Friday Faves
Hey hey! Happy Friday! What are you up to this weekend? We’re heading to Orlando, and I CAN’T WAIT. (I’ll be sure to share the adventures over on Instagram.) I’d love to hear what festivities and fitness events you have happening! Other than our little road trip, we’ll be spending time here at home getting ready for next week. I get to help out with Livi’s school Christmas party and we’re having a girls’ night. Lots of fun stuff on the way.
For now, it’s time for the usual Friday Faves party! It’s always a blast to share some of the things I’m enjoying each week and hear what you’re loving, too. Please shout out a fave in the comments section if you’d like to join in.
(P’s first hot cocoa ever! It rocked her world.)
(At the local Christmas tree farm!)
Fitness and fashion:
These leggings are buttery soft, not see-through (<— critical), and super inexpensive for the quality. I’ve been wearing Fabletics gear a lot lately – we have limited athletic stores in town, so I order pretty much everything online, and the quality has skyrocketed over the past year. These pants have a fairly low-key mesh panel in the back and are ideal for barre class and strength training.
Nordstrom just knows me and sent an ad for this dress, and now I can’t get it out of my mind! I have zero things on the schedule that would need a dress like this but UH. It’s beautiful.
House + holiday:
We’ve had our Christmas decor up since before Thanksgiving – I wanted everything looking festive before we left for Tucson so it would be here waiting. It makes me holly, jolly, and extra happy. Most of our decor is pretty much the same from San Diego:
(the mantle and new garland up by the TV)
the tree, which somehow feels smaller each year that we open it (we’ll probably hit up post-Christmas sales for a new one),
centerpieces on the tables,
festive nook where we keep our holiday cards (so fun to see them start to arrive!)
and some new holiday pillows. Bella approves.
It’s really tempting to go crazy and get ALLTHEDECOR, but since we never know where we’ll be in two years, and each house is different, it keeps me in check.
The stories behind some popular Christmas carols.
Speaking of the holidays, I opened up one of my little gifts early. I ordered a Dyson cordless vacuum on Cyber Monday and you guys. I don’t know how I lived without it for so long. I never knew it was possible to love a vacuum this much.
It’s been a little more challenging to keep up with the house lately – the girls can be tornadoes and laundry NEVER ends – but there’s something that drives me bonkers: dog hair and crumbs on the floor. Like if I’m walking around barefoot and feel anything but wooden panels under my feet, you know the vacuum is coming out (#freak #iownit). There is something magical about being able to quickly take the vacuum out and blitz around the house. It’s glorious.
Good reads:
Realistic birth announcements.
This was fascinating! I’m overly excited about the new royal couple.
Recipes and eats:
These gluten-free crispy onions. I originally bought them for a green bean casserole, but instead, I used them for the best chicken that’s ever come out of the kitchen. I’ll share the recipe once I can take some pics!! They’re from Whole Foods, and also make a delicious little chicken or salad topping, and I may or may not have snacked on some directly out of the container.
My favorite chocolate coconut protein bars have a new video! Check out the full recipe post here. I’m going to make a batch to have on hand this week.
And, just for funsies because we’re already sprinting towards 2018, leave a comment below and I’ll pick a lucky winner to receive either an Erin Condren planner (<— gives you $20 off your first order. I’ve used these for years and love them!!) or a Kit Life planner (a newer find; they’re sturdier with a unique design).
Happy FriYAY.
xo
Gina
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Ugh dirty floors drive me crazy too! Toddlers and the never ending crumbs…
Love the holiday decor!
I’m reallyyyy tempted to get that vacuum. I swiffer all the time but there’s no end to dog hair (and my pups fur is short too)!
I’d love to win a planner! I start school next summer and it’ll be the first time being back in school in almost 10 years so I’m excited and nervous. A planner would be a nice way to keep everything organized:)
This weekend we’re heading to a Teddy Bear Tea in town – all the kiddos are dressed up and so cute drinking hot chocolate and little cookies and sandwiches. Truffles the Bear walks around and entertains/terrifies the little ones and it’s kinda awesome! I’m also continuing with PBB — wrapping up week 5 now and feeling good!!
We got that vacuum on black friday too!! Game changer.
I really want that vacuum! I feel like it would change my life. But a new planner would be cool, too.
My mouth watered just looking at the container of crispy onions. YUM!
Have a great weekend Gina 🙂
I need a 2018 planner! Life is crazy right now and the only way I keep my feet under me is with lots of lists and a great calendar!
All the dog hair… is it even possible to stay on top of the mess? I gave up haha. Vacuuming once a week is enough for me.
I totally get the crumbs on the floor thing! I’m the same way!
Love your holiday decorations! I still haven’t gotten mine up…. this weekend it’s happening! Maybe I need a new planner to get this on the schedule earlier 🙂
How is it already December?! The idea that 2018 is around the corner is frightening!
I love your holiday decor! Simple and just the right amount! Too much can make things look to cluttered!
I hear you about keeping up with the house…my three littles makes an insane amount of mess in a blink of an eye. I was looking at that same dyson, maybe I should have gotten it!
A friend of ours used to work at Dyson and he gifted us a vacuum for our wedding. Life. Was. Changed.
Sweet of you to offer a planner giveaway! <3
I adore planners and I’ve been itching to try a new Erin Condren planner! I’ve heard only good things about them!
sounds like a fun weekend!! love all your decor. i’m with you on feeling anything under than floor under my feet – hence i wear socks ALL the time. maybe i should get this vacuum too!
Love the decor!!! I was just thinking its time to get a new planner! Where did the year go?
I have a small vacuum like that because of the same reason and it’s my favorite. Much easier than getting the big one out.
We always get a real tree so we have to wait longer than I would like. Hubby just picked one up for us today though and I am excited to decorate this weekend!
I need that vacuum. Three kids plus a dog equals never ending dirty floor, haha
The elf trailer was so creepy! Could definitely use some help organizing my life
The simple mantle is beauitful. I totally get the decor/moving issue. Air Force life!!!
Ahhhhhh I feel like I need that vacuum now. Every day I sweep my floors and I’m horrified at all the crumbs and cat hair produced in such a short amount of time!!
Have a great wknd! I love your Friday Faves–Posts:)
Love new planners!!
I think I need that vacuum in my life. Dog hair makes me CRAZY. Also still need my 2018 planner!
That hot chocolate picture!!!! So many eye heart emojis!!!
Happy Holidays!
that elf trailer was hilarious!
I love all of your decorating!
I feel the same way about my Dyson. It has a place of honor in the closet, and is one of the few items I have actually registered the warranty for!
I can’t stand crumbs or cat hair on the floor either! I may have to order one myself – way easier than hauling out the built in
First snow of the season in NJ! Enjoying a morning workout before the flakes started and then a lazy-ish day and quiet cozy night on the couch! Kind of the perfect weekend 🙂
Yasss to old school planners!
Crumbs on hardwood floor drive me CRAZY!!! Bless vacuums haha
I asked for a cordless vacuum for my birthday the year my twins were born. Hands down still one of my very favorite presents. Enjoy yours!
I’m also loving the planners. I started using a cheap dollar store one last January to see if I liked paper better than digital, and I can’t gush enough about how much more in control it made me feel of my schedule!
Dirty floors drive me bonkers too. I’ve been eyeing that vacuum!
Love the Christmas nook!
I love Erin Condren planners. I’ve used them for a couple of years now. I haven’t bought one for 2018 yet though… That link with the realistic baby announcements is hilarious and so accurate!
I’ve been going back and forth about trying Fabletics. I’ve heard mixed things, but those Polly leggings look really cute. And the most important thing is that they aren’t see through! Thanks for the recommendation. I think I’m going to try them!
I have that same little snowman that is on your table!
I have been lurking on planner sites and am getting ready to pull the trigger! I need a planner to remind me to sign up for the giveaway to win a planner!!!
I am getting a vacuum for Christmas, I have sunk to that low of mom-dom. And I have to admit, I am pretty excited about it.
Ohhhh, I think I need this vacuum two big dogs and three small children and a cat = all the hair, crumbs and anything else they can think to bring inside 🙂 I am constantly dragging a cord around.
Hope you had a blast in Orlando!
I can’t stand crumbs either!!
I bought myself a bissell crosswave for Christmas (and opened it early) for exactly the same reason! Crumbs + sticky sauce/oranges/milk whatever that’s been thrown on the floor and I get antsy. Bust out the crosswave and it’s vacuuming and mopping in one. It lives right off the kitchen 🙂
Vacuums can be a real thrill! I am getting married next year, and holding out to replace mine so a generous wedding guest can help out 🙂 I keep a list of what my fiance and I should register for in my bullet journal, but for 2019 I want to transition to a more traditional planner – the bullet journaling hasn’t been structured enough for me.
I hate to vacuum..i hate floors without carpet. I dont mind vacuuming carpet. LOL …i am sooo obsessed and can not wait for the royal wedding 😀 :D: D
I love your decor in your living room. soooo cozy! Having the holiday decor up is such a morale booster.
Def need to hit up Whole Foods Hillcrest this week and get those crispy onions. I LOVE those on my salads. Thanks for the heads up. Cant wait to see the recipe.
I bought a Roomba on Cyber Monday and I am in LOVE. I named her Elaine and I talk to her while we clean together #dork. I would cry if something happened to her.