Good morning! Here’s the to (almost) weekend, am I right?
I bet most of you can guess what we’ll be up to. When we aren’t buried in boxes, Scott and I will be celebrating Easter at church and with friends on Sunday. I’m also really looking forward to getting out and seeing some of our Michigan family and friends at a low-key going away gathering on Saturday night.
And so the goodbyes begin … ahh! (Cue all of the bittersweet emotions.)
In true Friday fashion, let’s forget the sads and move on to Friday Favorites.
Every week I cover what I’ve been loving lately, and I always encourage you to share your latest faves the comments section, too. If you’re a blogger, don’t forget to link your #FFavorites posts at the bottom!
Friday Favorites #134: Week of 3/25
• new kitty collars
After months of being au naturel, the girls are now decked out in new collars. They stay indoors and fight having collars on every now and then, so I took them off a while back. As we gear up for a move, it’s important to make sure that they have identification … just in case someone gets a little adventurous on the drive over.
Collars: Cali’s, Aspen’s (both from Whisker Kitty glow in the dark line via PetSmart)
I picked this set of glow in the dark collars that could also be filed under the breakaway category. Since they are both inside kitties, the glow in the dark wasn’t necessary, but I liked it. I don’t notice a huge “glow”, however, unless you stick the collar under the light before you turn the lights off.
Isn’t that how anything glow in the dark works? Even if so, that seems pointless. Regardless, I think they’re fun, bright, and I love the little fish pet ID tags, too. (Our information is on the backs.) #itsthelittlethings
• Alex and Ani bracelet
I have mentioned my growing love for bracelets on the blog once before. I’ve been loving my small collection of them, and I was recently gifted a new one from Gina, one of my best blogging friends. I had a great time catching up with her in San Diego, and she was super sweet to think of me after we returned home.
She picked out the which is a symbol of beauty, strength, and grace. I love what it represents (an eternal, unbreakable bond between two people), and will always remember a comforting feeling of coming out of this crazy period of life that Scott and I are in right now.
Everyone has been so, so supportive of what we are doing and also encouraging over the hardships that we have encountered over the last six months. Thank you for this wonderful surprise, Gina! (My friends are pretty awesome.)
• crushed red pepper spice
If you pay even a small amount of attention to my pasta and soup recipes, then you already know that I am a fan of crushed red pepper flakes.
I mentioned this in a recent post on metabolism boosters, but kicking your plate up with a bit of spice can also help kick up your metabolic burn.
I used to cook and order my food on the spicier food for this reason, but now I also prefer the taste of spicier food. More times than not, I find myself reaching for red pepper flakes any time I eat a bowl of soup, pasta, or slice of pizza. I can’t get enough of the heat and flavor!
• the end of hoarding dresses and bras
Over the past decade or so, I have been saving all of my dresses from special events. Homecoming, prom, bridesmaid, you name it … and I couldn’t tell you why. I busted a good amount of them out for “tacky prom” at a women’s retreat a few years ago, but other than that, they have just been collecting dust in our guest room closet. Not anymore!
A client of mine mentioned that you can donate fancy dresses to Gown Town at the Oakland Mall. It looks like I missed the donation days for that event, but I am going to find a way to donate them there or to similar organization before we move.
(Metro Detroit readers!) One place I do know will take things off my hands and donate to those in need, however, is Soma at the Somerset Collection. Soma is a bras, panties, and sleepwear store that collects used bras. They donate them to local women’s shelters, and I have racked up quite a collection to pass off this weekend.
Yes, these are the bras I don’t wear. I’ve changed sizes, but I also used to work at Victoria’s Secret in college. I may have had a problem buying all the new bras, and I definitely didn’t need them. It feels good to purge my closet of extra stuff I don’t personally use on a regular basis, and hope it inspires you to do the same!
Check out Donation Town to find a drop off near you, or google search “bra donation” or “prom dress donation” (and your city name) to see where there is a drop off near you!
• Yin yoga
Thanks to a Groupon I purchased for a handful of yoga classes near me, I tried my first Yin yoga class this week. Yin is made for all levels and involves holding postures for 2-5 minutes. It’s not a challenging workout by any means, and instead offers an hour of balancing out intense workouts with recovery, stretching, and flexibility exercises.
I didn’t snap a photo inside of the studio since phones are prohibited, but we used a few props including blankets, yoga blocks, and a boulder pillow to help us hold and really sink into poses. It hurt so good!
Scott and I took Yin together, and we both left feeling like a million bucks. It would be awesome to take after a long training run or hard week of workouts for sure. It was incredibly relaxing, too. I highly recommend it!
• the return of Snapchat
Okay, friends. Who’s on Snapchat?
I’ve been using the app for over a year now, but I let it go and signed off for a bit. Thanks to the urge of blogging friends, I took the leap and re-registered with a new username (the process is highly annoying, but doable) for Life In Leggings. You can now find and follow under the username lifenleggings!
Since I’m now using Snapchat as an extension and a behind-the-scenes look into everyday, unfiltered LIL life, anyone can view my stories and snap me. I’m having a little too much fun creating random stories, and I’d love to hear from you guys!
• favorite LIL posts
» Pottery Painting Party & Weekend Snapshots
» Cardio, Core & Booty Tabata Workout
• Friday funnies
I think I’m going to start creating and sharing more inspirational quotes here and across the LIL social channels. Sometimes they are meant to pump you up for a workout, and sometimes they are for helping you feel okay about living a little.
To me, healthy living is all about finding a balance that works for you! You need days where you hit the workout floor hard, and you need rest days. That’s my motto.
I hope you enjoy them!
Your Turn
Have a wonderful weekend!
Disclaimer: Friday Favorites is a series of posts that features items I genuinely want to share with you. While #FFavorites isn’t sponsored, affiliate links may appear from time to time. As always, any support is much appreciated! <3
julie @ peanut butter fingers
hooooooray for snapchat!!! 🙂
Heather
It’s been fun to see you on there! 🙂
Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food
I worked at VS in college too! As a result, I have waay too many bras and I also stack them in my drawer the way you do in the stores haha. You’ve inspired me to go through all my old formal dresses and get rid of them. I can’t possibly think when I’d ever wear them again anyway. Have a great weekend!
Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food recently posted…Friday Favorites 3.25.16
Heather
Haha, so you feel my pain. I actually ended up leaving that job with a debt of $300 on my VS credit card! It’s clear I only worked there for the discount. Whoops.
Susie @ Suzlyfe
Sooooo, I had that exact same push up bra (the pink one with the purplish overlay. One of the prettiest bras! Your weekend is what Alex and I will be doing in a month or so. So ready to get out of our apartment–especially after the lobby flooded and there are no elevators and we live higher up in a high rise. It’s fun. Have a great weekend!
Heather
Nice! I loved that one so much I got it in two colors (pictured). Oops! Ugh, packing is not fun at all. Last time I swore I would hire professionals to help and I wish that was the case! Oh man a flood sounds crazy. Get the heck out of there!
Taylor
Yay for snapchat! I’m loving that I will be helping a very good friend of mine look at wedding venue tomorrow. Have a wonderful weekend and happy Easter!
Heather
Aw, going to look at wedding venues is so fun. Enjoy the time with your friend!
mic
I donated all the formal dresses my 3 daughters had over the years and wow did it free up major closet space. It also felt good knowing the dresses would be cleaned and given to a girl in need.
Heather
That’s awesome, Mic! I’m sure several people appreciate your donation. <3
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West
Hi Heather! Good for you hitting up a local yoga studio! I like to hear that. And I hope your packing goes well this weekend. Happy Easter!
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West recently posted…Favorite things: Swim, body, hair and a little bit more
Heather
Yeah, I actually followed through with one of my fitness goals! Haha. 😉 Happy Easter to you!
Emily Swanson (@Emily11949309)
Can you really boost your metabolism with spices? That would be interesting. 🙂
Emily Swanson (@Emily11949309) recently posted…Brussels: Light in the Darkness
Heather
I’m not a health professional, but I’ve heard that spicy foods can ramp up your metabolism time and time again!
Jen @ pretty little grub
I hoard dresses too. They are always expensive so I feel like I should keep them but if you can give them to a good cause, that makes getting rid of them a little easier.
Jen @ pretty little grub recently posted…MAC products
Heather
Right? I love knowing that they are donated to a charity and that others will get wayyyy more use out of them!
Sana
Love Alex and Ani! They even have cute rings!
Heather
Yes they do! Love those.
Sam @ Barrister's Beet
I love your quote this week! That’s awesome that you guys do yoga together, too. I think it’s so helpful to feeling centered and restored. I’m so excited to see where you guys move and follow your next adventure! Although I hope it’s somewhere warm, it would also be cool if you guys were out here on the East Coast like me : )
Sam @ Barrister’s Beet recently posted…Friday Favorites {3/25/16}
Heather
Thanks Sam! I appreciate you following the journey. We want to end up on the East Coast … who knows!
Erin @ Erin's Inside Job
Ha I FINALLY found bras that fit me from Aerie, but I still only have like one bc most of the time I’m just wearing sports bras all over the place. I’m so fancy.
Erin @ Erin’s Inside Job recently posted…Five Things Friday #79
Heather
Haha, I hear ya. It takes something pretty special to get me into real clothes (and bras) these days 😉
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul
Did I totally miss where you’re moving to? Adding you on snapchat! I’m @erin.fairchild 🙂
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul recently posted…Friday Five
Heather
Not yet! It’s actually pretty complicated. I’ll be announcing where exactly we are off to when it’s “official”. As of right now, it’s destination x unless “this” happens. Ha. Such is life!
Hilary
I have been dying to take a yoga class, I know my body could surely use it! I completely forgot about groupon being a great source to use for less expensive classes!
Hilary recently posted…Friday Favorites #6 3/25/16
Heather
I’m sure your body will thank you. I love finding yoga and barre deals on Groupon!
Amanda @ Exploring Life & Things
I love Alex and Ani bracelets! I love all the meaningful symbols. I actually bought my mom one and am giving it to her for her birthday this weekend! Have a great weekend!
Amanda @ Exploring Life & Things recently posted…15 songs that get me through speed workouts
Giselle
LOVE that quote! Although that sometimes for me is more like all the time 😉 Did you use canva to create the graphic?
Heather
Yes I did! Love that site 🙂
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday
I’m loving Alex & Ani bracelets, too! I love jewelry with a message, and I just added another to my collection. And YES to red pepper flakes. So many people I know think they’re way too spicy, but I love them. I hope you enjoy your weekend and that the packing all goes well.
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday recently posted…Five Friday Favorites 03/25/16
Marina @ Snackie Bird
I love Snapchat, that filters are hilarious!
Ginger Wroot
I just started a Snapchat account…it’s, well, interesting, and so different from any other social media that I’ve tried. Thanks for the linkup, and Happy Easter!
–G
gingerwroot.com
Nikki
Where did you try your Yin Yoga class? I have been searching and havent found one in the Detroit area!
Heather
Hi Nikki! We have been going to Red Lotus Yoga in Rochester Hills. It’s a great studio! I purchased a 5 class package for $29 on Groupon recently and believe it’s still available. Hope you can make it out!