6 Things I'm Loving Right Now, Vol. 12

Hello! Here's to hoping that all of you felt the love this weekend. I trust you ate some chocolate? We hunkered down and hung out at home while a Winter storm nailed everything outside our doors. Southwest Michigan sure got hit with the white stuff! It's pretty out today, very bright and Winter white, which I love.

Speaking of love, I thought I'd share with you six things I'm loving right now.
In no particular order (and in no way sponsored by anything mentioned):

1) Serial Podcast

In an effort to curb boredom when I run inside, I've started listening to this talked-about podcast. If you like murder-mystery books, movies and/or television shows, then you'll love this Serial podcast, too. It's told from the perspective of a woman hired to dig a little deeper into the story of a man imprisoned for his girlfriend's murder. It's a true story, and no...I don't know where the case stands right now. I won't let myself Google it for updates.

2) Homemade Granola

There are so many delicious granola options out there, and I have no problem forking over the cash for them, but I've taken to making my own as of late. Peanut butter and honey combine nicely with oats and cinnamon to make two cups of granola perfection. I found the recipe on Pinterest. Consider it a success story.

3) Aveda Hand Relief Night Renewal Serum

I've always been a huge fan of Aveda hand relief moisturizing cream. It's the best, true story. Also expensive, but worth every penny. I recently got my hands (ha!) on this night renewal serum:

It, to no surprise, is great stuff, too. Let's just say I totally notice it when I skip this part of my nightly routine. Like, sandpaper-hands-all-day notice it.

4) Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser

Speaking of beauty products, I switched up my face soap a few days ago. I have this box full of travel-size products (because I hoard mini things), so when I ran out of face soap, I pulled this little guy out:

I wouldn't necessarily classify my skin in the "needs gentle soap department," but then again, it is my face and I'm all about being gentle to this part of my body. And it really is a gentle, non-drying type of soap. Also, it has the lightest scent and gets my waterproof eye makeup off. So it wins based on that last one alone.

5) Baby Planks

I really wish I could capture this image for you.  Evan is figuring out how to crawl...he can get up on his hands and knees, but falls to his belly when he tries to move. Sometimes, though, he finds the core strength to lift his hips up into a plank position and it's the damn cutest thing ever. #proudmom

6) Early Morning Runs

I've been waking up at 5:00AM on Mondays and Thursdays and heading into the gym to run. I've taken on a few new clients, so I no longer have the freedom to train while I'm there from 8:30am to noon. Evan's mornings are getting more predictable, so it's been working out. And I love it. It's how I prefer to train if I have to train inside. Early. Before everyone wakes up. And with enough time to come home and shower before heading back in again. But, confession, I forgot to turn my alarm on this morning so I had to skip it (insert cursing here). I did, however, manage to sneak in a few miles before I headed home for the afternoon. I see you, Thursday morning. You're on my list.

Question: What beauty product are you incapable of living without? Sure, beauty goes deeper than skin, but there's nothing wrong with taking care of that skin you're in!