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.
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.
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
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.
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.
I hope you are having a lovely summer. When it’s hot, my hair goes up and I wear less makeup.
Because of the heat, I will at times have an acne breakout on my face. To keep the breakouts to a minimum, it is essential for me to keep my skin clean and to use products that do not clog my pores.
For my sensitive skin, I must to review the product’s ingredients to ensure that they do not irritate my skin. If I am not familiar with any of the ingredients, I will go online to determine what it is, if it is natural, or it has any unwanted side effects.
I was recently introduced to the Citrus Clear skincare products. I had the pleasure of reviewing five of the facial products.
Citrus Clear
The products that I tested for a two month period are:
*These products were sent to me to try and provide my honest review.
The products I received are full-sized products and will last a long time with daily use.
My routine:
1. I washed my face with the Citrus Clear Sensitive Wash Natural Tahitian Line. The grapefruit scent is so refreshing in the morning or coming home from work. As the packaging directions recommended, I wash my face with warm water and massage lightly onto my skin. Rinsed. I used the cleanser day and night and did not use it around my eyes because the directions didn’t say that you could use it there. I gently used my microfiber towel around my eye area. My skin felt good and not dry. I recommend this product. The eight-ounce bottle retails for $28.99.
2. After I cleansed my face, I would either use the Citrus Clear Tangerine Tingleor alternate with theCitrus Clear Pore and Blackhead Extracting Mask.
Citrus Clear Tangerine Tingle Mask This product is designed to remove dead skin cells and make the skin look brighter and face complexion look clearer. When I applied this product, I first washed my face with the cleanser in warm water, then I applied the product per the directions in a circular motion on my face to gently exfoliate the skin. I left it on my skin for 4 minutes, (you can leave it on for to 2 to 4 minutes). I felt the tingle because I left it on longer, however it felt good on my skin. After the time of the mask on my face, I rinsed it off with cool water and patted my face with a towel. My face was a little red because of the citrus extracts and the glycolic acid, but it went away in a couple of minutes. Again, it very refreshing, this product I would use once a week or once every two weeks. A two-ounce jar retails for $18.99.
I used the Citrus Clear Pore and Blackhead Extracting Mask as an alternate mask to the Citrus Clear tangerine tingle mask for acne control.
Citrus Clear Pore & Blackhead extracting mask
I applied this product after I washed and gently dry my face. In a rotating motion, I applied the mask to my slight damp face. I found with my face being slightly damp the clay went on well; but the directions say you can add it to dry skin as well. The mask began to harden quickly and I left it on for 5 minutes (you can leave the product on 4 to 8 minutes). After five minutes I rinsed my face with warm water and used my warm towel and patted my face. I enjoyed using it and my face felt soft and supple. The product is for sensitive skin. The mask retails for $24.99.
3. I applied the Citrus Clear Sensitive Moisturizer Pink Grapefruit, to my face and wow the pink grapefruit smells so good it makes you want to eat it but it’s not edible. The moisturizer is not greasy or oily and absorbs into the skin and doesn’t leave any residue nor does it feel sticky. A little goes a long way and the 20z. glass bottle will last a long time. The moisturizer retails for $24.00, and is currently on sale for $14.00.
4. The Grapefruit Acne Spot Treatment is good for spot treatments if I have a blemish that comes up that I need to treat. The tube is small enough to take with me. The tube retails for $12.99.
I love music and I enjoy dancing. I can be almost asleep; but if I hear music, I wake right up and am ready to move.
Blogger Event Salsa Night at Majestic Studios
Dancing gets me moving and it is one of my exercise habits that keeps me in shape.
My hubby and I was invited to attend a Salsa night of dance and fun at Majestic Dance Studios.
I didn’t know what to expect, however I thought it would be fun. My husband confesses that he has two left fee;t but he enthusiastically agreed to attend.
When I dance, I like my clothes to be comfortable but chic. I choose natural fiber fabrics that are breathable or fabrics that wick away moisture. I knew I would get a workout so I wanted to be prepared.
When we walked into the studio, everyone was so nice and welcoming. Alex Burodko, owner of the Majestic Studios, said that he is living the American dream and enjoying every minute of it. Mr. Burodko and the other instructors really gave us so much encouragement and confidence.
Ladies lined up on one side of the room, while the men stood on the other side. We would learn a dance step and then practice with our partner. This method made it feel easy and fun for everyone at the same time. No fear here!
JT and hubby going over the dance steps
When my hubby and I practiced our moves, his eyes lit up with glee because he was actually dancing.
The instructors, Joe Elvis Alway-Baker, Angie Brooks and Alex Burodko were great at showing my hubby and I how to move in time with each other. The instructors took time to show us how to feel confident on the dance floor and that dancing is not just for the professionals.
Were we treated to two performances that were awesome.
Beautiful dancing by Josef Scherer and Loraine Ebel.
The second performance was high-spirited full of energy by Alex Borudko and Angie Brooks.
This was a great night out with the hubby. It was different because it going out on a date and dancing. I know we will be back to learn more dance moves.
Thank you Majestic Dance Studios for a night of fun and I can show some cool moves on the dance floor.
“Thank You” Rose given to me for attending the Salsa Night.
Join Majestic Studio For Salsa Date Night!
Saturday, June 27th at 7:30-9:00pm
Join Us for Salsa Date Night at Majestic Dance Studio! Grab a partner and come learn the basics of Salsa and other Latin Dances you can do anywhere!
No prior dance experience is needed.
Join Majestic Dance Studio for a Fun, relaxed Date Night Dance Lesson and Dance Party!!!
Pre-Registration with a payment is required to reserve your spot.
*Disclosure:Bubbling with Elegance and Grace was invited to the Majestic Dance Studio Salsa night and received a complimentary one private lesson give card. My opinions are honest and solely my own.
Everlast Nutrition recently supplied BubblingwithElegance.com with a complimentary packet of its VP PRO Vegan Protein mix to review. My hubby and I are always looking for healthy meal options, so we thought it would be great to try. Protein shakes are not just for fitness-minded people or for people looking to lose weight. They are also great in the summer time if you want something cool to drink or if you want a quick and easy, but a nutritious and light meal.
My hubby making a fruit smoothie with Everlast VP PRO Vegan Protein Mix
When selecting a protein shake mix, my hubby and I consider four main factors:
1. Does the mix contain fillers or artificial sweeteners?
If we see that the mix contain ingredients that we can not pronounce or that we have to look up to find out what it is, or has artificial sugars, we will not purchase it. We want only natural ingredients that provide health benefits.
2. How does it taste?
In the past, we have tried some shake mixes that were so sweet (with natural and artificial sugars), that was all we could taste. Or, in some instances, the flavored mixes did not taste natural. We have steered away from those mixes because we want the smoothie to taste great and not sweet. We recommend taking a look at the ingredient list on the package. If the first or second ingredient is sugar, or a sugar alternative; look for another product.
3. Does it provide a long-lasting energy boost? When the smoothie or protein mix contains so much sugar, the energy boost is short-lived because it really is a sugar-high instead. We prefer mixes that are protein-based because proteins are known to keep you feeling full longer and give you an natural boost.
4. How easy is it digested and does it cause any issues on your stomach? I have a sensitivity to some lactose products. So, unfortunately, some of the smoothie mixes did not agree with my stomach and I had challenges digesting the smoothie. I make sure to check out the ingredient list for any milk or lactose products. If the mix has these ingredients, I have to carefully sample the product before I can use it regularly.
I went to the Everlast Nutrition website and the nutritional values are listed below:
EVERLAST Nutrition facts
The directions from the package states that you can mix contents in eight to twelve ounces of water or your favorite cold beverage or smoothie. My hubby loves to add frozen fruit, flax or chia seeds, and peanut butter to add to the nutritious goodness.
Everlast VP Pro Vegan Protein Mix with Strawberries, Mangoes, Bananas and Peanut Butter.
For this sample, he used coconut water, frozen bananas, frozen strawberries, frozen mangoes, peanut butter. He mixed the ingredients together in our Ninja and I have to say that I enjoyed it. The vanilla flavor was very tasty without any odd or strange aftertaste. I would recommend the Everlast VP Vegan Protein Mix for anyone wants a great tasting shake. The mix is naturally sweetened with Stevia,instead of sugar or sucralose. One serving of the mix contains 22 grams of protein from three plant proteins (pea, rice and hemp) and it contains only 110 calories and no cholesterol, gluten, lactose, soy, hormones or GMOs. It is a winner in my book. You can purchase the protein mix by clicking HERE!
JT doing Kettlebell workout
When working out, with my kettle bell or doing one of my other routines, adding protein into my diet is needed. It is great to have a Everlast protein mix to give me the necessary energy and fuel to be swinging my kettle bell. Gio (my beagle) is making sure I am using correct form. Gio is my coach but he’s looking a little sleepy there. Ha Ha!
DISCLAIMER:
Everlast provided me with a free sample of the protein mix and I was compensated for this review. However, all statements about the protein mix are truly my own opinion. Please check with your doctor to determine if this protein mix is the right one for you.
Today is beautiful, little windy, sunny and no humidity around 80 degrees. Pastor at church service taught on Praise and it was so good. I hope you had a wonderful day.
I recently had the opportunity to try Chocolate A Day, deluxe vitamins in a piece of Belgian dark chocolate from ColorEarth. The bag of Chocolate multivitamins are $19.99 and free shipping from ColorEarth.com.
Chocolate a Day Deluxe Multivitamin I nDark Chocolate
The first thing I was thinking is this stuff going to taste really bad and full of chemicals that are not good for you.
“Chocolate A Day contains 14 meaningful vitamins and minerals in each yummy square; including 100% daily value of 10 of them. It is gluten free, sugar free, dairy free, non-GMO, and contains no fillers, waxes, substitute oils, or preservatives. It also contains 55% cacao so you get the great flavonoids and antioxidants. And with less than 1 net carb per square, it fits perfectly into any diet plan. This is truly a guilt-free and delicious way to take your daily multivitamin.”
The Supplement Facts
Vitamin A 5000IU
Vitamin C 60 mg
Vitamin D3 400IU
Vitamin Ed 30IU
Vitamin K1 120mcg
Vitamin B1 1.56 mcg
Vitamin B2 1.7 mcg
Vitamin B3 20 mg
Vitamin B6 2 mg
Folic Acid 300 mcg
Vitamin B12 6 mcg
Calcium 65 mg
Magnesium 20 mg
Zinc 11.25 mg
Dark chocolate Ingredients: Unsweetened Dark Chocolate, Maltitol, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanilla.
Chocolate A Day is for
1) Gluten Free Eaters
2) Paleo Eaters
3) Weight loss Diets
4)Dairy Free Eaters
5)Vegans & Vegetarians
6)Diabetics – ColorEarth advices to work with your doctor to plan your meals and snacks to decided what types of foods and what amounts of ingredients are best for you. Please ask your Doctor if Chocolate A Day is right for you.
7)Creative Health Foodies
8)Kids- ColorEarth says that Chocolate A Day is generally safe for kids. “The sweetener used, Maltitol, has been known to have a mild laxative effect on kids and adults because it metabolizes slower than normal sugar. Try giving your kids smaller amounts to start off to see if they are sensitive to the sweetener.”
I was concerned about the sweetener Maltitol but I did some research and it is a natural sweetener.
ColorEarth says “Malitol is a natural sweetener found in chicory leaves. It has similar properties to sugar but less calories. Our Maltitol is made from grains but itself is gluten free. Similar to sweeteners lie xylitol, mannitol, etc, maltitol may cause a slight laxative effect so it’s not recommended to consume more than 50 gm per day-equivalent to about 12 servings of Chocolate A Day. “
Chocolate A Day
I only ate 1 per day and before 4pm. The Belgian chocolate multivitamin piece is creamy, very tasty and had no aftertaste. In addition, I had no laxative side effects by taking one per day.
One Serving of Chocolate A Day
“Some people who enjoy Chocolate A Day say that they can’t eat it after 4pm or they will have trouble sleeping. This is likely caused by the energy boost provided by the 100% daily value of 5 B-Vitamins in each square of Chocolate A Day.”
Is It Safe? ColorEarth says Chocolate A Day is safe and has many certifications.
“Production: They manufacture the product using a GMP certified facility.”
“Potency:Each batch includes a Certificate of Analysis to ensure the potency of vitamins and minerals in the supplement facts, and to make sure there are no toxic materials or heavy metals.”
“Gluten Free: Testing is done at 5ppm and tests are done regularly.”
“NON-GMO:The Manufacturer provides sourcing guarantees that all ingredients used are non-mo.”
Chocolate A Day GIVEAWAY
Chocolate A Day is offering t0 20 people will win a year supply of Chocolate A Day™—the chocolate that loves you back.
That’s a total of 20 years’ worth of chocolate valued at $5,988!
That’s a whole lot of creamy, dark Belgian chocolate with 100% daily value of 10 vitamins and minerals.
One winner announced daily May 5 – May 15 and again June 9 – June 19, so enter daily!
Learn More About JT
Bubbling with Elegance and Grace started out as an outlet for my passion for fashion but has evolved into a place for me to teach, collaborate, and inspire. My hubby has since joined the team and we have been digital creators for 13 years. We are thankful for those who believed in us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
Follow!