Koss FitClips Review

I wrapped up my training for Bay to Breakers and pulled out my bike for the first time this year in preparation for the Espirt de She. For my past few workouts I've been using my Koss FitClips headphones.


A few things I really like about this product:

• Great sound quality (my sister thinks they are perfect for listening to gangsta' rap - lots of bass)



• Flexible material helps the headphones stay in place

• Ear cushions block out ambient noise (saves your ears from having to crank the volume up too loud)

Bay to Breakers is this weekend! I'll be jamming through 7.46 miles with these babies this Sunday. Race recap soon to come.

Koss Fit Series launch event with Dara Torres

I traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Wednesday for the Koss launch of their newest product line, Fit Series with Olympic gold medalist swimmer, Dara Torres. The new line includes Fit Clips and Fit Buds. It is the first headphone series ever designed for women by women. I was very excited to have an opportunity to participate in the event with several other FitFluential bloggers. I have been working hard on my swimming skills over the winter and spring and was excited about meeting a true professional swimmer – Dara!

Just a few FitFluential bloggers (L to R): Nicole of Apples and Arteries, Tina of Carrots 'n Cake, Sarah of Skinny Runner and Veronica of Anatomy of a Gastroenterologist





What I didn’t know and learned from talking with founder John C. Koss is that Koss is the manufacture and inventor of the world’s first SP/3 stereophone created in 1958. The design was inspired by headphones worn by pilots. Photo by Tina



Michael J. Koss (President and CEO) and Dara Torres introduced the product to the media at Elite Sports Center. We were then lead to spin bikes for a workout using Koss Fit Clips.





This was my first spin class, and I think I’m addicted! The class started off with a pretty intense hill climb (butt off the seat in high gear) but got more enjoyable with plenty of hill/flat intervals. I can truly feel the burn today. The nice thing about Fit Clips is of course that they hook onto your ears. Also, the hooks are flexible. I own another brand with firm hooks that leave my ears a bit sore after prolonged use. The Fit Clips fit snuggly in my ear, and I didn’t fidget with them at all during the class. Both the Fit Clips and Fit Buds come with three size ear buds to switch out for a perfect fit.

Post workout we had an opportunity to chat with Dara about spinning, swimming, and staying active as we get older among many things. Dara is 46, and she’s got a rocking body. I asked her about suggestions for adult beginner swimmers. Her response was to “Listen to your body.” She went on the say that as we get older it does take longer to recover, and that’s o.k. Rest days are a must, and help improve overall performance. I’m definitely feeling the effects of getting older and trying to remain active just in the past 5 years! She also suggested joining a Masters swim class for the structure and the support of other swimmers. Dara is taking a break from swimming now, but she will be back in the game for sure. To stay in shape she loves to spin and typically fits in a run at least once per week.





Would you like to try the Koss Fit Series line? I have a discount code for you! Get free shipping and save $5 on purchases made at Koss.com by using the discount code Fit4Life at checkout. This campaign was sponsored by Koss through FitFluential. Fit Series is also available at Walmart. So, I know Fit Clips work great in the gym. I’ll get in an outdoor run with the Fit Clips this weekend and share my review soon!

The Race That's Good for Life 5K recap

I finished The Race That's Good for Life 5K in Oak Park this Sunday. I'm loving short races lately! I once again decided to participate in the Clydesdale/Athena category which required me to get on a scale at the race and weigh in. I've been avoiding scales. Mine is collecting dust.

The races started with the youth mile dash which was a blast to watch. The winner finished in sub 5 minutes! During my race I stuck to my 5 minute run 1 minute walk routine. I finished sub 39 minutes, and 5th in my weight category (there were only awards for 1st through 3rd place, boo.) The women's and men's races are separate, so I was also able to see the men's winner who finished in 15 minutes. The race was on time and well organized as usual.

I realize how far I've come since I ran this race in 2009. In 2009 I was still on the course when the men's race started. So I was excited to have finished beforehand this year. Also, I didn't know anyone at the race then, and this year I saw quite a few people I've met through running.



I think I will make this race a yearly tradition for myself. It's reasonably priced, easy to get to, and fun!

Upcoming race: The Race That’s Good for Life 5K

I’ll be running The Race That’s Good for Life 5K in Oak Park this weekend. This was my first 5K in 2009. I even won an award by placing 3rd in the Athena category. It’s a neighborhood race that winds through beautiful homes and small parks. I registered for this race on a whim. Until a couple of weeks ago I forgot that I signed up. With all the races I’ve participated in since this one, I’m interested to see how this year will compare. With the exception of the Lung Run, I rarely repeat races because I like to try new routes and locations to keep my running interesting. I’ll have a full race report as to how this year compares to 2009.

Make it yourself: Poppy Flower Bridal Sash Tutorial

I had the pleasure of contributing a bridal do-it-yourself project tutorial for Natural Hair Bride.com. This is a new natural hair community in the Chicago area centered on naturally curly brides-to-be.

There are so many options for DIY projects in the wedding industry. I could definitely get lost in creating a ton of bridal pieces!

This video tutorial is for a wedding gown sash with decorative poppy flowers. After I made this, I was tempted to make more in different colors. I first need to find a few brides to wear them! Enjoy!

Materials used:
• Synthetic – chocolate satin like fabric (less than ½ yards)
• Wide satin ribbon – 2 ¼ yards (2 yards in length)
• Tea light candle
• Scissors
• Decorative jewels or beads
• Needle and thread
• Fabric glue or hot glue gun

I pray for Boston

I generally do not blog about world news and events. They are so well covered by the media and other outlets that my cyber opinion is not required. But I felt compelled to write about the Boston Marathon bombings that occurred today.

As a runner, I have experienced the wonderful feeling of dedicating weeks of training to finally complete a race. I have experienced the support and love of friends, family, and spectators along the course and at the finish line. I myself have been a friend, family member and spectator along the course and at the finish line cheering on runners. To think that someone at an event like the Boston Marathon, there to encourage and support other human beings has been murdered is sickening. Words cannot express the horror that has occurred and the evil that mankind is capable of.

Today, I followed much of the breaking news of the bombings on Twitter. One of the (paraphrased) tweets that truly represented my feeling about today was: “The only thing that keeps me from losing faith in all of humanity is the people that ran TOWARDS the victims after the blast.”

There are still good people left on this earth. We must continue to fight the good fight. I only pray that those that died today are with God. And that their families and those that were injured lean on God for understanding.

Pray for Boston.

Craft workshop recap

I had a wonderful time teaching my latest craft workshop last Friday! My guests learned how to make feather fascinator headbands. Here are a few photos from the workshop.


Everyone’s creations were different and very cute!