Saturday, July 23, 2016

Fitness Update | Blam Bombshell Fitness


Work, family, life, working out....how do you balance it all?

Over the past few months I have been training for a qualifying duathlon race that will put me back onto team Canada and allow me to compete at the 2017 World Duathlon Championships. My training has been a constant roller coaster fill with serveral set backs. 


My training might seem very different from most duathlets. As a Beachbody coach I strongly believe and has seen amazing results with these programs when it comes to increasing my fitness and leg strength running/biking. Because of this I use a combination of Beachbody programs, interval running, long distance running and biking to train for my duathlon.


 But how do you balance it all? In spring I left my job and became a full time Beachbody coach, which has been a dream come true and blessing....but as I have found out very quickly that working from home is no piece of cake. I'm easily distracted and still somehow manager to run out of time in my day without getting a workout in.

In addition to that this is our first summer in our new house...what does that mean? So many house projects I've lost count. Because we decided to build our first home nothing is completed on the exterior of our home. That means everything from landscaping, fence building, deck painting, ect had to be completed. My husband and I have been very busy in our yard every single day trying to accomplish these tasks - it's been taking up most of our time.


With that being said I am still pushing forward and training like mad! I only have about 42 days left until qualifying! Crazy....my summer has just flown by.

My plan for the next 42 days - be as organized as possible. In order to keep myself on track I'm having to keep myself accountable. That means making a very strict schedule and making myself stick to it! My schedule includes when I'm going to workout, shower, work my at home business, clean, spend time with my family, ect. It means no more slacking off and getting down to business! This next 42 days is really going to test myself to see how bad do I really want this? 

I truly believe that if you want something bad enough you will find a way to make it happen.

I know that balancing it all is so difficult. Trust me I've been there this summer. Trying to jungle home projects, working from home, family, working out, ect....things have slipped through the cracks. I haven't been happy about it but sometimes these things happen.  


 So what's the plan for this upcoming week? Well I'm just coming back from a knee injury...nothing major I just had a fluke accident where I twisted my knee running home night. I've gave it a weekend off and now I'm back training without missing a beat!

This upcoming week I'm planning on doing a Beachbody workouts every single day....time to step it up! I'll be running three times this week - one interval run with 400m intervals, one tempo run and one long run. Plus I'll be going out twice on my bike. One time will be 1min intervals with high cadence for one hour and the second time will be a long ride that will take about one and a half hours for endurance.

The week after that will be a similar training schedule except instead of running 400m intervals I will be running 200m intervals....I have to say I love shorter intervals, it means I get to fly and running a super fast pace! I have to admit I have a soft spot for sprinting since I was a track and field sprinter from grade 6-12.

Wish me luck and make sure you hit that subscribe button if you want to be notified when I post my next fitness update!

Thanks so much for stopping by



Monday, July 18, 2016

Product Empties July 2016


One n Only Argan Oil Hydrating Mask - This hair mask is a pass for me, I was looking for something that was going to help hydrate my blonde hair after coloring it....this wasn't it. This mask didn't make my hair feel any different whether I used it or not.

Loreal Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray - This is my favorite hairspray and I have already repurchased another can. This has been my favorite hairspray for a few years now. It's flexible so you can brush out your hair style. It's flexible and easy to work with plus it doesn't leave the crunchy feeling in your hair - personally I hate that feeling.

Sephora Instant Moisturizer - This is about my third jar I've gone through, great moisturizer! I've noticed on Sephora's website they have changed the packaging so I'm interesting in seeing if they have changed the formula as well.

I love...Vanilla & Ice Cream Bubble Bath & Shower Creme - I did a give away back in February that included this bubble bath. Honestly this is my favorite bubble I've found so far. It smells great and leaves your skin feeling soft when you get out of the tub.

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray - I can't even count how many of these I've gone through...I want to say about six. This is the best makeup setting spray that I have tried. It really makes a difference in helping my makeup last all day long. I highly recommend it especially in the summer when you find your makeup melts off on hot days.

Palmer's Moisturizing Body Oil - This was sent to me by Palmer to review a few of their products. Recently I've switched from using body lotion to body oils after my showers. I find that body oils hydrate my skin more and it feels so soft after using them. Boyd lotions tend to make my skin feel sticky instead of soft. This was a great body oil but I have't repurchased it again as I am testing out some other body oils at the moment.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir - As you can see I've got two of these in my empties. I love this face spray! It has a great mist and feels very refreshing on the skin. I like to use this mist before and after applying powder. It helps the powder to melt into your skin and make your makeup look airbrushed. Highly recommend for anyone with dry skin.

Covergirl Lash Blast Volume - This is my favorite drugstore mascara. It gives tons of volume and never leaves your lashes looking clumpy.

Benefit Gimme Brow - This has been a great brow gel, however, I know that Benefit just repackaged all their brow products so I'm interested in seeing if the new package has the same formula. I've just order a new brow gel so I will be testing this out soon.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer - This is my one and only must have concealer. I haven't found a better concealer for under my eyes. This stuff stays in place all day, never creases and covers my dark circles.

Chanel Le Volume De Chanel - I bought this mascara for my wedding last year...it is very expensive and hard to buy where I live. I've been trying to find a dupe for this for a year now and I've found nothing that even comes close. I think I have to break down and just buy another one because this stuff was truly amazing. It gives you so much volume! The formula is very buildable and easy to work with. Even though it was expensive it is well worth the money.

Caudalie Makeup Remover Cleansing Water - This is a pass for me, I really disliked this makeup remover I found I had to use a lot in order for it to work. I went through the product very quickly, it's really not worth your money.

Loreal Pro Keratin Refill - This is another hair mask pass for me. This hair mask actually dried out my hair and left it feeling like straw...definitely a pass for me.


Wednesday, July 13, 2016

11 Years Together | 1 Year Married | Celebrating my special day



July 11th has been a special day for me for the past 11 years.

I met my husband back in high school and July 11,2005 was our very first date. He had just graduated high school and I had just finished grade 11, only one year of high school left. We've been together now for 11 years!! Hard to believe its been that long. 

If you would have told me in high school that I was going to meet my husband I would be with forever, I would have NEVER believed you. Everyone consistently tells us that the odds are against us....but it doesn't matter what other people think. The only two people that have to be happy in this relationship are myself and my husband. Both of us feel truly blessed to have found the other one so early on, we are not only husband and wife but we are best friends. 

Last year on our 10 year anniversary we say spent the day with friends and family saying "I do"! It was a magical and memorable day. We didn't have a lot of money to throw our wedding but even to this day there isn't anything I would change....the whole day was perfect! 

This year we celebrated our 11 years of being together and 1 year wedding anniversary - very much looking forward to many more anniversary to come!


Monday, July 11, 2016

Make Up Of The Day | Makeup Geek




I have been on a Makeup Geek splurge! I received so many new eye shadows in the mail recently and I've been trying out all the new colors in my collection. Today's makeup...

Eyeshadows
Vanilla Bean
Creme Brulee
Brownie Points
Shimma Shimma


Friday, July 8, 2016

What is Beachbody Coaching? | Blam Bombshell Fitness

I was so honored to host a What is Beachbody Coaching?

This was a live webinar that I recorded, I talk more about my story and what Beachbody coaching is all about.

If you have ever wondered what Beachbody coaching is all about, wonder how we make a full time income working from home - I highly recommend checking it out!

Post in the comments below, what was your biggest take away from watching my webinar?


Wednesday, July 6, 2016

What I've Learned Working From Home | Blam Bombshell Fitness



Time Management is Key
I figured I would start with the most important points first.  Without time management I would  be lost with my business. Working from home is both a blessing and dream come true, but it's not something that comes easy for a lot of people. I have no boss, I have no one telling me to be at work for 8 and if I don't show up there will be consequences. I have the luxury to sleep until noon and watch TV all day....but that's not going to help me with my business and it's not going to make me money to pay my bills and put food on the table. Time management is so key in business, it helps keep me on track and achieve my goals for the day.

I like to end my day by sitting down and writing out my next day's detailed schedule. This includes what time I plan on getting up, when I plan on taking breaks, working out, spending time with my family, ect. I write down everything and I assign a time line to my day. I make sure I cover everything I need to do for my business that day.

Then at the end of the day I evaluate what took longer than expected, what took less time, what still needs to be done, what are the most important things to be done and I make a new schedule for the next day. It's sort of a never ending cycle. I wont plan more than one day because you never know what's going to happen day to day. Sometimes I have emergency that will pull me away from my work and some items don't get done so I bump them to the next day.

There are so many fancy ways to plan and make schedules, I guess I'm old fashion because I use a pen and paper to make my day to day schedules. I date each page at the top and I write down my list of what needs to get done that day and I make a timeline. Throughout my day I will check things off as I go and make notes....find what works best for you.

Get Organized
Another key point! Organization is so important, when I'm making out my schedule for the day I give myself very limited time to complete tasks. For example I might only give myself 30min to respond to new customers. If I'm unorganized and I can't find my computer, loose my customer list, forget who's inquired about products it could eat away precision time from my 30min.

I need to be able to sit down and pick up where I left off to maximize my 30min to connect with my new customers and get them connected with products, signing them up for upcoming events, ect.

Moving seamlessly from one task to another will allow me to get the most out of my day.

Take breaks
I'm a workaholic...it's my best and worst skill. I will work and work and work and then realize that it's 1 in the afternoon and I haven't had a glass of water or stopped for a bathroom break all day! It's important for your health, your sanity and your concentration to stop and take breaks.

I found that when I'm at home I get distracted during my breaks so be careful with this. I might say ok between 10 - 10:15 I'm taking a 15min break....but then when I walk away from my computer I notice that the laundry isn't done and then the floor needs to be cleaned and by the time I realize it I've wasted 2hours cleaning my house.

To stop this from happening I'm very specific with my time. Instead of a 15min break I will say 15min snack break or 15min laundry break. If your like me I need to always have a clean house...so since your working from home give yourself some cleaning breaks. I think it's so therapeutic. That way I can work from a nice clean home and still stay on track. Just remember the more breaks you take the longer you have to stretch your work day. Instead of working 8-5 and taking minimal breaks you might work 8-8 but be taking several breaks throughout the day.

It will all balance out in the end, do what works best for you and your family. If you have small kids in school you might end up breaking up your day, for example work 5-7 before your kids get up, then 9-3 while they are in school and then 9-11 when they are in bed (for course you could shorten this by taking fewer breaks).

Working at home is a luxury, take advantage of the opportunity and make a schedule that works for you & your family.




I have to say that I LOVE working from home. For me and my family it is really a dream come true! It really is a gift that I have to take advantage of, these are just a few tips and advice I can give someone either starting out on their work from home journey or someone who is struggling with their current routine.

I would love to hear any advice that you have for me! If you work from home please let me know in the comments below, what have you learned working from home?





Monday, July 4, 2016

June Monthly Favorites | Ms Pam Blam

June has been a crazy busy month! To check out what I've been doing make sure you read my June Life Update post.

Most of the products I've been loving for June are fairly new...and a lot of them are Josie Maran. Her products have been in my everyday routine and I have been loving every single item! She has an amazing line and I've just fallen in love with so many products.

First up is her Whipped Mud Mask's, I found these on Sephora and I bought a sample pack were you get every single scent in a mini 0.5oz size to try out. I originally bought this thinking that each mask did something different but they actually all do the same thing, the only difference is the scents. I will say they do all have their own individual feeling and my skin has different results depending on which one I use. My two current favorites are Cucumber aloe and Vanilla Apricot. I haven't found many review on this mask so I do plan on doing a fully dedicated blog post on this product so please subscribe and stay tuned.

I will say that unlike most mud masks that leave your skin feeling dried out after using them, this mask makes my skin feel silky soft and hydrated. If your a dry skin girl like me that a HUGE plus! There have been a few times after using this mask that I didn't even both to moisturize because my skin felt so hydrated after.

Next has been a product that I've used for months and months. This is the Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil. I've been using this product since last year and it is still a must have for me. I love using this on non make days to give my skin an extra moisture boost! I've stopped wearing this product under makeup because I feel it diminishes the longevity of my makeup throughout the day. I do, however, put this on every night before bed instead of a night cream. Serious must have in my skincare!


The last Josie Maran product that I've been loving is the Argan Matchmaker Powder Foundation, I have the color fair/light. This is an amazing foundation powder! With it being summer and so hot I've been getting away from my traditional full face of makeup. Mainly I've been either wearing just a powder foundation (they are so quick and easy to apply) or I've been laying this over top of my YSL BB cream. This powered looks great either way. It just blends and melts into my skin giving me a natural, your skin looks amazing look. It has argan mixed in with it and I really do feel that this doesn't dry out my skin like most powders. It adjusts and matches your skin tone perfectly regardless if I get a little bit of color in the summer. This is great and eliminates the need for me to have two or three different colors. I also use this product in conjunction with the next product...

Next up is the Caudalie Beauty Elixir....another product that has been seen a lot on my blog. I just can't get enough! My skin loves this Beauty Elixir-especially in the summer time. I spray this on before powdering and it just helps melt my powder into my face and gives me a more natural look. I absolutely love the fact that Caudalie changed the spray nozzle, the only one really gave me problems and it wasn't a very consistent spray....the new one is amazing and I love it so much!

My go to perfume for the past few months has been the Prada Candy. This has been a great spring/summer scent and as you can see I've used a lot of it! This is going so fast and I get so many complements when wearing this-always a plus! I'm not very good at describing scents but it's a very sweet/fruity smell.

Moving onto some hair products, I've been using the Wella Leave in Conditioning Spray every time I get out of the shower. For what ever reason I've noticed that since going blonde my hair gets extra tangled - especially after I get out of the shower. I don't want to create any extra damage on my hair trying to sort it out with my comb so I've been using this product and it's really helped me detangle my hair.

Lastly another hair love, this is the Moroccanoil Treatment, my hair just drinks this stuff up! Again since going blonde my hair has gone through a huge change. It's very dehydrated and it has a thirst for oils. I use this oil after I get out of the shower and after I use hot tools. My hair just drinks this oil up and gives it a shiny look to my hair. It really saved my hair right after I bleached it, I think I went through half a bottle!

What were your favorite beauty products for the month of June? Please leave them in the comments below.