Summer Favorites + Fall Transitions

Hiii! It’s been a while since my last post, but I’ve been soaking up every bit of summer.

From a handful of trips and travels to settling into new wellness routines, it’s been a whirlwind – but in the best way. Now that the fall season is officially here (my fave!), I wanted to cover some favorites from the past few months along with strategies/routines and how I’m mindfully transitioning into the cozier season ahead.

I hope you’re doing well!

• simple fitness activities (whatever works for the season YOU’RE in)

I don’t know about you, but I go through different seasons with fitness activities. Sometimes I’m itching to find something new to add into the rotation, but right now I’m sticking to the same doable plan that includes strength training 3-4 times per week as the focus with Pilates, yoga, low-impact rides and walks/jogs thrown into the mix, too.

I’ve learned that effective workouts don’t have to be fancy, and in fact, the templates that help you see the biggest results are actually the opposite. You repeat basic exercises in a progressive overload format, which means using the same few workouts on rotation over a period of time in order to build on resistance and/or reps. It’s a great way to measure progress and focus on much more than the scale for feedback.

I’m currently preferring 30-45 minute workouts at home over blocking specific time out at the gym, and it’s been really convenient. It’s something I can stay consistent with and stick to, and this is sometimes what works best during the busier weeks and months of the year.

I’ll create my own workouts or use the strength workouts from the Peloton App with a set of light, medium, medium-heavy and heavy dumbbells and a yoga mat. I’m capable of putting my own templates together, but it’s nice to just “push play” and follow along to workouts I like and bookmark to repeat … so that’s what I do a lot. It’s been wonderful!

“When in doubt, turn to weights and walking” is one of the biggest takeaways I leave with clients. We tend to overcomplicate things, thinking we need an elaborate training program, the perfect set up and even a specific workout wardrobe to feel good and stay fit. But you really don’t need that much.

I’m sure I’ll be itching to get back to the gym soon, but this feels good for now and my point of sharing it is to encourage you to keep it simple and do whatever works for YOU.

The best workouts are the ones that you consistently show up for!

• sweat-friendly one piece activewear

Speaking of workout wardrobes, a new favorite I found and wore on repeat over the summer is one piece activewear rompers and dresses.

I don’t always wear them for workouts (although you totally can), but I threw one on over and over throughout the summer as I took Skyler to playgrounds and navigated outdoor activities like theme parks and days of adventuring through the city.

You can find a great variety of what I’m talking about on Fabletics, Old Navy, Gap and Halara. I’m wearing the Halara Women’s Backless Twisted Dress – Regular in the Easy Peezy edition in the photo above.

I’ve been transitioning the shorts and pants into the fall with tall socks, sneakers and an added layer like a flannel shirt or boyfriend button up, so figured I’d include them in this round-up.

My favorite brand for these has been Halara. They have a lot of sales and include access to shorts without having to take the entire top or romper off. (IYKYK.) The quality holds up, too. I’m sure you’ll be seeing more and more of these pop up in my photos as it’s a comfortably and cute style to mom and errand around in. And *psttt* they’re currently having a huge sale on these over at Gap/Old Navy!

• grab-and-go energy bites (protein balls)

Have you ever tried a no-bake energy ball recipe? They’re so quick and easy, and I recently shared a new one that is fantastic on Instagram — it’s vegan, naturally sweetened and loaded with protein!

You can turn to them in a pinch as part of a quick breakfast, afternoon snack or pre/post workout! (Bonus points, these are kid and husband approved, too.)

This recipe features key ingredients from NOW Foods (a brand I trust for high-quality, safe foods and supplements at a great price point). They just debuted new plant-based protein powders, and I am LOVING the new slim, resealable packaging and upped protein grams per serving in their plant-based powders now in unflavored, vanilla and chocolate flavors. 

All you need is a handful of ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, a food processor and about 10 minutes to prep and another 30 to let the balls set in the fridge.

NO-BAKE VEGAN PROTEIN BITES 

1 cup pitted dates

1/2 cup raw almonds

1/2 cup rolled oats

2 TBSP chia seeds

2 TBSP pure maple syrup

1/4 cup vanilla protein powder (I used this one)

1/4 tsp cinnamon

pinch of salt

*feel free to add in other dried fruit or seeds*

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Pulse pitted dates in a food processor until sticky.
2. Add raw almonds, pulse until finely chopped.
3. Add oats, chia seeds, maple syrup, protein powder, salt + cinnamon, then pulse until combined. If too dry, add 1-2 tbsp water.
4. Roll the mixture into small balls and place on a parchment-lined sheet.
5. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week!

Please let me know if you give this one a try and share your variations with me or in the comments section here for more recipe inspiration for all of us.

Also, make sure to use the promo code: LIFEINLEGGINGS for 20% off anything at nowfoods.com!

• self-care routines and staples

Transitioning into fall is a perfect time to reset and refocus on self-care, especially as the season changes and we adjust to cooler temperatures, shorter days and more time inside.

Just like exercise, it doesn’t have to be fancy to be effective — taking even five minutes to do something for you like a skincare routine, soak in a bath, journal, drink a cup of hot tea or call a loved one can completely change your mood and day. I’m all for it.

(btw, I’m wearing this Old Navy Powersoft Bodysuit here, now on sale for $12!)

Some non-negotiable staples in my daily routine include starting the day with a tall glass of water and a warm, nourishing breakfast (before or with coffee), outdoor walks in nature and stretching after workouts. We tend to crave more comfort foods around the colder months, so this is the ideal time to also embrace nutrient-dense comfort foods like pumpkin, squash, sweet potatoes, apples, soups and stews. I’m a hearty soup girlie through and through, and here are pages of go-to recipes from the blog.

As for skincare, I’ve been testing new things here and there to fill in the gaps while Beautycounter is currently out of commission. I shared a handful of safer switches here, along with other new go-to products in this video. You can always message me or comment on a post for a specific link or more information on anything I put out there.

• shout out to summer trip highlights

This post couldn’t be titled “summer favorites” without an ode to some of the travels and adventures we went on over the past few months. You can check out more photos, videos and recaps over on my personal Instagram page, but here’s a peek into some core memories.

We spent a week at a condo in New Smyrna Beach with my family, and it was the perfect breath of fresh air from the hustle and bustle of city life.

This trip helped me remember why the water is my happy place, as I felt extremely at peace any time we were on a boat or near the ocean. We miiight stay at the condo even longer next summer, and I would be perfectly okay with that.

We left the beach and drove down to Orlando for the next week to spend quality time with my family and childhood friends. Skyler learned how to swim without a vest (!!!) and, again, I was in my happy place being poolside as much as possible. I took several trips to the gym and HiLi Fitness for Pilates classes with my sister, and I frequented the places and restaurants that always feel like home.

We book-ended the stay in Florida with a final week in Orlando after going up to St. Augustine, and I worked an event at Disney that enabled us to visit the Animal Kingdom park with Skyler. It was very hot, but magical and fully worth it to see the joy of Disney in this child. *sigh*

Just like Orlando, I find comfort in visiting friends and family in St. Augustine. Scott was scheduled to travel overseas for this leg of the trip, so I took solo parenting up a few hours for much-needed outdoor hangs with lifelong friends.

Skyler saw horses at my Aunt’s ranch, and – of course – was in a pool here as much as possible as well. We were certainly spoiled!

Just after a week home in New York, we turned right back around to fly down to Houston for a wedding on Scott’s side of the family. Sky had a very important role of being the ring bearer, after he flew us safely through the skies to get there. 😉

And finally, we ended our summer travels with a few days in Chicago. It was Skyler’s first time seeing the city, and he really loved it because of “the escape rooms and fancy hotels” (nothing we can get in New York, in his eyes, lol).

The main focus of the trip was to make it out to the Mascot Hall of Fame in Whitting, IN, and it was a full day of witnessing Skyler experiencing Scott’s world of performing. It was very cool. Chicago is one of those cities that always excites me, as I look at it like a little New York … but cleaner, not as intimidating to drive in and not as many people and tourists walking around.

(Is this just me who thinks this? – hehe) … I’m sure we’ll be back.

Again, you can see more about each of these trips on my personal Instagram page!

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Okay, I’m going to wrap things up here. It’s always nice coming over to the blog and a good round-up of favorites seems to be the way to get back at it when it’s been a bit.

Thank you for taking the time to read through, and I hope to catch you over here again soon.

Have a great rest of the week!

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What’s one highlight or favorite thing from your summer?

What is something you’re excited about for for fall?

Any staples or routines you’d like to share?

(I would love to hear from you in the comments below!)

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*Disclaimer: The recipe portion of this post is sponsored by NOW Foods. As always, all opinions remain my own, and I will only promote products and brands that fully align with the Life In Leggings mission of sharing simple and trusted healthy living advice.