Two weeks ago, I published a Friday post dedicated to the things I’m loving and had a great time sharing some neat finds with you guys. I wanted to continue the fun today, so here are a handful of things I’m loving lately!
Please feel free to play along in the comments section!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- Publix GreenWise Organic Vanilla Ice Cream
Normally I think vanilla ice cream leaves much to be desired. Whenever I eat vanilla ice cream, I typically find myself wondering where the peanut butter cups, sprinkles or other fun mix-ins are since it can be a bit boring. Earlier this summer, my sister’s fiancé started raving about Publix organic vanilla ice cream and though I was skeptical at first, after one spoonful, I was sold. This ice cream is naturally creamy and so darn good on its own that you don’t need anything to help it along.
This is my all-time favorite weekly podcast and I love listening to it when I take Sadie on solo walks around our neighborhood. I always get wrapped up in the hilarious commentary and find myself laughing out loud as I try to answer the quiz questions. It is my dream to make it to a live recording of the show in Chicago someday soon!
- St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is easily one of my favorite cities in Florida. It’s also the first place Ryan and I visited when we were newly dating for a romantic mini vacation together, so it has a soft spot in my heart. My friend Minda is getting married in the historic city on Sunday and I am so, so thrilled to be a part of her wedding day. Ryan and I will be heading to St. Augustine on Saturday and I can’t wait. It’s such a fun place to explore and the streets are lined with the most adorable little shops and restaurants. If you live within driving distance of the city, I highly recommend planning a quick weekend getaway to St. Augustine. Stay in a bed and breakfast and take time to relax and wander around. You’ll have a blast!
My lips are naturally rather pale, so I love a bright lip color that makes them pop a bit! Though I usually use chap stick during the day, when I go out, I want a fun lip color that lasts. Lately my go-to lip color is Maybelline Super Stay 24 Hour Lip color in Continuous Coral. This I the lip color that a few of you asked me about when I posted this picture on the blog:
It stays for hours and hours and comes with a clear moisturizing balm that you apply over the color to keep your lips nice and soft.
- The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
My friend Amanda highly recommended this book to me and I started reading it on Tuesday night. Though it is not a light read and is quite different from other dystopian books I’ve enjoyed in the past, it’s equally enthralling. I am already hooked! I’ve been reading it for about an hour before bed and really look forward to diving into the story every night. An added bonus? Since it’s an older book, I didn’t have to wait for it to become available at my local library!
Since I am trying to be a good sister and lend a helping hand to Leslie as she and Ross plan their March 2014 wedding, I’ve found myself back on The Wedding Chicks website a lot lately. I used this website when I was planning my wedding and love the adorable DIY ideas and FREE templates offered to couples. It’s a great resource and I just wanted to highlight it in case any of you out there are in the process of planning your special day! (Ryan and I used one of their templates to make our save the dates and saved a ton of money!)
- Group Texts
My girlfriends from college and I have an ongoing group text that is basically out of control. It’s such a great way to stay in touch with each other every single day and I love hearing from them all the time.
- Top Coat Nail Polish
I’ve lived 28 years without using a top or a base coat on my nails when I do at-home manicures. I used to bite my nails (Invisalign was actually the thing that finally made me stop!), so I’ve never really cared about the appearance of my nails. Now that I’m regularly painting them, I want the time I put into painting my nails (and waiting for them to dry) to pay off. Using a top coat seems to really extend the life of my at-home manicures. Now I just need to jump on the base coat train…
Past Things I’m Loving Friday posts:
Question of the Day
- What is one thing you are loving lately?
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I’m loving Starbucks iced coffee. I’m in love with my new planner and notebooks for fall semester. I’m loving 21 so I can go out to the bars with my girlfriends!! 🙂 I love your lip color in that picture so I’ll have to try it!
Hilarious that you never used to use a top coat!! Such a great discovery for you 🙂 My nails always feel naked without it!
I’m loving painting my nails, also. I love having color on them! I also am loving our weather. Though it stinks when i try to do runs outside, i am enjoying the warm temps before winter comes haha
Great list!
I just realized that the Biscoff cookie spread tastes exactly like Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter. As someone who doesn’t live near a TJ’s, I’m definitely loving that!
Oh my gosh, Biskoff spread is so amazing!
*Biscoff
Agree. Biscoff all the way!!
You should also listen to the “This American Life” podcast on NPR, they have really great stories!
I just read a realllyyyy good book called Still Alice. It’s about a woman who was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers. SO interesting. I finished it in 3 days…I couldn’t put it down!
This reminds me. I need to paint my nails! Using a top coat is a must for me. I found a brand that has like 10 times the shine. It makes a huge difference!
The Handmaid’s Tale is one of my all time favorite books. Glad you enjoyed it.
If you love The Handmaid’s Tale, you might want to try Oryx and Crake next. I’ve never been a huge fan of Atwood’s work when it takes place in the “real world,” but it’s hard to beat her for distopian futures!
It is hilarious that you newly discovered top coat nail polish!! I’m loving my new gym membership at Crunch in SF!
I am loving going on walks with my boyfriend and our puppy. It’s my favorite part of the day!
Yey! Love seeing my hometown on your favs list!
I’m also kind of obsessed with NPR podcasts lately, and podcasts in general. I love listening to them while I get some work done at the office!
I’ll have to try that lip gloss! I used to listen to NPR all the time, but now that my commute is all of 5 minutes I’ll need to download some podcasts! My new favorite thing is Trader Joe’s chocolate pretzels dipped in peanut butter for dessert…amazing.
I love that lip color! thanks for sharing! I am always on the hunt for something new and fun ):
I’m loving that I found your blog and your post about NASM! I’m going to go for my certificate next year when I finish this degree, then I’ll go to school to get my masters in Nutrition! 🙂
Monogrammed anything! Just recieved a monogrammed clutch from marleylilly.com and can’t wait to use it!
I’m loving greengages!!! Also loving the slightly darker nights…makes going to be early easier! They are sensational! You are seriously the wedding queen btw! 🙂
I’m loving green tea smoothies! I’ve been making quite a few lately and am currently drinking one right now! I’m not a huge tea drinker so getting the benefits of green tea hidden in a smoothie is my cup of tea haha.
The Handmaid’s Tale has been on my Books To Read list forever. You’re inspiring me to start reading it. First, I need to finish reading Divergent. If you like dystopias you’d probably like Divergent too!
I’m loving the fact that although my parents were involved in a pretty bad accident this morning, that they walked away relatively unscathed. That’s made me pretty darn happy today! 🙂
I just discovered the magnificence that is “cauliflower rice” last night and am obsessed with cilanro lime, a la Chipotle. I am also obsessed with the kickoff of College Football, and wearing white pants for just a FEW more days.
My least favorite thing about this Friday is the anticipation of your choosing a winner for the Nano Giveaway. I’m crossing everything I’ve got!
Sounds strange, but if you spray Pam on your nails after you’ve painted them ,they dry instantly!!! Seriously! i’ve tried it!!
Also,I have nominated your for a Leibster Award. Come check out the link and participate if you want!! http://mitchalycia.blogspot.ca/2013/08/my-leibster-award.html
amazing!!! thanks for this tip. i am totally trying it.
Oh my gosh, does this really work? Why???
Love posts like this!
I love NPR too, especially WWDTM and Prairie Home Companion. I’m currently loving that its my birthday week AND I just ran my first half marathon (Sunday!). 🙂
I’m loving Trader Joe’s iced coffee concentrate!! If you live near a Trader Joe’s and like iced coffee, it’s a must try. I’m going to check out that book. Thanks for the suggestion!
I actually listened to Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me Podcast during my last walk because of your previous post. I used to listen on the radio in the past, but completely forgot about it! Thanks for the reminder!
I’ll be in St. Augustine this weekend visiting family until Tuesday. I’ve grown up visiting my grandparents there a couple times a year and its so nostalgic for me! I love the city! Maybe I’ll see you roaming the streets of St. Auggy and I’ll say hello! 🙂
My husband absolutely loves that podcast! I’m not a huge fan I guess, but I do really love the Jillian Michaels’ Podcast.
I loved The Handmaid’s Tale in college! This cover art is new and very different than the copy I have. It is so intriguing! Right now I am really loving the new show on CBS Under the Dome, which is also mildly dystopian.
I had Invisalign too! Did wonders. What I’m loving lately: the 30 day squat challenge I’m doing! I’m weird and enjoy a sore booty and legs 🙂 I’m also loving my new go-to breakfast: flatbread wrap with almond butter, cut up strawberries, and cinnamon inside! Yermmy
Ahhhh, it is my dream to attend a live recording of “Wait Wait” in Chicago too! Such a fun show 🙂 (And I loved “Handmaid’s Tale”)
I’m really loving homemade pizza and chia peanut butter power bars… I posted about them today on my blog.
I’m also really loving reading Nora Roberts books, specifically trilogies. I just finished the keys trilogy and it was amazing!!!
I’m loving Natures Path pop tarts and Chobani key lime yogurt!! And running skirts!
I definitely need to check out the wedding chicks site!
I feel kind of stupid. I’ve had invisalign for a few months now, and it took your post for me to realize THAT IS WHY I HAVEN’T BEEN BITING MY NAILS ANYMORE. I used to get regular shellac manicures so I wouldn’t bite them, but I haven’t gotten them done in a couple months. My nails are so long, and it was a mystery…until now. Haha.
Yum to that ice cream!!! I’ve found that even using a top coat doesn’t stop my nails chipping so I’m thinking of getting a shellac kit for at home instead.
Thanks for the tip about the Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me podcast! I’ve been looking for something new to listen to, and this sounds perfect. As a huge NPR fan, I’m not sure how I hadn’t yet given this one a go! Also, I love Maybelline 24-hour lip color, and own a few of the colors, including Continuous Coral. So pretty! Happy weekend, Julie!
I LOVE painting my nails and am obsessed with BUTTER nail polish, its natural and does not contain any of those nasty chemicals which I LOVE! Thanks for sharing 🙂 Love + Shine CourtStar
I HATE waiting for my nails to dry and usually I think I’ve waited long enough and then I end up chipping them in about 5 minutes. I think I usually go the base coat route but not the top coat route…or maybe it’s vice versa. It’s been awhile since I painted my nails…. 😉
I seriously just downloaded that NPR podcast last night. I haven’t listened to it yet but I thought based off the decription it would be funny. Glad to know I might be right 😉
I just started using a topcoat for my nails a few months ago when I started regularly painting my nails and I use the same one in your picture. I love it!
Right now, I’m loving that Starbucks brought their Pumpkin Spice Latte early. It wasn’t by much but it was an amazing surprise when I went in the other day to get some work done and redeem my free drink!
I just bought a teacher plan book on http://www.erincondren.com and now I am obsessed with all her other great designs.
I’m a dystopian genre fan as well and I loved the Handmaid’s Tale too. Such a good book, enjoy!
I got a pedicure on Thursday and found a new color – I Eat Mainely Lobster. I actually don’t like to eat lobster at all, but I did grow up in Maine and I had to pick the color! It is a fun shade of coral/pink and I love it!
I just forwarded this post to my G/F. I can feel my wallet crying already… thanks. =P
…and I just love hearing about what you love! It makes Fridays that much brighter 🙂 What I’m loving now is.. Breaking Bad! It’s kind of a twisted show, but I think I’m officially addicted!
Margaret Atwood is my favorite author; The Handmaid’s Tale is my favorite book.
Oryx and Crake, and then The Year of the Flood are both amazing reads after THT. On the 3rd, the third in the Oryx & Crake “trilogy” comes out (Maddaddam) and I can’t wait to read that.
I’ve been a fan of the post-apocalyptic dystopian fiction for years now, so Atwood is a great resource for literature lovers and P.A.D.F. lovers, too!
I’m lovin’ string cheese!!! I just had one…and can’t stop thinking about it. I might go and eat another. Favorite snack right now.
Excited and curious to listen to this podcast! Thanks!
My favorite podcasts are:
the moth (cool stories, each episode about 15 min long. PLZ LISTEN TO THE EPISODE BY CYNTHIA RIGGS, it is THE CUTEST love story ever!!!)
NPR TED radio hour (if you love TED talks, you’ll love this! Episodes are a bit long though, I like to listen to them at 1.5x)
NPR RadioLab (cool sciency stories geared towards the general public. I’m a big fab!)
Ugh, I LOVE Margaret Atwood. I actually should re-read The Handmaiden’s Tale… I have the upcoming week off work and that may be a perfect back patio/tanning read.
Right now, I’m loving Shellac manicures. I used to bite my nails but getting the Shellac done has COMPLETELY curbed the habit!
We used the wedding chicks template you and Ryan used for our wedding this past July. We loved it, thanks!
The Handmaid’s Tale is such a good book — and bonus points for Margaret Atwood being a fellow Canadian 🙂