As for the rest of our weekend, I’m not sure what the next few days have in store. With a relatively clear schedule, I’m hoping for the chance to tackle some household projects and spend some time outside if the weather cooperates and the rain on the forecast stays away. I really hope all of you have a fantastic weekend!
Now onto your usual Things I’m Loving Friday shenanigans…
Things I’m Loving Friday
- Framed Prayer for Baby
You know those friends or family members who somehow always know the BEST gifts to give? The kind of gifts that are the perfect blend of thoughtful, practical and oddly emotional? My friend Laurel is that kind of gift-giver and she brought me the most beautiful framed prayer for our new baby’s nursery when she came to visit last week. She sent the prayer to an Etsy shop (I can ask her the specific name if anyone is interested) and they created the most gorgeous framed picture I cannot wait to hang in our baby’s bedroom. It was such an incredibly thoughtful gift and I was so touched by her kindness.
My sister and brother-in-law actually gave us a framed prayer they wrote for Chase when I was pregnant with him in 2015 and it’s something I found myself reading over and over again in the middle of the night when I’d be up at all hours nursing him. It calmed me and made me smile and I’m happy I will now have a sweet prayer to hang in our new addition’s room as well.
- Total Body Workout
I shared a snapshot of this workout on Instagram Stories yesterday but since it was my favorite workout of the week, I figured it deserved to be highlighted on the blog as well! I wanted to work my whole body quickly and efficiently but since my mind was all over the place on Thursday, I figured breaking the workout up into pieces would help me feel engaged and also help the time pass quickly. It’s worth a try if you’re looking for a total body burner with little bursts of cardio in the mix!
- I Am Watching You by Teresa Driscoll
If you happened to stop by the blog earlier this week, you probably guessed this book would be featured in today’s post. After a brief reprieve from suspenseful thrillers, I jumped back into the genre with a bang when I began reading I Am Watching You. The book begins with Ella Longfield overhearing two men flirting with two young girls on a train. The conversation sets off a red flag in Ella’s mind when she hears the men admit they were recently released from prison. She debates calling for help but decides against it in the end. The next day she is filled with regret when she learns that one of the young girls, Anna, is missing. A year later, the story picks back up and Anna is still missing but now Ella begins to receive threatening letters that set her on high-alert and prompt her to reach out to a private investigator. I Am Watching You follows Ella and those closest to Anna in the year after her disappearance, setting off a page-turning story that had me wondering what really happened to Anna that night and whether or not Ella should be scared for her life as someone claims they are watching her. A big-time bonus for this book: I truly did not predict the ending at all!
- Spring and Summer Clothing for Toddlers from thredUP
I recently ordered two small boxes of warmer weather clothing for Chase from thredUP and was reminded, yet again, how much I love that site for quality second-hand clothes. Whenever I browse thredUP, I always sort by Chase’s size and will often sort by specific brands we love that I know fit him well. It makes the whole experience 10,000 times easier than carting Chase to a store and grabbing clothes off the rack as I try to keep him entertained. Online shopping (that’s super affordable!) wins out for me every time.
- Pink Himalayan Salt
Several months ago I made the switch to using mostly pink Himalayan salt at home when I read an article about how standard table salt is processed. Why this never occurred to me before, I’ll never know, but the more I read about pink Himalayan salt, the more convinced I became that it was the salt we should regularly be using in our house. Pink Himalayan salt is thought to provide a myriad of benefits over traditional table salt, including improving respiratory problems, balancing pH levels, aiding digestion and inducing better sleep. (More details here!) Also, this may be in my head, but I swear it tastes better!
- New Maternity Purchases
My purchases (pictured above): Maternity Smock Dress / Longline Tank / Sundress with Tie Straps / Maternity Linen T-Shirt / Maternity Romper / Linen Maxi Dress /
I briefly mentioned my love for ASOS’ maternity clothing (specifically the ASOS Outlet clothing) on my blog before and I think it’s safe to say that the ASOS site is my go-to resource for maternity clothing this pregnancy. The styles feel current but the prices are affordable and not over-the-top for something you’ll only wear for a limited amount of time. I placed another ASOS order earlier this week for some upcoming trips and events and threw a few everyday basic items into my cart as well. I cannot wait for everything to arrive and have high hopes for this delivery! I’m especially excited to try the black romper and think it will be really cute… or a huge disaster. At least their returns are free and easy, right!?
- Around the Web
Fitness: Common Yoga Mistakes and How to Fix Them / Total Body TRX Workout / Prenatal Exercise Modifications
Food: 6 Healthy Homemade Salad Dressings / Carrot Apple Bread / Veggietastic Minestrone Soup / Roasted Broccoli with Tahini Dressing
Weekend Sales: Extra 40% off sale styles at LOFT / Extra 20% off at Macy’s with code SAVE
- Friday Flashbacks
Mocha Cold Brew Protein Smoothie (A creamy, chocolaty smoothie with added nutrition from a hidden veggie you cannot taste!)
25 Minute Treadmill HIIT Workout (A pre-pregnancy go-to naptime workout for me! Fast and super sweaty!
Question of the Day
What is one thing that is making you smile this week?
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Please report back on the ASOS stuff! I feel like it’s so hit or miss with their maternity line. Happy Friday 🙂
i definitely will! i had to return a couple of dresses from my last order (too much fabric — not as flattering as i hoped) but the winners were BIG TIME winners, so i keep ordering! plus, their return policy is GREAT so i feel like the risk is limited! i have high hopes for this order!
That is so funny you mentioned the Himalayan salt- next week my husband and I are having a spa day for our anniversary which includes time in a Himalayan salt cave which is supposed to be therapeutic! Have a great weekend!
that sounds like heaven!!! enjoy!
Going to have to check out that book and that salt! Happy weekend!
I love that framed prayer for baby so much! Your friend Laurel seems like such a sweetheart!! I need to get me some Pink Himalayan Salt asap! Enjoy your hair appointment and have a great weekend, Julie! Xoxo
Oh I love Thred Up for my kids’ clothes so much! !
Okay, sort of a weird question, but with maternity clothes that have spaghetti straps, what sort of bra do you wear?? Like you, my last pregnancy I had terrible skin so I never wore anything cute. This time my skin is great and I would like to be a little more stylish but my large, uncomfortable tatas are making that difficult… And side note, I thought since my skin was so different this time around that maybe that meant I’d have a girl (boy last time), but it’s another boy. Just to keep you guessing about what your new symptoms mean 😉
I couldn’t predict the ending to that book either! Thrillers are definitely my favorite genre.
Hair appointments are exciting! I’d love to get a balayage, but the cost is so scary! And the amount of time it takes. What was your experience like? I’d really like to try a fresh, blonder look for summer!
Have a great weekend 🙂
I love pink himalayan salt. When I feel a headache coming on I put about a half a teaspoon in my water bottle and I swear it keeps the headache away.
oh interesting!! i love this idea!
Happy Friday! I’m curious about that maternity romper, especially since I have to pee every 2.5 seconds. Would love to hear a report on its comfort level, ha! It looks super cute and breezy for summer!
ha! i am wondering about the practicality as well… we’ll see! i’ll report back 🙂
I love the prayer frame, such a sweet gift! Just so you know, the Mocha Cold Brew Protein Smoothie link is broken. 🙂
whoops! i’ll update it right now. thank you!
Thank you! That recipe looks delicious… I’m may have to give it a try.
I love that sweet prayer for your baby – and would love to know the name of the Etsy shop it is from if you can find out! I’m expecting my second about a month after yours and am just starting to think about nursery decor 🙂
I love weekends that are a bit less busy and more laid back. I hope yours is a good one!
Ha I feel like “super cute or huge disaster” is always the case for me with ASOS! Have a great weekend and enjoy your hair appointment. I’m looking forward to a mani and dinner with my best friend tomorrow – we haven’t done that in forever. It’s the little things!
I bought a pink Himalayan salt that reads “product of South Africa” so beware of the imposters.
Yesss! I was looking for a good thrilled and am totally checking that book out from the library this weekend! Also intrigued by ThredUp- definitely checking it out!
Can’t wait to see your haircut! I hope you go shorter because your hair would look sooo cute with a shoulder length bob!
My new job! I love everything about it! I have been wanting to work on my eating and exercising habits because for the past year I slacked. I work with the Community Health and Well-Being department at our local hospital. I am going to be trained on becoming a nutritional coach. All the information I am learning is amazing and I am adapting it to my lifestyle now.
PS: I love threadup! I just purchase all new work clothes from them. I didn’t want to buy anything new because I’m in between sizes.
I also would love to know where to find the framed prayer for the baby’s nursery. Perfect gift for an expectant mom!
Just wondering if the book is rated PG lol? I bought The Girl Before, and literally threw it away this morning because I just didn’t want to read trash. Thanks Julie!! 🙂
This book does reference sex but it’s not graphic or detailed at all! I’d still say it’s PG-13 as opposed to PG though!
Thanks so much Julie! I’m going to order it 🙂
Hi Julie-
Congrats on baby #2 on the way! I have a 6 week old baby boy at home and have been wanting to get my childhood prayer custom printed, but we’re moving cross-country tomorrow and I was waiting until after the move. Would you mind asking your friend what Etsy shop she went through? I love the look of this framed prayer – that was so thoughtful of her!
Hey there! I always look forward to reading your “Things I’m Loving Friday” posts! They are so fun! Random question: I’m expecting my third child in November and I’m really into skincare but it seems like there are so many ingredients that are off-limits during pregnancy. Do you have any pregnancy skincare favorites or recommendations? I feel like I use the same serum/moisturizer over and over and I’m getting bored ?
I would love to know the name of the Etsy shop where your friend purchased the framed prayer. Thanks and I love the blog!
One thing making me smile this week is the current book I’m reading and am almost done reading – The Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin. I highly suggest it, I’ve really been enjoying it.
Hi Julie! Love your blog posts, all of them! Your honesty and positive attitude really shine through! I’m wondering if you would be willing to share the devotional books that you read everyday? I’m trying to incorporate that into my morning and was curious about which ones you enjoy? Also, have you and Ryan done any couples devotional as that you could recommend? Thank you for all you do!
Hello- I love the framed prayer could you please share the name of the etsy shop?