Friday Faves
Hi friends! The weekend is here! What do you have going on? Any fun plans? I was supposed to head to a wine tasting with friends, but our usual babysitters weren’t available. I could have asked the fam to watch them, but they have events going on throughout the day, so instead of having overlapping childcare (and feeling like I’m inconveniencing the world even though I’m sure they don’t mind), I’m just going to skip out. With the change of plans, I’m going to use it as an opportunity to do some fun and festive things with the girls. (And I’ll have my own wine tasting while they’re asleep and I’m watching The Princess Switch for the second time. Not even a little sorry.) P’s class has a cocoa and cookies party which should be super cute, and I’m taking both girls plus one of each of their friends to see Ralph Breaks the Internet. Has anyone seen it?
Other than that, I’ll be continuing to hide the arriving Christmas presents (I’m running out of spots in the house haha), catching a Peloton Live DJ class, and packing for our Disney trip! I’m ready for that Christmas churro.
I’d love to hear what you’re up to this weekend!
It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party. This is where I share some of my favorite finds, wears, reads, and eats from the week. It’s always fun to hear what you’re loving, too, so please shout out any faves in the comments below!
Christmas decor:
– ALL the Christmas decor. Initially, I wasn’t going to bring our Christmas stuff to Tucson. I figured we’d get a little tree – just like last time we were in Tucson for a few months and arrived on Christmas Eve! – and call it good. I’m so, so glad the Pilot convinced me to bring it. The girls and I had a jolly time drinking cocoa and decorating the tree, and putting out all of the usual decor. Not a single ornament has been broken thus far and by writing that, I’m sure we’ll lose at least a handful in the next week.
Real talk: our decorations have been up for almost 2 weeks now, but I finally feel like it’s appropriate to post these pics. Heh.
(Ps I can’t wait to pain this horrible red wall but for the holiday season, it works.)
– I’m in the market for a ridiculous inflatable for the yard and have my eye on this one.
Read, watch, listen:
– I started China Rich Girlfriend, and just like the first book, I’m loving it so far. The books are so scandalous and intriguing, and the various plot lines are like the best soap opera. I definitely recommend the series so far if you’re looking for a fun and fluffy read. (I did see the first movie, and liked it, but the book is way better.)
– A great article with the founder of Beautycounter.
– The Dear Evan Hansen soundtrack. I know, I know, I’m late to the party. Since I’ve officially emerged from my “Hamilton and Greatest Showman on repeat” cloud, I started listening to some new-to-me soundtracks. It took me a little while to get into this one, but once I Wiki-ed the plot line, I could listen to the whole soundtrack and totally cried. “Waving Through a Window” and “You Will Be Found” are my very faves.
Beauty + fashion + health:
– This camo sweatshirt is cute for life (with a pair of leggings and low tops) and it’s also amazing for sleep. It’s insanely soft and cozy.
– Magnesium oil. I have a whole post going up about this next week, but I had some hormone testing done and was surprised with the results. To help with adrenal fatigue, I’m really focusing on decreasing stress, promoting sleep, and eating as well as I can. This magnesium oil has been a game changer with sleep and some of the mental stress I’ve been feeling. About 80% of Americans are deficient in magnesium, which is an important mineral. A lack of magneium can cause neurological effects (like insomnia and anxiety) and muscular effects (like spasms and pain). I spray it on my feet at night (it tingles a little) and wash it off 20 minutes later, then sleep like a BABY. I haven’t had such vivid dreams in a looooong time.
– Been wearing this lip gloss in fig a lot lately! The color looks super dark in the container, but it’s actually very sheer and a lovely plum shade for winter.
Fitness:
– An oldie but a sweaty holiday-themed Tabata workout.
– How to know what health and fitness information to follow.
– A high volume interval training workout.
– More reasons to have protein before bed.
Happy Friday, friends!
xo
Gina
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Natural Calm is a great way to get magnesium too. I get the raspberry lemon one from amazon and my nightly routine is that, then some sleepytime tea. It forces me to drink a cup of water before bed and I sleep SO MUCH better with it.
yes, i love natural calm! apparently with the oil, you absorb more since it doesn’t have to cross a digestion barrier <3 so happy it helps you, too
We have no hiding places in our house. So, I have taken to hiding presents in the suitcases under our stairs. So far, so good. Good luck!
OOOH that’s a brilliant idea
I loved the Crazy Rich Asian books! They were so hilarious and enjoyable to read :). I read the last one on the way home from a vacation, I’m pretty sure the people in the airport thought I was crazy with all my giggling! Your decorations look great! Have an amazing weekend!
yes, they make me snicker to myself, too. so good! hope you have a great weekend!
I love your holiday decorations, and I actually like the red wall! I don’t gave anything in my apartment cuz it’s all in storage, but with the hubby away, it feels kind of sad decorating alone. It’s good you have kiddos to help you get in the Christmas spirit. Oh, if you still have Beautycounter samples, I’d still love to try them! Enjoy your weekend!
yes, i will send them your way ASAP – i just got a ton 🙂
Awesome! Can’t wait to try!
The Princess Switch! It may be my new favorite terrible holiday movie haha. I was trying to explain it to my sister and was like, it is kind of like The Holiday meets The Parent Trap, and what is better than Vanessa Hudgens in two roles?! SO GOOD.
haha i’m so glad i’m not alone! and yes, total parent trap vibes. i LOVE it
Have you watched The Christmas Card?! It is my favorite terrible Hallmark holiday movie.
No, but now I have to see it!
Where is the pilot – is he deployed? Please update us about him – I hope all is well with him since I feel like he hasn’t made an appearance here in a while. Sending good thoughts to you and your family this holiday season!
thank you- i appreciate it <3 i promise i'll post an update
I’ve been wondering the same thing. Hope all is well.
Love your holiday decor! I have that same large coffee table from World Market (love it!) and it’s only a few months old — have you found that it stains really easily? Like the littlest water drops make a noticeable mark? If so, I’m wondering if you have any tips… I don’t know if I should sand the top. But half the table has marks on it already from where it’s used the most.
hmmm i’m wondering if they used a seal or something on ours. when water gets on it, it looks white in that spot, but then it dries and goes away. we’ve had it for like 7 years and it still looks pretty good
Hmmm, shucks. Okay, thanks!
I don’t know if moisture/water is causing your issues but I had the same problem on a wooden coffee table and used an iron on low heat + a tea towel to get rid of mine. I found how-to’s on YouTube.
I have that same magnesium oil, it was recommended to me to spray on my belly for morning sickness. I’m not sure if it really helped, or if I would’ve been throwing up even more without it! But worth a try
Shawn Stevenson would be happy to see you using topical magnesium — because yes, most of us need it, and yes, topical absorbs faster! 🙂 So glad you have your decor up to make the house festive. We are doing our tree tonight. Oh and THANK YOU for sharing my post, my friend! 🙂 Enjoy your weekend!
Dear Evan Hansen is soooo good! P.S. the magnesium oil sounds amazing (grad school definitely has my adrenals out of whack), where do you recommend getting it? Thanks for the idea!!!
We saw Wreck it Ralph 2 this week! It is really cute and there is a LOT for adults in there! My 5 year old loved it. There was one creepy part towards the end. I wondered if it would weird her out, but she didnt even mention it after, so no biggie I guess!
I love how much of a planner you are! Plus, you always incorporate a little bit of fun throughout the week, which I definitely need to do more of!
On another note, I have a good friend who just met a man in the military doing similarly to what the Pilot does. She was telling me how she felt he was “the one”, yet is wondering what life is like with him traveling/away so often. I remember in one of your podcasts how you explained your hesitancy in being the wife of a man in the military because of this, yet how much your perspective has changed since. How often would you say the Pilot is actually home and is his routine more predictable than what others perceive? Thank you for sharing your experience and keep up those podcasts ….I LOVE them! Do you have any other recommendations for podcasts similar to yours?
Enjoy your weekend! x