How are you today? This week has been a busy one but a fun one thanks to a super-short visit from my parents.
They passed through Charlotte en route to Virginia Beach for my cousin’s Chief Pinning Ceremony (an important ceremony celebrating Rick’s promotion to Chief Petty Officer in the US Navy – so proud!) and it was such a treat to be able to spend the day with them on Wednesday.
Plans for this weekend include catching up on some neglected behind-the-scenes blog work, decorating for fall, spending time outside and hopefully relaxing a bit, too! But before we unplug and head off to enjoy the weekend, I wanted to stop by PBF and share your weekly Things I’m Loving Friday blog post.
Below is a short roundup of a few things that made me smile this week and, as always, I’d love for you to join in and share a little bit about something you’re loving this week in the comments section. I hope you all have a great weekend!
Things I’m Loving Friday
Apparently I’m 31 going on 13 but I am such a sucker for gel pens! I think gel pens deserve a spot on my “Little Indulgences = Big Happiness” list because they bring me a disproportionate amount of joy whenever I use them. I bought this pack of Petite Point gel pens on impulse when I was browsing around Zulily and they’re AMAZING. They glide across paper perfectly without leaving weird skip marks and are perfectly velvety. (I bought them when I bought my first adult coloring book!) And now I’ve officially typed up 100 words about gel pens. Wow.
I’ve been mesmerized by the short, entertaining recipe videos that have been popping up all over Facebook for a while now and I’m so excited to bring you guys my first PBF recipe video! You may have see my banana bread protein pancakes video debut on Facebook this week and I hope to bring a lot more quick and easy recipe videos your way in the coming months.
I wanted to kick things off by working with a videographer to make a video of my banana bread protein pancakes because that recipe continues to be one of the most popular PBF recipes I’ve shared on the blog to date. It’s delicious and kid-friendly (you can even make a big batch and freeze them to reheat later!) and I love the way they keep me full for a lot longer than traditional pancakes. Plus, they don’t require the use of protein powder and I promise you cannot taste the cottage cheese at all. If you haven’t made them yet, I hope you’ll give them a try soon. We love them in our house!
- Runny Eggs On Waffles
I go through such phases with my food and right now I’m on a serious eggs and waffles kick! I love this meal for breakfast or lunch and have fun changing up the toppings with everything from tomatoes and green onions to avocado and leftover roasted sweet potato cubes. The key is topping the waffles with over easy eggs and using the runny yolks as a sort of sauce. Easy and delicious!
- 1st to Die by James Patterson
My mom and I frequently share books and she gave me this book promising a thriller that would have me flying through the pages of the story. Well, she was right! The book is the first in a series of novels by James Patterson (the Women’s Murder Club series) and follows a homicide detective as she works with three of her close friends to try to figure out the killer behind a series of newlywed murders. I started the book Tuesday night and have a feeling I’ll be finishing it this evening. It’s a page-turner and is definitely holding my interest.
A few years ago I met Kelli Davis at IDEA World (she helps run the show!) and immediately noticed her happy, smiley demeanor. Well, earlier this week I stumbled upon the Happsters Instagram account and loved the upbeat, positive messages. It wasn’t until a few a days later that I realized it was Kelli’s account! I am not one who usually loves tons and tons of quotes all over my Instagram feed but when I find an account that seems to hit the nail on the head and share quotes that are exactly what I need to read at the moment or quotes that inspire me to live a better life filled with happiness and kindness, I’m all about it! Happsters is a good one and I’ve already been taking screenshots of a bunch of Kelli’s shares because they are so great!
- Car Seat Safety Questions
Did you guys know September is Baby Safety Month? (I swear there is a month for everything, right!?) I am working with Chicco to help spread the word about car seat safety this month and wanted to see if you guys have any specific questions for their car seat safety experts? I’ll be sharing a Q&A with their safety experts on the blog in the coming week or two and would love to include any of your car seat safety questions in the post! If you have a question you’d like me to pass along, please leave it in the comments section of this post. Thanks so much!!
- Friday Flashbacks
Bridesmaid Gift Ideas (Still one of my most popular posts to date! Lots of fun and unique bridesmaid gift ideas based on some of my personal favorites.)
Creating a Baby Registry (A roundup of the items on our baby registry thanks to your advice!)
- Around the Web
Fitness: 7 Surprising Benefits of Exercise // Full Body Kettlebell Workout // Running Safety Tips // Lower Body Circuit Workout
Food: 8 Traditional Thanksgiving Sides Made Vegan // Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread // Gluten-Free + Dairy-Free Carrot Cake // Kale, White Bean and Chicken Soup
Question of the Day
- What is one thing that is making you smile this week?
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Thank you for the tip about Happsters. Love Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
I love, love, love that James Patterson series! While i have loved using my Nook tablet for a lot of things, i usually prefer to read an actual paper book but because i love this series, there are 15 books so far, and i read them so quickly, i decided to start borrowing the digital editions from my library. I just downloaded the 8th book yesterday and will likely be on to the 9th by the end of the weekend!
Thursday night I took my exam for group exercise certification. I’m relieved it’s done, though now I have to wait a few weeks to find out how I did.
that’s why i love your blog, because of posts like this! thank you so much 🙂
Just had a baby boy 3 months ago and I’ve loved seeing your suggestions and Chase’s loves when deciding what to register for and what we really need. We got the same car seat system based on your suggestions! My question is how long do we keep the newborn/infant inserts in the car seat?
Thank you for all of your help in the new baby department! It’s so helpful to have stories and advice from another new mom!
Yes I agree! When?!
I got to say, you are an inspiration. I have been going back and forth in my own mind about becoming a coach of some sorts. How did you get started online while being a fitness enthusiast? Currently, I am working towards a degree in psychology and hope to gain some insight to help others with my knowledge. Any ways thank you for sharing your journey look forward to reading more of your stories!
Three cheers for bring the gel pens back! I remember that I coul dmake even the most boring of classes more interesting by writing my notes in different colors of gel pens.
Diana
betterthanalive.com
I have the same car seat and I’d like to know at what age you take out the inserts? ( my son is 5 months. Kw and I took the seat one out but left the head insert.)
My mom and dad used to sing that good morning song to me when I was teeny tiny, so I love being reminded of it, such happy memories! 🙂
Love that you made a video of the protein pancakes – that’s how you hooked me on your recipes in general! And I too love these quick little videos that you see all over. So fun! And approachable.
I love that you frequently tell us what you’re reading, because I’m ALWAYS looking for good books to read. Going to have to check this one out! Thanks!
I Have the Chicco fit infant car seat and would also like to know when we need to take the infant inserts out and when we need to get the next car seat up? Is it by weight or height? What would be the next car seat after the infant car seat. My child is almost 4 mo. Thank you for your blog!
The video of the protein pancakes was awesome! And I would love to look more into the Happsters Instagram! So inspiring and empowering!
Hey Julie!
What waffles do you eat? Are they box or do you use a recipe? (I’m a waffle lover and I’m always looking for a new healthier but tasty option. We are currently doing vanilla protein homemade waffles.)
Alex
Loved the book recommendation! Halfway through it already!
Awesome!! So glad to hear it!
I love the Women’s Murder Club series by James Patterson…I’ve read them all so far 🙂 Such quick, easy, entertaining reads. Hope you are enjoying it!
Thanks for loving my 8 traditional Thanksgiving sides made vegan! <3