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Friday Favorites–October 6th, 2017

katie cat outfit

Happy Friday from me and my little black cate! I hope you all have had a wonderful week. We had a nice surprise earlier this week, when Bo and I realized that he has Monday off due to Columbus Day holiday. We are looking forward to enjoying the three-day weekend together by taking Katie to her first Oktoberfest festival tomorrow, working in our yard and spending a lot of time in the kitchen together! What are your plans for the weekend?

Now, let’s dive into this week’s edition of Friday Favorites, including recipes, articles, posts and other things that caught my eye this week.

I was so in love with these shoes when they arrived that I immediately ordered a second pair!

This surprising vegetable will make your smoothies healthier, creamier and improve your mood!

I’ve loved this new sports bra, which happens to be on sale for less than $40, especially for early morning runs. It easily holds my cell phone and fits perfectly!

Last night I enjoyed a massage in the comfort of our home thanks to Soothe. I decided, last minute, that I wanted and needed a massage after tweaking my lower back yesterday and just three hours later I was relaxing with my favorite candles and playlist while Beverly worked on the knots in my lower back and shoulder area. Available in more than 80 cities worldwide, Soothe (<—click link for $20 off your first massage) allows you to book in-home massages with qualified masseuses!

This chocolate chip pumpkin bread looks delicious and is a new-to-me variation that is just screaming to be made. Good thing I just added the ingredients to today’s shopping list!

Speaking of pumpkin, this pumpkin pie granola is filled with crunch thanks to two different types of nuts!

I fell in love with this soft, cotton rugby pull-over after wearing my mom’s when we were in Vermont last weekend. She has the sea salt and navy color but I went with the indigo and red colors for a different look. Now, if only the temps in New York would get cooler so I could wear it! It’s just $39.99 if you use the code FALL20!

The lace detail gives this white blouse a fresh look and is perfect when paired with dark jeans.

This pumpkin spice candle fills our entire home with a cozy but not-to-sweet aroma and, due to the high quality wax, seems to last forever!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and good luck to anyone running the Chicago Marathon this weekend!

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and instead is a list of the things of my favorite things this week. As normal, it includes lots of beauty and fashion items which means there are a few affiliate links via ShopStyle. It takes time and money to maintain a blog so I thank you for the support and few cents that come from clicking through the links!

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My Return to Morning Workouts

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When the alarm went off at 5:15 this morning, I wanted to curl up and spend another hour in bed. Even though I’ve always been a “morning person”, recently the early morning workouts have been tough. I reached over and started to set my alarm for 6:45, allowing for an extra hour and a half of sleep. But, then I remembered that I was meeting three other Brooklyn moms for this morning’s run. I remembered that I’d pushed snooze on the alarm the past few mornings. I remembered the conversation Bo and I had regarding morning workouts and how important they are for my mental and emotional state. While many people don’t understand why I would wake up at 5:15 when Katie is sleeping until 7, these morning workouts are part of my transition from maternity leave to working mom mode.

In a month, when I return to work, early morning workouts will be the only opportunity I have to workout during the week.  In order to get back in the habit of working out before the sun rises, I needed a kick in the pants. I needed to remember how wonderful it feels to have my workout done by the time I’m sipping coffee and nursing Katie.

This morning, less than 43 minutes after meeting the fellow moms, I was back home preparing Katie’s bottle.

strava run 

I only spent 14 minutes running with the moms this morning, as I’m still building my endurance. But, the comraderie and acountability that came from meeting them at the corner and starting the run with them was exactly what I needed to help get me out of the door at “still dark early.”

While my return to workouts seems fast for some people, to me it has been a slow, gradual build. For the past few weeks, since getting clearance from my OB-GYN to return to workouts, I’ve been doing run/walk intervals. While I am starting to crave things like hill repeats, speed workout and longer distances, I know that slow and steady will help me return to running injury free.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve made it out the door two times per week for early morning runs – typically Thursday and Saturday. I’ve worked up to jogging fourteen minutes and then transitioning to intervals. Depending on how my body feels, the intervals have ranged from one to three minutes of jogging followed by walking until I complete that day’s distance goal, which has increased from 2.5 miles to 4 miles. Each time I run, I increase the initial jog distance by one minute. 

Right now, my goal is to increase morning workouts to four per week, but give myself the grace to realize that the stress of returning to work may mean that my body craves more rest. But, one thing is for sure, this momma is not going to sweat in the evening. These days, the only thing I want in the evening are cuddles with Katie and then a large glass of red wine and time in the kitchen with Bo.

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Fall in Manchester, Vermont

Fall in Manchester Vermont

There is no doubt that fall is my favorite season. Spending the days picking apples, exploring pumpkin patches, enjoying the sugar rush that comes with fresh-baked cider donuts before curling up in front of a roaring fire and watching college football or sipping a pumpkin beer outside. Luckily, just a few hours from New York City we have been able to enjoy these things for the past two weekends. Manchester, Vermont is a perfect destination for Fall adventures as it provides something for everyone whether you’re a single girl looking for a weekend filled with Instagram moments, shopping and relaxation at the spa or a family of five trying to please children of different ages.

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Breakfast: My favorite spots for breakfast are Up for Breakfast and Little Rooster Cafe. Up for Breakfast has been a Manchester favorite for years, attracting locals and tourists alike with their comfort food and friendly service. They don’t take reservations and during peak season the lines can get long, but the relaxed atmosphere and amazing breakfast will quickly make you forget. I recommend getting there early, especially if you are a family looking for extra seats. Little Rooster Cafe, located less than five minutes away from Up for Breakfast is a great spot if you want something a bit more refined and don’t want to deal with crowds.

Lunch: If you need a break from shopping or hiking, my three favorite spots in the area are Ponce Bistro, Zoey’s and JJ Hapgoods. Ponce Bistro is located near the outlets and many of the local attractions so it makes a perfect place to relax. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, depending on the weather, and their lunches are delicious – whether you’re craving a warm bowl of soup or a sandwich. Everything, even the lunch meat, is prepared in house and made to order. They are not open for lunch on Sunday and Monday, so make sure to take this into account when making your plans. The owner hails from Brooklyn and his mother is Puerto Rican, and both factors heavily influence the delicious food. Zoey’s Deli has the best sandwiches in the area, often so large that Bo and I are able to share one! We stop here when we want a quick bite or need lunch for the drive back to Brooklyn. Save room for the homemade chips that come with each sandwich and possibly, if you have a sweet tooth, their freshly baked cookies that are the size of your face! A new favorite of ours, which we only discovered last weekend, is JJ Hapgoods General Store. Located in Peru, just 10 minutes from the center of Manchester, this restored general store has outdoor and indoor seating, which accomodates everyone, even your dog! Their food is hands down our favorite lunch in the area and the fried chicken sandwich is the best the Southern girl has ever tasted!  Like many spots, they aren’t open for lunch Sunday through Tuesday, so plan accordingly! While we haven’t been here for breakfast or dinner, they serve both and it has been highly recommended by our friends and family in the area.

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Dinner: There are a multitude of dinner options in Manchester but only a few that have survived the test of time and attract locals and tourists alike. The Silver Fork is an intimate, six table dining experience that serves a seasonal menu that can compete with any New York City restaurant. Since it seats so few each night, reservations are highly recommended and often need to be made a month in advance especially during peak season. As mentioned above, JJ Hapgoods is a casual dinner option that serves wood-fired pizzas, local craft beers and more in a relaxed setting complete with white lights and fire pits! If you want a quaint, Vermont experience the Dorset Inn Tavern delivers reliable food, extensive wine menu and a cozy atmosphere that is always decorated for the season.

Drinks: If you’re looking for a happy hour spot or night cap, the Falcon Bar at Equinox Hotel offers a roaring fire pit outside throughout the year where you can sip one of their 50 varieties of wine or a house cocktail and stay warm. They have live music on the weekends which make this the perfect spot to begin or end your evening.

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Activities: If you’ve come to Manchester in search of cider doughnuts, pumpkin patches and Fall foliage then spend at least an hour exploring the Equinox Valley Nursery’s famed pumpkin patch. Their fresh, hot cider doughnuts are incredible especially when enjoyed with a side of apple cider. You can explore their pumpkin fields, corn maze and laugh at their many scarecrows before picking the perfect fall decor to take back home. If you are in search of retail therapy, the Manchester Designer Outlets offer more than 40 different stores where you can update your wardrobe and home. My personal favoriets are Yves Delorme, Vineyard Vines, J Crew, Theory, Kate Spade and Tumi. You can also find great things for your kitchen and freezer at the Vermont Butcher and Kitchen Collection and Le Creuset! If you want to stretch your legs and enjoy fall foliage and incredible views, there are many hikes in the area ranging from short out and back hikes to day-long excursions. Over the years we’ve done each of these four hikes and have enjoyed each one!  Last but not least, if you want to go home relaxed and rejuvenated, the Spa at Equinox is our favorite spot for facials and massages. Your service also provides you access to their year-round heated pool and fitness center! I can personally recommend their prenatal and deep tissue massages as well as their Vitamin C facial.

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