Painting, wine unicorns and Gone Girl

= weekend in a nutshell 

How was your weekend? Ours was the perfect mix of fun events, relaxing and time with friends. All the good things.

Friday morning, I thought it would be fun to paint pumpkins with Liv, so we went to Michael’s to grab supplies.

(A little tip: I download a store coupon on my phone before heading in, so it’s on the screen ready to go. It’s an easy way to get 40% off an item!)

When we got back home, I set up our gear in the backyard and we had a blast painting together.

Pumpkin stuff

We took a break for lunch and pre-nap routine. Since I was in the painting spirit, I ended up finishing mine during naptime while listening to podcasts.

Pumpkin  1 of 1 4

(I don’t think anyone is surprised by my chosen design haha)

Saturday morning was Zumba, and then I met up with the fam for breakfast at Rancho’s. Rancho’s is climbing up to the “faves” list for San Diego, as they have incredible (and healthy!) Mexican selections + breakfast ALL DAY. 

Me and my horchata-loving sidekick:

At ranchos

The view on the patio is very nice indeed…

Tom at ranchos

the plants are nice, too 😉

I got the turkey chorizo with eggs and potatoes, and it was my childhood on a plate. It was glorious.

Post-breakfast donut stop:

Donuts

We also hit up World Market for the Friends and Family sale (ends tonight!) and I found my WINE UNICORN.

Apothic dark

I posted about my fave inexpensive wines here, and this Apothic Dark is something I’d been trying to find for quite a while, as we love the original Apothic. I have to say, I think the original is better. The Dark had a bit of a tang to it; not quite as smooth as the original version. Still very good.. all wine is good. 

First time cooking with LEEKS:

Fish and leeks  1 of 1

(I was slightly intimidated, but it turned out to be NBD)

and went to see Gone Girl with Kelli.

We grabbed dinner at Tender Greens first, where they have kombucha on tap. Amazing.

Tendergreens2

As far as Gone Girl goes, I think it was just as dark, tense, and mind-blowing as the book. So good! (And the ending still makes me so mad! Don’t worry, no spoilers here. It’s definitely worth seeing.)

Time to teach Bodypump. Hope you have a wonderful day <3

See ya later with a new fall smoothie recipe.

xoxo

Gina

Congratulations to the winner of the Count Me Healthy bracelet: Leah!

Here’s her comment:

“I’m loving homemade butternut squash soup made with squash my daughter picked out at her farm field trip Friday.
Beautiful bracelet. I’d use it to count my blessings every day.” 

Check your email, Leah! I’ll get your bracelet and goodies on the way to you this week 🙂 Thank you again to those of you who entered. Stay tuned for more giveaways coming up. xo

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73 Comments

  1. jodie on October 13, 2014 at 7:11 am

    The meal with the leeks looks delish. Recipe?

  2. Laura B @ FitMamaLove on October 13, 2014 at 7:20 am

    Looks like a nice weekend! Your pumpkin is so pretty! We also painted pumpkins this weekend, except I had the kids paint their while I cooked dinner and it was great for keeping them busy that whole time!

    I was scared the first time I cooked with leeks too, but it’s really no big deal, right? They add such a nice flavor, I really enjoy them.

    I’ll have to look for that wine because I also enjoy the original Apothic!

  3. Brynn on October 13, 2014 at 7:22 am

    What a beautiful pumpkin! We spent the weekend soaking in the fall weather on our first new family walk.

    • Fitnessista on October 13, 2014 at 8:43 am

      love that so much!!

  4. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment on October 13, 2014 at 7:24 am

    I love your pumpkin project! Liv is such a cutie. She was made for sunglasses. 🙂

    • Fitnessista on October 13, 2014 at 8:43 am

      aww thank you! yes, she rocks the sunnies 🙂

  5. Ali @ Peaches and Football on October 13, 2014 at 7:26 am

    Liv is pretty styl’in with those shades on. 🙂 Did you read Gone Girl first? If so, do you think it’s one of those movies that’s better having read the book? Sometimes I get more disappointed in a movie if I’ve read the book but other times the book just helps give me more details the movie didn’t have time to go into.

    I love painting pumpkins. Maybe one of these years I’ll get back into it again!!

    • Fitnessista on October 13, 2014 at 8:42 am

      haha i love her sunnies too 🙂 i did read the book, and thought the movie was better than i expected. not quite as good as the book, but pretty close!!

  6. Linda @ Fit Fed and Happy on October 13, 2014 at 7:30 am

    What was gona girl about? The only movie I want to ser right now is Annabelle 🙂

    • Fitnessista on October 13, 2014 at 8:41 am

      i can’t even describe it in a paragraph without spoiling it. watch the trailer!

  7. Britt@MyOwnBalance on October 13, 2014 at 7:33 am

    I love the white pumpkins! You are so artistic. I would have drawn a scary smiley face and called it a day. Haha! Fun idea for a toddler!

  8. Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries on October 13, 2014 at 7:40 am

    Sounds like a pretty perfect weekend! Great job on your pumpkin. Amazing! I saw Gone Girl this weekend too. I have the same thoughts as you. I liked the book better, but I was still very impressed with how great the movie was too. Have a great Monday! xo

  9. Ashley @ A Lady Goes West on October 13, 2014 at 7:41 am

    Is your Saturday ZUMBA class a regular? I just love teaching Saturday mornings, it’s one of my favorite times to get sweaty, because I feel great the rest of the day.

    • Fitnessista on October 13, 2014 at 8:39 am

      yes! it’s such a great way to start the day

  10. jen on October 13, 2014 at 7:49 am

    I love Apothic but I was just eh on Apothic Dark. I actually had a bottle of 2009 Apothic at Christmas. It had been store upright on top of my in-law’s fridge (the horror!) but my SIL and I cracked into it anyway and it was amazing. So much better than the newer vintages. I found myself online the other day seeing if I could find a case of 2009 somewhere because I am just not loving the current vintage. I think about good, cheap wine way too much obviously!

    • Fitnessista on October 13, 2014 at 8:39 am

      that’s interesting!! i’ll have to see if i can track down an older version to compare

  11. haley @Cupcakes and Sunshine.com on October 13, 2014 at 7:49 am

    YOUR PUMPKIN! I just love it!

    • Fitnessista on October 13, 2014 at 8:39 am

      thank you!!

  12. Michele @ paleorunningmomma on October 13, 2014 at 7:50 am

    I am not a crafty mom at all so I’m really impressed by those pumpkins!

    • Fitnessista on October 13, 2014 at 8:39 am

      not very crafty either, but we had fun 🙂

  13. Katie @ Daily Cup of Kate on October 13, 2014 at 7:59 am

    I love the Apothic red and have been intrigued by the Apothic Dark too…thanks for the review!

  14. Amanda J on October 13, 2014 at 8:00 am

    I saw Gone Girl yesterday as well. Oh.my.word. So good! (I have NOT read the book.) I thought Ben Affleck was pretty darn good (and um, easy on the eyes too!). Also, I’m excited to check out your inexpensive red wine post (somehow missed that one) as I’ve been getting back into the red wine, what with the cooler weather. And since it’s just me (single gal here), it’s difficult to justify spending a ton on a bottle that I may end up not finishing. Have a great week, Gina!

    • Fitnessista on October 13, 2014 at 8:38 am

      yes, he was very nice to look at 🙂
      hope you love the wine!! have a great week <3

  15. Christa @ Living Unbalanced on October 13, 2014 at 8:04 am

    Kombucha on tap?!? That is amazing.

  16. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious on October 13, 2014 at 8:08 am

    I have a soup recipe I’m whipping up this weekend with leeks. It’s my first yine with them. Good to know its NBD. Seriously you could be an artist. I could barely draw a smile face if my life depended on it. Ha!

  17. Lindsey @ SimplyLindsey on October 13, 2014 at 8:19 am

    I pre-load the coupons on my phone every time I go to Michael’s too! Their coupons are awesome! I used them all the time when I was planning my wedding. 🙂

  18. Kaila @healthyhelperblog! on October 13, 2014 at 8:23 am

    I LOVE LEEKS. Especially now that they’re in season! They add such great flavor to meals. Have you ever tried roasting them!? So good.

    • Fitnessista on October 13, 2014 at 8:38 am

      no, but i’m excited to experiment with them!

  19. Julie on October 13, 2014 at 8:49 am

    Your pumpkin is so impressive! You’ve got some skillz. 😉

    • Fitnessista on October 13, 2014 at 11:53 am

      haha thanks girl 😉

  20. Erin @ Her Heartland Soul on October 13, 2014 at 8:49 am

    I can’t wait to see Gone Girl! I’m hoping to tomorrow. Great job on the pumpkin! You’ve got artistic talent!

  21. Tracy @ sprinklesandsquats on October 13, 2014 at 9:14 am

    Woman, that pumpkin is amazing! I love the design – it’s so cute!

    Reading this post put me in the mood for donuts… I may have to find a recipe to make at home. I’m thinking something pumpkin-y topped with cinnamon sugar haha.

    • Fitnessista on October 13, 2014 at 11:53 am

      thank you so much!
      and those donuts sound amazing 🙂

  22. Alex on October 13, 2014 at 9:14 am

    I have heard so many things about Gone Girl and yet I haven’t seen 1 preview. I need to get my TV game, at least current movie previews! How did you paint your pumpkins? They look fantastic. Did you use a template- do you recommend any? Thanks!

    • Fitnessista on October 13, 2014 at 11:52 am

      i just googled for a picture i liked and tried to eyeball it 🙂

  23. Tracy on October 13, 2014 at 10:37 am

    I love love love your pumpkin!! Well done! You are so talented 🙂

    I’m hoping to see Gone Girl this week…can’t wait!

  24. Parita @ myinnershakti on October 13, 2014 at 10:55 am

    Gone Girl was amazing! I loved how it mirrored everything I imagined when reading the book. And there’s already so much Oscar buzz around it.

    • Fitnessista on October 13, 2014 at 11:52 am

      i thought there might be! SO good

  25. Jessie on October 13, 2014 at 10:57 am

    What a beautiful pumpkin! Looked like a great weekend! My 3 yr old son and his three other toddler friends painted pumpkins together on fri too. He had fun! My husband and I saw Gone Girl last week. It was different than I had expected but definetly entertaining;)

    Leeks are good! I made a pasta dish with leeks and bacon before and it was amazing. The only time consuming part is cleaning the leeks, right? Thanks for sharing your weekend!

    • Fitnessista on October 13, 2014 at 11:52 am

      yes!! i was shocked by how much dirt and grime was hiding in there

  26. Vivian on October 13, 2014 at 11:07 am

    Gone Girl was amazing! I think the cat was the star of the movie haha

    • Fitnessista on October 13, 2014 at 11:51 am

      it almost made me want a cat 🙂

  27. Lexie Cauthen on October 13, 2014 at 11:30 am

    I would love to know which podcast you like. I’m always on the lookout for some good ones!

    • Fitnessista on October 13, 2014 at 11:51 am

      i really love how stuff works, this american life, jillian michaels and amy porterfield 🙂

  28. Alysia @ Slim Sanity on October 13, 2014 at 11:31 am

    this was the first year I painted instead of just carving a pumpkin! it was fun 🙂

  29. Alex @ True Femme on October 13, 2014 at 12:03 pm

    LOVE your pumpkin!

  30. Aine @ Awkward Irish Girl Blogs on October 13, 2014 at 12:19 pm

    The ending of Gone Girl was so frustrating! Gah!
    Kombucha on tap sounds interesting! Your food looks so good – soup + salad = happiness.

  31. Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl on October 13, 2014 at 12:49 pm

    Horchata is amazing! Have you tried Rumchata (obviously not for Liv!)? I am a little bit in love with it 😉

  32. Meg @ A Dash of Meg on October 13, 2014 at 1:03 pm

    yay so happy Gone Girl is so good!

  33. Genna on October 13, 2014 at 1:13 pm

    Totally agree about Gone Girl. Was so mad how the book ended and wasn’t so upset during the movie since I’d read the book and knew how it would end. The movie was very true to the book…possibly even better, which I never say!

  34. Erin @ The Almond Eater on October 13, 2014 at 3:02 pm

    Liv with her horchata haha I love it. I also saw Gone Girl this weekend and thought it was amazing (though I didn’t read the book…. almost wish I would have)

  35. Jess on October 13, 2014 at 3:09 pm

    Your pumpkin is awesome! Your posts make me miss living in San Diego! Looks like a great weekend! Liv is gorgeous!

  36. Molly on October 13, 2014 at 3:14 pm

    Nice pumpkin! Makes me think of that new movie coming out this week…”Book of Life”– are you going to go see it?

    • Fitnessista on October 13, 2014 at 3:35 pm

      OF COURSE! i can’t wait 🙂 i’m wondering if liv would think it’s scary?

      • Molly on October 13, 2014 at 3:56 pm

        I knew it! I saw the preview and immediately thought of you! Del Toro is known for dark movies…might want to preview it before Liv sees it (gives you a good excuse to see it twice).

        • Fitnessista on October 13, 2014 at 3:58 pm

          that’s a great idea; definitely will do that 🙂

  37. Beverley on October 13, 2014 at 3:24 pm

    Yum! Looks so good. I’ve never cooked with leeks either, I have to try!

  38. Ava Improta on October 13, 2014 at 4:21 pm

    How funny – the ending of the book absolutely CRUSHED it for me! I think it will make for a better movie though, definitely going to see it now!

  39. Itara on October 13, 2014 at 5:59 pm

    Love the white v-neck tee! I’m always on the hunt for the perfect one.. Would you be willing to share the brand?

    • Fitnessista on October 13, 2014 at 8:08 pm

      i got it at nordstrom rack (in black and white) and am not sure of the brand. they have large racks of the simple tees there (you can’t miss it) and they’re about $9 and fit really well
      xo

  40. Traci on October 13, 2014 at 6:25 pm

    I always pull up a coupon on my phone when I go to Michael’s. I feel bad for people who don’t know that trick!

  41. Erika S. on October 13, 2014 at 9:40 pm

    Love your pumpkin….so colorful! BTW…I totally am hooked on Jam Jar! I found it at my local Total Wine store for $9.99…and also found out today that they sell it in World Market! THANKS for sharing!

    • Fitnessista on October 13, 2014 at 9:49 pm

      ahhhh it’s like a lovely dessert!! so happy you like it 🙂

  42. Tiffany on October 14, 2014 at 5:05 am

    Ohmygoodness!!! Can I go on about Gone Girl for a minute?! Had never read the books and didn’t really know what I was getting myself into when I went to go watch the movie. The whole walk home… I was soooo jumpy! Screamed at least 3 times because 1) my roomie swatted a bug away from her face 2) heard rustling and 3) saw a shadow. I wish I was lying, but it’s borderline too funny to make-up. But it was ahhhhmazing!!! Had a terrible sleep, but it was soooo good!!! hahah!

    Ps. Mad pumpkin painting skills, yo. So impressed. But I shouldn’t be… of course you’re amazing at it! 😉

  43. Leah on October 14, 2014 at 11:18 am

    I am so excited I won the giveaway! Thank you 🙂

    Why have I never even thought of painting pumpkins? You did a great job! My kids would love this activity!

    Gone Girl…I didn’t read the book but I think I must watch the movie and see what everyone is talking about!

  44. Carrie on October 14, 2014 at 1:19 pm

    World Market is where I found the Menage a Trois Midnight, too!

  45. Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine on October 14, 2014 at 3:46 pm

    What a fun fall activity. I want to see Livi’s pumpkin!

    Ahh, I miss Mexican food. Not so common here in Malaysia!

    • Fitnessista on October 14, 2014 at 4:00 pm

      i will definitely post it! she’s only halfway done since it was getting into lunch/naptime, but we should have time for her to finish it tomorrow 🙂
      xoxo

  46. lois on October 15, 2014 at 10:20 am

    Never painted a pumpkin before but definitely want to try. What paint and other supplies did you buy at Michael’s? I’m such a newb so have no idea what I need so any info would be much appreciated! =)

    • Fitnessista on October 15, 2014 at 2:00 pm

      i just grabbed some acrylic paints and a little pack of paintbrushes. kept it very simple!

  47. Julie on October 15, 2014 at 10:30 pm

    Love your pumpkin. I bought one and haven’t decided if I want to paint it or not. I like how it looks on its own.

  48. char eats greens on October 19, 2014 at 6:00 am

    The pumpkin is bad ass!! Ok, can you give some podcast recommendations?? I was trying to search around yesterday, which is great when you do stumble upon a good one (plus, I’ve been googling), but it’s always nice when you have suggestions from people!!

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