Happy Friday, my friends! I am ready for a relaxing weekend and hope your plans are filled with lots of St. Patrick’s Day weekend fun!
Since Fridays around here always feature a little list of things I’m loving each week, let’s move right along and get to the good stuff, shall we?
Things I’m Loving Friday
- Barre Workouts
After taking a Core Fusion barre class on Tuesday evening and experiencing a Ballet Beautiful workout that incorporated exercises that reminded me of barre workouts on Wednesday, I find myself feeling compelled to find a quality barre workout I can do at home in Ocala. My sister did barre workouts regularly leading up to her wedding and her arms looked so toned!
Some online/DVD options I found that I’m thinking of trying: Barre 3 online workouts, Ballet Beautiful Total Body Workout DVD (or the live class online option), Physique 57 online workouts (or the full body workout DVD). If you do barre workouts at home and love them, I’d love to hear any recommendations you may have!
- Beautiful Bridesmaid Gift
My sister was so incredibly generous with her bridesmaid gifts. She gave each of us a little bag packed with thoughtful items, but my favorite was, without a doubt, the framed verse she chose for each of us. When Leslie gave us our gifts, she explained that within the bag was a small picture frame with a Bible verse framed in it that she chose specifically for each of us. It meant so much to me and I thought this was such a unique and heartfelt bridesmaid gift. And the delicate picture frame she chose for my verse is gorgeous!
- Chocolate Cheesecake from Magnolia Bakery
After the Reebok Skyscape launch event on Wednesday, Gina, Heather and I spent all afternoon walking all over the city. We grabbed lunch with Theodora at Sweetgreen (add that spot to my list of “Things I’m Loving”) and had a wonderful time. Eventually we all decided we needed a sweet treat before dinner, so we stopped by Magnolia Bakery. I ordered a chocolate cheesecake that I assumed I’d split with my friend Merri when she met up with us later. I am apparently a terrible friend and polished off every last bite before I even saw her! I normally don’t love cheesecake, but this one called to me from behind the counter because it looked like chocolate mousse. I’m so glad I bought it because it was rich and fabulous. The perfect afternoon pick-me-up. (Levain Bakery is on my “must try” list for my next NYC trip!)
- A No Obligations Weekend
After Leslie and Ross’ wedding last weekend and lots of travel this week, I am so ready for a weekend with nothing on our agenda. I want to hike, hang out with Ryan and Sadie and enter into the next week feeling rejuvenated. I am seriously loving a no-plans weekend today!
- Tyler Candle Company
Guess who got a speeding ticket on her way home from Jacksonville yesterday? Womp, womp. I was pretty bummed when I arrived home and as I unpacked, I played a relaxing station on Pandora and lit a candle which surprisingly made me feel much better. My friend Merri gave me a Tyler candle years ago when I lived in Orlando and I fell in love with it immediately. The best scent? Sour cream coffee cake. So fabulous!
Past Things I’m Loving Friday Posts
Question of the Morning
- What is one thing you are loving today?
- What are you looking forward to most this weekend?
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I love the bridesmaids gift idea!! Really, really thoughtful.
And I’m not normally a cheesecake fan, but that one looks incredible! Maybe I need to rethink not liking cheesecake
What a lovely and thoughtful bridesmaid’s gift! Hope you have a relaxing weekend.
I subscribe to the online Barre3 workouts and am obsessed! There are TONS of different workouts and you can choose based on how much time you have (10/30/60 mins) or what you’re looking to work (abs/arms,etc). I have been doing it for 3 months now and can’t live without it! That “barre inch” is a killer!!
So glad you’re a big fan!
i bought the barre method dvd after taking a class. it’s great, but i find i like the class environment better than the at home deal. probably b/c i spent so much of my teens heckling my mom while she was sweatin’ to the oldies with richard simmons in our living room.
No plan weekends ARE THE BEST!! Enjoy your time relaxing and catching up after a busy week!
That bridesmaid gift is SO beautiful!
that cheesecake looks so goooooood!!!! I’m loving the fact that this friday marks the start of my spring break, I am more than ready for the break!
Oooooh that cheesecake! I’m heading to NYC next week, and we always make a stop at Magnolia when we go — now I know what I’ll be looking for! 🙂
Post Idea: Bridesmaid gift ideas. I’m stuggling with this right now and loved your sisters idea!
Love this idea!
barre3! Love it! Here’s some info on their 28 to Great program that I bought: http://wholehealthdork.com/2014/03/07/friday-favorite-barre3-28-to-great-program/
I am looking forward to a no obligation weekend ask! AND I am seriously loving day light savings time lately, more sun = happy hayley!
I am completely in love with your blog, I found it on pinterest a few months ago and have read it every day since. Your workouts are great and very versatile, your recipes are wonderful and you’re funny & cute!! Things I’m loving Friday, your blog! 🙂
This made me smile! Thank you!!!!
I love barre!
I’m looking forward to hitting the pavement this weekend after a 6 week foot injury and per doctor’s orders getting I’m supposed to shop for several pairs of new shoes to help my foot heal. Now I need to buy 3 or 4 new running / workout shoes. I suppose I must shop if the doctor tells me to!
I have a few Physique 57 DVDs and really love them! They’re great at-home workouts. I’ve also taken some Pure Barre classes in a studio which have been great – I know they have DVDs, too, although I haven’t tried them yet.
That is seriously the best bridesmaid gift I have ever seen! I love how it was so personable, and the verse she chose for you is beautiful! One of my favorites for sure! Oh and weekends with no plans after being super busy are the best! Enjoy this weekend with Ryan and Sadie!
Mmm, your post makes me want to go to Magnolia’s! Delish banana pudding there, too!
I LOVE Ballet Beautiful. The most challenging one for me so far has been the Cardio and Sculpt DVD. I do both segments (60 min. total) once a week in my workout rotations. She may look delicate, but she’ll kick your butt. 🙂
Yes, she kills you with a smile, lol! And is the cardio sculpt the new one? If I may ask, in what way is it challenging?
Yes! The new one! It’s called “Sculpt & Burn Cardio.” The workout requires a lot more concentration because you are simultaneously using your upper and lower body. She also incorporates hand weights. It has helped me shave a lot of time off of my miles.
That chocolate cheesecake looks so delicious!! I bet you’re ready for a relaxing weekend. My mom loves those Tyler candles that you have pictured too!
I have the entire set of Physique57 DVDs if you want them. I love Barre and take live classes as much as possible, but I haven’t really made good use of the DVDs in the year that I’ve had them. I live in a small apt and don’t have a good sturdy chair (aka a Barre) so I’m always tipping over 🙁
They’re yours if you’d like them…
Magnolia does an amazing cookbook series …. decadent.
Worst BM gift was a pair of earrings I was allergic to.
Best was the bride paying for my (horrifically ugly rodeo themed orange and brown) BM dress … which was torched after wrearing,
I’ve taken a Pure Barre class once before, but am usually unable to make it to other sessions due to my work schedule. I have also been looking into taking classes at home, but haven’t been sure what to use as the barre. What do you plan on using as the barre when you begin your at-home workouts? If your sister did her workouts at home, did she use anything specific? I looked on Physique 57’s website and their portable barre is $200, which is out of my price range!
Ohhh I used to do Ballet Beautiful quite a bit during my pregnancy! I haven’t done it in a few months but it is surprisingly killer. Like, one of those sore feelings that keep nagging at you in the tiniest little muscles. 😛 And that is suuuuch a beautiful and sentimental gift, indeed! I really love that verse from Proverbs because it’s a reminder of what our beauty and hearts should really be all about–it’s amazing that God sees us that way.
That chocolate cheesecake looks delicious! I love sweets.
I’ve never tried anything Barre inspired..I don’t classes exist in these parts! Must check out some of your links! Enjoy the no plans weekend! Currently loving…pistachio basil pesto!!! Amazing with eggs!
That is such a thoughtful bridesmaids gift from Leslie! And that cheesecake looks AMAZING. I’ve never tried barre before but your posts about it are convincing me I should give it a whirl! Have a great low-key weekend Julie! 🙂
Here are some things I’m loving on this gorgeous Friday: http://daybydaymasterpiece.com/2014/03/14/fabulous-friday-14/
I absolutely love Barre workouts! And for runners, they are a fantastic midweek break from the constant pounding of running! My Equinox (in Mamaroneck, NY) has great Inside/Out Barre classes.
I love variety in my workout routine, but barre workouts are my absolute favorite. My parents got me a 6-month subscription to barre3 for Christmas, and I love it! There are lots of different workouts available and the instructors are great. Plus it’s nice to have a quicker option on crazy days when I don’t have time to make it to the gym. Love the bridesmaid gift from your sister. What a great idea!
What a thoughtful Bridesmaid gift! Love it.
LOVE the bridesmaid gifts. That is so thoughtful and special. I’ve also been loving barre-type workouts recently. Like you, I have to do them via the internet, but there are some really good resources out there. I often times feel more sore after those workouts than a typical strength/cardio circuit type workout.
AMEN to a no-plans weekend. Definitely need one or 2 of those a month. Enjoy!
What a cute gift! I tried a barre class once and it was so different from my everyday routine that I was shaking by the end! I was quite the site to see lol
OMG Levain is *incredible*… read about it before my last NYC trip a year ago, made my friend take a 25 block cab ride and it was SO worth it. The cookies were divine, the banana bread was also to die for. We then walked the 25 blocks back to our hotel, so none of it counted.. 😉
I absolutely love the framed Bible verse/gift your sister gave each of you!!
That bridesmaid gift is so sweet – I’ll have to remember that for my girls! Thanks for sharing!
Did you sister take classes at a studio or did she do them online?! I’m 6 months away from my wedding, so I would love to know! 🙂
Those candles are the best. Enjoy your relaxing weekend.
I am loving how fun my night at work has been 🙂 I’m looking forward to relaxing and working out on sunday!!! I work tonight and saturday night so sunday and monday are for relaxing and working out!
What a great bridesmaid gift! I’m loving my new Lush products that I bought over the weekend… AND I’m looking forward to seeing my best friend on Sunday before she goes back home. Happy weekend!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC9VbwyEG8U Great youtube Barre workout!
I’m looking forward to spending time with my little family this weekend : )
that cheesecake… yum!! Looks amazing!
Barre3! Variety, variety, variety. It’s so worth the 15 dollars a month. You can mix and match different 10 minute work outs, but they also have 30, 40 and 60 minute workouts. And I have been pleased with the new workouts they put up. Way better than a DVD set. I have apple tv so I am able to stream the workouts onto my television. I like that better than working off my computer or iPad.
Hi Julie,
I have the Ballet Beautiful DVDs and they are great. Quite challenging but it’s a really calming workout even though you’re sweating like crazy! I’d highly recommend them!
kathryn
So I have danced ballet for 30 years. Best workout ever. Lucky I have a company that still lets me take class and just have fun no pressure. I danced through both pregnancies as well and baby weight stayed down and came off quickly. The ballet beautiful workouts are great because as a dancer I tend to gravitate more towards dancers who have been there done that if ya know what I mean. ;). I have an amazon prime membership and was surprised the other day to see I could download the ballet beautiful workouts on my kindle and do them at home for free as part of the prime. Seriously best thing ever when I can’t make it to class which with work and 2 kids is sadly more these days!
I’m late to the comment party, but I would highly recommend Tracy Mallet’s Booty Barre (Total New Body) DVD. It is tough tough! But in that good way, of course ;). Works arms, core, and of course the booty.
Have a wonderful no-plans Saturday!
This might be a question for anyone that routinely does barre workouts. Do you think that they are a replacement– or merely a supplement– to regular weight training? If I start going to barre workouts 3 times a week, should I continue my full body weight training? thanks everyone!
I don’t weight train anymore because I do barre 3-4x a week and find my muscles need the day off in between to recover. Plus barre is phenomenal at toning because of all the isometrics so I don’t find my body misses weight training. I do love weight training though so am obv a huge advocate if you’re not doing barre!
I have 3 of the physique 57 workouts and I love them. They are hard and great to do at home. Love your blog!
I love the Dailey Method barre classes – their approach is thorough and the range of class styles means there’s something for everyone. If you have a studio close by I recommend it – I drive 45 minutes each way 4 x a week to go to mine because I love it so much even though there’s a Barre Method studio 10 mins from my place!
The Pure Barre DVD’s and podcasts are excellent!! I LOVE Barre workouts. I have seen more transformation in my body because of them! Love that you are blogging about them 🙂
I liked Barre3 just okay, but my go-to for at-home barre is YogaVibes.com! You can get actual Core Fusion classes from Exhale…Core Fusion Cardio is absolutely killer but it’s amazing (do Fred’s Bridgehampton class…it’s the best). Nothing compares!
Thanks for the rec Rachel!