Friday Faves
Hi friends! Happy Friday! What’s going on this weekend? Any fun plans?
We’re having some friends over for “family dinner” tomorrow night, we’re grabbing ramen with the cousins, I’ve got an Orangetheory and barre class on the books, and today, I’m getting a much-needed haircut. It’s been quite a while, and things are a little unruly over here.
(My fave shirt, and they have so many colors….)
It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party! I always enjoy sharing some of my faves here on the blog, and love when you share the things you’re loving, too.
Latest reads.
I wanted to crank my way through this list, but I’m not quite sure what I’ll read next. Some of my top picks weren’t downloading on my Kindle app, so I read the first one that did: We The Animals. I have mixed feelings about this one. It sucked me in, and I finished it in less than 48 hours (which says a lot when you have two small kiddos. I read a little late into the night one evening after they were in bed), but while the writing was absolutely beautiful, some parts were just disappointing/sad. The author has an incredible talent for storytelling, but it wasn’t a super uplifting book to say the least. The end brought everything together, but this blog post said I’d immediately want to re-read it after I finished. I definitely was not like, “YAY, let’s do it again!”
Right now, I’m about halfway through The Last Anniversary. I have LOVED her books, and I think I remember seeing that this is one of her earlier works. She doesn’t seem to be as “careful” about what she says and describes, and it’s pretty hilarious. It kind of reminds me of my early days of the blog when it was more of a random stream of consciousness. I eventually added some loose structure around here. I’m definitely enjoying it and can’t wait to find out how it ends. One part that is a little tough (and I don’t think I’m spoiling anything by saying this) is that one of the characters has an extreme case of PPD. I’ve related to some of her emotions EXACTLY (like when she describes her life as watching it from above and just going through the motions without feeling) but some of the more intense parts that I didn’t personally experience have been hard to read. Just wanted to put it out there as a disclaimer if you’re considering reading it. <3 So tell me friends: what should I read next? I just want a fluffy, fun, end-of-summer book.
Slightly reunited with BODYPUMP. My hand isn’t strong enough yet to clean and press and that whole dropping a barbell on my head thing is alarming, so I haven’t done a full class. I can still do the leg tracks at home! It felt SO good to do two leg tracks before heading off to teach cardio barre last night.
Hunter boots! It’s my first pair, and while I’m years late to the party, but I understand the hype now. They’re very comfortable and durable. Sometimes I’m afraid to wear my nicer shoes and books if it’s raining or drizzly outside, and these will be perfect. The only bummer is that they’re a tiny bit big. They only have whole sizes, so I know the 7 would have been too small, but the 8 should be fine with some thicker socks.
These tacos for an upcoming project. It’s been so much fun creating new recipes and I can’t wait to share all of the details with you soon.
This Olympics video made my eyes sweat a little.
A great read about the benefits of collagen. I’ve been using it for about 6 months now, and have noticed a huge difference in my hair and nails. I also think it has helped with rebalancing my hormones after the birth.
5 exercises for glute activation.
Loved reading Carla’s experience in a flotation tank. It’s not something that sounds appealing to me -I would probably have a panic attack or be worried I’d drown the whole time- but I was fascinated by her recap.
These veggie chips. I usually pick them up from the bulk bins, but was stoked to see a giant bag at Grocery Outlet.
Tips and tricks for Sunday meal prep.
The latest news about lifting light and heavy weights.
I want to dive into this lemon avocado hummus.
I didn’t get a ton of P smile photos this week -lots of her intense determination to open boxes, drawers, and dig into things haha- but here’s one of the girls that makes my heart happy. I love how P is resting her arm on Livi.
Happy Friday, friends!
xoxo
Gina
Don’t forget to get in those last Summer Shape Up check-ins! Keep up the AMAZING work. <3 I’ll send out a newsletter next week with some fitness and meal ideas to last until the September calendar comes out.
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Those boots are so cute! I saw you posted them on Snapchat. I want a pair but I’m not sure I’d get to wear them much in AZ although this morning when I left the gym it was pouring. It’s been such a lovely monsoon week and of course the weather hasn’t predicted any of it.
I’ve read a couple of Liane Moriarty’s books and really enjoyed them all. I’ll have to get The Last Anniversary from the library the next time I’m there.
I got my hair cut today too! A new haircut always feels so good. I got a couple inches off so it’s shoulder length now, which means less blow drying time in the morning – yay!
Impressive that you finished a book in two days flat! I struggle to do that, and I only have a husband, ha!
I can’t wait to check out the Olympics video you shared. We’re obsessed with the Olympics and are hosting a slightly last minute get together with some friends at our place. It’s potluck style and each person is to bring a food from a nation of their heritage. It should be fun!
Have a great weekend, and Go USA!
XO, Jessica
http://www.semisweettooth.com
I absolutely love Liane Moriarty books (the Last Anniversary was great – enjoy! – and I’m psyched that they’re making a movie of Big Little Lies). If you like her books, your next summer read should be Truly Madly Guilty – the new one of hers that’s just come out. I’m about 1/4 of the way through it and completely hooked!!
Have you read any of the Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich? “One for the Money” is the first one and is a great fun book.
no, i will check that out- thank you!
I love seeing what your reading and love these Friday fave posts. A lot of bloggers do them and yours is my favorite!
thank you so much, jeannie! i have a lot of fun putting them together 🙂
Love that purple shirt — I may need to grab one before the sale is over!
Happy weekend! Have a great one!
dooooo it (twinsies!)
happy weekend to you, too <3
Happy Friday Gina!!!! I just finished reading What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty..It was really good, Its the first book I’ve read by her and I just bought her newest book that I’m going to start after I finish the new Harry Potter 🙂
I just started using Collagen. I purchased it off Amazon after seeing Julie (Peanut Butter Fingers) talk about it on her Blog. I cant wait to see the benefits of it.
I think I might need that shirt, that’s my new favorite style!! Have a great weekend. Cheers (coffee right now and wine a little later)
sounds like a perfect day to me 🙂
i loved what alice forgot, too! big little lies was my favorite. i really want to read the new HP, but i feel like i need to start from the beginning. i haven’t read the books in so many years, i feel like i’ve forgotten everything
hope you love the collagen, too!
happy weekend <3
I’m close to finishing Liane M’s new book, Truly Madly Guilty. Very good!! I’ve loved all her books as well.
TGIF!!
i can’t wait to read that next!!
You should read “The Navy SEAL’s Email Order Bride”. It’s hysterical, though I’m not sure it’s intended to be. I couldn’t stop laughing.
i’ve never even heard of this!
Look on Amazon! I got it as a freebie a while back. With a title like that, I couldn’t resist. It’s got everything you could want in a romance novel! An navy SEAL who is also a cowboy. Traditional gender roles (I swear this pet was a joke). A ranch in Montana. A sassy city girl. It’s not terribly cerebral but it’s certainly entertaining. And it only takes a few hours to read.
oh this sounds perfect haha. looking for it now…
That pic of your girls–so sweet and makes me think of my little sis. There’s NOTHING like having a sister!
I wish I could say I’ve been reading deep, intellectual novels, but to be honest this summer I’ve mostly read glamour and shape magazines *hangs head in shame*
hey, no shame! sometimes fluff is exactly what you need. i love magazines 🙂
Liane Moriarty books are fabulous! I’m eager to get my hand on her newest one, but I’m having a little trouble with my waitlists. So for now I’m into the classics. I go back and forth, but I’m excited to get back into her work. I love how they are light and funny, yet somehow delve into the true emotions back behind mental health. It’s a nice balance between the two.
Hope you have a beautiful weekend with the family, Gina!
yes, i can’t wait to dig into her newest one! i think that will be next 🙂
hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Love your blouse! Please post pic of your haircut:)!
thank you! are you on snapchat? i could snap it to ya!
Unfortunately , I’m not…
k i took some pics this weekend so they’ll be up on the blog mon! nothing crazy- just got a trim 🙂
Thank you for the book reviews. I am always on the hunt for the next good read.
no prob! i’m the same way 🙂
Do you have any other tips besides collagen about balancing hormones after birth? I’m having my first baby next month and that’s something I’m nervous about.
i’m working with my naturopath. when i had PPD after p, he had me head to the lab for blood work (they took 7 vials! AHHH) and all of my levels were low low. i think it’s a combo of everything i’ve been taking + the collagen that has helped. i’m also on herbal supplement, a lipo gel and aloe vera juice
i think if you feel off afterwards, ask your doc to run a blood test for hormone levels. it’s natural for some to be depleted afterwards, but they should be building back up. mine had continued to decrease so i knew i needed to take/do something
Hi Gina,
I have a question about the 3rd day of workouts for week 4. It says Workout 2 + Workout 3 (2 rounds) . Does that mean do 40 minutes of workout 3?
Thanks!
no, just 20 min of workout 3! sorry about that 🙂
Whew!!! That would be a killer! 🙂
Gina,
I love to read. A few of my favorites this Summer: Eleanor and Park and the book Attachments. Both by Rainbow Rowell. So so good. I just started Elin Hilderbrand’s new book and all of her books are fun Summer reads!
Love the links this week! Congrats on getting the Hunter boots — I love mine too, but sometimes after leg day it feels like you’re lifting little weights lol ; )
I was out of town and am just now catching up on blog reading so this comment is kind of old now lol. Anyway, Liane Moriarty is one of my most favorite authors and The Last Anniversary was my least favorite of her books. I did not like it at all. I was SO excited about her new book that just came out (Truly, Madly, Guilty) and was a little disappointed in it as well 🙁
ahhh such a bummer! what do you recommend next? i’ve read the husband’s secret, big little lies and what alice forgot
Looking forward to the newsletter! So sweet how you always think to take care of us with our workouts and meal plans! Your effort doesn’t go unnoticed
thank you- that means a lot to me <3
Those girls are too cute!
I love that you included glute activations in your links…I find this so important and it’s definitely something I need to work on a lot with lower back pain. I actually teach glute strengtheners now with all of my clients!
yes! my glutes are weak, so it’s something i’m working on myself
I’m currently reading I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh. If you read and liked Girl on the Train, you’ll like this. Same kind of writing style that keeps you wanting to know more but it’s really easy to read. I’m halfway through and just jaw-dropped because I didn’t see a plot twist coming. Love those kinds of books!