Hello from a rainy day at home in Brooklyn!
Scott left for work overseas for a few days, so it’s just Skyler and me with the fur babies until New Year’s Eve. I’m really excited about some quality one-on-one time with Sky, since I don’t normally get to spend more than half a day with him.
I’m also looking forward to the opportunity to sit down and finally check in on the blog! I have high hopes of updating some things around here, as well as typing up a handful of posts that have been in my head for months. Fingers crossed that solid nap times allow it!
Friday Favorites has been a weekly series featured on Life In Leggings for years. As life and work got busier, I went from posting weekly to posting monthly, and sometimes longer than that. Instead of setting expectations that I can’t reach, I’m going to go ahead and move past the link up (sorry blog friends!) that usually appears at the bottom and make a promise to check in when I can. It might be weekly, but it might not be, and that’s okay. I’m slowly learning to give myself grace in all areas of life now that I’m a working, new mom — life is too short to do it any other way!
That said, I am so thankful for all of you who have been following the journey throughout the years, and I hope that this space can offer some insight, laughs, and useful information, too. Happy Holiday season to you!
Now here’s what we’ve been up to … Friday Favorites catch-up style.
• Christmas traditions
It’s hard to believe that we have already spent three holiday seasons here in New York City. Each year, Scott and I have walked over to a nearby tree lot, hand picked a tree, and carried it home to decorate in our apartment.
Last year I took a similar photo on our stoop with Roadie and Skyler about six months along in my belly, and this year he was able to see it for real!
Getting to experience everything with him for the first time is so cool. I’m planning on sharing more photos and stories from Christmas in a separate post because there are just way too many, but we had a blast!
Some other traditions we have started while living here is attending a worship service on or near Christmas Eve, going to see the lights in Dyker Heights, and wearing matching family jammies for the big day. (You have to, right?)
• friends & family visits
Backing up to why it’s been so busy around here, we’ve had some friends and family join us in and out since Thanksgiving.
We’ve had more visitors than we expected to since Skyler was born (yay!), so we finally upgraded to a pull-out sofabed in our living room to be able to invite them to stay with us in our apartment a little more comfortably.
I always get a kick out of perspectives. Our railroad style layout and tiny bathroom without a guest room seem like tight quarters to outsiders, while local friends swoon over our space and amenities like a dishwasher and washer/dryer. (<- gamechanger.) It’s always fun to have loved ones see what real city living is like here.
(My fellow Floridian fam – aunt and mom – embracing the NYC way)
Getting around without a car, navigating subways, braving the cold, lugging up four flights of stairs to get home, cooking in a small kitchen, and just being on the go from the start to the end of the days are things that you will always experience here. It’s definitely not for everyone!
(My friend Brittany and her daughter, Alexis, enjoying pizza at Eataly)
On the flip side, however, people leave exhausted from doing everything in the area and then message us wishing that they had time to do even more. The possibilities of things to do here are truly endless, and below is a peek into some of the outings we made.
(Scott’s sister, Brooke, and niece, Evan, in Dumbo, Brooklyn)
Time with family while they’re visiting always goes by way too fast. But, I’m so grateful when they come to be able to see them in our neck of the woods!
• New York City scenes and experiences
Looking back on my photostream, I realized that I don’t take nearly as many as I used to. I’m currently the most active on my Instagram account through stories and have way more videos than actual photos to share. I’ll work on that.
Some things I did capture include … a day trip to The Color Factory!
(an interactive, colorful museum experience that is made for kids and adults)
It was such a fun experience that included many great exhibits and treats along the way. The best part was the ball pit at the end! Unfortunately, someone was too tired to enjoy it with us.
Brittany, her daughter and I took a girls’ night out to see the Radio City Rockettes!
That show never gets old, especially when one of my best friends has been in it for ten years now! There were a lot of delicious New York City specialties included like pizzas, bagels, cheesecake, and more. It was the first time we went to Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beers in SoHo, and oh my … those milkshakes were everything.
(Skyler is chewing on a pickle from Katz’s Deli, of course.)
We did all of the to-dos including going to Times Square, walking the Brooklyn Bridge, and seeing the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. Skyler went on his first carousel ride, and we took in the sights and scenes of our city day after day.
This was the first year that I actually walked the shops on Fifth Avenue at night with the storefronts decorated with Christmas lights and they were incredible! (You can see videos of some of those outings on my NYC highlight on Instagram.)
I still managed to work full weeks with some schedule tweaking, so I’m enjoying my quiet time at home with Skyler this weekend. Until next time, friends and fam!
• Roadie’s good behavior – Wellness CORE update
Over the last six months or so, Roadie has been basking in all of the treats and pet food. I’ve had a partnership with Wellness and we’ve been using their treats for good behavior motivation for months. When I’m going for a long walk with him, I’ll take a package of treats and remind him that he could be showered in them if he listens to us. Good news — he’s been obedient!
(Sitting on his own while watching bikers and runners pass by at the park? Who is this guy?)
He’s been on the brand since we got him back in 2011, and he responded really well to the transition over to the Wellness CORE RawRev line for dry food, wet food, and more. CORE RawRev is a protein-rich diet and is balanced to fit a modern dog’s domestic lifestyle. People who come to stay with us joke that he’s spoiled because he gets a little bit of everything in his bowl twice per day. What I say, he’s certainly loved.
Our partnership is now over, but I plan on continuing him on this line for a while. I love that the dry food has bits of pure freeze-dried raw meat. Thanks for all of the love this year, Wellness Pet!
• favorite LIL posts
It’s been a hot minute since we’ve talked fitness around here, so how about some at-home workout inspiration? I know I’ll be turning to workouts like these while I’m home over the next few days.
» (Free) YouTube Workouts You Can Do At Home
A variety of at-home workouts that you can stream online (for free!) and complete with bodyweight, resistance bands, or at most, a couple sets of dumbbells.
» Total Body At-Home Strength Workout
This workout features a mix of pushing, pulling, core, and leg exercises, and can be done at home with a few sets of dumbbells!
Thanks so much for clicking over today. I’m looking forward to seeing you again on here really soon. Woot!
Happy Friday!
*Disclaimer: The Wellness CORE natural pet food section of this post is sponsored. While I was compensated to share my experience with the products, all thoughts and opinions remain my own. As always, thank you for your support on this blog that helps support my family.
