Good morning my friends!
It felt weird taking a break from the blog yesterday. I signed on in the morning, but I didn’t have much to say. Instead of just throwing something online, I decided to take a step back and spend the day getting things done around the house before work.
While it makes me sad, I have to admit that getting all of the Christmas decorations down and put away felt great. If I had it my way and electric bills weren’t a factor, I would leave our tree up all year long! That’s socially acceptable when you live in a winter climate for six months, right?
Anyways, it’s Friday, and it’s my favorite time of week where I like to take a look back and share what I have been loving lately.
I always invite you to join in on the fun by sharing your favorites for the week in the comments section. If you are a blogger, make sure to look for the blue Inlinkz button at the bottom and link up your own #FFavorites posts, too!
Friday Favorites #123: Week of 1/8
• gel manicure
Have you ever gotten a gel manicure?
I don’t get my nails done very often, and when I do, it’s hardly ever upgraded to gel, french, or acrylics. This month I had an excuse to get a manicure since I was in my friend’s wedding! Part of the bridal party met the day before the wedding, and the bride talked me into getting gel on my toes and nails. She said it lasts so much longer, and she’s absolutely right!
I’ve had this gel polish (it’s O.P.I. in ) on for over a week now, and I don’t have a single chip. I can’t remember any previous manicure of mine lasting more than a couple of days. If you’ve been skeptical about the gel upgrade option, I can assure you it’s worth it.
• Burt’s Bees deep pore scrub
After running out of my go-to Yes To Grapefruit facial scrub a few weeks ago, I decided to pick up something new on my way up to the register at Fresh Thyme Market. There wasn’t a huge selection, but I knew I would be safe with anything from the Burt’s Bees line. As it turns out, I love, love, love .
I keep it in our second bathroom for when I take a bath, and I actually look forward to washing my face with it while unwinding with a hot soak. Is that weird? The texture beads are awesome! Regardless, if you are in the market for a facial scrub that truly rejuvenates and gently exfoliates, this one’s worth a try.
• velvet plush throw
Oh. my. gosh. After my obsession with polyester pajamas came to fruition a few months ago, it’s no wonder why I can’t stop carrying this throw blanket around the house with me! It’s labeled a “velvet plush” throw, but is made out of pure polyester.
It was given to me by my friend’s mother (thanks Rene!) after she saw me eyeing it at a white elephant gift exchange. The brand is Better Homes and Gardens, and it looks like you can find several similar throws at Wal-Mart. I’ve been a lover of blankets for years, but this – by far – has been my favorite so far. So cozy!
• Scott’s Giorgio Armani glasses
Some of you might remember me mentioning that Scott recently got his very first pair of glasses. Thanks to a campaign with LensCrafters, we were each able to order a new set of frames at the end of our AccuExams. They had a wonderful selection to choose from, and I’m semi-jealous of these Giorgio Armani frames that just came in.
They’re very different than my Tiffany & Co. frames, and I love the trendy, matte look on him. I can’t find an exact link to them, but they are in grey. You should be able to find them at your local LensCrafters!
• Honey Roasted Blue Diamond Almonds
This was the second time I have tried this flavor of Blue Diamond Almonds, and the container didn’t last more than a couple of days. Both times. While I’m a fan of a lot of different flavored almonds, are right at the top of my favorites list.
Do yourself a favor and pick up a can if you see them.
Oh, and I also shared a full day of recipes featuring these bad boys. Yum!
• turquoise & champagne phone case
Before the holidays, I was browsing around Amazon and casually mentioned that I needed a new iPhone case to my brother. To give him an idea of the type of cases I like, I sent him a link to . Isn’t it cute?
I didn’t expect him to get it for me on top of another present, but I happily accepted it when I opened it. I love the 4-side protection and color combo. You can’t beat the $14 price tag, either!
• favorite links around the web
» Thank you to ActivewearUSA for featuring my workout!
» I love the idea of using socks in workouts. Check out this one via Pumps & Iron.
» I need this spaghetti squash in my life. It looks so delicious and easy to make.
» If Snapchat Existed in the 90s via TheBerry.com. (Hilarious and so accurate.)
» Since we’re past Christmas morning, I need an excuse to make this Egg Nog French Toast Casserole recipe via Peanut Butter Fingers.
» Um… Ryan Gosling performing in a dance recital at 12 years old. You’re welcome.
• favorite LIL posts
» Healthy Caramel Apples (With Almonds)
» Circuit Workout With Core & Cardio
» New Years Day Dinner For “Good Luck”
• Friday funnies
Because… #truth.
Right? (to all of them…)
Hehe.
Your Turn
Have a wonderful weekend!
![[in our elementary school era] 🚌😭
Skyler did great walking into KINDERGARTEN with a big smile on his face this morning. I, however, was a bit of a mess on our walk home. 🥹
It’s wild how fast these 5 years with him have gone … 7 since we moved to NYC and into our apartment, dreaming of the day our kids would someday go to the *awesome* school right down our block. 🏫
That day is today, and I still don’t believe it — feeling allll of the emotions and thanking God for placing us here and for being able to trust His timing through the journey. 🫶🏼 #hbshinnyc
SO proud of you, SK - you are going to rock your first year at your “big boy school” - WE LOVE YOU !! 🩵👑](https://lifeinleggings.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
LOVE those matte glasses. I’m totally into matte, I think it looks like such a subtly cool way to look trendy but now like, OH HI I’M TRENDY. If that makes sense. I totally also need to try out a gel manicure! Or, you know, any kind of manicure.
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood recently posted…Friday Favorites #35
Haha, I get it. And I agree! Thanks for linking up Morgan, have a great weekend!
I took down Christmas a few days ago. I miss it but I do love having the space back! 🙂
Jen @ SavedbytheKale recently posted…5 Things Friday #18
It is nice having less clutter around, but I’m already looking forward to take them out again next year. Too soon? lol
I got a gel manicure this fall, and while i loved it, it absolutely DESTROYED my nails. They were really thin after, so I had to do a lot of work making them healthy again. I hope you have better luck! Our decorations extravaganza this year consists of about 3 things, so undecorating has been very easy, lol. Have a great weekend, Heather!
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Easy Healthy Turkey Meatballs with Italian Herbs (Gluten Free)
Oh no! I’ve heard that from a few people, I’m guessing the aftermath is similar to acrylics. I’ll probably end up going to get the polish off at the salon with a regular polish change. Happy weekend, Susie!
I love that throw! I have a collection of blankets because I’m always cold and the ” velvet plush” ones are my fave! I got a similar one to yours but it came from Costco. COZY!!
suzanne @ Life is a Mix recently posted…Talking it Out
Haha, I think I’m always cold too. If I’m on the couch or sitting for a long period of time I always have a blanket on me!
That face scrub looks awesome. I’ve been into all the pampering lately and have been loving long baths. And OH my goodness that snapchat in the 90s article. So true lol. I had totally forgotten about Encarta encyclopedia, but we definitely had it.
Have a great weekend!
Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food recently posted…Friday Favorites 1.8.16
I look forward to hot baths after a long day so much. I’m glad you feel me on the 90s article! 😉 Encarta! Hilarious.
I am a huge fan of gel manicures but only for special occasions because I never have time to go back every two weeks to get it redone!
I feel ya. I have a feeling that gel manicures will be saved for special occasions and splurges. Have a great weekend, Caitlin!
Oh my goodness, your funnies had me chuckling!!!!
I know… I was sad to take down our Christmas decor too, but it does feel so good to get the house put back together.
Have a great weekend, Heather!
Bri recently posted…Friday Favorites #27
Hehe, I’m glad you appreciated them 😉 Thanks for linking up, Bri!
I am so totally obsessed with gel manicures! I’d be painting my nails every other day if I didn’t do the no chip. I may be addicted. 😉 I wish it was socially acceptable to keep lights up all year, too. They’re so pretty! But, I guess part of what makes them special is that you only put them out for a short period of time. Hope you have a great weekend, Heather! 🙂
Beth @ Sublimely Fit recently posted…Friday Favorites #63
I wish I was better at changing my nail polish. I always mean to paint my nails and then never get around to it. Oh well! Thanks so much for linking up, have a great weekend Beth!
gel manis are the BEST! It’s hard to go back to regular once you go gel, hah! I’ve been SO into flavored nuts lately… those ones sound delicious! I got these caramel bourbon pecans the other day and I’m blown AWAYYYYY
carrie recently posted…Why You Need to Say “Goodbye” to Cheat Meals
Oh I bet. I just hate how regular manicures chip within a day or two. It seems like such a waste! Ohhh those pecans sound amazing. Yum!
Oh I would adore to have a Christmas tree up all year but that would probably make the actual season less special. I love gel manicures simply because they don’t chip as fast! But they are a pain to take off. Happy 2016!
Yeah, I guess there is something to be said about having it up for the “most wonderful time of the year”. 😉 Thanks Kaitlin, have a great weekend!
I have never gotten a gel manicure but it sounds kind of amazing so I think I’ll give it a try in the near future. And I need to try those healthy caramel apples. They look so good 🙂
Heidi Kokborg recently posted…Broccoli tart with sundried tomatoes and artichokes
They are! There’s one left in our refrigerator and I’m trying to save it for dessert tonight… we’ll see if it makes it that long! Have a great weekend, Heidi 🙂
Happy Friday, Heather! I can’t believe you weren’t already doing gel manicures! They last SO much longer. But then when it’s time for the polish to come off — that’s the bad part. 🙁 I have the remnants of a holiday gel manicure needing to come off. As far as gel on my toes — I actually only did that once and didn’t like it at all. Loving the cozy throw blanket! You need it! Have a great weekend, my friend! 🙂
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West recently posted…Friday Favorites: Gold, healthy eats, fitness reads and more
Hi Ashley! Oh man, well, I don’t normally get manicures so it was a real treat! I wish I could splurge all the time, they’re just so pricey. I’ve heard that about taking the gel off, so I might just go in for a polish change and get it taken care of there. 😉 We’ll see how much I like the gel on my toes – so far so good! 😉
I never get regular manicures because they always chip and they’re fairly pricy, but I really wanted my nails to look nice for my graduation (I guess because you shake a lot of hands? Who knows…) and got a gel French manicure a couple years ago. It lasted a week or so through all the cooking/baking/hand-washing leading up to my grad party and for a couple weeks after! I was sad to see it go haha. So… I love gel manicures 🙂 And I need to find those almonds! I’ve had honey-roasted peanuts before, but never almonds. Yum! Have a great weekend, Heather!
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday recently posted…Five Friday Favorites 01/08/16
They seem very much worth the upgrade. 😉 I think you would love the almonds. Happy Friday!
Honey roasted ANY kind of nuts are an A+ in my book. I NEED to get my hands on those! If you’re digging the gel manicure, I’d highly recommend getting the Sally Hansen gel polishes and top coat. They last way longer than any others I have! Aaaaand, we’re iPhone case twinsies! 😉
Have a great weekend, Heather!
Courtney recently posted…January Stitch Fix Review
You would love them! Thanks for the suggestion on the nail polishes, I’ll have to give them a try. Woo hoo, that’s hilarious about the phone case! So random… I love it. 🙂 Happy Weekend!
Happy Friday! I’ve never gotten a gel manicure, but I’m thinking of trying it before I leave for my wedding 🙂 Last thing I want is to worry about my nail polish! Have a great weekend
Gretchen | GretchRuns recently posted…Top Five Friday #38
Thanks Gretchen! I think your wedding is the perfect excuse to try. Congratulations!
I have been thinking about splurging on a mani pedi recently! I’ll have to remember that tip!
Hilary recently posted…Friday favorites #
From what I’ve heard, they’re a pain to take off (similar to acrylics), so it looks like that’s the only downfall of gel. Enjoy the pampering if you go!
Gel manicures are the best! They never chip! It doesn’t start coming off until my nails get too long and i start picking at it. Also, love the glasses! Super cute! Glad I found your blog!
Thanks Heather, I’m glad you clicked over. Welcome, and enjoy the weekend!
I need new cute glasses in my life… mine are like 10 years old and I usually only wear them from the bathroom to bed, it would be nice to have the option of wearing them elsewhere 🙂 Love your mani- I’m overdue for a pedi so I’ll definitely look into gel. Happy Friday!
Dietitian Jess recently posted…Things I’m Loving Friday
It sounds like you’re in need of an upgrade! Happy weekend Jess!
Hehe, I love that quote about the hair ties… like for reals tho :p also, the 2015/6 one 🙂 And I love Burt’s Bees! They’re face scrub is amazing! …and I’ve never had my nails done with gel! I should though! Happy Friday!
Cailee recently posted…Thankful Thursday- Love!
Oh my gosh, I’m obsessed with gel polish! I got myself an at-home kit, and just used normal nail polish a few weeks ago for the first time in forever, and got so furious with it I threw out all my old normal polishes (minus my favorite for toe nails.) Love the happy roundup today! 🙂
As someone who can chip her nails in literally one day [seriously SO annoying!] I am all about the gel manicure train! I haven’t tried it yet – mostly because Im afraid I’ll become obsessed with it and be forking over a fortune each year in manicures….
Kat recently posted…Healthy Fats – Why you need them in your diet
Gel manicures are the best! Totally worth it in my opinion. I don’t know what it is, but something about having my nails all done makes me feel put together.
sarah recently posted…Friday Favorites: Pinterest Edition
Looks like you did okay with the awesome holiday gifts! The throw is so pretty, and oh, how Iooove those glasses! Happy New Year!
–G
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