Friday Faves

 

Macarons  1 of 1

Happy Friday! Anything exciting happening this weekend? I canโ€™t wait to get back to the Pilot and Liv this morning. I missed them like crazy, but they had a blast enjoying some quality daddy-kiddo time. They visited the zoo, had a beach picnic, and went to an event at Livโ€™s school. Iโ€™m so excited to see them today! Also, my dad, stepmom and brothers are coming in from Tucson this morning. We canโ€™t wait to show them around and play at the beach <3

This weekโ€™s Stitch Fix adventure was another incredible one, and it was inspiring to be surrounded by so many hardworking and inspiring ladies (and dudes!). I have one more recap on the way with fun pics, shenanigans from the Hizzy,

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and our last dinner in SF, but in the meantime, here are some faves from the week and around the web.

This grain-free granola.

Granola  1 of 1 2

I made some for a giveaway winner to mail out before I left, and also saved some in the fridge for us. Iโ€™ve been trying to keep book recipe photos to a bare minimum around here, but Iโ€™m SO excited to share this one with all of you, as itโ€™s become one of my staples. December, hurry up, mmm k? (I say that, but it will be here before we know it.)

Dry Bar! 

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I knew this was a *thing* but yesterday was my first time at a blowout salon. Usually madre takes care of my hair -and usually, Iโ€™m a hurry or have Liv with me so sheโ€™ll kindly cut my hair while itโ€™s wet from the shower and Iโ€™ll just put it in a bun instead of the whole styling shebang- but I think this would be a fun treat for a special night out or event.

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(The whole scalp massage and shampoo part is worth it alone. THE BEST.)

The atmosphere was unique and inviting, and I especially loved the fun touches, like the cocktail-inspired hairstyle names (I got the Cosmo-Tai), drinks and cookies. They also had Mean Girls up on the TV. It will never get old ๐Ÿ˜‰ The Dry Bar products smell amaaaazzziing and I couldnโ€™t help but notice their branded version of my beloved curling iron, which sadly bit the dust during our Italy trip. (I got a converter, but it still popped and was dead forever.) Even though I look a little worse for wear this morning at the airport, dat hair do. It’s still curled and feeling fresh ๐Ÿ˜‰

Sneaky reasons why youโ€™re bloated. I feel like I see a lot of gimmicky โ€œdo this to reduce bloating!โ€ articles, but these are legit reasons + easier fixes.

5 minutes in a momโ€™s head.

Taking a new class!

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Whenever I travel, itโ€™s fun to check out at least one new-to-me studio or class. Iโ€™m a barre fanatic, but there are still quite a few methods I havenโ€™t tried. None of us had experience with Dailey Method classes, so early yesterday, morning Julie, Nicole, Brittany, Sarah and I went to check it out. Since it was my only exposure to this type of class, I donโ€™t have a solid opinion, but it was definitely a challenging workout. We did a plank variation that was KILLER, but it wasnโ€™t as much barre work as I was expecting. We were only at the barre for one set of exercises, and the spent the rest of class standing, prone, in high โ€œCโ€ (a crunching movement seated with feet flat on the floor and the spine rounded) and a low โ€œC,โ€ on our backs, crunching with a rounded spine).

18 incredible things you didnโ€™t know about Trader Joeโ€™s. (Apparently our store has a turtle and not a lobster. We had to ask.)

Unexpected and unusual animal sounds.

36 cardio workouts.

SUMMER SHAPE UP! Be sure to check back here Monday for all the details ๐Ÿ™‚ Fit Tips subscribers, youโ€™ll get your first week of workouts in your inbox today, too.

Hope you have a happy Friday!
xoxo

Gina

*Sadly, I wasnโ€™t able to track down the recipes online for the cooking party and wasnโ€™t given permission to publish them :/ When I recreate them at home, Iโ€™ll certainly post the recipes! There were also some comments asking where I got the skirt in this post. I picked it up at Banana last weekend; everything was 25% off, and it was glorious.

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31 Comments

  1. karla @ finding my fit on June 13, 2014 at 10:14 am

    A blow dry bar just opened up in my town too and I’d love to go sometime…. if I can justify spending the money!

    I’m mega rooting for time to go fast too– I always love returning to your blog and reading the military posts. My boyfriend is currently overseas.. one month down 8-9 more to go and some days it is so difficult. But reading your advice, experiences, and knowing that he WILL come home and time will keep passing helps =) happy Friday!

  2. JennP on June 13, 2014 at 10:33 am

    Blowout salons are ingenious! My favorite part about getting my hair done isn’t even the cut or color, it’s the soft, perfect hair that’s IMPOSSIBLE to achieve when I style it myself ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Maria on June 13, 2014 at 10:37 am

    I’ve been wanting to try out stitchfix for so long but I wear a uniform every day to work and usually when I get home it’s into workout gear or yoga pants ๐Ÿ™‚ Maybe I’ll try it out for the summer though since I tend do be more social after work!

  4. Brynn on June 13, 2014 at 10:59 am

    I have plans to hit up a Dry Bar when I go to Chicago with my girlfriends later this year. I’ve heard great things! And like you, I love to hit up new studios or try a new workout when I travel. Especially when you can talk a friend or two into joining!

  5. Alex @ Kenzie Life on June 13, 2014 at 11:18 am

    Those macaroons look amazing, I REALLY want to go a Dry Bar, and I totally know what you mean about Europe eating hair styling mechanisms. I had a converter for my flat iron and a hotel in Athens killed it (we’re talking sparks and smoke). I love the concept of Dry Bar and though they sell the products at Sephora, I want to try the real thing! I’m awful with styling my hair. Have a great weekend!

  6. Megan @ The Skinny-Life on June 13, 2014 at 11:41 am

    I’ve never done the blow dry bar. I’ve always wanted to. My hair is ridiculously thick and difficult to deal with so I just let it grow long so I don’t have to actually do it. In a way I’m blessed, in a way I’m not. Lol… I was invited to go to the Y tomorrow for instructor overview and to sign up for training. Wish me luck! It’s been 15 years since I did this.

  7. yunah on June 13, 2014 at 11:57 am

    hey! that’s the dailey method i go to!! (i recognize the tank top in the corner!)
    who was your teacher?-they’re all great!
    i’m glad you enjoyed the workout-
    i still get sore –
    come back to sf soon!
    (you really did an effective whirlwind tour of sf!!)

  8. Hillary | Nutrition Nut on the Run on June 13, 2014 at 12:00 pm

    I definitely want to try a dry bar salon sometime; for some reason, my assumption was that they didn’t wash/shampoo your hair — hence the dry bar?

  9. Tracy on June 13, 2014 at 1:00 pm

    Sounds like another fun weekend ahead for you!!

    Fun fact: In yoga this morning our teacher told us today is a full moon and Friday the 13th. That won’t happen again until 2049! Kinda cool, right? We saluted the moon to celebrate ๐Ÿ™‚

    Enjoy your family this weekend! We’re having family visitors this weekend for a graduation party. I’m planning to make your sangria to have with tacos! Fun times!

  10. Tracy on June 13, 2014 at 1:01 pm

    And SSU!! Excited to get the email today!!!

  11. Dominique @ Eat, Pray, Lift on June 13, 2014 at 1:19 pm

    Forget dry bar, now all I want is the scalp massage…well, maybe a full body massage… ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Also, that bowl of succulents is so beautiful. That’s my kind of decor!

  12. Polly @ Tasty Food Project on June 13, 2014 at 1:27 pm

    Looks like you had a great time in San Francisco! I’ve never been to a dry bar before but it looks like a great experience. There is one near me but I’m sure it’s pretty expensive!

  13. Stephanie @ Whole Health Dork on June 13, 2014 at 2:18 pm

    Can’t wait to try that granola! Been following along on Insta and you guys look like you’re having a great time!

  14. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie on June 13, 2014 at 3:14 pm

    Those macaroons look fabulous! And I love that photo from your book! I’m so excited to see the whole thing!

  15. Leah on June 13, 2014 at 3:34 pm

    The blow out sounds amazing! Have a great weekend!

  16. tina on June 13, 2014 at 3:41 pm

    hi gina!
    i’m a long time reader (although very frequent if ever commenter), and i actually own a TDM studio here in the Chicagoland area. I would be happy to try to set you up with one of our San Diego studios to try another class and get a full feel of what we do, or would be happy to talk to you more about the Method! Knowing some of your health & fitness background here with the blog, I think it would be a great fit for you!
    ๐Ÿ™‚

  17. Ashley @ A Lady Goes West on June 13, 2014 at 4:11 pm

    I’ve only been to a blowout bar once and it was awesome. There’s nothing like being pampered and looking good after it. ๐Ÿ™‚

  18. Jessica on June 13, 2014 at 4:16 pm

    That girl to your right looks like a fitter & prettier version of u Gina, time to step up your game, girl

    • Fitnessista on June 13, 2014 at 5:36 pm

      She’s also about 4 inches taller- do you have any tips for that? I’m a huge believer of inner beauty, which seems to have missed its mark on you. Would you ever say something like that to someone in real life? Shame on you; not only for your lack of manners, but also for perpetuating the infuriating mentality that looks are everything.

      • Fitnessista on June 13, 2014 at 5:38 pm

        Ps. You can keep renewing your IP address to leave hateful comments, but ill continue to blacklist them. Find something else to do with your time.

    • yunah on June 14, 2014 at 12:30 am

      why do you read this blog?

  19. Allison on June 13, 2014 at 9:27 pm

    Hi Gina! If I just read correctly, I think Anne said on her blog that she has the recipes from your cooking class to share. Might help with your at home re-creation! ๐Ÿ˜‰

  20. Barb on June 13, 2014 at 9:33 pm

    Yikes…some people! Anyway, completely jealous of the Dry Bar experience. I LOVE having someome else do my hair, and joke with my husband that my big extravagance if we won the lotto woukd not be a new house or car, but a full time stylist to do my hair everyday ๐Ÿ™‚

  21. Valerie on June 13, 2014 at 9:42 pm

    5 minutes in a mom’s head made me laugh so hard. I swear I could’ve written that myself. It’s good to know that I’m not the only one who thinks like that!

  22. Michelle on June 13, 2014 at 10:19 pm

    Way to stand up for yourself! People can be so rude and hurtful and have no manners! Love, love, loved the 5 minutes in a moms head. I enjoy the I tried scent as well. It made me laugh, because it is so true of my thought pattern and my hubs wonders why I have to write stuff down in order to remember it (not saying I haven’t gone to the store with a list and still have forgotten some things on that list!). PS. I want a trader joes.

  23. gracekelle at leangirlsclub on June 13, 2014 at 11:33 pm

    Can’t wait to try the granola recipe when it’s up.

    I LOVE Dry Bar here in NYC. I have hair that’s easy to deal with, but I love the pampering. It’s a nice treat after a long run. Makes me feel like Super Woman.

    Hope you had a safe trip!

  24. Pua on June 14, 2014 at 3:03 am

    How long did your blowout last? I’m always curious about getting it done. ๐Ÿ™‚

  25. Cassy @ On The Inside on June 14, 2014 at 9:41 am

    Trader Joe’s will open up any item to let you try it?! That’s some seriously handy information right there.

  26. Teresa Melendez on June 14, 2014 at 1:58 pm

    Hi Gina ๐Ÿ™‚
    The grain free granola looks delicious!
    So glad you enjoyed your trip!

  27. Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections on June 14, 2014 at 7:24 pm

    Ooh really excited to hear about the shape up challenge! I really need a change in workouts these days and want to use this summer to amp up my game!

  28. Allie on June 14, 2014 at 9:30 pm

    Okay, I don’t know what those macarons are doing up there, but when I saw them I got super excited and was like, “I need to comment on them. I need to talk about macarons!” Also, my mouth started watering so much. So, I love macarons! And thanks for the picture! haha!

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