Friday Faves

Hi! Happy Friday! I can’t believe that it’s the last weekend before Christmas. I feel like December is coasting past me, and trying to make a conscious effort to enjoy all of it. We usually keep our decor up until New Year’s, but it still seems like it’s so close! I’d love to hear what’s happening in your world this weekend. We’re going to spend some time chilling at home, and maybe take a quick trip to Jacksonville for a Trader Joe’s stop (<— I need baking/cooking ingredients!). Fitness-wise, I’ve taken a couple of days off from the gym for a head cold (wah) but am excited to catch a Peloton class later today. Thanks to some wellness shots, I’m on the ups.

It’s time for the usual Friday Faves party! This is where I share some of the best reads/wears/finds of the week. It’s always fun to hear what you’re loving if you’d like to join in the fun! If you’re in a sharing mood, please spread the joy by shouting out one of your faves in the comments below. 🙂

Sunbasket lettuce wraps

(Caro wishing for some Sunbasket)

Blog survey! Thank you SO MUCH to all of you who took the time to chime in on my yearly blog survey. Your feedback is invaluable to me, and I genuinely appreciate your thoughts and ideas on how I can make this little space even better. I’ve read through your thousands of comments, and have made a ton of notes in my planner with topics, goals, and action plans for the New Year. Thank you so, so much for your help!! (Stay tuned for a sneaky giveaway coming your way.)

Home and holiday:

Christmas Vacation. You guys. How have I not seen this movie?! I feel like my entire life has been a lie. One night when the Pilot and I were feeling particularly cold-y and terrible, we decided to put on a Christmas movie and just chill. When he scrolled to Christmas Vacation, I was like, “Ohhh I haven’t seen that one. Is it good?”

Christmas vacation

(Source)

“Is it good?! It’s a CLASSIC. You have to see it.”

Needless to say, we decided on that one, and we all laughed so hard. I haven’t laughed out loud at a movie in a while, but Chevy Chase’s creepy smile gave me the church giggles every time. Liv watched the first half with us before she went to bed and got a kick out of it, too. I feel like I watched Home Alone for the first time! It’s that good. If you live under a rock like yours truly, please watch it. Like tonight.

Livi’s class Christmas party. At the beginning of the year, I signed up to lead the class Christmas party. It was so cute, and I loved being able to spend the afternoon with Liv and all of her little friends. We played this dress the snowman and dress the Christmas tree game (hilarious), and they each decorated their own mini gingerbread house. I picked up the houses at Target, assembled them one night, and some of the moms and I brought different types of frosting and toppings. The kiddos had a blast. 

Livi w her gingerbread house

Beauty and fashion:

Tarte undereye savers. I’ve always joked about bags under my eyes (#motherhood), but was pretty shocked to wake up one morning and see REAL BAGS. Like, I had puffy appendages stuck to my skin. I thought I was going to have to go to the eye doctor because clearly, I had some kind of disease, but turns out after a quick Google search that’s what legit bags look like. I’ve been there.  

Pack yo bags

Thankfully, I’d picked up some of these at Sephora for the next time I’m on an airplane. (<— see the random thoughts that go through my brain?) I tried a set out on said bags and they disappeared. It was magical, so from now on, I’m going to keep some of these bad boys on hand. 

Tarte contour kit. This clay-inspired palette is for eyes and face, and I love the terra cotta and earthy colors. I usually stay away from warmer tones for no particular reason, and found out that it was an easy way to change up my eyeshadow routine. The warmer brown color is just different enough without being extreme. 

Tarte contour kit

These Zella high-waist leggings. I wear them all the time, and I think they top the list for my very fave!

Zella high waist leggings

Fitness:

Workouts you can do anywhere if you’re traveling this holiday season!

45-minute strength workout.

Good reads:

The 2017 Haters’ Guide to the Williams-Sonoma Catalog. I look forward to this every year. It’s lots of strong language, so please skip if that’s not your cup of tea, but I laughed my face off. 

This is a must-watch. It’s inspiring, heartbreaking, and motivational. 

Three easy breakfasts for guests.

Food and recipes:

The medicine ball from Starbucks. I read about this online and knew that I immediately wanted to try it! It used to be on a secret menu, but is now part of the regular menu. It’s two types of tea (peach and mint), steamed lemonade and honey. Ask for it with a shot of peppermint! (Heads up: the first time I got it, it was with two honeys and was a bit too sweet. Now I ask for it with one honey and one shot of peppermint.) It’s minty and soothing; perfect for sore throats and sniffles.

Medicine ball

These cookies look awesome.

Holiday recipes:

These almond butter truffles (you need these in your life)

Vegan eggnog

Protein gingerbread men

This pumpkin and chocolate chip loaf (I’m making some of this for girls’ night!)

Holiday spice sangria

Coconut oil peppermint bark

Almond flour crescent cookies

The best egg casserole (perfect for Christmas morning)

Have a beautiful Friday and wintery weekend.

See ya soon!

xo

Gina

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7 Comments

  1. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious on December 15, 2017 at 9:36 am

    Bring on the holiday baking! How is it already Christmas? I feel like I flies by every year.

  2. Jennifer on December 15, 2017 at 9:43 am

    I don’t think the holiday season is moving fast ENOUGH XD I guess things are a little more stressful this year because we have not only holiday stuff to do but our kids first birthday party! There are other not so fun things going on, so I think at this point I am very anxious to get the fun stuff done.

    And thanks for the link for the 2017 Williams and Sonoma catalogue. Last year cracked me up, especially since he pointed out that their warehouse is off of the parkway. Every time I drive up to NYC I keep my eye out for the exit for Cranbery, looking for the warehouse XD

  3. Carrie this fit chick on December 15, 2017 at 10:04 am

    I just got a Tarte kit similar to that! Hah, love that brand. And I’ve never seen Christmas Vacation– need to get on that!

  4. Lynnlee on December 15, 2017 at 10:09 am

    The Starbucks Medicine Ball sounds amazing! I’ve had a cold/cough all week and will definitely be ordering one this afternoon!

  5. Katie on December 15, 2017 at 10:50 am

    I am definitely going to need to try out those almond butter truffles!

  6. Kim on December 16, 2017 at 6:36 pm

    Hi Gina! I’m so curious, i know Liv is in Kindergarten, does she go to private school? I feel like public schools don’t allow any fun December activities! My little guy is in K and they didn’t do anything…made me so sad :/

    • Fitnessista on December 17, 2017 at 11:22 pm

      yes, she goes to private school. they’re all about every single holiday haha. each class has their own christmas tree! it’s pretty fun 🙂 she went to a montessori in tucson for a very short time, and they didn’t celebrate holidays at all, which was a bummer

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