Hey friends! How was your week? We had a rather relaxed Valentine’s Day on Wednesday filled with some small surprises and sweet treats including Nothing Bundt Cakes and white chocolate-covered Oreos. My sweet tooth is RAGING right now – holy cow – so it’s safe to say I was in heaven. Also, after so much Valentine’s Day build up in our house, I was all excited to hear about Chase’s first Valentine’s Day at school but all he could talk about when I picked him up from preschool on Wednesday was a biting incident that happened between two of his classmates that clearly upset him. So much for a day of love, right!?
As for our furry Valentine, Sadie ensured we didn’t forget about her by planting herself on our mattress as we tried to put our freshly cleaned sheets on our bed at night and refused to move even when Ryan began to pull the fitted sheet up over her head. What a goof.
That little lady makes me smile every single day… especially on days when I feel like it need it.
On Valentine’s Day this year, there was a huge part of my heart that spent the day feeling sad, scared, helpless, frustrated and horrified after another school shooting claimed the lives of 17 people in Florida. Now that I am a mother, I find myself feeling a different sense of terror and despair when I learn about yet another act of violence. I hope with all of my heart that something changes and that we can all better educate ourselves on what steps we need to make to foster change and the action we need to take to keep our children, our country and its citizens safe.
And now, while there is no way to transition from such a serious topic to the normal lighthearted ramblings I share on this blog on Fridays, I do still want to continue on with Things I’m Loving Friday today because it is a series I share to remind myself to smile about the little things in life. I truly hope that it (and this blog!) encourages you to do the same. Below you will find a small roundup of things that are making me smile this week and, as always, I’d love to hear a little bit about something you’re loving right now in the comments section of this post. Enjoy your weekend, my beautiful friends!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- Unexpected Warmth and Sunshine
Seventy-degree temperatures and sunny skies in Charlotte in February!? What!? I think everyone in the Charlotte area tried their best to find their way outside to soak up the unexpected warmth and sunshine yesterday. The little glimpse into spring left me feeling all too ready for warmer temperatures and I am way too excited for the feeling of the sun on my shoulders and afternoon walks that don’t involve tons of layers. Spring, I’m ready for you!
I had a bit of a treat yo’ self moment two weeks ago when I impulsively ordered these fluffy and semi-ridiculous slippers from Nordstrom. Okay, it wasn’t a total impulse… I’ve been eyeing a similar pair of fluffy Ugg slippers for several months now but when this alternative pair popped up on my radar for a third of the price, I jumped on it! You know the kind of silly purchase that just makes you smile? That is these slippers for me. They’re warm, comfy, a beautiful blush pink color and just crazy and fluffy enough to make me smile every time I slip them on my feet. (Also, it looks like the pink color is sold out on Nordstrom already, but I found them on Jet.com, though they don’t appear to be on sale.)
A couple of months ago, as I was coaxing Chase into brushing his teeth, I let him brush mine to make a bit of a game out of it. He said, “Oooh! Mom’s teeth yellow!” The joys of parenting a toddler, right!? His comment, while completely innocent and admittedly funny, sat in the back of my mind especially since I was already feeling like my teeth were looking a little less than their best. A couple of weeks later I stumbled upon a totally click-baity article on the internet that talked about 10 products with thousands of five star reviews that people love on Amazon, and Tuxedo Natural and Organic Teeth Whitening Powder was one of them.
One look at the before/after pictures in the reviews section and a glimpse at the totally recognizable (and pregnancy safe!) ingredient list and I was SOLD. I began noticing a difference in the whiteness of my teeth after using this product for only four days. It also strengthens the enamel of my teeth and doesn’t cause ANY sensitivity which was probably my biggest complaint with other whitening products I’ve tried in the past. I just brush it on my teeth with my toothbrush before I go back and brush my teeth as normal so it’s also incredibly easy to use. I’m a fan!
- Strawberry Perrier
I swear I could drink my bodyweight in sparkling water every single day if it came out of the tap. Until that happens I’ll continue enjoying some of my favorite flavored sparkling waters, the newest of which is Perrier’s strawberry sparkling natural mineral water. I grabbed a case of the slim cans when I was at Target earlier this week and the flavor is refreshing without tasting like bubblegum or strawberry candy. Plus, the level of carbonation in Perrier is spot-on for my personal preferences… not TOO bubbly but with the perfect amount of fizz. As I typed out that last sentence, I realize it that probably sounds crazy to you guys unless you happen to drink a ton of sparkling water in which case hopefully you know what I mean about the perfect carbonation level!
- Friday Flashbacks
Banana Bread Protein Pancakes (After all these years, this recipe is still a staple in our house! ?No protein powder is required and it’s perfect for Sunday mornings.)
Jump Rope Upper Body Workout (A great way to get your heart rate up while you work your upper body.)
Questions of the Day
What was your last “treat yo’ self” purchase?
What is one thing you are loving this week?
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My husband bought me the watermelon flavored Perrier for Valentine’s Day! Definitely a must try if you enjoy watermelon!
I haven’t seen that one but it sounds RIGHT up my alley! Target sells a watermelon one (their Simply Balanced brand) and it’s wonderful!
I’ve been loving valentines chocolates….my first trimester I wanted nothing to do with sweets, but now I want All. The. Chocolate. I’ve also been loving all the new things/ phrases my daughter is picking up at school. 2 1/2 is such a fun age 🙂 As far as a treat, I think I’ve gotta work on that….I did “treat” myself to my favorite Gap maternity tshirt (I literally wore one to holes during my first pregnancy lol) but I think I need to do a little shopping this weekend!!
Just ordered the tooth whitening powder! So excited to try it. With so many weddings coming up (including my own) I want to make sure my pearly whites are…white. 🙂
Awwww, sweet Chase! I’m a preschool teacher and biting incidents are the worst 🙁
Oh my gosh, those slippers are fantastic! And girl I am with you on the sparkling water thing. I drink a ton of it, too, and I am so picky about the carbonation levels and the flavorings added. I cannot stand when one is too sweet, but I also don’t like when you can barely taste the flavor at all. Hope you all have a great weekend!
My husband loves those white chocolate covered oreos! I can’t believe the beautiful weather we’ve been having…I wanted to be outside all day yesterday! Enjoy your weekend 🙂
Where is your bed from? Love that headboard!
thank you! we got it years ago from overstock.com!
Those slippers look so comfy. I’m embarrassed at the number of pairs of slippers I own, but I feel like you can never have too many! I love that Perrier flavor. Poland Springs (may be under another label in NC) makes a strawberry sparkling water and it’s refreshung with some lime juice — makes a nice mocktail. 🙂
I’m about to have a “treat yo self” moment and buy a bunch of new spring clothes (even though it’s still February…). Fuzzy slipper are the best slippers 🙂
Perrier > La Croix ALL DAY! I, too, love the bubbles of Perrier. It’s my favorite–I just wish it wasn’t so pricey!
My last “treat yo self” purchase was coffee from Starbucks and a new book! Exciting right? It’s the little things 🙂
totally counts in my book!!
Ok I kind of love those fluffy slippers! What a GREAT way to treat yo self! My birthday is next month and I told my mom I wanted one of those fancy Ugg bath robes, ha!
Those Valentines Day treats sound right up my alley! My last treat myself purchase was the new sheet masks from Bath and Body Works 🙂
Those slippers look amaze! I bought myself hair extensions for valentine’s day because my sister did much more than trim my hair this weekend and I needed a major confidence boost. Little splurges are so worth it sometimes 🙂
I’m glad you linked that! I saw it on your IG and forgot to go through with ordering it! Can’t wait to try it!
I’m so excited to try the teeth whitening powder! I’ve literally been looking for something that is safe + effective for YEARS. Just ordered it on Amazon and can’t wait to try it out.
We loved Perrier so much I finally bought a soda stream. I just drink it plain or flavor it with some lemon an it’s so nice having sparkling water at my fingertips any time. Happy Friday!
Ordered the Tuxedo teeth whitening on Monday and been using it for a few days now! Amazing!! Thanks for the rec
I feel like you are reading my mind with this post today! At 21 weeks pregnant, my sweet tooth is raging, too. I’ve made it through 2 (small) bags of Sour Patch Kids this week and have a bag of Reese’s PB Cups from a sweet co-worker on my desk. And I have a new love for sparkling water while pregnant. That flavored Perrier sounds delish! Thanks for sharing.
I’m pretty jealous of your nice weather right now. We’ve had a ton of snow and cold since Christmas and I’m just ready for spring. It’s so depressing to be outside right now, knowing that we have another couple months of winter still.
Those slippers are awesome!
Hi Julie! My Valentine’s Day also had Nothing Bundt Cakes in it! Those cakes are so incredibly moist and delicious, even though they don’t look all that decadent. I’m definitely a fan. As far as the strawberry Perrier — that was one of my favorite pregnancy beverages, as well as La Croix, of course! And with the school shooting in Florida, most of my college and childhood friends are in South Florida, so I do know people who have connections to the school — and it’s totally awful. Makes me scared for the world our littles will grow up in! Hug your babe! And hope you have a nice weekend! 🙂
Happy Friday! I am definitely going to be ordering the teeth whitening powder. I have been wanting to a teeth whitener but I don’t like the strips and also wanted something with clean ingredients. Thanks for the recommendation! And don’t you love the innocence of children, especially two year olds. haha…my son asked my dad few weeks ago “Grampy, why you not have any hair on your head?”
Sparkling water that (basically) comes out of a tap = sodastream!! As a fellow sparkling water addict (I drink at least 1L per day) it is SO worth it. And you can control the fizz level!
Both strawberry and watermellon Perrier are little cans of joy.
My book club is reading Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng and it has been a highlight of my week.
I just ordered a cute nursing friendly dress from Roolee today! 😀 It’s been a loooong week, and although I’m not due for several more weeks, it was fun to pick something out that will be versatile post baby.
Um — totally got Nothing Bundt Cakes out here on Valentine’s Day and it was probably the highlight of my week in addition to playing with my son on Valentine’s Day.
If you haven’t already checked them out, you may be interested in Moms Demand Action! They are on facebook and are bipartisan with a passion for reducing gun violence. I hear you — after becoming a mother, something just changed and I feel so, so passionate about keeping our children safe.
We have a sparkling water tap at work! It’s a complete game changer! You should see if there’s technology that hooks up to your sink for constant bubbles 🙂
That whitening powder might be my next treat yo’ self purchase :). My last one was these cut out booties from Target that look just like those Free People ones and I love them!
Sadie is the cutest! I’m loving the warmer temperatures here too this week and getting out for a walk today with my daughter. Only I’m quite a bit north of you and it “warmed up” to just below freezing 🙂 Compared to what it was, I’ll take it! My daughter loved being outside again – we were both going a bit stir crazy with how cold it had been!
I bought dragon slippers from Target and wore them while doing bedtime cabin checks on my kids at fifth grade camp this winter… they were a hit!! They even named them but I forget ?
Just wondering if you have done any research into your tooth whitening product. How does it strengthen your enamel? And do you know it’s abrasiveness vs regular whitening toothpaste? Curious to try myself.
I know charcoal is very popular right now as a dental product, but the scientiic studies do not support its use.
“While you might not notice any negative effects right away, the American Dental Association warns that activated charcoal is too abrasive and will wear away your tooth enamel. Once the enamel is gone, it’s gone forever. The layer beneath, known as the dentin, becomes more visible. Dentin has a natural yellow tinge, meaning that you’re likely to be left with teeth that look more yellow or stained than they did to begin with.”
I am a dental hygienist in a very eco-friendly community so I discuss this, oil pulling and fluoride on a daily basis. Additionally, there is nothing in this product with the ability to strengthen enamel, so I believe that is a false claim this product is making.
thank you for weighing in on this, elise. i am bummed to hear this, especially since it was working so well for me! i want to do more research, as this was eye opening for sure!
Julie – have you been able to find any additional research regarding this? I am also using the product and really liking it but this comment now has me a little concerned.
So funny story about a preschool biting incident… a friend of mine started dating this girl and after they got to know each other they found out they had gone to the same preschool as kids! However she was only there for a year before she had to leave bc she had a biting problem. Turns out he was the one she kept biting! Flash forward to their rehearsal dinner, they had a bowling event after the dinner and the theme was love at first bite!
How funny/cute/sweet is that!
Yes, my 3 year old said “corn” when he pointed at my teeth when we were brushing. Looks like I need to order some of that powder!!! Thank you!
I always read your Friday posts because you have great suggestions. I bought the Tuxedo tooth powder and instantly fell in love. After one use my teeth felt cleaner and after 2 I can see that they are whightening. Plus it’s absolutely hilarious to look in the mirror and see a black smile! Thanks for the recommendation.
As a dentist I have to warn you against using the whitening powder. Anything abrasive enough to remove coffee stain is too abrasive for your teeth and gums. It scrapes the stain as well as the protective enamel off your teeth. As well as can cause gum recession. Just a friendly PSA! I love your blog and your sweet family!
This is such a bummer to hear but I definitely appreciate your professional opinion. I’d also love to know if you know of any more natural whitening products you would recommend?
The best whitening products out there are the whitening treatments your dentist can provide such as in office whitening or take home whitening trays. For over the counter, crest white strips are the only product I’d recommend that actually give you great results without harming your teeth or gums. Unfortunately, all of the above are not recommended during pregnancy or nursing as there hasn’t been adequate testing done. Sensodyne gentle whitening toothpaste is a whitening toothpaste that is low on the abrasive scale but probably won’t give you the results you’re desiring. All other whitening toothpaste is WAY too abrasive. So, unfortunately, the short answer is no:(