Peach Pedal 2015

It has been several months since Chance (formerly Papi), the best foster dog ever, went to his furever home. I have missed him terribly, and I wanted to visit, but I didn't want to confuse him. On our way up, I promised my friends from INKnBURN that I would stop by Fort Worth Running and show them an amazing product line. I hope they carry it. If you live in the area and want them to carry it, let them know. The Musician and I were dressed in INKnBURN, but no pictures. What was I thinking? Oh yeah, I want to see Chance. Seriously and ThatsDumb are amazing people and I know he has an amazing home. But, we had a free weekend and decided to make the trip to see him for a weekend. The Musician has been friends with Seriously since the womb, so it's not weird to go visit the foster dog. I must admit, I was nervous. Would he remember me? Not? Either way, would it be hard to leave again and would he be confused? Or would I be sad that he didn't remember me? I don't know. I walked in the door and he went nuts. Yeah, I think he remembered me. I carried him around all night because he wouldn't let me put him down. He was feisty as always. He tried to follow us to bed, but I carried him to his room. I wonder if he still sleeps under the blankets. 

We had a weekend of activities planned. First up was an organized ride. Since I'm training for MS150, I need an excuse to get in the saddle. I'm a little scared riding around town without a big pack because cars and trucks are bigger than bikes.  Peach Pedal would be a good way to get some miles in and feel safe and supported.  And, I'm pretty sure that also means some sweet and juicy Texas peaches. So ... Saturday morning, we got up at crack of dawn and headed out to packet pick-up. Quick and easy, pay my fee. I just followed Seriously and ThatsDumb. After we picked up our shirt, it was back to the car to get on the bikes and we headed out with the 65 milers. I just followed the people who knew what they were doing. It was packed. Bikes everywhere. Seriously and ThatsDumb were planning the 43 mile route. I was thinking, hey ... what's 13 extra miles? Especially the first 5-ish miles that seemed pretty flat. I did forget to turn on Trusty Garmin for a few miles, though. Oops!! Even though it didn't record, I want credit for those miles. ThatsDumb took off faster and Seriously stayed with me about 5 miles, but I just couldn't hang. I also had every intention of taking advantage of every aid station. So ... 8 miles in, and I had my first ice-cold juicy sweet peach slices. 

The views of the countryside were amazing. There were horses playing, really playing, in the pasture. Horses standing under trees. Wide expanses of land. Goats, cows, alpaca, dogs (well-behaved and behind fences). I probably wobbled a lot because my head was moving side-to-side capturing the scenery. I was so busy looking around that I missed the turn for the 30-milers. But, I realized the error about a mile and a half later. I was already feeling hot, and the rolling hills were happening. I debated, keep going? or turn around. I turned around. 43 miles is a lot more than 30. And, my bum was feeling it. 

Made it to Stop #2 and learned all about the challenges of riding in bib shorts. It takes much longer in the Porta Pottie and you have to hold stuff and squat. It takes skilz!! I really really like my bib shorts, though. They are so comfortable and stay put. And, c'mon, Betty Designs skulls and butterflies!!! Too cute. Got compliments on my kit. It was nice to stretch the legs, get some blood flow back into the sore bits. And have more ice cold juicy sweet peach slices. 

Back in the saddle again and by now, I was just plain getting tired. I was really glad I didn't plan on 43. I kind of just want this to be over. It's hot. I'm cranky. Rolling hills are causing me to suck wind. Goats standing on hind legs, being guarded by Pyrenees ... OK that was a nice distraction. Then it was aid station #3.

I'm still cranky and the heat is getting to me. I keep refilling my water bottles, but the Tailwind half-strength isn't enough. First time trying it out. No gut issues, but I think I need full strength. I like the flavor, but at half-strength, the lemon doesn't taste like lemonade. I tried a Huma gel and it tasted like apple pie. That will get me by a little longer. Just a few more miles to go, but I'm stopping anyway and forcing myself to smile for a picture. And, since I've been talking about peaches, I should show you, they exist ... lots of them. At this point, I even tried a pickle. I keep hearing about pickle juice on rides. Interesting ... might be better ice cold.

Finally, 30 miles done. Back to the car to wait for Seriously and ThatsDumb. Why is it that the hills don't look very impressive on the elevation map? Would I do this again? Heck yeah. The volunteers at every aid station were so very nice. The route was beautiful. The Litespeed did her due diligence. The only problem was that my bike still needs a better engine. 

My finish picture is lying in the grass exhausted. Seriously came up about 20 minutes later and decided NOT to go for a run. I thought that was a good idea. Then about 5 minutes for ThatsDumb. Yes, I forced them to take a post-ride selfie. "It's for my blog," I said.

Off to shower. Then lunch at Righteous. The Musician had Multi-Grain Banana and Dark Chocolate Waffle that was pretty decadent. The menu is organic, but not vegan. Very few vegan options. I had Chile Pasilla with Roasted Butternut, Avocado, and Queso Fresco (minus queso fresco) soup and a side of Sweet Potato and Zucchini. It was tasty, but I like more options. They have plenty of juices, but I'm not in the juice mood ... I wanted FOOD!!! HANGRY HIPPO after a ride. Then to packet pick-up for the next day. And rest trying out NormaTec. Oh ... my legs are happy. Then, to another friend's birthday dinner and I wolfed down that vegan pizza. Sleeping soundly tonight.

For those of you supporting my MS150 training. Thank you. I am doing this nutty thing because other's can't. It's a great cause and one that is very close to me. If you haven't donated, it's not too late. (wink wink)

EcoSalon Summer Love Box

I heard about the EcoSalon Summer Love box and really wanted to give it a shot. Only 40 boxes were sold, so I knew it would sell out quickly. I have tried other boxes from Organic Authority and really enjoyed the single purchase boxes as a way to try new items. I really liked that this box would be filled with beauty products that are organic, eco-friendly, and plant-based. What's not to love? The price was $129 including shipping and the website said it could be 3 weeks for shipping. I received my box in under a week. 

CREO Hair and Home Decor Set Sun-splashed walls are made even more beautiful with original artwork. CREO, makers of cruelty-free and vegan personal care products, incorporates art into everything it does through its partnership with vastly talented, yet undiscovered artists. This fabulous CREO gift card is redeemable for two (2) of these artists’ beautiful original 8″ x 10″ prints, along with one each of CREO’s hair cleanser, conditioner, and masque. What more is there to love about a company, by the way, that also adorns its products with this original artwork? Oh, yeah, this whole initiative: In mid-June, the CREO Originals Project launched on Kickstarter.com to help create sustainable careers for these artists. It took a couple of emails, but I finally received a response. The product line is still in pre-production, so they said it would be several weeks, but that I would be receiving the following items. (Your certificate entitles you to over $200 worth of CREO products, including shampoo, masque and a conditioner of your choosing. In addition to the above products, your certificate entitles you to two high quality art prints of paintings by Brianna Deveraux.  You will be receiving the paintings "Stella" and "Orchid" in 10" x 8" size.  These high quality prints are suitable for framing and we hope you will find them enjoyable for years to come!)   I like the concept. 

Gift card redeemable for:Two (2) 8′ x 10″ artist’s prints, $75 each/$150 together

Hair cleanser: $19

Hair conditioner: $18

Hair masque: $19

Total value: $206 

Devera Naturals Bye Lines: Yes, Mom: We heard your ample warnings about the sun and the wrinkles it will give us. Well, as luck will have it, the good folks over at Devera Naturals have created the revolutionary Bye Lines anti-wrinkle treatment. A topical alternative to Botox (hooray!) that can also be used as a spot treatment, Bye Lines uses revolutionary Matrixyl Peptides and Goji Berry Extract to dramatically help increase collagen, while reducing deep lines in the forehead, lips and around the eyes. So, go soak it up!  I haven't started using this regularlly, but it smells great and has a wonderful texture. I think it has real potential. 
Value: $68

Azalia Spa Goods Refreshing Grapefruit Body Oil: It seems that “summer” and “fresh fruit” are mutually exclusive, along with the seasonal scents of both. You’ll be treated to one bottle of this body oil and its botanically lush grapefruit smell that slides us right into summer, helping to restore, protect, and smooth all the skin we bare during these hot months. The light, citrusy aroma of this vegan oil also energizes the senses, without any icky parabens, mineral oil, synthetic fragrance, GMO, gluten, dairy, or nuts. Breathe deep! This smells amazing. Almost edible. It really is a skin oil, but doesn't have an oily feel after applying. I did a test patch and could feel the difference in softness and smoothness.Value: One (1) bottle for $41

Honey Girl Organics Summer Facial Duo Where there’s summer, there are visions of sun and sand, and where there are such visions, there are also dreams of Hawaii. Let Haleiwa-based Honey Girl Organics take you there, with its positively enchanting Face & Eye Crème and Facial Toner. A little bit of this tropically divine crème goes a long way, serving as both a nourishing and anti-aging formula that’s gentle, yet highly effective on the delicate tissues around the eyes. It will help repair skin on a cellular level, enhancing collagen production and a natural radiant glow. The Facial Toner, meanwhile, is wonderfully multi-purpose, purifying, hydrating and invigorating skin with its antiseptic properties and organic witch hazel to help combat wrinkles and puffiness. Bonus: It’s also great on hot days as a refreshing face and body spray, or after shave.I have received Honey Girl products in subscription boxes and was pleased in the past. I find the face and eye creme to be a little greasy and it leaves me shiny so I'm limiting it to nighttime use. The toner has a subtle alcohol scent to it. I will rotate this in to my daily routine. It is supposed to work well for both oily and dry skin. 
Face & Eye Crème: $32.49
Facial Toner: $21.99
Total value: $54.48

Lemongrass Spa Healing Elements Balm: Summer to-do list: Camping? Check. Beach volleyball? Check. Outdoor-activity-accidents? Check, and check. Luckily, for the adorably clumsy among us, there’s Lemongrass Spa’s Healing Elements balm. Containing a special all-natural essential oil blend of lavender and vanilla, it’s the ultimate healing formula, and perhaps the best-smelling one, too. It’s also enhanced with vitamin E oil and calendula extract for soothing even the most sensitive skin, and contains non-nanoparticle zinc oxide, which – good news for all of the eco-conscious moms out there – is the number one pediatrician’s choice for healing skin rashes for children.I started using this almost immediately. It's great for soothing after a sunburn. It has a nice thick, but non-greasy emollient. It smells wonderful, not medicinal. Value: $22

Zosimos Botanicals Smoky Summer Eye Combo: Smoky season, smoky eyes. These Shamrock and Amethyst cream eye shadows blend wonderfully to create gorgeous looks, and can be used as eye liner when applied with the right kind of brush. What’s more, we love how these vegan cosmetics are custom-made: By hand in the 100% wind-powered Zosimos Botanicals studio. An award-winning small business and certified green company that has earned the cruelty-free Leaping Bunny seal, the Zosimos Botanicals line of cosmetics, skincare and bath products is made in the USA, using only pure certified organic essential oils, organic waxes, mica pigments and nontoxic ingredients. A smoldering combo, indeed! I admit it, even though I don't wear make-up often, I love getting new colors. I have been using mineral powder shadows and the cream shadow is something I have to get used to. But, I love the vibrant jewel-tone colors. I will have to practice use so I don't over-do it. And, I'm super happy to have easily labeled vegan make-up. I love the eye pencil. I'll wear make-up just to use it. It all goes on super smooth and soft. 
Vegan Amethyst Cream Shadow: $20
Vegan Shamrock Cream Shadow: $20
Vegan Silver Shimmer Eye Pencil: $15
Total value: $55

Dropwise Essentials Aromatherapy Spray Mister Pair: Why, yes, I do wish there were a non-candle form of aromatherapy that I could use in my office. And, sure, I wish I could use it to make myself smell a bit nicer after a long day, too. Enter the Dropwise Essentials Aromatherapy Spray Mister: A water-based room and body spray mister that offers a quick and convenient way to instantly brighten up your personal space. Get this: It can even can even be used to scent your hair. This vibrant and sensual blend of lemongrass, lemon, lime, tangerine, vetiver, patchouli, and ylang ylang essential oils is a handy form of aromatherapy-on-the-go: The 2.75 oz bottles are not only reusable and recyclable, but also, FAA Compliant. One ticket to a weekend getaway, please! These both smell amazing. The Inspiration  has a bright citrus scent that is very refreshing. The Enchant is a little more lemon (maybe?) but very subtle. I may try it in my hair and will use it in the office for pick-me-up when I need it. I swear, the test I did of Inspiration made me suddenly happy. 
Value: Two (2) misters at $12.75 each; $25.50 together

So, what do I think? I'm really glad I made this purchase. I will stalk EcoSalon (just like I stalk Organic Authority) for future boxes. I'm not always quick enough as they do sell out fast.  Total Value for the Summer Love Box: $471.98

Little pre-weekend getaway to the beach

Oh, how I have needed a weekend getaway. Even when I'm not working weekends, I'm not relaxing. It's hard for me to relax at home. There is always something I haven't done that needs to be done. Even if I'm not doing it, I'm thinking about doing something. My job had a 4 day weekend for Independence Day and instead of doing Friday-Monday, we were given Thursday-Sunday. It worked out pretty great so we could go for the weekdays and avoid the holiday crowds. Two days is about all I can handle without wigging out about all I should be doing. So, Thursday morning, we packed up the girls for a road trip. They like riding in the car as long as it isn't to the vet or the groomer. Good little passengers on their fluffy fleecy bed in the back.

We arrived and checked into La Quinta in Corpus Christi. La Quinta is pretty nice as they are dog friendly. The hotel was clean and we quickly settled in and changed and hopped back into the car for a trip to Mustang Island State Beach. It was pretty nice to just drive up and park and settle in for the afternoon. We had snacks for us and the girls and plenty of water. The girls took a little time figuring things out. It's been a long time since they've been to the beach and last time we were at the ocean, Bunny could see. The girls got their feet wet and eventually stopped freaking out whenever the waves approached them. After a few hours basking, the sun started to drift down and we headed back to town.

Alley says "Thanks for bringing me to the beach"

Alley enjoyed watching the birds and really wanted to chase them.

I just like standing and staring into the great nothingness of the ocean.

Now ... the Gulf Coast isn't the most vegan-friendly place, but we used our Happy Cow app and found a Thai restaurant near the hotel that makes everything to order and the curry is made with vegetable base and can be done without fish sauce. And, don't be fooled by the hole in the wall. It was amazing. The inside wasn't any more impressive than the outside, but the food was amazing. But, be careful, "mild" was hot hot hot for my taste buds. Tons of flavor, but ooohhh, I drank a looooottttt of water. It's also really hard to find Tom Yum that is made with vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. I was soooooo happy.

Next morning, we slept late. Woke up when we woke up. No alarm. No schedule. Breakfast at the hotel was great. They had the usual hot fare with waffles and eggs and sausage or something like that. I stuck with my usual ... and favorite ... hot, lumpy oatmeal with brown sugar and raisins and maple syrup. We loaded up again and headed to the National Seashore. Yes, a nice military perk is free entry into national parks.

Ready to go on another adventure

Once again, we were able to park at the beach and set up "camp" right next to the car. No lugging a bunch of stuff. We spent hours in the hot hot sun. I love baking, but don't like frying, so sunscreen was generous. I wore an INKnBURN top and just chilled. We walked up and down the beach and then sat and relaxed and walked some more and relaxed some more. Bunny remembered how much she loved the ocean and she really tried to bite the waves as they came in. But, no matter how many times she attacked, they kept coming back. Eventually, she said "uncle" and was ready to rest. Alley regained her courage and tried to swim out jumping over the waves. She was really swimming for awhile without feet on solid ground. But, then a big wave came and tumbled her a bit and she said "enough" and headed back.  As the sun moved across the sky, we kept moving to make sure we were in the shade.

At one point, the Musician pointed out this guy on the beach. Beautiful, huh? And, I felt bad for him (it?). He was moving, but couldn't go anywhere. So, I tried to get him back in the water before he dried out. I found some flotsam and tried to scoop him up and out to the water. Those tentacles are super duper long and the waves kept bringing him back to shore. I was a little scared to go too deep because I wanted to avoid those long tentacles. The Musician saved the day and took him out deeper water and we watched him ride some waves. I had a few tingly spots on a foot and hand and think maybe I was whipped by one of those tentacles. Just a little. Sadly, as we left late in the day, I encountered him again on the sand. Most of his color was gone and he was dry and not moving. I said a little funeral prayer for him. 

As I was saving Man O'War, Bunny decided she no longer wanted to sunbathe in the sand and she stole my chair. She is such a little princess!! So, what do I do? I let her keep her perch, of course. She didn't leave it for the rest of the afternoon. I was in the sand with Alley. Yeah, who's spoiled? 

Eventually, the day had to come to an end. We went hunting for snow cones and then back to the hotel for a quick shower. Then back to Bangkok Star for some carry-out...a little milder this time. It really was good enough to eat several days in a row if we stayed longer. Exhaustion set in and then sleep. Once again, we woke up when we woke up. Breakfast made me sad because no oatmeal. If I were a carnivore, I would have enjoyed the biscuits and gravy ... my favorite breakfast meal of the past. We were moving slow and I found a few spots that got missed when I put on repeat layers of sunscreen. Other areas, I decided not to show in pictures. 

We moved slowly and leisurely and slowly checked out. The girls sacked out in the car on the way home and so did I. Then a quiet night at home as everyone else enjoyed the fireworks.

So, how did I feel about a lazy weekend? I totally needed it. I need to learn how to relax again.

Beaches? Both were great. Neither were crowded on a weekday and they were clean

La Quinta? Friendly. Clean. Good breakfast. I would go back

Bangkok Star? Awesome flavor. Vegan friendly. Definitely go back.

Wantable Intimates July 2015

Wantable has 5 subscriptions: an Accessory box (I am not a good accessorizor), their Intimate box, Make-up box and their Fitness wear and Style box (try on at home and keep what you want). For the Accessory, Intimate, and Make-up, the cost is $40 the first month and then a 10% discount subsequent months if you keep everything. You can return individual items, though, so it's not a keep all or none sort of thing. When you sign up, you set up a style profile an select things you love, like, and dislike. They will never send something you dislike. Each box is selected for you, so my box will be different from everyone else's box. And, you can return if you want. That's a bonus most boxes don't allow. Aaaannnddd .... you always have the option to skip a month when you just need to take some time off. I chose the Intimates box. Assortment of undergarments, socks, loungewear, etc. Should be 3-4 items per box depending on value of items.

One of the things that impresses me most about Wantable is how quickly they ship. My July Intimate box arrived exactly on July 1. My style profile says that I love Loungewear, Leggings, and Socks. I have reviewed on their site each item I've received and they seem to do a better job selecting my items each time. I also appreciated a friendly note included with my package. It seems personal like they have read my reviews. 

So ... onto the box

Rene Rofe Spring Print Chemise and Robe. I have been really a lounge pants and tank kind of girl, but the chemise and robe in this box made me feel really kind of pretty for lounging. Soft. Comfortable. Both size small and felt true to size. I have gotten a lot of wear of of this already. Retail $22 for Chemise and $36 for Robe. My cost to keep? $12.39 for Chemise and $20.28 for Robe. 

Ozone Big Dot Socks. OK, who doesn't like cute socks. I like the big black and white bold dots print. I can wear it with almost any pants. The socks are also pretty soft inside. So, yeah. Of course I love them. Retail $13. My cost to keep $7.32. 

So ... opinion. Yes, I am sticking with it. I love the surprise items and I feel like I'm getting value. Retail is $40 for the box, but because I kept everything last month, I paid $36. Value was $71. 

Midsummer Night's Dream 5K

"Though she be but little, she is fierce." This is a great Shakespearean quote to describe a night of running with friends. I ran the Midsummer Night Dream 5K last year with a friend and had fun, so I decided to run again this year. This is a fun little race put on by Scallywompus Events. It's women only and filled with Martinis, Mimosas, and Massages. Starts at 9 PM on a Friday night, which is a bit dark for me, but ok.

After work, I picked up Sorority Girl and we headed to Brackenridge Park to pick up our packets and T-shirts. Parking was already pretty crowded, but not unexpected. We walked from our car to the registration to the car and back to the central area. We will call it a warm-up.




We had our bibs set up and decided to look around. Yep, vodka samples and mimosas. The vodka line was long and I hate lines. The mimosa line wasn't bad, so we thought we would have ourselves a refreshing drink before starting the evening. What better way to race than after a little beverage? Right?

Since lots of folks were wearing fairy wings, we thought the winged idea would be fun. Well ... at least feathers and we had our INKnBURN. Sorority Girl was in Flutter and I was in Peacock, just like last year.






We relaxed, took some jumping pics, and were shooe'd off part of the grass because they had just put down some kind of treatment. Weed or bug killer? I don't know, but we followed rules. At the start line, we met up with MamaCostey and the Reservist from work. The Reservist is a faster runner so she took off after the start. Sorority Girl is doing OK, so she ran ahead of us. MamaCostey and I are both on the walking list these days and we hung together. Start line was crowded and slow, but eventually it spread out.

The course is run on golf-cart paths along the golf course. It has the ability to get crowded and there were times where it could be tough to get around people moving slower. The volunteers were amazing and supportive. So nice along the course and I never felt low on water (even though I carry my own). There was one area where very briefly, there is bidirectional running and the volunteers were great about letting us know it was coming up and to keep to the right.

Mama Costey and I chatted and caught up on the events of the week. We reached the finish and she headed out to find the Reservist and I went to find Sorority Girl. It was hot. Mosquitoes were out. The Reservist wanted to head home quick. Sorority Girl was a bit overheated, so we sat down for a bit. There was food, but not vegetarian or vegan, so I skipped it. I honestly don't even know what it was. Medal has a bottle opener. That's cool.

Little Lace Box June 2015

Little Lace Box is a subscription box for women. It's curated for women by three sisters and isn't really described as a "lifestyle" box, but curates their boxes around particular themes. They used to be a monthly box and that is changing after the April box. I think because of their popularity, they grew really fast. They put so much thought into the curations, it has been challenging keeping up. After April ... the subscriptions are going to every other month ... six times a year. I had an annual subscription ... so it extends it out 18 months for the remaining 9 boxes. No complaints.

You can purchase a bi-monthly subscription for $59.99. 3 boxes over 6 months for $149.97. 6 boxes over 12 months for $269.99. If you have a recurring subscription, you can email them to suspend subscription for any reason and then resume when  you are ready.  I purchased mine when the annual (12-box) subscription was $383.90 ($31.99/box). Shipping is between the 20th-23rd each month and they bill monthly just before shipping.  If you like items you receive and want more, they have an on-line boutique where you can purchase more. For every dollar you spend in the boutique or on the purchase of the box, you get a loyalty point.  50 loyalty points is one dollar to spend in the boutique.

I really love that you receive a text when your box ships. And I really love that each theme has a story behind it. This month was Classy and Fabulous and inspired. The April box was inspired by their grandmother and this one was too. I'm kind of jealous of the family the sisters grew up in. It seems full of love and laughter and joy. I sure would have loved their grandmother.  

The first item in the box was Watercolor Print Silk Scarf: This is really one of the prettiest and most timeless scarves I've received in a subscription box. I love scarves. They provided great hints and style suggestions that really do bring out Audrey  Hepburn or Coco Chanel. I do have a bit of angst because it is really pretty and really soft and really versatile. But, it is silk. To some people that's a great thing and a little luxury. But, I've recently learned how silk is obtained from silkworms and it seems the silkworms fight back. My belief is that if it fights back, it probably feels something, so silk is one more thing I'm slowly removing from my life as I move towards being fully plant-based. I may have to gift it. Retail $45.99.

 The Kitsch Ring is super cool and original and classic all at once. I love the personal story and the focus on the founder and designer. These rings were made specifically for Little Lace Box. 14 Karat gold and I received the Amethyst stone (the other option was Turquise). I would have loved either, but I am a fan of purple, so Amethyst is perfect. I don't wear rings often (other than my wedding ring), but I might have to make an exception. Retail $24.99 





Depending on the color of stone, the box matched a LucyB's Apothecary Nail Lacquer: I received starlet, with is a very pail pink. I love that they paired the ring with the polish to really tie it together. I've seen pictures of the other color (Premier) and it is gorgeous also. Retail $12.99

And TaDa!!!! Little Lace Box now has their own natural line of sugar scrub. I love sugar scrubs. Pour Some Sugar Scrub on Me. I love the name. The line os organic, 99% natural, vegan, and cruelty-free. That makes me happy. There were four options in the box. I received Oatmeal Milk & Honey, which is probably the least exciting scent, I would guess. The others had much more fun names like You Leave me Peachless, Lollambambooza, and Coconut Mango Mimosa. I may have to buy more. And at the price point, I can't complain. Retail $19.99

The final item in the box is by far my favorite. The Packable Summer Hat by San Diego Hat Co. Last summer I searched for a wide-brimmed hat that I could pack and wouldn't get bent in the suitcase. I didn't have a lot of luck. The packable hat I did find didn't hold up as well as I had hoped and didn't fit my head quite right to stay on. This one is adjustable and can be wrapped snugg. I can also jazz it up with the scarf. There were several color options and I can't complain about mine. I love the belted touch of the brown one I have seen. I have already worn this to the beach, but didn't take any glamorous pictures. I sure felt glamorous though. My only complaint is that in my previous search, I have been really hoping to find a hat that was not made in China. Seems they are all made in China these days and I would really like to find something made in the USA. But, I love the hat and will wear it all summer. Retail $27.99 

 So, what do I think? I absolutely LOVE it. The theme was fun and the curation was spot on. Everything will be used and loved, if not by me, by a lucky friend. Retail $131.95 so definitely great value. I can hardly wait so see what August brings. The theme is Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. I know the sisters are having fun with this one. They have hinted on how many different directions the theme could take them. They are also going to send out clues on Facebook to help us guess what's coming or to intentionally send us down the wrong track. How fun this is going to be.