These posts always seem to be a reader favorite (judging by your comments anyway) but dang are they long. What do you guys think–should I start doing mid-month favorites posts as well to break it up a bit? Leave a comment and let me know what you think!
Favorite Products & Services
Chokers
YASSS. That’s all I have to say about chokers being back in style. I went out and got myself a cheap black one from Urban Outfitters but have no intention of stopping my collection there. 😉 Some cute ones:
Andalou Naturals Coconut Water Firming Cleanser
I needed a new face wash and decided to try this foaming cleanser I found at Whole Foods from Andalou Naturals–so far I love it! Refreshing scent and it doesn’t leave my skin all dried out.
SteadyMixes.com
If you’re a group fitness instructor and like/need a steady beat for countdowns, this website has TONS of mixes. Each month they do an hour-long mix of popular songs all set to the same BPM. They’ll also do spotlights of certain artists or genres. I use their mixes all the time for Btone–highly recommend!
Favorite Workouts
Megaformer Workout at Coastal Core
Wearing Pugs ‘N Roses tank from Puppies Make Me Happy
I was so excited to find a Lagree Fitness studio on the Jersey Shore! (For new readers: My boyfriend is from NJ and we go down frequently to spend time with his family.) Joe and I went to an early class at Coastal Core in Belmar and it was the perfect way to start our Saturday. We’ll definitely be back next time we’re down!
Pure Barre Red Card Club
I feel so spoiled. In celebration of their new cardio class Platform, Pure Barre invited me to join their Red Card Club, giving me a three month unlimited membership. How generous is that?! I’ve done barre before and Pure Barre a couple times, but not at their Boston location. I’ve never been a huge barre girl because the core work has always thrown me off–my legs always take over and I end up just being like holy mother effing hip flexors the whole time. With this membership I’m excited to commit to learning the methodology and proper form.
I started about halfway through the month and so far have just done the barre classes (I need to get those down before attempting Platform haha). I haven’t been to everyone’s class but all the instructors I’ve had so far are fantastic. With the micro-movements of barre, form is so crucial, and I really appreciate that the PB instructors I’ve had are hands-on with adjustments. Lauren is particularly vigilant about the adjustments so if you’re new like me, I highly recommend getting to one of her classes.
New Turnstyle Studio
Turnstyle‘s third location in Ink Block is so nice! I didn’t look in the bootcamp room but the spin studio has stadium-style seating with high ceilings and a back-lit instructor podium. I was so impressed. I haven’t tried all their instructors but Steph is the bomb and Jessie’s classes are also great.
Favorite Eats
Green Curry Scallops with Mango Salsa from Pinch of Yum
I made a slightly modified (way less photogenic) version of this recipe from Pinch of Yum for dinner one night and Joe and I LOVED it!
Peanut Butter Chia Bars from Health Warrior
I was sent a three-month supply of Health Warrior bars as part of that Falmouth Road Race giveaway I hosted the other week and let’s just say there’s no way it’s lasting the whole three months. Joe and I are DEVOURING them–so good! The peanut butter are my fave. Joe likes the coconut.
GreenBlender Delivery
My friends at ClassPass sent me a delivery from GreenBlender (how sweet are they??), which sends you ingredients to make five different smoothie recipes. The flavor combos were delicious but the theme of the delivery was “light and fit” so the smoothies weren’t very filling. Only one worked as a meal for me–the others I just had as a refreshing mid-morning snack. 🙂
Spinach Leaf Pizza from Upper Crust
By chance I wandered into Upper Crust when their slice of the day was Spinach Leaf and … I may or may not dream about it every night.
Favorite Moments
4th of July in Gloucester
I’ve actually never spent much time on the North Shore of Mass so I was excited to celebrate America’s birthday at a friend’s home on the beach in Gloucester. The view was gorgeous!
Jersey Shore for My Nephew’s 9th Birthday
My oldest nephew turned nine (technically just Joe’s nephew but not in my mind haha) and we celebrated with a Point Pleasant beach day, boardwalk rides at Jenkinson’s and an ice cream cake topped with candy (yes, candy … my blood sugar levels still haven’t recovered haha). I love spending time at the beach with the kids because it brings back so many memories from my own childhood.
Paul McCartney at Fenway and Guns ‘N Roses at Gillette
I went on a mini musical tour of Boston sporting arenas and saw Paul McCartney at Fenway and then Guns ‘N Roses at Gillette two days later. Both were AMAZING.
Quick Newport Trip
We visited friends in Newport and lucked out with perfect beach weather followed by a fun night out (ended up at the Boom Boom Room of course! haha).
Cape Wedding Weekend
Elizabeth and James skirt & crop (<–both on sale!) via Rent The Runway (<–that link will get you $30 off your first RTR order)
We had our last wedding of the summer this weekend and WOW. Just wow. I wish I had taken pictures of the tent setup because a written description just doesn’t do it justice–it was gorgeous. And the whole weekend was a blast. I got to see my grandparents on Friday (they live on the Cape during the warmer months); we went out on our friend’s boat Saturday; the wedding was Saturday night; and then we high-tailed it down to Jersey Sunday for a quick visit with Joe’s fam.
Favoritest Favorite…
Pokemon Go
Wearing Beyond Yoga Ess Gather Leggings
Can’t. Stop. Catching. Pokemon.
The moment I downloaded this devil-made, sidewalk safety hazard of a game, I knew it was the beginning of the end. Why is it so fun?! I can’t stop playing! I’m an adult(ish) working(ish) professional standing in the bushes outside random apartment complexes frantically swiping at my phone screen in an attempt to catch Squirtle before I run out of pokeballs. This is not where I pictured myself being at 28 years old as a kid.
Anyone else blowing through their monthly data plan in order to feed the beast of Pokemon Go obsession?
No? You’re a self-respecting, grown-ass adult who looks both ways before crossing the street and avoids data overages? Ok well then what made your highlight reel this month? 😉
Disclosure: My monthly favorites posts are never sponsored, however they typically contain a few affiliate links. I get sent a lot of free products, and the first section of this post might highlight a couple of my favorites. I’m never required to or being paid to feature these freebies and only share the ones I truly love and think my readers will enjoy as well. 🙂
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Just an idea: you could do a monthly fitness faves post and a monthly non-fitness faves post? Not that the length has ever stopped me reading these (I love them!) but if you’re looking for alternatives!
Love that idea!
Upper Crust is so good! And I have not downloaded Pokemon! I’m trying to resist haha
That pizza looks amazing! I just tried a similar smoothie delivery service in my city… and has the same problem with “meal sizes”! Haha.
Which beach did you go to in Newport? Looks like Gooseberry, where I had my first job, but it has been so long that I can’t tell. Looks like a great time regardless!
You got it–Gooseberry! 🙂
The Yelp reviews of the Boom Boom Room are really entertaining.
HAHA I can only imagine. That place is the biggest fire hazard.
first off, thank you for the music recommendation- i teach cardio kickboxing and am always looking for continuous mixes (I used 32mix.com to get mine). Can’t wait to check out that site. Secondly, I was given 3 months of Pure Barre to try out, too, and have made a similar commitment- so far I’ve only made it to 2 classes, but as soon as my schedule lightens up I plan to get to more. I did the Platform last night and while I liked it, some of the movements were totally awkward! Are you going to the VIP class next week?? Hope to see you there!
YES I’ll be there-yay!! I haven’t tried Platform yet but have a feeling I’ll be an awkward hot mess haha
haha we should stand next to each other… there were times where I was looking around dying for someone to make eyes with me! see you then 🙂
Hi Nicole, I am sorry if I had to post this on your blog. I just see that you have plenty of followers and I thought that you guys might be interested in trying this face yoga course.
http://goo.gl/GSNKJe
I love Pokemon Go! It’s made my walk to work much more exciting, and gets me walking around way more than I used to.
Also, I went to a Turnstyle Cycle class the other day at the Kendall location and it was really fun and a great workout.
I am scared to try to choker look out! I have yet to see it on any non-celebrities!
Great July favs! Thanks for sharing.
I enjoy reading one long monthly favorite post. Ah! I get teary eyed just thinking of seeing Sir Paul live. What an amazing memory for you and Joe.
I’m so glad you liked the green blender smoothies! They are the best!! Also LOVE the black dress you got from RTR!!!