Kate Hudson's New Fabletics Athletic Apparel

So I'm a huge fan of work out clothes. . . maybe more than the regular these days! When I heard that Kate Hudson has put out a line of athletic apparel I was so excited. I'm a HUGE Kate fan. I love her simple, classic style. Her motivation was to make clothes that women could work out in, but also grab a cup of coffee with the girls afterwards. Stylish, quality, and comfortable.

SO I jumped to put in an order. I got two outfits, and followed the tracking on the computer all the way to my home. The day they arrived, I was so excited. A little geekishly excited, I'll admit. The quality of the fabrics was so amazing. They feel so soft, yet structured enough to hold everything in place when I'm on a good run.

This pants and sports bra set, amazing fit and comfy! The top banding on the capri's is thick enough to stay up but not too thick that it feels bulgy under a shirt. I'd say both are true to size.

This great shirt will keep me warm on those cold winter runs! I love the thumb holes, and the sleeves are true to size I'd say. I'm only 5'2" so I was pleased they weren't any longer. 

Loving the detail on these capri's! These are probably my newest favorite pair of capri's. They are nice and thick for even cooler weather but they feel like they really hold everything in place for me. No giggled parts at the gym!

So, this was a small. . . uh? The sleeves are about 6" too long, the whole body fit like my husbands shirt, and it went past my booty. Might need to work on the fit of this one Kate. The material though, to die for. It's probably the softest running shirt I've ever felt. Cute hood off the back and pocket in front. 

So that's it. Fabletics. . . I'm kind of in love. I'm going to return the turquoise hoodie and check out the XS. Hopefully it works on me!

OOOoohhh, extra note to any followers, I'm starting my HIIT Bootcamp as a class at the Powerhouse Gym in Grand Haven! Can't wait!

Jewelry for Army Wives!

These are new in my shop! I had started following a bit of the chevron trend and made these great "chevron" rings. Then an Army Wife friend of mine suggested flipping them around and saw not a chevron pattern, but her husband's RANK! I thought, how cool is that! Not just a "trendy" ring anymore, but a ring with purpose! 

If you're interested in purchasing a ring from me simply contact me via my Etsy shop, Sprout1world. You can purchase these individually and add more when your husband or boyfriend gets a promotion!

Available in Copper or Sterling Silver, OR mix em up!

Thanks for looking! Share with your Army Wife friends! I cannot believe the courage and strength you women must have. I'm completely impressed by you and hold you in the highest esteem. 

3rd Month Interval Training Boot Camp Follow Up . . . WHEW!

Well, this is the goal . . . to be in the best shape of my life when I hit 30. I'm currently 28 with my 29th being a week or so out, and I gotta say . . . I'm in the best shape of my life NOW. I've been working on it for three months. I otherwise, have always been a runner and in decent shape, but now I'm kicking my butt every time I'm at the gym! No easy work outs here! If you're interested in my routine, check it out on my blog here. 

I've never craved meat so much in my life that's for sure! I actually absolutely HATE cooking, so I've invested in Protein Shakes and just blend them up with spinach and strawberries for a great between meal snack. They're also great if I don't have time for lunch.

So, now the bar is rising on 30 :)

Looking for a Vacation Spot?

You may have heard Tim Allen's soothing voice overs on the Pure Michigan commercials and thought, Michigan? Really? But if you haven't visited, you really should. It's absolutely gorgeous and the water is beautiful. You feel like you're at the ocean without all the salt water or the threat of shark attacks or the sting of a jellyfish :)

Thom and I filled up the cooler yesterday, threw some beach chairs on our back, grabbed the dog and flew down to Grand Haven's Dog Beach. It was a perfect brilliant sunny day. Set up camp, and then threw the frisbee around a bit. After working up a little sweat, hoped in the sparkling water.

Hit up a little yoga on a log that had washed up to the sand bar. Amazing day! 

So, if you're looking for a new vacation spot, check out Grand Haven. It's gorgeous. The people are cool and relaxed. There's plenty to do for all ages. My favorite places in town:

• Sushi at The Grand
• Paddle Board Rentals at The Wet Mitten
• Puppy Socials at Must Love Dogs with Tonya (who doesn't love watching a ton of puppies run around?)
• JW's food is awesome, you have to check out this local food spot
• WHATEVER YOU DO, get breakfast at The Morning Star Cafe. You will not regret it. 
• Check out the shops downtown. There's really something for everyone these days. With Lee & Birch for men, Gliks for the hip teens-20 somethings (heck my mom get stuff there) and Down to Earth for the hippie/fashionistas.

3 Month Mark on my High Interval Training

Well, we're three moths in on this High Interval Training style I've been incorporating. I think it's really working! I feel great, and have tons of energy. WAYYYYYY stronger than I used to be. Let me know if any of you guys have tried this out? Or have any good tips on High Interval Training??

As a recap on what I'm doing:

-10 minutes of two minute interval cardio (2min:8incline/2min:15incline)
-10 minutes of weight lifting
x4

Diet:

-Lots of meat, lots of veggies, and fruit. The grill has become my best friend!

This last picture, Left - one month of running no interval training. Right - 3 months of my High Interval Training Routine!

Sterling Silver State Pendant Giveaway from .sprouts.

If your just passing through my blog, I write about all sorts of things. I recently quit my day job to be an artist full time in my home. I mostly work with metal, but also am a glass bead making artist as well. I'm doing a Giveaway on my Etsy Shop's Facebook page currently. So head on over if you want a chance to win a sterling silver state pendant of your choice for you and a friend of yours! The one who gets the most of their friends to "LIKE" my page, wins and so does one of their friends!

Father's Day Gifts!

Father's Day is June 16th, which is right around the corner with how busy life gets these days! If you're stumped on a gift for the Old Man or the amazing father of your children, check out these fun gifts in my shop. They're all personalized and can be modified however you wish!

Bringin the Moxie BACK - Beaded Something Blue Shoe Clips

This was only a matter of time, the two things I love most; shoes and beads. A marriage has been arranged :)

These hand stitched shoe clips are made from all glass seed beads, fire polish, and Swarovski Crystals. Attach them to any pair of shoes on the front or on the back! Mix and match them with different pairs for a different feel. I personally think they would make an adorable "Something Blue" on a wedding day! 

What do you think!?

See them on my Etsy Shop!

Quit My Day Job

It's official friends!

As any of my followers know, all four of you ;), I create hand made artisan jewelry. Most of my jewelry consists of metal work in some fashion, whether it be cold connections or hot (involve a torch or not). Anyway, I have an Etsy shop that I've poured a lot of time into over the past year and a half and it's all paying off THIS day! Yesterday I put in my two weeks notice at my "Day Job".  I'm officially, a metalsmithing artist. I can't wait for the things that come while I know it's not going to be easy. I have loads of ideas swimming around my head and only time as my enemy. Which, being 28, isn't that much of a threat. Bring it world!

New Spring Stitched Bow Necklaces

Well well, I'm a romantic at heart. What can I say? As some of you may know, I recently quit my day job to fulfill my dream of working full time through my Etsy account. I'm a metalworking artist, a beading artist, and general costume jewelry designer. Yesterday was my day "off" but what did I end up doing? It was the most perfect Spring day we've had yet in Michigan and I perched myself up on the picnic table in the backyard and stitched all day long. What I came up with are these adorable little bow necklaces and soon to come . . . shoe clips. My love for shoes is understated so far in my blog. I'm a bit of a shoe-a-holic. I admit.

Hi, my name is Rose Kren and I'm a shoe-a-holic.


Let me know what you guys think of my new stitched beaded bows!

This little Something Blue will be made into shoe clips for a special Spring bride.

Week 2 - Killed It

Hey guys! It's week two of my new work out plan. I've been working on incorporating better regulated food into my plan. Trying to eat six times a days is killer for a non-chef! BUT, I still move forward. A GNC is perfectly placed next to my gym and I picked up some protein meal replacement shakes to fill in my two snacks between meals. I also picked up some stomach and thigh fat burning liquid to take before I eat. We'll see what it does! :) So far I'm happy with the results. If you missed the work out plan it is as follows:

-10 minutes of intense interval cardio (2 minutes as fast as I can, 2 minutes with huge resistance)
-Weight lifting core body focus
-10 minutes of intense interval cardio as above
-Weight lifting arms
-10 minutes of intense interval cardio
-Weight lifting arms
-10 minutes of intense interval cardio
-Weight lifting core body focus

(I then flip the arms and legs out every other day)

Progress thus far . .  .

Products from GNC:

GNC Total Lean Shake Vanilla Bean: Protein Meal Replacement (between meals)
&
Re-Body SafSlim: Breakthrough Belly Fat Solution in Tangerine (take twice a day before meals)

Failboat

If you follow me as of late you know about my new workout plan. I'm sincerely enjoying how rigorous it is. It's incredibly difficult, but I'm seeing results so quickly that I love it. However, yesterday I tried to squeeze into the "best" part of my day. Which landed after church before lunch. Fail! I was so incredibly weak compared to my usual vitality. I still made it through, but could really see a difference in my performance. I came home from the two hour long escapade at the gym and walked sluggishly inside the house. My husband saw my need for food instantly and, thank God, jumped to make me an amazing plate of pecan encrusted salmon over a bed of whole wheat noodles and veggies. Thank GOD for an amazing HUSBAND!

Lesson learned, plan OUT my food! I had eaten a healthy breakfast of Heart to Heart cereal by Kashi. Had plenty of water, but needed some serious protein.

NEW addition to plan: EAT every meal and try to incorporate two small snacks between meal.

I'll let you know how this goes. I'm working on getting a protein shake . . . any good suggestions for females?

Healthy is Pretty

I was at work one day and this girl, a sophomore in college, starts going through her feed on Facebook. One of her girlfriends had posted a picture of her "Box Gap". She makes a sound of disdain and I look at her, "what?". She says, "Have you heard about this Box Gap thing? It's all over Tumblr and now girls my age are taking pictures of their Box Gap to show the world".  She visits Tumblr's site and goes through feed after feed of pictures of girls thighs right below the pelvis. Even more disturbing was the feed of girls desperate to get the same results on their body.

I believe 100% in being a healthy beautiful woman. I believe everyone can be beautiful in their own way. This was a flashback to middle school for me. All the girls throwing up in the bathrooms. The girls saying I REALLY looked good after I had had the flu for two weeks not able to eat at all. That kind of impression sticks with a girl. It took a fantastic husband constantly reminding me of MY personal beauty to get my head out of that mindset.  Here's what I've found online so far about this horrid popular body style:

First of all, it's a matter of how wide your hips are. So if you've got narrow hips girls, I'm sorry you're most likely not to have Box Gap. Second, who needs sticks for legs? You have to get around don't you? I think I could strangle a man with how strong my thighs are, what's sexier? :)

Below are pictures I found online and comments real girls left on Tumblr:

The same girl who added the words above wrote from the quote below: Can I be skinny now?

MAKE NO MISTAKE, HEALTHY IS PRETTY.

This is me. I work out five times a week and eat really healthy. I have NO box gap. But I'm pretty sure I could strangle a man with my thighs :)

Home is wherever I'm with you

My husband and I got married and things were oh so perfect. Sure I'll make coffee, would you love a foot rub? Everything came so easy, until we had to pick out the coffee table. He grew up with vintage furniture and chests, while I was raised with glass and metal accents in a relatively updated house. Not to say one is better than the other, we were just in totally opposite ends of the spectrum. While we found our "meet in the middle" ground and steadied our minds on Cherry color wood accents, we've started finding out personal style together. These are some pictures of the home currently. It's by no means finished, but on it's way to reflecting ourselves more. Accents include: rustic wood and polished wood, wainscotting, wood floors, aztec patterns, heavy quilts, prints and color, shiny metallics, seashells and beach sand. What do you think?