work from home Archives - Popcorn and Pandas

Jan 2019 Target Try-On

Whoo hoo! My first try-on for 2019, and I’m going to be trying things a little differently around here. Over on my Instagram page, you guys wanted more try-ons, so I’ve made it a goal this year to make that happen! I will be uploading my try-ons in my Instagram Stories for you to watch, and then the shopping links will be featured here on the blog if you want to snag an item you see. For full disclosure, I DO get a tiny percentage if you decide to order, but ONLY if you shop through my link. I appreciate it SO much, and it also allows me to continue to do try-ons like this and find amazing items for you in the future!

So for this round, I went to TARGET! (Alone!) Mamas, you KNOW how amazing this is haha. I decided to try on a bit of activewear for my fitness-minded mamas and then also some cozy knits since it’s still super frigid cold over here on the East Coast. Hope you enjoy!

The first photo above was not part of my try-on…just the outfit I was wearing that day in the RAIN haha, but I decided to include it as well since the jacket is also from Target! 🙂

Rain Jacket: It’s more water resistant than waterproof FYI! Good for light rain.

Rain Boots: (not Target), but can’t live without these!

Sports Bra: I picked up the wrong size to try on, but I did like this bra, especially the flecks of rose gold! It was also comfy!

Black Workout Moto Leggings: These were WAY too long on me, but I loved the sheer back of the calf (well actually in the photo the sheerness hits a different part of the leg…probably because I’m so short!) and detail of them! Good for a taller person! These were also mid-rise, and I would prefer a high rise right now since I’m still in my post partum journey! These were a bit tight for me!

JoyLab Crew Neck Sweatshirt: OBSESSED with the comfiness of these sweatshirts, and I also own it in black. I snagged this one, and it’s perfect for layering.

Champion Zip Up: Went out of my comfort zone with a light colored zip up (I would normally pick BLACK), but really loved this. The rose gold zipper detail was beautiful, and loved the sturdy collar and asymmetrical look. This came home with me.

Umbro Tank: This tank is a throw back to my soccer days, so I had to try it on. I thought it was cute, but didn’t love the fit on me currently. Could possibly size up on it for a better fit.

Champion Laser Cut Workout Leggings: These were super comfy and breathable. They are supposed to be capris, but they are a great full length pant for my 5’0 frame. I had to bring them home.

Joylab Black Asymmetrical Zip Up: Unfortunately, I cannot find this online ANYWHERE! Not sure if it’s an older item or if it’s in-store only, but it came home with me. Super comfy and locks in the heat so good for colder weather and potentially running in the colder months.

Short Sleeve Workout Tee: I accidentally grabbed a size 1X (I think the hanger was mislabeled!) so I ended up tying this one up, which I actually kinda like. But didn’t end up taking this one home. It was comfy though! I love the detail on the back which you can see if you click through on the link.

Colorblock Leggings: These were a little tight on me in the XS, so I would size up to a S right now. I love the look of these, and they were comfy also.

Pink L.A. Sweatshirt: Cropped and cute, especially the color scheme for Valentine’s Day coming up! I would pair with a high waisted pant!

Sunday Mood Sweatshirt: If you know me, you know I love mustard colored everything (except actually eating mustard, blech! lol). Here I have it paired with jeggings, but I think this would also be great with joggers for running errands or around the house.

Universal Thread High Rise Pull on Jeggings: These are so comfortable! Great to pair with pretty much anything.

JoyLab Moto Side Zip Sweatshirt: I’m only seeing the black online. This was really comfortable as well. Tight on the bottom, but I guess I should have just unzipped it a little, duh! 😉 Love the moto detail on the arms.

Camo Tee: I wasn’t able to find the one I tried on, but here is a good alternative with a crew neck. It runs a little longer as well.

Cream Knit Cardigan: Great for layering. I didn’t love it on as much as I thought I would though! I think the color is just out of my comfort zone, and reminded me of a doctor’s coat! LOL.

Forest Green Knit Pullover: This one I loved, and kinda wondering why I didn’t take it home! Love the knit pattern as well as the color! It was lightweight so could be great for winter or fall. Super bummed I am unable to find it online, but this knit is similar in a different color, and also on sale!

A New Day tees: Tons of these in all different colors. They are super stretchy and comfy, and I kind of need all of them! 🙂

Faded Frayed Black Skinny Jeans: I liked the look of these on the rack, but they were too long on me and the distressed knees hit me in the wrong spot! Better for someone taller!

A New Day Scoop Tee: Also in a million colors! Loved these. So comfy.

Wild Fable Mom Jeans: Yep. My first pair. EVER. And not hating them.

A New Day Scoop Tee Pink: Took this one home.

Who What Wear Colorblock Cardigan: I decided not to get this one, because it was a little itchy…and then at the last minute I had to have it regardless. Ugh. Can’t take me anywhere. Just loved the colors on this! It’s pretty and warm. Wish the quality was a little better.

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Okay!

And there you have it!

The first try-on of 2019. Hope you guys enjoyed it, found something you liked, saved an in-store shopping trip, or even decided against something you had been looking at previously! I hope to continue doing more of these for you guys this year. Please make sure to go to my Instagram Stories to see the full try on sesh.

Still planning on putting together a reading list for you as well and sharing more about my post partum journey and the new fitness program I’m rocking here on the blog. Til then, enjoy the rest of your weekend, and make it a kick ass week ahead!

XO,

Gina

Rising Girlboss

***In search of my next RISING GIRLBOSS!!!***

Are you a dreamer of dreams? Do you have a vision for your life that you want to create for yourself? For your family? Are you currently living out your passion?

If you were to ask me 2 years ago if I thought being a health + fitness coach was my “passion,” I probably wouldn’t have been sure. I have always been an athlete, and I thought I may “good” at coaching, but I didn’t know how much it could actually change my life. I didn’t realize that by helping OTHERS grow, change and reach their goals, that I would also grow, change, and reach my goals in the process. At this point 2 years later, not only has this opportunity opened my eyes to the possibilities for the future, but it’s given me the confidence, the strength, the courage, and the fearlessness to pursue everything and anything I put my mind to. And to help women do the same.

I am putting together a mentorship group to help 5-10 women like me to become the next rising #girlboss!!!!

If you are:

-hardworking

-creative

-passionate

-goal oriented

-love helping others

-want to grow yourself personally

-tired of being stuck in the same place

-want to have more positivity in your life

-needing more balance between work and family

Then let’s chat! You just might be a perfect fit for this mentorship!

Fill out the application here https://pandpfitness.wufoo.com/forms/team-spark/ or email me at gina.notes26@gmail.com and let’s chat!

Make it a great day everyone!!

XO,

Gina

Three Hobbies

I found this quote on Pinterest the other week, and it really got me thinking. Aside from love and family (because I think PEOPLE and relationships are #1 in my life ALWAYS), these three things are so vital for our day to day:

1) We need money to pay the bills, simple as that and then extra money is always great for the finer things in life (which for me is traveling the world and delicious food)

2) We need our health…not only does staying in shape help us to live longer, but it helps us stay energized and more focused throughout our day.

3) We need to feel creative and to feel a PASSION for something. To make things, build, expand…it’s in our human nature to create.

Now, I loved this quote because wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had hobbies to check off these necessities in our lives? But I thought “wait a minute…it doesn’t have to be THREE different hobbies…”*

Because since having started as a fitness coach…I have all of that in ONE!

*I make an income helping people get healthy, keeping them on track to reach their goals on a daily basis by providing motivation and support for not only the physical health of my challengers, but also their overall happiness, positivity, and confidence. On top of that, I help a team of coaches build their own businesses to reach financial freedom.

*Working out each day is part of my job. While I may not always want to roll out of bed and get my workout done each morning, I know that if and when I do, I will be so happy that I did and feel so much better for doing it.

*Each day I am building my creativity by coming up with fun posts to share with my challengers, growing my social media and challenging people to become better versions of themselves.

—BEST of all??? I can do this while staying at home with my two small children. I love my job. But I also love my job as a MOM, and with this opportunity, I didn’t have to choose. I could do BOTH 🙂

My team is opening up the curtain next Monday January 25th to show you what it’s like in the day of an online fitness coach. We will show you what it takes to build your own business (no matter how great or small), what our days are like, how we make money, and what your potential can be.

If YOU have been looking for MORE in this new year and want to find that SOMETHING that gives you PASSION and makes you want to get out of bed in the morning, then come take a look and see what it’s all about. No pressure, just a place to learn 🙂

***If you want to learn more, please fill out the short application linked below! I will respond back and we can connect as to whether or not this would be a good fit for you!***

https://pandpfitness.wufoo.com/forms/team-spark/

Make it a Happy Day!

XO,

Gina

Best of Both Worlds

What kind of life do you desire for yourself?

I find that as I get older and time goes on, my priorities have changed. In my twenties, I may have been fine with working late hours, meeting up with friends for an after work drink, crashing late, and doing it all over again the next day.

But now as a mom of two kids, I want to be here to tuck my kids into bed at night, read them stories, and snuggle them to sleep.

Previously, I was okay with a long subway commute. I used it as an excuse to get lots of reading done and was proud at how many books I could finish underground. Now, I do not want to spend a total of 3 hours per day commuting, because that means 15 hours a week extra that I would be spending away from my kiddos on top of a long work day.

My family has become my priority these days. I love being a mom…the good, the bad, and the ugly. The lack of sleep and toddler tantrums have nothing on those newborn snuggles and those slobbery toddler kisses.

That being said…I never saw myself as a stay at home mom. My mom worked hard outside of the home each and every day, and I figured I would follow in those footsteps. I studied hard in school and had dreams of a future and career that involved television and movies and sports and more. I wanted to be successful in my own right, and never have to rely on someone else to pay my bills. Not that those who are stay at home moms are not successful. It’s the hands down HARDEST job I have ever had to date! And I give props to every single stay at home mom out there, because having and raising kids on a daily basis IS definitely success in my book.

But the difference between then and now is that I didn’t realize then that I could be FINANCIALLY successful AND be a stay at home mom at the same time. I could own a business, work from home, AND spend my days raising my children the way I see fit. The best of both worlds in my mind.

Now, I’m not saying that it’s easy. I work HARD…both as a mom and as an entrepreneur. And some days I still feel like I am not quite measuring up in either category…because let’s face it…as mom you never feel like you are doing everything right…I am only human, and I can only do so much and yes, it’s HARD to work from home when you have a toddler…and now with a newborn, it’s even more crazy. But I am making it work, because it’s what’s best for ME and what’s best for my family. I am getting to fulfill something that I always wanted to do by having my own business and creating my own success…and I am not missing out on those opportunities to see my children grow.

The best part is that I have the FREEDOM to work when and how I want. I am able to create my own schedule and hours. I am helping others to reach their goals not only in health and fitness, but by teaching others to build their OWN business as well.

This opportunity is not exclusive to me. Have you ever thought about being a fitness coach? What about being home with your kids more? Or having the freedom to work from wherever you want? Or to stop stressing about money on the regular?

If so, I would love to invite you to join me and Team SPARK on Monday September 28th as we host a sneak peek into our business and share what is that we do on a daily basis. We are looking for 5 hard working, creative, and intelligent individuals who are looking to create more freedom for themselves or for their families. If you have any interest at all in learning more, please comment below and fill out this application to save your spot in our 3 Day Coach Open House group!

https://pandpfitness.wufoo.com/forms/team-spark/

Hope you are having a great week!

XO,

Gina