Shew's Life Adventures

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Stitch Fix Review

I started a monthly subscription to Stitch Fix several months ago. I have adult children now and felt like I could finally afford to provide myself a much needed updated wardrobe. The clothes I had been wearing to work each day were of poor quality and several years old. I remember my daughter coming into my closet and pulling several pieces out and stating how long I had been wearing them. She had recently graduated from high school and some prices she remembered me wearing when she was in elementary school. So I decided to give Stitch Fix a try. The hope was to find clothes that helped me look more professional and stylish. Cost: When Stitch Fix sends you a box they charge you up front a $20 styling fee. The good thing about the fee is it is applied to anything you purchase. So, as long as you purchase something from the box, you don't lose you $20 dollar styling fee. The cost of the clothes varies tremendously based on what you style preferences are. I personally have cheaper

My favorite and least favorite US destinations: Hershey, PA

Hershey, PA sounds like the place should be as magically as Disney World right? This is the place Milton Hershey invented what we know today we Hershey chocolate. I had envisioned a magically town that would draw millions of visitors a year. The town: When you first pull I to town there is a cute welcoming sign with chocolate candy bar characters, misleading you to think the rest of the town is decorated much like the sign. There are light poles that have what resemble Hershey Kisses on the top. Again misleading because these two things are about the only things that give any indication that you are in Hershey, PA. If you choose not to stay at the Hershey hotel and pay a small fortune to do so, then you will most likely be driving 10-20 minutes in and out of town to stay at another hotel. We stayed at a Holiday Inn in a neighboring community and had everyone in our dance studio's credit card information stolen and used fraudulently the same day as we checked in. Most o

Confessions of a dance mom 2

Let's hit on a topic that drives me nuts, costumes. I totally understand that groups costumes need to be chosen by the teacher or choreographer to hit their vision but solo costume should be up to the dancer. If the dancer doesn't feel good in the costume it will show through their dance. This is their time to be themselves in a dance and that includes the costume choice. Dancers should get to voice their opinions in the decision of the costume. A great teacher will be open to the discussion. A teacher on a power trip will shut you down and try to control everything. I was fortunate to never have the power trip teachers or maybe they just knew it wouldn't work with my daughter and I, but anyways we always had a say. Not even a say but we just made the decision and the teachers supported it. Does it really matter? Yes and No Yes, when you have a great costume it does send a message to the judges that you mean business and are there to compete. Even though costum

Confessions of a dance mom 1

I spent 13 years in the competitive dance world. Man I have got a lot to say after 13 years. I watched so many things evolve, change, become better, and always become worse. I will break this into several small sessions to hit many topics without writing a book each blog. So session 1? What else besides the dance, duh. When we started dance 13 years ago, my daughter was 4 years old. She is now 19 years old and a student at AMDA college in Los Angels getting a Dance Theater Bachelor of Arts Degree. I remember running to my computer at home and watching numerous YouTube videos for the next amazing dance move, costume idea, or song choice. Back then it was like a guarded secret which YouTube channels had the good stuff. You see the really competitive parents back then in dance didn't like to share information. Fast forward to today and the information is at everyone's finger tips and easily accessible. It has been quite amazing to watch the world change before my ey

My favorite and least favorite US destinations: Gatlinburg, TN

Gatlinburg, TN Gatlinburg is in the Smokey Mountains National Park, it is a two for one. You get the great town of Gatlinburg and a national park to visit in one trip. The town of Gatlinburg is fun and quant with an old western and bluegrass feel. The main stripe in town is lined with endless shops to spend your time and money. Rafting, horse back riding, hiking to Clingman's Dome, ski lift, and the sky bridge are just a few of the popular activities most visitors enjoy. The scenery of the Smokies Mountains is breathe taking. This is a place I have visited twice. To be honest, I would revisit tomorrow if I was able to. When others say they want to take a vacation and not sure where to go, I always suggest Gatlinburg. Add in the bonus of it's neighbor Pigeon Forge and a visitor has everything they could ever want. Pigeon Forge reminds me of a bigger and better Branson, MO. Go-carts, fun houses, Dolly Parton Stampede, restaurants you name it, Pigeon Forge has it all

CBD a year later

So here we are almost a year later, how is the CBD treatments going? I updated a previous blog with updated information. After a year most thoughts I had a year ago are still the same. Remember these feelings I posted months back? Labs are prone to bad hips and lose some of their mobility as they age. I watched the loss with a previous lab we owned and eventually he had to be put down. He was 16 years old but his mind was still viable. Putting a dog down who stills understands what you are saying but lacks the ability to even stand anymore is one of the most heartbreaking things I have ever done. Experience is key in life! After we went through it, we made a decision to do the things needed to reduce some of that pain and suffering for our next dog. No matter the cost! I remind myself, I went and chose Josie, she didn't come pick me out. I owe her the best life I am able to emotionally, physically, and financially give her. Yes still strongly feel the same way. We h