Hello friends! Happy Friday! How is your week going? Friends who are celebrating this week: how have your holidays been?
Before we get to today’s post, a HUGE congratulations to the winner of this year’s Favorite Things giveaway: Mary Anne C. Stay tuned for more giveaways coming in the new year!
It’s been an incredible week. We spent a couple of nights on the Scottsdale Princess, which is one of our favorite winter traditions. They have so many beautiful light displays, Santa Claus, ice skating, rides and the atmosphere is very festive and fun.
(They also have a ridiculous hot chocolate cocktail called the Nutcracker that is SO good.) We met up with friends and enjoyed all the activities on the property, and also had dinner at the new Toca Madera.
We were impressed by the food and service. Everything was prepared perfectly: we shared guacamole, chips, oysters and the pilot and I enjoyed the margaritas. For mains, the kids had truffle macaroni and cheese and a chicken chopped salad, while Pilot and I enjoyed steaks and sides. We ordered three desserts (we want to try them all when we go out to eat lol) and the presentation was unique: everything was on a board adorned with a lit sparkler.
While we were in Scottsdale we also saw Ballet Arizona. Nutcracker; One of my all time favorites!
The rest of the week has been Winterhaven lights and a party with friends, Christmas Eve at my dad’s house and Christmas at our house. This week has been filled with everything I love: family time, time to relax, and amazing food.
(All our pajamas are from Hanna Andersson)
We ate the usual casserole of nana’s eggs, tamales, beans and h.homemade cinnamon rolls.
The Pilot made his famous eggnog:
and for dinner we had a giant board of cold cuts, caviar + accompaniments, shrimp cocktail, and for dinner, beef tenderloin with horseradish mustard sauce, smoked turkey, Brussels maple and mashed sweet potato.
Dessert was a Yule log from Dedicated,
homemade pumpkin pie,
assorted macarons and a million cookies that mom and I baked 😉 These are some of the cans of cookies we take to our neighbors:
We played the saran wrap ball game and a few other games, and the pilot and I capped off the evening sitting by the fire pit by the pool. It was perfect 🙂
It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party! This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and from around the web. I also love hearing about your favorites, so shout out something you like in the comments section below.
12.27 Friday favorites
Fashion + beauty + random:
One of my friends said this was her favorite Christmas gift, so I ordered one for myself. I’m excited to use it at our next gathering to keep food warm.
This sweatshirt is so cute for Valentine’s Day!
A perfect classic sweater dress
Read, watch, listen:
Are you going to do dry January this year?
Fitness, health, life and good nutrition:
While we were in Scottsdale, I was able to take a Pvolve class at their new Scottsdale studio. It was one of the best group fitness classes I have taken in a long time. The instructor had fabulous direction and energy, and I really love the Pvolve training and format. It incorporates functional strength training with unique positioning (lots of internal and external rotation), balance components, and the tools are effective in adding an extra challenge. It was HARD and I felt pleasantly sore afterwards! My full review of the blog post is here.
TONS of sales on some of my favorite health and wellness brands. If you are looking to use FSA/HSA funds as the year ends, check out this post.
– EquiLife is having a big sale on tests and supplements this week.. If you want to take a quiz as we approach the new year, I recommend starting with the big 5 or the Startup Team. (If you would like me to review the tests with you, please send me your confirmation number to gina@fitnessista.com in the subject TEST and I will make sure the results reach me.)
– Last chance to get 20% off HigherDOSE with code FITNESSISTA20. If you want a sauna blanket, PEMF mat either red light masknow is the opportunity.
The January Detox starts on January 13th if you want to plan ahead! My code is FITNESSITA10 if you want to join.
Thank you very much for stopping by the blog today! Have an amazing weekend and see you soon!
xoxo
gina
