Thank you Drive Shop USA and Kia for giving me an opportunity to review the 2017 Sportage SX FWD.
A few weeks before the sweltering summer heat hit the Delaware Valley, hubby and I spent a beautiful Saturday afternoon walking through Battery Park in Old New Castle. If you remember this post, I stated that I wanted to return to the park with my husband as it had such a nice walking trail.
Also, if you follow me on Instagram you would have seen the pictures we took at the 1/4 mile marker. Hubby is still working on getting his energy level back up after those 6 months of chemo for small intestinal cancer.
The day started out being very beautiful however, we got some well needed rain towards the end of our walk, so we left earlier than we wanted. Both of our sons are working this summer so it was nice spending some quality time alone as an “old married couple”.
We both loved the 2017 Kia Sportage as it was a smooth ride with comfortable leather front seats and best of all, it was equipped with a Dual-Zone Auto Climate controls. I don’t know how it is in your house, but in ours, my husband and I often disagree on the temperature so we are in constant duel over the controls. Although the seats were leather, it wasn’t an uncomfortable sitting situation if you know what I mean!
The 2017 Kia Sportage comes with many standard features including Dual Front Airbags, Front Seat Mounted Airbags, and side Curtain Airbags which are great safety features. All of the other features on this model were standard and a few of them are listed below. The MSRP of this vehicle is $33,395.00 and the fuel economy is listed as 23 MPG, 21 city, 26 highway which makes it a negative for me.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
4.2” Color Infotainment Center LCD with Navigation
Sirius/XM Satellite Radio w/free 3-mo subscription
Leather Seat Trim
Push button start with Smart Key
Rear Camera Display
Blind Spot Detection
Lane Departure Warning
Front/Rear Parking Assist System
10 year/100,000 mile limited Powertrain warranty
5 year/60,000 mile roadside assistance
The fuel economy may be a negative on this vehicle, but here are my Top Five Favs:
Smart Hands-Free Power Liftgate and large storage capacity
Adjustable lumbar seat support controls
Power Folding Heated Side View Mirrors with LED Turn Signals
Lighted Door Handle
Panoramic Sunroof
The 2017 Kia Sportage did have a jerky acceleration on the back roads however, was smooth as silk on the highway at higher speeds. Also, as you can see the rear seat comfort is one of concern especially for adults as there isn’t much leg room in the back.
Overall, I would say that this is a great vehicle for someone who unlike me doesn’t have a 100 mile daily commute as the fuel economy is low, however, the seat controls with lumbar support made the commute a lot less uncomfortable.
The color of this 2017 Kia Sportage is Burnished Copper and it was so gorgeous, it actually complimented my maxi dress – what do you think?
The Blind Spot Detection and Lane Departure warnings are also great features for long distance travel and the rear trunk is a definitely a great size for loading it with shopping bags, luggage or dorm room supplies when taking a kid back to college which is what we will be doing in a few weeks – where did the summer go??
Check out the following YouTube video to get a better view of the inside and outside of the 2017 Kia Sportage then leave a comment below as to which feature you liked best.
We all know that Valentine’s Day is a great time to tell your significant other just how much you love and care about them. But what about the other important people in your life, yes, your girlfriends, when do we celebrate them?
Oftentimes, we forget about our girls whether they are our co-workers, neighbors or even a bestie since grade school. They bring joy and happiness into our lives so this year I am recognizing two of them with sweet treats from Shari’s Berries and we are celebrating Galentine’s Day today(officially on the 13th).
I brought in Shari’s Berries and Caramel Pretzels to share with two co-workers who are always there when I need a listening ear, or there to wipe away a tear or just there because they care.
I wanted them to know that I appreciate their support and to also add a little sweetness to our mid-morning snack.
Shari’s Berries is an FTD company which also carries a large assortment of personal gifts and flowers and this “All The Frills” arrangement is currently on sale for $23.99. If you use this code when ordering you will receive 20% off any gift $29 or more.
Hurry this offer expires on 3/31/2016 www.ProFlowers.com/bloom but if you click HERE there are more money saving coupons.
Shari’s Berries are large, fresh, sweet and juicy which can be ordered in a variety of dips and toppings as well as no-sugar added strawberries.
Shari’s Berries make a perfect gift for any occasion, Birthday – Anniversary – Thank You – Just Because – Valentine’s Day.
If you use the following code you will get $15 off any gift over $30. This offer will expire on 4/30/2016 www.berries.com/gift and you can also call 877-318-2195 with the same code.
Sharing 6 Premium Dipped Strawberries and 4 Caramel Pretzels was a perfect mid-morning treat for my Galfriends and I!
Will you celebrating Galentine’s Day tomorrow?
If you want to see more deliciousness, check out Shari’s Berries on Facebook/SharisBerries on Twitter @SharisBerries and Instagram @SharisBerries
Disclosure: I received these Slimfast products in exchange for an honest review, however, all opinions are 100% my own. #Slimfast #Influenster #igotitfree #ItsYourThing
I know…I know…everyone is talking about eating right and losing weight but as we all know words means nothing – action means everything! So mark my words, I am going to start the new year eating healthier, drinking more water, less wine and incorporating the Slimfast Advanced Nutrition meal bars, shakes, smoothies and 100-calorie snacks into my meal plan.
I will begin my day with a nutritious and delicious Meal Replacement bar while commuting to work and this Dark Chocolate Sea Salt bar not only fills me up while on the road but it also tastes great! This Advanced Nutrition bar contains 10 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, 18 vitamins and minerals and is Gluten Free and when you mix chocolate with sea salt, there’s definitely going to be a party in your mouth!
My second meal will be replaced with a Creamy Chocolate, High Protein Meal Replacement Shake along with a piece of fresh fruit and water. I love my shakes cold so I will either pour it over ice or put the bottle in the freezer about 30 minutes before drinking. This high protein shake contains only 1 gram of sugar, 5 grams of fiber, 24 vitamins and minerals, contains antioxidants, and is both Lactose and Gluten free.
And of course, when the 3:00 o’clock munchies hit, instead of hitting the vending machine for a bag of chips, I will grab a pack of these light and crispy 100 Calorie Snack Baked Crisps. If you like sour cream and onion you will love these, a lite and tasty treat containing 2 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber will satisfy your hunger between meals.
Once home at the end of the day, dinner will be a healthy meal consisting of a little protein, a few carbs and of course fresh veggies, most likely a salad which is my favorite and of course more water.
Other than the convenience of packing Slimfast products for work during the week, having a large assortment of flavors keeps my taste buds from getting bored.
Disclosure Statement: I was provided with a Kia Optima LX Turbo for a week to review, however, all opinions expressed in this post are 100% my own. #Kia #DriveKia #DriveShopUSA
Two weeks ago a 2016 Kia Optima LX Turbo was driven into my driveway and needless to say, I was over-the-top excited to have her a as loaner for the entire week.
Thank you @Kia #DriveShopUSA and you can plainly see, we definitely belonged together as she complimented my outfit quite nicely! #kuteinaKia
Later in the day hubby and I sat inside listening to jazz on the Sirius Satellite Radio while checking out the bells and whistles, some of which included:
Then together, we took a slow, leisurely drive around the neighborhood before the sun set for the evening.
Wednesday, I left her in the driveway as I also did on Thursday because of the drenching rains. Having driven a small compact car (Bloggy Buggy) for the past 2 years, I was a bit apprehensive about driving this larger, more luxurious vehicle to work. I work in West Chester, PA, which is a 100 mile, 3 hour daily round trip commute.
The 32 MPG highway gas mileage for the Kia Optima LX Turbo is awesome, therefore, I doubt that I would have needed to stop and get gas to fuel up had I driven it to work those two days.
32 MPG
Friday was a vacation day from work but not a day off without a purpose as I attended a Friday Fuel Up, sponsored by Troy Farmer, www.tfarmerforeva.com This wonderful Women in Business event was enlightening and definitely rewarding as a new business owner.
Oh, I forget to tell you that I had officially launched my own business, A.Blake Enterprises, Social Media Management on the 13th of November. I will bring you up to speed with all the details but in the meantime, check out the website www.ABlakeEnterprises.com for more information.
After the empowerment session, driving home on a bright and sunny mid-afternoon, I took my time, leaned to the side and cruised along listening to Jazz playing on the Watercolors station from the Sirius Station. All the while thinking “I could get used to driving a car like this!” I pulled into the driveway, picked up hubby then we headed to the Dutch Country Farmers Market to get a late lunch.
Not wanting to buy too much because it was the week before Thanksgiving, we just bought some wings and pasta salad for the weekend and a few pounds of Oxtails for next week’s Slow Cooked Oxtail Stew – stay tuned for that recipe.
The Smart and spacious trunk of the Kia Optima LX makes it easy to load packages when your hands are full.
The MSRP on this fully loaded Kia Optima LX is $27,415 and these are just a few of the many standard features:
USB/Auxiliary Input Jack and 12 Volt Outlet
Bluetooth Wireless Technology
60/40 split-folding rear seats which are perfect for travel back and forth to college or a quick trip to your local Home Improvement Store
Push Button Start / Smart Key / Smart Trunk
The additional LX Technology Package Features on this vehicle included:
Dual Zone Auto Climate Controls with Rear Vents
Navigation System with 8” Display
Memory Driver’s Seat and Mirror Position
Blind Spot Detection System
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Rear Parking Assist System
Auto-dimming Rear view mirror
There are many safety features in the LX Technology Package which are definitely of benefit to me because I spend a lot of time on the road. With so many distracted drivers and others who need a remedial Driver’s Ed course, having these options are a definite plus especially the “Blind Spot Detection System”.
Saturday, hubby was feeling well enough to take another “Road Trip to Retirement” which was a regular feature on my YouTube channel before he began his chemo treatments. Check out the latest video of this visit to the Village of Eastridge, a 55+ Community in Smyrna.
I had an evening appointment with a Venetia Thompson, a small business owner in New Castle, who is featured this year on my blog in honor of #ShopSmall Saturday. When I got home there was another surprise…our youngest son was home from college.
He had come home early for the Thanksgiving break with a big bag of laundry, fortunately he has been washing his own clothes since the age of 10 so it was not my responsibility to handle!
The Kia adventure continued into Sunday when my oldest son and I went shopping and then created this mini video, once again touting a few of the cool features of the Optima LX.
On Monday hubby had a chemo treatment, so the Kia spent the day parked at the Helen Graham Cancer Center, then Tuesday morning, I had to say, “See Ya” to the Kia.
It was definitely a fun filled, wonderful way to spend the week with a Kia. Now it’s your turn to tell me what you would do if you had a week with a Kia Optima LX Turbo…where would you go, leave a comment below.
When you think of coconut, you probably think about the tropics, but last weekend was the perfect time for using Pure Body Naturals Fractionated Coconut Oil because it was cold.
Saturday was our monthly “Ladies Night In” and with snow still on the ground, it was also a perfect time for each of us to test the Fractionated Coconut Oil.After using a little or a lot depending on the “ash level” on our hands, we all agreed that the Fabricated Coconut Oil was a non-greasy, fragrance free oil that definitely made a difference on our skin.
The Fractionated Coconut Oil can also be used as a massage oil, as a hair and scalp treatment, on your face or body as it does not clog pores or leave a greasy residue. It is colorless, odorless and easily washes out of clothing and sheets. This is a 100% Pure Base and Carrier Oil for Aromatherapy, Essential Oils, Massage Use and Therapeutic Recipes.
Hello friends, it has been two months since I started this review and I can honestly say that I love the results and will continue using L’Oreal Paris New Age Perfect Cell Renewal. In this short video you will see my daily morning (before makeup) regiment using both the cream and serum. Each are light enough so that they don’t clog my pores nor make my face feel weighed down.
Please note that I used the cream first however, it is recommended that you begin with the serum followed by the cream … habits are hard to break once you start.
DISCLOSURE: I RECEIVED PRODUCT FREE IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THIS REVIEW, HOWEVER, OPINIONS ARE 100% MY OWN
Hello friends, what is your favorite breakfast food? In our house, eggs rule the roost – literally.
My son has been making scrambled eggs since he was tall enough to reach the knobs on the stove. He loves scrambled eggs but hates to cleanup the pan afterwards. I recently had an opportunity to review the Ozeri Green Earth Panand this has definitely solved the problem.
The Ozeri Green Earth Pan is coated naturally in ceramic and is free of harmful chemicals or toxins which can be released at high temperatures. It cooks fast and easy on medium heat and no oils or butters were required. You can however, use oils or butter, but I try to keep my caloric intact to a minimum. I used a non-scratching plastic spatula to remove the eggs and made a delicious breakfast sandwich.
Check out this short video of me making a version of an Egg McMuffin, oh and by the way, the pan clean up was just as easy as the frying of the egg.
The Ozeri pan is just the right size and weight for all users in our house and is oven safe to 180 degrees. A full warranty is available and it ships quickly so if you want to have one for the holidays, order today from Amazon.com.
Disclosure: I am participating in a Vibrant Influencer Network campaign for L’Oreal Age Perfect. I am receiving a fee for posting; however, the opinions expressed in this post are my own. I am in no way affiliated with L’Oreal Age Perfect and do not earn a commission or percent of sales.
Hello friends, it has been almost a month since I started using the L’Oreal Paris New Age Perfect Cell Renewal, and I wanted to show you the results. Using the regiment that I wrote about in this post my face seems to be a bit more vibrant, but I’ll let you be the judge.
I also created a video so you can see how I have been using the products, check it out below.
Disclosure: I received the Aromatherapy Shower Kit in order to facilitate this review, however, opinions are 100% my own.
Hello friends, after a long, strenuous workout the first thing that I want to do is take a long, hot shower….naw…who am I kidding, you know I don’t engage in long, strenuous workouts! I do however, work hard around the house and if you follow me on Instagram you would have seen my recently painted basement.
Whether your strenuous exercise comes from a workout with weights or from house and yard work, sometimes you want more than just a plain hot water shower. The Essio Aromatherapy Shower Kit turns an ordinary shower into a personal spa.
Aromatherapy is an ancient therapeutic practice with many benefits including improved mood and energy, reduced inflammation, increased blood circulation, improved skin tone and reduced stress.
The Essio Aromatherapy Shower Kit comes with one shower arm and 3 essential oil pods. These pods contain 100% organic, pure and sourced from the finest oils in the world however, they do not leave an oily residue. There are no harsh chemicals or additives and the pods are recyclable.
There are six Essio Essential Oil Blends and the kit I received contained the following blends:
Breathe which is a refreshing blend of peppermint and eucalyptus that helps to clear the sinuses, decrease congestion and stimulates the entire body.
Passion is an blend of mandarin orange, lavender and patchouli which is a sensual aroma that arouses the mind and senses.
Unwind is an uplifting fragrance of citrus with spice and floral tones, creating a sense of lightness and stress relief.
The essential oil pods last for approximately 3-5 showers and these scents as well as others can be ordered directly from www.essioshower.com.
The Essio aromatheraphy shower arm is easy to install and extends beyond the length of a normal shower head with a gentle pull. After removing a pod from the tray, take off the cap and attach it to the end of the arm with a gentle 1/4 counter-clockwise turn. Turn on the water then tilt the pod downward under the stream of water to experience a spa shower.
I am excited to announce that Essio is offering my readers a chance to win their own Aromatherapy Shower Kit, but you need to enter quickly because this sweepstakes will end at midnight November 27th click this link to enter: http://bit.ly/1uSWBTY
If you want to order a kit now to be given as a holiday gift, you’ll receive 25% off any order at www.essioshower.com, by using the code SAVE25 at checkout. Good luck!
If your house is like ours, there is at least one area that is totally dark with no light switch or a lamp, perhaps it’s a hallway or the stairs. We keep the vacuum in a small cubbie in the basement and when the boys were younger they hated going in there to get it because it was too dark.
If we had these Mr. Beams Stick Anywhere Task Lights there would have been no excuse because these high illumination lights really brightens up the area.
Mr. Beams lights are bright, battery operated LEDs that provide safety and security at an affordable price. They can be installed anywhere with heavy duty double sided tape, velcro or two screws (not included). They are also great for kitchen cabinets, inside toy boxes, closets and shelves.
These motion sensors lights have a range of 10-15 ft. and can be set to stay on from 20 to 60 seconds. Mr. Beams Stick Anywhere Task Lights need 4 – AA batteries and only illuminate in the dark so they would be good for a hallway, stairway or as a nightlight in the bathroom. Mr. Beams also has a variety of other energy efficient wireless LED lights which can be ordered today to arrive quickly in time for the holidays.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
