Homespun Forte » Inspiration by Aimee. A homespun blog.

Yay!  I have decided to add a new segment to my blog called ‘My Yay Nays.’ Whenever I am looking for advice on new things to try, I ask my friends…tonight at Target was a perfect example. I was browsing the cosmetic section trying to find a new eye-lash curler. My sister came cruising down the same isle & said that she was looking for a new one too. Then she told me about a recent blog post that she read about a girl who found THE perfect eyelash curler. Just one curl & you’re set. Without even knowing the girl, I was convinced. Sometimes when you don’t know what you’re looking for, any direction is helpful! My friends have joked that I can sell anything. When I LOVE something, anything…I can start the commercial rolling…even without a camera crew.  Below are a few of my  recent favorite things…and a few of my not so favorites!1. YAY to COCONUT CREME Coffee-Mate Creamer : I must admit. I LOVE waking up this! Coffee is a staple in my house every morning…but the thing that really gets me hopping out of bed is Coconut creamer. If you love your creamer as much as you love your coffee…than this one is for you! A MUST try. I feel like I passed over this one quite a few times in the grocery store, debating….do coconuts and coffee beans really go together?? After you try a sip you’ll be convinced!

2.  YAY to EASY TONE Reebok Shoes : After the holidays and weeks of cold weather, I really had a hard time getting myself to the gym. I finally reached that point where I knew I needed to get back into my work-out groove. I had seen these shoes advertised on TV – how they supposedly sculpt your body with every step. I was a little skeptical…but thought that the idea was SO tempting! I tried them on in the store & decided to give them a try. Although I wouldn’t call myself “toned” just yet, they definitely give me that extra bounce in my step & motivation to go to the gym! These shoes get two thumbs up!!

3. YAY to REVITALIZING SEA CLEANSE by Spa Technologies : Around this time last year, my skin was experiencing a lot of breakouts. An esthetician advised me to try the Revitalizing Sea Cleanse to clear up my skin. It contains an algae that draws out the impurities in your skin. At first it may bring impurities to the surface, but then becomes your best friend! I look forward to washing my face with this everyday! It smells really natural & leaves your skin feeling cool & clean :)

1. NAY to $25 Massages : After talking about our need for a massage, my friend Lydia invited me to the spa for a special offer she had received. A sixty-minute full body massage for $25 dollars…who can beat that!? We are both suckers for deals, so we booked our appointment & eagerly drove over to the “spa.” The quotation marks are necessary there because this so called “spa” was hardly such. Don’t get me wrong, the front desk was beautiful with light colors and serene music…but the rest was a little…uh odd. We were directed to wait in a strange area with over a dozen leather recliners & the smell of microwaved lunches. Then the man at the front desk told us that we should probably change into their ‘gowns’ before the massage. Confused, we changed into fuchsia terry-cloth gowns in a tiny bathroom located in the back. From there, we were walked to our room where we sat in leather recliner chairs. At this point I had no idea what to expect. The massage started, and I started thinking…maybe it will feel good when he moves to a different spot. But as the minutes ticked away, I was tensing up more and more. It felt like an Asian man jabbing his bony fingers in my back & pounding on me like a piece of clay. I kept thinking, “Am I just being a baby?” “Maybe Lydia got the better therapist.” Then towards the end of the massage, Lydia said “Soft!” “Softer please!” Ah what a relief! What I had been thinking all along & she finally broke the silence. Though the end of the massage was more bearable…we left feeling like we had  been beaten up. I have never felt so un-relaxed as I had at this place. The pink gowns, the smell of hot lunch, the recliner chairs, & the Asian man pounding on my back…everything about that place was…an experience! Hands down, this place deserves a NAY. We have decided to continue on in our search for a reasonable massage place in Orange County :)

2. NAY to People who don’t “Hope the Best”: Ever since I started dating Troy, one of his strongest convictions has been to “hope the best” for people. He has really shown me what is means to be for each other. Over time, this conviction of his has resonated with me. Stepping into the blog world has opened my eyes to a whole new critical / competitive realm. It can be discouraging at times to see people be so selfish. Those that want to rise to the top by criticizing others and not hoping the best for them. I can be guilty of this at times. It takes a lot to wish well to someone you don’t like…or give them the benefit of growth and change. People who don’t hope the best for others deserve a big NAY NAY. To read more about Troy’s encouraging thoughts about this click HERE.