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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Definitely Amazon!
I will most likely be hitting up caters, old navy, gap- for all the Christmas clothes sales for next years sizes!! I love dressing up my boys in holiday clothes, but hate paying full price for things they wear only a handful of times!
Nike! I could use some new running shoes!
I would use the 20% off Bed Bath and Beyond for a new comforter for my son’s room!
I would visit Dick’s Sporting Goods for some new workout shoes for the new year!
Def the extra Nike 25% off their sale! I love, love, love their Nike Pro compression gear for working out. You can never have enough work out clothes right?!
Love the deals they have for Sierra Trading Post! Getting geared up for snowshoeing this winter!
I would use the Ugg coupon! Up to 60% off and I’ve got my eye on a couple new styles that I’m seeing everywhere!
Target for sure! I’maways looking to add a few new classic pieces to my wardrobe and house each new year. Target is always a go-to for cute and affordable items!
Target and / or B3 for new apartment furnishings!
I’d be most excited to use the 60% off Ugg code!
I’m just getting into the make-up game since I’m getting married in September and want to do my own, so the Tarte deal definitely caught my eye!
I’d use it on the Old Navy or Target sales! Old Navy has such cute kids clothes, and Target is always a go to!
Express! Love that store and I have my eye on a few sweaters.
I would use it for Nike or Target!
The Saucony deal! I am in need of new trail running sneakers for the snowy winter in NY!
Nordstrom or Journeys! I am eyeing some new shoes!
Old Navy would be perfect with a fast growing toddler and new baby on the way!
Nordstrom, Target, or Pottery Barn
Oooh yay i would use it for target!
Wow. If I won the gift card, I would spend it at Old Navy or Ulta. I am 35 years old and just now discovered the joys of eyeliner. Now I want ALL THE EYELINER! I love Old Navy’s Activewear!
Target! I should probably just have half of my paycheck directly deposited to them.
ThinkGeek!
The UGG coupon for sure
OshKosh … my 9 month old is already outgrowing 18 month clothing… oye
I would absolutely use it on Blue Apron meals! I have been wanting to try it for years and now with a 5 month old I feel like it would benefit my family so much. It would be great to learn some healthy recipes to get us back on track 🙂
Macy’s! I’ve been gunning for a new mattress!
I would love to shop Carters for my 21 month old!
Bed Bath & Beyond! With purchasing my first home within the next few months there are so many necessities to buy 🙂
Toss up between Nike for shoes or Tory Burch for a new purse. Or maybe both.
Amazon!
Amazon!
Love how luxurious that robe looks! I also have a hot pink robe from Charlotte Russe from several years ago. I wonder if we have the same one?!
As for the gift card, there’s so many good deals out there to choose from but probably would choose Old Navy or Amazon.
I need some new sports bras so probably Nordstrom!
I would say Amazon!
I’d love to use the 20% off at bed, bath, & beyond! I’m in desperate need of a new comforter!
That’s easy! Amazon…. because what can’t you find on there?!
Hello Target 🙂
Amazon for new books and collegen powder!
Amazon! My wish list still has wishes 😉
Khols or Macy’s!
Love Chase sitting next to the holiday bear beanie baby 🙂
I would use the sales for UGG and Old Navy! Need some more cold weather gear. Wish it was 60 degrees where i live but it’s been in the 20s!
Target and Old Navy!
Definitely Macy’s 20% off deal! I am in need of some work pants!
I will buy groceries and necessities since we have very little $$$ and suffered a horrible tragedy over Christmas. I never enter contests but I’m entering this one!
Carters! My daughter is starting daycare soon and could use some outfits!
Nike sales are always great!
With the new year coming, the Nike coupon would be great to get some new running shows! AND the Pizza Hut coupon to even that out…
All Target all the time. I can never get out of there with only the things I went in for!
I think the gift card discounts are great! I like the one for AMC theaters since that’s the theater chain that we visit the most!