It’s Friday and I am psyched for the weekend ahead. The weather this week has been pretty wonderful in Charlotte (mornings in the upper 60s, evenings in the low 80s) and I’m hoping to spend a lot of time outside. Our friends Chandra and Kevin are also coming over to meet Chase and I’m looking forward to seeing them as well!
Now it’s time to kick things off the way we always do on Fridays around here and dive into your usual Things I’m Loving Friday post where we chat about the things that make us smile most each week. Feel free to play along in the comments section!
Things I’m Loving Friday
I’ve enjoyed listening to podcasts for years but recently I’ve been on the lookout for new-to-me podcasts and have loved branching out a bit from my usual favorites. This week I began listening to Happier, a podcast by Gretchen Rubin, the author of one of my favorite books, The Happiness Project. (<—Highly recommended!) Her podcast is awesome and I’ve made my way through the first five episodes already. They’re short (around 20 minutes), so I can usually listen to a couple on my walks with Sadie and Chase in the morning. They are packed with simple tips for making your life happier that can often be applied immediately.
- Blogging With A Baby
In case you were wondering how I’m currently blogging these days, this picture says it all! I absolutely love the way Chase’s arms are chillin’ over his head because he loves sleeping that way! He is currently obsessed with his arms and hands and they’re almost always by his face when he sleeps. I love that little dude so darn much.
- Miracle Gel Nail Polish
I’m not spending much time on my appearance these days (hello messy buns and no make up all day every day!), but for some reason I’ve had the desire to paint my nails a couple of times since Chase arrived. Even when I look like a hot mess, if my nails are painted, I somehow feel somewhat together. I’ve been loving these gel polishes (no light required) and really do feel like they last longer than typical nail polish. This is key for me, especially right now since I don’t want to have chipped nails two days after I finally found a quiet moment to paint my nails!
I owe a big thank you to all of you for recommending these tanks to me. When I arrived home from the hospital, I had maybe two pairs of pajamas and one tank that worked well for nursing (hence me being topless all the time!), but I quickly added three of these tanks to my collection and basically live in them. They’re comfortable and allow me to breastfeed somewhat discreetly. Plus, I think the tanks will work well for a while and will be quite functional under sweaters and cardigans in the cooler months.
- Caitlin’s Santa Fe Casserole
On Tuesday this week, my friend Caitlin came over to meet Chase and brought her Santa Fe casserole to share with us for dinner. She’s raved about this casserole on her blog for ages and it definitely lived up to the hype! It’s also a dish that I think would be fabulous for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
- Around the Web
Awesome Lorna Jane activewear apparel sale on Zulily right now
So many creative ideas —> 41 Organization Hacks
For my fellow dog lovers –> How Dogs Get Older: A Photography Project
Columbia Sportswear is hiring a Director of Toughness and the job sounds amazing
- Flashback Friday
Almond Butter Granola (Still my go-to granola recipe… Use any kind of nut butter you like!)
50 Rep Workout (This workout incorporates cardio and strength exercises for a boot camp style workout that will keep you guessing!)
- Minted Giveaway Winner
Congratulations to Katelyn Rose, the winner of the Minted giveaway! Katelyn Rose was emailed first thing this morning. Thanks so much to all who entered!
Question of the Day
- Tell me about one thing you are loving this week!
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Chase looks so cute sleeping like that! 🙂
I am currently 21 weeks pregnant and when we went to our anatomy scan our little dudes arm was up over his head the whole time. He didn’t move it once! I am assuming Chases sleeping position will be how our little guy sleeps too! Love the baby updates!
Aw, I love this! Chase’s hands and arms were always by his face in his ultrasounds, too. <3
The picture of you blogging with Chase on your lap is all-too-familiar! That’s exactly how I got work done for the first few months! Also, your almond butter granola looks delicious! I may have to try it with some peanut butter! I’ll also be taking a closer look at that Santa Fe casserole because that’s right up my alley!
Chase is absolutely adorable!! Im loving tjose tanks as well, especially under a non-nursing friendly tank; it makes nursing out of the house so much easier!!!!
But what I’m most loving??? We’re heading into the big 100th Things I’m Loving Friday post!!! A big congrats to you!!!!!
check out leading lady nursing bras and tanks – even 16 months later they are still my favorite and i wear them everyday
I will! Thanks for the rec! I’m still trying to figure out how to dress myself in a way that’s also conducive to breastfeeding and it’s a bit of a challenge at the moment!
Hi Julie – I lived in nursing bras while nursing my first, and plan to do the same with number two when she arrives. For me, I found it much easier to wear “normal” shirts while breastfeeding and pumping while wearing nursing bras as opposed to tanks. I got mine at Motherhood Maternity, but they’re also available at Target. You’ll figure out what works best for you:)
Julie – 18 months later and I’m still nursing my son and therefore still wearing nursing bras, sigh! haha. I find, most days I wear a tank with stretchy spaghetti straps and then my regular shirt over top. That way, I can just pull the shirt up, and pull the tank and bra cup down for nursing. I’m still pretty covered up, no stomach showing, and minimal boob (I hated and still hate nursing covers).
Awww, i love that picture of Chase!! what a cute peanut! 🙂
This week I am loving lemon water and less humid weather.
Love the photo of you & Chase blogging. 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend!
If you are looking for more podcasts to listen to, I recommend “Totally Mommy” and also “Totally Married”. I found Totally Mommy when I was 8 months pregnant and have been listening almost non stop since (I now have a 15 month old), catching up on old episodes and listening to the new ones as they come out each week. Totally Married is also great, it features Elizabeth (the host of Totally Mommy) and her husband Andy. They are funny and very open and honest about the topics of parenting, pregnancy, and marriage. Enjoy! 🙂
Awesome!! I’m always looking for more podcast recommendations. I’ll definitely check it out!
you should also check out “the longest shortest time” it’s a podcast full of adorable/heartwarming/funny/crazy parenting stories. it’s really really sweet.
Awesome! I’ll definitely look into it. Thanks for the recommendation!
The Longest Shortest Time is my favorite! And the Facebook group has been a total lifesaver.
My little man is 9 months old and I am still wearing those nursing tanks like 3+ times a week… They are starting to look a little ‘women’ but they are hands down my most necessary purchase for life with nursing baby!
Haha ‘worn’…dang autocorrect ?
I honestly don’t think I’ve worn anything other than those tanks this week! Haha!
Director of Toughness – that sounds AWESOME! I applied…because, why not?! 😉
It really does sound like the coolest job EVER!!
I’m currently loving the brand new flavor of Barbara’s Bakery Puffins Cereal – Pumpkin! My sister and I just discovered it at Target yesterday, so we had to buy a box of it! I’m already a huge fan of Puffins and everything Pumpkin, so it is the ideal combination! So, so good and you really can taste the pumpkin flavor!
Chase is seriously the sweetest! And I love that he is always in a diaper! 🙂
I will have to check out that podcast because I LOVED that book!
I am looking forward to a busy weekend with my husband 🙂 We have a birthday dinner tonight for our brother-in-law and then tomorrow I am getting my hair done! Hello roots! Then I am going to a baby shower Sunday for my cousin and I am so excited! I am also hoping we can get out for a hike or 2 since the weather has been so nice in KCMO!
Hope you have an amazing weekend!
I’m also loving the Happier Podcast! It’s so good. You might also like the Mystery Show…the host solves one mystery each episode and it’s hilarious how far she’ll go (one of them was trying to find out how tall Jake Gyllenhall really is). I love it! Hope you have a great weekend 🙂
That podcast was actually in last week’s Things I’m Loving Friday post! Definitely a good one! 🙂
Happy Friday Julie! I’ve only recently gotten into podcasts and audiobooks. I’ll have to look up some of your suggestions. Blogging with a baby seems pretty accurate! I know that’s what I look like half the time with a cat on my lap. I can only imagine it will happen more often when there is a little one. 😉 Enjoy the weekend!
Hi Julie. I looked at your granola recipe. How long does it keep and how does it need to stored? I can’t wait to try it out.
I’m loving that “How Dogs get Older” link you shared… beyond touching. But my favorite this week has to be the fact that it’s Friday and the weekend is finally here! I got my long run in this morning so now it’s time to sit back, relax, and really enjoy this weekend!
I love podcasts (I have a long commute!) and have enjoyed Happier as well. I would HIGHLY recommend The Lively Show by Jess Lively! It’s a little deeper content but really interesting and self reflective. They’re 40-50 min so might be perfect for your walks!
Other favorites are Invisibilia (ok, a little slow), StartUp (if you like business), One Part Podcast (interesting guests, similar to The Lively Show)
Things we love on Friday? Your blog!!!
LMAO off last night reading Michael Smith’s Family Meals where he intoned on the wonderfulness of Overnight Oats. Been there, done that for years now dude!!!
Ooooh I need to check out that podcast–I’ve always really liked her books.
I too am living in nursing tanks & messy buns now. Hotness!! 🙂
I’m podcast obsessed this summer! So glad I started listening to them!
And I love Gretchen’s! She rocks!
My parents are coming in town this weekend to help with some last minute baby to-do’s. I’m thinking we will make an epic Target run and pick up a few of those tanks!
Such a cute photo of little Chase sleeping while you blog! How precious!
OMG that’s my favorite nail polish right now! I work in a lab so I am constantly washing my hands all day long and normal nail polish chips within 1 day. That stuff lasts a little over a week- which is a long time for me haha!
Chase looks so adorable snoozing while you blog! 🙂 What a perfect set up!
I noticed Chase is napping without being swaddled. My babygirl is 10 weeks and still needs swaddling for naps/bedtime? Did you do anything special to accomplish no swaddle sleep so young?
Nursing tanks are awesome, but I wasn’t a huge fan of the fit of most. I ended up using normal shelf camis (from Target!) under everything. All I had to do was slip the strap down a bit to nurse. It was also nice to be able to wear any shirt and lift it up with the cami underneath to nurse – that way I was covered but it was easy to get access
Chase is just too cute. I remember getting things done while my little guy slept in my lap. Too much cute!
I’m loving the weather right now in southwest Missouri! I’m also looking forward to going home and seeing my family, friends, and picking up my dog!
My 3 month old daughter has been so chatty on the way to daycare this week. I now turn off the radio and listen to her “talk” all while jamming her hands in her mouth…yours will be doing that soon 🙂
I LOVE podcasts and have been meaning to try hers!! I recently started uploading my yoga classes to iTunes. If you want to try a home work out – check it out. STUDIO B POWER YOGA. Also I just love the pic of you blogging with your comfy baby!
Chase is such a cutie! And that nail polish is awesome! Happy Friday!
I’m a little bit obsessed with Gretchen Rubin – I often refer to her as my “guru” – so I should definitely check out her podcast. I am loving that it’s Friday! This was my first 5-day work week after taking Mondays off all summer… It was rough!
that casserole looks rally delicious, can’t wait to try it!
That Chase picture!! I die
Hey lady, nursing apparel question…i’m about 20 weeks and gonna start prepping to buy some nursing apparel in the near future. did you have to go up a cup size in your nursing bras, or were you able to use your regular size??
I had to go up a size! 🙂
I was assuming as much 🙂 thanks gal.
Haha! I was wondering how I could continue blogging with a baby on the way! I pictured exactly something like this! This is too cute. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing that photo!
À LA MODEST – Replacing insecurities with inspiration!
That picture of Chase laying on your lap is so precious! “Happier” has been on my list to listen to! I just hopped off the “Serial” bandwagon and finished Serial and Undisclosed.
I miss wearing nail polish. For the last 6 or so years I’ve had a job where I’m working outside with plants. Nail polish never lasted very long so I gave up wearing it. I’ll be back at it again soon though because in a few weeks I’ll be done there because I’m going back to school.
I’m in love with that polish, too, and so is my mom! We both keep buying more of them, even though neither one of us needs any more polishes…
I love the pic of you as a working mum, so sweet!
I’ve followed your blog for a while & wanted to say thanks for the articles you wrote on blogging. They encouraged me to start a blog which I named after Gretchen Rubin’s quote “the days are long but the years are short’, so when you mentioned her in this post it felt like the time was right to comment!
Loving your posts about life as a new mum, my first is 10 months & I’m already nostalgic for his newborn days, they grow so fast!!!
Aw I love this! Hope you are enjoying blogging! <3
so glad you got those tanks!! They are pretty much the best, especially for the price! Thanks target! You did it again!! 🙂
I am loving the Girls on the Run program! I had my coaches training last Saturday and CAN’T WAIT to meet my team in a few weeks! I get to meet my other coaches on Tuesday. And its all thanks to you! I learned about the program from your blogs posts! Thank you! <3
I am loving podcasts again. I started listening to a “Thinner in 30” this week that I really enjoy. I have been recommended the Happiness Project book. It is on my TBR list. I will have to check out her Podcast though. Thanks for sharing that and the gel nail polish! I love painting my nails and used to have shellac done, but it just wasn’t feasible anymore for me.
Your little one is precious! I have been on a hiatus the past couple weeks from blogs and blogging, but he looks like he has grown so much just since he was born.
Awwww, I LOVE that cute little picture of Chase on your lap while you blog. So cute! My sleep doc said that when people sleep with their arms over their head it’s because it’s the best way to get more oxygen. Safe and interesting thing about humans I’d never known before.
After reading your recent podcast recommendations, and all the ones in the comments here, I think it’s time I finally start actually listening to a podcast. Thanks for all the recommendations.
I am fairly new to your blog and loving it! There are many times that I cant go to the gym now that I have a little one so your at-home workouts are perfect! Your little boy is seriously so cute! It seems like just yesterday my 9 month old was that small! Cherish these moments they go by so fast!
So glad you found me and that the workouts are working well for you at home! 🙂
I’m loving all the smoothie bowls for breakfast and late night snacks…only way to survive this killer heat wave in North California!
That photo of you and Chase is the CUTEST. Love that you’re still able to blog with him around :). Also, that podcast sounds great! Thank you for sharing!
I always sleep with my arms up above my head too! My husband doesn’t find it quite as cute though! 😛
Ah such a sweet baby! I love your Friday posts 🙂 xo C