I Run For Wine: summer

Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts

Getting Beach Vaction Ready with Speedo #VacationWithSpeedo

Tuesday, February 14, 2017
This post was sponsored by Speedo. I received Speedo product as compensation.

Last week the groundhog saw his shadow, meaning 6 more weeks of Winter. While some of my friends were upset about this, it didn't really affect us in FL. It's been a very warm winter, with days in the 80's, meaning lots of pool time and a nice Winter tan :)

Both my husband and I grew up on the beach. He lived directly across from the beach while I was a short 3 miles away. We spent the majority of our childhood with sand in our toes, salt in our hair and not a care in the world. Now that we are adults, I yearn for those weekends. Although we live in Tampa, we are an hour from the beach which is a big change from crossing a road.
While planning a vacation or a trip back home, we always pack workout clothing. If we are vacationing somewhere with a pool or a beach, we try to plan to get a few laps in. For me, that means packing essentials that do not take up much room in the suitcase. Today I am going to show you how to easily pack the necessities you need to stay fit and stylish for a beach or pool vacation.

The first necessity of a beach vacation is a cute bathing suit. However, finding a cute bathing suit for swimming laps is very difficult. Have you ever tried swimming laps in the beach wearing a string bikini? Yeah, don't do it, waves are not your friend. Thankfully Speedo USA has a ton of suits, both one piece and two piece that can go from fitness to beach style. I was particularly fond of the Speedo Keyhole One Piece with PowerFLEX eco.  With its contemporary cut and key hole cutout, it can quickly go from swimming laps to laying out in the Caribbean. One thing I love about this suit is that it has removable padding. Most one pieces do not have padding.
Aside from the right style bathing suit, you need a cute beach cover up that can act as a sundress, easily going from the beach to your next destination (shopping, beach bar, lunch, spa). I always have a headband handy for such an event. Also, be sure not to forget a cute hat, cute sunglasses, your favorite book and of course sunscreen! I keep all of these items in my beach bag and leave them in there, so I never forget to bring the necessities with me.
Speaking of beach bags! The best kind is one you can use for multiple purposes. The Speedo Teamster Backpack is just that for me. I took my Teamster Backpack with me on a recent cruise. I used it at the beach, at the pool and it doubled as my computer bag! With its multiple zipper pockets and a removable dirt bag, you can easily stash your wet suit without making the rest of your stuff damp and keep your valuables safe. Not only is it functional with a side water bottle holder and multi media pouch, it's also a super cute bag with pink flamingos.
Swimming laps in the pool means you need goggles and I will be first to say that having a decent pair of goggles is very important. The MDR 2.4 Polarized Goggle with Elastomeric goggles I received from Speedo are amazing. They reduce glare and are so clear you forget you're wearing them. Speaking of forgetting that you're wearing goggles, I have yet to have red marks around my eyes when I get out of the pool. My husband also owns a pair and lost his sunglasses one day while we were at the pool. He decided not to take his goggles off after getting out of the water, using them to shield the sun. We won't make fun of him :)
Last but not least, let's talk about my biggest pet peeve after getting out of the pool or beach - being wet. I hate wet clothes, wet bathing suits and the feeling of not being dry. Sure the sun will dry you off but I am all about anything to expedite this process and Speedo has such a product. The Out To Dry Microfiber Towel was the answer to my wet bathing suit nightmare. It's super absorbent and will quickly dry you, your clothing and your hair! This towel is very thin and compact so it does not take up too much room.

Now off to dream of my next cruise or beach trip. Cheers!

My blog may contain links to other websites. I am not responsible for the privacy policies of those other websites. When you click on a link, your information may be collected by those websites so I encourage you to read their privacy policies. These Affiliate links are not associated with Speedo.
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Last Days of Summer - My pefect outfit for running in the heat

Tuesday, September 13, 2016
As I write this  blog post on September 13th, there seems to be zero relief in the summer heat here in Florida. I am a born and raised Floridian and I swear this has been the longest, hottest, most humid summer in memory. Then again, I say that same statement every year! We are still in the 90's with 80% humidity so imagine what July and August were like.
If you are looking into getting into running, there are plenty of tips out there - how to train for a 5K, what kind of shoes to wear, etc. However, proper apparel is one thing that tends to be overlooked. I recently took a beach run with my best friend Keri and while it was brutally hot outside, my outfit did not cause any issues. Today I want to share my perfect warm weather running outfit with you.
Shorts:
Ladies - wearing the right shorts for your body type is just as important as wearing a properly fitted sports bra. I have seen soooo many girls wearing shorts that are in style (too short / too tight for their frame) or too big - both of which brings an unwanted party to the shower: chafing. Aside from the length, the waist band is a big deal for me. I cannot stand anything that digs into my stomach - especially while running. However, you cannot have the band be too big or you will be pulling your shorts up while running and that is not fun for anyone. Of all the shorts I have recently tried - Brooks Chaser 5" Running Shorts are my favorite. They are the perfect fit - not too short, not too long and are a lightweight moisture-wicking material. My favorite feature of these is their waist band. It is super wide, which helps with the digging and one of the two pockets is sweat resistant which perfectly fits my iPhone 6.

Shirt:
Do not make the rookie mistake of wearing a dark cotton shirt in the heat. Or any cotton shirt for that matter. You need a breathable material, one that has moisture-wicking fabric and is semi-fitted. For me, semi-fitted shirts help keep me cool - plus they are my bestie on those days I feel a bit bloated. The shirt I'm wearing is Brooks Ghost Racerback in Bloom Scape - and it is ON SALE FOR $25! One of the (only) perks of being a Florida runner is taking advantage of the many Spring/Summer apparel sales that take place throughout the year. The Ghost Racerback features Brooks DriLayer® fabric and it is not only featherweight and drywicking, but it also contains a touch of linen which helps keep you cool.

Hats:
While the photo's in this post do not show it, 99% of the time, you will find me wearing a hat while running. In the summer, a visor is my go to as it keeps my head cool. While many hats state they are made to beat the heat, anything that covers my scalp tends to keep to keep the heat in - which causes me to overheat. I just said heat 3 times in one sentence! Hats / Visors are great for keeping the sun off your face (be sure to still wear sweat resistant sunscreen) and protect you during the rain. Brooks Sherpa Visor is made with the same DriLayer® stretch woven fabric as I mentioned above. I usually don't leave home without headgear but on this particular day, I just so happened to forget it - and I got sunburned. Fail.

Sports Bra:
One item that tends to go overlooked when thinking about heat gear is sports bras. You've got to find one that will give you support while keeping you cool and dry. Brooks Uplift Crossback Sports Bra does exactly this. When shopping for sports bra's, I have to have some padding - or little will be left to the imagination. With the contoured cups, it is perfect for me while being modest. The cross-back is made of powermesh straps which helps with ventilation. My favorite feature is the DriLayer® Adapt bottom band - it molds to your body which gives you a personalized fit. AND IT IS ALSO ON SALE! Be sure to read the sizes before ordering - while I am always a medium, and this bra comes in sizes S-XL - it is based on cup sizes. So the medium was made for cup sizes A/B which meant I needed a Large which was C/D.

Embrace your surroundings:
Running in 100 degree heat and awful humidity can take a toll on you. I always try to find the positive in the situation, such as having a beautiful setting. While I don't get to experience running on the beach as often as I used to, it is one of my favorite things to do while visiting home - well more like running to the beach, then taking a few minutes to walk on the beach!
Hydration:
The most important thing you can do is hydrate. I always run with a water belt - it is like my security blanket. I have also ran with a hand held water bottle but personally wasn't my favorite. Once you get used to a water belt, it will become your new best friend. I always freeze three of my four bottles on long runs - as they will be thawed out before I get to them.


Embrace your surroundings:
Running in 100 degree heat and awful humidity can take a toll on you. I always try to find the positive in the situation, such as having a beautiful setting. While I don't get to experience running on the beach as often as I used to, it is one of my favorite things to do while visiting home - well more like running to the beach, then taking a few minutes to walk on the beach!
Enjoy these last few weeks of summer! Although I will be rocking the shorts and tank tops for a few more months, I very much look forward to running in Paris in one week! The Disneyland Paris Half Marathon weather is looking to be around 55 at the start of the race, couldn't ask for better weather. Hard to believe that time is finally here. I have been distant over the past few months on this blog - buying a new house (and refurbishing it) while traveling for work has definitely taken a toll on me - but I am glad to be getting back into the swing!

Thank you to Brooks for providing me this outfit for this post. As always, all opinions are my own. 
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Cupcake Lovers Weekend at Hilton Bonnet Creek, June 19 - 20

Sunday, May 31, 2015
Cupcake Lovers Weekend will return to Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek as part of their fifth annual SummerBlast promotion. Cupcake Lovers Weekend happens to fall on my birthday weekend so it goes without saying, I will be celebrating at Hilton Bonnet Creek this year. Be sure to check out my friend Amanda's post on the 2014 Cupcake Lovers Weekend.
Resort guest of Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek will get to enjoy two days full of all the cupcakes their heart desires. Cupcake Lovers Weekend has multiple events showing off cupcakes of every kind - beautifl cupcakes, cupcake martinis and even savory cupcakes!

The BIG Cupcake Reveal – How many cupcakes can you fit into a seven-foot-tall cupcake? You’ll just have to see it to believe it!
The Cupcake Bar - Curb your cupcake craving with a stop at our lobby coffee and sweet shop.
Cupcake Kids Zone - A chance for children to decorate their own cupcake!
Cupcake Walk - Enjoy cupcake themed activities around the pool, including a special version of the cakewalk ... the Bonnet Creek Cupcake Walk!
Cupcake Displays - Enjoy a display of cupcakes decorated by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek pastry chefs.
Cupcake Voting - Guests can enjoy a display of cupcakes created by Hilton team members ... and vote for their favorite designs!
Cupcake Martinis - The Hilton lounges will feature special "cupcake" themed martinis ... you've got to try these!
Savory Cupcakes - Enjoy a selection of "savory" entree cupcakes - the latest trend in cupcakes!
Summer Activities - In addition, guests can enjoy their favorite SummerBlast! activities and events!
Rates are available at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek from $119* throughout the summer thanks to the SummerBlast promotion. Along with Cupcake Lovers Weekend, there are many events taking place throughout September 6th. SummerBlast! highlights include (additional fees per event may apply):

NEW! Mermaid Academy (Saturdays, weather permitting)
A one-of-a-kind experience for girls and boys of all ages. Guests will have the opportunity to live the dream of becoming a mermaid in this innovative and interactive class. Girls will be able to utilize the mermaid tails and boys will have the opportunity to become sharks.

SummerBlast! Pool Activities (Activities vary daily, weather permitting.)
The resort’s recreation team is ready to rock, making summer a blast for guests through a full schedule, including activities like mini-football games, water basketball, float races, Marco Polo, candy bingo, beach ball dodge ball, H20 Pac Man, line dance fun, hula hoop games, pool relay games, float races, etc.

SummerBlast! Arts and Crafts (Arts and crafts sessions vary daily, weather permitting.)
Kids love to bring home souvenirs, and the recreation team will be ready to help them make something special to remember their visit.

Private Poolside Cabanas (Available daily.)
Guests can treat themselves to one of the hotels private cabanas . Enjoy private lounge chairs and personalized service as the little ones enjoy the SummerBlast! pool activities.

SummerBlast! Dive-In Movie Nights (Fridays and Saturdays, weather permitting.)
Families can end the night with a movie on the big screen, located poolside. Guests can grab a lounge chair or relax while floating inside the pool.

SummerBlast! Pool Parties (Saturdays, weather permitting.)
Guests can celebrate summer in style, joining the crew for the summer’s hottest hits, Orlando-inspired games, LIVE! entertainment and special prizes.

Ducktona 500 - The Great Summer Blast! Duck Race (Saturdays, weather permitting.)
Guests can “adopt” a rubber duck during a race around Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek lazy river pool. Winners will draw a special prize.

Scavenger Hunt (Fridays)
Children and parents alike will enjoy searching the resort grounds on a scavenger hunt using their GPS-enabled mobile device to answer the clues.

Spa Happy Hour (Fridays and Saturdays)
Guests may extend the bliss of a spa treatment as they wind down with complimentary champagne and chocolate in the Waldorf Astoria Spa lounge. ($)

Kids Club Astoria After Dark: Kids Night Out (Fridays and Saturdays)
Kids get to take a break from their parents and enjoy an evening of kid-friendly fun, including scavenger hunts, surrey bike obstacle course, crafts, bingo, make-your-own pizza dinner, S’mores and more. A $50 discount will be applied to the Kids Club program fee for guests of Waldorf Astoria® Spa or Bull & Bear®. Reservations are required by 3 p.m., and may be made through the Concierge. ($)

Special Golf Experiences
For tee times and more information, guests may contact the Waldorf Astoria® Golf Club at +1 407 597 3780.

*Events subject to change without notice.
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Shapewear in a swimsuit - Leonisa Swimwear

Tuesday, May 5, 2015
I had a sad realization this past week. My metabolism is not what it used to be. What can I expect though - I spent 6+ months on a "watch what you eat diet" for my wedding. After that day, I said goodbye to the D word and never looked back....hello burgers & pizza! Then my marathon training ended. Over the past few weeks, I have found myself uncomfortable in clothes and want nothing to do with a bathing suit.
Truth be told, I have put on nearly 15 lbs since my wedding in September. I had to buy all new shorts for this spring. What the what?! All you have to do is look at my Instagram feed and it is clear why. So unless I am at an event, I am watching everything I eat and following a very easy to follow 30 day meal plan I found online.

All this sounds great but we live in FL and it is May. This means Memorial Day festivities are right around the corner. Memorial Day = Beach = bikini = Megan hiding under a big hat. Luckily for me, Leonisa reached out to me to try out their new swimwear line who combined their shapewear with a swimsuit, creating a product that helps women feel confident. They've been featured on The Dr. Oz Show, The Today Show, Marie Claire and Jezebel.

Upon receiving the email to check out a piece from the Leonisa swimwear line, I found myself having a very hard time choosing just one. There were three suits that stuck out to me. I went with the first one shown below and I love it. However, part of me wishes I got the polka dot strapless bandeau.

Stunning Bikini Swimsuit with Air Push up
Push up halter-top with removable air padding. Halter straps tie at neck and back. Contour cups with underwire provide support and lift. Adjustable sides bikini bottom fit perfectly to you.
  • Two-piece bikini bathing suit 
  • Contour halter-top with supportive underwire 
  • Removable air padding for great push up 
  • Adjustable sides bikini bottom fit perfectly
I love this suit. My favorite feature is the adjustable sides on the bottom. Usually for me, the beach means day drinking and by the time it's over, I am hiding under a towel. I will NEVER look like the model in this pic but I did feel a sense of comfort wearing this suit on the beach. I did have to remove the air padding from the top. That's a whole different story about sudden weight gain!


The other two suits I considered were:

Polka Dots Strapless Bandeau One-Piece Swimsuit

Ruched bandeau top with underwire offers support and lift. Optional halter straps provide extra support. Sultry tie back fits your figure perfectly. Comfortably controls your tummy so you feel confident and carefree under the sun!


  • Ruched bandeau top with underwire 
  • Optional, halter straps provide more support 
  • Side-boning centers
  • Tie back adjusts to your figure 
  • Super comfy tummy control 

Strapless Bandeau Top & Bikini Bottom Swimwear
Top offers removable padding and is gathered in the middle. Wear optional halter straps for more support or without for less tan lines. Bottom provides moderate coverage.


  • Strapless bandeau top with removable padding
  • Gathered centered adds volume
  • Optional halter straps
  • Moderate coverage bikini bottom








What are you doing to get beach body ready?

Leonisa sent me a bathing suit for review. As always all opinons are my own. I am strongly considering purchasing the polka dot bandeau out of my own wallet because I loved the suit I received so much.
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Blue Sky Swimwear review and a #giveaway

Tuesday, July 9, 2013
I was born and raised in Daytona Beach, where I lived until 2011. I always joked that I owned more swimsuits than business suits. Even in my 30's no longer living on the beach, I purchase 5+ new swimsuits a season. I clearly remember the very first swimsuit I purchased myself. I was 17 years old and saved up $100 to purchase a leopard print bikini from Blue Sky Swimwear. My parents yelled at me because I should have been saving for a car, not spending money on a bathing suit....

My friends and I purchased countless swimsuits from Blue Sky Swimwear which started it's operation in 1995. Over the years, Blue Sky turned it's storefront in Daytona Beach to a national manufacturer who outfits the employees at multiple casino pool decks from Las Vegas to Atlantic City. Blue Sky designs and manufacturers all of their swimwear in Florida. They have many prints and styles to choose from and are always keeping up with the trends. Blue Sky can custom design swimwear to your wishes, bigger, shorter, wider, skimpier.

They didn't have to convince me of how great their product is as I owned my fair share over the years but they did offer to provide me with a new bathing suit, which I happily accepted. The great thing about Blue Sky Swimwear is that you select which print you want, then customize your suit by selecting the style of top and bottoms. I picked out the fabric I liked best, called The Beachside Collection, a colorful striped print.

I knew instantly which top I liked the best, The Slide Top, which has elastic covered strings that tie around your neck and back allowing you to create your own perfect fit. It's a flattering top for many body types.
Picking a bottom was not as easy as picking a top. I am no longer the young 5'10" teenager, weighing 100 lbs. That is the great thing about Blue Sky, they have many different options in the print you decide on. At first glance, I fell in love with the Ruffled bottom, which had an attached skirt. While it is cute on, it was a little low for my style.
I then tried on the banded bottom, which had a very nice fit. You can fold the band on top for a lower cut look if you wish and it was very comfortable with it's elastic free band around the waist. I was about to go with this bottom when another one found it's way into my dressing room.
I ended up with the Scrunch Bottom with fully adjustable strings at each hip, letting you control your side coverage. It's very cute and flattering. Plus I loved the fact that you can adjust the bottoms, giving you more coverage for those not so flattering days.
Blue Sky Swimwear graciously offered one of their suits up to $100 value to one of my readers. The winner can choose to select one of the many swim suits on their website or use the amount towards a custom suit! Let me know in the comment section what your favorite swimsuit was growing up! Make sure you enter through rafflecopter at the end of this post as this is how I select my winner randomly.  If you are unsure how to use Rafflecopter, click here for a short video tutorial

You can follow Blue Sky: On the Web | Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Pinterest

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Summertime healing with Aquaphor Package #giveaway Visa Gift Card

Thursday, June 20, 2013
After spending all day at the Magic Kingdom yesterday, it finally hit me. Summer is finally here. Technically tomorrow, but the heat and humidity is in full force. I find it hard in this heat with my marathon training and need to either run in the mornings or learn to love my treadmill (will never happen). With this heat, I find myself very dehydrated. I don't drink enough water so I am currently on a "drink 3 CamelBaks a day" regimen. 

As I am always dehydrated, I suffer from severe dry skin and I have been a huge fan of Aquaphor for quite some time. Dry skin is caused by a loss of water in the upper layer of the skin and the moisturizers in Aquaphor work by forming an oily layer on the top of the skin that traps water in the skin. I not only use it on my knees and elbows for intense hydration but also use it for scrapes and burns. Have I ever mentioned how clumsy I am? I ran into a pole once while running because I was too busy talking. I always have a scrape somewhere on my body.
When Aquaphor contacted me to check out their petite sized convenient flip cap tube, I was instantly intrigued. I used Aquaphor daily prior to them contacting me and was initially introduced to the product from my dermatologist. I owe Aquaphor for healing the multiple blisters I received after my multiple half marathons in a 4 month span.
So the good people at Aquaphor sent me an amazing package to help keep me hydrated during the summer. I am also slightly obsessed with their new lip balm. In addition to a ton of Aquaphor products, I also received a CamelBak, which is my new BFF and a $50 Visa Gift Card. Guess what - they want to send one of my readers the exact same package.

Leave a comment below and let me know how you plan on using Aquaphor when you and your friends/family are out and about this summer! Make sure you enter through rafflecopter as this is how I select my winner randomly.  If you are unsure how to use Rafflecopter, click here for a short video tutorial
a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can also visit our Aquaphor Facebook page for exclusive skin tips.
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