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 would love to win a pair of the leggings! I’ve started doing barre classes and could use some cute new work out gear 🙂
I would love the tear drop sports bra!
I would love a pair of new leggings!
Um…1) I need that roller tray thing! haha
2) I’d love to try out that sportsbra! Although I do not have a small chest, with a bigger chest I often have to wear the un-cute bras…it would be so great to have one that’s cute and functional!
I’d definitely be excited about the leggings! I’m always struggling to find ones that feel good on AND stay up when I run!
You and your friends look so adorable– you’re almost matching!
I love the T-Back Cami you’re wearing – their stuff is so cute!!
I love barre classes and I would love to have the t-back cami. So cute.
Love this giveaway! I could really use some leggings!
I would love to win a new tank! I go through tank tops like crazy and that twist tank looks just perfect for our not so fall-like Las Vegas weather!
Love the twist tank!
A new sports bra would be fantastic! I love the back of the bras and tanks!
They are all so cute I can’t decide!!
My workout wardrobe could really use some updating in general! More specifically though, I’m always on the lookout for quality leggings 🙂
I’d really like the leggings, but they’re all really cute!
I love the twist tank!
I’m a sucker for all racerback styles so I love these! I think I’d pick the twist tank as my top choice tho.
I’m a huge sucker for leggings of any kind. I love being in them at the gym and at home!!!
Would love some new w/o capris
Really could use a new pair of leggings!!
Desperate need of new a sports bra. And i love the cut of montiels!
I would love the leggings! I am constantly going through black leggings due to all of my dance rehearsals. Nice black leggings are a great and easy piece of clothing that transition well from dance class to every day wear.
I could definitely use both a new sports bra and pair of leggings. Mine are getting that gross worn-down, baggy look. I’ve never heard of this brand; their stuff is adorable. Thanks for sharing!
That twist tank is so cute!
I’m always looking for the best sports bra!
I could really use a new sports bra and I love the way this one looks from behind! I am in the “my bra stinks and I just washed it mode!”
Thanks for the review. This is great!
OH WOW! Everything they have is super adorable! I would love a sports bra! Thanks 🙂
The twist tank looks really cute
I am currently in the market for a nice new pair of workout leggings! My 8 month old puppy Guinness chewed a tiny hole in my go-to workout leggings and I wasn’t aware of this until after I was changing out of my workout clothes after a lower body workout. The hole was JUST big enough that when I squatted down, it showed… for the love!!
This brand has really cute stuff.. thank you for sharing!!
For some reason I am SO bad at forcing myself to buy sports bras. They just seem so — unexciting? But necessary….this would be a good time to get a “fun” one!
I need new leggings now that it is getting colder in Illinois. Thanks.
I would love to try their sports bras!
I am definitely in need of some new workout gear. The tank top is the item I would be most interested in testing out. Super cute from the back too!
They have such cute tanks!
A new sports bra is much needed!
A new pair of leggings would be great!
I love that Tback cami!!!! All of their clothing is adorable!
I’m totally a fan of the Teaser Tank!
Definitely in need of a good sports bra for a fellow IBTC member!
I am always on the quest for great workout leggings, so that would be my choice!
I’d love to try one of the tanks! I love the one you are wearing in your picture.
I need new sports bras like Santa needs cookies.
I would love a new fitted workout top. With aerial I am always inverting and don’t like loose shirts since they can easily get caught in the apparatus. A new top would be a great addition to my workout wardrobe!
Girl, the “ladies” could def use a new sports bra 😉
I am always looking for new workout capris!
The twist tank!
I’d love a great tank for yoga!
I would love some leggings! I have been on a leggings kick at the moment!
I love the pink tank you have on!
Love Montiel! Could definitely use a new workout tank top! 🙂