Hello! I hope your Friday has gotten off to a great start. It’s been an eventful one over here!
Scott is currently working overseas again, so I’m looking forward to spending the weekend with his mother until he returns. She arrived in Brooklyn last night to help out around the apartment, and she has already gotten a lot of baby cuddles in. We’re excited to have our Grammy back!
Skyler has been on the fussy side this week, so I’ve been drafting this post for a few days and finally have it ready to share while he sleeps on my chest. (Small victories!) One day we will get back into a routine, but we’re doing our best right now, and that’s okay.
As usual, today I’m taking a look back at the week and am sharing what I’ve been loving lately. I appreciate you guys letting me know that this is a series you like to read, so I’ll keep it around for a while. I also enjoy seeing some of your favorites, too! Make sure to scroll and link up!
Happy Friday Favorites!
Friday Favorites #201: Week of 4/27
• “dry” texture hairspray
I finally made a return to the hair salon a few weeks ago, and, per usual, I didn’t leave empty handed. By no means does the salon push products on me, but I always fall in love with things that they use on me during my styling sessions.
I go to a great local salon in Park Slope, Brooklyn called Hairstories and am sharing something from their own line of products because it’s awesome and you can order it online if you’re interested in trying it out, too. (Their home salon is located in Babylon, Long Island if anyone reading this is over there!)
When reading the description of the product, it sounds more like a dry shampoo, but my stylist ensured me that Love Story Texture Spray is a fabulous combination that is meant to be used as a “dry” hairspray. I always use hairspray to set my styles whether I straighten or curl my hair, and I have to admit that this might be one of my favorites that I’ve tried yet. It sets the style but doesn’t leave that normal harsh and sometimes hard texture that normal sprays do. It’s softer, but strong and I also like the scent!
• postnatal yoga stretch (with Skyler)
This little guy turned six weeks old yesterday! I can’t believe how fast time is already flying. (I’m currently working on a six-week update on how both of us are doing to share with you guys soon!) To celebrate the benchmark, I decided to do something that both of us would like and put on a quick 15-minute postnatal yoga stretch video to start welcoming my body into movement other than walking again.
It doesn’t take much for me to get knots in my neck, shoulders, and back these days, so I clicked on a stretch that targets the upper body and spent a few minutes stretching my legs afterwards. Skyler loved it! He stared at the ceiling fan for most of it (as you can see him doing in this photo) and got a kick out of when I would move around him and steal a kiss here and there.
I hope to find some workouts in the area that welcomes Mommy & Me classes because I think it would be a wonderful (entertaining) activity for both of us! My doctor’s appointment to officially get cleared is Monday, so I’ll be doing some research soon!
• IKEA laptop support pillow
One thing that we had to give up when planning for a baby in our apartment was a solid workspace. Right now our desktop is set up on our dining room table, but it’s not a long-term solution. I will put some work in on my laptop on the table, but I’m actually more comfortable on the couch where I can multi-task and cuddle/wear Sky.
I have put my laptop on my lap or on a pillow for years, and will admit that I’m the absolute worst at being aware of my posture while doing so. I’ve been wanting to get some type of laptop table or pillow tray that would make doing this a little bit easier and better on my back, so I was thrilled when I saw a bin of laptop support pillows for $15.
They had a few different colors, but I was drawn to this one that compliments living room pillows and designs. It’s been amazing for laptop support, snacks, and even provides somewhere stable to put my coffee in the mornings when I’m holding Sky. I’m sure we will get an actual support desk or table soon, but for now, this thing is pretty awesome!
• my go-to trail mix
It made me laugh when a friend and former teammate from my NBA dancing days tagged me on her post that featured my go-to trail mix a few days ago. Little did she know, I had it in my pantry and was going to grab it at that very moment to satisfy my sweet tooth craving that was coming on. For years, my favorite trail mix is called “Handful of Everything” from Target.
I go through phases of buying it on repeat and also make a version of it on my own at home.
I usually put the following into it:
- raw, unsalted almonds
- dried cranberries
- dried banana chips
- raisins or yogurt covered raisins
- coconut shavings
Of course there are several different versions of this, and if I’m feeling like I want it to be extra sweet I’ll add some dark chocolate chips, too. So delicious!
• Instacart
After several weeks of dealing with reconstruction on our staircase (leading up to our walk-up apartment), a newborn, and a dog, small tasks that normally wouldn’t feel like a big deal to most seemed like a workout to me. Going grocery shopping without a car, with a newborn, and carrying everything home isn’t really an option on my own right now, so I was really excited to finally try Instacart and have my groceries delivered this week.
Instacart offers same-day (and sometimes within the next hour) grocery delivery from local markets and retailers. You simply select what groceries you’d like from the store of your choice and a personal shopper does the shopping for you and delivers everything to your doorstop with a delivery time that works for you. It usually costs $8 for one-hour delivery, $6 for two-hour delivery, or free two-hour delivery on orders over $35 if you pay $149 for a yearly membership. You have the option to tip your shopper, and even so, it is well worth the extra spend for the convenience factor! Ahhh, that New York City life.
• favorite LIL posts
» Staying Healthy & Motivated When You Can’t Work Out
Sharing what has helped me get through the postpartum period when I don’t have the time to meal prep and before I’m cleared to work out.
» 25 Minute Cardio + Core Tabata Workout
Check out this Tabata-style bodyweight workout you can complete at home in under 30 minutes!
Your Turn
Have a great weekend!
Disclaimer: Friday Favorites is a series of posts that features items I genuinely want to share with you. Affiliate links are included, and the beginning section of this post is sponsored by Visionworks. As always, your support is much appreciated!
Emily @ Pizza & Pull-ups
I could totally use the laptop cushion, I don’t have a real workspace at home and it’s such a pain. Hope you have a great weekend!
Emily @ Pizza & Pull-ups recently posted…Friday Favorites – 4/27/18 – Fair, Food and Fun!
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Hi! I’m a big fan and fellow infertility survivor. I’ve seen a couple comments about your return to fitness and being more active after being cleared by your doctor. Have you considered seeing a pelvic floor physio therapist as part of your recovery journey? Even without any pelvic floor disfunction, they are a great resource in recovery and learning how to breathe properly while slowly getting back into your new routine. 🙂 Welcome to motherhood, it’s a wild ride sometimes. You’re doing a great job 🙂