Good morning and happy, happy Friday! I cannot believe the weekend is nearly here. I’ve been having such a wonderful time back in my previous home state with my family. I miss them so much! Though my time here is short and I will be heading back to North Carolina tomorrow morning, the thing I’m loving most this week, without a doubt, is the time I’ve had with family.
But this blog post will keep with our Friday tradition and touch on a bunch of things I’m loving this week! As always, please feel free to play along in the comments section of this post and share something that is making you smile. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Things I’m Loving Friday
Last year my sister invited me, my mom and her mother- and sister-in-law to attend Shine, a women’s conference at Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Florida. We had the most amazing time and knew we all wanted to reunite for the conference again this year. My Aunt Laurie joined our group for our second time at Shine and we’re having a fabulous time attending thought-provoking sessions lead by some incredibly charismatic and inspirational Christian women. Just in case you’d like to check some of the sessions out, I believe they are going to be shared on Celebration’s website. And here are the websites for the speakers: Charlotte Gambill, Dr. Carolina Leaf, Sheryl Brady and Keri Weems.
- Publix Online Ordering
I had to share this one for my fellow Publix lovers out there! Yesterday, during the lunch break at Shine, our group decided to grab a bunch of stuff from Publix and make a lunchtime buffet to enjoy at my parents’ place. My mom mentioned something about the ability to pre-order sliced meats, cheeses and subs from the deli counter and when I brought up the Publix website on my phone, I was happy to find that the entire process was incredibly easy! I’m sure many of you know about this already, but it was my first time using the service and I was so impressed. By the time we arrived at the grocery store, our meats and cheeses were already waiting for us and we were able to completely bypass the line at the deli. So awesome! I’ll definitely use this in the future now that Publix is popping up in North Carolina.
- Stretches for Tight Hips
As someone with perpetually tight hips, I appreciated this article I found on FitSugar detailing a handful of great hip stretches. And just in case you’re in a similar boat, you can see some of my personal favorite stretches in this post: Hip Stretches. Stretch it oooout!
- Portable Olives
This is going to be a snack that will likely repulse some of you but I had to share this one for the olive lovers of the world. I bought these mini packs of portable Mario olives at the grocery store this week and think they’re a great option for me when I’m not too hungry but am simply craving something salty. Very flavorful!
Just in case you need something to make you smile this morning!
- Fresh Market Light Whipped Cream
This whipped cream does not taste the least bit light! I discovered it yesterday at my parents’ place when I used it on top of a slice of apple pie and was quite impressed! It’s rich and creamy and I’ll definitely pick up a can the next time I pop into Fresh Market!
- Quick Circuit Workout
Before it was time to head to the conference yesterday, I wanted to sneak in a quick workout and since I didn’t have much time, this 30 minute circuit workout was the perfect solution. It’s fast-paced and sweaty and did the trick!
I tried this popcorn in the cotton candy flavor at Shine last night and it was the perfect combination of sweet and buttery! I am a big-time fan of popcorn (I honestly think Chicago-style cheddar + caramel is one of my top five favorite foods) and I was excited to see mini bags of On & Poppin’ popcorn available for attendees to snack on when the evening session of the conference let out. I had to share this Friday favorite for my Jacksonville friends out there because it’s definitely worth a stop by this popcorn place if you’re in the mood for fun flavored popcorn.
- NatureBox Giveaway Winner
Congratulations to Jamie and Kasandra, the winners of the NatureBox giveaway! Jamie and Kasandra were emailed first thing this morning. Thanks so much to all who entered!
Question of the Morning
- What is one thing that is making you smile this week?
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You are so like your sister:) x what makes me smile this week?.. my 3 year old son telling me ” i love you Katie Gaffney”.. he always refers to me as mummy, so to hear him say this is the cutest:) !x
aw! that is so adorable!
I freaking love olives (haha) – I haven’t seen those little packs yet, I will have to be on the lookout!
Thing making me smile – I finally found a new flapper dress! The one I ordered online months ago could barely be called a dress. I would be flashing people all kinds of things no one wants to see if I wore it out. I went to a costume rental store last night and they had a section of costumes you could buy and I found one that fit perfect! And it was only $20!
That whip cream looks amazing! I need to find a can of that in my area!
Have a great time with your family!
I’m eating popcorn for breakfast (no, this never happens haha) and that’s definitely making me smile 🙂
Sounds like a fantastic week! 🙂 I’m loving that I completed the October Pure Barre challenge with 20 classes in 20 days! I’m looking forward to scoring my hundred next week! Also loving that it’s finally starting to feel like fall – the weather is a beautiful 66 today in Tampa and I couldn’t be happier!!
I’m loving morning snuggles with my three week old. Productivity is out the window, but these moments are fleeting so I’m soaking them up!
Portable Snackable Olives! That is awesome!
My sister is taking the Visalus challenge (10 lbs, and a 90 day challenge, I believe). She’s been so energetic and chipper this week, which is a complete change from what she’s usually like. I hope this works for her. Plus, she’s been an enthusiastic gym buddy, which makes working out more fun. 🙂
Chicago mix is my weakness! It’s a wicked combination.
Thanks for sharing another great workout! I’m definitely not a fan of olives so that snack pack does kind of repulse me but there has to be snacks for everyone. ha ha
hi! We last minute ended up in Charlotte last night after some other vacation plans fell through. Any suggestions on things to do today? We have a 3 month old, so she doesn’t need to be entertained but we also may be a little limited. Happy Friday!
I am so jealous you have a Publix nearby!! We don’t have ANY in Arkansas, and I used to shop there ALL the time back home in Nashville! 🙁 That online ordering is pretty awesome!! So glad you’ve gotten to spend some time with those special ladies in your life 🙂
It’s Friday!!!! That’s definitely making me smile this week – earlier this week I made Reese’s gooey butter cake bars which made me smile and made my belly very very happy!
I’ll definitely have to use those hip stretches! I did cheer in high school and never had an issue but in recent years my hips have been so tight! Yikes!
I love olives. Those little packets are right up my alley!
I”m running a 10-mile this Sunday in Austin. It’s called Run for the Water and each entry fee provides water for someone in Africa for life!
Oh man, whipped cream! That gives me a hot chocolate craving!
I love the olives! I’ll definitely be looking for them on my next trip to the grocery store! What makes me smile this week? –Going home to see all my friends and family! Tomorrow a few friends and I are going to Oktoberfest at a few wineries; I’m looking forward to all the gorgeous fall scenery and sippin’ on some vino while catching up 🙂
I think olives have an acquired taste. I used to hate them like I hated cheese but now I could take it and just pop them in my mouth like nobody’s business.
I love packed olives!! They are so fresh and flavorful! Oh and Julie I LOVE YOUR infinity scarf… where is that from?
Thank you! It’s from Express!!
yay thanks!
Yay for time with your family! I always love the time I get with my brother with he comes up to visit, it never feels like enough. Honestly the one thing that has made me smile throughout this week over and over again is my coworkers. I recently started a job at a new place, and I never thought I’d find somewhere that I’d be so unbelievably happy. They are always making me laugh and smile 🙂
Looks like so much fun visiting your family. And I love dog and babies videos !! haha I’ll check that out when working gets boring, ha!
Cheese and caramel popcorn? I need to try that ASAP!
Hope the rest of your time with your family goes amazing – have a good weekend!
I love that FM whipped cream! I used to buy it all the time 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your time with the women in your fam! What a great experience. <3
Hip stretches have been my absolute saviour this week! If I start slacking on them for even a couple of days, it actually starts to hurt to walk. Hooray for runner’s hips!
And I love that circuit – it’s been a regular part of my routine for what seems like forever!
Girl Boss is making me smile! Just started reading it. Enjoy the conference. Happy Friday!
This week, pumpkin coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts has been making me smile! Fall in a cup!
These Halloween costumes are just too cute! http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/top-75-creative-halloween-costumes-for-every-occasion.html
I send my butcher a message on Twitter as my “preorder”! Wish I could do it at the supermarket too! Very handy!
Quality time with friends and family have definitely been making me smile this week. I really love having them all close by so I can spend as much time with them as possible.
Those snack olives are genius!
Vegan pumpkin walnut bread that my husband baked for me last night. I was exhausted when I finally walked in the door (and soaking wet from my rainy walk home). I was blown away that he surprised me with this deliciousness. It was just what I needed!
That is so awesome that Publix offers pre-orders. I feel like it’s a win-win for everyone! We don’t have to wait in line and the meat/cheese counter can hopefully reduce the line at their counter and be less overwhelmed at one time. I wish WFM offered this too! I’m smiling because I get to see my best friends from college this weekend. We are all meeting for a beach weekend to celebrate a bachelorette party!
Pumpkin Spice coffee and the fall weather we’re getting hit with in Washington State!
Thanks for the circuit!
Our family got hit with a virus this week but my group fitness certification came in the mail yesterday and that definitely made me smile. 🙂
Making me smile this week is the very first things I’m loving Friday post of my own, highlighted by that absolutely adorable Budweiser commercial with the puppy that is promoting responsible drinking!
So fun you get to reunite with fam! Have fun!
A lot of bad stuff have been happening to me and my family lately so this week I really enjoyed spending quality time with friends and not stressing over life. It’s always great to catch up with friends and make each other feel better.
You and your sis look so much alike in that picture! Sounds like you’re having a great time!
Charlotte Gambill words always hit home. Just saw her at our churches version of Shine. Her new book is fabulous! Enjoy your time at the conference – being in a room with all women encouraging each other is good for the soul.
Thanks for sharing the portable olive snack link! Trader Joe’s used to sell a similar item and I was so bummed when they stopped selling them. I can’t wait to try these out!
i had no idea publix had online ordering! =O so cool!
I’m glad you had such a wonderful visit with your family! That conference looks really inspiring!
I’m SUPER happy and excited right now because today I finished the novel I have been writing for the past 2+ years!! I’m going to be doing a happy dance all weekend! 🙂
http://daybydaymasterpiece.com/2014/10/24/fabulous-friday-38/
YOU most definitely made me smile this week by selecting me as the Naturebox winner! I honestly cannot tell you enough how that had made my tough week 1000 times better!
How happy are you that NC has Publix haha! I would be so sad to move and not have Publix anymore
Publix online ordering is the BEST! It’s become a regular Friday thing for us. After a long workweek, with 2 hungry kiddos, it’s do easy!
Yyayyyyyy!!! Love hearing about women’s conferences and the blessed experiences people have had~I’ve heard of Keri Weems before, hmm…Also, I too have been so thankful and happy for our women’s ministry just launching YESTERDAY. 😀 I’m amazed at how God truly uses anyone and it doesn’t matter where we’re at as long as we have the right heart–or at least strive to have the right heart for Him.
Spent an awesome weekend in Western NC with my mom, stepdad, and 2 great friends. Wrote about it this morning! Sounds like you had a great weekend, too, and I’ll have to check out the conference link you posted!
http://www.yellowdoordiaries.blogspot.com