Apera Bags Yoga Tote Review & Giveaway

Sponsored Post

I was on the internet a few weeks ago looking for a cute way to lug around not only my gym stuff, but my yoga mat as well.  Now let’s just get something straight here, when I say “gym stuff” I’m not just talking about a Garmin and a water bottle… I’m talking like a whole wardrobe change AND the kitchen sink!! I seriously WAY over pack to get my workout on!! You can’t be too prepared right?! Let’s face it… those little tiny Nike backpacks just don’t cut it!! I mean, I can fit a pair of shoes and a piece of gum in that thing and that’s about it!! If I’m carrying my yoga mat, water bottle, and everything else I might need for my workout, that little bag’s not doing me any favors!! That’s when I happened upon Apera Bags! They were gracious enough to send me their Yoga Tote for a review and I’m super excited to tell you all about it!! :)

One thing that really stood out to me was all the pockets! It has pockets full of sunshine everywhere!! It quite LITERALLY has pockets inside of pockets!! No Joke!! It has a place for everything and it’s plenty big enough to hold everything I need to take to the gym with room to spare! (Although it’s not quite big enough to fit the kitchen sink, but you win some you lose some I guess!)  To tell you just how big it is, let me tell you what all I fit into my Apera Bags Yoga Tote:

    

~ Pair of size 9 women’s shoes (the bag has a separate compartment inside to keep the stench of my shoes from spreading)
~ Yoga Blocks
~ Yoga Strap
~ Ipod Nano with arm strap and earbuds
~ Eyeglasses case and contact case
~ Fuel: Clif Bar and Orange
~ Hydration: Nuun & Waterbottle (the yoga tote has a special place on the side for water bottles so your stuff won’t get wet if there’s a leak)
~ Workout notebook and pen
~ Workout Outfit: Shorts, a tshirt, sports bra
~ Backup outfit: Capris and tank (I told you I overpack)
~ After workout clothes: towel, sweatshirt, and a clean pair of socks
~ And of course my YOGA MAT!!

You may be thinking “how in the world did you fit all of that AND your yoga mat inside your gym bag?!”  Well my friends, that’s easy! I didn’t have to put my yoga mat inside the bag because it has it’s own special place on top of the bag!! The strap on the bag has a special “Y” shape that you can easily fit your yoga mat through! (OR your foam roller and friendly massage stick)!

 

Some other things I LOVE about Apera Bag’s healthier bags are:

- It’s antimicrobial to help prevent the growth of bacteria and yucky odors
- It has vented compartments to help air the bag out (which it definitely needs after my shoes are in there!)
- Wipeable lining that makes it easy to keep clean
- A separate washable insert to keep your stinky gross clothes away from your clean ones!
- Padded pockets for electronics such as garmin, phone, and ipod
- Not too big and not too small!! It’s the perfect size!!

Apera donates one bag to a Special Olympics athlete for every three bags they sell!

They only thing I wish were different about the bag is that the pockets were different shapes on each side!  Both side’s outside pockets look the same (size and shape) and I tend to open the wrong side first when looking for something! Besides that tiny little thing, I love my Apera Yoga Tote!!

A couple of weeks ago Apera announced some awesome sales! Right now they are offering 40% OFF their entire Blue line of bags (any style) including the Yoga Tote (making it about $72 instead of $119)!  AND if one sale wasn’t enough, their Duffel Packs in any color, are 40% OFF as well! Go Go Go!! What are you waiting for? That’s a great deal!! Make sure you come back though because I have not 1, but 2 ways for you to win your very own Apera Bag!

First chance, Apera holds their own giveaway on their website for a different style bag each month! This month is the Yoga Tote!!  All you have to do to enter is head on over and provide your email address for updates!  Here’s more info for you!

UPDATE:  March's giveaway will be an Apera Sling Tote in the color of your choice.

Second, Apera is offering one of my readers the chance to win an Apera Sprint Pack of their very own AND 25% off their bag of choice!!  Just enter below!!

**Apera sent me a bag to review on my blog, but as always my opinions are my own!! I was not compensated in any other way! a Rafflecopter giveaway

YES! YES! YES! And Friday Randoms

Hey friends!! I can’t believe it’s been a week since we’ve last hung out!!  Life gets super crazy sometimes!!  Which is why you get a life update in bullet points… isn’t that your favorite?! ;)

___________________________________________________________________

1.  Have you ever had someone you really look up to …. oh let’s say like the upbeat, optimistic person who always wins 1st overall in all the local 5ks… ask you to work out with them??!!  I have!!

At first (I was afraid I was petrified…) I was like:

Then I realized she was serious!

 

Of course I said:

She paid to have me come as a guest to her gym… I’ve never been to an actual gym gym before!  (My old college doesn’t count) So yesterday I met up with her and we did about 1 1/2 hours of arms and abs… IT. WAS. GREAT!!  She was fun to hang out with and it was so much fun to workout with someone other than myself! She kicked my butt!!  I am indeed sore today!

2. I got a couple fun packages in the mail last week… can’t wait to share them with you!! Look for a couple reviews and a giveaway in the next week or two!

 

3. Just in case it is ever in question, I do in fact work hard and earn my pay at work! ;) Yes that IS playdough… why do you ask?! ;)

4.  I made it on to the Top 100 Running Blogs list for 2014!! (I’m #83) Holy Guacamole!! I feel honored to be listed with so many other great bloggers that I look up to!  Who would be on your top 100?

5.  Some seniors at the school at work for came around and handed out these flowers.  The pot says they are Azaleas but one of the other teachers insisted that it was a Geranium… Do any of you have any opinions or know what it is?  I do not have a green thumb…

 

6.  I was invited to be a guest over on Alicia’s Blog, Never Ever Been Skinny.  Go check it out!! :) 

7.  I haven’t watched ANY of the Winter Olympics this year… not even a minute!! Does that make me a bad person?  Go USA! lol.. have you been watching?  What’s your favorite event?

8.  I have some exciting news!! Can’t wait to share an update with you all on my dream becoming a reality!! :)

What are some randoms from your week?

Running Shoes or Candy? You Decide!

This is what I feel like telling everyone I come in contact with on Valentine’s Day… you’re welcome for being THAT awesome.. now buy me candy!! (Any will do, but my favorite is Reeses Cups!)

 

 

Saw these fun valentines on the Runner’s World website…  How fun?!  If you came up with a fitness/running/yoga/(workout of your choice) valentine card what would it say? Mine would say
You’re the shoes to my running, the ice to my bath, and the compression to my legs… 
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

 

OK, which one would you choose? Candy OR Running Shoes??

 

 

My Valentine to you all is that I’ll eat all the above chocolate and think of you! ;) (no shame!)

 

Happy Valentine’s Day my Friends!! I hope you have a great day full of love and being spoiled!! (even if it is spoiling yourself!!) ;) I want to thank you all for being so awesome… seriously, you guys are the best!!! So I’m giving you, my valentines, a coupon code for $1 off of my Skinny Yoga Mat Straps!! That makes them $7 total which includes shipping to anywhere in the US (if you’re international please email me for shipping rates)!! I hope you enjoy your valentine’s day!! :)

 

 

And because I love you all so much… I think you should treat yourself to some Tommie Copper! ;)

 

 

OR perhaps a brand new Running Skirt?!

 

 

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!

 

What/who do you love?  
  - In all seriousness, I LOVE my family, you all, the ability to work out, and God and the life he’s blessed me with!

How are you spending your valentine’s day?  
  - Sick and on the couch… was gonna go to the gym, but my head feels like a balloon so you guys gotta share the gym love with me today! ;)

Do you use Valentine’s Day as an excuse to eat all things chocolate?
  - You betcha!! ;)  Who needs an excuse anyways?! ;)

What’s your idea of the BEST Valentine’s Day Gift ever?!

 

Fun Things Going on:
  

Cali or Bust!! My Fund For Fitness!

My #1 Goal this year… in 2014… is to raise enough money to be able to go to Anaheim, California August 14-17th for the IDEA World Fitness Blogfest with Sweat Pink!!  (you can read more about my goal and why it’s my goal HERE)

Why am I trying to raise money for the trip instead of just paying for it?
I LOVE my job! I get to work with preschoolers who have disabilities! It’s such a rewarding job! I walk in smiling and walk out smiling!  When I took the job I knew I wouldn’t be making enough money to pay all my bills let alone get a gym membership, so I had to take a couple other jobs to make ends meet. When I saw how much it would cost to go to the blogfest, I was sad because I knew I wouldn’t be able to go… BUT then I thought, I can raise the money!!  I told myself if I could raise the money outside of my paycheck, I could go to the conference!!  So that is what I am trying to do!! This page is the overview of my progress and different ways you can help me get to California this summer!

The amount it will cost me to go is:

$399 – Conference Cost (covered by Tommie Copper)
$778 – Airfare (Roundtrip)
$636 – Hotel (4 nights)
$1813 $1413 – Full Trip Cost

If you feel like being generous, or want a shout out on my blog and a pat on the back, or maybe just want to be my Fairy God Mother for 2014 and help send me to California, take a look below!!  Maybe one (or more) of the ways to help me live out my dream/goal sounds appealing to you!!  Thanks for even just stopping by and checking it out!! You guys are the best!!

  

STORE

To place an order for any of the items below, go to the product page and hit the “Order Now” button to go to the short order form!!

Skinny Yoga Mat Strap
(for the product page click here)

 

SPONSORS

OPEN TO COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS who are looking to promote and gain exposure at the LARGEST fitness event in the WORLD!! Click here for more in depth information about becoming a sponsor for my trip!

Promotional Opportunities for Sponsors include, but not limited to:

          ~ Ad Space on my blog
          ~ Promoting your company on my blog before, during, and after the event
          ~ Live instagramming and tweeting at the event promoting your company
          ~ Wear or use your products at the event
          ~ Blog posts before and after the event thanking your company
          ~ Your company’s Logo or Website on my business card I’ll be passing out at the conference
          ~ Of course plenty of word-of-mouth promoting at the conference

Basically I’ll be a walking, talking, blogging billboard for your company! ;) Email me at runners.luck@hotmail.com or click HERE (email form) to discuss becoming a sponsor!

 

AD SPACE

Ad Space is available to Companies, Blogs, and Individuals, on my blog as a way to contribute to my dream fund!

Sidebar Ad (200x200) Space is available for $10/month

 

Sidebar Ad (125x125) Space is available for $5/month

***Click here for more information***

DONATIONS

If for some really bizarre reason you want to be my Fairy God Mother and just make a donation, you are seriously the best, kindest, angel ever!!! Just click the “Donate” button below!! Seriously… you are awesome and I owe you like a bazillion favors!!

February Fitness Survey (linkup)

Saw this over on Sarah’s blog (How My World Runs) and thought it would be fun… since I’m sick and all…

1. Do you have a Fitness board on Pinterest? Share it. 

I have a couple!!  My Running Pinterest Board and my Yoga Pinterest Board and my Runner’s Luck Blog Posts Board

2. What is your go to place for fitness questions? (friend, blog, website) 

I LOVE asking questions on my blog.. the Sweat Pink and Girls Gone Sporty Communities on Facebook too! 

3. What do you do to workout when the weather outside is too cold, snowy or icy?

I’m really a fair weather runner… if it’s less than 30 degrees, I don’t like running outside… so I’ve been running on the treadmill, doing some weights, and lots of yoga!

4. Latest song added to your playlist? 

God’s Not Dead by the Newsboys

5. Share a link to your favorite healthy recipe.  

Not exactly healthy healthy, but it has bananas in it…. so there ya go! ;)

get thisBanana Bread using frozen bananas!! #recipe #fitfluential #sweatpink #runchat #girlsgonesporty #foodPinned by ZanetaOnto Bread Recipes

6. What’s your favorite fitness app? 

I haven’t tried any fitness apps yet… but I downloaded Nike Training Club and Nike+ Running last week… Has anyone else tried these apps? What do you think?

Share a picture of a recent workout.

I shared a video of my longest run post injury earlier today!  This is my second post because I’m sick and don’t feel like getting off the couch today!  This picture is after I got off the treadmill and felt so good!!  What?!  Doesn’t every blogger take a sweaty mirror selfie after they conquered a workout?! ;)

What’s your favorite fitness app?

What’s the latest song added to your playlist?

 

Longest Run Post Injury!! (video)

I’m home sick today… read BORED… so I’ve been working on improving my blog while having a Bachelor marathon…

I DVRd all of the episodes but haven’t been able to watch them until now… you may or may not be seeing a lot of blogging from me today ;) Be prepared to become best buds lol! 

This is from Tuesday night!!  I’m so excited!!! After being injured, this is the highlight of my week! My longest run post injury!
(I have no idea what happened with the quality of this video… sorry for the weird pauses)

I ended up running 1.60 miles in 19:45min (11:52 pace)… I miss my faster pace, but if I want to heal up and get back to running as much as I was before, I gotta take it SLLLOOOOWWWWW…
I’m happy to report there is ZERO knee pain going on up in here after this run!! :)

Have you ever come back from an injury?
How did you cope?
Do you watch The Bachelor? What do you think of this season?

 

Seeking Event Sponsorship with Health and Fitness Companies

A call for Fitness & Health related companies looking to spread the word about their product through word-of-mouth and social media at the LARGEST Fitness event in the WORLD!

 

If you haven’t heard of the IDEA World Fitness Blogfest with Sweat Pink, you’re missing out!!  It’s THE LARGEST fitness event in the world held in Anaheim, California! This health and fitness convention brings bloggers from all corners of the globe together for advanced blogging sessions, celebrity workouts, and plenty of opportunities to network with other fitness, blogging, and social media gurus!

As I said in my Dream for 2014 post, I’m so excited to go BUT I don’t have the funds to get myself there!  I LOVE my job because I get to work with such wonderful little preschoolers who just happen to have autism but don’t let it hold them back BUT it doesn’t allow any room in my budget for gym memberships let alone travelling across the entire US for a fitness convention!! 
That is why I am looking to partner with Fitness and Health related companies for a great promotional opportunity before, during, and after this amazing event!!  I believe it’s a great place to promote your product or company as everyone attending has the SAME interests as I do and are going to see what products, companies, or trends are THE BEST of 2014 and the future of fitness and health!!

I am currently looking for full or partial sponsorship for my own attendance to the blogfest!  If you are ANY health or fitness related company related to running, yoga, or nutrition (apparel, jewelry, fuel, recovery, workout tools, etc), I am looking for you!!

I want to be totally honest and up front with you, so here is the approximate cost to send me to the Convention:

Conference - $399 Covered and sponsored by Tommie Copper 
Airfare (Round Trip) - $778
Hotel (4 nights) - $636

FULL Sponsorship - $1813

*Sponsorship amount left - $1413

In return for your sponsorship, your company will receive MANY thanks on my blog (including a sidebar ad) and my other social media websites (FB, IG, Twitter), as well as company promotion and gratitude AT the IDEA World Fitness Blogfest itself! A few ideas I have to benefit your company through this sponsorship are:

~ Ad Space on my blog
~ Promoting your company on my blog before, during, and after the event
~ Live instagramming and tweeting at the event promoting your company
~ Wear or use your products at the event
~ Blog posts before and after the event thanking your company
~ Your company’s Logo or Website on my business card I’ll be passing out at the conference
~ Of course plenty of word-of-mouth promoting at the conference

I am also open to other ways of promoting your company and making this partnership work for you!!  I would love the chance to discuss this opportunity in greater detail with you!!

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for my trip please send an email to runners.luck@hotmail.com

If you are a blogger and are interested in becoming a sponsor or helping me get to California for the Convention please feel free to email me at runners.luck@hotmail.com and we can discuss it further!!

Thank you so much for all your support!!  I look forward to hearing from you!!

Sponsor/Advertise

Are you looking to promote your blog, company, etsy shop, event, or fundraiser to gain a little more exposure and more followers?  This is the perfect opportunity for you!! Become a Sponsor of Runner’s Luck!

Your ad will be seen by (As of 3/2/14):

Average Monthly Pageviews – 5,500

GFC Followers – 323
Bloglovin’ Followers – 86 (+28 personal)
Instagram Followers – 388
Facebook Followers – 231
Pinterest Followers – 149
Twitter Followers – 1,633
Total Followers: 2,828

Who can sponsor?

Anyone who has a blog, company, shop, event or fundraiser that is in any way related to health and fitness or living a healthy lifestyle!  I also do have some occasional knitting, crocheting, and crafting posts pop up so if you think it might benefit your site you are more than welcome to purchase ad space on my blog!

How does it work?

You can purchase a monthly ad on my site, create a button that fits the size requirements of the space you purchased and I will display it on the sidebar on my blog! It’s that easy! Your button will be clickable and will take visitors directly to your website!! If you don’t have a button that meets the specific size requirement, I can resize it for you for a $1 fee.  If you don’t have a button I can create one for you for $5 and it will be yours forever to use wherever and however you wish!! 

All ads will run for 1 month, starting the first Friday of the month.
Ads will be displayed on the left sidebar of my blog, in descending order according to size (biggest on top).
Within each size category, ads will be displayed in the order they are purchased.
All sponsors will be featured in a group sponsor shout out post during the month that will highlight your space and introduce you to my readers.

How much does it cost?

I currently have 3 different size options available:

100x100 Ad Space

FREE to bloggers who would like to swap buttons!

 

125x125 Ad Space

$5 per month

 

200x200 Ad Space

$10 per month 

If you are interested in these other forms of sponsorship, please email me at runners.luck@hotmail.com

- Event Blogger
- Guest Post
- Sponsored Post
- Product Review/Giveaway
- Event Sponsor (see below)

If you are a health or fitness Company looking to promote your company/product at the LARGEST fitness event in the WORLD, click the picture below for a great promotional opportunity and partnership with Runner’s Luck!!

 

GREAT! I’m interested in becoming a sponsor!! How do I sign up?!

That’s wonderful!! Thanks for being a HUGE supporter of Runner’s Luck!! Space is limited so if you are interested in becoming a sponsor, have any questions regarding sponsorship, or would like to request a media kit, please email me at runners.luck@hotmail.com