Last night on my Instagram stories I gave my followers free rein to ask me about ANY of my favorite things. From mascara to Thanksgiving side dishes, nothing was off limits. It occurred to me as the questions started rolling in, it was an amazing “get to know you” Q&A! So instead of just answering them all on IG where they would disappear in 24 hours, I figured I would give them a proper post and let the answers live forever on the blog in a new series: My Favorites on Fridays!
So here we go, reader submitted requests for my favorite things!
My favorite way to pray
First of all, love this question. Recently I’ve been trying to model my prayers after The Lord’s Prayer. It’s how Jesus taught his disciples to pray, but instead of just reciting it (which we do), I also like to personalize it. My advice is to spend some time unpacking it. For instance, “Our father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name” = identifying who God is and his holiness before just jumping in and asking Him for his help. Unpack the whole prayer this way and see how it applies to your life.
My favorite mascara
This one – I’m currently using a different brand just because I have it (waste not, want not), but having recently compared the two, this one is the winner and I will be repurchasing it once I used up my current mascara tube
My favorite way to style my hair when I’m in a hurry
By far, the middle part, slicked back low bun. I do this style probably 4 days a week it seems. It can go really casual for the gym or even look sleek and polished for a date. If you have wispies or flyaways, I use this wax stick (it’s actually my husband’s!) to contain them and then finish it off with a soft hold hairspray.
My favorite jeans
If I had to only wear one pair of jeans forever, it would probably be my AG Ex Boyfriend jeans, because they’re just so comfortable and versatile. Just slightly distressed and super casual but I can work these into a lot of different outfits. However, I have several pairs I’m loving right now, including the Tomcat by Mother Denim (wearing these today actually) and Ribcage Jeans which I wear all the time.
My favorite thing to do on Sundays
I love Sundays. We go to church as a family, we go to brunch together, and then I like to just kind of plan the week ahead. Sometimes I go to the grocery store while Merritt naps and Stockton plays with the kids. We always cook a homemade meal as a family on Sundays, and sometimes that includes other family members, other times it’s just the 6 of us. Overall, it’s just a very relaxing day for our family and we really try to sabbath on Sundays.
My favorite bible verse
Proverbs 3:5-6 // Trust in the Lord your God with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all of your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
My favorite road trip snack
Oof, too many to choose so here are a few I would grab! Gardettos, cheeze-it’s, Mike & Ikes, Mentos.
My favorite workout
Let’s follow that last question with something a bit more redeeming, shall we?? I like a workout that is efficient and fast paced. That typically looks like HIIT (high intensity interval training). That being said, I tend to run at a really high energy level and sometimes what my body actually needs is a slower pace, and for that, I like to tap into a pilates practice. It challenges me physically AND mentally to take things slower and be more intentional about my movements.
Right now I’m doing a fitness challenge with my 10 year old: everyday for 30 days, we’re doing 50 squats, 50 crunches and 50 pushups and at the end of the challenge if we are successful, I’m treating him to a solo trip to Dick’s. Join us in the challenge and download the calendar below to check off your days!
Personal Development Book
That Sounds Fun was really relevant to my personality, it gave me a message I needed to hear to simply enjoy life a little more instead of making everything a job.
To Hell With the Hustle was also AMAZING and helped me at just the right time to slow down.
Present Over Perfect is so beautiful and just always speaks directly to my heart (really, all of Shauna’s writing does this to me).
My favorite cocktail
I am exclusively a wine drinker with the occasional seltzer if we’re poolside (my favorite seltzers are Press). If I’m at a Mexican restaurant I’ll do a margarita, but that’s it for cocktails for me! Speaking of wine…
What is your favorite red wine?
This question is so sad, because I used to be a HUGE red wine drinker. HOWEVER, recently I significantly cut back my weekly alcohol intake and went a month or so without drinking at all, and since doing so, I cannot tolerate red wine! I get the worst headaches if I even have a single glass, which is such a bummer because I really do love it, so I’ve pretty much moved exclusively to white and rosé. But prior to becoming such a lightweight, I loved Oberon, Orin Swift Papillon, Daou Cab, Vineyard 511 is super special, and Cakebread also has a lovely Cab (which is one of my favorites for Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay also).
My favorite makeup products
Linked all my daily favorites here.
What is your favorite coffee creamer?
Good ol’ half & half, baby. I keep it simple.
What is your favorite unique but healthy snack?
A Riceosaurus!!! My mom coined the phrase when we were kids, but you just take a rice cake and top it with mayo/mustard, deli meat and a slice of cheese, microwave it for a few seconds until that cheese gets melty and VOILA! You can do this with any combination of toppings too (tuna salad, peanut butter, bananas, you name it).
Where is your favorite place to shop?
Check out this whole blog post where I literally shared ALL my favorites by category!
There are so many more great questions you guys had, but I don’t want this post to turn into a novel, so if I didn’t answer yours, don’t worry because I will in our next segment! Also I’ll save them to a highlight on IG so you can refer back anytime. Enjoy your Friday, friends, and thanks for your questions!