Showing posts with label Featured Product. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Featured Product. Show all posts

Friday, March 2, 2018

The Darling Physique: Fitness Goals for 2018

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>   Bonjour!   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


To kick off the start of my new wellness plan for the year, I composed my first fitness flatlay of 2018. Why am I focusing on exercise and healthy workout habits when I barely tip the scales over 100 lbs? Let me tell you a little story about my previous brushes with *shudder* athleticism. 

First of all, I was often one of those pick-for-last type of players at recess/PE. Why? Because my sport skills stink and my ability to show myself in excellent shape is about as likely as a squirrel who has been hit by a car or two and left along the side of the road. Sound depressing? Wait until my later years. 

In college I decided to ride my bike 3-5 miles into town on my way to participate in a research study. This decision was made hastily after a night of potato-couching and a lifetime of MUCH smaller bike expeditions. Also, I hadn't even eaten breakfast before I left. Yet here I was, pedaling my little legs to death trying to make it across a city previously never traversed by myself and my bike. I got as far as the downtown police station before I had to stop and vomit on the sidewalk; fortunately, there were no officers dutifully patrolling the grounds at that moment. UNfortunately, a lady happened past in her motorized wheelchair, saw me clinging to whatever was left of my couch-potatoed life, and asked concernedly if I was alright. Because I was afraid this would happen, I had pulled out my cellphone (which at that time was neither connected to Internet nor had any potential of increasing my dignity as a young adult) before she rolled up and I began feigning distraction to cover up that I was not, in fact, okay. I glanced up from the screen to see embarrassment cross her face as she fell for my ploy, thinking that she had merely imagined the pale green color of my face. She quickly recovered herself and moved along. I, on the other hand, drooped back into the bench like a green bean left out in the sun to wilt away, realizing I would have to cancel my plans for the day and call for a shame-filled ride back home.

Thus, we come to the purpose of this year's fitness goals. I am not in it to lose weight, as the majority of Americans are planning hoping to do, and I am not trying to jump on the Better Body Now! bandwagon. Rather, my resolution is to get in shape so that I can be more active in my adventures and less fearful of my body's very limiting limitations. To do this, I hope to challenge my core, tone my arm and leg muscles, and prepare my body for a more pleasurable and longer-lasting lifestyle.


Workout Tech:
  • Smartwatch to monitor water intake, track steps/activity, keep time
  • Pandora-playing device for upbeat workout playlist

 Workout Snacks:
  • Granola for upping energy levels and maintaining organ health (along with a multitude of other benefits)
  • Water and fiber powder mix for attaining and maintaining healthy weight, along with promoting positive digestive health (as well as other benefits)


 If I have time in the morning, I like to do a 30-45 minute workout using 15 minutes for cardio (Zumba-style with videos found on YouTube), 15-20 minutes using my Fit Girl's Diary: Diamond Abs Workout, and wrapped up with a round of arm-targeted weightlifts, pushups, and squats. Once I have sweated enough for a day's worth of labor, I pamper myself with a nice long shower followed by a peppy breakfast of oats and granola and my fiber drink.

As I just started this workout routine with the Fit Girl's Diary abs challenge, I am still on the first training and practically dying after 3 rounds of straight leg raises, but I am relishing the pain as a sign of progress. After all, if you aren't feeling the burn, you aren't trying to earn.


What are your fitness goals for 2018?


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>   Shop this Look:   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hello Goodbye Panda: Ross  | Smart Watch: Jane  | Diamond Abs Workout: Fit Girl's Diary

xoxo,
Sara

Friday, January 19, 2018

The Darling Review: Books of the Month (January)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>   Bonjour!   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


Since we are starting off a new year and the blog has since undergone its little renovation, I have decided to incorporate a few little additions to the round-up of posts that I create for the Darling Petite. One of these new installations will be a Book of the Month series in which I share a favorite read every month. Some might be related to a theme for that month (such as a romance for February) while others are just what tickle my fancy at the moment. You can expect that all books fit my guidelines for a good book (very little to no language, no inappropriate scenes or behaviors, etc.) with a reasonable taste for drama, mystery, or adventure and a decent plotline. Some picks may be considered for a primarily teen audience, while others fall into a more YA or adult (again, not X-rated) category. Of course, with each book I would love to hear your thoughts on it if you have read it or if you have suggestions for future book reviews!

Here is a peek at what I have been reading lately (and quite appropriate for winter)...


Title: Submerged | Series: #1 Alaskan Courage | Author: Dani Pettrey



Set in Alaska, Submerged spins a tale of a mysterious plane crash which not only kills a relative of the main character, but also does off with some questionable passengers. Even as Bailey gets deeper into her aunt's belongings, she finds that there is a mystery hidden within some artifacts that suspicious characters are all too eager to get their hands on, eager enough to send Bailey on a search for the truth among a rising body count. Add in a long-lost love interest from her past as well as some dark secrets, and this story will keep you reading all night.

Rating: 4/5 stars
Points given for the heightened drama and suspense, not to mention the attractive supporting character. I also like how the author intertwines a bit of history and geography into the storyline, giving the reader a more informed view of the setting and a deeper understanding of and connection with character motivations and points of view.

Note: There is a short passage in which one of her dark secrets is revealed (partying which leads to inappropriate behavior) which, in my eyes, is reconciled following a confession of guilt for her past actions and the striving to rewrite her future in a better light.



Above is a sneak peek of what the near future holds for Books of the Month, so stay tuned! Like any good shelf-dweller, I am always on the lookout for the perfect book to sink my imagination into.

Happy reading!



>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>   Shop this Book:   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


xoxo,
Sara

Saturday, December 30, 2017

2017 in Review!

Bonjour!

It has been one busy year! Within the confines of 2017, the blog has undergone a new look and new name, changing from its former Cover It Girl title to The Darling Petite in hopes of better representing style from the petite perspective. As the header says, "Though she be but little, she is FIERCE!" :D


Despite these changes, the reach of The Darling Petite covers the same bases as before- style and fashion being number one. Read on to see the top outfits of the year.


-----------------------------------------Darling Outfits--------------------------------------------
It was a cold start to the year, but January and March also had enough share of warmer days to get dressed up and head out.

What I Wore in January:
What I Wore on St. Patrick's Day:
What I Wore in St. Louis:

February was a favorite month of mine because it allowed me to highlight my wardrobe's preferred color: pink!

What I Wore in February: 


 And no capsule wardrobe to a tropical paradise is complete without nautical staples! Stripes and straw accents were a must with these three OOTDs.

What I Wore in Florida: 
#1
#2
#3 
http://thedarlingpetite.blogspot.com/2017/09/port-roma-docking-in-italian-inspired.html


-------------------------------------------Darling Trips-----------------------------------------------

No year is complete without a trip away! 2017 brought The Darling Petite to museums and gardens in a major metropolitan port city as well as to the beaches and charming canals of Florida.

Where I Went in St. Louis:
Where I Went in Florida:

----------------------------------------Darling Creations---------------------------------------


Creativity (and sugar) was flowing from the start when holidays in February and March came along!

What I Made for Valentine's Day:
What I Made for St. Patrick's Day:


-----------------------------------------Darling Reviews-----------------------------------------

Another year, another opportunity! The Darling Petite reviewed major event planner Eventbrite's Tampa Bay comic con, as well as a new start-up craze for sweet-toothed subscribers.

What I Tried (to do): 
What I Tried (to eat): 
http://thedarlingpetite.blogspot.com/2017/10/the-darling-review-universal-yums-boxes.html


You can also follow me on Instagram @petite_est_belle for daily style, food, travel, and more!


As always, thanks for following! I am excited to begin a new year of blogging and hope to keep The Darling Petite at the top of its game. It would be my pleasure to have you all as readers in 2018 and to share many more moments and much more style inspo in the future!


xoxo,
Sara

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

The Darling Review: Universal Yums Boxes

Bonjour!

This month I had the pleasure of trying a new product from an online subscription website for international treats- Universal Yums.com. I purchased the ~$15 box which had 8 different items plus an information guide (there are bigger boxes you can purchase for a higher price, but I wasn't interested in investing that much). At the time of ordering, I didn't know what country my box would be featuring. I went to Universal Yum's social media accounts and soon learned through Instagram that my box would be from Belgium! It took about 3 weeks for it to arrive and the waiting was AWFUL, but I was excited when it finally arrived and I finally got a taste of what makes Belgium famous- CHOCOLATE. Read below to see my thoughts on each item.


1. Picnic Suikerwafel (Belgian Waffle)
Maybe my favorite item (besides the truffles and seashells), the waffle is sweet and has a great crunchy texture. Definitely earns its name as a popular Belgian food! (Thumbs up!)

2. Chocolate Seashells
Like chocolate pebbles but bigger and better! Extra points awarded for the marbled chocolate. Thumbs up, up, and away!

3. Trefin Vienna BonBons
Citrus-flavored, tastes like high-quality jolly ranchers. Thumbs up!

4. Roger's and Roger's Black Pepper and Sea Salt Chips
Seasoning is good though light, tastes like any other black pepper and sea salt chips... thumbs to the side.

5. Caramelized Biscuit Milk Chocolate Bar
Tastes similar to a Kit-Kat. Thumbs up!

6. Hamlet Buttercream Truffles
Initial taste is that of unsweetened cocoa, but beyond that they were creamy and chocolatey. Thumbs up!

7. Crème Brulee White Chocolate
Mostly just tasted like white chocolate, but still rich and creamy! Thumbs up!

8. Strawberry Nougat
Strange texture and combination of tastes... (from delegated taste-tester) Thumbs to the side.


Overall, I loved the box! I'm not sure that the items would be worth the $14, but the anticipation and experience of eating treats from another country is definitely worth it. Next month is Turkey, so get moving if you want a piece of the East!

P.S. This post was not endorsed nor approved by the Universal Yums company. All opinions and views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of myself and my voluntary taste-tester.

Have you ever tried this product? What country was your box from?



xoxo,

Sara

Monday, August 17, 2015

Oranges, Peaches, and Sweet Tea | Part II: Sailor's Nest

Bonjour!














 I knew I had to bring this dress when I found out we would be living on the Gulf for a week. What I didn't know was that the house would be decked out in similarly themed/color-schemed decor. And that makes little-theme-freak me VERY happy.

I got this anchor-embroidered dress from eShakti, with whom I have collaborated before, with the thought of vacation in mind. It's made of a light cotton and is, as I mentioned before, beautifully embroidered on the skirt. I think it could be worn well with little pops of color, but this time I decided to pair it with straw accents and a parrot-and-flowers hairclip to let the nautical simplicity speak for itself. And as with other eShakti products, this item is customizable and specially tailored for you, the customer (this particular design was originally sleeveless, but I LOVE the fact that I can have it made with sleeves for a small price). 

eShakti is always having amazing deals and sales, so stop by often to stay afloat in the savings! To see my latest collaboration with eShakti, click here (Royally Blue Part I) and here (Royally Blue Part II).

(This post is not sponsored by the featured product and only reflects the opinion of the customer).

Dress: eShakti | Shoes/Hat: Thrifted | Paradise Hairclip: Gifted | Sunnies: Old

 Bon voyage!
xoxo, Sara

Friday, May 15, 2015

Off To Summerland + Plum-Picking

Bonjour Beauties!







Today I am over the moon excited because (apart from being out of school and enjoying newfound freedom...) I just got in on one of my favorite deals over at Pick Your Plum!

So in case you aren't familiar with it yet, Pick Your Plum is a fabulous company that sells the products of many different vendors, including Etsy businesses. In fact, it's very easy to become a Plum vendor. This being said, there are tons of great products for sale, including clothes, crafts supplies, decor, etc. etc. And the best part of Pick Your Plum? Their grab boxes.

It's amazing how willing people are to invest their money in a completely random, unknown box of things. And yet here I am, every month, anxiously awaiting the news that grab boxes have arrived. I'm not the only one either. The second Pick Your Plum announces that grab boxes are up for grabs, your Internet suddenly becomes this sluggish goop that moves about as fast as a turtle with a limp. And three legs.

Is the stress and anxiety worth it, you may ask? Let's just say, I have almost cried in frustration when my cart informed me that someone took my Plum. It's that worth it. And they are a HUGE steal considering you are getting 4 or 5 items for $15 or $20 that would normally be worth like $10+  EACH!!!

Here is what I got in my last clothing grab box:

Grey Maxi Skirt: http://theladyhood.blogspot.com/2015/01/highs-and-lows.html
White Lacy Tank Top: http://theladyhood.blogspot.com/2015/02/valentines-day.html
Navy Blue Wide-Legged Pants: In the process of refashioning into a sailor suit
Grey Striped Cardi: Gifted to my baby sister
Black Striped Maxi Dress:
Plus, see what I got in my latest grab box!



And now you know my secret. I'm a major Plum-picker.

Top: Forever 21 | Skirt: Thrifted | Leggings: Old

xoxo, Sara

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Only 24 hours Left!



Don't forget to enter to win the Forever 21 $50 Gift Card!! Only 24 hours left!! http://theladyhood.blogspot.com/2015/03/fabulous-50-forever-21-giveaway.html

Friday, March 27, 2015

Fabulous $50 Forever 21 Giveaway!!!

Bonjour!



As promised, here is the giveaway to (drumroll please)... Forever 21! Forever 21 is a fabulous place for women of all ages to find style and quality for a good price. They are also a family-operated business, and from what I hear, a Christian business (just look on the underside of their bags).

You have the opportunity to win a $50 gift card to one of my all-time favorite stores, as well as 2 free prints from my all-time favorite Etsy shop, CraftyCollaborations. All you have to do to enter is follow the directions below a Rafflecopter giveaway and get started!

Can't take the chance of not being chosen? Shop now at Forever 21 and CraftyCollaborations on Etsy!

Fine print: You must be 16 years of age or older to enter. The winner will have the option of a physical gift card (sent by mail) or an e-gift card for the Forever 21 prize. If the winner resides outside of the U.S., it will be sent online. The Etsy prize will be sent after further directions by email. If the winner does not respond within 24 hours, many tears will be shed and a new winner will be randomly selected.

Get ready to celebrate!

xoxo, Sara