Good morning! It’s Friday and I feel like I am in a particularly good mood because I finally got a decent night’s sleep. I have been sleeping horribly all week and then last night a magical thing called the Snoogle came into my life and was a serious game changer. I am in love. But I am getting ahead of myself because the Snoogle should really just be included in your usual Things I’m Loving Friday post below, so we’ll get to that in a second!
Anyway, how are you guys doing today!? All is well over here! My friend Ashley is coming in town again tomorrow for her second visit to Charlotte in two months! Hooray! I love it when work trips bring my friends close to me and we’re able to take advantage of the visit and spend some quality time together. Ashley is always a blast and a half, so I know this weekend will be a great one. I hope your weekend is filled with quality time with people you love most and lots of relaxation, too!
Now let’s chat about what we’re loving most this week! As always, feel free to chime in and share what is making you smile in the comments section of this post. Your Friday comments are always so fun to read!
Just a head’s up – I’m feeling rather long-winded today, so this post is rather lengthy! Apparently finally sleeping well makes all the words flow.
Things I’m Loving Friday
- The Snoogle
THE SNOOGLE!!! You guys this pillow is unbelievable… and I can confidently say that after using it for one night. A bunch of you recommended it to me as a “pregnancy must have” and I totally see why. Early on in my pregnancy, after I told my friend Gina that Ryan and I are expecting, she surprised me with a delivery two days later. A giant box showed up at my doorstep with the Snoogle waiting inside. I had read and heard great things about this pregnancy pillow, so I thanked Gina for her thoughtfulness and tucked the pillow into the baby’s nursery to wait for me until I thought I needed it.
Well, this week has been absolutely horrendous for sleep. First, despite being super tired, I could not fall asleep and then when I would finally drift off to sleep, I’d wake up, toss and turn, feel all-around uncomfortable and not be able to fall back asleep for hours. Finally, last night, as Ryan and I crawled into bed, I flopped around trying to get comfortable again and felt so tired, but so frustrated by my inability get a good night’s sleep. Then I remembered it. THE SNOOGLE.
I unpacked the biggest pillow in all the land and wrapped it around me. Oh my gosh. It felt like heaven. It took pressure off my hips and comfortably supported my back and neck. I slept the best I have in weeks and woke up this morning talking Ryan’s ear off about the wonders of the Snoogle. I am confident that this pillow will not leave our bed until I have a baby in my arms. Gina, THANK YOU for bringing this magical pillow into my life. Julie + Snoogle = Forever.
- Golden Tote Delivery
The following feature is sponsored by Golden Tote. Thank you, sincerely, for your support!
I received my first Golden Tote delivery this week! The company reached out to me and offered to send me one of their surprise grab-bags to see what I thought and I happily agreed since I’ve seen a handful of bloggers rave about their adorable clothing in the past and I basically loooove surprise deliveries!
Before my delivery arrived, I set up an account, filled out a style profile and then selected two items I wanted to see in my tote. Golden Tote stylists then chose a handful of additional items they thought I’d love and included them in my tote. Totes cost only $49 for 2 – 3 items or $149 for 5 – 7 items which, in my opinion, is quite affordable since you receive so many new quality items. (Apparently the company founders are clothing designers from Los Angeles, who work with fashion brands to get deep discounts on the items included. The retail value of the $49 tote is $200 and the $149 tote is $600!)
And now for a sneak peek into my tote…
Here are the two items I personally requested:
- Lovestitch Sunday Brunch Dress
Selected because I adore anything lace and I figured the looser fit would work well with my growing baby bump!
- Lime & Chili Barcelona Pant
Selected because I thought they were just so darn cool! I’m not sure if I’m cool enough to pull them off, but I’m planning to pair them with nude pumps and a flowy white top. Plus, they’re crazy-comfy!
Both of the items I personally selected came with style cards which I love!
And here are the four additional surprise items I received:
- Promesa Navy Tunic/Dress
- Paper Crane Pink Short Sleeve Sweater, Lime & Chili Striped Top, Paper Crane Knit Vest
Overall thoughts:
Pros
- You know how much it costs ahead of time, rather than being sent items that might be out of your budget.
- You get to select some of the items in your tote…
- …But there’s still an element of surprise since stylists select most items for you.
- Great resource for those who want new, trendy clothes but either don’t have time to shop or don’t enjoy shopping.
- It’s not a subscription service and you can order as many totes as you want in a month (or none) – just make a note if you order more than one to avoid duplicate items.
Cons
- You can return the whole tote, but not just one item from the tote. However, Golden Tote does have a Clothing Swap Facebook Group (3,000+ members!) dedicated to letting members connecting to swap sizes/clothes directly.
- Shipping is an additional $7.95.
Overall, I loved the items I received in my tote! The only item that didn’t fit particularly well was the blue tunic/dress, but I think it actually will look cute once I have more of a baby bump and am out of this awkward stage of pregnancy. So there’s hope!
Big thanks to Golden Tote for sending such a fun surprise my way! If you are interested in trying out a tote for yourself, you can check out their March inventory while it lasts or mark your calendar for the first Monday of the month when a new tote is released!
Back in 2013 I ordered a Groupon to use toward a t-shirt quilt from Project Repat. Well, I totally forgot about it until Ryan and I were going through old clothes and I stumbled upon a bazillion race t-shirts I never wear. I remembered the old Groupon and finally got around to sending in 30 race tees to have made into a large blanket! The blanket turned out amazing and the fleece side is so soft and cuddly! Plus, their turnaround time was ridiculously fast and I love the way they spaced out the t-shirts so all of the white race tees weren’t bunched together. Great eye, Project Repat!
And another great thing about this quilt aside from the fact that I can now wrap myself up in fun race day memories? Their story.
- Adorable PBF Baby Spoon
My sweet friend Alyssa sent me this adorable spoon from a little boutique by her house for our little guy to use one day and it basically melted my heart. Thank you, Alyssa!! If our baby loves this spoon even half as much as I do, we’ll have a winner. Too cute!
- Lake Champlain Sea Salt & Almonds Chocolate
Yes, I’m posting a picture of a chocolate wrapper on my blog, but I hope that tells you just how much I loved this stuff! I first tried this gourmet chocolate during a girls’ night at my friend Amii’s house and instantly knew I had to find some to buy for myself. It’s sweet with a touch of saltiness and oh so creamy. A chocolate-lover’s dream!
- My “Pregnancy Uniform”
Ryan calls this look my “pregnancy uniform.” During last month’s trip to Minnesota, I received this oversized zip up sweatshirt from General Mills and almost asked to exchange it for one that fit a little better. And then I put it on. Giant sweatshirt = Pregnant woman’s dream. Ryan actually had to make me wash it because I kept throwing it on over my pajamas every single night in our house and didn’t want to go one night without it. It’s just so darn comfortable and, while far from cute, I think it makes a fantastic pregnancy uniform and I’m pretty sure the Honey Nut Cheerios bumble bee agrees.
Question of the Day
- Tell me about something that is making you smile today!
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Your friends always give the best gifts! They’re always so thoughtful 🙂
Thanks for sharing…even though the pillow is intended for pregnancy, I think my husband would love it since he always like to have pillows around him and be encased in a fort haha.
Ha ha! I saw your comment and laughed because I felt the exact same way about my own husband, I sent him the link to the pillow and said, “do you want this?” So yep, he’s getting one. Side note: he’s also used the bamboo pillows (which I highly recommend to anyone). Super soft and cradles your head “just so”. It’s a favorite for pillow lovers.
What a funny coincidence as I have been thinking about trying Golden Tote! I love the clothes on there and the fact that you can choose a couple of the pieces yourself. I didn’t enjoy Stitch Fix and having 0 idea what was coming. I’m still a bit hesitant on if I want to do Golden Tote but appreciate your review!
My sister just accepted a job in Charlotte, NC and will be moving there in June! I’ll have to refer her to your blog as you continue to explore your new area so that she can find out where to eat, work out, etc. She LOVES barre so I’m sure she can find a lot of useful info here.
The race day blanket is a great gift idea!
That is such a cool idea to make a quilt out of race tees. I have heard of people doing it on their own, but I didn’t know there was a company that did it for you.
That’s so awesome you love the snoogle & it’s helping. Anything to get a soon-to-be mama to sleep is magical! <3
That spoon is so adorable & tiny-love!
I'm loving the fact that I saw Cinderella with my sisters. It's SO GOOD. You must see it!!
dying to see that movie!!
As a newly preggo lady too (8 weeks), Honey Nut Cheerios are about the only thing I can even think about eating. The sweatshirt would be a welcome (and hysterical) addition for me! Ha!
I went through a phase around that time in my pregnancy where I could only eat Honey Nut Cheerios for a few days! Luckily my nausea subsided around week 13. 🙂 I hope you start feeling better!
So many Track Shack shirts in that quilt! <3 Orlando!!
I miss all of the Track Shack races!! So fun!
The Snoogle is the mack daddy! I used it through 2 pregnancies and kind of wanted to keep it around after…but, my husband decided it had to go because it was like having a 3rd person in bed with us.
And – the tote service sounds a little like Stitch Fix, which I recently signed up for and love.
haha I haven’t heard “mack daddy” in so long! love it!
Remembering all the times I put a little baby spoon in a chubby little baby mouth made me smile. It is soooo cute how they open up as they see the spoon coming. Great memories!
Those pants are so COOL and they look so comfy! I bet they look good with Toms!
I LOVE the idea of a race t-shirt blanket! I’m definitely going to have to do that at some point, as my race t-shirts are taking over my drawers. 🙂 and your pregnancy uniform does look super comfortable, I can see why you love it!
Is it weird that I think my boyfriend would love that pillow…? 😉
The Sunday brunch dress is so so cute! And, I like that you took a pic of the chocolate wrapper- it’s good to show just how much you enjoyed something, you know…
Something I’m loving this week…? I’ve actually had a hard time these past few days, so can we just say I’m loving that it’s finally Friday?
Great post!
You are just so darn freakin cute! I love your pregnancy uniform. I’m all for whatever makes the pregnant lady comfortable.
I just bought a Snoogle a couple weeks ago and love it as well. I got the one with the jersey knit cover which makes it even more awesome! I think I need to copy your Pregnancy Uniform. That looks glorious!
I love your rug! Where is that from?
That sweatshirt looks amazing!! I am kinda the same way about certain articles of clothing and my husband always says “are you wearing that AGAIN”? Haha. I’m not even pregnant so I can’t imagine what I would be like if I were!
Just tried to do golden tote but almost everything is sold out for the pieces you pick yourself. Bummer!
I felt the same way about the snoogle, makes a HUGE difference. I even brought it to the hospital. So great! The zip off covers are a little bit of a pain to get on and off but are nice for keeping it clean :).
yayyy i’m so glad the snoogle brought you some restful sleep! it saved my life when i was pregnant with liv, even though tom called it the barrier 🙂 miss you and hope you guys have a great weekend! xoxox
I grinned like a fool when I saw Lake Champlain Chocolates were on your Friday favorites! I live and grew up in Vermont, LOVE Champlain Chocolates!
so good!!
Love the ‘pregnancy uniform’! Ha. That’s my look st home every evening, actually (as a non-pregnant person 😉 ). I always wear PJ pants, a T-shirt, a big sweatshirt of some sort & wool socks.
I’m a physical therapy student and a women’s health specialist at a conference said a less expensive alternative to the huge body pillow is two under your head, a thinner one under your belly, and then one between your knees. Just cool that you posted about this today when I just learned it! Happy it’s helping you out!
Love your pregnancy uniform! Comfort is the most important!
I am currently 40 weeks and 5 days pregnant. My snoogle was my best friend and travelled everywhere with me during my pregnancy! Until the last few weeks. For some reason it makes my hips hurt MORE when I use it, but it took me a lot of uncomfortable nights before I was willing to sleep without it. Keep that in the back of your mind, in case your sleep takes a turn for the worse in a few months! I hope it works perfectly for you!!!!
…Did anyone read one of the main comments for the Zoogle on Amazon? It is seriously one of the funniest things I’ve ever read. Love it!
I used the Snoogle for both pregnancies and I could not have made it without it. It was definitely a lifesaver..! Congratulations by the way..!
I need the Snoogle! Sleeping is so uncomfortable, especially at 36 weeks! I’m so glad I only have 4 (ish) weeks left. Bring on tummy sleep again!
totally have that KD shamrock run 5k shirt! My boyfriend ran it that year! 🙂
your excitement over the pillow makes me to buy one – even though i’m not pregnant! haha you’re happiness and excitement is just so contagious. 🙂
I have a pregnancy uniform too! haha… so I totally get it! & Thanks for sharing about the race blanket! I’m going to be ordering mine next week! I’ve been on the lookout to get one made but most companies want 300-400 dollars so I was thrilled with the prices of these!!! 🙂 Happy Weekend!
I LOVE this husband’s review of the Snoogle!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/B0000635WI/R153IE1IQQIWZO/ref=mw_dp_cr?cursor=3&sort=rd
I am also seriously considering buying a Snoogle for my (very not pregnant) husband for his birthday. He loves building a little pillow wall around his back, so I think he’d love this…if I don’t tell him who it is really designed for.
The snoogle is really that great, eh? I should have gotten one the first time I was pregnant. I just got a regular body pillow, which helps but leaves a bit to be desired. Now in my second pregnancy I’m just getting to that point when I’m really uncomfortable at night. Ughhhh, no fun!
OMG, the Snoogle has seriously been a LIFESAVER this pregnancy. I dont know what I would have done without it. I still don’t sleep well (I’m almost 32 weeks, and at this point pretty much nothing is comfortable!), but I definitely still manage to get some sleep which is way more than I could say before the Snoogle came into my life!
Buying the pillow now before I start having major sleep issues. I’m almost 15 weeks and I’m starting to notice that I’m tossing and turning more than usual. Thanks for the review!!