Friday Faves + Nalgene giveaway

Hi friends! Happy Fri-yay! What are you up to this weekend? Any fun plans?? We have a friend’s birthday party, and I’m hoping to cash in on my Mother’s Day nap. 😉 I hope you have a relaxing and fun weekend ahead!

It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party! I always enjoy sharing some of the latest faves, and hearing about yours in the comments section if you’d like to join along.

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(similar shirt here! love it for summer)

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#1: Having my hand surgery over with! It was Monday, and while the day itself was a little stressful, it was so worth it. They were waiting for my graft nerves to arrive -I pictured someone running down the hall with a cooler, Grey’s Anatomy-style- so it was delayed 4 hours (with a dead phone and IV in my arm…) and our sitter had to leave our house to take a final. So, the Pilot went home to take over for P and pick up Liv from school. I was chilling, trying to ignore the IV, and Jess walked into the room! It was the best. She stayed there during the surgery, and then stayed downstairs with Liv and P (no kids under 14 allowed in the hospital) while the Pilot went up to get me. Jess, you are an angel. <3

The splint on my hand has taken some getting used to (my first diaper change was hilarious ) but it’s NBD now. I get it off on Tuesday! I’m so so thrilled to have had an incredible surgeon. While my hand is sore, the constant throbbing pain is already gone. Also, I HAVE FEELING in my thumb. It’s been numb for over a year, and this fact alone makes me cry because I’m so happy. I thought I’d just have to get used to constantly dropping things and a dull pain where I cut it, but no. I am so thankful. 

To celebrate the end of my surgeries, the Pilot picked up this cactus cake from Whole Foods.

Cactus cake

It’s chocolate cake with chocolate ganache, and the whole barrel cake is already almost gone.  

Cactus cake 3

Livi and I were equally thrilled. The chocolate-loving apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, that’s for sure.

Cactus cake 2

Salad a Day in May is going strong! Thank you for tagging me in all of your beautiful salad beast pics! Let’s keep it going. 🙂

Here are my salads from the week:

Saladaday

Sunday (unpictured): Hawaiian chopped salad while riding to the airport

Monday: Whole Foods hot bar. The Pilot made it with greens, garbanzo beans, balsamic dressing, edamame, beets, fennel, and chicken

Tuesday: Tender Greens kale salad with roasted veggies and grilled garlic bread

Wednesday: kale salad with hearts of palm, feta, pomegranate arils, lemon vinaigrette and chicken. I processed the chicken in the food processor since it’s tricky to cut things with the splint

Thursday: leftover kale salad

I’ll keep taking pics so I have more to share in next week’s Friday Faves post! This chopped shrimp salad is on the menu and I’ll share the recipe for my uncle’s chopped avocado salad, too. 

These Steve Madden sandals (in the pic above). They match everything and are super comfy!

 Being healthy means not always being healthy. It wasn’t until I had Liv that I really learned the art of moderation. Life is so much happier when things aren’t off limits. *Raises cactus cake-covered fork triumphantly*

Well this makes me want to improve my chicken scratch. 

Inspiration for meal prep.

Challenge for that peach.

These bedtime stories.

Advice for first-time entrepreneurs.

Emma Watson’s Met Gala dress!

A giveaway from my friends at Nalgene!

Nalgene giveaway

I’m a huge fan of Nalgene bottles because they’re BPA-free and super durable. I have a blue one that I stole from the Pilot, have dropped it at least 100 times, and you would never know. I also love that they hold a LOT of water, which makes it easier to get in the recommended daily amount. They sent me one of their newest Silo bottles, which is the only 48 oz bottle on the market. It doesn’t leak and is dishwasher safe on the top rack.

5 lucky readers will win their own Silo bottle in Cosmo!

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Enter here:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The lucky winners will be chosen Sunday night at midnight EST and announced Monday morning.

Nalgene giveaway 3

Happy Friday, friends! I’ll see you soon with a dessert recipe. 🙂

I leave you with the P smile of the day, dancing with daddy at our cousin’s wedding last weekend.

Dancing 2

xoxo

Gina

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315 Comments

  1. Jessica on May 6, 2016 at 2:23 pm

    I’m loving the weather this week. It has been beautiful out!

  2. Tina sneed on May 6, 2016 at 2:32 pm

    Yum – that cake!

  3. Kel on May 6, 2016 at 2:33 pm

    So glad your surgery went well!!!

  4. Deanna k on May 6, 2016 at 2:44 pm

    Those sandals are really cute! I hope you recover really quickly! I definitely need a big water bottle. Breastfeeding makes me so. Dang. Thirsty.

  5. Keeley on May 6, 2016 at 2:47 pm

    the sunshine!!

  6. melodie on May 6, 2016 at 3:05 pm

    Her big open mouthed smiles! They make me smile every single time you post one. Precious girl!

  7. Jennifer on May 6, 2016 at 3:05 pm

    Lately, I’m all about some nachos!! Load up the quac!

  8. Olivia K on May 6, 2016 at 3:14 pm

    I’m loving ripe ready to eat avocadoes!

  9. Ryah on May 6, 2016 at 3:36 pm

    That cake looks amazing! And I’m always on the hunt for a good water bottle.

  10. Amanda L on May 6, 2016 at 3:49 pm

    Just started watching Grace and Frankie on Netflix, loving it so far!

  11. ashley d on May 6, 2016 at 3:59 pm

    loving how beautiful it is outside! trees are so green

  12. Susan Melillo on May 6, 2016 at 3:59 pm

    That cake looks scrumptious! All in moderation

  13. Courtney on May 6, 2016 at 4:02 pm

    I love that you keep inspiring me to get stuff done this week! Girl, you have two surgeries in a short amount of time, and still keep going! I am pretty sure this is why your whole family is always smiling. 🙂

  14. Lori on May 6, 2016 at 4:03 pm

    I’m loving that I am finally feeling better! I got sick on Sunday and was finally feeling more normal yesterday and then got slammed with a migraine. On the mends now!

  15. Tera on May 6, 2016 at 4:07 pm

    I follow you on IG!

  16. Tera on May 6, 2016 at 4:07 pm

    I’m loving that both my husband and I got back from TDYs this week and took Thursday and Friday off to celebrate our anniversary 🙂 happy friday!

  17. Hayley on May 6, 2016 at 4:15 pm

    So happy to hear the surgery went well! Glad you’re doing so much better 🙂

    I’m loving the beautiful weather that has finally decided to arrive 🙂

  18. Lindsay P. on May 6, 2016 at 4:31 pm

    Congrats on the successful surgery. I’m loving that this weekend should be cool and rainy.

  19. Jessica on May 6, 2016 at 4:41 pm

    That’s what friends are for!! Besides, I got some baby snuggles out of the deal which is always a plus :). LOVE YOU!

  20. Amanda on May 6, 2016 at 4:47 pm

    I am loving my two ingredient pancakes in the morning 🙂

  21. Dani Beckmann on May 6, 2016 at 5:21 pm

    I am loving shaved raw brussel sprouts as a salad base. I had one every day this week!

  22. Meghan on May 6, 2016 at 5:27 pm

    I’m loving trying to focus on being more mindful and practicing not denying myself anything, but not overeating and going crazy either.

  23. Meghan on May 6, 2016 at 5:28 pm

    I follow on IG

  24. Veronica U on May 6, 2016 at 5:35 pm

    I’m loving this will be my first weekend off nights!

  25. Juliana on May 6, 2016 at 5:40 pm

    Okay can I tell you my weekend plans? I’m so excited. I am attending a class at the Matthew Kenney Culinary Institute in Venice called “The Art of Raw Chocolate”. I actually was inspired by one of your recipes, a raw chocolate tart recipe from a long time ago, that was a hit at my family Christmas. I have Crohn’s and my sis-in-law has a million allergies and that raw tart was the one thing everyone could eat, it was AMAZING. I’m totally hooked on raw desserts, it’s been YEARS since I could eat anything that decadent and not get sick. Glad you’re having a speedy recovery! Have a fantastic weekend, and happy Mama’s day! Cheers 🙂

  26. Kelly Keever on May 6, 2016 at 5:49 pm

    Happy Mother’s Day!

  27. Erin on May 6, 2016 at 5:51 pm

    I’m loving that I get to go prom dress shopping with my daughter tomorrow!

  28. Becca on May 6, 2016 at 5:57 pm

    I”m loving that I finally got to plant my garden!

  29. kate on May 6, 2016 at 6:00 pm

    me me me!!!

  30. Jen A on May 6, 2016 at 6:01 pm

    I’m loving the time with me family this week. With 2 kids under 3, things can be quite hectic but I feel like this week was an easy one!

  31. Kimberly Rucker on May 6, 2016 at 6:03 pm

    I am loving the results I am seeing from Orangetheory this week!

  32. Leah on May 6, 2016 at 6:18 pm

    I’m loving the beautiful weather in the Midwest!

  33. Kelsey G on May 6, 2016 at 6:37 pm

    I’m glad your surgery is over and that it went well! Have an amazing Mother’s Day!

  34. Sarah B on May 6, 2016 at 6:47 pm

    I’m loving the home stretch: the end of the school year (I’m a teacher) and being 38 weeks pregnant. That light is getting brighter each day! What a summer it’ll be!

  35. Hannah on May 6, 2016 at 7:19 pm

    Yess! So good to hear your surgery went well!

    I’m thankful for a business that’s (finally hah) starting to take off and for incredible friends after a hard week of car trouble!

  36. Kelly S on May 6, 2016 at 7:22 pm

    I love that my hubby didn’t have to travel for work this week, meaning he was home for our anniversary, we were both happy he didn’t have to be on the road and was home, and we were able to work out together all week!!

  37. Jackie on May 6, 2016 at 7:29 pm

    I’d love to give the bottle to my mom! She is currently trying to increase her water intake.

  38. Lauren @ Oh Hey! I Like That! on May 6, 2016 at 7:38 pm

    Happy early Mother’s Day!!! And you’re a champion, handling those diaper changes with one hand!

  39. Danielle on May 6, 2016 at 7:43 pm

    I’ve been so sick with the flu & strep this week but my boys (littles + husband) still tried to make sure I had an extra special birthday with lots of special birthday surprises!

  40. Bianca on May 6, 2016 at 7:46 pm

    i’m loving trader joe’s cauliflower rice!!

  41. Kristin on May 6, 2016 at 8:01 pm

    That cake looks amazing!

  42. Amanda on May 6, 2016 at 8:10 pm

    smiles of the day are the best!

  43. Megan annen on May 6, 2016 at 8:39 pm

    I’m loving the Friday weather here in Portland and green smoothies in the morning!

  44. Kelsey Yoki on May 6, 2016 at 8:50 pm

    That my mom is officially on her way back to MN after living in FL for three years!

  45. Tonya on May 6, 2016 at 8:54 pm

    I’m so glad that you are getting some much deserved relief post surgery. Thanks for sponsoring a giveaway!

  46. Shari M on May 6, 2016 at 9:36 pm

    That cake looks delicious!

  47. Bethany on May 6, 2016 at 10:01 pm

    Yay for the successful (and end of) surgeries! Looking forward to the dessert recipe!

    P.S. Pick me!

  48. Anne on May 7, 2016 at 2:11 am

    Love those big smiles and glad to hear your hand is on the mend! Keep feeling well!

  49. Shani on May 7, 2016 at 3:22 am

    i am loving the beginning of summer fruit plus still having strawberries available for cheap!

  50. Shani on May 7, 2016 at 3:23 am

    i follow you on instagram

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