Hi there! How has your week been? It’s been an interesting one for us, and I’m just glad that we made it to Friday. Three cheers for the weekend ahead, am I right?
Skyler has been sick for the last few days, but he is on the mend and without a fever today. (Thank goodness!) I took him to our local CityMD to get tested for COVID-19 last night, and we both had negative results. *Phew* (I feel totally fine, but he has had symptoms, and we want to be safe all around.) He saw his regular pediatrician this morning, and he should be back to himself after a few more days of rest and nebulizer treatments. The poor guy was up coughing all night long last night! But he’s definitely getting better, and I have been giving and enjoying all of the extra snuggles.
Those who follow Life In Leggings on Instagram might have picked up that it’s been a weird few days for me. I shared a bit more about this in stories and here, but I’ve been riding a funk over the past week or so, and it’s been really hard to kick it. This could be a post all on its own, so I’ll keep it short and just say I’m starting to feel anxious and mentally exhausted in this season of the unknown.
I’m staying optimistic, but the uncertainties of what the next year or even few months look like for us is really starting to wear on me. It feels like I’ve been stuck without answers on how to get onto the next chapter for awhile. And that feels like a lot. There are questions I receive on the regular about our plans for our family and what the future looks like, and I’ll be answering those soon. But not today. Today is reserved for the faves!
(How cute is Scott’s “Welcome Home” display for us? It includes enough sugar to produce cavities and a Beautycounter incentive I won that got delivered while I was away, but it was so cute and thoughtful.)
Today’s Friday Favorites covers a new total body gym workout, a giveaway opportunity, a recap of our recent trip to Michigan, a new tradition for Scott and I and more. Thanks for reading!
FRIDAY FAVORITES: WEEK OF 6/18
- surprise weekend in Lake Orion, Michigan
Last week’s edition of favorites mentioned that Skyler and I were setting out for an adventure, so I wanted to share the details with you. We surprised my dear friend Alex and stayed with her and her family for her 30th birthday celebration weekend.
I received an invite to the festivities several months ago and decided to book the trip after talking to her sister and thought it had been too long since we had all spent quality time together. Our boys had only met once on their trip to New York for just a few hours at a time!
After some serious airport and airplane delays, we arrived into the Detroit area right around dinnertime last Friday. Scott was on a video chat with Alex’s husband and wanted to be included in the surprise, so the stage was set as I casually walked into their home and upstairs with Skyler as she was attempting to put her son down for the night.
She cried, I cried, and we all felt the love! The opportunity to travel and see lifelong friends in different states again is something that I won’t be taking for granted anytime soon. It was the best.
Our weekend plans were busy but awesome, filled with events like a 90s themed yoga class and brunch at a friends’ house. Everyone showed up in outfits that represented different stages of the decade, and the playlists were on point! Special shout out to Kelly who taught our class (she’s only taken three classes – ever – and it was hilarious) and did a great job at making it fun for all levels.
Skyler hung with the kiddos for the weekend, and we had a backyard play date following that. He had an absolute blast playing with water balloons, the kiddie pool, the water table and just hanging in the yard. He wouldn’t stop to eat or even use the restroom for HOURS!
As predicted, he fell asleep shortly after a bath, dinner and chill time at Alex’s house. He stayed with their little one and Alex’s mother-in-law while we got ready for dinner at their country club and thoroughly enjoyed the next several hours dining on the patio. The weather couldn’t have been better for it, too.
We wrapped up the long day of festivities with a bonfire back at the house we started at, and it was a wonderful way to end the evening. The things I miss the most about Michigan (besides our friends there) are cider mills and summer bonfires. If you know, you know!
My flight didn’t leave until later Monday evening, so I was able to spend extra time with Alex during the day that included a trip to the playground and side-by-side Peloton workouts over her lunch break. We don’t get to hang out enough, but it’s like we never skip a beat when we finally get to. And I love that.
Scott missed out on the trip this time, and we’ll be back in the area for much longer in August. Until then, we love and miss you all!
- weekly breakfast dates with Scott
With everything going on, we started a new tradition of a weekly coffee date to catch up and spend a dedicated hour together after we drop Skyler off at school. We don’t get out for date nights too often, so this has become our go-to move over the past month or so, and it’s been one that I look forward to.
We’ve been able to try new-to-us cafes and brunch spots in the area and have a rule of no phones at the table. It’s refreshing and the perfect reset and start to both of our work days at home once a week, either on a Tuesday or Thursday. A recent spot worth mentioning is Muse Cafe & Tea on 6th Ave (in Park Slope). They have a fabulous breakfast burrito and we’ve been splitting it with two coffees with oat milk on the side. It’s the little things!
- *NEW* total body gym workout
You’ll need access to gym equipment for this one like weight machines and/or cables. Also, I used a Roman Chair/Hyperextension Bench for the last circuit – so check out the demo videos if you’re not sure what that is or how to use it. Most gyms have them.
This workout is broken into four circuits that work the upper and lower body. Aim to complete each circuit for 12-20 reps twice before moving to the next one. Modify, rest between circuits and whenever you need to, and always include a warm-up and cool down. Please reach out with any questions!
EXERCISE BREAKDOWNS
back extensions (option to hold plate/dumbbell)
Disclaimer: This workout was great for me, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s ideal for you. If you’re new to strength training, please make sure that you’re cleared by a doctor to try strength workouts before you try this.
- clean beauty giveaway
If you’ve been thinking about trying Beautycounter or cleaning up your makeup and/or skincare products, this is an ideal time to do so. Message me privately for all the details, but there are some great promotions going on where you can earn double product credit points (dollars) back until Monday 6/21! This is for current or new Band of Beauty members, so it’s definitely not too late to join the band and get in on the offer. More info here!
ALSO. In case you missed it, I am raffling off a brand-new full size clean beauty product from my personal stash to one of you!
These three products are some of our best-sellers, and the winner can pick their prize preference from the following products:
- Countersun Sheer Defense For Face (SPF 25 that feels like a moisturizer, I use this daily when I’m not using the Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer)
- Countertime Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil (highly under-rated product IMO, anti-aging cleanser that feels like a smooth gel and does a great job at removing makeup – and it’s HUGE)
- Countermatch Adaptive Moisture Lotion (award-winning lightweight, hydrating moisturizer for almost any skin type)
All you have to do to enter to win is purchase anything at all (no minimum) now through 6/25! Make sure to select the pop-up “June Clean Beauty Giveaway” upon checkout or shop to get automatically entered.
*This giveaway is open from now until 6/25 at 11:59pm PST.
- favorite LIL posts
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You will want to take your time with these circuits, but you could totally finish the full workout in 25 minutes if you hustle along. There are several bouts of cardio in these moves, and the workout has a total body focus. You’ll be working different muscle groups at once from head to toe. Grab a mat, some water, and a towel (for sweat) and let’s do it!
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We can do hard things. We can survive the hard seasons. We can get sad about them, but we have to keep swimming and look for the silver linings to hold onto along the way, because they’re always there. Here’s a look back into the last year or so of living through the pandemic, and what I’m taking away as lessons and changes for the future.
Okay friends, Skyler is about to wake up from his nap and I am on mom and recovery mode for the rest of the day. Thank you for checking in, and I’ll catch ya over on Instagram until we meet again. Have a great weekend!
*Disclaimer: Friday Favorites posts may include affiliate links. Also, I am a Beautycounter consultant and love what I do with the company. By using the links provided in this post to order products, you are supporting my business. I truly appreciate you. Always.
![[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)
Hi there, thanks for sharing your photos. It’s really so nice, and I read the whole post. Keep posting!