Good morning and Happy Halloween!!!
I hope your Friday is off to a good start. Mine certainly is thanks to two of my best friends, Merri and Ashley!
They both flew in town yesterday afternoon and we spent the day exploring, eating and chatting non-stop. I am so happy to have them here!
They flew into town because the three of us, along with Ryan, are driving to Savannah, Georgia today for a wedding this weekend. Tonight is the Halloween-themed rehearsal dinner/party and we are psyched!
But let’s move along to your regularly scheduled Things I’m Loving Friday post…
Things I’m Loving Friday
- Celebrating Our Anniversary
Yesterday was our four-year wedding anniversary! The anniversary gift theme for year four is flowers and fruit and I was so surprised to arrive home from a day with my girlfriends to a recreation of my wedding bouquet Ryan had made for me. I was obviously very touched! He’s pretty much the best. I gave him a cactus (there’s a story behind the gift, I promise!) but Ryan definitely won the best gift award this year. I loved it!
After my friend Ashley arrived yesterday, we had about an hour and a half to kill before Merri’s flight landed, so we grabbed a quick lunch at Luna’s Living Kitchen which I’m pretty sure may be my new favorite place in Charlotte. The restaurant specializes in plant-based organic local food and I absolutely loved the spaghetti bolognese I ordered. A bed of zucchini noodles was topped with a walnut mushroom bolognese sauce and it was phenomenal!!! I cannot wait to go back and try the zucchini noodle lasagna.
- Gigi D’Agostino – I’ll Fly With You
I don’t think I’ve heard this song since high school and when we were driving home from dinner last night, it came on the radio and I was so psyched! I downloaded it immediately and am so glad it’s back in my life.
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Thins
File these cookies under “impulse buy.” I saw them on sale at the grocery store this week and nearly walked by the huge display because I thought they were diet cookies. I’m glad I gave them a double-take because the “Mrs. Thinster’s” name simply refers to the fact that the cookies are super thin and crispy. The flavor tastes like homemade chocolate chip cookies (sweet and buttery!) and I love that they’re perfectly pop-able and made without the use of any artificial ingredients. Be warned though: It’s easy to eat these babies like potato chips! They’re addicting!
- Copco Small Appliance Slider Tray
I owe a big thanks to my mom for this lovely discovery! Ryan and I keep our Keurig coffee maker on our kitchen countertop and like to leave it tucked underneath our cabinets. Well, this ended up being a pain because every time we wanted to use the machine, we’d have to scoot it out and then put it back when we were done. (Sounds silly but if you’re in the same boat, I have a feeling you’ll understand my gripe with this!!) This little roller tray from Bed, Bath and Beyond makes it super simple to slide our Keurig out and back. You simply press on the button in front and roll it back and forth. Plus, it’s super cheap when you buy it with one of the never-ending supply of Bed, Bath and Beyond 20 percent off coupons.
- Around the Web Finds…
33 Clever Ways to Organize Small Things: So creative! And I can testify that using a carabineer to keep hair ties organized is fabulous!
Cheesy Broccoli Quinoa + Egg White Oatmeal + Best Sports Bras for Small Chests: Thanks so much to POPSUGAR Fitness for sharing these posts!
Pile on the Miles November Fitness Challenge
- Columbia Giveaway Winners
Congratulations to Sarah M. (jacket) and Chelsea (boots)!! Both winners were emailed first thing this morning. Thanks so much to all who entered!
- Montiel Activewear
Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of testing out workout apparel from Montiel, a new company with a goal of creating better activewear staples for women. They put a heavy emphasis on quality material and design and I must say I can tell!
Through the blog, I am frequently approached by various fitness apparel companies and I truly do turn down 98 percent of the product offers I receive. Something about the look of Montiel’s apparel caught my eye though and I said I’d test it out and provide feedback directly to the company, but I definitely wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did! (Thankfully Montiel was onboard with a flash giveaway when I approached them about it so you have a chance to win a complete outfit from them, too. See below!)
The clothes are functional and flattering and the simple but feminine designs make them stylish without being over-the-top trendy. They’re definitely great staple pieces to have in your workout wardrobe.
I had the chance to try out their teardrop sports bra and can tell you that it definitely would’ve made my Best Sports Bras for Small Chests list had I worn it before that post. It is so incredibly flattering and I absolutely love the cut and feel of the bra.
The twist tank is comfortable enough to wear to bed but it still looked cute and was the perfect breezy option for the barre and Jazzercise classes I took while wearing it. And the coral cami I am wearing in the above picture is the TBack cami and it has quickly become a favorite of mine to wear to Pure Barre. I’ve received a bunch of compliments and I love the thick material, built in removable cups and body-skimming cut.
Alright now that I’ve basically professed my love for their apparel, here’s your chance to win an outfit for yourself…
Montiel Giveaway
One PBF reader will win an entire workout outfit from Montiel that will include the following:
- One Sports Bra
- One Tank or Cami
- One Pair of Leggings or Capris
To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment below telling me about which piece of apparel you’d be most excited to receive from Montiel. Perhaps you need a new pair of leggings? Or you could really use a new sports bra? Let me know!
I will randomly select a winner next Friday.
Good luck!
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I’m most excited about the sports bra, since mine are worn out. I realized this week that three of my sports bras are from high school (I’m 8 years post-grad).
I would love a new pair of leggings!
Love the bra, hard to find good ones that are pretty and functional.
I need it all-sports bras, leggings, and shirts! I would love to get the twist tank though. Looks so soft and comfy!
I could definitely use a new sports bra, particularly one for yoga class!!
I would love to win a bra (or a cami) theirs are so cute!
2 things:
1. I love the rollaway idea! I am a neat freak, so I’m constantly pushing back our toaster, coffee maker, etc. Thanks for the recommendation!
2. I would love a new pair of leggings! 🙂 🙂
The twist back tank is too cute! I would rock that for barre 🙂
Just started training for my next half- would love the leggings for when it gets cold!
I could definitley use a new workout shirt and pants!
I would love a pair of new leggings!
I’m in desperate need of sports bras right now, all mine have decided to wear out at once and I just recently realized that I’ve been wearing one I’ve had since HS! Need to upgrade for sure! The red one would be perfect!
Could really use a new sports bra!
I just started getting active and all of my sports bras are cheapo’s from Walmart or Target. I’ve been wanting to invest in a good one but don’t know which one! So I could definitely use a new sports bra 🙂
I need legging ssooooo bad. It’s been years since I bought any
I am definitely in need of a new pair of leggings!!! Awesome giveaway!
I definitely need new workout tanks. I am known to throw on an oversized T-shirt to work out in (yuck), so a new tank would be awesome!
I loved the Monitel apparel — such pretty colors. I’ve been wanting a new tank and love the TBack Cami in Orchid.
I love the look of the single/ double strap combo- so cool. I’ve been looking for a supportive sports bra for a small chest that is cute, comfy and I love that these have removable pads!
A new and cute sports bra would be amazing. Super cute workout clothes.
I agree with you about the importance of a good sports bra, so this would be GREAT to have for my itty bittys!
Any of the sports bras! They are so cute!!!
I really need a new sports bra, especially one that’s so cute!
I ALWAYS need new leggings!! Love them!
Would love a new sports bra — love the details on the back!!
I could definitely use a new pair of leggings. Its just now starting to get chilly so its time to break the leggings out.
I need a new pair of leggings. I’m training for my first half (rock n’ roll in DC!!), and need some new workout gear so I’m not washing everyday!
I am always looking for new pants/capri leggings.
I would love the twisty tank comfy and cute workout clothes are the best!
Omg their stuff is adorable. Love the workout tank, but winter time in colorado means a pair of tights would get much more use 😉
I’d love a anew work out tank for barre class!
I would lovvvvvvvvvvvve some new capris!
I would love the leggings! Pretty much all of my workout pants are capris and it makes working out in the winter very chilly on my ankles 🙂
I could really use some leggings!
What an amazingly thoughtful husband you have. I love that he recreated your bouquet. 🙂
I am always on the hunt for good sports bras! Being a bit bigger up top, it’s always a struggle!!
i could use some long leggings!
I would definitely love a sports bra, leggings, and a super soft comfy tank!
On a separate note – those shoes are amazing! Where did you find them?
They’re Nine West and I got them from Nordstrom Rack. 🙂
I’m most excited about new workout tops, I love trying new brands!
OMG so cute!! New leggings for sure!!! And I could really use a new sports bra!
I could definitely use a new top. I’ve been going to lots of HIIT classes lately and a lot of my shirts don’t stay down well when I’m doing burpees or mountain climbers.
I definitely need some new workout clothes, and new inspiration for a sports bra!
I could really use some cute workout tanks! These are very cool styling too!
I would love one of those tops! It’s so hard to find flattering tops that are good quality!
Love the twist tank!
I would love some new leggings!
I love the Teardrop Bra!! So cute and love all the colors!
Twisty tank PLEASE!!! I think all my tanks are still from the 90’s and think a new ‘cool and trendy’ style will up my workout motivation! Pick me, pick me please Julie!
Such gorgeous pieces! Seriously. For athletic wear…
I’d love to try out the sports bra or the top.