Feel Good Friday 108
I don’t want to jinx anything, but we’re supposed to get snow this weekend! Our snow-lover, Emmy, turns 15 on Monday, so I hope she gets her birthday wish. She’s also requested apple pie and we’re picking that up on Saturday for her to have with a couple friends on Sunday. I told her worst case scenario – if it snows and her friends can’t come – she and I can have a date with that pie and two forks. With snow on the horizon, we’re planning a pretty low key and cozy weekend at home. Usually, I’d stock up on wine, but I am doing dry January, so it’ll be me and a cuppa tea and Netflix. Speaking of Netflix, I’ve got a movie and new-to-me show in today’s roundup of all the happy things from this week.
This blog uses affiliate links through which I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases.
Eyes on the Pies
As I mentioned, we’ve ordered an apple crumb pie from Dessert Du Jour for Emmy’s 15th. This company is owned by my neighbor who recently started selling her goods at the Greensboro Corner Farmers Market. If you’re local, we can’t rave about her yummy treats enough! Last weekend, we got a couple heart-shaped cookies and Emmy got a slice of that pie. I’m limiting myself to one dessert a week at the moment, and you better believe I have my eyes on the pies this weekend. Next up will be Wilder’s birthday in April and she made his truck cake last year. We’ll surely be enlisting her as he turns dino-four!
Lighting up my life . . . and bedroom
Listen to your heart, especially when it says “twinkly lights.” I removed all but our porch Christmas decor a couple of weeks ago and finally took down what remained outside last weekend. As I unhooked the curtain string lights, my heart felt a little sadness. Those lights just make me so dang happy. I asked Chris what he thought about putting the lights in our room and he confessed that he always loved when our room had string lights. So up they went! They might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but they make us happy and your home should be filled with things that spark that feeling in you.
Soup ba doop
Our oven ignitor went out, so we’re all about stove top at the moment until it’s fixed – hopefully today! Of course, it went out on a Friday (last week) and I discovered that when I was making cookies. We opted for charcuterie for dinner one night, ordered out another and made this vegan roasted potato and fennel soup Sunday night. In my haste, I didn’t realize the potatoes, onion and fennel needed to be oven roasted (Hello, Cassie, it’s right there in the title!), so I had to roast them on the stove top to the best of my ability. Either way, it was delicious and I have enjoyed the leftovers all week. Chris said it needed a little something and would add bacon to his next time. I agreed on adding something, but my extra ingredient would be rosemary.
Oats So Good
As you read, our oven went kaput while the cookie dough above you see was in the oven. Emmy and I ate a piece of the partially baked edges that came out and agreed they would have been delicious oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
After that tragic trashcan ending, I had a hankering for something oaty and healthy that didn’t need to be baked in the oven. I tried my hand at these no-bake oatmeal raisin cookie energy bites and they’re pretty good as a mid day snack. I am not in love – but that doesn’t stop me from eating them – so will be looking for something similar to try.
There’s a legging for that
Is it me, or is it totally and utterly overwhelming to shop for leggings these days? There are a million fits, brands, and varieties all made with different materials and for various purposes. Over the years, I’ve tried so many but have narrowed it down to my two absolute favorites. For walking, running, riding the peloton and strengh-training, I LOVE Athleta’s ultimate stash-pocket. I am 5’7″ and around 130 lbs (I haven’t weighed myself in over a year) and was skeptical the S would fit but they do fit well. I recently bought these on major sale. After ordering some in the fall that I felt were a little short, I went with the tall this time around and love how they fit. They’re very similar in fit and style to the fast and free that I have come to love from Lululemon (I have two pairs of those I love as well.) And even when they aren’t on sale, they’re still $40 less than the Lululemon leggings. Anyhow, these are great for intense activity kind of days. They’re high rise, flattering and – duh – have pockets!
For yoga, I have yet to try Athleta, but I adore my Lululemon Aligns. I buy them when I notice a sale – which is rare – so while I don’t own my favorite color or pattern, I don’t care. They’re so comfortable, again with the high waist, and they move with you without moving on you. As for both these and the Fast and Free, I wear a size 4. However, in their running shorts, I prefer a 6. It’s all about what feels good on your body.
These socks are the bomb-as
As someone who runs and rides my Peloton regularly, I am willing to invest in pieces of clothing and items that make the experience more comfortable and better for my body. I say that because I am going to share with you a Christmas gift I got from Chris that I consider a total splurge. I mean, they’re socks! But trust me, they’re so worth it. These athletic ankle socks from Bombas are so incredibly comfortable, stay put in my shoe and keep my feet warm (when running outside in the cold.) I can’t say enough good things about them and they were a pleasant surprise – not something I asked for, but something I totally love. I feel like when socks are labeled “L” and “R” you know they’re gonna be life-changing. (Bonus, this company does so much to give back.)
No Ordinary Skin and Hair products
I’ve been wanting to try The Ordinary to see what the hype is all about. This company is all about clean and highly affordable products. In my stocking, I received their peeling solution, a cleanser and Marula oil. I’ve been using the peel for a couple of weeks now and my skin is softer and more even and I have so many less of those dry winter wrinkles that typically happen. I’ve developed a skincare routine that seems to really work for me right now. The Marula oil is for face and hair. As I’ve aged, my hair has started to dry out and thin a bit. I started using a tiny bit of this oil when my hair is still damp after the shower and it feels smoother, healthier and so much happier! It’s honestly incredible! (Good job, Chris and Emmy.)
Stuff to watch while Snowed in
Winter has me curling up under blankets and watching more than I am reading these days, but I am not mad about it! Here are the things I’ve seen lately that are worth the mention.
Death to 2020 (followed up by Death to 2021) on Netflix is a hilarious mockumentary of American life in those years. Hugh Grant is absolutely brilliant in these! I loved the first one so much and the second was OK, but only an hour of my life, so it’s fine. Check out the trailer:
Don’t Look Up is a funny/interesting/unique film about two low-level astronomers who discover a comet headed towards planet Earth which will result in annihilation. Meryl Streep is fabulous as a spoof of President Trump with Jonah Hill as her son and assistant. Chris and I got a little more out of it than the kids because we knew who each character was a satire of. Check out the trailer here:
Lastly, I’ve started watching Sex Education on Netflix and boy is it good! This British show centers around a 16-year-old boy whose mother is a sex therapist. He takes what he’s learned from his mom to school to sell his services to classmates in need of sexual help. While there are some funny scenes, it’s all just very human and the cast is fantastic Naturally, there are a lot of awkward teen sex scenes, but underneath it all, it’s a show about how we’re all trying our best given the circumstances we’re in. Find it on Netflix and check out the trailer:
Fun Facts
I came across this blog post last weekend and was blown away! These 52 facts are fascinating. For example: “The last time ships got stuck in the Suez Canal [in 1967], they were there for eight years and developed a separate society with its own Olympic Games.” Mind blown.
Life’s Little moments
I took this photo last weekend because it’s basically my life right now in one rectangle. Any time I sit down, Catcher joins me. Then Snowball wedges her way between me and him. Lastly, Wilder jumps on top. A friend said, “that’s just love,” and I am trying to see it through that lens. To be honest it’s all a little overwhelming sometimes. Wilder is in this phase of wanting me to do everything. And he will tell everyone else in the house he doesn’t like them and “I want Mom to do it!” whether it’s bath time, bed time, potty break. I love that kid, but I am exhausted. This photo and that perspective are helping me see the good in it all.
Signed,
Desperately seeking a break in NC