Good morning and happy Friday to you!
Let’s get right to the coffee talk, shall we? Has anyone tried the new Spiced Sweet Cream Cold Brew from Starbucks? It sounds heavenly. Hopefully, it’s not too sweet, but I love the idea of spiced creamy cold brew!
I can’t believe Thanksgiving is next week. November is FLYING by, right? What are your plans for Turkey Day? Are you hosting? What are you making for the holiday? So, I stumbled upon a recipe for Cauliflower Stuffing on Facebook the other day, and it sounded so good. My Grammie also requested a “healthy vegetable side,” so it seems like the perfect dish for the holiday. I’m also making this Candied Pecan Chex Mix, which is the best ever.
You know what else is the best ever? Quinn is almost caught up with his language skills for his age! At his weekly Early Intervention (EI) session on Monday, his EI specialist said he probably won’t qualify for services at his year appointment in March because he’s doing so well. Seriously, the kid is talking up a storm! We even decided that because he’s doing so great, we’ll only meet twice a month instead of every week. I can’t even explain how much Qman has changed since he’s been able to better communicate with us. He’s a much happier kid now! Hooray for EI!! 🙂
The other day, I was looking at the “Insights” on the Carrots ‘N’ Cake Instagram and some of the top posts are the photos of my grocery hauls. Kind of interesting, right? I mean, I like to see what other people buy at the grocery store, so I guess it makes sense!
Speaking of Instagram, if you follow CNC, you might have already seen my new kicks: Brooks Heritage Vanguard (color 511). I’m totally and utterly obsessed with them. They’re super comfy and go with just about everything I own, so I am constantly wearing them. I also love the slimmer silhouette/side profile. I’m a huge fan. Definitely add these babies to your holiday list this year! 🙂
Speaking of athleisure gear that I love… Reebok recently sent me a super cozy cotton vest pictured below, which is perfect for wearing to and from the gym. It’s 100% cotton and sooo soft (almost fleece-y), and the over-sized cowl collar is warm and cuddly. It’s awesome. I’ve worn it non-stop lately, both inside and outside of the gym. FYI: The mesh leggings that I am wearing in the photo below are also from Reebok, and I must have received at least a half dozens compliments when I wore them to CrossFit yesterday!
And… I know I mentioned this pullover last week, but I’m still hoping it’s under the tree for me on Christmas morning. Or maybe Mal will give it to me for our anniversary next weekend? Well, it’s not our wedding anniversary. It just the anniversary of our second first date (13 years ago), and we agreed on gifts that cost $15 or less, so maybe not. Oh, well. Ok, I’m rambling…
So, next week, Kerrie and I have a “discovery session” with a company to develop new software for Designed to Fit Nutrition. It’s crazy and exciting, and we are so pumped to have it ready to go for the new year. FYI: If you’re thinking about signing up for a custom meal plan to start in early January, be sure to register soon, so we can get you all set up to start!
I was recently quoted in American Profile’s Community Table about making the most of your workout. It’s always really fun to see my name in print, so just wanted to share! 🙂
I also wanted to give a shout-out to the folks at RunKeeper, who fixed some of the bad GPS points from my South Shore Half Marathon tracking. How cool is that? Now I have more accurate splits from the race!
These Maple Balsamic Tempeh Bowls look incredible. I think I might just need to give tempeh another try.
I got a manicure earlier this week, and I’m totally in love with the color (Louvre Me) that I picked. It’s perfect for the holiday season!
Tonight, Mal and I are going out with a couple of our friends for dinner, and I am so looking forward to it. Obviously, because our friends are a lot of fun, but also because Mal and I haven’t gone out sans toddler in ages. We actually just found another babysitter, so now we have two childcare options if we want to go out. Funny side story: On Election Day, I asked Quinn who he was planning to vote for. His response: “Jessie” (our babysitter). Smart kid. Anyway, we love Jessie, but she’s a college student, so she’s busy and not always available, so we’re pumped to have someone else to help us out.
This weekend is also our 4th Annual Friendsgiving celebration with our hometown friends. I can’t believe this our fourth! At our very first Friendsgiving, there were 13 people (well, technically, 14 because Qman was there). This year, our group has grown to 20 people! So. Many. Babies.
Ok, I’ve talked enough. Your turn! How’s life? What would you tell me over coffee this morning?
22 Comments
Wow so many awesome things to celebrate for yourself this week! I’m doing homework and baking this weekend. Trying to get it out of the way so j can do fun things next week with friends.
Those sneakers and that reebok gear love it!!! Definitely adding them to my Christmas list
I’ve been meaning to ask you if you are still using that lash enhancer stuff? I’m thinking of biting the bullet and ordering some
Yep! I use it everyday! 🙂
@Tina:
What lash enhancer do you use?
I picked up the bag of frozen roasted veggie “fries” from TJs this week too….They were good, but looked nothing like the picture! They were tiny little pieces, definitely not long and pretty (can veggies can be pretty? lol). I wonder if we got a bottom of the barrel batch?
Oh, man, that stinks. At least they tasted good!
Awesome news about Quinn! I loved it when my son started talking. Loved having conversations with him.
The spiced sweet cream cold brew is the JAMMMMM! It’s holiday heaven with every sip!!
Soooo excited to try it!!
Different Thanksgiving this year for us… last year we got Bob Evans’ takeout and ate at the hospital where my dad was. He passed away shortly after Thanksgiving. My mom bought a new house this summer so we’re going there instead of everyone coming to my house, and my brother & family won’t be joining us – so that means we’re actually having Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving Day! A week after Thanksgiving my husband & I are heading to Germany for a week (Christmas Markets)! I’m excited to get away, but stressed about all the work I have to do beforehand. We are short-handed at work, and at home we’re ripping up carpet and moving furniture so we can get new floors while we’re gone. We’re also flying standby (airline employee perk) so our itinerary may change at the last minute – not our first rodeo, though, so we’ve learned to be VERY flexible with travel plans.
So excited to hear about Qman’s progress! Excited for your new business venture, too. Hope you have a great holiday weekend with friends & family.
Thank you! You too!!
I am curious as to how that Starbucks cold brew is myself! I always opt for black iced coffee, but I might treat myself to this and see how it goes! Also, your workout clothes are always the cutest. I need to maybe start buying Reebok! They’re fun and seriously 1/3 the price of Lululemon! #budgetoverhere
– Kaitlyn
Great post!!!!
That’s great about Quinn’s progress! May I ask how you knew he needed EI? And how does he qualify for services? I’d love to read a post on all of this!
I will write a post! 🙂
@Tina: My son is 1 and I would love to see a post on that too. It could be really helpful to a lot of parents. 🙂
I absolutely love the look of those shoes! I really want a new pair of trainers, but I don’t think I can justify them at the moment. Maybe a Christmas treat for myself!
I tried the spiced coffee twice and it’s very good, not overly sweet.
I would tell you that athleisure is the #1 thing on my Christmas list this year! I love Athleta and have basically asked for everything in their store for Christmas 🙂
Also, I would tell you that I am in complete denial that Thanksgiving is this week.. I think it’s because we have had the mildest fall in Denver and so it really doesn’t FEEL like the Holidays yet..
I just tried the new Bucks drink today after CrossFit. It is so good!! Okay, to be honest, it’s a bit on the sweet side for me, but it’s a great once-in-a-while treat. I recommend it but maybe just a tall!
Thank you for the info!!