It’s been a few weeks since I last shared a Friday Favorites post (my last one was back in March – more than a month ago). That feels like such a long time ago – so much has changed in just a short month. I thought I’d share a Friday Favorites post today. I’m craving all the “normal” I can get these days, and blogging feels normal to me right now. Who knows when “normal” will happen again (or even if it will). I have to take what I can get and that means writing a Friday Favorites post this week.
Thankfully we had a taste of spring yesterday. I didn’t get any snow and the temperature warmed up! We’ve gotten snow nearly every single day this week so it felt really good to have weather that felt like spring instead of winter. It was the nicest day I think we’ve had since the fall. You better believe that I took advantage of it. This winter has felt extra snowy and never ending. I’m more than ready for all of the snow to melt and see green grass and buds on the trees! I’m hoping that that happens sooner rather than later.
Homeland on Netflix
Since I’ve been physical distancing and spending all the time at home, I’ve been binge watching Homeland. I started it a few months ago, but didn’t get into it until recently. I had heard a lot about it before so it was one of those shows that I wanted to watch but just hadn’t had the time to really dive into. Needless to say I’m officially hooked.
I’m excited that I have 5 more seasons to watch, as season 8 just started back in February. I love TV shows, movies, and books that are longer so that I can really get to know the characters and really get a feel for them. That’s probably why I loved Downton Abbey and Mad Men so much. What are you watching right now that you can’t get enough of?
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion
With all of the extra hand hand washing that’s been happening since the pandemic happened, it’s been hard on my hands like I’m sure it has been on yours too. All of the soap and water has been sucking all of the moisture out of my hands.
I’m so grateful that I stocked up on Aveeno’s Daily Moisturizing Lotion (affiliate link) at Costco back in January. It’s been so great at putting some moisture back into my skin and keeping my hands from getting cracked. I have sensitive skin so it can be a bit tricky sometimes to find skincare products that I don’t react to, but I’ve had really good luck with Aveeno products. I feel like I’m constantly putting it on throughout the day to keep my skin as happy as possible.
The Alice Network
Last week I finished reading The Alice Network (affiliate link) by Kate Quinn. I honestly didn’t know much about the book other than it was one of my favorite genres – historical fiction. I’m so glad that I decided to read it because it was really good. I loved learning about how women spies were involved in both world wars. I didn’t really know much about them before I read it.
If you’re looking for a book that covers both world wars in Europe then be sure to put The Alice Network on your to be read list. The chapters alternated between the two main characters as well as the world wars. It was an interesting way to set up the book. Kate Quinn has actually written a few other books that I’m excited to read since I enjoyed The Alice Network so much.
Yoga Nidra
I’ve only done a yoga nidra practice one or twice in the past month or so. I usually do it once a week, so when I realized that it had been awhile I thought I’d do one on Monday night. I’m so glad that I did because it felt so good!
If you’re not familiar with yoga nidra, it’s more of a meditation practice than your typical yoga practice. You spend the entire time in savasana which feels so indulgent. Since you’re laying in the one pose for the whole time I use all the props to make myself as comfortable as possible. I use a chip block under the back of my head, a blanket that I unfold so that it’s only a few layers thick and big so that it goes from my neck to my hips, and then I place bolsters under the back of my knees and ankles. If you don’t have those yoga props at home, play around with what you do have available and check out this post where I share ideas for at home yoga props.
With the added stress and anxiety that I’m feeling (and I know that a lot of other people are in the same boat), it felt really good to take an hour for myself and just do nothing other than relax. There’s a ton of great yoga nidra practices on the Insight Timer app – my favorite ones are by Jennifer Piercy and Tanis Fishman. If you’re newer to yoga nidra try Jennifer’s yoga nidras. They range in length from 15 to 30 minutes. If you’re looking for a longer practice, try a couple of Tanis’ yoga nidras. They’re longer at 50 to 65 minutes. Tanis was actually one of my instructors when I did my 200 hour yoga teacher training. Being able to do a yoga nidra with Tanis in person during YTT was such a huge treat!
Monday night was a good reminder than I should be doing these yoga practices more often. It helped a bunch with the anxiety that I was feeling and by the time I was done I felt so relaxed and more present in my body.
What’s a favorite thing of yours from the past week? Let me know about it in the comments below.
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