It can admittedly be easy for me to feel flustered when time I think I have to get things done disappears at the last minute several days in a row… and then I hear Rhett’s high-pitched voice say, “Today is a perfect day for hot chocolate!” at 7 a.m. and I have to laugh and am instantly reminded to take time to enjoy these random not-t0o-snowy snow days. By the third day, we did just that and played in the snow, made hot chocolate, popped popcorn on the stovetop (with extra butter!), got a fire roaring in the fireplace and had a mid-week family movie night. Bless kids for helping us get our heads and hearts in the right place.
As for this weekend, I’m actually blogging right now from the Charlotte airport awaiting my flight to Phoenix. I’m getting together with my best friends of 30+ years (we all met in elementary school!) for our annual girls’ trip. We’re returning to Scottsdale and I cannot wait to hug some of my best friends in the whole world and enjoy some warm, Arizona sunshine.
I hope to share more about our trip on the blog next week, but until then, keep on scrolling if you’d like to check out this week’s roundup of favorites, Things I’m Loving Friday style!
Things I’m Loving Friday
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Update on My Mom
My mom had her post-op appointment following her surgery yesterday and while she has a small complication, she’s doing well and we are so, so grateful surgery is behind her and that SO many of our prayers are answered. The gratitude we are feeling is seriously strong over here. As far as what’s next for my mom’s treatment, any decisions regarding chemo, radiation, etc. will not happen until March (additional testing on the cancer they removed apparently cannot be ordered until 2 weeks post-surgery) so right now she’s resting, recovering and waiting. I wanted to keep you guys updated as I’ve been truly so moved by the number of you who have reached out to check on my mom, offer your kind words and prayers. We feel your love and appreciate it so much. My mom means the world to me and knowing she has so many of you behind her, cheering her on, wishing her well and praying for her means more than you may realize.
A few months ago, I briefly mentioned a bone density scan I did (prompted by the book Outlive), largely because I remembered learning I had osteopenia when I was in college. Like many older teenagers, I basically ignored it, thinking it was something I’d deal with later if it became a “real” problem. Fast forward two decades and I have a much stronger desire to care for my body as it ages and prioritize my health. The tricky thing is so much of the things they recommend for osteopenia are things I already do and have been doing for years (strength training, limiting alcohol, etc.). I could definitely do a better job eating calcium-rich foods and prioritizing protein, which I’ve been doing for about two months now. I’m also supplementing with additional calcium and hot dang through my research I realized not every calcium supplement is created equal!
After shopping around and trying a few, I’ve settled on this calcium + magnesium gummy for a few reasons. First and foremost, if a supplement is NOT a pill I have to swallow, I’m 10,000x more likely to take it. Yes, I’m am adult who much, much prefers a gummy vitamin. Second, algae-derived calcium has better bioavailability (proportion of the calcium that enters circulation when introduced into the body) and, when combined with magnesium in the proper ratio, can help increase the strength and health of bones which was priority number one from a calcium supplement for me! I also love that it has vitamin D and zinc and the flavor of this gummy vitamin is also delicious. I’m a fan and already set up a subscribe and save delivery.
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Dewey’s Bakery Classic Sugar Moravian Cookie Thins
How do I even begin to describe these cookie thins? They’re like crispy little cracker cookies with the perfect touch of sweetness and I adore them. They somehow managed to capture so much flavor in a super thin crispy little cookie and I swear I could easily polish off the whole tin in one sitting. They’ve been a fun little pick-me-up to enjoy in the afternoon with a hot mug of peppermint tea.
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Creator Favorites: 2024
Anyone else out there oddly curious to know which items are favorites across the internet? I recently received two separate emails, one from Amazon and one from LTK, as part of their creator programs, highlighting the top creator favorites of 2024. These are the items that creators and influencers loved that proved most popular across their platforms and I found it so interesting to see what is trending, including a few items I already have and love. Just in case you’re curious as well, here are the top favorites they shared:
LTK “Most Loved” Creator Favorites:
- Beauty: Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil / e.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter / Rare Beauty Liquid Blush / Westman Atelier Blush Stick / Maybelline Lifter Gloss / DIBS Beauty Contour + Blush Duo
- Fashion: Maya Brenner Initial Necklace / GAP Vintage Soft Boyfriend Joggers / Levi Dad Jeans / Aritzia Effortless Pant / We the Free Barrel Jeans (my friend Lauren has these in the leopard print and they’re so cute!) / lululemon Scuba Hoodie / alo Sweatpants
- Shoes: Adidas Gazelle Sneakers (I can confirm these are fabulous! I wear them with everything.) / Nike Low Dunk Retro Sneakers (another pair of sneakers I love) / Raffia Natural Sandals
- Home: Target Lounge Chair / Icon Juice Glasses / Terracotta Vases / Console Table / Bath Vanity
Amazon Creator Favorites:
- Beauty: Biodance Overnight Hydrating Mask / Mighty Patch Blemish Patch (I use these when I have a zit coming on and truly feel like they make a difference) / Laniege Lip Mask (another one I swear by) / WOW Anti-Humidity Frizz-Free Spray / e.l.f. Squeeze Me Lip Balm / COSRX Snail Mucin Korean Skincare Serum (I just ordered this so fast when I read reviews and saw the before/afters)
- Fashion: TrendyQueen Oversize Hoodie / Hanes Cotton-Blend Pullover Sweatshirt / 2-Piece Sweatsuit Set / Vintage Round Sunglasses / Fuzzy Slippers
- Home: Beckham Hotel Pillows (can confirm they’re great — we ordered them for our guest room bed) / 3-Piece Hotel Sheets / Vegetable Chopper / 5-Outlet Wall Charger / JBL Mini Bluetooth Speaker
- Health + Fitness: CRZ Yoga Butterluxe Leggings / Weighted Vest (I got one for Christmas and have been loving it for my walks with Pepper!) / Resistance Band Loops / Air Purifier
Have you guys tried any of the above finds? Any you swear by?
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Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera
Genre: Mystery/Suspense / My rating: B+
I liked so much about this book, from the creative plot to the twists and turns that kept coming from beginning to end. However, my favorite thing about this book was the format that flip-flopped back and forth between narrator Lucy Chase, a woman accused of murdering her best friend Savvy years ago, and the transcript of a popular true crime podcast currently investigating Savvy’s case. Reading the podcast transcript became such a captivating way to learn more about the next piece of bombshell information Lucy was about to listen to in real-time as the podcast aired. While I was able to guess most of the twists in this book, it was still an entertaining read and one I absolutely flew through, as it was a serious page turner.
The tricky thing about Savvy’s case is that Lucy, the prime suspect, remembers absolutely nothing from the night of her best friend’s murder. She knows she attended a wedding with her husband and Savvy but after that her memory seems to be wiped clean, including the part where she’s found walking along the side of the road covered in Savvy’s blood hours after Savvy is killed. Lucy was never charged or convicted of murder and moved to Los Angeles to escape the small town scrutiny in Plumpton, Texas after that horrible evening. Fast forward several years and Lucy is back in Plumpton for her grandmother’s birthday… but now Ben Owens, the host of the podcast currently investigating Savvy’s murder is here, too. Will Ben solve Savvy’s case? Will Lucy help him? Or is Lucy as guilty as everyone seems to think?
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Funny Story by Emily Henry
Genre: Romance / My rating: B+
Whenever I finish reading a book in the mystery-thriller genre, I often like to follow it up with something a little fluffier and when Funny Story became available through my Libby app, the timing was perfect. I’m not the die-hard Emily Henry fan I know many romance readers out there seem to be, but I do enjoy her books and Funny Story was one of my favorites I’ve read by this author. The book had depth, plausible character growth, steamy moments and likable characters and I enjoyed it from start to finish. I also found myself thinking how this book would be such a great read for women in the early phases of dating, as I loved the way the main character in the book was on a bit of a journey of self discovery and focused more on what she wanted as her own person rather than as part of a “we.”
The book follows Daphne, a young woman fresh out of a broken engagement her fiance called off when he realized he was in love with his childhood best friend, Petra. With no place to live and barely enough money to pay her bills, Daphne agrees to live with Miles, the ex-boyfriend of Petra, her now ex-fiance’s new fiance. It’s a mess of a situation made only messier when Daphne finds herself lying to her ex, saying she and Miles are now dating. Daphne and Miles begin a faux relationship that soon has Daphne questioning whether or not her feelings really are fake or if there might be something more to this random man she now calls her “boyfriend” and roommate.
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Friday Flashbacks
Super Seed Oatmeal (As someone who loves chewy, satiating oatmeal, this is one of my favorites)
Easy Marinated Pork Chops (Forever one of my favorite simple marinades)
QUESTION OF THE DAY
What is one thing you’re loving this week?
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Thank you for the update on your mom. Continuing to send prayers your way and hers.
I left a comment the day you talked about your bones and working on protein. I said I’ve been doing the same and, by tracking daily protein intake, I can meet my daily protein goals – I don’t track anything else I eat. Anyway, in September, as part of my efforts to add muscle mass, I started taking creatine every day (5g). I have been able to put on a lot of muslce mass and gained strength in the last 6 months (I already was very active, but was flighty about strength training). Unfortunately, September is when I also started getting more intentional about weight lifting and protein tracking – so how much impact creatine has had, who knows! But I do think it’s a piece of the puzzle. You may want to do some research on it too.
I love starting my Fridays with coffee, a quiet house, and your blog. I woke up early today and got lucky you’d already posted. Have a wonderful weekend with your friends!
Thank you for sharing this, Sarah! I’ve read a little about creative but haven’t really done a deep dive, so thanks for the little nudge. Excited for you that you’ve seen improvement in your strength and muscle mass!
Continuing to send prayers for your mom. I admire your family’s strength during difficult times. I know it’s not a constant strength (never is for anyone) but how you handle these times really says something about who you are.
Also, totally jealous you’re flying to Phoenix! It’s my favorite airport and place ever! My mom and I are going on our annual Sedona trip here in a month or so and I cannot wait (and oddly can’t wait to fly). Hope you and your friends have a wonderful trip!
I missed the post about your Mom. Continued prayers for Mom & your family.
xo
Thank you Reenie 🩷
I also have Osteopenia and an 39 years old, diagnosed when I was 38 after a spine fracture prompted me to get checked. I highly recommend getting your hormones checked! Granted I have a ton of other issues attributed to low hormones that you likely don’t have, but non-optimal estradiol can trigger low bone density as well!
I also use a collagen supplement that has Fortibone added for bone strength!