Friday Favorites

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Happy Friday!  I hope everyone has a great Friday and a wonderful weekend!  Here are a couple of things I’ve enjoyed this week:

1. Printable daily/weekly planners.  I’m a definitely a paper and pen kinda girl when it comes to making lists and keeping my calendar.  I could never get used to using my phone. There is something so satisfying about crossing things off an actual list.  I have a planner that I love but sometimes I want a bigger space to plan out my day. Lately, I have been using this free printable from the Team Confetti blog which I found on Pinterest. (The blog is mostly written in Dutch but the printable is in English.)   There are tons more on Pinterest if you search “free printable planner.”

I also have been printing out a weekly calendar to post on the fridge.  My work schedule varies every week so it’s an easy place to write which days I work so Derek can look at it too.  Plus we can include appts, meal planning, and whatever else is relevant for the week.

2. The Lively Show Podcast I have a new podcast to add to my favorites.  Jess Lively is a blogger who interviews the coolest people on her blogcast.  Her mantra is all about living life with intention and always asks wonderfully thought provoking questions.  I have been going back and listening to some of the archives on my commute and it makes the drive fly by.  I highly recommend!

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3. Nashville is back!  Nashville is becoming one of my favorite shows.  I love the music, all the characters, and the drama!  My heart is breaking for Deacon right now and I love that Juliette and Avery are back together.  Also, I just discovered there is a Nashville Pandora station!  That’s going to be playing all day today.

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It’s been fun to end the week thinking about the little things that I’ve been loving.  I hope you enjoy these posts as much as I enjoy writing them.

Be Happy, Be Healthy!

Friday Favorites

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Happy Friday!  Here are a couple of things I’ve been loving this week:

 

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I have struggled with my hair ever since I can remember. I just never really learned how to ‘do’ hair. Anyways, enter a hot air brush. It replicates drying your hair with a round brush which is a technique I never was able to master.  I’ve noticed that my hair has a little more volume but still is smooth when I use it. It works best on damp hair so I usually let my hair air dry 75% of the way and then finish using the air brush. There are lots of tutorials and reviews online if you’re interested.

Mason jar straw and lid

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This lid for mason  has been in use almost everyday for awhile now.  I’ve been taking my smoothie to go most mornings to drink on my commute and I haven’t had a spill yet!  I’ve seen them at lots of different grocery stores. I found mine at Marshalls for just a few bucks.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Be Happy, Be Healthy!

 

Friday Favorites

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Happy Friday!  Hopefully wherever you are, you are staying safe and warm.  Michigan is in the midst of a nasty winter storm and I feel so lucky that I had the day off and didn’t have to commute.  Here are a few quick Friday favorites!IMG_2362.JPG

 

Every winter I like to get a few amaryllis bulbs to grow.   I bought this one a couple of months ago and it was slowing growing but it turned out to be beautiful!  It looks like there is a third bud growing too – bonus!  Having fresh blooms in the house makes such a difference – I love it.  Plus growing an amaryllis bulb is so easy.  Just put it in a sunny window and try not to forget to water it every week or so.  I already have another one started that I found on sale at Target.

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I have been loving my (faux) fur-lined hood this winter.  I don’t think I’ll buy another winter jacket without one.   It blocks out the wind and snow so much more than a regular hood.

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I’ve also been living in leggings, tall socks, and these Sorel boots.  Thank goodness skinny jeans and leggings are in style because I remember hating wearing bootcut or flare jeans in the winter and the cuffs would be soaked and salt-crusted.  (Gotta love those early 2000 fashions!).

Have a great weekend!

Be Happy, Be Healthy!

New Food Find: Morning Rounds

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I’ve discovered a new food find!  I picked up these Morning Rounds at Costco and I’ve really been enjoying them.  Amazingly you can buy just one package at Costco and I didn’t have any problems finishing the package.

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I would describe them as a breakfast pita.  They are a little bit sweet due to the raisins and dried apples and have some texture/crunch due to sunflower and flax seeds.

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The nutrition facts are pretty comparable to just a regular piece of white bread with slightly more fiber.  A whole grain slice would probably be the best option but sometimes you just need something with a little more flavor.  Plus I can eat these with just peanut butter, no jam needed.

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I love when I find a new delicious food!

Be Happy, Be Healthy!

Friday Favorites

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Happy Friday!  Here are a couple of things I’ve enjoyed this week:

1. City Ballet  I totally got sucked into this series on the New York City Ballet.  The mini episodes are only 5-10 minutes long and delve deep into the inner workings of rising through the ranks of the NYC Ballet Company.  Being a ballerina is no joke!

2. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream and Instant Oatmeal Mask  I’m hoping this duo is going to help my skin tough it out through this brutal winter.  The repair cream is super gentle and I’ve noticed when I wake up my skin still feels moisturized.  Sometimes different lotions will sting after I wash my face but this feels so nice.   I’ve also used the mask a few times and I love it!  First of all it smells amazing – just like an oatmeal cookie.  Plus, it felt very soothing and calming.  I’m excited to try more products from this skin care line!

3. Last week the People’s Food Coop had out an amazing sample to try – pickles, sharp cheese, and crackers. Since then that combo has been my new favorite snack.  These are the pickles that are already half gone after just a week.

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4. We got our Christmas tree last weekend!

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Tree farm selfie

I tried to take a picture of the tree and the dogs but these were the best  I got.  They aren’t the best at sitting still for a photo.

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But I actually really like this one!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Be Happy, Be Healthy!

 

Friday Favorites

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Happy Friday!  I am so glad the weekend is here!  It is beautiful in Michigan right now so I hope to get some good quality outside time.  Here are couple of things I have been enjoying this week:

-Dish gloves!  Very random but hear me out – we have a never ending supply of dirty dishes and I always dread that chore but when I wear dish gloves it is so much more pleasurable.  I bought some new hand lotion and I lather up before putting the gloves on so it is like a mini hand treatment.  Added bonus is I don’t have to touch any of the gross food scraps that are at the bottom of the sink.

-Rainbow Rowell books.  I just tore through Attachments and now I am listening to Landline as an audiobook.  I finally figured out how to get audio books from my library onto my phone which has been really convenient.  I loved the characters in Attachments and it was such an easy read – I definitely recommend it.  Landline is taking me a little more time to get into but I’ve just started listening to it.

-Boscia skincare is my new favorite skincare line.  I have been using the Clear Complexion Cleanser for 3-4 months and I really like it.  It is gentle, doesn’t sting my eyes, and removes makeup pretty well. Plus it has lasted a lot longer than I expected, I’ve been using it daily and it still feels like there is quite a bit left in the bottle.

I also have used the Clear Complexion Willow Bark Spot Treatment and while it isn’t a miracle worker, it does seem to help take out some of the spot induced redness.  

 I just got a sample of the Tsubaki Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask.  I’ve used it a couple of times and it sinks in right away and helped with some dry patches I had on my cheeks.  I’m a fan! 

(Ok, I also may have just ordered a few more items from the Boscia website – they had some great sales and I’m a sucker for a good deal!)

 

Have a great weekend!

Friday Faves!

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Every week I look forward to reading various bloggers’ Friday Favorite posts.   There is just something so interesting about seeing what other people are loving. My favorite lists are:

Shutterbean’s I love lists, Friday!

Iowa Girls Eats’ Friday Favorites

Cupcakes and Cashmere’s FIve Things 

Pbfingers’ Things I’m Loving Friday

So, I thought I would share a couple of things I’ve been loving this past week.

1.  #NordicVlogs – Estee is one of my favorite You-tubers and I’ve been loving watching her vlogs while her and her boyfriend travel around Scandinavia.  Denmark and Norway are now on my must see list!

2. Maybelline Baby Lips – This lip balm gives the perfect amount of tint and feels pretty moisturizing.  I keep it in my car and reapply right before I go somewhere.

3. Spray paint – I have been on a spray paint spree!  It is such a quick and easy update.  I especially love the gold Krylon color.

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4. This teaspoon – I picked this up at a tea shop in Asheville, NC earlier this year.  It’s perfect for just making one cup of loose leaf tea.

5. Live Simply Planner – I just got this planner at Barnes & Noble and already love it.  The colors and designs are just oh so pretty.

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Have a wonderful weekend! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Favorite Podcasts and Music Apps

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I find that when have an exciting line up of podcasts on my phone it is much easier to get out for a run.  I have found that I do run a little slower when listening to podcasts instead of music but that’s ok by me.  If I feel like running faster, I’ll choose one of my favorite music apps.

I also listen to podcasts when doing housework which makes it a tad more enjoyable.

Podcasts

-I love adding short NPR podcasts to my playlist from the NPR app.  They are short and always are interesting. I usually add the most from the Health section.  I also like Fresh Air, Splendid Table, and This American Life for longer runs.

-I also listen to longer podcasts such as (please note that the descriptions came from the podcast websites themselves):

-Joy the Baker - The Joy the Baker Podcast is a weekly, candid look behind the scenes of Joy’s popular blog. Joy is joined by Tracy Benjamin, better known as Shutterbean. Together, they talk about recipes, photography, blog life, being a mom, not being a mom, married life, dating life, and… candy. It’s silly. It’s funny, and they want you to be there.

– Death, Sex, and Money  –   A podcast about the big questions and hard choices that are often left out of polite conversation. Host Anna Sale talks to celebrities and regular people about relationships, money, family, work and making it all count while we’re here.

These are good for longer runs, driving, or folding laundry.  These can be downloaded from the iTunes Podcast app.

Music Apps
-Songza! Songza is an amazing free music app. You choose the type of mood you’re in and then the genre of music you feel like. It never lets me down. I’ve favorited a bunch of different stations.  It usually only has one commercial when you first open the app.

-Good ole’ Pandora.  I think most people are familiar with Pandora.  My favorite feature is the ability to shuffle through all your different stations which keeps it interesting.  The ads can be a little annoying when running but they are really short.

For running, my favorite ear buds are these .  They never fall out!

Friday Flowers

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I think most girls like flowers.  But I loooove them!  Flowers are a necessity for me.  In the summer our house doesn’t feel right if I don’t have a bouquet of fresh flowers displayed.   Fake flowers do not cut it.  Only fresh for this girl.

Here are a few pics of some beautiful blooms from our yard:

DSCN0237( This is actually a zucchini blossom!)

 (Dahlias are becoming one of my favorites – look at this stunner!)

DSCN0238 (If a morning glory doesn’t cheer you up, I don’t know what will.)

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Have a happy Friday!