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!
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
I could use a new pair of capris! Since I’ve been running less and lifting more, my butt has gotten too big for my pants!
Wow super cute tanks! I am in need of a pair of tights, capris just aren’t cutting it now that winter is setting in in NJ. Dreaming of spring!
Loving the comfy yet modern feel of the workout like. I would love a new tank top!
I’ve been on the lookout for new leggings! Those look great. Thanks for the giveaway!
What a great anniversary gift! I would love new leggings!
I could definitely use a new pair of leggings. Such a cute workout line!
Leggings are my favorite!
Definitely love the looks of the sports bras! I often find with thicker straps that when I sweat it causes my back to break out. I think the thin t-straps would eliminate any chance of my back getting irritated!
Leggings!
i always need leggings but my shirt situ is in need of help.
I would love a pair of their capris!
I am in desperate need for a new sports bra!!!!
Those cami’s are so cute!
I LOVE the shirt you’re wearing with the double strap down the back; it’s adorable!! I would love a purple color, like a deep or vibrant purple.
I would be most excited to try the sports bra. I love the cut of it!!
Definitely leggings with the cold weather fast approaching!!!
Would love to try the sports bra!
Love that twist tank!!
I absolutely love the TBack cami you have on! I could however use some leggings, no doubt.
I could really use a new sports bra! I love how the back looks!
While switching apartments my movers actually THREW OUT my laundry bag with almost all of my gym clothes in it (not to mention lots of my work clothes that I’ll never be able to replace). Would love to win this! Really need work out pants!
I neeeed a new sports bra! Although new leggings are always fun 🙂
long leggings for this cold weather!
All the apparel is so super cute! I would be most excited about receiving leggings because of the cooler weather to keep me powered through workouts.
I would love the teardrop sports bra or the capris!
I would love a new sports bra the designs are so unique.
My leggings ripped on Halloween 🙁 so I am in dire need of a new, high-quality pair!
Thanks Julie.
I could use all of the above! Most useful would be a fun or neutral sports bra and then capris.
I could totally use some new leggings with the chilly fall weather rolling in!
I would love a new work out top and leggings! Congrats on your anniversary! So adorable that he recreated your wedding flowers. Love it!
Definitely on the hunt for a new pair of great leggings!
I could always use more leggings, so I’d be psyched to get those!!
Love the teaser tank in orchid and teardrop bra in coral!
i would love a new workout tank! i have so many tshirts, but not nearly enough cute tank tops to wear to yoga!
I would love a new workout outfit! I really need some new tops!
i would love a new sports bra, I am in desperate need but haven’t found any that I love!
I would love a new pair of capris! You can never have too many!
such cool tanks!
I would love a new pair of leggings or capris
I could always use a new sports bra. They wear out so quickly that it’s nice to have plenty of extras!
I always need a new pair of leggings since I wear mine out so quickly!
Would love to have great pair of leggings now that I’m back to getting fit after a long hiatus away from the gym!
I love the look of the sports bra! I am currently in the process of replacing all my sports bras which is no easy feat…they are just something I never seem to buy! I’m part of the IBTC too so I’m on the lookout for flattering options as well!
I’d love a nice thick pair of leggings… I have an amply supply of workout capris, but not so maby longer leggings… It’s getting cold outside 🙂
that tank that twists in the back is super cute and would be a really unique piece to wear to barre now that the weather where I am is chilly. I’d love to have one!
Leggings!!! I’m living with 2 running pants right now and it’s not working! 🙂
I am in desperate need of new work out clothes–pants would probably be the priority right now!
I would love ALL the workout items! I am just getting back into it after a stressful move. I unpacked all my workout stuff and it just looks over worn. I need new stuff bad! Ps totally get the Keurig thing. The squeak it makes when you slide it back and forth is the worst!
love the teardrop tank with the double straps, would be perfect for barre!
I always need more sports bras