Friday Favorites: Workout apparel, scents, treats and more
Happy Friday to you! Would you believe we’re just two weeks away from Christmas? And you know what that means? We’re less than two weeks away from my birthday too!
This weekend, Dave and I have some festive plans and a full line-up of activities. We’ve got drinks and dinner in the Mission neighborhood of San Francisco tonight, then the rest of the weekend is packed with social engagements as well, culminating in a Christmas show on Sunday night. And this is why I love the month of December. So much fun to be had!
This week’s finds for “Friday Favorites”
As usual, I’m keeping it light today, so please enjoy the latest edition of weekly favorites …
My favorite new piece of workout apparel
If you saw my gift guide earlier this week, then you know that I love a good Nike performance sports bra for many reasons. Of course, my Mom knows this too. When I arrived home in Florida for Thanksgiving, she had this beauty waiting for me as a little present …
The orange and black is a great color combo for my current line of work, as well. Too bad my shirts cover this up when I’m teaching at Orangetheory.
I appreciate a simple and modest sports bra. This one is functional, stylish and gives just the right amount of support during high-impact and weight-lifting activities. In fact, I wore this one last night to teach a double-header of BODYPUMP and a freestyle core class and felt very comfortable.
My favorite new scent of the week
It’s all holidays around these parts now that we have our fake tree up. This was the first time in three years that Dave and I have lived in a place big enough to decorate and add a tree, so it’s all that more fun to enjoy the lights and decor. Even though our tree is not real, we’ve still got the scent of Christmas pines in the air thanks to this …
You can find a bevy of delicious room sprays like this “Holiday Forest” from Pier One. Just look at all these to choose from.
Have you ever purchased or used room spray? I used to be all about it, but somehow forgot how enjoyable it was and stopped buying them the last couple of years. I brought this bottle home from Florida, and it’s become a fixture on the bookcase in the living room with frequent usage. Even Dave has been spraying it. It totally baffles Rudy though. Poor little pooch.
My favorite delivery of the week
I’ve been very clear about the fact that there are a lot of things that I miss about living in Nob Hill in the City. But as Dave and I have been in Walnut Creek outside the City for 10 months, more and more I’ve come to appreciate what we’ve got here. For instance — neighbors. We actually chat with our neighbors and are going to a neighborhood Christmas party next weekend. But perhaps this example is even stronger …
Can you read some of the words on these hand-written letters? I love it! And of the sweet treats shown, the cinnamon-bun looking ones in the middle were the stand-out!
This platter was delivered to me in the evening earlier this week by one of the little kids who lives a couple of doors down. Some of you may remember when I got locked out of our house with nothing but flip-flops and Rudy several months ago and I found my way into the living room of a new-to-me neighbor, where I sat for hours. In addition to spilling tea all over their fancy table, I also interrupted a social get-together. To repay them for their kindness, knowing that the little girls who lived there were into the Golden State Warriors, I dropped off a bag of swag a few days after the fact. Well now months later, I get a delivery of cookies and a card from those same sweet girls whom I hung out with that day. I mean, that’s just fabulous. I’m not saying my neighbors in San Francisco were rude, I just never met them. Yet, here in our new spot, we’ve got a nice little community and deliveries coming to the door. That’s a true favorite, if you ask me.
My favorite fancy hot beverage of the week
You know I’m a tea lover, and so I’ve got to share this one with you. The nice folks at Lark & Leaf recently sent me some samples of their first-of-its-kind Amaranth tea made with microgreens and grown on a farm in Northern California, and boy am I am impressed. I don’t want my stash to ever end …
Microgreens are tiny edible greens, which contain highly concentrated nutrients. The flavors of this particular tea feature a fabulous combination of spicy ginger root and a clean citrus.
As of now, Lark & Leaf products are only available on the company’s website, and one box of 15 tea bags goes for $28. While the price is high, it’s because this stuff is totally high quality and made with care on a family farm. You won’t be disappointed with the taste or presentation. And remember, it’s always good to shop local and support small businesses, so if you have a hard-to-shop for person in your life, check out Lark & Leaf.
My favorite links of the week
Did you miss the latest on A Lady Goes West this week?
- A back-in-the-Creek weekend and my weekly workouts
- Classic gifts for the stylish fitness-loving lady in your life
- Pumpkin-pie spiced overnight oats + “What I Ate Wednesday”
- What to do when you wake up sick over the holidays
And from around the web worth checking out …
- If you use Facebook, do yourself a favor and follow Tasty. Dave turned me onto this page just this week, and the sped-up videos of simple and “tasty” recipes are so entertaining. I’m dying to make them all!
- Need some relief and relaxation? Try this stretch, using one simple prop. It’s definitely a pose that I need to spend more time doing.
Have a wonderful day and weekend, my friends!
Happy December! Check out this #fun read full of #fitness and more ... Click To TweetRead more Friday Favorites
If you like these types of posts, visit the the link-up hostesses, Heather and Katie, or check out all of my older “Friday Favorites.”
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Questions of the day
What are you up to this weekend?
Have you done any holiday activities yet?
I cannot believe Christmas is just two weeks away. Mind blown! I’m still working on getting my decorations up. I so behind on everything this month. It still takes me a little longer to do things as in rebuilding my strength.
I bet it does, Megan. But maybe you can just keep those decorations up a little bit longer this year to make it worthwhile! 🙂
Amazing neighbors! I didn’t live downtown growing up, but we still didn’t have much of a relationship with our neighbors–largely because out houses were set pretty far back and it was a busy street. We more lived on a street, than lived in the neighborhood. That isn’t to say we didn’t know our neighbors–we really did after my dad became president of the neighborhood planning unit–we just weren’t tight. Also, everyone was a pretty different age. Have a great weekend, Ashley!
Hi Susie! And do you know your neighbors now that you’re in the city? I found that people just didn’t cross paths as much living the busy city life. 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Awww we live in suberbia now, and have some awesome neighbors…that has been fun! I cannot believe we have 2 weeks left….oh man!
I know, Marielle! I hope you’ve done your decorating and shopping already hehe! 🙂 Have a great weekend!
What a sweet gift from your neighbors! I can’t wait to get a house and have that community feel. Right now I live in an apartment with a mix of retirees and college kids…not the best for socializing 🙂
Hi Gretchen! I know! You’ll have it one day! Hope you have a wonderful weekend, lady! 🙂
Ohhh that tea looks yummy!
I’ve done a bit of baking, and all my shopping. I’m excited to wrap everything this weekend! I’m feeling more prepared this year than I have in year’s past! 🙂
Hi Bri! I plan to do my wrapping this weekend too! 🙂 Have a good one, lady!
That note is too sweet and that tea looks amazing! I’m loving holiday candles right now, Hot Buttered Rum (from Target) and a hot cinnamon candle – so yummy smelling :). My boyfriend’s work party is Saturday night, and I need to finish Christmas shopping. Have a great weekend!
Well Hot Buttered Rum candle scent is calling my name. That’s worth a stop into Target for sure. Thanks for the tip, lady! 🙂 Hope you have fun at the party and get your shopping complete!
If you like the pine spray you’ll love Thymes Fraiser Fir candles. I’ve never smelled anything so wonderfully x-masy! They’re crazy expensive but perfect as a holiday hostess gift or when you’re having a treat yo’ self moment.
Good to know. Thanks, Anna! 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful weekend, lady!
Yay! Happy almost birthday! The tea looks lovely.
Hope you have a nice weekend, Kelly! 🙂
Hi Ashley! I love those Nike sports bras, like you said simple and comfortable. Haha, the pine tree spray, YES! Have you ever heard of ScentSicles? http://amzn.to/1QAPQjZ You can usually find them at Michaels or JoAnns, and we love hanging them on our fake tree every year! 😉 Those Christmas cookies and notes are too cute. Have a great weekend!
I have never heard of those, Heather, and will have to check them out. Thanks for the tip, friend! 🙂
I have that same sports bra in blue and I LOVE it! Best one I’ve bought recently, actually!
We’re in Vegas for a long weekend, god help us. LOL! Have a great one!
Ohhhh YAY, Laura!! Have so much fun!! 🙂
Aww how sweet! We don’t have many neighbors where we live, which I kind of enjoy hahah We had a ton when we lived in an apartment complex (obviously) and I was not a fan especially since there was one super creepy old man who was always lurking..
Oh no, Morgan! Not fun!! I’m guessing that makes you enjoy your privacy even more. Have a great weekend, lady! 🙂
That is so nice of your neighbors! We recently had a gift exchange at work, and also being a tea lover I was so pleasantly surprised when my secret santa got me a new tea infuser mug with some local tea, my favorite kind at that 🙂 Tis the season for giving!
This weekend I plan on putting up some Christmas lights around the house and relaxing as the next couple weekends are packed!
Very thoughtful Secret Santa gift, Hilary. How nice! Enjoy your weekend!! 🙂
That tea looks scrumptious! We have a hot-water tap that came with our house, so I’ve been getting more into tea lately.
I have my company’s holiday party this weekend so that should be fun. I’m also planning on taking the kiddos to see Santa at the local shopping center. Squish is pretty excited to explain to Santa all of the trains he wants for Christmas, but we’ll see how enthused the baby is to meet a big, scary stranger in costume 🙂
A hot water tap? That’s cool. I don’t think I’ve seen that as a feature before, but it would be very convenient. Say hi to Santa for me! 🙂
What wonderful neighbors! We have a great neighborhood and exchange little gifts with several neighbors every year on Christmas Eve. It’s always so fun! Hope you have a fun weekend!
That sounds like a great time, Giselle! SOOOOO happy for you, by the way! 🙂
We have our friend’s little son’s first birthday tomorrow, then a DATE night planned (WHAAAT) then Sunday hopefully we are going to a tree farm to get our christmas tree. It has been crazy warm here (above zero ) which has made it hard to get into the holiday spirit, but hopefully decorating and getting our tree will help!
Have a great weekend, aren’t neighbours and home baking the best!
Hi Fiona! WOW!! Enjoy that date night! Wear a sundress hahah! 🙂
We are having a cookie exchange/game night tomorrow at our house and looking forward to baking, eating and spending time with friends.
What fun, Sheena! I haven’t done a cookie exchange in years, but that’s a great holiday activity. Enjoy your weekend! 🙂
That is TOO cute that your neighbors brought you cookies and such a sweet note! I’m always paranoid about what would happen if I locked myself out… two of my friends actually have extra keys in case that ever happens!
Very smart of you to plan ahead like that, Cassie! 🙂 Hope you’re having a nice weekend!
We also have a fake tree- I use christmas tree plug in scents from bath & body works, smells delicious in here!
Hi Jen! Very nice! I used to buy those plug-ins a lot! Hope you’re having a great weekend! 🙂
Christmas parties really are the best. <3 And I really need to get a new sports bra. I only have 2 bras, and they are cotton. *sheepish grin*
Ahhh Emily! Cotton? No way! You need some new bras STAT. Perhaps on your Christmas wish list?