Happy Monday, my beautiful friends! I have been enjoying the past few weeks filled with a little peace and quiet before the spring craziness picks up. I have lots of random tidbits I wanted to share with you this week, so let’s jump right in!
{Having A Moment} Being The Strongest Woman You Can Be
So as you all may know, we Philadelphians got a little bit of snow this weekend. The city was beautiful yesterday, and I spent the majority of my day snuggling in bed in between drinking $5 beer-itas at Black Sheep (247 South 17th Street) and later more delicious margaritas from Amanda at Jet Wine Bar (1525 South Street). It was glorious, I tell ya.
But even before this beautiful Saturday . . . as I parked by car on the street Friday after work . . . I was already dreading it: digging the damn thing back out. I knew (from winters past) if we got any amount of snow, digging my car out for work on Monday would be a straight up struggle. If I’m being honest, I was prepared . . . a few years ago, after using (and literally I am not kidding here) my SWIFFER to clear my car off after a snow storm, I invested in a few necessities like a small shovel and an extended car brush, because, I am 5’2, after all. But that doesn’t mean I wanted to do it.
Win Spin Classes from Flywheel {HPTurns3}
Prizes on prizes on prizes! I hope you’re all enjoying the birthday celebrations; I know I’m loving seeing those entries tick up and up! Today I have another amazing giveaway for you, and, yes, it may look familiar. You all loved this prize so much last year, I’ve brought it back for another year.
How to Treat Yourself on Valentine’s Day
Like I said in my Philly Valentine’s Day Gift Guide, I’ve never really gotten worked up over the big V-Day. What I do get worked up about is taking the time to appreciate yourself – your body, your mind, your friends, and your blessings. So this past Valentine’s Day (excuse the 30+ days it took me to get this post up), I celebrated by treating myself. I’m not going to lie, at one point I even thought about presenting myself with my own personalized gift, (Personalisiertes Geschenk) as who doesn’t want socks that have their own face on? At least it would’ve been unique. Unfortunately, I decided not to follow through with this thought and treated myself in other ways instead. Although among all the personalized gifts I came across during my search, the Spotify Glass plaque (or Spotify Verre Plaque if you’re french) did pique my interest for a moment. However, I went for something else, and the result was pretty much a Philly dream day for me, and I hope by sharing, I can encourage all of you to take the time to treat yourselves, too.
{#HBDHerPhilly} Win 5 Spin Classes!
There was once a time in my life (or many, many times) when I despised working out. Doing things I was not good at (ie: running) or that became boring (basically running again) made exercising way less than enjoyable to me. After many weeks of not feeling as fabulous/healthy as I thought I could, I needed to find something new . . . something that was fun, held me accountable, and was actually attainable with my busy schedule.
Your Guide to Philly’s Black Friday Weekend Deals
Black Friday shopping can be amazing, if you plan correctly. As most of my life revolves around shopping, I have no problem getting up early on Friday morning to hit all the sales, but I must go with a purpose. I have admittedly never done the post-Thanksgiving shopping binge in Philadelphia, but since I’ll be back in town this weekend, I will certainly be hitting up some of the Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday sales. I’ve gathered a few of my favorite deals to help you plan and achieve shopping bliss.
Philly Girl Summer Life {2014}
I have really been loving this summer. The sunshine makes me so happy. I don’t think I have done this season’s update post (see last summer), where I just get to talk about all of the fun and random things going on in my life . . . so here we are.
The Single Life
We all know I’m single (because it seems like I announce it every chance I get), but I don’t let that stop me from attending the things I want in the city. Last week, I posted a guest blog for Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia all about attending Diner en Blanc as a single woman. Check it.
150 Fun & Fab Things To Do In Philadelphia
Philly, you are the best city of all the cities. In honor of your loveliness, I’ve teamed up with four other fab Philly lady bloggers to bring our readers the ultimate list of all the things you must do, see, eat, drink, and visit in our fair city. A Philly bucket list, if you will, filled with unique things to make you say “hmmm that sounds interesting,” and more obvious things to make you go, “duh! Why have I not done that yet?”
By the end of reading this I expect you will be ready to book your Philly vacation! Before you do, check out these philadelphia vacation rentals from Stay Alfred. Whether your here for pleasure or business, these luxurious rentals means you can stay in style.
Below you’ll get my contribution to the list, and when you’re done, click over to the rest of the list on each blog. Here goes!
Philly Girl Winter Life {2014}
My last updated like this came to you in the summer, when I just kind of needed to chat about all the things I had been bopping around to lately. This month has been crazy busy, but in an awesome way. I do really well when I plan, sorting through my emails & committing to things in my planner. That way, I have no excuse to say, I’m too tired! or, I forgot! Each event at the end of my day is a little treat and I love becoming the busy, active woman I’ve always admired.
Getting New Specs
I stare at the computer a lot . . . like, all day long, a lot – which, who’d have guessed it meant I was getting eye strain symptoms left right and center. I don’t even remember the last time I got an eye exam, so, last month, I got one! And, surprise surprise, I needed glasses. Big time. I got my exam at Innervision Fine Eyewear (131 South 18th Street) and picked up my pair of computer glasses there. I also had a Warby Parker gift certificate from Gilt City, so I stopped by their showroom at Art in the Age (116 North 3rd Street) and ordered my distance pair right there. I am loving both. It’s kind of crazy that I can see now . . .
The Bronzed Bee Grand Opening
Image via Lauren Mechelle
I love a good neighborhood gem, and I have a feeling the Bronzed Bee (406 South 20th Street) will fit that description! I was invited to their grand opening last week & loved the blogger crew there. Plus, there were amazing little bee cupcakes from Pamcakes (404 South 20th Street), right next door. The owner, Ashley, was very sweet & excited about her first salon. The Bronzed Bee has a brow bar and offers body waxing & spray tanning.
Flywheel
Boy oh boy, am I becoming obsessed with Flywheel (1521 Locust Street). If you’re not familiar, Flywheel is a sort of crazy intense (but so fun) spin class with awesome music & great instructors. Full disclosure: I had not worked out like this in over a year, and was terrified before I started, but it’s totally possible to do. Your scores for each class are recorded on your bike & put into your online account later so you can monitor your progress. Plus, I feel so great after each class. Your first class is free, and you can sign up right here.
Buick Auto Show Tour & Lunch
I, self admittedly, do not know a ton about cars. But as I am approaching 25 years of age, I think it is about time I start learning a little bit more about them. I was invited to kick off the Philadelphia Auto Show with Buick and learn more about their new cars. I fell in love with the Encore, which would probably be the only SUV I could parallel park in Philly. Buick shared with us that unlike the rest of the auto industry, their average customer has gone down in age. Haaay millennials. After the show, we were treated to an amazing lunch at The Saloon (750 South 7th Street). Mussels for days.
BurgerFi Grand Opening
Philly’s got a new burger joint, and it’s really freakin good. BurgerFi (44 North 12th Street) just officially opened last Tuesday, and I got to stop by Monday night for some burgers, brews, and onion rings the size of your head with my pals Kory & HughE. I love that BurgerFi uses only all-natural, free-range, never frozen or reheated, 100% Angus beef for their hamburgers, and I highly recommend those big onion rings. Yum yum yum.
Tonight I am off to drink a bottle of wine at a BYO & celebrate Valentine’s Day with my girlfriends. I hope you have a fabulous Valentine’s Day, my Philly ladies! xx
Disclosure: I was provided with five free Flywheel classes. If you sign up using my referral link, I will get credit towards future classes. // I was provided with a free, delicious meal at BurgerFi. // All opinions, as always, are my own.