Friday Favorites

TGIF! The days seemed to drag even though it was only a 4 day work week. We made it, though! I have a pretty chill weekend ahead of me. Saturday will be a bit busy with a workout class and long run in the morning and then going out with friends in the evening. Other than that, you can catch me with my feet up, resting my knee that has been hurting a bit. Before I jump into this Friday, I'm sharing a few things I've been loving lately.

#sharetheSPARK New Mantras

If you read in my post last week or saw my Instagram, then you know I am an ambassador for the #sharetheSPARK campaign that Momentum Jewelry does every year. Each year they release 2 new sayings during the campaign and this year they are AWESOME! The 2 new sayings "remember your why & soar" and "just watch me." I lovelovelove both of them! From now until March 3rd you can get either of these sayings or any of the older #sharetheSPARK sayings for just $12 each! AND if you buy 3 of the #sharetheSPARK wraps, you get a FREE #sharetheSPARK Foot Note :)

Conair Fabric Defuzzer

I've been eyeing one of these up for awhile now but finally got one once John decided we needed one to remove all the pilling from a set of our sheets. Just like everyone said in the reviews that I obsessively read late one night awhile back, it works wonders! It easily removes fuzzies and pilling off almost everything. So far we've used it for our sheets, some of my sweaters, and a pair of my jogger sweatpants. It has made everything look almost like new again! 

Question of the Day: What is something  you're loving this week?

Exciting News!

If you've been on my Instagram the past week or so then you know I've been getting some pretty exciting news lately. I am now an ambassador for not one, not two, but THREE different running brands that I absolutely love. 

Back in January, I was accepted as a Nuun ambassador for a second year in a row. I am all about staying hydrated so representing that brand is a no-brainer for me! In just one year as an ambassador I introduced many of my friends and family to Nuun so I am excited to see what happens in 2020.

Last week, Momentum Jewelry opened up their #sharetheSPARK ambassador "applications" but they did things a little differently this year. Instead of filling out a form and waiting for Momentum to choose the ambassadors, they opened the opportunity up to everyone! The first so many people to purchase their ambassador kits {$20 for the 3 Motivate Wraps- one of each of the 2 new sayings and one from last year, 1 additional fabric wrap color, 1 #sharetheSPARK Foot Note, 1 SPARKlet, and a coupon code}, reserved their spot on the 2020 team. I just happened to go on their site right when the kits were launched so I snagged mine! I received my package on Monday and man, oh MAN, am I excited to share the spark! The two new sayings are AMAZING and the wheels in my head are already spinning with how to share them.

To keep up the awesomeness, I received an email on Saturday morning welcoming me to Team ROADiD! One of my first purchases as a runner was my shoe ID. Shoe ID's are the easiest way to carry your emergency info {mine has my name, hometown, emergency contact info, and allergies} while out on a run, hike, etc. They also offer wrist ID's, ID's that attach to your smartwatch, and more! I am so excited to be part of the ROADiD team and share the importance of runner safety with my running community!

Running is such an important part of my life, if that wasn't already obvious ;) These three brands represent three things I am passionate about when it comes to running- hydration, motivation, and safety.I hope you are all as ready as I am to learn more about what these three brands have to offer!

Question of the Day: If you could be an ambassador for any brand, what would it be?

My Week in Pictures XXXIII

Happy Monday! It's been awhile since I shared a week in pictures so here I am, getting back to my regular routine. I hope everyone had a great weekend and has a good week ahead of them!

I started my week off by making more pumpkin chocolate chip oatmeal cups. I switched up the recipe a bit and added pumpkin pie spice for a more pumpkin flavor.

Tuesday was a long day but I still managed to squeeze in my run just as the sun was setting.

Later on, John and I both agreed it was already a long week and went for ice cream sundaes!

On Wednesday Jax started to get more comfortable with us and let me take pictures!

I spent a lot of time this week admiring my wedding band. Those details are just to die for!

I felt guilty leaving for work Thursday morning because Jax watched me from the window upstairs.

A student drew a very accurate drawing of me during writing time... haha.

Our parents came over Thursday night to look at our wedding pictures and the boys behaved super well for them.

I used a new platter to display the taco fixings.

After a long week, Friday called for a pumpkin spice iced coffee on the way to work!

I was impressed by a student's goose drawing during writing.

I got up super early on Saturday to run 12 miles with my sister. My friend Erika had been over the night before and we stayed up late so I had been tired. Afterwards, I drank hot chocolate in bed and watched This Is Us.

After a nap, I woke up and made grilled cheese for lunch. John was away all weekend so I just did my own thing.

Saturday night I went with my family to a BBQ at our friends house and then we walked to a fall parade from there. I had so much fun with my nephews :) It felt like fall!

Later that night we went back to the party and made s'mores and hung out with everyone.

I got up early on Sunday to lunch prep for the week.

Tommy convinced me to come over for the afternoon.

My sister and I made cookies with him!

 
And then we ended our visit with snuggles before we had to head out to our Financial Peace University class.

Question of the Day: Did you do anything fall related this weekend?

#sharetheSPARK Campaign

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As many of you know, I became a Momentum Jewelry Ambassador back in March, giving me the chance to be part of the #sharetheSPARK campaign! As an ambassador, we were sent the 2 new 2019 #sharetheSPARK momentum wraps, as well as given the opportunity to purchase last year's wraps at a steep discount. We were instructed to share these wraps during the campaign {April 23-May 6} with anyone we wanted to share the spark with! I chose two of my friends, one of which I met through blogging and another who I've been best friends with since we met in college 5 years ago. Today I am sharing with you my reasoning behind choosing these two ladies :)

Maureen and I met through blogging sometime last year. I'm not entirely sure what led me to start reading her blog, but I'm thankful for whatever did because it helped us form such a great friendship. Maureen and I both trained for and ran the Philadelphia Marathon together back in November. I loved virtually following along with her training because at points it was what kept me motivating. At the end of April, Maureen ran her 2nd marathon! Once again, I enjoyed following along with her training updates because although I wasn't training for a marathon at the time, it kept me motivated while just following a regular running schedule. 

When I saw the "You got this!" Momentum wrap, I knew I had to send it to her! Maureen put a lot of work into training, especially during the colder months! I wanted to share some good vibes with her for race day, so what better way than with a wrap?! Now that she has finished the marathon, I hope the wrap continues to serve as a motivational reminder that she's got this as she continues on with her running journey.

Rachel has probably been mentioned on my blog more times than anyone. We met back in 2014 when we were both RA's in the same dorm. Since then, we have become pretty much inseparable even though we live in different states at the moment. Rachel and I ran the Philadelphia Marathon together this past November {her first full!!} and she will even stand by my side as I marry my best friend in August. 

I knew the "Keep Reaching Higher" wrap was meant for Rachel the moment I took it out of the package. Along with training for and running her first marathon, Rachel spent the past 2 years in graduate school and will be graduating with her MSW this Friday! After graduation, Rachel will be starting her career as a social worker in a wonderful hospital. I couldn't be more proud of her! Rachel always knows what she wants in life and puts full efforts into working toward these goals. I just wanted to send her this little surprise as a reminder to keep reaching higher, no matter where life takes her!


Question of the Day: If you could put any mantra on a Momentum Wrap, what would you put?

My Week in Pictures XIX

I'm going into this Monday feeling pretty refreshed after a 10 day break! As much as I'd rather have more time to bum around at home, I'm ready to jump back into this school year and finish these last 6 weeks strong! Last week was a mix of fun and relaxing so keep following along to see what I was up to all week.

I started my Monday morning with some errands. I mailed out a few packages, including my Marine Layer recycling kit and a surprise for Maureen!

I went to Acme with my mom to pick up the $20 gift card I earned by playing the Monopoly: Shop, Play, Win game!

Tuesday morning started bright and early for me with my wisdom teeth surgery at 7 am. I had my mom bring me for a Chick Fil A milkshake before 8:30 am and I think the workers were confused why someone would want a milkshake so early.

Later in the day, since I was feeling wide awake, my sister and nephew stopped by. Tommy brought me a blanket to make me feel better and a picture he made for me!

I went to my mom's on Wednesday so I wouldn't be home alone. Tommy took care of me again by holding my ice pack on my cheek for me.

I convinced John to take me for ice cream that night :)

I spent Thursday getting some things done around the house. I packaged up another Momentum Jewelry motivate wrap to send to a friend!

I needed to get up and out of the house so I went on a walk and collected trash along the way.

Friday morning started off with making banana bread before running errands with my mom and Tommy.

Saturday morning began with a 5 mile run. John and I spent the rest of the day running errands and crossing things off our to-do list before eating dinner at my parents.

I went on another run on Sunday morning.

I ended my run with some peanut {soy} butter toast with honey. Thanks, Mackenzie, for this suggestion!

John and I headed over to the gym in the afternoon. I did 45 minutes of strength training :)

We ended our night with pizza on the grill, which we ate while eating the newest season of Santa Clarita Diet.

Question(s) of the Day: What is your favorite thing to make on the grill?

Friday Five: 5 Things I'm Loving This Week

For once I am not too thrilled it's Friday because that means my spring break is over in a few days. Luckily I still have a few days left to rest up and possibly get some things done. I had my wisdom teeth out Tuesday which went really well, so I've spent most of this week being lazy. No complaints here, though! Before I get started on this lazy Friday, I'm sharing my Friday Five with you!

1. The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
This book was recommended to me by Maureen, who reads a ton of good books, so I was pumped when I found out my co-worker had it for me to borrow. From the first page I was hooked! The Tattooist of Auschwitz follows the story of Lale, a prisoner at Auschwitz-Birkenau, who is given the job of tattooing his fellow prisoners as they arrive at Auschwitz. Lale soon meets the love of his live, Gita, who he vows to marry once they make it out of this camp alive. This book follows Lale through his two and a half years of being a prisoner and how he used his privileged position, risking his own life, to help save others. It's truly a remarkable story I recommend to anyone!

2. Nuun Plogging Challenge
On Monday, Nuun shared with us a Plogging Challenge as a way of celebrating Earth Day throughout the whole week. Plogging is "a Swedish word meaning picking up litter while jogging." I had heard of this term before, but haven't actually done it before. Since Nuun was challenging me, and I needed a reason to get out and walk, I decided to complete it! On Thursday I went on a 45 minute walk around my development and collected over half a plastic grocery bag full of litter. It was such a nice way to help the earth while also getting some movement in!

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3. Hydro Flask National Park Foundation Collection
I received an email from Hydro Flask this week that shared their newest collection, the National Park Foundation Collection! This is a limited edition collection that showcases 5 of our National Parks including Yellowstone and the Great Smoky Mountains. Each bottle features artwork that pays tribute to these beautiful places! You can purchase these in the 21 oz or 32 oz sizes.

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4. Momentum Jewelry's #sharetheSPARK Motivate Wraps
I received my ambassador package with the 2 newest Motivate Wraps for the #sharetheSPARK campaign and I have been dying to share them with everyone! The new mantras for 2019 are "keep reaching higher" and "find your courage." From now until May 6th, the whole Share the Spark collection is on SALE (this includes last year's mantras: "you got this!", "you're so worth it," "keep moving forward," and "never give up"). You can choose from any of these six mantras for just $14 each! Want to pay it forward and pass one on? You can buy 2 and you'll get 50% off the 2nd #sharetheSPARK Motivate Wrap! How cool is that?! This is a great sale that will be ending May 6th so hurry on over and pick one (or more!) out!

5. Mashed Potatoes
This is a silly addition to my Friday Five. I've been on an all soft food diet this week because of my surgery so I've had no choice but to eat tons of mashed potatoes. To be honest, I've never been a fan of anything containing potatoes, but I think I am coming around to them. I've actually been enjoying eating mashed potatoes all week because it's the one thing that has helped keep me full!

Question of the Day: What is something you're loving this week?