Friday Favorites: Sunny Walks + Affordable Skincare

This week felt like a little reset in the best way. The sun finally came out, the snow is (finally) gone, and I’ve been soaking up every bit of it. This winter has felt long and extra snowy, so I’m very grateful that Mother Nature is finally transitioning into spring.

And it’s just in time too! The group of kids I volunteer with at Girl Guides are going camping this weekend in tents. It’s still pretty cold here overnight. While I’m not able to go for the whole weekend, I will be spending most of Saturday at camp with them. They’ve been learning camp skills over the last few months – from how to put together a camp stove, to how to put up a tent, to how to do dishes with no running water. This weekend, they’ll finally be able to put all of those skills into action.

And now onto my Friday favorites! I have three this week that I’m excited to share.

A Sunny Walk With a Friend

Yesterday morning, I had plans to meet up with a friend for a walk. I’m so glad we picked yesterday, because the weather was perfect. It was sunny and 15 degrees Celsius – warm enough that all I needed was a light jacket. The sun felt so good on my face. The grass is finally starting to turn green, and I’m really looking forward to the trees getting their leaves soon. It felt amazing to be outside without any snow.

Getting to catch up with my friend about her life and her family was so nice. We go on walks together pretty often, but it had been a few weeks since our last one, so we had lots to talk about. She’s a friend I’ve had for 30-ish years, and I’m so grateful for our friendship over the decades.

We ended up covering about 3.5 mostly flat kilometres. She brought one of her puppies, so we weren’t going fast by any means, but that was completely okay. What mattered most was that we got to spend time together and be outside. It was a good reminder for me that movement doesn’t have to be complicated to feel really good.

Stella and Grace Eye Masks

I’ve been a fan of Grace and Stella eye masks for a few years now. On my last trip to Costco, they had a giant pack of them on sale. Needless to say, it wasn’t a tough decision to grab them and put them in my cart.

I use them a couple of times per week before bed. I usually read before turning off the light, so it’s the perfect time to put on a pair of eye masks. I’ve been struggling with my sleep lately, and using them has become part of my bedtime routine. There’s something about taking that time to wind down and slow my brain that really helps me fall asleep.

Eye masks are one of those little luxuries that feel so indulgent, but are actually pretty affordable and make me feel like I’m pampering myself. Plus, I swear they make a difference in how my under-eye area looks the next day.

Garmin Vivoactive 6

A few months ago, I got my very first Garmin, and I’ve been loving it ever since. I’ve had various Fitbits over the years, and while I really liked them, my Garmin feels like the next step up. I went with the Vivoactive 6, which is in a similar price range to a Fitbit.

I’m loving how easy it is to use for walks. With just a couple of taps, I’m tracking a walk. It also tracks things like heart rate, sleep, and steps. I’ve also been using it to track my Fitness Marshall workouts. It’s definitely most effective for cardio-based workouts – whether that’s walking, running, cycling.

My Garmin has been making my walks feel a little more fun and motivating without me becoming obsessive about it. I’m really glad I decided to go with the Vivoactive 6.

It’s funny how the smallest things can shift your mood, and that was definitely true for me this past week. The snow is (fingers crossed) gone, I’ve been doing some bedtime self-care, and I’ve been enjoying my Garmin.

What’s been a favorite of yours this week? Share one in the comments below.