After a holiday-related hiatus over the past two weeks, I’m happy to be bringing back your usual Things I’m Loving Friday post this week where we all chat about what we’re loving most each week. (Truthfully, I had to condense this post several times because I found myself wanting to share a million things with you guys this week. I guess that’s what two weeks off will do to ya!)
Below you will find a list of the things that are making me smile this week and, as always, I’d love to hear a little bit about what you’re loving in the comments section.
Have a great weekend, my friends!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- The Personal Posts
When I shared some of my blogging goals with you guys on Monday, I expressed interest in sprinkling in a little more Evergreen content into this blog in 2016. A handful of you weighed in to encourage me not to forget to include the personal stuff and believe me, I won’t! I absolutely know the heart and soul of PBF comes from personal posts and since they’ve always been my favorite to write and share (and read on other blogs!), they are absolutely not going anywhere. I appreciate your feedback, as always, and you can brace yourself for a billion Sadie and baby pics in 2016. You’ve been warned! (And, if you have any requests for topics surrounding some more personal posts, please let me know. I’m all ears!)
- Fresh Market Peppermint Crème Coffee
Hooray!! After a one-year hiatus, Fresh Market brought back my beloved Peppermint Crème coffee! It’s one of my all-time favorite flavored coffees and even though the holidays have come and gone, I’ll be rationing out cups of this seasonal delight until I eventually run out of it and cry in my coffee cup. My local Fresh Market is still selling this flavor, so I may need to pick up another bag before it’s pulled from the shelves…
Nike Flyknits were on my Christmas wish list and I was so thrilled to open up a pair of the lightweight sneakers from my parents on Christmas morning. I’ve heard such wonderful things about these shoes for months (my friend Merri first put them on my radar) and so far they live up to the hype. They’ve been the perfect shoe for my boot camp and circuit workouts. I love the low profile and the shoe hugs my foot in a way that feels supportive and comfortable. And I obviously love the aesthetics of this shoe! (I have the light gray pair and am considering buying the light blue, too. I live in gym shoes and they’re currently on sale, so it’s justified… Right?)
- Ben & Jerry’s Cinnamon Buns Ice Cream
Ice cream is my favorite food and Ben & Jerry’s makes some of the best! Though I am still bummed they discontinued Oatmeal Cookie Chunk (aka the BEST flavor ever), Cinnamon Buns reminds me of it a bit with its creamy cinnamon flavor. Ryan and I are both big-time fans of this one and until Ben & Jerry’s brings back our beloved Oatmeal Cookie Chunk, it will make a decent substitute.
- The Easiest Crock Pot Salsa Chicken
It’s been far too long since we made the EASIEST crock pot recipe of all time in our house: Crock pot salsa chicken! Just in case you haven’t tried it before, let me fill you in. Combine two to four chicken breasts with a jar of your favorite salsa and cook on low in the crock pot for 6(ish) hours. Shred with a fork and enjoy! SO simple, right!? We used the shredded salsa chicken in tacos for Monday night’s dinner and it was delicious, as always.
Over Christmas, my mom, sister and I took a handful of Jazzercise classes together and I was reminded, yet again, how much I love the workout. My mom gifted me the 12 Days of Christmas Class Pass and I looked forward to every class we took together. The routines were a lot of fun and the music was upbeat and current. There’s one instructor at my mom’s studio who is an absolute spitfire and her energy is so positive and motivating. My mom’s love for Jazzercise is contagious and I always have a blast taking classes with her when I can! Jazzercise is the jam.
- $25 Dress
When I shared my Christmas recap last Monday, a handful of you guys asked me about the floral dress I wore to a Christmas Eve church service. I bought it for only $25 from Zulily! (I first became obsessed with Zulily after I got pregnant. So many good deals on baby stuff.) The brand is Journey Five and the dress is super comfy! It’s rather form fitting, but I think it regains some modesty thanks to the sleeves and midi length, which I love. I am hoping to find a similar dress in a solid black. My eyes are peeled!
- ThredUp Earnings
Thanks to The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, back in November I was inspired to thoroughly go through my clothes and donate/sell a bunch of things. I sent two big bags to ThredUp and am pleased to have made $125 for everything! (The $67.94 you see pending will go through if two of my higher-end items sell.) Given the fact that sending a big bag of stuff their way takes basically no effort on my part (they mail you a bag to fill up and send back for free), I’ll take it! (The other earnings you see are my lifetime earnings from sending them clothing over the course of a couple of years.) I didn’t have the time or desire to sell things individually myself, so the convenience of the ThredUp process was perfect for me in December. I know a bunch of you guys have goals to clean out your closets and get more organized in 2016, so I just wanted to mention ThredUp just in case it wasn’t already on your radar.
ThredUp also has some great deals on gently used clothes and I ended up picking up a new Lululemon jacket and some more clothes for my constantly-growing baby boy last month, too.
- Around The Web
For a healthy start to 2016…
How To Pack A Week’s Worth Of Salads That Stay Fresh
Just Press Play: Month-Long At Home Workout Video Plan
- Friday Flashbacks
No Bake Peanut Butter Bars (These bars come together in less than five minutes and combine crunchy peanut butter, sweet honey, crispy bran flakes, chewy oats, cinnamon and protein-packed chia seeds.)
Weekend Circuit Workout (A throwback circuit workout from 2012… Perfect for working up a sweat on the weekend!)
Question of the Day
- What is one thing you are loving this week?
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Hi Julie!
I ordered from Zulily twice and it felt like it took over a month to get my stuff, is that normal? I have not ordered from there since. I definitely love reading your personal stuff, definitely more so this year bc I also have a 5 month old son! Its been nice reading about your pregnancy/and all baby things as they were also happening to myself! I can relate zoo much to the sleep stuff! I’m a full time working mama and for me, I honestly love and cherish our 2am feeding sessions because its my time with him that I don’t get during the day. Its nice to finally hear someone who can relate to why I have no desire to sleep train my baby!
Is Chase sitting up yet? Our son actually taught himself to sit up on accident! He used to LOVE the Boppy Lounger, but he is tall and out grew it around 4 months so my friend got him this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0034JW304/ref=s9_dcbhz_bw_g75_i1_sh She said that all of her kids loved it even though they are over 1 year now! We just call it the “Big Boppy” but we realized that our son was sitting up in it all the time and since it has the tall walls if he fell over no big deal! I highly recommend it!!
Hey Julie – sorry to be weird, but in regards to Zulily – yes, it takes forever. The way they work is that the company collects orders in a certain time frame (hence why there’s a clock you have to order by) and then places a large, discounted order with the company. Then the order is shipped to Zulily and finally dispersed to customers. That’s why it takes so long but also how they can offer large discounts. There is a section of “ready to ship” items that ship almost immediately. Anyway, I used Zulily, but never for anything I need right away!
Morgan’s comment is spot on! Shipping does seem to take a long time, so if there’s something time-sensitive you need, I definitely wouldn’t order it from Zulily! If you can afford to wait a while for the stuff to arrive, it’s great because the discounts really are fantastic!
Also, I love that we’re in the same “baby boat” right now!! 🙂 Chase isn’t sitting up, but he’s working SO hard at it! He lifts his head and tightens his tiny belly a billion times a day. He’s determined! And thank you for the product recommendation!!! Absolutely looking into it since right now the Boppy Lounger is still our fav!
Happy Friday! Yes please keep the personal posts! They are so fun to read! I have never tried Thread Up but want to soon!
You make so much from Thred Up! Everytime I use it I only make around $20, which is better than nothing 🙂 I’m also excited for a relaxing weekend. Much needed after the holidays!
I really need/want to try ThredUp until I realized that I have no clothes that are either not worn daily or not F21 clothes. Oops. Have a great Friday, Julie!
They actually accept Forever 21 stuff! You won’t get much $$ for it, but at least it’s something!
Do you pay for shipping with thred up? I can’t remember! I definitely need to clean out my closet!
Yes! But it’s free after a certain point (I think when you spend around $50?).
My mom had some of that peppermint coffee at her house over Christmas and it is amazing!!! 🙂 Have a great weekend 🙂
Yes to the Nike Flyknit!! I have had the light blue ones for over a year and they are still going strong! One of my classmates washed hers in the washer after they became dirty (which I’m sure is taboo) and they came out looking like new, just sayin… Light shoes are so cute but so hard to keep clean!
Ha! I actually thought about this yesterday since my shoes are so light. Thanks for the tip! And now you’re making me REALLY want to get the light blue ones…
I’m going to have to try Thred Up. I have way to many clothes sitting around– it’s terrible!!
Jazzercize really makes exercise fun too! So great that you guys can do it together.
I wish there was a Fresh Market around me because I’ve heard so many good things about that coffee!
I’m dying to try a Jazzercise class as it sounds like SO much fun but there isn’t one in my area. Darn it!!
I can’t believe you Make so
Much at Thred up. I sent a bunch of BR and LOFT stuff this summer and made around $10. What big items are making you so much money? Maybe I am sending the wrong type
Of stuff.
OMG that B&J flavour! I would be all over that but unfortunately in Canada we get like 4 flavours of that variety 🙁 Ice cream is my vice and yet I haven’t tried one of the most well known brands haha. One of my friday favourites is the book I got yesterday at Urban Outfitters about nutrition from the inside out. It talks about how your foods and liquids can affect you body and express themselves in your skin, hair, etc. I’m not much of a reader, but I’m interested in what I’m going to learn.
REQUEST: Adjusting a only child dog to a new baby. Especially if said dog is afraid of the wee ones! My friend traumatized my dog years ago with her 1.5 year old and I fear the day I try to bring a baby home. Were you concerned bringing Chase home to Sadie?
This week has been stressful and busy at work so I’m honestly just loving that its finally Friday!! I’m looking forward to some yoga a nice dinner and maybe some wine tonight to celebrate the end of a long week! 🙂 Have a good weekend!
I personally love going back and reading your pregnancy / baby posts because I am expecting our first child in a few months! I enjoy hearing all of the baby recommendations so keep them coming!!
Mmm that crockpot chicken salsa sounds delicious and easy! Just what I need!
That Tredup payout is legit! I think I made like $20 when I sent them stuff haha. Also, I need that salsa chicken in my life. Anything that simple is my kind of cooking!
I agree 100% with other readers to please keep the personal posts! To be honest the typical of the “Evergreen” content is BORING – recipes or workouts don’t always resonate with me since my diet and workouts preferences might be different from the blogger, and it’s also not personal at all.
However, I do think there is a way to MIX personal and Evergreen. Posts along the lines of “What’s in my bag” – purse, gym bag, or suitcase while traveling are always interesting. I also like when bloggers post their grocery store haul with a meal plan for the week. Those curated holiday gift collections are so fun- maybe something like that but the content can be seasonal (Valentine’s Day gifts, or I know you’ve done awesome ones in the past related to weddings and bridal showers). My two cents! Keep it up, love your blog!
Hi Julie!
Your chicken & salsa crockpot post made me smile because last Sunday I made a big batch of this to have for the week and it was DELICIOUS! I also sliced up mushrooms to put in it and cooked it for 8 hours on low so it was super moist and easy to shred! Monday my fiance and I started our “wedding diet” and we ate that chicken over some brown rice every day this week for lunch. I also added extra salsa to it before I would heat it up every day and it was just so good and so satisfying!
Lots of fun stuff you’re loving this week! 🙂
I’m loving anything warm. it’s super cold, snowy, and wet here in SW Iowa, so I’m enjoying soup, cocoa, and tea. Nothing specific, just anything warm to ward off the chill. Brrr!!!!
The oatmeal ice cream from Ben n Jerry’s! I’m typically a total chocolate person but that flavor was AMAZING. I’m so sad it’s gone! I don’t even eat Ben n Jerry’s that much, but still.
SO glad to hear that the personal posts won’t be going anywhere, I also don’t think that the personal posts are unlikely to be interesting later on—- as I work through wedding planning, I have found myself searching (many times over!!) for some of your old posts on not only your wedding, but also Leslie’s and the preparation that went into both! Random posts feel the most engaging to me— more than recaps, even!
Same!
I’d love an update on how Sadie is doing with Chase. Do they play or interact together yet? Has she accepted her new role, etc?
Thred up looks amazing!
This week I’m loving the make up NYE date since we were both sick (again!) to kick off the new year. It was nice to be out on a “school night” and not have to pay jacked up holiday prices.
If I may… more Sadie please! I love reading about the lil guy but I miss hearing about your first “baby” too! 😉
As a long time PBF reader I am so happy to hear that the personal posts aren’t going anywhere! They are my absolute favorite to read!
This week I am loving my adult coloring books! I have 3 now! I color a little every evening while my husband watches sports or we watch L&O: Criminal Intent (best one!) It is very relaxing!
I am also loving that after all the craziness of the holidays and getting our house back in order we have NO plans this weekend! The only time I know we have to leave the house is for church Sunday morning! I am so excited to just relax and maybe sleep in. I am sure we will make a trip to the gym but having no other plans makes me so happy! Is it bad how excited that makes me? HA!
I need to find that coffee –> peppermint + anything really = my favorite! 🙂
Also, salsa chicken is my go-to “I don’t want to really cook” meal — love it!
My favorite thing this week: being home. I love family and traveling back to TX, but it’s so, so, SO nice to be home in NC again!!!
Have a great weekend!
Yay for the peppermint cream coffee! I found my favorite candy cane coffee at Target last week… On sale… And I was pretty excited too! Have an awesome weekend!
You could have taken the words right out of my mouth with Ben & Jerry’s! Cinnamon Buns is sooooo freakin good! But seriously, where is the Oatmeal Cookie Chunk already?!? Have you tried the Milk & Cookies one? That’s another favorite of mine, too 🙂
I just love these Friday posts. I’m loving my new reusable brew basket for my new Keurig. Love it! I’m also loving my my new boost of energy for a year full of what I hope to be consistent workouts in my future. Consistency is my downfall. Wish me luck.
The flyknits are great! I bought them about a month before my marathon and loved them! They are so light that I literally feel like I have an extra spring in my step with them. They fit my feet perfectly and are cute too!
Looks like you had a wonderful week coming off of the holidays! I love taking Jazzercize with my family. It’s such a fun way to connect!
While I’ve been selling away at Buffalo Exchange, I may have to switch to Thread Up due to the simplicity of the process. Do you find that you make as much as if you sold items in other outlets??
I have been craving a peppermint coffee drink for awhile! I need to get my butt to fresh market and grab a bag to try! Perfect timing too considering I’m almost out of coffee!
This week I’m lovin’ my Sally Hansen gel nail polish! I’ve loved this stuff for a while, but this week I’m appreciating it even more b/c I’ve been super busy!
Ben and Jerry’s is the best! I’ve never had Cinnamon Buns, but I adore Milk & Cookies and totally miss the Oatmeal Cookie Chunk. Ahh and I need to do another ThredUp bag. My closet is too full right now, and I don’t need so much of it. Thanks for the reminder! Have a lovely weekend 🙂
I got the Flyknits too for Christmas and I’m so in love with them. I got the same ones you did and next up I want to go back for black. Now that I’m not running and am focusing more on strength and HIIT, I don’t need to be as concerned about a properly fitting running shoe. I WANT THEM ALL.
Omg I am obsessed with the Life Changing Magic to Tidying Up AND to ThredUp! After reading the book I got so much better at being able to part with unworn items in my closet and have ordered so many ThredUp bags to assist in the cleanup. I think I’m on my 7th kit and it’s just the best. Hoping in 2016 to do an even deeper dive into clearing out my apartment and making a little money along the way. Have a fab weekend!
I made the salsa chicken last night, but found a recipe that said to add a half a cup of balsamic vinegar! At first I thought it would be weird to be made with the salsa, and it smelled a little funky, but it was delicious. I definitely need to add it back into our regular rotation.
I’ll have to try that! I haven’t heard of that addition before!
Love that dress!
I’m loving the Whole30 – my first one! We make something similar to your crockpot taco chicken all the time. In addition to your recipe, we throw in a bag of frozen chopped peppers and a bag of frozen chopped onion to add some veggies to the mix!
I’ve been doing Friday updates modeled after yours for awhile as well, though mine take an education slant! This week I’m loving the goals of the new year! https://reflectionsonleadershipandlearning.wordpress.com/2016/01/08/things-im-loving-friday-volume-16/
i love the personal posts! I am excited that the sun is actually shining! It’s been rainy/foggy/snowing for the last few weeks. Since said weather is nice I am going for my first outdoor run of 2016.
Loving that floral dress, I always skim zulily, but I need to actually look one of these days. I purchased a handful of scarves from the site to give as gifts one year and LOVE those. Happy Friday, Julie!
I like the personal posts, of course, Julie, so glad to know those are a main-stay! As far as ThredUp, I’ve earned a bit less than you, but send a bag in here and there. I LOVE that they take the work out of it for me and all I have to do is get it to a mailbox. As far as the sneaks – YES, Nikes are my fave too. Hope you have a great weekend! For the first time in forever, I have very little on the agenda. 🙂
Mm mm b&j cinnabon, my fav!
WOW, I have heard of ThredUp a lot, but I didn’t realize you could actually do so well with it! I got rid of boatloads of stuff after reading that book (and still have more to do…..) That’s awesome! Slash super cute shoes, I’m looking for new cross trainers 🙂
Hey Julie! You mentioned wanting a black fitted midi dress? You should check out The Pencil Dress at Brass Clothing! I have one and I wear it all the time. It is so so soft and I love the comfortable fit! 🙂 here is the link to the dress! http://brassclothing.com/collections/dresses/products/the-pencil-dress
Those bars looks great! I love the floral dress, really suits you, and such a great bargain! I need me some new Nikes!
Just wanted you to know i think you are a peach. I love the content of your blog, most the personal stuff! Your baby boy is PRECIOUS. I love how positive you are and it seems like you and your hubby are truly best friends. I wondered if it’s not TOO personal, are you a Christian? you just seem like you have a joy about you and not sure it you have a faith (if not that is totally okay!) i just was curious. You bring such a genuine vibe to the blog world and i appreciate that. I hope your family is has a truly wonderful 2016! hugs from Polly (i used to have a blog called yoga is yummy many years ago but just a momma and yoga teacher now!)
p.s. I also love your recipes! I recently told one of my best friends (who is getting ready to have a baby) to look at PB fingers and i hope she does. She and you are a lot alike, both sweeties! 🙂
The Cinnamon Bun is hands down my favorite Ben and Jerry’s flavor. I am loving the Birthday Cake ice cream by Turkey Hill this week, though. It’s loaded with chunks of multi-colored cake and swirls of icing…heaven. When Turkey Hill goes on sale for $1.99, I go a little nuts : )