Friday Favs_12.5.14

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Happy Friday! Friday Favs is back today after a one week hiatus. I am so excited that the holiday season has officially kicked off. This weekend, I am going to jam as much Christmassy-fun into the weekend as possible. Tonight, Rob and I are purposely staying in and it's going to be great! I am planning on making a healthy dinner, putting on Home Alone and getting to bed at a decent hour. Tomorrow, Kristen & Mark are hosting their annual Christmas Party - YAY! What are you all doing!?

Here are my favs of the last week (or two). xo

My favorite flower, gerbera daisies, that my mom and dad brought me for my birthday. So bright and beautiful!

It's becoming a tradition to have oysters on the eve of Thanksgiving. This is a tradition that makes me VERY happy. My dad works with a woman who lives on the beach on the cape. She brings them in for my dad to bring home and shuck for us... thank you, Gail!

I already mentioned the lobster that Kristen and Mark served us last weekend... here's a photo. {insert smiley emoji with heart-shaped eyes here} #omgyum

Our perfect Christmas tree. For local readers... every year, I get my tree (a Frazier Fur) at Lambert's in Dorchester. They have locations all over if you are interested.

I'm kind of obsessed with my new heart shaped light. It may stay up year-round.

So true, right? Happy weekend! xo

#12DaysofFFF Day 3

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Happy Thursday, everyone! Are you ready for Day 3 of #12DaysofFFF? This one may SOUND like a no brainer, but, you'd be surprised at how many people skip out on workouts this time of year. I get it... it's crazy hectic. It's so busy and every spare moment is spent prepping for an upcoming event, or buying presents, or getting the kids ready for a school concert or play. You all can relate. The thing is... exercise isn't just important for keeping your waistline in check... it will also help keep those stress levels down. It will balance your hormone levels and boost serotonin. Bottom line: it's important, folks.

So, since I'm telling you that I'm aware of the stress... how can I possibly ask you to keep your workouts in-check? Plan ahead. Look at the upcoming week and figure out the days that you can sneak some in. Maybe you'll have to get up a smidge earlier or do a workout DVD later at night. That's ok - you'll feel so thankful that you did it once you finish. And getting back to that waistline... oh how it will thank you!

As I continue with this #12DaysofFFF series, I'll start adding in some quick workouts that you can do anywhere. Simple and effective moves that don't need a heck of a lot of concentration or agility. Remember, Day 1 was #MOVEMORE, DAY 2 #BALANCEDEATING, and DAY 3 #MAKETIMEFOREXERCISE. Days 1-3 are your foundation for a healthy & happy holiday season. Stay tuned for more updates on how to tie it all together. Have a GREAT Thursday!

xo

Insta-spiration II

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Happy Tuesday! How are you all doing today? I had one of those days where I was glad to be back at work and in my "routine". My schedule has been super-wacky lately and even though I love that my work schedule isn't always M-F... today it was welcomed. There's something to be said for having a routine... especially for someone like me. I was thinking about it and there are definitely certain things I do every week that I like to stay exactly the same if I can help it. 1) I always go to the night boxing class at PWG on Monday. I DO NOT like missing my Monday night boxing class. Other days, I'm ok with mixing it up if I need to. 2) I need to make AT LEAST 3 PWG classes per week. Doesn't matter which days outside of Monday. 3) On Thursday nights, I like to cook while drinking a glass of wine to create something a little special. I like to finish it off with a little gelato. (My, how Thursday nights have changed!) 4) On Fridays, I like to have a "rest" day unless I am off from work. 5) On Saturday morning, I like cleaning, going to PWG, and doing laundry. I know, so weird. 

QUESTION OF THE DAY: What are your most essential routines every week?! I'd LOVE to know. Let me know in the comments below.

Moving on, it's time for another edition of INSTA-SPIRATION! 

 

Quit complainin'. Be thankful for what is in front of you.

 

 

Soooo simple and easy. Great to make during this busy time of year.

 

 

These kicks are DOPPPPPE.

 

 

Watch and listen.

 

 

Apparently I'm craving avocado toast...

 

A great stretch for those of us who sit at computers most of the day.

 

 

Butternut & sage are friends forever. Just gimme this. Gimme it right now!

Have a great week! xo