Ryan’s birthday was Monday!! We celebrated him on Sunday with family time at Activate in Charlotte (the same place we visited for the boys’ Yes Day — it’s SO FUN) and followed it up with presents and a homemade cookies ‘n’ cream cake! For Ryan’s real birthday, he took off around 5:30 a.m. with Chase on quite the adventure! He joined Chase and all of the fifth grade classes from his school on the annual fifth grade field trip to the North Carolina coast for three days of science and nature-related fun and learning. Ryan chaperoned a group of kids, slept in a cabin with a bunch of fifth graders and emerged saying it was an incredible 3 days. They were both on a high when they got back on Wednesday night! Rhett, Ryder and I had a quieter start to the week but we thoroughly enjoyed our special time together!
And I spent the morning at Rhett’s kindergarten pajama parade today, hence me coming to you a little later than usual with my Friday blog post!
Special shout out to Suki, who made the cut as Rhett’s stuffed animal of choice to join him in today’s parade! (He used to use Suki as his pillow for years when he was a toddler. Time needs to slow the heck doooown.)
As for the weekend ahead, we are extra psyched over here because we’re heading to the mountains with some of our very best friends! We met Carrie and Nick when our first kids were 6 months old and say they’re “jackpot friends” because we adore the parents and the kids all get along seamlessly. We are excited for a few days in one of our favorite places with some of our favorite people!
Aaand that was a way-too-wordy introduction to today’s Things I’m Loving Friday blog post so let’s move things along, shall we?
Things I’m Loving Friday
OH MY GOSH THIS STUFF IS AMAZINGGGGG. I have tried probably 10 different kinds of sipping bone broths over the years because I’ve always loved the concept: A warm and cozy protein and nutrient dense broth to sip on in the afternoon? Sign me up! Unfortunately every single sipping broth I’ve tried has left a LOT to be desired. They’ve all been so bland and just plain blah. UNTIL NOW. Enter: Brodo Organic Sipping Bone Broth. The very first sip blew me away! Had I finally, at long last, found a winner!? Yes, yes, yes! I’ve made my way through a handful of the flavors in their mixed flavor variety box and have loved every single one. My standouts: Sunday Roast, Deeply Rooted, Tuscan Sun and Tom Yum.
Also, it makes sense that these broths are so dang good when you read more about them: Brodo broths were founded by a James Beard award-winning chef and use only top-quality ingredients — whole fresh-cut organic vegetables, organic poultry, 100% grass-fed beef, and aromatic spices. They’re then slow-simmered for hours, ensuring maximum nutrient density – and maximum flavor – in every cup. And YOU CAN TELL.
Hot dang, this thing is breathing new life into my bathroom organization, so much so that even Chase said, “Wow Mom, your sink looks a lot cleaner.” When your 11-year-old notices a change to your bathroom vanity, you know it was needed. This rotating organizer is such a simple solition but the two-tier organizer is key for allowing all my makeup products to be on display and easily accessible thanks to the rotating base. I also love the way the top tier is divided into sections to keep products extra organized and upright when it’s rotated. I added my own little cups to the bottom for eye and lip products and it’s worked so, so well.
It’s my one-year Madeline Moves (Moves App) anniversary!!! I first discovered the Moves App for my workouts last year through their fall challenge so you better believe I’m signing up again this year!! I loved so much about this challenge but I’m actually approaching it a little different this year. Rather than going all-in (last year I did the 6-day track and mostly the hour-long workouts), I’m dialing it back to the 4-day track and will likely do the 30-minute version (which usually looks like 40 minutes for me because I apparently don’t move very quickly)! This feels more managable to me as I’m hoping to use this challenge to get myself back into a workout groove. Ever since the summer I’ve more or less felt like I’m just going through the motions of my workouts and love a good challenge to kick things back into a higher gear. Plus, I already know I LOVE these workouts so it’s easy to feel excited about this fall challenge. Also, if the nutrition side of things intrigues you, the $50 challenge also provides you with recipes and a custom macro breakdown created by registered dietitians! I think the value on this challenge is 10/10.
In case you haven’t heard me share about these workouts before here’s a little backstory: I discovered them in the thick of my physical therapy for TFL pain. I needed to find a workout that better served my body and incorporated mobility work in addition to strength for longevity. I want to be a super-mobile and active grandma one day and love the way these workouts are created by true experts in the fitness industry AND physical therapists. I like being able to blast my own music (or audiobook some days) and follow along at my pace. They’re super flexible with options for home and gym and shorter or longer workouts. And they simply make me feel like I am doing something very, very GOOD for my body in the moment but also long-term.
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Weekend Sales
SPANX Air Essentials Wide Leg Pants / SPANX Cardigan (not part of the sale unfortunately!)
30% off SPANX Sale with code EXTRA30: Includes lots of apparel from their Air Essentials line –the most luxurious fabric! I have and love the Air Essentials Wide Leg Pant / I ordered the clay version of the zip-hoodie I have and love in blue! / I also have and love the Pleated Wide Leg Pant + Cotton Crew Neck
50% off Lands’ End + Extra 65% off Clearance: Includes their holiday items!!! Some more finds I have and love: This flannel (perfect layering piece for fall + winter — I’m eyeing this shorter cropped version!) / medium zip-tote with long handles (the perfect size for carting around sideline sibling entertainment finds — not too massive but holds just enough!) / squall packable long raincoat (my favorite!! nice and long and truly waterproof with a cinchable waist for a flattering fit — this plaid version has such an elevated look I love!)
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Friday Flashbacks
Halloween Books for Young Kids (Our boys love reading the books from our holidays collections every year. These are some of our favorites for Halloween!)
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Beef Stew (One of my absolute favorite fall/winter recipes with the most velvety, nutrient-dense broth.)
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