Friday Favorites and a Virtual Coffee Date

Happy first day of March! I’m joining several other bloggers today for a virtual coffee date, which is fun. I can’t remember the last time I did an actual real-life coffee date with someone (it’s been some time), so it’s fun to share with you instead some things I’ve been enjoying lately. 

Over coffee, I would tell you that these are five things I’ve been grateful for lately:

Note – there are some affiliate links below, so if you decide to buy my bike, thanks in advance 🙂 But I really do love all these!

This tea. Okay, I don’t actually drink caffeine regularly, so if we were having a coffee date, I’d probably be sipping on some delicious tea – Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice. And this tea has been giving me life lately. If I do need a little jolt of energy, this is what I’m brewing these days. If you like cinnamon, I highly recommend it!

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My exercise bike. I have been getting over a running injury (ugh!) and I’ve been so grateful to have my Merach exercise bike to get me through the past few weeks. It has kept me sane when I can’t run, and also given me a way to sweat and work some new muscles that I don’t focus on when running. It’s no Peloton, but I does it’s purpose and is a great bike for when cycling is your cross-training and not your primary workout. Oh, and it’s a great tool to have when your toddler is waking up at 6 am on weekends and wants to watch Daniel Tiger …

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This nail polish. I go through phases with my nails, but I have always loved a good painted nail. This Esse Gel Couture is a polish I use at home (thanks to my friend Emily for introducing me to it!) and it lasts longer than my traditional home “manicure.” I’ve done my nails on a Friday or Saturday and gone to work most of the following week with it still looking good, and that says something! Best of all – it’s regular nail polish. No need for any UV light or do anything special to take it off. I use regular polish remover with acetone and a cotton ball and it comes right off. I have this bright red color and the below pink, which is an amazing nude color.

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What I’m reading lately. After reading Killers of the Flower Moon, I wanted to find an easy, short book and this was everything I was looking for.  Sourdough was a light, fast read. It wasn’t my favorite book of the year but it was quick and easy. It also made me think about getting into the sourdough baking cult (yes, I know I’m 4 years too late). 

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Morning walks. As the weather starts to get warmer, I’m so glad to be able to get in a short morning walk with GM after the big kids go to school. The bus picks them up around 7:15, and if I’m working from home, I have a 45 minutes or so to kill before starting my day. While it was chilly some mornings this week, we had some beautiful 50-60 degree days with a gorgeous sunrise and I was able to get GM out for a few miles. These walks have also been key to my sanity while I’m not running – getting in any movement has been a blessing!

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Hope you liked my first Ultimate Coffee Date/Fit Five Friday linkup! 

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Ultimate-Coffee-Date-1.jpgUltimate Coffee Date is hosted by Coco and Deborah
Fit Five Friday is hosted by My First 5K and MoreRunning With AttitudeRun Laugh Eat PieRuns with Pugs, and The Running Teacher 

Questions for you:

  • Do you drink coffee or tea regularly?
  • How often do you paint your nails or get them done?

14 responses to “Friday Favorites and a Virtual Coffee Date”

  1. deborahbrooks14 Avatar
    deborahbrooks14

    I love morning or afternoon walks as the weather gets nice too. It is always nice to have a bike as an option when running is not available. Helps to keep up the cardio! thanks for joining us for coffee

  2. Debbie Avatar

    Yes, to walks! No pressure and just a quiet time in nature.

    To answer your questions, I don’t like tea or coffee. I know, weird, huh? And I get my nails done every two weeks, but recently the entire polish (gel) has been pulling off in one big piece. I had them done last Friday and seven have already come off. That’s completely new the last few manicures so I’m going to give my nails a break for a couple months. Like you, I love the look of nicely manicured nails.

  3. Melodie Baker Avatar
    Melodie Baker

    I love cinnamon tea and that one looks tasty! I love having painted nails but mine are always chipped by day two. I may try this brand that you shared! The morning walks sound really nice! I love being outside in the early mornings, especially as the weather starts warming up.

  4. runswithpugs Avatar

    I don’t drink tea often, but cinnamon does sound good.

    We saw most of Killers of the Flower Moon, but I think I would prefer the book.

    I liked the Essie gel polish, but I’ve been treating myself to manicures lately, so I only use it on my toes (i hate people touching my feet).

    I’m so glad for your bike aiding your recovery and for pretty days.

  5. Darlene Avatar
    Darlene

    At one point, I gave up coffee and drank tea but I’m back!

    I always do ANC French at the salon… I love it because you can’t see when I need to go again. U can stretch out a month… can’t do that with colors.

    My stationary bike which I never use except when I am injured is a Godsend.

  6. Michelle @ Running with Attitude Avatar

    I’m a big fan of a morning walk – especially now since, like you, I’m recovering from an injury. My bike has also been a great alternative!

    I love a good painted nail as well! I usually use OPI so I’ll have to look for that Essie polish.

  7. Kim at Running on the Fly Avatar
    Kim at Running on the Fly

    I love early morning walks!!!! I’m so glad the days are getting longer & warmer! I love the aroma of coffee, but don’t like the taste. I’m a cappuccino gal, though 🙂

  8. Marcia Avatar

    That tea looks very enticing and I’m not even a tea drinker! I too am loving the earlier sunrise so we can get out earlier. It’s like finding extra time in the day!

  9. jennystancampiano Avatar
    jennystancampiano

    I don’t like coffee but I LOVE tea- so that cinnamon tea is caffeinated? i want to try it!
    Hmmm. I guess I’m grateful for the bike… it’s better than nothing, but I’m getting really tired of it. I think it would help if I could walk for exercise…. maybe this week!
    Your nails look great.

    1. Melissa (I Crashed the Web) Avatar

      Yes it’s black tea and I love it!!

  10. Zenaida Arroyo Avatar

    I am sorry to hear about your injury. Those are never fun but I am glad you have other activities to keep you busy. I drink tea once in a while but I prefer coffee. Love it!

  11. Coco Avatar

    I definitely start my day with coffee — after my workout.

    As annoying as it can be to bundle up and/or brave the rain, I enjoy starting my day walking Scooby. The fresh air and movement do so much good!

  12. Farrah Avatar

    Ahh, Harney & Sons — I’ve had that one before and really like it! (I’m all for all the hot teas lately — it’s been so cold!)

    I still need to read Killers of the Flower Moon!

    I used to have a sourdough starter but it did not survive my move across the country, unfortunately. :[

  13. Cari Avatar
    Cari

    Aww your littles one is getting so big
    I ❤ cinnamon, thanks for the rec. Had an excellent pot of Harney & Sons mint tea at the Morgan Library last week. I'll never be a tea person, but I could in theory

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I’m Melissa

Welcome to I Crashed The Web — proof that I’ve been oversharing online since the early days of blogging. It started as a blog (back when that was cool), morphed into a mom blog (when that was cool), and now it’s my happy place for all the things I love: running, baking, reading, traveling and life with my family of five.

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