RIBZ Front Pack

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received RIBZ Front Pack for free from RIBZwear.com as coordinated by Deep Creek Public Relations.

Me wearing the RIBZ Front Pack

A few weeks ago I was given the opportunity to test out the RIBZ front pack. Last weekend I took the pack out for a hike I was taking with my dog. This was an ideal trip to use the pack. I was by myself and I had to have a free hand, sometimes two, to keep my dog on track. I also did not want to wear a heavy back pack on a hot day (it was close to 90 degrees by my hike time) as it can wear me down and become quite uncomfortable.

Castle and I headed to Calico Springs, which is located next to Red Rock Canyon. The pack was definitely an asset. On one side I had my digital camera. Normally I have to put my camera in my backpack which makes it difficult to stop, take off the back pack and use the camera. With the RIBZ front pack I was able to use one had to unzip the pack and grab the camera. The pics you see here were all taken with my IPhone which I was able to safely store in one of the zipper pockets on the front of the pack.

Castle, loving his hike with mommy.

RIBZ Front Pack: Camera Fit Nicely

RIBZ Front Pack: Dog's Collapsible Water Bowl and Treats

RIBZ Front Pack:
Not shown were two water bottles I fit inside, you can also see
mesh side pockets inside as well for smaller items.

RIBZ Front Pack:
Two sides to the pack, each with a zipper pocket on front.
The front pockets zipper together, similar to a vest or jacket.
Can easily distribute the weight on each side. 

RIBZ Front Pack: Packs up in a nice water resistant nylon bag. 

Here are the details on the RIBZ Front Pack I received as seen above, per their website.

Fabric:
Cordura Brand water resistant ripstop
Capacity:
700+ Cu In
Weight:
11 oz.
Waist:
32-44 in
Model:
GRN-R
Shipping Weight:
1 lbs


Current Retail Price: $59.95


"A front pack is a pack or bag that allows for access of equipment from the persons chest. Front packs first and foremost allow for easy access of gear without the removal of any equipment. In many adventure outdoor activities it can be critical to the sport to have the ability to reach essential gear fast without the removal of a backpack. Simplicity is the foremost purpose of the front pack but there are many additional benefits as well"



My breakdown on the product:

Pros:

• Easily Accessible Pockets
• Easily Stored in Nylon Bag Provided
• Hands Free Capability with out a heavy back back, but allows you to use a backpack as well if need to heavy hiking, etc. 

Cons:

• Color Selection: I would like some more choices other than Alpine (what I received) Camo, Stealh and Grey
• Straps, the front sides were easily adjustable but I did have trouble with the back straps, not as much leeway there to tighten it. 
• Price - a bit steep for my budget 

Overall:

Despite the color selection, the strap issue I had, and the price, the product was super handy to have. If you are like me and hate being bogged down with a heavy back pack on hikes, especially of you have a dog, this item will be an asset to have at your disposable. I loved the easy access to things I needed. I also liked that I was able to have my hands free the rest of the time to hold on to my dog and to have fun with him too. Great product. 

What is beauty? #IWILL #FitFluential

This post is sponsored by Under Armour through FitFluential.

What is beauty?

For as long as women have asked themselves this question, the answer they have been given has never really been the same. Even when we looks to others to help define it for us, we still have no real clear idea of what it is, not really.

Scientists typically break it down to genetics or perhaps even relate it to the appeal of a person's facial symmetry. There is an abundant amount of research out there attempting to do just that, define what is beautiful. Yet we are no closer to finding that answer today then we were when we first attempted to take it apart and analyze it.

Artists look at beauty even more differently then scientists. From Picasso to Monet, there is no clear distinction between what each artist has seen as beautiful and how they themselves portray that same beauty to the public through their art. This shows us that there really is truth to beauty being in the eye of the beholder. Just take a stroll though an art gallery and you will see that people will gravitate towards some styles more so then others.

However, despite this realization, women continue to attempt to define beauty for themselves and strive to become that ideal version of beauty that they feel others are looking for. In fact, we spend billions of dollars each year trying to create it, keep it, or fake it. Perhaps, we have had it all wrong. Maybe, just maybe, we have had the answers all along deep down inside of ourselves, in places that we never thought to look before.

For me there is nothing more beautiful in a woman that shows inner strength, courage, humor, and empathy for others. These are all things that cannot really be defined by science or accurately portrayed by any artists as they are internal and very subjective. Yet, it is beautiful to see a woman surpass tremendous odds with style and grace, having the courage to do something that is risky or uncertain, and all the while being able to laugh at the inevitable foibles that will occur as she does so. A woman who faces a challenge (physcial or emotional)  head on, not without fear, but in spite of it. This type of beauty is not really anything that can be seen, but rather an intangible essence that we each posess but demonstrate in our own unique way.

Much of my life I spent not feeling beautiful because I did not understand this concept. The reason? I have had an overbite well into my thirties. I always took compliments given to me with a grain of salt. Not feeling that I could really believe anyone that said I was pretty as really being honest about it because I focused so much on the physical things that I thought others would notice and not like about me. Getting my teeth corrected as adult was much more for me then any external benefits I will get out of it. It was overcoming a demon I have had since childhood. It was about getting past something that I felt always had held me back in some way. To put to rest those mean kids that would make fun of my teeth at school. To me it is much more about overcoming it then looking a certain way, though I am excited to see the results. [I will have my braces removed on May 29th]

I am now very much about changing my perception of how I feel about myself, and to hopefully inspire others to start thinking about their own self-perceptions. To identify things we don't like is fine, but we need to also look at the things about ourselves that truly make us beautiful.

Race for the Cure #CureSN2013 @KomenSN

Last weekend I participated in one of the most rewarding events, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. I am not only a board member but also function as the Social Media Chair for the race. I woke up race morning at about 3 AM and headed down to Freemont then made a startling discovery. The Flash Special that I had set up the night before was non-existent. I was using the Foursquare business app and as I waited for the gas to pump into my car I checked to see if it was running. It wasn't. In fact, the entire event I had set up for the race was closed.

I ran back home to try and fix it but after a few minutes knew that it would delay me too much to try to get it working. I was able to add the race event back in, but looking at the clock I knew I had to go. I packed myself up once again and headed downtown.

Once I was parked I grabbed coffee for my friend, Angela (Race Director) and her hubby Woz, and began to help out where I could. Directing volunteers where they needed to check in and started taking photos with my phone. Ben, my hubby, was heading down to help take pictures. He was such a trooper, work wouldn't give him time off to stay the whole day so he stayed as long as he could and got some great pictures.

I was supposed to have an on-air interview with Paul Francis of Channel 8 but that was nixed due to technical difficulties. Sadly though this meant I missed the finish line photos I normally take because Ben had to leave and I was waiting for them to decide what to do about the interview. There are plenty of photographers there that day so we will get some great photos either way.

Regardless of my little technical issues, the day was overwhelming as usual. This event is by far one of the most challenging and most rewarding ones I get to be a part of. It was awesome to see my friend organize this whole thing and do such a fantastic job at it. After months of planning, Facebooking, tweeting, etc. it was all over in just a few short hours. From everything I could tell, and the feedback we have gotten via social media, everything went off without a hitch.

There is nothing like seeing thousands of people out there for a common goal: To rid the world of breast cancer forever. 

It truly is a sight to see....

...they're off!

LVFD

Lynda P. and Angela W.

Me tweeting away. My hat had my donation names on the back.

Mom

It has been nearly 5 years since my mom passed away. Every year around Mother's Day I can't help but think of her. I wonder what she is thinks of when she sees all that is going on with me and the rest of the family. Especially this past twelve months. I got married and Sarah was married (my mom loved my BFF's). Lots coming up too: I will graduate with my Master's (well, if my grade is ok that is). Carlee gets married in June - the last of the "girls". Sarah is having a second baby too! So much more that I cannot even start to mention here in just this short blog post. 

I know that she is proud of me. Proud of them. Yet I wish I could have her here to see it all in person. To hear her quirky laugh just one more time. 

Miss you mom!

Under Armour: What's Beautiful 3.0 #IWILL #FitFluential

This post is sponsored by Under Armour through FitFluential

I know what you may be thinking. Here she goes again....another challenge. This is very different though. I promise you that. 

Do you have a goal to be more active? Perhaps try something new? Have some fun while getting fit? Me too! That is why I'm so excited to be working on a campaign with FitFluential and Under Armour to help redefine What's Beautiful. Join us! 

What is this campaign all about? 

It is an 8 week challenge designed to help you reach your goal. YOU set your goal. Then you go AFTER IT! 

Three awesome women will win a trip to the Armour Retreat in Costa Rica for four days of yoga and surf lessons. Sounds like a great idea to me!

And get this, throughout this campaign you'll be eligible for swag bags filled with Under Armour gear! Woo hoo!

First....kick off your own profile, set your goal and if you want to take on this challenge by my side, join my team: Team INSPIRE!

Check out my profile! 

My goal and my team's goal is fairly simple. 

To encourage others to find fun new ways to be more active. I WILL.

Again your goal is your own. Be creative, but be ACTIVE! Share your story. 

#IWILL