11/22: Friday Faves

-An amazing party with amazing friends. 

Party

(My neck is doing something intense haha)

Last night was my little “see ya, later” party, which came at the perfect time because worksickness kicked in a little this week. The shenanigans of the locker room were the best ever, and something I miss the most. The hostess with the mostess, Susan, went above and beyond with the party planning.

Check out this spread:

Spread

Multiple types of quiche, mini meatballs, salad with roasted kobocha squash, veggies, different types of dressings (I tried the curry one and it was incredible), pumpkin soup, roasted chickpeas, multiple types of dip and crackers,

Bean dip

(little seven layer dips!)

and a beautiful assortment of desserts.

Berries in ice cream cones 

Berry cone

(such an awesome idea!)

pumpkin sugar cookies

Cookies

carrot cake, flourless chocolate cake, caramel cake, mint chocolate chip cookies, and pumpkin cheesecake.

She also made PUMPKIN SANGRIA, martinis, and wine. I have no words to adequately describe the awesomeness.

A lot of people were able to make it -at least 30 at one point or another- and it was such a blast to hang out with everyone. I’ve had a lot of wonderful opportunities from teaching at the resort, but am most thankful for the incredible ladies and gents I was able to teach with, and learn from.  <3 

These heartwarming photos of a boy napping with his pup.

Scandal. I’m officially sucked in.

-Ready-to-eat Thai coconut meat:

Coconut pieces  1 of 1

While I love Thai coconut, I’m not really a huge fan of the hacking part. (Neither is the Pilot. He freaks out every time I go to open a coconut with a machete.) I picked up this giant bag of meat at Coscto -it was about $8, which is the price of two coconuts here in Tucson- and the meat is a lovely addition to smoothies and raw desserts. It’s counterintuitive, but when the weather cools down, I start to crave raw desserts. They remind me of the holidays, since I’ll usually do my favorite tart around this time of year.

-A feature in the holiday issue of to & from magazine. You can see some of my holiday gift ideas here– I was so excited when they asked me to join in the fun 🙂 I’ll have the annual series on the blog next week with some gift guides, too. 

New booties! The last time I tried to wear booties, I was about eight months pregnant. I didn’t really feel comfortable in them -or anything, really- so they were neglected in my closet until I sold them at Buffalo Exchange. During our Stitch Fix adventures, I was motivated to give them another shot after trying on Jenna, Raechel and Kacia‘s booties. These Madewell ones are super comfy, and I love that they give me a little height 🙂

Bootie  1 of 1

-Journal! I write down everything in a small notebook, and when I finish one, it’s fun to pick out a new one:

Journal  1 of 1

35 things you’re sure to find in every military home. We have all of these, included a few unpacked boxes that travel from location to location.

-New fall cardio playlist. Any new songs you’re loving?

We’re off to a play date with some friends, and then Thanksgiving lunch/dinner at the squadron.

Hope you have a very happy Friday! Any fun fitness plans this weekend?

xoxo

Gina

 

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44 Comments

  1. Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat on November 22, 2013 at 11:14 am

    Wow, that’s a huge spread of food! Is that a huge pretzel twist I see!?! It all looks amazing and those pumpkin sugar cookies are the cutest!

    I’m definitely checking out those coconut pieces because hacking into a whole one is the biggest pain in the butt ever!

  2. She Rocks Fitness on November 22, 2013 at 11:16 am

    I am totally going to have to look for that bag at Costco next time I venture in. I always love finding out what other bloggers pick up in their state. Yes I’m a Costco addict, but I just can’t help myself. LOVE booties and wouldn’t mind finding a fun pair this year. 🙂 Have a great weekend!

  3. Maria on November 22, 2013 at 11:26 am

    Cute booties! I love the idea for the 7 layer dip in a cup and I’m googling pumpkin sagria as we speak! Sounds amazing 🙂 My hubby and I are doing a stash dash 5k tomorrow for prostate cancer. I was looking forward to it until I saw it’s only supposed to be 25 degrees tomorrow!

  4. Sara @ LovingOnTheRun on November 22, 2013 at 11:28 am

    Love your booties! I have never been able to pull them off – they just never look right! But they look awesome on you!! Glad you had a great party 🙂

  5. Sue on November 22, 2013 at 11:38 am

    I love the mini 7 layer cups and berries in cones, so cute!

    I got one of my newest fave workout (hiking for me) songs from one of your post, Gone, Gone, Gone by Phillip Phillips. It has the best beat. I’ve recently loved a song I heard on Sons of Anarchy, The Lost Boy (Bonus Track) by Greg Holden. It’s a slower, warm up song I’m liking lately.

    And the boy napping with puppy?? Off the charts adorable 🙂

  6. Kat on November 22, 2013 at 11:41 am

    Your whole outfit is darling!! Where did you get the skirt?!

    • Fitnessista on November 22, 2013 at 11:44 am

      Thank you! Francesca’s 🙂

      • Shaina Anderson on November 22, 2013 at 1:53 pm

        I LOVE Francesca’s!! My Grandma took me shopping there when I went to visit and now I’m hooked.

  7. Maria @ The Good Life on November 22, 2013 at 11:46 am

    Totally cute ideas, especially the individual dip cups! Great idea for the double dippers! 🙂

  8. Brittany on November 22, 2013 at 11:49 am

    I love that list of things in a military home. One thing I was confused on was a Baggie of damnits? What is a damnit? I love the one about the covers that no husband can ever find!

    • Fitnessista on November 22, 2013 at 12:02 pm

      they’re the back of the pins to pin on rank

  9. FitBritt@MyOwnBalance on November 22, 2013 at 11:52 am

    Holy moly that spread is insane! Did she make everything? So amazing. You are a lucky lady. 🙂 Love love love Scandal!

    • Fitnessista on November 22, 2013 at 12:02 pm

      some people brought things, but she made most of it. incredible, huh?! yes, i’m a lucky girl <3

  10. Ashley on November 22, 2013 at 12:19 pm

    Those booties are so cute, my roommate is obsessed with Scandal, and the boy and puppy napping photos kill me every time someone shares it!

  11. Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries on November 22, 2013 at 12:19 pm

    Since you’ve moved around a few times within the last several years, I’m curious how you deal with leaving friends and then making new ones in a new area? We have a potential move coming up, and I’m sure I over think my relationships/friendships too much, but I worry about not being able to keep in touch with everyone if we move. How do you handle all of that?? So sweet of your friends to throw a party for you!

    I absolutely adore your booties! I’ve been wanting to get some… I may just have to bite the bullet.

  12. Cassie on November 22, 2013 at 12:19 pm

    Do you journal specific things? Or just your daily thoughts/feelings?

    I feel so lost!! DId you quit your teaching job because of your injury or due to your upcoming move? I am an avid reader but somehow missed this! =)

    • Priya on November 23, 2013 at 12:44 pm

      Yes I was wondering about the journal too! Is it like your daily plan/to do?, I know I have seen that before.

      And she left because of the upcoming move and a project she has yet to reveal … 🙂

    • Fitnessista on November 23, 2013 at 2:59 pm

      hi cassie!
      i write down everything! my plan for the day, any events or blog posts for that week and just cross things off as i go. it’s nice to have it all on paper and write down any ideas i have.
      i left for the reasons priya mentioned below. there’s a huge project i need to have finished before we move at the beginning of april, and with the upcoming move and everything else i couldn’t keep working the hours i was working. i’m bummed, but will be picking up a couple of local zumba classes to fill the void until we move 🙂
      xo

  13. Cassie Vaughn on November 22, 2013 at 12:38 pm

    I love picking out a new journal!

  14. Jackie on November 22, 2013 at 12:41 pm

    Tomorrow I’m doing body pump for the first time in a year. I hope I don’t die!

  15. Bonnie on November 22, 2013 at 12:51 pm

    Looks like a fun time! Is the coconut Thai or Filipino? I only ask because the bag says Philippine brand.

  16. Alisha @ Alisha's Appetite on November 22, 2013 at 12:59 pm

    LOVE your booties! You can totally rock them 🙂

  17. Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs on November 22, 2013 at 1:13 pm

    Oh my gosh, the food at that party looks amazing! I love the pumpkin pie cookies 🙂

    Happy Friday!

  18. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie on November 22, 2013 at 1:38 pm

    Omg all that food is making me hungry! And your outfit is adorable!!

  19. Colleen on November 22, 2013 at 1:51 pm

    I’m loving the song “Lucky Strike” by Maroon 5. My little boy loves it too — I get some extra cardio holding him and bouncing him around the living room to the song!

    I”m also totally digging “PTX Volume 2” album by the Pentatonix. Love Again and Hey Momma are the best tracks!

  20. Shaina Anderson on November 22, 2013 at 1:55 pm

    That spread is ridic. You sure are loved! Glad they had such an awesome party for you!

    Don’t tell me Scandal is that good. I’ve heard good things but have been able to keep my distance and stay at my 2 show max haha. Aaaaah!

  21. Naomi on November 22, 2013 at 1:59 pm

    I love the list of things in military homes! I can relate to a lot of them. So many boooots! And totes, and dog tags, and deployment love letters 😉

  22. Livi on November 22, 2013 at 2:22 pm

    pumpkin sugar cookies?! yum!!!!

  23. Julie on November 22, 2013 at 2:41 pm

    That spread is amazing! Carrot cake has been a recent favorite and those 7 layer dip minis are super cute. You should ask for that pumpkin sangria recipe!

  24. Kristin on November 22, 2013 at 2:42 pm

    What is it with not being able to their covers? DH once got me up at 04:00 saying he couldn’t find his cover. I walked out of the bedroom, went into the dining room and picked it up off the buffet he had set it on when he walked in the previous night. Blind much? I said thanks for ruining the rest of my sleep 🙁

  25. Lexie on November 22, 2013 at 3:28 pm

    I NEED those cookies!

  26. Clarice on November 22, 2013 at 4:10 pm

    Scandal is the BEST!! My roommates and I always have our wine glasses ready for Scandal Thursdays. I’m always fighting them though because I’m Team Mellie! I love how sassy she is and I just really love her fabulous outfits and hair. haha 🙂

  27. Alex @ Kenzie Life on November 22, 2013 at 4:25 pm

    Those little 7 layer dips look fun! What a great way to serve it! The pumpkin cookies look really cute too!

  28. Cady on November 22, 2013 at 4:52 pm

    My Friday Fave was getting Soli Beat in the mail! I’m so excited to try it out today or tomorrow 🙂

    • Fitnessista on November 22, 2013 at 5:11 pm

      yayyyyy! let me know how it goes!

  29. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment on November 22, 2013 at 5:08 pm

    Not really a workout song, but I’m loving Taylor Swift’s Red that she performed at the CMA’s recently. It’s now available on I-Tunes.

  30. lisa g on November 22, 2013 at 5:25 pm

    Omg I have to go to costco for that coconut!

  31. Haley @Cupcakes and Sunshine on November 22, 2013 at 8:16 pm

    that outfit is. adorable. So stinkin’ cute! And that spread.. WOW! So many goodies. I love the fruit cornucopias. Those would be adorable during Thanksgiving as well.

  32. Donna on November 22, 2013 at 9:33 pm

    Looks like you’ve made some awesome friends! Great friends, great eats, great shoes! What more could we ask for.

  33. Ashley on November 22, 2013 at 10:02 pm

    Looked like a fab party 🙂 And love those Madewell booties – so adorable. And re: new songs for a workout playlist – my current favorite is ‘Do What U Want’ by Lady Gaga and R. Kelly. It is SO fun – perfect for cardio!

  34. Laura B @ FitMamaLove on November 23, 2013 at 1:21 am

    The boy, Beau, with his puppy, Theo, is so adorable! I especially love them because the’re from NorCal like me. 🙂 I’ve been following her on Instagram for awhile since she’s always had great pics, but it’s crazy how quickly she went from just under 6000 followers to 150k! The Internet is a funny thing!

  35. Court Star @ StarSystemz on November 24, 2013 at 3:15 am

    Ugh hacking coconuts is the norm here in Thailand I finally bought a knife that won’t break and I still hate doing it but the health benefits outweigh the hacking struggle for sure! Hope you had a great weekend! Lots of love C

  36. Ali on November 24, 2013 at 5:18 pm

    Glad I’m not the only one who hopped on the Scandal train late haha 🙂 It is SO addictive! I’m not even through season one, but every episode leaves me sad when its time to go to bed lol! Enjoy 🙂

    • Fitnessista on November 24, 2013 at 5:34 pm

      i’m seriously obsessed! i try to only watch one episode per night, but it sometimes turns into two 😉

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