August 29, 2015

Thinking Dirty

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my health and beauty products ie. what’s behind a company’s flashy marketing materials vs. what’s actually in those bottles. I feel that there’s a lot of conflicting information out there and, as a consumer, I’d like to make more conscious, educated decisions when I head to my local Bartell’s (gosh, I love that store!)

I’ve decided to test out two apps to find out critical information about the products I use on the daily: Think Dirty and Skin Deep. I also like to keep Cruelty Free International/PETA in mind too as I’d rather not use products tested on animals – this site is super helpful in breaking it all down. I’m still a bit torn about animal ingredients in a product like bee’s wax or hair/fur used in brushes if it was taken in a non-harmful way…to each their own I say!

So here’s a list of the bathroom basics that I use daily and their ratings. (more…)

August 26, 2015

Easy travel apps

apps, Currency, Maps

As the countdown continues, I’ve been putting in a lil research about some (hopefully!) helpful apps that will get us around Europe. Here’s what I’ve downloaded thus far:

(more…)

August 22, 2015

steamboat rock state park.

Camping, Steamboat Rock

Oh Steamboat, you minx. Why do you have to be just so darn good? This was the year of all years…the lake was high, the mosquitoes few and the smoke from local fires gone. Newbies joined in on the fun. Wake surfing happened. BLs were consumed. SIGH. It was heaven. Our annual trip was shorter than usual, but we eeked out all sorts of fun and made too many memories to count. These sorts of yearly trips have become ingrained in me as of late. What started out as a little camping fun has now become the single most important trip for me. For my soul really. I want like 10 annual trips to look forward to 🙂 Care to join me?

August 19, 2015

sigh.

Friends

It’s been a bit of an emotional roller coaster these past few days. My heart is both a bit heavier and a bit lighter at the same time – if that makes any sense? Heavy because a friend’s family lost their house in the Chelan Complex Fire and even heavier realizing that my other dear friend witnessed the two year anniversary of his beautiful mother passing away from cancer this week. Gawd life, can’t you make it just a little easier on the ones I love?

But then a sweet little light appeared at the end of the tunnel. A darling baby girl came into the world and joined my college BF’s growing, beautiful family this week. Welcome Miss Stella. You came along at just the right time.

August 14, 2015

Classpass

Fitness, Group Workout, Seattle

Cappy's Boxing Gym, Seattle - cultivatedrambler.com

Cappy’s keeping it real.

Now that I’ve been through two cycles of ClassPass, I thought it’s time to give it an ole review. My previous group class membership, FitMob, was bought by ClassPass, so it’s the only gig in town now. I was a bit bummed at first. I liked that Fitmob did not limit how many times you could visit a studio per month while ClassPass did. ClassPass only allows you to book one week out too, which I thought would be an issue, but it hasn’t been so far.

I really like the concept of having access to all sorts of gyms and studios around town. A single month long pilates studio membership can run you upwards of $80 and this pass is $70 and gives you WAY more options. This gal likes her options! Here are some of my favorite classes:

(more…)