Climbing, Daily, FitFluential, Fitness, Health, Photos

History of my climbing shoes

1 Comment

I don’t know why I put myself through the pain of buying my climbing shoes three sizes too small. The recommended amount is that you go down 1½—2 sizes. Yet I chose 3. I can’t go back now, because my feet are used to it!

Have you ever tried indoor rock climbing? This is a really old photo of me climbing lead back home in Newfoundland. I won’t tell you how old exactly because I feel old even thinking about how long ago it was. climbing leadIt’s such a great workout and doesn’t even feel like you’re working out until you’re done. Because it’s SO FUN to climb!

Back home my friends are all climbers. It’s how I’ve met all of my friends in Newfoundland. I miss them all and can’t wait to go back in June to see them.climbing back home

My first pair of climbing shoes I picked out on the recommendation of a friend, back in 1995 when I first started climbing. They were they 5.10 5.10 moccasym’s.

Me and my friends climbing shoes back in 2003:climbingshoes

I made them work, but they were really a basic shoe and not the best fit. Every time I came down off a climb there was air between the arch of my foot and the shoe that it made a farting noise. Talk about embarrassing, especially being a young teenager at the time. That farting noise? No man it wasn’t me.

I had them resoled a few times to get a sharper edge, and of course because the rubber was wearing thin. A few years later I knew I wanted something more aggressive for heel hooking. A shoe that would stay on my foot, and fit my feet better. I did a lot of researching and ended up purchasing the La Sportiva Miura’s back in 2004. Which ended up being a unisex shoe at the time. Now, the green one’s are the men’s version and the women have their own Miuras (in white). I loved using the miuras because it form fitted to my small heel. The edges were incredible and the way I performed on the bouldering and climbing walls were a world of difference compared to the 5.10 moccasym. katana miura

I had been eying the katana climbing shoes by La Sportiva a few years after I purchased the miura’s. But it didn’t make sense to buy new climbing shoes because at that time I was living in Ontario, an hours drive from a climbing gym and not climbing as much as I would’ve liked.

Fast forward to late summer 2011 when the new climbing gym opened up in my city. I took up climbing again after a few years break. December 2011 I entered a boulder comp, this is one of the photos my Boyf took of me on the wall :)boulder comp

In 2012 I took a “break” and didn’t really climb too much. This year I’ve amped it up and I’m climbing 2-3 times a week. Definitely not as frequent as I used to go (5-6 days a week) because I have two loves. Climbing and CrossFit. So something’s gotta give.

My mirua’s are now 9 years old, have never been resoled and it was due time to purchase another pair. Finally, the katana’s! My boyf ended up buying the Katana’s for me for my birthday.katana in box

Super pretty right? I think blue is my favorite color lately. I’ve been buying a lot of it.climbing shoes

I went into MEC and tried them on for the first time. I knew they weren’t going to be an aggressive shoe like the mirua, but I was okay with that. What about the heel hook and the fit of the shoe overall? It’s definitely a different shoe than I’m used to. I bought the same size of Katana’s as I had in the Miura.katana

I was biased about the Katana’s and wanted to buy them regardless. I had my eyes on them for years. I’ve used the Katana’s twice already and while it’ll take a while to break in, I’m overall pleased with it. The heel hook is not the same as the Mirua, the shape of the heel cup is different at the backside. But that is something I”ll have to get used to.

Have you ever tried climbing?

If you do climb, what shoes do you own?

Continue Reading

Beauty, Daily, Fashion, How I Style, Photos, Reviews

Sharing the Fossil love

7 Comments

So much Fossil love has happened since I last blogged about them. Though it may sound sponsored as it always may seem with Fossil. It’s not. Just truly love the company and their products.

Remember when the CEO, and my Boss picked up some Fossil goodies in March? Then I finally showed you what was available for the Fossil summer launches!

Well friends, apparently Fossil thought it was my turn to have a little something special from them too. My friend Lori e-mailed me a birthday parcel with some Fossil treats!

fossil-clutch3

Please wish my new Fossil Explorer Flap Clutch in bright blue a happy one week birthday as of today. I filled it up with my cards and my dollah billz the moment I ripped open the FedEx packaging. No holding me back. Use it or lose it baby.fossil-clutch4

My nails have already made a few minor scratch marks on the supple leather. It was a little distressing, but the soft leather will eventually be distressed on its own. Hence that’s the look it’ll age with. Soft, touchable leather.  fossil-clutch

The explorer collection is by far my favorite by Fossil since it has so many compartments. It has a huge pocket at the top of the clutch which is wide and deep enough for your phone amongst other things.

I use the second zip for coins.

fossil-clutch5

Top zipper, where I mentioned I stored my blackberry. Supporting local yo! No iPhones around here.fossil-clutch2

Side view. Ain’t he pretty? I say he, because all my other Fossil’s are female. I mean, c’mon a pink explorer flap? 3 triplet watches named Stella? Girl needs a bit of diversity, am I right?

Fossil-Explorer-Flap-Clutch

I was way overdue for a new wallet since my blue coin purse turned wallet was getting a little ratty. I had my eye on the Fossil (which I blogged about, no surprise there). And boom, that was sent to me as well. Fossil Canada Headquarters, you are way too kind to me. I appreciate it more than you know, Lori. Sending virtual hugs, friend!

This morning another surprise came to my attention. TWO parcels from Fossil in less than a week? I’m one spoiled birthday girl. Fossil mini crossbody

My co-worker and I are matching Fossil-licious fanatics!fossiliciousI need to get a photo of my entire co-workers Fossil goods. Because it’s quite unreal at how much all of us love the brand.

While my Mom was in Florida during the first few weeks of April, she e-mailed me the first day of shopping once she came back and said “Look what I got, hehe” and what do ya know. I’ve got my Mom hooked on it too. Moms Fossil watch

Laura’s birthday was a few days before mine and her daughter bought her a lot of jewellery at Fossil! I was pretty impressed.

Lauras FossilA charm bracelet with four adorable charms. I spot the locket, the giraffe, a shovel and pail, and a little birdy! She also has one of the Fossil Stella watches.

Oh, and that’s not all. Her daughter also bought her a necklace with charms too. Such fun pieces.Lauras Fossil2

Laura (shown in the photo above) also picked up this explorer crossbody purse for herself. It matches my purse. I’ll have to get a trio photo of our items together again,  just so they can hug, and remember their blue explorer cousins. lauras purse

I am a Fossil influencer. I know it. All these people have bought Fossil items because of my obsession. Or because they just love Fossil, but I like to think it’s because of me, ha!

Even the girl we interviewed a few weeks ago brought in a Fossil purse that I spotted. There’s no denying my hawk eyes. When I spot it I’m all Hey, love your purse girlfran. Instant connection.

Do you have an obsession with a product/item/thing as much as I do?

What is your favorite store to shop at? I love Fossil (who doesn’t?), H&M and Target.

Continue Reading

Daily, FitFluential, Photos, Workout Schedule

Beautiful You

1 Comment

Growing up, I never thought I wasn’t beautiful. Not to say that I had high self esteem or was conceited. There was never any self doubt in my head that I was “ugly” or “not pretty enough”. I was a painfully shy kid, especially around strangers. But put me in front of someone who I’m comfortable with and I’ll be the class clown, who tries to make you laugh.

I went to an all girls catholic school, and I was still that tom boy who climbed tree’s and ate sandwiches inside kitchen cupboards with my little dude friends.

I even cut my hair like a boy, so I could be more like my older brother. You can’t exactly tell from this photo since it was from a Halloween. Let’s just visualize it.bunny 2

I remember one instance where I dressed up like a boy, smeared some mud on my face and walked over two houses, and asked in a deeper boy voice if my Brother could play street hockey with them because he dared made me.

Now that I’m older, and grown up I’ve vowed to never cut my hair short ever again. In fact, I remember I was mistaken for a boy on more than one occasion as a kid. I’m still a tom boy at heart because I’m still so very athletic. It wasn’t until my late twenties where I turned into a girls girl. I never went to a hair salon, I never got my nails done or wore skirts and pretty tops.

Over the past few years I’ve developed into the perfect blend of me. I love getting pedicures and then cramming them into climbing shoes just hours later. I love going for spa massages and then going out and setting up a bonfire with my scrappy jeans and hoodies the same night. I love my life right now, and where I am.

I may not be a pro athlete but I’m being the best me that I can be, and I think that’s beautiful.

You may remember last year I had the opportunity to work with Under Armour, thanks to a sponsored FitFluential campaign. Well it’s back with a vengeance. Below are the women who won the What’s Beautiful campaign last year. UA

I ask that you join me in an 8 week challenge to redefine the female athlete. You do not have to be a professional whatsoever. This competition is for the every day woman.

Push yourself harder to get motivated and get after your goals you’ve set up for yourself. It doesn’t even have to be fitness related. It can be mental, emotional or physical. Make your goals a reality.

  • Want to start eating healthier?
  • Work out more?
  • Quit biting your nails?

Join me and everyone else in the Under Armour What’s Beautiful community and encourage all women of all backgrounds who try an empower themselves.

View my What’s Beautiful profile, and follow me once you’re ready to sign up.

How to sign up:

  1. Sign up on the What’s Beautiful website to create a page
  2. Come up with a goal for yourself. It can be as vague or specific as you’d like. Short-term or long-term goals welcome.
  3. Upload your challenges. It shows that you’re working towards, or have completed an achieved goal. The entire What’s Beautiful community can see these goals on your page so that’s extra motivation, they can help you achieve them and cheer you on.

 

Continue Reading