Friday Faves
Hi friends! The weekend is here!! I hope you’ve had a wonderful week so far. I feel like it’s been a weird couple of weeks around here -I started to forget what day it was after the hurricane/tropical storm thing- and now here we are, the weekend is here, and WE’RE IN CHICAGO! Wahoo!
(The standard last-minute packing spree.)
(Airport sushi date in Atlanta. The garden roll had marinated shiitake mushrooms, cucumber, carrots, avocado and mint.)
Chicago is one of my all-time favorite places to visit. There’s breathtaking architecture, arts, shopping, insanely delicious food (+ Garrett’s popcorn) and the people are so nice. I’m really looking forward to exploring the city, and spending time with our friends Betsy and Jeremy who met us here for a little getaway. I’ll be sure to share all of the shenanigans on Instagram and in an upcoming blog post! Please let me know if you have any fave spots that we need to check out.
For now, let’s head into the usual Friday Faves party! It’s always fun to share some of my favorite finds from the week, and I love hearing about what you’re enjoying, too.
Barre bootcamp! I’ve been so excited by everyone’s enthusiasm for this fall challenge, and the Facebook group is already bumpin’. We still have a few spots left if you want to join in the fun. Check out the details here! The price will jump tonight, and registration closes tomorrow.
Kind of a random fave, but we are loving these lunch goodies from Thrive Market. I ordered some ice packs to keep Livi’s lunches cold -she’s really into planets and the solar system right now, so it was cute to see a solar system design!- and these reusable bags. All of the Ziploc bags were starting to feel wasteful, even though I often wash and reuse the gallon-sized ones, but I figured for school we could try using reusable bags. They’re very sturdy and thick, plus they’re easy to wash. (<— I just turn them inside-out to scrub and dry.)
This hair dryer. I was curious about this for about a month until I had the chance to try it out. I’m in the Skimm’bassador Facebook group (and love it!), and they’re always sharing cool finds and products. A girl posted about this hair dryer, which is an oval brush with a hair dryer inside, and said it changed her life. Her thick, wavy hair was smooth and straight within 10 minutes, and it looked like she’d gotten an awesome blowout. The Facebook group went crazy for it, and so many girls ordered this styler + posted their before and after pics.
Since my hair is insanely thick and wavy (and much curlier since I had P), I decided to give it a whirl. Blowdrying my hair takes FOREVER, so I’ll usually let it air dry unless I decide to round brush it. I finally snagged one -they were sold out for a while since demand went through the roof!- and tested it last weekend.
It was such a breeze to use and made my hair super smooth. It was also way easier than standard round brushing, which has a big learning curve and takes a long time. While the drying power wasn’t enough to fully dry my hair since I have so much, I dried it about 70% with my normal hairdryer, and then used this to style it. BOOM.
Here’s what Livi’s hair looked like after I used it:
Is anyone else super excited for A Bad Moms Christmas? (Strong language in the trailer. Just a heads up.)
Pop culture Halloween costumes.
This a cappella Moana medley. I thought I might be sick of Moana music by now, but no.
A medicine ball workout to work your entire body.
21 things all Target addicts can relate to.
A great post about finding food freedom. I started eating everything when Liv was born, and it was a game changer.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
What was one of your highlights of the week? Any awesome reads or finds?
xoxo
Gina
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I’m about halfway through Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin. I’m surprised how much I like it. It’s an easy read about 2 mother daughter relationships, and it’s light hearted.
i’ll check it out- thank you! i’ve been looking for a higher read. the last few i’ve read were super heavy
Those ice packs are so cute! I always feel so wasteful when using plastic bags, I really should start washing them. Happy weekend have so much fun in Chicago!
thank you so much!!
Yay! Chicago! For fancy drinks and insane views London House, Cindy’s rooftop, and apparently the Godfrey is supposed to have a nice bar! For dinner, Purple Pig, Girl and the Goat if you can get in, my new fav is Proxi they have small plates and fancy cocktails! You must walk the river walk!! It’s awesome such stunning views of the city!! There is also food and wine on the river walk. Architecture boat tour on the river is fantastic accessed on the river walk. Enjoy our beautiful HOT city!!!! See if you can get a massage/spa package in at the Peninsula or Waldorf Astoria!! 🙂 oh and so much workout fun here of course We have everything! ??
amazing suggestions- thank you so much!!!
Awesome! Enjoy your weekend away and happy anni! Highlight of my week was probably getting a much needed haircut.
thank you!
it’s amazing what a fresh haircut will do 🙂
So I just bought that styler too and I have insanely thick hair and I can never get it dry! Now that you suggest blow drying with your regular one then going to this one I’m going to try it! I have gotten so many compliments on my hair since switching though.
I’m excited for Barre Bootcamp!!!!
so happy you love it too! such a game changer
and YAY for barre bootcamp!!
I CANNOT wait for A Bad Mom’s Christmas to hit the theaters!
it’s going to be amazing!
I wonder how that hairdryer would be on fine hair? Mine’s fine and curly but I have a decent amount of it. But I think I’m going to get it anyways for my daughter. her hair is SO thick and she has a ton of it!
I recently read and advanced copy of The Gatekeepers and it was SO good. It’s Jen Lancaster’s first YA novel and I think it’s the best thing she’s written. SO good.
from what i’ve seen in the Facebook group, it works even better on fine hair because it dries it so fast!
i’ll definitely check that book out for when it comes out!
I never thought I had more room for Disney songs, but no, Moana and the two new Beauty and the Beast songs have wormed their way in there. Nothing like being overcome with song when Disney is on – my kids think I’m possessed when a Disney movie is on.
it’s funny because people say they like disney more after they have kids.. but i’ve always been this obsessed. hahah
Wait… you seriously just made my Friday, I LOVE Bad Mom’s and had no idea they were making another movie. I cannot wait. As for Chicago, I second the Girl and the Goat. They have also got a gorgeous True Food Kitchen restaurant (walking distance from North Michigan Avenue).
i loved bad moms too! so excited about this one 🙂
we’ll check those out- thank you!!
Yay! Come to my hometown! Ideas for you:
– Maggie Daley climbing wall: seriously the best couples ‘date’ http://maggiedaleypark.com/things-to-do-see/climbing-wall/, take a short instructional class and you can climb on your own. They also rent rollerskates and scooters to go around the wall on the half mile ribbon
– Rooftop at the Athletic Club, best views
– Well the BEST view is definitely from the Shedd Aquarium or the Planetarium.
– Rent divvy bikes and bike the lakefront or the Bloomingdale Trail (the 606)
– paddleboard yoga at north beach (hey – it’s 90 deg today, it might hold out)
– I can’t even begin to give you food recommendations because it’s overwhelming, there is so much. Randolph street in River North is chock-full of great places, you cannot go wrong
Ah have so much fun in Chicago. One of my favorite places to visit!
Have so much fun in Chicago! I went for the first time in March. I know I already mentioned it, but we really enjoyed our dinner at RPM Italian! 🙂 Cool spot!
Yay Chicago!
So you are visiting during our HOT Indian Summer. I would like to Second the Divvy bike rental for the lakefront tour. Also, the Bar Method studios are having open houses on Saturday so you could do a barre class for free on Saturday if you are feeling that. Any of our Museums. The Architecture Boat Tours are always a great way to see the city and what’s newly being built since your last visit.
Cindy’s and London House have amazing Rooftops. There’s also Joy District, Roof at the Wit, and Boleo at the top of the Kimpton.
For food definitely try out Randolph street in the West Loop. City Winery on the River Walk is a great place to stop for a cocktail during the day or night. Sienna Tavern has amazing food if you can get in.
I hope you have the best time here!
Check out these two links for things to do in Chicago this weekend.
https://www.thrillist.com/events/chicago/things-to-do-in-chicago-this-weekend
http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2017/09/20/10-things-do-weekend-sept-21-24
My favorites from those lists are the Edgewater Arts Festival and the Chicago Gourmet
I second the river walk, City Winery, roof tops, Maggie Daley Park, Randolph Street and Greek Town suggestions. If you never done the State Street Macy’s do it, it is huge.
Above all, have fun!
Chicago is such a fun city, and also my hometown! One of the highlights of my week was hanging out with the boy the other night and just having a relaxing evening.
I love Chicago, too! My sister lives there and we love to visit. You’re right.. the people are so nice! I think that’s true of all midwesterners actually :). Have a great trip and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!
Those little snack bags are so cute and I love that they cut down on waste!
Little Goat has AMAZING food and a great atmosphere. We also love Chicago Q for brunch, Happy Camper for fun drinks in Old Town and LaGuanitas Brewery has great beer flights and live music!
Welcome to Chicago!!! Sorry that we couldn’t provide crisp fall weather and instead are in the middle of a soaring heat wave…LOL
If you’ve never had Lou Malnati’s pizza, I highly suggest you give it a try! It’s fantastic. Also, I bet you’d really enjoy Eataly Chicago – it’s a huge Italian marketplace with restaurants, Italian groceries, and cute walk up counters where you can order food and wine. It’s SO cool! Have a great weekend 🙂 https://www.eataly.com/us_en/stores/chicago/
I LOVE Chicago! My fave spots are the Purple Pig (pricey so go after dinner for drinks & an app), the Violet Hour (my fave speakeasy – get the Juliet), and Yolk (for brunch…get the cinnamon rolls. I like the location on N Wells St..there is usually a line and I think it’s BYOB!).
i live here! have the best time!!! and how lucky are you guys its not freezing…we’re having a freak heat spell? i love it, not gonna lie 😉