Sporty Mommas

Beaches Turks and Caicos

Filed under: Mom Life ·

Hey there Sporty Mommas! How is your summer going so far?  I am almost settled back in after our family vacation to the Beaches Resort in Turks and Caicos. First of all let me say that it was pretty amazing. Some of you have already seen my pictures on Instagram or Facebook so you know that the Stew Crew had a blast. I wanted to share with you some of our favorite things about the trip and a few tips if you plan to visit.

Why Beaches? Every summer and sometimes spring break we always head to Atlantis. We actually spent the day there on our Disney Cruise back in March. My husband and I were talking with the kids and we all voted on trying something new this summer. I think it is a blessing to be able to take them to different places so they can experience new things. We love the beach and I’ve heard amazing things about the Beaches property so I figured hey let’s give it a try. However, I didn’t book the trip until early May and there wasn’t a lot of availability. (Tip 1: Book early)

 

We originally booked a five night stay in a family kids suite in the Italian Village. But, about a week before our departure I searched online one more time for any available upgrades. There were two suites available in the Key West Village and since it was five of us for so many nights, I went ahead and changed the room category. We were so glad that we did. The two story, two bedroom Key West Villa was just what we needed. It was equipped with two king beds, two full bathrooms, a kitchen, living and dining area, a cute little porch and two balconies. It was like having our own beach house for 6 days. (Tip 2: Check for upgrades/cancellations)

It was our first time staying at an all inclusive resort with the kids. All of the food, drinks, water activities, x-box lounge and shows were included in our package. We experienced great food and service and they made special accommodations for our son who has a gluten-free diet. The kids enjoyed riding in the golf carts, the slides in the water park,  going to the beach and playing video games in the X-box lounge every night. I even played Just Dance 2019 a few times. There was complimentary childcare and day camps for families that needed it but since we have a tween, we kept them all together.

The best part of the trip for me was to see the kids playing in the water with their dad. They laughed, made videos with the go pro and looked for fish and seashells. That reminds me, I have a bag of shells inside one of my purses. The water was so clear that we could see schools of fish in the shallow area of the beach. The sand was so soft it felt like baby powder under your toes. The sunsets each night were breathtaking. Besides overeating at the buffets and gaining four pounds lol, there were really no complaints.

 

 

We wrapped up our trip with an amazing photoshoot. All guests receive a complimentary 20 minute photo session on the beach. I am usually really good at planning our family pictures but I forgot this time. (#mombrain) At the last minute I threw together our outfits. All we needed was a white top and denim right? (Tip 3: Coordinate your family photo look in advance) So if you are looking for a great all inclusive vacation, I highly recommend Beaches. The service, food, beaches and smiles were worth every penny. Did you go on vacation yet?

 

 

 

XO,

Sharonda

Let’s Talk Business Event

Filed under: News & Events ·

Join me and the lovely ladies of FemCity Miami for a panel discussion on “Let’s Talk Business”. I’m excited to be cohosting this event at Mercedes Benz Coral Gables with four other boss babes on Friday, June 21st at 9 a.m. This is a members only event. Head over to femcity.com today! See you there!

 

Let it Go

Filed under: Mom Life ·

Let me start out by saying this is not my average upbeat post because let’s face it life isn’t always upbeat and happy go lucky every single day. Some days life is hard, things might not go your way, the bills might be stacking up, rent is due, the doctor report comes back with bad news, people might hurt your feelings and well it can just suck. We have all had those days or weeks and sometimes even months where you might ask, why me?

Over the past month I have been going to a Bible Study class. It’s actually a small group called connect where we are working on a course created by the pastor called Hurdles. At first I did not really want to commit to bible study on a Tuesday night. Like most moms, I am always exhausted around 7 p.m. and I really just want to go find a quiet space to chill. After receiving texts from two different women from our church, I decided to get my stuff together and give it a try.  The first class was so powerful. I left feeling lighter, understood and supported. I think that’s what most women want. Do you feel me?

Throughout the study I have learned a lot about myself. I don’t let things go easily. I hold my feelings in so much sometimes to the point where I am probably exploding on the inside. You see I am very, very good with not letting it show. But this is not a good trait to have. It turns into anger and then anger turns to resentment then to stress and then sickness. To prevent that from happening, you can battle the stress with products such as SelectVape. Last week we spoke about the hurdle of offense. How do you handle when someone offends you or you offend someone else? Do you trip over it or let it roll off of you like water on a wet duck?  I laughed cause I knew this was one of my struggles.

There is so much power in letting go of things that no longer serve you.  Your thing might be a relationship, addiction, habit, job, old offense…. Whatever your hurdle is there is power in letting go. Calm down with help from using hhcp vape carts. Additionally, the Geek Bar Pulse X vape performance is impressive, offering a smooth and consistent experience for users. This will help you improve your mood and give you a relaxing feeling. The other day I was highly offended by someone that I use to consider a good friend. However, over the years the friendship has been strained and well simply put time to really let it go. After I let my emotions get the best of me I remembered something that one of the elders in the group said. “Most of the time the other person doesn’t even know that they offended you.” This turned out to be very true and all a big misunderstanding but it reminded me of why I needed to let this relationship go.  It is unhealthy and no longer serves either one of us. Finally, I am okay with that.

This is our last week of connect groups before the summer break and I am honestly sad to see it end. It has stretched my mind and empowered me to continue jumping over life’s hurdles even if I knock some of them down a long the way. I am not perfect and that is okay. God has equipped you with all that you need in order to get through whatever is standing in your path. Hurdles will be available online very soon and I will be sure to share the details with you all.

XO,

Sharonda

The Salty Donut

Filed under: Mom Life ·

Have you heard the big news? The Salty Donut just opened it’s newest location in South Miami. I kept seeing posts on Instagram about the Wynwood location but I had never actually been. Well guys I have another confession… I have a sweet tooth and a love for trying new things so I could not wait to see what the Salty Donut had to offer. The Salty Donut is a family-owned artisan donut shop. It is known as “More than a donut shop”. All of their items are chef-made and created in small batches with the freshest ingredients.  They even have a gluten free option!!! My son was so thrilled when I told him the news.

 

On Friday I tried to get a taste but the line was insane. I actually drove by the location more than once, but the line was wrapped around the side of the building.   A friend of mine posted that she waited in line over an hour for her fix.  My daughter and I were in line at 5:15 p.m. and the hostess came out to tell us that they only had 18 donuts left for the day and there were 20 people in front of us. Talk about a bummer!!! Last night I had three dreams about donuts so I woke up early Saturday morning and tried my luck again. After 10 minutes in line chatting with a lovely lady and her mom who filled me in on the #cronut, I walked out with some goodies for the Stew Crew. Have you ever heard of a Cinnamon Toast Crunch latte? It was like a trip bak to the 90’s!!!

 

I left the shop with a variety box. But the focus was on the Cronut. A cronut is a mixture of a croissant and a donut and let me tell you that this was a work of art. It was crispy, airy, rich and creamy all at the same time. Like magic. It says that it was only offered on their grand opening weekend but I hope that they bring it back. I just might wait an hour in line to get another one of those. If you make it over soon please let me know what you think. Hey we might even do a Sporty Mommas Connect over Cinnamon Toast Crunch Lattes soon! How would you all like that?

 

XOXO,

Sharonda

Hey Momma, Breathe!

Filed under: Mom Life ·

Now that Mother’s Day is behind us, some of us probably didn’t get much of a break. #momlife most of us are back on our grind planning the summer, making to do lists and gathering gifts for teacher appreciation week. Yes this week is teacher appreciation week so don’t forget to show your teachers some love. When I was a teacher I loved receiving gift cards so that I could buy whatever I needed at the time. (Hint, hint)

As summer approaches I thought that it would be good to share some quick ways to destress while you have the kids at home for the next 10 weeks. Yes, Lord 10 weeks. Last summer I drove myself a little cray cray because I didn’t really have any plans. We were just sleeping in and playing it by ear. This year I am putting the Stew Crew on a schedule lol! Contact air conditioning repair indianapolis ahead of time to have a cooler summer. Additionally, the air conditioner repair Honolulu provides an optimal solution to maintain your unit in good condition. I hope that you all have an amazing week. Feel free to add more suggestions on ways moms can stay sane this summer in the comments below.

Ways to Destress

  1. Take a yoga class
  2. Enjoy a cup of your favorite hot tea
  3. Take a long walk at the beach or park
  4. Book a massage
  5. Say no to the things that you just don’t want to do
  6. Dance to your favorite jam
  7. A quick 2-5 minute meditation works wonders
  8. Light a candle or use a diffuser with essential oils
  9. Go to lunch solo and sit near a window and people watch
  10. Paint or try something new

XOXO,

Sharonda

Summer, Summer, Summertime!

Filed under: Fashion ·

Well ladies, May is here and unless you have been stuck up north in the cold weather and haven’t really been out, you have probably already seen the beach towels, bikinis and the body lava at Sephora restocked and ready for summer. Summer is a time to unwind and enjoy the family, sun and my favorite the cute summer outfits. I have two really fun events that I am attending this week so I have been out window shopping trying to figure out what I am going to wear. There are some exciting trends going on right now and I am loving all of the oldies that are making a comeback like barrettes, mini skirts and straw bags but also enjoying some of the new trends. Here are the top 10 trends that I see in 2019.

1. Animal Prints
2. Minis

3. The Non-Traditional White Blouse 

4. The Straw Handbag

 

5. The Strappy Sandal

6. Pretty Hair Bows


7. Bright Bold Colors

 

 

8. Matching Sets

 

9. Chunky Sneakers

 

 

10. The Cat Eye

 

Happy Shopping,

Sharonda

Cannabis is the new Black

Filed under: Mom Life ·

We all have heard the debates over medical marijuana and I am not here to join the debate at all. What I would love to share is some of the things that I have discovered over the past year. I was thrilled to attend the Women Who Wine event a few weeks ago hosted by Wine with Nat and Surterra Wellness Company. Since I already have experience with CBD and know a few family members that are using medical marijuana products just like the CBDDY: hemp oil, so I was ready to hear what a “real” medical doctor had to say. Boy did she have a lot to say. And also, DocMJ Orlando aims to make the process of getting your medical marijuana recommendations much simpler. Those who prefer vaping may invest in high-quality Heets Abu Dhabi products online.

As fifteen influencers sat around the multi million dollar yacht, “Something About Meri”, we listened to the benefits of cannabis from special guest, Dr. Stephanie Jimenez.  There is definitely a difference in CBD and Medical Marijuana (THC). The marijuana plant is powerful. It is considered by some to be a superfood. The articles by I Love Growing Marijuana can help people in tending their marijuana garden. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the two primary cannabinoids that are found in the cannabis plant. Both of these substances interact with the cannabinoid receptors that are found in the human body. However CBD and THC have dramatically different effects on the brain. CBD is non-psychoactive which means that you won’t get high. Because of this CBD is popping up everywhere in dietary and natural supplements. 

About a year ago I was talking to a mom friend of mine about how I was having difficulty sleeping. She asked me if I had tried the CBD oil that she had given me months before and I told her no. I actually gave it to a friend who has a daughter with ADHD and autism. She told me that I needed a bottle for myself so I desperately gave it a try. To my surprise Buddasbest has helped me so much. I use it sporadically but I can tell you that it helps me relax and sleep better. Recently I have found out that it helps my body when I am super sore from working out. (Bath Bomb) Dr. Jimenez mentioned in our group discussion that a lot of women and kids are benefiting from CBD. Women go through so much on a daily basis the last thing we need is anxiety and lack of sleep.

The Benefits of CBD: Research studies show that CBD may be helpful with:

*Pain Relief

*Epilepsy

*MS

*ALS

*Parkinson’s 

*Inflammation

*Acne

*Broken bones

*Depression

*Diabetes

*Rhematoid Arthritis

*Anxiety

*ADHD

*Heart Disease

*IBS

THC is what produces the high or sense of euphoria. Using an Electric Weed Pipe can provide a smoother and more controlled experience when consuming cannabis.

THC (Medical Marijuana) is used to help with conditions such as:

*pain

*muscle spasms

*glaucoma

*insomnia 

*low appetite

*nausea

*anxiety

Cannabis comes in many different forms. There are oils, vapes, smokable weed, and edibles that are infused with THC such as baked goods, gummies, chocolates, and even THC shots. You can also shop a wide selection of disposable vape brands from Geek Bar to Vaper Gate, while if you use a vaping reusable device, having things like a Muvate 510 Battery can be a great addition as well. There are even some beauty products that are infused with CBD.

Did you know that Josie Marin has a CBD Argan oil? The cannabis world is expanding daily. I think it is a great time to learn more and see how this powerful plant can help you or your loved ones. Please note that Medical Marijuana is prescribed by a medical professional. CBD is is legal in all 50 states as long as it complies with the regulations of keeping the THC level below 0.3%. Which is what Buddasbest regulates in all of their products. Dr. Jimenez explained to us how the Surterra Wellness center works with patients. Surterra is a medical marijuana dispensary with locations all across Florida.  If you have a serious condition and are interested in medical marijuana I highly recommend that you reach out to her.  They actually just opened a location in Pinecrest. There is a process and you will be monitored to find the right dosage for your body.  Most patients have to adjust their dosage several times before getting it right.  If you or someone you know are interested in speaking with a medical professional about CBD and medical marijuana you can reach her at sjimenez@surterra.comr  If you want more information on the CBD oil that I currently use visit www.buddasbest.com and use code: momlife to get 15% off your total purchase. 

XOXO,

Sharonda

Disney Dream (Part 2)

Filed under: Mom Life ·

Day two on the Disney Dream was just as full of excitement as the first day. We had to get up early for our breakfast seating time. Everyone is assigned restaurants and times to have breakfast. I was very happy with the gluten free menu accommodations for our son. Sometimes when you travel it is hard to find options but once our server found out about his dietary restrictions they were on it. He was able to enjoy yummy pancakes, donuts and Mickey Waffles just like the other kids. Tip 4: Let the server know if you have any food allergies. After breakfast at the Royal Palace we gathered our beach bags and departed the ship for a busy day at Atlantis Aquaventure. We spent last Spring Break at Atlantis so it was cool to be able to enjoy the slides and spend some time on the beach with the kiddos. They love the slides and the lazy river. I usually just chill at the pool and take pictures. The last time that I went on the lazy river, my tube wanted to do it’s own thing so yeah…I am not going back for awhile.

We spent about 6 hours at Atlantis, which is just enough time to enjoy the water, have lunch and explore a little. The waves were very serious so we didn’t spend as much time at the beach. Before we knew it, it was 4 p.m. and time to head back to the ship. I wasn’t playing around after having those dreams that the ship left us lol! It took a while to get everyone cleaned up and ready for dinner. It was Pirate Night!!! I ordered a bunch of Pirate stuff from Amazon. Thank God for Amazon Prime.  Tip 5: Order or make Pirate costumes Everyone willingly participated in Pirate Night (even the hubby) and we enjoyed dinner at the Enchanted Garden. This restaurant was the prettiest but I wasn’t crazy about the menu. I think it changes from time to time and perhaps I ordered the wrong selection.

The older two kids enjoyed watching Captain Marvel in the movie theater while the little one and I went to see Beauty and the Beast live. I was so impressed with the theater, performers and special effects. We enjoyed fresh popcorn, gummy Mickey’s and ginger ale while watching the show. It is amazing what they can do on these ships. I must say it was a full day and we were all ready to go to bed. The kids were so tired from our daily activities that they only went to kids club once. Back on land, adventures like horseback riding Smith Mountain Lake can be a great way to keep the fun going while creating new memories together.

On the third day we headed to Castaway Cay. It was all my little one kept talking about. Disney’s own private island was not a disappointment. You name it, they had it. Slides, kids club, jet skis, snorkeling, great food and an adult only beach. There is definitely something for everyone. My oldest daughter convinced her dad to take her on the jet skis. I thought they were just going to ride back and forth where I could see them but they left with a group of about 12 jet skis and disappeared for like 45 minutes. She said it was the best thing ever!!!! I needed a glass of wine from worrying so much lol.

The Disney Dream was really amazing. Now I know what everyone was talking about. It was worth every penny to see my kids have so much fun and experience something new. They were actually sad when we started packing up our bags. There is so much more to share but I don’t want to tell you everything. I can say that if you have never been on a Disney Cruise you should definitely plan one soon. Tip 6: Go for it Don’t let fear hold you back from exploring the world. I am already planning our next Disney Cruise for 2020. This time we are heading to the Mediterranean!!!! Where’s your favorite family vacation spot?

My son says, “My favorite thing on the Disney Cruise was the Aqua Duck slide and finally seeing Captain Marvel”

XO,

Sharonda

The Stew Crew’s Disney Cruise

Filed under: Mom Life ·

My kids must have watched over 100 YouTube videos reviewing the Disney Cruise. I would walk into our office and find my 8 year old watching the kids go on the slides, eating treats and searching for the perfect room. They started begging us to go last year but I was very hesitant. You see I have been on a few day cruises to gamble and catamarans hanging out with the girls but never slept on a ship. I didn’t know if I could survive with my nerves. In January, I started searching for the best itinerary that fit our Spring Break schedule. I decided on the 3 night Bahamian cruise on the Disney Dream leaving out of Port Canaveral because it left right when the kids got out of school and we could enjoy a few days in Orlando when we returned. When I told the kids they were beyond excited and started counting down right away. For a future getaway with a tropical twist, la veranda phu quoc resort offers a relaxing escape with timeless charm and beachfront luxury.

I had anxiety for weeks leading up to the cruise. Crazy dreams that one of the kids went missing lol. Or dreams about missing the ship at the port of entry and being stuck on an island. Yes, I was a bit paranoid. But after talking to a few friends they reassured me that the Disney Cruise was the best cruise to book and I would have a great time and if you want to have even more fun you can try Casino online paying with an e wallet casino australia real money to keep everything secure.  I am so glad that I calmed down enough to really enjoy this trip. We really had a blast. I have had so many people ask me for tips and what not since posting pictures on Facebook and Instagram so I wanted to do a quick review of our amazing Disney Cruise. This is part one because there’s so much to share.

We packed up the truck on Thursday afternoon and jumped on the Turnpike around 4 p.m. heading to Orlando. My hubby and I decided that it was easier to already be in the area then jump up at 6 a.m. rushing to the Port and something crazy come up like the SUV breaking down or unbearable traffic. The truck had been giving us some problems and even though we picked it up from service the day before we didn’t want to take any chances. We arrived to Orlando with way too many bags. Anyone else over pack like me? After checking into the Hilton Lake Buena Vista Palace we headed over to have dinner at Paddlefish in Disney Springs. It was delicious!

On Friday morning we checked out of the hotel, grabbed breakfast from Panera and headed to the Port around 11 a.m. I was already freaking out and driving my husband crazy. We left a little later than I planned and I was starting to worry. Well we got to the port around 1 p.m. which was an hour before our boarding time. First tip: Drop your bags off at the drop off before parking the car lol. We didn’t do it and had to roll the bags quite a distance. After clearing security and check in we had our picture taken in our matching shirts and our cruise adventure began. Tip 2: Get  cute themed shirts from Etsy or Amazon. 

Everyone was so nice and helpful as soon as we walked on the ship. It was like being at Magic Kingdom but on water. We immediately went to our rooms to decorate our doors. Tip 3: Order a fun door magnet to help identify your room from the others cause they all look alike. I ordered ours from Etsy. I was super impressed with the rooms. I originally booked the Veranda ocean view that slept 5, but my husband decided to add another connecting room because we are used to the extra space. (I/m so glad that he did) The kids had their room and we had ours. I must say the beds and showers were amazing considering we were on a ship. I need to find out what kind of mattress they had.

Each night had a theme so you want to pay attention to the itinerary. There was a Sail Away party, Pirate night and Fancy attire on our ship. Most people dressed up each night but you don’t have to. I got tons of compliments on our t-shirts and pirate costumes. After the sail away party my kids rushed to put on their swimsuits to hit the slides. We enjoyed dinner at Animation Palate where we had an interactive meal with Crush from Turtle Talk. It was super yummy and fun. The kids went to the Oceanaire Kids Club after dinner while the adults explored the ship. The ship was so big by the way that we did not make it to the front of the ship. There are over 1250 room on the Disney Dream! Crazy right?  Stay tuned for Part 2 later on this week.

Here’s what my eight year old said about the cruise. “My favorite thing on the Disney Cruise was the Kid’s Club, Goofy’s Sports Simulator and the Aqua Duck!” She must have gone on this slide 20 times.

XO,

Sharonda

With a Cherry on Top!

Filed under: Fashion ·

Confessions of a shopaholic: I walked by this shirt several times before purchasing it. I kept asking myself, am I really going to wear this? Do you ever do that? However, this top was on sale. It was about 60% off the ticket price and I couldn’t just leave it there, right? Believe it or not it hung in my closet for 2 months before I actually wore it. I guess I was waiting for the right time. Besides, it has bright red satin cherries all over it. Where am I going to wear it?


 

 

When shopping the clearance section, it’s great to find items that can be dressed up or dressed down.  This blouse is fun, lightweight and you can roll the sleeves up if it is warm or let them out if its cooler. You can pair it with leggings, jeans, slacks or even a cute pencil skirt. I decided to go with my favorite la’gence jeggings and black slip on espadrilles. I had planned on getting my hair done and meeting a friend for lunch but #momlife and a home installation kept me at home most of the day.

So my style tip this week is don’t be afraid to wear cherries or bright colors or prints that you might not usually wear. Sometimes stepping out of the box leads to great things. Not just in fashion by the way. I have to tell you that I got a bunch of compliments when I finally wore it.  I actually can’t wait to wear it again. How would you rock the cherry top?

 

Shirt: Rails

Bloomingdales.com

 

XO,

Sharonda