Hey friends! How are you!? Ryan, Chase, Sadie and I arrived back in North Carolina late last night after spending some much-needed time with family over Christmas. We extended our stay a bit to be in town for a procedure my mom had scheduled for yesterday morning (all is well, no worries) and I’m glad we were able to spend so much time together!
The post-holiday blues always tend to kick in for me after Christmas and extending our stay a bit helped fight the sadness I often feel once Christmas is over. Since we were quite busy with my family and traveling back home, I didn’t have many opportunities to sit down by myself and blog last week. I really missed chatting with you guys! Things should be back to normal around here next week!
For now, let’s dive right into my usual Things I’m Loving Friday blog post where I share a short roundup of small things that make me smile every week. (Be sure to scroll to the bottom and check out today’s sneaky $250 giveaway!)
Have the best weekend!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- Pie Heaven
When my mom and I planned my sister’s bridal shower years ago, we ordered quiche from Pie Heave to serve along with other brunch favorites and I’ve been dying to order quiche from the adorable local bakery again ever since. We prioritized a trip to Pie Heaven a couple of days before Christmas and ended up returning to the shop again a couple days later because my entire family inhaled our first round of quiche Lorraine and southwest quiche.
We ended up trying a few of their dessert pies for the first time as well (wild blueberry, peach and apple) and every single one was absolutely unreal. Pie Heaven truly lives up to its name and the pies are beyond fantastic. A must-try if you’re a local or ever find yourself in the Jacksonville area!
Also, I must give a shout out to the two women who own and run Pie Heaven because they were so kind and wonderful to our family. We arrived with Chase and they gave him a holiday bear Beanie Baby and he was beyond thrilled (hence the above picture)!
A new robe was one of the top items I had on my Christmas wish list this year and my sister and brother-in-law surprised me with the coziest robe in the world. I LOVE it. The robe is fluffy and soft and meets three of my biggest requirements: It’s long, has two pockets and feels incredibly warm and cozy when I slip it on. I also love the aesthetics of the fuzzy trim along the neckline and wrists and know this robe will be worn non-stop in the coming winter months. (I guess this means I can finally retire the hot pink Charlotte Russe robe I bought for myself for like $25 when I was in college. It’s borderline gross at this point with stains and singe marks on the sleeves from less-than-careful cooking mishaps.)
- Family Zoo Day
The weather in Jacksonville on the day after Christmas could not have been more beautiful – upper 60s and sunny – and we took advantage of the gorgeous day and headed out for a family trip to the zoo. I’m continually impressed with the large exhibits at the Jacksonville Zoo and love the way it feels spacious and clean. Plus, the zoo has a large train that choo-choos around the exterior of the park which is heaven-sent for a train-obsessed toddler. We rode the train for a solid 45 minutes during our visit and had a great time waving to elephants, giraffes, rhinos, coyotes, monkeys and more.
- Park Playtime + ChunkaBuns Pants for Chase
Chase cannot get enough of playing outside lately (nothing new around here!) and we’ve taken him all over Jacksonville over the past week. His favorite park is, without a doubt, Sunshine Park in Jacksonville Beach. It’s huge and fenced in (hooray!) and Chase had a ball exploring every inch of the park during our visit.
The super-soft pants he wore to play and explore came to us from ChunkaBuns, a company specializing in adorably soft, sustainable and organic eco-friendly pants. The pants could not be softer and they are made to grow with your toddler with a foldable waistband and cuffs on the bottom to give your little one extra length when you need it. These pants are fantastic and I find myself reaching for them right after I wash them because they’re so great.
- $250 VISA Gift Card Giveaway from RetailMeNot
Thank you to RetailMeNot for sponsoring the following giveaway!
And now for today’s sneaky giveaway!! A little over a week ago I shared a giveaway with you guys from RetailMeNot – the BEST site I use every time I want to find the most amazing deals, coupon codes and cash back opportunities when I do my online shopping – and the giveaway was such a huge hit that RetailMeNot reached out for Round Two! We’re teaming up today to giveaway another VISA gift card valued at $250 for you to use toward the amazing post-holiday sales that are popping up all over the place right now.
To enter this giveaway, simply click here to visit RetailMeNot and then leave a comment on today’s post telling me about a specific store/sale you’d be most excited to shop at should you win the gift card. I will randomly select a winner first thing next Friday morning. Good luck!
- Puzzle Time with My Mom
I don’t get many opportunities to kick back and work on a puzzle and the fact that my mom and I were able to complete one together in less than 24 hours this past week felt like such a treat! It’s such a great way to completely relax and unwind while sipping a hot mug of apple cider or hot cocoa. I need to do more puzzles in my everyday life. Now to find the time…
- Friday Flashbacks
Cold Brew Protein Smoothie (Just in case you’re craving a cold mocha smoothie but don’t want to down a total sugar bomb.)
Cardio + Core Burn Boot Camp Workout (This was the first BBC workout I ever did!)
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I’d be interested in the 70% off amazon home and garden coupon. Always looking to decorate my home! Glad you had a nice time visiting your family!
Amazon for sure!
Would love to get some new workout gear from Nike and target!
$5 off $50 at Target sounds great…I can always find plenty to buy at Target!! Thanks for the chance to win!
Woah, retailmenot works with Target too?! AWESOME!
blue apron or tory burch!
I would love to spend on some clothes from Kohl’s and art supplies from Michaels.
Scrolling through I noticed a Redbox code; maybe i’ll give that a try for New Years Eve! In an attempt to stay awake until midnight haha
I hope you had a great holiday with family, and that all is well <3
So many stores to choose from but my go to place is Target!
Bed Bath and Beyond—need a new comforter!
50% off at Joann Fabrics! They always have great deals on that app!
I’d pick Best Buy. I am looking to get a new microwave.
Nike! Just tore my favorite workout leggings 🙁
I would love to spend an entire Friday night in Target with this voucher!
Buy Buy Baby is where my Christmas money is going! Since your last post, I always peruse Retail Me Not for the latest deals before I make purchases- thank you!!
Target for sure! I shop there way too often! I am decorating my apartment right now and I love their furniture and decor. Happy new year Julie!
I’m looking forward to checking out the deals on Amazon!
I love Bath and Body Works, so the 20% off sitewide deal is a good one for me!
Definitely Carter’s! My little guy is already starting to wear size 3-6 months, so I need to start stocking up!
I’ll be using that KOHLS coupon to save even more on their already reduced clearance items. Thanks for saving me even more RetailMeNot!
Hi! We have a baby coming in May so I would love to stock up on a few things from Carter’s or Babies R Us!
I always look for ways to save. I love retailmenot. I will be checking it deals on Amazon, hello fresh, express, and so many others!
I’d shop at Macy’s because I need some new clothes! I’ve been prioritizing new clothes for my 1 year old over myself lately.
Pep boys- time for new tires and alignment…
Would love to s Barnes and Noble and Bath and Body!!
I’m definitely most excited about the gift cards at a discounted price and shoes. I need new running shoes… like yesterday. I would looooooove to find a good deal on some running shoes.
Ohh Athleta! The semi-annual holiday sale is happening now!
Hi Julie,
How fantastic! I would search out the perfect big girl bed for my almost 4 year old at Macy’s.
$10 off Amazon house decor?! Yes, please! A discount AND I don’t have to get out of my pj’s. Sign me up!
SEPHORA. I’m going to use this all the time even if I don’t win the giveaway ha!
I just used retail me not this week to do some after Christmas shopping for my little guy at carters but I i won this I think I’d selfishly spend it on myself at Loft
Definitely would use it at Victoria’s Secret…one of my favorite places to shop. I use RetailMeNot all the time whenever I shop online – I love it! Love finding a bargain that way.
Wow I just checked out Retail me not, so awesome! I’ll be using sephora for some new lipstick
First, love that puzzle! Do you remember where you got it from? My mom and I do puzzles together too and that seems like the perfect holiday one!
And second, we just bought our first house (eek!) So I’m all about the Home Depot and Bed Bath and Beyond discount codes right now,
There are so many great deals to choose from but I would go with the 30% off select full-priced styles at J.Crew. That way I can pick up another pair of the best fitting jeans I’ve found in a long time without feeling totally guilty. (Anyone looking for a great pair of skinny jeans, try their high-rise toothpicks!)
I need new moisturizer and Ulta is having a great deal! 3.50 off $50+ plus free shipping and $5.00 cash back of $40 or more!
Gap, Target, Kohls, Sephora, any of those! I love retail me not and use it often when I am ou and about shopping.
Do they sell mommy makeovers?! Haha, would probably say Im going to get some things for me, like some under eye cream but then decide that my toddlers that hrow need more shoes (looking at you Target Cat and Jack!)
Probably the IKEA sale or lowes deals, we are still trying to outfit our new house! Thanks for the opportunity!
Target! They have everything you could want.
Sephora has a free gift with $25 purchase. I could definitely use that code!
I’m most excited about the 25% off nike sale. I need a new pair of workout sneakers and this sale will really help.
Well who doesn’t love to shop on Amazon?! All of my money goes there anyway! 🙂
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family!!
My little brother just bought his first house and I would love to get him some goods from Home Depot and/ or Amazon as a special treat to help him get his place set up!
My little brother just bought his first house and I would love to get him some goods from Home Depot and/ or Amazon as a special treat to help him get his place set up! Thanks for considering!
target!
I’m excited about the 50% off at Papa John’s Pizza!!
Macy’s for some new shoes.
The fandango deal looks good!
I would shop Sephora! I’m in need of a make up upgrade 🙂