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Baby Boot Camp is a fitness, nutrition, and social resource designed for mothers. Baby Boot Camp Baby Boot Camp franchises can be found across the United States including  three Portland-area franchises Portland-area franchises covering several area locations. I was provided classes with purpose to review my experience.  All opinions are my own. You can get your own first class free by scheduling your first class!

Baby Bootcamp in Beaverton Oregon | A Well Crafted Party

Each mother is as unique as the kids she raises. As unique as they are, there is one thing that many—most even— have in common, they often put their kids before them in all things. For example, my sons both have been to the dentist every six months since their teeth all came in. Me? I haven’t been to the dentist in 10 YEARS. (No flack…scheduling appointment now.)

After some pretty rough bouts of postpartum depression I have truly been working—with the help of my partner in parenting—to spend some time focusing on ME a bit more than I have done in the past. I work a lot, and I love my work, and that is where the majority of my “me-time” is devoted. What I haven’t made time for is exercise. I have a gym membership at my work, but after working 8 hours a day and being gone with the commute, I just want to be home and spend some time with my kids before bed time and time for me to open up my computer to work some more.

Signing up for Baby Bootcamp was an opportunity for me to spend an hour on some serious self-care while still entertaining and engaging with my kiddo. I liked that he and the other babies were able to watch from the strollers and laugh at the mommies doing silly moves. It was much better than the guilt I’ve felt so many times when I get home late because I took an hour to go to the gym after work.

 

Baby Bootcamp in Beaverton Oregon | A Well Crafted Party

My Baby Boot Camp Experience

I’ve got to admit… I was NERVOUS about saying ‘yes’ to this experience. My fitness level is less than ideal at this moment in my life. I was not looking forward to being in a class with women who were at a fitness level much higher than my own. Honestly, if there were a ‘slow and fat getting back at it’ class out there then I’d sign up much more willingly than I did with this class. That said… I am SO glad I did say yes in the end. Not only was everyone super friendly and welcoming, the instructor gave options for different fitness levels. She also gave options for people who had wrist issues which was AMAZING because of past carpal tunnel issues my wrists really can’t handle my entire weight at this moment in time. I was thrilled to have options that still allowed me to get in a full workout without risking injury.

Someday I’ll be able to do the below… but, until then, I sure was glad to have a less stressful move!

Baby Bootcamp in Beaverton Oregon | A Well Crafted Party

What to expect from Baby Bootcamp

Baby Bootcamp here in Beaverton moves venues throughout the season so that they can really take advantage of the good weather in Beaverton when the summer comes around. I went during the early Spring and was able to do my workout both indoors and out. Here are a few things to expect if you join Baby Bootcamp:

  • You’ll meet other moms with fitness goals. I am always super hesitant meeting new people, but these moms were super nice and all focused on achieving their own goals more than they seemed worried about what the next lady was doing. I didn’t feel uncomfortable doing the modified moves because there were other women that used modified moves as needed.
  • You’ll want to bring your jogging stroller. The kiddos stayed in the strollers the entire time that I went. At times we worked out with the strollers and at other times the kiddos hung out chatting with each other and watching the moms workout. I’m sure another type of stroller would also work, but the jogging stroller was sure handy.
  • Most all of the exercises are using your own body power and not any fitness tools. Nearly the entire workout was a set of moves that could be done without any additional equipment which was awesome because I was in turn able to bring those moves home! We did use a yoga mat to help cushion the floor when we did moves that were on the ground. We also used resistance bands for a few moves.
  • You will feel it. I felt GREAT after the first class. I was so excited that I made it through and I had so much energy afterwards. However, the next day, I was sore. It was the first time in a long time that I had done a full workout and my body knew it. I think I started feeling normal again about two days before the second class began!
  • Classes to fit your needs. There were a few different class types available including Stroller Fit (which I did) and Restore the Core. There was even a 5K training course available.
  • Enrollment Fee & Affordable Plan Pricing. You can get your first class free. After that there is an enrollment fee of $59 that pays for all the equipment you will need. There are several different plans at affordable prices for the classes.

Baby Bootcamp in Beaverton Oregon | A Well Crafted Party

 

There are several different Baby Bootcamps across the US. The Beaverton class was not even the only one in the Portland area! Many classes were available throughout the week, but as a working mom there was only one class that would fit for my schedule. The Saturday class offered free attendance to significant others as well.

Overall I hope to continue using the skills I learned in the class and plan to attend more Baby Bootcamp classes in the future! If you are on the fence right now about devoting a little time to yourself and your fitness goals then please think about giving yourself a very much deserved Mother’s Day gift of classes with Baby Bootcamp!

Portland-Area Mommas: Join Baby Boot Camp’s Free Mother’s Day Event on Saturday, May 12th at 9 AM at THPRD Athletic Center in Beaverton. Hosted by Baby Boot Camp Beaverton. The first 80 moms in attendance get a SWAG Bag!

 

These manicure party favors were originally featured in my Valentine’s Spa Day Lunch post with FREE PRINTABLES! You might have also saw them on KATU’s Afternoon Live.  This simple DIY is the perfect party activity and favor wrapped in one. Use them for a Valentine’s Day gift or party or use the non-Valentine’s Day gift tag printables below to use anytime! 

Manicure Party Favors for a Spa Party - A Well Crafted Party

 

Finding nice ways to say thank you to friends without breaking the bank has become a sort of hobby for me. There is just nothing like a thoughtful thank you gift, Valentine, or party favor for making someone smile. When planning the Valentine’s Day Spa party I wanted to incorporate a favor that could be used at the party and then taken home. Sharing nail supplies is generally unsanitary so this little manicure kit was a perfect favor solution that allows party guests to use fresh manicure supplies to do their nails. Putting together these little kits was simple and you can do the same with supplies you find at your local one-stop retailer such as Target or Fred Meyers.

Manicure Party Favors for a Spa Party - A Well Crafted Party

DIY Manicure Kits

I picked up most of these items at local stores. You can really mix it up and add in an assortment of fun items to make a fun favor. When creating your DIY manicure kit you’ll want to make sure that you have a bag of some sort that will hold everything you are putting in it. You can use small bags found at a craft story like I did or even a mini-gift bag works great. Print off your favorite set of printable tags below to finish off the gift. The below links are affiliate links.

Supplies:

  • Bags (I purchased my bags ages ago and forget where… however, these linen drawstring bags from Amazon are similar.)
  • Manicure Kit (I picked mine up in a sale section at my local Target. However, you can pick up similar items online like this little manicure set from Revlon.)
  • Nail polish (I picked up several shades of pink so that guests could mix it up or trade.)
  • Favorite print of the free printables below!

Optional:

  • Nail polish remover wipes
  • Soap ( I bought heart shaped soap from my local New Seasons. You can also find heart shaped soaps online. )
  • Nail Wraps 
  • Hand Lotion

Valentine's Day Free Printables - A Well Crafted Party

Directions for free printables:

Save your favorite printable set below by clicking on the image or the link below it, right clicking the file when it comes up and saving to your computer. Print on white cardstock in full color. Cut out along the design. Use a hole punch to punch a hole in the top and tie onto your bag with ribbon. The circle printables can also be printed on sticker paper to make pretty labels. These printables are for personal use only.

 

Free Printable Valentine's Day Gift Tags - A Well Crafted Party

Click Here > Happy Valentine’s Day! Friend, may you feel as beautiful as you are printable tags < Click Here

Free Valentine's Day Gift Tags - "Mani" Thanks! A Well Crafted Party

Click Here > Happy Valentine’s Day! “Mani” thanks for being a great friend printable tags < Click Here

"Mani" Thanks gift tags free printables - A Well Crafted Party

Click Here > “Mani” thanks for being  a great friend printable tags < Click Here

 

What has been your favorite Valentine’s Day gift from a friend? Or, do you have a favorite Valentine’s Day gift to GIVE? Comment below!

These rose shaped towels were originally featured in my Valentine’s Spa Day Lunch post with FREE PRINTABLES! You might have also saw them on KATU’s Afternoon Live.  This simple DIY is the perfect special touch to a spa party because they are a great smelling and relaxing addition, but also because they double as an element of decor! 

Rose Hot Towels for a Spa Party - A Well Crafted Party

Once, a long time ago, on an international flight, I was handed a hot hand towel after a meal. That simple touch of a warm, clean cloth to wipe my hands and face was such a special, relaxing treat in a long day of travel. I’ve come to really enjoy it when I am at a beauty or nail salon and they have a hot towel option. Adding hot towels to your spa party requires just a little bit of planning and timing for execution, but I promise that it will be a welcome surprise especially if you add the extra touch of hot towels with the scent of roses. Display your hot towels by wrapping them in a loose rose shape to have them double as party decor!

Spa parties make for a great ladies night out, baby shower, bachelorette party, or wedding shower. Check out all the spa party ideas on A Well Crafted Party for more planning tips!

Rose Hot Towels for a Spa Party - A Well Crafted Party

 

How to make Rose Shaped & Scented Hot Towels for a Spa Party

You can pick up these supplies locally by visiting your a local speciality food supplier and home goods store. I’ve also added some Amazon links for ease of purchasing on-line. The links below are affiliate links.

Supplies:

  • Rose Water
  • Washcloths or Hand towels  (Hand towels will be larger and washcloths will be smaller. I used white, but red or pink cloths would also work great!)
  • Water!
  • Microwave

Directions:

I’d suggest putting these together right before the party begins and heating them up just prior to needing them. Note: Always test items heated in the microwave very carefully as they may burn. 

  1. Pour water in a bowl or sink — how much water depends on how many towels you are wetting. I’d say about 6 to 8 cups for 12 hand towels. You will not be using every drop of water and will be draining leftovers.
  2. Add Rose Water to your water. I’d say about 1 oz for that 6 to 8 cups of water. You can simply go by scent and stop when you feel like the scent is where you’d like it.
  3. Submerge towels into water.
  4. Squeeze out towels so that they are no longer dripping at all.
  5. Shape towels into the shape of a rose by loosely rolling the towel.
  6. Prior to needing the towels put all of the dampened and shaped towels together in the microwave in a single layer. Heat in 30 second intervals checking for the temperature. Hot towels should not be hot enough to burn but rather warm and comforting. I’d suggest testing the towels with a finger tip at each interval until the desired heat is obtained.

Rose scented chilled or heated towels are the perfect addition to a spa party - A Well Crafted Party

Alternatively… try chilled towels!

Hot towels are relaxing but do take a little bit more planning and time for execution. Alternatively, chilled towels can be done in advance and are pleasantly refreshing! Simply put the shaped, dampened towels into the fridge and set out just before the party begins!

 

Have you ever had a hot or chilled towel experience somewhere? How did it make you feel?