The holiday season is definitely the thing I’m loving most this week. From festive cookie exchanges to beautiful decorations and twinkling lights, it really does feel like such a magical time of year. I can’t wait to hop in the car next weekend and head to my parents’ place in Jacksonville for the week!
But I’m getting a little ahead of myself… Let’s jump into our usual Friday fun and chat about what we’re loving this week. As always, feel free to share something that is making you smile in the comments section of this post… It just might count as an entry into today’s Happy Holidays Giveaway Week giveaway!
Things I’m Loving Friday
- A New Gym Job (…but I’m still keeping my other gym job, too!)
About a week ago, one of my favorite Pure Barre teachers passed my name along to the manager of a small corporate gym at a local business park. Then, earlier this week, I went in for an interview and am happy to report I’ll be picking up some more classes and working a few days a week at another small local gym! Both gyms where I’ll be working (the one I’ve been working at since November 1 and this new one) are very small and quite different from what I was used to when I taught at the YMCA in Ocala. I am enjoying the change and really like the intimate atmosphere!
These cookies are just the best. I made them for my cookie exchange party earlier this week and baked another batch yesterday before our last Girls On The Run practice of the season. The girls absolutely gobbled them up and raved about them which naturally made my heart happy. My grandma’s oversized, fluffy sugar cookies were my all-time favorite when I was a little girl and I always knew I could expect to see her big glass cookie jar overflowing with them whenever we’d go to Gettysburg to visit. (And yes, that’s Mimi’s handwriting on the recipe card above. Love!)
- Pandora Rockin’ Holidays Station
If you’re looking for an upbeat holiday Pandora station, check out the Rockin’ Holidays station! It’s full of energizing Christmas songs and I’ve been playing it non-stop since the day after Thanksgiving!
- Beautycounter Glow Sugar Scrub
Ryan and I had such a nice time with our friends Amii and Walt over dinner last weekend. As we ate Amii’s amazing baked ziti and sipped on fabulous wine, Amii told me a little bit about some of the beauty and skincare products she’s been loving lately since she’s heard me complain about my skin a time or two. She let me take home a few of her favorite samples to try from Beautycounter (she’s a consultant – and not pushy at all), and I quickly fell in love with the Glow Sugar Scrub and Peppermint Lip Conditioner. The sugar scrub is unreal (it smells like refreshing lemongrass) and only uses real sugar and pure essential oils to exfoliate skin for a healthy glow. The mineral-rich evening primrose, sweet almond, apricot kernel, and sunflower oils leaves my skin feeling soft and so, so hydrated which is much-needed since my skin cannot soak up enough moisturizer in the colder months. I’ve been using it when I shave in the shower and adore it!!
Our realtor is absolutely the best! Earlier this week, I arrived home to find the sweetest package of holiday chocolates sitting on our doorstep from Diane which made me smile. She’s so incredibly thoughtful and clearly has the best taste in chocolate because every single piece of Davidson Chocolate included in the giant solid-chocolate star box I’ve tried so far has been fabulous!
- Happy Holidays Giveaway Week Winners
Congratulations to Bre (grand prize) and Molly and Arianne (runner up), the winners of the Lorna Jane giveaway! And congratulations to Karen G. ($250 gift card) and Rachel W. (Skyscapes), the winners of the Reebok giveaway! All winners were emailed first thing this morning.
- Birchbox Giveaway
I first started subscribing to Birchbox, a monthly subscription beauty box, last year. Each box includes five beauty samples from high-end brands and my ongoing subscription has led to some of my all-time favorite beauty product discoveries, including theBalm Stainiac lip stain, Klorane dry shampoo, Dr. Brandt skincare and more.
It’s so much fun to receive a pretty little box filled with fun beauty samples each month and I think it would make a great gift for the beauty-lover in your life! Thankfully, Birchbox was kind enough to agree to host an awesome giveaway on the blog today in honor of Happy Holidays Giveaway Week!
One grand prize winner will receive a 6-month Birchbox subscription and a Cynthia Rowley Beauty Palette! And a runner-up winner will receive a 3-month Birchbox subscription!
To enter this giveaway, please answer one (or both!) of the following questions:
- What is one beauty product you’d love to see in your first Birchbox? Maybe you’re dying to try a new kind of eyeliner. Or perhaps you could use a better cleanser or lip gloss? Let me know!
- What is one thing you’re loving this week?
I will randomly select a winner next Friday. Good luck!!
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I am loving hot chocolate and endless hot chocolate recipes!! SO good!
A new mascara, I am loving the beautiful holiday lights.
I have really been antsy to find a nicer eyeliner! I have been buying the cheapo stuff for far too long!
I’d love a new facial cleanser!
I’m loving that it’s the weekend!
I am loving that a week from today I will be on vacation!
I’m loving having my running legs back!
I love birch box! I could actually use a nice new eye liner– I want a felt tip one! Or a mauve ish eyeshadow. I am loving boxed wine this week haha 🙂
I’d love to try argan oil for my hair and BB cream! 🙂
I would love a facial cleanser that gets rid of blackheads!! I have tried everything!
I am loving maternity long sleeved t-shirts from The Gap. I got one in Black, White, and Grey. Can we say Maternity Uniform?
I would love to try the stainiac that you rave about.
I’ve heard so many good things about Birchbox. I would love anything that smells good, like scented lotion or perfume. I would also love some new nail polish in fun, seasonal colors.
I would love to try some new anti-aging eye creams
I am absolutely loving the Christmas season as well! I’m sitting in with my tree plugged in watching The Santa Clause! I am also loving the snow New York received this past week, giving me a snow day (giving me bonus report card writing time) and a two hour delay!
I always like to try new blushes and lip sticks. It’s always hard to find blush that doesn’t look “clown-like” and lipstick that stays forever!
I would love a better cleanser! I’m also loving my day off today 🙂
I’d love a fun new lipstick!
A great under eye cream!
I would love to get a sample of some new BB creams! I love the formulas but still haven’t found the perfect tint for my skintone!
I would love to try a new face cleanser!
I am on the hunt for a good mascara! I have one I’ve been using, but I am not totally in love with it at the moment. And I am totally loving all of the Christmas cookies!
I would love a great no-smudge eyeliner
I’d love to find a good liquid eyeliner!
One thing I’m loving this week is my new Steve Madden infinity scarf! It’s red and the perfect winter accessory I’ve been looking for 🙂
I am loving that my cousin is getting married this weekend, and all of the family will be together!
For the Birchbox, I’m always looking for a new eyeliner!
I am a huge fanatic for mascara! so I would love to try a new mascara!
Dry shampoo or mascara. I’ve been wearing the same mascara brand/type for the last **cough** 18 years…..gulp. Did I just admit that?
Thanks to you and Birchbox for the giveaway 🙂
I would love to get some samples of a good facial moisturizer! I am also loving TED Talks podcasts while on long runs!
New eyeshadow or lipgloss!
I would love new eye shadow!
I would love to try a new exfoliating face wash for my dry winter skin. I’m loving peppermint anything this week, especially hot chocolate!
I’d love a new facial moisturizer!
I need to find the perfect makeup remover!
I would love a new concealer sample.
My favorite thing from this week is all of the holiday music! Christmas is in two weeks!!!!!
Getting a real Christmas tree was the best part of my week.
I would love to try any new paraben-free products that I’ve never seen before!
Fun! I love trying new eyeshadows.
I would love to try a gel eyeliner, I have heard great things.
I need a new lipstick and I’m loving finging perfect presents for people
I am looking for a face moisturizer that won’t leave my face feeling greasy or breaking out.
I am loving the holiday lights in my neighborhood.
I’d love some new lipstick to try! 🙂 I’m just starting to get into wearing them
Loving the Holiday season 🙂
I would love to try new mascara, bronzer, cleanser, and moisturizer! Can you tell I need some new beauty products haha.
I am loving the holiday season and big comfy sweaters.
I’m loving that on Wednesday my boyfriend and I are flying to New Zealand to surprise his mom for Christmas! We spent last years in California, so it’s her turn this year and she doesn’t even know it. 😀
i’d love some dry shampoo and maybe some eyeliner… i own pencil eyeliner but think i might like gel even better!
I Would Love to sample a new bright lipstick!!!
I am loving how excited my 3 year old is to shop for others this season.
I would love to see a new lip gloss, lipstick, balm etc in a my first birch box.
I would love to see a pretty lipstick in the Birch box!! I’m always in need of more colors!
I’m loving that I got to volunteer yesterday through work to help pack meals for the hungry for my local community, and listening to Christmas music while we worked put me in the Christmas spirit!
I would love to try a BB cream!
Awww the skincare tips are so needed. I have the worst dry skin right now and I can’t seem to get it to go away. The Glow sugar scrub sounds like a great solve.