family

Father’s Day Plans? Celebrate At The 2015 Progressive San Diego International Boat Show

June 5, 2015 By lyndsinreallife Leave a Comment

This press release is from Synergy Communications, in partnership with the Progressive San Diego Boat Show. I received two free tickets to attend Media Day on June 18. All opinions are 100% my own.

The 2015 Progressive® Insurance San Diego International Boat Show® is almost here! It’s going to be the perfect family outing for Father’s Day weekend (June 18-21); especially if you’re in/near San Diego, Calif. I attended last year, and it was super fun! Check out my recap and see for yourself!

As the region’s premier summer boating event, the 2015 boat show provides attendees an all-access pass to discover the boating lifestyle and a chance to shop the newest boats and marine accessories. More than 120 vessels, from entry-level family cruisers and personal watercraft to sailboats and superyachts, will be docked in the marina and parked on land for visitors to browse, board and buy. The boat show also provides visitors of all ages boating chance to get their feet wet with a variety of activities including:

Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) and free sailing lessons aboard the Sailing Simulator.
Boaters can also sharpen their skills with boating and sailing lessons on the water or through complimentary seminars at Fred’s Shed Interactive Learning Center and the new Sportfishing Pavilion.
‘Be A Diver’ Pool
A variety of eats from the area’s popular food trucks, beverages and live entertainment are also available.

Show Details:

When:

Thursday through Sunday, June 18-21, 2015

Thursday, June 18 and Friday, June 19–Noon to 7 p.m.

Saturday, June 20–10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday, June 21– 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where:

Sheraton Marina on Harbor Island

1380 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92101

Price:

Admission: $12 – Adults (16 years & older)

FREE – Children (15 years & under)

FREE with proper ID – Active military personnel, Fire and Police

Advance tickets can be purchased online at SanDiegoInternationalBoatShow.com

Visit sandiegointernationalboatshow.com; Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – #SDBoatShow

My boyfriend and I will be attending, and we hope to see you there! There’s SO many fun things to do and see; you’ll wish it was longer than a weekend. Share your posts with @sdintlboatshow and myself @balancebrunette (Twitter) & @thebalancedbrunette (Instagram)!

Will you be attending this year? Did you attend last year?
What would your favorite activity be: SUP, Be A Diver pool, kayaking, or checking out the boats?

*Media Contact: Preview photos, interviews and additional information are available upon request by contacting c3 Communications, Inc. at joice@c3publicrelations.com or by calling 858-794-6974.

*About the Progressive Insurance San Diego International Boat Show: The San Diego International Boat Show, in partnership with the California Yacht Brokers Association (CYBA) and San Diego Superyacht Association, is produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the world’s largest producer of boat shows and the leading association representing the recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers throughout the U.S. and Canada. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy advocacy, market statistics and research, product quality assurance and promotion of the boating lifestyle. For more information, visit www.nmma.org.

*About Progressive: The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies (collectively, “Progressive Insurance”) is a leader in boat insurance and the largest seller of personal watercraft insurance in the U.S. It offers flexible, year-round coverage so boaters can go wherever they choose, whenever they choose and have peace of mind they’re protected. Specialty coverages which vary by state include On-Water Towing, Roadside Assistance, Personal Effects, Total Loss Replacement and Pet Injury. The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies makes it easy to understand, buy and use auto insurance. Progressive offers choices so consumers can reach it whenever, wherever, and however it’s most convenient —online at progressive.com, by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE, on a mobile device or in-person with a local agent.

Lifestyle Personal

When The House You Grew Up In Is No Longer “Home”

July 18, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 16 Comments

It is always so hard leaving Cleveland to head back to LA. I’ve lived in NE Ohio all my life. I left in February 2013 to move to Los Angeles, Calif. to be with my boyfriend (who was my best friend for 19 years before that). I visited Ohio three times last year, and this was my first trip back this year. I’ve been in Ohio for two weeks, and leave tomorrow morning for Chicago for a week.

There’s a quote from the movie Garden State that sums up exactly how I feel each time I leave Ohio:

“You know that point in your life when you realize that the house you grew up in isn’t really your home anymore…all of the sudden even though you have some place to put your shit, that idea of home is gone…or maybe it’s like this rite of passage…you will never have that feeling again until you create a new idea of home for yourself, for your kids, for the family you start. It’s like a cycle or something. Maybe that’s all family really is: a group of people that miss the same imaginary place.”

I knew moving to LA would change me. That was the point, after all. I wasn’t doing much with my life when I lived in Ohio before. I have a bachelor’s degree in speech therapy and audiology, but I was working three part-time jobs for minimum wage. I had no direction. No ambition. No purpose. I left my parents, two brothers, two nephews, and pup to live in LA. To find myself. Whatever that means.

I always have a similar experience when I come back to Ohio. My trip starts off with me despising being here. It’s dirty, the weather sucks, and everyone and everything is the same. Then a week passes, and I realize how much I love knowing where I am driving, how much I love the thunderstorms, the ability to see friends and family at the drop of a hat, spending time with my nephews, and the comfort and support that I don’t usually get in LA. I realize that Ohio will always be my home, even though LA is now my home. I honestly feel like I have two homes. It’s such an interesting feeling.

I spent time with my older brother, Chris, whom I rarely talk to anymore, and my nephews Toby and Eli tonight. I took Toby to his soccer practice and we picked up dinner for Chris, and then played in the backyard. It was a very simple evening. An evening that happens a lot for people and they wouldn’t think twice about it. But it meant so much to me.

My nephews, Toby and Eli. <3 (taken tonight while playing in their backyard)

Now I am at my parents, packing up all my things, and I just want to cry. But the thing is, I’m not really sure why. I’m very sad to leave. I don’t know when I will be back. I’m sad that my parents are selling the house I grew up in, so when I come back, I really won’t have a home. I’m also happy that I have a place that I miss so much. A place filled with family and friends and people I love. It’s very bittersweet. I noticed that I stopped saying goodbye to people. I didn’t say bye to my dog Emma. Or my dad (although I thought I would see him again before I left). Or my mom. Or sister-in-law. I think that’s because I don’t want to accept that I am leaving. It’s been a year and a half since I left Ohio, and there are so many things that I can’t stand here, but it’s still such an important place in my heart. I can’t seem to let go.

And I don’t think I want to.

Have you ever left home? What was your experience with creating a new home for yourself?
How do you define home?

Lifestyle Personal

Fourth of July & A Trip Back Home

July 4, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 8 Comments

Happy Fourth of July everyone! I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your friends and family. 🙂 I’m really happy right now because I am spending my holiday (and the next 3 weeks) on Kelleys Island in Ohio with my family! Yes, Ohio has islands. LOL. Lake Erie has a few of them, and Kelleys Island happens to be the one I practically grew up on. We camped here every single year since I was 4, and now my parents own a house right on the lake.

I took this picture tonight from the front yard of the island house. Amazing, right?! It’s absolutely amazing. I keep joking that a SoCal resident vacations on a tiny island in Ohio haha. I’m on the island for about a week (even running a 5k tomorrow- I’ll update on that tomorrow!), in Ohio for two weeks, and then Chicago for one week. I’ll blog as much as I can, but it’ll be pretty busy! We don’t have very good internet up here at the island, so it’s been really hard to keep up with blogging and Facebook. Bare with me!

I’m still pretty jet-lagged, so this is going to be a shorter post. But I wanted to note how awesome it is being able to spend time with family. They’re all in Cleveland and I am in Los Angeles, which is about 2300 miles apart. I have two nephews under the age of 7, soon to be 3 come September. I feel like I am missing out on so much since I live so far away. It’s hard. However, I realize that by not living here, I appreciate it more. I value my time with my nephews, parents, and brothers.. even my dog Emma! She lives with my parents still (they couldn’t bare to let her go), and she follows me EVERYWHERE every time I am home! I just love it. It’s like she totally remembers me. She gets really excited when she sees me, she sleeps with me every night, and she won’t leave my side. Sometimes it feels like I never left. It feels so good to be home.

With my pup Emma

Little brother Mike & I on the golf cart

The pictures aren’t edited so they’re not the best quality, but I wanted to share them anyway. 🙂 Now it’s time for bed! Being in the Eastern time zone has me all messed up. Three hours makes a HUGE difference! 5k in the morning along the quarry, followed by an awesome day with my family and a few island friends whom I haven’t seen in two years!!

Have an amazing & safe holiday!!

XO,

Lyndsay

Events Lifestyle SoCal

San Diego Boat Show Recap

June 20, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 5 Comments

I had the wonderful opportunity of attending the San Diego International Boat Show yesterday as a blogger, and it was a great experience! My boyfriend, Tim, was stationed in San Diego while he was in the navy, so he was really excited to make the trip to San Diego from Los Angeles with me.

Tim & me at the rest stop off the 5/405/PCH

The boat show is going on ALL weekend (through Sunday), but we were only able to attend the first day. Regardless, it was so much fun! We arrived shortly after it opened. It could not have been a more perfect day! It was sunny, warm (around 81 degrees), and there was a wonderful breeze coming off the Pacific. As we were driving down, Tim said he wanted to get new sunglasses. He breaks them all the time, I can’t even tell you how many pairs he has had. In the photo above, he is rocking my bright pink wayfayers (don’t they look great on him?!). The very first booth we stopped at was the Progressive Insurance booth (they sponsor the SD International Boat Show), and they had a bag toss game where you could win sunglasses! It was so perfect! So Tim played the game while I chatted with Michael, an insurance agent whose wife is a blogger. Needless to say, Tim won a pair of sunglasses:

There were tons of booths with really great products and services! Anything you need for boating, you can find it at the SD Boat Show. I don’t have a boat, but I have always loved the boating life. I grew up on Lake Erie in Ohio, and my family has an island house on Kelleys Island (one of the Lake Erie islands). I love anything involved with beach/lake/ocean life. This show definitely made me want that lifestyle even more!

The harbor was filled with different kinds of boats that you could walk on, check out, and even buy if you were ready:

The best part for Tim was the diving booth. During Tim’s navy career, he was able to get certified in diving in Hawaii, and we have been talking about me getting certified, too, so we can go diving together. The San Diego Divers had a dive pool where you could practice diving, so of course Tim gave it a shot:

He found a fake crab while diving, and put it up to the camera in the water (it shows up on a monitor) because crabs are my second favorite animal! I was really excited! (My first favorite animal is the pink flamingo, in case you were wondering) 😉

The woman in the pool with Tim in the top picture is Jan. She was so helpful and great! She has been diving for 28 years and said it is very calming for her. No matter what kind of day she had, she can go into the water, watch the ocean life, and be stress-free. It reminds her of the simplicity of life. Talking with her made me really want to come back to San Diego and get my diving certification. If you attend the boat show this weekend and try scuba in the pool, you get a $50 rebate for the diving certification program (within 90 days). How awesome is that?! The program is through BeADiver.com. I definitely want to get my certification, and Tim can take a refresher course. So exciting!

We were pretty hungry at this point, so we decided to get food. There was a food truck, and then a barbecue put on by the La Mesa Rotary Club:

I haven’t had a hot dog in forever, so that’s what I had! They also serve beer to those 21 and older (have your ID handy).

On our way back through the booths, we saw the Oru Kayak (origami kayak). We recognized it from a recent episode of Shark Tank! It was really exciting for us because when we first saw that episode, Tim and I both loved the idea of a folding kayak. We live in a one bedroom apartment in West Los Angeles, meaning we have NO storage space. Plus, kayaks are really heavy! My parents have one, and I totally love it, but I can’t carry it by myself. With Oru Kayak being at the boat show, we had the chance to feel the kayak, which is what I wanted to do after seeing it on Shark Tank. We also had the opportunity to talk with the CEO + Founder of Oru Kayak, Anton Willis, which was really awesome. He is a super cool guy (though that was expected, because he developed a super cool kayak)! Tim and I definitely want to get a couple of the Oru Kayaks in the next few months or so.

There were so many great, quality products and services at the boat show, plus plenty of fun activities that will keep families busy throughout this weekend! I already mentioned the diving pool, but there’s also sailing lessons, paddle board lessons, hands-on training, interactive learning center, and more! The San Diego International Boat Show is at the Sheraton Harbor Island in San Diego, Calif. through Sunday, June 22 from 12-7 pm (Sunday only until 6pm)! Admission is $12 for adults, and children 15 & younger are free.

We had such a great time, I can only imagine how much fun the rest of the weekend will be! If you go to the boat show, hashtag #SDBoatShow and tag @SDIntlBoatShow (Twitter and Instagram) and @balancebrunette (Twitter)/@thebalancedbrunette (Instagram) so your pictures will get shared and retweeted!

Are you attending the San Diego International Boat Show this weekend?
Do you enjoy the boating lifestyle? Comment below!

XO,

Lyndsay

Disclosure: I received two free tickets to the San Diego International Boat Show through Synergy Communications in the hopes that I would share about the event on my website. I only write about products, services, and/or events that pertain to myself and my readers, therefore all opinions are 100% my own.

Events Lifestyle SoCal

If You Love Boats, San Diego, And Free Tickets, This Is For You!

June 2, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 2 Comments

Let’s be honest, who doesn’t like boats, San Diego, and free anything? I know I do!! Which is awesome, because the Progressive San Diego International Boat Show is coming to San Diego, Calif. June 19-22, 2014 at Sheraton Harbor Island! A weekend of sun, water, boats (to board and/or buy), oh, and did I mention there will be tons of fun activities for you and your family?

(Photos courtesy of Synergy Communications, LLC)

These are some of the awesome activities that will be happening at the SD Boat Show:

Take exercise to the water at Try It Cove: Try It Cove challenges attendees to find out first hand why paddle sports are all the rage with a variety of free opportunities to get on the water, including Stand Up Paddling (SUP), kayaking and more.
Learn to SCUBA: At the ‘Be a Diver Pool,’ dive into an underwater world in the comfort of a heated pool. Anyone ages 10 and older can learn how to scuba dive with a certified instructor – all one needs is a swimsuit to participate. The Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) provides scuba gear, changing rooms and hair dryers. Participants can also get a photo taken underwater as a fun keepsake.
Free sailing lesson aboard the Sailing Simulator, featured at the America’s Cup
Tastes & sounds of summer: Visit the new floating Tiki Bar by Fiddler’s Green, Anchors & Ales Beer Garden or popular food trucks, plus a BBQ hosted by the Rotary Club La Mesa to enjoy libations and local cuisine favorites while listening to island/boat music from a steel drum band.
Climb aboard a Vietnam War boat: Presented by the San Diego Maritime Museum, visitors can board and tour one of the historic PCF 816 Swift Boats used during the Vietnam War.
Nautical activities for the kids: While mom and dad are shopping for the new family boat, little skippers can enjoy the Kids’ Zone, drawing their favorite nautical picture to take home as a souvenir, enjoy activities at Try It Cove and play bag “bait” toss at the Progressive Insurance booth for prizes.
DIY clinics for the hand’s on boater: Back again this year is the Fred’s Shed Interactive Learning Center, a garage-like setting, to learn how to keep that boat in tip-top shape.

Show Hours:

Thursday, June 19 12pm – 7pm
Friday, June 20 12pm – 7pm
Saturday, June 21 10am – 7pm
Sunday, June 22 10am – 6pm

Show Address:

San Diego International Boat Show
1380 Harbor Island Drive
San Diego, CA 92101

Giveaway Time!!

The cost of the show is $10 for each day. However, I am giving away a family four pack of tickets!! The giveaway ends Monday, June 9th at 9 p.m. PST.

Rules to be eligible to win:

Follow the San Diego Boat Show on Twitter
Like the SD Boat Show on Facebook
Follow @balancebrunette on Twitter
Like The Balanced Brunette on Facebook
Comment on this blog post about which part of the boat show you are most excited about!

Again, this giveaway ends Monday, June 9th, so be sure to enter ASAP! Good luck!! 🙂

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received two free entries for the San Diego International Boat Show in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. All opinions are 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

xo, Lyndsay

Ambassador Fitness Nutrition

I Am A #SweatPink Ambassador!

May 10, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 9 Comments

A few weeks ago, I was accepted as a brand new #sweatpink ambassador with Fit Approach! It has been an amazing few weeks already!

This is the Fit Approach mission (borrowed from the Fit Approach website):

We believe that kicking ass is best done in pretty shoes. We’ve learned that real women sweat, and sweat hard. We know that assertiveness, strength, and ambition are the ultimate feminine qualities. We concede that sometimes it takes hours to get ready, but we’re also no strangers to just rolling out of bed and going. We’re convinced that we run faster in pink shoelaces. We believe in pushing ourselves, and we believe in giving ourselves a break, too. We’re all about the rush of endorphins and the thrill of the challenge. We’re all for looking great and feeling even better. We’re committed to finding our best fit, and making it stick.

How awesome is that?! The mission is what attracted me to Fit Approach in the first place. Pink is my favorite color, so this was a no brainer! I am all about pink shoelaces. As a welcome, I was sent a #sweatpink tank and some pink shoelaces:

Everyone in the #sweatpink community is SO welcoming! I love the feeling of being a part of a community of like-minded people, and knowing that I can go to any of them even though I don’t physically know them! I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity. <3

If you’re interested in becoming a #sweatpink ambassador, apply here! 🙂

Check out Fit Approach on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest!

Fitness

Run This Year April Challenge

March 31, 2014 By lyndsinreallife 4 Comments

#RTY April Instagram Challenge!

This is being hosted by Run This Year and Jill Conyers!

How you can join (rules borrowed from here):

Follow @RunThisYear We’ll be posting a daily reminder of each task or theme on our Instagram as well as Facebook
Save the graphic above to your phone or computer for easy access- You can grab a quick photo with your phone or right-click on the graphic to save to your computer
Each day, snap a photo of yourself completing the running task or the theme – Use an app with a timer to make it a self-portrait or grab a buddy to double the fun. You DO NOT have to run everyday. You’ll complete a variety of running tasks as well as capturing running related themes.
Tag us in your caption! Tag @RunThisYear and add the hashtag #RTYApril
Connect with others- search for the #RTYApril hashtag to find others having fun with running photography!

“A little motivation while you’re logging your RTY April miles and if that isn’t enough reason to join, we have prizes! By sharing your daily photo you will be entered into a random drawing at the end of the month for fabulous prizes! To be eligible, you must complete every single day during the month of April and tag the photo with @RunThisYear and hashtag #RTYApril.”

Keep in touch with Run This Year through social media:

The challenge starts Tuesday, April 1st!! I am definitely VERY excited for this!

Keep in touch with me during the challenge also! I would love to see and hear all about your progress! And I will be posting mine, too 🙂

You can read the original post by Jill Conyers and get more information here! Let’s go!!!

Bipolar Disorder Personal SoCal

#ThisIsMe24

December 11, 2013 By lyndsinreallife 2 Comments

I AM Lyndsay. 25 years old. Born and raised in Ohio, 20 miles West of Cleveland. My parents are Dennis and Laura. I am the middle child, with an older brother Chris and a younger brother Michael. My dad owns his own financial planning business that he has spent most of my life building from the ground up. He is a very successful financial planner, and has taught me how to be a business owner. I am without a doubt a “daddy’s girl.” My mom is a special education preschool teacher, and is the smartest person I know. She has her master’s in education, and is finishing up her SECOND master’s in administration next year. She is always striving to know more, do more, and be more. Both my brothers are incredibly smart. Chris works for a software company in NE Ohio, and I have looked up to him for as long as I can remember. Mike is getting ready to graduate from Kent State University with a major in physics, and a minor in chemistry and mathematics. He will continue on to get his doctorate in physics. Both of my brothers have been my best friends throughout my entire life.

All my life, I have wanted to be something that meant something. That would leave some sort of legacy, even if it meant impacting one person. For the longest time, I wanted to be a psychologist. Then I wanted to be a journalist, and was actually the Editor in Chief of my college’s newspaper. Throughout high school, I was a dancer. I played softball and volleyball with city teams, but never thought I was good enough to try out for the high school teams. I loved dancing, and was good at it, but did not pursue it past sophomore year. I intended to go to Kent State University for journalism, but stayed at a local community college because I received an academic scholarship. I did well and received an Associates of Art. I then transferred to Cleveland State University and received my Bachelors of Art in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.

I graduated with honors, but my GPA was not high enough to get into graduate school for speech therapy. I was completely lost on what to do with my life. I was 55 lbs overweight, unhappy, and had big ambitions but never knew what to do about them. I wanted to help people, to impact the world, but had no idea how. At one point, I was working 4 part time jobs making essentially minimum wage. My life was at a stand still.

I had a few serious health issues. I was diagnosed with cervical cancer two days before my 21st birthday. I was also struggling with bipolar disorder, which is a mood disorder that results in unexpected highs and lows (mania and depression). Feeling so unhappy, the bipolar worsened. To be entirely honest, I feared for my life and did not think I would be able to continue on for much longer.

I don’t think I have ever CRIED writing or telling my story, but I am so incredibly emotional thinking of how Tim Schneider saved my life. My best friend of 19 years at the time. Tim and I grew up together in NE Ohio. He is the cousin of my best girl friend growing up. Tim and healthy living found me at the time I needed it the most. I was all set up to attend graduate school for some degree that I honestly can’t even tell you now what it is. I felt like that’s just what I was supposed to do. Go to college, get good grades, go to graduate school, get good grades, find a career, get married, etc etc. My life was empty with that plan. I visited Tim in LA in November of 2012. He took me to the nutrition club to see what healthy living was all about. It absolutely changed my life!! I cried twice listening to people’s stories of success with their health and their career, and for me, it wasn’t even about the money or the health results, it was about the community. I became a health coach the very next day.

Fast forward a few months. I moved to LA to live with Tim, who is now my boyfriend, roommate, business partner, best friend, and absolute love of my life. I am a full-time health coach, running my own nutrition and fitness business. I dropped exactly 55 lbs (went from 188 to 133). I am happy, I have purpose, I impact the world. At 25 years old, I now know what it feels like to love my life. To love unconditionally. To have best friends all over the country whom I have never even met. To be an inspiration. To help people know that they are worth it. To help people get health results. To help the world live longer, happier, healthier. To truly LIVE. And for the first time in my life, I no longer fear for my life.

I am here as a vessel for change. For hope. For happiness.
Watch me or join me. Either one is perfect. All of us needs each of us.

I am Lyndsay. <3

#ThisIsMe24

Show Details:

When:

Thursday through Sunday, June 18-21, 2015

Thursday, June 18 and Friday, June 19–Noon to 7 p.m.

Saturday, June 20–10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday, June 21– 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where:

Sheraton Marina on Harbor Island

1380 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92101

Price:

Admission: $12 – Adults (16 years & older)

FREE – Children (15 years & under)

FREE with proper ID – Active military personnel, Fire and Police

Advance tickets can be purchased online at SanDiegoInternationalBoatShow.com

Visit sandiegointernationalboatshow.com; Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – #SDBoatShow

Will you be attending this year? Did you attend last year?

What would your favorite activity be: SUP, Be A Diver pool, kayaking, or checking out the boats?

XO,

Lyndsay

XO,

Lyndsay