Friday Favorites: Week of 6/25

Hi there and thank you for checking in today!

It hasn’t been the typical Fri-yay around here, as we have been dealing with some heavy family matters and not-so-great updates about loved ones. I’m not feeling myself this week, but I’m hanging in there and I am doing okay. Really! I’m just taking everything one day at a time, and that’s enough. If you need a recap or want to catch up before we dive into a few updates, scroll down to the latest questions and answers post featured at the bottom of this one!

As of right now, our precious kitty, Cali, is also hanging in there.

She certainly isn’t on the mend or doing well, but she is somehow doing better than a few days ago, and that is a gift. We canceled a tentative appointment to bring her into the vets today (THE dreaded appointment), because it just doesn’t seem like she’s ready yet. She still gets up looking for food, she still jumps on our laps and wants to be pet, and she is still the sweetest thing ever. We aren’t taking any day for granted with her, and we are giving her as much snuggles as she will tolerate through this horrible illness. A lot of my time and attention has been placed on her lately, and that’s where it feels it needs to be.

So that’s an update there. I’m getting a late start to finishing this week’s Friday Favorites post, but I wanted to stay on routine and write them. Being here and chatting with you is something that I look forward to, and that’s what this space is for – covering the good, the bad and the real. I appreciate you being here!

I couldn’t start today’s round-up without an update, but now it’s time to transition into the lighthearted, fluffy stuff. Because that’s what the weekly faves post is all about!

Here we go …

FRIDAY FAVORITES: WEEK OF 6/25

• Father’s Day 2021

Our Father’s Day was a fun one and ended up being busier than expected! Scott slept in (he’s been working nights and really crazy hours), so I took that opportunity to make breakfast as Skyler surprised him with a handmade card. We decided not to do gifts for Mother’s and Father’s Day this year, and purchased a Theragun as a gift to both of us from both of us instead. Anything Skyler wanted to gift was just icing on the cake.

We had a brief morning home and then headed into the City for an in-person church service. We serve on the Welcome Team, and it’s been cool to meet people we have been talking to online during the last year or so of virtual services and events. We happily tried the donuts and coffee on our way out and walked over for nearby lunch afterwards.

While we wanted to dine indoors, the outdoor patio setup at Village Taverna deserves a huge shout out. Isn’t it beautiful?

I mean talk about making lemonade out of construction scaffolding. Very impressive! We enjoyed our lunch together as we shared entrées, and Skyler fell asleep in the stroller on the walk towards Union Square Park.

We went to the playground there, took our time and got ice cream at Venchi. It wasn’t cheap, but it was delicious. The chocolate freshly dipped onto the waffle cones is something else!

Our long afternoon ended on that note as we headed towards the train and back to Brooklyn for the night. I think we were all tired and ready to lay low and turn in early. It was a great day celebrating Scott. And I made a little video to honor him, too.

• Drybar blow dryer brush

If you’ve ever tried the highly raved about Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer Hot Air Brush, then you already know how exciting it is to find a great blowout brush that WORKS. I purchased the Revlon version over three years ago, and it finally gave out last month. But I still have no complaints – it was great!

Knowing how much I loved that version, I told Scott that I wanted to now invest in one that should last longer and go for the Drybar Double-Shot Round Blow Dryer Brush (also found on Amazon). I didn’t want to spend that much just yet, so I asked him to look around Facebook Marketplace, and that was a great move. In less than a few weeks, this like-new gem showed up on our doorstep for half of the retail price. You’ve got to love when that happens.

I’ve only used it twice, but so far so good. I personally think that a blow dryer brush is a lot easier to handle than the typical blow dryer and round brush combo when you want to blow dry your hair and achieve a the blow out look!

Have you used either of these? Any thoughts on the upgrade and if it’s worth it in the long run?

• 15 Minute Abs & Legs Circuit (Bodyweight)

I originally shared this workout as a full blog post back in 2016, so click over there if you’d like to see a typed out breakdown of each exercise. I did, however, change the single leg triceps dips out for alternating crab toe touches to spice it up a bit. I like both versions!

I shared a quick video demonstrating all the moves that you can view and save here or here. These moves target the abs and legs, but your upper body is definitely working – especially on those up-down planks. I completed this one before diving into a serious upper body strength workout yesterday, and it was one I’ll turn to again.

Let me know if you end up giving it a try!

• Amazon Prime Day Haul

Did you shop the Prime Day sale? I did, but I didn’t go too crazy. I’m still waiting on a box, but I wanted to share the goods I scored from Prime Day this week since I found some great products that you might like as well. This haul is nothing fancy, and it’s really about the essentials.

• rotating bamboo desk organizer (in white for Skyler’s markers)
• sidewalk chalk with two chalk holders
• Contigo stainless steel travel mugs (LOVE these!)
• Munchkin Miracle 360 color changing sippy cups (in yellow and blue)
• Munchkin Miracle 360 14 oz. sippy cup (these 360 cups are great for avoiding leaks and spills!)
• Camelbak Eddy + Kids water bottle (these cups are great in stainless steel, wouldn’t recommend plastic due to cracks)
• bathroom scrub brushes

I’m still waiting on:

• soap dispensing dish brush set
• 3-pack mesh athletic shorts (toddler)
• adidas kid’s performance hat

And yes, I totally skipped out on ordering things for myself outside of kitchen or cleaning supplies. This is adulthood at its finest, haha.

• Risen Motherhood and summer community groups

While I wouldn’t normally share a book before I’ve read it here, I feel compelled to include this one in this week’s favorites for a few reasons. One is the book looks awesome, and two is the reason behind me having it.

Risen Motherhood was chosen as the focus of discussion in a summer moms-only community group led by our church. Our first get together is coming up on Sunday, so let me know if you’re local to the area and want to join! Scott and I co-lead a Family Dinner Party, and I am also co-leading a Mommy & Me meet-up group throughout the summer. During the season of online church, we were still able to gather virtually and I am excited to hang with ladies who can completely relate to what it’s like to raise a child in NYC.

I’ll be sure to report back on the book, but please let me know if you’re interested in joining either group with me. There’s a spot at the table for you!

• favorite LIL posts

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Let’s catch up and chat! This post is all about life updates and answers to questions on what’s next in navigating life and parenting in NYC through the pandemic.

»How To Stay On Track With Fitness Goals

Have you ever started a new year thinking it’s going to be the year that you get and stay fit? You start off great, lose motivation and then do the same thing the next year? Break the cycle with these tips on how to stay on track with your fitness goals!

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All right, I’m going to wrap things up there for today. My long-term plans are capped and we are really just taking everything one day at a time for now. We don’t have anything on deck for the weekend outside of hanging with our girl, and once again, I truly appreciate your prayers and messages that have provided some comfort.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead, and I’ll catch you on the other side.

Take care!

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