Hi friends, Happy Friday!
I am really looking forward to this weekend. The only plans on our radar involve a trip to a new-to-us cider mill on Sunday afternoon to pick out pumpkins to bring home and go apple picking.
We then plan to carve (or at least paint) the pumpkins after, so I’m pretty sure our day will be as close to the definition of “Fall activities” as you can get. I’m perfectly okay with that. #noshame
Moving right along to business as usual, let’s get on to this week’s edition of Friday Favorites. As always, I invite you to share some things you have been loving too at the bottom using the comments section and link up tool!
Friday Favorites #60: Week of 10/24
• pumpkin spice coffee
If you have been a longtime reader of the blog, then this probably isn’t the first time you have seen this golden bag of coffee goodness pop up.
Back in Florida, I couldn’t wait for the Pumpkin Spice coffee bags to appear at The Fresh Market.
We don’t have a Fresh Market store anywhere close to us, so my mother has done a great job of getting a bag of their special PS flavored coffee to me every year. She’s planning a visit up for Thanksgiving and is coming with another to replace this one. It’s so, so good!
• Rock City Fitness
I am in the very beginning stages of reviewing a personal training program at a new workout facility in my area, but I can already tell that I am going to love Rock City Fitness.
I had my initial training consultation yesterday and went through a series of movement assessments followed by a short workout.
I have trained in small and intimate gym settings before, and there’s just something about being in that type of environment that is extra motivating.
I have six more (personal and small group personal training) visits awaiting, and look forward to sharing my experience with you!
• maple water
I had never even heard of maple water until a couple of weeks ago.
Have you?
I am currently experimenting and recipe testing with Pure Canadian Maple Syrup, and found this SEVA maple water in my care package from them.
Maple water is natural, filled with vitamins and nutrients, and sweetened by Quebec’s sugar maples. It’s perfectly flavored and extremely low in sugar and calories. You can read more about the benefits of drinking it on their website.
I absolutely loved the taste… very sweet and refreshing!
• Mitchell’s Fish Market
I had a chance to see my dad and grandmother this week before they flew back home to Florida! It required a drive over to Lansing and back, but it was totally worth it.
I arrived at their hotel just in time for dinner on Wednesday.
I remembered passing a Mitchell’s Fish Market on the way in, and frequented MFM plenty of times close to home in Winter Park, Florida. Both my dad and I wanted to jump at the chance to dine there again.
We had a great time catching up for about two hours. I ordered a Seafood Plate off of the specials menu that came with the House Salad.
I liked that the salad included dates, and my main entree was delicious!
The combo included a jumbo lump crab cake, scallops, shrimp, and autumn veggies.
I ended up taking half of it home to enjoy for lunch yesterday and dove into dessert instead. I didn’t take a picture of it, but the Sharkfish Pie is huge and amazing!
You know what else was amazing?
Time with family. <3
• homemade applesauce
Any visit to see my grandmother also usually involves some homemade goodies. This time my goody bag included a jar of homemade applesauce using the apples from her own tree!
I love the taste of homemade applesauce, and need to finally attempt making my own one of these days. I don’t have her exact recipe, but this one and these (<- fruit blends) look great!
• FlipBelt
I had heard of the FlipBelt before, but never thought I really needed one until I had to carry my passport with me during my last race.
It’s a lightweight and easy to use belt that allows you to be equipped with things you might need during a workout or long run, completely hands-free.
Simply put it on, flip it over, and put anything like your phone, keys, credit card, earbuds, etc. in the slots, then flip it back over. You can barely even tell my phone is in the one below!
I wore my FlipBelt between my shirt layers and found it very handy!
• Finish Line engagement
Speaking of the race, remember when I mentioned our friends Kelly and Brian passed us at the 11 mile mark?
I wanted to keep up with them because a little birdie told me he was going to propose to her at the finish line!
How wonderfully romantic and awesome is that?
As they were approaching the finish line, both families were waiting for them and were temporarily holding the ring, ready to take pictures. Brian kneeled down and asked for her hand right there!
I’m bummed we didn’t get to keep up to see it, but I was so happy for them when I heard the news!
Congratulations Kelly and Brian!
• bride and groom pretzels
The race was on Sunday, and then our small women’s group met for our weekly bible study the next night. Our friend Jenna made these bride and groom pretzel sticks to help congratulate our newly engaged friend!
Aren’t they cute? She said she got the idea off of Pinterest. I went onto look and there are TONS you can order as wedding favors. Adorable idea!
• favorite HWG posts
>> 20 Min. Plyometric Circuit Workout
>> Detroit Free Press Half Marathon
and to end with a laugh…
• Friday Fall funnies
(Obviously.)
Your Turn
Have a great weekend! xo
![[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)
I’m jealous of your apple picking plans!
I picked up some PS coffee at Trader Joes! I haven’t brewed it yet, but it is calling me 😉
And I love Flipbelt! It is so perfect for my phone and keys!
Yum!! I should pick theirs up and see how similar they are. Aren’t FlipBelts great?? Happy Weekend!
I’ve never heard of maple water before. Sounds good, though! I got some PS coffee from world market for super cheap and I looooove it.
I always forget about World Market. I need to get in there soon!
Oh my gosh how adorable is that proposal! Talk about the best way to do it!!
I know, I thought it was so sweet! He must have been extra nervous that entire run! 😉
I’ve seen so many Fresh Markets around Naples but have yet to check one out. Maybe that is where I’ll do my grocery shopping today! And that engagement is so sweet. I love that their families were waiting at the finish line!
OH my goodness… YES you need to go to Fresh Market! That is probably my favorite grocery store. I found it in FL before I even knew about Whole Foods and just love the environment. It was a treat for me to go in there once a week and stock up on produce. It’s a bit on the expensive side for every day toiletries and such, but I would always go in to gear up for a meal on the grill or specialty recipe. You’ll love it!
Time with family is amazing! And that gym looks really cool! I’m excited to read a recap!
It is! I sure do miss being able to just drive over to my parents’ house and see family whenever I want. Now that we live states away, it just makes visits from home that much better!
I’ve been wanting to try the maple water! I wonder if Whole Foods has it? Hve a great weekend and thanks for hosting!
Hmm… good question. I’ve heard people stumbling upon it here in the states so they just might! Next time I’m in a Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s I’ll have to ask and let you guys know. Happy Friday!
I read your race recap! that was awesome…congrats!! I love my flip belt too!! 🙂
Thank you Ethel! Woo hoo FlipBelts! <3
Congrats on finishing the Detroit marathon! How I noticed this, idk… but I see that your friend Brian is wearing CMU shorts (Fire Up, Chips!) I grew up in the city that you currently live in, and went to school at CMU. I hope you learning to love this state as much as I do! If you need any ideas for places to check out, I’d be happy to share 🙂
Katie
Thank you!! I only did the half, but the marathon might be on my radar in the future… 😉 That’s funny! Yeah, I believe he went there! I’m slowly but surely getting acquainted with all of the schools and terms used around here. Small world! Coming from Florida, it has been a huge transition, but I have to say… I am learning to appreciate the seasons and LOVE the fall in MI!
The gym looks very cool. Enjoy your weekend and your pumpkin carving date! 🙂 Thanks for hosting the weekly link up!
Thank you! I definitely will. Thank you for linking up! Happy Weekend! xo
Okay I need to buy that pumpkin coffee because starbucks can get a little expensive haha. And I love your workout outfit, super cute! Have fun with all your fall festivities this weekend, those are always the best 🙂 !!
Thank you Chelsea, the outfit is PUMA and Lorna Jane. Happy Weekend to you!
OMG I am so sorry that I neglected to tell you congratulations! I thought about you this weekend, and yet I didn’t. No excuse. CONGRATULATIONS on your half! And I am so glad you got to do it amongst friends.
I found a Fresh Market out in the burbs a few weeks ago and you better know that I fresh ground a lb of that Pumpkin Spice coffee for myself. I now have 3 different brands of pumpkin spice coffee in my fridge. DON”T HATE.
I’m not linking up this weekend but wanted to make sure you weren’t Sans-Suz! Happy weekend!
Oh don’t worry about that!! Thank you! Ahhh, enjoy the fresh ground coffee! It’s THE BEST! I would never hate on that! 😉 Haha, thank you for thinking of me. Hope you have a great weekend!!
Such a crime to not have a Fresh Market nearby!! I didn’t know that Mitchell’s had other locations- I thought it was just here in Winter Park- we’ve yet to try there but it is definitely on my list!
Right? I’m still in denial. I didn’t realize that about Mitchell’s either! Apparently there are several in my area. I found that out while writing this post! Ha.
I don’t understand how I have never even heard of maple water! I am a proud spokesperson for ALL the maple things (kind of like pumpkin for a lot of people) – that needs to change! But still, I am 110% game for the pumpkin dessert party. All day, every day. 🙂
Ha, yes! Rock on with the maple, sister! Let me know when you find an invite to that pumpkin dessert party. I’m there.
Whenever I see people talking about pumpkin coffee, it makes me wish that I actually liked coffee!! 🙁
Oh man. That’s probably a good thing! I’m openly addicted to all the coffee flavors and things. <3
Looks like you had a nice week! Such a sweet proposal and memorable time for your friends. Those bride and groom pretzel sticks are adorable. Have a great weekend and enjoy apple and pumpkin picking!
Thank you, hope you both have a wonderful weekend! Thanks for linking up 🙂
Oh my gosh, I love seeing proposals at the end of races…so sweet! And pumpkin spice coffee…yummy!
It’s soooo good! I’m sure there are many different versions out there. Definitely saves $$$ with less trips to Starbucks. 😉
I bought some pumpkin pecan ice cream and OMG its delicious!
Ahh, YUM! Sounds so good!
Ok so I’m obsessed with the headband you’re wearing in your flipbelt photo. Where did you get it?
It’s from Lorna Jane! http://www.lornajane.com/accessories/headbands
I LOVE small gyms like that. Before I moved I had a personal trainer at a privately owned gym and it was the best experience. Sometimes it was just me and sometimes there would be 2-3 other people training. Either way, it is more personalized and to me the added attention and their ability to correct or give pointers to you is the best for progress.
I totally agree! I’ve trained in facilities like this before and always loved going. I like completing workouts structured just for my needs and fitness goals.
Congrats on the half! That’s so cute that your friend got proposed to at the end–talk about a rush of emotions!
Thank you so much! And yeah, I was a mess so I bet she didn’t know WHAT to feel! The biggest of all post-race emotions right there!
Awwww that is so romantic!! As much as I love the feeling I get after running I am guessing that is the total winner! First time hearing about maple water….I definitely have to try it! Dates in a salad? I think I am salivating! The flipbelt looks fantastic, will check it out!
Have a great weekend! 🙂
You too Elsie! 🙂
i have never heard of maple water before. i am so intrigued! ps. congrats on your half! pps. congrats to your friends! what a sweet engagement idea.
Thank you so much!
I love so many of your faves, I don’t even know where to comment first.
My flip belt is like, one of the things I love most in life. I hate carrying things in my hands, and it makes running so much less bulky.
And those pretzels. Adorable. I have a few friends who are going to end up engaged by the end of next year (fingers crossed) and I’ll have to make those!
Right? It’s so practical and cute! I’m sure your friends would love them. <3