Friday Favorites

 Happy Friday!! It's been a minute since I've posted on here and that is because life has been a bit crazy for me (when isn't it?!). As a quick recap, my students started in person last Monday, which is going super well but is extremely exhausting! On top of that, last Friday, after a rollercoaster of a week, my grandpop got a liver transplant! I don't share much about it, but he has been sick for awhile now and just in the last few weeks got much worse. This liver came at the perfect time and we are hoping for a good recovery for him! Needless to say, life is wild but it's going.

This weekend (AND the week long break I have next week) is much needed, so I'm eager to jump right into it! Before I sign off, I'm sharing a few things I've been loving this week.

Reusable Ziplocs
These were a Prime Day impulse buy that I was glad worked out! If you're looking for a reusable ziploc bag that won't break the bank like Stasher does, try these out. I bought them in a pack that had 5 snack size, 5 sandwich size, and 2 gallon size bags. They hold up pretty well, the zipper part is easy to open and close, and they're easy to clean! The only downside is they're not dishwasher safe. The number one selling point for me was that I was able to get 12 reusable storage bags at the cost of almost just one Stasher bag! Don't get me wrong, Stasher is great and I have a few, they're just pricey.

Scunci Hosiery Elastics
I've been trying to find a good ponytail holder option lately that won't pull at my hair. I picked these up while in Target last week because they looked like a good choice. They are made out of pantyhose material that won't damage your hair and keep your ponytail in place. I love how soft they are which makes them comfortable to wear on my wrist. I like that they don't leave marks on my wrist after wearing it all day! They come in a pack of 6 for $3 at Target.

Sonoma Super Soft Cardigan
A few years ago, I got this sweater at Kohl's in grey. It has become my go-to sweater that I wear with absolutely everything. I got the idea the other day to look it up to see what other colors it came in. The Kohl's website shows it in white, black, and a light purple. I found it in black on Poshmark last week and now I want to order the light purple one off the Kohl's website to complete my collection. They are so soft, not too thick but still warm, and have pockets! One plus is that they are on the longer side so I can wear them with leggings to work.

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

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! For once, this week didn't seem to drag on too much. Maybe it's because students are coming back into the building on Monday so we've been working nonstop to prepare? Who knows, but I'm not complaining! We don't have anything officially on the agenda for this weekend but we've been talking about a few different things to get ourselves out and moving. As much as I love a lazy weekend, I do like to do a couple things to feel like I actually had a weekend come Sunday night. Here are a few things I've been loving this week!

Sharpie S-Gel Pens
I am an office supply obsessed teacher so when I saw some people sharing these pens on TikTok lately, I knew I had to have a pack. At almost $6 for a pack of 5, it took some internal convincing in the school supply office at Target to finally splurge on the pack (treat yo' self!). Let me tell you, they are worth the hype and the price! They write so smoothly, have a comfortable grip, and do not smear, which was the selling point for me. I bought the medium point size and I feel like that is the perfect thickness for me.

Olay Daily Facial Wipes
I received a free sample of these in the grapeseed extract version and knew once I tried it, I needed to buy a whole pack. I ended up buying the sensitive skin version when I went to pick them up at target but I believe both are great. These cleansing wipes do the work of a cleanser, make up remover, toner, scrub AND a mask! To use these, you wet the cloth with water and then scrub it all over your face. It makes such a nice lather and leaves my skin so smooth once I rinse it off. I've been using these on nights when I am way too lazy to do my full nighttime routine.

Pumpkin Spice Granola
You didn't think I'd post a Friday Favorites without a pumpkin spice related item, did you? I picked up this granola at Aldi when I saw it was nut-free. I've been snacking on it plain all week but I bet it would taste amazing in yogurt. It's hard to explain, but I think the texture is a little different than most granola I've tried. Almost a little softer than usual but still crunchy, if that makes sense. The flavor isn't too pumpkin-y and there are even pumpkin seeds mixed in to cut the sweetness down.

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

Self-Care Ideas

It's no secret that life has been a bit rough lately for some people. Personally, remote teaching has me stressed beyond the max most days. After spending the first few weeks of school feeling like I was going to go insane, I started to really focus on myself with some self-care. Self-care can be so many different things to each person. I have been compiling a list in my journal over the past week or so of things that I can do for self-care. My plan is to eventually write these ideas on popsicle sticks and start a self-care jar! Today I am sharing a portion of my list with you that might help you start writing your own list of things that personally make you feel happier.

• Go for a walk
• Curl up with a cozy blanket and read a book
• Do a face mask (Pinterest has some DIY ones!)
• De-clutter a room or area

Wine pairs well with a bubble bath!

• Take a bubble bath
• Deep breathing or yoga
• Journal
• Watch a movie
• Do a crossword or Sodoku puzzle
• Find a healthy new recipe to try

• Bake your favorite treat
• Unplug for a set amount of time (if you have an iPhone, utilize the screen time setting!
• Cross something off your to do list that has been on there for awhile
• Try a new exercise video
• List all of your positive qualities (start with the prompt "I am..." and just let the positivity flow!)
• Listen to a podcast or music

• Give yourself a manicure
• Catch up on a favorite blog
• Sit outside
• Meditate
• Make a bucket list
• Have a 1-person dance party!
• Start a list of your favorite quotes
• Take a nap
• Go window shopping
• Take some time to stretch your body

Question of the Day: What is something you would add to your self-care list?

Friday Favorites

 Hello & Happy Friday! I'm finishing up this week on a tired note. I have nothing on my agenda for the weekend so I'll be getting the rest I need! The teacher-tired feeling has been so real this year but I am doing my best to take time for myself, especially over the weekend. I hope you are taking time for yourself this weekend or doing something fun out in this beautiful fall weather! Before I power through this FriYAY, I'm sharing a few things I'm loving this week.

Fairlife Nutrition Plan Shakes
My mom mentioned these shakes to me last week so when I went to BJ's over the weekend, I picked us up some to try! I originally went intending to just get the chocolate flavor, but when I saw they also had vanilla, I grabbed that, too. I'm so happy I made the last minute decision to grab the vanilla because it's my favorite! With 30g of protein, this has been the perfect breakfast for me all week. I typically eat my breakfast once I get to work so a shake is the easiest option. Like all the Fairlife products I've tried, these shakes have an amazing flavor and are perfectly creamy. Both flavors taste like a milkshake!

PainCakes
I've seen these all over Instagram for a few years now, so when I saw them in the special buy section of my local Aldi, I knew I had to grab a pack (or two!). PainCakes come in 3 different sizes: large, mini, and a wrap (which I just learned about after some Googling). I grabbed one large and one mini, which comes with 2. PainCakes are ice packs that stick to your skin so you don't have to hold it there the whole time. I tried out one of the minis on my elbow the other day, after I stupidly hit it on something, and it was great! It stayed in place the whole time and made it so I could do some stuff around the house while it was on. Once you're done using the PainCake you just put the little cover back on the sticky part and throw it back in the freezer because they're reusable!

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

Friday Favorites

 I know I say this every Friday but TGIF! This week was long and uneventful, yet I am beyond exhausted. The only thing on the agenda for this weekend is we are going with a couple friend of ours to a local winery. I am so excited for that! Other than that, you can find me curled up on the couch watching TV, reading, or asleep. Before I start the last work day of the week, I'm sharing a few things I've been loving this week.

This is the best photo I have where you can see the jacket!

SO Utility Jacket
I had Kohl's Cash last week which meant I gave myself permission to do some retail therapy after a long week of work. I went into Kohl's on the search for new black leggings but ended up finding this adorable utility jacket instead! It's cute, lightweight, and the perfect layering piece for fall or spring. I went with the grey color but it also comes in black, olive, and camo. I was also considering the olive color so I might have to keep an eye on their sales over the next few weeks to see if I can snag it for cheap!

The Happy Headbands Co. Headbands
My sister and I were looking for cute headbands for every day wear as opposed to all the running headbands we already have. My friend suggested The Happy Headband Co. so we ordered some to try out. We both have fallen in love! They are cute, reasonably priced knotted headbands that come in a plethora of designs! I struggle to find headbands that will stay on my head and these do- score! It takes everything in me not to buy every single one I love. They have been perfect to wear for work lately since I've been wearing a lot of solid colors. They add a fun pop of color and design!

New Priority Planners
If you follow me on Insta then you may know I have a strong love for the Start Today Brand that was created by the lovely Rachel Hollis. Awhile back, Rachel created the Priority Planner which helps organize your goals and dreams into a 3 month planner. Overall it just makes me feel like I have my life together (even if I actually don't...). On Tuesday, the newest planners and Start Today Journals were released at Target and I am just so in love with the new designs! I pre-ordered 2 of them because I always have to have a back-up just in case, plus I couldn't choose just one design. If you are completely lost on what I am even talking about then click here to go to the Start Today Brand website where they have how-to videos about it all!

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

Just Another Manic Monday

We've made it halfway through this week! I'm back in the school teaching from my classroom so my schedule has been a bit off this week. I thought I'd pop in today and share my Monday in pictures! The title is a little misleading since, as you'll see, my day looks quite boring. The crazy school stuff isn't pictured haha. I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!

I start every morning with my Start Today Journal where I write out 5 things I am grateful for and 10 dreams I'm going to make happen. I try and do this before I even get out of bed in the morning to guarantee I do it.

I wanted to start my week off on a good note, so I pushed myself to go on my daily run before work knowing I'd be exhausted after work. Running in the dark takes some getting used to.

After packing up my bag and lunch, I started working on my Priority Planner to kill time before leaving for work.

I picked up a Wawa coffee on the way to work since teachers get free coffee until September 30th. I had been working from home the past week or so which meant I had to get my little area all set back up in my classroom.

I took some time when I got home from work to fix up my nails with my dip powder.

John and I were both way too exhausted after work to cook so we went and grabbed dinner from our favorite diner up the street. I got my favorite turkey chipotle panini with sweet potato waffle fries.

When we got home, I had to package up a Poshmark sale I had made that morning.

I finished off the long day with a stress relieving bubble bath. I read a bit of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas while I soaked.

Question of the Day: What is your favorite way to relax at night?

Friday Favorites

Happy First Friday of Fall! The weather has actually been very fall-like lately which I hope continues. We have a busy weekend ahead of us! Tomorrow we are going to a winery to celebrate one of my best friend's birthdays with her, her boyfriend, and another couple. On Sunday we are going to my sister's house to celebrate her birthday with family. Lots of birthdays over here! Before I log off for all the festivities, I'm sharing a few things I've been loving this week.

Pumpkin Pie Hummus
Okay okay, I know I've been bombarding you all with pumpkin flavored items for weeks now but unfortunately, expect this until about November, haha. But seriously, my mom got me this pumpkin pie dessert hummus at Aldi last week and it takes everything in me not to eat it by the spoonful! I've been pairing it with pretzels and having it as an afternoon snack all week. I swear, it's like pumpkin pie in hummus form! It's the first dessert hummus I've ever had that I'd believe isn't really hummus and is the actual dessert. I think other brands may make a pumpkin hummus, so if you don't have an Aldi near you, check your local grocery store for other brands that might make it!

Bath & Body Works Stress Relief Soap
First off, I love anything stress relief scented from B&BW so you can always win me over with those products. I replaced the soap in my guest bathroom (the bathroom next to my WFH office) with this hand soap as soon as I started working from home this year because work is just a tad stressful. I love using this throughout the day because it leaves my skin soft, while also leaving the stress relief scent on my hands to help calm me down. Maybe it's just me, but I really believe that the scent relaxes me. I had it in a wallflower in my college dorm and it always made me feel less stressed when it was plugged in. If this scent isn't for you, I highly suggest any of their foam hand soaps as they are just the best in my opinion!

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

Recipes We've Tried and Love: Fall Edition

 Happy Fall, everyone! Since yesterday marked the first official day of fall, I thought I'd share some more recipes John and I have tried and love. This time, I'm sharing a few that are more fall related! To give you a little update, John and I made a 2020 goal for ourselves to try 24 new recipes. Together we are up to 16 recipes so far. I also track ones I've made by myself and that list is up to 8, so technically I have hit the goal but not with John. With all the recipes on our "to try" list, I know we'll get there. I hope you all have a great Wednesday and enjoy these recipes!

Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies
After my first full day of  remote teaching, all I wanted was some chocolate chip cookies- ASAP! I turned to Google to find a recipe that didn't involve any waiting time for the dough and was easy. This one seemed the best so I quickly made the dough and threw some in the oven. The recipe makes a lot of dough... I may have missed where it says it makes 39 cookies.. oops! I ended up making a dozen and then putting the rest of the dough in the fridge for later in the week. These cookies were so delicious when the dough was fresh AND after it had sat in the fridge for a few days. They are super quick to throw together and don' take too long to bake. As much as I absolutely love Joanna Gaines' chocolate chip cookie recipe, this may be my new go-to recipe when it's a cookie emergency! I think I might make them again soon with some pumpkin chips I have to give them a more fall-like flavor.

Pumpkin Scones
I tend to go crazy with pumpkin baked items this time of year, so I was thrilled to find a more healthy version of pumpkin scones so I wouldn't feel as guilty. This was my first time making scones and I was pleasantly surprised with how easy they were to make! My one suggestion with these is to definitely add the glaze! I added some pumpkin pie spice to the glaze to get even more pumpkin flavor so feel free to do that if you love a more pumpkin-y flavor. I love keeping these in the fridge and then popping one in the microwave for breakfast or a snack. Also, it never specifies if the butter should be cold, room temperature or melted, but I've tried both cold and melted butter and melted worked best!

Banana Muffins
I'm not sure if banana muffins are really fall-related but any warm, baked muffin is perfect to have when the weather is cool! I had some super-ripe bananas that I needed to use ASAP and this was the first recipe that caught my eye. I try to bake healthy when I can so then I can splurge on other treats that aren't good "healthy." These were a quick, easy recipe that turned out amazing! They keep well in the fridge and heat up great in the microwave for a quick, yummy snack. I highly suggest any a smidge of butter on it, too :) I added chocolate chips to a few and those were a hit with my husband!

Question of the Day: What is your favorite fall recipe?

Friday Favorites

TGIF! I've probably said this a million times before but I am feeling the 'thank goodness it's Friday' vibe more than ever! As of now we have an open schedule for the weekend and I'm hoping to keep it that way. Work is keeping me super busy so some down time would be great. The weather has been fantastic around here which means time outside will be a must! I hope you all have a great weekend!

Nuun Instant
Nuun Hydration released this new product a couple weeks ago and I finally got around to trying it! Nuun Instant is added to your drink to help you rapidly re-hydrate, 2-3 times faster than regular water. Unlike typical Nuun Sport, Instant comes as a powder in a small sachet as opposed to the tablets. It dissolves in water super quickly, making the ability to re-hydrate even quicker. They come in 2 flavors, lemon lime and watermelon, which are both delicious! My recommendation is to make sure it's super cold in order to bring out the best flavor. I drank this after a long, hot run and felt great the rest of the day when normally I'd feel dehydrated later in the day. I'm planning to keep this on hand for long run days and also days when I have a bad headache. Oh, and they offer a sample pack so you can try it without committing to a whole box!

Chai Latte Wax Melts
I don't care what anyone says, fall is in the air! This means that I have brought out all the fall scented candles and wax melts. While in Aldi last week searching for the highly coveted 3-wick candles, I found these wax melts instead. I'm a huge chai latte person so I had high hopes for the scent. It's probably the closest to smelling like a chai latte than a real chai latte itself! I've had it in my wax melter I have in my office all week and I don't plan on swapping it out for another scent anytime soon.

Pairs well with wine!

Dr. Teal's Foaming Bath
The beginning of the school year has been wild which means self-care has been a must for me! Last Friday I stopped at Wal-Mart on the way home from work to pick up a new bubble bath. I went right to the Dr. Teal's section because I know that brand is great. The Relax & Relief type jumped right out at me because that is exactly what I needed to do! The eucalyptus and spearmint scent is so relaxing while the pure epsom salt leaves my body feeling relieved from all the stress of the work week. It also bubbles up a good amount! I would highly recommend this foaming bath, along with all the other types of foaming bath and epsom salts that Dr. Teal's has to offer!

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

Currently

Happy Hump Day! The past week or so has been a whirlwind for me so I thought I'd take a moment to check in with a "currently" post since I've been lacking in the blogging department! School is now in session and it's crazier than ever. Hopefully once I get into the swing of things I can get back into blogging a lot since I have a lot of ideas swimming around in this brain of mine! Anyway, enjoy today's post!

I am currently...

Eating

Salads. They've been the easiest thing for me to make for work and I love how versatile they can be. Lately I've just been getting lettuce and putting whatever sounds good on top.

Wearing

My nice work clothes, finally! We have the option to work from home, but since I co-teach, going into the classroom has been easier. I've been so happy to finally be able to wear some of my cuter clothes and not so much workout clothes (at least not all day).

Reading

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne. I am only 1 chapter in so I don't have much to say about this book just yet. I have heard a lot of good things about it, plus it seems like a quick read, so I'm excited to zip through it!

Drinking

Pumpkin spice coffee, both hot and iced! I'm a huge Dunkin' fan so you can find me there most mornings haha.

Watching

Private Practice. It's been on our list to watch since it's Addison's spin-off of Grey's Anatomy and we've finally gotten around to it. It was hard to get into but now that we're a few seasons in, we're hooked!

Listening To
Taylor Swift's Folklore Album. I've had it on repeat in my car since it came out!

Question of the Day: What is something you’re currently eating, wearing, listening to, etc.? Pick one :)

Friday Favorites

How is it already September?! We've had some nice weather here in Jersey so I am definitely getting the fall vibes. Most of the fall vibes come from the fact that I am back in school. Although we are starting remote, I've been in my school the past couple days for in-service days. I'm eager to start with my kiddos next week!

Although it's been a busy week here for me, I still managed to put together my typical Friday post. I hope you have a great Labor Day Weekend!

Lemon Blueberry Granola
I ventured out to Aldi last week in search of some snacks to keep on hand now that school is starting. Somehow I snack more throughout a work day more than ever... I came across this granola and was happily surprised when I saw it didn't contain any nuts (I believe it was processed somewhere that also processes nuts so if you have a super sensitive nut allergy then this might not be for you). The lemon blueberry is delicious and the dried blueberries are the perfect addition. I've been enjoying it all week both plain and mixed in yogurt!

Cerave Eczema Creamy Oil
Someone had told me about this creamy oil months ago but I hesitated to buy it in fear that it would be super oily. Plus it's a little on the pricey side. The word "creamy" really is the best word to describe the oil (I guess that's why they put it in the name haha) because it's more like a very thin lotion rather than an oil. I've been using it every night after my shower and it has done an amazing job of keeping my Eczema flare-ups at bay. It soaks in fairly quickly so you aren't left with a greasy residue. I'd suggest this to anyone with any type of dry skin, not just Eczema.

Marshmallow Fireside Candle
I've had this candle from Bath & Body Works for over a year now but have just recently started to appreciate it. The scent of this candle is a fantastic mix of a smoky campfire and sweet toasted marshmallow. I've had it lit almost every day this week since the not-so-sweltering-hot weather has been giving me fall vibes and it just gives me such a cozy feel. I have the 3-wick candle of this scent and it has lasted me awhile.

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

Friday Favorites

 Happy Friday! This is my last official Friday of summer as I start in-services on Monday. Our school is currently starting remotely so we'll see how that goes! I have a busy weekend ahead of me! I'm going to visit my friend Rachel for her birthday on Saturday and on Sunday we are getting together with John's best friend for a belated birthday celebration for John. It should be fun! Before I sign off and start this last summer weekend, I'm sharing a few things I've been loving this week.

Gatorade Endurance Energy Gel
I did a long run on Wednesday and figured I should probably bring some fuel with me. I grabbed a gel I had gotten during the Philadelphia Marathon last year (it was their course fuel) without knowing how it would be. Luckily, it ended up being great! It was apple pear flavored and had a thinner consistency than most gels, such a GU. I liked the fruity flavor which surprised me because I'm a die-hard S'mores GU fan but I just felt like it was much easier to digest when my stomach was already a bit wonky from the heat. I haven't tried their other energy gel flavors (vanilla, blackberry, and mango) but now I want to!

Honey Mustard Pretzels
I picked up these honey mustard pretzels at my local Amish Market last week to try and switch up my snack options. I was hooked from the first bite! They're the perfect salty snack to have on hand throughout the day, but fair warning, the honey mustard powder coating can get messy! My dad said they reminded him of Snyder's Honey Mustard and Onion pretzels so if you don't have an Amish Market nearby, I suggest picking those up! I'm planning to grab a bag on my next grocery trip to compare them.

Weighted Blanket
I've been eyeing one up for a couple months now so I figured it was the perfect purchase to use an Amazon gift card I had been holding onto on. They can be pretty expensive but I ended up finding a decently priced one on Amazon and bit the bullet on buying it the other day. I went with the queen size and it came to $40, which I learned after some research is fairly cheap. I've only had it for a few days now but I just had to include it in today's post because I am OBSESSED! I mainly bought it in hopes it would help me fall asleep faster at night. Let me tell you, it works! I was asleep so quick the first night I tried it. The next morning I decided to push off my run until later in the day and I fell asleep as soon as I changed my alarm, which never happens. Once I'm awake, I'm up for the day usually so this is a game changer. The material it is made out of is super soft and doesn't get extremely hot like I expected.

Question of the Day: What have you been loving this week?

Friday Favorites

 Another week has come and gone so here is another Friday Favorites post! Work will be starting up shortly for me which means I'm really trying to soak in these summer days. I spent a lot of time this past week seeing some friends while also getting things done around the house in preparation for a crazy school year. This weekend is John's birthday but, as of now, we don't have any set in stone plans. All I know is we are celebrating tomorrow with his parents and Sunday (his actual birthday) just us. Before I sign off and go get wrap up his presents, I'm sharing a few things I've been loving this week.

Dunkin' Pumpkin Iced Coffee with Oat Milk
As of August 19th, pumpkin is back at Dunkin'! I know a lot of people think it's too early but it's been a rough couple months so please just let us pumpkin lovers have this, haha. Anyway, along with pumpkin, Dunkin' also released a few other new items, one being oat milk as an option! I was all over this as any real dairy can mess with my stomach. I went the other day and got my usual pumpkin iced coffee, but instead of cream, I got the oat milk. Holy moly was it yummy! I'd compare it to the creaminess of regular cream but without the stomachache after. I highly recommend a pumpkin iced coffee with oat milk or any of your favorite Dunkin' beverage with oat milk!

Dunkin' Mocha Latte Cereal
Sorry to my non-coffee loving friends, but another coffee related item! Post recently released a Dunkin' line of cereal. They currently offer two flavors: caramel macchiato and mocha latte. While at the grocery store on Wednesday, I caved and picked up a box of the mocha latte cereal. Of course I came right home and poured myself a bowl. Guys, the flavor is phenomenal! The combination of coffee and mocha flavors is spot on and the little marshmallows are a much-loved touch. Now I'm eager to try the caramel macchiato flavor!

Special Edition Gunmetal ROADiD
This week ROADiD released a new finish option for the 19mm wrist ID- gunmetal. As an ambassador, I got first dibs at getting one and I jumped on the chance! There are five amazing band colors to choose from- bubble gum (the color I chose!), swim trunks (blue), tennis ball (bright yellow), charcoal, and sidewalk (kind of like an off-white). I'm pretty sure I let out a squeal when I opened the box and saw how pretty the gunmetal grey hardware looked against the bright pink band. SO. PRETTY. Like all ROADiD wrist IDs, the quality of both the silicone band (which is adjustable for all wrist sizes!) and hardware is wonderful. Plus, I feel safe going on a run knowing all my emergency information is right on wrist if needed! If you're interested in buying one, or any ROADiD, use my code EMILY_2020 until October 1st for a discount!

Question of the Week: What is something you've been loving this week?