Friday Favorites

It’s been a bit of a crazy week around here, but there’s something comforting about knowing that at the end of the week, I have Friday Favorites to look forward to! I actually start this post as a draft earlier in the week and add to it as I find things I love!

I realized I haven’t had any recipes on here lately, so if you have a few favorites you think I should try, feel free to leave a link in the comments. I’m looking for stuff that is both healthy AND toddler friendly – are you up for the challenge? {grin}

On to the favorites! (affiliate links included)

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Phone Stand: So I know I posted in here about the super cute tripod I’d purchased for $10 on Amazon. And it was awesome. Lightweight, folded up, easy to carry around. Until I broke the thing in half at the end of last week right before a Periscope. Woops. I guess those 21 Day Fix Extreme workouts are working 😉 So I decided to upgrade (ok, it was still $10 for me after using American Express points and credits on Amazon) and I’m in LOVE with this little stand. The angle isn’t perfect for Periscopes, but my phone case has a little stand that I pop up and *poof* it’s perfect. And I can’t break this one!

Target Shoes: I have had my eye on a pair of gray Converse for several months, but could never commit to spending the money. Which is where Target came in to save the day, yet again. These cute gray Converse-inspired shoes are normally just $20, but I grabbed them for $14, used my red card for 5% off & free shipping, AND used their Labor Day code for another 10% off! I love a good deal 🙂

Cat Woman Itty Bitty: I know. I’ve posted about these itty bitties more than anyone should ever post about a tiny stuffed animal, but they’re just SO cute. I was at Hallmark picking up little gifts for my niece’s first day of kindergarten (“sadness” from Inside Out for her, and “joy” for Madi – only because my niece already had “joy”) and I happened to grab the limited edition Cat Woman for myself. She now sits on my desk & keeps me motivated!

Godiva Pearls: I highly recommend traveling with a friend who will buy you emergency Godiva chocolate when you have the CRAZIEST (and smelliest) flights. These tiny little gems are amazing – and it’s a test of my willpower not to eat all of them in one big handful. I also don’t know that you need to buy a case of these, but it was the best link I could find.

Stronger Together Shirt: Have I exhausted you with shirt purchasing options yet? I hope not, because I’m really excited about this one. I created it for the nutrition/fitness group that I’m part of, but the message is one I think resonates with so many – and the fact that a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the International Justice Mission is extra awesome! If you’d like to buy a shirt with a great message for a great cause, you can get yours here.

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team: Do you guys watch this show? Am I the only one? I’ll be honest, it’s on way past my bedtime so I have to catch them on the CMT website a few days later, but this is probably the 4th season of this show that I’ve watched. We are not Cowboys fans, but there is something about watching those sweet girls chase their dreams that makes me so happy. And the boots. I really like the boots.

Running Wild with Bear Grylls: If you don’t watch the DCC show, I totally get it – but you really need to start watching Running Wild. Maybe it’s the fact that I would never in a million years do any of the things they do, or how much I learn from Bear Grylls about being a good listener who encourages and affirms but also challenges, or just how funny the celebrities are when they’re out of their element, but I ADORE this show.

5  Minutes with Jesus by Sheila Walsh: I received this delightful little devotional book to review, and I have fallen in love. Sheila Walsh is an excellent storyteller who turns five minutes with Jesus into something I look forward to every morning. Each day has a beautifully written devotional followed by “5 minutes in the Word” – a selection of Scriptures to read and reflect on. It’s short but powerful, and I love that it’s not dated or numbered, so you can pick it up at any point and get started.

PiYo Sale: For the last few years I’ve been taking Zumba at a local studio, and more recently added a PiYo  live class to the mix. PiYo is an awesome combination of Pilates & yoga that moves fast, to great music. Don’t expect to feel sleepy and relaxed at the end of these classes – you’ll work every part of your body! Right now the at-home DVDs and challenge pack (which includes a 30 day supply of Shakeology) are on sale for $70 off. If you’re looking for a weight-free, low-impact, high results workout (personally it was the first workout I’d ever done that gave me definition in my arms), PiYo is definitely worth checking out. 

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That’s the round up this week! Join me at noon EST on Periscope {{ watch the replay here }} to chat about these and maybe a few other fun things I find between now & then. I do know I’ll be sharing my new favorite Gmail app/plugin/extension thingy that I just discovered tonight! (I’m @crystalstine in case you don’t already follow me!)