Hi!! It’s Friday which means there’s an excited buzz in the air that I just adore. Ryan and I have a date night on the agenda for tonight and, aside from that, the ridiculously simple thing I’m looking forward to early this evening is a haircut. I cannot remember the last time I got a haircut but my poor stringy hair needs some help. Great Clips, here I come! (I’m so fancy.)
In keeping with our Friday tradition around here, let’s chat about things we’re loving this week, shall we? Below you will find a compilation of things that are making me smile this week and, as always, I’d love to hear about something that made you extra happy this week in the comments section of this post. Let’s get to it!
Things I’m Loving Friday
Last night I attended a training to learn how to be a head coach for Girls on the Run! I will be volunteering with the organization through mid-December and leading a team of girls through twice-a-week practices as they train for their first 5K! I am so thrilled to be volunteering with such a fantastic organization whose mission is to “inspire young girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.” I am psyched and will definitely keep you guys updated on my experience with Girls on the Run!
- My Grandma’s Key
When my family and I headed up to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania last October to help clean out my grandmother’s house, we all walked away with some treasured mementos (with my grandma’s blessing, of course). One of the things I was lucky enough to snag was this wrought-iron key that hung in her kitchen. I’m not sure what it is about the key that I love so much, but it was one of the very first things I remember seeing when I walked into my grandma and grandpa’s house growing up. Now it’s hanging on a wall in our house and it makes me think of her every day. (And, as a side note, I am also loving the fact that the former homeowners of our house left behind a ton of keys. We now have a few solo keys on hand to grab when we head out to walk or run with Sadie and don’t want to bring our full sets of keys. Highly recommended!)
- Coconut Water Green Smoothie
My mid-morning snack yesterday was this green smoothie that I found on The Green Plate Club’s Intagram feed! It is so delicious and super simple to make. Simply combine 1 cup coconut water, 3 cups greens (a blend of romaine, spinach and kale), 1/2 inch piece ginger root, 1 large celery stalk (chopped), 1/2 frozen banana, 1/2 cup frozen pineapple and 1 pitted date (optional – I omitted this). It was so refreshing! Definitely check out their Instagram feed for more awesome plant-based meal and snack ideas!
- Fringe Purses
Are these purses weird? Maybe, but I adore them! I’m not sure what it is about fringe purses that I love so much, but I think they are so fun! They’re sassy, cute and eye-catching and I’m hoping to snag one this fall. Some favorites: $25 fringe studded crossbody, $28 flap-over fringe, H&M fringe shoulder bag (pictured above), Aldo fringe bag (This one is probably my favorite – I think this one would go with so many things!) and for the big spenders this Tory Burch bag is gorgeous (I love it in navy)!
- Food/Fitness Links
Some great food and fitness-related links that I thought might interest you guys from around the blog world this week: How to Eat Intuitively (FannetasticFood.com), 10K Turkey Trot Training Plan (RunEatRepeat.com), Printable No-Equipment No-Running Cardio Workout (FitSugar.com), 5-Ingredient Paleo Fudge (FitBottomedEats.com)
Buying a house was apparently the nudge I needed to become obsessed with Instagram feeds that center around home decorating. DearLillie’s account quickly became a favorite of mine after two of you tagged me in one of her pictures to show me her adorably decorated fireplace. I love her style! If you guys have any favorite home decorating Instagram accounts that I need to follow, please let me know! I can’t get enough!
- Oliviers & Co. Giveaway Winner
Congratulations to Lindsey G., the winner of the $300 Oliviers & Co. giveaway! Lindsey was emailed yesterday. Thanks so much to all who entered!
Question of the Day
- What is one thing you are loving this week?
- If you follow an awesome Instagram account that centers around home decorating, please let me know!
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One of my best girl friends is a tour guide and is gone 6 months out of the year. She gets back today so we are having a girls night with a few close friends.
I also went to a BYOB arcade earlier this week and loved it! So many old school games that brought back some childhood memories.
How awesome! Hope you guys have a blast tonight!
Love that key! And I’m also loving fringe purses! I found a super cute camel colored one at Target and it’s on my fall wish list!
Ooooh — I’ll have to check there!! Thanks for the rec!
That’s awesome about GOTR! I was a coach last spring and loved it. I am trying to get involved in Winston-Salem, but seem to be having trouble getting in touch with them here. I was excited to find a similar organization called GO FAR, which is also based in North Carolina. I can’t wait to get involved with them!
Oh I adore Girls on the Run! I wasn’t on the ball enough to sign up to be a coach this season, but definitely next year! I ran the 5K in Minneapolis last year and it was the coolest thing in the world!
Extra keys on hand are essential. I have a specific set I take when going for runs because they fit into my shoe pouch. 🙂
Have a great weekend!
GOTR!!!!! I was a coach for Girls on the Run for almost 3 years, I absolutely LOVED it. The girls are awesome, and the curriculum is fun and active. Keep us posted with what you guys do! I want to re-live my experiences 🙂
I’m so excited to hear about your experience with Girls on the Run! Sounds like such a fun volunteer opportunity.
I do have to say that with you being a new homeowner the first thing you should always do is change your locks. You never know who might have a key to your house – safety first!
I was going to echo this sentiment! As a new homeowner that was my #1 priority after we moved in. People give away a lot of keys- the housekeeper, babysitter, pet sitter, friends, neighbors, repair person, ex-husbands or boyfriends, who knows! I am not a typically safety paranoid person but I think it just makes sense to change the locks to eliminate that unnecessary risk.
Changing our locks is on our list for sure!! I will also be getting a bunch of extra keys like they did because having so many standby keys has been awesome!
One of my good friends from grad school works with Girl on the Run in Charlottesville! You’ll have a total blast with the kids, I’m sure of it.
I’m happy to hear of another Great clips fan! I always go there because I don’t want to spend so much on a hair cut. Everyone laughs at me, though that I go there! Haha Have a fun date tonight!
One thing I’m absolutely adoring this week is that I got my first blogger opportunity since joining a local blogging network (Omaha). There’s a great old theater called the Orpheum, that I have been going to since I was born, practically, and even got to explore it with my sister when I was three, while my dad helped set up a Wurlitzer theater organ. Well, every Halloween since about 1992, they’ve hosted a well known organist, and showed the 1920’s version of Phantom of the Opera. I was even at the first event hosted, and now I get to cover it again, with my dad as my date. I’m so excited!
Good luck with Girls on the Run!
How great that you’re going to volunteer. My friend has done Girls on the Run for quite a while and loves the organization and connecting with young girls. I discovered a new favorite flavor of cheesecake at the Factory this past weekend, which made my list of favorites today for sure. White Chocolate Caramel Macadamia Nut, my friend. Life changing.
I’m sure I mentioned it last weekend, but the DivaDash5k that I ran on Saturday was in connection with Girls on the Run too! I will have to read up on the organization and check out being a coach, how fun!
And I am a total goof – I found your blog through another friends blog and thought I was reading her recent blog post but clearly I was not. So disregard my nonsense of the last comment – I didn’t see you Saturday, but I did run a 5k that benefited Girls on the Run 🙂
I LOVE Girls on the Run. My mom was a coach for multiple seasons at the school she teaches at and I helped out as often as possible. All of her girls were on scholarship and it was amazing to meet them and see each and every one of them grow and accomplish their goals.
I’m actually hoping to someday start a nonprofit like Girls on the Run because I had such a great experience and love the concept. The final run is awesome too! Seeing the faces on the girls when they cross the finish line is amazing because (at least a lot of girls that I worked with) would have never had such an opportunity to do something as small as a local 5k.
Its pretty awesome! 🙂
If you enjoy that 5 Ingredient Paleo Fudge, you’ll love this 5 ingredient Chocolate Cheesecake! It’s primal and low carb:
http://thefitty.com/2014/03/26/5-ingredient-chocolate-cheesecake/
Seriously, add some puree pumpkin and try it! Chocolate pumpkin cheesecake. It can’t get better 🙂
I love that key!!!
I’m loving the “10 Things That Make You Happy” post currently floating around on instagram. With everything happening in my life right now, I needed that reminder to stop and think about what’s important and what makes my heart happy 🙂
My runner/blogger group in AZ is teaming up with Girls on the Run too. It’s such an amazing experience! I’m loving my new JayBird Bluetooth earphones. No cords are always good!
I love your grandma’s key! And the Dear Lillie Instagram acocunt!
I’m hosting an “avocado-rrific” birthday party tonight and can’t wait! It feels like the perfect way to ring in 24! 😀
That’s so exciting that you’re volunteering for Girls on the Run. I can’t wait to hear about your experience!
One thing I am loving this week is the Taylor Swift “Shake It Off” music video and song. It always puts me in a good mood! 🙂
It was so great to see you two last weekend! I’m in LOVE with Jones Design Company – not only does she seem sweet as can be, I love her cozy style and she designs and sells her art prints on her site too! XOXO
http://jonesdesigncompany.com/
I went to Supercuts and got the most AMAZING haircut yesterday! 4 inches off and I’m in love with it. It seriously made my head feel lighter. I can share in your excitement. Have fun!!
Yay for Girls on the Run! My mom volunteers at the middle school she works at. So fun! Enjoy your date night! xo
One thing I am loving this week was the Eric Church concert I went to last night! HUBBA HUBBA!
Oh, I adore Girls on the Run! You will be a fabulous coach!! And that green smoothie looks amazing. You always share the best recipes!
Here are some things I’m loving right now, including a link to my new ebook which is available for FREE on Amazon through tomorrow! http://daybydaymasterpiece.com/2014/09/19/fabulous-friday-33/
As for this weekend… I’m probably most excited to be reunited with my sweetheart tomorrow after 3 weeks apart! 🙂
Are there any house updates? I’d love a tour or an update on how everything is going!
GOTR is a awesome organization!! I’m in my 9th season of coaching and it never gets old. I think this is going to be the best season yet… but I probably say that every year.
I hope you have a great experience with it. Good Luck!
I just ordered your cinnamon dolce cappuccino and gotta say…I love it.
My favorite home-design instagram is definitely Domino Mag – Check it out!
Yayyyy for another cinnamon dolce cappuccino lover!!!
Hi Julie,
I am so excited to hear you are coaching girls on the run! I was a coach for GOTR two years ago for a title 1 school and it was a truly an amazing experience. I know you will be great coach!
I am in love with that key! I’m such a fan of vintage keys… My boyfriend bought me one a while back, and then upgraded me to a Tiffany & Co. key for my 18th birthday (such a long time ago…). I’m loving the fact that I made it through my first full week of work; the 3 weeks prior were all four-day weeks! I’m also happy to have a free weekend. Three weekends of traveling down to the Twin Cities can exhaust anybody!
Woohoo GOTR! I interned and coached with them last semester and am assistant coaching again this semester. We just had our first practice yesterday! Its so fun and such a worthwhile program 🙂
I love that the fall weather is setting in and I can take walks at lunch without profusely sweating!
I’d love to see a post about your GOTR experience.
I’m definitely planning to share my experience! Stay tuned!
So sweet that you have your grandmother’s key– I have a few things like that from my grandparents house and they make me smile every time I see them.
Also, great idea about the single spare key! That way I can just store it in that little pocket on my yoga pants. 🙂
Always, Anita
Have you thought about getting the locks changed? That was always one of the first things my parents did when we moved to a new house. It’s not always guaranteed that the previous owners gave you all the keys that they had – they might have lent a key to someone else who still has it. We also always changed the code on the garage door opener, so no one could get into the house through the keypad by the garage door if they knew the previous code.
We were told by our real estate agent to change your locks as soon as possible. Even if you trust the previous homeowners, you never know how many random relatives or friends of theirs may have had an “extra key” laying around that could potentially get into your house. Not trying to freak you out, but we changed our locks and it definitely brought some peace of mind, even though the previous owners were very nice.
Ahhhh I am so jealous that you are coaching GOTR!
I have been dying to do so after I learned about the organization a few years ago but am unable to because of my work schedule. That is so wonderful!
How sweet about your grandmothers key. I have a penchant for keys and vmcan totally identify with it’s appeal 🙂
WOOOO HOOOOO!!! Another GOTR fan!
I’m coaching my second season now and having a blast!! My biggest recommendation is to always be on the lookout for cheap, bulk things that can be used for lap counters. GOTR of the Triangle (the Raleigh area) provides a few sheets of stickers, but not enough to get through the season. Last season big hits with our girls were silly bands, Mardi Gras beads, and more stickers!
After debating over and over for the last year, I finally created my own blog this week! It is still through wordpress and I haven’t shared it with anyone that I know personally yet, but I’m still excited!! Your posts on creating a blog really helped me get started!
You will love Girls on the Run! I am on my second year of coaching and I cannot imagine my life without those sweet girls! Its the sort of thing that you find yourself wishing you had when you were younger!
I love coconut water in my smoothies! My favorite is anything with coconut water, greens, and pineapple in it!
Loving family time today! =)
New home + fall = decoration heaven!
What I’m loving- my collection of colorful, light scarves! The weather in NYC is perfect. I love adding a neon pink or rich blue scarf to keep me cozy! I’m not breaking out a jacket yet so it’s long sleeve tees and lightweight sweaters for now!
So excited to hear you are going to be a GOTR coach! I am a board member for the GOTR chapter in Philly and I absolutely love it!
I had my hair cut a few weeks ago and it felt amazing! I was so overdue and it was great to get that bounce back in my hair again. I love how you used the key in your new home. Awesome touch. 🙂
Enjoy date night and have a great weekend. 🙂
I actually just started volunteering with Girls on the Run in Indianapolis! I can’t commit to being a coach right now, so I’m on the 5K planning committee. I love its mission, and I’m excited to be a part of it! Can’t wait to hear about your coaching experience!
I’m doing GOTR this season, too! I’m assistant coaching to get more familiar with the organization & hopefully will head coach in the future.
We had our first two practices this past week – it was so much fun. The girls loved it! We have some rambunctious ones who are really really really excited to get running. They also LOVE to cartwheel. They were also mortified when I told them I hadn’t seen Frozen yet.
How exciting that you’re going to coach GOTR!! I did for two seasons during my senior year of college, but now that I’m in grad school, I can’t anymore. I think it’s a wonderful organization and can’t wait to see updates! (4th grade girl sass is really the best kind!)
I honestly love fringe purses!! They are not weird at all! I think they’re free spirited and fun!
As far as home decor instagrammers and bloggers I highly recommend Liz Marie Galvan. Her instagram is @lizmariegalvan and her blog is http://www.lizmarieblog.com. I pin a lot of her stuff and she posts great things on Insta too.
We started GOTR practices this week. The girls are so great and enthusiastic!! It is such a fun and encouraging environment!!
It is definitely time for fall decorations. That is on my to do list for the weekend!!
My fiance’s mom used to make pillows and Christmas stockings for Dear Lillie!! So awesome that they are known outside of VA 🙂
I love Girls on the Run! It’s such a cool concept and an amazing organization. Can’t wait to see you report back as to how the experience is!
Also, definitely going to check out the Green Plate Club’s insta now. I am all for new healthy recipes, since I’m not all that creative! Thanks for the links 🙂
My daughter just asked me last night if she was old enough to do Girls on the Run. She is super excited about it!