VALENTINE'S DAY Gift Ideas 2016

I'm a sucker for holidays. I just love them. I really just love any excuse to give presents, celebrate, or party maybe. Valentine's Day is the next one coming up. Need a few ideas of gifts to give to that someone you think is super special? Here are my suggestions:

FOR HER:

1. Alex and Ani

Hello! Brand new rose gold bangles, necklace charms, and that arrow ring from Alex and Ani are the perfect way to tell that little lady you might like her a lot.

2. The Gshine [Eye Protect] iPhone 6/6S Screen Protector

Everyone these days is constantly staring at their cell. It's true. Well, this screen protector will help protect those eyes you like to get lost staring into nightly.

The anti-blue light helps reduce 90% of the damaging effects to protect her from eye disease.

This screen protector does not cover the full screen and has a round edge so it is compatible with most phone cases. The protector aids in preventing scratches from keys, coins, or other hard objects that might be in her bag/purse. Finally, it has an oleophobic coating... this means it has a unique technology to prevent fingerprints and oil so it is easy to clean. #kij

3. Gurin Ceramic Flat Iron/Hair Straightener

This flat iron has 1.25 inches ceramic/tourmaline plates and adjustable heat temperature for styling your hair. I love this device because you can either style your hair straight or make it curly depending on your mood with just one styling tool. It works with all hair types, including naturally curly, wavy, oily, fine, or dry hair without any problem. This iron can do all of the things a higher end straightener can do, but at a lower price point. Say hello to gorgeous hair. It also comes with a  satin case for easy storage and travel. #HairStraightener

FOR HIM:

1. Titanium Spork by by OutSmart Gear

If your guy likes to camp or backpack, he might love this titanium spork (3 in 1 metal fork, spoon & knife [Serrated Edge] combo). It is lightweight (weighs 0.8 ounces/22 grams), heat resistant, non-toxic, dishwasher safe, and comes with an easy-lock carrying case with a carabiner ring. #OutSmartGear

2. Rubber Wedding Rings

 I love Jimmy Fallon. His audience has learned some many things from him...Ew! But the most valuable lesson he might have recently shared, is how cool silicone wedding bands are right now. You don't have to worry about losing or damaging your ring. These are perfect for people with active lifestyles who are worried about their metal bands getting stuck on things and possibly hurting your finger. Yikes.

 These rings fit guys with big knuckles with ease and are comfortable. 

I have found two companies that supply really good quality silicone rings. This second one comes with two rings in different colors to support different moods or outfits even. 

Both companies have a great guarantee for their products (which you know is super important for me). #omniarings #siliconeweddingband

FOR BOTH:

1. Selfie Stick

The extendable, pocket size selfie stick by Gshine® is perfect for your selfie loving friends. This is me since I often travel alone. The selfie stick is compatible with most smartphones. It can also work with GoPro Hero cameras/action cams, but the bluetooth remote only works with smartphones. It weighs 118g and is 6.5 inch long so it is very lightweight and convenient to carry in your pocket or purse. The stick is made of high-quality aerospace aluminum alloy and has a rubber grip. The package includes: a monopod, smartphone mount adapter, GoPro screw, camera screw driver, bluetooth remote, and retaining clip for the bluetooth remote. #lok

2. Mini Penguin Massager

The Santamedical sleek mini penguin massager is great for a relaxing massage to tired muscles. It can be used on your neck, back, feet, and ace to seek relief. The massager comes in a white color with two speeds of intensity. It is lightweight and quiet so you can take it with you when you travel to relieve aches and pains. It is also sold for a great price!! #massager

FOR PETS:

1. Bully Sticks and Beef Tendons Combo Pack

This treat pack is a combination of  bully sticks and beef tendons made in the USA by Wyldlife Pets. These treats are good for all sizes and breeds of dogs. The tendons are chondroitin and glucosamine which are supposed to promote healthy cartilage in joints. They are also great for "flossing" and keeping your dog's teeth and gums strong. All Bully sticks are made and processed in the USA. The Wyldlife Pets company has a no questions asked satisfaction guarantee on everything they sell!

My dog sometimes get nervous when she is left home alone. These treats are great for her because both are chews that are good for anxious dogs. They must taste good too (I didn't try them myself) because my dog will do any command in order to get one! #WyldLifePets

Now get out there and get your gifts on time! Happy shopping.

I received these products at a discounted price in return for my honest opinion.

ACCESSORIZE Your GoPro

I really love GoPro photos and maybe got a camera for Christmas. Surprise! I was given a kit with GoPro accessories to test out and I will give my honest opinion. It rocks!

Everything comes in a shockproof case so you can keep track of all 31 pieces. Yeah, I wrote 31 pieces in this accessory kit. It has a helmet mount you can take on your motorcycle rides, a floating grip for underwater use, a chest strap for your adrenaline moments you probably shouldn't tell mom about, a selfie stick, tripod for my favorite kind of selfies, other mounts and straps, and it comes with a free 8GB memory card.

This kit has accessories that are made to fit GoPro cameras (yes, even your Hero 4 silver). The headstrap will stay on while diving, but be cautious. And the suction cups on the mounts were produced and designed to hold your action camera in its place, which means it has super power.

I love companies that back their products and this kit happens to come with a 1 year warranty. So accessory up and let's get out and take some photos!

#ActionCameraKit

WE MAKE THE MOUNTAIN LOOK GOOD

I probably haven't been on ski slopes for at least 10 years, but when your little "Czech brother" needs to test out his new skis because his school is taking a week long trip, you one-piece suit up!

Ivanka and I were warming up the mountain temps with our matching outfits.

 The guys didn't look too bad either.

First run on the bunny hill to boost my confidence.

Check out the Czech ski lifts in this video. It was like riding a frisbee on a stick.

I appreciate the bum tap at the end from the attendant.

I still don't know what to do with the poles when I go down the mountain so I ditched them.

Tomorrow we are going to try snowboarding in Germany.

I have a feeling that might be more my style.

All I now is we sure made that mountain look good.

LINZ, AUSTRIA

Sometimes I drive 2.5 hours to another country just to take a photo of a cool memorial all by myself.

Then sometimes I turn around and drive back. It was well worth the trip.

I drove to Linz, Austria, to the Mauthausen Concentration Camp. Some people might think this isn't the happiest way to spend a Christmas vacation, but I loved the drive.

I have been to the Dachau concentration camp in Germany before and the feeling there was very heavy. I wasn't interested in going on a tour here - I came just to see this giant menorah memorial. 

 It is free to see the memorial, but you must obtain a ticket. As I was getting my ticket from the visitor center, the woman behind the desk wrote on my map and told me to go to the sculpture spot by the gorge and then walk through to the museum where I can visit two rooms for free as well. 

I went to visit the two rooms. Might as well, right?! Well, the two rooms in the museum were the killing rooms and room of names listing around 82,000 victims. Thank you, visitor center lady for a rush of emotions.

The end of my trip was a walk by a beautiful gorge surrounding the area and a look at what are called the Stairs of Death.

 It might not be the happiest place to visit and you might not get the happiest feelings there or maybe even looking at these photos, but it reminded me that I am lucky. We are lucky to be alive, to have freedom, and to learn from the past to be better people.

SUMAVA GREATNESS

Life is beauty full. My goal this year it to do more things I won't forget. I want to find beauty and greatness everywhere I go and not complain so much. I have found that beautiful thoughts make beautiful people. I am lucky to be where I am and who I am. No more complaining. (I might have to be reminded of this a few times...)

I used to complain about going to the forest house in Borova Lada with my Czech family (I even called it Boring Lada), but now I just look harder for the beauty and fun opportunities I have in the trips. Here is what I have come up with so far:

Every day is a start of something beautiful. Enjoy the heck out of it.

NEW YEAR IN PRAGUE

I was given a last minute opportunity to drive to Prague for a night or two for a New Year celebration. 

In Prague, I found myself being a tour guide to a lost individual, 

 sharing sparklers with someone who had NEVER lit them before tonight, 

introducing foreigners to the most delicious Czech cinnamon treats called Trdelnik

(It is totally worth it to get it with a little nutella spread inside).

speaking with an Australian girl who was crying because it was the first time she was experiencing snow and she was so happy (not pictured), 

and viewing some aerial fireworks lit by random people on the street (possibly drunk). I didn't stay long because I was afraid of getting shot in the face with a roman candle, but I sat in the window in the apt on Parizska and watched and listened to the works all night long.

May we spread joy and smiles around the world this coming New Year and try to make at least one person's experience a little brighter each day (including yourself).

Happy New Year.

I love you.

POSTURE

I recently saw an article that listed a reason to be very jealous of Taylor Swift. I mean she has a lot of things going for her like money, fame, talent, the ability to wear red lipstick without looking stupid, super hot guys in her music videos, supermodel friends, etc. But among those things is she she has amazing posture!

It's true. I looked through all of the photos in the article and Swifty is always looking poised and practically perfect in every one.

So this got me thinking about myself and noticing how I slump on the couch to watch a movie and it's horrible. I was given a Faburo adjustable posture back brace to test out for a bit.

This brace is comfortable enough to wear throughout the day. It is great for long periods of sitting behind a desk at work, or a daily jog. The brace is designed is designed to pull your shoulders back, straightening your posture while constantly reminding you to position your shoulders in the proper form.

While helping to fix posture, the brace also helps relieve many back pain issues. With your back muscles in proper form, spinal pressure may be relieved. That's a plus!

The brace is available in black and white. It is easily adjustable via the shoulder straps and fits many sizes (26"-40" chest size). I even had my mom try it out (that's her in the top two photos).

Tip: for greater comfort, wear the brace over a shirt.

Of course, for best results in straightening your posture your physical participation is required...unless you have a magical TayTay wand to wave around. Give it a try. Now I'm off to drink gallons of water to get that JLo glow she promises comes from her major consumption of water. I wonder if she has a bladder as small as mine though.

#BestPostureBrace