Good morning and happy, happy Friday to you!! I hope your weekend plans are the perfect combination of relaxing and fun. With my father-in-law in town, Ryan and I are hoping to grab dinner at a local restaurant in the city at some point and make our way to the mountains for a bit of hiking. It should be a busy weekend but a fun one since we’re hoping to pack it with some of our favorite activities.
But now it’s time for Things I’m Loving Friday when we all chat about things that are making us smile this week. As always, please feel free to leave a comment and let all of us know what you’re loving most this week!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- My First Coaching Experience with Girls on Track
I was in charge of yesterday’s Girls on Track practice and had the most incredible time leading the girls through a lesson. I was shocked at how well they listened and how much fun we all had in the process! The girls participated and were more open to discussing the topic at hand which was such a relief and also a wonderful feeling. We discussed how it feels to live “in the girl box,” a place where girls and women go when they’re feeling self-conscious, jealous and unable to truly be themselves versus living “out of the girl box” where we go when we’re feeling confident, cared about, secure and comfortable being ourselves. I was thrilled with how open everyone was and left feeling so excited about the season ahead.
This app is really popular with tons of people but I always run into people who have never heard of it before, so I figured it was worth sharing. Venmo is a super simple way to securely transfer money to people you know. It allows you to pay anyone instantly using money you have in Venmo or you can also link a bank account or debit card to Venmo in seconds. My girlfriends and I use it to send each other money for stuff all the time (lately it’s been bachelorette party and wedding-related expenses!) but it’s also an easy way to split up the bill at a restaurant without asking a waiter or waitress to bring separate checks for everyone at the table. You can leave a note with your payment to let the person you’re paying know what the money you’re sending them is for or you can leave emoji-only notes like I apparently do… (see above). I highly recommend it.
- Slipper Season
With temperatures in the upper 50s this week, I decided that busting out a comfy pair of slippers was 100 percent warranted. There’s not too much I love more than feeling warm and cozy in comfortable pajamas and soft, fuzzy slippers! These gold slippers were an impulse buy around the holiday season last year. Love them! (Tip for those who can’t resist these sparkly slippers like me: Definitely order a whole size up from your normal size. They run quite small!)
- Sadie’s Ridiculousness
Ryan and I have become almost immune to Sadie’s crazy antics. As we were chatting on the couch with my father-in-law last night, I burst out laughing when it finally registered how ridiculous our dog can be… All 38-pounds of her was curled up on Ryan’s chest as though she was the size of a chihuahua. Of course Ryan would never make her move because that bundle of fun has both of us totally wrapped around her paw. Plus, if you try to move her she groans and sighs and acts like getting up is the most laborious task ever.
- Tootsie Roll Pops
For years this lovely little lollipop hasn’t been in my life, but I picked one up at a gas station during our road trip to Orlando the other weekend and felt like I rediscovered the simple glory of the Tootsie Roll Pop. I’ve since purchased a small bag and have been eating one when I find myself craving something sweet after dinner and don’t want a larger dessert. Random but also rather tasty!
- Cute and Funny Animal Links
Animals and adorable or funny animal videos make me entirely too happy. Two favorites from this week: Monkey Is Obsessed with Cat That is Just Trying to Nap + 28 Perfectly Timed Dog Photos
Question of the Day
- What is one thing you’re absolutely loving this week?
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My puppy got really sick and is staying with my family for a few months while he recovers. I came to visit and was so happy to see him today!
Things I’m loving:
*Sunny and 72 in the day (rare for Chicago late September)
*Evening walks before the time change!
*Earning my starbucks stars!
*Watching fall creep up slowly and lovin’ it
I gave out tootsie pops as a classroom treat last year, and the kids would just about everything you asked so they could get their hands on one!
This Friday I’m loving the iphone 6! I love the camera and the fact that it’s not a broken iphone 4. I’m also loving the decent weather. We’re still in the 80s every day, but it feels amazing!
Julie, my dog Sadie is JUST like yours except double the size. It is hilarious to watch her crawl all over everyone. Recently we went to the dog park, and she ran and sat on the bench next to some stranger and put her head on his shoulder. Who cares about the other dogs when you have new people? Haha. I love when you mention Sadie. 🙂
i know i say this every week but i love your friday faves posts because i always discover something new! this week, it’s venmo.. i’ve heard of it before but have never used it, i may start now!
I need those gold slippers! I agree, slippers are seriously the best on these colder mornings. Hopefully, your first real winter won’t be too cold and if it is, that’s always a good excuse to buy a cute new coat 🙂
Love all of those ! I did a “things i’m loving friday” post today as well, and I feel like our dogs would be bffz. [my post includes some similar pictures of my dog, JJ, laying on me/my boyfriend like it’s totally normal to be all up in your bizzzness haha]. My pup is only 20 pounds but he still finds a way to be always in the middle of everything, especiiiiallly if he doesn’t fit!
Another thing i’ve been loving lately (and i only say this because you’ve mentioned watching the bachelor/ette before)…is couples therapy on vh1. it’s so absolutely ridiculous, but nikki and juan pablo are on it, so it’s been fun to keep up 😛 haha!
I impulsively bought tootsie pops too. One of my best finds in the Target dollar section. So good!
I’m loving your suggestion of Angie’s candy corn kettle corn. Beware I bought the bag and I’m home alone. I ate the whole bag in one sitting.
Julie, your posts always bring a smile to my face! 🙂 I JUST heard about Venmo for the first time last night and am super excited about it — it’s always so annoying to ask for separate checks in a restaurant, especially for big group dinners. Tootsie pops! I think I need to rediscover those too!
Right now, I am LOVING that beginning-of-autumn crispness in the air! Also, it is my boyfriend’s birthday on Tuesday, and I am bursting with excitement to celebrate with him!
Here are some of my Friday favorites: http://daybydaymasterpiece.com/2014/09/26/fabulous-friday-34/
I’m loving getting ready for my GOTR team next week, the fall weather, and going to pure barre everyday! I am glad to see I’m not alone in the obsession 🙂
That Sadie makes me smile!!! I am loving the transition to fall in my wardrobe!!!
One thing I’m loving- Orange is the New Black. It’s become our new Breaking Bad, since it’s a show that my husband and I BOTH are into. We’ll watch an episode almost every night when we’re winding down together and enjoying some tech-free TV time.
Downloading that app PRONTO! Genius!
I have a box of tootsie pop drops (without sticks). LOVE them!!!!!!!!!
I love animal links too! They make me so happy! 🙂
I have to try Venmo, sounds awesome!
Once it gets a little closer to Christmas, you should try the peppermint tootsie roll pops. They sound weird but are completely addicting. My coworker buys out Target as soon as they show up so her family can have a stash of them that last almost the whole year.
My friends and I used Venmo this weekend for the first time– it’s a fantastic app! So much easier than counting on everyone to have the right amount of cash on them!
Happy year anniversary of Things I’m Loving Fridays, Julie!!
Hi Julie!
I’m running the NU Hartford half tomorrow and went to a “girls night out” after picking up my packet and bib last night. There, we listened to three speakers, including Katherine Switzer and Molly Barker who founded Girls on the Run. What a great organization! It was very inspiring to hear her story and the other stories told and learn more about the program. I thought you might find that interesting! Happy Friday! Courtney
Ahhh so jealous!!