Thursday Tidbits: Barstools

House hunting is absolutely exhausting!!! We have been looking for three months so far and have seen lots of houses, some good and some awful and I'm starting to feel like it's never going to end. To break the monotony I've been imagining my dream house and shopping for the perfect furniture for it.

One thing that I want is a really nice island or counter where family and friends can pull up barstools and converse while I'm in the kitchen preparing meals. And who knows... maybe I'll get to put my feet up from time to time.

So I decided to check CSNStores, since I know that they carry just about everything. Sure enough, I found AllBarStools.com which carries thousands of different barstools. Here are some of my favorites:


I love these, but they swivel. I think the kids would do a lot more swiveling than eating so...


I like these...


And these...


But I absolutely LOVE these! I adore everything about this barstool, from the distressed brown leather to the nailhead trim.

❤CardioBunny

EyeBuyDirect.com Review and Giveaway

I was recently selected to test the services of EyeBuyDirect.com. I primarily wear contacts, but I have been rocking my new glasses every since they arrived last week because I adore them.

I have really bad vision and usually get annoyed when I go to a brick and mortar store to shop for glasses. It seems like they either a) don't have enough frames to choose from or b) they rush me to the back to begin the exam and then expect me to choose frames after they've dilated my eyes and I can no longer see. With EyeBuyDirect, I didn't run into either of those problems. There were literally, hundreds of frames to choose from starting from just $7.95 including prescription lenses.

I was able to narrow my choices down to two and then got stuck. But that wasn't a problem, because I was able to try them on virtually using the EyeTry system and post it to Facebook to have my friends vote on which frames they liked best.



After choosing the Bourges frames, I selected options like thinner, photochromatic lenses. As well as anti scratch, anti reflective, and UV coatings all for under $100! My new glasses were made and shipped within two weeks and I couldn't be happier with the service I received. This was my first time ordering prescription eyewear online and I was pleasantly surprised by quality of both their service and products.

EyeBuyDirect.com has offered to give a $50 credit to one lucky reader! Here's how to enter:

Mandatory entry: Leave a comment telling me your favorite frame on the EyeBuyDirect website.

Optional entries (will only count after the mandatory entry is completed):
✿ Follow me on Google Friend Connect, Twitter, or RSS feed... 1 entry each
✿ Like EyeBuyDirect on Facebook... 2 entries
✿ After liking EyeBuyDirect on Facebook leave a comment on their wall saying "I entered the giveaway at Fabulous n Free" (include the URL for your Facebook comment in your entry... 1 entry
✿ Like Fabulous n Free on Facebook... 2 entries
✿ Grab my button and post it on your blog... 2 entries
✿ Follow EyeBuyDirect on Twitter... 1 entry
✿ Tweet about this giveaway using the following: "I entered to #win prescription glasses from @EyeBuyDirect! Visit @CardioBunny at http://t.co/9vSWkfb for your chance #giveaway" and include the URL in your entry... 1 entry, can be done twice per day
✿ Post this giveaway on Facebook and leave the URL here... 1 entry, can be done twice per day
✿ Post your "Eye Try" photo to the Wall of Frame and leave the URL to your post... 3 entries

Please be sure to include your email address with each entry if it is not visible in your profile.

Giveaway ends November 24th at 11:59 EST and is open to residents of the USA and Canada. Winners will be chosen by random.org and notified via email. Prizes that are not claimed within 72 hours of prize notification will be forfeited.






❤CardioBunny

Subway Giftcard Winners

And the winners of the Subway Giftcards are...

Comment #51: Laura C
and
Comment #22: amweeks

Congrats to the winners, please check your email for details about claiming your giftcards.

❤CardioBunny

Wordless Wednesday : Found in the Fruit Bowl

I couldn't help but laugh!

❤CardioBunny

Weekend Blog Hops

Welcome! If you decide to follow my blog, please leave a comment so that I can follow you back :)

❤CardioBunny

The Friendly Stepmonster Diaries: Tantrums

We've got ourselves some spit fires around here. One in particular is a world-class tantrum thrower. When she doesn't get what she wants she whines, she screams, she throws herself on the floor, the whole nine yards. And horror to end all horrors, this happens just about every morning before school. And I am not a morning person!

Hunny Luv's response usually drives me absolutely insane! He will stop whatever the family is doing, then repeatedly try to explain his decision and get the child to talk (while the kid is still acting like a buffoon). And he usually follows it up by giving them whatever they wanted to begin with #sideeye

I must admit that they're formidable opponents, for their father. But they've met their match because

The Friendly Stepmonster Says... One Monkey Don't Stop No Show



The madness has to stop so I had a long talk with Hunny Luv where I explained that giving in when a child throws a tantrum only reinforces the unwanted behaviors. It also shifts the balance of power because they know that if they scream, cry, flop around on the floor like a fish gasping for water, etc. he/she is going to get their way. Not to mention that it's totally unfair to the other family members who are having a pleasant experience put on hold all because someone wants to act like a donkey.

I believe that it's okay to try calmly reasoning with the kid for no more than two minutes. After that they need to go to timeout, if not a physical timeout then a verbal one where you pretty much ignore the fact that they're whining or screaming their head off.

Soon enough, they will begin to realize that tantrum throwing isn't going to get them what they want and that it will even delay their opportunity to vocalize their opinion on matters. And then the tantrums stop... or at least taper off.

I was really proud of Hunny Luv today. This morning was the first time that I've ever seen him refrain from indulging in a tantrum. After trying to talk to MiPhi, he calmy continued to get ready for work and get the kids ready for school. At first she screamed louder. Mind you nothing was wrong with her... well, she was probably shocked that Daddy didn't come running. But pretty soon she realized that the tantrum really wasn't working and just like that...

She stopped! With this being the first time, it didn't take her long to start whining about something else. But it's progress, so I'll take it!

❤CardioBunny

Hump Day Blog Hops

Hi there,

I'm glad you hopped by. Please leave a comment below so that I can follow you back!

❤CardioBunny

Blog Hopping

Hi everyone, I'm glad you hopped by. Please leave comment if you decide to follow me so that I can follow you back!

❤CardioBunny

I am the Friendly Stepmonster, Hear Me Roar!

A while back I posted that I am dating a really great guy, but there are a few aspects of this relationship that I never envisioned when daydreaming about my future. One of those is that Hunny Luv has three kids with his ex wife; MiPhi (6), Cuddle Bug (3), and Boho Bug (3). The kids actually turned out to be one of the reasons that I fell in love with him! It was evident early on that he is a very devoted and loving father. And the fact that he and his ex have a sane, healthy coparenting relationship is a huge plus.

But it hasn't been not all roses. I've dated men with kids in the past, but this relationship is the most serious one that I've had where kids are involved. And it's also the first one where the father and I have very different parenting styles. While I do not have kids yet, I grew up around and caring for kids so I have some pretty firm beliefs about how children should be raised and what I expect from them

I've gone back and forth for a while now over whether I should blog about my relationship with the kids and things that arise as a result of our differing parenting styles and I've decided that it's a go. So, stay tuned for The Friendly Stepmonster Diaries :)

❤CardioBunny

Subway Breakfast Review and Giftcard Giveaway!

Operation Luv Pounds has made me realize just how quickly I started reverting to old habits that lead to my original weight gain. One of those bad habits was skipping breakfast. Since I am so not a morning person, it is extremely important that breakfast be light, quick, easy, and convenient. So, I am happy that I finally popped into Subway to try their breakfast options.

When you step into Subway for breakfast, you get to chose from 5 breakfast sandwiches on your choice of egg muffin, flat bread, or Subway's normal sandwich breads. Then you pick either whole eggs or egg whites, plus your choice of veggies. With so many choices, it's hard to imagine getting bored!

I chose the Black Forest Ham Egg Muffin Melt with egg whites and asked the sandwich artist to make it Western-style (with green peppers and onions). I loved it and at just over 180 calories, it was definitely Operation Luv Pounds friendly.


Right now Subway has a special where you get your choice of Egg Muffin Melt plus a 16oz cup of Seattle's Best coffee for $2.50. Two lucky readers will each receive a $5 gift card to try Subway's breakfast for themselves. Here's how to enter:

Mandatory entry: Leave a comment telling me what your favorite, go-to breakfast is.

Optional entries (will only count after the mandatory entry is completed):
✿ Follow me on Google Friend Connect, Twitter, or RSS feed... 1 entry each
✿ Like Fabulous n Free on Facebook... 2 entries
✿Grab my button and post it on your blog... 2 entries
✿ Tweet about this giveaway or post it on Facebook and leave the link here... 2 entries, can be done once per day

Please be sure to include your email address with each entry if it is not visible in your profile.

Giveaway ends October 15th at 11:59 EST and is open to U.S. residents with a valid street address (no PO boxes). Winners will be chosen by random.org and notified via email. Prizes that are not claimed within 48 hours of prize notification will be forfeited.

❤CardioBunny

Weekend Blog Hops

Welcome! If you decide to follow my blog, please leave a comment so that I can follow you back :)

❤CardioBunny

#OperationLuvPounds Update

I stepped on the scale this morning and discovered that I'm down 3 pounds. Woohoo!!!

I have to admit that I haven't done a darn thing to deserve it seeing as how I exercised a whopping one time during the past two weeks. I was sick, so I guess not having much of an appetite for a week and a half can do a lot for a girl's figure.

I did finally register for the Miracle Miles 15k. I could have signed up for the 5k, but I figure getting my butt kicked may be just the thing I need to get my butt in gear. My only goal for this race is to finish, so keep your fingers crossed for me

Have a fabulous Friday!
❤CardioBunny

Friday Blog Hops

Welcome everyone!

My blog focuses on my journey to lose and maintain a healthy weight. And more recently, product reviews and giveaways! Please take a look at my blog. Just leave a comment if you decide to follow, so that I can follow you back!






Have a fabulous Friday!
❤CardioBunny

Enter the Read With Kids Challenge For a Chance to #win A Trip to Disney World

Hi, I am CardioBunny and I am a bookworm.

And I know exactly who to blame for my book addiction... my mom! She is an avid reader and indulged me with biweekly (or more) trips to the library to find more books for me to devour.

Some of my favorite memories are looking through the card catalog and finding new authors or related topics... Yeah, I know that I totally dated myself with the card catalog reference lol. Ooo, do you remember the Book-It program? I probably put a dent in Pizza Hut's profit with all of the free personal pan pizzas that I earned! And I still get a thrill and a sense of comfort when I'm surrounded by books.

I am so grateful that my mom instilled that love for reading because not only does reading provide a means of entertainment, or a mini-vacay when life gets hectic, but it also made me a very strong student in all academic areas.

I am hoping that my kids love reading as well, but if they don't I hope that more businesses sponsor programs like The Read With Kids Challenge.




RIF and US Airways have issued the challenge to parents or caregivers of children under the age of 17. Their goal is to rack up 10 million minutes spent reading by October 31st.

Each family that spends 120 minutes reading and logs them on the Challenge website will be eligible to win a trip for four to Walt Disney World! There are also lots of other great prizes up for grabs so head over to the Read With Kids Challenge website for more details and register for your chance to win!

❤CardioBunny

Sunday Blog Hops

Please leave a comment if you are a new follower from one of today's blog hops so that I can follow you back!

❤CardioBunny

I Received The Life Is Good Blog Award!

Emma, at Ready 2 Get Healthy, has awarded me the Life Is Good Blog Award! It's my first award, so I'm really excited about it!

1) If you blog anonymously are you happy doing it that way; if you are not anonymous do you wish you had started out anonymously so you could be anonymous now?

I'm anonymous only in the sense that I don't use my real name for safety reasons... My first name is really uncommon and a quick search of it plus my location would pull up entirely too much information for my liking.

2) Describe one incident that shows your inner stubborn side.

I'm very Taurean, so my stubborn side is pretty evident lol. I am cognizant of how frustrating dealing with someone who is excessively stubborn can be so I do take the time to listen and consider other people's opinions and feelings. Nine times out of ten, my stubborness is an asset because it makes me dig my heels and keep working towards my goals no matter what.

3) What do you see when you really look at yourself in the mirror?

Me! I'm happy with myself, where I am and where I am headed :)

4) What is your favorite summer cold drink?

Diet Pepsi. It's actually my favorite drink all year round. I wish I could say that about water.

5) When you take time for yourself, what do you do?

I love reading, running, and recreational napping lol

6) Is there something you still want to accomplish in your life? What is it?

Yeah, lots of things! Get married and maintain a happy marriage, be a mommy, run more half marathons, lose 20 more pounds...

7) When you attended school, were you the class clown, the class overachiever , the shy person, or always ditching?

I was a shy academic overachiever!

8) If you close your eyes and want to visualize a very poignant moment of your life what would you see?

Crossing the finish line of the Disney Princess Half Marathon earlier this year. It felt ha-mazing!

9) Is it easy for you to share your true self in your blog or are you more comfortable writing posts about other people or events?

I'm a really private person so it's easy sharing my true self in some ways. Others... not so much.

10) If you had the choice to sit down and read or talk on the phone, which would you do and why?

I would read. My mom instilled a love of reading in me at a really early age. It was a means of escape for me when things were rough in my household prior to my parents divorce, and escaping into a good story is still one of my first loves.

I nominate (in no particular order):
✿Robin at Running Circles Around Turtles
✿Morgan at Caution: Redhead Running
✿Marissa from Let's Move It Momma's
✿Colleen from Shibley Smiles
✿Amanda from The Nutritionist Reviews
✿Denise from Happiness... One Mile At A Time

*To accept the award just link back and thank the person who gave you the Life is Good award. Answer the 10 questions and pass it along to 6 other blogs*


❤CardioBunny

Fit Friends Friday Blog Hop #FitFriendsFriday

Building a support system is really important when you are trying to make a lifestyle change. I received an amazing amount of support from people that I met online, both while I was striving to lose weight and while training for my first half marathon. Now that I'm gearing up to lose more weight and for a new race season, I would like to expand that network.

So, if you have a blog that focuses on your personal journey towards fitness, weightloss or living a healthy lifestyle and you would like some support, join the Fit Friends Friday Blog Hop and find your fitspiration!


<br /> <center><a href="http://fabulousnfree.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae22/Cardio_Bunny/Blog/fitfriends.jpg" /></a></center><br />

How it works:
✿Follow my blog and leave a comment on this post so that I can follow you back.
✿Blog or tweet (or both) about Fit Friends Friday (see below)
✿Add your blog name and blog URL to the linky below.
✿Follow as many blogs from the list as you like and be sure to leave a comment on each one, letting them know that you are a new follower so that they can follow you back. It would be really nice if you follow anyone who follows you from the hop back.

Blog or Tweet requirement:
✿Write a blog post about Fit Friends Friday. I would love it if you include the above button by copying the code in the box just below it.
-and/or-
✿Tweet about this linky. Feel free to use the following : "Need #fitness & #weightloss support? Join me & @CardioBunny at http://bit.ly/azfO0A for #FitFriendsFriday."

Have a fabulous Friday!
❤CardioBunny

Etsy Review: Art and Photography by Crissy Page

I came home earlier this day feeling crappy (the kids gave me their Back-to-School-cooties), but I perked up when I noticed that a package had been delivered while I was out. I figured that it was the prize that I won in a giveaway hosted by Carolina Mommy at Wee Share and sponsered by Dear Crissy and I was right.

The prize was an art print from Crissy's Etsy Shop and it is by far the most unique and beautiful prize that I have ever won.

I chose the Lockless print



so I was very presently surprised to also find these two prints inside the package as well (thank you Crissy!).



Now, I'm not an art connoisseur by by any stretch of the imagination, but these prints are so beautiful that I can't help looking at them over and over again. The images all have a metallic 3D effect that I know I could not possibly capture with my camera, so photo credits go back to Crissy.

If you are looking for a unique, beautiful gift for yourself or for others, please visit Art and Photography by Crissy Page on Etsy. And don't forget to visit DearCrissy.com as well.

❤CardioBunny

Weekend Blog Hops

Welcome new readers! I hope that you like my blog and decide to follow my sometimes random ramblings :)

If so, please leave a comment so that I can follow you back!

In addition to using the links on the right sidebar to subscribe via Google Friend Connect and FeedBurner, you can also follow me at

and

❤CardioBunny

Announcing the Fit Friends Friday Blog Hop!

Building a support system is really important when you are trying to make a lifestyle change. I received an amazing amount of support from people that I met online, both while I was striving to lose weight and while training for my first half marathon. Now that I'm gearing up to lose more weight and for a new race season, I would like to expand that network.

So, if you have a blog that focuses on your personal journey towards fitness, weightloss or living a healthy lifestyle and you would like some support, lets link up!


<br /> <center><a href="http://fabulousnfree.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/ae22/Cardio_Bunny/Blog/fitfriends.jpg" /></a></center><br />

How it works:
✿Follow my blog and leave a comment on this post so that I can follow you back.
✿Blog or tweet (or both) about Fit Friends Friday (see below)
✿Add your blog name and blog URL to the linky below.
✿Follow as many blogs from the list as you like. Be sure to leave a comment on each one, letting them know that you are a new follower so that they can follow you back.

Blog or Tweet requirement:
✿Write a blog post about Fit Friends Friday. I would love it if you include the above button by copying the code in the box just below it.
-and/or-
✿Tweet about this linky. Feel free to use the following : "Need #fitness & #weightloss support? Join me & @CardioBunny at http://bit.ly/azfO0A for #FitFriendsFriday."

Any blogs that are NSFW or are primarily for solicitation purposes will be deleted from this list!

That's it! Easy peasy, right?

If everyone takes the time to go befriend a couple of people from the list, we should all end up with a few new supporters :)

I will be using Random.org to select one blog from the list for the Red Carpet Treatment next week. That means your blog will be highlighted and listed in the #2 spot of that week's post.

❤CardioBunny

This Means War! #OperationLuvPounds

Last year I set out to lose 30 pounds before my 30th birthday and I reached that goal with my May 1st weigh in. Shortly after that I met Hunny Luv and between trying to spend as much time with him and the kids as I can and the regular demands of life, exercise has slowly fallen to the wayside.

The scale shows that I have gained 5 pounds since then. Five pounds that I worked really hard to lose and never intended to find again. Clearly, I need to work on making myself a priority again.


But today, is the day that I start turning it all around. Because I am declaring war on those Luv Pounds! In fact, I am going to lose those 5 pounds plus another 15 before the holidays.

My Plan of Action:
✿ 30 minutes of exercise 4 days per week
✿ Continue to follow the 80/20 rule with eating
✿ Run the Miracle Miles 15k (ok, run/walk it)
✿ Post an update/status blog each Wednesday

Today I'm going to get my first workout in and put together a workout schedule.

❤CardioBunny

Wednesday Hops

Welcome new readers! Please leave a comment if you decide to follow, so that I can follow you back :)

❤CardioBunny