Friday is here!!! I am looking forward to this weekend so much because Ryan and I will be celebrating my birthday! We’re celebrating early this year (my birthday isn’t until the 27th) and Ryan has a whole fun day planned for tomorrow. I can’t wait!
Clearly the anticipation of the weekend is what I’m loving most this morning, but what would a Things I’m Loving Friday blog post be without me taking the time to share a bunch of other things that are making me smile? As always, I’d love to hear all about what you’re loving this week in the comments section of this post!
Have a great weekend, my friends!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- Minty Water
Operation hydration is in full swing and this week I’ve tried my best to make plain water a little more exciting by adding flavor in the form of everything from orange and lemon slices to cucumber slices and fresh mint. Yesterday I had a good laugh while coaching Girls On The Run when one of the girls on my team asked me whether or not I knew I had a “salad in my water cup” when she saw a bunch of fresh mint leaves floating around. Ha!
- Baked Goods for A Cause from Polka Dot Bake Shop
Charlotte-based Polka Dot Bake Shop is in the middle of a month-long fundraiser and will be donating a portion of April’s sales to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation in honor of Lila, an adorable little girl fighting the disease. If you are local to the area, please consider stopping by and picking up a sweet treat (you can also order their mouth-watering goodies online) to support this sweet girl. I had the chance to try one of their granola bars yesterday and they are unreal!! And you cannot go wrong with the butterscotch chocolate chip brownie (Ryan and I split this and loved every bite).
- My Second Maternity Stitch Fix
When I arrived home from teaching at the gym yesterday and saw a Stitch Fix box waiting for me on our doorstep, I was so pumped!!! My stylist totally nailed it with my first maternity fix last month, so my hopes were high for maternity fix number two! I haven’t had the chance to try everything on yet, but I’ll definitely share highlights of anything that was a big time winner in an upcoming pregnancy update post. I love the look of every single thing in my box (especially the bohemian look of the RD Style open fringe cardigan in cream), so we’re off to a good start!
- A Sweet Gift from Lindsay (The Lean Green Bean)
My sweet blogger friend Lindsay sent our little boy the sweetest gift!! I have a feeling the toy moose will get a lot of use and my heart just about exploded when I saw the Babiators! BABY sunglasses!? I cannot handle the cuteness. Also, 10,000 points go to the creative mind who came up with that product name!
- Gardenia Candle
When it comes to candles, I typically purchase a scent somewhere in the following three fragrance families: Vanilla, cinnamon and pine. Basically our house smells like the holidays year round. In an effort to incorporate some new spring scents in our home, I bought a gardenia candle a couple of weeks ago and I am surprised just how much I am loving it! The smell is bright and floral and a nice change from our typical candle scents. Now I’m in the market for a candle that smells like a spa. Any recommendations are appreciated!
This basic t-shirt is getting a lot of love from me these days! I have it in navy (as seen above) and have been wearing it everywhere. It’s incredibly comfortable and also cute paired with leggings and TOMS or boyfriend jeans and wedges for a slightly more “put together” look! Bonus: It’s only $13! I think it’s time for me to add some more colors to my collection… Just had to share this one for any of the mamas-to-be out there who might be looking for a comfortable and affordable bump-friendly tee!
- Around The Web
Couple Surprises Family with ‘Secret’ Twins (So adorable!)
One Man Honors Robin Williams With 20 Incredible Impressions (The Mrs. Doubtfire impression was my favorite at 1:40!)
7 Best Podcasts To Try (Now that I’ve made it through Serial, I’ve been looking for something new to listen to on my walks with Sadie and love this list.)
I Am Kat Gilly (One of my super stylish friends from Ocala started a fashion blog and it’s absolutely adorable… just like her. Love it, Katie!)
Question of the Day
- What is one thing you’re loving this week?
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Are you turning 29 or 30?
30!
I turn 30 in July!!
My Pure Barre studio just got in the Capri Blue candles – the “Volcano” scent and “Blue Jean” scents are AMAZING!
those candles are amazing!!! aren’t they the same ones anthropologie sells, too? maybe they will go on my birthday wish list… 🙂
Yes they are! Definitely worth every penny!
I just texted my sister to get me one for my bday next week! I love the Volcano scent!
My husband’s birthday is also the 27! Happy early birthday!!
My nephew has that moose- he LOVES it! It is so cute!
My little man has Babiators too! I, too, felt complete envy for the creative genius that came up with that name. Totally nailed it!
My favorite baby product I never knew I needed (and the thing I am loving and thankful for every time little man is sick) is the NoseFrida. Looks so disgusting and works better than anything for baby congestion. Motherhood really changes the things you love…
Tonight is our first family cookout to celebrate April Birthdays in my husband’s family, and we’re hosting! I’m so excited to be busting out the yard games, have a bon fire and grill up some burgers! It should be a fantastic Friday night. AND I’m planning to go and buy a bike tomorrow. I’ve been using my husband’s super fancy bike for my rides, but we can’t go together. That’s not fun. So I am going to go and get a less fancy bike that has some sort of pink involved 😉 SO EXCITED!
Candle recommendation: My husband LOVES candles, but he only buys them from a company called Gold Canyon. One in particular is amazing …. Sugar Cookie! I’m not even kidding you, people walk in and ask if we’ve been baking. When I say “no” they honest to goodness look sad and say “can we make cookies?” HAHAHA! So maybe it’s NOT a great recommendation because your house will be filled with baked goods. BUT their candles smell amazing (I have their lavender and white linen going now) and last a LONG time!
I’m loving the fact that I can wear dresses and skirts again! The weather has been absolutely amazing lately and I’ve been enjoying it as much as possible!
I also went on my first trip to Lululemon and bought a few pieces. I’m in love, and this could turn into a very expensive addiction!
I have a lavendar-vanilla 3 wick candle from bath & body works that smells spa like to me and is very spring like!
yes!!! there was a lavender vanilla candle at this little local shop that I smelled last weekend that I thought was heavenly! unfortunately it was the “tester” and they didn’t have any for sale, but I’ll check bath & body works now b/c I loved that smell!
Ohhh the BIG 3-0! I feel you, sister… Scott is taking me somewhere next weekend for mine. #birthdaytwins
Have so much fun on your special day/weekend!! Also, the baby gifts. Freaking adorable. <3
I love the smell of gardenias! I like getting candles from TJMaxx or bath & body works. I’m all about the spring scents right now!
If you need a great candle, check out Ava Anderson Non-Toxic’s newest release: lemongrass. Or, their lavender. Both are heavenly. http://www.AvaAndersonNonToxic.com
Happy Friday! That brownie sounds amazing! I’m so excited to see what you got in your StitchFix box!
Early birthday celebrations? Fun! I hope you have a fabulous time! I’m excited it’s the weekend, because I’m getting my hair done and going to a wine/painting party tonight! YAY!!!
If you enjoy podcasts with a story, you might also enjoy audiobooks. I discovered sometime last year that my local library uses Overdrive for audiobook lending (they do ebook lending too) so you don’t need to subscribe to an expensive service like audible or pay high prices to buy good audiobooks. I’ve only ever been to my library in person once or twice, but after you have a membership you can check out ebooks and audiobooks online whenever you want, which as you’re going to be a new momma saves you a trip! They have a great selection, lots of new releases and popular titles. I’ve really enjoyed using it at work or when I got for walks.
I highly recommend getting a water infuser bottle for making water more interesting! I throw in just one strawberry cut in half into my 24oz bottle and the strawberry flavor lasts through several refills. It definitely helps encourage me to drink a lot more water with very minimal effort.
This is the one I keep in my office, but you might want one with a handle if you’re on the go:
http://www.amazon.com/Fruit-Infuser-Water-Bottle-Bodybuilders/dp/B00PKHGFD4/
Enjoy your weekend! 🙂
I think I would love a gardenia candle. Once the weather warms up I forget about lighting candles, but since I live in the city now it’s not like there will be a lot of floral scents wafting through the windows…
I love that T shirt. I’m not pregnant, but that’s totally my go-to outfit…jeans, flip flops, and a T shirt. Love it.
yay! glad the package made it 🙂
these are my favorite candles ever http://candelles.com/
i haven’t come across a scent i didn’t love and they burn so cleanly.
Yay for Stitch Fix! So much better than going to a store to shop, if you ask me. 🙂
I am loving that I have a birthday coming up too! I’m on Monday & will be ahem…not 30! haha! Hope you have a great weekend!
Found a mint & eucalyptus candle in the Target dollar spot that smells very spa-like to me!
The Dollar Spot gets me EVERY TIME!
Happy early birthday, Julie!! Can’t wait to see more of your latest fix! 🙂
we have that moose, too!! isn’t baby stuff so much fun?? hehe. this week i’m loving sweets. i’ve literally had everything: donuts, cookies, cupcakes, ice cream, cake, you name it! #sugaroverload
AHHH that twins video is adorable!! I can’t imagine keeping a secret like that!!
I know!!
The big 3-0! Yayyy! 🙂
I linked to that Robin Williams impersonator today, too. He was awesome!
Happy Friday, love. Hope you have an awesome day and “early birthday” weekend!
I have been looking for a super comfy t-shirt as we transition into spring/summer. Thanks for the Motherhood recommendation! It’s nice to see less expensive maternity wear because I know I will only need it for a few months.
I LOVED my first maternity Stitch Fix. I mostly requested more warm-weather attire; so now I just need the temperature to cooperate. Can’t wait to see what you received in your second fix. 🙂
This week I am loving my Running For Two and Training For Two tanks. I am in that awkward bump stage, so people know right away when they see me wearing the tanks!
Great to know about that Motherhood Maternity tee! And yes, $13 is a steal!! It looks super comfy. I hope you’ll share your Stitch Fix maternity stuff too!
Have so much fun celebrating your birthday this weekend! Can’t wait to hear all about it. 🙂
I didn’t know your birthday was on the 27th! I’ll be turning 30 on the 26th (although I’ll be 26 weeks pregnant so no cocktails! 🙁 ). My husband’s birthday is on the 24th so we normally do a double celebration.
Hope your birthday is fabulous!
Happy almost birthday to you!! And woohoo for two preggo 30ths! Haha!
So what did you think of Serial?! I just finished it and I am kind of surprised by how intrigued I was throughout all of the episodes! Usually that sort of topic isn’t my thing, but the episodes were so thought provoking. I’m anxiously waiting for the next season to be out! Have a great early birthday celebration, Julie!
I thought it was so captivating!! As for whether or not I think Adnan is guilty– I just don’t know. I guess a big part of me is hoping he DIDN’T do it, but there isn’t enough info out there for me to really rule him out completely. What did you think??
I agree with you. It’s frightening to think he could be serving a life sentence for a crime he didn’t commit. But, like one of the the producers said in the last episode- who is ever THAT unlucky? I found myself agreeing with Sarah Koenig most of the time and I just keep going back and forth. Jay just seems a little sketchy to me, ha!
Mortimer the Moose!!!! We got him for my nephew and also registered for him ourselves 🙂 Too cute! I am totally dying to try the maternity Stitch Fix! They always look adorable!! Can’t wait to hear how your outfits look!!
I loved flavored water as well but I find when I try to infuse mint, the water doesn’t take on the flavor very well. Any tips? Also, I am excited for a relaxing yet productive weekend at home with my cats since my boyfriend is away for the weekend. Enjoy your birthday celebration tomorrow! 🙂
Try ripping up the mint leaves!!
Happy ALMOST 30! When did we get so old?
Uh, I love your friend Katie’s blog. Can she teach me how to do my hair like hers? Forever?
I know!!! She’s actually a hairdresser, too! Her hair alllllways looks amazing– even at the gym!
Loving the link with podcast suggestions! I’ve been listening to podcasts almost exclusively the last six months, and just the other day I realized that I don’t even know what songs are on the radio anymore!
There’s a new podcast about Adnan Syed! It’s called Undisclosed, The State v. Adnan Syed. It’s unaffiliated with Serial and told from more of a legal/investigatory point of view…haven’t had a chance to start listening but I bet it’s good!
Just wanted to share 🙂
How sweet of her to send that basket!! Have fun tomorrow!
Nothing says ‘Spa’ like the Aveda Shampure candle. Love this scent!
The Barre3 studio I go to always has a Diptyque candle burning that smells incredible. I can’t remember the scent name but I highly recommend their candles – they sell them at Nordstrom!
Our favorite spa scent is Mahogany Teakwood from Bath and Body Works! Even my husband loves it. The Eucalyptus and Spearmint Stress Relief candle (also from B&BW) is another favorite.
For a “spa” scent candle, try the Eucalyptus Spearmibnt from Bath & Body Works! I’m obsessed with this scent, and have it both in candles and all the bath goodies! It’s amazing and super relaxing. http://m.bathandbodyworks.com/product/index.jsp?productId=31340926
Happy early birthday! Have fun this weekend!
I can’t wait to listen to “undisclosed”! I’ve been saving the first episode and I’m gonna give it a listen tonight!
Babiators!!! That is just too cute!
I just started listening to podcasts, so that list will definitely come in handy!
What am I loving most this week? Enjoying my first-ever cruise vacation! We just got back yesterday and LOVED it! 🙂
Your web recommendations really made my day because they were things I was looking for as well, especially the pod-casts!
One thing I’m loving this week is that my town has been nominated as one of the top 10 hockey towns! The first round of voting just ended so I can’t wait to hear if our town made it to the top 4. If we win overall, an NHL preseason game will be played here!
Those babiators are awesome and the Robin Williams impersonations are spot on. Have a great birthday celebration!
Both my kiddos loved Mortimer the Moose!! And have a great weekend celebrating! My 28 bday was wednesday but we’re celebrating tomorrow!!
Oooh- mint water is such a good idea!
I am loving StichFix Maternity! After my first box I immediately ordered another, I can’t wait to get it!
You should check out Undisclosed for sure! It’s not Serial Part 2 but it’s kind of a follow-up…more on the defense attorney’s side and even just after one episode, I’m questioning everything I previously thought. Can’t wait for the next episode.
Also – I just redeemed a coupon at Chick-Fil-A for a free frozen lemonade…it’s to die for! It’s like lemonade, mixed with soft serve ice cream. Tart and creamy at the same time. You should check it out
Happy early birthday!
I’ve been adding fruit to my water (I’m prego too, so drinking water is my full time job) & a student of mine said Umm… do you know you have strawberries in your water!?!?
Happy birthday celebration weekend! It’s my birthday today, and planning on celebrating tomorrow 🙂
Thanks for the podcast recommendation of Serial… I just started it today and it will entertain me at work for the next few weeks.
Have a great weekend – and 30 is totally the new 20 😉 But really, my 30s have been awesome, and yours are shaping up to be terrific!
I am loving the nice weather that has finally start to hit the Chicagoland area – heading out to lay in the sun now!
Happy early birthday!!
I love mint water! I add cucumber to mine too.. so good!!
I remember reading on your blog that you and Ryan take turns planning dates for each other once a month. my fiance and I are getting married this year and we are getting so tired of the same old date nights… so we decided to start doing that too! April was my month so I planned a canoeing trip for us on the New River near the VA/NC state line. May is his month so I’m looking forward to seeing what he has planned!!
I watched that twin video last night & it was SO awesome! What a fun surprise <3
Mint water definitely looks like a salad in a cup, haha!
I'm loving that we're under contract for a fabulous home, wahoo! We're SO excited!