Good morning and Happy Halloween!!!
I hope your Friday is off to a good start. Mine certainly is thanks to two of my best friends, Merri and Ashley!
They both flew in town yesterday afternoon and we spent the day exploring, eating and chatting non-stop. I am so happy to have them here!
They flew into town because the three of us, along with Ryan, are driving to Savannah, Georgia today for a wedding this weekend. Tonight is the Halloween-themed rehearsal dinner/party and we are psyched!
But let’s move along to your regularly scheduled Things I’m Loving Friday post…
Things I’m Loving Friday
- Celebrating Our Anniversary
Yesterday was our four-year wedding anniversary! The anniversary gift theme for year four is flowers and fruit and I was so surprised to arrive home from a day with my girlfriends to a recreation of my wedding bouquet Ryan had made for me. I was obviously very touched! He’s pretty much the best. I gave him a cactus (there’s a story behind the gift, I promise!) but Ryan definitely won the best gift award this year. I loved it!
After my friend Ashley arrived yesterday, we had about an hour and a half to kill before Merri’s flight landed, so we grabbed a quick lunch at Luna’s Living Kitchen which I’m pretty sure may be my new favorite place in Charlotte. The restaurant specializes in plant-based organic local food and I absolutely loved the spaghetti bolognese I ordered. A bed of zucchini noodles was topped with a walnut mushroom bolognese sauce and it was phenomenal!!! I cannot wait to go back and try the zucchini noodle lasagna.
- Gigi D’Agostino – I’ll Fly With You
I don’t think I’ve heard this song since high school and when we were driving home from dinner last night, it came on the radio and I was so psyched! I downloaded it immediately and am so glad it’s back in my life.
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Thins
File these cookies under “impulse buy.” I saw them on sale at the grocery store this week and nearly walked by the huge display because I thought they were diet cookies. I’m glad I gave them a double-take because the “Mrs. Thinster’s” name simply refers to the fact that the cookies are super thin and crispy. The flavor tastes like homemade chocolate chip cookies (sweet and buttery!) and I love that they’re perfectly pop-able and made without the use of any artificial ingredients. Be warned though: It’s easy to eat these babies like potato chips! They’re addicting!
- Copco Small Appliance Slider Tray
I owe a big thanks to my mom for this lovely discovery! Ryan and I keep our Keurig coffee maker on our kitchen countertop and like to leave it tucked underneath our cabinets. Well, this ended up being a pain because every time we wanted to use the machine, we’d have to scoot it out and then put it back when we were done. (Sounds silly but if you’re in the same boat, I have a feeling you’ll understand my gripe with this!!) This little roller tray from Bed, Bath and Beyond makes it super simple to slide our Keurig out and back. You simply press on the button in front and roll it back and forth. Plus, it’s super cheap when you buy it with one of the never-ending supply of Bed, Bath and Beyond 20 percent off coupons.
- Around the Web Finds…
33 Clever Ways to Organize Small Things: So creative! And I can testify that using a carabineer to keep hair ties organized is fabulous!
Cheesy Broccoli Quinoa + Egg White Oatmeal + Best Sports Bras for Small Chests: Thanks so much to POPSUGAR Fitness for sharing these posts!
Pile on the Miles November Fitness Challenge
- Columbia Giveaway Winners
Congratulations to Sarah M. (jacket) and Chelsea (boots)!! Both winners were emailed first thing this morning. Thanks so much to all who entered!
- Montiel Activewear
Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of testing out workout apparel from Montiel, a new company with a goal of creating better activewear staples for women. They put a heavy emphasis on quality material and design and I must say I can tell!
Through the blog, I am frequently approached by various fitness apparel companies and I truly do turn down 98 percent of the product offers I receive. Something about the look of Montiel’s apparel caught my eye though and I said I’d test it out and provide feedback directly to the company, but I definitely wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did! (Thankfully Montiel was onboard with a flash giveaway when I approached them about it so you have a chance to win a complete outfit from them, too. See below!)
The clothes are functional and flattering and the simple but feminine designs make them stylish without being over-the-top trendy. They’re definitely great staple pieces to have in your workout wardrobe.
I had the chance to try out their teardrop sports bra and can tell you that it definitely would’ve made my Best Sports Bras for Small Chests list had I worn it before that post. It is so incredibly flattering and I absolutely love the cut and feel of the bra.
The twist tank is comfortable enough to wear to bed but it still looked cute and was the perfect breezy option for the barre and Jazzercise classes I took while wearing it. And the coral cami I am wearing in the above picture is the TBack cami and it has quickly become a favorite of mine to wear to Pure Barre. I’ve received a bunch of compliments and I love the thick material, built in removable cups and body-skimming cut.
Alright now that I’ve basically professed my love for their apparel, here’s your chance to win an outfit for yourself…
Montiel Giveaway
One PBF reader will win an entire workout outfit from Montiel that will include the following:
- One Sports Bra
- One Tank or Cami
- One Pair of Leggings or Capris
To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment below telling me about which piece of apparel you’d be most excited to receive from Montiel. Perhaps you need a new pair of leggings? Or you could really use a new sports bra? Let me know!
I will randomly select a winner next Friday.
Good luck!
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I love the twist tank!!
I’ve been wanting a pair of pants like that forever! The Lea Leggings would be perfect! I feel like I always am in need of a sports bra, so the Victory sports bra looks great. Also, to complete the “outfit” I would love the white Teaser Tank. Thank you so much! This is such an incredible giveaway! 🙂
I love that T-back cami! But I really need to stock up on leggings for winter running!
Pants! All I have is black workout pants due to dress codes at work (personal trainer!) Wpuld love a colorful pair!
I need new workout leggings. My current ones have too much pilling going on.
I’m trying for my first full marathon in January. I could totally use another sports bar! happy running. 🙂
I have been dying for a cute net tank! I am stuck in a rut and always reach for the same two tops lately 🙁
Oh I am always up for trying out a new brand of leggings since it is basically my pants of choice I wear everyday!
I most definitely need a new sports bra! I still wear my moving comfort sports bra from when I was nursing my baby last year and it’s probably a bit big haha. But it suffices so that’s a good testament to movingn comfort bras! However it is my one and only sports bra. So I wear that or shirts with built in ones which are ok but it’s about to be winter and those tend to be sleeveless so… Yeah I could use a new sports bra!
The tanks are cute, but I really need some leggings!!
I’d love a new pair of leggings!!
A new pain of leggings is always needed!!
*pair!!! oops 🙂
The sports bra is so cute!
Ooh, one of those tanks with the gorgeous backs!
I would love a new sports bra! The t-back is absolutely adorable and make a sports bra look stylish!
Super cute! New leggings are on my list!
I’ve been looking for some cute strappy sports bras! Montiel definitely does it right!
Love the twist tees!!!
Oh I’d love one of their sports bras! Mine are mostly really cheap ones from Target and they aren’t that supportive and if I’m cold, you can tell (to put it delicately). Thanks for providing such great feedback on products as always!
I have been needing some new workout apparel since I started going to yoga regularly! That T-back cami is super cute — I would love something like that! Thanks for the giveaway Julie! 🙂
I love the look of their sports bras and am definitely in the market for one. Their tanks look awesome too!
That wedding anniversary gift is an adorable idea! I’d love too have the workout tank you’re wearing. It looks cute and functional!
The T-back camis are adorable!
I love the tank, especially the back!
I love the teardrop sports bra — so cute!!
Love the twist tank!
Love the tanks! I am in desperate need of some new workout clothes! This would be great!! ☺
Love the tank tops!
Would love to have one of their tanks or camis!
Definitely a new sports bra! I tried one from Core Power and it did not last 🙁
I love the twist tank!
Leggings! I’ll need something to lounge in during my maternity leave 🙂
I love the sports bra. I been trying to buy cute bright workout clothes cause it makes me happy and I feel better about myself. Hope I win. 🙂
I need some new (long!) tanks. I have recently started taking more yoga classes and all of mine ride up. I love the backs on these tanks!
Definitely the tank! Adorable 🙂
I love the Tback cami and the Victory sports bra!
‘I’ve desperately needed a new pair of workout capris for at least a year!
I love the tank!!! 🙂
Hi Julie,
The teardrop sports bra has great lines. Looks comfy too!
With fall rolling in I would love a new pair of leggings
I LOVE the pretty backs of the bras! I would be most excited about those!
I had never heard of Montiel before reading your post and I love the designs! I am especially fond of the sports bra. It is such an interesting design! I am just starting to get back into running after a brief hiatus so some new, exciting workout clothes would definitely be an extra motivator!
Definitely a new pair of leggings with the winter months coming! Love all the clothes you posted! Amanda
I would love the sports bra- as a size small I’m always struggling to find a good fit that doesn’t interfere with my heart rate monitor!
Leggings would be great with the weather getting cooler, and those tops are so cute too!!
A new sports bra for sure! The one I’m currently using is way beyond it’s better days so it would be great to get something new that will fit properly and hold the girls in place! 🙂
I LOVE zucchini noodles. I always order them at a local vegan restaurant that I enjoy. I enjoy them so much I got this neat vegetable spiraler to use at home:
http://www.amazon.com/Paderno-World-Cuisine-A4982799-Tri-Blade/dp/B0007Y9WHQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1414801544&sr=1-2&keywords=vegetable+spiralizer
I would love to own all of the sports bras!
I would love a new pair of leggings for the colder weather!
I would love leggings!! I live in them 🙂
Love trying new brands and I’m on a search for some great leggings!