Check out Tophatter, a cool online auction website!

TopHatter is an online auction website that is free to sign up with. To test out the auctions, Sits Girls sent me $30 to use. There are several different categories of items you can bid on. I was looking at the jewelry category. At the start of the auction, they show you pictures of what you're bidding on, give a starting price and shipping price. Then you simply click a button to bid and keep going until you win or decide it is too expensive!

I ended up winning this pretty bracelet for $9 total and these gorgeous earrings for $23 total! Great deals I would say! Some of the items go for cheap and others, like a Coach purse went up pretty quickly! You can also chat with other bidders if you choose. It was pretty fun and definitely a time suck if you have extra money.

As a special gift to my fabulous readers, Tophatter is giving away a $10 credit when you sign up for Tophatter and spend $11 on an auction! Use this link to sign up and you will be able to redeem your $10 credit.

Have you discovered the addictive new auction site called Tophatter, where buyers bid for sellers’ unique goods in fast-paced virtual auction rooms? From crafts and DIY projects, to antiques, jewelry, home décor and much more, there’s no limit to what you can discover on Tophatter.

With live auctions every day, sellers get to showcase their wares from around the world to a community of thousands of buyers, and answer questions via chat as the clock ticks down. Each lot sells in an average of two minutes, so buyers must bid quickly!

Tophatter’s auctions become interactive live events where buyers and sellers can hang out, chat, and win. Led by the esteemed Sir Wendell Wattington and his animated family, Tophatter auctions keep the fun rolling in.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tophatter. The opinions and text are all mine.

Don't forget to enter my latest giveaway that ends in December!

This Week's Workouts 11/19-11/25

Monday 11/19: Ran on the gym track for 2 miles and did some arm/ab exercises.

Tuesday 11/20: Walked dogs for the Humane Society for 2 hours. I figure it was around 4-5 miles.

Wednesday 11/21: Ran outside for 2.5 miles and did some arm/ab exercises.

Thursday 11/22: Turkey day! I went for a little over a mile walk with my family after my first Thanksgiving dinner then played some Just Dance 4 that night after my food digested a bit!

Friday 11/23: Went ice skating with my boy for about 35 minutes!

Saturday 11/24: Ran a mile on the treadmill then did a mile on the recumbent (stationary) bike. Also did some crunches and arm workouts. Played Just Dance 4 also.

Sunday 11/25: Played some Just Dance 4 but in general this was a day off.

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy!

Sponsored Post: AZO Urinary Health

As the weather cools down, and the holiday season approaches, those who would normally be single find themselves desiring to be “cuffed” or involved in a relationship. Share your tips on “surviving” (i.e. resisting the social pressure to pair up) or “winning” (finding a special someone) during the holidays.

Having been in a long term relationship for a few years now, I think the key to "winning" or finding someone special is not obsessing about it. For years when I was young, I wanted a boyfriend so badly that I pretty much scared off any guy that actually started to like me. When I was just hanging out with a guy, eventually I kept bugging for that “relationship status” that I think it turned them off, big time. I just wanted it too badly and hoped for romance too much. Live and learn! When I started focusing on myself and my friendships, I was able to attract more guys and the right relationship gradually happened. 

The holidays can be frustrating if you're single even if you want to be. Holiday decorations, lights, mistletoe, presents... they all scream "couple". Don't let that get you down. Be happy for this time in your life, no matter what your relationship status says. If you really want a relationship, use the holidays to your advantage. Participate in traditional holiday activities in your community and attend events that will be crowded, such as a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Hit up coffee shops and look for people sitting alone or better yet, buy the cute guy behind you a coffee! Another great way to find a new guy or gal is to volunteer. There is so much need for volunteers this holiday season with just about any organization you can think of. What better way to help out your community while meeting new people?

Even if the whole super cute relationship thing doesn’t bloom over the holidays, don’t feel sad. You still have amazing friends and family to buy presents for and hang out with during this magical season! The time will come, I promise! Plus, aren’t summer romances much more fun? ;)

I have a giveaway for you today as well! Enter here for your chance to win some AZO to keep you healthy during the stressful holiday season.

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Find the solution that works best for you by heading over to the AZO website now!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of AZO. The opinions and text are all mine.

Guest Post: Do it Your Way - Five Karaoke Classics

As Christmas looms, so does party season and for some people that means only one thing – obligatory karaoke. There’s nowhere to hide: family gatherings, office parties, even catching up with friends at the local can lead to wobbly renditions of beloved pop songs. We all have a signature karaoke track – a tried and tested song that never fails to bring the house down year after year. But how original is your pick of the bunch?

1. Waterloo by Abba

The Eurovision winner in 1974, Abba’s seminal Waterloo is the number one favourite karaoke pick for Brits. It’s a kitsch track with a bright and lively melody, perfect for warming up a tough crowd.

2. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen

A complex track best suited to karaoke veterans, Bohemian Rhapsody is a demanding belter. It’s the third best-selling single of all time in the UK, which makes it a guaranteed crowd pleaser. It has no chorus, some almost impossibly fast-paced sections and finishes with a wild instrumental rock finale.

3. My Way by Frank Sinatra

One for the crooners! My Way, most famously sung by Frank Sinatra, is one of the most covered songs of all time. There are dozens of different versions, including renditions by Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Robbie Williams and Elvis.

4. I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor

Of course I Will Survive has to be in the top five. The quintessential karaoke track, everyone from Miss Piggy to the cast of Glee has given it a whirl. It’s a powerful, life-affirming anthem – but expect a few groans from karaoke regulars if you can’t hit the high notes.

5. Dancing Queen by Abba

The disco classic Dancing Queen grooves in at number five. It’s a great one for novice karaoke singers to perform as a duet. As well as enjoying a bit of moral support on stage, the simple chorus is fun to laugh along to together as you bring the 1970s back to life.

Of course, it can be a little bit intimidating to stand up and sing in front of a room full of strangers. Boost your confidence with isme.com’s range of shapewear to ensure you cut a striking silhouette throughout the party season.

Guest post by Catherine M.

The Season of Gratitude

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it is no surprise that gratitude posts are popping up all around Facebook, Twitter and the blog world. Today in honor of the season, I'm sharing the top things I'm grateful for this year.

I'm grateful for my work. I am so happy I can work from home and that I have some great clients that I can help. I am also grateful for continuing opportunities for new work.

I'm grateful for my boyfriend. We've some ups and downs this year and he's stuck with me through everything, proving he will always be there for me no matter what.

I'm grateful for my parents. They let me live at home right now to save money and are always there for me.

I'm grateful for my friends. I have some wonderful friends that always give good advice, make me laugh and make me feel like I have a second family.

I'm grateful for my new found dedication to more healthy eating and exercise.

What are you grateful for?

Happy Thanksgiving!

This Week's Workouts 11/12-11/18

Monday 11/12: I ran 2 miles at the track at my gym. I also did some squats, crunches, bicycles (abs), sit ups, oblique crunches and stretched.

Tuesday 11/13: Day off. Haven't been feeling well this week so I decided to take a rest.

Wednesday 11/14: Still having some sinus problems but, I really wanted to do some kind of exercise. I made up my own workout sequence that included 2 sets: 20 squats, 50 jumping jacks, 10 pushups, 10 front lunges, 50 crunches, 50 reverse crunches, 20 punches, 20 bicep curls with a small weight, 60 second plank, 10 sit-ups, 20 russian twists, 10 high knees, boat pose and bridge pose. I also played Just Dance 4 for a half an hour.

Thursday 11/15: I ran outside for 2 miles and did some crunches and a plank.

Friday 11/16: Did about 40 minutes of yoga at home.

Saturday 11/17: I started to do a full body workout from an iPhone app so I did some ab and arm exercises then got bored and played Zumba for Wii/Just Dance 4 for about an hour.

Sunday 11/18: Went to the gym and ran on the treadmill for 2 miles. I did the leg press, ab crunch machine and pull down machine too. Got a good sweat going on. :)

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy!

The No Junk Food Challenge: Week and a Half Down

In case you missed it, I started doing a "No Junk Food Challenge" on November 4th. It has been really difficult! I have to really watch what I am eating because pretty much after every meal I crave some type of dessert. I realized that even though I was going to let myself have Starbucks and frozen yogurt, I tried to avoid it because I knew it was a big temptation as well. If I go to Starbucks, I am only ordering drinks like smoothies, green tea, etc. because of the insane amount of sugar in their chocolatey beverages.

I've been eating a lot of peanut butter which I am allowing myself. I find that it helps my sweet tooth to eat some peanut butter on an apple or bread.

I did have Sonic the other day because my boyfriend really wanted to go there so I did cheat on junk food. But my biggest cravings are always chocolate, cookies, candy and other sweets and I have stayed away from them!

How are you doing with the challenge? Here's a reminder of what it is all about....

This Week's Workouts 11/5-11/11

Monday 11/5: I ran outside for about 2.3 miles and did some ab/arm workouts.

Tuesday 11/6: Did 22 minutes of Jillian Michael's 6 Week to Six Packs DVD. My DVD player screwed up before I could finish so I just finished off with some crunches and sit-ups.

Wednesday 11/7: Ran 2.3 miles outside again and did some ab workouts.

Thursday 11/8: Took a Zumba class at my gym for one hour. Fun!

Friday 11/9: Took a yoga class at my gym for one hour. Lots of good stretching.

Saturday 11/10: Went for a run outside for about 3.1 miles. I also did some crunches, reverse crunches, sit ups, plank and some exercises with small weights.

Sunday 11/11: Day off!

How did you do this week? Share your workouts with me!

Join me on Fitocracy!

This Week's Workouts - 10/29-11/4

Monday 10/29: I played Just Dance 4 and did a workout I found on Pinterest which consisted of sit ups, jumping jacks, crunches, push ups, squats, a wall sit, plank, and high knees.

Tuesday 10/30: I ran on the treadmill for a mile then did some crunches, sit ups, lunges (regular and reverse), plank, and high knees. I used some small weights for some of the exercises. My shoulders and chest got so sore after!

Wednesday 10/31: Happy Halloween! I ran 3 miles at the gym in my fastest time yet (about 26 minutes)! I also did some sit ups and crunches.

Thursday 11/1: Did a new yoga DVD with a friend for 40 minutes. It was a pretty easy workout so I did some crunches, sit ups, jumping jacks, bicep curls with a small weight and high knees at home.

Friday 11/2: Day off. I had to drive for a work event and was really tired.

Saturday 11/3: Ran 3 miles outside, did some crunches, sit ups, plank, and used some small weights for arm workout.

Sunday 11/4: Day off.

Join me on Fitocracy!

The No Junk Food Challenge

Anyone else have a enormous sweet tooth? I sure do! It has been especially active since Halloween when there are goodies and treats everywhere, not to mention I've been baking a ton for various occasions. So I decided I need to give myself a challenge!

I found this on Pinterest (of course) and though it was interesting and very challenging. The only adjustments I will make is using peanut butter. I don't eat it very often, but I don't think it is that unhealthy especially since I eat it with apples or whole wheat bread. Also, if I start today this challenge won't be over on Thanksgiving and I plan to let myself indulge on that day. Lastly, I will probably allow myself sugar free frozen yogurt or Starbucks as a treat if I don't go overboard. If I find myself getting both too much, I will stop for the rest of the challenge. 

November 4-November 26 (excluding Thanksgiving)

What will be the hardest? Definitely chocolate and cookies!

The easiest? I don't normally eat fast food, chips, white bread, pastries, donuts or ice cream.

Who is joining me?!