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 would use the 20% off clothing and shoes at Target! ??
Amazon! I had no idea they even offered coupons Le that.
Love Carter’s for my son and Sephora for me!
Oh wow- either Kohl’s (my hisband gained some sympathy pregnancy weight and needs dress pants) and/or Amazon for baby stuff! Thanks Julie!
I would use at Carter’s – my 10 month old can always use some cute new clothes!! 🙂
Virgin America. My very close friend just moved to another state and I would love to go see her. It would be such a treat!
$12 sweaters at Old Navy! I am well into my second trimester and am having an increasingly hard time finding clothes that fit anymore!
Sephora!! I need new beauty products!!
I’d use Bath & Body Works to stock up on holiday candles!
I would love to shop with Retail me not at all kinds of stores, starting with Amazon!
I would shop at Macy’s.
I’d use it at Target for some of the cute new things they put out for spring. I’m dying to get some new decorations now that the Christmas decor is all coming down.
AMazon. amazon for life!
Home Depot – for materials needed to transform my guest bedroom into a spare nursery and a quick paint refresh for the bathroom.
Amazon more than likely!!
Amazon! Although there are so many great sales going on!!
Amazon ALL THE WAY. Or Nike! I have my first half-marathon in March and could use a new pair for my upcoming longer distances!
Sephora!
Sneaky, sneaky! I’d shop at Lululemon!
I would use the Macy’s coupon for the after Christmas sale!
Ooh, 20% off Best Buy?? I had no idea!!! So glad you sent me to check.
Definitely Barnes and Noble. Have a long list of books that I would like to read in the New Year.
Always Amazon around here!
I would use the $5 off $50 at Target to buy home decor items for my new house!
As we are about to start building, Home Depot would be my choice!
Amazon. Always Amazon. 🙂
Definitely target!!
Amazon is on retailmenot?! Amazing!
amazon! Bc with kids, who has time to go to the store… ever? (I even order my groceries online… no judgement!)
Hi Julie – thanks for the giveaway! I’m a big Amazon fan but everytime I shop on line I check RetailMeNot. Love it when I get a coupon. Regards, Lisa
Target and amazon!!!
I would want to check out target! They’ve had so ma g cute tunic and and sweaters lately.
Extra 20% Off Over 1000 Clearance Items at Toys R US
Barnes and Nobel for sure – books, books, and more books!
Papa Johns! Im all about easy meals after hosting family 3 weekends in a row!!
I’m on the lookout for some new yoga pants. Maybe target!
I’m looking at a new winter coat from Lands End!
I would love to go shopping at Victoria’s Secret. Could definitely use some new bras, pajamas, and lotion. Thanks for the chance!
I mean, who doesn’t love in store pick up at Target with 20%? Retail Me Not is my jam.
I would use the Target discount at retail me not! I buy so much toddler clothing from there, so it would be great to save some money 🙂
ToyRUs for sure! We need a toy box for our 14 month old and all the toys he got for Christmas!!
I’d probably spoil myself with a new bag and a pair of shoes from Nordstrom Rack! $10 back with an $80 purchase? That’s amazing!
Target for the win, all day every day!
I love retailmenot and use it all the time! I’d def use the target discount!
I would love to go shopping at Victoria’s Secret during their semi annual sale! They have a great line of workout clothes and sleepwear.
50% off Papa John’s pizza
I’d have to say. . . TARGET ??♀️?
If I had to choose one it would probably be JC PENNEYS. They closed our local one a few years back ☹️ so I Have to order everything on-line. Gift card w/retail me not sure would be nice.?
Ulta! I love Retailmenot’s coupons.