The holiday season is definitely the thing I’m loving most this week. From festive cookie exchanges to beautiful decorations and twinkling lights, it really does feel like such a magical time of year. I can’t wait to hop in the car next weekend and head to my parents’ place in Jacksonville for the week!
But I’m getting a little ahead of myself… Let’s jump into our usual Friday fun and chat about what we’re loving this week. As always, feel free to share something that is making you smile in the comments section of this post… It just might count as an entry into today’s Happy Holidays Giveaway Week giveaway!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- A New Gym Job (…but I’m still keeping my other gym job, too!)
About a week ago, one of my favorite Pure Barre teachers passed my name along to the manager of a small corporate gym at a local business park. Then, earlier this week, I went in for an interview and am happy to report I’ll be picking up some more classes and working a few days a week at another small local gym! Both gyms where I’ll be working (the one I’ve been working at since November 1 and this new one) are very small and quite different from what I was used to when I taught at the YMCA in Ocala. I am enjoying the change and really like the intimate atmosphere!
These cookies are just the best. I made them for my cookie exchange party earlier this week and baked another batch yesterday before our last Girls On The Run practice of the season. The girls absolutely gobbled them up and raved about them which naturally made my heart happy. My grandma’s oversized, fluffy sugar cookies were my all-time favorite when I was a little girl and I always knew I could expect to see her big glass cookie jar overflowing with them whenever we’d go to Gettysburg to visit. (And yes, that’s Mimi’s handwriting on the recipe card above. Love!)
- Pandora Rockin’ Holidays Station
If you’re looking for an upbeat holiday Pandora station, check out the Rockin’ Holidays station! It’s full of energizing Christmas songs and I’ve been playing it non-stop since the day after Thanksgiving!
- Beautycounter Glow Sugar Scrub
Ryan and I had such a nice time with our friends Amii and Walt over dinner last weekend. As we ate Amii’s amazing baked ziti and sipped on fabulous wine, Amii told me a little bit about some of the beauty and skincare products she’s been loving lately since she’s heard me complain about my skin a time or two. She let me take home a few of her favorite samples to try from Beautycounter (she’s a consultant – and not pushy at all), and I quickly fell in love with the Glow Sugar Scrub and Peppermint Lip Conditioner. The sugar scrub is unreal (it smells like refreshing lemongrass) and only uses real sugar and pure essential oils to exfoliate skin for a healthy glow. The mineral-rich evening primrose, sweet almond, apricot kernel, and sunflower oils leaves my skin feeling soft and so, so hydrated which is much-needed since my skin cannot soak up enough moisturizer in the colder months. I’ve been using it when I shave in the shower and adore it!!
Our realtor is absolutely the best! Earlier this week, I arrived home to find the sweetest package of holiday chocolates sitting on our doorstep from Diane which made me smile. She’s so incredibly thoughtful and clearly has the best taste in chocolate because every single piece of Davidson Chocolate included in the giant solid-chocolate star box I’ve tried so far has been fabulous!
- Happy Holidays Giveaway Week Winners
Congratulations to Bre (grand prize) and Molly and Arianne (runner up), the winners of the Lorna Jane giveaway! And congratulations to Karen G. ($250 gift card) and Rachel W. (Skyscapes), the winners of the Reebok giveaway! All winners were emailed first thing this morning.
- Birchbox Giveaway
I first started subscribing to Birchbox, a monthly subscription beauty box, last year. Each box includes five beauty samples from high-end brands and my ongoing subscription has led to some of my all-time favorite beauty product discoveries, including theBalm Stainiac lip stain, Klorane dry shampoo, Dr. Brandt skincare and more.
It’s so much fun to receive a pretty little box filled with fun beauty samples each month and I think it would make a great gift for the beauty-lover in your life! Thankfully, Birchbox was kind enough to agree to host an awesome giveaway on the blog today in honor of Happy Holidays Giveaway Week!
One grand prize winner will receive a 6-month Birchbox subscription and a Cynthia Rowley Beauty Palette! And a runner-up winner will receive a 3-month Birchbox subscription!
To enter this giveaway, please answer one (or both!) of the following questions:
- What is one beauty product you’d love to see in your first Birchbox? Maybe you’re dying to try a new kind of eyeliner. Or perhaps you could use a better cleanser or lip gloss? Let me know!
- What is one thing you’re loving this week?
I will randomly select a winner next Friday. Good luck!!
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I am terrible at trying new products – I tend to stick to the same thing year after year. I would love to try a new eye liner or mascara!
I would love to try a new moisturizer. One thing I am loving is how happy my friends are during this holiday season! 2 of them got engaged over the weekend and I couldn’t be happier for everyone!
I’m slightly obsessed with mascara, so that would be great to find in my box. And I’m loving that it’s the last full week of work until after the New Year! 🙂
I’ve been dying to try a new foundation. I am so overwhelmed by all the different shades, brands, etc. – so a little help would be appreciated 🙂
I’m still desperately looking for a good dry shampoo for after hot yoga – in fact, if anyone on here can think of one, please let me know! Friday, while I didn’t love the horrible traffic it caused, I did love the Kris Kringle parade in my hometown!
I use Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo (powder form in white bottle) and it really works well.
I would love Josie Maran Body Butter in Vanilla Apricot. This stuff is addictive!
I love any hair styling products.. salt sprays, texturizers, any of that kind of stuff!
I would love to try a new mascara! And right now I am just loving the holiday spirit and watching Christmas movies every night, baking cookies, and looking at Christmas lights. Tis the season!
I would love to try a new bronzer!
I would love to try a new mascara 🙂
I would love to try any form of eye make up.
Any type of hydrating skin care products would be great to try out during the colder months!
What would I like to see in a birchbox? Some of that peppermint lip conditioner! Please!
Moisturizer! My skin is feeling rough thanks to all of the wind we’ve been having!
I would love to try a new moisturizer or lip balm!
Would love some new eye color! I’m loving quality time with family this week.
Im loving that Im finally getting over a cold and I would love to try out the kat von D eyeliner.
I would love to try out a new type of foundation
Hair products or lip makeup
Always up for trying new eyeliners!
I am loving Ed Sheeran’s music! I am obsessed with his song and music video “Thinking Out Loud” (Thank you to the VS Fashion Show!). I would like to see some new eyeliner. I usually get Maybelline and the past two eyeliners I’ve gotten broke multiple times!
I would love to get some nice lip gloss to try out! I’m also loving that it’s finally starting to feel like Christmas everywhere!
One thing i’m loving this week — THESE athleta leggings! http://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=50000&vid=1&pid=929784012 (not to mention they’re on sale).
I want to try the lip stain you rave about and I’m loving my coconut body cream from Trader Joe’s.
Some type of facial mask! I am trying to find one that works well with my skin.
I seriously need a moisturizer. I am currently not using anything on my face because I haven’t found something I love that doesn’t make me break out or dry out my skin. I hate to spend so much money on a product and then hate it! Sample sizes are the best.
I am loving peppermint mocha creamer in my coffee lately!
I would love a new eyeliner! I am terrible with makeup 🙂 haha
I need a new eye cream for my sensitive skin!
I would love a good mascara
As a darker skinned girl I’ve been on the search for a lipstick that is versatile and subtle enough to wear every day and I’d love to see that in my first birch box.
My favorite thing at my moment is my dog. Actually, lets be honest, she is always my favorite thing.
A good cleanser or mascara would be awesome to find in a box!
I would love a new mascara or foundation. I am loving my new VS jammies!https://www.victoriassecret.com/sleepwear/our-most-loved-pjs-a/the-fireside-long-jane-pajama?ProductID=215874&CatalogueType=OLS
I would love a new mascara! One thing I’m loving, the holidays!!! It really is the most wonderful time of the year!
I’m loving all the holiday parties this season! I’ve been to a cookie making party and 3 company parties and it’s been a blast!
I would love to try a new eyeliner! And this week I’m loving holiday music!
I love the idea of Birchbox. I’ve also been having some problems with my skin lately so I’d love to try a new cleanser or lotion.
i would love to try a new mascara! this week i am loving that it is almost vacation time for me!!
I have been on a mission for new hair products that moisturize and style, without leaving my hair looking greasy. Maybe Birchbox could help me out!
I’d be interested in sampling hair curl enhancers…I can’t seem to find the right product – mousse vs gel vs spray?!
Any skincare product. I’m always searching for a good moisturizer, sunscreen, eye cream, etc.
This week I’m loving Christmas decorations.
New mascara!
i’d love to find an eye cream that helps my stubborn dark circles
Honestly, anything would be helpful for me. I hardly ever step out from my staple pieces, as I am worried it will end up being a waste of money. My family and I just moved to Texas, so I am enjoying the warmer weather for winter!!
I would love to try anything with Argan oil in it. I have very dry skin and that seems to really help my skin. I am
loving a comedian I discovered this week–GoRemy on You Tube.
I would love a lipgloss that’s not too bright. I never wear lipcolor because I find them all too bold for me. And i’m loving pb&js this week-can’t stop eating them every night for a snack!
I would love to try a new mascara. And this week I’m loving being done with finals and having time to see family and friends!
I’m a redhead and therefore have super pale and sensitive skin. I would love a solid moisturizer/sunscreen that doesn’t feel heavy on the skin or make me break out!
I’m always looking for new mascaras, I can’t seem to get enough. One thing I’m lovin this week is getting all my gifts wrapped & taken care of so I can breathe, relax, & enjoy the season!
I would love to try new moisturizers and lip balms. As a born and raised Mediterranean girl, I’m finding the New England weather very harsh on my skin!
The thing I’m loving most this week is the fact that I will get to see my family in a couple of days! I haven’t seen them since August, and I miss them terribly. I love the Holidays as it is the occasions for families to reunite 🙂