13 Things Thursday

Hi, guys! Happy Thursday to you!

I have so many random things to tell you, so I decided to put them in a “things” blog post. I used to write these kind of posts back in the day, and they’re honestly fun for me to write. They’re kind of like a “brain dump,” so there’s a little bit of everything included! 🙂 Ok, here we go!

1 . The 30-Day Build a Booty Challenge started yesterday. Woohoo! You can still join if you’d like. There are 5 workouts each week, and they start on Wednesdays, so you have plenty of time to complete them. I’m sharing some video demos on Instagram, so feel free to pop over there to check them out. Additionally, I’ll be hosting weekly giveaways on Thursdays on the blog, so be sure to check back for a chance to win all sorts of goodies!

2. The deadline to sign up for the May group of Master Your Macros is today. If you’re interested, please sign up ASAP, so we can get you up and running for Monday!

3. We donated some of Quinn’s baby toys the other day, and I’m surprised how much it affected me. I didn’t cry, but, man, it made my heart sad. The toys reminded me of such a sweet time in his life. Those baby years really do fly by!

4. I ordered addition flash cards from Amazon for Quinn, but inside the box was multiplication cards. Whomp whomp. Thankfully, Mr. Haupert put his teaching hat on, and we skipped right past adding to multiplying (with the help of some pennies)!

5. I made this delicious one-pot chicken pasta recipe in the instant pot the other day, and it turned out so well. I can’t wait to share the recipe with you! It was SO EASY!

6. BUSTING MYTHS ABOUT BECOMING A BEAUTYCOUNTER CONSULTANT – This was such a great blog post!

“Is Beautycounter a pyramid scheme?”

“If the products are so great, why aren’t they just sold in traditional retail stores?”

“I’ve heard something like 1% of consultants in businesses like this earn money.”

Or, accusations of “MLMs are predatory to women, so Beautycounter is bad news.”

If you’ve ever had any of the questions or concerns above, please read this post. Additionally, it’s a new month, and I’m recruiting new consultants for my team. If you’re interested in chatting, please let me know! 🙂

7. I’m loving peanut butter and jelly toast (and rice cakes) with banana slices lately. I’ve eaten this combo for breakfast every day this week. I’m usually such a PB+banana gal, but the jelly adds a little something extra!

8. I’m ALL about the clean-crafted wine lately. I ordered another case of wine from Scout & Cellar, and I’m so impressed with what I’ve tried. Usually, organic wines are kind of blah, but these are seriously delicious!! If you’re interested in staying in the loop about these wines and deals at Scout & Cellar, please sign up here. And, of course, feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

9. If you’re local, the Derby Street Shops are hosting a Kentucky Derby Party on Saturday night to kick off their newest addition: The Derby Street Green in partnership with South Shore Health. It’s a family-friendly event that includes champagne mint juleps, local beer and wine for sale, live ponies, a hat contest, and Kentucky Derby crafts and games for kids.
Tickets are $5 per adult and kids are FREE. All proceeds benefit Hingham Public Schools. We’re planning to go, so if you do too, please say hi! 🙂

10. I have a full blog post coming about why the scale fluctuates (I’m soooo NOT a fan of the scale), but I just wanted to share the image for the post since it came out so well!

11. I ordered two bras from Zappos, and they BOTH fit! Holy cow, I’m still in shock. I have THE WORST time finding bras (I even tried ThirdLove), so I was pleasantly surprised! FYI: The bras are Natori Gloss Full Fit Contour Underwire Bra + Natori Bliss Perfection Contour Underwire Bra. Definitely check out Zappos (free shipping) if you’re in the market!

12. I’m so glad that it’s May. We have so many celebrations on the horizon!

13. Our vacation to Punta Cana is 68 days away!! 

Question of the Day

Your turn! Share a ‘thing’ from your life lately! 🙂

P.S. Be sure to enter to win a Bravery Band over on Instagram. They’re so pretty!

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Bravery Brand Interview with Lindsay Riley

I recently had the opportunity to connect with Lindsay Riley, the creator of the Bravery Band. The Bravery Band represents the fearless and unstoppable person you can be. It’s just one word and five digits, but involves countless stories. Whether you’re a hero in the military or a hero within yourself conquering life’s everyday battles, there is someone brave in all of us. The Bravery Brand represents the American Dream that anything in life is possible. Wearing the band is a constant reminder of your bravery.

Lindsay kindly gifted me a rose gold Countless Band, which I’ve worn non-stop since receiving it. It’s a great reminder to be brave in my everyday life, especially with regard to Carrots ‘N’ Cake and putting myself out there. I’ve struggled with confidence in the past, so it’s a nice reminder to put those anxieties aside. I love that the message on the band is subtle, using the digits 27283 to represent the spelling of the word BRAVE on your phone pad. 

The Bravery Bands come in a number of styles for both women and men. They’re available in three Macy’s locations for a limited time (Northstar in San Antonio, TX, Lenox Square in Atlanta, GA, and Northshore Mall in Peabody, MA) as well as online, along with the bravery bag (it’s super cute!) at braverybrand.com, and also at Lindsay’s style lounge, The Cue, in Dorchester, MA. I love everything that the bands stand for as well as Lindsay’s story and connection to the brand. Read on for my interview with her!

What’s the story/inspiration behind Bravery Brand?

The Bravery brand was started back in 2014 when my Grandmother passed away. She was the Barber Walters of Boston, a socialite and media guru promoting and supporting designers, athletes, and politicians in the area. When she passed I had got a call from David Josef, Yolanda Celucci and a few others saying “Your Grandma helped us, so now its our time to help you.” That’s when I got asked to design the official bag for Boston Medical’s Catwalk for Cancer. I asked myself “What was I going to design that represented both men and women overcoming something that made them so brave? That’s when the American Flag came to me. Something both men and women could both carry as well as the greatest symbol of Bravery.

In 2014, I launched our FIRST “Bravery Bag” for Boston Medical’s Catwalk For Cancer. It was then out of nowhere people kept sending me their stories of where they were wearing their bags, what they were carrying it for and how they were seeing other people with them.

Then, in 2015 I reached out to military non-profits and teamed up with the USO New England and started to give back to our active duty military. The Bravery Bag was born to represent the brave and strong person within all of us whether you were wearing it for yourself or someone you knew!

What’s your background?

I graduated from Lasell College in 2013 with a degree in Fashion Merchandising. While studying at Lasell, I also attended London College of Fashion.

I’ve also been sewing since I was six years old and selling handbags since I was fourteen, which gave me a better understanding of manufacturing and what it took to produce a product. At the age of 20, I was producing and manufacturing my first line of handbags right here in Massachusetts.

Being an entrepreneur, I need to immerse myself in every aspect of the business. I currently go from manufacturing products, listening to peoples stories, to being a buyer and stylist for The Cue, to running the back end of both businesses day in and day out.

Is there a particular bravery story from customers that has stuck with you as especially memorable?

I’ll never forget a few stories that always hit near to the heart but one that I always remember was a girl from college whose card read: “I am brave to have chosen the school I wanted to go to and no where my parents wanted me to go. I now am a freshman at the school of my choice, on the deans list and my parents aren’t talking to me. I am brave for being strong for myself.” – I’ll never forget speaking at that school and reading that story and how much I could feel that girl feeling alone but achieving her own happiness all at once.

Where do you see the brand going in the future? 

In my eyes, The Bravery Brand is creating a brand that brings people together as one, and my hope is that our band will be on every wrist in the US.

In the future, I’d like The Bravery Brand platform to be connected to multiple non-profits and companies to help bring awareness and “band together” to create powerful connections. Every wrist and every story!

What’s your favorite band style?

I love them all because they all represent a little piece of me. But if I had to choose, my favorite band would be the rose gold flags. I love how it shows our patriotic side on the outside with a constant reminder of the word written inside “I Am Brave” for that little reminder within all of us!

What’s the inspiration behind the Countless Band?

When I first started the Bravery bag, I knew how powerful it was and what it meant to people. What I realized in that process was that it wasn’t everyday people wanted to say that THEY were brave or that they were wearing it for themselves. Fast forward a few years later when I was creating the Bravery Bands, I knew I wanted one that represented our mission without saying it. I remember thinking up all sorts or logos or symbols that could represent BRAVE, but nothing seemed to resonate with me. It wasn’t till I was driving on the highway one day and a big military truck was in front of me with those giant bumper numbers. It was right than when I was like how do I spell the word brave in numbers? I immediately got out my phone and realized it was 27283 and immediately every bone in my body was like THAT’S IT!!! One word, five digits, countless stories. 27283 is the digits of BRAVE for those who are wearing it for themselves or wearing their band because of someone else it’s a code.

Bravery Band Giveaway

Head over to @carrotsncake Instagram and share what makes you brave for a chance to win a Bravery Band of your choice!

P.S. If you’re local, the Bravery Kick-Off Event will be held on May 23rd at Granite Links with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the USO. Link to tickets here!

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Overnight Protein Oats with Riced Cauliflower

Euro Party Night

Yesterday was such a fun day for our little family, who, for the record, has some really great ideas for our Sunday afternoon. Mal had a random craving for a charcuteri board, and Quinn suggested a party, specifically a “party night.” We decided to combine their ideas for a “Euro Party Night” since stopping by our local Euro Mart was key to the evening.

If you’re local, you definitely need to check out this place. The imported cured meats are absolutely incredible. I actually didn’t know I liked salami until yesterday! It was so flavorful and not fake-tasting like a lot of grocery story salamis often are. The guy behind the counter actually said if he wants to impress someone, he’ll offer them a sample of the salami, and I definitely know why now. We were immediately sold! 🙂

The Euro Mart also sells Kinder Eggs, which are SO FUN, it’s hard to wait until you get home to open them!

Back at home, Quinn was in full on party mode. He was totally into it and took charge with the decorations and what needed to be done. Mal and I loved watching his “take charge” attitude and asked him if he wanted to moonlight as a party planner someday. His reply: an enthusiastic “YES!” FYI: Quinn’s dream (full-time) job is becoming an EMT with some party planning on the side.

Decoration highlights: A paper fan napkin holder for the Batman napkins, place settings that included a stripped straw + toothpick, and sparkly Thanksgiving centerpieces. I helped Quinn with the food, but he set the table and did such a great job!

The bug beach chair at the head of the table was also Quinn’s idea! 🙂

Cheers to our first Euro Party Night!!

Our party attire included scratch-and-sniff pizza stickers because who doesn’t love to smell like pizza!?

And, of course, Murphy was invited to our party. We gave him a bite of brie cheese, and he must have licked his lips 50 times. I mean, it was a delicious brie!

P.S. Totally unrelated, but I saw this New York Times Custom Birthday Book in an Uncommon Goods catalog and just had to share in case you’re in the market for a Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gift. (I’m pretty sure this is what Grandma and Papi are getting!) It’s a book of front pages from the New York Times from each year since the recipient’s birthday. Isn’t that a fun and unique gift idea? FYI: If you want to gift one for Mother’s Day, the deadline to order is tomorrow (4/30)!

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Half Size Me: How To Change Your Mind and Habits

In episode 377 of The Half Size Me™ Show, Heather talks to Connie about how she gained weight as a newlywed how her mind and habits have evolved how to revamp her favorite foods to enjoy them more often  and more! JOIN The Half Size Me™ Community waiting list! Learn more about the benefits of community membership […]

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Tips for Being Consistent, Quitting the Blog & How What I Eat Affects Quinn

Hi, friends!

Happy Monday! I hope you had a lovely weekend! 🙂

Here’s the most recent episode of Carrots ‘N’ Cake Instagram Live. If you missed the 24 hour replay, it’s shared below for your viewing pleasure. If you have any questions that you’d like for me to answer in the next video, please let me know – either comment below or send me an email!

 

 

In this episode, I cover the following topics:

• Tips for being consistent with diet and exercise
  • Jeremy Scott Fitness
• Whether or not I want to quit the blog
• Do I worry that my focus on eating a certain way will impact Quinn?
• Favorite sports bra (free shipping at Zappos!)
• Best pre-workout (BCAAs) 
  • The Joe Rogan Experience – David Sinclair, Ph.D. (just search the show notes for “BCAAs”)

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Workouts to Try This Week

Hi, friends!

I heard a rumor that you wanted to see more workouts on CNC. Well, technically, I polled my followers on Instagram, but there was an overwhelming response for new workouts. Workouts to try this week? You’ve got it!

You guys know I love a good sweat session, so I’m going to share 3 new workouts on the blog on Sunday mornings. Basically, you’ll get a variety of workouts to try for the upcoming week, which you can find here on the blog OR if you’d like the workouts sent directly to your inbox, you can sign up for my email list. I’ll send them out on Sunday morning, so you’ll have them ready to go when you are! And, of course, if you have special requests for workouts (i.e. at-home, treadmill), please send them my way!

Want even more workouts and love Pinterest? Check out some of my top workout boards:

CrossFit-Inspired Workouts

Travel Workouts,

At-Home Workouts

Stroller Workouts

Athleisure Favorites

Nike Sportswear Tech Fleece Women’s Full-Zip Cape

Nike Alpha Sports Bra

Lululemon In Movement Tight 25″

Lululemon Scuba Crew

Athleta Soho Jogger

Athleta High Neck Bikini Top

Question of the Day

What type of workouts would you like to see on CNC?

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