Favorite things: Food, festivals and fun
Greetings from quiet and lovely Blue Ridge, Georgia! I’m here hanging out with my family for the next few days. We’ve got a cabin full of six people (my parents, my brother Matthew, his girlfriend Stephanie, Dave) and three dogs, including Rudy and my brother’s dogs.
We’ve got nothing on the agenda this long weekend except for relaxing, board games and hanging out, and so far it’s been lovely. Yesterday, after a big BBQ lunch at a local joint, I took an afternoon nap and a leisure trail walk. Love it!
(My shirt.)
The adventure actually started for me on Wednesday, when Dave and Rudy and I were stuck on a plane for an hour without A/C before take-off, which wasn’t the best start. From there, our flight was pretty smooth and we were waiting outside the Atlanta airport to be picked up by my brother around 11 p.m. Then we were up early on Thursday to make the short drive to Blue Ridge and were soaking up mountain air before lunch. But I digress, because it’s about that time to talk about what I’ve been loving lately …
Latest favorite things
My favorite healthy and crunchy snack
I’m in love with these Crunchies, and they are Dave approved as well. What’s on the ingredients list? Nothing but whole, real natural fruit. These Crunchies make snacking on the go easy and healthy (vegan, non-GMO, kosher, etc.), and I’ve eaten most of the flavors and really can’t choose a favorite. While I was away last weekend, I brought a bag of the mango and dipped them in peanut butter for a seriously amazing and filling taste sensation. I’ve also mixed the strawberry ones with almonds for a little trail mix.
If you see a bag of Crunchies on the shelf while shopping, do yourself a favor and pick them up. You can’t go wrong with these pure fruit bites! Take a look here to find Crunchies at a store near you. And thanks to the Crunchies team for sending me a few to test out. Much appreciated!
My favorite selection of cool gifts
Another month, another POPSUGAR Must Have box, which is a monthly subscription box of hand-picked and curated unique items sent to your door as a surprise. This month’s contents were perhaps the best yet, with a variety of items including all of this …
- Jack & Lucy Wide Brim Hat (couldn’t find a link)
- NCLA Mani-er Took Kit (much needed)
- Briogeo Deep Conditioning Mask (so creamy)
- Flint Lint Roller (totally cool and retractable)
- Smith & Cult Lip Laquer (perfect for a fall date night)
- The Gluten Free Bites (delish)
I’ve never rocked a fall hat before like the black one in this box, and I may have to do that soon. As far as the other contents? I’ve already eaten the gluten free bites, which were coconuty and the perfect pre-workout snack. And who doesn’t want a manicure kit or a new lint roller? Overall, these boxes are awesome and would make the perfect gift. Find out more here from POPSUGAR if you’re interested in getting your own subscription, and thanks to POPSUGAR for sending me a complimentary box in exchange for my review.
My favorite activity of the week
Last weekend, Dave and I went to Golden Gate Park on Saturday for the Tour de Fat festival held by the New Belgium beer company. While it was a chilly day once the fog rolled in (always the case in Golden Gate Park, of course), we had an awesome time and a ton of laughs.
This was our second time at the festival, and yet it seemed to be weirder and even more entertaining than the first visit. There was live music, a bike rodeo, life-size Jenga, delicious Vietnamese food truck food, people-watching galore and a dance contest. I really can’t describe the strange circus-like feel, which included clowns running around the audience, but it was a darn good time.
We met up with a few of Dave’s coworkers for a while and were back in the car to head home to Walnut Creek in the late afternoon. I’m always impressed with the range of activities you can find in San Francisco, and Tour de Fat does not disappoint. (And side note: this festival is all about promoting cycling too, which is a great cause in the Bay Area and beyond.)
My favorite links as of late
Did you miss the latest on A Lady Goes West?
And more things worth reading …
- Fitness: I tried a POP Pilates class and wrote about it. Check it out here.
- News of note: I changed my Instagram handle, so make sure you are following here.
- Health: I am all about alternative practices and would love to try hypnosis.
Have a wonderful weekend! I’ll see you back here early next week for something different.
Have a seat and enjoy these #favorites that @apstyle is loving lately ... Click To TweetRead more Favorite things
To see more favorites, visit Heather‘s blog or my older “Favorite things.”
*There are affiliate links in this post. Thanks for your support!
Questions of the day
What are you up to this weekend?
What’s your current favorite snack?
That festival sounds so fun! I just love strange and unusual festivals, complete with food trucks of course! Food trucks are 100% my guilty pleasure. I’m going to a huge fall festival in New England called The Big E and I plan on eating everythinggggg in sight! Then going on a hard core clean-eating spree for two straight week, hah!
Danielle @ afloat on a full sea
Hahha! That sounds like a lot of fun, Danielle! I hope the lines for the trucks aren’t too long. Enjoy your weekend and The Big E!
Vietnamese food truck? SIGN ME UP! Have fun in Georgia! Blue Ridge isn’t anywhere near where I grew up, but it is beautiful. Sorry about the travel nightmare!
Hi Susie! As far as the travel, oh well, it happens. And Blue Ridge is really quiet and nice! A good place to relax for sure! Hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friend! 🙂
Hey Ashley-
The shirt you have on in the first picture is adorable! Would you have a link where I might be able to purchase one? Also, I like the retractable lint roller. Would like to know how well it works.
Thank you!
Hi Kimberly!
Yes, I just added the link above as well.
I bought it at Nordstrom Rack on sale, but here is the exact one: https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=530747597&pid=uid9921-25004089-41
That Vietnamese food looks so good, I love a good food truck! This weekend I have a lot of shopping and errands to run. It was one of those weeks that we suddenly ran out of EVERYTHING. Hoping to squeeze a mani/pedi in too for some self care time 😉 Have so much fun in Georgia, I bet it’s beautiful, especially this time of year!
Oh yes, good for you and getting some self care! That sounds lovely. And yes, it’s actually a little warmer than expected here in Georgia, but it’s nice. Have a fab weekend, Patricia! 🙂
Have a great weekend with the fam! What a fun getaway 🙂
Thanks, Heather! I hope you’re doing well, lady! Happy Friday! 🙂
Does the Vietnamese food truck have pho? That would be interesting! Have a fun weekend girl!
Hi Megan! Hope you are doing okay!! And you know, they did not have pho. Just a lot of BBQ Vietnamese plates and sandwiches. It was super good though – especially the spring rolls. Happy Friday!
Have fun in the mountains with the family! Also, what is that nail polish color? I love it!
Hi Ashley! LOVE all the fun workout classes you and Heather are taking together. And my polish is gel — OPI “Got the Blues Red” or something like that.
That looks like a beautiful place to hang out with the family; I hope you get lots of relaxing trail walks. 🙂 And I’ve kind of always wanted to go to an outdoor festival like that; it looks really fun and unique.
Yes, definitely lots of relaxing walks ahead for me this weekend! We have a lot of outdoor festivals in the Bay Area, and I enjoy them. Have a great weekend, Emily! 🙂
Hi! I’ve been following your blog for almost 2 years now after finding it looking for bodypump info. I’m from Blue Ridge, what a small world! If you haven’t already, definitely check out downtown for some shopping and good food.
Hi Christy! Oh my gosh, yay! Blue Ridge is so nice! You must love your home-town! And we did go to downtown Blue Ridge yesterday to walk around, shop and have lunch. We also went to Mercier Orchard and a little hike today. Thanks so much for saying hi and for reading! 🙂
I just laughed out loud at the name of that festival but that food looks AMAZING!! What a fun time you’ll have with your family and your outfit is so cute!!!! Have a great weekend!
Hi Fiona! The name of the festival was not even slightly funny enough to explain what happens there hehehe! 🙂 Thanks so much for saying hi my friend, happy weekend to you!
Love Vietnamese food, tis the best. I love Popilates workouts on Cassey’s YouTube channel, she is so encouraging and offers so many variations. I can’t wait to take a class.
I would love to take a class from Cassey herself one day. The POP Pilates moves are so unique! Hope you have a nice weekend, Jessie! 🙂
Hi Ashley! Wow – I can’t believe how long it’s been since I’ve check in on your blog. Love the new touches by MakeMe{dia}Over! (<- yay, Katy!) Great batch of faves this week — that festival looks so fun and of course, the POPSUGAR MHB is a good one. Enjoy your time in GA with fam!
Hi Heather!? Are you joking hehehe? Katy did my blog redesign more than a year ago. Nothing else has changed since you last stopped by a couple weeks ago heheh? Or maybe you always use a blog reader? Nonetheless, happy weekend to you, my friend!
the festival looked so fun (& your outfit was perfection btw!)…i was in san fran about a month ago with my hubby for a minimoon & totally wish we would’ve found something like this! we’re having a relaxing weekend – but need to get a head start on packing for our big move next month! eek. hope you have an awesome weekend too 🙂
Hi Jess! There are usually festivals most weekends in SF, so you need to come back to check them out heheh! Where are you moving? Good luck with the packing!