Hello and happy, happy Friday!
I will be away all day today participating in day two of training for a 12-week cancer survivor group program that my gym will be offering in October, but I still wanted to pop in this morning and say hi. Yesterday’s training went really well!
It was informative, emotional and inspiring and I’m thrilled that I will be certified to work with cancer survivors and lead a group through the program in the near future. My mom actually went through the same program when she was going through her cancer treatment and has praised it for years, so I am thrilled to be a part of it and hopefully connect with people who are looking to become or remain physically active following a cancer diagnosis.
And now it’s time for the fourth edition of Things I’m Loving Friday!
Things I’m Loving Friday
I forgot to pack And The Mountains Echoed to bring with me to read during my travels to Las Vegas over the weekend and ended up buying Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter to keep me entertained. The book was beautifully written and very intriguing thanks to several different storylines.
- Cotton Candy Grapes
Have you guys tried these yet? Oh my gosh, they really do taste like cotton candy. I’ve been eating them like crazy and they’re my favorite snack to enjoy right after I teach a hot water fitness class. So refreshing and sweet!
If you’re small-chested like me and are on the lookout for a basic bra is that comfortable but gives you a little oomph, I highly recommend this Victoria’s Secret cotton push-up bra. I seem to buy new bras once every billion years (with the exception of sports bras) and I am loving this new addition to my little bra collection. It’s flattering and supportive and I’m a fan!
- “Feel The Love” by Rudimental feat. John Newman
I included this song in the High Energy workout playlist I blogged about earlier this week, but it deserves another shout out. It’s upbeat and energizing. The perfect workout song!
- Girl Time
With all of the weddings, bridal showers and bachelorette parties popping up in my life this year, I’ve been able to enjoy lots of quality time with some of my very best girlfriends. Last weekend’s Las Vegas adventures were ridiculously fun and full of dancing and debauchery, but simply being in the presence of some of my very best friends from college was the best part. I love my high school and college girlfriends so much and though we moved all over the country after graduation, I’m so grateful we’ve stayed close and don’t seem to miss a beat when we get together again. The countdown to Merri’s wedding when I’ll be reunited with my college buddies again is on!
- Bright Colored Nail Polish
Now that September is in full swing, I suppose I should be gravitating toward fall-appropriate nail polish, but I am a sucker for hot pink or bright fuchsia nails! I painted my nails an obnoxious hot pink color for my trip to Vegas and as I removed the polish this week, I felt like I was removing summer along with it. See ya next summer, hot pink polish!
- Cross-body Purses
I absolutely adore cross-body purses. They’re practical and cute and I love that you don’t have to deal with the hassle of a heavy purse on your shoulder or a clutch in your hand.
- A Weekend With No Plans
I am so, so pumped to have a weekend with zero commitments! I just want to soak up quality time with Ryan and Sadie and relax! I love my little family and enjoy low-key time at home, so I’m really looking forward to a laidback weekend.
Past Things I’m Loving Friday posts:
Question of the Morning
- What is something you’re loving lately?
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I’ve been hearing about these cotton candy grapes everywhere I look. I must find them and taste for myself! Have a great weekend!
I just finished Beautiful Ruins about 2 weeks ago. It wsa fantastic. My Goodreads review was almost identical to what you have. Beautifully written and I love the character development and the different storylines.
Frozen grapes are one of my fav summertime snacks, so I def want to try me some of those cotton candy grapes! The perfect ‘candy’ 😉
Thanks for that bra recommendation. I blame running for my small chest. But whatevs. Need to find this bra!
Hi! I’m a noob around here and thought I’d chime in 🙂 Things I’m loving lately (besides my husband and my dogs!):
• Fall colors and crisp autumn air
• “Wake Me Up” by Avicii
• DIY projects (I feel like I’m about 80 years old lately with all the crafting)
Love your blog!
I’m loving runs with my dog, sunscreen, and marionberries! Thank you Portland berry season!
I love weekends with no plans! So relaxing. I’ve heard so much about these grapes. I need to get my hands on some!
Where do you find the grapes? Can you buy them at Publix??
Enjoy your non-committed weekend!!
I found them at Whole Foods and they are amazing!
I read about the cotton candy grapes on another blog and am no the hunt for them! I’m loving being done with my exam this morning 🙂
Cotton candy grapes?! Why have I not heard of these before?!
Lately I’m loving the new ALT Larabars, the return of pumpkin spice to pretty much everything, and my new headphones. There’s a lot to be said for headphones that don’t fall out of your ears while running!
Have a great weekend!!
What kind of headphones? I am on a mission to find ones that don’t fall out when exercising!
I love cross body purses! So convenient. Other things I’m loving include a pumpkin scented candle I picked up from Bath and Body Works, dreaming of fall boots and the human nutrition class I’m taking.
I love cross body bags and pink polish too but I’ve been doing darker fall colors lately
My family has been loving the cotton candy grapes too! I was late to the game with the bright nail polish and now I don’t want to give it up!
Cotton candy….. GRAPES!? That sounds like something Buddy the Elf would come up with, and I’m all for it! I have to go find those! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Ha! Buddy the elf….seriously, you had me laughing my butt off. I don’t care for grapes at all but I think I will love these. Loving that it is 55 degrees today. After three days of suffocating temps & ending up with heat exhaustion from working in school blogs with no AC, i am beyond excited to welcome the cooler air. Enjoy your wknd @ home Julie!
New boots!!! Got a nice pair of black biker style ones of the winter!! Need a cross body purse…so handy!
I just need to try those cotton candy grapes! People keep raving about them!
I’m lovin’ you and I can’t wait to see you! xox
How do you make grapes taste like cotton candy? That’s crazy! I’m not a fan of cotton candy so I will take your word for it!
Vegan marshmallows are something I am loving lately 🙂 Marshmallows have been gone from my life for so long and I’m just so happy to have them back 😀
I am also looking forward to a weekend with no plans!! Except my fiancé is gone all weekend! 🙁
I love bright colored nail polish! My favorite is Strawberry Margarita by OPI – it’s the perfect fun color for summer 🙂 Have a great weekend!
I have that same brand and color nail polish and love it!:) Goes great on your toes in the summer! I have never heard of Cotton Candy grapes, but they sound like they might be healthy trouble!:) Yum!
I’m just curious, is the cancer survivor program with Livestrong? My mom is also a cancer survivor and went through the training for Livestrong through the YMCA in Texas.. .even if it’s not the same, I love that gyms are now targeting that specific demographic!
I’d love for you to share about this cancer survivor program once you are done! As part of my continuing education requirement for my job, I’m taking a small course on rehab for breast cancer survivors. My mom also went through breast cancer, so I’m looking forward to learning about this. Have a great weekend pbf!
Ah, I’ve seen a couple people post about those grapes, but I haven’t seen them at my grocery store yet!
I love reading, I am currently reading the Happiness Project and loving it! What a fun favorites post, I really enjoy these! Lots of Love C
I can’t get enough smoothies, coconut butter and Trader Joe’s unsulphered, unsweetened New Zealand Sweet Apple Rings. Foodie problems . . .
definitely my favorite “things im loving friday” ! 1) I have definitely been needing a good bra but had no idea which ones at VS were comfy/got the job done haha so I’ll have to go try some on. 2) Bright nail polish, yes! Time to get some fun colors on before it’s winter here in NYC and 3) COTTON CANDY GRAPES!? that sounds absolutely delicious considering cotton candy is my favorite thing ever so I will have to be on the lookout for those. What grocery store did you find them at? I hope I get my hands on some!
loved beautiful ruins — http://clg1213.blogspot.com/2012/07/book-timea-beautiful-45-star-happily.html !!
THANK YOU for writing these every week. Because of these posts I have found so many great products I probably would have not heard of otherwise! Stitch Fix is my most recent fave… just got my fix this past Thursday and loved every piece.
I’m loving A). these posts and B). Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me. After one of your posts and the follow up question, I read so many people praising that podcast that I had to check it out. It’s my new favorite running buddy!
How can I find a cancer survivor program like that down here in South Florida? I just finished breast cancer treatment last month. I’m only 30 and have to be able to keep up with my 2 year old again!