Mermaid Spotted In FL - Sun Tail Mermaid Tail And Monofin Review #usfg

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

Gwyn showing off her tail on the beach. She was quite the attraction.

Sun Tail Mermaid is yet another amazing product that thanks KickStarter.com was able to expand their kid-sized monofins and mermaid tails. on March 2015 Sun Tail Mermaid launched a campaign on Kickstarter to expand their product line to include premium realistic mermaid tails and monofins for teens and adults. Within one month they were fully funded thanks to 78 generous backers and now offer a large selection of monofins, mermaid tails, swimsuits and shark fins. Sun Tail Mermaid is a multi-family owned and operated business based in Alaska but they are spread all over the seven seas.

Not only are Sun Tail Mermaids dreams coming true, but my daughters is as well. What child (or adult for that matter) hasn't fantasized about being a mermaid.

A moms review:
Christmas arrived a little early for my daughter and just in time for our trip to FL. Let me give a quick little back story so you understand just how special this early Christmas gift was for my daughter.

As you may have noticed I haven't been blogging much this past year. If you follow me elsewhere on social media then you know that I have been struggling with some very horrible health issues. Last November I had major foot surgery and well this November I had major cervical and skull surgery. The only surgeon I could find that would do the much needed surgery on my neck to rid me of my chronic migraines and neck pain was in FL however and he didn't take insurance. So we spent a year fundraising and selling lots of stuff (including pets) to get the funds we needed. This meant that we had no family vacation this year, no frivolous spending, and it meant that the kids most likely wouldn't be getting many (if any) Christmas gifts. Well surgery did happen and we are still in FL, so I guess our vacation did happen after all (at least for the kids) since we got to spend 3 weeks in a condo with a pool and bay beach out our back door. And Christmas came a little early for one of the kids thanks to Sun Tail Mermaid and US Family Guide blogger offers.

It took me a good 1/2 hour to choose the perfect tail for  Gwyn. There were so many beautiful options. I ended up choosing the Seven Seas Mermaid Tail + Monofin Set which is rainbow. I had just dyed her hair rainbow so it matched perfectly. Since we were heading down to FL within the week of me ordering I emailed the company and explained our situation to see if they thought it would arrive in time before we left or if I needed to change the shipping to the FL condo. They assured me it would arrived very quickly and before we left...and it did. Talk about great customer service. The tail arrived in a large brown box with no markings so the kids had no idea what was inside. I opened the box in secrecy to check out the tail, and well couldn't resist trying it on. I was unsure about the size, but thanks to several reviews I decided on the JS so it would fit her next summer too. She is 11 yrs old but just about my size in the weight department (107 lbs) and just a little shorter (5 ft roughly). She already wears my clothes...not sure how that happened! Because the material is 4 way stretch a Kids XL would have probably fit her as well. The tail fit me perfectly as well and I am closer to 6 ft and 130 lbs. I immediately wrapped the box and placed it by the door to be loaded into the car. The wrapped package drove the kids crazy especially since they weren't expecting anything this year and it was killing them as to why it was going with us to FL when Christmas was still a month away.

We didn't give her the gift right away since they were going to a friends while I had my surgery and we didn't want her bummed out that she couldn't use the tail right away so we waited until the kids got home. We gave Gwyn the present and explained it was an early gift and that we were giving it to her now because it was something she would be able to use while we were in FL. She unwrapped the present and I am pretty sure everyone within a 1 mile radius heard the squeal.

 
As recommended on the Sun Tail Mermaid paperwork she first practiced with just the monofin. I couldn't believe how well she did and how natural she was with the monofin. She said the monofin is very comfortable, easy to get on and easy to use. The unique thing about these monofins is that they are made with neoprene and one size fits all (2 sizes available Keiki for kids and Nunui for adults/teens), thanks to adjustable velcro straps. Many of the other monofins on the market are plastic, breakable, difficult to adjust and uncomfortable. They also come in a wide selection of colors so that you can match your mermaid tail. The monofin will be something she will have for years to come.

After she mastered swimming with the monofin she added the tail. The tail has an opening in the bottom making it easy to just slide the monofin into the tail. The set also came with monofin protector tips (removable when not using the tail) and mer-shield tape to help protect and repair the tail as needed. The tail is made of high quality swimsuit fabric which is 80/20% nylon/spandex material with 4 way stretch. They do quality control testing on all batches of fabric to ensure the best color fastness and durability for your tails. The laser printed scales on the tails make them look 3d and very realistic. Sun Tail Mermaid indicates the tails are made to last a season however with proper care (which may be easier for older kids and adults) I think these tails could withstand a couple seasons. Gwyn as taken great care of her tail so far making sure to not drag it on the ground and hanging it up properly to dry. The tail could also be used for swimming without a monofin and since the bottom is open making it easy to walk in, you could also use it for dress-up or a costume.

As we imagined she has had a great time with her tail and monofin and has become quite the mermaid. She is definitely going to be bummed when we leave FL, since she will have to wait until the Spring to use it again. The condo we are staying in has a lot of "older" folks visiting and they all been quite impressed and enamored. One evening we walked down to the beach for a mermaid photo shoot and she became quite the attraction...it isn't everyday that a mermaid washes up on Boca Ciega Bay after all. Several people ended up asking to take photos of her with her tail to show their grand-kids. 

My daughter gives the Sun Tail Mermaid tale 10 stars! She has wanted a mermaid tail since she was about 6 yrs old, but in all honesty they always worried me because I am quite the stickler for water safety. But she is such an excellent swimmer now and to make sure my kids had some resemblance of Christmas I caved and I am glad I did. She has had no issues with swimming with the tail...but of course adult supervision is always required when near the water.  Some tails I have seen on the market make it difficult to stand up if need be but the Sun Tail Mermaid tail and monofin are easy to stand up in which made me feel a little at ease. She is already trying to convince me she needs a second one and a swimsuit top to match. She read inside her packaging that Sun Tail Mermaid has a photo contest....thus the reason for our beach photo shoot.

Links to follow:

-Sun Tail Mermaid Facebook
-Sun Tail Mermaid Twitter

Where to buy:

Want a mermaid tail or a shark fin of your own? My readers can save this holiday season. Take 10% off your order at Sun Tail Mermaid by using code BestGiftEver at checkout!

Must Have Gift - Calling All Mermaids and Sharks

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

Do you have a child that is more fish than human? Are you looking for the perfect gift for your mermaid or shark? Then you must check out the fun products at Sun Tail Mermaid.

Make your little girls dream come true! Sun Tail Mermaid has created the world's best swimmable mermaid tails and mermaid flippers. Their mermaid tails are soft, comfortable, and come in a wide variety of designs and colors. They are made of high quality swimsuit fabric with 4-way stretch.

Sun Tail Mermaid's monofins are extremely comfortable and virtually unbreakable. Their patented monofin is several steps ahead of everyone else in engineering, durability, comfort, and functionality. The propulsion and control is exceptional. The monofins come in a wide range of beautiful colors, so you can match your mermaid tails or look amazing wearing it alone.

10% discount - Receive a 10% discount on your order at www.SunTailMermaid.com by using coupon code: BestGiftEver

8 Benefits of Swimming for Fitness

Swimming is a fun activity for kids and adults, but you may not realize there are also many benefits of swimming as a fitness activity. During the summer, going for a swim is a great way to entertain your children or meet up with family and friends for a relaxing, cool activity. However, you can also easily use your swimming pool as the spot for multiple exercises and workouts that bring a wealth of benefits to your body!

Low Impact Activity

Swimming is seen as one of the most popular low impact activities for fitness. There is very little risk of energy, and the water assists in supporting your weight. During a swimming session, you only have to bear 10% of your body weight, thanks to the buoyancy of the water. Because of this, people of all abilities and fitness levels can partake in swimming to get fit or stay in shape. Senior citizens or disabled people confined to wheelchairs can even take part in swimming for fitness.

No-Sweat Exercise

One of the best benefits of swimming for exercise is that you don’t have to sweat to get a good workout in! The cool water of the swimming pool keeps your body temperature down, no matter how intense you are moving in the pool. You won’t even need a shower if you need to rush off to another commitment after your swim. People who are against exercising because it makes them feel icky have no excuses when swimming is an option!

Supports Optimal Oxygen Usage

Swimming requires you to breathe efficiently in order to finish your workout. The more you hold your breath underwater, the more you train your lungs to take deeper breaths. Your body also learns to be more efficient with the oxygen you have. The deeper breaths also help you to expel more carbon dioxide, further support proper lung function.

Another cool side note on swimming benefits on the lungs: The moist air you breathe in while in the pool can help to curb symptoms of asthma, especially cases where your breathing may become difficult during exercise.

Works the Entire Body

You can get that all-body workout you need in less time with swimming. Many fitness gurus see swimming as both a cardio and strength training activity. Wouldn’t you rather be in the pool for 30 minutes and get the same benefits as one hour in the gym, lifting weights and running on the treadmill?

Promotes Cardio Health

Since you are working your entire body when you swim, your heart rate goes up and you burn more calories. Your body needs more energy, which it can get from fat storages in your body. Swimming works just as well as other cardio activities, including jogging or walking, to burn calories and develop improved cardio health.

Provides Multiple Levels of Fitness

Though it is a low impact exercise, swimming exercises can be done in different levels of intensity, depending on your needs. You can choose to participate in a vigorous water aerobics workout, or perform a more leisure swim from one side of the pool to the other multiple times. Again, it’s all about the abilities of the swimmer, and the exercise routine can easily be adjusted to fit the person who wants to get fit in the water.

Boosts Weight Loss

Because you are working multiple areas of your body at once, swimming is great at burning calories and speeding up your metabolism, This, in turn, will cause you to lose weight. Follow a structured swimming for fitness schedule; 3-4 times per week is sufficient. You can choose to only swim for health, since it is effective enough alone, or add in order exercises such as walking or weights.

Assists with Better Sleep

When you are swimming for an hour or more of exercise each day, you will find your body tired and ready to relax by bedtime. Many people who have had problems falling asleep have found they sleep easier when they swim a few hours before it’s time for bed. The activity also helps to relieve stress and worries that can keep you from getting enough sleep, thanks to the release of “happy” hormones when you exercise.

Creating the Perfect Swimming Atmosphere for Exercise

If you plan to reap the benefits of swimming for fitness, you need to invest in a quality swimming pool for your backyard. That way, you can take a dip and work toward shedding unwanted pounds anytime you feel like it! Create your perfect swimming spot with Rec Warehouse - a popular swimming pool company right here in Georgia. The business offers pools, liners, ladders, chemicals, and everything else you need to keep your workout space up and running.

With locations in Kennesaw, Jonesboro, and Norcross, you can come by and check out the latest pool offerings that Rec Warehouse has anytime you are free. The company’s owner, David Doebler, has grown up around pools his whole life. His father and uncle started Rec Warehouse back in the early 1970’s, and David was their first employee. You will gain all the knowledge you need to properly maintain a swimming pool for exercising from David and his employees!

*This post is a sponsored post in which I received compensation for posting. This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

Frogglez Goggles Review - The Fussless Goggles

*This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure Page for details.

Frogglez Goggles was created by a Papa Frogglez out of necessity. He saw his children constantly struggling with every pair of swim goggles they tried (and they tried a lot) and so he took matters into his own hands. No more hard to adjust, too tight, sliding, hair pulling goggles for your little mermaid or fish!

A moms review:

We received a pair of hot pink Frogglez Goggles to review. When they arrived I decided they were so awesome that I wanted to surprise my daughter with them on Christmas. They make a great stocking stuffer! So for the review I personally tried them on myself. Surprisingly the medium is only slightly small for me. I also enlisted the help of a friend's daughter too.

Our family loves swimming at the beach and pool in the Summer This past Summer both of my children (especially my daughter) began swimming more under the water. She also fell in love with snorkeling in Panama City. So goggles were a necessity this Summer. We went through about 6 pairs of goggles in 4 months. They would either break, were too uncomfortable or fell to a watery grave. But thanks to Frogglez I think our goggle drama is over.

Each pair of Frogglez comes with their own mesh bag for storage. Making them easier to find in the pool bag. You can choose from three colors pink, green and blue. Each one has an adorable frog pattern on the strap (which I know Gwyn is going to love). Currently you can get Frogglez in two sizes small which is for up to age 5 (19 inches or less head size) and medium which are for ages 5+ (19 inches or more head size). But due to popular demand large will soon be available which will fit ages 10+ and average adults. The first time you use your Frogglez you will want to stretch out the neoprene a little bit using your hands.

What makes Frogglez so unique is the patented, soft neoprene strap that easily slides over hair. There is no adjusting needed and the goggles fit comfortably and snugly on your face eliminating any water leakage. Yup I tried them for myself in the sink and they are fantastic. Even though the medium is slightly small for me the cups were still very comfortable and didn't dig in or leave silly rings. The strap is securely sewn at one spot in the back and then is secured to the goggles very with glue and stitching. I love that the goggles are one piece and don't have the adjustable nose bridge...which always ends up being a hassle with kids.

They are so easy to put on kids can do it themselves. My little model (a friends daughter and also an avid swimmer) said, "wow these are cool and feel nice." She put them on quickly and easily with one hand (we were trying to be quick and sneaky so my daughter didn't see). She also has very kinky, curly hair and she said that it didn't tug or hurt her like the rubber kind of goggles. My  model is 6 and the size was perfect for her. I am sure they will fit Gwyn too considering her head is smaller than mine and they almost fit me.

Frogglez Goggles also float which makes finding them a breeze (unless you loose them in an ocean). Frogglez come with a 100% guarantee and are also completely customizable (custom colors, printing and logos).

To sum it up:
1) Comfortable
2) Adjustment Free
3) No Hair Pulling
4) Leak Resistant
5) Stylish
6) Float
7) Kid Approved
8) Customizable
9) 100% Guarantee
10) Owned and Operated Small Business

Video:

Gwyn's review (age 7): After Christmas I will come back and update the post with Gwyn's thoughts, some more pictures and maybe even and video! I will be sure to include a photo of her opening her Frogglez stocking stuffer too!

Links to follow:

-Frogglez Website
-Frogglez Facebook 
-Frogglez Twitter page

Where to buy:
You can purchase Frogglez Googles on Amazon for $24.95.

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.