Good morning! The holiday weekend is upon us and I hope your plans include plenty of time outside and lots of relaxation. We’re hoping to celebrate the Fourth of July by joining friends for a barbeque, taking the boat out on the lake and kicking back for some chill time at home since we’ve been going non-stop for the past few weekends in a row. It should be a good one!
Since today is Friday, it’s time for your weekly Things I’m Loving Friday blog post where we come together to talk about what we’re loving most every week. Feel free to share a little bit about something that is making you smile in the comments section of this post! And have a very Happy Fourth of July!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- Healthy Fourth of July Side Dishes
Is it just me or are side dishes often the best part of a meal? During summertime cookouts, I always seem to find myself gravitating toward the sides and wanted to share a few of my favorites with you guys this morning just in case you’re on the lookout for easy, healthy dishes for a party this weekend:
Fruit Kebabs with Honey Goat Cheese Dip
Edamame and Black Bean Salad (<— LOVE this one and it’s so, so easy to make!!)
Cilantro Shrimp and Avocado Salad
Tropical Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
- Infant CPR Class
Though I’m already certified in CPR thanks to my job at the gym, I still felt like it was really important to brush up on my infant CPR skills and take the class with Ryan last night so he could learn, first hand, what to do in case an emergency arises with our little one. The class was informative and I know we both thought it was worthwhile. The instructor was full of energy and taught us to do our compressions to the beat of “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees! She blasted “Stayin’ Alive” and I’m sure we all looked rather amusing practicing compressions on our baby dolls to the beat and the lyrics, “Ah, ah, ah, ah, stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive!”
I’ve taken a handful of CPR classes over the years (first when I wanted to start babysitting, then as a lifeguard in high school and again when I got into the fitness industry) and I think the instructor we had last night did a great job of emphasizing the importance of chest compressions in a memorable and accessible way since it can be quite overwhelming and scary, especially for those totally unfamiliar with CPR.
After telling you guys about the intense sacroiliac pain I’ve been experiencing for the past two weeks, a bunch of you weighed in to recommend meeting with a physical therapist (doing this 2x a week right now!), looking into a chiropractor who specializes in prenatal care (I have an appointment on July 13 but may try to find one sooner) and a maternity support belt. Well, my wonderful friend Brittany gave me her maternity support belt to try and it’s wonderful! It is definitely not a cure-all for my pain by any means (I’m still limping everywhere…) but it does alleviate some pressure which helps a bit. Thank you, as always, to all of you for your advice!
This stuff smells heavenly! I received a bottle of the lotion for my birthday back in April and finally started using it last month. I adore the fruity, floral smell and the lotion basically eliminates the need for perfume since it has a rather strong fragrance that I absolutely adore. It’s soft and silky and feels amazing on my legs and arms. (Also, just FYI, all Victoria’s Secret swimwear is 30% off – ending today! – with the code SWIMVS30. LOVE this adorable suit!)
- Maple Water
Has maple water already made one of my Things I’m Loving Friday lists? I cannot remember, but just in case it hasn’t, I’m featuring it again because I adore the lightly sweet taste of this refreshing water. Can’t get enough!
- Around the Web
How To Automate Your Biggest Blogging Tasks (I need to follow Katy’s tips!)
10 Delicious Veggie Burger Recipes
Full Body Bodyweight Workout (No Equipment Needed!)
How Life Changes After Pregnancy
- Holiday Weekend Sales
Just a little heads up for those hoping to take advantage of holiday weekend sales…
Victoria’s Secret: 30% off all swimwear with code SWIMVS30 (ends today!), plus free shipping on $50+ with code FREE50VS
Banana Republic: 30% off with code BRTHIRTY plus an additional 50% off sale items with code BRGOBIG
Aldo: 50% off already reduced styles (Love these sandals, this adorable $23 crossbody and this $23 foldover clutch/crossbody <— Shocker since I love everything mint green right now!)
Kate Spade: 25% off sale items with code SETSALE
Reebok: $10 off $75, $20 off $100 or $30 off $125 with code AMERICA (These capris have been wonderful throughout my pregnancy! Loved them pre-pregnancy, too!)
Old Navy: Red, White and Blue Sale featuring items for $2-$8
Macy’s: 20% off with code FOURTH or $10 off $25+ purchase with code FOURTH25
Express: 40% off select styles, $20 off $100 with code 1197
Questions of the Day
- Share one thing you’re loving this week below!
- What is one thing you’re looking forward to this weekend?
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i’ve heard of maple water, but haven’t tried it yet! i love coconut water so i really want to try this!
I like it MORE than coconut water!! It’s super hydrating and very refreshing on a hot summer day. <3
Happy 4th of July! Hope you have a relaxing weekend out on the boat cooling off 🙂 I’m looking forward to relaxing and cooking out with my family this weekend.
I’m planning to live in the water – haha! Have a blast with your family!!
OMG maple water?! I’m going to have to try that ASAP. Thanks for posting about the 4th of July sales 🙂 Have a great weekend.
I LOVE maple water. I’m on a coconut water kick right now, but that’s a close second. Enjoy the weekend! 🙂
Don’t want to be a downer but I don’t think VS products are very safe. This lotion isn’t rated on the EWG skin deep website but you might want to find out if it contains any reproductive health hazards. The other products they have are rated rather toxic. Mamas have to be so careful about what they put on their skin.
Also this week I’m loving baby swim lessons!
I couldn’t really get into maple water the last time I tried it, but maybe I need to give it another go! That VS suit you linked to is SO adorable! I, too, am totally loving it. Have a fabulous 4th of July weekend! Hope you get in some good relaxation!
I’ve seen maple water a few different places and I’m so intruiged by it! Have a good holiday weekend!!
Fruit kebabs are the best!
Teachers at first aid.CPR classes can make or break them. I’ve had some wonderful teachers who made the content interesting, and others who could care less and were clearly just there for the pay cheque.
Have an awesome, fun/friend/family-filled weekend on the water – being out on a boat is an ideal way to celebrate any holiday in my book!
I’ve never tried maple water!! Will have to get some… I’ve been hearing so much about it! I’m looking forward to spending time with my family this weekend!!
Happy 4th of July! Thanks for all the sales info and looking forward to trying out maple water. Not sure why I haven’t yet!
I agree, side dishes are always the best part of a meal!! Thanks for the sale links!
Enjoy the holiday weekend!
I’ve never heard of maple water! I’ll have to give that a try!!
Sounds like you have a wonderful weekend ahead of you!! We are having a cul-de-sac BBQ tomorrow which I’m excited about! I’ve heard fireworks on Lake Norman are incredible (we live in South Charlotte!), but we will most likely skip the fireworks this year b/c our kids are so little (ages 3 and 1). I can’t wait until they’re a little older and can enjoy them and not be terrified of them, haha!
Sorry about your paid 🙁 I will be praying!!
Maple water sounds so interesting! Is it just for the flavor or are there supposed to be health benefits too?
Happy 4th of July!! J.Crew is having some amazing sales as well this weekend!
Happy early Fourth, Julie! Have so much fun this weekend with all of the relaxation planned. Sounds like a great weekend! Also, thank you for the weekend sales info! I have been eyeing a suit on Victoria’s Secret, and this is the sale I needed! 🙂
Oooh maple water sounds delicious!
Have you ever seen the episode of The Office where they learn CPR? The instructor tells them to use the beat of “Stayin’ Alive” and it leads to one of the funniest scenes ever (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vmb1tqYqyII) – I didn’t realize that was actual CPR instruction! You’ll get a kick out of it 🙂
Happy to hear someones tried maple water and liked it!! I’ll have to look for it and try it out. Hope you have a great weekend! I’m at a lake house and I’m loving it…might not go home 🙂
Never heard of maple water but thanks for sharing! A day out on the boat sounds amazing! I am looking forward to going to watch the 4th of July pet parade. I love seeing all the cute little dogs! Happy 4th!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OolIRm0MI6I
😀
Hi! I read the article How To Automate Your Biggest Blogging Tasks and it was very interesting so i am ready to put her tips to work. I am loving my new blog design because I now feel more motivated and inspired to write new posts. I am also looking forward to spending time with my family and eating a lot of BBQ food!
Have a great weekend!
I’m looking forward to relaxing this weekend!!!
Do you go through every holiday thinking — this is my last one without a little baby? I feel like I would do that. Anywho, hope you have a wonderful weekend. I’m definitely intrigued by maple water and haven’t tried it yet. This weekend, I have to teach a couple of classes at Orangetheory in the morning, then I’m hitting up a pool party and hosting a BBQ after that! Fun times!
Happy 4th of July!!! 🙂 Fun fact: I used the Bombshell body spray as my go-to scent for over a year and changed it up when I moved last fall. Just yesterday I was sitting on the train and a lady sits down next to me and I sniff… and I sniff again… I immediately recognised she was using Bombshell. It smells AMAZING! 😀
Thanks for reminding me to go back and read that blogging post by Katy!! I opened it on my phone and it didn’t let me open the PDF!! Happy 4th of July weekend!!
The last FirSt Aid class I went to the instructor taught us to compress to ‘Another One bites the dust’. Lol, Staying Alive would probably be a better song if there are bystanders.
No matter what, the song really helped me get the compressions steady.
That CPR class seems interesting! I never thought about how much more delicate a baby’s body is- I am sure the basics are the same, however it seems like its 10x scarier! I have yet to learn normal CPR, or at least some sort of heimlich maneuver. So far, I don’t think anyone would want ME to be around when they are in a dangerous situation- I would be of no help :P.
Those infant first aid classes are SO informative! Really great you attended 🙂 thanks for all those links! 😀
Good links! Hope you have a good fourth! I’ll be in Venice Beach hanging out with friends. 🙂
I hope you had a great 4th of July! It’s my favorite holiday. I really like your link to the veggie burgers! I’m not a vegetarian by any means, but I do like a good black bean burger!