Things I’m Loving Friday #117

Helloooo! It’s Friday and man, I’m ready for the weekend. Not that the weekend means a ton more rest around here these days, but it still feels good whenever the weekend rolls around.

My father-in-law flew in town yesterday afternoon and will be here through Monday. We’re excited to have him back with us again and know Chase will enjoy spending more time with Grandad! Greg’s visit last month felt a little too short, so we’re happy he can be here again with us to both soak up time with his grandson and celebrate his birthday!

But now it’s time to focus on Friday and dive into your usual Things I’m Loving Friday blog post where we all chat about what we’re loving most this week. Below is a short list of the things that are making me smile right now and I’d love for you to join in the fun in the comments section!

Have a great weekend, my friends!

Things I’m Loving Friday

• Adele’s New Album

I bought the Adele album before Christmas but since I was blasting holiday music all day every day through the beginning of the new year, I just started listening to it last week. It took me less than a day to fall madly in love with every song. I’ve been playing it on repeat in our kitchen and find the whole album beautiful, haunting, relaxing and calming all at once. It’s a fantastic album and Adele deserves all the praise that’s coming her way these days. (Also, if Adele could come teach me how to do my eyeliner like hers, that would be grrreat.)

• doTERRA Diffuser

The doTERRA diffuser was on my Christmas list this year and when I received it from my mom, I was way too excited! The childcare at Burn Boot Camp first put the diffuser on my radar because every time I walked in the door, the whole place smelled so darn good! When I learned that the heavenly scent was due to the doTERRA diffuser and On Guard essential oils, I had to learn more. The diffuser emits a relaxing mist and the scent of whatever essential oil you choose to diffuse. I only have the On Guard oil and think it smells fantastic thanks to a combination of wild orange, cloves, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary essential oils. The On Guard oil is also supposed to help support a healthy immune function. I haven’t done a ton of reading about essential oils so I can’t speak to their efficacy, but so far I’m a fan based on smell alone! This diffuser creates such a lovely ambiance in our house and I am excited to try out some more oils in the future. (Lavender is on my radar next!)

• Target $1 Note Pads

I know I’m not the only one who is mildly addicted to the $1 Spot at Target, right? I cannot help but peruse it every time I visit Target and inevitably put something from the $1 or $3 bins in my cart… Like these $1 notepads! I use notepads all the time, whether it be fore jotting down blog post ideas, recipe notes, to do lists, etc. And cute note pads make taking notes just a little bit more fun. It’s a fact.

• Martha Stewart “Oil Boom” Article (+ A Shout Out To Rose Hip Oil!)

In the most recent issue of Martha Stewart Living, I stumbled upon an article all about the benefits of different types of oil and skincare. If you’ve been reading this blog for the past few months, you probably already know about my minor obsession with Rose Hip Oil, so I was pumped to see rose hip oil included in the chart with notes that it is knows as “nature’s Retin-A.” I swear by this stuff and use it first thing in the morning before the gym, after I shower and before bed at night. It’s THE BEST and while Martha recommends a $62 version, I stock up on 100 percent rose hip seed oil on Amazon for a fraction of the cost. (I am now ordering the 4-ounce Majestic Pure Rose Hip Oil for $13.95 because I was flying through the 1-ounce size.)

• Caramel Apple Dream Tea

Though we had a rather temperate December, January is proving to be much chillier in Charlotte which means I’m back to drinking my fair share of hot tea in the afternoon. Celestial Seasonings’ Caramel Apple Dream tea has been my go-to flavor this week. Brewing a cup to sip on before dinner makes me feel oh so cozy and also a tiny bit more calm on days when I could use a little peace in my day! (FYI, I bought this flavor at Whole Foods!)

• Post Baby Bod Plan

I am so proud of one of my blogging BFFs! Gina (aka The Fitnessista) officially launched her Post Baby Bod website this week. I know how hard she has worked on putting together a safe and effective workout plan for new moms and I am so thrilled for her! The Post Baby Bod plan includes 12 weeks of detailed training in an easy-to-follow format and takes all of the guesswork out of developing a fitness routine post-baby, safely progressing from one 4-week module to the next. While the plan does not officially launch until March this year, Gina is accepting pre-orders right now and anyone who orders before Monday will receive a free 4-week meal plan and recipe e-book as well, so definitely check it out if you’re looking for some workout guidance post-baby!

• Legacybox Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Katie O., the winner of the Legacybox giveaway. Katie was emailed first thing this morning. Thank you so much to all who entered!

Question of the Day

• What is one thing you are loving this week?