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
You might also like:
149 Comments
Leave a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
I have GOT to get that vacuum!
I cannot believe how grown up both girls are looking!!! I need to get some festive holiday pillows – our house is definitely the grinch house right now.
I am also excited about the royal couple and can’t wait for their wedding. I was hoping my best college friend would end up with Harry, but I guess Meghan will do 🙂
I’d love the planner!
I really need to become more organized and the planner would be a great help!
Will you come decorate my house? Yours always looks so cute!
i hope you have a wonderful time in Orlando!!
Love your decorations! And so impressed that your kiddos leave them looking so great – my toddler is constantly moving things and re-decorating my Christmas tree!
I have to try those protein bars – STAT!
I am the exact same way: Like if I’m walking around barefoot and feel anything but wooden panels under my feet, you know the vacuum is coming out.
So basically my vac comes out 2x a day most days. Not for long but just enough to handle crumbs and pet hair. And I knew you’d love that vacuum. Yesterday I used the brush attachment to vacuum my car floor mats and seats. I did not have 90 mins to drive to and from the detail place and sit there, so I did my interior myself in 5 mins. Lol but I seriously love that Dyson.
Have fun in Orlando!
Love the holiday decorations and the planners! ‘Tis the season! 🙂
Those are seriously beautiful planners! Do you have any tips for how to make them work best for you? I’m always so stoked about using a planner at the start of the year, but inevitably find that I slip up with using it consistently.
The vacuum is going on my wish list.
That dress from Nordstrom is beautiful…now I want something to wear it to, haha! 🙂 Happy Friday, safe travels!
Umm that dress….Amazing!
I wish I could keep myself in check on the holiday decor, because every year there is something new…this is what happens when you do not move regularly.
I love the Friday faves- always so many good links <3 And that dress is beautiful!
My fave is Friday Faves! 🙂 hehe. I’ll contribute though – I’m listening to Trevor Noah read his memoir called Born a Crime right now and it’s fantastic! Highly recommend.
I spy 2 doggies on top of couch cushions – what is it about that spot?? Luckily our 65 lb boxer mix has not thought of trying to lay up there 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm0cxAvStBI
This lady!!!
Your house looks gorgeous! I just bought my first home and love looking at all of the different decorating ideas. 🙂
My favorite thing this week was baking a spontaneous banana bread with my husband when we realized we had too many ripe bananas and dinner was already in the oven, so we had some time.
I have this exact same vacuum on my Christmas wish list this year! I’m glad you like it!!
cordless vacuum makes life so much easier for some reason! And cant wait for the chicken recipe. Excited about the planner giveaway! 🙂
That vacuum sounds amazing! And so does a new day planner 🙂 I’m a stressed out grad student and any little thing helps haha.
love the leggings!
This year on Prime Day my husband decided to buy a Roomba, but I really wish we had that Dyson instead! I’m also in need of a new planner for next year.
Have a safe trip! I’ll be organizing the rest of my holiday decorations in the snow!!
Thanks to your raving about the Dyson and all the positive comments I broke down and added one to our household and I have to say BEST purchase ever!!!
Your holiday decor is beautiful! My favorite decoration this year are the bright white beautiful geese in my backyard 🙂
Love your holiday decor — your home is beautiful!
Horray for Fridays and sneaky giveaways! Have fun in Orlando 🙂
We are military too and my husband complained about all the decoration I bought for our first christmas hosting our families but i figured we’ll enver have a house as small a small as our first apartments in San Diego
I am the same way when it comes to crumbs and hair on the floor… I was really eyeing that Dyson. Now Im wishing I would have bought it!
I sweep every. Day.
I’m like my Cuban grandmother. Ain’t no shame in my game!
Btw – that dress! Heart eyes emoji
That vacuum is on my have to get list!!!
I always wonder how songs come about and how long they’ve been around. I love the classic Christmas songs (and newer ones too).
I thought with a photo of you at a tree farm that meant you were getting a real tree 🙂 I personally love real trees.
Our first holiday get-together is this weekend and my son is going to see Elf for the first time. Happy weekend!
Excited for the chicken recipe
I think I need a cordless vaccuum. I have a kenmore that’s two pieces and while it works pretty well i get soo frustrated when I am trying to do a quick once around the house and it’s tank and cord are forever in my way. Lucky you! File under things I never thought would be interesting but are now 🙂
I have alwaaays wanted an Erin planner but never have pulled the trigger! Maybe in 2018!?
You convinced me – I need that vacuum in my life! I’ll be on the look out for sales! Would love that planner too 🙂
Love your decorations!!! We’re in temporary housing until January and all our decorations are hiding in storage
I’ve purchased an Erin Condren planner for the past few years, but ever since your post on the Kit Life planners, I’m torn! I’d love to hear which one you prefer and why!
I love the erin condren planners!!
I love the decor! And that vacuum looks awesome!
omg that dress!! so pretty!
We’re heading to Omaha this weekend for my Grandma’s 99th birthday 🙂
Always love reading your Friday Favorites! You house looks beautiful by the way! Christmas decor always puts a smile on my face 🙂
Those birth announcements are hilarious!!!
The Polar Express as in the AZ one? How was it? We’re going 12/26, for the first time.
Happy Friday!! Have an amazing time in Orlando!! Can’t wait to hear about your adventures 🙂
I would love to try one of those kit life planners!