Valentine's Day Gift Guide // Men

Hi ladies! How is your week going so far? It's going over here. Ha! I am SO happy about today being the last day of January! I don't know about you but I definitely have the January blues. I have been in such a funk lately and I believe it's just the cold, dreary, and long days that January brings. Tomorrow starts a new month, which means we are one month closer to Spring! YAY!

Since next month is February, the love month, I thought I would do another gift guide for the special men in your life. Even if you are a single pringle, these gifts are great for your dad, uncle, grandpa, etc. They don't have to be for Valentine's Day, they can just be for someone who has a birthday is February. For those of you that are looking to spoil your man on Valentine's Day, I have gathered my favorites, as well as my hubby's (he helped me with this guide 😍), gift ideas under $50! All of these gift ideas are super affordable but still great enough to spoil him. Order by February 6th to receive standard shipping and have in time for love day!

Valentine's Day Gift Guide // Men

(as always, just click on the picture to shop)

XOXO,

Jen Miracle 

BBG Week 3 Update

Hello there friends! Is it me or does the weekend literally fly by?! We had a usual weekend of basketball games for the boys and then a fun and lazy Sunday. How was your weekend?! It is getting  brutally cold here AGAIN so I am really not happy about that. Those 40 and 50 temps sure got me in the spring mood and now I am ready for spring more than ever!

Ok, so I have confession to make...I only did one of my resistance days last week for my BBG workout routine. I know so pitiful, but I have a legitimate excuse. Tuesday while I was grocery shopping, I felt like I was going to pass out. I didn't but I felt like I had been hit by a bus. I was able to make it home and put the groceries away, but unfortunately, it went downhill from there. I believe I either had the flu again or some of type of virus. I was running a fever, chills, and just felt awful. This lasted til about Thursday and by Friday, I felt fine. Even though I felt fine, I didn't feel like doing an intense workout. Hence, the one resistance day.

So that being said, I have thought about it and I believe I am just going to start completely over this week. It sucks so bad because I keep thinking of where I could be right now. I don't want to continue to week 3 because the reps get harder and I am not ready for that.  I am going to do this and continue to do so. If you are feeling discouraged about missing a few days here and there, don't! Just keep going even if you have to start over like I am.

According to my analytics, you guys are also loving these kicks that I posted about. I don't blame you at all because not only are they so cute, they are extremely comfy! I am linking them here if you want to purchase for yourself. They run true to size and come in other great colors!

XOXO,

Jen Miracle

"Gal"entine's Day // Treat Yo' Self, Girlfriend

Happy Friday, babes! So excited for the weekend because we are actually having great weather! It's like spring is coming early but I think it's just a tease. I am going to enjoy it as much as I can! Valentine's Day is going to be here very soon and I am going to be honest about Valentine's Day...I actually LOVE it! I love every.single.holiday! My hubby and I don't get to celebrate like we would like to since we have three littles at home, but we always make a point to gift one another with small gifts. Nothing overboard because let's be honest, our bank account is still recovering from Christmas! We always love to get our boys a little something just to show our love, like we don't already, even more.

For Valentine's Day, I thought I would do a twist on the gift guide, and do a "Gal"entine's Day Gift Guide. So, if you are a single gal, want to treat your single gals, or just want to treat yourself, then this gift guide is just what you need! I think I might just treat myself to a few of these gifts...don't tell my hubby! 😉

XOXO,

Jen Miracle

BBG Week #2 // Update

Hey there guys and gals! I cannot believe another week has come and gone and that January is almost behind us. Where does the time go?! Last Monday I told you guys that I would give you a weekly update on how the BBG program is going. So, here I am, ready to give you the deets on my first week and my thoughts on it.

The first day, Monday, was leg day, need I say more! ::insert sick emoji:: Lord have mercy was it tough! I didn't realize how tough it really was going to be. I have never in my life felt like vomiting during a workout but I did during this one. BTW, I am not telling you this to scare you, but to tell you how GOOD this workout really is. I better have buns of steel after doing this! HA!

Second day was much better because with this program you alternate resistance and cardio. Cardio is right up my alley because it what I have always normally done for my workout routine. Since I was so sore from leg day, I just walked for the 35 minutes of cardio. This gave my legs some rest time and not to exceed it. I also did a challenge that day, which was 300 reps of legs, arms, and abs. I really enjoyed the challenge because it hit all three areas and only took 11 minutes.

On the third day it was time for arms and abs. LOVED this 28 minute routine because I have always loved ab exercises. This one was tough but not as tough as the leg workout. My arms did feel like jello but wasn't too sore the next day. I can tell this day is going to be fav of the week!

The fourth day was another cardio day. Since I was gone shopping for 3 hours that day, I just counted that as my cardio. Shopping is cardio, right!? Lol. This was a great time to let my abs, arms, and legs recover.

Now this is where I started to slip. Friday was supposed to be full body workout, but since my in laws were coming to visit for the weekend I had to prepare. I was really busy this day cleaning, grocery shopping, etc., so I still got in cardio time, but I didn't do the full body workout. Whoops!

Saturday was another cardio day, which I got in because it was such a busy day. I just counted this as my cardio. What I like about this app is that it keeps track of your steps, so I can see at the end of the day how many miles I got in for the day.

Sunday was rest day but I had planned on doing the full body workout. Yeah, that didn't happen because I was so exhausted from the weekend that I just rested. I feel bad because I did miss a day this week and it's only my first week! I need to manage my time better so I can get the workouts in.

Overall, I am really enjoying the BBG program. What I love so much about it is that you hit those resistance days so hard that the following day you can take it easy by just getting those 35 minutes of cardio in. This gives your legs, abs, and arms, time to recover. I have also been drinking lemon water which really helps me stay hydrated and gives me the energy I need. I highly suggest this program to anyone who is looking to get a 30 minute workout in that really works and that you can do from home.

See you next Monday where I will check in and let you know how this week goes with different exercises.

XOXO,

Jen Miracle

Wear it Wednesday // Outerwear

Well hello there! It has been so long since I have done a Wear it Wednesday post! I have missed it so much and ready to get back into the swing of things. I am currently laying on my stomach typing this post because my back is starting to hurt really bad again, so looks like I am going to make a trip to the chiropractor. Ugh! I'm just ready for it to be back to normal! It has been 6 months and I am sooo over it!

Ok enough about my personal issues and on to what you came here for...Wear it Wednesday! Today's post is going to be about outerwear because winter is officially here and I don't think it's going anywhere for a couple of months. Here in Iowa it has been in the negatives for a few weeks and I am so over it! Ever since moving here I had to learn how to dress to stay warm. I have learned that long, down coats are the way to go. They are SO warm and long so they keep most of your body warm. I always order one size up so I can wear sweaters. I highly suggest everyone do this if you plan on wearing sweaters. Otherwise, you will be uncomfortable and won't be able to move. Ha!

If you live further south where it doesn't get as cold, don't worry I have great options for you as well. You can still purchase down coats but I suggest the thin, shorter options. Peacoats and parkas are also great options for those cold days in the south. I still suggest sizing up if you plan on wearing sweaters, if not, then go with your normal size. I have linked some great options for you northerns and southerns. Happy Shopping!

XOXO,

Jen Miracle

The Start of my BBG Journey

Hi friends! It has seriously been another hot minute since I have been on here! I have missed you guys and I have missed blogging. If you follow me on Instagram and watch my stories, you know I have been preparing for this blog post...well, sorta! Today I am starting Kayla Itsines, BBG program, today and I couldn't be more excited! If you haven't heard of it, I am going to break it down and what my goals are for this journey.

I am no expert because I haven't even started the program quite yet, but I have been researching and talking with other bloggers about their journey with it. So, BBG (Bikini Body Guide) is an intense 28 minute workout routine. One day is a leg day, next day is an ab day, etc., and you will also have cardio days in between. This can be walking, running, cycling, whatever you cardio you choose to do for 35 minutes. It is a 12 week program, but I am hoping to continue it even after the 12 weeks, so I can maintain a healthy lifestyle. You can find this program in your app store or google play, so if you have your phone you can workout anywhere, which is so convenient. There is a fee for the app, but the first 7 days is free to see if it something you want to continue.

Now my goals for this program are to just have a regular workout routine in my day. I honestly haven't been active regularly in over 2 years. I miss that feeling I get after a good workout and  not feeling blah throughout the day. I am not wanting to lose a lot of weight with this, maybe just a few pounds, but I am mainly doing this to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I am also going to start drinking more lemon water, which is going to be tough because I love my sugary drinks. If you have any tips for breaking the "soda addiction" send them my way!

I have really contemplated sharing my before and after pic of this journey. I think I will decide at the end of 12 weeks. I am definitely going to keep you updated on the journey through Instagram stories as well as a weekly Monday check in on my blog. If you would like to join me on this journey, please let me know! I am doing this along with a few other blogger friends and we would love to have you in our support group. It is never too late to start!

I have linked my favorite workout gear below if you are needing to spruce up your athleisure wear! ;)

XOXO,

Jen Miracle

New Year // Fresh Start

Happy New Year's, friends! It has been a hot minute since I have written a blog post. This past week was such a rough one for my household. We all caught the flu and are just now feeling better, not 100%, but we are getting there. It was the worst I have felt and I wouldn't wish that on anyone! Since I was in bed for 2 days straight, I had some time to reflect on the year I had and think about what I want to change, continue, and achieve in 2018.

2017 was a great and not so great year. The things that were not so great, only made me stronger, gave me life lessons, and appreciate the things that truly matter. In July of 2017, I began my blogging journey because at the time I was going through a depression. If you have ever dealt with depression, you know it's a feeling you can't describe and hard to climb out of. Blogging was something I had wanted to do for awhile but never pulled the trigger on. I finally just said, "I'm doing it!" I am so happy I did because it did help me get out of my depression funk, maybe not completely because I do have my days, but overall it has helped.

I have loved connecting with you all and hoping you feel the same. Blogging is not as easy as it looks. It takes a lot of time, preparation, dedication, and not for the faint- hearted. Everyone I have talked to about blogging always says to just be yourself and do not compare yourself to other bloggers. This hasn't been a huge problem for me because I actually get excited for my blogger friends when something exciting happens to them. Every blogger is different, even though it may seem we post a lot of the same content, so it's not that hard to not compare. The only thing that irritates me is losing followers every single day! Just in the past 2 weeks, I have lost over 500 followers! Yes, I have gained along with that, but it's so hard to grow when you are continuing to lose. I know I'm not the only blogger like this and IG makes it so much harder these days for us to grow. Get you crap together, IG!

I am going to be real with you though. I won't ever be that blogger that posts a new outfit every.single.day, takes luxury vacations, has the newest of everything,  my hair curled and a full face of makeup on 24/7 (like who has time for that), a home that looks like it is straight out of a magazine, etc. This is me and if you don't like, that is totally ok, but I'm probably not the blogger you want to continue to follow. I am going to start being more open with you guys, not too open ;), but enough that you can relate to me. That is what I want more than anything in this blogging journey. I want your trust and to feel like you can relate to me. Even if the photos look like I have my sh*t together, I can assure you, I don't! :)

Now that I have had my rant ;), I am going to share with you my goals for the year. I like to call them goals rather than resolutions.

1. Be a better mom and wife
2. A healthier me - mind, body, and soul
3. Step out of my comfort zone with my blog
4. Put the phone away!
5. Do more of what makes me happy

That's just a start and I am sure I will continue to add more as the year goes on. Now, I challenge you to do the same! Do more of what makes you happy! Take that risk and don't look back. I believe in you! You just never know where it will take you this year! Cheers!

XOXO,

Jen Miracle