I’ll be sure to recap our weekend on the blog on Monday but wanted to take a moment to pop in and share some favorites from the week in my usual Things I’m Loving Friday roundup. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and thanks so much for making PBF a part of your week!
Things I’m Loving Friday
Oh my gosh, these softspun joggers are so darn comfy that I never want to take them off. They’re the kind of comfy cozy pants I find myself washing and then immediately wearing again the moment they’re clean because I love them so much. I have been a fan of GAP’s joggers for a while but haven’t tried their softspun fabric until recently I am just blown away.
The material is perfect for fall — not too thick but still incredibly soft and comfortable. They’re cute for lounging around the house but presentable enough to pair with sneakers to run errands around town. You can also wear them high-waisted or lower on your hips thanks to the drawstring and the cut of the pants. I love the subtle star pattern on my joggers but they’re also available light and dark gray and burgundy and maternity which I think would be expectant mama heaven! I’m keeping these in the back of my mind as a go-to gift idea for friends and family this year because I think they’d be a hit for many people on my holiday shopping list.
Attention readers with approximately 1,000,000 photos saved on your phones: You NEED this app!!! It makes going through your photos and deleting the unwanted pics a bazillion times easier. Yes, Ryan made fun of me for downloading an app to help me delete photos but if you’ve ever tried to mass delete pics from your phone you KNOW what a pain it is! Slidebox makes it way easier by allowing you to swipe through your photos to save, sort or delete them in one quick motion and it’s the BEST. I recommend downloading the free version just to make sure you like it and will use it regularly (the free version just means you’ll see an ad pop up every now and then) but it didn’t take me long to pay for it because it’s truly one of my favorite apps. Shout out to Lindsay for introducing me to this one!
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Simply Nature Coconut Cashew Crisps
Okay fellow ALDI fanatics, I have a recent ALDI find to share with you if you are a coconut lover. These coconut crisps are so unbelievably good and completely blew my expectations out of the water. I was initially attracted to them by their short ingredient list and after one bite I knew I found a winner. They taste almost buttery and the coconut flavor paired with a touch of sea salt lit my taste buds on fire. I am just kicking myself for not buying the chocolate flavor as well. Next time!
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Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies by J.B. West with Mary Lynn Kotz
After reading pretty much every Taylor Jenkins Reid novel I could get my hands on, I needed a break from her work and found myself craving something non-fiction. My mom recommended Upstairs at the White House and while it took me a bit to get into, once it got going, I found my groove and looked forward to reading this book before bed every night.
Upstairs at the White House is the historical account of J.B. West’s 28 years at the White House. West worked in the White House first as the assistant to the chief usher before becoming the chief usher where he was responsible for directing state functions, weddings and funerals as well as overseeing renovations and handling the personal requests of the First Ladies. West’s stories are personal and interesting without feeling gossipy or disrespectful which I really appreciated about the author. (In my mind, this also speaks volumes with regard to West’s character and the trust he likely built with the first families.) This is not to say the book is boring or glosses over national crises or dramatic events that occurred during West’s time at the White House. The book still offers insight into the personalities of six presidents and first ladies and was an interesting historical account of one man’s time in the White House during various presidential administrations.
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No Equipment Needed 1000 Rep Workout
This was yesterday’s Burn Boot Camp workout! I’m sharing it here today because you don’t need any equipment to complete it, making it perfect for keeping on hand during the busy holiday travel season. I’m not going to lie, the first two rounds are rather brutal but it gets going after that and was a seriously sweaty one! And if you happen to be doing this workout in the gym or at home with access to dumbbells, you can do the jumping jacks with a set of dumbbells in your hands to further increase the intensity. Phew!
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Around the Web
Food: Seriously Good Vegetable Soup / Mix & Match Pasta Recipes / Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Fitness: 30 Minute Power Barre Workout (Video) / All About Orangetheory / Total Body Pyramid Workout
Weekend Sales: Extra 20% off Madewell Sale Items (I have this sweater and love it! Great with jeans and booties or sneakers or styled with leggings and over-the-knee boots / I’m also debating ordering these wide-leg jeans — Can anyone with hips and a booty report back and tell me if wide leg jeans work on a pear-shape body type? I’m not sure whether they’d be flattering or not…) / Shopbop’s Fall Sale is also going on now! Some favorite finds: Classic Madewell Booties / Kate Spade Slider Bracelet (Great gift idea — perfect for dressing up or down and so delicate) / BAGGU Packable Bags (I keep these in my car because I feel like I am constantly in need of a handy tote and they fold up well and take up practically NO space. They’re also great for travel when you don’t know if you might need an extra tote since you can easily throw them in your handbag.) / Herschel Supply Co. Backpack (A high-quality backpack at a great price point. Love this brand!)
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Friday Flashbacks
My Favorite Thanksgiving Side Dishes (This throwback post from 2014 includes my all-time favorite recipe for my mom’s stuffing!)
Apple Pie Spice Chex Mix (A fun twist on classic Chex Mix, perfect for a fall party!)
Question of the Day
What is one thing making you smile this week?
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I have similar wide leg jeans from JCrew and love them. I’ve had friends buy them and everyone agrees how flattering they are on. For reference, we’re all shorter than 5’4 and are pear shaped. Thanks for the fun recs.
thank you! i feel like i rarely see them modeled on women with a pear shape/hips so i was curious to know if anyone tried them out with success with this body type. thanks for letting me know!
Great post Julie! Those joggers look like something I would live in! Can you share the shoes you’re wearing in that pic? And your chili recipe? The book rec looks like one I would enjoy. I love stories of the White House, one I read awhile ago was stories from Secret Service agents going back to Pres Kennedy. Can’t think of the title but it was good. Have a great weekend!
yes! they’re TOMS Avalon sneakers and i’ve had them for years!!! the quality is great and they’re incredibly comfy. i cannot find the green online anymore but Zappos has them in gray, black and pink: http://bit.ly/2OeiHPI as for my chili, i’m planning to make this one: https://www.pbfingers.com/crockpot-chicken-corn-chili/ — it’s so easy and our family’s fav recipe!! and that book sounds right up my alley — please report back if you think of the name!
Thank you! The title is In The President’s Secret Service by Ronald Kessler. ?
Y’all should read “Yes Sir Mr President” by Howie Franklin. I have not read it, but Howie is the Airport Director for the Cape Fear Regional Jetport (NC). He always has the best stories about his time on Air Force One.
The chocolate cashew crisps from Aldi are in even better than the caramel sea salt, in my opinion!
definitely scooping them up on my next trip there!
Those sound amazing!!!
Hey Julie! This is so random but what are the jeans you love for Chase from old navy? Everything is 40% off and my son is a skinny guy too! Thanks and happy weekend!
hi!! i get him the girls’ skinny pull-on jeggings but i promise you they do not look like they’re only for girls at all! definitely unisex and the BEST for slim kids!! plus, they’re pull on which is great for potty trained kiddos. here’s the exact pair i order every year in multiple washes: http://bit.ly/2rO7MEQ
Loving the look of those joggers? What size did you get? I’m 5’9″ so debating whether I’d go with regular or tall fit. Thanks!!
i got regular length size medium. i’m 5’8” and the length is great BUT i will say my torso is disproportionately long compared to my legs – haha!
I need those cookies asap!
If you want to read more about White House intel, check out the book First Women. Super interesting background on 10 of the most influential First Ladies: https://www.amazon.com/First-Women-Americas-Modern-Ladies/dp/0062439669
You might also like “The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House” by Kate Andersen Brower. It is very similar to what you just read but with multiple residence staff members in different roles. I felt like it was also respectful but insightful.
That sounds like such a fun party! I’m not sure whether or not this movie would be an obscure choice lol but I watch it whenever it’s on TV and think these would be such fun costumes: Sarah Jessica Parker and Nicholas Cage’s characters from Honeymoon in Vegas. Have you ever seen it? There’s a scene from the end of the movie where they’re getting married and he’s dressed up as Elvis and she’s in full Vegas showgirl attire (you can google image it). Would be elaborate to put together lol but so fun for pics!!
On my to-do list over the holidays is to clean up my photos. I’m definitely going to check out the Slidebox app!
I bought those coconut crisps a little while back, and we’ve loved them! So buttery, delicate, and flavorful.
All of the clothes looks really cute! I bet those wide leg pants will look lovely on you.
Excited to hear about the chili cook off! It sounds like such a tasty and fun fall event.
Hi Julie, I’ve been trying to find a really good running shoe. I work out at the gym with her classes, and shrimp classes 5 to 6 days a week… I’ve been researching a lot of running shoes and haven’t found ones that I truly love. I’m trying not to spend over 50 bucks right now because of how tight money is for medical bills. Do you or anyone thaHi Julie, I’ve been trying to find a really good running shoe. I work out at the gym with her classes, and shrink classes 5 to 6 days a week… I’ve been researching a lot of running shoes and haven’t found ones that I truly love. I’m trying to only stick with spending $50-$60 right now because of how tight money is from medical bills. Do you have a shoe recommendation do you like to share? Thank you so much!
Hi Paige! I have a few I love but I’m wondering what size shoe you wear? I have an extra pair of running shoes that I’d be happy to send you if you like them!!
Hi Julie, I voice texted some of that original message to you… I definitely had some misspelled words. That’s so funny that since I didn’t proofread it and hit submit that it was jumbled! ?
AnyWho, you are so kind to offer that! I wear a size 7.5 to 8… Depends on the shoe really.
I have work in social media and love research data so I’ve been researching all types of shoes and I’ve researched your site the ones that you love as well… And feel like I just need to pull the plug & purchase some. The shoes that I recently purchased from Zappos were not a hit at all so I had to sit in the back.
Hi Julie, wanted to follow back up with you about the shoes you had mentioned. Which ones would you recommend? Thank you!