7.31 Friday Faves

Hiiii! Happy Friday! What do you have going on?? This week has been packed with back to school events (orientation, meet the teacher, parents’ night) and the kids go back next week. I’m bummed that summer went by so quickly, but have tried to really make the most of it. This week has been filled with swimming, driving teenagers around to the mall, Chick Fil A, and Liv having friends over until bedtime most nights, movies, sleeping in, and being all in my feels that we have a freshman in high school.

We brought her home from the hospital as a newborn yesterday. High school seemed impossibly far away. It’s here, it’s wild, and I just hope she has a good experience. High school was not my high point in life, but the school that she’s attending has incredible teachers and a great community, so I’m feeling cautiously optimistic.

P is also starting a new school – the teachers and homework load were a huge source of the anxiety she dealt with a couple of years ago at her previous school- and I’m hopeful that it will be better for her. If it’s not, I mean at this point, we’re just going to pack it up and move lol.

(Hot yoga wisdom)

It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves roundup! This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and around the web. I always love hearing about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section below.

(Friendly reminder that affiliate links are included in Friday Faves! Thank you so much for supporting the blog)

7.31 Friday Faves

Fashion, beauty, random:

These shoes! I ordered them from the Nordstrom sale when I saw that my favorite flats brand was there. (It honestly it was made me look at the sale in the first place since it was such a disappointment the past couple of years.) I have two pairs from Spain that I got last summer and they still look brand new, they have zero break-in time, they’re supportive, classy, cute.

These ones are a little bit furry (?) which was a surprise to me, but I love them. They run small, so definitely size up one full size. If you’re in between sizes, size up a size and a half. I’m usually a 38 and wear a 39 in these. All my Nordstrom Sale picks are in this post.

This dress! The Bettina dress is one of my fave shirtdress styles (and I loooove a shirtdress). The Callahan from Tuckernuck  is my other top fave.

Olive & June gel manis. I think I finally solved my nail dilemma. I took my dip nails off in early May after having dip consecutively for about 6 years. I just got so sick of the time such – driving to the nail salon, sitting there for an hour, and driving home was about 2 hours out of the day – the toxins, and the cost (around $90-100 every 3 weeks). I figured I’d let my nails breathe for a while, but I’ve tried some options because I still love pretty nails.

I found press-ons, and while they look cute, they don’t last long, especially if you’re washing dishes often and doing chores. I think they’re good for events!

Olive & June sent me a gel manicure set and I’m HOOKED.

This took 20 minutes to do, it has the thick shiny look I adore, it has a peel-off base coat that doesn’t damage your nails, nontoxic, it checks all of the boxes. I’ll report back on how long it lasts but I’m super happy so far!! You can grab a kit here.

This month’s Vivrelle pick!! It looks brand new and the color is chef’s kiss. I lost my ShopMy link when they deactivted my account, but if you’d like to try it, the link is here and the code is: L66PH1ZH70

 

Last day for Oliveda BOGO! You can buy one, get one free of their previous label since they’re updating the labeling. I use and love so many of their products. If you need specific recs, please lmk; I’d love to help.

Read, watch, listen:

The Pilot was gone this week, so I watched TV downstairs every night in the evening.

Some of the highlights:

– Project Hail Mary. This 100% lived up to the hype. I want to read the book now, and definitely would see the movie again.

– Finally finished Emily in Paris. I started the most recent season over the holidays and it’s taken me 7 months, but it was perfection.

– The new Dancing with the Stars: the Next Pro. It’s kind of campy and cheesy, but I love it??? I’m cheering so hard for Adele.

This episode with Alex Hormozi was incredible.

Fitness, health, and good eats:

(The usual PEMF, red light, and journaling stack)

This Mediterranean beef bowl is such a hit. We’ve had it a handful of times.

Thank you so much for stopping by today, friends! Have an amazing weekend and I’ll see ya soon!

xoxo

Gina

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7.24 Friday Faves

Hiiii! Happy Friday! What are you up to this weekend? We’re enjoying some pool time after lots of rain this week, the Pilot is home (wahoo!), and we have an NCL event. I hope that you have a fun and relaxing weekend ahead! When do your kiddos go back to school? We have a little over a week left and I can’t even believe it. Liv is going to be in HIGH SCHOOL. How?!

(this week’s gorgeous flowers from Trader Joe’s. The whole bouquet was only $15 to put together.)

It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves roundup! This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and around the web. I always love hearing about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section below.

7.24 Friday Faves

Fashion, beauty, random:

A trip to Orlando! We headed to Orlando last weekend to visit our friends who live in Sevilla. They’re in Florida for the month, so it was our only chance to meet up with them before school starts. The crazy thing about pilot family life is that you can decide to take a trip at the very last minute if there’s availability. We went back and forth on options and figured out we could make it happen maybe 36 hours before landing in Orlando.

(so grateful our kiddos picked each other as best buddy soulmates when they were 2 1/2 years old)

Whenever we see them, we pick up where we left off, and the girls had the BEST time together. We stayed at a hotel with an awesome pool and lazy river, did a day at Epcot, Disney Springs, dinner at Medieval Times, and just enjoyed hanging out together. It was a 5 day trip and we packed so much fun into that time; it was perfect.

Worth mentioning here that Epcot was a BLAST. We haven’t gone in years since we usually opt for Animal Kingdom or Disney World, but we thoroughly enjoyed the food, rides (Test Track and Ratatouille were amazing and the kids were obsessed with Figment), and the slower pace. It didn’t feel as busy or chaotic as the other parks, and the fireworks show was incredible.

Also, for my gluten-free friends, I have two 10/10 meal recommendations for you:

(since we booked this at the last minute, I didn’t have time to plan as well as I usually do, but I found this Instagram page and she has TONS of gf options!! I booked dining while I was lurking her page on the plane)

Chefs de France in Epcot. They were so knowledeable about gf options and brought gf bread to the table for me and P,

and the kids chocolate mousse was to diiiiieeee for.

The shaved ice in Japan is also gf and you need it. (With coconut creme on top!)

(LOLing at the fact that I put on press-on nails that lasted one day and I put them on upside down. I’m a professional as you can see)

My other rec is Sunny House on the Lake in Disney Springs. SO many of their menu options can be made gf, the vibe and food were fantastic. It was dark while we were eating but you get the idea with this GF CHEESY BREAD. AHHHHHHHH.

Loving this Xirena dress! True to size and the fabric quality is lovely.

NEW goodies from my friends at HigherDOSE! They sent me their new Healthy Hair Ritual set, including a dermal stamper, their new light-activated hair serum, and amaaaazing accupressure brush. You can stack the full routine with my favorite red light cap. Check out the new set here and use LIGHTACTIVED for a discount through tomorrow!

Read, watch, listen:

I’ve watched this way too many times.

Finished this book (devoured it on the plane) and getting into this one.

What’s your policy on bad language?? We are hard nos on it around here even though I admitedly let an F bomb slip every now and again lol.

Don’t forget to check out my roundup of Nordstrom Sale faves here!

An excellent podcast episode with two of my faves.

Fitness, health, and good eats:

The return of the famous Jennifer Aniston salad. For soccer practice nights, I’ll usually make something in advance that I can eat while P is playing. I’m eating at every single practice lol. For this one, I air fried some chicken thighs and chopped them up and served with a side of pineaple. So easy, so good, and leftovers are amazing for lunch the next day.

You don’t have to strength train a ton to see benefits.

Thank you so much for stopping by the blog today! Have an amazing weekend and I’ll see ya soon!

xoxo

Gina

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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks

Sharing my top picks from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Affiliate links are included below – thank you so much for your support. 

Hi friends! How are you? I hope that you’re enjoying the week so far. We’re trying to squeeze out the last bit of summer fun. The kids start school in a couple of weeks and we’re NOT ready.

For today’s post, I wanted to share a roundup of picks from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I’ve shared this on the blog for so many years, but the last few years have kind of been duds and lots of repeats from previous years. Do we all need the Spanx faux leather leggings… the ones from 2018… again?? I think no.

But, while we were flying back from Orlando, I decided to just take a little peek, and was pleasantly surprised by *some* of the offerings this year.

I wanted to include them in today’s post if you’re shopping the sale, which ends on August 10. It’s always a great chance to stock up on back-to-school finds, things you love for fall before they hit full-price, and essentials, like bras, socks, and pajamas. The best of the best is linked below; as usual, I’m not wasting your time on things that I don’t think are worth it.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks

For women:

These are a repeat from every year I’ve shared the sale, but I still get at least one or two new sets each year because it’s the best price.

Love these Zella leggings

If you have any fall weddings or events, this dress is GORGEOUS

Obsessed with these sweat sets.

Baggy jeans for $46.

These sneakers are adorable and great transition sneakers into fall

Always stock up on Bombas socks during the sale

Women’s shoes, beauty, and accessories:

Saw so many of this handbag style last summer in Spain.

Phlur is one of my clean frangrance faves.

These look so much more expensive than they are.

Classic curling iron.

Ordered these! This is my favorite flats brand – just size one full size up. (I’m always a 38 and wear a 39 in these)

Always stock up on Hanky Panky. I *should* switch to organic cotton but these are pretty and last

These are my go-to summer exploring shoes. I’ve gone through three pairs already!

Classic heels, perfect for fall, and not too high.

Set of two earrings for $35

Great price on these Gazelles (and lovely color for fall)

So happy scarves have made a comeback!

Fig is my fave candle scent, so I might have to order this.

While there isn’t a ton of Farm Rio on the sale, they have quite a few sale options under Nordstrom For Good.

For the men:

These loafers are cute and look like they’re great quality

These low-top sneakers

Good time to stock up on boxers

This necklace would make a great gift, and it’s only $25!

The Pilot is always so happy when it’s quarter zip season. He needs this one.

I’ll usually use this sale to refresh his polo collection. I like this one, but he’s been loving the Vuori polos the most lately.

For kids:

Sambas sneakers

Tangle teasers. Our girls both have these and use them daily.

This leopard jacket

Ordered this hoodie for P

Also ordered this jacket for her

Initial necklace for $20 (great for stocking stuffers)

If you’re shopping for a baby, we used and LOVED this bouncer for both girls (it was the only way I could take a shower!)

Another great baby must-have

Kids love a rain boot

Cutie pajama sets

The best time of year to get kids’ Uggs. The water resistant ones are way better

Getting this tutu dress for our niece 

 

Hope you have a wonderful day and I’ll see ya soon. Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today!

xo

Gina

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Kyoto recap, bamboo forest, and monkey park

Sharing the last of my Japan posts! We had the most magical time in Kyoto and I’m excited to share the details with you if you’re considering adding this to your travel list!

More posts from our incredible time in Seoul and Tokyo:

Seoul recap

Korean head spa experience

Tokyo recap and why I love Japan

and Tokyo eats + gf picks

Kyoto recap, bamboo forest, and monkey park

So many of our friends had told us to take a bullet train to explore nearby areas while we were in Tokyo. Okinawa, Nara, Kyoto, and Osaka were highly recommended. I think I mentioned in a previous post that I was intimiated by planning this trip, and adding another travel leg felt like a little too much for my brain. One of my friends told us that we’d regret going to Tokyo and not seeing Kyoto, so we decided to make it happen… and it ended up being my personal highlight of the trip.

While Tokyo is bustling with bright lights and tall buildings, Kyoto feels like more cinematic, serene Japan. Think lantern-lined streets, temples, and geishas.

The bullet train was SUCH a cool experience – we were going 200mph and it was so pleasant and way more enjoyable/hassle-free than air travel –

(Mt Fuji!!)

and before we knew it, we were checked into our hotel in Kyoto.

We stayed at the Gion Elite Terrace, which I booked through Amex travel (<— our referral link) and would highly recommend. We will absolutely stay there again. The lobby was stocked with amenities, tea, hot cooca and coffee, and the rooms were super clean and modern. The girls had to flip a coin over who could sleep in the loft area… P won.

It also had an oxygenated bathtub which infuses the water with tiny oxygen bubbles. They claim to help eliminate free radicals (great for anti-aging), improve skin texture, keep your skin warm after the bath (you don’t feel cold afterwards), and help with sleep. I found all of these things to be true. I looked at purchasing one with the bathroom remodel and mold remediation thing we’re doing but it’s a casual 27k. It’s cheaper for me to fly back to Japan and use it there lol.

We spent our first night exploring. Gion is absolutely breathtaking and we walked over the bridge and saw TONS of cute shops and restaurants.

(dress is here!)

(Saw a nutria in the river which is apparently an invasive species but we all loved him)

Dinner was at Pontocho Shabushabu Sukiyaki Kiraku, which I found on Tabelog. It’s a restaurant review service used by locals (this was popular in Korea, too) and a friend told us that anything over a 3.0 is going to be excellent. They did not lead us astray.

Shabu shabu is like Japanese hot pot with a boiling pot of broth on the table and veggies and meat to cook. There are different sauces to dip and multiple courses. We had wagyu and kobe beef, lots of tasty veggies, and afterwards, they made noodles for Liv and the Pilot and egg soup for me and P (gluten-free option) using the broth.

The next day, we woke up early and headed to the Bamboo Park, which was one of my favorite parts of the entire trip.

We were surrounded by bamboo. It was just so lush, green, and peaceful. We made the hike up to Arashiyama monkey park, where monkeys roam freely around you. One kept walking inches away from my legs!

The rest of the day was spent shopping and lunch was at Engine Ramen. They have a gluten-free ramen option and it was everything. SO flavorful and satisfying. I’ll dream about this bowl of ramen until we’re back!

The next day, we headed back to Ginza, where we spent another night and day before finishing out the trip.

I still have Japression and am doing what I can to find tiny pieces of Japan here. I think one of the things I love most about trips like this isn’t necessarily the location (even though in this case, the location was truly breathtaking), but the uninterrupted time with family, chance to slow down, more walking and time in nature. Less time scrolling, more time enjoying. I feel like I’m being annoying about how much it changed my life, but this trip really affecting me on a soul level. It was unlike anything I’ve experienced, and it was meaningful to see how traditional and current can coexist, the way everyone in Japan seems to take enormous pride in what they do, the community acting for the good of others instead of selfishness. It was a lot to soak in. We’ve been home a month and I still think about it every day.

Thank you for reading about our adventures!! What have you been up to this summer? Any fun trips on the horizon?

xo

Gina

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where we ate in Tokyo (and gluten-free picks!)

Sharing some of the best things we ate in Tokyo and some gluten-free picks! 

Hi friends! How are you? I hope you had a wonderful weekend and hope that my US friends had a lovely 4th of July. We went to Mt. Lemmon with friends and it was perfection.

Before I head into today’s post, I wanted to share some amazing 4th of July deals that are still happening if you’re in the shopping mood. (TBR I’m always in the shopping mood)

Organifi- Hair Launch: Buy 3, Save 30% + 20% off with code FITNESSISTA here! I love their Gold, Green, Red, Shilajit gummies, and lately I’m obsessed with their hydrogen water tablets. Check it all out here.

EquiLife– up to 30% off sitewide, get a new tote on all orders over $149, and enjoy 25% off community favorites

My top choices:

Omega 3

Full-spectrum magnesium

Detox

Daily Detox Support

Adrenal Energy

Andrenal Soothe

Melatonin

Lumebox– 45% off through tonight! If you don’t have one yet, I LOVE ours and use it every single day. The kids use it, too. Here’s the link.

Oliveda – huge sitewide discounts and a free F59 (my FAVE!) on orders. Check everything out here! I use the Olive Peeling, F59, Corrective Face Cream, Mint Shower Gel, and Olive Rose Skin Tint.

Farm Rio!!! 4th of July sale ends toniiiiight. Extra 50% off sale styles with code SALE50. I LOVE this dress.

Real talk

TBH it’s been a bit hard for me to blog lately. The nutshell version is that the blog landscape has been extra rough… I’ll share more in an upcoming post. For now, I’m trying to just enjoy a 90s summer with the girls (swimming, roller skating, time with friends, going to the mall) and reminiscing on our AMAZING trip to Japan and Korea.

We ate SO much delicious food that I still think about daily, and I wanted to share some of the highlights in today’s post

where we ate in Tokyo (and gluten-free picks!)

7-11

We had 7-11 every single day.

It’s funny because the 7-11 in the US leaves…much to be desired… but the 7-11s in Japan are packed with amazing food, desserts, snacks and drinks. Sushi, onigiri, pasta, fried chicken, sandwiches, smoothies, it was all incredible. Of course, I enjoyed the viral drinks (the C1000 is the best), multiple tuna onigiri, and everything muscat flavored.

(if you go, find these!! And send me some please lol)

We fell in love with muscat and of course we stocked up on all of the frozen muscat treats, gummies, and mints.

We all had so many onigiri Tuna and mayo was the best!

Tsujiki fish market

The fish market is lined with hundreds of food stands and street vendors. The sashimi is the best I’ve had in my entire life. We also had a container of muscat grapes (so sweet and crunchy) and I also saw people walking around with skewers, crab legs, omelets, caramelized sweet potatoes, and sushi rolls.

We also stumbled upon a hidden gem that had fluffly gluten-free soufle pancakes.

They were sweet and light, and somehow not egg-y at all. We wanted to go back but we didn’t end up having time.

Omakase meal at Gluten-free Kushiage Sû

This meal was a top five culinary experience for me. I went to book a table in advance when I was looking for gluten-free dinner options, but it was booked out. I sent a message on IG asking to be considered if they had any last-minute cancelations, and they reached out the day before to let us know that spots had become available!

There were only seven seats in the restaurant, and everything was made fresh in house by chef Sû.

I started with a crisp and sweet glass of sparkling sake.

Everything is gluten-free and the kushiage consists of skewers. It’s a popular Japanese dish and everything is coated in Panko breadcrumbs and fried. Each flavor profile was completely different, using various meats, veggies, fish, and seasonal ingredients. This felt like an extra special treat for P and me, because usually we’re not able to eat fried or crispy things because… gluten.

Even though the skewers were fried, they were light, cripspy, not the least bit greasy, and incredibly flavorful.

Some of the highlights:

This braised beef tendon inside deep-fried tofu in dashi broth

Mackerel marinated in plum vinegar and sabayon sauce

Gluten-free crab cream croquet

The meal finished off with homemade apple ginger warabi mochi

Chef Sû is truly an artist and so incredibly talented. He does not speak English, but we used google translate with no probs at all. I highly highly recommend this experience if you’re going to Tokyo and have gluten-free friends or family members.

Ginza Senryo

We went for late-night sushi one evening and shared platters of rolls, sashimi, salad, pickled veggie, and best potato salad I’ve had in my life. I had another sparkling sake just to try the different options, you know? It’s worth mentioning here that all of the restaurant servers we encountered were so lovely; the service was above and beyond, but especially at this restaurant. The server was crouched down talking to the girls and was so sweet and friendly.

So tell me friend: what are some of your all-time favorite vacation meals?

My other top meals are:

– Alinea in Chicago

– The beach club in Mykonos

– Zucchini pasta in Sorrento

– Al pastor taco in Mexico with a Mexican coke

xo

Gina

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