I’ve seen commercials for Goody’s Spin Pins for a while now and have put off picking some up. I go through bobby pins like it is my job and I’ve been avoiding spending $5.99 on these (for 2) thinking I’d lose them. But I couldn’t resist any longer and picked some up during a Target trip.

If you haven’t seen the Spin Pin commercials here’s a photo that gives you a good idea.

They come in both a light and dark color for your preference. The idea behind the Spin Pin is to easily keep buns in place. I had high hopes for these! I love a good messy bun or two mini-buns and usually use a million bobby pins to keep mine in place. Could the Spin Pin be my saving grace?

I decided to give the Spin Pins a try when I had to grab a last minute shower before an impromptu orthodontist appointment. (Busted retainer, bummer!)

I went for two mini-buns and start with wet hair with no product in it.

I separated hair down the middle and used mini rubber bands to secure into lose pony first. The directions say a pony tail isn’t needed but since my hair was wet and these were going high I thought it couldn’t hurt. The first bun with Spin Pin was SO EASY I could not believe it. I scored this on the FIRST TRY!

The second one took a few tries. I always struggle styling the right side of my head. But still, super easy!

This whole deal took me less than 5 minutes start to finish and I was out the door! They stayed in all day. I just finally took them out due to a headache finally creeping in.

I can’t wait to have the time to dry and curl my hair with my flat iron (my latest feat!) and then play the Spin Pin doing a low messy bun and some other variations!

I give the Spin Pin a total thumbs up! And I’m giving set away!

Here’s how to win! Leave a separate comment for each thing you do! You can tweet or Facebook once a day!

• Leave a comment here telling me your go to hair secret, tip or trick!
• Tweet about this giveaway!

Sample tweet: Win Spin Pins from @kimikay! http://asliceofkiwi.com/?p=1547

• Post about this giveaway on Facebook and be sure to tag A Slice of Kiwi in your post.

I’ll pick a winner on Friday, May 6th. Entries must be in by 2 PM that day!

Not only does my little man turn 1 this coming week but his amazingly awesome mom turns 28 this weekend! (oh, that’s me!) Yes, I went into labor ON MY BIRTHDAY last year. At first, I was annoyed that I was going to have to share my birthday. Oh how I regretted thinking that. As repayment Miles didn’t arrive until 1.5 days later! Ugh. I cringe even thinking about those 36 painstaking hours.

Anywho, back to the fun. BIRTHDAY WEEKEND! Since Miles is stealing my actual birthday with his awesome Pirate-themed bash, we’re celebrating mine tomorrow with some of my favorite things including a morning run, family, friends, a shrimp boil (shrimp boil = potatoes, corn on the cob, shrimp, crab legs and possibly some lobster all steamed together! then dumped on the table and devoured), ice cream cake and beer! Uhhhh the healthy eating habits are going to take a hit on Saturday.

I’m equally as excited for the aforementioned Pirate Bash on Sunday for Miles’ celebration! We have 30 or so friends and family members coming and I’m excited for some of the fun pirate goods I’ve found. (Expect a recap after!) Here’s the invite for his party, designed by none other than Lilly Pea Designs! Seriously, she is awesome! And these custom invites were so affordable. Be sure to hit her up for your needs!

27 was quite a year from start to finish. I look at where I started the year physically, emotionally and mentally and where I’m at now. I have a feeling 28 is going to be one of my best yet!

I’ve never been one of those people who hate being told Happy Birthday so you know what to do!

What’s your favorite thing to do for your birthday? Or what was your favorite birthday celebration?

… do what you know.

Though I am making a little progress, I know I need to kick something up a notch to get my body goals progress amovin’. Well when all else fails do what you know works, eh?

I know one thing that works. A few years ago this thing helped me lose 25 lbs, learn how to eat healthy, portion control and just healthy living. I’d like to think I’ve kept some of those lessons learned with me but they definitely aren’t where they should be. So it’s time to start from the basics and get down to biznass.

Hello, online weight-watchers… remember me?

I truly loved WW when I did it before. I lost weight in a healthy way and learned how to make better decisions when it came to eating which is always my biggest struggle. I can definitely do the exercise, but I struggle with the eating. And their system doesn’t make me feel deprived. I love that if I want something, I can eat it — I just have to plan for it and be smart!

Today I re-upped with WW and I’m really excited. Even more fun with WW now, compared to before is SMART PHONES! Love that I can just use the WW app since my iPhone rarely leaves a 2 foot radius of me. I was always an online only WW user, not a meeting attender and that’s the plan for now too. This coupled with my renewed love for running will hopefully equal some success!

Speaking of running… I went for a nice little 3 mile jaunt tonight after dinner. Holy HUMIDITY, I have not missed you! But, I know with all the running I have ahead of me this summer I better just get used to it. On the up side, I forgot how much I love running in the evening. I haven’t done that in a really really long time and I hope to do it more often. I did ask Mike for lots of nifty reflecting running accessories for my upcoming birthday and/or Mother’s Day. But if he decides to go the diamond route instead I’ll be cool with that.

It’s been a long while since I’ve been this sweaty post run.

So tomorrow, you won’t be getting a weekly weigh in report but you will next week… and let’s all hope it’s decent! Though my birthday and Miles’ birthday celebrations this weekend aren’t going to help… meh.

If you’ve lost weight what was one thing that attributed to your success?

595 days ago life changed. It was the Tuesday after a very fun Labor Day weekend.

It was the day I found out I was pregnant.

I don’t blog about my life as a mom much, and even this post really isn’t about motherhood specifically.

Miles’ first birthday looms just one week from today. I have mixed feelings about this. I’m sad to think about how fast the past year has gone. I’m thrilled watching Miles grow up and turn into a little person.

So here’s some things I’ve learned about myself over the past 595 days.

• I have learned that being pregnant was not much fun for me. Everyday I felt lethargic, swollen, uncomfortable and just generally gross. Sure, there are some lucky ladies out there who luuuuuurrrrve being pregnant but if you plan to get pregnant one day realize you might not be one of them.
• I have learned people can be annoying. Especially other women. Everyone has their way of doing things and it’s likely not going to be what you do or want to do. Just smile, nod and move on.
• I have learned that I’m a freaking badass. 36 hours of labor and 3 hours of pushing (with only 6 of those hours being with epidural mind you) is NO joke. As you know, I recently announced my plans to run a marathon and sure I’m leery of the level of training and pain that lay ahead of me but seriously, if I can survive labor I can run a marathon.
• I have learned that just because it’s best doesn’t mean it’s best for us. I’m all for breastfeeding, and if you and your baby excel at it than yay for you. But it’s not for everyone. I trudged through 4 months of it and hated pretty much every minute. As soon as I quit everyone was much happier. And this goes with everything else in parenting… do what works for you, not what people say should work for you.
• I learned that getting back in shape after a long long while takes a long long while. I still have so far to go in my fitness, I’ve only just begun to chip away at my stagnant state. I try to remind myself to have patience. Even after some great long runs recently I had the most horrible 1.4 mile run today. Not every day can be your day.
• I learned that I absolutely married my match. He’s the ketchup to my fishsticks. (Best combo ever, FYI)
• I learned that I am not lazy. I rarely ever get a chance to just sit down and do nothing at all anymore. I remember before 595 days ago having all the time in the world to sit and do nothing all the time. Now almost every moment is filled with picking up, laundry, mowing the lawn, work, chasing Miles around and oh, about a million other little things. Sure, there are moments where I could be lazy but I choose not to be. I’m pretty impressed with myself.
• I have learned that I’ve been lucky enough to become a mom. Not everyone gets to or chooses to and it truly is a blessing. And with this blessing comes a bond with other mothers that only those that are a mom can understand.
• I have learned that sometimes there are more hard days than good ones. Talk about learning patience.
• I have learned that people are judgmental beyond what I thought was possible. I can guarantee there is at least one person reading this that will refrain (or maybe not) from posting something judgmental about something I’ve just said. That’s just life.
• I have learned that I like blogging because I can vent about myself here just like this and no one can stop me.

Where my moms at? What have you learned since getting pregnant or having a kiddo?

Another week of 10-miler training in the books. It was another meh week during the week but after Friday’s 8-miler I’m feeling great anyways!

Two more weeks until the race. Looking forward to breaking in the new shoes over the next few weeks a bit in hopes they will be ready for race day! If any CLE friends are looking for a small +flat + scenic and inexpensive 10-miler ($20) or 5k ($12) you can still sign up by printing off the race entry here. (old school, yo!)

Hope everyone had a great weekend and Easter!