tracking begins. The UP3 band does not show your steps, but instead you need to check your phone for the statistics. If you like to see every step you take, this may not be the band for you. I, on the other hand, do not mind checking my phone. The UP3 band is chic, does not take up a large foot print on your wrist, and looks more like a bangle than a fitness tracker.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRVrgQrkWWQ[/youtube]
The Fit
My first attempt to put on the UP3 seemed awkward. I asked my hubby and we realized that I had to adjust the fit and then attach the enclosure. After that first initial fitting, I can put on the band by myself with no problem. The band has sensors that need to be next to your wrist so that it can track your movement, but the fit does not need to be tight. The band is not water resistant, dot not get in the shower or the bath. But you can get water on it, you just need to wipe it off.
A way to reach my goals, each day, the UP3 showed my steps and how many calories I burned.
It will track when you are working out. With the stopwatch feature, you can track how long you work out, select what type of work out it is, and select an intensity level. For the image below, it shows that I completed a 45-minute Zumba workout at a Gut Buster intensity.
The UP3 also monitors your sleep patterns and lets you track the levels of your sleep: light, deep or REM each night. Having the UP3, made me realize how important it is to get adequate sleep and to rest my body. The UP3 tracks heart rate while sleeping and not during the course of the day. I have read that Jawbone may be doing upgrades in the future, we will see.
Tracking REM SLEEP
My sleep patterned was totally off in the reading below and I put the band in sleep mode before I went to bed, however that happened one time. Probably was a fluke. What was good is that I can manually go into to my phone settings and change the sleep time.
The longer you use the UP3, the more your own Smart Coach will be there to help you along the way. As a part of the app, you have a Smart Coach who helps you achieve better health goals. For example, if the Smart Coach sees that you are getting less the desirable amounts of sleep, it will provide you with tips on how to sleep more at night. Or, the Smart Coach will tell you what your step average is for the week and challenge you to walk more steps for the next week.
I am a fitness-minded person without the band. But with the UP3 band and the Smart Coach, it made me want to walk more and do more to achieve my goals. Tracking my sleep patterns was a bonus because I like to stay up late at night and it is so important to rest the body. You can also use the UP3 to track what you eat and the amount of calories taken in during the course of the day.
If tracking your fitness levels is important to you, I recommend that you try the UP3 by Jawbone. It is easy to learn how it works and you don’t even remember that you are wearing band. It will help you know if you are getting the right amount (and kinds) of sleep or walking the right number of steps. The Smart Coach gives you daily tips for a healthier lifestyle and will challenge you to take you the next level.
DISCLAIMER: Verizon Wireless allowed me the opportunity to try the UP3 by Jawbone for three weeks to write this review. At the end of the three weeks, I returned the UP3 back to Verizon. I was not compensated in anyway to write this review.
Side note: My hubby noticed that I enjoyed the UP3 and he surprised me with one of my own. I am able to continue tracking my steps and sleeps with the same account that I created initially. That data collected is now being compared with the new data from my own UP3. It is so great.
If you have tried the UP3 or any other fitness band, please let me know what you thought about it.
by | Aug 13, 2015 | Around the Home |
The process of planning an event is very difficult and can induce a lot of stress for a person. Finding the right venue and activities for everyone to enjoy can be a lot easier said than done. There are a variety of things that have to be done in order for Toronto corporate events to go off without a hitch. Taking the time to make a plan and stick to it can be very hard, but necessary. Here are some of the things that you have to know when trying to plan a great corporate event.
A Plan of Attack is Needed
In order for an event like this to be a success, you will have to get a plan of attack. By taking the time to sit down and figure out what needs to be done, it will be easier for you to start accomplishing. The first thing you have to get is the right venue chosen. There will usually be no shortage of events and finding the right one will take some time and effort on your part. The more you can find out about the venues in your area, the easier you will find it to choose the right one.
Getting the Right People In Place
The next thing to consider when trying to plan the right event is to choose the right people to help you out. There is no way a single person will be able to get this type of event planned on their own, which is why surrounding yourself with the right team is needed. You want to make sure that you find people who have the time and energy to take on a project like this.
The Catering is Key
Another thing that has to taken care of during this process is the food and drink that will be served. In order to get the right people in place, you will have to do some research. You want to find caterers with experience and knowledge of catering corporate events. The more you can find out about the professionals in your area, the better equipped you will be to choose the right one. The time and energy that goes to finding the right company will be well worth it in the end. Calling around to the various caterers in your area will allow you to get the best price. The team at Pop Toy and Party Services can get you the help needed for planning the event. They have planned countless events and can get you the work you need done in no time.
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