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Friday Favorites–May 5th 2017

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Yup, this is what it looks like in New York City today – rain, rain and more rain. I guess even May showers will bring May flowers?

Did this week drag by SO slowly for anyone else?  Now that Friday has arrived, I’m ready to relax big time this weekend. I pushed myself a little harder than expected this week between workout dates, some work projects and nesting. Luckily, this weekend is starting with a fun massage and Target shopping trip with Heather this evening, relaxing at home with Bo tonight and then very few plans for the rest of the weekend other then our friend’s annual Kentucky Derby party tomorrow night. I have no idea what I’m wearing but hopefully one of my stretchy maxi dresses can work for the occasion. We are supposed to have a rainy weekend here in Brooklyn which means I’ll have to delay some of my gardening plans and errands. Oh well, just another excuse to relax, slow down and spend some time reading.  

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.

  • Two of my dear friends have had a very tough few months and I find myself often at a loss for words when I talk with them. Asking them “how are you doing” seems so silly  when I know that life sucks right now. Thankfully this article by Shery Sandberg helped me better understand how to talk with grieving friends and reminded me that ignoring their grief isn’t the right choice. Has anyone read her new book, Option B?
  • When Bo and I were in Savannah we went to Publix one afternoon to pick up Publix subs for lunch. Since I can’t go in a grocery store without perusing the aisles, we walked out with our sub sandwiches and two bags worth of things that we hadn’t seen in New York. These Dark Chocolate Blue Diamond Natural Roasted Almonds  have become one of my favorite afternoon snacks since that grocery trip. Luckily, I discovered that I can order these and the rest of their flavors online!
  • When I work from home I love to light a candle and listen to music, especially when I’m focused on a project. This chill, cool down Spotify playlist that Nicole shared has been on repeat all week.
  • I shared a few healthier ice cream alternatives last month but this high protein banana froyo from Self Magazine has 10 grams of protein and just 3 ingredients!

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  • Can we take a moment to talk about reality TV? Other than Top Chef, Bo nor I have ever watched reality tv. However, that is about to change with the premiere of Southern Charm Savannah. On Monday night our hometown will be the location of Bravo’s latest reality show. It’s crazy to think that one of the cast members was in our wedding and three others went to our high school. I’m sure it’ll be a dramatic, hot mess but I can’t wait to tune in for the drama and to see how they portray these people we know as well as our hometown. 
  • This healthy Mexican Shrimp Salad has recieved a lot of traffic on the blog this week, just in time for Cinco de Mayo! I think I may have to make it next week on one of our non Hello Fresh nights.
  • These colorful drawstring shorts seem like they’d be perfect for Summer and SO comfortable either as a cover-up at the beach or for weekend errands. I may have to order them since their forgiving fit and elastic waistband will allow me to enjoy them after giving birth.
  • I have a thing for stripes, especially if they happen to be navy or pink. This striped boatneck t-shirt is on sale for just $22 and will be the perfect addition to my Summer closet!
  • As you guys know, I’m currently dealing with a case of pregnancy mask or chloasma. When Julie shared this natural, brightening cleanser on her Friday Favorites last week, I decided to give it a try. Thanks to the magic of Amazon, the Amara Organics Vitamin C Cleanser arrived the next day and over the past week I’ve fallen in love with the light citrus scent and how fresh and clean my skin feels after I use it. It even removes my makeup and mascara, which is something I’ve had issues with when trying out different natural face washes.

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  • There are a TON of great fitness events taking place in New York City next week including NYC Fit Week and National Fitness Day.  NYC FITWeek is an annual event that unites the local fitness community to pay it forward for education. Created by Emily Cook Harris, FITWeek has raised over $16,000 for education to date! During the week of MAY 8 – 13th, 25 fitness classes across NYC will support She’s the First (providing education scholarships and mentorships to girls in low-income countries) and DonorsChoose.org (providing public school teachers with the basic supplies their students need to succeed).  I think I’m going to do my best to make it to the 7 AM rooftop Exhale workout at Refinery Hotel to kick off National Fitness Day on Thursday as well as the Friday evening NYC Fit Week Uplift Strength class.

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  • After receiving these Brooks Go-To Running Capris at their Fall Preview event last week, I’ve worn these fun, neon pink crops non-stop. They are stretchy enough to grow with my body, the wide waistband stays upduring workouts and the lightweight material is perfect for any workout, even the sweatiest Orangetheory class or last night’s Uplift Strength class.
  • While I won’t be enjoying a glass of rose wine until Baby Girl Diamond arrives, it’s not too early to stock up on some of these “best rose for your buck” wines right?

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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Second Trimester Favorties

 

It seems like just yesterday I was sharing our news on social media and beginning the overwhelming research project that is having a baby. But, it has somehow been more than five months since we shared our news and at 33 weeks, I am solidly in the third trimester. I’ve started to feel almost all the pregnancy symptoms I read about for so many months but luckily didn’t start experiencing until recently such as foot and calf swelling, bach aches, heartburn and shortness of breath after walking up our flight of stairs. While part of me feels like I’ve been pregnant forever, another part of me isn’t ready for this journey to end.

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Since I’ve finished the second trimester, I wanted to share with you all the things that I found very helpful throughout this “honeymoon” phase of pregnancy. Like many people said, these weeks were filled with energy and overall excitement though I did start to look and feel more pregnant as each week progressed due to my growing bump.  The first section are the items that I swore by during my second trimester while the second section are items that multiple friends and readers have recommended and loved.

SECOND TRIMESTER Favorites

Snoogle Pregnancy Pillow – By the time I hit 20 weeks I was desperately seeking pillows that would help me transition from a back sleeper to a side sleeper. My friend Amanda lent me her Snoogle and it was love at first sleep. I have used it both ways, wrapped around the front of my body and back of my body.

Tums – I’ve had mild heartburn and acid reflux through my pregnancy and have found that once I feel it coming on, I can take 1-2 Tums to relieve the pain. Luckily, I only need to do this 2-3 times per week.

Dr. Teal’s Epsom Salts – My favorite way to relax during the second trimester was with long, soothing baths. I made sure not to make the water too warm, as this can be bad for the baby. Instead, I added Epsom Salts and filled the bath with tepid to luke warm water before soaking and ready for 20 to 30 minutes. These Epsom salts are my favorite as they are inexpensive and can be found anywhere ranging from Amazon to CVS!

Xtend Barre, Orangetheory Fitness and ALine Pilates or barre and prenatal pilates classes – As I figured out how best to listen to my body’s needs, I had to take a break from certain workouts. But, luckily, throughout my entire second trimester I was able to enjoy classes at Xtend Barre and ALine Pilates. These studios feature classes that are catered to pre and post natal and/or teachers who are certified in prenatal fitness and know how to make perfect adjustments to keep me safe. If you’re not a Brooklyn or Manhattan local who can enjoy these studios, I recommend going to Yelp and searching for prenatal pilates studios or calling local barre studios to see if they have instructors who are certified to work with prenatal students.

Belli Fresh Start Scrub and belly oil – A few friends sent me their favorite belly butters and I spent most of the second trimester working my way through each one. The only one I bought more of was the Belli Fresh Start scrub, which I can use on my entire body and their belly oil. I loved that the belly oil provided me with lots of moisture but absorbed quickly.

Burt’s Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter and Palmers Coconut Butter – While both of these worked well and were recommended by many of my friends, they were a bit too greasy for my liking and left me feeling like I had a sticky mess on my stomach, pajamas and hands after applying.

 Motherhood Maternity rouched v-neck t-shirts in multiple colors – By the middle of my second trimester, I was craving a few shirts that I could wear with jeans or workout pants for errands, relaxing, sleeping and even workouts. I found these on sale at Macys and bought two (black and white) initially but now own five of them. They are so comfortable and flattering that I’m tempted to wear them daily. During the cooler months I wore them under cardigand and wraps, but now I’m pairing them with shorts or jeans.

Workout Gear for a Growing Belly – I quickly outgrew my tigher workout tanks and had to purchase a few that would grow with me during pregnancy. These are my three favorite styles that I wore throughout my second trimester and continue to love during the third trimester. I found the Mumberry Activewear to fit even better as I grew larger whereas the For Two and Brooks fit perfectly as soon as I put them on since they were closer to my normal size and fit.

For Two Fitness Tank

Brooks Pick-Up Tank

Mumberry Activewear (Use code HEALTHYHAPPIER20 for 20% off)

Reader and Friend Recommendations

I hope any of you who are trying or newly expecting find this helpful. I’ll continue to share tips and tricks throughout pregnancy while also trying to have content that resonates with all my readers.

In case you missed it, here are my first trimester favorites.

Your turn: What did I forget?

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Stepping Into Spring with Brooks

 

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As you guys know, even though I live in New York City, I tend to avoid monochromatic, black workout gear in favor of bright, fun prints and colors. In fact, a few months ago, when it was requested that I wear black for a photo shoot, I realized that I have have very few pieces of black workout gear aside from shorts and tights. IMG_8426

Imagine my excitement when Brooks launched their Spring Escape collection, featuring lots of color ranging from aqua and teal to vibrant neons. Since I knew that my Spring workout gear from Brooks would be used more for workouts and errands than running, I chose coordinating pieces that could keep me dry and warm during the March and April showers but feeling Spring like thanks to vibrant colors.

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Here is a quick description of the gear I’m wearing in these photos.

  • Brooks Greenlight Running Capris – The wide waist band slips versus creating an akward muffin top while the drilayer material kept me dry during tough workouts. The side rouching provides a fun detail and the crops are available in 7 colors ranging from this fun pattern to plain black. I found the fit to be very true to size and went up one size to provide space for my growing belly.  PSA – Some of last season’s colors are on sale for $20 on this site!
  • Brooks Freemont Running Jacket – As soon as I took this jacket out of the box, I knew it would be a favorite. The semi-fitted nature makes it perfect for either a chilly, drizzly run or running errands. The perforated panels on the jacket ensure that you don’t over heat while the two pockets provide space for phones, cash and headphones.
  • Brooks Launch 4 Running Shoes – This neutral shoe provides the perfect amount of support for my high arches while still being lightweight and cushioned. I’ve enjoyed using this responsive shoe for long walks, Orangetheory workouts and my last few runs in March. Available in seven different colors, there is a color combination for everyone!
  • Brooks Run Happy Smile T-Shirt – This soft, dri-layer t-shirt has become a favorite of mine lately as it is soft and cozy while still being technical enough for my sweaty Orangetheory workouts. The fun blue color pairs perfectly with any of my shorts or crops and makes me smile everytime I wear it.  PSA – Certain colors and sizes are on sale for $20 on this site.
  • Brooks Juno Bra – As you all know, before pregnancy, I didn’t need much support for my 36A chest. I could workout in shelf tanks though I often chose to wear a lightly padded sports bra for high impact workouts. These days, I am wearing a 34C and know that between now and when I start nursing my chest will most likely grow into a D. It’s crazy the support I need these days and am thankful that Brooks creates bras that are perfect for women of all shapes and sizes. After wearing the Juno bra almost exclusively these past two months, I understand why it’s one of their top-selling bras. The adjustable straps make it perfect for a personalized fit or nursing while the back’s mesh provides plenty of breathability. So far I have this in cobalt blue and black but am eyeing the vibrant print as well.  PSA, the previous version is on sale for $45 on this site.

Thank you to Alexis Damen Photography for the gorgeous shots!

Thank you to Brooks for the fabulous gear, half of which they sent me and half of which I bought myself. I’m proud to be a Brooks RunHappy Ambassador.

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