Good morning … it’s Fri-yay!
I hope you all have had a great week, and I’m guessing the majority reading this are ready to dive face first into the weekend. Good news … we’re almost there.
Scott and I have a fun event to attend tonight (you’ll hear more about that on Monday!), and the rest of our weekend will be spent organizing and putting our lives together. It’s a slow process this time. We came to the city with little to no furniture, so we have to be patient and allow ourselves some buffer time to slowly put our new home together piece by piece. It will all come into place eventually.
Just like every other Friday around here, today I want to take a look back on the week and share what made me smile. I always invite you to join in on the Friday Favorites party, too via the comments and link-up section below.
Friday Favorites #138: Week of 4/22
• mophie charging case
I noticed how quickly my iPhone’s battery dies a couple of days into living in the city. I can’t just plug it in to charge in a car whenever I am out and about, and I end up relying on it quite a bit for directions on how to get from one place to another.
Knowing that I needed something to help me out, I polled my friends on Facebook and got an overwhelming response to purchase a mophie charging case to help get me through my commutes and days out of the house.
There were some other portable chargers I was looking at, but in the end, I knew I needed something that I could have with me at all times. I found this gold one on Amazon, and I have been loving it ever since it arrived earlier this week!
True to the reviews, it isn’t too heavy and charges my phone a full charge one time. It’s pretty quick, too. You can switch the charge function from on or off any time, and it tells you how much battery is left on the charger by how many lights are lit on the back. (Mine only had about 25% of the battery left in the photo above.)
I would definitely recommend this product to anyone in the market for a charging case!
• fresh juices
My love for fresh juices grew strong a few years ago.
Actually, I remember getting the ‘ol juicer out on Saturday mornings with my mom while growing up. We always made fresh carrot and apple juice, and it was absolutely delicious. Since I moved out, however, I can count how many times I have juiced my own concoctions on one hand. Our juicer was gigantic and super annoying to clean, so Scott and I decided to part ways with it before our move to New York.
It was a sad day, but I figured that we would be close to several juice bars wherever we ended up. That we are!
(Carrots, apples, beets, celery, and pineapple)
I mentioned finding JuiceLand the other day, but I was even more excited to find Mr. Lime just a short two minute walk away from us yesterday.
It’s a great local grocery store (which can be expensive for some products, yet very reasonable for in-season produce), and offers large made-to-order juices for $4. Scott and I have already become slightly addicted. By the time you buy the produce yourself, go home, juice it, and clean everything up … you can start to justify it.
Yum!
• pho
As you can imagine, Scott and I are in the honeymoon phase of moving where everything is new and exciting. We have so many restaurants and things to check out in our area, and we realize that it will probably take years to hit it all. Really though … I don’t think years is an exaggeration.
After hearing how good the pho is from our friends downstairs, we had to try it for ourselves last night.
Scott passed Ha Noi Vietnamese Kitchen on the way home from the park last night and didn’t have to ask me twice to join him for dinner. I ordered the avocado salad with chicken because I had soup for lunch (fail), but Scott ordered the Pho Thai which was very tasty.
I ended up eating a good portion of it, finishing it all off with a Vietnamese coffee for dessert. Apparently, that also meant I needed to wear the traditional rice hat while drinking it?
Anddd now I know why I’m extra chatty in this week’s favorites – the coffee. Ha! It was so good. I need some more pho in my life pho sure! (<- had to.)
• MetroCards + zero cars = no car payments
Scott and I are officially car-free. We now walk and utilize public transportation (subway, train, bus, etc.) everywhere we go every single day!
We canceled our regular auto insurance this morning, but we are looking into getting non-owners auto insurance on the off chance we need to rent a car or use Zipcar. While it can be annoying at times (like having to carry several bags on the way home from Target yesterday), we have both been loving the extra cardio and forced time outside.
I’ve heard that you don’t need an unlimited month MetroCard unless you work in the city and use it twice a day, at least five times a week. For now, we are loading them one week at a time at $29 each. Not too shabby!
• gas stove
I’m sure this one seems pretty random, but this is the very first time that I have ever used a gas stove, let alone have one in my kitchen. I don’t know what you use at home, but gas cooktops are where it’s at. They heat things so quickly. I love it!
And that, my friends, makes it a worthy Friday Favorite.
• spring flowers
We picked the perfect time to move, y’all. The flowers are coming at us everywhere!
I have particularly been loving the variety of cherry blossoms we see every day on our walks. If you follow me on Snapchat (lifenleggings), then you already know that I’m obsessed with taking pictures of the pretty trees and flowers.
Sorry I’m not sorry … they’re beautiful and smell incredible as you walk by!
• favorite LIL posts
» Tuesday Catch Up (Central Park & Brooklyn Updates)
» Total Body AMRAP Workout (At Home)
• Friday funny
Scott saw this saying on a chalkboard outside of a restaurant the other day, and I thought it was awesome!
(Do you recognize that picture?)
I told you … I’m in love with all the cherry blossoms.
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
![[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)
Oh man I’m dying at the Tice had! That looks like such a fun and tasty dinner spot! Also SO jealous of your gas stove.. they’re the best! Have a great weekend Heather!!
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood recently posted…Friday Favorites #49
It was a great place, we will definitely be back!
I looooved having a gas stove while living in NYC. That was such a perk. And spring in NYC is one of my favorite seasons ANYWHERE in the world. I became even more obsessed with east coast springs while living in New York! Have a great weekend, Heather!
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…5 Things that Became Favorites While Living in New York
YES. I didn’t know that you lived in New York City!! How fun. Definitely going to check out your post today. 😉 Happy weekend to you!
I know you love Mediterranean food, so you need to check out Miriam in park slope!!! Amazing brunch, but they don’t take reservations so you need to get there on the earlier side. Even if you have to wait, it’s worth it!!!
YES – thank you for the suggestion Mary!
I SO miss not having a car! When I lived in Chicago, I only took public transit and my life was a million times less stressful 🙂 Also, that juice looks amazing!
Hannah {Hannah at Home} recently posted…Fri-yay {4/22}
It’s inconvenient at times, but for the most part — so awesome!
$4 juice is totally worth it! That’s actually a really good deal compared to what I’ve paid before lol. I’d be hitting that place up every day!
Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food recently posted…Friday Favorites 4.22.16
That’s what I’m saying! It will be hard to pass by without stopping in pretty frequently 😉
I wonder what it life would be like without a car!!! I don’t know if i’d survive that haha. You’ve got me craving fresh juice now!
rachel @ athletic avocado recently posted…Friday Favorites: Planters Peanuts for a Pre/Post Workout Snack
It’s amazing how much you get used to life outside of your “normal” bubble. I never thought I could survive without a car or live in a tiny space, but it just teaches you to downsize, live minimally, and plan your days in advance 😉
When we moved from CT to Boston we seriously downsized apartment wise however the perk to our new place is the GAS STOVE! I totally share your excitement!
kaitlin @4loveofcarrots recently posted…Things I’m Loving Friday
YES – I don’t think I could ever go back now! Ha.
I had a gas stove once and it is very easy to control and for cooking. Love the juice. The hat is adorable. Have a wonderful weekend. xo Lauren
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment recently posted…Why Women Should Lift Weights
Thanks Lauren, have a great weekend!
I have one of those little portable chargers, which has definitely come in handy for the phone. Enjoy your weekend, Heather! Keep the updates coming. 🙂
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West recently posted…Favorite things: Active and footwear
Thanks Ashley! I hope you are enjoying all of that quality time with your mom. Thanks for linking up, and have a great weekend!
Gas stoves are seriously amazing – I had no idea until I had to live without one. And that hat cracks me up 🙂
alexandra @ my urban family recently posted…Friday Favorites Week 35
Haha, always an adventure I tell you. 😉
I have been all about fresh juices this week too!
Emily @ Always Emily H. recently posted…Friday Favorites #47: April 22
You seem SOO happy and at home, I love it!! I love seeing and hearing all the updates and living vicariously through you!! You should totally wear a Fitbit and see how much you’re walking now, I’m super curious! Have a wonderful weekend!!
What an exciting time for you two! I’m just catching up on the move. That charging case looks amazing….gonna have to check that sucker out. And you look adorable in that rice hat!
Shelly||The Queen in Between
Shelly recently posted…Friday Favorites
You definitely picked the right time to move! I made a huge move to an unfamiliar place 6 months ago….right in the middle of October. It was hard to first be in a new place when it was already getting so cold that I didn’t really want to leave my apartment and explore. I feel like it’s only now, with the spring weather and things warming up, that I feel like I actually want to explore my new town and put down some roots! No more hibernation for this gal!
I am loving following your move to NYC, keep the updates coming 🙂
Hi Brit, thanks for following! Yes, we lucked out with a great time of year. It’s been great weather! Coming from Michigan, however, I totally understand the urge to hibernate. You just have to get out there and explore (with layers)!
You look so adorable in that hat! I can’t wait for everything to start blooming in Montreal too!
Thanks Olena, I hope Spring heads your way soon!
I’ve never had a gas stove, but fast heating is always a plus! And I think I need to make an effort to try pho sometime. I feel like everyone loves it, and I wanna see what all the hype is about 😉 Have a fabulous weekend, Heather!
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday recently posted…Five Friday Favorites 04/22/16
I’ve never had a pho bowl I didn’t like. It always tastes so fresh!
I didn’t even know they made charging cases. That is magical! I’ve been spoiled with my giant iPhone 6 battery, but when I upgraded to the plus I realized that it started to die a little faster than my other one. On days when I’m up and around starting early in the morning, it’s almost dead by the time I get home at night!
Erin @ Erin’s Inside Job recently posted…Five Things Friday #83
Yes, I’m still using my iPhone 5S … which doesn’t exactly have the best battery life. I’ve been enjoying my mophie case!
I randomly had a gas stove in my last apartment and did not realize I would miss it SO much! Glad others feel the same way 😉
Nicole @ Blunders and Absurdities Blog recently posted…Friday Favorites: Quotes
Haha – totally worth writing about 😉
I adore my gas stove, it’s so much quicker. I love pho even more, yum.
Still in mourning over Prince’s passing. As a dancer, you must have been a fan. Such a loss.
Enjoy your weekend.
Yes, the news was very unexpected and sad. RIP to a great artist!
Gas stoves are amazing! It’s super hard to find in ATX and it’s the only thing I miss from my last apartment.
I’m enjoying reading your updates on NYC! Enjoy your weekend!
Thanks for reading, Rachel! Happy weekend to you!
I’ve been really behind on blog life and finally getting a chance to catch up. Holy whoa! So much fun and exciting change for you. I absolutely LOVE NYC (just moved from there to SF in January) and I miss it every day. I’m so glad you’re adjusting! I totally had a love/hate relationship with the subway (and I’m sure you’ll see what I mean soon) but my Metro card was everything. Even though I’m no longer in NYC, I carry one with at least $20 bucks on it to use whenever I head back home to visit family or for work. Makes me still feel connected. 🙂 Hope you continue to enjoy the new journey and can’t wait to read more about it.
Mecca recently posted…I’m alive and it’s Friday (Favorites)! | April 22nd
Hi Mecca, thank you! Yes, a lot has changed over the last month or so. We love SF as well – if we had more opportunities out there we might have gone out there! Thanks for following 🙂
I love trying new restaurants, but be so fun knowing you have so many! And having a gas stove is definitely worth being excited about. I had an electric for years and finally got a gas stove when we bought our house. I will NEVER go back, love it!
Patricia @ Sweet and Strong recently posted…We Love Mom Mason Jar Cookie Company Giveaway
We have lots of Juiceland locations here in Austin but I’ve yet to try one out. Guess you’ve convinced me now! They’re juices and smoothies sound super tasty.
Kaylin@EnticingHealthyEating recently posted…Whole Wheat Peanut Butter and Jelly Pancakes
It’s a great place! Not the cheapest, but certainly delicious.
Glad to hear you are loving your new neighborhood so much. I recently read an article (The Fruit Barons of Brooklyn from the Lucky Peach website) about the family that owns Mr. Lime and some other Mr. [fruit] stores and thought it was fun that you are enjoying one.
I grew up with gas stoves and learned to cook on one, so it is one of the things on my list when I look for a home. I bet you will only love it more the longer you use it!
Yes, we love that store! And I just found out Mr. Lime is open 24 hours?! That’s amazing. Still loving the gas stove!