Hi everyone, and Happy Fri-yay!
How are you doing? Are you hanging in there okay? We’re all just doing our best, and that’s the best that we can do. Please don’t forget that and give yourself the reminder often.
Just know that I am thinking of everyone and praying for all of you … and especially for those on the front lines working and doing everything extra that we’re expected to be doing through this pandemic. It’s scary, it’s tiring, and it’s a lot to process. I hope that you know you aren’t alone in thinking this, and that you’re allowed to treat yourself to doing whatever it is that makes things a little better from time to time.
In an effort to take a few minutes to escape the madness, let’s focus on some lighthearted chatter with a recap of the moments that brought joy into my days this week.

Here we go …
FRIDAY FAVORITES: moments that sparked joy
- daily walks and/or runs in the neighborhood
This is really what is keeping me sane right now! But with views like this, can you blame me? I was the only one on the sidewalk while taking this photo, and that’s something that I can honestly say has never happened in our normally crowded streets and area.

My city living friends understand where I’m coming from by needing to get out and walk around a bit right now. Without access to a backyard, it feels necessary to be able to take a break, reset, and breathe in some fresh air to continue on with the day with my best foot forward.
People are really taking direction to stay at home seriously up here, which is good to see. There are times where the park is busier, but everyone tends to keep their distance and be on their own for the same reasons that I’m there. It feels like we really are all in this together, and I’ll even get a smile or wave from afar every now and then.

The neighborly wave is not the typical behavior you’ll see in New York City, and I’m here for it. Do yourself a favor today and get outside for a stroll or run. Your mind and body will thank you later!
- new recipes and cooking every day
One thing that makes the heaviness of our current situation lighter for me is seeing the silver lining through it all. I know that everyone doesn’t operate like this, and that’s totally okay. I personally have to pause to appreciate what good I’m getting out of every day to keep my head up. So that’s where we’re at.
Besides having more hours for family togetherness, I have been using the extra time at home to organize, redo some things on the back-end of this blog, and get reacquainted with my cooking equipment. It had been a hot minute since I tried a few new recipes, and it feels so good to be back at it.

I have a goal to share new, original recipes here on the blog again soon! I’ve been sharing some of my favorite wins in our household on the (new) Life In Leggings Community Page and would love to chat with you over there. Feel free to share some of your favorites in the comments, too.
Here’s to more chopping, creating, and taste testing in the days ahead!
- coal oven pizza by the slice – Table 87
It felt nice to support a local business this week with a quick take-out order on one of our walks around the neighborhood. We really haven’t been ordering anything while quarantined, so this was a treat for sure.
Feeling the small business struggle hard, we wanted to choose a place that could really use the support. I had tried Table 87 before at a friend’s house, but never ventured out the few avenues and streets away to try it for myself. I don’t know why … because they sell coal oven pizzas by the slice!

We waited to eat our slices until we were home and washed up, and they were so good. Like really, really good. The sauce is amazing! I can’t wait to go back and dine out on their patio, too. They have pull-down table setups and from what we could tell, it looked like a really fun environment with an outdoor bar.
Also, they were featured on Shark Tank (and got a deal with Lori Greiner — no wonder the patio is so cute), they offer slices at events centers, and they sell frozen pies by delivery and in super markets. They were the first company to sell coal oven pizza by the slice, and I love everything about this.
- quality time with Skyler
This one goes without saying, but I couldn’t not include it in a moments that sparked joy theme. Skyler has become my true sidekick during this time and I’m soaking in every moment. We go on walks together, we do craft time, we color, we “play stickers,” we “organize” (and I quoted that because he usually just undoes what I carefully place around the floor), and we’re working on our counting and ABCs. It’s the best.

We’re not perfect, however, and there are plenty of meltdowns that happen and screen time that ensues. But I’m realizing to embrace it all and just go with the flow of where we’re at. Because at the end of the day, he’ll remember the good times and that puts it all into perspective for me.
- live streaming from my favorite people
The fitness community has really stepped up in offering free workouts to those who might be in need of inspiration, and that’s amazing. Something else that has really brightened my week is stumbling upon artists sharing their talents and going live to interact and perform for fans from their homes.
Last night I happened to see that Gavin DeGraw was live on Instagram and clicked over. (You can still catch some of it on his story until tonight!) He performed for about 45 minutes and even took requests from the comments section. It was so great.
And, for those who appreciate a good trip through memory lane, Scott and I have a special place for Gavin’s music in our hearts. We were both working on different things in our respective rooms last night, but I hurried into our bedroom to join Scott when I heard our song “More Than Anyone” come on. There might have been 2,000 other people listening in live, but in that moment, it felt like Gavin was singing for the two of us. And it was everything.
- new two-product starter clean beauty line
FUN FACT: the most important think you can do with your skin every day is cleanse and nourish/protect it. Beautycounter released a brand new duo yesterday to make clean beauty simple for anyone to dive into.
Another fun fact for you … I added a Clean Beauty page to the blog, in case you’re new and need more information on the brand.
Question! Do you currently buy Cetaphil or Cerave from your local drugstore?
Counterstart products are similar without the toxins and harmful ingredients like parabens and sulfates. This is perfect for those who don’t have the patience, time, or budget for a full regimen, and I’m so happy it’s here!
The Cococream cleanser is $20, and the Cocoboost Moisturizer is $29.
The main ingredients are coconut and aloe soothing oils with Vitamin E to protect the skin from environmental aggressors. They’re great for anyone (including those with sensitive skin) and are completely fragrance-free!
Current Beautycounter promotions for April:
- New Clients can get 20% off of their first order! Simply go to the website and click the that says “sign up” button at the top of the page that offers the promo. Add in your email and then a code will be sent to you to use on the order. (Make sure to check your junk folder).
- BoB Membership free gift is the Overnight Resurfacing Peel! Join for $29 and earn 10% product credit back, free shipping on orders $100+, the peel for free (worth this in value alone), and exclusive offers. It’s like the Amazon Prime of safer skincare and makeup! Join here.
- Free enrollment offer is EXTENDED through April to help anyone start their business during this time. Beyond the initial 40% off discount on starter sets, consultants get 25% off of products year-round, early access to sales, pre-sales of product launches at extreme discounts, infinite host rewards to cash in on free and 50% off product opportunities, and more. Read my post about Why I Became a Beautycounter Consultant & FAQs for more information here, and please reach out at beautycounter@lifeinleggings.com.

Let me know if you have any questions. I’d love to help you!
- favorite LIL posts
» Friday Favorites: Highs and From the Week

I hope you are all staying safe out there! And I hope that you can find the positives to focus on in your days. Here’s peek into what’s been going on around our neck of the woods … and yes, there are highs and lows.
» Stability & Strength Workout (With Gliders and Dumbbells)

If you need a break from doing strictly bodyweight workouts and would like to add resistance in a creative way at home – here you go! This workout uses gliders and one set of light to medium dumbbells, but get creative with what you have on hand. You can use paper plates instead of gliders, two small hand towels, or even just socks on a hard floor.
Make sure sure check out the video demos here, too!
All right. It’s time for me to get back to that quality time and make a big brunch for the fam. I’ll be back on Monday with a new recipe for you!
(Whaaaat? I know, I’m excited!)
*Disclaimer: Affiliate links are included in this post and I do earn a small commission for anything clicked or purchased. Also, I am a Beautycounter consultant and love what I do with the company. By using the links provided in this post to order products, you are supporting my business.
I always appreciate you.

I’m always here for the positive moments and it looks like you had some great ones this week. That pizza looks delicious and I hope you share your butternut squash recipe! I still have some in the freezer to use up. Have a great weekend!
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams