Friday Favorites – March 25th, 2016

Happy (Good) Friday gang! Do you all have any special plans this weekend? While Bo and I wish we could be home to enjoy Easter weekend with our families, we will be here in Brooklyn. In keeping with some Easter traditions, we are going to church together Sunday morning and having lamb Sunday night. The rest of the weekend is going to be a mix of time with friends and relaxing at home. We’re kicking off the weekend with a “happy hour” workout at Fhitting Room before a double date where I’m looking forward to ALL the chips and guacamole! Tomorrow morning I’m heading to the Art of Yoga event at Brooklyn Museum which includes yoga with Faith Hunter and a live string band!

As promised, in regular Friday fashion, here is this week’s version of Friday Favorites. So, as you count down the minutes until the weekend begins, let’s dive into this week’s edition of Friday Favorites, including recipes, articles, posts and other things that caught my eye this week.

It’s no secret that I wouldn’t mind looking a bit more like Jennifer Aniston. At the age of 47 I think she looks even better than she did during her Rachel days on Friends. Luckily, the gang at Well+Good shared the inside scoop on her morning routine with their readers. If she says to start your day with lemon water and add a scoop of collagen peptides  to my smoothie, you better believe I’ll add a dozen lemons to my shopping cart and order the peptides on Amazon!

I typically drink plain or sparkling water but thanks to a shipment from Core Natural Hydration I’ve been adding a bit of flavor to my routine. Their new, organic fruit-infused waters are loaded with flavor without some of the harmful additives often found in sweet drinks. Sweetened with Stevia, they aren’t something I’ll drink often, but every now and then it’s a perfect way to change things up and yesterday the peach mango flavor was the perfect afternoon pick-me-up after yesterday’s red-eye flight!

Image via RachLMansfield

See those epic pancakes above? The fluffy, flavorful paleo carrot cake pancakes  are the perfect breakfast option for Easter weekend or to cure any carrot cake craving you may have!

Looking to find curated, fashion-forward fitness apparel that won’t be the same spandex you’re seeing everyone else in your workout class wear this season? Bandier is your answer! While I haven’t been to their flagship yet, I loved learning more about the chain’s roots in today’s New York Times article.

I misplaced my favorite Ray-Ban sunglasses last month. Instead of replacing them I decided to try a new, local brand, Vira Sun. Their sunglasses third of the price but have fun styles and names like full wheel, that feature polarized lenses!

It took me months to finally try byCHLOE but man is it delicious! A vegan, plant based, all natural fast food restaurant this place is constantly packed from the minute they open to late at night! This morning I hopped in exactly at 11 am when they opened and was in and out within minutes. The oven baked sweet potato fries, Mexican quinoa salad and gluten free chocolate chip cookie were the perfect Friday lunch treat!  Live outside NYC? They announced yesterday that they are expanding to Boston and will open their new location in the Seaport district.

We have the most adorable Benefit Brow Bar and Boutique in Cobble Hill but until last Friday I’d never stepped inside. After getting my eyebrows waxed I spent some time experimenting with their makeup range, quickly falling in love with a few of their items.  Their brightening foundation makes me look well-rested and gives me a healthy glow without looking artificial or too heavy.  Until I get tan in Jamaica I’ll be faking it with their bronzer which goes on easily and looks very natural!

I have cut WAY back on the number of artificial sweetners I ingest as they are just way too scary.  Good thing too, as the one that was once deemed the “safest” of them, is officially bad for you.

It seems like marathons are the latest craze in China. But, it seems that both runners and organizers alike have a lot to learn. Runners have been quoted saying that they are trying to run without training and last weekend participants mistook a grape soap, handed out in the expo bag, for fuel and attempted to eat it during the race! Better watch out for tasty soap!

Even though I had a less than stellar NYC Half Marathon this year, I teared up reading Michelle’s incredible race recap. Want inspiration each morning? Follow her on Instagram and read her blog. The way she balances the roles of mother, full time employee, wife, run coach and semi-pro runner is nothing short of amazing.

Your turn! What are you loving this week?