Friday Favorites [& a Giveaway!]

It’s been a while since I’ve posted, but I’m hoping to get back into regular blogging again. I’ve been in a bit of a cooking slump – I’ve been preparing meals, but haven’t been creating anything particularly noteworthy but I have high hopes that’ll change soon. Plus, now that I’m back to running I’ll hopefully be able to talk about that more, too! That being said, let’s kick off my attempt at getting back to blogging with some of my current favorite things. I also have a giveaway for you at the bottom of this post!

Kate Spade Saturday + New Balance Collaboration Cross Training Sneakers

When I saw these badboys on Instagram, I knew I had to have them. I run in New Balance 1400s (I currently have three pairs of v1’s stocked in my closet and ready to go) and I absolutely love Kate Spade. Since becoming a runner, I never really spent time to buy myself sneakers other than ones I planned to run in – I’d usually just use older running sneakers when cross training or needing to throw on a pair to go outside for something quick.

KS_NB

Now that I’m trying to be better about cross training (hello Refine) I knew I should have a solid pair of sneakers to wear – not just a pair of old running shoes (that are developing holes in the upper). They had quite a few different prints to choose from, and while I was first drawn to the floral print as well as the all-over stripes, I eventually settled on a pair of black 810’s with stripes on the soles. I figured they were still fun, but in an unassuming kind of way. I’ve worn them twice now since getting them on Tuesday and I absolutely love them. They manage to be both lightweight and supportive, and I love the funky soles!

Hindsight

Hindsight is a new TV show on VH1, and I’m obsessed with it. As soon as I saw the previews for it I was excited to watch, and it hasn’t disappointed me yet. It’s based on a woman that grew up in the 90’s and is suddenly transported back in time right before her second wedding. She’s given the opportunity to live her life again knowing what she does about the future.

source

Getting to relive some of the trends and things that were “cool” when I was growing up is so much fun. And it makes me really glad most 90’s fashions are no longer a thing.

Good Eats in Rochester, NY

This past weekend I had a chance to visit my sister in Rochester, NY thanks to a flash sale from JetBlue for $32 each way tickets. Everyone always says that I’m such a great cook and so creative, but my little sister is seriously impressive. You name, it she can make it… and a lot of times without a recipe! So in addition to her awesome cooking, we made sure to get some good eats out too, because Rochester has a really impressive food scene!

Sticky Icky Plate, Breathe Smoothie, Pasta w. asparagus & mushrooms, and Gouda grilled cheese w. tomato soup!
Sticky Icky Plate, Breathe Smoothie, Pasta w. asparagus & mushrooms, and Gouda grilled cheese w. tomato soup!

When I first visited my sister in Rochester back in 2011, we went to Sticky Lips BBQ. Even though I’m a vegetarian, their fried pickles and vegetarian Sticky Icky Plate were two of my favorites, so I insisted on going back this visit. My sister also discovered a new yoga studio not too far from her apartment that in addition to yoga classes, they have an awesome boutique and juice bar. While my sister doesn’t practice yoga, she does enjoy smoothies and juices, so she took me there for breakfast on Sunday before the Super Bowl. I got a smoothie with peanut butter, dates, bananas, and almond milk, and it was SO delicious. I just wish there was a cute little yoga studio like that near me!

Yoga Challenges

Quite a few people I follow on Instagram are really into yoga and do challenges frequently. So when I saw one for arm balances in January I figured I’d give it a try. I quickly realized that there were a lot of poses that seemed pretty impossible to me that I just couldn’t do. But there were also a lot of poses that seemed pretty impossible to me that I could do!

yoga

I’m trying to get better at having a more well-rounded approach to my fitness and running (hello Refine Method), so doing yoga at least once a week has been on my to-do list. The challenges have helped me try things I wouldn’t normally try, and it’s an extra opportunity to practice patience (which I am not so great at) and perseverance. I definitely want to keep working on my yoga – I know that it’ll help me get my core stronger, which I’m constantly reminded is so important.

SEPO Sauce

I’ll be the first to admit that I love condiments. I’m always looking for something to use as a dip or spread – and I’m not ashamed of it! You can usually find me spreading dijon mustard on my sandwiches, hot sauce on my pizza, dunking my french fries into BBQ sauce, and more. So when I was contacted and asked if I’d be interested in giving SEPO Sauce a try and doing a giveaway with it, I couldn’t resist. The sauce is creamy with a hint of garlic and horseradish, and it reminded me a lot of Caesar dressing, only better. I’ve used it on a bunch of different sandwiches (grilled cheese, egg and avocado, etc.), as a dip for french fries, as well as with salad. My jar is almost empty… and I want more!

sepo

Luckily, I have a jar to give to one of you! All you have to do is leave a comment below and tell me something you’re loving lately. I’ll randomly pick a winner by Tuesday 2/10 at 9pm EST!

Update: The giveway is closed! Thanks to random.org the winner of the SEPO Sauce is commenter #7 – EMG!

Winner

Friday Favorites

How about a little Friday Favorites to kick off the first official weekend of Fall? As usual there is no particular theme… just what I’m currently loving!

Free People Convertible Crossbody Bag

A few months ago I decided I needed a new crossbody bag; specifically one that had a fold-over top. I’m the kind of person that once I get something in my head that I want, I search and search until I find it. It took me a few days, but eventually I found a bag that was cute, functional, and wouldn’t break the bank. Enter this Free People purse!

bag

I love this bag for a few reasons. First, it’s vegan, so I don’t have to feel badly about carrying it around. And it’s already worn-in so it has that soft leather feel. It’s also convertible! I can leave the fold-over flap out, or I can fold it into the bag and zip it closed that way. It has a long strap that can be worn as a crossbody or shoulder bag, but it also has handles in case I just want to grab it or throw it on my arm.

 

Vous Vitamins

When I was asked if I’d be interested in sampling some customized vitamins by Vous Vitamins, I jumped at the offer. When I lived in Brooklyn, I remember taking Flinstone’s Vitamins and loving them. But, when we moved to New Jersey, my mom started giving me prescription vitamins. I was always mad that I couldn’t have any of the “cool” vitamins, and by the time I was in high school I stopped taking them all together. Now as an adult I try to take them, but I’m admittedly not very good at remembering.

vous

I absolutely love the idea of customized vitamins. All you have to do is take their quick questionnaire online which asks questions about your dietary and exercise habits, where you live, your age, and how you generally feel. You then get your vitamins, and they suggest taking two with a large glass of water after a meal. Of course, if you prefer, you can take one in the morning and one in the evening. While I don’t feel remarkably different (which I wouldn’t expect just from some vitamins) I do like knowing that I’m making sure my body is getting all the nutrients it needs – especially during marathon training!

 

Oiselle Portman Pants

I fell in love with the moto trend a little late last year, so I didn’t really have the opportunity to capitalize on it for fear that it wouldn’t still be a trend this fall. Lucky for me it is, so I’ve been snatching up plenty of moto inspired pieces over the last few weeks. A few months ago Oiselle shared a sneak-peek picture of a pair of moto inspired leggings, and I knew as soon as I saw them I’d have to have them (mind you, this was without seeing the entire pant).

Hello, moto
Hello, moto

So after patiently waiting, I scooped up the Portman Pant as soon as they hit the website. I got them last Friday, and I’ve already worn them twice. It hasn’t been cool enough for me to run in them, but they were perfect travel pants when I went to visit my sister in Rochester last weekend. They’re super soft like my beloved flow tights, but the detail makes you feel like you’re wearing more than “just” leggings. I have no doubt in my mind that these are going to be a staple for me this fall and winter on those days where I want to be comfy and cozy, but also look like I’m wearing more than just running clothes or lounge pants.

 

Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters

On my first trip this past July to visit my sister in Rochester, NY we stopped to get coffee from one of her favorite local coffee places, Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters. She works in the medical center at The University of Rochester which is attached to the city’s main hospital, and they have a FLR coffee shop there as well as a bunch of stores in the area. I had high hopes for when I finally made it to the store since she’d been texting me about all the fun coffee flavors she’d been having for months. Naturally when I got to the store I was like a kid in a (coffee) candy shop.

FLR

When I went the first time I decided to bring back one bag of coffee, coconut. We left the bag in the car as we went to do other errands, and by the time we got back my sister’s entire car smelled like coconut coffee… yum! It tasted as good as it smelled, and I finished it within a week! On my most recent trip I decided to try two new flavors: salted caramel and streusel cake. I haven’t had the streusel cake yet, but so far I’m loving the salted caramel. I’ve had plenty of flavored coffees that have beans that smell amazing, but when you actually brew it there isn’t much flavor. Well, not Finger Lakes Roasters. This coffee tastes as good as it smells! It also made my luggage on the trip home smell amazing.

 

Wedding Season!

Yup, it’s that time of year again… wedding season! Mine kicked off a little later this year with the first on September 6th. I have one this weekend, as well as the next two weekends (till mid-October)! While having to get up at 5am to do my long runs before the fun starts isn’t my favorite, I love the chance to get dressed up and hang out with some of my very best friends. Who doesn’t like a little love in the air?!

Mustaches of some sort are a requirement at weddings with me... sorry?
Mustaches of some sort are a requirement at weddings with me… sorry?

Hope you have a great weekend!