Good morning! Happy Friday to YOU! I hope your week was a good one. This week passed by in a flash and I feel like it should be Wednesday or something but I’ll take it.
About the weekend ahead… We have a special visitor in town!
Ryan’s dad arrived at our house around noon yesterday and we hope to show him a good time while he’s here! The high on both Saturday and Sunday is 81 degrees which is a nice departure from the mid-90s we’ve been seeing lately, so I’m hoping we can spend some time outside without dripping in sweat for the first time in a while!
And now, in true Friday tradition around here, it’s time to dive into my weekly Things I’m Loving Friday blog post and chat a little bit about some things that are making us smile this week. Please feel free to join in the fun and have a GREAT weekend!
Things I’m Loving Friday
Last week I was all about neon yellow nail polish in an effort to soak up the last of summer but something switched this week and I found myself feeling way too psyched about the transition to deeper, richer colors for the fall. During a random trip to CVS earlier this week, I browsed around some of the new fall colors and ended up leaving with Sally Hansen’s Leaf Me Be Miracle Gel polish. I did the ol’ thumbnail test and love the creamy gray-green color and think this polish will quickly become an autumn and wintertime go-to for me. (Quick side note: The first picture on Amazon makes this polish look WAY too green. Click through to the next few pics for a more accurate representation. The polish looks much more like the picture above and is a moody gray-green color.)
- Green & Black’s 70% Cacao Dark Chocolate
My sugar consumption lately has been out of control and while I was giving myself a bit of a pass there for a while, I feel like I should probably reign it in… at least a little bit. In an effort to do so, I bought a pack of individually-wrapped pieces of dark chocolate (<— individually wrapped is key because if you think I’m the kind of person who can break a single square or two off a chocolate bar you are seriously mistaken) and I’m hoping that eating a piece or two of the dark chocolate after lunch or dinner will help me satisfy my sweet tooth in a way that doesn’t involve multiple bowls of ice cream. I got this grand idea on Wednesday night and so far it’s semi-working! Green & Black’s dark chocolate is incredibly tasty and I think the 70% cacao gets to the heart of my chocolate cravings quicker than milkier chocolate. If I can make it through next week without eating ice cream every night, I’ll consider this little experiment a success.
- Handmade Blanket
My mom is amazing at knitting (she’s also incredibly speedy!) and knit an entire blanket for us when she was in town visiting early last week. I didn’t know the blanket was for us and was surprised to find it draped over my desk chair after she left. So sweet, right!? It’s a beautiful, large blanket and the colors perfectly match both my home office and our living room, so it’s been going back and forth a lot, though Sadie clearly wants it to say on the couch where she can cuddle up in it all day long.
- Yes Please by Amy Poehler
My best friends from high school sent this my way when they knew I could use some laughter a couple of weeks ago and I just got around to reading it this week. The book is just what I was looking for at the moment – something funny, entertaining, not-too-intense and a perfect way to unwind before bed. Yes Please is a compilation of short stories, many of which made me laugh but also surprised me with more substance than I expected. I’m about halfway through at the moment and really look forward to picking it up every night. In the same breath, I will nudge you toward Mindy Kaling’s two books as well if you’re looking for books that will make you laugh out loud as you flip through the pages. They are seriously hysterical!
- Hidden Figures
I have been dying to see Hidden Figures since it came out in theatres last year but Ryan and I haven’t really loved the idea of paying a babysitter and then paying a bunch of money to grab dinner and see a movie, so we haven’t seen many movies in the theatre in the past two years. (Truthfully, I cannot think of ONE movie I’ve seen in the theatre since Chase was born other than the $1 movie Chase and I saw as part of the summer movie series for kids in our area!) Anyway, I was quite excited when I saw Hidden Figures available on RedBox and snagged it to watch at home. I thought it was great! The three main actresses – Taraji Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe – are all so talented and did a wonderful job in their respective roles. Definitely add this one to your must-watch list if you are like me and didn’t get a chance to see it when it first came out!
- Around the Web
Food: 5 Minute Breakfast Hash / Mix & Match Healthy Sandwich Recipes / Cashew Coffee / Gluten-Free Quiche with Hash Brown Crust
Fitness: Happy Hips Yoga Sequence / Yoga Strength Workout / 10-Minute Booty Workout /
Weekend Sales: 40% off new arrivals at J.Crew Factory (including cute flannels for fall!) / Extra 30% off sale at Anthropologie / Extra 40% off clearance at Express / Up to 75% off at LOFT (love this dress to transition from summer to fall) / 50% off activewear at Forever21 /
- Friday Flashbacks
Banana Bread Protein Pancakes (I LOVE this recipe and made it again for myself for breakfast for the first time in probably two months yesterday morning. It’s a hit every time and even Chase loves this one!)
Upper Body Plyo Workout (I first created this workout to complete during Chase’s naptime and it only requires one set of dumbbells. It’s a quick workout but seriously challenging thanks to plyometric exercises that made me sweat like crazy and challenging upper body exercises!)
Question of the Day
What is one thing making you smile this week?
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Going to the movies is probably the #1 thing I miss from our pre-baby life. We’re working on finding a good babysitter, so hopefully that will change soon!
The handmade blanket your mom knitted is absolutely beautiful! Homemade gifts are always the best. I’d always wished I learned how to knit and it is a goal of mine. I think it would be incredible to be able to be knit blankets, etc, for all my loved ones. Also, I loved Hidden Figures, too! I thought the story and the acting was beautifully done; I was in awe the entire time!
One thing that is making me smile is the gorgeous weather we have in store for the weekend and the day date my fiance and I have planned. Sometimes it’s nice to go out during the day, especially when the weather is too good to pass up being outside.
Hope you have a wonderful time on your date, Katherine!
Wow that blanket from your mom looks store bought! She is one talented knitter. I’ve been looking for some new fall nail polish to add to my collection for this year and I love the color of Leaf Me Be. I will be picking it up next time I’m at a Target or CVS.
Have a great weekend with Ryan’s dad Julie 🙂
I love Yes Please, it is such a fun read. Hope you have a great weekend!
I LOVE Yes Please. Amy Poehler is my spirit animal/secret best friend, etc. I still think back so much on her advice for “Good for you, not for me.” It’s definitely important to remember when you start feeling yourself comparing yourself to others!
That blanket it absolutely lovely–what a talent! I hope your family has the best weekend with “Grandad” in town. I’m sure Chase is in heaven and the weather is just icing on the cake–well not cake, because you’re watching your sugar…..but those chocolates look delicious!
haha! if cake surfaces this weekend i know myself well enough to know i’ll be eating it. 🙂 the key is not buying it! haha!
Love the homemade blanket! That is such a cool nail polish color – I need to make the transition to fall 🙂
Have a great weekend with Ryan’s dad! It’s so fun to have family in town <3
I still need to see Hidden Figures! This week, I feel like there is a lot to smile about: a couple date nights, my first time rock climbing, lots of fresh produce from my parents, and a baseball game tomorrow night!
One thing that is making me smile is our upcoming anniversary celebratory weekend! Landon and I shared our anniversary on Wednesday, but are taking this weekend to celebrate by running a 20 mile training run together and then going back to our honeymoon spot and enjoying a strawberry shake! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Oh I’m loving that nail polish color and Green & Blacks is the BEST! I grew up in London and it’s super popular over there 🙂
I wish I knew how to knit! We received several beautiful blankets and pieces when Mitch was born and I adore them all so much. There is nothing like something made from the heart.
Even without kids we never go to the movies, it is SO expensive! But I heard great things about Hidden Figures and want to see it soon too. Have so much fun with Ryan’s Dad this weekend and enjoy the nice weather!
that nail polish color is beautiful! LOVE green! its currently out of stock on amazon but you know i’ll be keeping my eye out for it! have you ever tried the sally hansen matte clear coat? i have been loving it!
The new Taylor Swift song is making me smile today! That song + an iced chai from a local coffee shop for my walk to work from the train this morning = perfection.
Love that nail polish color, thanks for sharing!
Have a great weekend!
ha ha individually wrapped chocolate DEFINITELY helps keep things under control, it doesn’t always stop me from unwrapping another one but sometimes it does so that’s a win! Have so much fun with grandDAD!
“Yes, Please!” and Mindy’s books are the best! Have you read Tina Fey’s “Bossypants” yet? That’s a good one, too! Have a great weekend, Julie!
Omg, I don’t know how I haven’t read Yes Please yet, but I need to read that book next! That sign you made for Ryan’s Dad is just so sweet, totally something I would do too. (I love “welcome home” signs or “happy birthday” signs, especially home made ones!) One thing that is making me smile this week is my husband wanting to come to Disney with me next month for a long weekend! I hope you have a great weekend, Julie! Xoxo
I just watched Hidden Figures for the first time. What an incredible movie! Hope y’all have a wonderful weekend.
So many good sales this weekend. You’re tempting me to go shopping!
i can’t even tell you how obsessed i was with hidden figures!!! the second it was over i wanted to watch it all over again – it was SO well done!!!
so many things are making me happy at the moment – it’s my bday week so i’m getting a little extra love, which was needed after some chaos earlier this month 🙂
have a great weekend!!
Happy Friday, Julie! I’m with you on the sugar consumption, but I won’t be pulling back on mine in any time soon ahhaa. I also have been into the very dark chocolates — so good and definitely not as unhealthy as some other things hehe! Hope you have a wonderful time with your father in law this weekend!
Wow that blanket looks so cozy. I learned how to knit once but never even finished the scarf I was making. I still have to see Hidden Figures. This year I think I have only been to the movie theater twice so far, but I’ve caught up on a lot of the movies I wanted to see thanks to plane flights and travel.
I very rarely go to the movies… basically only for the Star Wars movies these days haha. Going to have to find a sitter for the new one in December! We have HBO, so we’ve been enjoying the new premiers that come out on Saturday night at 8 pm. I’d much rather be in my own living room, with my own refreshments, and in my pjs 🙂
Yes Please is my inspiration for a memoir one day. I absolutely love Amy Poehler and her openness. I, too, have a sweet tooth after lunch and in the evening and now I’m wondering if I should purchase individually wrapped chocolate. I had a Talenti and Ben & Jerry’s problem awhile back and have since transitioned to Halo Top. I’ve had the mint and red velvet so far, and they’re great, but nothing compares to the real thing!
I too just watched Hidden Figures and it was an excellent movie! It’s so hard to find good movies these days. I love good dialogue. If you haven’t seen The Kings’ Speech then I highly recommend that one too! Have a wonderful weekend!
I liked Hidden Figures too, though I found it a bit predictable. Octavia Spencer is an amazing actress, I really like her.
I read “Yes Please” a couple months ago and loved it!! She’s so funny/witty.
Those banana bread pancakes look delish!
Silly question, I know nothing about knitting, but would love to knit one like this myself. Can you find out if this specific one is a special technique? Thanks!
Hi Cindy! Just texted my mom to ask this morning and here is her reply: “I didn’t use a special technique and the key is the yarn. It was from Joann’s and the multiple yarns types & colors are pre-connected, making the transitions fun & easy. It was called a baby blanket bundle. I used the pattern provided and made it bigger. $10/skein, I think. The pattern is ribbing at each end, and for the first 5 stitches on each row with a basic stockinette stitch. It was easy and fun to watch the colors and textures come together. She may be disappointed if looking for a challenge. Size 11 circular needles. ?”
Literally just went and bought that nail polish! In love! ??
That blanket is SOOOO beautiful. How sweet of your mom to leave it there for you.
Hidden Figures is an amazing movie! And we do date nights at home all the time now. The thing that made me smile – my little guy said mama for the first time 🙂
I just bought one of those nail polishes. Do you put that on and the miracle gel top coat, or just the color? I’m a newbie at this!!
Groupon has a Fandango deal right now! Sneak in some purse snacks and you got yourself a cheap night out haha. That’s what we do at least. Also, if you have AT&T, they have 2 for 1 tickets on Tuesdays with certain theaters. Just thought I’d throw out some ideas, since going to the movies is one of our favorite date nights!
The new Magnolia Home Journal magazine makes me smile! I spent 45 min in bed this morning (glorious!) reading it and waking up slowly!
PS I made your pancakes for my sisters this morning with rave reviews! 🙂 Thank you for posting the recipe! Also, Hidden Figures blew me away- such a good movie!
Yay!! So glad you liked the pancakes!!
Ahh where did you find those mini Green & blacks chocolates? That’s exactly what I need to help curb my night time sweet tooth!