As soon as this blog post is published, Ryan and I are heading off to the airport to catch a flight to Chicago. Kristen, one of my best friends from high school, is getting married in Schaumburg on Saturday and Iām looking forward to a fun-filled wedding weekend that will kick off with a rehearsal this evening. Obviously the anticipation of quality time with friends is the number one thing Iām loving right now, but below you will find a list of some more things that made me smile this week.
As always, please share something youāre loving this week in the comments section of this post. Have a great weekend, my friends!
Things Iām Loving Friday
- Stitch Fix Photo Shoot Pictures
I promised you guys I would share some of the photos from the Stitch Fix photo shoot that took place in San Francisco last month. Here are a few of the pictures where my awkward hands donāt look too awkward (hopefully)!
Just FYI for those of you who use Stitch Fix, everything you see us wearing is from Stitch Fix, so you can request anything you see in a future fix if you something above catches your eye. (Iām actually putting in a request for the pink dress I wore and the denim vest on the above mannequin!)
Doodle is the most amazing website for anyone looking for an easy way to find a date and/or time that works for a bunch of people for a meeting, party, vacation, etc. Iāve used it for everything from scheduling conference calls to bachelorette parties! Itās the best.
- Dinner at 131 Main
Last weekend we grabbed dinner at 131 Main, a restaurant many people recommended to us when we moved to the area. It lived up to the hype and Ryan, Eric and I all loved our meals. Ryan and I are hoping to enjoy some more date nights at local restaurants, so if you live in the area (Charlotte or north of the city) and have restaurant recommendations, Iād love to hear them! (Iām also still combing through your awesome comments and recommendations on my first post announcing our move, so thank you for those, too!)
- Kombucha
The first time I tried kombucha, I thought it tasted like armpit. Horrible! Well, after trying a bottle of Clearly Kombucha a few months ago and actually liking it, I decided to give it a second chance a while back and honestly enjoy it! Who wouldāve thought? Maybe itās one of those things you learn to love? (I hated coffee at first, too!) I am a big fan of carbonation and love the fizziness of the drink. It reminds me of soda but without all the sweetness and crappy ingredients. Iām a fan!
- Eating Well Magazine
I picked up a copy of this magazine at a booth at Wanderlust and as I flipped through it on the flight home, I found myself folding over page after page so I could easily locate all of the delicious recipes in the magazine. Eating Well features tons of healthy recipes, but perhaps my favorite thing about many of the recipes is that they seem easy to make. Iām all about super simple meals!
- Toasted Coconut Chips
These Dang Toasted Coconut Chips were an impulse buy at Fresh Market this week. I thought they might be a good topping for Greek yogurt but once I opened the bag after dinner one evening, I couldnāt stop eating them. If youāre a big time fan of coconut like me, I cannot recommend these enough. Ridiculously delicious!
Past Things Iām Loving Friday
Question of the Day
- What is one thing youāve been loving this week?
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That Doodle site is outstanding!! I’ll totally be using that in the future. Happy Friday – enjoy Chi!
You’re coming to the Chi??!! How exciting!! I grew up in Palatine too and live near Schaumburg now. I hope you have an amazing trip and lots of wedding fun!
The photos turned out so cute and that meal looks delicious!! Have a great weekend!
Doodle has been SUCH a lifesaver when it comes to scheduling things with groups of people! So much easier than the, “So can we all do this day at this time?” and then trying to find a mutual time that works for everyone (a nearly impossible task, usually!)
Charlotte restaurants: fig tree, dandelion, cantina 1511, brunch at mimosa grill, toast in davdison for breakfast.
Thanks!
Oh I am going to have to check out those coconut chips! I’m coconut-obsessed so I’m sure I’ll love them. What I’m loving this week – Colbie Caillat’s new song about beauty and not having to try so hard with makeup, surgery, fakeness, etc… It’s called Try, and the video is super empowering. (and i cried) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXoZLPSw8U8&feature=kp
Ahhh those photos are perfect!! Seriously you look gorgeous. I’ve alsoooo been on a kombucha kick the past two weeks, specifically that brand. I was also surprised at the taste–much better than I expected.
I’ve been loving in season fresh summertime vegetables! I’ve been using red potatoes, yellow squash, sweet corn, bell peppers and tomatoes in all the recipes lately.
I love this! Anything coconut I will try…and those chips look great! So pretty at the shoot!! I live near the northern suburbs of Chicago. Enjoy your time…it’s the best city!
Dang coco chips are amazing!!! And, highly addictive, you will not be disappointed!! Enjoy! š
Upstream in Charlotte has delicious seafood – it’s also Asian fusion. A little pricy, but well worth it š
I think 131 main is my all time favorite restaurant in this area. Other good places to go are eez, red rocks, cheddars and boardwalk billies (both off Harris blvd in University City), Macs for good bbq, and try sweet cakes by fresh market for the best salted caramel cupcake ever!
Woohoo! Thank you for sharing!
Your photos are adorable! š Love the one with you and the balloon. OK, I should also try kombucha again…I really like Kevita which is a sparkling kombucha (especially the pomegranate!). Maybe I have learned to love it too!
131 Main has the best steak I’ve had in Charlotte! Mmmmm… steak. š
Something I’m loving this week is the Pandora station 80’s Cardio. It has been the perfect music while driving in the car, during work, or just hanging outside on a hot day.
Try Tupelo Honey CafƩ. We have 2 locations in Asheville (they started here) and it is awesome. Some of my favorites are the grilled pimento cheese sandwich with tomato soup and the grilled veggie sandwich. My husband loves the sweet potato pancakes. they use local fresh ingredients, amazing!
Doodle sounds so cool!
I’m loving the longer summer evenings to read after baby is on bed, the sunsets over the mountains, and the upcoming releases for Les Mills that we are launching! It’s cram time and then go time, baby!
I had never heard of Doodle until now, but it sounds like an awesome time saver! Thanks for sharing!
I recently became obsessed with kombucha! I’m hooked on the ginger berry flavor!
I’ve never heard of Doodle but will be sure to check it out!
My fiance, parents and I love 131 Main!!! Which location did you visit? I also highly recommend Cantina 1511 when you’re in the mood for some good, fresh, nicer Mexican food…it’s in the Dilworth neighborhood!
Nikko is a must in Charlotte – great sushi and always a fun time! Bad Daddy’s and Red Rocks are two other great Charlotte restaurants and both happen to have locations north of the city (Birkdale). I hope you’re enjoying it here so far!
Try Thai Taste, Luna’s Living Ktichen, Zoe’s Kitchen, Mellow Mushroom, Dish and Little Village Grill (amazing gyros) for casual eats in Charlotte.
The Shrimp ‘n Grits at 131 is absolutely amazing! Top 10 things I miss being able to eat after becoming a vegetarian (along with the beef and lamb gyros at Little Village Grill).
Your pictures are super cute and you are so pretty! Also I think I need to try the coconut chips! I know my sis would be in Heaven with them š
Love the pink dress, before I read you requested it was already going to say I hoped you bought it! The colour really suits you! I am an all things coconut addict! You can slow and low bake your own coconut chips too! š
Yes – agree with your other readers. Love both the pink and coral dresses on you from Stitch Fix. Cute and fun!
TILF: (Things I’m Loving Friday….not, anything else ‘ilf ….catch my drift? ) SMOOTHIES for breakfast. I may sound like (more) of a weirdo, but I would just have protein powder with water for breakfast in the past, but I am loving having fruit smoothies with protein powder for breakfast lately. Mangos, peaches, plums, nectarines + vanilla powder + chia + vanilla soy milk…..LOVE!! I know I’m totally behind the times on this one, but I love it! …..one day I’ll get brave enough to add spinach!
Going to have to check out Doodle! That could have saved my butt millions of times already š
Hi Julie! My husband and I lived in Charlotte for 2 years out of college and his family still lives there so we are always visiting! 131 Main is AMAZING! Make sure to try their kale and quinoa salads if you didn’t this time! Also, if you like sushi, the only place to go is Eez in Birkdale. The most delicious, gigantic rolls you’ve ever seen! Enjoy! š
Those photos of you are super cute (no awkwardness at all)! I also love using doodle as well!
Those coconut chips sound awesome! I just bought one of these new Pure Barre baseball tees and I cannot wait to wear it! My studio just got them in and I’m the biggest sucker for PB marketing so I had to get it š
I looove those coconut chips!! The photos look great š
Ooh, I’ve never heard of Doodle! Enjoy Schaumburg while you’re here, and try and make a quick stop @ Woodfield if you can! Hopefully the sun will make it’s way back out for the wedding – have a great weekend!:)
i literally just LOLed at the fact you said synergy tasted like, “armpit” š so something I would say!!
Wowww that is awesome. Doodle sounds like MY kinda site because I’m terrible at the administration+brinigng people together part of planning. I can do DIY and all that fun stuff! But not when it comes to arranging things, haha. I’ll give it a go next time something big comes up. ^_~
Love your Stitch Fix photos! That dress is adorable!
This week I am loving feeling productive and getting in some great workouts!
Charlotte has fantastic restaurants! I don’t even know where to begin.
Sunflour
Amelie’s
Bad Daddy’s on East Blvd (get the tater tots, just do)
Mama Ricotta’s
I have so many more…
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Not sure if you’ll read through all these comments, but I have been a long time reader and happen to live in Charlotte. Y’all need to try out Good Food on Montford. Fabulous!!! That and Nolen Kitchen. Enjoy š
Thank you for the recommendation!!
You look so adorable in the Stitch Fix pics. Love both your looks!
I’m loving that you’re going to Schaumburg! We are looking at buying a house there. Have fun!
loving the stitchfix shoot! too fun!
Loved your Stitchfix pictures! Especially the one of you and Brittney! You two are my favs!
You all look so beautiful in those stitch fix pictures! Looks like you are natural models š
Love your blog! Btw, Eating Well has a website with TONS of free PDF cookbooks, all different themes. I have downloaded them onto my iPad and love looking through them when I am waiting around in airports, for appointments, etc.
131 Main is awesome! If you’re looking for a splurge try the awesome roast beef sandwich, it’s my all time favorite sandwich! We also really love Mac’s Speed Shop for great BBQ, it’s in cornelius off exit 28 š
That’s close to us!!! We will definitely try it!
I need to sing up for stitch fix! It sounds like something I would absolutely love. You looking adorable in all of your pictures!
I love coconut and toasted coconut flakes! Trader Joe’s has toasted coconut flakes that are delicious and very affordable! Speaking of Trader Joe’s – one of my favorite things this week is there “Just Mango,” – dried mango with no sugar added and it is delicious! Taste like natural fruit rollups – they are lower in calorie than some dried fruit! yummm
Ok Ok you have convinced me to try Kombucha again. I also thought it tasted like armpit, but maybe I just need to give it another shot? I didn’t like coconut water the first time I tried it either (I thought it tasted like a different bodily fluid which I won’t say here because this blog seems a bit classier than that). I’ll give it a second try!
Go to 300 East in Charlotte! My favorite restaurant, hands down (and it’s in a really old, cool looking house that is supposedly haunted!!)
I was just in Charlotte for work and we went to a place called “The Mayo Bird” … they have all kinds of chicken salad! It was very tasty!!
-AJ
OccasionallyAJ.com